Ryan Loveless

This book turned me into a total sap. I admit, it does happen on rare occasions and this pulled out all the stops.

Now I'm not saying this was perfect. The setup and the harsh reality of both Carter and Ethan's lives looms over them like a cloud, and at times it was quite discomforting. However, it was still just so lovely to see their relationship evolve, and how despite their limitations and disabilities, they found happiness in one another.

What stood out for me of course was Ethan. He show more wears his heart on his sleeve and he can't not be straightforward in his wants and needs. There's no artifice in how he interprets things, nor how he presents himself to the world. It was oddly refreshing and endearing and bittersweet, especially since this was due to a tragic accident - a situation that he still struggled with daily, despite overcoming many obstacles.

So basically, this was really just a great story about two easily misunderstood and underestimated guys, who bring out the best in each other. Utterly sweet, heart warming (and heart breaking), this hit the spot for some fantastic feel-good sentimentality. show less

Connor Adams and Sam Henning are best friends and fellow musicians who find themselves often mistaken for a couple. They usually just let it go--Connor is married and Sam has a boyfriend--but when they find themselves cornered by three intimidating men spouting homophobic taunts, that might not be an option. They come out on the other side with Sam shot and unconscious and one of their attackers dead while Connor has no memory of what happened. With all signs pointing to Connor shooting the show more perpetrator, while he was walking away, and no evidence to contradict that narrative, Connor soon finds himself facing criminal charges and serious prison time. As traumatic as that one night turned out to be, it's just the beginning in the trials that Connor, Sam, and Connor's wife, Kelly, will only be able to get through if they can do it together.

I had a visceral (not necessarily negative) reaction to much of the early part of this book. Imagine being cornered into a life-or-death situation only to come out on the other side alive but with no memory of what happened and facing the reality that you're still in danger of losing your life in a completely different way. And the system is not good to Connor. Not at all. I found that the second half the book seemed to drag, though, in comparison since it did not possess the intensity that the early book carried with it. Overall, though, this is a thought-provoking read that goes off the beaten path in a number of interesting ways. And it's worth the read. show less

Joe Nestra is an action hero movie star who finally decides to try a role with more acting chops. He plays an gay man with Aids trying to break out of his stereotype. Joe's dirty little secret: he is gay, but deeply closeted. Only his manager and close friend, Derek, knows the truth and he helps Joe hide his sexuality.
Hunter, the movies other start is openly gay and happily married. He and Joe clash, but eventually become friends. In doing so, Joe starts to question why he has not come out. show more He wants the happy married life that Hunter has.
This is a well-written and lovely romance. The characters are so well-drawn and compelling. I thought this was going to be a standard romance, but it is so much more. I highly recommend this book; you won't regret it. show less

Moving.

Poignant yet necessary.

Even controversial.

I probably could go on for days about the love I have for this book. Stories with main characters like this need to be told regardless of the genre. You can tell the amount of passion and research that went into Ethan, Who Loved Carter" from the first few paragraphs. Carter who has Tourette's falls for his next door neighbor, Ethan who has Traumatic Brain Injury. The first thought I had once finding out Ethan's back story was, "How is this one show more going be pulled off?"

Ryan Loveless did not disappoint, she covered a vast range of emotions with out cheapening her characters or making a mockery of their respective diagnoses.

There's not that many books that made me tear up(just a little), I can count them on less than one hand but I'm adding this one to the list.

It was just wonderful. Because I understand why Ethan loved Carter. I love them too.

And to Ms. Loveless, thank you for writing a story like this and sharing about your own experience as well. Job WELL done!

And potential readers, if you're tottering on reading this book...DON'T. You're missing a hell of a story." show less