Review: A solid, believable love story 4.5 Stars
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 02 10, 2014
4.5 Stars...Bobby Gallegos and Alejo Sandoval were childhood lovers in the late 70's. They shared their first, and many, sexual experiences in high school--despite Alejo being a devout Catholic and bisexual. Bobby always knew he was gay--and he loved Alejo terribly. They had grand plans to build a life together, knowing their family and culture would reject their relationship.Fast forward twenty-two years. Those youthful dreams had died. Bobby, against all odds, has built himself from the youngest son of a dead convict into a promising defense attorney in Houston. He's lived his life open, but he could never get over his love for Alejo. After a near-death experience, he returns to Albuquerque to see if he and Alejo can build the life together they once dreamed about.Alejo has been busy these years as well. He's a successful restaurant owner, and a father of twins about to graduate high school. A year ago his wife divorced him--she knew his love for her was more the tepid-sort. And she wanted more. Alejo's daughter is whip-smart and compassionate. She recognizes her father's love for Bobby is true. His son's a self-absorbed brat who didn't have a clue Alejo and Bobby were lovers--not that they had been open. Ever.Still, Alejo knows he needs Bobby, and wants to have a life with him, but he's still got the kids at home--his wife left them to marry another man. So, being the truly fantastic father he is, Alejo's puts Bobby on the side burner. At first. Of course, as soon as we think Bobby and Alejo will get their HEA, Alejo's son becomes and even bigger nuisance. Good thing Alejo grows a spine.This book spans the 20+ year gap between the end of their torrid juvenile love affair, and the slow burning passion that they now experience.  There's a lot of hurt to work out--a lot of history to reveal--and it's done in mutliple flashbacks. Told from both Bobby and Alejo's view, we see the hard choices they made, for themselves and others. It's a strong story, and I enjoyed it. Also, it's good to see the transition from the homophobic world of 1980 to the more gay-hospitable 2012. The love scenes are wonderfully written. The one detractor I had really was more of frustration with plot inconsistencies I found between this book and the second one REACH FOR THE MOON--which I adored completely.That said, as a stand-alone, this is a solid, contemporary M/M romance. I received a review copy of this book from the author via the Don't Buy My Love program at Goodreads.