Review: Very different from other books in its quality and explanations of issues.  Loved the way the characters grew together
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 03 10, 2014
This book is one of the best I have ever read in explaining and dealing with the issues that the characters face.  Every second was so realistic that it felt as if I was reading nonfiction.  Mark and Jamie are such great guys, I loved both of them equally.  They were so different, but balanced each other out to meet in the middle and support one another.  This story was unlike any other I've read because of how it flowed, how it covered everything I expected and more, the way the characters grew, and the way their lives slowly bloomed together.The parts that got me angry were dealing with Mark's family because they were such unbending bastards.  They were close-minded and afraid to change.  Even before that though, they all just used Mark and weren't thankful or caring back.  And then they discarded him.  But what was really amazing was Mark's realization why they acted like they did.  I actually highlighted the entire page long epiphany Mark had about why they wouldn't change their minds.  That is the most insightful I have ever seen an author be.  It, and the rest of the writing and explanations, made this book golden.Mark grew so much over the course of the book.  He discovered his spine, accepted what he couldn't change, became truly HAPPY, found his other half, and got family and friends that loved him and gave back.  He was the sweetest and such a "giver."  And his personality meshed so well with Jamie's over the top agenda to save the world, that although Mark didn't care so much about all the causes, he tirelessly supported Jamie in every way.  And Jamie changed him as well, making Mark think about making himself happy, and actually being the one to make Mark happy.Regarding literary soundness, this was one of the best books of the m/m or general romance genres I have read in a while.  It's sad, but a lot of books nowadays aren't edited very well, or if they are, they still aren't very advanced in literary elements.  But this book had it all, including foreshadowing!  (Loc 1010 foreshadows how Mark's parents will react to his sexuality.)This is just overall a brilliant book, beautifully rendered, and I enjoyed it way, way more than I expected.  It is very smooth to read, not fast-paced in its events, but also never boring.  It handled the subject matter so well and was almost cathartic through all the solutions and the way that Mark turned his life around.  I recommend it to all.P.S. The title is great, such a funny play on the usual saying and so applicable to the story--Mark's growing up/learning about m/m sex and the reoccurrence of bees throughout!