A Long Way Back

Oh, this book.

Every single time Ink talked about his past I was so sad. Like seriously sad. I didn't know what he went through and I was curious to find out, but I was also really, really sad. Ink is such a great guy and even before I found out what he was hiding I knew for sure he did not do it. He's so kind and caring he couldn't do anyone harm.

I understood Tay, I understood him blaming Jonty for what happened, but I was also glad he knew it wasn't Jonty's fault. And I also found myself—along with Tay and Jonty—asking what if Tay would have come out sooner, what if he would have confessed to Jonty that he felt the same. I think they would have really worked out as a couple, and maybe there's always going to be that 'what if' between them, but they are really great friends first of all. And I'm really glad they are such great friends.

Besides me being sad about Ink's background, I was also anxious about what type of crap is going to rain down on both Ink and Tay and I'm actually kind of disappointed Ink didn't have his steak. Well, I'm sure he eventually did, along with other things he missed out on, but, man, that would have been a great steak.

The plot is nuts and I'm amazed how it all makes sense, starting with Tay's coming out and to the conclusion of the book. There is so much going on—no surprise there—and I should be used to it by now. Well, parts of the plot are far fetched and exaggerated, but there was just so much feeling I didn't notice or mind it while reading.

I do have one negative-ish thing to say. And I don't know how to phrase it. It's about the sex. The sex is great, but about the switching in the bedroom. Which is also great, but it always has this explanation of 'to show him I trust him'. Why is that the ultimate proof of trust? I don't get it. I don't mind it as much when the trust is implied, but when it's laid out in the narration it feels wrong somehow. Just let them enjoy sex whichever way they want to, I can think of at least five better ways one can show trust. And this is not something I encountered only in Barbara Elsborg's books, but I keep seeing it more often.

I am still sad about the book, there was a lot of sadness, but there was also a lot of hope and, as I assumed would happen, I found out who Ru is (only that for some reason I was expecting to find out about him in the next book) and I'm really curious about him. But before that, I need to find out what Cato's deal is.