Resilient Heart by Annabeth Albert

This novella was PERFECT. I loved everything about it. Even the note from Annabeth at the end about seeking help. Xander and Mackey have been best friends for a long time, ever since they were team up together as Army IT specialists, they also enjoyed a bit of "benefits"  but while they both craved more, they had their own reasoning for staying silent, mostly because it's difficult for both to express themselves with words. But when Xander almost dies of an IED, Mackey realizes they've got their second chance and he is CLAIMING it even if Xander couldn't be less in the mood for ANY company.

After his injury Xander Miller is left with a permanent damage to one of his legs and an amputated arm. He is also suffering depressing and PTSD. He doesn't feel like himself anymore. What is he worth when he is crippled this way. So when Mackey appears by his bed offering him a place to stay he grumbles and agrees mostly because he is too tired to argue. He has loved Mackey for YEARS, seeing him now HURTS. He is no longer the guy he used to be, he has nothing to offer to Mackey. But Mackey is persistent. He has made everything clearer when he shows Xander into their apartment. There are two bedroom, but only one has a bed.



Reginald 'Mackey' MacGregor has loved Xander just as long, but he had his reasons keeping what they have a secret. He has always been out and proud Bi so it's not about his sexuality or Xander. He made his choice. But this choice almost cost him the love of his life. Xander might be injured and VERY hard to handle, but he is still underneath it all the guy he loves and he is willing to fight to make Xander realize they have a real thing together and they can have it all if only he too fight to get better.

There are a few secrets between the two, mostly them with their difficulty with words, yet every secret is one where their actions are lined with their love for one another.

It wasn't an easy fun read. It was heart breaking. Xander is not in a good place and while Mackey does his best to help Xander, without Xander's decision to actually WORK and make himself better things won't change and for a while it even gets worse. My heart broke for both men. Wanting the best for someone and seeing them crumble to the ground is the worse feeling ever, but we can't live someone else's life. We can only offer our help, the best that we can get. Mackey did that for Xander, but it took a real decision from Xander to make a change. From there it's a struggle and I imaging it's going to be for a long while, but they have each other, and with such a beautiful ending I want to believe they'll have so much more in the future as well.

I think I'll end my review here, though I feel like I have so much to say! But I think I'll sum it up with this one being a MUST READ.

Rating: ★★★★★

E-Book Edition

118 pages

Read on: 31 March 2019