Review: Julien by Ella Frank
SYNOPSIS:
People are complex.
Love a double-edged sword.
And when it comes to a broken heart, there are no rules, only time…
For the past eight years, Julien Thornton has been living with a secret. One that only a handful of people know about.
To the outside world, he has it all.
A thriving career. A loving husband. And a face that the American public fell for by the millions, on a reality show that inadvertently saved his life.
But behind the shine of celebrity, behind the easygoing nature, a crippling truth fills Julien with pain and self-loathing. It’s a truth that he fights to overcome daily with the help of his husband, Joel Priestley, and now their boyfriend, Robbie Bianchi.
But unlike Priest, Robbie doesn’t know what he’s helping Julien to fight. He doesn’t know what Julien did all those years ago. And with the anniversary of his sister’s death fast approaching, the time for explanations is running out.
And thus the question: will the princess be able to forgive the prick as the priest once did?
Only time will tell.
Please note this book contains sensitive situations regarding drug use.
REVIEW:
I have a confession, this book cover is not the image of Julien in my head…at all. So I am just going to continue to blissfully ignore how this cover doesn’t capture my image of ‘The Prick’ and move on. This story was intense, I wasn’t expecting it to be quiet as heavy as it was, even though I was warned it would be.
Julien on the surface seems effervescent and flirty. From the tantalizing French to his sharp tongue, you couldn’t help but fall for his charm and charisma. But under all that he is carrying a ton of guilt and self-loathing. My heart went out to him for not only how much pain he was in but also because he was alone in his mind. His family essentially abandoned him and there is nothing that makes my blood boil more than sh*tty parents.
Robbie was just the touch of tenderness needed for this story. He added a lightness to an otherwise heavy storyline. Priest was the pillar of strength and I loved that this unconventional relationship came out stronger on the other side.
The story was fast paced, but there moments where I felt like it was dragging out and I wanted to get answer faster. This might be partially my impatience or it might be the actual writing. *shurgs* But the ending, I would die with these cliff-hangers if I wasn’t able to go purchase the next book in the series ASAP. And I am not emotionally ready for Priest’s book, because I know its going to be wild.
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