Review of Broken Boys Beyond Friendships
Posted: 07 Dec 2022, 18:29
[Following is an official OnlineBookClub.org review of "Broken Boys Beyond Friendships" by Dak Kopec.]
Broken Boys Beyond Friendships by Dak Kopek is an emotionally charged novel about a fifty-three-year-old man reliving his past regrets. A longtime friend asked to visit Blake Roberts to ask for a critical favor. Blake agrees but is apprehensive as he presses the buzzer to open the gate to his driveway. He had not seen Ivy Vandermark for years, although she was his best friend's sister. Ivy had come to ask Blake if her daughter could come and stay with him and interview him for a book she wanted to write to tell Blake's story. There were things in Blake's past that hurt many people, especially the Vandermark family. His best friend, Logan Vandermark's family, had taken Blake in and treated him like one of their own, and now Jillian, Ivy's daughter, wanted to write his story. Blake questioned if he should bring it all up again. The entire Vandermark family had risked everything to help Blake during his worst times, so he finally agreed, and a couple of months later, Jillian arrived.
As Blake relived his past, all the shame, agony, and hurt returned to the surface. Jillian wasn't judgemental, and Blake and Jillian formed a bond. They laughed together at some memories, and when Blake became emotional, he saw tears running down Jillian's face. What about Blake's life made Jillian want to tell his story? Why was Blake willing to relive his painful past for Jillian, someone he had never met before? The reason will shock you.
This captivating novel by Dak Kopek pulls at the deepest emotions of the reader. Some events in Blake's life shocked me. I laughed at many of Blake's and Logan's antics in high school and beyond, and I cried when the emotions overwhelmed me. Kopek's writing style was simple to follow, and he has a knack for making the reader feel like they are part of the story. That is the aspect of this book I liked best. The characters became real, and Blake's story broke my heart. I will remember this book for a long time.
There were a few things I didn't like about the book. It is in the romance genre, which I always enjoy reading, but it isn't the classic romance I am used to. However, the reader quickly gets pulled into the story and feels compassion for the characters. My least favorite characters were Eden and Diebold, Blake's agent. I can't say I liked the way they treated Blake and Dillion. I can't say more without revealing a spoiler.
The editing was professional, as I only found a few errors. The storyline was enthralling, and the characters were perfect for their roles. I found myself engrossed in the emotions of the book and surprised by a bombshell ending I would never have expected. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book and will watch for other books by Dak Kopek. I am rating this book 5 out of 5 stars for all the reasons just stated. Although there was a lull, as mentioned above, I didn't find any reason to deduct a star.
I recommend this book to mature readers over the age of eighteen because there is some profanity and strong sexual innuendos. The book may be offensive to some readers of various religious affiliations.
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Broken Boys Beyond Friendships
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
Broken Boys Beyond Friendships by Dak Kopek is an emotionally charged novel about a fifty-three-year-old man reliving his past regrets. A longtime friend asked to visit Blake Roberts to ask for a critical favor. Blake agrees but is apprehensive as he presses the buzzer to open the gate to his driveway. He had not seen Ivy Vandermark for years, although she was his best friend's sister. Ivy had come to ask Blake if her daughter could come and stay with him and interview him for a book she wanted to write to tell Blake's story. There were things in Blake's past that hurt many people, especially the Vandermark family. His best friend, Logan Vandermark's family, had taken Blake in and treated him like one of their own, and now Jillian, Ivy's daughter, wanted to write his story. Blake questioned if he should bring it all up again. The entire Vandermark family had risked everything to help Blake during his worst times, so he finally agreed, and a couple of months later, Jillian arrived.
As Blake relived his past, all the shame, agony, and hurt returned to the surface. Jillian wasn't judgemental, and Blake and Jillian formed a bond. They laughed together at some memories, and when Blake became emotional, he saw tears running down Jillian's face. What about Blake's life made Jillian want to tell his story? Why was Blake willing to relive his painful past for Jillian, someone he had never met before? The reason will shock you.
This captivating novel by Dak Kopek pulls at the deepest emotions of the reader. Some events in Blake's life shocked me. I laughed at many of Blake's and Logan's antics in high school and beyond, and I cried when the emotions overwhelmed me. Kopek's writing style was simple to follow, and he has a knack for making the reader feel like they are part of the story. That is the aspect of this book I liked best. The characters became real, and Blake's story broke my heart. I will remember this book for a long time.
There were a few things I didn't like about the book. It is in the romance genre, which I always enjoy reading, but it isn't the classic romance I am used to. However, the reader quickly gets pulled into the story and feels compassion for the characters. My least favorite characters were Eden and Diebold, Blake's agent. I can't say I liked the way they treated Blake and Dillion. I can't say more without revealing a spoiler.
The editing was professional, as I only found a few errors. The storyline was enthralling, and the characters were perfect for their roles. I found myself engrossed in the emotions of the book and surprised by a bombshell ending I would never have expected. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book and will watch for other books by Dak Kopek. I am rating this book 5 out of 5 stars for all the reasons just stated. Although there was a lull, as mentioned above, I didn't find any reason to deduct a star.
I recommend this book to mature readers over the age of eighteen because there is some profanity and strong sexual innuendos. The book may be offensive to some readers of various religious affiliations.
******
Broken Boys Beyond Friendships
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon