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dreamerfreak's review
emotional
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcohol, Homophobia, Cursing, Transphobia, Racism, Alcoholism, and Outing
awildbrady's review
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
kaje_harper's review
4.0
This is a low-key realistic story of two young men in their first year out of high school. As the story opens, Charlie is out to only two people in his life - his flamboyant transgender cousin Morocco, and the neighborhood guy whom he sometimes gives blow jobs, (because a litttle sex is better than none.) He's working in a video game store, doing a little art for fun, and drifting. He has no real image of where he wants his life to go, and his lack of school success and a disruptive stutter have convinced him not to aim too high. He has supportive family, but in the bosom of the Ambrose clan, even Morocco in her dresses gets deadnamed and called "he", and Charlie has no intention of ever coming out.
Jed is just about as adrift, although he's in college. His pushy older brother Kent has convinced him to join a frat and pursue a business degree, and Jed isn't out to anyone at all. Choosing rugby over soccer is the closest he's come to rebelling against following in his brother's footsteps. But no amount of incentives, teasing or prompting from Kent is going to make Jed straight. Somehow he's determined to transform his college experience into a discovery of something more, something real. If only he can figure out what he wants.
This book is the definition of slow burn. The guys barely lay eyes on each other for something like half the book, as we take turns seeing them living their lives. When they do meet, there is a fast spark and the romance part takes off.
I enjoyed the realism of this story, the fact that both guys had sex when it was offered before they met, even without a romantic component. That felt like what I'd expect in this situation. I liked Morocco and her courage, enthusiasm, and the way that her situation illuminated a common reaction to LGBTQ family members. One of the painfully frequent responses of homophobic/transphobic or religious families is to pretend not to see what is plain in front of them. Not to explode and throw a gay or trans person out, as long as nothing is "pushed in their face", but to treat the LGBTQ as if it doesn't exist, while continuing to include the person in family affairs. One of Charlie's most difficult tasks will be deciding how much he'll need to fly his gay flag in the face of his family, to find the life he needs.
This is the third book in the series, but I think it stands alone well. Those who read the one before will recognize Pete, the guy Jed hooks up with. However I don't think that's essential to reading Jed's story. It's generally low-key, with a little drama, but no melodrama. The plot is driven by watching how two young gay men come of age, and address both their own needs and their roles in the larger community. I recommend this book and series to those who have a soft spot for the fumblings of first relationships, and seeing young men learn to have confidence, and pride, in who they are.
Jed is just about as adrift, although he's in college. His pushy older brother Kent has convinced him to join a frat and pursue a business degree, and Jed isn't out to anyone at all. Choosing rugby over soccer is the closest he's come to rebelling against following in his brother's footsteps. But no amount of incentives, teasing or prompting from Kent is going to make Jed straight. Somehow he's determined to transform his college experience into a discovery of something more, something real. If only he can figure out what he wants.
This book is the definition of slow burn. The guys barely lay eyes on each other for something like half the book, as we take turns seeing them living their lives. When they do meet, there is a fast spark and the romance part takes off.
I enjoyed the realism of this story, the fact that both guys had sex when it was offered before they met, even without a romantic component. That felt like what I'd expect in this situation. I liked Morocco and her courage, enthusiasm, and the way that her situation illuminated a common reaction to LGBTQ family members. One of the painfully frequent responses of homophobic/transphobic or religious families is to pretend not to see what is plain in front of them. Not to explode and throw a gay or trans person out, as long as nothing is "pushed in their face", but to treat the LGBTQ as if it doesn't exist, while continuing to include the person in family affairs. One of Charlie's most difficult tasks will be deciding how much he'll need to fly his gay flag in the face of his family, to find the life he needs.
This is the third book in the series, but I think it stands alone well. Those who read the one before will recognize Pete, the guy Jed hooks up with. However I don't think that's essential to reading Jed's story. It's generally low-key, with a little drama, but no melodrama. The plot is driven by watching how two young gay men come of age, and address both their own needs and their roles in the larger community. I recommend this book and series to those who have a soft spot for the fumblings of first relationships, and seeing young men learn to have confidence, and pride, in who they are.
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