Not Quite Broken

Title: Not Quite Broken

Author: Diana DeRicci

Publisher: MLR Press

Publisher URL: www.mlrbooks.com

ISBN: MLR-1-02014-0270

Genre: {M/M} Contemporary Series

Rating: 4.5 Nymphs

Literary Nymphs Reviewer: Chocolate Minx 

Dex is desperately trying to find the will to live but each day becomes harder. Dex’s only salvation is his friend Brian.

Not Quite Broken is part of the Arbor Heights Series. This is an especially emotional plot dealing with an ordeal not usually associated with men by the heterosexual society. The storyline takes the reader through the pain, lost of trust and feelings of being utterly helpless. Plus the emotional shame of being unwanted by family.

Dex is a young gay man just starting to implement his independence. He had a job and an apartment, but he wanted to meet new friends. Unfortunately Dex is horribly violated by a deranged man at a dance club. The emotional part of the violence almost destroyed Dex. Dex became so mentally withdrawn only Brian could pull him back to a few normal activities.

Brian is an extremely empathetic man; at first his single desire was to help Dex in any way he could. However, the more time Brian spent with Dex, the more he desired Dex as other than a friend. Nevertheless, Brian is an honorable man; he declined to act on his yearning for intimacy with Dex until Dex approached the topic first.

Diana DeRicci’s Not Quite Broken is a realistic as well as enjoyable saga that is both heartbreaking and heartwarming. I mourned for Dex’s lost of wellness, but I rejoiced for the peace Dex found in friends.