While Rikker has had at least one other boyfriend, Graham really does it for him and Graham’s hot and cold behavior is confusing, arousing, and maddening. They were friends as teens and then lovers, discovering sex for the first time together. For Rikker, his emotional angst comes from being near Graham and not being able to have him. Because of that Graham’s in near constant emotional turmoil. Rikker understands and accepts himself whereas Graham does not. The college experience, the parties, the furtive dorm room sex, and the discovery of self. I particularly enjoyed seeing Rikker return home, meet up with his ex-boyfriend and basically enjoy being a college student without the added pressure of being a symbol for others.Įverything I love about New Adult is in this book. His complete acceptance of his own sexuality is in direct contrast with that of Graham’s. He deals with his unwanted celebrity status, locker room pettiness, but is often surprised at the level of support he encounters. He’s at a new college and a new team and not everyone there is okay with his sexual identity. His parents have shunned him so he went to live with his grandmother who is now ailing. It’s not like Rikker’s life is all roses. He’s eaten up with guilt over how he ran away from an injured Rikker when they were attacked as teens. His self loathing is part of what makes it easier to forgive him for the sometimes shitty behavior he exhibits toward Rikker.
(Then John, our former blogger who was on the podcast, said that it was a good name for a gay club but it would be called The Wardrobe instead). I said on a podcast that he’s so far in the closet he’s in Narnia. He wants to not be attracted to men but he is. He sleeps around, a lot, but particularly with his friend Becca. His agony with his sexual identity is keen. Graham and Rikker are both intriguing characters but Graham carries the emotional notes of the book. The rough quality of his voice turned me inside out with memories. The sound of him was like being scraped raw. Just the sound of Rikker’s voice affects Graham. He’s completely unprepared for the rush of feelings he has when he sees Graham. Harkness College offers him a scholarship and Rikker accepts. Rikker gets outed at his private Catholic college and is kicked off his team. This is the story of John Rikker, the only “out” Division 1 hockey player, and the first love of his life, Michael Graham.
I’m not a big m/m reader but after devouring The Year We Hid Away and the The Year We Fell Down, I had to read the third book in the series. Jane B+ Reviews Contemporary romance / m/m / New Adult 16 Comments OctoREVIEW: Understatement of the Year by Sarina Bowen
0 kommentar(er)
