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suze_1624's review
4.0
This story falls somewhere between 3.5/4* for me - parts were truly engrossing, most was very entertaining and some were a bit of a non entity for me.
The story covers the burgeoning romance between Simon and Thomas, starting from working local events together. The story is from Simon's perspective and whilst his life is fairly stable, he does have to help Thomas navigate more trouble in his. Thomas has more trauma - losing his parents, having to parent his sister, breaking into some success as a band, dealing with chronic illness, dealing with mental illness. Though strangely I didn't feel for him as much as I did for Simon.
The parts delaing with both men handling Thomas' epilepsy and depression were very well done, not over the top but moving all the same.
The writing style definitely drew me into the story more than the content, though I did enjoy the adjustments they made. I think for me only seeing Simon's side put me off of their actual relationship.
Though I just love the cover - and the boots do become a theme in the book too!
The story covers the burgeoning romance between Simon and Thomas, starting from working local events together. The story is from Simon's perspective and whilst his life is fairly stable, he does have to help Thomas navigate more trouble in his. Thomas has more trauma - losing his parents, having to parent his sister, breaking into some success as a band, dealing with chronic illness, dealing with mental illness. Though strangely I didn't feel for him as much as I did for Simon.
The parts delaing with both men handling Thomas' epilepsy and depression were very well done, not over the top but moving all the same.
The writing style definitely drew me into the story more than the content, though I did enjoy the adjustments they made. I think for me only seeing Simon's side put me off of their actual relationship.
Though I just love the cover - and the boots do become a theme in the book too!
kaje_harper's review
4.0
This book has a couple of components which give it personal appeal for me. It's set in the 1980s which was my college era too, and I actually spent a year at the University of Washington in Seattle, where part of the book is set. So it has a significant nostalgic resonance. (And a great cover!)
Simon, the narrator, is a genuinely nice guy, intuitive, intelligent, and realistic in his capabilities and desires. The book begins as a fairly typical M/M romance - he lusts after unknown guy (Thomas, a singer), then manages one sensually-described encounter with unknown guy, following which they don't meet again for some time. Then when they do, sparks fly. But as the story unfolds, their relationship develops its own unique path.
There were a few moments where my heart ached for Simon, and the completely-justified pain he felt dealing with the mercurial singer that he loved. Those were the highlights of the book - I love a story that can make me feel for the characters. Thomas was also interesting, a good guy, under stress and doing his best, despite the times I wanted to smack him.
Part of the appeal of a story set in the eighties also contributed to its slower moments, though. Thomas tours with his band, and for extended periods, in this pre-cellphone, pre-Skype, pre-email era, they have no contact with each other and no conversations. This sets the rhythm of relationship difficulties for these two men, but also results in long expository stretches. At those times there is a distance to the story that contrasts with its more appealing and engrossing moments. The book picks up significantly in its second half, but still occasionally fills in too much time in one extended stretch.
The guys' relationship has two main obstacles. The first is due to the realities of a musician on long tours. The second is more unique to this story, and in my opinion handled well. Not extreme, not angsty, yet not underplayed either. The author found what felt like a realistic route through the difficult times in these guys' lives, and not the most obvious one. This is mainly a slow, sweet unfolding of a relationship, with a little unique twist.
Simon, the narrator, is a genuinely nice guy, intuitive, intelligent, and realistic in his capabilities and desires. The book begins as a fairly typical M/M romance - he lusts after unknown guy (Thomas, a singer), then manages one sensually-described encounter with unknown guy, following which they don't meet again for some time. Then when they do, sparks fly. But as the story unfolds, their relationship develops its own unique path.
There were a few moments where my heart ached for Simon, and the completely-justified pain he felt dealing with the mercurial singer that he loved. Those were the highlights of the book - I love a story that can make me feel for the characters. Thomas was also interesting, a good guy, under stress and doing his best, despite the times I wanted to smack him.
Part of the appeal of a story set in the eighties also contributed to its slower moments, though. Thomas tours with his band, and for extended periods, in this pre-cellphone, pre-Skype, pre-email era, they have no contact with each other and no conversations. This sets the rhythm of relationship difficulties for these two men, but also results in long expository stretches. At those times there is a distance to the story that contrasts with its more appealing and engrossing moments. The book picks up significantly in its second half, but still occasionally fills in too much time in one extended stretch.
The guys' relationship has two main obstacles. The first is due to the realities of a musician on long tours. The second is more unique to this story, and in my opinion handled well. Not extreme, not angsty, yet not underplayed either. The author found what felt like a realistic route through the difficult times in these guys' lives, and not the most obvious one. This is mainly a slow, sweet unfolding of a relationship, with a little unique twist.
squirrely007's review
3.0
The narration made it hard to really fall into this book. I never felt like I got to know Thomas. 2.5 stars
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