Z. A. Maxfield

ZA Maxfield is becoming an auto buy for me, I've never read anything of hers that I haven't really liked, and none of her books are identical to the other. In this one, there is a romance between a deaf boy, Shawn, 22 yo, and a recovering addict Cooper, 28 yo. You might think that Cooper would be the stronger one, but Shawn is clear and clean in what he is and what he wants, and he is the healer in this relationship. I loved that he was deaf, and shown as having so much to give. Cooper was show more messed up from having a really awful history feeling complicit in a drunk driving death, and then spent 3 years on the road, getting himself into all sorts of dangerous situations - BDSM didn't appear directly in this book, but Coopers bad experiences in it definitely were a factor. Shawn is shown having friends and school and work and still having room for Cooper. When Cooper's lover from the past, Jordan, calls him back, it forces Cooper to look at the truth of where home is for him, and what loves really means for him.
Loved it, it's definitely a relationship book with a few (enough!) hot scenes, but it's not just mindless sex scenes tied together, there is a real plot and a real relationship here. I bought the next in the series straight away. show less

"When he'd written Doorways, he never could have guessed how many of them a man went through in an average lifetime."

I do not know why this book does not have a higher rating. It was phenomenal. It was immersive, it was intelligent, it was heartfelt, it was crushing; it transcended a single story or a single point in time, and really drives one of the themes of the book home: equality.

What drew me to this book was the fact that the relationship between Jae and Kelly began over the internet show more through emails and the complicated relationship formed because of their respective secrets (Kelly's the anonymous author of a landmark book, and the author of a recent parody of that book; Jae's a reporter at the magazine that's known for outing people, spilling their dirty secrets, etc., and he's after both the author of the parody and the original). And that first part of the book was done beautifully and had a lot of quirky and deep discussions for me to enjoy. Then that transitioned very smoothly and realistically into their face-to-face relationship and the revelations. And, this book reaches down to much deeper than just a love story with the subplots of Kelly's mother's Alzheimer's, the tragedy that led to Kelly's agoraphobia and OCD, dealing with Kelly's psychological illnesses, Will's abusive past, and how it's all brought together into one powerful story.

The book has a range of charms, including some very funny parts, especially with Will's effervescent character. He is an incredible person, and actually very like my grandmother, because although they both suffered greatly in their childhoods, they both are now the warmest, most upbeat and productive people. Will's a stunner that sometimes briefly stole the show. (Is there a book about him? I want that!)

"'Yes,' hissed Will. 'Of course you do. But I think you would thrive with more. That's all I'm saying. Not just live, which is nice. But thrive.'
'You've been at the thesaurus again, haven't you?'"

This story draws together many different characters, plot threads from the past and present, and the themes of life, loss, and living beautifully. It was such an addictive and immersive story, filled with so many piercing and true moments, that I will never forget it and the images its scenes created in my head. It is among my favorite books because of its range, emotions, and how it's just packed full of this story that felt so real. There was history, there were clear reasons for everything, and the journey of healing and opening up to happiness was so raw. I highly, highly recommend this book if you like a great, involved story that makes you think and feel.

"'Kelly.' Will looked at him like he was talking to a recalcitrant child. 'You have a voice that people hear. It resonates, and you don't even know it. Your book, your films, even your porn can say something powerful that makes a difference. You have to eventually face the fact that people want to hear what you have to say.'"

P.S. I almost forgot to mention that the sex and romance in here were hot and heartwarming to read, respectively. This novel has everything in it, and everything was done so well! show less

Superb. I took an ASL class last semester, and this book just put me right back into that space. Because, contrary to what speaking (hearing) people would think, deaf people don't think or communicate in the same way we do. They think more in the big picture rather than with specific words, so English is like a second language--and can be difficult--to the ones who learn it, and it is hard to translate between the two unless you thoroughly understand how deaf people think and communicate. show more And this book really conveyed that sense: how differently the world is to them, not any less or worse than for those who can hear, but a different experience, just like it is for anyone who speaks a different language, and therefore thinks differently. Language shapes thought and the way the brain works, and how that is shown in here is gloriously beautiful.

Besides that, the story was sweet, emotional, and profound. I love how mature Shawn was; how he decided what he wanted and went after it with complete determination until he got it. I admit, I didn't know how they were going to make it work half way through the book when that big thing happened, but then Shawn did what he had to do, and I was happy again.

There was so much guilt and churning-stomach type feelings throughout this book, that it really got me engaged and dragged down into all of Cooper's problems (which is a really, really good thing). And I really liked how he didn't fall into his old patterns, but instead grew into a better person, the person he wanted to be.

But for me, the show was stolen by Shawn, hands down. He was magical and special. Every moment with him I cherished. I hope by the time I get to 22 I have his confidence! ;)

One of my favorite books in which one of the MCs has a disability (although deaf people don't see themselves as disabled, I won't argue semantics here), and I highly recommend it as a way to look into another world. Everyone should read it (or something like it) to understand another culture just a bit better. show less

Hands down one of the most beautiful and moving stories I've read, about not only the contemporary romance between Fitz and Ari, but also another between the ghosts who help Fitz, Julian and Serge, who met in 1924. This is also a bildungsroman story centering on Fitz's journey from a sheltered, unhappy life to growing into his adult skin.

I read this on the plane trip back from my vacation, from Florida to California, and I was so captured from the first page, obsessed, and I just put my show more noise-cancelling headphones on, blocked out the world, and became fully engrossed in this story for the two flights, then back at home until I finished. It is beautiful, it is tragic, it is magical, it is hopeful, and it is a story I will keep in my heart forever; all the MCs in this wonderful book touched my heart deeply, and my mind is still swirling with a maelstrom of emotion. I want to do something very strange for me, and now not read another book tonight so I can savor this story.

From the title to the cover to the plot to the writing to the characters...everything was so beautiful, and I have so many quotes highlighted, but I can't pick just one or a few to share, and I don't want to spoil anything (some of the most heartbreaking and heartwarming parts are what I highlighted whole sections of). This book has twists and turns, and you don't know quite what will come, but it will touch your heart like no other. I have so much love for this book, I can't even write any more, I just have to go relive this story in my head. I feel really sad that I've already read it, and won't be able to experience it in all its glory for the first time again. This is definitely at the top of my reread list. I completely adore it. Highly recommended. The power of love is unlimited. show less