TITLE: Reclaiming Hope
SERIES: Home for Hope #3
AUTHOR: Shell Taylor
PUBLISHER: Dreamspinner Press
COVER ARTIST: L.C. Chase
LENGTH: 210 Pages
RELEASE DATE: October 14, 2016
BLURB: Sequel to Resurrecting Hope
Home for Hope: Book Three
Four years ago, Kollin Haverty’s best friend, Riley Meadows, dropped off the face of the earth. When he shows up out of the blue, armed with a flimsy excuse for disappearing and having nearly completed his transition from female to male, Kollin wants to pick up where they left off. But Riley’s unwillingness to be honest with Kollin prevents him from fully trusting Riley again. Despite Riley’s insecurities and Kollin’s abandonment issues, they quickly discover there’s something more than friendship between them.
When a ghost from Riley’s past unexpectedly appears with haunting memories in tow, Kollin’s anger about being lied to outweighs his desire to be the understanding boyfriend Riley needs. As Riley’s web of strategically withheld secrets begins to unravel, he must find the courage to pursue his own peace before he can move forward with Kollin, and Kollin must decide what’s more important—supporting his best friend or protecting himself.
Adam rolled his eyes to
mimic her and then turned his attention toward Kollin. “Look who the cat
dragged in.”
For some reason,
Kollin’s heart fluttered. Waves of nervousness raced through his body as he
tried to figure out why Adam thought he should know the stranger. He’d never
told either of his parents about meeting the guy at the bookstore, and even if
he had, Adam couldn’t have known he was the same person.
The man studied the
ground, seemingly reluctant to look at Kollin, but Kollin knew he couldn’t
identify him even if they were staring directly at one another.
Fortunately Adam saved
him from further embarrassment. “I didn’t recognize Riley until he threatened
to own me in Ping-Pong.”
Kollin sucked in a huge
gulp of air. The nervous flutters, which had been nothing more than a curious
enigma, ceased, and he suddenly felt as if a boulder had settled in the pit of
his stomach.
He hadn’t spoken to
Riley Meadows in over four years. When Kollin’s parents kicked him out, Riley
had been the one who kept Kollin sane. He tethered him to reality when all he’d
wanted was to escape inside himself. They’d kept in touch when Riley first went
to college and somehow became even closer—until Riley seemingly dropped off the
face of the earth. Phone calls, e-mails, texts… all unanswered. Kollin
eventually took the hint and gave up.
Now Riley was back?
Going into this book I wasn't sure what
to expect. I had never read a book with a transitioning person, adult or young
adult, and as my first it’s hard to grasp what you are getting yourself into or
where the story will take you. I am in awe of the emotional story that Shell
Taylor wrote. This story was so moving and real that it’s hard to delve into
while reading it or right after. It was emotionally educational as well as eye
opening and made my heart go from hurting to full of love throughout the story.
Kollin is a college student still living
home with his two dads when his best friend, that abandoned him 4 years
earlier, walks back into his life. Kollin isn’t sure what to think of the why’s
Riley left but he’s a pretty forgiving guy, more than most people I know, and
tries to wipe the slate clean for them to go back to being best friends again.
A lot has changed for Riley, emotionally and physically, since they last saw
each other. Riley isn’t the same guy that left years earlier he is mid
transition, he has had some rough times since he left, and emotionally all over
the place.
Their developing relationship was
anything but easy. Kollin being a pretty easy going guy tries not to push but
with so many emotional landmines around Riley he feels he needs to know more in
order to be a good friend and to move forward with the romantic relationship.
Riley doesn’t want Kollin, perfect gorgeous Kollin, to know about his tainted
past or see his body because he doesn’t think Kollin can want him, not the true
him, not the way he is now.
Adam and Eli really try to help the way
good parents do; and with how open and honest the communication is between them
and Kollin it really does help in some ways. Kollin’s insecurities with the
physical side of their relationship coupled with Riley’s ever changing body
dysmorphia makes for an emotional ride but one that I would still call low
angst.
I loved how the author handled the
details of Riley’s struggles in his transition with the physical aspect of
still not having the parts he felt he was missing, to the parts that were
complete but still carried scars, and so many psychological issues. They never
bogged the story down, to me they made the story that much better. This is one
friends to lovers book I wish everyone would read.
Shell Taylor is a full-time mother of three exuberant and loving kiddos and one fur baby, a tiny but fierce Yorkie-poo named Rocco. As a Christian who practices love, grace, and humility, she tries her best to instill these same virtues in her rowdy kids. She is a huge fan of Marvel comics and will never stop loving Harry Potter (Hufflepuff pride, baby!) When Shell isn’t writing, she can be found binge watching Netflix or volunteering at her church and childrens’ school. Shell considers herself blessed to have married a strong, supportive man who works hard to allow her to continue to follow her dreams.
You can also email Shell at - shell4jmu@gmail.com
1st Winner’s Prize: $20 Amazon GC
2nd Winner’s Prize: E-copy of Redeeming Hope/Resurrecting Hope
October
14: Diverse
Reader
October
17: Hearts on Fire
October
18: Rick
R. Reed
October
19: Drops
of Ink
October
20: Bending The Bookshelf
October
21: Author Dean Frech
October
24: Love
Bytes Reviews
October
25: Scattered
Thoughts & Rogue Words
October
26: Because
Two Men Are Better Than One
October
27: MM
Good Book Reviews
October
28: Fangirl
Moments and My Two Cents
October
31: Bonkers about Books
November
1: My Fiction Nook
November
2: Wicked
Faeries Tales & Reviews
November
3: Making It Happen Blog
November
4: BFD Book Blog
November
7: Bayou
Book Junkie
November
8: Molly
Lolly: Reader, Reviewer, Lover of Words
November 9: Prism Book Alliance
Thanks for the post and contest! I have not read the series yet but have it on my TBR list because I love books about characters overcoming adversity or past trauma and having/realizing hope.
ReplyDeleteI haven't read any book of this series yet, but I am totally intrigued with the blurb. I don't think I've read many stories with transitioning from female to male! So thank you so much for the review
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on your new release Shell the book intrigues me I have never read a book where a character is transitioning. I've added the book to my wish list and I wish you many sales.
ReplyDeleteI really, really loved this story and for those who have not read the first two yet, this can totally be read as a standalone book!
ReplyDeleteI haven't read any from this series yet. I'm glad to see there are more & more books being released with trans MCs.
ReplyDeleteThis book is amazing! I love this series and was anxiously awaiting this release and I was blown away by the story. Thank you Shell for sharing these wonderful characters with us. And thanks Meredith for another great review!!
ReplyDeleteI haven't read the books in this series yet. The blurb of this one though - friends reconnecting and building to more - really interest me. Thank you for the post and a chance at the giveaway.
ReplyDeletehavent read this series yet but hope to soon
ReplyDeleteI loved the previous two books and I'm excited to read this one too. And I'd like to read more books with trans characters.
ReplyDelete