Fable of Happiness: Book Two

4.5 stars-- FABLE OF HAPPINESS is the second instalment in Pepper Winters’ contemporary, adult FABLE dark, erotic, romance series focusing on thirty year old, reclusive Kassan Sands, and professional rock climber, twenty six year old, Gemma Ashcroft. FABLE OF HAPPINESS book 2 should not be read as a stand alone as is pick up after the events and cliff hanger of book one WARNING: Due to the nature of the story line content, there may be triggers for more sensitive readers. NOTE: if you have not read book one, there may be spoilers in my review SOME BACKGROUND: Gemma Ashcroft is a professional rock climber but as she wandered through the forest, our heroine comes upon a run down mansion, a mansion wherein lived a reclusive beast of a man who will take control of our heroine’s mind, body and soul, a control in which Gemma finds herself falling. Told from dual first person perspectives (Kassan and Gemma) using present day and memories from the past, FABLE OF HAPPINESS picks up immediately after the events of book one wherein Kassan, injured from a fall, is slowly nursed back to physical health by Gemma Ashcroft but it is his fractured mind that is the biggest worry. As Kassan continuously retreats back into the past, Gemma’s future lies in question as Kassan is unable to distinguish between the past and present. While our heroine slowly begins to dismantle Kassan’s numerous walls, Kassan furiously rebuilds with each break through. Kassan Sands is broken; destroyed by a past mired in horrendous abuse, a past he is unable to escape preferring to remain alone but Kassan’s loneliness may be his ultimate demise, a loneliness that only be filled by our story line heroine. But while Gemma finds herself falling for a man whose breaks she is unable to repair, she is keenly aware that leaving may be the ultimate form of abuse. FABLE OF HAPPINESS 2 is a heart breaking, revealing story of abuse and survival. We are witness to a past rife in betrayal, power and control, and a present in which Kassan is unable to escape the past. FABLE OF HAPPINESS 2 is another dark, gritty, and raw tale about the depravity of mankind, and the fragility of the human psyche.Haunting and twisted, FABLE OF HAPPINESS ends on a cliff hanger-you have been warned.

This second book in the trilogy has me reeling even more than the first! Everything changes in this one, and I don’t know who’s the villain, who’s the victim, or who’s the captive. This storyline is on a whole new level of dark romance. It’s so raw, emotional, twisted, powerful, and disturbing. Kas and Gem’s story is cataclysmic and passionate. The storyline and characters are so intricate and unique, and the setting is beautiful, despite the horrors in its history. I don’t want to give away anything because this is one of those stories you must experience for yourself. But be forewarned, there are major trigger warnings with this one, and not recommended for anyone with sensitivities to certain traumatic aspects. Fable of Happiness raised my anxiety levels and gives me heart palpitations. And I love every manic moment of this turbulent ride! Thank you to Valentine PR for gifting me this epic audiobook in exchange for an honest review. At the end of [audio]book one I was silently screaming and asking politely for [audio]book two. I am not ashamed to beg Valentine PR and the author for the conclusion to this twisted and suspenseful story. "Eight years of conditioning. A decade of loneliness. A lifetime of pain. " Tor Thom and Charley Ongel are absolutely perfect for the roles of Gemma and Kassen. The way they expertly duet this book (in dual narration format) will leave you captivated and on the edge of your seat. The push and pull between Gemma and Kassen was intense, and these two narrators made you feel that intensity in your soul. 1000% MUST listen!!! “I’m not lonely while you’re here. That’s why you can’t go. Why you can never go.” 5 intense Stars! Nola504Nerds blog

The second book and it was quite intense. I didn't know which direction it would go, and with Pepper Winters anything is possible. I don't know why I didn't think of some of the things. Gemma and Kassen have knew obstacles to fight through. The biggest being his mind. The things he does would have me running away as far as possible. However, Gemma does the opposite and stays. Some may see her bravery as stupid, but I think she is strong enough to stay with him. With his past- which we learn a lot more- Kas needs someone to fight for him and give him happiness. There were parts that I thought it was foreshadowing and was nervous about it, but it didn't happen. Then the thing I thought it was unlikely to happen, at least not in this book, happened... and OMG I have to wait 2 months to find out what will happen.