Book Reviews

Book Blurb

Jonah Gilchrist lives a double life. On the internet, he’s a fashion-blogging Tumblr celebrity. In the real world, though, being an awkward gay virgin isn’t as cute and endearing as it is online—it’s a target on his back. After years of being bullied, Jonah’s determined to start afresh at college, but it’s hard to remake yourself when you’re sharing classes with your ill-fated junior high crush.

 

Sebastian Rose, with his easy-going manner and great sense of humor, was one of the most popular guys in junior high. He was also one of Jonah’s only defenders. Too bad Jonah knows Sebastian’s kindness was only pity.

 

Bumping into each other after all these years makes it seem like the universe itself wants Jonah to have a second chance at his first love. But how can he ever hope to reinvent himself when Sebastian’s presence pulls him further into his past? Then again, maybe moving forward doesn’t have to mean leaving the best part of your past behind.

 

 

 

First Edition published by MM Romance Group @ Goodreads, 2013.

 

Book Review

If you've ever wondered what it's like to be a social outcast, not just because you're gay, but because (on top of that) you're fundamentally uncomfortable around people, then Jonah, the narrator of this book, can be your guide. And even though he does his best to sound funny and unaffected, if you read between the lines, you will see a cry for understanding and love from the very start. Jonah has a way to go, and he may not want to admit it, but he isn’t stupid. He is just very, very inept.

At first glance, there isn't much to like about Jonah. He is vain, obsessed with fashion, and posts his thoughts every five seconds just waiting for his adoring followers to comment. Leaving the room to go out into the "real world" has him terrified, and I can’t even blame him. As more information about his past emerges, it becomes obvious he was bullied in school, his parents are rich, and he is too scared to show any sort of weakness or part of who he really is.

Sebastian changes all of that. They went to school together, and when Jonah finds out he is now enrolled in the same college, sharing a class, his world comes apart. He's always had a crush on Sebastian and while the man is not fashionable in the least, Jonah does still have a crush on him. The emerging romance, as they reconnect, is funny, sweet, and had me rooting for them both to figure out how to communicate so they can figure out how to deal with their differences – the real and the imagined ones.

If you like stories with very distinctive characters and their views of the world, if you enjoy reading about social outcasts who manage to find love anyway, and if you're looking for a sweet, funny read about a very cute college student, then you will probably enjoy this free short story.

 

 

 

 

DISCLAIMER: Books reviewed on this site were usually provided at no cost by the publisher or author. This book was a free download from the author.

Additional Information

Format	ebook
Length	Short Story, 82 pages/13000 words
Heat Level
Publication Date	05-May-2014
Price	FREE
Buy Link	http://riptidepublishing.com/titles/first-impressions-second-chances