The Backlot Gay Book Forum discussion

Broken by Dawn Kimberly Johnson:

Alec Sumner is fleeing yet another broken heart. By moving to London, he hopes to find peace and a fresh start. While shopping with a friend on a busy London street, he sees his chance, embodied in a mysterious young man with soulful blue eyes and a bad leg.

Eli Burke is broken in his own way, haunted by memories of his lover’s murder and physically scarred from the same fatal assault. He, too, plans to run away—to Africa and a new life working with children. But when he meets Alec, his choice isn't so easy. He and Alec see the real possibility of new love and a brighter future, but they'll both have to face their fears of past pain and find a way to heal.

I thought some aspects of the story were absolutely heartbreaking. But, don’t go into it thinking it’s too depressing overall, because in the end it’s quite hopeful and optimistic. I found all the characters interesting, and of course I particularly liked the two protagonists. The book is complete in itself, but I’m going to read the sequel, Home, right off---recommended.

Broken

It could be just bad luck for Ms Johnson that I read her pair of novels after Con Riley's After Ben, since there are many common elements to both that I cannot help but compare. If Riley's book rated a resounding 'A' grading with me, Johnson's books come off a mere 'B minus'. Themes of grief and loss are present since MC Eli Burke is recovering from the loss of the love of his life - Bennett from a violent homophobic attack, the same brutal event that left him with physical scars and a mild disability as much as haunting his sleeping and waking moments. Close friends and housemates attempt to re-engage Eli to the world of living with limited success - Eli's a deaf interpreter by profession.

Enter one Alec Sumner (American transplant to UK soil). Alec has his own demons - running from a badly failed relationship. Oh, he just so happens to have written a psychological text bestseller on trauma recovery; thus Eli's landlord and close friend Ilsa just so happens to wrangle Alec a room in their shared house in a misguided attempt to have Alec 'sort out' Eli's emotional and psychological issues.

The storyline is not boring, the main and secondary characters are interesting in their own right, the dance of attraction between the MCs is OK, the emotional roadblocks to the relationship developing are fairly realistic ... still there's something less poetic or beautiful about the telling of the tale as compared to After Ben. Further dramatic tension comes in the form of one A-list hunk Dray (Eli's nemesis) who seems intent on getting into Alec's pants ... and will the terrible secret behind Eli's hatred for Dray end up breaking apart our lovebirds? Can Eli and Alec negotiate a new path for themselves with or without the presence of Bennett?

The second volume - Home takes up the storyline on the MCs as what happens after they say "I Love You" - how do they make the relationship stick and grow. I have to admit Eli's character grated on me occasionally (unlike Riley's MC - Theo) and there's much less development of the 'lost love' character Bennett. Still, I'm sure others may find these books perfectly fine to their romance reading taste. My advice - do not read these immediately after Riley's book.