W_L

Thanks for reading, funny you mentioned each of them was there for Min in different ways. Forgot to mention this in my Author's notes on cultural idiosyncrasies, Japanese mourning rites includes the wearing of Black being part of the tradition, which Chip unknowingly is doing, along with White (immediate family members and close friends of the deceased should wear only Black). However, it is also considered bad luck to wear Black, Japanese superstition holds unfortunate events will transpire on those who wear it. (Is WL foreshadowing something will happen to Chip? His clothing is the only one I described ) Black is the color of misfortune and depression in Japanese tradition White is the color of Happiness, Spiritual Completion, and in terms of Marriage, "Death" and "Rebirth"

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/16281053-hunter-of-demons A gay romantic paranormal investigation procedural story set in Charlestown, South Carolina between an exorcist and a possessed telekinetic human with a vampire spirit with a distinct personality. The premise is interesting, the setting is unique in the contemporary American South, and the characters are very complex. Jordan L. Hawk is also a unique gay fiction author, being a trans-male writer from North Carolina, I did not kno

"United we stand, divided we fall", I think was derived from the concept you speak of I think at the heart of this story is one of trying to create comfort.

That's why it's an unorthodox approach, it's something that if ever used in real world settings would likely not be a psychological standard. A confrontation with a neutral group would help Brad far more than individual confrontation, because what Gary did to him was done under the presence of a group organized by Gary Gaston. Cook, aka Dr. Evan Hooker, is hybridizing two concepts : Group therapy with positive social interactions through the theoretical presence of the residents of Keller Hall and Attack Therapy, an aggressive form of confrontation therapy where the patient is directly challenged by stimuli. These 2 things work best in tandem with Brad, because despite his words and behavior to everyone around him, readers learn as the book progress through the patience of Beau's own selfless comfort that Brad is highly empathetic. Part of Brad's current issues and behaviors stem from prolong interaction with Gary Gaston, who is a textbook sociopath. Interesting note is that Brad being very empathetic, like Gary being a sociopath, work best in group settings rather than alone, when it comes to how he operates seeking approval or emotional support. There's a similarity and difference between them. Ultimately, I think Cook's therapy probably would have failed without Beau acting as a catalyst to activate his dormant empathetic instincts. Cook set everything up hoping to stimulate Brad's empathetic nature through one of the residents, but outside of Chip's non-sequitur encounters, he never connects with any resident.

Thanks for reading, Grief is a complicated issue and sometimes personal desires are messy line in the sand. Informed consent and friendship do not always match up in the real world, being human is not something easy.

Aye, the heart of their connections and their friendship though is based on something far more significant for all of them. I also liked showcasing a small glimpse at each of their personal lives. -Paki being into art was hinted at earlier, it fits him -Francis' lack of interests except exercise reminds readers that he is still stuck on Brad, who motivated him to exercise and become the gentle giant we know. -Warren's sterile room with only textbooks and photos from his boyfriend, Noah, punctuates his life. He's afraid of attachment, so his interests are solitary and requires a bit of active vetting. -Brad's reading interests in non-fiction books and his gay porn collection was hinted in chapter 2. -Mentioning Beau's horse mucking reminds readers of his rural background in Minnesota.

Good friends are hard to find, good connections are forged in the heat of adversity and challenge.

Chapter 13 is now live, Here's some Author's Notes: -Some indirect inference on Brad and his mood shift as the effects of Methadone wears off. It's revealing a bit more about the man behind his initial appearance or foul moods, he's a very empathetic person, but it doesn't mean he's selfless. -I indirectly revealed a major explanation in this chapter: Why are all the residents of Keller Hall there? The answer is simple: Each boy had felt a sense of abandonment Francis- Was abandoned by Brad after the big state Football Championships that caused his blindness Paki- Having failed his robbery attempt and lost his hand was abandoned to die on the streets as an example Warren- Being abandoned by his former lover Derek, which resulted in him being burned and traumatized Min- Being abandoned by his family and causing his boyfriend death through the same accident that left him quadriplegic Brad is a combination of all their issues and he has a unique empathetic streak, if he could connect with these guys as he is starting to now, he will be able to cope and rise above what Gary did to him. -Chip's Pokemon of the day is : Gothitelle. Basically imagine a non-gender conforming goth with psychic powers to predict when you will die in a Pokemon form. Gen V, Black and White era, had some weird stylistic choices. He went depressed and goth due to breaking up with Robby. -Yes, Min wears diapers, which as a wheelchair bound man isn't that odd. I've met many guys who have had to do that. There's a shame to the concept of wearing diapers due to perceived weakness. -Some South African Xhosa word translations babelaas- Hangover impumlo- Nose -Some Japanese word translations tomodachi-tachi- Friends (Plural for group), standard catch all for friends daishinyuu- Close/Best Friend, this is a deeper level of friendship in Japanese culture. It's an intimate type of friendship based on mutual kindness and understanding with one another.

After reading Mrs. Potter’s short text message, dread and guilt flowed like a raging river. I pulled Brad up to come with me. We had no time for plans or ruminations about the past or potential future that awaits. We walked through the wooded areas instead of the lighted path back to Keller Hall. I no longer worried about Gary Gaston descending from the shadows. I blamed myself as childish and unfounded as those feelings were. Min’s boyfriend was dead, the same boyfriend he had loved for years,

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/35114241-ravensong Book 2 in this series is a very big improvement and shows off T.J. Klune ability as writer. He also does a huge amount of world-building, story organization, and conceptual planning. Book 1 was slow and very difficult to read in my view, but book 2 was genuinely something I couldn’t put down, because Book 1 never resolved the relationship dynamics of the male couple. Length-wise, it is 400 pages long and 20 hours 18 minutes on audi

True, Gary and his family don't value human beings. As for Brad confronting Gary to get better, it's part of the bigger issues. Last chapter @Geemeedeeasked a really good question on why must Brad attend classes in person? The answer is in this chapter, he has to confront Gary, the manifestation of Brad's hatred and fear. Also, not sure if people ever wondered what Brad does during his days: He's auditing classes online, so it's not like he isn't participating, he's not ready to commit as an actual student and ultimately, Gary doesn't know about his presence due to him not being on the student rolls.

Gary and Brad are on a collision course. Gary is escalating his game.

You want some sharp objects with that swift justice Gary is someone Brad has to face Remember in the Disney version how their version of Gaston formed a mob to go after the Beast, playing on people's emotions and fears of the unknown. For my version, the idea is vigilante squad formed around Gary. It's a re-interpretation of the classic concepts.

Thanks for reading Gary is a piece of 💩 Min and Brad have personal demons to work through, they need lots of Paki is rubbing off on Francis (No, not like that ), learning to be assertive is hard.

Chapter 12 is now live, Here's some notes: -A look into Beau's work-study job at the University Library. While in Beauty and the Beast, the Beast gave Belle an entire library, Beau actually works in one and has access to a massive amount of books. -Gary Gaston has returned and his next scheme has far-ranging repercussions -Min's story is revealed. It's very tragic and he has a lot of guilt to deal with. I was inspired by the story of former professional baseball player Kazuhito Tadano, whose American major league career was ruined by a gay porn movie he made as a university student, who needed extra money. I pushed it even further though, because I think the concept is far more expansive than what most people realize about value systems. Sports is not valued as highly as it is in the United States for college level prospects. If your family cannot support your sports ambitions, very few people talk about the dark double-lives of athletes who need extra money. Paki as I mentioned earlier had steal to support himself and Min had to become a gay pornographic actor, along with his boyfriend. -Japanese term translation Daijoubu- "I'm Fine"/"I'm okay" equivalent expression Nakama- Friend, Comrade, or colleague -Brad has revealed why he is at this university despite Gary's presence and why the contract stipulates he has to attend classes in person? Cook's approach is a modified version of the psychological therapy Confrontation Therapy, it's a real concept in psychology and widely practiced. However, I took a different tactic on this than most writers. Cook is using Brad's response to Gary, his hate and his fear, for therapy to stimulate Brad into action and recovery. Brad doesn't want to be near Gary, he doesn't want to finish therapy or come to terms, but that's necessary for his growth. If Brad decides to attend classes in person, the contract will continue and this course of confrontation therapy will as well. However, if Brad cannot bring himself to do this, then the therapy has failed and the contract is moot. All of this is to help with Brad's mental health. -Brad wasn't just betrayed and hurt by Gary alone, Gary plays on other people's pain and guilt. Brad's former teammates, who like Francis, had been mauled during their final championship game were organized by Gary and collaborated in the assault. -The final text message is a big deal after learning what we have about Min's past. Ito's death is going to deepen his depression.

Monday morning was unlike the weekend in several ways. I had to wake up early at 6 AM in order to prepare myself for a fully loaded day. Brad held me in my sleep, but unlike Sunday morning, he wasn’t holding me in a tight embrace. There was a bit of give from his grip. I don’t know if he woke up with my phone alarm or not, but I whispered my apology and a short explanation to him before leaving the room. A quick shower and change of clothes followed without any preamble or early morning conversa

I can honestly say, I'm addressing that soon Psychology is one of the subjects that I find highly intriguing, both social psychology and individual therapy.

Beau is good for Brad, he's a breath of fresh air for him, offering real care and understanding. It could have so easily been just a sexual relationship between them. Gary is far worse than just a normal asshole

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18744000-once-upon-a-haunted-moor Harper Fox is an amazing British author, she’s well known in the gay fiction world for many of her tales, including this series of contemporary urban horror fantasy mysteries involving the redoubtable hard-nosed Constable Gideon Frayne and Psychic Lee Tyack. I freely admit that this story got me into her writing, which is an intriguing mix of old-fashioned narrative and modern sensitivities with gay relationships. I appre

Brad is a complex character in his own right, his pain and fears are pivotal to the narrative.

It's a powerful story, for me though, setting it in the 1980's with a Pre-condom era feel felt a little off. I was considering Aciman's experience and observations came in the 60-70's, it would have made more sense to set it in the early days, when gay Liberation and APA reversal had just happened. For me, I just feel like the time period is a little off. I probably am not going to read Find Me, it's trying to fill in the gap years of the last chapter along with adding a romance story that I don't have much investment in of Elio's father. I'd rather read a story of Elio finding a partner, who loves him fully without any reservations, but it's not Aciman's style nor his experience.

A beast is more than just his appearance Thanks for reading

You're welcome, I was surprised too so few people commented on this book review as well. It's one of the biggest gay romance fiction books in the last decade, but few people seem to have anything to say about it. Anyway, I do stand by 4 out of 5 rating I gave, I liked it and thought it was well written, but it was a tragic eulogy to a romance.

No problem, I hope the 2nd chance romance hook of the sequel goes somewhere fun

It's technically illegal to use a taser without a permit in Massachusetts. No comment...