Strong Enough

A hero who sees himself as “damaged goods”, but is very determined, reconnects and falls again for his teenage secret crush in “Strong Enough”, by Jana Richards (Wild Rose Press), a story addressing serious issues weaved with a romantic plot.
This is not a light read, although it conveys a message of hope. The deeply emotionally hurt main characters, especially the hero, might make this story hard to read, but the way they deal with despair and the resilience both show is admirable.
Damon and Charlotte’s backstories are sad and their journey to be together is not an easy one what with each one’s trauma and external forces plotting to attack them. But they find closure and a HEA.
I really liked how the author handled the healing process, with no excessive drama; the fact Damon is a psychologist makes it more believable.
I also liked that despite all the trauma, Damon and Charlotte trust each other and manage to find together a place of “peace, joy and happiness”.
Having a male character so wounded and vulnerable, with such a tragic background, yet being a giving person, was poignant. Damon’s issues in daily life were portrayed well.
The hero shows very raw human emotions like fear, insecurity and anguish, giving him a touch of humbleness rare in male characters.
I also liked having glimpses to “shy and awkward” Damon as a teen.
I felt the admission of abuse happenned very soon in the story and was perhaps a bit sudden but with Damon being a counselor and sensing Charlotte’s secret trauma it’s understandable.
I appreciated how the author depicted the lasting effects of child abuse in adulthood, the pain, anger, and feelings of worthlessness, and the same with rape (the shame, guilt).
Even later in the story, Damon still feels the damage “was deep and irreparable” and that’s painful to watch.
Having two leads with a devastating history of sexual assault is perhaps a bit too much for a coincidence.
I enjoyed meeting again characters from previous stories in the Masonville series.