A review by leelah
Arctic Absolution by Lynn Kelling

4.0

It's not always that obvious, but with some books I just have this feeling that telling this particular story... about these particular characters meant a great deal to author. That there is something special involved.
I had that same feeling here- Kelling poured her very soul in this and delivered, in my opinion, her best work yet.



Possible triggers -

Spoiler

noncon sex, dubious consent sex, violence(stabbing)

Ok.
Basic premise of this story is not terribly inventive for romance: Dixon who is a cop, falls for Jaye who just came out of prison.

Things I liked:

1)Well, Kelling and FFS imprint are known for delivering dark, unsettling reads. I don't mind dark and painful and I am an angstwhore, but I realized in past year or two, I do need one tiny speck of hope; something positive to hold on for me to enjoy it. This was one emotional, high-stakes love story that ended on positive note.

2)Setting

3)Dynamic between characters - This was my favorite thing. Dix is this big, strong cop with loving sister and stable job. He just left his ex boyfriend because he had enough of his behavior. Jaye on the other hand is only 21, he is slim and too pretty for his own good. He has several tattoos on his body, including a teardrop under his eye, a telltale sign of his criminal record. He endured hell in prison and he survived only by agreeing to be a property of another guy who in return provided him protection. Now, you would think that Jaye is the one who needs saving and Dix will be his hero....right?
It's definitely not that simple and everything needs a second, deeper look. Power was exchanged several times and given back again, which made this couple unpredictable and much interesting to read. This includes sex scenes as well- we have kink, but it's actually meaningful- it's not written for the sake of kink, but because it felt like the thing character needed. Sexual healing and all that jazz...

4)Jaye- Ok, both characters are great, but Jaye stole my heart here. This kid is only 21 and his sheer will to survive was one part admiration/one part terror to read. From the scene that got him to prison to the way he survived there we were constantly reminded just how focused he was on getting out of every shit that life throws at him alive. He is a total badass, but so damn vulnerable when it comes to small acts of kindness. You just want to take him and put him in some place and hiss at anyone who dares looking at him in bad way.

5)Depicting domestic violence- domestic violence is in people's mind so firmly attached to picture of husband beating his wife and her wearing glasses and lying about her bruises. In reality, this is an offense that's covering more than just marital relationship- it involves also partners who are living together or are in a romantic and/or sexual relationship- Unfortunately, this is a fact I find often, both in fiction and practice overlooked. I liked it was shown here in all its ugly glory covering everything from physical,sexual, economical abuse to the warped psychological state of mind victims often share regarding their abuser. Which ties to...

6) Both Jaye's and Dixon's issues didn't miraculously vanish at the end. It was pointed out they still have a lot to work on and that their demons are not gone..which is normal considering what they went through.

(Just a few) Things I didn't like:

1)at 75% story dragged a bit with some scenes, but also I think that repeating, rehashing same things over and over again slowed pace at certain places.

2) minor plot inconsistencies

Spoiler

what the hack happened to Jaye's stab wound? At one point it was said he got another one on the same side as the one he got when they tried to kill him. It was implied it was fairly recent considering it hurt him and made him limping at the beginning. It wasn't mentioned later at all and I think that some gymnastic they did in bed would hurt like bitch if you're sporting a wound. Just holding his hips for a rough fuck wouldn't be really working, imo.. -__-

All in all, really great read. :D

p.s. I saw author mentioning she signed for prequel story about Jaye. I am conflicted... I don't know if I can read this, my protective mode is already activated.
:thinks about Jaye's life before Alaska:
.
.
.

...I need a hug. :(