Title: Lift Your Voice
Author: T.A. Chase
Publisher: Amber Allure
Genre: M/M Contemporary Romance
Length: Novella (92 pages)
Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars
A guest review by Lily
Review summary
A sweet and simple story of two men who find love when they least expect it.
BLURB
Brandon McCollugh returns home after a road-side bomb ends his military career and takes his lower left leg. For him, learning to walk again is accompanied by trying to find a purpose in life . A job with the local landscaper, however, planting flowers and getting dirty, helps Bran rebuild his confidence, and meeting music teacher Donald Frost opens possibilities for a future Bran never imagined.
Getting kicked out of his religious, ultra-conservative family at the age of sixteen, Don worked hard to be more than his parents condemned him to be. He teaches music at the local high school and sings at his uncle’s church, satisfied that his life is the best it can be. Then Bran comes home, and Don decides it’s time to grab his own happiness.
When the two men meet, it’s instant attraction, changing their lives forever…
REVIEW
After a roadside bomb ends his military career Brandon McCollugh returns to his hometown and the comfort of his mother’s house. Accompanying her to church one Sunday he meets Don, the Pastor’s handsome nephew. The two men quickly form a friendship that over time becomes much more.
Lift Your Voice is a well-written story with protagonists that were interesting and likable. I especially liked the character of Brandon. He’s a career military man who suddenly faces an uncertain future but never gives up. He makes the most of his situation and the issue of his being an amputee is really well-presented. On the other hand I found the fact that his PTSD was made a big deal of in the beginning scenes and then never really mentioned again a bit disappointing.
I also liked Don though not as much. He’s a music teacher who once had a promising career in Christian music before his interest in men was discovered. Even though I can only imagine how traumatizing it must have been when he was disowned at a young age by his family I find it strange that at thirty-one years old he’s still a virgin. However, I did enjoy the development of their relationship, both the emotional and physical parts of it.
I also liked the characters of Brandon’s mom and Don’s uncle and their interactions with the protags was a nice part of the story.
Overall this is a sweet love story with very little conflict and is an enjoyable read. Definitely it will appeal to fans of the author and also to those looking to read a quick, uncomplicated and romantic story.
Hi, Lily. Good review. I saw it much the same way you did. The most compelling scene for me was the first one where Bran is suffering major PTSD in church. After that, no more PTSD. Swept away by the healing power of love? 🙂
Thanks, Val. 🙂
I was expecting more from the story after that first scene too. Still, a nice read.
Hi Lily. Well done review. I do like TA Chase’s writing a lot, so I will read this eventually. A shame about that disappearing PTSD. That will stick out for me as well. I like an explanation when issues like that are no longer an issue.
Thanks, Tj. 🙂
While I was expecting a bit more conflict/angst after the first scenes it was nevertheless a sweet enjoyable story.
Hey Lily
As you know I love TA’s writing, and although I’m disappointed that Bran’s PTSD was not really addressed in the story I’ll definitely be reading this. What I like about the story is that Brandon is an amputee and we don’t get many stories like this. TA has written a few stories about characters who are physically challenged so I’m anxious to see how he handles it in this book.
Nicely done Lily. 🙂
Thanks, Wave. 🙂
T.A. did a great job I think portraying Brandon’s disability.
Nice review. Makes sense. I liked the book, but it didn’t ring my bell so to speak. Likeable characters but just a tad bit too cute and sweet. Though it was nice to see a “less than perfect” character.
Thanks, Larissa 🙂