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papercranestitches's review against another edition
1.0
*** 1.5 Stars ***
*tosses another book on the "Not for Me" shelf*
I should have known this book wasn't going to be to my tastes when I saw the ridiculous name "Parley" (Parsley? Barley? The poor man's Harley?!) and the heavy religious overtones in the blurb. If only I had paid attention to the signs, I could have saved myself a fairly disappointing reading experience.
Right from the beginning, this book seemed... Unbalanced. I'm so used to books that start in the past and then fast forward to the present being weighted about 15% past/85% present - just enough details in the past to connect the readers to the character, engage our empathy for their inevitable separation, and then fast forward to the good, complicated emotional stuff. But the part of this story told about these MCs as high school students just went on, and on, and on. In fact, it took up exactly half the book. I know other readers may not take issue with this, but I found that it resulted in both halves of the story feeling underdeveloped.
Then there was the issue of the dialogue; it was incredibly stiff. I would have expected a certain formality and stiffness from the sheltered, uber religious MC, but getting it from both main characters (and even some secondary characters later in the story) drew me out of the story. I couldn't see myself or my peers in the characters' shoes, saying the characters' words, and so the dialogue ultimately rang false for me.
Although the characters had some really gushing, tender moments in the last 10% of this book which I appreciated, I never felt as if their high school personas TRULY connected in such a soul deep way that would have made both of them pine after each other for 16 years. Again, the relationship felt artificial or, at the very least, underdeveloped.
And now, if I'm being honest, I've had too much wine to continue my review coherently, so ima gonna leave it here... Just know that while I wouldn't classify this as a terrible book, and I realize that there are probably those readers out there that will 3 or 4 star this book, I can't recommend it to my friends - I know they have more discerning taste than that.
Oooh... That comment was a little more bitchy than constructive. I blame the wine.
*tosses another book on the "Not for Me" shelf*
I should have known this book wasn't going to be to my tastes when I saw the ridiculous name "Parley" (Parsley? Barley? The poor man's Harley?!) and the heavy religious overtones in the blurb. If only I had paid attention to the signs, I could have saved myself a fairly disappointing reading experience.
Right from the beginning, this book seemed... Unbalanced. I'm so used to books that start in the past and then fast forward to the present being weighted about 15% past/85% present - just enough details in the past to connect the readers to the character, engage our empathy for their inevitable separation, and then fast forward to the good, complicated emotional stuff. But the part of this story told about these MCs as high school students just went on, and on, and on. In fact, it took up exactly half the book. I know other readers may not take issue with this, but I found that it resulted in both halves of the story feeling underdeveloped.
Then there was the issue of the dialogue; it was incredibly stiff. I would have expected a certain formality and stiffness from the sheltered, uber religious MC, but getting it from both main characters (and even some secondary characters later in the story) drew me out of the story. I couldn't see myself or my peers in the characters' shoes, saying the characters' words, and so the dialogue ultimately rang false for me.
Although the characters had some really gushing, tender moments in the last 10% of this book which I appreciated, I never felt as if their high school personas TRULY connected in such a soul deep way that would have made both of them pine after each other for 16 years. Again, the relationship felt artificial or, at the very least, underdeveloped.
And now, if I'm being honest, I've had too much wine to continue my review coherently, so ima gonna leave it here... Just know that while I wouldn't classify this as a terrible book, and I realize that there are probably those readers out there that will 3 or 4 star this book, I can't recommend it to my friends - I know they have more discerning taste than that.
Oooh... That comment was a little more bitchy than constructive. I blame the wine.
suze_1624's review against another edition
3.0
A fairly quick paced read that covers a lot of controversial issues without preaching but definitely engaging the reader's feelings.
The first half of the book is when Parley and Zach are at high school, Parley tutoring Zach. Their friendship develops over the months, with both having deep feelings for the other. Their ill-formed plan to run away comes to its inevitable conclusion but it is the glimpses of Parley's youth and the consequences that he suffers that are terrible.
We miss the interveneing 16 years, which in Parley's case is a blessing though because of what has happened he has ultimaately had a more travelled life.
Zach returned to their get away village fairly quickly and has built a successful if lonely life. Their meet cute reunion is quite emotional, especially with the characters that they have both gathered along the way.
They didn't come across as 30+ men but the circumstances of their parting have obviously scarred both of them let alone the interveneing times.
Parley is too forgiving of his family in my opinion but he is a better person! I would have loved to see how his parents react to Zach again.
3.5*
The first half of the book is when Parley and Zach are at high school, Parley tutoring Zach. Their friendship develops over the months, with both having deep feelings for the other. Their ill-formed plan to run away comes to its inevitable conclusion but it is the glimpses of Parley's youth and the consequences that he suffers that are terrible.
We miss the interveneing 16 years, which in Parley's case is a blessing though because of what has happened he has ultimaately had a more travelled life.
Zach returned to their get away village fairly quickly and has built a successful if lonely life. Their meet cute reunion is quite emotional, especially with the characters that they have both gathered along the way.
They didn't come across as 30+ men but the circumstances of their parting have obviously scarred both of them let alone the interveneing times.
Parley is too forgiving of his family in my opinion but he is a better person! I would have loved to see how his parents react to Zach again.
3.5*
anitalouise's review
4.0
I absolutely loved the first half of the book - Parley was raised by a family who lived in a religious compound. His family had very strong beliefs including, of course, homosexuality. Parley and Zach meet in school when Zach, who is failing math, has to raise his scores in order to play soccer. Parley is asked to tutor him. They become friends. The build-up of the friendship between the two boys juxtaposed against Parley's upbringing and family give you a sense foreboding that all will not end well with these boys. And sadly, it doesn't. Oh I sobbed. We fast forward 16 years. Now the length of time it took to straighten out the confusion with Veronica and Parley went on a little too long. I was yelling at my Kindle - SOMEBODY WAKE UP, ALL IS NOT AS IT SEEMS!!! In addition, I wanted a little more backstory on the Emma, Veronica and the kids situation. And I didn't like Tessa, Zach's assistant. Very annoying. One of those brittle women that contributed to my decision not to read M/F books anymore. Anyway, it ends in a lovely HEA.
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