Tainted Memories by Autumn Winchester

Tainted Memories is a exceptional dark story. The trigger warnings need to be heeded. This story is both memorable and emotional. It is almost like the author is reporting on events that made me cry and want to scream.

From the blurb:

Sidney lost everything. His memories, his hope, and his life. He was the lowest he could possibly go. There was nothing to keep him going, to keep trying to live. His ex took it all from him. Every piece of his life.

Will he ever get that part of him back?

Through all of Sidney’s struggles with anxiety and amnesia, his friends don’t give up on him. Not even when he pushes them away every time someone dares to get close.

But one person in particular may be the only one who can get through the stubborn boy.

If he allows the help to overcome the PTSD of the domestic violence, just maybe Sidney can have a new normal after all the suffering he’s endured.

Tainted Memories is a dark read that features domestic violence, asexual labels, bdsm themes, PTSD and a few other trigger warning topics. So be aware of your own mental health before picking up this book to read. If you enjoy such things, then maybe have a box of tissues next to you so you can dry your tears.

Reedkaye's Review:

This is the first story I’ve read by this author and I feel it is exceptional. It deals with so many issues and emotions. I feel it will take me a while to get over this story. If you have triggers, you really need to heed them.  

I can’t say enough about how the author told this story as if reporting actual events. They are raw and terrifying but so possible to what can really happen. This deals with domestic and sexual abuse. There is PTSD, dark thoughts, panic attacks and results of a military attack gone bad.  

Sidney thought he found a relationship that would be his happy forever until it changed and was anything but. Now he is faced with dealing with trauma, lost memories and no hope. He feels like his daily struggle to survive is more trouble than it is worth. He has no feelings of self worth and his thoughts press him to believe his life is no value to him nor anyone else. He almost believes he deserved what happened to him and has no hope for the future he had planned. Then situations bring Kingsley into Sidney’s life. This doesn’t start out well and there is little hope of anything getting better.  Kingsley really just wants to help Sidney, but nothing he does appears to give him that chance.

Kingsley has issues of his own. He has PTSD and while in the military his group was attacked, causing him more than physical pain. He has his share of problems but has promised his brother Levi, Sidney’s childhood friend, he would do his best to watch over Sidney.  

Rating: 5 Stars

Tainted Memories is available to buy as an ebook or to read with Kindle Unlimited subscription.