Review: Meant to be
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 02 13, 2014
3.75 stars.  The story of Bobby and Alejo is not a simple one.  It takes 20+ years for them to get it right could be taken as evidence that some things are meant to be.I have to say the beginning underwhelmed me.  Having zero background on the two men at that point, I couldn’t get emotionally invested and their love making was flat.  But it did pick up the morning after when real life intruded and the hurdles to their HEA emerged.I felt this was Alejo’s story more than Bobby’s.  Bobby is back in New Mexico after living in Texas for many years practicing law.  While we get much of his back story, his life is on hold as he’s enfolded into Alejo’s and as a result I felt more connected to Alejo than Bobby.They’ve been friends since age 6.  Bobby comes from a home with a father in jail, an absent mother, and abusive old brothers.  Alejo comes from a strict Catholic family.  Bobby learns life can change on a dime so he lives openly and free.  Alejo finds safety in rules and traditions.  Bobby is openly infatuated with Alejo and eventually they get together but the rules and traditions weigh on Alejo and he’s the one to break them up.Bobby is and will always be in love with Alejo, so it is Alejo who drives the relationship.  Everything they do together is on his time table and at times I wondered how Bobby could stand it.  Alejo’s also very insecure and after a life time of manipulation by his mother, he turns that baton over to his son.  The women in his life are exceptional though.  His ex-wife Eugenia and his daughter Josefina are a joy and wonderfully written.Not to be left out, Bobby has his brother Isidro, someone you can’t help but like despite his faults.The story uses flashbacks to tell both their back stories and while that is a vehicle I usually dislike, it worked well in this.  The modern story moved at a snail’s pace at times and the flashbacks added interest.  The only place it didn’t was at the end where the book ended with a flashback that was supposed to show them in love, but felt out of place as we knew the pain they’d both go through after that scene.  I would have preferred it end on a modern happy note.The characters in the story, from Bobby and Alejo to the supporting cast are wonderfully real containing a full set of strengths and faults.I enjoyed the story despite issues with the beginning and ending.I received a copy of this story free of charge from the author in exchange for an honest review.