Forgiven

Heaven and Hell Club, Book 3

By: Colette Davison

Narrated by: Piers Ryman

Length: 6 hrs and 35 mins

Publisher's summary

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

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.

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!!

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.

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.

Callum & Dylan Together Forever Beautiful 💖💖

WOW...... Blew me away love this series but this one Dylan & Callum they are made for each other the cutest couple ever both broken and damaged but together they start to put themselves back together. Love how Piers Ryman has done the voices for both of them so amazing and how he pulls out all the emotions of you it made me cry with them so beautiful. I'll say again i recommend this series so much absolutely Brilliant, Breathtaking and captivating you'll not regret it. 💞💞

Families

This final entry in a great series focuses on the impact of families both blood and found. Neither Dylan nor Callum have blood families to rely on. Dylan who's had nothing but a string of foster families and Callum whose homophobic family ensured he's never had a chance to find out who he really is. We get to watch these two figure out how to care for themselves, each other and a wider circle of found family members with basically no role models from their past to rely on. Their triumph is all the sweeter for being so hard won. Another performance by Piers Ryman that is spot on. From their early emotional confusion to the ending with some peace and love he hits all the right notes.

Emotional story

I have already read the book and loved it so I'm glad it's now on audio. This is such an emotional story. The two characters both have a lot of issues and have struggled with being true to themselves and others. After a rocky start they start getting to know each other and they help each other in being open and honest with each other. They clearly have a strong connection but they take it slowly. I loved following both their invidual and joint journey. Such a beautiful story 💜
However, although the narration was OK, I felt the Leeds dialect was inconsistent and a bit unnecessary but that's my personal opinion.

Last book in the series

Last in the Heaven and Hell series

We initially met Dylan in the other books in this series.
He was literally working his way through as many men as possible, a stunning pole dancer at the club, who loves makeup, but a man-eater.

Callum, he's a troubled young man, fresh out of Juvie and looking to find a better future for himself. But, unfortunately, he has a problematic family, an understatement of the year.

This is a beautiful love story. Pretty low angst but full of firsts. I love the characters, but Colette never fails on beefing out the character descriptions.

I would recommend not just this book but the series.

Piers Ryman did an excellent job of the narration of this book, but I did speed up on audible like usual.

Forgiven
Heaven and Hell Club, Book 3
By: Colette Davison
Narrated by: Piers Ryman
Length: 6 hrs and 35 mins

❤❤❤❤❤ Overall
🎧🎧🎧🎧🎧 Narration
📚📚📚📚📚 Story
Read at 1.45 speed on Audible

I received this audiobook for free from the author at my request. My review is my opinion and an honest review - nor did the author influence my opinion.