The setting is a small town where everybody knows everybody's business.

We have Paul - a high school jock who's been in denial about his sexual preference all of his 38 years of life, and we have Randy - the weird gay kid, probably bullied a lot, who escaped the town right after graduating.

So, comes the high school reunion...

Randy is attracted to Paul (has been since high school), but keeps it to himself because he's not out to his mom yet and to the best of his knowledge, Paul is straight.
Paul is attracted to Randy too (has been since high school), but keeps fooling himself, mostly he's afraid not to live up to his Dad's expectations. Or the town's expectations. Whatever.

And all it took for Paul to loose control was one bitchy ex-fiance and a few scotches. And then he pounces on Randy in his hotel room and goes straight to gay sex. For someone who's been in denial for more than 20 years, who was afraid to even think about a passing attraction to men on the street, he sure didn't need much encouraging. Nor did he freak out about it at any point of the book. Wouldn't he feel, oh I don't know, a bit overwhelmed at some point? Unless he wasn't really really in real denial.

And all of that happens in the first 10 pages of the book.

Then there's a whole lot of hot and a bit kinky gay sex. Between the the sex sessions there's a bit more of the angry bigot Dad, and the psycho ex-fiance.

And then we reach the last 20 pages of the book, in which Paul's superhero Mother puts a metaphorical collar on the psycho ex-fiance's neck ensuring no rumors will spread, and informs Paul and Randy that their parents already know they're gay, and want them to be happy.

Ten more pages of kinky sex. The End. ( )

I usually like my romances to have some paranormal aspect, mystery, or scifi element. I don’t usually go for contemporary romances as they start to sound alike. How many ways can you tell a “boy meets boy” story in the real world? So, I’m not sure what prompted me to order this one, other than Amazon allowing me to read the first few pages before buying. I immediately felt a connection, and am very glad I bought it.

The story was simple, and familiar: popular high school jock still unmarried, and in the closet, meets Mr. Right and accepts his sexuality. Yet, the characters were very real and the romance was enjoyable. Plus, it was nice to read about mature characters. Randy and Paul meet again at their 20th high school reunion, putting them both close to 40. Randy was the goth-outsider in high school. He moved away and made a fortune in computer programming. Paul followed the path his father laid out for him, law school, mayor, ready to run for state senate. When he and Randy meet again, they start a passionate affair, but will Paul be able to stand up to his father and make his own life?

This is romance, so the ending is predetermined to be HEA. However, it didn’t feel contrived because it made sense for these characters. Paul has his own money, and is a practicing lawyer. Even if his father disowns him, he can move away with Randy and not give up everything. The author spent time building the romance, and though the sex is explicit, it’s not every other page. Overall, an enjoyable love story. ( )

Randy and Paul grew up on opposite sides of the tracks. Randy is the son of a single mom and has had to work hard his entire life. Now he's a rich, successful man, but he hasn't come out to his mother. He doesn't want to alienate the only person who loves him. Paul grew up wealthy. Now, he's an attorney and a the mayor, but he isn't happy. Something is missing. When he sees Randy at their high school reunion, he can't deny the obvious attraction. Paul, like Randy, is in the closet, but his domineering father and his political career deter him from coming out. The two men have to come to terms with their relationship, their families, and the outside world in order to be together.Honestly, I know I'm always saying this, but if you haven't read any of Kersten's books you really should. They're just so engaging. Also, if you haven't attempted reading m/m romance and are curious, this book would be a great one to begin with. The characters are just really good guys. They care about other people, they love their mothers, and they are willing to make sacrifices. What's not to like about that? ( )

You can't never forget your first love...

Paul is the perfect All American Boy of a small town USA. Quarterback, Golden Boy, wealthy and handsome, he was the dream of every girls in high school, but also of one boy, Randy. Randy was from the wrong side of the city, he was a bit of a goth and plus he was also gay. Not that he could do nothing in the small town he lived, other than dreaming about Paul. And he would never imagine that also Paul dreamed about him.

But eighteen years old are too few to have the courage to do something and so Randy chose to leave the town and made a own and successful career in the IT department. And Paul returned back to home after college to be a lawyer in his father firm and to become the perfect city major with a barbie doll girlfriend.

Now twenty years later they meet again at the school reunion. Randy is a millionaire businessman who admitted to be gay to colleagues and friends, but not with his mother, his only live relatives. And Paul is still denying his homosexuality. But when Paul meet Randy, denying is not more an option, and Paul needs to find the courage to coming out with his parents, but also with all the small town, and Randy with his mother. But a little surprise is waiting our two heroes.

This one is maybe the most romantic novel I have read by Shayla Kersten. It's a very classical romance, with all the little things that make squeeze a romance lover. And then I always have had a thing for first love turning in everlasting love. Plus both Paul than Randy are very nice characters, and Randy is perfect in his behaviour, he knows when to push Paul, but also when to stepback and give him enough room to make his own choices. My only regret is that this couple has to wait twenty years to be together, but maybe is better in this way, cause they are both enough mature to know what they really want in their life.

A very sweet romance, highly reccomended to who wants to see the world throught pink glasses, and sometime this means to have a better disposition toward life.

PS: HOT HOT HOT cover by Les Byerley, I would buy the book only to have this cover, and since the book is very good, the cover is a very appreciated plus!

http://www.amazon.com/dp/1419960067/?tag=elimyrevandra-20