Follow Peter into the summer following his senior year to face new beginnings, new friends, and old baggage.
After a tumultuous final year of high school, Peter Mandel needs a break. It’s the summer of 1991, and his secret relationship with his ‘best friend’ Adam Algedi is put on hold as Adam goes away to Italy for the summer. On the cusp of adulthood, Peter has a couple of months to explore who he is without Adam at his side.
Enter Daniel McPeak, a slightly older, out, responsible college guy with a posse of gay friends and an attraction for Peter. Drawn into the brave new world of the local gay club, Peter embarks on a whirlwind of experiences—good and bad—which culminate in a hotel room where he has to make the ultimate choice.
But Adam will come back eventually, and there are promises that have to be kept. As autumn draws near and college awaits, can Peter break free of the binds of twisted first love? And what exactly is Daniel’s role in his life – a brief temptation, or something more?
After the emotional roller coaster of book 1, I wasn’t sure what to expect for book 2. We got a different emotional roller coaster.
Now, instead of Adam controlling Peter’s life in person, he does it from Italy. Like omg! This guy has a girlfriend (Leslie), has a boyfriend (Peter) and wants permission to sleep with other people in Italy. Because he has needs. Oy!
Peter, for his part, is still listening to Adam and hanging on his every word while still being angry at the whole situation. He’s also avoiding his high school friends in favor of the couple of gay friends he has gotten. Including Daniel. You can feel the chemistry between them. But Daniel is a good guy and knows Peter is loyal to Adam even if Adam doesn’t deserve it.
Peter goes through some things towards the beginning of the book that he tells Adam about and Adam uses it against him. He is emotionally abuse to Peter and everyone can see it but him.
We get some new regular characters. Minty is the most visible being Daniel’s best friend. He is the type of completely fearless guy who also refuses to realize that HIV and AIDS is a thing. He is out, proud and loud. Tutus and dresses without a care in the world.
We also meet Bobby, Daniel’s PWA-person with AIDS that he helps. Bobby broke my heart. Dying of AIDS far too young. Withering away because in 1991, there wasn’t much that could be done medically. It very much was a death sentence. But Bobby’s wisdom and advice to both Peter and Daniel will probably stick with them forever.
Peter struggles throughout the book between wanting to stay faithful to Adam but realizing that what he feels for Daniel is just better.
Book 1 ended with Adam going to Italy. Book 2 ends with Adam coming home.
Imma just say, I am SO GLAD I got to read all three books back to back!
4 pieces of eye candy