A review by cluckieduck
You & Me by Tal Bauer

emotional inspiring lighthearted slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes

5.0

An absolutely beautiful story of love, but more than just the about the relationship between two men, this is equally about the relationship between a father and his son. As he writes, 

A parent can never stop loving their child. You cannot unlove this being you raised, that you sheltered and nurtured and cared for and shielded. Their joys become your joys, their heartaches, yours...A child isn't the same, though. A child can unlove you. A child can look at you and find you wanting, realize you're not great, not wonderful. Parents don't get a free pass on a lifetime of love...A child's love is hard-fought, hard-won. You have to earn it.

Luke's journey of self-discovery had just the right amount of angst for me, especially when dealing with how to grieve someone who was so emotionally abusive. This was a story of 'right place, right time' for Luke & Landon. As each of their backstories were revealed, you could see the puzzle pieces fitting into place. Perhaps more could have been fleshed out with Landon's POV, but I appreciated that this was all about Luke coming to terms with everything in his life - his ex-wife, his personality, his own needs & desires, his sexuality, and his relationship with his son.

I was worried that it would head into the territory a la Friday Night Lights or Remember the Titans with some sort of accident to bring father & son closer, so was very glad that only typical teenage grief/conflict occurred and no bodily harm was had!

Anyways, lovely, lovely book.
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