Jewel's Reviews > Stranded

--------Original Review 28 Jan 2019-------
4.5 Stars

Stranded is book 2 in Cara Dee's 8392 series that began with Auctioned. A few things to be aware of are - this book is not a stand alone. There will be 5 books all told before Gray and Darius get their HEA. Also, the story deals with some difficult subjects; human and drug trafficking, surviving severe trauma, and PTSD. It's not an easy read, nor is it meant to be.

Stranded picks up right where Auctioned left off and though Darius has helped some of the boys to escape their captivity, they are by no means out of danger and they have to face that danger before they get rescued. Understandably, there's a lot of anger and uncertainty, and so many feelings of guilt for those that didn't make it.

Being only book 2 of 5, we can be sure that the story is really only just beginning. Gray and the other boys are only just figuring out they are really free, but are they really? Trauma will often make us prisoners of our own experiences and the boys have such a long road ahead of them. Darius, too, actually. He's a man that's seen too much in his life and no matter how many people he successfully brings home, he's haunted by those he couldn't save along with what happened to those he could.

There's still not really any romance, and I don't think there should be, really. That's going to have to wait until Gray and Darius start to heal and for Gray to learn that he isn't weak. There is some sex, though, and hints of what's to come and it felt right.

Unlike Auctioned, Stranded does end on a bit of a cliffhanger, but not an unexpected one. I look forward to the continuation of Gray and Darius's story.

Recommended -- with caution, due to possible triggers.

--------------------
ARC of Stranded was generously provided by the author, in exchange for an honest review.