He’s everything I want but run away from.There’s a long list of things I don’t handle well:Change.Relationships.Breakups.But there’s one person above everything else I can’t seem to get a handle on.Brody Wallace.In short, he’s perfect. The reality, he scares me.He’s the opposite of what I usually go for. He’s bigger. Intimidating. He reminds me of someone I’d rather forget.When I need to find a … someone I’d rather forget.
When I need to find a new place to live, Brody offers me his spare room, but I have no plans on taking him up on the offer. He doesn’t know what happened to me five years ago, and I want to keep it that way.But with limited options, I find myself outside his apartment holding a full moving box and wondering: How can I do this without exposing the darkest part of my past?
Unspoken Vow is a full-length MM romance with a HFN/HEA. It deals with mental illness. Please check trigger warnings in the front matter.
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Unspoken Vow by Eden Finley is the 2nd book in her Steele Brothers series.
We met Anders in Unwritten Law – twin brother to Law. Anders story intrigued me and I couldn’t wait to get a hold of this book.
Unspoken Vow is definitely more angsty than Ms Finley’s other books as she deals with mental health stemming from domestic abuse. It is well written and emotionally beautiful.
I loved that there was no magical cure for Anders’ anxiety and PTSD. I love the care and patience that Brody showed. The friendship and ultimately the relationship between Anders and Brody was beautiful to watch.
I really enjoyed this book and I’m looking forward to Ms Finley next project.
This book was heartfelt, angsty and had the ability to leave mental health sufferers and their family with hope.
The connection between Anders and Brody is there from the start. It was undeniable. I loved how Anders didn’t just suddenly overcome his issues and fall in love, because lets face it that wouldn’t be realistic. Brody wanted nothing more than to help even when he didn’t know the whole scope of Anders issues. He was such and admirable character offering whatever he could and trying anything to give Anders what he needed.
Having my own demons I connected with Anders pretty quickly and was left hoping that one day I’ll manage to find my own Brody.
This is definitely a great book and I highly recommend it. Even if the subject matter seems too close to home, you may be surprised at how it leaves you feeling.
I’m at a loss for where to start. This story was heartfelt, a little angsty and so amazing. You could tell it came from the true heart of this author because it felt so real.
Anders! He’s been through so much bad stuff and is obviously suffering from many mental health issues because of it. Although I haven’t had the same bad experiences as him I have very similar mental health symptoms so I connected with him so much and my heart really hurt for both him and Brody. A hell of a lot.
Brody! He was like an angel sent from the heavens. He was truely selfless and wanted nothing more than to shower Anders in love and help him heal in anyway he could.
Although this may be fiction, this story came from a place of truth and it gave me hope that although it takes work, and everyday won’t be a good day, some days will be. You can fight your demons if you really want to, you just need a support system and the will to do it.
Eden Finley delivers another winner. Unspoken Vow made me laugh and cry. It broke my heart and then filled me with hope. You could feel the pull between Anders and Brody from the start. I loved Brody and how he was there for Anders. Enjoyed seeing how Law and Reed’s relationship had developed. The ending left me smiling.
Oh wow, what an amazing romance! We had to wait a bit to get Anders’ story, but it was definitely worth it.
Unspoken Vow is a very sensitively written story, quite intense and not as light in tone as the previous books I’ve read by this author, though maybe “light” is the wrong word. Anders has survived something absolutely awful and is still struggling with his mental health because of it. His anxiety and fear are not brushed under the carpet or easily done away with, which I very much appreciated because it shows us that love is possible, always, and Anders is all the more real for it too.
I love Brody for his tenacity and the care he shows Anders, but also for how much he respects the other man’s boundaries. I absolutely loved, loved the scene where Anders forms his unspoken vow to love and protect Brody.
This was just such a deeply moving love story. It truly gave me all the feels. I always enjoy Eden Finley’s writing, the way she infuses her stories with humor and emotional intensity, and the care she takes with all her characters, making them well-rounded and complex.
Another great read.
I’m at a loss for words on how amazing this book is. It is very deep and emotional. The storyline plays close to my heart. Anders is stronger than he lets on. Brody has the patience of a saint. Together it’s destiny. So much more can be said in their future. I hope we all will be let in on it.
I strongly recommend!
Okay… It’s complicated. Let’s start there.
It is complicated because I love Eden Finley, and I fall in love with everything she writes, even if the story is not my favorite. It’s her and her writing what makes me love all her books, and this one was no different.
THE PLOT
We continue with Anders, the other Steele brother, after meeting Law in the previous book. And we get a completely different story not only compared to the previous book, but to everything Eden has written before.
Anders is trying to let behind a dark past, in which he was abused by his ex boyfriend who also tried to kill him. Because of that, Anders can’t trust men, so he only dates young and skinny guys that look nothing like his ex. After a month or so of dating, the relationship is over (thanks to his twin Law, who breaks up with the dates for him so he can avoid a panic attack). Apart from those, new problems appear when he meets Brody, an ex boyfriend and also friend of Reed (Law’s boyfriend) who not only reminds him of his ex, but that also wants to go out with him.
Anders can’t, but Anders want. Anders can’t because he is so much alike his ex (tall, strong, nothing alike the young guys he dates) and he simply can’t put himself into a situation like that, full of triggers for him. But Brody, that knows nothing about his past, insists a few times in asking him on a date which Anders always refuses.
One day, Anders has to accept an offer or Brody of sharing the flat Brody lives in because Anders can’t face the payment of his anymore. He does, thinking it will be only a few days and that he could manage to live with that hot man he can’t date because of he reminds him of, but… of course, he won’t. Because Anders likes Bordy way too much, and Brody likes him the same. And things will happen, from kisses to more intimate stuff, and Anders will have to face little by little different kind of situations.
Anxiety, panic attacks, insomnia, traumas… He won’t be able to do a single thing without being remind of what happened to him because he can’t simply let it go. Because, obviously, it’s a trauma that left thousands of fears that doesn’t allow him to even being touched.
Of course, at some point he will have to tell Brody, but he won’t tell him the full story. And we will go through Anders trauma and how he manage to live with it next to Brody, or without him.
THE CHARACTERS
As much as Reed and Law didn’t become favorites of mine, Brody and Anders broke my heart into million pieces a thousand times and they are now my babies.
Anders is the purest thing. I think Eden wrote here her best character, simply because the researches and experiences added to him are simply brilliant. She has an amazing touch to make everything realistic and respectful, and it was so needed in this one. Because, as Eden says on her Author’s note, she wanted to make this real but also hopeful. And we get it. We get a character in which you can see what it is going through a depression, a critical mental situation in which nothing is worth the risk. In which you are scared of everything, of everyone, and you don’t see yourself deserving happiness, or even being able to reach it.
We get that a thousand times, and people may think is depressing to read it, but we also get so much hope. Every single chapter. Not in Anders, most of them, but on Brody. On Law and Reed. Whom, let me say, they have been the best reappearing characters I’ve ever seen. You know, those series in which the MC of the previous books appear from time to time in the next ones, and mosf of the times you are like “…their plot here makes no sense, they just appear to appear.”. Well. Reed and Law are so needed in Anders story that they are not just returning MCs, they are secondary ones that matter.
We get to see what people with mental illness go through all the time, not only from their POV. We get to see how everyone tell us that it can get better, that we can try to change x thing or do x thing. That we can’t stay in bed all day. That we have to try to do something different. And we get the stress that causes in someone that can’t. Anders shows us that pressure, the stress of “knowing they don’t understand that we know but we . And it’s so real it hurts.
On the other side, we get Brody, with whom I have mixed feelings. Because I loved him. I loved how supportive he was, how much he understood and how much he wanted to help Anders all the time. I loved to see someone wanting to share those steps with someone going through all the shit Anders was going. His own fears, doubts, mistakes. His own strength and patience. But someone I wish I would have seen more of that patience, because I felt Brody quite a pusher.
It’s true that is only a few times, and he never ends up doing what he says, but… Hmmm. Right at the start, I didn’t like it, because we get to see how he insists on Anders all the time even if he has said no, but we get a point in which he notices that and explains why it’s wrong and how much he regrets it, and says sorry. Which is what I like to see in a book: if someone makes a mistake, this someone accepts it, explains why it’s wrong, and says sorry. So, it’s ok.
But once the story gets to its critical point, Brody is again a bit pushing Anders. Well, no, sorry, he doesn’t push him at all, but he would like to. You know, those kind of “I need to see him. Let me see him. I’m gonna text him.” moments in which you, as a reader, are thinking… “The other person asked for time, give this person time”. It’s also true that Anders is shown always in those situations as someone that “wants the push”. That’s is his anxiety, and he knows it, that doesn’t let him enjoy it. But still, Brody should step back. In my opinion.
The problem with them both as characters come when you see them as a couple. And when I say problem, I say beautiful problem. Because what they build around each other is so powerful, and hopeful, and supportive, that is so damn emotional to read them. To see Anders scared and not trusting his mental illnesses, and to see Brody wanting to do whatever it takes to show him he would never hurt him.
Brody always respects his times. He never pushes Anders in those. He respects him all the time, and helps him, and takes care of him… and that’s why Anders can’t stay away from him. Because for the first time in five years, he can trust someone. And he hates himself for not being able to let himself enjoy Brody. And he knows is his illnesses talking, and still we can see he can’t change it.
OTHER CHARACTERS
I think all the secondary people that appears in the story are so relevant to it, I liked it so much. From Lucky/Meatball, the cat that shows how helpful and supportive a pet can be for people with traumas, to the therapists that appear (and that Eden wrote amazingly good). But, still, no one is as important as Law, Anders’s brother. We see him being a supportive brother, a hard one when he has to be, a suffering one, a happy one… We see on Law what we need to see on Anders’s side to see how much help is needed. How much people with those problems need people next to them showing them that they are there, quiet and standing still or hugging them and holding their hands. Listening or yelling. Laughing in the couch or distant far away from them. He is everything Anders needs in the way Brody can’t be, and Brody is what Law can’t be. They are a perfect mix that helps us understand everything even more, and that help us going through Anders’s way from a more hopeful point of view.
FINAL THOUGHTS
I loved how Eden never wanted to put the tag on Brody or Law or anyone to fix Anders. How she wrote that Anders has to get cured with therapy, that is him the one that has to find the way… but that having people like them next to him matters. Is needed. And is helpful as hell.
I loved how, even the most understanding person as Law is, can show those “I understand, but–” moments in which Anders explodes with “no, you don’t understand.”
I loved how we can see how being a lawyer is not easy, how much Brody suffers with his job and who he has to defend, and how that matters to his relationship with someone that was f*cked up by the law back in time.
I loved that Eden never sells a story in which we get a traumatized character who gets cured in two days. That, we get a character in which at the end he is still suffering from all the same shit he was suffering at the start, but just a few steps ahead to a recovery. That she tells us that there is hope, but that it’s not easy. But that there is. And it’s possible. And that Anders, the one that thinks that can’t be happy and doesn’t deserve to be, can see he can. Even if he can’t reach it or doesn’t know how to. He can see it. And he tries. He tries to take steps ahead even if he ends up walking back to start again.
I loved that Eden wrote something like that, that made me suffer and also love so much.
If I don’t give it five stars (and I may do it in the future, we all know how am I with ratings…) it’s simply because those little Brody things that killed me a bit. And because at some point I was missing a bit more of calm and happiness in such a huge drama just to want to not put the book down.
I gave it four stars, a 4’5 rate, simply because the books of Eden I gave it the 5 stars had not a single thing to complain for me and wouldn’t be fair for them.
But, damn, this one was so beautiful it also deserves the five.
Ugh. We all know I will come back and give it at some point…
I loved Anders! I read about him a bit with his brother in Unwritten Law and I wanted to know more! He’s been hurt so badly and he’s terrified of so many things. Brody is such a great guy and together…swoon!!! I loved this book so much! So many emotions! Loved these characters and didn’t want it to end!
There were so many emotions I cannot put in words when reading this. It’s raw and it’s real.
Also… It’s Brody. Meet the man who’s determined to un-break the man he loves.
I absolutely loved Anders and Brody together!!
This story is heavier than most of Eden’s other work but don’t let that deter you because while Anders’ mind is a complicated place he’s also incredibly smart and has a great sense of humor in dealing with his issues. Brody was a big surprise for me too! He was patient and completely understanding once Anders finally let him in and really proved that he loved him for more than his physical appearance.
It was nice to read an MM story where both characters are comfortable in their sexuality and the major obstacles were outside of that. Anders wanted to get past the trauma that happened to him and worked really hard to get his life back.
I highly recommend that you read Unwritten Law first if you haven’t already, it will give you a better appreciation for how far Anders has come. Plus we get plenty of Law and Reed updates you won’t want to miss!!
Full disclosure, I received an ARC of this book in exchange for my compete and honest review.
While there is enough information included in this volume of the story, I would highly recommend reading Unwritten Law first to fully understand and enjoy Unspoken Vow.
So, Vow starts up approximately six months after the events in Law. Reed and Law, the couple from the first book, have moved in together without Anders. Leaving Anders to look for his own place, except Anders hasn’t been looking. When Brody offers his spare room, just until Anders finds a place he can live, Anders breaks down and agrees.
There’s just a few problems:
Brody is just Anders type. But so was Kyle, the ex who tried kill Anders.
Diversion and avoidance tactics only work so well.
With only so much room in the apartment, they keep winding up together. 😉
A very emotional read, I would highly recommend having tissues at the ready. Love the way the characters manage to get around some of their issues.
After reading „Unwritten Law“ the first book in the „Steele Brothers series“, I could not wait to learn Anders`s story. So I was more than happy to be given this book in advance for an honest review:
But writing this review was not easy: how does one describe beauty?
Anders probably may be one of my (the?!) most favorite characters I ever read about. He is so very loveable – I wanted to hug him throughout the book.
The detailed description of his anxieties and condition does not present him as weak, but Eden Finley shows us what a strong and resilient character Anders truly is. In a surpsising and gorgeous way, the story does not get lost in the description of Anders problems but still gives enough room to the beautiful lovestory between Brody and Anders. The twist why Brody so very well understands Anders, turns out to be the connection and the reason why they might not be able to be together.
At this point I especially appreciated the author´s approach to the difficult questions of law (criminal defense) and morals. Without giving a general solution, Eden Finley allows Brody and Anders to find their personal and for them suitable way out of this maze of old relations and hurtful connections, towards each other.
In the end Anders and Brody are finding their personal HEA, that still stays true to the story and the developement of those two MCs.
Every paragraph and aspect in this book is so real and genuine it caught up on me in the best way possible. I really did not want this book to end. I am so thankful it was written!
“Unspoken Vow” definitly can be read as a stand alone. The author gives all the information needed to understand where Anders`s condition is rooted and what it contains. To enjoy his story to an even greater extent I think it is helpful to read his brother Law´s story first though. Some references in the second book to how close the twins relationship really is, can be fully grasped with the knowledge from the first book. And I a mean they are identical twins so … 🙂
WOW! I am not sure where to start with this one. Even now, days later, I am having trouble putting into words how absolutely amazing this one is. Seriously… ALL. THE. FEELS.
Anders’ past is horribly heartbreaking and has made him shy away form any sort of intimacy. For the last five years he has basically just existed, never really living. When he meets Brody, even though he is everything Anders needs, he is also everything that terrifies him.
Brody is incredibly patient and loving. I fell in love with him immediately. I will not go into any more of their story as I would never be able to do it justice and this is one that needs to be experienced.
This isn’t your typical love heals all story, but it is full of hope and will leave you speechless and in awe. You need to read this one! SERIOUSLY. Get to one-clicking you won’t be sorry.
This book was AMAZING! I felt such an array of emotions while reading this that sometimes I felt like I was actually experiencing some of what Anders was going through. Anders struggles hard in this book but he fights even harder. He fights for a better life, he fights for love, he fights for his family, he fights for Brody, but even more, he finally started fighting for himself. And Brody was made for Anders. The kindness, acceptance, patience, and love he showed Anders throughout the Book was beautiful and breathtaking. This is a book that will make you feel sad, happy, aggravation, and pure joy that Anders and Brody finally get the happily ever after they deserve so much.
I can not recommend this book strongly enough! If you haven’t read it then you need to fix that issue ASAP!
Wow! I loved this. More angsty than most of Findley’s books, I was really sucked into Anders and Brody’s story. Not only did I enjoy the journey toward the relationship, there is also the engaging journey each MC takes to find healing and themselves. Findly handled the PTSD well and I thought the way the therapy worked into the relationship really gave momentum to the story. There’s just the right balance between the feels, the heat and the angst. There’s also some sass and the perfect cat to add a little comedic relief. I just wanted to hug Anders. I vascillated between wanting to hug and to smack Brody. It has heat, it has feels and will leave you wanting for nothing. It’s a hard won HEA but worth it. Highly recommend!
Holy Fucking Shitttt!!! I love this book! All of it ! Every single word!! I devoured it! I don’t know what to say. I don’t think I have anything to say that’s going to make sense. Just like Brody.
Kissing my roommate? Dumb.
Doing it again? Super dumb.
Stopping it from going any further? Dumbest dumb to ever fucking dumb.
So dumb that I’ve got no other word to use than dumb.
Anders makes me not smart.
Clearly.
I love Anders and Brody so much. This book is everything I expected and more. I’ve been waiting for this since I read the first book. Lucky the furball stole the show! Cats are my absolute favourite.
All I have to say is READ IT!!!! Oh, and heed the trigger warnings.
* ARC provided by the author via Foreword PR in exchange for an honest and unbiased review
An emotional, engaging, amazing read, a favorite for the year
I’ve been looking forward to getting Anders’ book pretty much since meeting him in Unwritten Law, book 1 of the series. I’m a sucker for seeing damaged characters overcome their pasts and get their hea, and I also related to Anders on so many different levels it was almost uncomfortable: attracted to hot guys, check; anxiety issues, check; meds suck, check; pro level procrastinator, double check…well, you get the idea.
There are some heavy topics at play here, which you’d expect when dealing with issues like the aftermath of an attack by someone you trusted. Anders’ issues and reactions felt completely authentic to me, and I thought the author did a really nice job handling some sensitive topics. I also liked her use of humor to lighten things and leave some emotional breathing space; I can get antsy if things are too intense for too long—it makes me want to skip ahead in the story—but that never happened here.
Anders starts off saying no to Brody every time Brody asks him out n a date so there’s quite a relationship evolution between the two throughout the story, making this more of a slow burn, but that doesn’t mean things don’t get hot. I loved how patient, protective and caring Brody was towards Anders (and that he‘s not perfect, having his own, entirely different, set of baggage) and I love how being with Brody gives Anders the additional incentive to deal with his issues. I was so caught up in these characters and their relationship, I was completely blindsided by a plot twist I probably would have seen coming with a different author, so, yeah, I was fully engaged. Btw, that plot twist? Totally broke my heart, so kudos to the author.
The stage is mostly held by the two main characters, but there are a few secondary characters around, including Reed and Law from the first book, who get a nice follow-up near the end. I particularly loved Lucky aka Meatball, the cat Brody’s sister rescued, but is living with Brody and…yeah, it’s complicated, lol. It was a superb touch by the author, adding some of that humor I mentioned earlier, while at the same time allowing her characters to touch on the topic of abuse regarding someone besides Anders. There IS a little secret keeping as part of the plot, but again, I was so into the story that I barely noticed something that’s usually a pet peeve of mine. Seriously, this author did an amazing job holding onto my attention.
An emotional, engaging, amazing read that was just about perfect, I’m adding this to my list of favorite books of the year. 5+ stars
B2B Kelly
Amazing story of overcoming incredible tragedy and find love and acceptance. This is a fantastic journey of hope and fear, surviving and growing, passion, courage and overcoming despair where they find their way to love. A challenging and difficult journey that is made so understandable because of the wonderful writing and incredible characters that are created for this story.
Brody and Anders are well developed and so very touchable as characters in this story. They have a deep and steamy connection that is beautiful and keeps powering them forward. They are both good men and their journey is slow and intense. My heart hurt many times as i watched them navigate through their challenges, but i was so celebrating their commitment, love and flexibility. I love the respect and care that both men show for each other.
This is the second book in the Steele Brothers series and can be read as a stand-alone, however i really think that you will enjoy it more if you read book one first. Both stories are gutsy and gritty but are so very worth the reading. They will both inspire hope and show a love worth fighting for.
I was gifted this book from the author and i freely give my review.
4.5 stars
Heat Level: 3.5
A story of hope, growth, and progress.
Wow, what a story! I feel this is a story of hope for those of us who suffer from anxiety, PTSD, and/or depression. Anders’ story is so raw and his condition so real. Eden has written such a real story, it’ll break your heart, give you hope and help you heal.
Anders’ is a DV survivor with GAD, PTSD, and other things and his story might be confronting at times. I really enjoyed the truthful progress of Anders’ conditions and the true ups and downs. I loved Brody and his caring nature! He was so wonderful, patient and loving with everything about Anders’ and their connection was wonderful to read and see grow. I’m so glad we got to see their hope and connection grow and really enjoyed the varying aspects of their relationship and the trust they were able to facilitate and grow.
I have to say thanks to Eden for actually being REAL with regards to lies (of omission) between Anders and Brody. Anders doesn’t admit the context of his attack fully to Brody and thankfully when Brody finds out they talk like adults and understand the reasoning behind it all. So thank you, Eden, for keeping it real
I loved Anders and Brody and their story touched home for me and now holds a place in my heart! Another must-read from Eden!!!!
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Anders is trying to heal after violent attack. He is trying to cope with his twin brother moving out. He impulsively takes Brody up on his offer of a room. Brody has been attracted to Anders but can’t figure him out.
I loved how the two guys worked together to get through Anders issues. Anders is heartbreaking. His struggles are believably portrayed. The book is perfectly balanced with heat and angst. Brody was amazing.
Absolutely wonderful read.