This was a short, sweet look into the lives of Sean and Rusty. They have been friends then lovers as Sean went through college and Rusty worked for his family's landscaping business in New Orleans. Now Sean has a job offer but it will mean Rusty moving away from the only place that has ever been home. I liked both of these well developed characters and their reactions to the stresses of tough decision making. That there is a sequel story is pure icing on the cake. ( )

Meant To Be? was written by Chris Cox for the M/M Romance Group's Love Has No Boundaries picture prompt event.



Sean has had a rough time of it since he came out to his family. Tossed out and struggling to stay in school, it's his lover Rusty and Rusty's family that take Sean in and help him stay on his feet. Only Sean never feels good enough and always feels like a burden to Rusty and his parents.

Rusty on the other hand had no problem coming out to his family and they accepted Sean as one of their own. Rusty is content with the way things are, living close to his family and taking care of Sean. Sean on the other hand doesn't want any more handouts. He wants to make it on his own and become independent.

This story is told in third person through the alternating viewpoints of both Sean and Rusty. The pov changes were well defined except for at the ending where there was a single word written

'Or-'

That word made me think that the person thinking that word, in this case Sean, knew what Rusty was going to do next in the following paragraphs. It confused me a bit and pulled me out of the story trying to figure out why it was there because it doesn't seem necessary.

The author did a good job of conveying Sean's feelings of insecurity, dejection after another failed interview and his depression. I could easily imagine how Sean behaved and his body postures.

As to Rusty, I could tell he had a more privileged life from his background history, but I think I would have wanted it conveyed earlier in the story that Rusty was very reluctant to leave his family and the area he grew up in because it would have created more tension between the two men throughout the story. I would have liked to see more of how Rusty was spoiled with having life so easy for him and that's why he was so reluctant to leave when asked.

I enjoyed this story. Quick and easy to read with a good conveyance of Sean's moods. I give this 3.5 stars and raise it to 4 stars because I like the way Sean's feelings were presented.

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Realistic storyline. Very compelling. 3.5 stars. ( )

3.5 stars ( )