Rating: 3.75 stars out of 5:

The strength to walk away from an abusive long-term relationship proves Em is a survivor. But surviving isn’t necessarily living, and Em has created a life on a plateau of his own making, not even entertaining the idea of a new boyfriend. When he shows interest in a very sexy barista, his best friend sees a chance to open Em’s eyes to the possibilities in life.

Penn couldn’t help his double and triple take when the sexy man walked into his mother’s coffee shop. Priding himself on always remaining calm and collected in all situations, Penn is surprised by the strength of his attraction for this stranger. When the stranger’s loud-mouthed friend proposes a way for Penn to see Em again, he takes it.

While Em comes with baggage—his eyes tell a story of pain and distrust—Penn isn’t one to shy away from a challenge, especially when his heart is so quickly getting tied up in the equation, and he’s prepared to break through Em’s walls and give him a chance to trust.

Chance at Trust, the first story in a trilogy by Havan Fellows, starts with an introduction to Embry, Em, a character whose background of abuse and present state of emotions becomes the pivotal point on how readers will react to this story.  Em has left, with the help of his closest friend Joss, a deeply abusive relationship.  The abuse was not physical but inflicted verbally with deep, vicious impact continually throughout that relationship.  It was controlling, belittling, and it tore away Em’s feelings of self worth and confidence over a long period of time.  Unable to leave on his own power, it took his best friend pulling him from the apartment before he could get out.  Not a good sign by any means but definitely a realistic element.

When you start with a shattered man and introduce a relationship, that is often a problematic feature and I will admit, it was with me too.  I constantly wanted to see Em back with a worthwhile therapist working out his issues and trauma rather than seeing him stepping into a new relationship with all his wounds still open.  That said, Penn is such a lovely character, one defined by his gentle awareness and positive attitude that I pushed my concerns towards the back of my mind when reading the story…most of the time.

Joss, Em’s best friend, is that force of nature, whose dynamic personality pushes until the desired results are achieved.  I liked Joss as a character, goodness knows I have met people just like him in my life but combined with a friend still in recovery over a man who abused him, I did wonder at a friend who sort of acted to control events in Em’s life, albeit for totally different reasons.  This didn’t spoil the story for me but stuck, poking at me, in the back of my mind as I read along.  Would it bother you in the same way?  Not sure.

Penn, a barista, treats the idea of a relationship with Em with all the serious consideration it deserves.  He (and the author) recognize that Em is in recovery and that it will take time and a gentle approach to get him to trust again.  I loved that aspect of this story.  Penn is a layered character whose personality will pull you into the story if Em’s wounded nature pushes you away.  And together they represent the possibility of a wonderful future if they can maneuver through all the obstacles, emotional and otherwise, in their path.  I loved that tone of the story too.

Chance at Trust has no resolution, which as it should be since its the first in the trilogy.  Much of the story and growth for the characters is still to come.  Perhaps that’s why I wish the author had waited a little longer for the sexual aspect of this story to heat up.  It just seemed a little fast to me given Em’s past and mental state. And Penn’s recognition of the same.

It was these quibbles that brought the rating below 4 stars and the remaining stories when read as a whole could bring it up again.  Either way I can’t wait to see what is in store for Penn and Em (and Joss).  I will be waiting for the rest of the Trilogy to arrive.

Are wounded characters a pull for you?  Especially those with a chance for happiness and love before them?  Pick up Chance at Trust now or wait until the trilogy is finished, and see if romance and love gives Em another chance at happiness.

 Cover art by Laura Harner.  Not a favorite Harner cover.  I felt it could have been a little more dynamic, less elements to crowd the cover design.

Sales Links:          All Romance (ARe)         Amazon            Buy It Here

Book Details:

Kindle Edition, 60 pages
Published April 6th 2015 by Appleton Publishing Avenue
ASINB00VS2ZD0G
edition language English