This is a story about growing up and coming of age in the truest sense (if not literally). It’s a prequel to the previously published You Can’t Choose Your Family (which takes place twenty years later), and I was looking forward to reading this. I wasn’t disappointed.

I rejoiced with Fran when he gained a measure of freedom upon arriving at college, remembering that, to some degree, I felt the same at that stage of my life. I think we all do, but it was even more significant for Fran. Repressed by his preacher father, he hopes mainly for a free choice of profession, not even daring to think about his preference for men. The ‘moral’ imperative against that is much too deep seated. He struggles with his preconceived ideas for quite a while, but he is the kind of man who puts people first. Jay is a friend, one who knows and admits he is gay, and that counts for more than anything in Fran’s book.

Jay is a delightful breath of fresh air for Fran. Jay knows he is gay and has learned not to care about those who do not like the fact. He has a supportive family, so that helps, but, mostly, this is just who he is. Nobody makes him hide, and he teaches Fran this by example more than anything. Jay is a wonderful friend and I really believe he’d stayed ‘just a friend’ if that is what Fran would have decided.

The emotional depth of Fran coming to terms with who he is as he falls in love with Jay is wonderful. I loved how these two men interacted and admired both of them for taking the decisions they did. If you like reading about a man learning who he is and taking the first hesitant steps into a new life, I am sure you’ll like this short book.





NOTE: This book was provided by Dreamspinner Press for the purpose of a review on Queer Magazine Online. ( )