Afflicted Love (Rhythm & Heart Series) by Autumn Sand – Review by M Policicchio

Afflicted Love by Autumn Sand
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I was a bit surprised by this story. The depth of feeling, the exposure to trauma, the direction of the story. There was just so much to appreciate. The only thing that I can’t take was the way it ended. How could Lyle do that? How could the author do that to me?!?!

This is the story of Kyle and Lyle. Brothers by heart and not by blood. Kyle grew up hard and fast. His mother died when he was very young. His father was not a good man. One day Kyle was at the playground when he saw a younger boy getting bullied. Kyle stepped up and defended that boy, Lyle. From that day forward Kyle and Lyle were inseparable. Unfortunately, Lyle’s life was not much different from Kyle’s. The only difference was that Lyle’s mom was still around until he was 12, Kyle was 14.

When Lyle’s dad found out about the relationship between Lyle and Kyle that had changed from more than just brothers, Kyle was kicked out. This was the first time Lyle felt Kyle’s abandonment. As Lyle and Kyle grew older, Lyle continued to deny his feelings towards Kyle because of all the horrible things Lyle’s dad had screamed at him for years after Kyle left. Kyle and Lyle had a huge fight, each saying some things they didn’t mean but it ended with them not talking. Now, their dad has died and it is time to go home to finally put him to rest.

Can Kyle and Lyle come together after 4 years apart to put everything behind them and move on? Will they destroy each other in the process?

This beautiful story of love, recovery, and family will touch you down to your soul. I suffered through a long day at work after a short night because I could not put this book down. I was gutted after each verbal argument. It was hard to watch Kyle walk away. It was even worse to see Lyle’s choices. I am still not sure all the pieces are put back together after the shattering ending. I can only hope the heart will mend after the next one. Phenomenal.

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