BLURB: It all came down to a matter of trust
James has some free time and is taking a break from professional snowboarding. Getting away on a weekend by himself in the interior of British Columbia, Canada.
He needs a break from his life. A breakup with his fiancé, a woman his mother picked out for him from the right-wing church he's grown up in. There are certain expectations to start a family.
Corey, also a competitive snowboarder, knows James from the circuit. They've competed against each other many times over the years. They run into each other on the weekend of Winter Pride.
Corey has a secret. He's had a huge crush on James for years. But he's not out and James isn't gay. He decides to approach James anyway—just to hang out.
He convinces James to go to a Winter Pride event even though James has grown up in a world in which homosexuality is considered a sin. James reluctantly agrees. He's enjoying Corey's company.
As the men spend time together over the course of the weekend, James finds himself feeling unexpected things. He's not sure if it's admiration or attraction he has for Corey.
That question is answered when they end up alone together.
This is a story about trust. It's a sweet happily-ever-after love story.
My Review: I was gifted a copy by the author in exchange for an honest review. I liked this story but wasn't keen on some aspects of it that lowered my rating a little.
I liked both characters and the world building, even learnt a few snow Boarding terms I hadn't known before. However I felt James was too old to have given in to his family the way he did and, even though the angst from that was possibly needed, I couldn't get behind it at all. Without spoilers it's hard to say why, but part of it was the use of religious hatred and homophobia, both of which I truly don't understand at all. However Leigh Jarrett did fulfil the promise of a sweet and happy ending so is forgiven for the bit's I didn't like as much.
If you like gay awakening, friends-to-lovers type stories with happy ever after endings then give it a go. It's going to be worth it for those aspects at least. And of course if religious hatred and homophobia makes sense to you it will be even more so.
