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tltravis's review against another edition
5.0
Unbelievably intense
Wow, I am utterly blown away. The intensity of the every day issues plaguing so many people was overwhelming at times. But by the same token, I couldn't put the book down.
This book is a clear cut case of not judging a book by its cover, as these characters were so diverse that what came out wasn't what you'd expect.
You touch so many sensitive areas that I found myself crying and the mother in me wanting to reach out and hold them, cradling them while telling them everything would get better.
By far one of the best books I've ever read.
Wow, I am utterly blown away. The intensity of the every day issues plaguing so many people was overwhelming at times. But by the same token, I couldn't put the book down.
This book is a clear cut case of not judging a book by its cover, as these characters were so diverse that what came out wasn't what you'd expect.
You touch so many sensitive areas that I found myself crying and the mother in me wanting to reach out and hold them, cradling them while telling them everything would get better.
By far one of the best books I've ever read.
ravensandlace's review
4.0
tw: domestic abuse, drug use, alcohol abuse, disordered eating, death of a loved one
I'm going to be honest. I don't read a lot of m/m romance books, which something I have got to change. Not because I don't want too, I just don't own any of them except this one. I've been pretty focused on getting through my owned books and eARCs so I can get more! Isn't my logic awesome? I thought so.
Anyway. I truly believe Layla Dorine fits into the category of excellent m/m romance writers. This book was fantastic and the best part? She is a local writer from around my area. I met her at my town's PRIDE event. She is super nice and even signed my book! So Layla, if you are reading this, thank you!
Okay, onto the actual book review. The two MCs were so incredible. So raw and just so real. Jax is bisexual (at least that is what I was able to tell from context clues) and he has an eating disorder. More books, both YA and NA, seriously need to portray men with eating disorders. It is a very real thing that happens. I was truly heart broken by Jax's struggles with food. His thoughts and the way he overall thought about himself were just so dang heart breaking.
Danny is the other MC and he is gay. He has a pretty rough backstory as well with relationship abuse. The way Danny behaves shows just how damaging and scary it is to be in an abusive relationship, no matter the length of said relationship. It was hard to read at times, the way he acted just because you felt the fear. He was scared and it took a long time for him to regain some sense of normalcy.
This book also has rep for not so perfect friendships but it isn't toxic. Danny and Herman have an imperfect friendship. It isn't toxic but sometimes Herman says things that he shouldn't. Danny will take out frustrations in regards to his play on Herman. As weird as it sounds, it's nice to see that friendships aren't perfect. There has been so many times where the books I've read have either been super toxic as hell friendships or so perfect they don't seem real.
Overall, I think this book was fantastic! I adored Jax and Danny. I appreciated all the topics that were in this book that happen in everyday life. It didn't have the love cures illnesses trope, which is a plus. I'd honestly highly recommend this book!
I'm going to be honest. I don't read a lot of m/m romance books, which something I have got to change. Not because I don't want too, I just don't own any of them except this one. I've been pretty focused on getting through my owned books and eARCs so I can get more! Isn't my logic awesome? I thought so.
Anyway. I truly believe Layla Dorine fits into the category of excellent m/m romance writers. This book was fantastic and the best part? She is a local writer from around my area. I met her at my town's PRIDE event. She is super nice and even signed my book! So Layla, if you are reading this, thank you!
Okay, onto the actual book review. The two MCs were so incredible. So raw and just so real. Jax is bisexual (at least that is what I was able to tell from context clues) and he has an eating disorder. More books, both YA and NA, seriously need to portray men with eating disorders. It is a very real thing that happens. I was truly heart broken by Jax's struggles with food. His thoughts and the way he overall thought about himself were just so dang heart breaking.
Danny is the other MC and he is gay. He has a pretty rough backstory as well with relationship abuse. The way Danny behaves shows just how damaging and scary it is to be in an abusive relationship, no matter the length of said relationship. It was hard to read at times, the way he acted just because you felt the fear. He was scared and it took a long time for him to regain some sense of normalcy.
This book also has rep for not so perfect friendships but it isn't toxic. Danny and Herman have an imperfect friendship. It isn't toxic but sometimes Herman says things that he shouldn't. Danny will take out frustrations in regards to his play on Herman. As weird as it sounds, it's nice to see that friendships aren't perfect. There has been so many times where the books I've read have either been super toxic as hell friendships or so perfect they don't seem real.
Overall, I think this book was fantastic! I adored Jax and Danny. I appreciated all the topics that were in this book that happen in everyday life. It didn't have the love cures illnesses trope, which is a plus. I'd honestly highly recommend this book!
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