PTSD
Love's got a hell of an upward climb with these three books
While PTSD is by far not a rare character trait in a romance novel (especially amongst veteran/military stories, though I tend not to read many of those), it’s rare that it manifests beyond “has bad nightmares” that are finally calmed by (usually) the heroine sleeping next to them and making them talk things out. I don’t mean to minimize that; I’m sure that’s a fairly common PTSD symptom, and it’s certainly one that’s easier to write around. But I found the following three books to be interesting because they make the diagnosis of PTSD both canon (rather than implied) and integral to the plot. This makes for darker reads, for sure, but also, in my opinion, more nuanced and interesting character exploration, which is what I’m looking for in a romance! Fair warning, though, these are all darker reads than I usually recommend (particularly the first book in this roundup) so be kind to yourself and check content warnings before picking these up.
Waking Olivia by Elizabeth O'Roark. Let me just say out the gate that this is a tough read. I think it might be classified to some degree as dark romance? But not for the on page relationship, rather for the particular trauma and ways in which the trauma is explored relating to the heroine’s backstory and PTSD. I don’t know my subgenres well enough to say for certain, but, like… trigger warning. Across the board.
Olivia is a college running star with a lot of attitude problems and a mysterious past she can’t seem to remember. Will is the new coach (maybe assistant coach?) only a few years older than her determined to get through to her even as she resists. What begins as a mentorship turns dramatic turns romantic turns even more dramatic, and honestly it’s hard to talk about this book without spoiling anything. Tonally dark with an anti-heroine college athlete, an exhausted but determined new coach, this is a fascinating entry into how to represent PTSD physically, with some elements of amnesia and thriller/suspense thrown in as well.
It’s one of those books where, were I not in the right headspace, I would have immediately turned down, but thankfully the stars aligned on timing. Did I like this book? That’s a hard question to answer. I think it was good. I think it was compelling. Would I read it again? Honestly, maybe? Like how you can’t help but poke a bruise? I don’t know. I’m conflicted, but if anyone else has read this, I’d be curious to hear your thoughts!
How hot? 🔥🔥🔥🔥
Hidden Miles by Claire Kingsley. My favorite of this series (it’s book 4) about a family-run winery involves the mysterious computer brother shut-in, Miles, who appears sporadically throughout the previous books and who hasn’t left their winery in five years. He’s a veteran with, you guessed it, PTSD, and his one true link to the outside world is his best friend, whose name he doesn’t even know. They play a video game together, knowing only each others’ voices and screen names, and that’s enough. Right?
But when he happens to hear her familiar voice at his family’s winery once, and then learns she’s in trouble, Hannah becomes far more than a disembodied voice in a game. She’s a full human woman, and she needs help escaping from her abusive cop partner, who’ll turn the entire justice system against her if he catches her.
What I liked about this book is that both characters have been traumatized by things in their past and present, though they’ve had obviously different reactions, and so they both recognize in the other a need to move slowly but directly. They’ve both been isolated, and must find a way to reenter the world and reclaim themselves… together.
There’s a bit of hacker dramatics, some romantic suspense vibes, a lot of forced proximity, and I can’t say no to a pen pals (online gamer pals in this instance) to lovers scenario!
How hot? 🔥🔥🔥🔥
Keepsake by Sarina Bowen. Lark was, at one time, a fearless adventurer with serious wanderlust. But after a traumatic incident when she was working with a nonprofit oversees, she’s back home early, and very different from what her friends remember. She takes solace with her friend’s family at their Vermont farm for the harvest season, hoping working in the small town and doing simple but tiring tasks will help her heal.
What she doesn’t anticipate is the help fellow farmhand Zack will be, because he knows better than anyone what being unexpectedly thrown into a chaotic situation can do to a person. He’s a survivor of a polygamist cult that, several years back, threw him out for breaking the rules, and has been trying to build a life in the outside world despite having almost zero context for anything. He’s crushed on Lark for years, and though she never really noticed him before, she comes to depend on his steadiness, his grounding presence, and his patience.
I really liked this series and the Vermont orchard/farm its set on, and had been excited for quiet cult reject Zack’s love story! My biggest note is, honestly, that I wish there was more cult stuff. I find cults fascinating (one of my favorite romances about a cult escape was featured in my winery round up) as a study of human society and psychology that romance is uniquely situated to explore, but Zack is a little far away from his experiences for it to be as integral as I maybe had hoped.
How hot? 🔥🔥🔥🔥
Next week, I’ll be rounding out our mini series about brains with a broader mental health roundup; characters in crisis who find their way out together. See you then!
Don’t forget to save my upcoming debut romance, Rehabbing the Billionaire, on Goodreads! Pre-order your copy on Amazon, or mark your calendar for August 1st to snag it on Kindle Unlimited!
What should I be reading next? Let me know in the comments!