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4.13 AVERAGE
4.13 AVERAGE
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
fast-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
I wanted more insight into how Xander was managing recovery and his trauma - i do think it was handled very well BUT as he walked the road of managing his anxiety, we spent less and less time with him. I didn't need a 'how-to' from this book but I would have liked a little more detail about his daily efforts and to know how much his feelings changed about medication and talk therapy as the story progressed.
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
sad
fast-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
challenging
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I picked this up as i was looking forward to it. I always appreciate when a story has good mental health representation in it. I think the author did a good job representing what some people's experiences might be like as both the sufferer and as the carer. That being said, I didn't enjoy this one as much as I was hoping to. I understood Xander and empathized with him, and even cheered him on, but I don't think I ever came to like him.
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
sad
medium-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:
Yes
A perfect end to this series, goodbye Bertha ❤️
emotional
funny
hopeful
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
fast-paced
emotional
funny
hopeful
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
This was the first book of this series I read, but after seeing the gorgeous cover, I had to read it. While I definitely think I would have enjoyed the dynamic more had I read the other books in the series, I wasn't lost or confused at all coming into this so late.
Xander is such a sweetheart with so much sass. Saxon did such an amazing job writing his character. I adored him so much but also felt so heartbroken for everything he dealt with. All of his friends were so great with him and so patient, he had a fantastic support group. But as they are growing up and meeting their partners, life is changing and it's scary for Xander. He's happy for his friends, but he doesn't know what this means for him, especially since he can't have the man he wants.
For his part, Derek was great with Xander. He treated him kindly, but didn't coddle him like Xander's friends tended to do. He was patient and sweet. He felt torn, wanting to pursue his own life but feeling stuck by his need to help Xander. I understood what Derek was feeling, but it also was frustrating. He put his entire life on hold for a man he had feelings for, but he wouldn't make the necessary changes to pursue something with Xander.
I did feel like the way that Derek guided Xander to a relationship to make sure they were pursuing each other in a healthy, positive way was really great. He set boundaries and for the most part stuck to them. He gave Xander structure and made sure that they were both in the right headspace. He also learned that he couldn't put everything on hold for Xander and had to give himself permission to pursue his own dreams.
I love Saxon's writing and character development. This was another hit for me and Xander is going to live rent free in my head for a long time.
Xander is such a sweetheart with so much sass. Saxon did such an amazing job writing his character. I adored him so much but also felt so heartbroken for everything he dealt with. All of his friends were so great with him and so patient, he had a fantastic support group. But as they are growing up and meeting their partners, life is changing and it's scary for Xander. He's happy for his friends, but he doesn't know what this means for him, especially since he can't have the man he wants.
For his part, Derek was great with Xander. He treated him kindly, but didn't coddle him like Xander's friends tended to do. He was patient and sweet. He felt torn, wanting to pursue his own life but feeling stuck by his need to help Xander. I understood what Derek was feeling, but it also was frustrating. He put his entire life on hold for a man he had feelings for, but he wouldn't make the necessary changes to pursue something with Xander.
I did feel like the way that Derek guided Xander to a relationship to make sure they were pursuing each other in a healthy, positive way was really great. He set boundaries and for the most part stuck to them. He gave Xander structure and made sure that they were both in the right headspace. He also learned that he couldn't put everything on hold for Xander and had to give himself permission to pursue his own dreams.
I love Saxon's writing and character development. This was another hit for me and Xander is going to live rent free in my head for a long time.