2.5 stars rounded up because I'm a sucker for angsty, emotional stories.

Ugh, I wanted so much to love this story but ultimately my dislike for Malcolm and Evan's sister kind of made my enjoyment of this story harder than it should have been. RELATIONSHIP MATERIAL should have been a slam dunk of a hit for me since it had all the elements I've come to enjoy in an epic romance.

I think what mostly ruined my enjoyment of this story was the fact that both Evan's sister and Malcolm couldn't just let Evan come to them instead of them constantly trying to convince him to trust them. Once you learn what Evan had gone through, you completely understand why he kept people at arm's length through the years. So them constantly on his case about this drove me nuts.

Also, the whole insta-love concept didn't do it for me either. I think Malcolm could have been a great man for Evan if I would have gotten the change to actually get to know him better. But the connection between Malcolm and Evan wasn't obvious to me and the chemistry was good but not off-the-charts amazing. Plus, I just couldn't believe that Evan, who hadn't had a relationship ever, would engage in a relationship with Malcolm so quickly after meeting him.

Angsty love stories are my favorite, especially when the range of emotions is clearly on the page, but lacking an established and developing connection coupled with a so-so chemistry, I ultimately could not invest myself in the outcome of this story.

This book deals with a lot of hard topics, which found me clutching my blanket in hand, or covering my mouth in horror. There are some topics close to me, which I did not prepare myself for.

This book illustrates what happens in a way that does not make it gratuitous for the sake of being so. That being said, it could still be hard for some people to read. 

It did however hook me, with one playful conversation about which Avenger is the best. I also have a soft spot for Bucky Barnes (who is not a villain.)

I also have a softness for characters who appear to be assholes but aren't, so Mal drew me right in as well. And I found myself alternately wanting to cuddle Evan and take him to the nearest doctor. I liked reading about someone wrestling with anxiety and PTSD in a way that felt real and familiar to me. 

This book is one I would read again, with more emotional preparation.

Insta love and you have to suspend reality quite a few times. I didn't hate it though.

Uugg...another one I didn't review right away because I was going to be a first review and it wasn't going to be great. I remember little about this book which is never good. Those first two sentences are all I wrote and really all I remember. I felt like the plot was kind of absurd. I may try this author again down the road though.


*ARC provided through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review**

Relationship Material by Jenya Keefe was another Netgalley read (all opinions are my own) and it’s definitely an emotional book. Evan is someone who has been hiding for years – from family, from his past. It’s all catching up to him now, and in the midst of that, he meets Mal. I thought these two were really good together. What Evan has had to deal with in the past is heartbreaking and difficult to read at times. It’s easy to see why he’s skittish about opening up to people. I don’t want to spoil anything too much, so all I will say is that Evan and Mal meet because of a specific person, and I thought they were handled well too. Add to Goodreads.

Overall, I appreciated the fluidity of the writing in this book. Just before the story might have turned into an overabundance of trauma, the focus narrows to Mal and Evan’s relationship, with side trips to the wacky characters at the assisted living facility. Many of my favorite scenes involved them. The trajectory of Evan’s patients’ from acceptance to support of his relationship felt realistic. Opportunities for homophobia were neatly sidestepped, which I appreciated after being put through the emotional wringer of the first part of the book. Evan’s chronic anxiety is handled exceptionally well, and stressful parts of the novel felt like intentional echoes of his emotional state. I also loved the intensity of Mal’s feelings for Evan. I adore a pining hero and Mal gave me lots of feels in the second half of the book.

However, I’m never going to unilaterally praise a novel that clumsily ignores bi/pansexuality. Moreover, this book felt like it was trying to shove too many tropes, traumas, and ideas into one story without exploring any of them fully—and I haven’t even mentioned the drug dealers, suicide, and Caro sleeping with married men. I wish Mal’s character had been more fully fleshed out and that poor Caro had a story arc giving her more to do than just offer opinions on her brother’s relationship.

Still, Mal and Evan’s relationship was my favorite part of the story. I appreciated the way Mal and Evan negotiated sex in a way that would minimize Evan’s triggers, tiptoeing just to the line of magic healing peen without crossing over. Their romance made me enjoy Relationship Material, despite its flaws.

Relationship Material by Jenya Keefe was a beautiful and heartfelt story about Registered nurse Evan Doyle and prosecuting attorney Malcolm 'Mal' Umbertini. I loved this story so much and it was so well written. The characters were amazing and so real.

Wow! What an emotional journey with two superbly written characters.
My heart was constantly being broken for Evan, everything that he's been through and struggling to deal with in the present.....let alone even looking toward the future! Mal is his perfect counter balance and the journey that the two go on throughout the story brings a tear to the eye in the highs and lows.
Some of Evan's memories can make for hard reading but it all works together to bring a story of recovery, acceptance and romance. Jenya has perfectly written everything that both men have overcome, as Mal has also had bad experiences in his past. Along with the two men, we have Evan's sister that he hasn't seen for years since being taken and they have a lot of history to work through, and Evan's therapy dog, Dulcie, is a beautiful and strong support system for him.
For a book that's not all rainbows and sunshine, it can really bring hope for people and the possibility of a HEA regardless of past experiences and any horrors the character may have faced. I love this couple and how hard they have to work to get the relationship that they want. Huge congrats to the author and a fantastic story full of impact and a plot that engages the reader right through the book.
Definitely a recommendation from me! Looking forward to more from this author.
I received an ARC from NetGalley and am happily giving a review.

I received a free copy of this book in exchange of my review. Thank you NetGalley!!

This book has everything I hope for; easy to follow plot/storyline; well-developed characters, and a quick pace.
I'll be reading more by this author for sure!

This is the first book by Jenya Keefe that I've read - actually, I think it may be her debut novel. Regardless, it will not be the last book I read by this author, as a matter of fact, I just requested an ARC of her next book. So yes, Relationship Material was that good.

Relationship Material wasn't a "light and fluffy" romance by any stretch of the imagination. Although the events that were the darkest were memories, they were still pretty heavy and dark. My heart broke for Evan in so many ways. I don't want to give anything away, so I'll be as vague as I can. Because of events that happened in his past, Evan disappeared from his former life and entered witness protection. He had stayed totally off the radar until the day his twin sister ran into him. She obviously wanted answers about his disappearance and even though he was in a panic about being discovered he wanted to give her as much as he could. She was afraid he'd disappear again, so for moral support, she brought her best friend with her - which is how Evan met Malcolm.

Needless to say, there were some HUGE trust issues in Relationship Material. There were a lot of reasons why Evan didn't want to form attachments, especially not the romantic kind. Even though his sister wanted to help, he was afraid to let her or Malcolm (both lawyers) dig too deep into his past. He was scared for a lot of reasons. He didn't want to be discovered, but he also didn't want his sister or Malcolm to feel any less about him because of his past. A past it seemed like he had spent a lifetime running and hiding from.

There were a lot of unexpected layers and heartbreak in Relationship Material, but there was also a lot of hope. Which was something all three of these characters needed. There were also a couple of side characters that kept things interesting. It was, at times, not an easy book to read, but it was definitely worth it in the end.

*´¨✫)
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✮ (¸.•´✶ (¸.•`4 saving grace stars

"Mal Umbertini was Relationship Material. The kind of man you introduced to your family, made long-term plans with... Evan Doyle was not Relationship Material. He was Occasional Hookup Material at best."

This was an emotional book and even when I got to the end I was still in shock at the almost abruptness of it all. I was, in fact, just getting into the scene, and then I saw the RP logo and it did not dawn on me that that was it until I turned the page.

But I am not going to let that take away from new-to-me author Jenya's book. I don't really know how I feel per say on the emotional roller coaster that turned out to be Mal and Evan. I hurt for Evan and all that he endured and I applaud Mal's decision to ride the wave. But even still, it was like, will it last? Will Evan change? Will it be enough for Mal?

I love a book that makes me think, and I am going to remember this one for a long time. Unconventional, thought breaking and emotional.

evan doyle has built a new life for himself as, one with rules and order, because he needs that to overcome his deep trauma and ptsd. as the victim of a horrific crime, he's been in witness protection and estranged from his twin sister for over a decade.

but a chance encounter as relationship material opens brings him face to face with his twin. and while his sister needs answers, evan isn't entirely willing to share them. he's moved forward with his life, and dredging up the past is deeply traumatizing. then there's the matter of his sister's best friend, malcolm umbertini. he flirts and promises more, but it's a more that evan is too afraid of trusting.

he's too broken by his past, especially for someone like malcolm. the push-pull between these two, malcolm's incredible patience and how evan slowly lets him in makes for a beautiful love story. one filled with recovery and healing.

**relationship material will publish on august 5, 2019. i received an advance reader copy courtesy of netgalley/riptide publishing in exchange for my honest review.

Love, love, love this book. I've read so many books but this one was so emotional and intense that you feel for both Mal and Evan. Evan had a traumatic past that its keeping him from having a committed relationship and Mal is feeling guilty because his lover died and he's still alive. I don't think anyone can get over what happens to them in the past but these two men deal with it the best way they know-how
The attraction was shown throughout the book from start to finish and the book had my attention the same way.

This is Jenya Keefe’s first novel, and it’s a great debut.

Best line: “I’m not going to get used to you, like a woodland creature eating an apple out of your hand or whatever.” (Wanna bet?)

This book could probably use trigger warnings, because some of the content may trouble some people. The blurb doesn’t really reflect how dark the pasts of the characters are. References to physical and sexual assault, suicide, eating disorders, and PTSD/severe anxiety are all included in the storyline.

For readers who like angsty hurt/comfort romances, though, this is a very good read. Evan has been emotionally scarred by his past, and while he’s come a long way, he’s still very much a work in progress. When he is reunited with his long-lost sister Caroline, some of his trauma is dragged to the surface, but Evan also gets a chance to reconnect with the good part of his childhood. Plus, Caroline introduces him to her best friend, Mal, and their emotional connection ultimately encourages Evan to challenge the limitations his anxiety places on his life.

I really liked all three of the main characters—Evan, Mal, and Caroline. All of them are fully rounded people who are dealing with their own issues. Even though this is primarily Evan and Mal’s story, Caroline plays a pivotal role, and the author takes the time to show Caroline’s own pain and how she and Evan have to come to terms with each other. Evan is understandably a mess at times, and that makes his relationship with Mal messy, even though he’s wants to trust Mal enough to let go of some of his anxieties. Mal has a tough exterior but is just a marshmallow inside. He’s got his own painful past, but he focuses all his energy on being what Evan needs. He’s so sweet and caring and supportive, it’s kind of adorable.

The two of them fall for each other pretty quickly, which normally might bother me, but it wasn’t so much of an issue here. I think that’s because even though the emotions are there, Evan’s anxiety and Mal’s respect for his boundaries delay their declarations of love. When they do come, they feel earned.

One other thing I liked about the book was that the ending makes clear that Mal and Evan’s relationship is a work in progress. They may be in it for the long haul, but Evan’s anxiety is going to continue to be an issue. Love in itself isn’t a cure.

Given the strength of this book, I’m really looking forward to reading more by this author. Recommended!

A copy of this book was provided through NetGalley for review; all opinions expressed are my own.

First things first, this book is more angst-driven and intense than the blurb suggested and, as it stands at the time I am writing this review, the blurb is lacking a LOT of content warnings. If you do have triggers that include suicide, anxiety attacks, rape, or child prostitution, I urge you to take care of yourself and tread carefully.

I’m often drawn to hurt-comfort romances because there’s so much potential for a strong emotional connection. Yes, you may see characters at their most vulnerable, but good stories also let you see the characters at their strongest. When it comes to the strong emotions, difficult experiences, and hard truths plus the sweet victories, Relationship Material delivered. And yet, something was missing. I felt for the horrendous things Evan endured, was saddened by the harsh experiences Malcolm had as a young adult, and celebrated when things went well for the two of them. However, I was never tethered to their story. I didn’t feel truly invested in their relationship, nor did I feel that magic growing between them. My disconnect was especially clear in that, as difficult as some of the subjects covered in Relationship Material were, I never felt the raw, emotional response I would expect from this style of hurt-comfort romance.

That said, I appreciated the author’s honest portrayal of how trauma shapes a person’s responses, particularly regarding Evan’s comfort with sex and physical intimacy. Relationship Material doesn’t rest on the “love solves everything” platform. Instead, readers get to see characters work through their triggers, responses, and issues in order to create a healthy base for their relationship. I do wish the same care was extended to readers who may go into Relationship Material expecting a bit more lightness, rather than the angst-driven story that reflects on the impact trauma has on individuals and their future relationships.

Jenya Keefe’s Relationship Material is one of the finest books I’ve read this year. Poignant and heartfelt, Ms. Keefe gets right to the core of these characters and strips them bare. These are two intense men, and even though I didn’t have anything in common with either of them I had no trouble relating to both of them. It is a testament to the skill of Jenya Keefe’s beautiful writing that I got so wrapped up in this marvelous story.

Attracted to each other right off the bat, it’s fun to watch Mal and Evan flirt and chase and eventually give in. While they connect well physically, Evan has no intention of opening himself up, and Mal has no intention of letting Evan get away with that. It’s fascinating to watch these two characters interact, and to see the impact their relationship has on both of them throughout the course of the story.

As their romance unfolds and more information comes to light, Relationship Material just sucked me in. Ms. Keefe weaves a stunning tale, and combined with her unique and engaging writing style this new author is definitely one to watch!

This book is a lot darker than the blurb makes it sound (see my content warning) but I thought it was still very much worth the read. Evan is deeply traumatized by a truly horrific crime (and living under witness protection) and does not feel up to relationships, especially not with somebody who he considers so very much relationship material. Mal on the other hand falls hard for Evan and is willing to take whatever he is willing to offer him. I thought they were lovely together. I love how open and honest they are with each other about boundaries and how accepting of each others' trauma.

Content warning: Rape (in the past), assault (in the past), drug abuse (in the past), PTSD, forced prostitution of a minor (in the past), panic attacks, suicide (in the past), self-harm (in the past)

4.5 Stars

Jenya Keefe's Relationship Material is a heavy, yet amazing read. Focusing on high levels of anxiety, and past tragedies, it has a serious tone from the start.

Evan and Mal meet when Evan's sister, Caroline, finds Evan on the street. Mal's her best friend, and is a witness Evan's breakdown. I have to admit that the beginning is definitely confusing, as it takes a while to understand what's happening. Don't let that diswade you though, as any confusion is cleared up soon enough.

This story is built upon horrific past events for Evan and Mal. Mal's been away for many years, with Caroline not knowing anything, as well as suffering her own problems. Get ready for your tissues.

The anxiety is written in a compassionate and understanding manner. The reader is able to feel Evan's anxiety jumping off the page.

As for Evan and Mal, their relationship is certainly complicated. Evan's so damn broken, completely a victim of his on fears and doubts. A story of self-hatred and pain, it's a story of finding a way to move past the pain and truly live.

The anorexia storyline damn near broke my heart. It is written so well, with knowledge, compassion, and understanding.

Relationship Material is an amazing story of healing and love. It's an amazing exploration of the power of shame, and it's ability to affect someone for a lifetime. Save this one for when you're in the mood for something serious. I am definitely impressed with this Jenya Keefe read.

Hmm, *a very content sigh* What a beautiful story this was.
I couldn’t anticipate the fact that behind that title and cover a shining gem was hidden. Even the blurb didn’t do right to the beauty of this story, (sorry, I know blurbs are nightmares)

For me, it was one emotional rollercoaster. An unbelievable good written story about slowly getting attached, emotional and physical, to life again, to let people in, to trust.

Evan can’t believe his eyes when his sister Caroline stands before him. It was sixteen years ago since he disappeared, unwillingly.
Very carefully he let her into his life. When he meets Car her best Mal, he recognizes the type of man. ‘Relationship Material’ so not what Evan can handle, ever!

So far it seems a nice regular story. But don’t be fooled, it is from a whole different level.
Evan has a past so hard when you get to know this, you will be flabbergasted. His present condition isn’t healthy at all and you'll understand!
Mal his past isn’t nice either. He also has bad experiences with boyfriends. And that’s an understatement.
Evan is not very approachable and Mal has to pull out all the stops.
And oh boy there are some bittersweet encounters.

What a story. With Mal as a counterbalance for all the overwhelming events in this story, the whole picture grew more and more into the gem it was.

The description of little gestures, the attention to the little but oh so important body language made it all very intense.
The hurt, the constantly distancing from good things was almost unbearable.

Both Evan and Mal are engaging personalities. Very lovable, vulnerable and all well developed.
Dulcie is Evan’s therapy dog and omg what a lovely well deserved part did she got in this story.
The whole story was a solid, consistently written, very appealing journey.
I was tethered to my sofa and couldn’t put this story down. It was all so very impressive. All those feelings! So I read and read until I finished it.

This is a really great book. It takes a hard topic and navigates how someone overcomes (or tries to overcome) the trauma and builds a new life, while still dealing with the aftermath.
Evan is a wonderful, full.-fledged, complex character and I was drawn to him like moth to flame. Or much like Malcolm is drawn to him. The author doesn't shy away from the hardships of his life and we get to see how he struggles with himself and his sense of worthiness and how he finally allows himself to love and be loved. The author does a wondeful job showing us his journey and also showing us Malcolm journey of being a patient partner but not a push-over. There are many heated moments and also some wondeful shy glances and cute moments.
It is a great book that balances it all and I'm grateful to have read it.
My one and only thing to point out is that this is not a light-hearted book. It deals with several hard topics: abuse, trauma, eating disorders, chronic anxiety and there are several descriptions of some of these things in the book. Some of them are more detailed and some are not, but they are at the front and center of the story. They add to it and the author does a wonderful job treating it with the respect they deserve... but I was blindsided by it. And I think these topics to warrant a content warning of some sort so people can make a conscious decision and walk into this book with the correct frame of mind to enjoy the story and not being blindsided by something that might be triggering for them.

OK, first off - this blurb needs to be re-written. With warnings. Because this book dealt with some very serious topics and issues, and there was just no heads up that there would be discussion of suicide, rape, drug use and overdosing, prostitution, and kidnapping. I mean, seriously! Evan was in a witness protection type program for 15 years - some serious shit went down! This is much more than just a "horrific crime" in the past going on here.

I was definitely expecting something just a bit more light-hearted than what I read. I'll be completely honest, I don't know if I would have selected this book to read it those warnings had been explained, since that's just not usually my cup of tea. Nothing was super graphic, but the characters did talk about these subjects on multiple occasions. I respect what the author was trying to write here - two men, both with different but difficult and tragic pasts, coming together for their eventual HEA. However, I feel like the subject matter was just TOO serious and heavy, and maybe too much to tackle in the way that it was.

I felt a disconnect between both characters - Mal was at times a charming sweetheart and then a caustic asshole and I think that side of him was meant to be endearing and cute, but it came off as him just being an asshole. And Evan - poor Evan, he really needs some self care, therapy, and to really find peace within himself because by the end of the story, I was still worried that he'd run again. There were things that just turned a 180 so quickly with his emotions and wants. I really wish we could have gotten something set like a year later where both of them were in a much healthier place mentally, emotionally, and relationship-wise.

Also - weird little things for me. University of Virginia is UVA, not UV. I've lived in central Virginia my entire life, I've never heard it called UV. Evan's sister was referred to by 3 different names throughout this book - Kiki, Caroline, and Caro - which, it's just weird to me!

Clearly, others have had a much different reaction to reading this story than I have, based on the reviews I see already, but this one did not work for me.

I received an arc from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.