Finding Grey (Book 1)
This story is the slowest burn of all slow-burn romances, making the eventual reveal all the more delicious. However, I also love that adult Dante and Sean connect in friendship even before the weight of their history crashes down. Their story could have taken so many other paths, and this one might not necessarily be the “best” for them, but it’s a lot of fun as a reader.
I certainly don’t blame Sean for his efforts to protect his heart from Dante because even he knows that a happily ever after for them has no place in “reality.” However, these efforts come straight out of the romantic comedy genre, and I’m still giggling over the pool party scenes. As for the other half of this pairing, I adored Dante’s character arc of finding the passion in his music again, followed by his willingness to fight for it.
The reveal itself, in which Dante finally finds his Grey, left me breathless. Possibly because I held my breath from the moment it looked like it might actually happen. The opposite of angst suffused the moment, but it still tugged at every one of my heartstrings. Even better—it wasn’t the end of the story.
Though there is a sequel to this novel, featuring Sean’s best friend, I find that I’m not craving a follow-up to Dante and Sean’s story. It is one of the rare books I’ve found in which I have no desire to “check in” on the couple because they’ve already gone through the hardest part and will ride off into the sunset together.
This book is my second by this author, and I am thoroughly enjoying the change from a contemporary American setting. Modern-day Australia is not so different as to be “exotic,” but it’s nice to spread the love to additional authors around the world.
Rating: 5 (out of 5) stars. Cross-posted to Amazon and Goodreads.
Becoming Us (Book 2)
The usual unflattering stereotype for people who identify as bisexual, when not being told that they’re just confused, is that they’re “selfish.” However, sexual desire is a spectrum, even within the established categories. I love that Lawrence is honest enough with himself to both identify as bisexual and recognize that what he wants in life is a relationship with more than one person. This MMF story isn’t a case of all the characters making an exception for their happily ever after. Instead, for at least one of them, this is his only version of happily ever after. Even during the moments of the story when I thought Law was an entitled jerk, I still wanted this happiness for him.
This book is a slow burn in that it opens with the characters as teenagers and shows the initial conflict that forces them apart for so long. It’s nice to see how they come back to each other as adults, people who do not need a relationship to be whole but fall (back) in love with each other anyway. Connor has the most external conflict to wade through as he figures out what he wants to do with his life to stay healthy. Gabi and Law are more settled in their lives and careers but are happy to make room for Connor.
As much fun as the steamy bits in this book are, I found that I most loved the quiet moments when all three enjoyed being together. I have faith in their solid happily ever after. This is an excellent book to prove that a potential, satisfying future exists for everyone, no matter their sexual or romantic identity.
Rating: 5 (out of 5) stars. Cross-posted to Amazon and Goodreads.