Tuesday, April 2, 2019

Book Release-Review & Giveaway: THIS IS NOT A LOVE STORY by Suki Fleet



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Exclusive to Amazon and Available to Borrow with Kindle Unlimited

Length: 96,000 words approx.
Cover Design: Aaron Anderson


Blurb

When fifteen-year-old Romeo's mother leaves one day and doesn't return, he finds himself homeless and trying to survive on the streets. Mute and terrified, his silence makes him vulnerable, and one night he is beaten by a gang of other kids, only to be rescued by a boy who pledges to take care of him.

Julian is barely two years older than Romeo. After running away from an increasingly violent homelife, he makes some difficult choices and ends up selling himself on the street to survive. Taking care of Romeo changes him, gives him a purpose in life, gives him hope, and though he tries to be strong and keep his troubles with drugs behind him, living as they do is slowly destroying him, and he begins to doubt he can be strong enough.

This is the story of their struggle to find a way off the streets and stay together at all costs. But when events threaten to tear them apart, Romeo knows he must find the strength within himself to help Julian (and not let their love story turn into a tragedy).


Carra's Review

This book is without a doubt one of the most emotionally difficult books I’ve ever read.  I’m going to warn you right up front—this is a million leagues opposite of light reading.  It is actually distressing, upsetting, and at times frankly disturbing, but even given all that there is the tiniest glimmer of hope too.  But just so you know?  I was a blubbering, tear-streaked mess from about 20% in until the very end.  But I’ll still recommend this book to anyone who thinks they can handle it…just be prepared for a beyond disconcerting look at what goes on away from your own cozy, safe homes.

The author paints a graphic picture of life on the streets, and while this story is set in London it could represent anywhere (a fact that is dismaying in itself).  The writing style is expressive and made me feel like I was fully enveloped in the setting.  Romeo’s plight—and by extension Julian’s—is laid fully bare and in such a way that it is impossible not to feel for them both…along with almost every other person in their situation.  It’s plainly illustrated how their innocence has been unequivocally stripped, and how once one gets to the point they have that it’s an unforgiving vicious cycle to try to break free.

Even give their bleak situation, there is still a tenderness between Romeo and Julian that slowly presents itself, even amongst their desperation.  Their story is NOT a romance in any traditional sense; you’re just hoping that they’re going to make it from one day to the next.  No, that is not an exaggeration.  

You might think that with such a dark, emotional, disquieting read that it might negatively affect my opinion of the book.  You’d be dead wrong though—this story is overwhelming and powerful, and while I may now be all puffy-faced and wishing I owned stock in a tissue company, this was a 5-stars-is-not-enough read for me, and has made it onto my Top Recommendations list.


I would highly recommend you’re in the right frame of mind before starting this book; you’ll need to be prepared for a lot of darkness.  While there is finally a point of relief, it’s going to take you about 98% of the way to get there.  If you’re ready for that kind of weighty story, then definitely add this one to your library.  And if you weren’t tipped off by my review, this book is meant for readers 18+ for adult language, sexual content, drug use, and a very frank look at life on the streets.


About the Author

Award Winning Author. Prolific Reader (though less prolific than she'd like). Lover of angst, romance and unexpected love stories.

Suki Fleet writes lyrical stories about memorable characters, and believes everyone should have a chance at a happy ending.

Her first novel This is Not a Love Story won Best Gay Debut in the 2014 Rainbow Awards, and was a finalist in the 2015 Lambda Awards.




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