You and Me by Tal Bauer

SARINA SAYS:

I discovered this one while perusing Amazon. I don’t know who this author is, but the single dad story drew me in. And, wow, the writing is great. The whole book is in one character’s perspective. Luke is a single father whose awful marriage ended in a tragedy. His teenage son is a mess, and Luke hasn’t a clue how to reach him. It’s some dark stuff.

Except that Landon marches in with a quick smile and an easy demeanor. He’s everything that Luke is not—a gay, sporty super dad. But he’s a single parent, too, and he can tell that Luke is struggling. So he takes him under his wing.

What unfolds is a slow burn romance and a sexual journey for Luke. It’s really well drawn. He falls for Landon without even knowing it’s happening.

My favorite thing about the book is that the dark moment, when it finally arrives, was not what I expected. At all. It took me completely by surprise, and the ending unfolds in a natural and satisfying way from there.

Bonus points: I live with two teenage boys, and Mr. Bauer, wherever he is, knows teenage boys. I loved this portrayal.