Forgiven

Heaven and Hell Club, Book 3

By: Colette Davison

Narrated by: Piers Ryman

Can love and acceptance help Callum forgive himself?

Callum’s past haunts him, and he’s desperate for a fresh start. When his uncle takes him in and the manager of the Heaven and Hell Club gives him a chance, things might be looking up.

Then he meets Dylan - a cocky, makeup-wearing twink who challenges all his assumptions about himself.

Getting to know each other changes everything, as they give each other the love and acceptance they’ve both craved throughout their lives. But will it be enough to ease their doubts, heal their wounds, and allow them to have their own happily ever after?

Forgiven is the third book in the Heaven and Hell Club series. It’s a hurt/comfort romance with a slow-burn relationship, a bisexual awakening, tattoos, and piercings in interesting places. It can be listened to as a stand-alone but works better as part of the series.

Content warning: homophobic family.

Recommended listening order:

• Broken (Book 1)
• Unbreakable (Prequel)
• Forgotten (Book 2)
• Forgiven (Book 3)

©2020 Colette Davison (P)2021 Colette Davison

Dylan and Callum

Forgiven is Book 3 in the Heaven and Hell Club series. This is a beautifully written emotional hurt/comfort story about Dylan, a dancer at the club, and Callum, who's just trying to live his life away from his family's hate. While staying with his uncle, Callum gets a job tending bar at the club were Dylan dances. I love the strength in both these men as the come together and are really able to open up and be genuine with the other. Dylan finds a way to be honest with himself so he can be honest with others. I love how slowly we see Callum come out of his shell and more open. He's able to create a new family for himself, one that will love him just as he is. I definitely recommend this book and series. It's one to enjoy again and again. 
Narrator Piers Ryman does another amazing job in this series. He's such a joy to listen to, the emotions that come from his narration.

Braver Together

Shaped by their pasts, Cullum and Dylan both are living life through the facade they portrait.

Callum feels he need to carry the burden of others whilst Dylan hides behind where he truly has come from.

When they meet, it's as if their souls recognize each other and they form a friendship which leads to more, they begin to realise that they are braver together and help each other heal from their pasts as well.

This was a relatively low angst tale to listen but it packs a punch on the emotions. These characters are so perfect for each other and I loved how well they complemented each other.

The narration was splendid and these characters were brought to life amazingly well. A real treat to listen to.

Slow-Burn Hurt/Comfort Love Story of Acceptance

A good slow-burn hurt/comfort HEA story is my jam, and I loved this one. It's as much a story of Callum and Dylan building a trusting friendship as it is their journey toward romance, which makes their becoming a couple all the sweeter.

Club barman Callum is fresh out of juvie, trying to build a new life in a new town, and tentatively exploring his bisexuality while enduring strained family relations (including homophobic relatives). Club dancer Dylan, meanwhile, is careful to hide his insecurities and painful past behind the cheeky and cocky facade he's crafted for fear of rejection and abandonment.

Both young men carry a lot of emotional baggage and have never had unconditional love, support and acceptance. Only when they trust enough to let their guards down and open their hearts do both realize they're exactly what the other needs, and it's a beautiful rollercoaster of feelings.

Narrator Piers Ryman really shines in this performance, giving an array of distinct character voices and British accents, and really capturing the emotions, moods and personalities of the characters. This is easily my favorite narration of his to date.

This story totally works as a standalone, although knowing the secondary character backstories from having read Books 1 & 2 (which are both far more angsty) adds to the periphery. I received this free review copy audio book by request and have left this honest review voluntarily.

Audio does the story justice!

Piers Ryman did a great job bringing Dylan and Calum’s story to life. I initially found Dylan SO annoying but I think you were supposed to be annoyed by some of the little things he says because it makes it just so much better as the story goes on and you find out more about his character. I love stories with some depth and breadth and this one certainly exceeds expectations. Without spoilers, I knew the scene toward the end where they try to let go of some of their past was coming and I STILL got teary. Random sidenote, when I read the book, I really thought Dylan over used the endearment “baby”, but it didn’t feel that way in audio. Love this series—these two are a particular favorite.

Fantastic!!

I loved Dylan and Callum more than any other character’s Colette Davison has written to date!! That is saying something because I’ve loved all her main characters! Dylan was out and proud and oh so loud! Callum was so confused; he did not know what he was, but he knew Dylan made him hot and bothered. This was a low angst, hot and steamy, fluffy romance. They made an interesting couple, I loved how Dylan was so patient with Callum. They were both broken in their own ways but together they were perfect!! It is a really good story!! Well written with a lot of emotion and character development. Piers Ryman did an incredible job with the narration, each voice is distinct, well done!!