Rating: 4.75 stars
Buy Link: Amazon | All Romance | Amazon UK
Length: Novella
Ever since Will knew he was gay, he has been in love with his best and closest friend Jack. They do everything together and share everything, even Will’s first kiss. But, Jack is straight and Will would never do anything to jeopardize their friendship.
As high school comes to an end, Will is off to university and Jack is heading to Ibiza for his dream DJ job. One night changes everything and there is no time to sort through the blurred lines that now surround their relationship. As the guys part ways, they are left with confusion, misunderstandings, and a lack of communication. As the months pass, the confusion turns to hurt and anger. Will and Jack are in contact occasionally and then one visit adds to the longing and multiplies the confusion. Will is always going to be in love with Jack, but their years of history have him remembering that Jack is first his best friend.
This book is perfect in so many ways and just hit me exactly right. Will is the only gay kid in their small English town and he knows life would have been a lot harder without Jack by his side. Jack knows Will is gay and has never thought twice about it, even making sure Will knew how to properly kiss. This story is filled with misunderstandings, assumptions, and lack of communication. This does not always work in some books and can become tedious to read at times. That is not the case here and the reason I think it works for me is because we don’t know everything the guys are thinking until later in the story. Sure, there are clues, but it’s not portrayed as a string of miscommunication errors. The guys, especially Jack, need time to sort out their feelings. They are young, confused, drinking, partying, wind up in different countries, and sometimes when you are hurt the safest way to protect yourself is to pull back. Even though they think nothing could possibly alter their friendship, the guys get in over their heads sexually and have no idea how to deal with it.
The guys communicate often through random emails, which just adds to the overall feel of the story. They have a unique bond and what happens between Will and Jack is a sweetness, a hunger, a true friendship, and love. The only area that spun around for me is one part where the guys started talking but then closed down again and it really was time already that they did talk. Will thought so as well because they do talk shortly after that. I would have liked a bit more insight into Jack’s thoughts as the story went along, but the conclusion Jack comes to about Will and what just feels right to him totally works for their story and is well done.
This is the first in a new series by Garrett Leigh and the next installment will be published in March. Will and Jack are secondary characters and we will be able to check in with them, but we will be introduced to two new guys. It is so great when there is a new series to be excited about. In some ways this could have been a simple friends to lovers story, but what Leigh does with her words elevates it to a different level indeed.
One last note: Just so there is absolutely no moments of potential confusion, snogging birds=kissing girls.
A review copy of this book was provided by Dreamspinner Press.
