I just finished it, and wow... what to say. I was curious to see how the authors could spin this story. I avoided reading more than the cursory blurb about this book knowing how differently this subject could be told. In Brothers LaFon, Part One: Crucial Lessons there is such a fascinating brutality in the brothers' relationship and I love how well JLT does it, I was on pins and needles waiting for something stomach-clenchingly wonderfully horrible to happen. (The suspense was awesome, I've got to say.) The intimate, sexual love between Martin and Marty is done so beautifully and grows so slowly and powerfully that it is almost overwhelming. In the part of the book where Marty is 17 and I was wishing so hard for them to be together I had to put the book away and read something else for a while.
I usually don't love multi person POV stories, but these authors pull if off perfectly. While they alternate the chapters between the characters' points of view, there is still a wealth of insight into how the other is feeling throughout. It made me feel connected to each character and I was more invested in seeing how it could all work out to each of their benefit.
I especially loved how Martin's character evolves. I can't help my empathy as a reader, regardless of the subject matter, so it's hard to imagine a parent in this situation. The authors do an absolutely amazing job of exploring how a father's love and devotion to his son could evolve to include a sexual relationship and leave me hoping for a HEA.
The ending was one of the best parts of the book, describing how each character is able to balance their incredibly intimate relationship and their life outside of it. Yet, I felt a little bittersweet for both of them.
I haven't read any thing by Louis Stevens yet and I'm going to get right on that. I am curious to see how his style influenced this book.
(reviewed the day of purchase)