Darling Venom by Parker S. Huntington: Sometimes Love is Not Enough

You’re probably asking if the title is correct. After all, “Darling Venom” is advertised as “A Standalone Best Friend’s Brother Romance.” Yes, it’s a love story, even has a HEA. But the book is more than just romantic love. It’s also about familial love, no matter how dysfunctional. It’s also about learning how to love yourself – warts and all.

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A love triangle of sorts, Kellan, Charlie and Tate. Alone and on their own, individually, they will tug at your heartstrings. Together, they form a triumvirate of tragic heroes. Author Parker S. Huntington made these characters three-dimensional, so that you want to hug and comfort them. Then, they break your heart and the only thing you can do is cry.

If you listened to the audiobook, Sebastian York as Tate, Jacob Morgan as Kellan and Ava Erickson as Charlie were cast perfectly. They “owned” the characters, so much so that I can almost see them in my mind’s eye. Tate, Kellan and Charlie came alive via their voices.

Released in December 2021, as the world is nearing the tail end of the pandemic, the very heavy subject matter of mental health resonated with reality. That is the reason why I titled this review “Sometimes Love is Not Enough” because all three characters though loved need more than that. They also need acceptance and understanding.

As a footnote, I am also thankful that the author did not have the characters wearing masks because it would have dated the book. The story is timeless and can withstand the test of time. Tate, Kellan and Charlie belong to the Then and Now.

If you have not read/listened to the book, please put it in your To-Be-Read and/or To-Be-Listened list.

Darling Venom
A Standalone Best Friend’s Brother Romance
By: Parker S. Huntington
Narrated by: Sebastian York, Jacob Morgan, Ava Erickson