Series: Standalone

Genre: LGBT (m/m), Romance

Rating: 4/5 Stars

Cover: I really like it.

Links: goodreads

Trigger warnings: mention of suicide attempt, child neglect mention

Description: JAMES AND ALEX have barely anything in common anymore – least of all their experiences in high school, where James is a popular senior and Alex is suddenly an outcast. But at home, there is Henry, the precocious 10-year-old across the street, who eagerly befriends them both. And when Alex takes up running, there is James’s friend Nathen, who unites the brothers in moving and unexpected ways.

Review: Why can’t there be more?!

There is no real end and at the same time it’s a very fitting end, if that makes any sense at all. But let’s start at the beginning.

I love how we get to read about both brothers’ life separately. Alex may be the mc, but James has his own life and he keeps living it after his brother’s failed suicide attempt. Their relationship changes because of this, but it comes back to being very sweet (unexpectedly sweet) and leaves a warm feeling inside you.

There is some romance in this novel, but it’s not the main focus. No, this is a story about recovery. And it’s a good one, a hopeful one. I still liked the pairing very much.

I enjoyed how the writing reads like the characters’ age. It’s not often done and when it is done, it can easily be overdone.

So you may ask why I’m only giving 4 stars if I enjoyed the characters, the story, the message, the writing… It’s all those girl bashing. Being female does not mean being weak. Yes I know a lot of males (and quite some females as well) see it that way, but guess what?

You can have characters being sexist and then have other characters telling them off for this! It’s not hard to do, you know? And if a character is sexist in his thoughts, you can make him change his mind. I’m sorry (no, I’m not), but this is really hitting a sore point with me and I’m not willing to overlook it because I like the book.

You should still read it.

Merken