Review: 'Screwed' by Jamie Fessenden
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 03 17, 2014
“Life gives you a lot of chances to screw up, yet it also means you have just as many chances to get it right.” ~ unknownJake Stewart, from 'Screwups' by Jamie Fessenden, knows all about screwing up. He lost his best friend and potential boyfriend, Tom Langois, from 'Billy's Bones', when he was too much of a coward to admit he was gay; he's regretted it ever since. When he meets Danny Sullivan, Jake is presented with a huge opportunity to get it right this time, while helping Danny rediscover his own self-worth and proving to themselves that the person they are now is not the person they were in the past.Jake is a normal, all-American boy, a business major with a talent for drawing which he has to keep hidden, until he takes a stand and moves into a dorm with all the artists, musicians, and free spirits. It's his first step to leading his own life, being what he wants to be rather than what his parents expect.  Jake, by nature, is a happy person. Except for the fact that he's in the closet, he's outgoing and considerate, even a little shy, but the casual attitude of the students he lives with brings out an exhibitionist streak he didn't even know he had. Jake has a lot to learn about being a geek and is willing to try almost anything.  He easily fits into almost every situation. After being raised in such a strict atmosphere, being able to express himself freely is a life-changing experience. I was so proud of Jake for coming through for so many people, especially Danny. He's so compassionate and emotional about him and is determined to not let anything come between them—not his jealousy and self-doubt or Danny's lack of love for himself. When Jake wants something, he finds a way to make it so.Danny is a sweet, sensitive young man with a big heart. He wears his feelings on his sleeve which can be a disadvantage because he's easily hurt. He is attracted to Jake as soon as he moves in, but is wary of getting together with him. Jake's advances finally become too much to resist and Danny gives in and begins Jake's introduction to sex. He finds that Jake is an excellent student willing to try anything that Danny suggests; but as their friendship grows stronger and they get close physically, Danny is plagued with nightmares of a horrible incident from the past. In the back of his head, he keeps admonishing himself for becoming involved with another man in the closet. Danny knows he is courting disaster and heartbreak, but his feelings for Jake are so strong, that he's willing to take the risk and deal with the pain, which in his mind, is a matter of when, not if, Jake leaves him. Danny's anguish is almost palpable. Without Jake's persistence and willingness to hear Danny's confession, he would never have been able to achieve the forgiveness he deserves.One of the things I admire most about Jamie Fessenden's writing is his ability to vary his style to complement his story. A story about college life calls for an informal, straightforward style which is exactly what Jamie delivers. I recommend this book to those of you who enjoy passion, angst, emotion, love, and redemption. Excellent job, Jamie. Thank you very much for sharing Danny and Jake's story with me.Originally published at Rainbow Book Reviews.