Lover Boy: Boys of Apartment 13, Book 2

"There are other parts of me that are missing, a hollowness that makes it hard to feel. And while it is hard, sometimes unbearably so, it's also not impossible." "But there's also the part where he's just a horrible person. Rude and mean. Too bad his insides didn't have the same glow-up the rest of him did." "You like this. You want to be degraded by me. That's cute, little brother." "What do you want from me, Cade? You want to come? I've told you, I'm not rewarding bad behavior, little brother. If you want something, you need to be a big boy and ask for it." "Nic and Cade, Cade and Nic. Us. Ugh. I hate myself, hate how much I like that. Us. But, f***, I really do." "He drives me crazy, can p*** me off in ways that nobody else has ever managed, and I'm so f****** happy that he's mine--that he wants me as his." "He has a gift. Never has a single person p***** me off so instantaneously like that. And with so little effort, too." "I mean, he choked me. Who does that? Besides. Like psychos and serial killers. I look over at him when I hear his car door shut and decide that, yeah, that tracks. F****** psycho." "He needs to cut it out. He better stop putting his hand on my throat like that, or I'll...s***, I don't even know. Come. I'll probably come." "Those moans, they're not that quiet, Cade. You wanted me to know. You like my hand so much--such a pathetic little s*** for it--that you couldn't help yourself, huh?" "It's true. I'm not here for the drama, but if he wants…

Lover Boy is a compelling, exciting, profoundly emotional, passionate, page-turning novel. The vibrant and fast-paced narrative dives deep into raw emotions of pain, anger, abandonment, and insecurity, masterfully balanced by hope, love, and tenderness. The story touches on several difficult, complex, and emotionally charged topics. However, the author’s sensitive and empathetic approach, providing context and deep insight into the characters’ feelings and thoughts, smooths the rough edges and adds a lightness that makes Nic and Cade’s story relatable and not overbearing. Eloquent and profound writing creates a vivid picture of hurt and hate transforming into healing and love. The author masterfully adds suspense and angst to the plot through the incremental revealing of the depth and context of Nic’s experiences and the cause of his issues, which are deeply rooted in his troubled relationship with his parents. Nic and Cade met through their parents’ marriage, and the dislike is immediate on both sides. When they reconnect years later, their animosity and hate transform into attraction, passion, and ultimately love and care. The narrative almost exclusively focuses on Cade and Nic’s relationship. Giving more attention and context to family dynamics, especially Nic’s connection with his mother, would enhance understanding of his issues and reactions. Regardless, the novel resonated with me on a deep emotional level and held my attention from the first to the last page. It…