This is book one in a new m/m story. I want to start by saying I would have given this 5 stars but I felt like the end was kind on abrupt and I wish that there was more of an ending point. Otherwise I LOVED this story. I love that its a story set in high school. I love that one of the guys is openly out and stands up for himself. I love how it takes a serious issues and puts it out there so other people who have been in a similar situation don't feel so alone. I find Silas's personality to be amazing. I wish he was my friend. I love the dynamic between Ben and Si. I thought the character development was great I just wanted more! Can't wait to read the next book. Nikole Knight TRIGGER WARNING: This book features two scenes of attempted sexual assault on page as well as a lot of bullying and ample use of homophobic language. There are also suicide references at the end of the book in a nightmare/flashback.
Every Broken Thing is the first book in Nikole Knight's Far From Ruined trilogy and it was an emotional ride. The book is very plainly New Adult, set during our two main characters' senior year in high school.
Silas is an out and proud gay boy, full of sass and attitude. He has his walls built high and for good reason. Ever since he was outed as a freshman, he has had to deal with constant bullying, especially from one particular person: Eric. The first chapter has Eric attempting to attack Silas, but he was luckily stopped by Ben - a friendly diver who does not take certain things lying down.
After his rescue, Ben makes it his goal in life, it seems, to befriend Silas. Silas, on the other hand, wants to forget everything that happened. Which is made harder when Ben is everywhere he turns. He tries to push the other boy away, but Ben eventually worms his way in. They become friends and Silas has to deal with an awkward crush as well as his own trauma.
This book is full of emotion. It is told solely from Silas's POV (until the epilogue which gives an intriguing glimpse into Ben's mind and piqued my curiosity so much). Because of this, the reader gets to ride along through how he copes with the trauma of his attack. I found this to be just as intriguing as Silas's growing feelings towards Ben. Knight writes the subject so well and with so much care that I couldn't help be sucked in. I was barely able to put the book down.
Despite the heavy subject matter, I spent a lot of the book laughing at the antics between Silas and Ben. They seemed to have a lot of fun together, despite all of the angst. When they were fighting, my heart wrenched in my chest. It was a whole roller coaster. I actually liked, for once, that there were communication issues between these two boys because they are eighteen year old high school seniors. They don't have everything together, nor should they. It felt realistic for the age and setting that they were in.
I would very much recommend this book and I cannot wait to start the next one in the series tomorrow (or maybe tonight before bed. I feel it calling to me.)
** COPY OF THE BOOK RECIEVED FROM GRR FOR HONEST REVIEW ** Nikole Knight I really enjoyed this book.
Despite there being some heavy topics within the story, I found this at times to be a fun read.
The 2 MC's are really sweet and not in a sickly sort of way. I found their vulnerabilities really adorable and am a big fan of how Ben has handled Silas's feelings after the assault. He comes across as very mature and sensitive which can sometimes be a hit or a miss with these types of books.
Looking forward to book 2 and hoping these kids get their shit together and get some much deserved happiness. Nikole Knight Really good read
Saved from a sexual assault, Si mets Ben. From pricky acquaintances to sweetly falling in love, the relationship grows. All the while, the high school senior who assaulted Si lurks, threatening further trouble. Too boys in painful situations finding one another. Beautifully written and edited. The author does a very good job of looking into the heart of a hurt teen. I look forward to the next book. Nikole Knight Silas is used to being too much for everyone- his family, his friends and his community. Outed against his will, he's the odd kid at school, the one the rumors are always about. He wear his sarcasm like armor and no one seems to see him except for Ben, the new kid in school.
After a dramatic and traumatic meeting, Ben and Silas fall into an easy friendship. Silas wants more, but he can't be falling for his straight best friend. There is no way Ben would ever want him back, is there?
Written with Knight's trademark heart, sass and characters you can't help but love this is a great start to what is a wonderful series! Nikole Knight
review Every Broken Thing (Far from Ruined #1)
Two strangers whose paths should never have crossed. One traumatic encounter that brings them together.
After high school senior Silas Brigs is rescued from an attempted assault, he finds himself indebted to a blond stranger. But he wants nothing to do with the calm, quiet Ben Adams. The California diver reminds Silas too much of what brought them together in the first place, an event he just wants to forget. Yet no matter how hard Silas tries to distance himself, the closer the two inevitably gravitate.
With Silas's attacker lurking in the shadows combined with Ben's mysterious history, their blossoming friendship seems doomed to failure. Both are haunted by their shattered pasts, but can they learn to face their demons together? Because, no matter how much Silas wants to resist, they're exactly what the other needs. Even if they don't know it, yet.
Every Broken Thing (Far from Ruined #1)Silas Brigs is rescued from a violent attempted sexual assault by a golden-haired stranger. Ben Adams wants to make certain that Silas is safe and to be his friend but Silas wants nothing to do with the handsome diver. Ben is everything Silas is not. Ben is a talented athlete who makes the girls swoon. Silas is the theater geek who likes guys. Ben is calm, shy, a nice guy. Silas is snarky, rude, and more likely to yell at another person than offer them a smile. Yet they both have their emotional scars and as much as Silas wants to keep Ben at a distance, he can't. The two have an uncertain bond and with Silas's attacker still threatening him, he feels safe with Ben. The moments he lets his guard down, they even have a lot of fun together. However, Silas is still hesitant to get close to Ben realizing that he wants more than a friendship. But Ben is stubborn. He won't give up on Silas and might be keeping a secret himself.
I love, love, loved this story. It's a superb coming of age story. It covers a confusing time when even the most confident and secure struggle. Silas and Ben are neither. Silas is a complex character. His snarkiness guards a bruised young man. Ben is more of a mystery but obviously damaged. The two together are everything. The walls Silas puts up to protect himself, the persistence Ben shows to break through them, the times they just exist together without fighting; I can't get enough. Their group of friends adds to their story. The teen years are such a difficult time and this is such a vulnerable group. I just want to wrap them in bubble wrap and protect their fragile hearts.
Much of this story was powerful, beautiful. I was shaken after the opening scene. I was moved to tears, angry and hurt several times in this book. I can't comprehend the level of violence and aggression shown against Silas. I don't deny it and I think it was portrayed fairly but I DO NOT UNDERSTAND hurting someone because of who they are. I don't understand not embracing the beauty of a Silas, a Ben, a Ronnie, a Kim, a Lily or an Esther. Each is perfect. Each is imperfect. Each just wants to be happy and maybe be loved. Because I can't understand I carry this book with me. It left me feeling gutted. I need more of the story. I need more spring soap and spearmint, more blue-moon shakes. I need Silas to jump. I need Ben to win.
Trigger Warning: Verbal, physical, and sexual assault Nikole Knight 5⭐️ wow. I loved this so much. Slowest of the slow burn and no spice yet but the flirting, the tension, the suspense, the angst… all so good. I could not put this down and read it in one sitting.
Silas and Ben are not quite together yet but there is so much tension between them, I can’t wait to see it combust. You’ll immediately need to jump into book 2. Nikole Knight This book was jammed full of feels. The thing I liked the most, is it felt like a high school romance. It felt like the high schoolers were not doing more than they should and the YA angst was off the charts, as is usual in high school. Honestly, I can see this happening in high school. I did not enjoy the bullying scenes, but again, I can this happening. While, it did not happen in my high school while I was there, it definitely happened. Also, I liked how there was such an unknown about Ben. While, I wished we got his POV, at the end when we finally did get it, it made more sense this way. I truly enjoyed this read and while it definitely had some triggers, it is worth the tears and angst for sure. Nikole Knight They haven't kissed and their chemistry is literally off the charts.
This book is a full rollercoster of emotions and it was so emotional I feel a little empty right now.
I cried and laughed with them. Nikole Knight This was my first book by Nikole Knight, and I really enjoyed it. I clicked with the writing, and I loved how authentic this felt. Exactly like I would imagine highschool life, the interactions, the characters, the dialogues.
In this story we meet Silas and Ben. Silas doesn't hide the fact that he's gay, even if it makes him an easy target for bully's. But he's quirky and witty and he refuses to give in and not be himself because of others.
One day one of his bully's takes it way too far, and he is saved by Ben, a new guy, originally from California and one of the new members of the school's diving team. Silas is ashamed of the fact Ben had to save him, ashamed of what Ben witnessed, but Ben wants to be friends, and he doesn't give up very easily. In the end, that's what they become. Friends. But Ben is stunning - handsome and straight. At least, that's what Silas thinks...
This is the slowest of slow-burn romances, and when you reach the end of the book, there hasn't even been proper kissing! But you sense the tension between Ben and Silas, the longing, but also their fear of losing their friendship if they would allow it to become something else.
They both have a troubled past, and it's something they bond over. They find understanding in each other, and I really enjoyed their banter - Silas has quite a smart, unfiltered mouth! And Ben...he's just the sweetest guy around. Every guy in highschool should have a Ben.
So, this book doesn't end with a hea or even a hfn. The story continues in the second book, and so now I'm really eager to see where that one will lead to. I would love to see them together at some point, because I am certain sparks are going to fly when they will finally give into their mutual attraction!
I kindly received this book from Gay Romance Reviews and I am voluntarily leaving my unbiased review Nikole Knight