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Broken #2
Home
Sequel to Broken Eli Burke and Alec Sumner are finding out that falling in love isn’t the happily-ever-after they expected. Their efforts to move forward as a couple and put their broken pasts behind them are made all the more difficult by new fears and old secrets. There are other stressors too: disagreeing over where to live, dealing with other men intruding into their relationship, and deciding if they must abandon the families of their pasts to build one for the future. It may hurt, but being honest about what they fear, what they've done, and what they want may be the only way to forge a happy home.
234 pages, Paperback
First published September 12, 2010
1 person is currently reading
143 people want to read
About the author
Dawn Kimberly Johnson
34 books66 followersDawn lives in Huntington, West Virginia, and graduated from the W. Page Pitt School of Journalism & Mass Communications at Marshall University. An avid reader and storyteller since childhood, she was first published by Dreamspinner Press in 2009, shortly after discovering a delightful appetite for gay romantic fiction. Her interests include writing, seeking full civil rights for the LGBTQ community, drawing, and playing silly Facebook games. You can connect with Dawn at her author page at Dreamspinner Press: https://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/aut...
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
November 2, 2010
3.5 stars.
I enjoyed this book - more than I did its prequel, Broken, in fact; found it more absorbing (though I could have lived without quite so many sex scenes; while actually reasonably well written, many of them didn't contribute much of anything, and I found myself skimming them by the end). I think the author's writing has improved - the first book suffered from way too much exposition; this one was tighter, flowed better. The emotions felt more realistic; the relationship development was more tightly and fluidly written and more interesting to me. I had been reluctant to pick this up - I wasn't a big fan of the first book - but I was glad I did. My largest criticism is probably the Ilsa/Casey relationship; I have no idea why the author even bothered with it in this book, since she didn't develop either the characters or the relationship whatsoever, and neither the relationship nor its apparent resolution made any sense to me. (In fact, as I think another reviewer pointed out, all the secondary characters got shorter shrift in this book).
But the reason I felt compelled to write this review wasn't to say that - it was to provide another voice in contrast to reviews I've read for this book here and elsewhere. I am baffled by reviews that criticize this book based on Eli's purported bad behavior, selfishness, etc. I repeatedly read reviews of books that make protagonists out to be really selfish or unlikeable or self-absorbed or angst-ridden, and I start those books expecting the characters to be selfish bastards to whom no reader could possibly relate - but then when I read on, I see them as simply human, reacting in very human ways to difficult situations.
In this case, Eli nothing about Eli's behavior struck me as particularly unlikeable or annoying. He was dealing with many issues (some more realistic than others) in a not always ideal, but always very human, way - the way many people deal with guilt, grief, trauma, pain, anger, fear. There were reasons for his behavior (including for his apparently excessive jealousy). All of it struck me as quite realistic given the circumstances (even if occasionally those circumstances were a bit extreme), and not disproportionate. Eli's reactions didn't make him seem unlikeable or abusive or manipulative to me - just human and confused and in pain, and struggling.
And Alec wasn't a wronged innocent - he didn't permit himself to be taken advantage of or trampled on; he was self aware enough to understand what was happening, even if he couldn't fix it singlehandedly, and to do what he needed to do for himself. And eventually, Eli found his way out of the mire.
To me, characters who are flawed, who show human weaknesses, struggle with self-delusion or selfish impulsions or irrational jealousy or anger - but then struggle through, find a way to get beyond those weaknesses somehow - are far more interesting to read about than characters who do the right thing, make the right choices, from the beginning and without much effort. So...I liked Eli, possibly more than Alec - or at least I found him more interesting. And I liked this book, again, more than the first book. It's not on my favorites list, but I could see myself re-reading it - whereas I'm unlikely to re-read Broken.
I do, however, think it would be difficult to get the most out of this book without having read the first.
I enjoyed this book - more than I did its prequel, Broken, in fact; found it more absorbing (though I could have lived without quite so many sex scenes; while actually reasonably well written, many of them didn't contribute much of anything, and I found myself skimming them by the end). I think the author's writing has improved - the first book suffered from way too much exposition; this one was tighter, flowed better. The emotions felt more realistic; the relationship development was more tightly and fluidly written and more interesting to me. I had been reluctant to pick this up - I wasn't a big fan of the first book - but I was glad I did. My largest criticism is probably the Ilsa/Casey relationship; I have no idea why the author even bothered with it in this book, since she didn't develop either the characters or the relationship whatsoever, and neither the relationship nor its apparent resolution made any sense to me. (In fact, as I think another reviewer pointed out, all the secondary characters got shorter shrift in this book).
But the reason I felt compelled to write this review wasn't to say that - it was to provide another voice in contrast to reviews I've read for this book here and elsewhere. I am baffled by reviews that criticize this book based on Eli's purported bad behavior, selfishness, etc. I repeatedly read reviews of books that make protagonists out to be really selfish or unlikeable or self-absorbed or angst-ridden, and I start those books expecting the characters to be selfish bastards to whom no reader could possibly relate - but then when I read on, I see them as simply human, reacting in very human ways to difficult situations.
In this case, Eli nothing about Eli's behavior struck me as particularly unlikeable or annoying. He was dealing with many issues (some more realistic than others) in a not always ideal, but always very human, way - the way many people deal with guilt, grief, trauma, pain, anger, fear. There were reasons for his behavior (including for his apparently excessive jealousy). All of it struck me as quite realistic given the circumstances (even if occasionally those circumstances were a bit extreme), and not disproportionate. Eli's reactions didn't make him seem unlikeable or abusive or manipulative to me - just human and confused and in pain, and struggling.
And Alec wasn't a wronged innocent - he didn't permit himself to be taken advantage of or trampled on; he was self aware enough to understand what was happening, even if he couldn't fix it singlehandedly, and to do what he needed to do for himself. And eventually, Eli found his way out of the mire.
To me, characters who are flawed, who show human weaknesses, struggle with self-delusion or selfish impulsions or irrational jealousy or anger - but then struggle through, find a way to get beyond those weaknesses somehow - are far more interesting to read about than characters who do the right thing, make the right choices, from the beginning and without much effort. So...I liked Eli, possibly more than Alec - or at least I found him more interesting. And I liked this book, again, more than the first book. It's not on my favorites list, but I could see myself re-reading it - whereas I'm unlikely to re-read Broken.
I do, however, think it would be difficult to get the most out of this book without having read the first.
October 8, 2010
3.5 stars
Home is the sequel to Broken, which you should read first. You don’t have to of course but Home deals with the development of the relationship established in Broken so it has more of an emotional impact if you’ve read the first book. The sequel is a very good story that lets the reader into the difficulties of relationships. The first book ended with a happy ending, everyone in love, but it’s nice to see that love doesn’t conquer all fears and problems and the two actually have to work at their relationship. Eli has some considerable issues stemming from his lover’s death and unresolved guilt, while Alec finally becomes a separate entity that is not just about putting Eli back together.
The story is very character driven and somewhat repetitive. The cycle is started early with the two having sex – there is incidentally a lot of sex in the book, perhaps to make up for no sex in Broken. The main couple of Eli and Alec have sex, fight, make up with sex, are lovey dovey for a day or two before fighting again, having make up sex, and so on in a circular pattern. The issues they fight about are genuine and real issues. From jealousy to fear, resentment, and anger these are authentic issues that someone as conflicted and difficult as Eli really goes through. Alec as a psychologist remains calm, patient, and lucid during Eli’s many fits but he’s far from perfect himself.
The emotional impact of the story is high as we watch Eli and Alec work on their relationship. They’re determined to stay together so there’s no real concern they’ll break up but they are anything but easy. They love each other but that love hasn’t erased the insecurities and doubts. On the one hand this feels honest and like a real relationship. Unfortunately the story throws in several road blocks that don’t feel authentic. Eli’s guilt over Dray (not to give spoilers but what supposedly happened) is pretty ridiculous. I didn’t believe at all that such a thing would happen and thought it was a poor way to introduce more tension into the relationship.
Secondly the supporting cast feels misused. In the first book, the house members and friends were very important. They had their own personalities, their own identities and contributed to the story and the relationship. Now they seem superfluous and only appear to add a bit of wisdom or tension to the story. They lack the color and interest they had in the first book. Especially the relationship between Carrie and Ilsa, which has all the hallmarks of a horrific crash from the comments and actions, yet inexplicably, gets a happy ending. I wasn’t sure why the story continued to set these two up as incompatible just to throw in that they live happily ever after together.
As a sequel, this is enjoyable to read for the emotional impact and continuation of a good relationship. The characters grow and change while keeping a solid happy ending. I enjoyed this more than the first book for the deeper emotion, better connection, and more realistic relationship issues. I didn’t enjoy the secondary cast anywhere near as much and not all obstacles felt genuine but over all this is a good sequel. The two book story is one I’d read again when I want some emotional romance.
Home is the sequel to Broken, which you should read first. You don’t have to of course but Home deals with the development of the relationship established in Broken so it has more of an emotional impact if you’ve read the first book. The sequel is a very good story that lets the reader into the difficulties of relationships. The first book ended with a happy ending, everyone in love, but it’s nice to see that love doesn’t conquer all fears and problems and the two actually have to work at their relationship. Eli has some considerable issues stemming from his lover’s death and unresolved guilt, while Alec finally becomes a separate entity that is not just about putting Eli back together.
The story is very character driven and somewhat repetitive. The cycle is started early with the two having sex – there is incidentally a lot of sex in the book, perhaps to make up for no sex in Broken. The main couple of Eli and Alec have sex, fight, make up with sex, are lovey dovey for a day or two before fighting again, having make up sex, and so on in a circular pattern. The issues they fight about are genuine and real issues. From jealousy to fear, resentment, and anger these are authentic issues that someone as conflicted and difficult as Eli really goes through. Alec as a psychologist remains calm, patient, and lucid during Eli’s many fits but he’s far from perfect himself.
The emotional impact of the story is high as we watch Eli and Alec work on their relationship. They’re determined to stay together so there’s no real concern they’ll break up but they are anything but easy. They love each other but that love hasn’t erased the insecurities and doubts. On the one hand this feels honest and like a real relationship. Unfortunately the story throws in several road blocks that don’t feel authentic. Eli’s guilt over Dray (not to give spoilers but what supposedly happened) is pretty ridiculous. I didn’t believe at all that such a thing would happen and thought it was a poor way to introduce more tension into the relationship.
Secondly the supporting cast feels misused. In the first book, the house members and friends were very important. They had their own personalities, their own identities and contributed to the story and the relationship. Now they seem superfluous and only appear to add a bit of wisdom or tension to the story. They lack the color and interest they had in the first book. Especially the relationship between Carrie and Ilsa, which has all the hallmarks of a horrific crash from the comments and actions, yet inexplicably, gets a happy ending. I wasn’t sure why the story continued to set these two up as incompatible just to throw in that they live happily ever after together.
As a sequel, this is enjoyable to read for the emotional impact and continuation of a good relationship. The characters grow and change while keeping a solid happy ending. I enjoyed this more than the first book for the deeper emotion, better connection, and more realistic relationship issues. I didn’t enjoy the secondary cast anywhere near as much and not all obstacles felt genuine but over all this is a good sequel. The two book story is one I’d read again when I want some emotional romance.
November 3, 2014
This is the sequel to Broken and we once again follow Eli & Alec. Now that they have figured out they want to be together, this time we watch as they attempt to figure out how to have a relationship. They have to get past assorted obstacles both external and internal and most importantly they need to figure out what they want, without factoring in they rest of the world. There is a mini-sub plot about a waiter that Alec tries to help. I admit I knew almost right away what the source of his problem was, however I thought this was going to lead to a possible new career choice for Alec.
Overall I think this was a great follow up. The main characters are still engaging and interesting and they ring true as two people that have been through a lot trying to make a go of it. Although, I thought that the book was a little heavy on gratuitous sex (meaning it didn't add to the plot, at all). And it started to get that overly fluffy feeling when all of the secondary characters started getting paired up and finding HEAs. Still a good read, and a definite must if you have read Broken. Plus I see potential for another story following another character that we met in this book.
Overall I think this was a great follow up. The main characters are still engaging and interesting and they ring true as two people that have been through a lot trying to make a go of it. Although, I thought that the book was a little heavy on gratuitous sex (meaning it didn't add to the plot, at all). And it started to get that overly fluffy feeling when all of the secondary characters started getting paired up and finding HEAs. Still a good read, and a definite must if you have read Broken. Plus I see potential for another story following another character that we met in this book.
March 8, 2013
After I finished Dawn Kimberly Johnson’s "Broken," I decided to read the follow-up volume "Home" right off.
So many stand-alone novels finish up with the main characters becoming a couple at the end, and then presumably riding off into the sunset into a “happy ever after,” so it’s interesting to see what happens next in such a situation. And as this book shows, there are always some problems that need to be worked out in a successful relationship---it doesn’t happen automatically, or oftentimes very easily.
"Home" feels a bit more like a typical romance novel than does its predecessor, primarily because it contains more sexual content. But I think both books are a step above a standard romance---they have a little more depth. Nicely written and with interesting characters, I’ll recommend both volumes.
So many stand-alone novels finish up with the main characters becoming a couple at the end, and then presumably riding off into the sunset into a “happy ever after,” so it’s interesting to see what happens next in such a situation. And as this book shows, there are always some problems that need to be worked out in a successful relationship---it doesn’t happen automatically, or oftentimes very easily.
"Home" feels a bit more like a typical romance novel than does its predecessor, primarily because it contains more sexual content. But I think both books are a step above a standard romance---they have a little more depth. Nicely written and with interesting characters, I’ll recommend both volumes.
March 6, 2011
This was a wonderful story. I was so engrossed in it from beginning to end.
Eli Burke is, in his words, a mess. He has some hurdles to get past. In Dawn's previous book, Broken, Eli meets Alec Sumner, an American living in England.
They get to know each other and cupid's arrow strikes. But love never comes without some bumps. And they have a lot of things that need to be worked out to get to where they need to be.
I don't want to say too much more because I don't want to spoil anyone's journey into Alec and Eli's world.
All I can say is you MUST get this book.
I think you can read this book without reading her first book, Broken, but I think it would be a good idea to read the first one because it is equally good
Eli Burke is, in his words, a mess. He has some hurdles to get past. In Dawn's previous book, Broken, Eli meets Alec Sumner, an American living in England.
They get to know each other and cupid's arrow strikes. But love never comes without some bumps. And they have a lot of things that need to be worked out to get to where they need to be.
I don't want to say too much more because I don't want to spoil anyone's journey into Alec and Eli's world.
All I can say is you MUST get this book.
I think you can read this book without reading her first book, Broken, but I think it would be a good idea to read the first one because it is equally good
March 20, 2011
A good follow-up to the first story. I had a feeling I knew who Mickey's issue was with from the first and was glad (so to say) to see that confirmed. Prick. It looks like Eli and Alec are happy for good this time. =)
November 24, 2016
Re-read
October 4, 2010
I loved this book just as much as I did Broken. Great sequel!
December 23, 2016
I had hoped this would be Tony and Lyle's story, but instead it was a continuation of Alec and Eli's. While at the end of the last book the guys seemed to be doing fine and were on their way to happiness, this one starts with them having trouble.
While he was supportive and understanding in the last book, in this one Alec seems to have decided that it's time for Eli to just get over his lost partner and the attack, he's tired of dealing with someone with issues.
Honestly, I really didn't like any of the characters this time around. They all developed bad personalities that made it hard to see anything happening with any of them as a HEA. It was just a lot of ugly personalities behaving in ugly fashions. It wasn't even as well-written as the first book. It seemed much more erratic and stuffed full of pointless sex scenes and other scenes just to add extra drama and story filler. While Alec's actions would get anyone with a backbone saying good riddance, by the end Eli is traumatized enough to do whatever Alec wants.
While he was supportive and understanding in the last book, in this one Alec seems to have decided that it's time for Eli to just get over his lost partner and the attack, he's tired of dealing with someone with issues.
Honestly, I really didn't like any of the characters this time around. They all developed bad personalities that made it hard to see anything happening with any of them as a HEA. It was just a lot of ugly personalities behaving in ugly fashions. It wasn't even as well-written as the first book. It seemed much more erratic and stuffed full of pointless sex scenes and other scenes just to add extra drama and story filler. While Alec's actions would get anyone with a backbone saying good riddance, by the end Eli is traumatized enough to do whatever Alec wants.
September 27, 2010
Having read Broken, how could one not read the sequel? Although I felt the first book was stronger overall, this sequel has a lot to recommend it as well, most notably the realistic depiction of the sorts of complications that arise in working out a relationship, especially between partners who come into it with substantial emotional baggage. It was much like going home for a visit, what with the reappearance and moving forward of many of the much-loved characters from the first book. If the first book was about family, this book was about change, about how eventually people need to grow and move on, to form new families and relationships. There is a sense of sadness, but also of inevitability and even joy in the process of reaching out to form new connections. Never abandoning the old, but allowing them to shift and change to accomodate new relationships and changing needs. The rather startling twist in this story that brought new perspective to the protagonist's past was handled well and in a way that didn't diminish my sympathy with the character but merely increased his essential humanity. If I had one problem with the book, it was that the "bad guy" trope was brought to completion too fast and with a slightly unrealistic amount of coincidence involved. But that doesn't take away from the power of the themes and the lovely writing. So, again, read Broken and then don't miss this very good sequel.
November 12, 2013
Eli and Alec's relationship isn't perfect. There are secrets and insecurities that have to be dealt with. There were times when I wanted to alternately hug and shake each of them. One secondary character made me so angry that I wished I could smack him the a brick. Of course, the reader was so supposed to feel that way about that particular character.
I wavered on the rating for this one. I was caught between 3.5 and 4, but I finally settled on 4 stars because this book did have lots of emotional impact. Home is the sequel to Broken, which was a 5-star book that really affected me. Home is a good story, but it was more difficult for me to get into than Broken was. In the end, it was a good read, and if you enjoyed Broken, you should read this to see how Eli and Alec's story progresses.
By the way, this one has the sex that Broken did not have. ;)
I wavered on the rating for this one. I was caught between 3.5 and 4, but I finally settled on 4 stars because this book did have lots of emotional impact. Home is the sequel to Broken, which was a 5-star book that really affected me. Home is a good story, but it was more difficult for me to get into than Broken was. In the end, it was a good read, and if you enjoyed Broken, you should read this to see how Eli and Alec's story progresses.
By the way, this one has the sex that Broken did not have. ;)
February 6, 2011
I really liked Broken and I did like Home too, about as much, I think. The writing was still good, the characters lovable and everything, but it just didn't 'wow' me.
There was plenty of sex in this one, almost too much in contrast to none in the first one, and I did see the whole 'big reveal' in the young boy's storyline. It was a bit too obvious somehow. However, the way it was revealed was actually very good and heart-clenching (trying not to spoil things here).
I liked the family-connections, actually liked them a lot in both books. Alec's stepdad was wonderful. :)
Anyway, a good book, but not amazing.
Read
November 19, 2010I was really happy to read some more about Eli and Alec and I loved that this book was almost as angsty and dramatic as the first one. I think it dealt with some real life pitfalls of grief, even after the original grief has passed, and of course, with the overwhelming damage that guilt can do to a person. Alec is such a wonderful character - supportive and loving, determined and realistic - he's perfect for Eli who just needs that little extra ounce of compassion and encouragement sometimes. I'm glad they didn't give up on each other despite some pretty dicey circumstances. Great sequel.
November 16, 2010
4.5 Stars
I loved this sequel as much as the original, Broken. The MCs remained complex and interesting although the secondary characters were not nearly as well developed as in the first book.
I loved this sequel as much as the original, Broken. The MCs remained complex and interesting although the secondary characters were not nearly as well developed as in the first book.
April 11, 2012
Hmmm... I didn't care for this one as much as I did the first one. There was a little too much sex in this one. Not that I don't like sex, but it seems the first book was at one extreme and the second was at the other. I do think the author is very good at writing the assault scenes, putting you at the edge of your seat thinking, "oh, no!"
August 10, 2016
This book, #2 in a series, was so good that I did not stop after reading #1, I just kept reading. It is an engaging story of recovery and love, and of family made of the people around you who love you. With the constant battle to overcome his past, Eli eventually finds peace with someone to love him scars and all.
June 1, 2012
Had trouble staying engaged in this one, quite a contrast to the previous. Eli was whiny, insecure, annoying. To the extent I almost wanted Alec to find someone else, as I was having trouble seeing what he saw in Eli.
March 19, 2013
a great follow-up the 1st book, it gives you everything the first book left you panting over and wishing over.
enough drama and pain to leave you reading all the way through. what happens to eli is trully unforgivabale.
enough drama and pain to leave you reading all the way through. what happens to eli is trully unforgivabale.
December 11, 2010
Wonderful sequel. Even though there are bumps in the road, Eli and Alec overcome their insecurities to find their way home.
April 16, 2011
3.5 stars.
Want to read
February 18, 2013Intense!
July 18, 2017
[3.5 stars]
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