Review: HBO needs to make Queers a series!
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 02 5, 2014
I read a lot but I seldom write reviews.  Only when a book has moved me to the point I want to scream to the world, “You ABSOLUTELY HAVE to read this book!”  You know the kind.  You want to devour every word, yet curse the slider at the bottom of the Kindle when it says you’re past 50% because you know the story will be ending.  You are jealous of others when they get to read it for the first time.  Queers is one of those books.  Another reviewer called it, “Epic” and that’s exactly what it is.  Only, it’s more like FOUR epic stories - not just one.  Like others, five stars just isn't enough.You can read the synopsis, so I won’t rehash that here. This is a BIG book, so to say it was a rollercoaster ride of emotions doesn’t even come close.  I felt like I was on a tiny ship being tossed at sea in the middle of the Perfect Storm.In one early chapter alone, I had heart pangs (my hallmark of a perfect book), I laughed, I cried, I sighed, I was frustrated, I was mad.  But then it never stopped.  Even though I finished it yesterday, I’m still feeling emotional about Queers today.AJ Rose is a one-click, must-read author for me.  I have read all his books and highly recommend all of them.  While all are in the M/M genre, each is entirely different.  From the sweetest ghost story ever written (The Yearning), to exciting and emotional cop/BDSM stories (Power Exchange and Safeword) to Queers, AJ never disappoints or gets locked into a common theme.  His sex scenes are the only ones I don’t skim over.  They are erotic and sensual, but almost never perfect.  In other words, realistic.  One in this book brought me to tears because of the sheer beauty and emotion and that has never, ever happened to me before.His simple, yet beautifully written prose sucks you into the story and you not just “see”, but hear and feel exactly what the characters are experiencing.“…the sprinkler’s shika-shika-shika the only sound as it jetted water across the lawn and Brad’s torso.”“Garret’s guts gave a slow roll, like a giant beast heaving to its side as it digested its latest kill.”Simple, yet emotionally heart-felt single sentences brought tears to my eyes.  So many I can’t list them all, but these two stuck out:“See, when you walk into a room, something in me quiets down, some piece of me that is just waiting for you to come home, and I’m not whole until you do.”“Westley was silent for a long time.  Then he said softly, “You were imagining going home with me?”  (This one slayed me.)Don’t get me wrong.  I smiled and laughed more than I cried.  The witty banter, especially between the “Three Musky Queers” and their friends was delightful.“It’s all fun and games until someone loses a testicle.”“I’ve known you for like five minutes.  How are you humiliating me already?”I love Duff for being insecure at times but never failing to say exactly what’s on his mind - and in such a straightforward, profound way.  Garrett, yeah, I wanted to smack him, then felt guilty for ever having had that thought.  Brad made my heart hurt.  So many times.  Landon.  I have no words for Landon.  And Moonshine…I want her for my best friend.  But Jackson – Jackson stole my heart.  Forever.I will never look at cheesecake the same again.  Or yellow roses.  That scene, which is very small, just cracked me up and made my heart all warm and glowy inside.  And, yup, Double Stuffed Oreos are disgusting.Those of us that follow AJ Rose on Facebook or Twitter, also got a good laugh at the very end.  Ok...stick a fork in me.  I’m done.  Buy the book and savor every single moment as you read, knowing I am jealous of you.