A review by tankytoon
Rough Canvas by Joey W. Hill

challenging dark emotional mysterious tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

I was on the verge of dropping this at 20% because I wrongly presumed this book will be 90% smut and I wasn't interested in erotica without depth. And sometimes the ratings do not convince me to read anything that has little to no substance.

But boy, this book proved me wrong. As I went further along, the emotions run deeper: from Thomas' unhardened heart despite going through pain to the melting of Marcus' deadened demeanor,  we see these characters fight to keep each other in their lives.

Thomas had to abandon his unfailing loyalty to his provincial family and Marcus had to shed his superficially indestructible veneer for their relationship to work, but not without the help from sensible friends who dispense grains of sage advice to prod them along.

Be warned that this book digs deep in the dark trenches of the mind and people's prejudices, how close-mindedness and hate fuel some people's actions, but how love and a bit of faith can heal even the most broken of hearts. 



Expand filter menu Content Warnings