Series: Loving Again
Volume: 1/3Publisher: Self-Published
Genre/s: contemporary romance
Length: 51 000
Read in: English
Review copy format: epub
Rate:✮✮✮✮✮✮
Ben haven't even noticed when his family life began to fall apart. Only when his wife decides to end their marriage, he begins to understand it, and that's when his old addiction starts to tempt him to sink into oblivion once again. To make matters worse, Ben slowly moves away from his best friend, Jason, who has changed a lot, and his behavior puts Ben on his guard.
When Jason brings Donnie, a young outcast, in for questioning and treats him like a worst offender, Ben defends the guy and helps him prove his innocence. The police officer has no idea why he even does it, but there's something in this stranger that attracts him. Their second, completely unexpected meeting turns out to be as significant as the first one. A friendship begins to grow between Donnie and Ben, and quickly it turns into something much deeper. The problem is that Donnie has some secrets, the discovery of which can completely change their relations.
When Jason brings Donnie, a young outcast, in for questioning and treats him like a worst offender, Ben defends the guy and helps him prove his innocence. The police officer has no idea why he even does it, but there's something in this stranger that attracts him. Their second, completely unexpected meeting turns out to be as significant as the first one. A friendship begins to grow between Donnie and Ben, and quickly it turns into something much deeper. The problem is that Donnie has some secrets, the discovery of which can completely change their relations.
At the beginning of this review, I would like to focus on the characters of "A World Apart", as Mel Gough carefully portrayed them in various "shades of gray", instead of making them "white" or "black" in terms of their lifestyle. In other words, she showed us their various faces, which make Ben and Donnie who they are, as the readers have the opportunity to get to know their, in some way innocent, souls, the dark parts of their past, as well as their unhappy present. This is even more important as both Ben and Donnie are very valuable and wonderful people, who have to fight every day for, sometimes very few, better moments in their lives and constantly struggle with the consequences of the choices they've made in the past. In fact, for these two each day is a battle with the darkness that surrounds them and the one that lies dormant inside of their hearts and souls. Addiction, illness, private life falling apart, violence. Ben's and Donnie's life is far from being amusing.
In this context, it is worth noting that "A World Apart" is the first volume of the series "Loving Again" and, as the name itself suggests, it is a kind of a second chance story. However, it should be emphasized that the said second chance concerns happiness, a fairly normal life, a love that can chase away the clouds hanging over the two main characters' everyday life. This is all the more important because in the case of Ben and Donnie, the chance for love they have received from fate is a synonym for life, as in many respects it is love that saves them when they are pulled down by their day to day existence. I admit that not without significance is also the fact that the problems the characters have to face are really serious, in consequence, the feelings born between the protagonists have a great meaning and seem to be like a real miracle. In truth, it is this aspect of the novel that makes it so beautiful and unforgettable.
Before proceeding, I would like to warn you that the following paragraph of the review contains some spoilers which are quite important for the novel. However, it is impossible not to mention them while reviewing "A World Apart", as they are an extremely important advantage of this story. I warned you, so let me move to the point now.
Mel Gough's novel is the first romance I've ever read, in which one of the main characters is HIV-positive. I admit that it made a huge impression on me, as there's no doubt that most writers avoid bringing this subject up, because it really is very difficult to write about it. I'm not concealing that for this reason, I read "A World Apart" with even greater interest. The author touched this problem not only to state some facts, but also to show us a part of an extremely difficult life of an infected person, to draw our attention to the hardship of admitting illness, possible complications caused by ill-chosen drugs and finally, she touched even more painful and scarier side of the problem – death. On the other hand, she also showed that HIV is not a life sentence that forbid a man to lead a happy and satisfying life. Thus she gave her readers to understand that the disease doesn't close the door to happiness and love.
Mel Gough's novel is the first romance I've ever read, in which one of the main characters is HIV-positive. I admit that it made a huge impression on me, as there's no doubt that most writers avoid bringing this subject up, because it really is very difficult to write about it. I'm not concealing that for this reason, I read "A World Apart" with even greater interest. The author touched this problem not only to state some facts, but also to show us a part of an extremely difficult life of an infected person, to draw our attention to the hardship of admitting illness, possible complications caused by ill-chosen drugs and finally, she touched even more painful and scarier side of the problem – death. On the other hand, she also showed that HIV is not a life sentence that forbid a man to lead a happy and satisfying life. Thus she gave her readers to understand that the disease doesn't close the door to happiness and love.
Finally, I would like to point out that "A World Apart" owe its uniqueness and beauty to the emphasis put on the man's importance and the good they can do. For it is not really fate or accident that makes a change for the better in Ben's and Donnie's life, but the reason behind it is this other person. We could say that when our two characters think they already hit rock bottom, someone knocks from below. But just then, at the moment when it turns out that their life can be even worse, this significant other reaches out a helping hand and simply helps them to stand on their own two feet. In the novel, everything good in Ben's and Donnie's life is connected to the fact that they get to know each other, find their mutual understanding and offer each other support. These two have been struggling in various ways through out their life, but their souls are pure, beautiful and they definitely deserve love and happiness.
With all this in mind, I can say with a clean conscience that "A World Apart" is a truly beautiful novel that makes a great impression on the reader and burns into their memory. It is a moving story of two people broken by the world, who in the darkness of everyday life find a light of love, devotion and sacrifice. I think that every person should read this book.
Headcanon: Whenever Ben returns home after work totally worn out, Donnie gives him a massage, and then curls up like a kitten at his side. His cute behavior helps Ben to relax and calm down like nothing else.
Fanfiction idea: Ben organizes a unique birthday party for Donnie, with lots of delicacies, gifts and surprises.
AU idea: Ben is a ranger who finds a cold and hungry puppy at the doorstep. He takes him in and names him Donnie. After some time, it turns out that the puppy is actually a werewolf, which grows up at a record rate.
Here's some more about:
Other books in the series and release dates:
February 22, 2019 - A New Life
March 22, 2019 - A Broken Promise
Blurb
Book Title: A World Apart (Loving Again Series, Book 1)
Author: Mel Gough
Cover Artist: Black Jazz Design
Heat Rating: 4 flames
Release Date: January 25, 2019
The first book in a series of three, but can be read as standalone.
Other books in the series and release dates:
February 22, 2019 - A New Life
March 22, 2019 - A Broken Promise
Ben’s life appears perfect. He has a career to shine in and a beautiful family. But his marriage has broken down, and being a small-town cop is turning into a dead-end job.
Hot-headed troublemaker Donnie is used to being side-eyed by the fuzz. Getting dragged into the station for a crime he didn’t commit is no big surprise – but a cop who gives a damn sure is.
Ben has no clue how much a second encounter with the secretive redneck will shake up his life. Donnie’s sullen vulnerability arouses a passion Ben hasn’t felt for a long time. Soon, nothing matters but helping Donnie fight his demons. Can they carve a new life together out of the ashes?
Hot-headed troublemaker Donnie is used to being side-eyed by the fuzz. Getting dragged into the station for a crime he didn’t commit is no big surprise – but a cop who gives a damn sure is.
Ben has no clue how much a second encounter with the secretive redneck will shake up his life. Donnie’s sullen vulnerability arouses a passion Ben hasn’t felt for a long time. Soon, nothing matters but helping Donnie fight his demons. Can they carve a new life together out of the ashes?
Excerpt
From Chapter One
“WHAT HAVE WE got, Lou?” Ben asked the gray-haired desk clerk at Corinth Police Department. He glanced at a handcuffed man who sat on a nearby bench, staring down at the scuffed linoleum floor. The man’s dark hair was disheveled, falling low over his forehead and brushing his long eyelashes as his eyes flicked up at Ben. He looked to be in his mid-twenties. One knee jiggled with nerves, and his jaw worked as if he was biting the inside of his mouth over and over. His dark blue eyes were mistrustful, almost pained.
“That guy was driving the vehicle involved in the hit-and-run yesterday,” Lou said. “Browne and O’Donnell brought him in. They’re with the captain.”
Just that moment, the door to the inner sanctum of the station opened, and Jason Browne strode out of Captain Buckley’s office. The sleeves of his uniform were rolled up as usual, to show off his muscular, tanned arms.
“How was court, brother?” Jason sounded cheerful, but his gray eyes were cold. In Ben’s partner and best friend since high school, that was never a good combination. Ben gave Jason a long look, then shrugged.
“As expected.” He didn’t want to think about the peculiar effect Mr. Abbott’s words had had on him, and he sure as hell wasn’t going to discuss it in front of a suspect, or Lou.
“You missed all the excitement.” Jason gestured toward the handcuffed man, who had his gazed directed at the floor again. “Saunders here knows some pretty colorful language, and he was none too happy to accompany us, neither.”
“Hence the handcuffs?” Ben asked, his tone dry.
Jason nodded, smirking.
“Wasn’t me that hit that kid,” Saunders muttered, his dark voice shaking with suppressed anger. “Told y’all I wasn’t in town.”
Jason sighed, folding his arms across his chest with exaggerated impatience. “And I told you this: We got witnesses placing you at the scene, smart-ass. It’s your word against theirs. Who’re we gonna believe, some deadbeat, or the boy’s mother?”
Ben frowned at his partner. They had been in the radio car on their usual route the day before when the call about a hit-and-run near Corinth High had come over dispatch. O’Donnell and Myers, the department’s other two sergeants, had been closest and responded to the call. Last night, back at the station, O’Donnell had told them that the boy had a broken leg from being flung off his bike, but that he would undoubtedly survive. There really was no need for Jason to be so aggressive about the issue.
Saunders sat up straight on the bench, glaring at Jason. “It wasn’t me! Why’re you not listening?” His eyes were wide with fury.
Ben, knowing Jason’s thought processes and impulses almost as well as his own, stepped in his partner’s way. Gaze fixed on his friend, he said loud enough for Lou and any bystanders to hear, “Why don’t you and I take Mr. Saunders through to the interrogation room for a statement?” He put special emphasis on the last words, hoping Jason would get his meaning: Anything other than a polite request for an official statement from the suspect would be out of order at this point.
Taking Jason’s reluctant jerk of the head as assent, Ben turned around, intending to escort Saunders to the interrogation room. But as soon as his back was turned, Jason stepped nimbly around him and grabbed the man hard by the upper arm.
Saunders flinched, but Jason’s grip on him was like a vise. Saunders’s eyes met Ben’s, and there was pure animal fear in them, as well as something Ben couldn’t quite place. Anguish, perhaps?
He stepped up close behind Jason. “If you dislocate his shoulder there’ll be an awful lot of paperwork to fill in for both of us, brother.” Ben kept his voice quiet and even, but Jason knew him well enough to detect the steely undertone. After a moment, Jason huffed, then let go of Saunders and took a step back. There were finger-shaped marks on Saunders’s bicep, just below the rolled-up sleeve.
Now Ben stepped forward, and Saunders looked at him. His breath still came fast, but the fear began to fade from the indigo blue eyes.
Ben motioned at Saunders to stand, then pointed down the corridor. “Would you come this way, please?”
Good cop, bad cop. Ben hated playing this game, but Jason had left him no choice. Saunders got up. He was no taller than Ben, who just about scraped five foot nine. Jason towered over them both, still glowering. Saunders gave him a quick, disgusted look, then preceded Ben down the dreary-gray hallway, handcuffed arms held stiffly behind him. His narrow back was tense, the shoulders hunched.
At the door to the interrogation room, Ben let Jason draw ahead. He followed the two men inside and closed the door. Jason approached Saunders, who had backed up against the one-way mirror.
“Turn around,” Jason growled.
Saunders ignored him and stared straight at the bottle-green linoleum floor. Ben spoke before Jason could get angry again. “Sir, the sergeant will move the handcuffs to the front so you can sit down more comfortably.” The eyes that met Ben’s were still full of mistrust, but after a moment, they softened and Saunders turned around.
“Sit,” Jason said when he had shackled Saunders’s arms again in the front. Saunders flopped into the single chair on one side of the square floor-bolted table. Ben and Jason took the two chairs opposite.
Leaning forward, Ben waited until he had the suspect’s attention. “Do you mind if we record this conversation?”
“You’re arresting me?” The narrow blue eyes were suspicious again, but Saunders sounded more wary than belligerent. And he ignored Jason, his gaze never wavering from Ben.
“No, we’re not,” Ben said in an even tone. “But having a record of what we talk about will aid your cause.”
Saunders chewed this over, trying to decide whether Ben told the truth. Eventually he gave a small shrug.
“Sir,” Ben said. “Please state for the protocol: Do you mind if we record this conversation?” Forcing the police procedural on this man was distressing. The tension vibrating off him made Ben wince. Saunders gave him a pained look.
“Go ahead.”
Jason pressed the digital recorder button on the small panel in the tabletop to his right. But it was Ben who spoke again. When they interrogated a suspect together, Ben usually started off the interview. His milder, calmer demeanor tended to relax the atmosphere better than Jason’s hot temper. For now, Jason seemed to have gotten all his anger out by playing scary cop in front of Lou and sat back in his chair without interrupting.
“Statement protocol, September twenty-second, eleven forty-five a.m. Officers present: Sergeant Ben Griers and Sergeant Jason Browne.” Ben nodded at the suspect. “Please state your full name for the record, sir.”
“Donnie Saunders.” The man’s voice was quiet, and he sounded tired.
Ben waited for Saunders to look at him again, and nodded his thanks. Then he glanced at Jason, eyebrows raised, reminding his partner with his most level stare to act appropriately. “Officer Browne will now ask you a few questions.”
“All right,” Jason said. Ben took this as the opening of the interview and an affirmation that he would stay calm. “Mr. Saunders, your pickup truck was seen driving away after hitting Dennis Mallory on his bike while he was riding home after school yesterday afternoon at about three thirty p.m.”
“I told y’all three times now, it wasn’t me. Why is it that you can’t hear me?” Saunders’s voice had risen again in volume, but there was a strange quiver in it, too. He leaned back in his chair as far as he could, regarding Jason from eyes narrowed in anger.
Before Jason, who looked ready to explode again, could respond, Ben said, “Let’s rephrase the question: Sir, where were you yesterday at three thirty p.m.?”
Saunders didn’t immediately reply. His eyes darted around the room, never meeting Ben’s, and still ignoring Jason. Then they settled on the shackled, tightly folded hands in his lap. Is he trying to come up with a lie?
At last, Saunders said, “Was in Atlanta. Had an appointment at the DFCS.” His voice was very quiet, and he didn’t look up. It didn’t sound like a lie, but a truth the man was reluctant to share.
Ben decided not to press for details. It was none of his business why the guy had been summoned to the Division of Family and Children Services. As long as he could determine that Saunders had been forty miles away from the scene of the hit-and-run, he had done his job.
“I need to know who you were there to see,” Ben said just as quietly, and wasn’t surprised when his gaze was met with one of suspicion again. He added in explanation, “A phone call to the person you had the appointment with will clear you.”
Saunders gave a small jerk of the head in understanding. “Stacy Miller.”
“Thank you.” Ben looked at Jason, considering his options. Could he leave these two alone for a few minutes? His partner’s steel gaze never wavered from Saunders, and Ben could feel Jason’s tension. But if he told Jason to make the phone call, would he try very hard to get at the truth? No, Ben would have to call the DFCS himself. He’d just had to be quick.
“Jason, stay with Mr. Saunders. I’m going to call Ms. Miller.”
Not waiting for Jason’s acknowledgment, or asking permission from Saunders to make the call on his behalf, Ben got up and left the room. He went back to the front desk. “Lou, find me the number for Atlanta DFCS.”
The desk clerk looked grumpy for a moment but then started hacking away at his keyboard without a word. Finally he picked up the phone, dialed a number, and held the receiver out to Ben.
“DFCS switchboard,” a tinny voice announced in Ben’s ear. “How can I help?”
“Stacy Miller, please,” Ben said, ignoring Lou, who tried hard to look like he wasn’t listening in.
“Hold the line.”
Ben half turned away while he listened to the annoying phone queue music. After a few moments, there was a click and a crisp voice said, “Medicaid assessment team. How can I help you?”
About the Author:
Mel was born in Germany, where she spent the first twenty-six years of her life (with a one-year stint in Los Angeles). She has always been fascinated by cultures and human interaction, and got a Masters in Social Anthropology. After finishing university she moved to London, where she has now lived for ten years.
If you were to ask her parents what Mel enjoyed the most since the age of six, they would undoubtedly say “Reading!” She would take fifteen books on a three-week beach holiday, and then read all her mom’s books once she’d devoured her own midway through week two.
Back home in her mom’s attic there’s a box full of journals with stories Mel wrote when she was in her early teens. None of the stories are finished, or any good. She has told herself bedtime stories as far back as she can remember.
In her day job, Mel works as PA and office manager. No other city is quite like London, and Mel loves her city. The hustle and bustle still amaze and thrill her even after all these years. When not reading, writing or going to the theater, Mel spends her time with her long-time boyfriend, discussing science or poking fun at each other.
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