Review: SHATTERED by AB JULIAN
Shattered, by AB Julian is a story that explores themes of trauma,
self-doubt, vulnerability, and the complexities of love. Jason's past, (his
involvement with Finn) is a source of terror that drives Jason to seek refuge
in Terrence, someone who, despite his own scars (Jason is physically perfect, while
Terrence sees himself as monstrous due to his scars and insecurities), becomes
Jason's protector. Terrence, reluctant to embrace his feelings for Jason because
of his self-worth issues and belief that their relationship can't work,
ultimately learns to let go of his fears and open up.
I immediately felt that Jason is running from something, and Terrence is
afraid of rejection. They both hide different kinds of wounds.
From the first chilling call, the narrative is filled with tension,
emotional highs and lows, and physical confrontations. Their plight had me
whirling with emotion, thinking to myself — What now?
The story is compelling because it explores an array of human emotions, The
characters are well-developed, with Jason and Terrence each having deep layers
that are revealed over time. Without this “deepening” the story would fall short
of Julian’s silent promise to his readers that his characters are heading for
change and the journey lies in the fulfillment of that change.
The suspense is an integral part of the plot, and had me cheering and
jeering through emotional engagement, especially with the looming threat from
Jason's past and the raw vulnerability the characters show.
Julian understands that finding strength in connection is a powerful path to
a lasting relationship, and the romance is grounded in real struggles. Julian is a master when it comes to slow-burn
tension followed by moments of intense emotional intimacy, (hot stuff), and
this weave adds depth to the narrative.
Overall, it’s a story of redemption, healing, and love, where both characters learn to confront their scars—both physical and emotional—and find strength in one another. Although the writing could have been tighter, I found Julian’s narrative entertaining and thought provoking, hence my five stars.
