Review: A little heavy on the setting details for me, but a solid romance
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 11 30, 2012
Warning: This review might contain what some people consider SPOILERS.Rating: 7/10PROS:- The characters are complex and intriguing--and I'm not talking about just the two protagonists. Even most of the secondary characters are more round than flat.- The chemistry--both physical and emotional--between the two men is great. Witt shows a lot of small parallels between Eric and Shane: they both ache with the pain of missing their kids, they both enjoy snorkeling, they're both interested in photography, etc. These similarities, in addition to the men's obvious attraction, went a long way toward convincing me that I was reading about a lifetime relationship with a good chance of lasting.- The depiction of Okinawa is rich and detailed, obviously the product of first-hand knowledge rather than just book research. (see cons below also)CONS:- Alternating first-person point of view (in one chapter, "I" refers to Eric, then in next, "I" is Shane) is something I always have a bit of trouble following. I tend to get lost in the story and just barrel on into the next chapter without stopping to think about the change in perspective. There's also one chapter late in the story that alternates POV between scenes, and that was even worse for me.- The men are constantly exploring Okinawa, and as much as I realized that I was seeing a well-rounded view of a foreign place (as well as a way of showing the men's deepening bond as they spend time together), I found the endless details about the island to be a bit tiresome after a while. I felt like a tourist on a whirlwind bus tour.- I found the whole thing a little sad (although this is no fault of the author's). The secrecy with which Eric and Shane have to approach every aspect of their public lives is exhausting. They can never truly be themselves except in private.Overall comments: This is a good look at the dangers gay men still face in the military, even post-Don't Ask Don't Tell. It's not pleasant to read about the struggle the men go through to maintain their relationship when it has the potential to ruin both of their careers, but the romance is well-written and heartfelt.