4.5 Stars

As evidenced by having read this in one sitting, I could not put it down, having both loved this book and wanting to throttle it at the same time.

In essence, this is the story of Cooper, and it follows him through adolescence - its regular ordeals made more painful and complicated by the divorce of his parents. New to his fractured family is stepbrother Jace, who he immediately hates but can't stop being intrigued by. And thus starts a many years long, complicated relationship between these two boys. They connect immediately and can't seem to separate, sharing so much and becoming each other's safety and everything, in all of life's trials except what's most important and essential to Cooper.

"I'd rather be in the purgatory of love than the hell of loss."

And that is exactly the crux of this book.

There's never been any doubt that Anyta Sunday can write, and this drove the point through thoroughly and relentlessly. She made me feel every ache and painful, soulful yearning that Cooper had. Brilliantly, she used a unique theme to convey his daily life, and the symbolism was impressive and meaningful.

I won't spoil anything here, and though I'm still beating my head against a wall in frustration, I guess what truly matters is that the central obstacle that keeps Jace and Cooper apart, is not necessarily meaningless, just no longer a factor to their happiness. These two choose each other, they decide on it, act on it, and are determined to live it. Damn anything and everything but their own personal truth - it's theirs to do what they want with - everything else is inconsequential. In the end, that's what was so beautiful and ultimately won me over, despite my poor, self inflicted concussion.

Thank you Meags! It hurt so good; I'm still a little bewildered but I felt the love so, so much!