Refrain (Off the Record Book 3) by Madelynne Ellis – Review by Kerry Carr

Refrain by Madelynne Ellis
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This book was a very emotional and deeply intense read. It is the 3rd book in the Off The Record series which I didn’t realise until I was already too deep in. I will however be going back to read them in order as at times I did feel a bit lost knowing who the characters were and their role. That being said it didn’t stop this from being a emotional rollercoaster of a ride. It deals with loss, secrets, lies,depression,and friendship. It is the story of Spook who has a trouble past, a past that is still affecting him today even though he is successful. When things get too much for him and he gets the urge to run he does just that leaving behind the band and group of friends he loves and his gf.
We follow not only Spooks journey through the darkness of depression and mental illness but also the effect it has on his friend Xane.
Xane refuses to give up on Spook and refuses to let him go through things on his own. Xane is determined to fight for his friend at the cost of everything, his relationships, even his own mental well being take a back seat to saving Spook from the dark pit he finds himself in.
The authors writing is amazing. The story grabs you right from the beginning and doesn’t let go. The story is really emotional but highlights the real struggle that some men go through but try to hide everyday.
I can’t wait to see what the author has in store for us next but I have my tissues at the ready.

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