Only the Small Bones

Slow Burns & Tragic Beginnings, Book 1

By: C.P. Harris

Narrated by: Sean Crisden

“What makes him so special?”

“He reminds me of someone I once knew…”

As the founder of Freedom Fighters, famed music composer, William Mayes, is often the first port of call when the FBI needs assistance with human trafficking victims.

After receiving such a call one night, William abandons everything to catch the next flight home. Arriving at Manhattan Memorial, he finds a beautiful young man restrained to a gurney. His eyes are wild with fear, and blood stains his skin. No one has been successful in getting him to speak.

When even he can’t get the young man to cooperate, William does something he may later come to regret—he extends an invite to his home.

The young man is non-verbal, angry, and at times openly hateful. All of which gives him control over William’s emotions.

William slowly begins to spiral from his own struggles with his tormented past. His nightmares return, sleep becomes a lost cause, and the dark voices in his head are out for blood.

Amid their co-dependent isolation, William’s feelings evolve. Lines are blurred, and then crossed altogether as they start down a path riddled with secrets and lies of omission.

The only thing that can set them both free is the truth. But maybe some things are better left buried. Because if the ugliest parts of William are ever unearthed, no one will be spared.

Only the Small Bones is an MM romance, and book one in the standalone series Slow Burns & Tragic Beginnings. This story features a non-verbal MC with touch aversion, and mental health representation. Please visit the author's website for a full list of content warnings.

©2024 C.P. Harris (P)2025 C.P. Harris

Heart breaking

The audio makes it even more painful

I loved this book.

A promise made by a child in an impossible situation and affects both of their lives forever

William and Ryan’s relationship develops slowly over time. You see little victories and tiny examples of the trust built between two very broken individuals. This book broke my heart twice and made me cry once.
I love that there is a separation for one MC to be able to grow effectively. This rarely happens in books and as a therapist I hate that. Space to grow is so important. Especially with a trauma bond. I adored that part.

The only part I didn’t love was the frequent hints that William had done something wrong. I don’t like that in books as it makes me just want to skip to the answer and takes me out of the story. Other than that it was perfection to me.

Tissues required!

I NEVER expected what it was that William was hiding 🫢 the story is so heartbreaking and beautiful. The way it all comes together in the end is just phenomenal!

Narrator: wonderful job! I felt all the feels. Truly wonderful performance 👏🏼

Never felt so much Pain and emotion.

I have never felt such pain and anguish listening to this. Absolutely the most powerful and beautiful story I have ever ever encountered. I felt all the pain of the characters. This book broke me.

This made me cry.

You need to go all the way through to understand how the two main characters think and feel.

Heartbreakingly beautiful

This wasn’t an easy read, especially towards the end with flashbacks, but it was beautifully written and narrated.