What happens when you wake up one day to discover that you’ve been on autopilot your entire life? My life has always been more downs than ups. Good things rarely knocked on my door. But hard knocks never failed to kick my ass. Nothing good would ever happen to me.Or so I thought.In college I discovered women, and never looked back. But even though I was never alone, I was always lonely. I didn’t … was always lonely.
I didn’t know exactly what I needed. Only that I needed something more.
Until I saw her. Then I knew. She was what I needed. We were perfect. Incendiary! We were going to be what happily ever afters were about!
Or so I thought.
Now I’m ten years older. A hundred years wiser. I have survived so many trials by fire, nothing could penetrate my scarred and jaded armor.
Or so I thought.
This is my story…
**Author’s note: Forged is a dark novel with intense scenes that may trigger some readers. Please read with caution.
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This book broke my heart i wanted to jump inside these pages and take Ryan away and hug him show him he is lovable. I wanted to hurt his parents and brother so damm bad and give them what they deservee lock them up and throw away the key. This is a must read i Highly recommend this book.
I love dark, taboo books that push me past the point of comfort. Forged did more than that. Cole Denton took my emotions, placed them on top of the highest mountain, and tossed them over the edge!
Ryan Hudson’s story was not an emotional roller coaster ride, it was a plunge into the darkness of a different level. It was written in a way that every word I read felt as if they evaporated off the pages and etched themselves into my mind, body, and soul. My heart was broken, I felt the pain and my head screamed. I found myself closing the book and walking away several times and going to a happy place to calm my emotions… I actually stopped in the middle of a chapter and baked a cake (baking makes me happy).
FORGED is not for the faint of heart BUT if you are one that can clear your mind and open yourself to be pushed past your limits then you need to read FORGED!
This story elicited so many emotions from me. I cried. I yelled. I cringed. I cheered. I ached for Ryan. Parts left me stunned into silence. And, some parts took me out of my comfort zone. However, I am glad to have taken the step to open my mind and give this story a chance. I am looking forward to continuing Ryan’s journey in book 2. Cole Denton has been added to my list of “No reading reviews necessary. Just read!” …”Only the brave find hope in a second chance.”
You know people who push the envelope? Cole’s writing does more than that. It blows way past the boundaries I’m used to. He skillfully leads you beyond the point of comfort and pulls on your heartstrings with his real, broken characters. His character development is mesmerizing and evokes all the feels. You’ll want to read the whole series to follow Ryan’s gripping journey. Thanks for the great story, Cole!
Emotionally gripping, 5-star read. Cole gives you the feeling that you’re right there with Ryan. Seeing Ryan grow is inspiring and shows how your past doesn’t define you. Heart-wrenching story, but the realness Cole creates in his characters is refreshing.
Forged by Cole Denton is a heartwrenching story about perseverance, strength, and survival. Have you ever read a book where you became so invested in the main character that you feel so emotional about the treatment of that character that you want to stand up and fight for them? Well, that’s how I felt about Ryan Hudson. No matter how abused, beat down, or dumped on he got, Ryan always did what he needed to do to survive.
When this quote is uttered in the book, you can tell it was written as what should have been and will become Ryan’s motto, “Only the brave find hope in a second chance.” Because this is one thing Ryan always did take a second chance.
So grab you Kleenex and a copy of Forged and settle in for a great read and a good cry.
This story is absolutely off the charts. Before I tell you about the book, I will say I was nervous to read this.The Author absolutely took away my nervousness with this story. I am an absolute Ryan fan. I am so intrigued with him. I can’t wait to dive into the next one. The writing and flow of this book is perfect. I absolutely recommend this book.
If you can think if every way to abuse a man from youth through adulthood this is exactly what happened to Ryan. Tragically every turn of the page leads to more and more abuse – how can one man survive and learn to live and love again? This was honestly one of the most emotional and devastating book I have read in quite some time. Cole Denton wrote with such passion and honesty that although difficult to read, I was captivated and just wanted Ryan to flourish.
If you are affected by triggers this is not the book for you. However, if you can handle a dark story then this story of Ryan and his journey is so worth the emotional roller coaster ride you will experience as Ryan starts his path to healing. I highly recommend this book and cannot wait to continue the series.
Wow, what a family Ryan has! Heartbreaking, an emotional rollercoaster, inspiring as Ryan continues his journey and attempts to overcome, and a fantastic debut. Looking forward to continuing the journey. Highly recommend but do be aware of the trigger warnings in the blurb.
Found this author through other readers and decided to take a chance and read his debut novel, I didn’t know what to expect. Although I like the story, my heart broke, my nurturing side came out and I just wanted to hug and protect Ryan from all of his life’s outcomes. I felt all the feels and was truly hungover after reading this story. I could see how it could trigger some and it should be read with an open mind, I am very glad I took a chance to read this powerful story and wanting to read more about Ryan and his story.
Raw and Emotional.
This book made me feel raw and emotional, and that’s not a bad thing. While reading Forged I wanted to protect Ryan and help him, even though I knew he was a book character, my heart went out to him. I thought this was well written for a debut release.
This is a dark novel with intense scenes. I do not recommend this book for everyone, as there are many things that could trigger some folks.
That said this is the beginning of Ryan Hudson’s journey, it takes us from 2002 – 2018. He has endured much and is still putting up with a lot as he enters college on a baseball scholarship. After he is pushed too far by his mother and brother Chad he decides to move on campus, but the dorms are full. The opportunity arises to share a house with two of his teammates.
Things start to get better with Ryan not going home, but until he makes a complete break by moving to Las Vegas do things truly begin to get better for him.
A job at the MGM, classes at UNLV, a real girlfriend for a while anyway, but the development of some true friendships is where Ryan starts the emotional healing. The approach is a bit unusual but it is something that works for Ryan and that’s what counts.
Lots of emotions filtered through me as I read this book, I was angry, appalled, and wondering how Ryan’s mother and Chad managed to slip away from any blame. I couldn’t stop reading wanting so much more for Ryan than he was handed.
Ryan’s journey is slow, but it is steady and there is the BDSM relationship of his friends and the beginning of an apprenticeship for him.
This is a trilogy, so I have purchased the next book to continue reading Ryan’s journey.
Forged is a dark fictional tale about a man named Ryan. He had a nightmare of a childhood. He was used, abused, hated, and most of all he still couldn’t help but want his family to love and accept him like most children do. You get to live through sixteen years of his experiences and take a look back into his childhood memories. Through the story you see how this affects his life, his self worth, and in reality how he sees the world through the eyes of a victim of abuse. Now this book is dark fiction, it may have some triggers for some, and it’s not for the faint of heart. I personally believe you have to visit Ryan’s dark journey every step of the way to understand his mindset, to truly get to know where this character is at in all areas of his life.
I absolutely loved this book, not because it was a heartwarming story, but because it made you feel deep in the recesses of your heart. You know you found a great author when this happens to you. Cole Denton achieved this on so many levels. He sends your heart on a whirlwind of emotions and engulfs you through Ryan’s journey. He was able to capture a male’s perspective on being abused and self hatred quite adequately. Some readers might not agree with me on this because Ryan made a few questionable choices, but as he made these choices, I had to take a moment and remember abuse is a vicious cycle and that was all he knew since he was a little boy. It stunted him emotionally and all the guilt and blame he endured he was trying to release it, and other situations he was trying to control it. So in conclusion you will be seeing a lot more of Cole I guarantee it, because I definitely do not want to miss upcoming projects from him and I can’t wait to see how Ryan’s journey unfolds.
****Dark Intense Content so be advised before reading this book.****
Cole Denton’s debut book will have you crying, yelling and wanting to beat the crap out of people.
While Ryan’s childhood is deplorable, he continually fights through.
The storyline is dark and heart wrenching, but with the exception of a few grammatical mistakes and plot loopholes, a very well written debut story. Can’t wait to read the next installment!
This is my first book I have read by Cole Denton. Trust me when I say the cover doesn’t even do the book justice! This story is very powerful and is not for the light hearted. I can’t begin to tell you how my heart goes out to Ryan. I’m in total awe of Ryan’s inner strength and determination. His perseverance to go to school and play baseball is so impressive. I must admit there were instances when I really wanted to put the book down, but I couldn’t. I kept wanting to know what happens next. Cole Denton, your writing is very very impressive and I can’t wait to read more of your work.
I loved it! My heart broke for Ryan and all he endured. He is so strong and wants to find himself when so many in his place would just use all that happened as an excuse. I cannot wait to read the next book.
For this being the authors first book it is pretty good and the story being told is intriguing. I just felt parts stopped to abruptly and moved to something else leaving gaps in the story and unanswered questions. The ending was reasonable – it did do an eleven year jump and only included four sentences about the ending of 2007 and then goes to the last short chapter and leaves you wanting the next book.
Holy freakin debut!! Of you like dark romance….read this!! If you’ve never read dark romance….READ THIS!!! I fell in love with Ryan, the life he led….broke my heart. I cried at times, even put my ereader down a couple of times to pull my thoughts and feelings together.
I can’t wait to see what Cole has in store for us in the next book!
A smashing debut novel!
This is a book you won’t ever forget. While it is brutally unforgiving in it’s telling of Ryan’s suffering, I really loved this book. It is written in a way that gives Ryan such an authentic voice. I can honestly say I haven’t ever read a book quite like this. I thought it brave of Cole Denton to write about this subject because although many writers do, they don’t do the horror of it justice but this book is exceptional and Denton pulls it off terrifically. I am very much looking forward to reading the second book in the series. I need to know what becomes of Ryan. I highly recommend you read this book.