This is the story of Alex, an eighteen year old who lives through sexual and emotional abuse at the hands of his step-father and mother as well as being bullied at school. Alex's life changes when he meets Drew, the new boy that has moved to the area.

I know this story is rated fairly high by other readers and it's a nice detailed story, but I couldn't get into it that much. The story was told in too dry and formal of a style for me. Also Alex seemed too unemotional when retelling the events that happened to him.

Drew and Alex were a sweet couple.

The ending had a fairytale quality to it with everything working out perfectly for Alex and Drew. This made the conclusion hard for me to believe.

This story isn't my style, but I give it 3 stars since I liked the couple, Alex and Drew.

( )

The connection between the MCs and their relationship? 4 stars
The surrounding story? 2 stars

Average for overall rating? 3 stars


I really did enjoy the interactions between Alex & Drew. The two of them on their own and their relationship - those were some real high points in this story. I found myself rooting for them and hoping they would all work out.

The background behind all of that, though, was really jarring. Yes, this story contains difficult subject matter. But it seems just sort of 'there' in the story. The characters don't really deal with it. When it call comes out in the open, there are tears from some, but Alex himself just seems nonchalant. He just says what happened, shrugs if off, and then is instantly over most of it? I like dynamic characters but the changes he goes through in terms of his self-esteem and the processing of what he's dealt with just doesn't seem to ring true.

In the end, the book is enjoyable. And I'd probably recommend it to people who can handle the content. And it is possible to look past those other things to focus on the romantic relationship in the story and revel in the love and sweetness.

Content warnings: rape, physical abuse, violence, child abuse, neglect, long-term abuse, verbal abuse, bullying ( )

( )

Very touching story showing how life really can get better. Loved how accepting Alex's parents were, even if at times it felt a bit too accepting. I was waiting for mom to tell them "that's OK, we'll talk when you are done having sex". I also wasn't fond of how much Alex seemed to pressure Drew, especially knowing his history of sexual abuse. I realize it is hard to truly delve into that with a short story but he kept saying (along the lines of) "try it and you'll like it". Well, he had been forced to try it often and it seemed insensitive to make him work through that so quickly. ( )

Very difficult subject matter. On the one hand, I'm surprised at how 'distanced' I felt from the characters, especially since the story is written in first person. (My first thought was, "Where's the rage?" But then, contemplating events in my own life, I realized that the anger is kept well buried and suppressed.) On the other hand, had that distance not been there, I'm not sure I could have continued reading about Alex's neglect and abuse.

On a lighter note, poor Freckles is in he/she limbo! ;)
( )