A Long Way Back (Unfinished Business #2) by Barbara Elsborg

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A serious accident may have left Tay’s body broken, but he’s determined to live an independent life at any cost. Except he’s barely coping. Alone and isolated in London, his only solace comes from the pain numbing drugs he’s become addicted to.

Ink’s on the run. He keeps his head low, but London streets don’t feel safe. The only way to stay under the radar is to keep moving and not let anyone or anything get close. But the stray mutt that’s latched onto Ink has other ideas.

A chance encounter and Ink’s bungled attempt to free himself from his four-legged companion leads to the offer of a job as a live-in helper. Tay’s moody and difficult, but he’s also scared and vulnerable, and Ink finds himself saying yes when he should be saying no.

Can Tay and Ink find a clear path on the road towards true love, or will their broken lives prove to be one roadblock too many?
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This book ends at approximately the same point as The Making of Jonty Bloom, the first in the Unfinished Business series. Both books can be read as standalones, but for optimum enjoyment, reading in order is best.

This book has some dark elements—bullying, death of a minor, violence, terrorism, drug addiction but there is still humour! And more of Jonty. 

My Rating - 4.5 Stars!

Barbara Elsborg's A Long Way Back is a wonderful hurt/comfort read. The second book in the Unfinished Business series, it's a beautiful story. 

We met Tay in The Making of Jonty Bloom and learned how he came to be injured, as well as all he endured. I struggled in the beginning, as after falling for Tay in Jonty's story, I was upset about their distance in this story. Okay, fine, not just upset, but actually extremely disappointed and devastated. So it took me a while to get past that. 

As for Tay and Ink, wow, just wow. Both men are complex, not fully living. Their lives are messy and their road to love isn't easy. 

Tay has his recovery, his parents' hovering, and the loss of his best friend to deal with. It's heartbreaking and not an easy read. 

As for Ink, his backstory is a mystery for much of the book, but the reader is fully aware that he is running from something, through no choice of his own. And damn, when things are revealed, my heart broke all over again. The poor young man was robbed of his youth and I just wanted to hug and protect him. 

Honestly, I am impressed with the way the author handles both men's journeys, with care, compassion, and heart. Both faced horrific experiences and the author brings them from hell to happiness in a compelling manner.  

There are some serious trigger warning for this book, so take head. As stated in the blurb "This book has some dark elements—bullying, death of a minor, violence, terrorism, drug addiction but there is still humour!"

The writing is wonderful and the characters will quickly wind their way into your heart. The author takes them on a tough yet worthwhile journey to get to a happy ending. These are two men who help one another find a purpose in life again, who find happiness and love with one another. 

There's some humor along the way, but in general, the tone of this story is heavy. But when there is humor, it definitely reminds me of the zaniness in Jonty's book. Just some light-hearted fun as a result of an unique  personality.

A Long Way Back isn't an easy read, but it's a good one. Barbara Elsborg once again takes the reader on a powerful journey and consumes them throughout. This is the perfect book the next time you're in the mood for two broken men healing one another through love.