All We Are

Lost Boys #2.6

by Jessie Walker

Pride.

Will and Waylon have been through hell and back—more than once. But they’re still standing, still loving each other, still embracing their found family. And that’s something Will is stupidly proud of. He’s happier than he’s ever been, and more in love than he ever thought possible. He just hopes he can find a way to make Waylon believe in them as much as he does.

Pride.

Not an event Waylon ever thought he’d embrace, but what better place to learn to be true to himself than at Pride in Philadelphia? After all, he did promise the love of his life that, one day, he’d hold his hand in public. Surely, Waylon can slay his demons for Will No-Middle-Name Foster and take pride in the life they’re making.

Pride.

Jeremy’s moving on… or at least, he’s trying to. But when his friends from back home decide to march in a Pride parade, he is incapable of turning down the chance to celebrate something he never thought he’d have with the people who mean the most to him. Even if it means sucking up his pride and facing the one person he’s been trying to avoid for months now

Pride

Mason’s committed to his sobriety, to making amends, and to making the Lost Boys a success, all while proving that he can handle his life. Too bad any shred of pride he has dissolves the second he comes face to face with the one person who has the power to send him spiraling.


All We Are is a glimpse into the lives of the Lost Boys, the past that haunts them, and the bright future that beckons. This story was previously published as part of Worthy: A Pride Anthology. It's highly recommended Where There's A Will and If There's A Way be read prior to jumping into this novella.

Genres: M M Romance, Romance, Novella, LGBT, Contemporary, Found Family, Dark Romance

176 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 8, 2023

About the author

Jessie Walker is an indie author of queer love stories based out of Scranton, Pennsylvania, where she lives with her long-time partner and fur-spawn. Drawn to all things dark and twisted, she likes to pretend she's not the hopeless romantic at heart that she is. She has ADHD and a background in psychology/mental health services, both of which contribute greatly to her storytelling and the themes of her long-winded, character-driven works. When she's not drudging away at a keyboard, there's a very good chance you'll find her vegged out on her couch, listening to sad '90s grunge, and day dreamin’ about the all the stories crowding her brain.

Random Facts About Me
Scorpio Sun | Aries Moon | Scorpio Rising
The most socially anxious ENFP you'll ever meet.
Chaotic AF because decisioning and planning is hard.

Reviews

[aleksandra · Rating 4 out of 5]

4/5

Don’t get me wrong I love Will and Way, but please please please, I’m begging on my knees, I need Jeremy’s story. I won't be able to sleep if I don't see him happy. I know his book will hurt like hell, but I need it so bad. I'm not entirely happy with the story Jessie has prepared for him, he deserves the best and I'm not sure if Mason will be that "best", as he should be someone's whole world and first choice, but I guess I'll just have to wait and see in his book.

"For years. Until one cold rainy day last September, when I realized I was no longer hanging on to her… But hanging on because of him."

I will always be a proud member of 'Team Jeremy' club. This guy deserves the whole world and more. I can't wait for his book and the emotional damage it will do to me.

[♡Gabi♡ [life & work is chaotic hiatus] · Rating 5 out of 5]

the lost boys have my heart forever 😭🖤

will and way; my precious babies ♾️

need jeremy and mason more than I need my next breath ASDHDHDK!! bring on the angst and pain, Jessie…just pls give my angel baby jeremy the love he so badly deserves (aka mason on his hands and knees begging and groveling his ass off for jeremy and being so sickly in love with him)!!
thank u 🥲🫶🏼

[Megan [At The Cottage] · Rating 5 out of 5]

MM Romance
Part of Lost Boys Series
NOT A STANDALONE
5 Stars ⭐️


I read this when it was in the anthology but she expanded by 10k words and now we have Mason’s POV!! I can’t wait for May 3rd!!! I need M&J’s book even if it’s only part 1 😭

Will & Way are EVERYTHING. I love them so much. The scene this cover depicts made me teary eyed when I first read this and now. My bebes have come so far 💗💗💗

I hope this author gives us an updated timeline in Every Breath After because this says 2.6 but I’m almost positive this takes place before novella 2.5.

Oh and Jessie? Yes you worried me for a minute!!! But I knew something so drastic couldn’t happen in a bonus short. Thank fuck 😅

[⊹ ⁺ ₊ ✧ she's book obsessed ✧ ₊ ⁺ ⊹ · Rating 5 out of 5]

All We Are
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I need Mason and Jeremy to happen right now. Loved Will and Way, as always 🫶🏼

Mason please… I need you to unfuck everything and give Jeremy what he deserves.

[Cyndi · Rating 5 out of 5]

I told myself I didn't need those extra 10K words. I was wrong.

[Dani · Rating 5 out of 5]

Originally read as part of the Worthy anthology, but now there are 10k new words with Mason's POV!

I love anything with Will and Way, their books break my heart and Way's keeping his promise to Will in this story made me all teary.

I also cannot wait for Jeremy and Mason's story, guarantee it'll make me cry even more than Will and Way did.

I didn't realise Little Bird Lost was linked to this series so I need to read that before Mason and Jeremy's book comes out!

[Miki_reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'd live in this universe forever.
Everyone is a mess, and I love them all. I NEED MORE

[melancholy_reader [hiatus] · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just screamed JEREMY AND MASON the whole time. 🗣️🗣️
Their book is waiting for me 💃🏻💃🏻

[Amina · Rating 3 out of 5]

✰ 3 stars ✰

“All that matters is that you’re you”—my lip curves up—“and you’re mine, and that is fucking worthy of a place in this community.”

I had previously read a part of All We Are in the Worthy: Pride Anthology, but I'm always up for more of Will and Way. Their story was one of the first MM Romances I ever read, so they hold a special place in my heart.

“Because that’s exactly what this is—a claim. A fuck you to every voice in my head that tries to make me doubt that this is anything but real and right.”

It's really just a brief interlude into what awaits our lost boys - who may still be lost in certain affairs of their heart - but what is found, is the love that they'll always have for each other.💜💜 It's a heart-felt portrayal of learning to understand and accept who you are, feeling in your heart who it is you want to be and how you feel when you're the happiest being true to yourself. Some may have reached that point, some are still getting there, and that's okay? It's not the finishing line, it's the start, and they'll celebrate the small victories in steps. 🌈

I loved being with Will and Way again - they never fail to turn up the heat when they're together and the spice was just as wild and wholesome as they are! Yes, please forgive the excessive usage of words beginning with 'w'. 🥰 They bring out the best in each other - never hesitant to turn up the steam - and yet still so understanding of one another - wholly committed to making it work, while still never pushing each other to do anything out of each other's comfort zones. The feather boas brought a smile to my face, they were just so sweet and smitten together, and the Pride Parade, itself, just felt like such a joyous and momentous moment for them - to be out and proud and not live in shame or hide in fear of their love for each other. They still are so finely attuned with each other - still each other's better halves that you can't help but be proud of how far they've come. 🥹

“There’s just one glaring issue. A plot hole in our narrative I just can’t seem to claw my way out of.

Mason Wyatt was never mine to have.”

It was so surreal finally being in Jeremy's head - and Mason's! Ah, it's been a long time coming, but uff, bring on the angst that I could taste! The way they acted with each other - pure torture of my soul. Jeremy, my poor precious boy - he just needs to be hugged and loved and treated with all the love and affection he deserves. Unrequited love is my love language - so Jeremy and I could be best friends. 😆 🤝🏻'Because making Mason Wyatt happy has and will always be the fix I can’t resist, even if it’s at the cost of my own wellbeing. No other crash holds a candle to this. It’s the only high I can’t stop chasing, despite how much it fucking flays me open.' 🥺 It's that fighting frustration that just speaks to my soul - there's only so much patience one can have till you finally crack and well, I'm just here for it.

His pained emotions - the fleeting ache of yearning for something that can never be yours - *chef's kiss*. I hope he'll come back stronger and surer of himself - I hope the pining won't intensify, but solidify into something more! Yes, I like to hurt myself - I'm a masochist, what can I say? 😅 The author defined their relationship as that of a hedge maze, and honestly, that really is an excellent way to describe it. I know this was just the tip of the iceberg, but the groundwork has been laid for Mason and Jeremy's story is definitely going to hurt. 😟

“Whatever it takes… you tell yourself whatever it takes to survive.”

And so that’s what I did.
For years.

Until one cold rainy day last September, when I realized I was no longer hanging on to her…

But hanging on because of him.”

I'm still a little conflicted on how Mason's story is going to pan out; nor do I know for sure, with these sparse morsels that we got - how much I'm actually going to sympathize with him. 🤔 But, he does have a lot on his plate and his heart, so honestly, I don't blame him for being so conflicted as he is. 'How I went years not seeing just how badly he was suffering…I have no idea.How much else have I missed, being so absorbed in my own shit?' We're still in the dark about certain things, but the longing for having his friend back - to turn back the clock to the way things were - in more ways than one, was heart-wrenching. 💔

I did feel bad for him when he waited for Jeremy's Snapshot response, but I want his feelings to mean something true - to himself, too. I know it's not going to happen instantly, but yeah, I'm definitely curious even more so, now. It was also very nice to see Mason and Phoebe's sibling bond more touched upon this time. He was so protective of - loved how they were all so protective of her! They've really become such a strong and supportive and loving family with each other, and the ending definitely will make you smile and leave you with even more anticipation of what's in store for them. Because, yes, if you know, you know - and well, it's going to be pure pain. ❤️‍🩹❤️‍🩹

[Sofi · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am living and breathing for all of these characters right now! My God, seeing Will and Way in this novella made my heart fly. Is everything perfect? Of course not, but we get to see them happy and Way on his journey to finally feeling safe being himself, and that is everything. That is all I want.

Oh, and Jeremy and Mason… I am dying to get to their book. I just know it’s going to destroy me too, but I’m way too intrigued not to read it. After finally getting a glimpse of their story and their minds in this novella, I am fully invested in them.

I also have to talk about Phoebe. I loved her since the previous books, but I didn’t expect to get a more in-depth look into who she is. I’m sensing she’ll get a book too, and I’m so excited for that. And I mean, I’m assuming Shawn will be part of her story, which makes me even more excited because I really want to get to know him more and see all the layers I know he has.

The writing in this series is so beautiful. I love how deep some of the conversations are, and I really appreciate the fact that the trauma and struggles all these characters have and are facing are a main focus. They aren’t forgotten or just brushed over, and those conversations are the ones that make my heart ache the most.

Oh God, I love them all, and I just want them to be happy. I really can’t wait to get to all the other books in this series.

Quotes:

“All that matters is that you’re you”—my lip curves up—“and you’re mine, and that is fucking worthy of a place in this community.”

“I might not know who or what I am,” he says steadily, carefully, not taking his fervent gaze off mine, “but my boyfriend is gay.” My heart drops somewhere in my stomach, emotion gathering deep inside me, pulling back like a wave. “And that is something to be fucking proud of.”

“Emotion sears the back of my eyes. It’s so simple, so fucking silly, holding this boy’s hand. And yet it feels so big. I realize it’s not just the guy standing next to me I see. It’s me too. The boy I was all those years ago. All the versions of who I was growing up. The one who hid in the shadows, waiting and wishing for a day he didn’t have to hide. A day he didn’t fear who he was. You can come out now, I tell him. You’re safe here. And this guy holding your hand right now, the one gazing back at you like you hold the entire universe in your palm? Well, he’s been waiting for you. And he’ll never let you fall.”

“Until one cold rainy day last September, when I realized I was no longer hanging on to her… But hanging on because of him.”

“This is why drugs and drinking never really held much appeal. Because making Mason Wyatt happy has and will always be the fix I can’t resist, even if it’s at the cost of my own wellbeing.”

[carolina · Rating 4 out of 5]

࿐ And in the light of day, for the world to see, I find my boyfriend’s hand and lace our fingers together.

I love this little family of misfits so much! This novella warmed my heart but broke it as well, because if Will and Way’s chapters are love and joy and sunshine, Mason and Jeremy’s chapters are pain and suffering and pure agony. Somehow, reading this after reading EBA hurts more, because at this point I’m just desperate for Mason and Jeremy to find happiness and I can’t handle any more pain. Please, I’m on my knees begging for their happy ending. They deserve it.

⟶ It should be a fucking crime how perfect he is. Perfect in this light. Perfect for me. So perfect, sometimes it doesn’t feel real. He doesn’t feel real. But he is. This is. And by some fucking miracle, he’s all mine.

⟶ “You and me. No one else.” Emotion sears the back of my eyes and I nod. “You and me.” His mouth twitches. “Always.”

⟶ And there’s this boy, this beautiful raven-haired boy with eyes like a sunlit forest staring back at me, fiercely, determined, and pained, so, so fucking pained. That love in his eyes hurts a lot less now. Something tells me it hurts him less too.

⟶ It’s just Mason and me and nothing and no one outside of us exists. Time ceases, just like all the other times that came before, where we found ourselves locked like this.

⟶ “I like this, City Boy,” Waylon says, squeezing my palm. I sidle up closer, sandwiching our arms together, and I tell him simply, “Me too, Rockstar. Me too.”

⟶ Because making Mason Wyatt happy has and will always be the fix I can’t resist, even if it’s at the cost of my own wellbeing.

[haletostilinski · Rating 5 out of 5]

I didn't know there was a new Lost Boys novella out asdfghjkl! Can't wait to get to this soon.

~*~

This book takes place before the events of Still Beating, but has come out well after that one.

This focuses on our two big MM couples of this series (so far ;)), Way and Will as well as Mason and Jeremy.

Both in wildly different stages of their relationships.

Plot wise, it's basically all relationship stuff - whether platonic or otherwise - as this is basically just all our favorites going to a Pride parade in June in Philly, where they all stay at Will's parent's house while they're away on vacation.

This starts out with a focus on Will and Way and then shifts between all 4 povs after the first 30ish percent or so of this novella.

We, of course, get some wonderfully hot, sexy, passionate, and emotional sex between Will and Way early on in this. I absolutely love how well this author writes. Even in a relatively short novella where all they're doing is going to pride and not doing much else, I absolutely loved this.

Way finally gains the courage to hold Will's hand in public. Granted, in a pride parade in a big city where no one will care, but still it's a big deal, a big step for Way, for these two and their relationship.

One day, they'll get there in their bigoted small town too.

Now, Mason and Jeremy are a different story.

Where Will and Way - while not 100% in this, they are pretty close to it - are pretty settled and happy, Mason and Jeremy are anything but.

We know something happened between them. And with Jer's POV, we know it was at least a kiss.

And we know Mason rejected him after that for many reasons, no doubt. The whole Izzy issue, Jer being her brother, her twin, Mason so recently having relapsed (or was he in his relapse when stuff happened between them? I can't remember. We'll know in their book, I'm sure, as I'm sure we'll get many events throughout their lives played out in their book), etc etc.

They just aren't ready for each other yet. Or maybe, just Mason isn't yet. And Jeremy needs to go away to try to get over the fact that Mason isn't ready - or, to Jeremy, will never be ready - and try to learn how to be around Mason without being filled with heartbreak.

Which probably will not happen. What needs to happen is for Mason to see the light and realize his own feelings for Jeremy. Which, I think he does, or has an inkling about, but he keeps shoving it away, out of fear, the Izzy issue, etc.

And we know Izzy is alive from her book (No, I did not read it because of the poly stuff, but I still know the book is about her), so maybe in Mason and Jeremy's book she'll come back and she and Mason will just be so changed from what she went through and what he went through after she was taken that they just won't work together anymore, and a lot of guilt I bet Mason is carrying for having feelings for Jeremy will go away with her alive (and will probably give her blessing for them, is my prediction.)

BUtttt we'll just have to wait and see what happens in Mason and Jeremy's book, which I'm still so excited for. Miss Walker, take as long as you need to finish their love story. Whenever you are able to finish it, I know it'll be amazing and perfect.

We get the barest hints of that in this. Jeremy pining, Mason trying to deny any feelings he could have, Mason missing their friendship and Jeremy giving in one last time because...it's Mason. It'll aways be Mason for Jeremy. *hearteyes*

As it is, this novella is wonderful. I love getting some substantial stuff on Mason and Jeremy as well. T

Their love story is just beginning, and I can't wait to read their journey! 😍 As for Will and Way, it was nice to just get one last piece focusing on them (at least for a long awhile, according to Miss Walker) and their love, one last small journey they had to go on in getting their HEA.

Cannot wait for Every Breath After! 🥰

My ratings for the Lost Boys Series:

🔆 Where There's a Will: 5 stars (my review)
🔆 If There's a Way: 5 stars (my review)
🔆 All We Are: 5 stars
🔆 Still Beating: 5 stars (my review)
🔆 Every Breath After: TBR

[Michelle Elman · Rating 5 out of 5]

beautiful!!!

Her writing and story telling is perfect!!! I love this series so much and can’t wait for Mason and Jeremy’s HEA

[patrícia · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just can’t put into words how these Lost Boys totally rock my world🤩 I love them so much, and witness Way 🌈 my heart just explodes with true happiness!

Omg this even got me more excited for Jeremy and Mason’s story 🥹🥹 I’m emotionally not ready for the angst but I crave it 🖤

Lost Boys forever ♾️

[JonathanSamuelReads · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Little do I know now, that someday, over a year from now, there will be another big moment that takes us full-circle. An impossible moment. A moment that…shatters everything all over again, throwing our world once more upside down…


MASON AND JEREMY 🥹🤧🥹🤧🥹

I am a puddle 😭

[Kati *☆･ﾟ]

It’s been two years since I’ve read Will’s and Way’s epically heartbreaking love story (and I vowed to never ever touch it again) so this novella was the best opportunity for me to set my mood, get in the headspace, go back to Shiloh and re-familiarize myself with the characters before starting another heartbreaking journey —Mason’s and Jeremy’s.


**************
Shilohverse recommended reading

Lost Boys Book 1 - Where There’s A Will - 5.0 stars
Lost Boys Book 2 - If There’s A Way - 5.0 stars
Lost Boys Novella - All We Are
Lost Boys Novella - Still Beating - 5.0 stars

Aviary Duet Book 1 - Little Bird Lost - 5.0 stars

Lost Boys Book 3 - Every Breath After, Part 1 - no rating for now

[Shelby | Spicy.booknook · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wasn’t expecting this short story to lay so much groundwork for the future books. I would say this is a must read if you are invested in this series. It’s a touching story about the growth of Will and Way, but also gives hints of the future with Mason and Jeremy. That’s gonna be yet another emotional roller coaster of a couple. Ugh! We learn things about Phoebe that made my heart clinch. I just want her so protected. Great short read that just packs so much punch.

[Skye · Rating 5 out of 5]

My god, I've only had a few glimpses, little moments between Jeremy and Mason in the duet and in this novella and I already ache for them. I can't stop thinking about them. I hope Jessie gives them their well-deserved HEA in Every Breath After. I'm way too excited for it.....

[# · Rating 5 out of 5]

MASONJEREMY COME HOME NOW

[Marilla ☘︎ · Rating 5 out of 5]

♾️

Jessie Walker: Romance - But make it hurt. Needless to say, she always delivers on that promise. Thoroughly.
I feel empty. I feel lost. So I need: Romance - But make me forget. Seriously though. I desperately need someone to tell me how to un-read the Shilohverse… So I can read it again.

Every breath after 'part two' can't get here fast enough!

Also, seeing Will and Way like this makes me so happy!!!


My reading order:

1. Where There's a Will
2. If There's a Way
2.5 Still Beating
3. Every Breath After
2.6 All We Are

🖤

[Eli · Rating 5 out of 5]

Will and Way at pride🥹. Mason and Jeremy (screaming crying throwing up)🥲.

[Ellie ♡ · Rating 5 out of 5]

I could read about them forever.
I’m so proud of Way 😭
I can’t wait to read Mason and Jeremy’s story!!

[Cara · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 stars, of course, for this second Lost Boys novella!

So I LOVED LOVED LOVED this one. I loved Still Beating, but in a more melancholy, bittersweet way. "All We Are" was pure dopamine-- I was loving every damn thing about Will and Way without any issues between them, intrigued as HELL by Jeremy and Mason (and Pheobe and Shawn, for that matter)-- and totally jiving with the whole fun of the pride parade in general. This book was HAPPY, dammit- maybe with the exception of Jeremy and Mason- but being that this book was my first glimpse into the inner-workings of them-- it made ME happy.

Will and Way... DAMMIT THEY ARE SO GOOD.

"It should probably be embarrassing how easily I melt into his touch-- how fast I cave into the heady sensation of being owned by Will Foster.
Because that's exactly what this is- a claim. A fuck you to every voice in my head that tries to make me doubt that this is anything but real and right. The voices that try to convince me I'm not worthy of feeling this realness, this rightness."

Probably the most powerful part of this whole novella for me in the chapters that belong to Will and Way was the scene where Will comes downstairs to find Way waiting for him, wearing the rainbow boa. It is so heartfelt- so poignant coming from Way, especially, who has gone to hell and back trying to build himself a secure place within his own sexuality, after what he overcame as a child.

"Chewing the corner of his lip, he glances down, following my gaze to where a rainbow feather boa hangs loosely down his chest. For a second, I'm no longer here, but standing under a sea of rippling blue light, with music pulsing around my ears, and bodies undulating around me.

"I might not know who or what I am," he says steadily, carefully, not taking his fervent gaze off mine, "but my boyfriend is gay."

Waylon. McAllister. Sob.

After the hot sex, the claiming, the rainbow boa and hand holding in public, I was very swoontastic in my happy feelings so far in this novella. Thank you, Jessie.

From there on out, it was straight up tension, intrigue and curiosity as we made our way to Jeremy and Mason's part of this story.

"It's just Mason and me and nothing and no one outside of us exists. Time ceases, just like all the other times that came before, where we found ourselves locked like this. I hold my breath, count the seconds that pass by all too quickly, wishing I could stretch them out to infinity. Even if it means never breathing again."

Jessie did such an amazing job with all of the Meremy foreshadowing in W&W. We know without a doubt that something occurred between the two at some point, and that it most likely caused Mason's relapse. We know that there are charged emotions there. BUT WE DON'T KNOW WHAT-- and at that time, we had yet to read POV chapters from either of them, which is why I was pretty much feral for it by this point.

And here folks, we are thrown the slightest bit of a bone- and it is motherf*cking delicious, THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

"My lips tingle, as if remembering what it felt like to finally be pressed up against the mouth I've been silently craving since I was fourteen years old.
The memory tastes like vodka.
Like rain.
Like betrayal and heartache and what if, what if, what if.

Did I say feral? I'M FERAL.

Getting to see just the smallest bit of Mason and Jer interacting was seriously heaven. It was confusing, not knowing all of their background, but we become privy to juuuuust enough to want more- and understand exactly why that "more" is insurmountable.

***BIG SPOILERS AHEAD--***

So I know I checked the "spoilers" box (and this review has been very spoilery thus far so if you didn't pay attention, shame on you--) but I am going to quote and bring up something YOU DO NOT WANT TO SEE if you have not read Little Bird Lost. TRUST ME.

TURN BACK NOW- you've been warned!

This right here-- this absolutely wrecked me because I read this book prior to reading LBL. Now that I know what is being referenced here- I have more of an understanding, but I am still not sure how I feel about all of it.

"Little do I know now, that someday over a year from now, there will be another big moment that takes us full-circle. An impossible moment. A moment that... shatters everything all over again, throwing our world once more upside down...
But we're not there yet.
We're here."

Having pieced together timelines using this paragraph combined with Jessie's timelines in the afterword for Little Bird Lost, I know what this moment will be and I am scared to death for how it plays into everything else.

I BEG YOU.... I mean, you shouldn't be reading this if you havent read LBL. But if you are, and you are on the fence about LBL- as far as I am concerned, it is mandatory reading before continuing on in the Lost Boys series. Just trust me on this one.

Jessie, I love you and I cannot WAIT for "Every Breath After."

[⋆˙⊹ · Rating 3 out of 5]

i'll be at the psych ward after reading mason and jeremy, just letting y'all know 🙏🏼

[El. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Will and Way will always be my babies. I will always love to see more of them, and Way growing.

This was my third time reading this story with a little update and 2 little chapters from Mason.
I think the little tweaks on the other chapters were visible, most of the things which got me a little confused because they were a little too vague were clearer this time. And we have a better view of the strangled situation between Jer and Mason, which is still a mystery till EBA obviously.

I LOVED the Easter egg about Still Beating, between Jeremy and Mason because I guessed it when I first read Still Beating <3 But then I thought that they were publicly posting pics not sending to each other directly. I am a little conflicted about the fact they keep contact during Jeremys time in Europe because he endured a huge trauma about her twin, he has this drama around his sexuality in a small town, and the almost life long pining on the most impossible guy which turned out to be something toxic in the last years. So, he deserves some quiet and free time from all that to come back and see with fresh eyes, in my opinion. Because we know his suffering didn’t end yet, the biggest shock of his life is on the way, I hope he gets his time in Europe before that. It just breaks my heart to see Jeremy has more suffering to do when he already suffered enough.

And for Mason, first, I want to punch him right in the face, and then hug him tight.

[ashlee ❤ · Rating 5 out of 5]

these boys are gonna hurt me. 🙂🙂

[Milo (if lost, return to hot fictional character) · Rating 4 out of 5]

the only thing i know for sure is that mason and jeremy will be the death of me🫶🏼

[Julia (bookish.jka) · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Moments stacked on moments from these last few years— writing and playing and taking chances, putting ourselves out there, dipping our toes in the proverbial ocean… They play through my head like a flip book. All we’ve been. All we are. And who we will become."

If you haven't read the Lost Boys duet Where There's a Will and If There's a Way by the fabulous Jessie Walker, then do that immediately before you dive into All We Are. It's a novella in the series, previously a short story in the Worthy: A Pride Anthology and now extended and an absolute must read all on its own.

And yes, we get to hear from Mason and Jeremy as well as from Will and Waylon....

"Whatever it takes… you tell yourself whatever it takes to survive." And so that’s what I did. For years. Until one cold rainy day last September, when I realized I was no longer hanging on to her… But hanging on because of him."

5 stars

[BiblioFan · Rating 5 out of 5]

The fact that this is a novella and was so emotionally charged and angsty is insane.

Will and Way just continue to grow and be amazing. I love seeing how far they’ve both come, especially Way, since the beginning of Where There’s a Will. There’s been a lot of growth by both of them even after the end of If There’s a Way. They will definitely go down as one of my favorite couples ever.

I love the biggest small gesture and moment between Will and Way. It was such a powerful gesture that seemingly means not much, but for these two it means everything. Even Way going to a pride event is huge. There’s no way he would have done that before. Is it weird to say I’m proud of a character? I’m really glad they’ll be present in future books and I hope to see them continue to grow and evolve as individuals and as a couple.

Seeing a more of a glimpse into Shawn was really good. The more I read about him, the more curious I get and the more I like him. Gotta love a stoic, broody guy.

Phoebe is love and light personified. I didn’t expect the reveal about her. But I love it. And the way everyone close to her loves and accepts her.

I can’t even start on Jeremy and Mason. Even in this short novella they were tearing my heart out. I’m sure I’ll be completely broken by the end of Every Breath After.

Against my better judgement, I’m going into Every Breath After when there’s no clue when book 2 will happen, but I need more of Jeremy and Mason.

[Paulina | bitofabookcase · Rating 4 out of 5]

3,5*