Genre: Thriller
LGBTQ+ Category: Gay
Reviewer: Maryann
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About The Book
What is more dangerous than a man in love? A man in love who feels betrayed…
Marc and Alex have been best friends since childhood. When Marc was fourteen, tragedy struck, and he found himself suddenly orphaned. Having no living relatives, Marc moved in with Alex and his family, who happily opened their hearts and their home to him.
Five years have passed since the tragedy, and Marc’s love and devotion for his best friend has only intensified… some would say, to an almost obsessive level…
Alex’s life is suddenly turned upside down when he is forced to make an impossible decision. Alex quickly learns that Marc’s love for him goes much deeper than just friendship. Alex begins to wonder, just how far is Marc willing to go in the name of love? And more terrifyingly, how dangerous is a man in love, who feels… betrayed.
Fractured Love is a dark story of unrequited love, torment, and murder.
Warning: This book contains scenes which may be considered triggering events involving alcohol addiction, physical/sexual assault, light drug use, and murder.
The Review
Marc Bodin, at the age of fourteen, escapes from an abusive father, due to a tragic accident. Now without any family, he’s alone, but his good neighbors Emily and Ned Sanders take Marc into their home.
Marc is no stranger to the Sanders – he’s been best friends with Alex Sanders for several years.
Emily has always had her suspicions about Marc’s father. She was more than elated to take Marc into her home, and always loved both boys equally.
Marc was very different from Alex. He always stayed to himself, didn’t have friends and would rather stay home than do anything social. He was often bullied by others, and Alex was always there to protect him. Alex was outgoing, competed in sports, was very charming and social, made friends easily and liked to flirt.
Alex and Marc often flirted with each other, but it never went too far. Through it all they remained best friends.
Now both Marc and Alex are nineteen and making their plans for college. As always there’s another party to attend. Alex asks Marc to go with him, and as always, Marc turns down the invitation. He’s just not the partying type, and always winds up in the background. He would just rather stay home and enjoy a movie night.
But Alex finally talks Marc into going, making Marc believe he will keep Alex out of trouble and also be the designated driver. The party leads to a confrontation, and Marc’s feelings are crushed. He meets Ashley, and she tells Marc her story and gives him a sound piece of advice.
When Alex and Marc are ready to leave the party, it’s not without a hook-up for Alex. When things start to go wrong, Alex has no idea what he’s gotten himself into, and his whole world turns upside down.
Dante goes deep with Marc and Alex, who have very different personalities and feelings. Marc always seems to be one step ahead of Alex, and Alex has to figure out how best to get out of a horrific situation.
Matthew Dante delivers something different from what he has written before. “Fractured Love” is a low-key, psychological, dark themed thriller that’s also fast-paced. I use the term “low-key” because, in comparison to many of the “dark theme” stories that I’ve rea,d this one is not as gritty and shocking. Dante’s debut in this genre is a good start with lots of potential.
Matthew Dante has piqued my interest with “Fractured Love” and I’m curious to see if he has plans to build on this novel and take the story further.
The Reviewer
Hi, I’m Maryann, I started life in New York, moved to New Hampshire and in 1965 uprooted again to Sacramento, California. Once I retired I moved to West Palm Beach, Florida in 2011 and just moved back to Sacramento in March of 2018. My son, his wife and step-daughter flew out to Florida and we road tripped back so they got to see sights they have never seen. New Orleans and the Grand Canyon were the highlights. Now I am back on the west coast again to stay! From a young age Ialways liked to read.
I remember going to the library and reading the “Doctor Dolittle” books by Hugh Lofting. Much later on became a big fan of the classics, Edgar Alan Poe, Mary Shelley, Bram Stoker and as time went by Agatha Christie, Ray Bradbury and Stephen Kingand many other authors.
My first M/M shifter book I read was written by Jan Irving the “Uncommon Cowboys” series from 2012. She was the first author I ever contacted and sent an email to letting her know how much I liked this series. Sometime along the way I read “Zero to the Bone”by Jane Seville, I think just about everyone has read this book!
As it stands right now I’m really into mysteries, grit, gore and “triggers” don’t bother me. But if a blurb piques my interest I will read the book.
My kindle collection eclectic and over three thousand books and my Audible collection is slowly growing. I have both the kindle and audible apps on my ipod, ipads, and MAC. So there is never an excuse not to be listening or reading.
I joined Goodreads around 2012 and started posting reviews. One day a wonderful lady, Lisa Horan of The Novel Approach, sent me an email to see if I wanted to join her review group. Joining her site was such an eye opener. I got introduce to so many new authors that write for the LGBTQ genre. Needless to say, it was heart breaking when it ended.
But I found a really great site, QRI and it’s right here in Sacramento. Last year at QSAC I actually got to meet Scott Coatsworth, Amy Lane and Jeff Adams.
