A excellent read from start to finish.Not read anything from this author before.Would recommend to anyone who likes mystery novels.Well written and a unique way to keep you on edge.Will keep my eye out for more from this writer.

Damage was a brilliant, if occasionally difficult (due to the subject) book to read. It gave a realistic account of rape and the subsequent fallout, especially with the victim being male. I was gripped till the end.

I was sent a copy of this book for an honest review. It was an interesting idea, and I read the book right through. I didn't fully enjoy the style of writing, but I did relate to the characters. Not sure it was totally my cup of tea but thank you.

#Damage #Netgalley

Thank you to Netgalley, the publisher and Caitlin Wahrer for an ARC in return for an honest review.

I find it really refreshing to see a male being a victim of sexual assault in a novel, unfortunately it is very unreported in the news and media. Men are victims of sexual assault too.

This is an outstanding book. I can’t recommend it enough. Caitlin Wahrer is certainly an author to watch. I’ll be recommending this book to all my friends once it’s released.

Damage is a tense and highly emotional psychological drama, about a horrific attack that changes one family dynamic forever

Caitlin Wahrer manages her plot with great sensitivity whilst also making it extraordinarily compelling, her characters are as real as you or I and each facet of the story is nuanced whilst also addictive.

It's a delicate line to walk in fiction and is pitch perfect here, many sides shown from the investigation to the aftermath, there are natural twists and turns that play into the wider theme and overall this was a most excellent if disturbing read that I highly recommend

I was gripped by this novel until it got to 2/3 of the way in and then I felt that it started to ramble on a bit. It has a great beginning. A young man, lacking confidence, is charmed by a good looking older man in a bar and goes to a motel with him. The violent attack and rape of the younger man is the central event of the story but much of the book is more about the relationships within his family, Tony, his older brother, Julia, Tony's wife and his abusive childhood.
It's a good plot and the characters are believable but the final reveal is just a bit too long winded.
3.5 stars for a good debut novel.

Such a gripping drama. The words were flowing and it was quick to read but definitely not easy
I have never read a book with male rape as subject. It was interesting and captivating, suspenseful and smartly written

I wasn’t too sure what to expect from this book, especially as the start is a bit dragged out. There was some mystery to it with the first chapter happening years after the event and alluding to things that had happened previously. It stalled a bit then for a while but I thought that the writer does a great job with addressing the subject of male sexual assault, it’s not something that seems to be written about very often and I liked how there was focus on different characters feelings towards it and some of the attitudes and stereotypes that people can have towards it.

Readable and thoughtful, with lots to think about. I love multilayered books like this where the crime in a crime novel, isn't necessarily the center of the story.

Thanks to Netgalley for the chance to read this.

A really different book focused more on the ripple effect from rape on the victim's entourage. This book also deals with male on male rape and touches on an underdiscussed issue in our society which is still associated with shame and silence. The writing is empathic without becoming heavy and the story is quite riveting letting you become involved with each of the characters on a different level. I did not expect this book to be what it is, nor did I expect to like it that much. A slow burner which definitely delivers the right amount of drama and tension.

A great debut novel dealing with the subject of male rape, something I never came across in a book so far. It discusses both the effects on Nick and his family, making it a very compelling and emotional read. I'd definitely recommend it and looking forward to reading more by Caitlin.

Thanks to NetGalley and Penguin Michael Joseph for this arc copy of Damage

Set in Maine, America, Caitlin Wahrers gripping debut novel deals with the rarely written about subject of male rape. It focuses not only on the brutal act itself upon Nick, a young college student, who meets his attacker one night in a bar and later consensually visits his hotel room, but also explores the aftermath of this violence on members of Nick's family; his older brother Tony and Tony's wife Julia. The story interweaves, using flashbacks from the present day (2019), to 2015 when the rape occurs, these three different points of view alongside that of the lead detective in the case, John Rice.

I was hooked into this story from the outset. Not only by the issues within this book, which although tough to read, are dealt with sensitively rather than for gratuitous effect, but also by the four main characters, that are fully and genuinely drawn by Wahrer. The multi-handed narrative enables the reader to get to know these characters in depth, and whilst the build up of tension is a 'slow burn', in this way, it connects the reader to how it must feel as a victim, waiting for the ever slow turning wheels of justice.

'Damage' also shines a critical light on the way social media can be used, and misused, to manipulate the way court cases and those involved with them, are portrayed to the wider community. We live in a time where through social media, defendants (and in this book, their family also) can publically promote their version of events and publically discredit their accusers, regardless of any court proceedings. All of this attention adds to the ongoing distress of Nick and his family. I 'felt all the feels' reading this book and it left me reflecting on 'How far would I go to protect MY brother?'

I really enjoy novels that get me thinking and 'Damage' both engages and educates the reader. Its intelligent twists drive the plot forward and I didn't foresee how the final scenes would play out!

I really enjoyed this debut novel and would highly recommend it!

Thanks to #NetGalley and Penguin Michael Joseph for this arc copy of #Damage

I was drawn into this story right from the start. It is about a horrific crime which does make difficult reading but it is well told. The story is told in two timelines so early on the reader is aware that all is not quite as it seems but the story keeps you guessing all the way through. The characters are strong and believable and their interaction is excellent. The pressure that the crime has on all the family, what they feel and how they react. The story kept me gripped and guessing right to the end.

When first reading I wondered where it was going . The story unravels and shows a deep visceral relationship between the three main characters Julia, Tony and Nick. Family means everything . Full of suspense and excitement , questioning along the way .Did the attack happen as Nick remembered or was there more too it. Kept me guessing until the end .

An excellent book that is written in a style of writing I love. It was easy to follow, switched between characters very well. Well rounded relatable characters. I did find Nick annoying at times though in reactions. Not the emotional reactions etc but his dialogue.



This is a very tricky book to read. It may contain subject matter that may cause emotional upset.
But if you are a realist like myself, facing things straight on, getting through it will bring you out the other side. That’s not to say, my decision is your acceptance.

Non of these emotive topics have I personally been through but one significant issue I had a friend go through.

Tony is Nicks brother. His protector and friend who is married to Julia.

The blurb makes no hidden fact that Nick is gay and has been attacked and raped.
When Tony hears of this he is, quite understandably shocked; hurt; and wants of course say and do the right things to support his brother.

Tony becomes obsessed with this case.

So as the blurb says....
Three ordainary people getting on with they’re ordainary lives, until an earth shattering event changes the dynamics of all of their lives.

My only critique would be that certain aspects of this story was too drawn out. If it were on audio I would have sped it up in parts. Some parts were repetitive too.

A 3.5 * I liked it, but I could have loved it.

A good story and really enjoyable. But unfortunately a bit confusing. This may have been because it was still in draft format and not properly formatted, but it was difficult to know when you were reading in the past and the present. And also difficult to understand what the purpose of the meeting was with the detective and the female lead - what did it accomplish, other than to tell the story. However, putting that aside, it was a good story and it was well written, and with a surprising end. It could have gone more in depth into the victim and what happened, but other than that, a good story.

Set in small town America ,Damage is a book about male rape and the effect it has on the victims family ,friends and of course the victim .It is a slow burner sometimes distressing but the subject is treated very sensitively but nonetheless it is a tough read probably not for everyone .Many thanks to the Publisher the Author and NetGalley for my copy in return for an honest review .

A sensitively written book about the sexual assault of a young man and the aftermath of how he and his family try and deal with it afterwards. This deeply explores family loyalties and the lengths that people will go to to protect their own and the complex relationships and interdependencies.
The premise of this book was excellent and very well executed, I did, however, find it a little slow in places but you could argue that was allowing time to build up the familiarity and understanding of the various characters.
The ending was (slightly) surprising and definitely memorable and the story was very thought provoking. Recommend.

I received a copy of this from the publisher Penguin Michael Joseph, and Netgalley in return for an honest review.

I really enjoyed this book. I wasn’t sure where it was going to go and it took a few turns before it got to the end, this was a good thing as it kept me guessing for a while!

The story is told from a few different points of view. There is Nick, Tony, Julia and Detective Rice. I really felt for Nick the whole way through the story. The first thing that caught my attention about this book was the male sexual assault storyline, it’s not something I think I remember reading in a book before. So this piqued my interest. Poor Nick, the trauma he endured and was going through afterwards was awful and my heart really went out to him.

Julia I liked, she is a strong woman and knows what she wants. She is Tony’s wife, and Nicks sister in law. Tony was a strange one. I liked his character and the caring nature behind him, but he was easy to snap. I can’t imagine I wouldn’t feel the same though, so I understand his anger and frustration. Detective Rice was one to figure out too, he seems sneaky and underhanded.

The story has so much hurt in it, sadness and love. It digs deep into relationships with marriage and family. I’d definitely read more from his author.

Thank again to Penguin Michael Joseph, and Caitlin Wahrer for my early copy of the book!

The last thing Nick remembers is going back to a hotel room with the handsome, charming stranger he met at the bar. Then - nothing until he wakes up, alone, bleeding and violated. When Nick reports his rape, his over-protective brother, Tony, is beside himself. He has always been a father figure to Nick, and the fact that he hasn't been able to protect his brother leaves him devastated and reeling. And Julia, Tony's wife is worried about both brothers. Can Tony let justice take its course? And will Nick ever be able to recover?

I'm always a fan of a dual narrative, and enjoyed the way this novel switches between past and the present, where Julia is sitting with the detective who investigated Nick's case, and the two are looking back on the events of Nick's assault and the consequences, with more and more of the story being gradually revealed.

The novel is at times very dark, but I also found it sensitively written, and realistic, with the central characters developed beautifully, flaws and all. I would definitely recommend this book, and am looking forward to reading more by this author.

Thank you to NetGalley, and to the publisher, who provided me with a free ARC copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.