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A review by mollyreadsandcrafts
A Series of Rooms by A.J. Barlowe
4.5
Liam is unsuccessfully celebrating his 21st birthday when he has two chance encounters with Jonah. Liam can sense something wrong with the situation Jonah is in and starts "hiring" him every week. They form a deep friendship, but their outside troubles pressure them to make impossible choices.
Liam and Jonah are so heartbreakingly endearing. Liam is a bit of a loner and while he's confident in what he wants, he's not as confident in getting there. His world is forever changed when he meets Jonah. Jonah and his situation brings a clarity to Liam and his priorities, while also giving him his first true friendship. Liam's entire perspective is shifted as he confronts the darkness he's been privileged to not have to encounter, but it's worth it help Jonah.
And sweet Jonah. Words can't express how much my heart hurts for him still. Despite, or really because of, his circumstances, he's such a strong character. He did what he had to survive, and after he does what he has to do to heal. Liam is the first person who treats him with genuine kindness and gives him hope that he isn't broken beyond repair. Their relationship isn't so much about sexual chemistry but the intimacy that true trust in another person brings. It's a story about hope, healing, and love.
There's so much hurt but so much sweet comfort as well. It's a struggle because they're both so young and it's a really hard situation. I couldn't stop thinking that even I wouldn't know what to do. But the silver lining was their beautiful connection.
As always, I love seeing how these characters who go through trauma and hardships recover and live out their happily ever afters. There were some parts that definitely needed the closure they got - specifically Jonah and his family. But of course I would have loved to see more of Liam and Jonah in New York, healing and loving. I'm impressed that this is a debut novel because the writing is so strong. I wouldn't have had all these feelings if it was written any other way. I'm excited to see what this author puts out next!
Read if you like:
• hurt/comfort
• slow burn
• strangers to friends to lovers
•••••••••••••••••••••
Liam and Jonah are so heartbreakingly endearing. Liam is a bit of a loner and while he's confident in what he wants, he's not as confident in getting there. His world is forever changed when he meets Jonah. Jonah and his situation brings a clarity to Liam and his priorities, while also giving him his first true friendship. Liam's entire perspective is shifted as he confronts the darkness he's been privileged to not have to encounter, but it's worth it help Jonah.
And sweet Jonah. Words can't express how much my heart hurts for him still. Despite, or really because of, his circumstances, he's such a strong character. He did what he had to survive, and after he does what he has to do to heal. Liam is the first person who treats him with genuine kindness and gives him hope that he isn't broken beyond repair. Their relationship isn't so much about sexual chemistry but the intimacy that true trust in another person brings. It's a story about hope, healing, and love.
There's so much hurt but so much sweet comfort as well. It's a struggle because they're both so young and it's a really hard situation. I couldn't stop thinking that even I wouldn't know what to do. But the silver lining was their beautiful connection.
As always, I love seeing how these characters who go through trauma and hardships recover and live out their happily ever afters. There were some parts that definitely needed the closure they got - specifically Jonah and his family. But of course I would have loved to see more of Liam and Jonah in New York, healing and loving. I'm impressed that this is a debut novel because the writing is so strong. I wouldn't have had all these feelings if it was written any other way. I'm excited to see what this author puts out next!
Read if you like:
• hurt/comfort
• slow burn
• strangers to friends to lovers
•••••••••••••••••••••