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A review by sarahbythebook
Pit Stop by Ellis Mae
adventurous
emotional
funny
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
There are not enough words to express my love for this story, but I will do my best.
Pit Stop is a tender love story between two complex characters. It is about platonic love and familial love and even community love. It is so much more than just a romance.
One of the strongest elements of this book is its characters. The two leading men, John and Isamu, come from wildly different backgrounds and experiences, with John coming from a background of poverty and having basically raised himself and Isamu coming from a loving home and comfortable life. Both have faced extreme challenges: John lost his mother and effectively his father, he is a caretaker to a dying man, and he works at least two jobs and is in school full time on top of all the activism he does. And did I mention the photography? Isamu is a recently returned army veteran (to get his citizenship because he's from an immigrant family) with PTSD, a new prosthetic, and a service dog named Inu, his father is about to join his mother halfway around the world, and he has no real set plans for his future. Also, we love a man who can cook.
John and Isamu are joined by Aaliyah and Gonzalez, John and Isamu's best friends respectively who just so happen to be dating one another. They are both well-developed characters in their own right, with compelling backstories, anxieties, and cares. Aaliyah is a brilliant, no-nonsense electrical engineering major helping John lead a trans rights protest on their college campus during finals week. Gonzalez is a fun-loving psych major who helps lighten everyone else's loads despite the weight he himself carries.
And then you have both John and Isamu's fathers, who don't feature often but who are pivotal to each young man's story. And despite their shortcomings or missteps, you can't help but love them by the end.
Through PTSD-related panic attacks, homecooked meals, van renovation, and political activities, John tries to protect his heart while Isamu loses his so quickly. With a touch of forced proximity and some kind-hearted meddling from their friends, John learns that sometimes it's okay to open yourself up to other people and that not all dogs are bad, and Isamu learns that running away to the mountains may not be the best plan ever and that the way to a man's heart is indeed through his stomach.
Pit Stop is not a light read. It isn't a silly goofy romance to lose yourself in for a while. It has hard-hitting moments of reality right alongside its sweet, tender moments. There are discussions of racism, mental health, alcoholism, parental death and abandonment, family expectations, and more. These characters confront bigotry, ableism, and their own fears and failings. They feel real, and yet more so. They are able to face their challenges by relying on one another, even when that's uncomfortable for some of them (cough John cough). This book is an account of finding love even in the hard times, the scary times, and it is beautiful. It's got a good balanced of the heartfelt and the humorous, the ugly reality and the glittering moments of small successes.
It's also quite literally beautiful, too! There are illustrations throughout by @jessjoart (instagram) that highlight key moments, and she captured the characters and moments so well! (The last picture in the book nearly made me teary, which is an accomplishment!)
As for the representation you'll find in this book, there's trans rep, bi rep, gay rep, and various racial representation (Asian, Black, and Latino)! The romance is closed door, which is honestly my preference, but YMMV.
Pit Stop is a tender love story between two complex characters. It is about platonic love and familial love and even community love. It is so much more than just a romance.
One of the strongest elements of this book is its characters. The two leading men, John and Isamu, come from wildly different backgrounds and experiences, with John coming from a background of poverty and having basically raised himself and Isamu coming from a loving home and comfortable life. Both have faced extreme challenges: John lost his mother and effectively his father, he is a caretaker to a dying man, and he works at least two jobs and is in school full time on top of all the activism he does. And did I mention the photography? Isamu is a recently returned army veteran (to get his citizenship because he's from an immigrant family) with PTSD, a new prosthetic, and a service dog named Inu, his father is about to join his mother halfway around the world, and he has no real set plans for his future. Also, we love a man who can cook.
John and Isamu are joined by Aaliyah and Gonzalez, John and Isamu's best friends respectively who just so happen to be dating one another. They are both well-developed characters in their own right, with compelling backstories, anxieties, and cares. Aaliyah is a brilliant, no-nonsense electrical engineering major helping John lead a trans rights protest on their college campus during finals week. Gonzalez is a fun-loving psych major who helps lighten everyone else's loads despite the weight he himself carries.
And then you have both John and Isamu's fathers, who don't feature often but who are pivotal to each young man's story. And despite their shortcomings or missteps, you can't help but love them by the end.
Through PTSD-related panic attacks, homecooked meals, van renovation, and political activities, John tries to protect his heart while Isamu loses his so quickly. With a touch of forced proximity and some kind-hearted meddling from their friends, John learns that sometimes it's okay to open yourself up to other people and that not all dogs are bad, and Isamu learns that running away to the mountains may not be the best plan ever and that the way to a man's heart is indeed through his stomach.
Pit Stop is not a light read. It isn't a silly goofy romance to lose yourself in for a while. It has hard-hitting moments of reality right alongside its sweet, tender moments. There are discussions of racism, mental health, alcoholism, parental death and abandonment, family expectations, and more. These characters confront bigotry, ableism, and their own fears and failings. They feel real, and yet more so. They are able to face their challenges by relying on one another, even when that's uncomfortable for some of them (cough John cough). This book is an account of finding love even in the hard times, the scary times, and it is beautiful. It's got a good balanced of the heartfelt and the humorous, the ugly reality and the glittering moments of small successes.
It's also quite literally beautiful, too! There are illustrations throughout by @jessjoart (instagram) that highlight key moments, and she captured the characters and moments so well! (The last picture in the book nearly made me teary, which is an accomplishment!)
As for the representation you'll find in this book, there's trans rep, bi rep, gay rep, and various racial representation (Asian, Black, and Latino)! The romance is closed door, which is honestly my preference, but YMMV.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Ableism, Alcoholism, Panic attacks/disorders, Injury/Injury detail, Chronic illness, and Medical content
Minor: Death of parent, Child abuse, Transphobia, and Car accident