Ultra Meital Reviews: Sometimes There's Stars by Suki Fleet

I need to be ready mentally before I start Suki's books. While they are always heartfelt on the romantic side, the life situation is almost always horrific. This one was no different, at least for Echo. The sorrow, helplessness and general despair killed me. But with someone as sunny as Peri on his side things started to look up for him, or at least made him hope and wish for a better present and maybe even future. It wasn't an easy journey I can tell you that!

Echo (Ezekiel Bashir) didn't have an easy life growing up with just his mother Marsha but they loved each other with all their hearts and mostly it was enough even if they were poor and struggling. After Marsha died Echo totally lost himself and not only because he became indebted to the local loan shark. When he wasn't able to pay his new "employer" paid it for him and thus he became his errand boy and considering One-Eyed Frank's business (you can guess) things weren't exactly getting better. Then one day on his way to meet another one of Frank's clients he meets Peri and though the whole situation is not exactly a bright one considering Peri gets hit by a car and later on Echo is attacked himself that's the exact mark things change for both Peri and Echo.

Unlike Echo, Peri (Periannan Sivakumaran) has lived a very sheltered life. Due to an accident when he was a baby he is now dealing with a few issues, mostly slower processing. He has thrived in Orchard House where special needs kids and adults partake in a variety of activities. I really liked the idea of this house and how it came to be, I'm leaving it up to you reading and discovering its secrets. Peri has a wonderful ability to look at the bright side of life, to see beauty in every situation and mostly in any person. Also because of his difficulty with auditory processing he is much better at reading people's expressions and behavior. The way he observes allows him to see things other people don't. That's why even at first glance, just before the accident, the look Peri and Echo share is much more meaningful that I would have given any other random meeting between two people across the street.

Echo couldn't take his eyes off Peri. Helping him and going with his to the hospital didn't even seem like a decision. It was just what he needed to do. Yet the way the night ended made Echo realize he can't see Peri again, not with everything he has got himself mixed up with. Due to his "delayed" delivery, One-Eyed Frank's client - Rich - is not just "displeased" he is actively after him. But when his childhood friend Etienne offers him an invitation from Peri who just wants to say his thanks he is unable to say no, even though he knows he shouldn't.

Coming to see Peri, even with all the complications feels like the best thing to happen to him in a LONG time. Peri is sunshine and happiness, he is peace and a promise of home. So while he knows this SHOULD be a one time thing it turns into a friendship (with an underline attraction that slowly turn into much more). But Echo's life is still a HUGE mess. He receives help from his friends Etienne and Milly but he barely has a dry place to sleep in, no income and a horrible man after him.

There is much more to be said about this book, but I would rather stop here. I enjoyed this book (though the word "enjoy" doesn't feel right) but I can't say I was in love with it. It started with me being a bit unsure about Peri. He was the sweetest guy for sure, but until I understood his exact diagnosis I'll admit I was uncertain about a relationship between him and Echo as at times he genuinely felt like a kid. Took me time to realize that's who he is, his bubbly personality and a positive look at life - something he has always had internally but naturally his sheltered life has added to him not understanding the horrible world he is surrounded by. Most of the story it told from Echo's POV but there are a few short chapters from Peri's which were a great add plot wise (and relationship wise naturally) but most of all, when time went by - made me realize what Echo saw from the start - there is something SPECIAL about him. Once I was over my issue or maybe I should say "worry" with Peri this book was one big heart breakingly beautiful story. Suki at her best really.

One last note - There is a link between this book and "This isn't a love story". Echo isn't mentioned by name in the book itself but his actions for the MC in the story is what got him mixed up with the police while he was in London.

This isn't your regular romance novel. Echo's world is violent and unforgiving. The whole story is SO RAW. Yeah there's a HEA in the end, but both Echo and Peri were bruised (physically and mentally) too many times to count. Lucky for both - they weren't really ready to give up on one another no matter the cost and it WAS a heavy one.

Not for the faint of heart but definitely a recommended read!

"Sometimes, Always" is a short sweet epilogue to Echo and Peri's love story. Like the novel, it's tender and endearing. it's Echo organizing a surprise Christmas party for Peri, which turned to be far more than he originally (and rationally) thought it will be
[ First released in the charity anthology "Gifts for the Season". Now available on it's own on Amazon ]