TWO HEARTS UNSPOKEN TARGETS (Two Hearts Wounded Warrior Romance Book 11) by Tamara Ferguson – Review by Naomi McDonald

TWO HEARTS UNSPOKEN TARGETS by Tamara Ferguson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Two Hearts Unspoken Targets is the eleventh book in the Two Hearts Wounded Warrior series. It can be read as a standalone.

The overall story has promise, and I really wanted to love this book. Unfortunately, the Kyle character is written in a way that personifies the stereotypical perception of Autism by the neurotypical community. As a person with Autism myself – and a person who has two children on the Autism spectrum, I appreciated the author’s willingness to include an Autistic character. The issue that I have on the whole is that almost every book I’ve read with an Autistic character ONLY includes a character with the severe side of things and with the attributes that most people think Autistic individuals display based on stereotypes, this book included. Perpetuating these stereotypes reinforces the stigma that Autistic people face every day while trying to interact in the world. When I read the blurb for this book I was hoping for a different portrayal. A person can be Autistic with challenges that require more assistance without being violent or having a mental impairment. I would have loved to see other challenges addressed instead.

And on a side note, I really wasn’t pleased that Beth called Kyle a dope at one point. I felt like that was demeaning and unnecessary. Many Autistic people struggle with self-esteem issues because they feel different. Using that kind of language can be hurtful.

It was a tough decision between three and four stars, but I’m giving a rating of four stars on this because, even though I was unhappy with the way the Autistic character was portrayed, the overall premise of the story was good.

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