When his first love drowns, Griffin starts on a downward spiral. Theo was his first everything, first kiss, first love, first time, and now he's gone. To top it all off Theo had a new boyfriend, Jackson, a man that Griffin wishes to hate with all his heart. But he's the only other person in the world who knows what Griffin going through. He turns to Jackson for help.
This novel is an exploration of grief, for a friend, for a love, for a soul mate. Griffin and Theo are end game, they both know that. So when Theo is taken away, Griffin isn't sure how he can go on without him. Jackson is also distraught while dealing with the fact that he was always hyper-aware of how close Theo and his ex were.
Together Jackson and Griffin explore their memories of the boy they both love. Griffin introduces Jackson to the boy who Theo was in New York. Jackson takes Griffin to California and shows him the man Theo became.
As always Adam Silvia is the master of heartbreak and tells a highly emotional story that you well up to in many places. You feel for Theo, you feel for Jackson, and you hope for their happy ending.
I gave this book a 3/5.
The first three-quarters of this book were absolutely amazing, I read all of it within a day. The last quarter is the reason that it isn't five stars. With a twist ending which blindsides you, I felt that the narrative becomes slightly unbelievable for me.
Spoilers past this point.
I never expected Jackson and Griffin to become the end game. How could they, after everything that happened. But it was the relationship I was rooting for, the relationship that this novel spent so long building up.
Wade's coming out as Queer completely at random, and his love for Griffin seems a bit forced. Almost as if Adam needed to give Griffin a love story. I would prefer if Griffin moved on alone, and found who he himself was before who he is with someone else.
I think Adam's other books are excellent, but this one was a grind to complete.
Writings Of A Queer Mind 