Possible Trigger Warnings: Depression, Physical & Emotional Violence
Daniel Whitlock had been a sleepwalker since he was a boy. He would walk and talk like he was awake, but he is actually asleep. He never remembers anything he does during these episodes, and it has gotten him in a plethora of various troubles over the years. During one of his sleepwalks he made a questionable comment to another man in the town, Kenny Cooper. Kenny attacks Daniel at a later date when Daniel is awake, and brutally beats him nearly to death. No charges are filed even though “everyone” knows Kenny and his friends were responsible. another night while sleepwalking he sets fire to Kenny’s house with Kenny still inside causing Kenny's death. The story takes place several years after this event occurred. Daniel went to prison despite his defense lawyer arguing he was sleepwalking. He's not popular in the small town as everyone feels he got off too easy and thinks the sleepwalking is fabricated. He's shunned as the town freak...his friends (?) harass him...and Daniel hides, alone in his cabin. Do you wonder that Daniel is depressed? Daniel can no longer trust himself to sleep...he fears it like the plague and feels that he'll be trapped, and when his body and brain win out and he does fall asleep, he again sleepwalks to the extent that he, in desperation, chains himself to his bed. The narrow-minded people in the town, including Daniel’s parents frustrated me. So much kept happening to Daniel even though he tried so hard to stay out of trouble. Then we, and Daniel meets Bel who comes rolling into Daniels life and becomes his rock, his mainstay, his friend...his only friend...and maybe his lover as Daniel and Bel tries to start a relationship. It’s hard, especially for Bel, to know that their relationship has some really hard boundaries. Bel isn't entirely convinced that Daniel is truly sleepwalking in the beginning, but the more he sees, the more he believes. Daniel behaves like another person when he's walking in his sleep; he becomes bolder, and much more seductive. Bel knows before they can begin to have a true relationship, he first has to do something about Daniel destructive thoughts of wanting to punish himself for what he has done. I felt so sorry for Daniel and absolutely loved Bel. The audio is done by Greg Tremblay who is one of my favorites. His narration of this book is nothing short fantastic, making the story, and the character come alive. He makes you can feel how the characters feel, their desperation, their frustration, and their love and relief. The story will leave you drained, for lack of a better description...but at the same time you won't allow yourself to stop until you know every last detail. ( )

3.5 stars ( )

CW: self-harm, violent homophobia, suicidal ideation

Daniel sleepwalks and does horrible things to himself--and once to someone else--while he's asleep. He's desperate to find a way to control himself when he's not awake and looks for someone into bondage to help with with that. Cop Joe Belman doesn't have much of an opinion of Daniel. Just like the rest of their small town, he can't get past the murder Daniel committed and got off light for because it occurred while Daniel was asleep. Until he encounters Daniel during one of his self-destructive rages while sleepwalking--and then he's intrigued and eventually finds himself trying to give Daniel what he needs and beginning to fall for him. This romance novel is dark, but (for me at least) knowing that it would have a happy ending (because it is a romance novel) means that I was able to get through it and never descended into the kind of dread this subject matter would likely spawn in another genre. And the character development and eventual love between Daniel and Bel made some aspects of the reading experience almost cozy and certainly wonderful--which is exactly what I want from a romance. So, recommended, but do note the content warnings. ( )

4.5 stars.

When All the World Sleeps by Lisa Henry and J.A. Rock is a gritty and intense journey of healing and self-acceptance. This novel is quite riveting with incredibly complex, appealing characters and a refreshing, unique storyline. It is also an extraordinarily moving romance between two unlikely lovers that flourishes despite some very overwhelming odds.

Daniel Whitlock's life in his small hometown has never been easy but following his release from prison, it is almost unbearable. With no one believing he has no control over his actions when he is sleepwalking, Daniel lives in seclusion and keeps to himself as much as he possibly can. Unable to trust himself, Daniel goes to extreme lengths to keep from leaving his cabin, but these methods are far from foolproof. One night while he is sleepwalking, he crosses paths with local cop Joe "Bel" Belmont. Bel literally saves Daniel's life and sets them on a course that will either break them or ultimately set them free.

Bel is conflicted by his contradictory emotions where Daniel is concerned. Like many of the townspeople, he discounts the sleepwalking theory and generally agrees that Daniel got away with murder. All of that changes as he gets to know Daniel and witnesses the torture he goes through night after night. Daniel only knows one way to achieve a semblance of peace, and although he is out of his depth, Bel reluctantly gives in to Daniel's pleas to help him. Daniel cedes all control to Bel and through bondage and sometimes, pain, Daniel's life becomes calmer and much easier to manage.

There is a BDSM element to When All the World Sleeps, but this is not a typical D/s novel. Daniel uses pain and bondage to help manage his sleepwalking so there is definitely a degree of kink to their relationship. While Bel has dominate tendencies, he is uncomfortable taking complete charge of Daniel and he is reluctant to cause Daniel any pain. While these techniques are effective, Bel realizes that this not a healthy way to manage Daniel's problems and they begin to explore other alternatives to help Daniel cope.

When All the World Sleeps is full of raw emotion and real life problems, but overall, there is very little angst. Daniel's struggles to come to terms with his hurt, guilt, anger, sorrow and regret are realistically and poignantly depicted. Bel's reactions, thoughts and doubts are believable and it is easy to sympathize with his confusion over whether or not he handling Daniel's problems correctly. Lisa Henry and J.A. Rock bring the story to a heartfelt conclusion that is absolutely perfect for Bel, Daniel and their future. ( )

This was a very hard read, what was done to Daniel and what he did, were at times difficult to see, but the authors did an amazing job of bringing all the dark and uncomfortable things as well as the beauty that was inside both Daniel and Bel. Highly recommended. ( )