Victor and Cody have a good relationship. They have a lovely home with a two-story entrance and twelve foot ceilings, but if truth be told, the house is way too huge. All seems wonderful in their life, stable and complete, but there is something missing. Cody misses the life of the clubs he once frequented. He decides to go out one night to explore how much of that life he has missed. The beef market was in full swing, and Cody really felt the buzz of the whole room. He knows he and Victor have something really special in their life, but this is a part of his lifestyle he has pined for in his own way. Victor thinks it is not good for their relationship. That part of Cody’s life was not good for him, and Victor doesn’t wish to see Cody hurt again. Then the terrible attack happens after Cody is sexually assaulted, which only pushes the envelope further into their lives. As Cody enlists help from a therapist, some devoted friends, and a lover who tries his best to understand the torment that has rocked Cody’s world, Victor and Cody seek solace with each other while trying to understand the aftermath of the situation and keeping their relationship in tact.

Aftermath reaches into the inner core of the heart and keeps on holding until the end of the story. I could not help but share in the emotions of not only Cody but also Victor. Cody is vivacious and a fun-loving guy who suffers through a trauma that cripples the mind as well as the body. Victor is understanding and compassionate and doesn’t hold back his feelings for Cody. The interaction of the two boldly comes across the pages. Angel Martinez tells a compelling story, demonstrating how rape doesn’t categorize male or female, color, or race. The scenes with the therapist are believable and show how rape is so horrific, even for men, and that it is often kept locked away and never spoken of. She demonstrates the love of a troubled couple, who overcomes a devastating ordeal in their life. This is a read that shouldn’t be missed.

Reviewed by: Linda L.