Review: Pure and Moving - If I could rate this as six stars I would
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 12 30, 2012
Yamila constantly writes different ideas - I dare say we could call her collected works a variety pack, with something in it to please anyone - and I love her action-filled romances. But this is the first time I've read one of her stories that introduced a sad element, and she pulls it off with such poignancy that it really stops and makes you reflect on the characters and what you would do in their stead. I don't think I could have done any differently. Her characters are always so REAL, and this story actually is battling with Maelstrom for top spot on my Yaoimila favs list!This is mainly because Cold Beautiful is the first time I've read a m/m romance author branch out from characters that are just gay or straight-but-conversion-is-imminent. One of the main characters is actually introduced as asexual, which allows him to explore his deepest feelings for his friend before he ever learns to rekindle passion in his body. It was absolutely beautiful to watch him blossom. This m/m romance isn't about getting the plot and characters introduced as just a primer for sex, but actually about the development of their relationship as something pure. The passion that results feels so natural that it sweeps aside a lot of the jaded feelings that the concept of sex in our society produces. You walk away feeling clean and hopeful, with a fresh understanding of how love and passion are meant to be coupled.