This was a bit too angtsy for me and I gave up around 70% into the book. I just lost interest. ( )

Brian Stagliano is a new Doctor and has just been by his best friend’s side through a journey with cancer. Andrew has been through hell and back with cancer. He’s finished chemo and is in the clear. After a few too many drinks one night, he tells Brian that he loves him.

This book seems like it’s a simple premise, but it isn’t really. It’s about change in all its permutations.

Andrew has been through a world of change. His battle with cancer left him with a changed body and depression. It took away his career aspirations and changed a lot for him. What didn’t change was his friendship with Brian. Brian was at Andrew’s side through every horrible step and he’s never been closer to anyone.

When Andrew reveals how he feels about Brian it throws both men for a loop. For the first time in their friendship they aren’t sure how to be themselves around one another. And it’s not just their friendship that suffers. They have a wonderful group of friends and the strangeness between Andrew and Brian seeps into all their relationships.

The other interesting thing in this book is the way that the author gets the character to explore “labels”. As Brian struggles to understand himself and what or who he is attracted to, the frustration is very real. He doesn’t want to be labeled, nor does he want anyone else telling him what “he is”. Speculation about Brian’s sexual orientation becomes a real bone of contention! He’s under a lot of pressure even if it’s perceived rather than real. The author does a great job of exploring how “labels” can make people feel pressured, but at the same time they can make things easier for friends.

Another thing I’d like to say is that Hayward does a fantastic job of moving the plot along and building tension! There were a couple of things that really ratcheted up the tension and meant that I didn’t put the book down for a while!

In short: I really enjoyed this one!
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