I picked up "Forrest's Victory" on a whim after seeing a post about it in a Facebook group. The post intrigued me, and then the book's blurb practically demanded I read it immediately. And honestly? It was the best decision I made that day! Jennifer Cody is a new author for me, although I've had "Bishop to Knight One" on my TBR list forever. "Forrest's Victory" was actually a last-minute addition to my books of the month, but I knew I was reading something special when I was only 25% of the wa...

Oh my god, is *Forrest's Victory* bad. I honestly don't understand how this isn't Jennifer Cody's debut novel, because it's so unbelievably awful that one star doesn't even feel like enough. Seriously, this is one of the worst romance books I've read.The plot is just ridiculous, and I absolutely hated it. There's almost *never* a good reason to include a character being raped, and there's even less of a reason to depict it in graphic detail. The fact that Forrest's rape is the inciting incident,...

DNF at 57%. [04/24/2022]The writing style felt very formal and detached, making it difficult to connect with the characters and their viewpoints. It read more like a memoir about therapy and recovery from rape than a romance novel. I appreciate Jennifer Cody's commitment to realism, but it just wasn't my cup of tea. When I skipped ahead to check out the storyline with Faith…jeez. Why lean so heavily on the "crazy ex-girlfriend" trope? This wasn't the great book I hoped "Forrest's Victory" would ...

DNF @ 34% I couldn't finish "Forrest's Victory" by Jennifer Cody. Sadly, I had to put it down.

I enjoyed the story and both main characters, and I appreciate that, in addition to the romance, the book tackles the difficulties and nuances of recovery in an honest way. I thought it fitting that the characters used terms from therapy in their communication. I was at times uncomfortable with the depiction of women in the story, although this is partly because the MM romance genre as a whole has a problem with overuse of the crazy, evil ex-girlfriend trope. So it’s in this context that it bot...

2.5 stars, rounded up, I suppose.

The full review will come later, when I can actually gather my thoughts... *Forrest's Victory* by Jennifer Cody was a complete and utter mess. Seriously.

Seriously good... it really made me think and kept me guessing. It was definitely sexy and just plain well-written. I absolutely can't wait to read more from Jennifer Cody and see what's next in this series. I'm hooked on "Forrest's Victory"!

FORREST'S VICTORY is the first book in the Recovery Road series, and WOW! Just, WOW! This story deals with the (on-page) rape of one of the main characters, and the healing process both of them undertake following that. If you're looking for a powerful and emotional read, Jennifer Cody's book is it.Okay, so first things first. The rape scene. Yes, it's on-page and yes, it's horrible. However, I felt it was written exceptionally well, giving the horror of the situation without sensationalising it...

Hurt/comfort, friends to lovers, bi-awakening, quirky characters—Jennifer Cody's *Forrest's Victory* had so many of my favorite elements, and it totally delivered. I loved Forrest from page one. He’s unique and knows it, so when he decides to explore his sexuality, he has his assistant, Blake, schedule it in. It goes horribly wrong, and Blake and Forrest have to pick up the pieces afterward. Yes, there *is* on-page sexual assault. It’s short (maybe a page), and I didn’t find it overly graphic, s...

This was an emotional read, diving into the lives of two friends, Forrest and Blake, who have to find a way to heal after Forrest is raped and Blake carries the weight of feeling responsible. These guys were captivating. Forrest structures his life around an extremely rigid schedule, and Blake is paid to help him manage it all. The friendship and understanding between them was genuinely lovely. It felt very natural when their relationship evolved from friendship to something more, especially as ...