Reviewed by Nikyta
Title: Breaking Down Our Walls
Author: Gwynn Marssen
Series: 2014 Daily Dose – Mended
Heroes: Dylan/Owen
Genre: M/M Contemporary
Length: 67 Pages
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press
Release Date: June 1, 2014
Available at: Dreamspinner Press, Amazon & All Romance eBooks
Add it to your shelf: Goodreads
Blurb: After a difficult year, Dylan Atwood decides to chase his dream and create an epic fantasy novel, and he leaves Phoenix to move into an isolated house in the Prescott National Forest. The solitude of the mountains is the perfect environment for him to write–and the perfect excuse to hide away from everything and everyone is a bonus.
But when Dylan’s brother needs a favor, he can’t say no, even if it means sharing his precious solitude. He accepts Owen Moore, a man with an abusive past who is even more leery of human interaction than Dylan, into his home. As Dylan helps Owen heal, both physically and emotionally, his attraction to Owen increases, and his own scars become more visible. Both men must face their fears, without walls, if they want a life together.
Review:
Jesus, this story gutted me. I’m not ashamed to admit that I cried… multiple times! It’s a story about two men who each have their own issues. Complete strangers at first, but out in the middle of nowhere with just the two of them, they develop a platonic bond that could easily turn into something intimate. However, they’re both so emotionally damaged they’re not sure they could handle being anything but friends. Until something frightening happens that gives them the little push they need to take a chance on what they really want.
Normally for short stories, it’s hard for me to really connect with the story emotionally because it’s just too short. There’s always something off, whether there’s not enough depth to the storyline or the characters are too shallow. The list could go on and on but for this story, it’s hard for me to even think of something wrong with it. Do I wish it had been longer? Hell, yes! Only because I would have loved to explore Dylan and Owen’s issues more, really experience their emotional scars and ultimately see them after they work things out. Although, I will say if it had been longer, I’m not sure if I would have survived more angst that would have inevitably happened.
But this story, IMO, was perfect the way it was. I adored every moment of it. Every clench of my heart, every tear that rolled down my cheek, and every little sniffle I had while reading it. I really, really loved this story. At first you see Dylan as this strong character who’s just a little depressed while Owen is a physical and emotional wreck. Owen can barely stop from flinching and jumping at every movement or sound and Dylan understanding that, gives Owen the outlet to recover. At the same time, however, Owen causes Dylan some distress because while Owen recovers, Dylan’s emotional state becomes more and more fragile. So, by the end of the story, the roles are reversed where Owen is the strong one and Dylan is in emotional pain. To really understand why that is, you’ll have to read the story because I don’t want to spoiler anyone on exactly WHY. I will say that I totally felt Dylan’s pain and his hangups and I adored the fact that Owen understood them.
In the end, while this was a small novella, it brought so much emotion out of me that I can’t NOT give it as many stars as possible. It’s a quick read that’s got enough angst to clench your heart (at least for me) but also enough sweet moments to offset the emotional turmoil I went through reading this. I wish it had been longer, although, it was perfect the way it was BUT that doesn’t stop me from desperately wishing there will be a sequel! PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE!!!
Overall Impression: It was amazing!
*I received a copy of this book from the publisher in return for a fair and honest review.*
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