Broken by Jessica Freely
Loose Id
Contemporary M/M – IR
ISBN: 978-1-61118-554-6
Reviewed by Lisa

A death bed promise to his mother cemented Eben Flannery’s ties to mobster brother Nicky Flannery. Eben evolved into the muscle while Nicky became the brains of their organization. The one and only secret Eben kept from Nicky was for self preservation. Eben knew that being gay was not allowed.

Able to keep his secret for years Eben is sorely tested when Nicky expands and buys a male prostitute from Hong Kong. Song Xiu gave up his dreams of becoming a doctor when he was forced into drug addiction and prostitution. For Xiu, being sent to America only means that the clients aren’t Asian.

Problems arise when Eben and Xiu must conceal their slow dance of mutual seduction. They know that any involvement is forbidden, yet they cannot stop their hearts from falling in love. When Nicky finds out all hell breaks loose. To save each other they must part, but how will they live without their heart?

Broken draws readers into a tale of passion and drama where the suspense never ends. Eben isn’t a brilliant man, but he is much smarter than anyone gives him credit for, yet he’s trapped in the only world he knows. Xiu is in effect the catalyst for change in the lives of the Flannery brothers because Eben has found something, someone to stand up for. Emotionally demanding, Broken delves deep into the choices a person makes and the consequences of those actions. Very intense and exciting.