Review by Sushan -- Heartaches 2 by H.M. Irwing

Post by **Sushan Ekanayake** » 21 Aug 2018, 16:02

[Following is a volunteer review of "Heartaches 2" by H.M. Irwing.]

4 out of 4 stars

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If you read my previous review of Heartaches 3, you know my main motive of reading this book, Heartaches 2, the second book of Bad Boy Vibes Series. It started as a mission of filling gaps of my understanding about the story, but it became a journey through a lustful love story (actually two love stories) in addition, which gave me an almost complete idea about the full story.

Since I have already read the next book and have had a glimpse on the content of the previous book, it is hard to keep my review restricted only to this book’s story. However I will try my best to do so, and in any case if I spoil your reading experience, please pardon me.

This is quite a small book. There were only 152 pages and 13 chapters in my copy.

The story takes place after Anna being raped by the Prestons (Her first love Matt, his brother and Father) and falling in love with Rafe (A soldier came back from Syrian war fronts, who have also been a rape victim there, in hands of his gay Captain, Eric Dayton). Setting is the Australian Military School where Anna is a trainee, and Rafe is a trainer.

Anna is threatened by Eric to put down the case she has filed against the Prestons regarding her rape. Will she do so? Pat (Anna’s best friend) is going to reveal his sexual orientation to his parents. What will happen after that to him? Pat is attracted towards a billionaire, Dan. Pat’s parents are trying to propose Dan’s sister to Pat. But Pat comes to know that, Dan is also gay and attracted towards him. Towards where that romance will go? Rafe’s Aunt Bella is going to marry Peter Preston. Peter reveals that Rafe is his son. What will happen to Anna and Rafe with this revelation? Will they allow Bella to marry Peter? (Actually, this one is fully answered in the next book)

So, that is the basic summary of this book, avoiding spoilers as much as I can.

The thing I most liked about this book is that, this can be read as a stand-alone book. It is true that you will have to read the third book as well, to find out what happens at the end. But, even without reading the first book, I could get almost a complete idea about the whole story, because the author has stated past scenes in places where appropriate, either in forms of recollections or revelations. I am not sure whether this will be pleasing to those who have already read the first book, but for me, it was really helpful.

Author deals with human emotions, which is quite a challenging job. Topics such as romance, rape, marriage, sex (both straight and gay) are being discussed, and Irwing has very well handled the emotional conflicts. I totally agree with the feelings expressed towards each other by Anna and Rafe, since I also have first-hand experience.

The book is written in a straight-forward language, which is easy to read and strong enough to give the message with emotions to the reader. Skipping unnecessary details and quick pace between chapters is seen (which was there in third book as well), and it supports for a quick read.

The descriptions were short but clear that made the scenes run through my mind giving the feeling of watching a movie, rather than reading a book. I would like to quote a scene to prove it. “She unbuckled the helmet he had insisted she wore and absently tossed it behind her, knowing her trusty BFF would field it for her. It landed on the dried-up ground with a crash. Anna spared a moment to wince but didn’t sway from her decided path.”

The use of language was beautiful and here are some parts which I thought worth quoting. “Now was not the time to show off a wonderful set of lungs”, “The only speck of green to be seen for miles around was in the irises of her own eyes”, “The weather yo-yoed back and forth that day, undecided which season it wanted to lean forward”.

Irwing has described a number of lustful scenes of both straight and gay sex. This can be both good and bad for the book because, a set of audience will be attracted to the book while another set, who will find the sex scenes which are not of their sexual orientation are disturbing, will be averted from the book.

It was well edited and only a handful of errors was found, which did not disturb my reading experience.

I will heartily give this a 4 out of 4 rating. I would like to recommend this to those who love romance and definitely not for the younger readers because of the sexually explicit content.

******
Heartaches 2
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Post by **Sanju Lali** » 01 Sep 2018, 02:28

This series was well written and story was also quite engaging so it makes intriguing to read the other parts of story. same thing with me and i read both part 2 and 3 and planing to read part 1 also. Thanks for sharing your perspective on this book.

Post by **Sushan Ekanayake** » 01 Sep 2018, 11:50

sanjus wrote: ↑01 Sep 2018, 02:28 This series was well written and story was also quite engaging so it makes intriguing to read the other parts of story. same thing with me and i read both part 2 and 3 and planing to read part 1 also. Thanks for sharing your perspective on this book.

Thanks a lot for your kind comment

Fozia-Bajwa · Post by **Fozia-Bajwa** » 16 Sep 2018, 15:07

I have read and written the review of Heartaches 2 by I.M Irwing. Anna Walters-Simmons acts as protagonist character in the story who suffered from cruelty, rapist and remorseless behaviors from her closely linked people. She is passing from a very poor condition full of grief but also trying to come back to its normal position with the desire of vengeance. Raphael Russo Brown, often called Rafe is the boyfriend of Anna and remains with in all of the difficulties suffered by her because all the conditions had also been suffered by him. The erroneous and disturbed mental conditions of both members bring them to a unity and match. Thanks for your great review.

Post by **Sushan Ekanayake** » 17 Sep 2018, 00:00

Fozia-Bajwa wrote: ↑16 Sep 2018, 15:07 I have read and written the review of Heartaches 2 by I.M Irwing. Anna Walters-Simmons acts as protagonist character in the story who suffered from cruelty, rapist and remorseless behaviors from her closely linked people. She is passing from a very poor condition full of grief but also trying to come back to its normal position with the desire of vengeance. Raphael Russo Brown, often called Rafe is the boyfriend of Anna and remains with in all of the difficulties suffered by her because all the conditions had also been suffered by him. The erroneous and disturbed mental conditions of both members bring them to a unity and match. Thanks for your great review.

Thanks for the kind reply and the brief but comprehensive background details of the main characters