Book Review: Broken Pieces by Riley Hart

Reviewed by JustJen

Title: Broken Pieces
Author: Riley Hart
Heroes: Josiah/Mateo/Tristan
Genre: M/M/M Contemporary
Length: 339 pages
Publisher: Self-published
Release Date: February 4, 2014
Available at: Amazon
Add it to your shelf: Goodreads

Blurb: Can three broken pieces make a whole?

Josiah Evans is the orphan who lost both his parents. He’s sweet, shy, and all heart. He wants nothing more than to be loved.

Mateo Sanchez is the son of a gang leader. He’s seen it all, and never hesitates to do what needs to be done, no matter what it is.

Tristan Croft is the wealthy attorney who clawed his way up from the bottom to rule his own world. He’ll never depend on anyone but himself again.

Three men who couldn’t be more different…and yet, as their lives intersect they find an uncommon balance that calms the storms inside each of them, and ignites fires hotter than they ever thought imaginable.

Told uniquely in three parts and spanning over ten years, BROKEN PIECES is a journey of healing for three fragmented souls, finding love in the unlikeliest of places—with each other.

Review:

There are so many things I loved about this fabulous story.  It is told in parts, over a long period of time, and each chapter is told from a different character perspective, which ended up being one of the things I loved about it.

In Part I, Josiah and Mateo meet as foster siblings in their teens.  Their unlikely friendship grows and eventually turns into more.  Each of them has issues, but we get to see them grow as they naturally gravitate towards one another becoming the one person the other trusts.  While Josiah has issues relating to his ending up in foster care, Mateo has the bigger issues here with the gang background.  He was being cultivated by his family to take a high position in the gang, often being forced to do unspeakable things that he has a lot of trouble coping with, even if it is in the past.  These two take care of each other, through thick and thin.  Unfortunately, Mateo’s protecting of Josiah brings this chapter to an emotional end.

Then, in Part II, after quite a few years pass, Josiah is trying to make something of his life.  He meets Tristan by chance, a man with his own issues.  Tristan has basically closed himself off to any and all emotional connections, believing himself not worthy due to events in his past.  But, Josiah ends up breaking through those barriers, little by little, and they end up being exactly what each other needs.  Things are not perfect for Josiah and Tristan, but they are making progress.

In Part III, Mateo comes back into the picture.  These guys all struggle with their issues, as they find themselves in a different situation (the threesome relationship) they are all cautious and unsure of.  Poor Josiah is very confused being in the middle, loving two men.  They all take their time, try to figure things out, with both Tristan and Mateo only wanting what’s best for Josiah.  It was so easy to feel how much they all cared for each other, even when they were not able to communicate it with words.  Things don’t happen fast, nor do they happen easily.  But when they do, there are some amazing scenes.

This is not, in any way, the typical ménage.  There aren’t any of the usual issues often present in other ménage stories.  The problems these guys have all stem from their previous issues and how they deal with them inside.  The relationship is all about them loving and caring and trusting as they never had anyone before.  There is some hot sex, but honestly, it takes such a back seat to the meanings behind it all.  There is a scene near the end where total trust is finally given that was just beautiful and such a joy to see.  This is, by far, one of the best ménage stories I’ve read in a long time.

These guys eventually accept their relationship and their need to all be a part of it, with each of them being broken pieces when they are apart, yet whole when they are together.  I loved how they each helped heal the others in their own ways.  This was a book I picked up and just could not put down.  It runs the gamut of emotions, but while it does have its downs, there are enough ups to really make it shine.  I truly loved everything about it and highly recommend it.

Overall Impression: It was amazing.

*I received a copy of this book from the author in return for a fair and honest review.*