Date of Publication: September 17, 2012
Genres and Themes: LGBTQI, Romance, Family, Disability
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press
Format: 210 pages, ebook
ISBN13: 9781613727355
Cover Artist: L.C. Chase
Characters: Ethan Hart, Carter Stevenson
Blurb: By twenty-four, Carter Stevenson has stuttered and ticced his way to debilitating shyness. Although his friends accuse him of letting his Tourette’s dictate his life, Carter moves from Los Angeles to a quiet California town. He’ll keep his head down and avoid people. He doesn’t anticipate his new neighbor, Ethan Hart, crashing into his solitude and forcing him to get out and live.
From the beginning, Ethan makes his love for Carter clear. But he fears Carter won’t see past Ethan’s damaged brain, even though it makes Ethan more attuned to his emotions than most people. For Carter, there’s a bigger issue: he’s been burned by so-called “perfect” matches, and he won’t risk his heart again.
One way or another, Ethan’s determined to show Carter they belong together. Then Ethan receives tragic news. Suddenly he must turn to Carter for strength and support. Will Carter come through when Ethan needs him most?
*****
I’ve had this on my reader for as long as I can remember and only thought of it when I’d read a friend’s stellar review of it. By god, I cannot believe it took me forever to give this one a go because it’s beyond everything I was expecting from it. I just loved everything about it. I do. I truly do.
Ethan and Carter. Two souls whose fate will cross, not knowing at first that they are made for each other. It was quick tho. True love works fast at times.
Ethan. Brain-damaged. He sees everything in black and white. Right or wrong. But love is what led him to Carter. Ethan – beautiful, kind-hearted Ethan. I just loved him. He reminds me of Shane’s character in Kim Fielding’s Rattlesnake (one of my all-time favorite books) because they suffered the same trauma. What happened to him was heartbreaking, but the way the author highlighted Ethan’s character post-trauma is too beautiful not to appreciate. I even feel like crying right now. Ethan is someone you’d wish to have all the love in the world. Beautiful Ethan Hart is one unforgettable character.
Carter, with his debilitating shyness due to Tourette syndrome, finally accepting he deserves someone like Ethan. Some who can give him true love. He’s been burned in the past by the so-called “perfect matches,” but with Ethan, it looks like he found his forever. Carter with his wonderful loving heart. Someone who will protect Ethan and someone who also needs protection. Carter Stevenson is one incredible character.
And we have the minor characters who made such a strong impact in the story. Ethan’s parents, Liz and Nolan, are fantastic pairs of parents. Their unconditional love for Ethan is just too beautiful. Ethan’s younger brother Elliot and his teenage angst. My heart melts for him. His love for Ethan may not be that transparent, but it’s there, and it’s terrific. Then there’s Vera, Andy, Alice, Horatio, and the gang…everyone’s wonderfully supportive that you’d wish a lot of these people exists in the real world.
For my friends who haven’t read a single LGBTQI book, I would encourage you to start with this beautiful book by Ryan Loveless. If you simply are looking for something that will touch your heart, something that will make you smile and something that will remind you of the power of true love (mushy I know) regardless of theme and genre – then this book’s the one you’ve been looking for.
Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
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About The Author
Ryan Loveless is a farmer’s daughter. She has a BA in English from a private college in Illinois and a master’s degree in library and information science with an archival certificate from a university in New York. Raised in a conservative family, she was shocked and relieved when her coming out was largely uneventful. She has been writing since she could read and has always drifted toward M/M because she enjoys the relationship dynamics. It’s possible that her first story was about GI Joe. She wishes she still had that story.
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