Emerson and Rhys have known each other their entire lives, besides being neighbors the two families completed one another for years and though as teenagers they slightly pulled apart from each having different interests - Emerson being the quiet reserved guy and Rhys outgoing and adventurous - the connection never failed. When a devastating car accident take the lives of Emerson and his two siblings parents the heart broken Emerson takes charge of the younger kids, putting aside his own dreams and aspirations. Rhys feels like he has lost a set of parents himself and he tries his best to be by Emerson's side to comfort and reassure he is there for him and always will be.
4 years have past by and though not a lot of changed something sort of did in the last year, at least for Emerson Rose. He has started questioning his sexuality. Not only because he has NO time to date these past few years but because his feeling towards Rhys confuse him. Can he be attracted to his best friend? When did THAT happen? His search leads him to the realization he is Demisexual. It's not about the sexual identity of the person it's about the connection they share. With everything Rhys and him went through together it's only natural that at a certain point Emerson would realize THIS is the person he wants on his side. The guy who has always been there.
While still confused yet wanting to maybe try? Emerson and Rhys share a kiss. But after getting "caught" by Audrey (Emerson's sister), Rhys leaves without a word and the next time they meet Rhys is missing the memories of the past year due to a rock climbing accident. Emerson is devastated. Losing his parents broke him, he CANNOT lose Rhys as well. Putting what happened between them that night aside he brings Rhys into their home to care for him until he regains his independence. With a head injury, broken ribs and a lot of bruises all over he needs the Rose family now and all three of them are definitely on board.
Rhys Lancaster feels lost and confused. He hurts, he is frustrated. The world around him is not how it used to be. Even the couch in his house is not the one he remembers. He doesn't want to be a burden on the Rose family but truth being told, for him, it's like staying with family. He enjoys his time with Audrey and Sam, but he is a bit confused about what's going on between him and Emerson. He feels like the last year something HAPPENED. Something he should have remembered. Emerson is hiding something from him, but what? The shared looks between Emerson and Audrey is making it even worse but as the doctors made it clear it's better to not overwhelm Rhys with the details of his life he has missed Emerson has his excuse right there.
The time Rhys stays with the Rose family can almost be called the happiest of his life. His mother might be miles away in Florida with her boyfriend (he dislikes) but he is surrounded by the people he loves, his OWN family even if not by name. Spending meals together, laughing about Emerson's inability to cook (but also helping him get better), watching TV together, going on walks. It's the domestic life he didn't have in the empty house he lived in right across the street.
I won't say when and how but somehow the cat is out of the bag. But though it feels natural for them to be together, there are still somethings left unspoken and there are too many fears on both their ends about truly taking a chance on their friendship. Losing each other is NOT an option so they thread very carefully. It was heart breakingly beautiful seeing these two re-discover each other this way. Wanting so much more but being afraid of the consequences. They lost too much and though they can gain a lot by being together, the other possibility is heart wreaking to even consider.
This book was impossible to put down, with the alternating POVs of both guys every page turned (or rather pressed ;)) brought us deeper into the story, into their hearts and the wish of seeing them happy - happier - together was getting stronger and stronger. As I started this review I loved everything about this book, about this couple about the two families and how they entwined together. I also loved Emerson as Demisexul. It's not something we see a lot in romance novel and I wish we'd see more often.
These are complicated frightening times with the COVID-19 all around us. Being quarantined, not knowing what's going to happen, how tomorrow is going to be. Which also means it's the EXACT time to read this book as the perfect comfort.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!
I kindly received this ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.
This book will be out TODAY - April 2nd 2020 - Grab it through Amazon / KU.
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Rating:
★★★★★ |
E-Book
Edition |
272
pages
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Read on:
31 March - 1 April 2020
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