Running Blind

Reviewed by Morningstar for Diverse Reader

This is just one of those heartwarming romantic comedy reads that I need sometimes to fill my heart! I mean I know it’s not a completely happy story because poor Kyle suddenly and without warning loses his vision but to me it’s more of story about great things coming out of something bad. We’ve all been there right? Just something that shakes you and turns everything you thought your life was going to be like upside down and inside out. And change is never easy, even good change can be tough.

“You are still the fearless, adventurous one. If you can just realize that this is another risky undertaking, you’ll come out of it as you always do, with a few scrapes and a great story.”

Kyle struggles a lot to do the right thing, not get down on what he is now missing, and just move forward. But it’s easier said than done. The loss of his vision didn’t just take away the ability to do the job he loved but he had to learn how to take care of himself all over again. After months of hospitals and rehab Kyle is finally back home trying to make the best of the life he has left. He let Matt go live his dream knowing they weren’t meant for anything other than friends, he’s trying to figure where he goes from here with his voice over career, his overbearing sister, who he knows loves him very much, is now living with him when he both wants to be alone but fears it with everything in him. Life is so different now. Can he get any semblance of it back or will it take

“I can see a ball! It’s a red ball moving toward our yard!”
Lily gasped. “Yes! It is!” She jumped up and hugged Kyle.
“This is great news! You’re seeing balls again!” Pause. “Wait, that didn’t come out right.”

Seth is running from something in his past and his guilt over his perceived part in it. He runs back home to take care of his mom, alone, who has Alzheimer’s. It’s not easy and it takes a toll on him but he loves her as much as she loves him. Seth isn’t looking for a relationship he has enough on his plate with the new tech company he works for, his mom, and of course that pesky guilt that is eating away at him to even think about dating. But stopping Kyle from a fall over a Disney princess toy was something that ended up bringing some light back into his life. Finding a friend in Kyle was the start but can he open his heart to more or keep punishing himself for his past?

“What on earth are you doing?” Kyle demanded.
“Bending over to touch my toes.”
“Why?”
“Mrs. Zdunowski is watching through her front window, coffee in hand.”
That made Kyle grin. “Giving her a thrill, are we?”
“You betcha. I try to get my charitable work in whenever I can.”

I love Kyle! I loved that he struggled and got depressed. I loved that he persevered through the hard parts and how he had this fun loving side that he never let go in the face of a tragedy. I loved that he dealt with his super annoying and overbearing sister without punching her and still loved her anyway (cuz there is no WAY I could do that). Seth was awkward and shy at time but he was such a good guy. Which was proof by the guilt he carried around for his past. The story is written in Kyle’s POV but I never felt the loss of Seth’s POV because of how well these two wrote this story. And I’m glad it was written just from Kyle’s because the story is truly about him.

“I’ve already claimed my prize.”
“One lawyer, slightly used?”
“One incredible man who’s guided me right into happiness.”
“That’s the corniest thing I’ve ever heard.”

Their love grew from friendship and attraction but they took the “more” part seriously. Neither were ready to rush into anything. So...they courted each other. Yup that’s right, a courtship! Kyle and Seth knew they needed to take it slow because they were both hurting from the hand life had dealt them so this was a total slow build. There wasn’t super heat when they did come together because these two are silly and funny plus life and sex aren’t always like it is in romance novels. It was real and them and I loved it. They were like hot chocolate on a cold day; warming you slowly from head to toe.

Kyle Green is a voice over actor for a popular anime show called Ecos. He also does several more anime series and some romance books.He has made a good living, has a partner of several years Matt and is content with his routine life. Then he has a stroke that leaves him blind and with a condition where he can see some in movement. He misses running and decides to give it a try following the route he walks to the center he attends. He nearly trips over a toy but is caught by another runner Seth.

This was a very good story. I couldn't put it down once I started. It's sad when Kyle has his stroke and watching him fight to get a normal life back I really liked Seth and his strength and also how the authors made him human. He had bad days and good ones.
Seth too has his issues. He has something from his past that makes him not want to date, and he is taking care of his mother with Alzheimers.
I loved learning about Kyles condition and how the vision impaired can live a life alone. It didn't feel all medical. I also liked learning about Voice over acting as well
I liked the fact that he and Matt, His ex stayed friends and the story wasn't all angsty even with the subject matter.

There isn't a lot of sex and what there is comes towards the end of the book. But that doesn't bother me. I love good characters and storylines and this book is chocked full of that.

If you like broken men, Disabilities, sweet romance with little heat and off-page sex, this is for you. I highly recommend this one.