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A review by 10111111111
Endless Stretch of Blue by Riley Hart
challenging
emotional
hopeful
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
4 stars (8/10), π₯π₯π₯
This was a pleasant surprise of a book. I know only two things going in - it is a Riley Hart book, which I always love, and someone suggested this book if you liked Marley Valentine's Without You you would probably like this. I definitely enjoyed the discussions on grief in that book, as well as the somewhat forbidden romance, so I was definitely interested in this. I think the biggest thing I appreciated about this book was the lack of internal conflict between the two MCs. Yes, there were moments where they said or did something, and they had to work through it, but they were such bedrocks for each other and I really enjoyed watching them come to terms with surviving and survivor's grief, as well as having their first attraction to a male ever in their 30s. I appreciated that they opened up to each other and tried to use open communication, even when it was difficult, especially for Enzo. I enjoyed seeing Enzo find a way to feel like he was worthy of being loved and didn't have to prove how he was worth Damon, and I loved watching Damon be cared for and for his support of Enzo as he dealt with his family. There were so many complexities in both of their scenarios, and they weaved together so beautifully. They very much felt inevitable, and I loved how they both embraced their relationship and where it went, both caring for the other when they really needed it, and we saw both of them need it and go through tough times. I found Enzo's conversation with his mum, and also his little conversation with his nephew in the epilogue, so touching and really sad and it was so hard to not cry at both times. Having little Ricky talk about how his dad talked about Enzo, and also Enzo's mum open up about her life, and how protective she tried to be of Enzo which just ended up pushing him away, it was really well handled and I loved it. I also appreciated that the book didn't have some grand gesture like proposal or marriage, as it really didn't need it. They moved in together and their lives were moving forward together, and it was lovely to see everyone over for Sauce. I think I would have liked the novel to be a little longer to more fully explore some of the topics that came up, but I think everything was handled sensitively and with care, and these two men are just such beautiful souls and their relationship is beautiful. I always love the men Riley Hart writes
This was a pleasant surprise of a book. I know only two things going in - it is a Riley Hart book, which I always love, and someone suggested this book if you liked Marley Valentine's Without You you would probably like this. I definitely enjoyed the discussions on grief in that book, as well as the somewhat forbidden romance, so I was definitely interested in this. I think the biggest thing I appreciated about this book was the lack of internal conflict between the two MCs. Yes, there were moments where they said or did something, and they had to work through it, but they were such bedrocks for each other and I really enjoyed watching them come to terms with surviving and survivor's grief, as well as having their first attraction to a male ever in their 30s. I appreciated that they opened up to each other and tried to use open communication, even when it was difficult, especially for Enzo. I enjoyed seeing Enzo find a way to feel like he was worthy of being loved and didn't have to prove how he was worth Damon, and I loved watching Damon be cared for and for his support of Enzo as he dealt with his family. There were so many complexities in both of their scenarios, and they weaved together so beautifully. They very much felt inevitable, and I loved how they both embraced their relationship and where it went, both caring for the other when they really needed it, and we saw both of them need it and go through tough times. I found Enzo's conversation with his mum, and also his little conversation with his nephew in the epilogue, so touching and really sad and it was so hard to not cry at both times. Having little Ricky talk about how his dad talked about Enzo, and also Enzo's mum open up about her life, and how protective she tried to be of Enzo which just ended up pushing him away, it was really well handled and I loved it. I also appreciated that the book didn't have some grand gesture like proposal or marriage, as it really didn't need it. They moved in together and their lives were moving forward together, and it was lovely to see everyone over for Sauce. I think I would have liked the novel to be a little longer to more fully explore some of the topics that came up, but I think everything was handled sensitively and with care, and these two men are just such beautiful souls and their relationship is beautiful. I always love the men Riley Hart writes