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A review by haletostilinski1
Gideon by Lily Morton
5.0
Oh, I absolutely adored this. After the last book, Gideon wasn't looking very good, not good at all, so I was wondering how Ms. Morton would redeem him and make him an enjoyable character. He really was an asshole in Milo's book.
But of course she was able to redeem him and more. Getting a character's POV and understanding their motivations and thoughts and desires really changes things. (Sometimes not if they're just a plain asshole, but most of the time it helps a lot - it certainly helps with Gideon.)
I understood him so much better in this, because before while it was understandable that Milo and Gideon's parents doted on Milo and barely thought of Gideon, that didn't make it fair for him to take it out on Milo, especially when Milo was nothing but sweet. But they get more scenes in this book and we learn it was more than what the other thought on both sides. For Milo their mother was actually smothering more than loving, and Milo points out good things Gideon has done for him, that Gideon wasn't always an asshole to him.
Plus, I really felt just how abandoned and alone Gideon truly felt in this. It doesn't excuse his behavior, but he apologizes for his actions in this and betters himself, which is what is most important when someone screws up. Gideon wanted to change, so he did - he wanted a better life for himself, so he did that. He wanted to be a better brother, friend - and then lover - so he did. But you really get how lonely he's been all this time in this book.
He drowned his loneliness in drugs, alcohol and meaningly sex, but it was never what he really wanted, but he was too scared to admit that and try to have a better life because to him he didn't deserve a better life and no one wanted him anyway, so what was the point? Even with Niall and Silas and Milo, he felt like he was on the outside looking in, like he didn't belong.
But Eli changed all that, with his kindness and firmness, and not putting up with Gideon's shit for a second. Even when Gideon tried to be an asshole to him, Eli held firm, and continued to be sweet and kind, and that through Gideon for a loop - enough for him to let Eli under his defenses.
I loved these two together, they were perfect together. Eli was patient and kind and never wavered, and he supported Gideon when he needed it most, and he got Gideon on the right path without even truly trying - I mean he wanted good things for Gideon, but I don't think it was a conscious thing for him to get Gideon to permanently stop his pervious lifestyle and change for the better - and Eli saw in Gideon a kindness, a goodness, that Gideon didn't believe he had, and showed it to him. Gideon made Eli happier than he had ever been.
The sex was also hot AF - I wanted so much more of it because these two were smokin' together - and their connection was amazing. The fact that Eli was something new in the bedroom that Gideon never knew he needed was a plus too.
I loved the other two couples from the previous books being so supportive of these two as well and being their awesome selves. (Also a short phone call appearance by Asa Jacobs from the Mixed Messages series - and probably my favorite Morton book to date - which was a nice surprise.)
I loved how things turned out for these two and how Gideon got to where he was - especially with the epilogue, that was years in the future as Morton does with her books. Eli was an important part of this story too, no doubt, as he was the primary reason for Gideon's change, but it was mainly about Gideon finding family, friends and a home.
To see where he was at the beginning, feeling so lonely and like no one wanted him, to where he was at the end with a plethora of love and family in his life, never to be lonely again? Was perfect. I absolutely adored it.
This book was just perfect, and I can't wait for more from this amazing author. I just love all of her stories, they make me so happy reading them, and they're always so well written with great main couples. I wonder who the next book will be about, and wonder if it will be in this series or we'll get a new one. There was Jesse, Eli's best friend, so I wonder if he's never. We'll see ;)
HIGHLY recommend this, it was amazing. Two massive thumbs up from me!
***ARC generously provided by the Alpha Book Club in exchange for an honest review.***
But of course she was able to redeem him and more. Getting a character's POV and understanding their motivations and thoughts and desires really changes things. (Sometimes not if they're just a plain asshole, but most of the time it helps a lot - it certainly helps with Gideon.)
I understood him so much better in this, because before while it was understandable that Milo and Gideon's parents doted on Milo and barely thought of Gideon, that didn't make it fair for him to take it out on Milo, especially when Milo was nothing but sweet. But they get more scenes in this book and we learn it was more than what the other thought on both sides. For Milo their mother was actually smothering more than loving, and Milo points out good things Gideon has done for him, that Gideon wasn't always an asshole to him.
Plus, I really felt just how abandoned and alone Gideon truly felt in this. It doesn't excuse his behavior, but he apologizes for his actions in this and betters himself, which is what is most important when someone screws up. Gideon wanted to change, so he did - he wanted a better life for himself, so he did that. He wanted to be a better brother, friend - and then lover - so he did. But you really get how lonely he's been all this time in this book.
He drowned his loneliness in drugs, alcohol and meaningly sex, but it was never what he really wanted, but he was too scared to admit that and try to have a better life because to him he didn't deserve a better life and no one wanted him anyway, so what was the point? Even with Niall and Silas and Milo, he felt like he was on the outside looking in, like he didn't belong.
But Eli changed all that, with his kindness and firmness, and not putting up with Gideon's shit for a second. Even when Gideon tried to be an asshole to him, Eli held firm, and continued to be sweet and kind, and that through Gideon for a loop - enough for him to let Eli under his defenses.
I loved these two together, they were perfect together. Eli was patient and kind and never wavered, and he supported Gideon when he needed it most, and he got Gideon on the right path without even truly trying - I mean he wanted good things for Gideon, but I don't think it was a conscious thing for him to get Gideon to permanently stop his pervious lifestyle and change for the better - and Eli saw in Gideon a kindness, a goodness, that Gideon didn't believe he had, and showed it to him. Gideon made Eli happier than he had ever been.
The sex was also hot AF - I wanted so much more of it because these two were smokin' together - and their connection was amazing. The fact that Eli was something new in the bedroom that Gideon never knew he needed was a plus too.
I loved the other two couples from the previous books being so supportive of these two as well and being their awesome selves. (Also a short phone call appearance by Asa Jacobs from the Mixed Messages series - and probably my favorite Morton book to date - which was a nice surprise.)
I loved how things turned out for these two and how Gideon got to where he was - especially with the epilogue, that was years in the future as Morton does with her books. Eli was an important part of this story too, no doubt, as he was the primary reason for Gideon's change, but it was mainly about Gideon finding family, friends and a home.
To see where he was at the beginning, feeling so lonely and like no one wanted him, to where he was at the end with a plethora of love and family in his life, never to be lonely again? Was perfect. I absolutely adored it.
This book was just perfect, and I can't wait for more from this amazing author. I just love all of her stories, they make me so happy reading them, and they're always so well written with great main couples. I wonder who the next book will be about, and wonder if it will be in this series or we'll get a new one. There was Jesse, Eli's best friend, so I wonder if he's never. We'll see ;)
HIGHLY recommend this, it was amazing. Two massive thumbs up from me!
***ARC generously provided by the Alpha Book Club in exchange for an honest review.***