There are too many new books, new-ish books, old-ish book, and older books to pick from (far too many). So I decided to cross off more backlog from my list (or slowly cross off an author from my to-binge list). Here's Cora Rose's "Except You." It's the first novel in her Our Exception series.
["A straight man walks into a gay bar searching for meaning…It sounds like the start of a lousy joke. And honestly, that’s what my life is beginning to feel like. I look back at all the hateful things I’ve said and done—so many things I can’t take back—and I’m not proud. I let my ignorance steal my relationship with my youngest brother, Magnus. He and his husband, Sem, are now happily married with kids, and all I want is to be a part of their lives. But I need help to get there. Help in the form of a sweet man so open-hearted and optimistic that he’s willing to take on and teach a lost cause like me. Because I don’t know if people are truly capable of change. But the way Beau looks at me with his pretty eyes and cheeky smile, the way he openly shows me friendship, love, and affection…he sure makes me wonder, if a person can change, can they also earn forgiveness?"]
You can really see Max's growth in this story, in the first dozen chapters even. He grows from some of the first trigger warnings below (homophobic micro-aggressions and mild internalized homophobia) to accepting Magnus, Beau, and more importantly, himself. It wasn't easy, accepting that you are what you were taught to hate, knowing you'd be without your family soon; but Beau made it almost easy, giving him a home, giving him love .
Beau tried soooo hard not to fall for the "straight guy," but when its fate, it's fate. And these two were utterly meant to be. They were adorable and supportive. They just clicked from the very first moment. As they got to know each other and grew closer, love was inevitable. As Beau tried so hard not to fall even further, Max clung even harder (honestly, him and Sem would get along really fucking well).
I love the Magnus/Sem moments! They made me cry (quite a lot). I'm so glad that Magnus (and Max) is getting (some of) his family back--and all of those overdue apologies. And the kids!! D:
Trigger Warnings: past homophobia, okay still slightly homophobic (in the beginning) in the micro-aggressions kinda way and most of them he takes back immediately, mild internalized homophobia, anxiety, panic attacks, and more.
#exceptyou #suddenlyyou #reluctantlyyou #ourexceptionseries #corarose #books #queerbooks #queererotica #bodicerippers #bookstagram #bookphotography #ilovebooks
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