All of the books in the Little Boy Lost series are heart wrenching and each and every one of them has reduced me to tears. The first one took until the very end, but this fifth one had me in despair almost from the beginning. Let me warn you: once you start reading this series, and this book is no exception, you will most likely be hooked. The emotions are so real and raw that they will pull you in and the characters will not let you go. I thought the previous ones were bad – this one was a thousand times worse. Not even the ending let me breathe easier. I cannot believe it will be months before I can read the final volume and I have no idea how I will survive not knowing what will happen to Jamie and Brian.

Jamie was lost before, but even though Brian manages to get him away from the abusive asshole who basically held him prisoner, it is not as easy to get rid of the addiction, or his defeatist way of thinking. This, of course, it utterly realistic, but makes this book very hard to read in places. Jamie holds on to his last shreds of hope until he can hold on no longer. Even though he finally realizes there is a way out, by then it is too late to save his relationship with Brian. Remaining friends with the man he still desperately loves isn’t enough. I am impressed with Jamie’s strength: despite everything he still fights back and does his best to reclaim his life.

If you like stories about men desperate enough to do anything to protect those they love, if you think you can face the realities of drug dependency and what it can do to a human being, if you are already hooked on this series, you will love this volume. I must admit that I suspect I’ll love it more once I have read the final book and can appreciate the tension build-up in this book for the genius it really is. Right now, I am too worried about Jamie and what is next for him and Brian.

If you think you are strong enough to deal with Jamie and Brian’s lives – warning: even just reading about them might tear you apart emotionally - give this series a go. It is brilliantly written and highly addictive.




NOTE: This book was provided by Dreamspinner Press for the purpose of a review on Queer Magazine Online. ( )