We Don't Break, We Bend by lyricalkris

This review was written by the Beautiful (and Angst Lovin') Snshyne

We Don't Break, We Bend by lyricalkris

Original Author's Description: Even in the darkest times, you might find the kind of love that saves you. Rated M for dark themes.

This fic comes rec'd to me many, many moons ago by the deliciously delightful lambcullen. So, go thank her when you get a moment. I've been reading We Don't Break, We Bend almost from when it started posting. I've been waiting to review it because of the nature of the dark themes, I wanted to be able to give a thorough opinion to you faithful readers of SFFR.

In school, there is always the one kid who wears long sleeves and heavy jeans all the time. Even in the sweltering heat of Summer. The one kid who might unexpectedly go absent for a few days and never invites kids over to play. All so no one will have to know what they suffer through at home. In this fic, there are three: Jasper, Bella and Edward. And all they have is each other.

There's the reality of life that people get into foster care just for the money and not for the kids. And the bully who picks on those who seem weaker than him. James Whitlock is just that kind of guy. A shady and malevolent character wrapped in a towering inferno with a heavy hand, he emotionally battered his already damaged high school girlfriend and then left her once his son Jasper came into the world and took his place on the ladder of importance. Jasper's mother later dies in a car accident leaving him to go and live with his less than reputable father.

Jasper is with James for a couple of years bent to the point of almost breaking when James becomes the foster parent for Edward and Bella. Edward and Bella are already familiar with each other and had already developed a relationship from spending time in the system together, but I'm not telling you how they got there. And although they didn't openly trust Jasper at first, the three of them came to bond over their similar experiences and shared situation. They cling to one another because they only trust each other. James becomes more violent and soon other issues like drug use and attempts at sexual assault come into play. The kids are not in a safe environment at all. However, on the strength of each other, they keep a shred of their sanity in tact.

Enter the Cullens, a sense of normalcy in their chaotic world. Befriended by Alice, the trio spend time at the Cullens house and find that they are adored and cherished, which is hard to process. A small shred of faith in humanity starts to bud within the three mistreated children as they start to look forward to the time they spend in the beautiful big house with the happy family, video games and meals they don't have to fend for themselves. Life isn't all peachy though as they still have to go back to James' house when the more relaxed times are over and fight for their lives.

There's light at the end of the tunnel because we all know how caring, compassionate, and insightful Carlisle and Esme are. LyricalKris does a nice job bringing their subtle natures to the forefront at the height of the drama in the lives of Jasper, Edward and Bella. Being there just when the kids need them the most. Really, harsh issues aside, this story is about three kids who are "legs of a tripod- holding themselves up straight and tall - but if one of them broke then surely they would all fall." It would still be that story without the abuse, negligence, and fear. At the core, it's about friendship, love, trust and survival.

Sadly, with just over 200 reviews, this story is a little known Treasure. Tragic really because LyricalKris does a good job keeping the balance of the dark themes realistic while not being overly done for shock value. We Don't Break, We Bend is nearly complete so if you start now, you won't have to wait long to get to the other side of the mountain so to speak.

Story Link: http://www.fanfiction.net/s/5508413/1/

Twitter: http://twitter.com/lyricalkris

So, What did you think?  Are you reading this story?  I love it when people pull together for each other!  PLEASE leave a comment and let us know you were here and let us know what you are reading right now!!!  Thank you for reading Southern Fan Fiction Review!!!