CLAIMING EDEN – EDEN SERIES by KELE MOON

 “He won’t hurt her. He doesn’t know how to hurt her.”

*This CANNOT be read as a standalone* – You must read this series (in chronological order – not the published reading order) as follows:  Finding Eden then Claiming Eden followed by Beyond Eden in order to read the series as intended and get the full benefit of an incredible series that will touch every part of your heart. The Eden series is hard to read but it’s fundamentally emotionally driven meaning aspects of the story become secondary to the mental and emotional torment of love and the self.

“I want him to be proud of me.”

“Your father is not a role model. He’s an abuser who beat a little boy so hard for so long he grew up thinking the only way to be loved is to have the shit kicked out of him.”

We read this series years ago yet still remember it with aching hearts and tears in our eyes. So, to say we were apprehensive yet eager to start reading Claiming Eden is an understatement. Paul, Danny and Eve have owned our hearts ever since we met them; their story so heart breaking, passionate and unusually romantic. Their journey is not easy rather it is fraught with pain and searing love. So many tears!

Danny loves Paul with all his heart and he knows he’ll never get that love and tenderness completely returned as Paul wants him to carry on and emulate a childhood indoctrination of pain equals love.

‘Devoted slave and loyal best friend was as close as they would ever get.’

Again, the story of Paul broke our hearts once more as much as it did the first time. We absolutely have no doubts at all that Paul loves Danny, but the nature of his love does not necessarily mirror Danny’s love for Paul and this is so fucking sad. The lengths Danny goes to in order to protect, love and keep Paul safe is heart-breaking. Danny boy craves and ultimately needs the softness and tenderness to make up for the unbearable pain giving yet his necessary struggle and incessant want to be what Paul needs makes his sacrifice so much more evident. Paul and Danny – best friends from childhood; their love is immeasurable yet heartbreakingly unalike.

‘He lost Paul in those tender moments when Danny wanted to hold him instead of hurt him. Love him instead of insult him.’

We hope with all our hearts that Kele Moon decides to write more which takes us to the time after Beyond Eden. Claiming Eden opened up old wounds from when we read this series last and the only healing grace would be more from Paul, Danny and Eve.