Gods this book was so good. It broke me and put me back together multiple times. The character growth and journey was amazing. I cannot wait for the third book.

Thanks to NetGalley for providing a copy to review.

Representation: Sexual assault survivors, bi and Dominican MC, gay MC

This book follows three people - Javier, Stef, and Geronimo or Geno for short. Javier is an ex-hustler who used to sell his body, and made good money doing it. He’s also a writer who has published several things, including a book about his exploits. He’s done with hustling, and just wants a chance at love. He meets Steffen Finch, an art therapist who works with tough cases. They both need deep, passionate connection, and they might find that in each other. Stef is a very talented therapist, and he mostly works with men who have been assaulted. He gets a very challenging case with Geno, who went through something pretty brutal. Geno has created an alter-ego called Mos, and Mos makes all the decisions to protect them from anything hurting them. This has created a double life, thick with lies. He’s brought to where Stef works, and Stef helps Geno work through his trauma, using art. Geno also meets Jav at the same place, but doesn’t realize that Jav and Stef have a relationship. The boundaries between professional and personal start to become blurry as the three men get to know each other over a year.

Rating: 4.5 This is the sequel to An Exaltation of Larks, which I loved. I also really enjoyed this, and while there are characters that cross over, they’re fairly separate stories. Javier was one of the main characters in Larks, but we learn a little more about Javier’s background in this. What happens in Larks is also touched on in this, but not in detail, much like it would happen in real life when you meet someone after certain things happen. All the trigger warnings for this book. Like I said earlier, Stef works with male survivors. Some of the assault is talked about on page, pedophilia is on and off page, child abuse is off page. This was a very painful story to read, but it was incredibly well-done in my opinion. The author showed care for her characters, giving them space to feel their feelings without being exploitative. I enjoyed the romance in this, it was steamy sure, but it was also fragile and very passionate. Jav and Stef both wanted love, but they also wanted to make sure they did it right, didn’t rush into it and ruin it for either of them. I just really enjoyed this book, and would recommend it. You don’t even have to read Larks to understand what happens in this.

I actually enjoyed the second book of the series more than the first. What I will say is that this book can be very hard to read at certain parts, not due to any flaw in the book, but because of the serious and tragic subject matter. Although the subject matter of this book (sexual assault) is beyond heavy, it does provide hope and healing. One thing I think the book does a great job of conveying is that no matter what we have suffered in life, we are not alone! There are others who have similar hurts and wounds and you just have to find your tribe/people.

Grateful thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for seeing me this book to review.

It was wonderful to meet Jav again, a character we met earlier in Suanne Laqueur’s novel An Exaltation of Larks.

As in her earlier book, there are two parallel stories which Laqueur manages to skilfully bring together midway through the novel. The first being the relationship between Jav and Stef. Jav, formerly a gigolo, has become a successful writer. After a lifetime of casual and paid sex he is now seeking love and a permanent relationship. Stef, an art therapist who works with cases of sexual aggression and particularly rape of male victims, is kind and compassionate and skilfully achieves the confidence of his patients.

Geno, the second strand of the story, has foolishly trusted his twin brother and as a result has been brutally raped by several men which has resulted in horrific physical and psychological wounds. In addition to this, he has to deal with the loss of his mother, the suicide of his brother as well as the death of his father who is heart-broken and unable to face the violence his son has gone through. The physical trauma is relatively easier to deal with but the psychological strain has completely destroyed his sense of self. He is unable to deal with his life and is dependent on strong sedatives and mood lifters. He even adopts the persona of his twin brother to escape his own identity. As a result of an attempted suicide, he is sent for six months to Stef and the latter gradually builds up Geno’s self esteem by convincing him that he has no reason to feel guilty and constantly tells him that he is a better person and has a “strong heart.” Stef repeatedly tells Geno, “They did not get the best of you.”

The novel is a page turner and makes for compulsive reading.

Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! No spoilers. Beyond amazing I enjoyed this book so very much. The characters and storyline were fantastic. The ending I did not see coming Could not put down nor did I want to. Truly Amazing and appreciated the whole story. This is going to be a must read for many many readers. Maybe even a book club pick.

How am I supposed to write a review when there are no words to describe how I feel?!
I really need some time to try and find them.

Well, so, here I am. Still don't know how to review this book.
I feel like there is a LOT I want to say about this book, but I doubt it will make any sense and I am sure I won't ever be able to write down a proper review, because there's nothing I can say that will do this book justice.
So please forgive me if this turns out to be a rambling mess of words and thoughts without a beginning or an end. You can always just scroll past this and find a review that does make sense. I'm sure you'll find it.

I read book 1 in this series (An Exaltation of Larks) just a few weeks ago, left wishing I had picked it up sooner. Of course I had already read all those raving reviews, but since MM romance is all I read nowadays, I was a little reluctant to read it, because of the MF factor. Anyway, when I got the chance to receive this book to review, my curiosity won out and I decided to take the chance.
Never regretted one. single. moment. The first book in this series was magnificent.
It made me fall in love with Javi and when it ended with him and Stef meeting, I just knew I was in for a treat as soon as I would read the first page of A charm of finches.
But I never, NEVER expected this!!
And with THIS I mean the overwhelming feelings of sadness, of pain, of this turmoil of emotions.
Partly that's because of the story and Geno's storyline in particular. But it's also because Suanne Laqueur is such a gifted author, she knows exactly how to use her words in order to turn this into an excellent example of beautiful, fascinating storytelling. With seemingly simplicity she manages to pull you in deeper and deeper, never letting you go until the last word is read. SEEMINGLY simplicity, because it's not that simple to write a story like this, in the way it was written, and that's part of the magic that is this book.

Ok, so here we have Javi, whom we've met in the previous book. He's a successful author, writing under a penname, and when he meets Stef, he knows something in his life is about to change.
Stef is this beautiful man, inside and out. Working as an art therapist with male victims of sexual harassment and rape, he is the most patient, most genuine guy I have ever come across in a book. I need a Stef in my life!
His and Jav's story entwines with Geno's. And oh MY GOD, Geno...My poor, poor Geno.
My heart broke for him multiple times and for a long time I was so afraid it wouldn't heal again! Everything he had to go through, his brother's betrayal, losing everything he had...And it may seem much, writing it down like this, with a chance of OTT drama, but it never, NEVER felt like that. It was as if someone put me through an emotional wringer, as if I was there, watching what happened, seeing his despair, feeling how he was about to give up, until Mos saved him.
Until Mos was there to protect him.
When Geno is unable to deal with his life, with the world, he meets Stef. And Stef becomes his new savior. It felt like a privilege to watch Geno's journey to healing, to witness how Stef and Jav and Stav and Micah were such important parts of that process. I loved how the author managed to make us (and Geno) see the similarities to Micah's and Geno's story, how Micah's survival, even the numbers tattooed on his wrist, helped Geno heal. But what helped him the most, was his own strength. Even if he didn't recognize it, acknowledge it, Geno was so much stronger than he gave himself credit for.

"Did you know you almost died?"
"Well, it felt like it. But..."
(...)"Let me tell you something, Geno. The only reason you're alive today is because you have a strong heart. A really strong heart."
Geno stared.
(...)"I know it doesn't sound as romantic to say you have a strong gut to go with your strong heart, but I'll say it anyway. What I won't say is it was a miracle. You didn't have divine help getting better. You did it all yourself. Somehow, in spite of everything that could've killed you, your heart found a way to live and your body found a way to beat the odds and heal. (...) I think you're the strongest, most resiliënt person I ever fucking met in my life," Stef said.

As the author states in her notes, Geno speaks as one who knows, but he also speaks for men who will never tell their stories. Or for men who told their stories and weren't believed. This is one of those books that needed to be written and I, for one, am grateful for the fact Suanne Laqueur was the one to do it. She is one hell of an author and she deserves all the love readers can give her. Her ability to make her characters come alive and feel like real human beings, persons you grow attached to, is unique. Characters like Javi and Stef and Geno, like the ones from An exaltation, will always stay with me, lingering somewhere in the back of my mind, but still there. Unforgettable, just like their stories.

So, now, at the end of this possible non-making-sense review, there is really only one thing left to say:
READ THIS BOOK!!! NOT TOMORROW, NOT NEXT WEEK. READ IT TODAY.
It will be a life changing experience.
And I know, because that's exactly what this book was to me.

This is a brilliant, well-written story, that I could not put down. Having read An Exaltation of Larks, I couldn’t wait to start A Charm of Finches and I was definitely not disappointed.

This story is hard hitting and deals with topics that are honestly harrowing, however, they are dealt with in such a positive, written with such perceptiveness and hope that although you feel devastated by what happens there is still hope and good people who have you cheering for all the way through.

A Charm of Finches by Suanne Laqueur is the second book of the Venery series, and is a powerful and heart breaking book that is not afraid to delve into some very dark and difficult themes. While it is definitely not an easy read, it is certainly a rewarding one, and one that shows the strength and resilience of the human spirit and the healing power of love and acceptance.
The book weaves together the stories of three very different but very compelling men, in a wonderfully assured and accomplished way that I knew to expect from my previous experience with this author's work.
Geno is the seventeen year old survivor of horrific sexual abuse and family tragedy who is surviving day to day by compartmentalising his trauma, Stef is the art therapist who may be key to helping him come to terms with his past in a way that will allow him to recover his self worth and understand that he is stronger than he believes, while Jav is a writer who had almost given up on finding love when he met Stef. Geno's story does not intersect with that of Jav and Stef until about the halfway part of the book but I appreciated that because the hopeful story of Stef and Jav's slowly blossoming romance provided a much needed counterpoint to the darkness of Geno's experiences. I truly loved all of the relationships, romantic and platonic in the book, and I found myself thinking about the characters even when I wasn't reading the book , the author has a truly exceptional gift when it comes to bringing them to life on the page.
The author provides a warning about the contents of the book and I would recommend that readers take note, because some of the scenes described are truly heart breaking, and there are brutal depictions of male rape and sexual assault. I really appreciated the author shining a light on this subject, as it something that still carries a lot of stigma and is under reported . Giving a voice to these people and making the reader think and care about the issue is a powerful gift.
I read a review copy courtesy of NetGalley and the publisher, all opinions are my own.

I thought Larks would be my favorite book but woah was I absolutely wrong… This book is unbelievably profound and touching and evoked so many feelings in me, I can’t even describe what I felt. One thing I do know, Finches is going to be one of my most all time favorite books ever because I really don’t know if I’ve read a better book.

Geno is a twin, closely connected to his brother all his life but recently feels them drifting apart after their mother’s death. But what happened to Geno in the first couple of chapters just broke me. Harrowing and unspeakable things are done to him during a forty four hour ordeal which ends in his brother’s suicide and father’s heart broken death. His physical recovery from almost the brink of death takes weeks and months but the psychological toll is too much to even read about, let alone experienced by this boy.

We met Stef at the end of Larks during his chance encounter with Javier. Stef is an art therapist who specializes in the most distressing cases of rape and abuse and it was so heartening to read about his work. He is a wonderful compassionate person with an unending well of creative ideas that he uses to help his clients deal with the most horrifying experiences of their lives. He is thoughtful, he is gentle but he is also resolute and I can’t even imagine the mental strength he has to deal with everything.

Jav has given up on his escorting and is now a full time writer but he is also lonely, and finally wants to find love. His chemistry with Stef is pretty much awesome from the first meeting but they are both vulnerable and have never really been in meaningful relationships before. Their slow burn relationship is just too beautiful to read about and they complement each other perfectly. Jav is uncertain about finding true love on his first try but Stef is always there with his unconditional love to prove him wrong. Stef is very adamant about not bringing his work home but it’s not always possible and when he can’t handle it all anymore, Jav is right there to unburden him. Their quiet moments, the silences, their conversations, the understanding they have about each other’s sexual limitations – it’s all so wonderful and I think one of the most fervent relationships I’ve ever read about.

This might be about Jav and Stef’s love but the heart of this book is Geno. He is violated in so many ways but his journey of picking up the pieces of his life and finding himself again is full of pain but also indomitable strength. He may have lost everyone in his family but he slowly starts forming relationships, first with a few guys in college and then with survivors like him at the Exodus Project. His relationship with Stef starts off in a professional manner but its develops into so much more deeper, almost brotherly love. Even Jav can’t help but admire Geno for his tenacity and endurance. Every single character is well fleshed out with backstories and all of them are essential parts of Geno’s journey of survival.

The author’s writing is evocative and emotional and utterly devastating but I wouldn’t have it any other way. She brings out the best in the characters and intense emotions in the readers and I laughed and cried and felt heartbroken and also hopeful. Her research into survivor’s guilt, their reactions and triggers, art therapy and certain historical events is very thorough and it reflects in every word on every page. We learn so much about the survivors – what they endure, what they feel and how they survive. It also teaches us to be more compassionate and thoughtful because we have no idea what anyone has been through. The author also leaves us with lots of questions – about the best and worst of humanity, what will a person do to survive, how do we move on when we never get answers to the questions that are eating at us, about the silenced demographic of male rape survivors whose stories we never get to hear because of our society’s norms on masculinity, and ultimately, what are the little ways in which we can help.

This story might start with a basement of horrors but its a beautiful tale of love, loss, survival, strength, friendship and family. Reading the book will put your heart through a wringer but you will end it feeling a little better and hopeful. It can be read as a standalone but knowing more about Jav’s backstory in Larks definitely enriched my experience. It doesn’t matter what your favorite genre is, I feel this is a book everyone should read because it might just make us a better person. It will definitely make us want to be one.

A Charm of Finches is an emotional rollercoaster that will force you to look deeper within yourself and ask yourself the toughest of questions. It is melancholic in a way that makes us relate to it. This book made me furious and teary eyed, and then happy within a span of just a few hours. I couldn't put it down and was transported to the world built by the author. The writing is gripping and leaves us at the edges of our seats to know what will happen next, it leaves us wishing, no- begging, for a happy ending when despair is the only reigning emotion.

TW: This book deals with a lot of sexual abuse, focusing on male sexual abuse, and child abuse.

I have never read a book which described such heart-wrenching topics so poignantly. At one point I was sure I would hurl this book across the room, but I'm glad I didn't give up on it. It is a book that I will read again, many times, until I have to buy a new copy. It is a book that will break my heart each and evey time I read it, even though I already know what is going to happen now.

I honestly feel like A Charm Of Finches should be included in the school syllabus, because after reading such horrifying results of someone's filthy actions, most people will be less inclined to commit such crimes.

This is my top favorite read amongst all of my favorite reads of the year! I cannot even begin to express the all-encompassing phenomenal masterpiece that is A Charm of Finches. Leave it to Suanne Laqueur to render me in a combination of shattered, speechless, winded and exhilarated after reading this. I don't know how not to feel when I dive into her books. The reader is basically vacuumed into the characters' world as if the reader is right there with them, experiencing all the highs and lows with them as they happen. Only 5-6% in and I was already devastated and ready to jump in to seek both vengeance and justice.

Javier Landes was introduced in An Exaltation of Larks and I absolutely adored him hard. Knowing his background, I wanted so badly for him to find the love and happiness he deserved and is worthy of. He's at a crossroad in his life, full of new beginnings and choices that are completely his own. It's uncharted territory but Javier is determined not to make a mess of things. He's opening himself up to the possibility of a relationship and exploring the give and take dynamic versus the constant giving from before. Let me just say that the blanketed warmth of unconditional love and contentment is a good look on him.

Steffan Finch, Curator & Sailor, but who is so much more - how we all need more men like him in the world. There's a reason why he's so talented at his job, a true gift to society and for all the survivors who flourish with his guidance and unwavering support. Watching him interact with those who need help the most and then seeing him as the man outside of his job, he is an outstanding person with so many layers. I would almost hate to think about where Stef would be in life at this time without Javier.

Then there's Geno, whose tragedy is the heart of the story. Geno, who needs a lifetime supply of hugs and affirmations, and is undecided if he's present in his own life battling for survival or merely an observer. Suanne does an excellent job of not only sharing his experience, but to bring attention to a demographic that is largely silent and under-served, but suffering regardless. I can't think about Geno without getting choked up. Suffice to say that Geno is who I kept reading for and couldn't put the book down, if only to support him as a cheerleading reader on his behalf, echoing Stef's words, "They didn't get the best of you."

There's so many heart smashing and heart mending moments, including from a collage of other colorful characters who tell their own stories or offer a safe place of no judgment. The hurting and the healing is crafted at a pace that is never too much or too little all at once. The emotional intensity cannot be understated, but there is also a lot of light hearted dialogue, too, that made me smile. This book is a true labor of love and I cannot wait to see what Suanne has in store next year. You are sorely missing out if you haven't read An Exaltation of Larks and if you did read it, then you absolutely must read A Charm of Finches, both are amongst my top favorites. Don't even bother arguing about it or make excuses. Just do it.