I fell in love with Gideon from the first page and that love never wavered. He seemed so broken but valiantly moved forward, taking what life threw at him with a stoic acceptance, quietly spreading his gentle care and concern to the animals he helped Malcolm treat. He had an affinity with the animals that I envied and admired, animals seeming to relax and trust him from the start as his reassuring presence calmed them. He had much the same effect on people, too, making them feel seen and safe — even Malcolm.
The tentative admission to the confusing and growing physical attraction between Gideon and Malcolm felt so natural as they explored new boundaries and sensations, awed at how right it felt. The kisses, the feel of their bodies touching for the first time, all so new and yet right, no expectations, just them being them — together.
When Gideon went looking for answers to his questions about sexual attraction and interest in sex, he learned things about himself— he wasn’t “broken or weird or behind -he just was”. All the years he thought he was missing something, he realized he was “just wired differently”. Being with Malcolm was the first time he felt safe enough to want more, and the revelation was life changing. He understood that all the things he felt and saw about Malcolm —that Malcolm saw him, trusted him, he felt safe with him, wanted him —he was in love with him.
Malcolm realized things about Gideon, too — he brought “light, energy, chaos sometimes -but mostly this clarity. Like I'd been seeing in grayscale before, and he flipped the world into color.” Malcolm also knew he was safe with Gideon, he felt seen, cherished, his.
The meeting between Junie and Toast brought tears to Gideon, and me. Seeing those two together led Gideon to an idea which became a dream come true, bringing tears again to Gideon, and me, at the honor to Gideon’s brother, Garrett, and their years growing up together. A fitting honor to both. And my final tears came when Gideon actually was welcomed into the family he deserved, one that would love him unconditionally. If anyone was worthy of that, Gideon was.
I loved the book, Malcolm, the life they led in Foggy Basin and the growth Gideon made (Malcolm also) in the course of their relationship. A full-on 5 stars from me, more if I could. I think this is my favorite Foggy Basin book so far. I hope if you choose it to read, it will be a favorite of yours, too.
I received an advance copy for free and this is my voluntary review.