This sequel to ‘Into the Light’, a very good but traumatizing book for me to read, was an unexpected surprise. I picked it up with great curiosity and interest – and not a little relief. Eden and Sean’s story may have found an ending – of sorts – at the end of the first book, but their story was by no means finished. I didn’t realize how much that bothered me until I read this book.

Eden is still very traumatized, subject to mood swings and depression. Eighteen years of therapy hadn’t helped him get over the trauma of being gang raped, and his only hope is finally being with the man he both loves and hates (for standing by without helping him). Eden’s issues of accepting the love and dealing with the hatred are depicted realistically, and there is no quick solution. The one thing that helps him get over his guilt and feelings of inferiority was a surprise to me, but it made total sense. For someone with no self-respect, the only thing that helps is learning to stand up for himself, and Eden does that in the most spectacularly satisfying way.

Sean desperately tries to do right by his lover, tries to do everything he can do to help, and feels like a total failure. The guilt is eating him alive, but the real issues is that he alone cannot solve the problem. As much as he wants to come to Eden’s rescue – years too late – a lot of the actual recovery has to be effected by Eden himself. I admired Sean for sticking around anyway; that, if nothing else, proves that he truly loves Eden.

One of the most hard-earned happy endings ever, it is very powerful when Sean and Eden finally do ‘move into the light’ at the end of this book. I have to say I admire Scarlet Blackwell for pulling this off, for showing how hard the healing process is – not just telling us about it. She has put two very real, very flawed people into an impossible situation – and yet, in the end, love still triumphs. If you’re interested in an undisguised look at some of the uglier aspects of human nature, if you want to read about real people and if you’ve read the first book and wondered how these two would cope with life now that they are together, read this book. It will answer many questions and provide you with a sense of closure that was lacking at the end of the first volume. I am very glad Scarlet Blackwell took the time to write the second half of Sean and Eden’s story, and I hope you will feel the same way. ( )

That is one pretty cover. :)

Sean and Eden have run off together but they seem to take one step forward and two steps back. I really couldn't decide between a 3 or 4 star rating on this one. Not sure why my feelings were so mixed on this story. Was it just the nature of the story and the abuse that brought them this far or the fact that despite being together I'm still not convinced they can really make each other happy in the end. ( )