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4.31 AVERAGE
4.31 AVERAGE
out March 7, 2023 - thanks @readforeverpub
There is zero doubt in my mind that Anita Kelly *loves* Alexei + Ben, which led me to absolutely adore their characters and the way their relationship came together.
It's a queer romance with substance - full of self-discovery and reflection. This is a book that carries heavier topics and trauma with heart.
There is zero doubt in my mind that Anita Kelly *loves* Alexei + Ben, which led me to absolutely adore their characters and the way their relationship came together.
It's a queer romance with substance - full of self-discovery and reflection. This is a book that carries heavier topics and trauma with heart.
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
“Alexei felt something returning to himself. Energy. Gratitude. The belief he could keep walking without dying.”
Thank you to NetGalley and Forever for an eARC in exchange for an honest review! Late last year I read Love & Other Disasters by Anita Kelly, and I adored it. But, I loved this one even more.
Alexei is hiking to Pacific Crest Trail as a way to work through some hardships he’s facing. He meets Ben when a snake crosses their path, Alexei stops Ben from getting any closer to it. They keep bumping into each other, and Ben is something Alexei wasn’t ready for.
OH, THIS BOOK.
I will admit that it did take me some time to really get invested, but once I was there I WAS IN. Alexei and Ben both feel so well-developed and their journeys, both separately and together, are so beautiful. When they fall into their routine as they hike is just so pure and lovely.
Alexei has this incredible character growth throughout the book. He’s struggling with his identity after growing up in a situation where he was told being gay was unacceptable. As he comes to terms with who he is, having Ben around him feels important. Ben’s experience has been vastly different, but they have really vulnerable conversations that are so important. Ben opens his life and friends to Alexei, offering him a taste of what his life could be.
Ben is such a sweet character, who has had his own relationship struggles. It’s so great to see him work through his issues, and by the end my heart was bursting with how far he’d come. He also has this incredible support system, with friends who just want to see him happy and healthy. Also, I loved that we got a cameo from Dahlia and London!
I can’t recommend this book enough! It’s beautiful and heartwarming, and I absolutely loved it.
emotional
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
This book was so beautiful. The connection between Ben and Alexei is so lovely and tender but the sexual tension is also impeccable. Alexei’s journey of self-discovery and self-acceptance is heart-breaking in places but a wonder to read. Ben is such a generous, beautiful sweetheart and though his figurative journey to his understanding of what he deserves may seem easier, it’s just as important. The way they support each other throughout is incredible, and the letters towards the end had me sobbing. I just want to hug them both because they are both so deserving of everything they desire and I loved them hugely.
I will say, I do wish I’d read Love and Other Disasters first as there were a lot of characters mentioned with no indication as to who they were at first and I did find this a little confusing but if I’d read that first, it would have been easier to follow. But if it’s anything like this, I can’t wait to read it too.
I will say, I do wish I’d read Love and Other Disasters first as there were a lot of characters mentioned with no indication as to who they were at first and I did find this a little confusing but if I’d read that first, it would have been easier to follow. But if it’s anything like this, I can’t wait to read it too.
I enjoyed this book a lot! It sort of fits in the category of "quiet, not a lot happens". Which, I keep learning, really works for me. It was beautifully written - particularly from Alexei's perspective, where I did a lot of highlighting. And, again, especially from Alexei's POV, there were moments when I could really feel the warmth he was experiencing. Like, I had an actual physical reaction reading it. The connection and the longing (so much longing) between the main characters was so well drawn and I also appreciated the secondary characters. Also, I have been fascinated by long-distance trail hiking since following Alison Cochrun's walk on IG last year so I soaked up every little detail about the logistics and beauty and challenges of walking the PCT. And while overall I like how thoughtful the author was and how they were clearly mindful about intersectionality etc, there were a couple of little choices that didn't sit quite right with me and those are the things that kept me from giving this five stars but, I really did love it and will be doing a re-read in audio at some point and am thinking now I want to check out the author's novellas.
I received a digital Advanced Review Copy from NetGalley and Forever Publishing in exchange for an honest review.
I received a digital Advanced Review Copy from NetGalley and Forever Publishing in exchange for an honest review.
adventurous
emotional
funny
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
thank you to netgalley and the publisher for an earc!
ANITA HAS DONE IT AGAIN!!! they have made me fall head over heels with two mcs and had me going through all the emotions. i absolutely loved this even more than book 1 - i think i could read 1000+ more pages of alexei and ben just doing mundane stuff. this also made me kinda want to go hiking?? although i’m the least outdoorsy person EVER so do with that what you will. i just really enjoyed every second - the emotional journeys both alexei and ben were on were heartbreaking and again, had me feeling all the emotions. i just love them both so much, and i cannot wait for julie’s book!!!
⚠️: homophobia, religion and strict religious upbringing, religious bigotry, toxic relationships (past), panic attacks/disorders, injury/injury detail, death, dementia, homophobic slurs, familial estrangement due to queer identity
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia, Panic attacks/disorders, Toxic relationship, Religious bigotry
Moderate: Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Death, Dementia
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
3.75 ⭐️
2 🌶️
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for a copy of this book to review.
I loved the story of Alexi and Ben. There was a softness to their love story. It was not big gestures but more soft moments that built up to a bigger moment. I liked the hiking aspect and I really loved seeing both of them grow individually and together.
Where I struggled a bit:
- pacing was off a bit and it ended up being a too slow for me and I struggled making it through it only thing that kept me from stopping it was the love I had for the couple.
2 🌶️
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for a copy of this book to review.
I loved the story of Alexi and Ben. There was a softness to their love story. It was not big gestures but more soft moments that built up to a bigger moment. I liked the hiking aspect and I really loved seeing both of them grow individually and together.
Where I struggled a bit:
- pacing was off a bit and it ended up being a too slow for me and I struggled making it through it only thing that kept me from stopping it was the love I had for the couple.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia, Sexual content
adventurous
emotional
lighthearted
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Thank you to Forever for a free review copy. All opinions are my own.
I wasn't sure if I was going to finish this book, because it's been a high pain day regarding my hands, and holding a book has been a bit difficult, but I did it!
And it was well worth it.
Anita Kelly creates such a in-depth world, where you really feel like you're with Alexei and Ben on this adventure. I really enjoyed the dual POVs, and how you get to know each of them seperately.
Ben is such a kind soul. Seeing someone who is Portuguese in literature too, is amazing, and I am so glad it was there. I don't see many Portuguese characters in media at all, so it was refreshing to see this kind and caring Ben.
Alexei has just been thrown out of his family (his parents only, his sister is great), and his church. He was raised in a hardcore religious family, and when he told his family he was gay, they kicked him out. Which, is upsetting to say the least - but sadly expected. Many families will disown their child if they come out of the closet even now.
They both come to the PCT, looking for something specific, but find each other, and the story continues on.
I really loved this book. And I believe if you are reading this review - to go read it. It's so well done, and I am shocked at my audacity sitting so long on not reading Anita Kelly's works of brilliance.
I wasn't sure if I was going to finish this book, because it's been a high pain day regarding my hands, and holding a book has been a bit difficult, but I did it!
And it was well worth it.
Anita Kelly creates such a in-depth world, where you really feel like you're with Alexei and Ben on this adventure. I really enjoyed the dual POVs, and how you get to know each of them seperately.
Ben is such a kind soul. Seeing someone who is Portuguese in literature too, is amazing, and I am so glad it was there. I don't see many Portuguese characters in media at all, so it was refreshing to see this kind and caring Ben.
Alexei has just been thrown out of his family (his parents only, his sister is great), and his church. He was raised in a hardcore religious family, and when he told his family he was gay, they kicked him out. Which, is upsetting to say the least - but sadly expected. Many families will disown their child if they come out of the closet even now.
They both come to the PCT, looking for something specific, but find each other, and the story continues on.
I really loved this book. And I believe if you are reading this review - to go read it. It's so well done, and I am shocked at my audacity sitting so long on not reading Anita Kelly's works of brilliance.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Homophobia
Minor: Death, Toxic relationship
emotional
hopeful
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
This book was so good. Both Ben and Alexei head to the Pacific Crest Trail to deal with some heavy personal stuff - one of them has been disowned by their parents after coming out - so the book does deal with a lot of heavy content and material. That said, it was beautifully written and there were funny (and steamy) moments as well. I loved both characters and Ben’s wonderful family, and of course all the other interesting characters they cross paths with on the PCT!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Religious bigotry
emotional
hopeful
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
5⭐
R for some 🌶️ scenes
The way I loved this book!!!! This will be a top romance favorite of 2023 for me. It spoke to my hiking loving heart but also to the part of me that loves a tender romance. There were also so many small things about Alexei that reminded me of the things I love about my hiker partner that just made me smile.
The Pacific Coast Trail is a perfect backdrop for a love story. Hiking truly bonds people in a way that is so unique and Anita Kelly perfectly captured this as someone who had clearly been a thru hiker. My heart broke so many times for both Alexei and Ben as they dealt with their past hurts, especially Alexei's homophobic parents. And seeing how these two healed both together and separately, including Alexei finding new family and accepting it, was just so satisfying.
This book is truly special. If you love to hike and love romance books, I think you will be just as obsessed with it as I am. I love these two so much and I love how Anita Kelly connects her books together a little bit because I know that means I'll be seeing more of these two in the future. An absolute must read this spring!!
R for some 🌶️ scenes
The way I loved this book!!!! This will be a top romance favorite of 2023 for me. It spoke to my hiking loving heart but also to the part of me that loves a tender romance. There were also so many small things about Alexei that reminded me of the things I love about my hiker partner that just made me smile.
The Pacific Coast Trail is a perfect backdrop for a love story. Hiking truly bonds people in a way that is so unique and Anita Kelly perfectly captured this as someone who had clearly been a thru hiker. My heart broke so many times for both Alexei and Ben as they dealt with their past hurts, especially Alexei's homophobic parents. And seeing how these two healed both together and separately, including Alexei finding new family and accepting it, was just so satisfying.
This book is truly special. If you love to hike and love romance books, I think you will be just as obsessed with it as I am. I love these two so much and I love how Anita Kelly connects her books together a little bit because I know that means I'll be seeing more of these two in the future. An absolute must read this spring!!