Justin Molina has secrets. He’s served his time but remains a prisoner of his past, unable to forgive himself for failing his family when they needed him most. Justin’s grief is overwhelming, but he keeps silent and focuses on his goals. About to graduate college, he tries to keep his head above water—no matter how many times life keeps knocking him down. When he’s forced to register for a … poetry-writing class, Justin discovers putting words to his feelings might be exactly what his fractured heart needs to heal. Or is it the older professor with the bow ties and gentle smile who gives him a chance when no one else will?
Professor Foster Faraday Harding is a broken man. His divorce is final, and he’s reverted back to the safety of his books. Even his poetry no longer brings him joy; he’s sleepwalking through life. The raw emotion of Justin’s poetry awakens Foster to desires he thought long buried in the ashes of his marriage. When he discovers Justin is struggling financially, Foster offers him a solution that benefits both of them. Soon it’s Foster who’s struggling with emotions he can’t understand: Justin is his student. And a man. One crazy night years earlier doesn’t mean anything. Foster is straight.
After months of denying the growing attraction between them, an unexpected kiss changes everything. Justin and Foster are no longer only professor and student—they’ve become lovers, but the strain of hiding their relationship increases with each passing day. Words have the power not only to hurt but to heal the greatest pain. If Foster and Justin listen to what their hearts are saying, they might break through their silence and live their own love poems—together.
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Wow!! If I could give this book 10 stars I would. Felice Stevens outdid herself in telling Justin and Foster’s story. What a heartwarming and emotional story. I have loved Felice’s writing from the first time I read one of her books, but this one mad me fall in love with her writing all over again. Neither Justin nor Foster have had life easy, and the way in which Felice tells their story and their search for happiness is simply beautiful. Not only did I fall in love with Justin and Foster, but I also fell in love with the secondary characters in this book. What a wonderful world Felice Stevens created with Broken Silence. Yet, another great read.
I have to warn you: this book is an emotional wringer, so have handkerchiefs at the ready. I know I needed them a few times during Justin and Foster’s story.
Justin is a troubled, sad young man, eaten up by guilt and trying to hide his soft, gentle heart behind a cocky ,moody behavior. And Foster, all he’s ever wanted was someone to love,which led him into a disastrous marriage. They connect ar first glance,their personalities just click, but neither of them is used to opening up to other people and trust doesn’t come easily. Not to mention the age difference or the fact that Justin is a student in Foster’s class. It won’t be easy to learn how to let go of their insecurities or to understand that they’re better together than apart.
Broken Silence touched all hy heart strings. With beautiful poetry as a side character, the book is a soul-stirring story and it will stay with me for a long time.
Thank you, Felice Stevens!
I loved this book so much. I didn’t want to put it down. Feelings are so richly described and I rooted so hard for both main characters. Justin’s mother and Earline are both memorable characters and I can’t wait to read more of Ross and Benny.
Two beautiful men who have such different backgrounds find each other .
Such a wonderful story of learning , learning to trust learning to love completely and learning to respect yourself ..
This book has all that and much more ..
Justin is in college and is older than the rest as his life was not easy for him, and a year in jail has made him feel unworthy.
Professor Foster takes the poetry writing class where Justin has registered into.
One look at each other that was all it took for something to grow ……
Watching both men grow was beautiful and their trust in each other made it work , it was their truth.
How these men grew into each other is written beautifully , you can see it happening , the love, the trust, and the wonder if it can work!
Their love is wondrous so beautiful I read the book again …
There are many losses in both their lives and Felice writes and shows us how these beautiful men could get a life together with love and a learning of each other.
I absolutely loved this book , I could feel the love Justin and Foster shared it was honest and complete.
Another good story from one of my favorite authors, with one of my favorite tropes: May-December. I love age gap stories, and in this one, a 25-year-old student, Justin, falls for his 42-year-old professor, Foster, and vice versa.
As always, Justin and Foster are likable, real-life men with their flaws and doubts. Even though they both have their baggage, it’s not an overly angsty story. Their struggles on their journey toward each other are genuine and heartfelt, with insightful views from both sides, which this author does so well. She always gives food for thought. They don’t hesitate to pursue their almost taboo relationship, and with the occasional hiccup, they’re fully invested in being there for the long haul.
The buildup is very nicely done, and you’re just waiting for that first kiss. Foster might have been the professor and encourages Justin to embrace his poetry-writing skills, but it’s Justin who helps Foster uncover what’s hidden inside him and teaches him what it means to be with a man. I loved that the roles were reversed.
However, it’s the first time I didn’t like the entire book written by this author. I don’t want to give spoilers away, but there’s one scene in which I found Justin being too pushy persuading Foster to do something he didn’t want to. It just rubbed me the wrong way. I don’t like it in real life; I didn’t like it here. And to be honest, I didn’t understand why it ended up in the story in the first place. I didn’t think it added anything to the story.
The feeling of disappointment lingered, and I had a hard time getting into the story and connecting with the characters again. Maybe that’s the reason this story didn’t wow me as so many of her other stories have done.
That being said, her storytelling is beyond good, and the book has a wonderful secondary cast: Justin’s mother and her friend Earline, as well as Benny and Ross. I’m hoping we’ll get their stories soon.
What a beautiful story of redemption, love, second chances and so much more. Justin and Foster could not be more different from each other.
Justin has made some mistakes in life and paid a very hefty price. He struggles with self forgiveness but works hard at moving forward to better himself. Foster grew up comfortable but with older parents who were not interested in being parents. He doesn’t see himself as worthy of love. What each see as broken within themselves the other values as a gift.
With the added complication of Foster being Justin’s professor they work their way through doubts, fears and their past. Seeing them each begin to value themselves and open up to love is amazing. Felice Stevens has such a gift for creating characters that the reader connects with and loves. The secondary characters throughout this story are outstanding. I’m hoping for a future book featuring Ross and Benny!
Oh. Em. Gee. My feels. Broken Silence will break your heart one minute and give you hope the next. The snippets of original poetry in the book are magical. They bring a whole new layer to the characters and story. I laughed. I cried. The sexy times are HAF. But best of all, you can’t help but fall in love with Justin and Foster. Two men struggling with their own demons who don’t really believe they have self-worth. They may be opposites, but together they make sense.
Broken Silence is an amazing forbidden love May/Dec romance. I highly recommend it. I can’t wait for book 2 in this new series.
Justin is an ex-con with a complicated family life. When he is forced into taking a poetry writing class to fulfill his humanities requirements, he is intrigued by his professor Foster. Foster is trying to get over a recent divorce. He is moved by Justin’s poems and wants to get to know him better.
Amazing forbidden romance. The poems are a nice touch. I liked how both guys were flawed in their own ways. Great storytelling and world building. Super enjoyable and heart wrenching.