Title: Life in Fusion
Author: Ethan Day
Publisher: MLR Press
Length: Novel

Buy Links: Amazon  ARe

Rating: 4.5

Life in Fusion is the follow up to Sno Ho (see review) and starts almost immediately following the first book.  I tried as much as possible to keep this review focused only on the second book, but it is difficult since they are essentially one long story.  As a result, this review sort of gives away the ending of the previous book, so keep that in mind.

Boone Daniels is returning home to Albuquerque after spending a week’s vacation in the Colorado ski town of Summit City.  After getting dumped by his boyfriend at the start of their vacation, Boone never expected his one night stand to turn into a week of passion and a relationship so serious that the men are committed to moving in together at the end of six months.  But Wade Walker turned out to be much more than a one-night hookup, and in fact, looks like he could be the one with whom Boone spends the rest of his life.

After so many past relationships that didn’t work out, Boone doesn’t want to jump into things too quickly and isn’t ready to uproot his life and move to Summit City until he sees things from outside of that vacation sex glow.  Over the course of the next few months, Boone and Wade travel between their two homes spending time with one another and learning more about each other’s lives.  As the story is told from Boone’s POV, we spend most of the time with him in Albuquerque, meeting his slightly kooky, oversharing parents (Dad tried anal sex just to know what it was like for Boone), as well as his best friend Gabe, and hot twins Donny and Lonny.  Although most of his friends and family are very excited for him, Boone is disappointed to find that Gabe is strongly opposed to the relationship, especially the idea of Boone moving away.

While Wade continues to be 100% confident about their relationship and their decision to move in together, Boone is more cautious.  He loves Wade and can’t imagine being without him, but has a lot of insecurities that are making him doubt whether things will work out.  He has trouble understanding what Wade sees in him as a long-term partner, besides his smart mouth and nice ass.  He has never really learned to totally open himself up to trust someone else and is afraid of what will happen if things fall apart.  Will Wade’s total confidence in their relationship be enough to convince Boone that things will work out? Or will he let his anxieties get in the way of being with the guy he truly wants?

I really enjoyed this second story and the chance to spend more time with Wade and Boone.  The first story is such a whirlwind of activity, whereas this book gives us a chance to sink in and get to know the guys better as they get to know each other.  I really liked the scenes in Albuquerque and getting to meet Boone’s friends and family for the first time.  I especially loved his parents who are a bit crazy but also totally loving and comfortable with themselves.  It is easy to see where Boone gets his personality from meeting them.  Seeing Boone’s life at home also helped make it clear the sacrifice he is making uprooting his life, and made it easier to understand why he is the more apprehensive of the two, as he is giving up a lot to move in with Wade.

I continued to really love both Wade and Boone. We get more of Boone’s quick wit and non-stop talking, as well as the amusing banter between the men.  I liked that we get to learn more about Boone and his background, especially through his friends and family.  We get to see a bit more of a serious side to him, in addition to his silly fun self.  I would have liked things to go a bit deeper with Wade, however. I feel like a lot of what we know about him and his goal-oriented determination comes from the first book. I wish we had gotten a bit more of a sense of why Wade is so confident that things will work out, and more about what drives him in this book.

I did enjoy getting to revisit Wade’s sister Jackie as well as bartender Chip and some of the other folks from Summit City.  I will say I did find the townspeople a bit over the top at times though. I guess in the first book their slightly crazy obsession with Wade fit within the whirlwind feeling of the book. But here in the longer story, I couldn’t help but wonder at these people who are SO obsessively involved in this guy’s life. I mean, Wade’s mother’s best friends (the Quad) hijack Boone on the way to the airport to discuss his relationship with Wade?  And the whole town throws and enormous “get-to-know-you” party for Boone before he has even moved there?  In some ways they were quite charming, and I think Day gives good explanations for why they are so invested in Wade’s life, but honestly these folks need some boundaries.

But overall I really enjoyed this story and was so happy to see the resolution to the romance started in Sno Ho. I continued to just adore Boone and love his quick wit, smart mouth, and unashamed sluttiness.  I loved getting to know him better and meet his friends and family.  And I really love Boone and Wade together. You just know things will never get boring between them with each one challenging each other, while still so full of love for one another. They are a great couple and I really enjoyed this series. I would highly recommend both Sno Ho and Life in Fusion.

Cover Review: I hate to say it but not so great.  First, Wade is supposed to be 6′ 8″ of dark, hulking gorgeousness, and this cover guy so doesn’t do it.  The other guy looks more like Boone is described, but I guess I pictured him more boyish and pretty.  Also, it would be nice if looked more like they were actually in the same picture rather than two photoshopped stock images put onto one cover.  Pretty mountains though.