Rating: 3.5 stars out of 5
Ever been torn between two lovers? That’s Ricky Comparetto’s problem.
It’s 1995, and Ricky is making his very first trip across the pond with his best friend. Ricky, hungry for love and looking for it in all the wrong places, finds it in the beach city of Brighton. His new love has the curious name of Walt Whitman and is also an American, which only serves to make him sexier and more intriguing. By the time Walt and Ricky part, promises are made for a reunion in Boston.
But the course of true love never runs smooth. In Chicago Ricky almost immediately falls in love again. Tom Green is a sexy blue-collar beast with the kindest heart Ricky has ever run across.
What’s he to do? With a visit to the East Coast on the horizon and a new love blossoming in Ricky’s home of Chicago, Ricky truly is torn.
Torn is more than an MM Romance. It’s a piece of queer fiction, well-written and smart. It’s an interesting read for those looking for something different. Especially since it takes place on the nineties. A time gay men weren’t as free to express their feelings for each other and the hopes of a future relationship were kept under wraps.
It’s easy to see the author’s experiences taking place in this story. As well as many of his contemporaries. It’s easy to understand Ricky and his need for companionship and solitude. A variety of relationships define different stages in his life, and it takes some time to understand who he is and what he needs.
One thing I don’t enjoy it when characters break the fourth barrier. I’m not a fan of characters talking directly to readers or viewers. It takes away from the connection between the author’s creation and the reader’s imagination. And in the end, it hinted to Ricky’s choice, loudly.
I cheered for Ricky and Walt. Perhaps because their story takes most of the book. I never felt a connection to Tom, no matter how many times Ricky explained how good he was. Overall, I wanted more. More of a relationship, share experiences, and less of a rushed decision.
I wanted to enjoy Ricky’s partnership and the reason he ended up with who he did. In the end, this is a good story. I simply wanted to enjoy Ricky’s love a little longer.
The cover by Reese Dante goes well with the story’s blurb and Ricky’s description. At the same time, it feels too modern for the book.
Sale Links: Dreamspinner| Amazon | Nook
Book Details:
ebook, 202 pages
ISBN: 9781644051771
Published: May 21, 2019, by Dreamspinner Press
Edition Language: English
Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words 