I think the best advise (as always) comes from Oma: "These two boys are happy together and they have been in love for a long time. There is no changing that. No changing them. The only thing that can change here is your attitude".
Lenny Krause is (almost) our sole POV in this one. We go with him from early childhood till hid mid twenties, his struggles with his sexuality, love interest but also being raised by his loving (and a bit crazy) grandmother (Oma) after both his parents were killed. We get to know his sister Carolyn and even though she can have her wicked temper she is a good sister. His best friend Ben and of course his cousin Julian Thomas (and his HIGHLY disapproving mother). We also get to know a few more people in Waldau and with every year that passes I felt more connected to the people of this small town and mostly to Lenny.
It didn't take long for Lenny and Julian to become friends, it was rather natural even if Julian's mother tried to keep him away from this side of the family. Julian enjoyed Lenny's friendship but also the home he found with Oma, Carolyn and Ben as well. They spend a lot of time together, playing, having fun, dealing with their "enemies" but at a certain point things changed. A slightest kiss changes everything. Lenny wants Julian. He knows that but Julian blocks him away and finally leaves. When he comes back Lenny isn't ready. He still feels for Julian but he can't trust him now even just as a friend, he might disappear on him again. Keeping away it the smartest move for sure.
Yet Julian doesn't want to stay away even if he is unsure about pursuing a romantic relationship with the one he loves and always loved who is not only a guy but also his cousin. He tried to stay away but it hurt too much. He tried to move on, yeah it didn't work. But now that he is back Lenny isn't that willing to HAVE him back in his life. In any capacity.
While at first being together - as friends - was easy, learning to trust one another is a struggle for both of them. They want it, but how can they make it work when they both would rather not speak of the past OR the future?
It might not be you regular "go-to" romance novel starting with a 6 years old and continuing to couple two cousins but you know what? Keep an open mind and give this one a go. I really enjoyed it and especially the journey Anyta took us with Lenny and his close family and friends. I feel like I gained a few best friends myself and wish I could sit with all of them on the pastor's roof and see what's going on in the sleepy town of Waldau and if I can't do that, I'll be happy to sit in the garden with Lenny and his landlord drinking tea, I won't even be rude and ask for sugar and cream , I would just sit there listening to their banter and watch the beautiful garden Lenny created for his beloved Oma.
A final note - Lenny has another struggle in his life - moving to Berlin but not only that, moving his Oma with him as well. He makes a project out of it (while also befriending the lonely landlord, really enjoyed their interactions!). Reading about this, about Berlin specifically, considering Lenny's family background made me remember a movie I've watched quite a while ago "Goodbye, Lenin!". If you haven't seen this one I'm telling you now it's a MUST SEE. It's beautiful and heart felt and deals somewhat with the same struggle Lenny was dealing with in his move to Berlin.
This book was originally published as "Lenny for your thoughts", this version is re-structured, edited and re-written in parts but in it's basis is the same story of Lenny and Julian.
 |
Rating:
★★★★½ |
E-Book
Edition |
324
pages
|
Read on:
8-9 September 2019
|  |  |
No comments:
Post a Comment