Numb as a Statue [Suncoast Society] (Siren Publishing Sensations)

Suncoast Society, Book 85. Can anything rise from the ashes of devastation or is all lost?

Rom’s a control freak of the highest order, for good reason. His trust was crushed, and now he believes in no one. But at what cost? Does he even have a life? When it hits him that his idea of a good weekend is cleaning his apartment, washing his car, and shopping for cheaper insurance, there’s his answer. Meanwhile, Colton has problems of his own. Life’s never been the same since his parents disowned him as a child. Yes, Grammy was there for him, giving him a home and accepting every part of him. She nourished his spirit, imparting her passion for art. But now Grammy’s gone, taking Colton’s heart with her. He tries to carry on because that’s what Grammy would have wanted. But his soul’s shattered, and he feels nothing. Then one day, a trio of total strangers come into Colton’s shop. The ersatz leader of this small group brings something totally unexpected. But is Colton ready to accept anything from a stranger? When the same person approaches Rom, it seems fate may have walked into both men’s lives. Is anything ever that easy? As a Dom, Rom definitely takes an interest in the gorgeous subby Kent introduces him to. But, despite an initial attraction, can it be anything more than just one night? Words hold no value for Rom. Actions are the only way to reach him. And does Colton have anything to offer anyone? Since Grammy died, he’s been so hollow and broken. As both Colton and Rom take baby steps toward something neither recognizes, disaster strikes. Could fate be so brutal? Only one thing is certain. To get through this with take a megaton of hope, faith, trust, and more. But is either man capable of any of this? Or will the Universe once again cruelly shatter the dreams of each into splinters?

Both Rom and Colton took me completely by surprise. You couldn’t find two people who are this severely damaged by completely different circumstances. Their pasts have utterly broken both. How could they find anything in common when neither trusts anyone? It’s heartbreaking to read what these men have endured. I cried for both and the heartbreak they’ve endured. That Rom is a huge control freak is no surprise and makes him a natural Dom. You’d think that would give him the ultimate confidence, making relationships easy. But his past ensures that’s not true. And Colton? His trauma is so very different than Rom’s, but he’s been ripped apart at the seams. He too trusts no one. He belongs nowhere. He only knows what he wants, and that’s not about to come walking into his life. But despite the pain and betrayal of their pasts, Rom and Colton also have a strength neither knows exists. This is the true beauty of this book. There’s a dichotomy of vulnerability versus strength and resilience that shouldn’t work. Yet it works so very well. Tymber Dalton has again shown the depths of her writing talent. I loved both Colton and Rom, their backstory, their present, the possibilities of what could be, and the surprise ending I never saw coming. I was captivated from the first page and flew through it, finishing it in one night. Congratulations, Ms. Dalton! This is another five star winner!

A final note. This is an ADULT book. It contains explicit language and BDSM sexual scenes. If you don’t enjoy this genre, this may not be the book for you. There are book synopses and reviews available on Goodreads and all booksellers’ websites. Please use these resources. I urge you to leave a review, but with a proviso. Please don’t leave a negative review when you know you won’t enjoy the book. It’s not fair to the author. She works hard to provide a quality work product. If you know you’ll object to a book’s subject matter before you buy it, you’re doing yourself and the author an extreme disservice.

Thanks for reading my review and happy reading!