Two books in I am pretty well invested in the lives of Tyler and Keldon, not to mention their friends and family, and I can’t wait to see what the future holds for them. ~ Slick, Guilty Pleasures
Blurb:
Together for a year now, Keldon Stonebridge and Tyler Lawrence are ready to embrace a summer ahead that is filled with love and music in beautiful Asheville, NC. Their sophomore year in college lingers on the horizon. But just as they begin to enjoy such pleasures, they also struggle with new challenges. The arrival of Keldon’s icy grandmother requires a major adjustment for everyone and Keldon is forced to confront a long-held family secret. As Tyler warmly welcomes a new friend and fellow college student who ultimately is not all that he seems to be, he is also revisited by a painful element from his tragic past. Together, Keldon and Tyler will lovingly face the chaos that is life.
Sophomore Rising by Russell Soots is the second book about two young men who are finding their way in life and love. As I read the second book, I reflected back on my feelings of the first book as well and I came to a decision, I had problems with this series being classified as a romance because while a relationship formed between the two young men this series centers on, there were so many other characters and relationships going on that I felt at times they were lost in the shuffle, so once I decided this was more of a gay fiction series it changed my perception about it. Mr. Soots is a new author and at times it shows in his work; he sometimes is overly descriptive and at times the scenes seem to change at breakneck speed, but there is something so refreshing about the honesty of his words and the characters and world he has created.
Sophomore Rising takes place the summer before and during Tyler and Keldon’s sophomore year in college. Together a year and living with Keldon’s two dads while they both work and go to school, their lives are changing rapidly. Their circle of friends is ever changing and during this book, we meet more of Keldon’s extended family and Tyler’s life is turned upside down by an act of violence.
I very much enjoyed watching these two navigate life and figuring out a way to compromise when things don’t always work the way they think they should. At times I have to remind myself that these are very young men (they turn 20 during this book), and so yes, they make mistakes, they blow things out of proportion, and sometimes don’t handle things well, but they do grow and learn and that’s really what life is all about.
Two books in I am pretty well invested in the lives of Tyler and Keldon, not to mention their friends and family, and I can’t wait to see what the future holds for them.
Review copy provided for a voluntary review.
Thanks Slick for the review