Review: Review by Leisa
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 06 19, 2014
4.25 of 5 starsFor original review see The Prism Book Alliance Blog onlineChris Cox’s Bayou Boys collection of stories, When Sean Loves Rusty, provides an account of the very real challenges these two young men face as they grow from young adults to be independent men. Throughout their year in Boston, Sean grows from an insecure young man who is deeply hurt by his father’s abuse and his family’s rejection, to a man with a promising career and budding self-confidence. Cox’s careful detail of Sean’s evolution is both authentic and at times painful to read. His fears sometimes run away with him, and he works hard to maintain a facade of calm covering his chaotic thoughts. Sean is terrified to be himself since he has been rejected by his family for that very thing. Cox handles Sean’s fears with sensitivity and allows the reader to feel how damaging his family’s rejection is, as well as how hard he and Rusty work together to overcome their challenges. Rusty’s experiences less obvious character changes, but he steadfastly loves and supports Sean, and his celebration of Sean’s growing confidence is sincere.I really like the characterization of Sean and Rusty. Cox captures the hopefulness and anxiety of youth as Sean and Rusty clasp hands and jump from the comfort and security of New Orleans and move to Boston. Their relationship is depicted realistically – they make difficult life decisions, they make hard sacrifices, they have misunderstandings, they laugh, they have real friends, and they hold tight to the knowledge that they truly love each other and both are willing to do most anything to stay together. To put it simply, they grow to be men, and they do it together.This collection is five separate stories, but they flow along relatively smoothly to cover the year after Sean’s college graduation. However, details about Sean and Rusty repeats in each of the individual stories, (likely since the stories were originally published individually), but it is noticeable to the reader.  Nevertheless, I truly enjoy Sean and Rusty’s sweet, loving stories. I look forward to reading further installments as they revel in Sean’s career success and triumphantly return to New Orleans as happily married men. I recommend When Sean Loves Rusty to anyone who enjoys an authentic romance between two lovely and committed young men. I think you’ll become a fan of these Bayou Boys as well!