This book was both emotionally deep and romantically sweet. It features a narrative that focuses on the American foster care system and the realities a lot of children face when they are placed into that system. Rhett feels lucky to be adopted as a teen, but also feels like an imposter. He has felt worthless for so long he cannot see his own worth, why anyone would love him, and feels broken for not welcoming this new family and love immediately. He wonders if something is wrong with him that he cannot simply accept this new reality. To give back he volunteers his time with other kids in the foster system. His volunteering leads to Grayson also jumping in to volunteer. It was nice to see Grayson take an interest in Rhett's volunteer work, but then come to actually care for these kids and want to volunteer outside of his feelings for Rhett. Both boys were so stinking sweet and caring to these kids and each other. The romance was electric and as the novel unfolds you learn that Rhett is under the aro/ace umbrella. He is demisexual and only begins to have romantic feelings when he meets and hangs out with Grayson. For Rhett, the relationship takes him by surprise as he always believed he was not attracted romantically or sexually to other people (much to the disappointment of his best friend who is in love with him). Grayson is so understanding and he takes everything slow, checking in on Rhett's comfort constantly. That is true love. Rhett feels bad about how he mistreats Grayson sometimes, as he pulls back or is shocked, but in reality he is only coming to grips with the idea that he has fallen in love with another guy (someone not his best friend who he tried so hard to love back the way she wanted). Both Grayson and Rhett were abandoned by their parents. Where Rhett's father quite literally gave him away, Grayson's parents have spent little time with him and leave on trips all of the time. He takes care of himself, makes his own meals, gets himself to school, and follows along with their perfect child image in order to eventually take over his Grandfather's business. Rhett meanwhile, has new parents who adore him and want to spoil him and spend time with him, but he has always felt second to everything around him and is finding it hard to believe that they honestly love him. These boys lives compliment each other and help ease their hurts and pains, especially when they can find that comfort and care in each other that they cannot find or accept from other people. I will say that I was very frustrated with the break (third act breakup trope is not a favourite of mine), because it seemed unnecessary. Rhett could not be with Grayson due to his not being openly gay, which seemed a little unfair to me. Especially when Grayson was only keeping Rhett a secret from his parents, he had told his friends and Rhett's family. But, he is worried his father would cut him out of his Grandfather's business, someone he loved and admired and wants to be able to help rebuild what his parents have changed (ie. charitable donations). It was hard to see Rhett pull away from Grayson because of that, but also I suppose it would be painful for a young man who has a hard time knowing who to trust and who loves him to be hidden by someone. So, I can see it would make sense to Rhett that their relationship just would not work for him mentally. Overall, it was a lovely story of two young men helping to mend each other. Both needed to find themselves, to reveal truths to those closest to them, and to really explore who they are and what they are willing to risk to be with the person they love.
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