“A Heart-Breaking, Emotional, Hopeful Story”
Because of Ben, by Lisa Henry, was a raw, emotional, gut-wrenching, indescribably hopeful read. It’s storyline an intrinsically necessary and hopeful one. It’s characters brave, valiant, kind, humorous, and, actually close-minded. This was a realistic portrayal of individuals needing to live as their true selves regardless of any emotional backlash from family and friends. This story is a heartbreaking yet heart-warmingly amazing beautiful story.
Gah, I believe I lost a copious amount of fluids as I read this nail-biting emotional story, as I was absolutely glued to the pages of my kindle because I had-to-read, but couldn’t read, as the gut-wrenching thoughts, and ever-encompassing need, of a beautiful young man over powered him, as he attempted to simply live his life, with Beliefs being such an ingrained part of him. Due to the lengthy inner monologue of desperate thoughts, such grief and heartache was inevitable, as this beautiful soul battled his thoughts and his entire being. It’s times like those, with an unknown future, that guardian angels are a necessity.
I loved Ben as his truth and plight towards happiness rose above thoughts and visions of a Fundamentalist upbringing. My heart ached as a result of this upbringing and had an outpouring of hope for not only Ben and his brothers, but also for some sort of compassion from friends and family. Ben’s pureness was pristine and medicinal as his kind and caring nature was just what the doctor ordered for Marco, who had needed something to guide him towards his own form of happiness as well. Ben and Marco, a college student and musician, needed the other for so many different reasons as their light was a needed one for them both.
Because of Ben was such a great addicting story. It’s absolutely nail-biting, heart felt moments were interspersed with scream cheering and bouts of ugly crying. The need to squeeze hug characters was never stronger than during this read.
Even though there was slight confusion with the direction of the plot towards the end, a need for more depth and development, and the existence of plenty inner monologue, it was a super amazing story. I loved it. 🙂
*star rating: 4.45 ‘I really, really liked this story’ stars*
