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Darius
Two boys. One summer. A story of lust, love, and the complicated space in between.
Every summer, Darius returns to the family home in a quiet French village. He’s not expecting much. Just some time away. Maybe a little peace. Instead, he gets Rudy. Rudy is Darius’ cousin’s best friend. He’s reckless, golden, and off-limits in every way that matters. He’s also the guy Darius can’t stop wanting. Their connection burns bright and fast, with stolen glances and sharp words that almost mean something. It feels like everything. It also feels like it could break him.
Then Lucien enters the picture. A French librarian with a love of stars, and a kindness Darius isn’t sure he knows how to receive. With Lucien, there’s no firestorm, just warmth.
Told in two voices, Darius’ and Rudy’s, this is a story of two boys trying to figure out who they are to each other, and to themselves. It’s about lust, and how easily it can be mistaken for love. It’s about love, and how terrifying it is to be held gently when you’re used to being hurt.
But above all, DARIUS is a story about family. The kind you’re born into, the kind you choose, and the kind that tests every part of you before showing up with a plate of food and a badly timed joke.
Heartfelt, sharp, and full of summer heat, DARIUS explores what it means to want, to love, and to be brave enough to admit the difference.
Every summer, Darius returns to the family home in a quiet French village. He’s not expecting much. Just some time away. Maybe a little peace. Instead, he gets Rudy. Rudy is Darius’ cousin’s best friend. He’s reckless, golden, and off-limits in every way that matters. He’s also the guy Darius can’t stop wanting. Their connection burns bright and fast, with stolen glances and sharp words that almost mean something. It feels like everything. It also feels like it could break him.
Then Lucien enters the picture. A French librarian with a love of stars, and a kindness Darius isn’t sure he knows how to receive. With Lucien, there’s no firestorm, just warmth.
Told in two voices, Darius’ and Rudy’s, this is a story of two boys trying to figure out who they are to each other, and to themselves. It’s about lust, and how easily it can be mistaken for love. It’s about love, and how terrifying it is to be held gently when you’re used to being hurt.
But above all, DARIUS is a story about family. The kind you’re born into, the kind you choose, and the kind that tests every part of you before showing up with a plate of food and a badly timed joke.
Heartfelt, sharp, and full of summer heat, DARIUS explores what it means to want, to love, and to be brave enough to admit the difference.
614 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 24, 2025
11 people are currently reading
91 people want to read
About the author
Jake Zuurbier
5 books14 followersJake Zuurbier, born in 2002, is a multifaceted Dutch author whose creative endeavors span writing, photography & painting. As the founder of Apollo Imperium, he has established a platform that reflects his artistic passions.
In literature, Zuurbier is recognized for his innovative narrative techniques and unique perspectives. His debut novel, “The Detective,” published in February 2023, offers a modern and off-beat twist on classic murder mysteries. His second book, "Erisseth," released in January 2024, delves into themes of magic, love, and betrayal, showcasing his versatility as an author.
Beyond writing, Jake's artistic expression includes painting and sketching, with his visual art characterized by a blend of traditional techniques and contemporary themes. His works vary from realism to abstract. His photography reflects his keen eye for detail and composition
In literature, Zuurbier is recognized for his innovative narrative techniques and unique perspectives. His debut novel, “The Detective,” published in February 2023, offers a modern and off-beat twist on classic murder mysteries. His second book, "Erisseth," released in January 2024, delves into themes of magic, love, and betrayal, showcasing his versatility as an author.
Beyond writing, Jake's artistic expression includes painting and sketching, with his visual art characterized by a blend of traditional techniques and contemporary themes. His works vary from realism to abstract. His photography reflects his keen eye for detail and composition
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
April 11, 2025
Darius vacations with his family at least once a year in a beautiful French village. But this year, things are going to be different. This visit holds a lot in store for him and everyone around him.
I was sucked into this story, reading 80% of the book in one day. A weekday. And that's saying something.
✨PLOT: The book covers so much - learning the difference between love and lust, complex family dynamics, toxic relationships, toxic patterns, complicated relationships with parents, navigating one's identity and sexuality, struggles with identity and social image, bottling things up and hiding yourself to please the people you love, and dealing with everything while keeping a happy, vacation face on because you're around family that you meet once a year.
✨WRITING: The writing is engaging, fun, witty, and easy to read. It maintains the vacation vibe and lets you breathe. Which is surprising because the book deals with more than a few serious issues. Some of which I've listed above. Major focus on some.
It is the writing that makes the book unputdownable.
✨CHARACTERS: A diverse bunch. And the best part? Character growth! It's beautiful. I don't do spoilers, but I really want to gush about the characters that I feel proud of. For unlearning, for changing, for finally living for themselves.
✨OVERALL EXPERIENCE: Refreshing. It's not every day that you come across a book that deals with a lot but doesn't let it wear you out. Instead, Darius keeps things festive. This is set to become one of my comfort reads.
✨A personal note from the author in the epilogue. I'll say no more. Read and find out for yourself. ;)
I was sucked into this story, reading 80% of the book in one day. A weekday. And that's saying something.
✨PLOT: The book covers so much - learning the difference between love and lust, complex family dynamics, toxic relationships, toxic patterns, complicated relationships with parents, navigating one's identity and sexuality, struggles with identity and social image, bottling things up and hiding yourself to please the people you love, and dealing with everything while keeping a happy, vacation face on because you're around family that you meet once a year.
✨WRITING: The writing is engaging, fun, witty, and easy to read. It maintains the vacation vibe and lets you breathe. Which is surprising because the book deals with more than a few serious issues. Some of which I've listed above. Major focus on some.
It is the writing that makes the book unputdownable.
✨CHARACTERS: A diverse bunch. And the best part? Character growth! It's beautiful. I don't do spoilers, but I really want to gush about the characters that I feel proud of. For unlearning, for changing, for finally living for themselves.
✨OVERALL EXPERIENCE: Refreshing. It's not every day that you come across a book that deals with a lot but doesn't let it wear you out. Instead, Darius keeps things festive. This is set to become one of my comfort reads.
✨A personal note from the author in the epilogue. I'll say no more. Read and find out for yourself. ;)
May 12, 2025
Darius is a beautifully raw and tender queer coming-of-age story that explores desire, identity, and the messy terrain between being wanted and being loved. I went into this book not knowing what to expect—and came out impressed and emotionally tangled (or: invested) in the best way.
Zuurbier’s writing feels effortless, capturing complex, authentic human reactions without gloss or glamour. Bonus points(!!!) for the included playlist and house map—such a personal, immersive touch!
This was my first queer novel outside mythology retellings, and I’m glad it was this one. A huge thank you to Jake for sending me a physical ARC.
Zuurbier’s writing feels effortless, capturing complex, authentic human reactions without gloss or glamour. Bonus points(!!!) for the included playlist and house map—such a personal, immersive touch!
This was my first queer novel outside mythology retellings, and I’m glad it was this one. A huge thank you to Jake for sending me a physical ARC.
April 10, 2025
I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review. That said, when I saw it was a queer romance, I had my doubts since this isn’t my usual read. The writing is effortlessly good—smooth, engaging, and easy to sink into. What stands out most is how perfectly the author captures the family drama. That chaotic, comforting vibe of a family on vacation, spending time together—it hit me right in the heart, just like how we grew up—with those messy, loud, love-filled moments. The realism of the family dynamics is spot-on, grounding the story perfectly.
The characters are so well-developed (at times I forgot I was reading a queer romance). They’re not just characters; they’re flawed, funny, and fully human, carrying their baggage and growth with authenticity. I know this book had two POVs, Darius and Rudy, but I felt it wasn’t just about them—it’s the whole family and their world that pulls you in. The book balances humor, heartache, and hope beautifully, crafting a relatable yet distinct exploration of love and identity. It’s a rollercoaster—laugh-out-loud moments crash into gut-punching revelations. A twist I didn’t see coming leaves you with a warm feeling of contentment.
This isn’t just a romance; it’s a coming-of-age tale wrapped in a vacation-gone-wild package, with a found family that steals your heart. The queer lens adds richness without overshadowing the universal struggles of loyalty, self-worth, and choosing between what’s easy and what’s right. It’s not perfect—some choices might divide readers—but it’s real, and that’s what makes it linger. If you crave a story that feels like home yet pushes you to reflect, this one’s a gem.
The characters are so well-developed (at times I forgot I was reading a queer romance). They’re not just characters; they’re flawed, funny, and fully human, carrying their baggage and growth with authenticity. I know this book had two POVs, Darius and Rudy, but I felt it wasn’t just about them—it’s the whole family and their world that pulls you in. The book balances humor, heartache, and hope beautifully, crafting a relatable yet distinct exploration of love and identity. It’s a rollercoaster—laugh-out-loud moments crash into gut-punching revelations. A twist I didn’t see coming leaves you with a warm feeling of contentment.
This isn’t just a romance; it’s a coming-of-age tale wrapped in a vacation-gone-wild package, with a found family that steals your heart. The queer lens adds richness without overshadowing the universal struggles of loyalty, self-worth, and choosing between what’s easy and what’s right. It’s not perfect—some choices might divide readers—but it’s real, and that’s what makes it linger. If you crave a story that feels like home yet pushes you to reflect, this one’s a gem.
May 25, 2025
Jake Zuurbier’s Darius is a luminous and emotionally resonant novel that captivated me from the first page to the last. Set against the backdrop of a quiet French village, the story unfolds over a single transformative summer, weaving a tale of love, longing, and self-discovery.
At its heart, Darius is a coming-of-age journey that explores the complexities of identity and the courage it takes to embrace one’s true self. The narrative is beautifully written, with prose that is both poetic and poignant, capturing the nuances of young love and the bittersweet nature of growing up.
The character of Darius is particularly compelling—his vulnerability, introspection, and resilience make him a protagonist who is easy to root for. His interactions with Rudy, his cousin’s best friend, are charged with tension and tenderness, illustrating the fine line between friendship and something more. The introduction of Lucien, a gentle and wise librarian, adds depth to Darius’s journey, offering a contrast that highlights the different forms love can take. 
One of the quotes that resonated deeply with me was:
“Don’t be afraid to fall hard, darling. It’s the only way to know if it’s real.”
This line encapsulates the novel’s exploration of vulnerability and the risks inherent in opening one’s heart.
Additionally, the epilogue offers a profound insight into the healing process:
“You’re not healing to be able to handle the trauma, you’re healing to be able to handle the joy.”
This perspective shifts the focus from merely overcoming pain to embracing the capacity for happiness, a theme that lingers long after the final page.
In conclusion, Darius is an extraordinary novel that delves into the intricacies of love, identity, and healing. Jake Zuurbier has crafted a story that is both intimate and universal, leaving a lasting impression on the reader. I wholeheartedly recommend this book to anyone seeking a beautifully told, emotionally rich narrative.
Grateful that I could read the book!
5⭐️ 🥹
At its heart, Darius is a coming-of-age journey that explores the complexities of identity and the courage it takes to embrace one’s true self. The narrative is beautifully written, with prose that is both poetic and poignant, capturing the nuances of young love and the bittersweet nature of growing up.
The character of Darius is particularly compelling—his vulnerability, introspection, and resilience make him a protagonist who is easy to root for. His interactions with Rudy, his cousin’s best friend, are charged with tension and tenderness, illustrating the fine line between friendship and something more. The introduction of Lucien, a gentle and wise librarian, adds depth to Darius’s journey, offering a contrast that highlights the different forms love can take. 
One of the quotes that resonated deeply with me was:
“Don’t be afraid to fall hard, darling. It’s the only way to know if it’s real.”
This line encapsulates the novel’s exploration of vulnerability and the risks inherent in opening one’s heart.
Additionally, the epilogue offers a profound insight into the healing process:
“You’re not healing to be able to handle the trauma, you’re healing to be able to handle the joy.”
This perspective shifts the focus from merely overcoming pain to embracing the capacity for happiness, a theme that lingers long after the final page.
In conclusion, Darius is an extraordinary novel that delves into the intricacies of love, identity, and healing. Jake Zuurbier has crafted a story that is both intimate and universal, leaving a lasting impression on the reader. I wholeheartedly recommend this book to anyone seeking a beautifully told, emotionally rich narrative.
Grateful that I could read the book!
5⭐️ 🥹
May 17, 2025
"I'm falling in love with you." His fingers curled tighter around mine. "Bon," he smiled. Then, after a pause, quieter, "Because I am falling in love with you, too."
What an amazing arc read, I'm in awe of the storyline and how much these characters are already so close to my heart. Darius is such a beautifully written story where, from chapter one, you were already hooked with the story, family dynamics, and romance. It was a refreshing story of coming to age, identity, and love. This story had so much emotion and character development, which was so different from other books I've read in the past. It really pulled you into the family, and I felt like I was right there witnessing all the drama along with the characters. The epilogue made me cry, "Is it better to be loved or to be wanted?" Darius really put this line into perspective and shocked me in many ways. Don't settle for lust settle for love.
Jake Zuurbier wrote so effectless and an easy to follow book, where plot twists come rolling around the corner you definitely didn't see coming (cause I didn't). If you haven't read this book, go and read it, you won't regret it.
5/5 Stars
What an amazing arc read, I'm in awe of the storyline and how much these characters are already so close to my heart. Darius is such a beautifully written story where, from chapter one, you were already hooked with the story, family dynamics, and romance. It was a refreshing story of coming to age, identity, and love. This story had so much emotion and character development, which was so different from other books I've read in the past. It really pulled you into the family, and I felt like I was right there witnessing all the drama along with the characters. The epilogue made me cry, "Is it better to be loved or to be wanted?" Darius really put this line into perspective and shocked me in many ways. Don't settle for lust settle for love.
Jake Zuurbier wrote so effectless and an easy to follow book, where plot twists come rolling around the corner you definitely didn't see coming (cause I didn't). If you haven't read this book, go and read it, you won't regret it.
5/5 Stars
June 19, 2025
An emotional French summer, forbidden love and… a guy who works at a library? Sign me UP.
✨Darius by Jake Zuurbier✨
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ and a half (4,5) stars
Spoilerfree review by Tom
I’m a little late with the review, forgive me, had a busy month and of course had to process the book 🫣
But let’s dive in, because I fell in love, just like some characters in the book did 👀
First of all; this book the PERFECT summer-read, because it all takes place in a small, cozy village in the south of France during a hot summer. I read this in may and here in The Netherlands we had the first warm and sunny days this month, so it was perfect timing to read this book in my garden in the sun. It’s also perfect for pride month by the way, happy pride month!
Now imagine this: you’re spending your summer in a quiet French village, dodging family drama (or rather; trying to dodge it), daydreaming in the sun (read: tanning in speedo’s), and trying really hard not to fall for your cousin’s hot, emotionally unavailable best friend. Welcome to Darius’ life.
In Darius, author Jake Zuurbier drops us into a rollercoaster of heat, testosterone, and heartbreak, and it’s kind of irresistible. It took some time for me to really get into the book, but once you’re in it, you’ll only want more. Darius, one of the POV’s (and a very funny, lowkey chaotic and sometimes sassy gay), is supposed to be chilling with his family in the family countryside house. Instead, he gets swept up in a messy, magnetic thing with Rudy, his cousin’s best friend. Rudy is the second POV and he is equal parts fire, handsomeness, mystery, and red flags. It’s hot. It’s dangerous. It’s probably a terrible idea. And I liked every bit of it.
And then there’s Lucien. Sweet, star-gazing Lucien. A quiet librarian who enters like a soft breeze after a tornado. He doesn’t just see Darius, he understands him. Which, honestly, is terrifying in its own way. Because lust is easy, but love? Don’t even get me started.
Darius is a queer coming-of-age story that doesn’t hold back. It’s not just about romance, it’s about longing, loneliness, and what happens when you’re young, horny, insecure and in love. It’s tender, fiery, and sometimes frustrating… kind of like being 20 and way too in love. The book explores themes such as growing up, queerness in relation to family, and honestly just horny-ness.
What I especially liked is the way Jake wrote so accurately about family dynamics during a holiday. It is spot-on when it comes to that one crazy aunt or the macho uncle, the amazing cousin or the annoying friend of the amazing cousin. It’s all there.
As a queer man in my early 20’s I could relate to alot of the things inside Darius’ head and other themes in the book. The book also called me single in 100 languages, but at least I was able to witness and experience young queer love through these amazingly detailed characters. Ofcourse this book is also very very enjoyable for straight people (as long as you’re an ally hehe). While reading the book I was lowkey jealous of the main characters and I had, most of the time, physical reactions (on my face, fyi) to the story developing and expanding. You know it’s a good book when that happens, for me at least.
All in all; love this book, go read it, it’s worth it, you’ll love it, the drama is drama-ing, it’s giving hot gay summer, the plots are twisting, you’ll cry, you’ll smile, you’ll laugh, you’ll worry and you’ll scream inside but one thing is clear: the love is in the air and so are the hormones.
(Also: happy birthday Jake! Consider this my birthday present ;))
✨Darius by Jake Zuurbier✨
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ and a half (4,5) stars
Spoilerfree review by Tom
I’m a little late with the review, forgive me, had a busy month and of course had to process the book 🫣
But let’s dive in, because I fell in love, just like some characters in the book did 👀
First of all; this book the PERFECT summer-read, because it all takes place in a small, cozy village in the south of France during a hot summer. I read this in may and here in The Netherlands we had the first warm and sunny days this month, so it was perfect timing to read this book in my garden in the sun. It’s also perfect for pride month by the way, happy pride month!
Now imagine this: you’re spending your summer in a quiet French village, dodging family drama (or rather; trying to dodge it), daydreaming in the sun (read: tanning in speedo’s), and trying really hard not to fall for your cousin’s hot, emotionally unavailable best friend. Welcome to Darius’ life.
In Darius, author Jake Zuurbier drops us into a rollercoaster of heat, testosterone, and heartbreak, and it’s kind of irresistible. It took some time for me to really get into the book, but once you’re in it, you’ll only want more. Darius, one of the POV’s (and a very funny, lowkey chaotic and sometimes sassy gay), is supposed to be chilling with his family in the family countryside house. Instead, he gets swept up in a messy, magnetic thing with Rudy, his cousin’s best friend. Rudy is the second POV and he is equal parts fire, handsomeness, mystery, and red flags. It’s hot. It’s dangerous. It’s probably a terrible idea. And I liked every bit of it.
And then there’s Lucien. Sweet, star-gazing Lucien. A quiet librarian who enters like a soft breeze after a tornado. He doesn’t just see Darius, he understands him. Which, honestly, is terrifying in its own way. Because lust is easy, but love? Don’t even get me started.
Darius is a queer coming-of-age story that doesn’t hold back. It’s not just about romance, it’s about longing, loneliness, and what happens when you’re young, horny, insecure and in love. It’s tender, fiery, and sometimes frustrating… kind of like being 20 and way too in love. The book explores themes such as growing up, queerness in relation to family, and honestly just horny-ness.
What I especially liked is the way Jake wrote so accurately about family dynamics during a holiday. It is spot-on when it comes to that one crazy aunt or the macho uncle, the amazing cousin or the annoying friend of the amazing cousin. It’s all there.
As a queer man in my early 20’s I could relate to alot of the things inside Darius’ head and other themes in the book. The book also called me single in 100 languages, but at least I was able to witness and experience young queer love through these amazingly detailed characters. Ofcourse this book is also very very enjoyable for straight people (as long as you’re an ally hehe). While reading the book I was lowkey jealous of the main characters and I had, most of the time, physical reactions (on my face, fyi) to the story developing and expanding. You know it’s a good book when that happens, for me at least.
All in all; love this book, go read it, it’s worth it, you’ll love it, the drama is drama-ing, it’s giving hot gay summer, the plots are twisting, you’ll cry, you’ll smile, you’ll laugh, you’ll worry and you’ll scream inside but one thing is clear: the love is in the air and so are the hormones.
(Also: happy birthday Jake! Consider this my birthday present ;))
July 16, 2025
Honestly, if we weren’t friends on IG, I probably wouldn’t have discovered Darius, so thank you, IG algorithm, for once! Because here I am, completely hooked and writing this review with a whole heart 💓
Once I started reading, I just couldn’t stop. I even replaced my usual Netflix time with reading Darius while I eat! That's how into it I was. It’s not my first queer romance, but what I love is how different and modern this one feels. The voice, the setting, the energy.. everything about it felt fresh!
I got more excited as I turned more pages, and then the plot twist hit 😮💨 I didn’t see it coming at all (I admit I’m not the kind of reader who tries to guess things.. I just read and feel, haha 🤣 but still, it really got me!)
And the ending? So real. It didn’t go for the overly-perfect fairytale ending.. it felt grounded, like something that could truly happen. And I loved that 🙂↕️
Looking forward to reading more of your work, Jake. You’ve definitely gained a fan here 🌻
🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
Once I started reading, I just couldn’t stop. I even replaced my usual Netflix time with reading Darius while I eat! That's how into it I was. It’s not my first queer romance, but what I love is how different and modern this one feels. The voice, the setting, the energy.. everything about it felt fresh!
I got more excited as I turned more pages, and then the plot twist hit 😮💨 I didn’t see it coming at all (I admit I’m not the kind of reader who tries to guess things.. I just read and feel, haha 🤣 but still, it really got me!)
And the ending? So real. It didn’t go for the overly-perfect fairytale ending.. it felt grounded, like something that could truly happen. And I loved that 🙂↕️
Looking forward to reading more of your work, Jake. You’ve definitely gained a fan here 🌻
🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
April 26, 2025
The book was honestly a very refreshing and heart-warming book for me, it was different from a lot of the books that I have read and it honestly seemed like a breath of fresh air in the genre of romance. The characters were all amazing, all of the characters were flawed in many ways but perfect in their own unique ways too and I just fell in love with all the characters and the characters were all so beautiful that I was afraid that maybe the characters wouldn't get the ending they deserved but surprisingly I was very satisfied with the ending and was very emotional. The plot was different from a lot of romance books that I have read because the book deals with so many sensitive topics like identity crisis, internalised homophia, family dynamics cheating and more, but this book didn't glorify them but showed it for how it actually is and how difficult it can be to deal with all these things. Reading Darius was a beautiful journey for me because it shows us the difference between lust and love and makes you understand the meaning of true love and shows you how love actually should be, the ending of Darius made me really emotional and I remember when I saw that I was on the last few pages of the book I had to stop reading and let myself cry because of just how beautiful it is and how this journey of reading such a beautiful book was ending for me.
May 25, 2025
I present to you a story in which love is the basis of everything. Be it at the level of self-love, as well as in interpersonal relationships.
The book “Darius” presents to us two characters that will contribute to the development of the narrative. As the title itself mentioned, the main character is Darius. A young man in his twenties, very sure of himself - not afraid to be who he truly is -, but also uncertain about the love relationships in which he engages.
On the other hand, we have Rudy. Elegant boy, who comforts the views with just a simple smile, as well as with a body that envies. However, this being an old crush of Darius, Rudy is heterosexual. What has always been a hindrance in the relationship of these two.
This queer story hit a little close to home, because the themes that were portrayed here made me remember some of certain striking moments in my life as a homosexual. Already, the fact that heterosexual people play with each other, pretending to be homosexual, however when they saw two gay men hugging or kissing, they considered it a sin and a “disgust”. Moreover, the fact that many men, who consider themselves to be straight, use a homosexual human being for an experience and simply do not want to know how it will affect the other person.
However, this book has very well grounded the censorship that still exists against our community, but also that there are still people - our family and friends - who are there to support us and accept when strangers devalue or censor us.
I really loved this book and I really think that this one should have - one day - an adaptation to a movie like “Call me by your name” had. So, for that matter, I’ll leave some examples of quotes with which I identified the most in the book🍊
The book “Darius” presents to us two characters that will contribute to the development of the narrative. As the title itself mentioned, the main character is Darius. A young man in his twenties, very sure of himself - not afraid to be who he truly is -, but also uncertain about the love relationships in which he engages.
On the other hand, we have Rudy. Elegant boy, who comforts the views with just a simple smile, as well as with a body that envies. However, this being an old crush of Darius, Rudy is heterosexual. What has always been a hindrance in the relationship of these two.
This queer story hit a little close to home, because the themes that were portrayed here made me remember some of certain striking moments in my life as a homosexual. Already, the fact that heterosexual people play with each other, pretending to be homosexual, however when they saw two gay men hugging or kissing, they considered it a sin and a “disgust”. Moreover, the fact that many men, who consider themselves to be straight, use a homosexual human being for an experience and simply do not want to know how it will affect the other person.
However, this book has very well grounded the censorship that still exists against our community, but also that there are still people - our family and friends - who are there to support us and accept when strangers devalue or censor us.
I really loved this book and I really think that this one should have - one day - an adaptation to a movie like “Call me by your name” had. So, for that matter, I’ll leave some examples of quotes with which I identified the most in the book🍊
May 22, 2025
Firstly, I would like to thank Jake for sending me a physical copy of the book to read and review! I am very grateful!
Secondly, I would like to share my favourite quote from the book…which just so happens to be the last line!
“You’re not healing to be able to handle trauma, you’re healing to be able to handle joy”
Darius is a queer romantic drama which is set in France. It’s a story about family and what it means to be truly seen and accepted!
I love the vibe of this book as it centres around some deep topics, such as falling in love, learning the difference between being wanted and being loved and how to accept someone for who they are!
The writing style is dual POV, which I really enjoyed as you saw the scenarios from all angles and how the MMCs were really feeling. The chapter length was perfect for me as they were quite short! Long chapters are a big ICK! The language made for quick and easy reading- for me there was a touch too much swearing- but it didn’t deter from the story!
There were a few “spicy” scenes and fade to black encounters! They were described passionately and were not too crude!
The epilogue brought everything together and I am so glad Darius found love and acceptance in the end!
Overall ratings:
🌟 4/5
🌶️ 1/5
☠️ 1/5 (TWs homophobia, alcohol consumption, cheating)
May 21, 2025
Okay, it took me a while to finish this book because I genuinely wasn't in the right headspace for it when I first started, hence putting it off for a few weeks, but I started reading it again yesterday and let me just say I breezed through! 😍
Jake Zuurbier writes pretty amazingly, in a flowy, REAL way. I love his characters so much - they all have depth. They aren't perfect, and they have their flaws, which makes them so real, so easy to relate to, and so personal. The family drama was well portrayed and shows how its like to be in a big family like that, nothing is always perfect like you see in portraits!
It also spoke depths about self-identity and how it can be so hard to stay true to yourself especially in a world where everyone strives to be "perfect" and we're all, unfortunately, ruled by a set of standards.
Darius isn't just your typical queer romance, it was an insightful book that gets you self-reflecting, and had so much emotion and character development. I really, really loved the epilogue and I think Darius chose the best in the end! I'm so happy!
Fyi, Lucien is absolute perfection. Fave character? Hell yeah! 💖
Loved Liza too - she's annoyingly adorable <3
Thank you so much for the free ARC, I'm honoured to have read and reviewed Darius!
Jake Zuurbier writes pretty amazingly, in a flowy, REAL way. I love his characters so much - they all have depth. They aren't perfect, and they have their flaws, which makes them so real, so easy to relate to, and so personal. The family drama was well portrayed and shows how its like to be in a big family like that, nothing is always perfect like you see in portraits!
It also spoke depths about self-identity and how it can be so hard to stay true to yourself especially in a world where everyone strives to be "perfect" and we're all, unfortunately, ruled by a set of standards.
Darius isn't just your typical queer romance, it was an insightful book that gets you self-reflecting, and had so much emotion and character development. I really, really loved the epilogue and I think Darius chose the best in the end! I'm so happy!
Fyi, Lucien is absolute perfection. Fave character? Hell yeah! 💖
Loved Liza too - she's annoyingly adorable <3
Thank you so much for the free ARC, I'm honoured to have read and reviewed Darius!
May 18, 2025
You’re not healing to be able to handle the trauma, you’re healing to be able to handle the joy.
This little gem. Not a book I would normally read, I’m so glad I picked this book up. This book has life, loss, hurt, redemption and more. I felt like Zuurbier had me living through Darius and Rudy alike as they tell their story, with twists and heartbreak along the way as each character finds themselves in their own way.
This book had me both cheering and booing, laughing and crying, and a little jealous that I wasn’t also drinking wine in a French villa.
Beautiful story with beautiful characters.
This little gem. Not a book I would normally read, I’m so glad I picked this book up. This book has life, loss, hurt, redemption and more. I felt like Zuurbier had me living through Darius and Rudy alike as they tell their story, with twists and heartbreak along the way as each character finds themselves in their own way.
This book had me both cheering and booing, laughing and crying, and a little jealous that I wasn’t also drinking wine in a French villa.
Beautiful story with beautiful characters.
May 30, 2025
Thank you to @author.jakezuurbier and @apolloimperium for this ARC! Here's my honest review 😄
We follow a wonderful cast of characters that bring the story to life for me. I thoroughly enjoyed my time with these characters and it felt like we as readers were a part of this summer getaway. Lucien and Sam were my two favorites even with them getting less page time than others.
I also enjoyed our time in this French village, whether it was walking the streets, spending time at the library, or catching some sun by the pool!
Love triangles don't tend to work for me and that was still the case here. I didn't feel like this novel reinvented that wheel in any way. However, the romance in this novel felt natural and those progressions did work for me.
The story telling brought you into the setting and into the lives of these characters and that's ultimately all I can ask for. Well done!
We follow a wonderful cast of characters that bring the story to life for me. I thoroughly enjoyed my time with these characters and it felt like we as readers were a part of this summer getaway. Lucien and Sam were my two favorites even with them getting less page time than others.
I also enjoyed our time in this French village, whether it was walking the streets, spending time at the library, or catching some sun by the pool!
Love triangles don't tend to work for me and that was still the case here. I didn't feel like this novel reinvented that wheel in any way. However, the romance in this novel felt natural and those progressions did work for me.
The story telling brought you into the setting and into the lives of these characters and that's ultimately all I can ask for. Well done!
April 9, 2025
Requested a free ebook ARC of this from the author’s website in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to Jake Zuurbier and Apollo Imperium!
This is a charming, frequently funny, and slightly spicy queer romance and family drama set in France that follows Darius, the titular character, his best friend Rudy, and a diverse and interesting cast of supporting characters.
If you’re looking for a compelling young adult fiction story about falling in (and out) of love, family issues, coming out, and having fun in France (and NOT in a Call Me By Your Name-ripoff way), you’ll probably enjoy this!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (I generally don’t like romance, so it takes a LOT for me to give one 5 stars.)
What I liked:
✓Character guide right at the start that made getting into the story so much easier; though, it does slightly reduce the excitement of learning about the characters over the natural progression of the story
✓1st person and dual POVs by Darius and Rudy - and a surprise POV chapter from another character later on in the story that provides a bit more depth and nuance
✓Clear and engaging writing style
✓Bits of humor throughout (that are actually funny!)
✓Cultural references that make sense and don’t feel too awkward or out of place
✓Diverse cast of compelling characters
✓Relatable depiction of the queer experience and romances (not that I’m an expert at it considering I’ve never been in a relationship lol)
✓The epilogue; specifically the author’s message / intention with this story (and that ending!)
A few notes / opportunities for improvement / random thoughts (potential minor spoilers!):
∙Spotted a handful of typos (minimal; nothing egregious)
∙Dialogue / narration can sometimes seem awkward or redundant - but when the 1st person POVs from younger American characters (who, realistically, may not be the most articulate people in the world IYKWIM) is taken into context, it makes sense and somehow adds to the charm / realism
∙I found myself more interested in following Rudy (and later on, Freddy) than Darius himself tbh.
∙Love Liza. Everyone should have a Liza in their life.
∙Not sure if it was intentional but I think it was interesting to not name Rudy’s mom and dad; adds to the feeling of alienation / estrangement from them
Will be posting a video review on my BookTok so follow me for updates: @carlo.martinez__
This is a charming, frequently funny, and slightly spicy queer romance and family drama set in France that follows Darius, the titular character, his best friend Rudy, and a diverse and interesting cast of supporting characters.
If you’re looking for a compelling young adult fiction story about falling in (and out) of love, family issues, coming out, and having fun in France (and NOT in a Call Me By Your Name-ripoff way), you’ll probably enjoy this!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (I generally don’t like romance, so it takes a LOT for me to give one 5 stars.)
What I liked:
✓Character guide right at the start that made getting into the story so much easier; though, it does slightly reduce the excitement of learning about the characters over the natural progression of the story
✓1st person and dual POVs by Darius and Rudy - and a surprise POV chapter from another character later on in the story that provides a bit more depth and nuance
✓Clear and engaging writing style
✓Bits of humor throughout (that are actually funny!)
✓Cultural references that make sense and don’t feel too awkward or out of place
✓Diverse cast of compelling characters
✓Relatable depiction of the queer experience and romances (not that I’m an expert at it considering I’ve never been in a relationship lol)
✓The epilogue; specifically the author’s message / intention with this story (and that ending!)
A few notes / opportunities for improvement / random thoughts (potential minor spoilers!):
∙Spotted a handful of typos (minimal; nothing egregious)
∙Dialogue / narration can sometimes seem awkward or redundant - but when the 1st person POVs from younger American characters (who, realistically, may not be the most articulate people in the world IYKWIM) is taken into context, it makes sense and somehow adds to the charm / realism
∙I found myself more interested in following Rudy (and later on, Freddy) than Darius himself tbh.
∙Love Liza. Everyone should have a Liza in their life.
∙Not sure if it was intentional but I think it was interesting to not name Rudy’s mom and dad; adds to the feeling of alienation / estrangement from them
Will be posting a video review on my BookTok so follow me for updates: @carlo.martinez__
April 18, 2025
I received an eARC in exchange for my honest opinion on this book. I have to say, this book has left me a changed person.
I didn’t expect to love this book as much as I did. I usually fall into fantasy worlds or get pulled along by thrillers, but DARIUS caught me off guard in the most unexpected and beautiful way. From the very first chapters, the characters felt like real people. They were messy, warm, aching with things they couldn’t say aloud. They were flawed in the exact ways that made me care for them deeply. They felt like friends I’d never met before but somehow already missed.
The dual perspectives worked amazing. Darius and Rudy each carry so much, and reading their thoughts side by side was like peeling back layers of the same summer sky—different angles of the same sunset. Even when I knew better, I found myself rooting for every one of them, for all the ways they tried and failed and tried again.
The story moves slow at first, like the stretch of a sun-soaked afternoon, but once it stirs, it doesn’t stop. At around thirty percent, it began to unravel in the most perfect way. I couldn’t look away. I was fully tangled in it, breath caught, heart tight in my chest. And the twists? They’re not loud or flashy, but they hit with precision. Each one peeled the characters open in new ways, made me feel closer to them with every turn of the page.
This book feels like a summer breeze and a sun-warmed bruise all at once. Gentle, but unafraid to touch something deeper. It’s soft, sharp, and completely unforgettable. And the ending? No spoilers, just this: Darius, I’m so proud of you.
This story meant the world to me.
RATING: 5/5⭐
EXTRA THOUGHTS: This story hovered around 4.5 stars for most of it, but I will say that the last 30 pages or so were my favourite. A story about growth and love, the ending sealed the deal for me.
I didn’t expect to love this book as much as I did. I usually fall into fantasy worlds or get pulled along by thrillers, but DARIUS caught me off guard in the most unexpected and beautiful way. From the very first chapters, the characters felt like real people. They were messy, warm, aching with things they couldn’t say aloud. They were flawed in the exact ways that made me care for them deeply. They felt like friends I’d never met before but somehow already missed.
The dual perspectives worked amazing. Darius and Rudy each carry so much, and reading their thoughts side by side was like peeling back layers of the same summer sky—different angles of the same sunset. Even when I knew better, I found myself rooting for every one of them, for all the ways they tried and failed and tried again.
The story moves slow at first, like the stretch of a sun-soaked afternoon, but once it stirs, it doesn’t stop. At around thirty percent, it began to unravel in the most perfect way. I couldn’t look away. I was fully tangled in it, breath caught, heart tight in my chest. And the twists? They’re not loud or flashy, but they hit with precision. Each one peeled the characters open in new ways, made me feel closer to them with every turn of the page.
This book feels like a summer breeze and a sun-warmed bruise all at once. Gentle, but unafraid to touch something deeper. It’s soft, sharp, and completely unforgettable. And the ending? No spoilers, just this: Darius, I’m so proud of you.
This story meant the world to me.
RATING: 5/5⭐
EXTRA THOUGHTS: This story hovered around 4.5 stars for most of it, but I will say that the last 30 pages or so were my favourite. A story about growth and love, the ending sealed the deal for me.
June 6, 2025
Darius by Jake Zuurbier 💙🤎
I received this stunning book a few weeks ago, and I've been so excited to read it! Well, I finally did. If it weren't for my exams, I would've most likely finished this book in one sitting. Yes, it's that good 🤭.
Darius is a queer romance / drama written in dual pov. This book follows Darius' and Rudy's povs. We follow them throughout the course of two weeks while Darius goes to visit his family in a French village. Let me tell you, the vibes were *fabulous*. Every time I was reading, I was transported right there with the characters 💙.
Now, speaking of the characters... Each and every single one of these characters felt like real people to me. Reading about them didn't feel like reading at all. It felt like talking with my friends. With every page read, I felt myself growing more and more fond of them. I was giggling, blushing, smiling, laughing, and I even shed a few baby tears.
Darius is writing so beautifully, so relatable, so honest and real. The story has an emotional depth to it while also being hilarious. I, myself, am bisexual, and this book has been quite healing to read. The representation of queer characters and navigating queer relationships is done really, really well. I am incredibly grateful that Jake Zuurbier wrote this fantastic book ❤️
My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️,75 / 5
This book was a great experience to read, and I HIGHLY recommend 💙🤎
If you wanna read Darius for yourself, you're in luck! Because Darius officially released two days ago on June 1st, 2025!!! 🎉🎉🎉 Feel free to head over to @author.jakezuurbier 's account on instagram and go take a looksy 🫶🏻🫶🏻🫶🏻
I received this stunning book a few weeks ago, and I've been so excited to read it! Well, I finally did. If it weren't for my exams, I would've most likely finished this book in one sitting. Yes, it's that good 🤭.
Darius is a queer romance / drama written in dual pov. This book follows Darius' and Rudy's povs. We follow them throughout the course of two weeks while Darius goes to visit his family in a French village. Let me tell you, the vibes were *fabulous*. Every time I was reading, I was transported right there with the characters 💙.
Now, speaking of the characters... Each and every single one of these characters felt like real people to me. Reading about them didn't feel like reading at all. It felt like talking with my friends. With every page read, I felt myself growing more and more fond of them. I was giggling, blushing, smiling, laughing, and I even shed a few baby tears.
Darius is writing so beautifully, so relatable, so honest and real. The story has an emotional depth to it while also being hilarious. I, myself, am bisexual, and this book has been quite healing to read. The representation of queer characters and navigating queer relationships is done really, really well. I am incredibly grateful that Jake Zuurbier wrote this fantastic book ❤️
My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️,75 / 5
This book was a great experience to read, and I HIGHLY recommend 💙🤎
If you wanna read Darius for yourself, you're in luck! Because Darius officially released two days ago on June 1st, 2025!!! 🎉🎉🎉 Feel free to head over to @author.jakezuurbier 's account on instagram and go take a looksy 🫶🏻🫶🏻🫶🏻
June 9, 2025
Darius is a queer novel that treads on the issues of family, identity, and belonging. As a whole, the book plays its strength on simplicity, making it smooth-sailing and more relatable.
At first this seems to be a cozy read — Darius, sassy and drama queen, on a vacation to bask under the sun in a French town. But complications will appear at the brewing relationships among the characters. Yet, the plot maintains its straightforwardness, which can be attributed to the dual POV (of Darius and Rudy). Their thoughts and senses are written as if the readers live through them in every page.
No unnecessary overdetailing, just straight-up here-is-what-i-perceive-at-this-moment narration. This echoes closer to real life how your brain (or the characters') works. Except for few intimate scenes, everything is light and easy. I applaud the author having a way of toning down heavy themes.
There are many lines worth bookmarking. And I am drawn to several fleeting scenes that are driven by these lines. I also like those moments intended to be funny because laugh I did.
Another remarkable thing for me is giving a one-shot POV for Freddy to explain his motives. Perhaps like in real life, he needs the chance to be understood, if not redeemed.
And although I wish there's more of Lucien at the close of the story, I am already contented that it's ended in mere mention of events or, considerably, an open ending. After all, the story is about Darius — not Darius and someone. To him, aside from choosing yourself, the gate to happiness is to choose back the one that chooses you.
At first this seems to be a cozy read — Darius, sassy and drama queen, on a vacation to bask under the sun in a French town. But complications will appear at the brewing relationships among the characters. Yet, the plot maintains its straightforwardness, which can be attributed to the dual POV (of Darius and Rudy). Their thoughts and senses are written as if the readers live through them in every page.
No unnecessary overdetailing, just straight-up here-is-what-i-perceive-at-this-moment narration. This echoes closer to real life how your brain (or the characters') works. Except for few intimate scenes, everything is light and easy. I applaud the author having a way of toning down heavy themes.
There are many lines worth bookmarking. And I am drawn to several fleeting scenes that are driven by these lines. I also like those moments intended to be funny because laugh I did.
Another remarkable thing for me is giving a one-shot POV for Freddy to explain his motives. Perhaps like in real life, he needs the chance to be understood, if not redeemed.
And although I wish there's more of Lucien at the close of the story, I am already contented that it's ended in mere mention of events or, considerably, an open ending. After all, the story is about Darius — not Darius and someone. To him, aside from choosing yourself, the gate to happiness is to choose back the one that chooses you.
June 3, 2025
🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤
5/5
This was one of those books that I simply didn’t want to end. I savored this one over a few days when I could’ve easily binged it in a day. I didn’t want to leave these characters that I grew to absolutely love. (Even Freddy; especially Freddy…he needed it the most.)
Reading Darius was like taking a fresh breath of salty summer air. Not only did this kick off my summer reading, but also kicks off Pride month for me. Seriously, I couldn’t have asked for a better book than this to do just that. Zuubier truly captures the essence of summer, growing up, trying to fit in with not only the real world, but also your family.
Here’s what else I loved…
📝 this felt like reading a diary almost…I really loved the formatting of Jake’s writing in this.
☀️ Jake truly captured finding yourself & being young and not knowing what the future holds…I simply applaud him on this. At 34 I found myself sinking back into the hopes of the future at a young age in the midst of summer, which was so nostalgic.
🩵 right off the bat I knew I was in good hands when Mama Mia was referenced!
🥰 𝐵𝑒𝒶𝓊 (the beauty & the beast reference 😭)
🍷 I want to party with the Singretti family. They were so fun!
🚩 I’m such a red flag because I was rooting for the toxic relationships in this. 😅
🧡 I loved this one so much…this is the first physical book I’ve fully annotated. It’s going to have a special place on my bookshelf.
5/5
This was one of those books that I simply didn’t want to end. I savored this one over a few days when I could’ve easily binged it in a day. I didn’t want to leave these characters that I grew to absolutely love. (Even Freddy; especially Freddy…he needed it the most.)
Reading Darius was like taking a fresh breath of salty summer air. Not only did this kick off my summer reading, but also kicks off Pride month for me. Seriously, I couldn’t have asked for a better book than this to do just that. Zuubier truly captures the essence of summer, growing up, trying to fit in with not only the real world, but also your family.
Here’s what else I loved…
📝 this felt like reading a diary almost…I really loved the formatting of Jake’s writing in this.
☀️ Jake truly captured finding yourself & being young and not knowing what the future holds…I simply applaud him on this. At 34 I found myself sinking back into the hopes of the future at a young age in the midst of summer, which was so nostalgic.
🩵 right off the bat I knew I was in good hands when Mama Mia was referenced!
🥰 𝐵𝑒𝒶𝓊 (the beauty & the beast reference 😭)
🍷 I want to party with the Singretti family. They were so fun!
🚩 I’m such a red flag because I was rooting for the toxic relationships in this. 😅
🧡 I loved this one so much…this is the first physical book I’ve fully annotated. It’s going to have a special place on my bookshelf.
May 26, 2025
Darius and his extended family return to the French countryside for their annual summer vacation. Rudy, a longtime friend of Darius’s cousin, begins to develop feelings for Darius and steps into his #BisexualAwakening. If only it were that simple of a love story: things get quite complicated between Rudy and Darius, with family secrets exposed and the complex dynamics between family members and lovers. Darius has to choose: love or lust?
This book was reminiscent of #CallMeByYourName, but set in modern-day France; though some key differences made it a totally unique story. It’s a dual POV queer novel, which was refreshing to see how both Darius and Rudy simultaneously fall for each other. I admit that I was a bit distracted by some of the sentence fragments which made the writing feel a bit more casual, but it did suit the vibe of the characters and it didn’t detract from the storyline for me. It was a lovely story and I’d recommend it to anyone interested in a tender #QueerRomance.
Read if you like:
🏳️🌈 discovering identity
👨❤️👨 queer romance
🌧️ Call Me By Your Name but in the modern French🇫🇷 countryside
💞 Dual POV romance
Spice warning: mild
Reviewed as part of #ARC; many thanks to Apollo Imperium for the opportunity to read and review.
Follow me on Instagram for more book reviews!
This book was reminiscent of #CallMeByYourName, but set in modern-day France; though some key differences made it a totally unique story. It’s a dual POV queer novel, which was refreshing to see how both Darius and Rudy simultaneously fall for each other. I admit that I was a bit distracted by some of the sentence fragments which made the writing feel a bit more casual, but it did suit the vibe of the characters and it didn’t detract from the storyline for me. It was a lovely story and I’d recommend it to anyone interested in a tender #QueerRomance.
Read if you like:
🏳️🌈 discovering identity
👨❤️👨 queer romance
🌧️ Call Me By Your Name but in the modern French🇫🇷 countryside
💞 Dual POV romance
Spice warning: mild
Reviewed as part of #ARC; many thanks to Apollo Imperium for the opportunity to read and review.
Follow me on Instagram for more book reviews!
June 4, 2025
Reading Darius felt like summer air caught between pages—humid with longing, sunlit with soft boyhood, and buzzing with unspoken truths. It’s one of those books that doesn't just tell a story; it feels like an emotion you once had but couldn’t name.
Jake Zuurbier writes with the intimacy of a diary entry and the bite of a well-timed joke. The dialogue sparkles. The banter? Flirty, fun, and sometimes heartbreakingly real. The characters don’t feel like characters—they feel like people you could run into at the corner café or cry over in your group chat.
The emotional depth here is something else. It’s about growing into your queerness and not just accepting it—but celebrating it in a world that sometimes wants to shrink you. And oh, the way this book explores complicated relationships, the push-and-pull of desire versus what’s right for your heart? Goosebumps. Actual goosebumps.
It’s funny, soft, painful in places, and beautifully tender in others. What if it's us? meets Call Me by Your Name with a touch of therapy, found family, and poetic yearning.
Jake Zuurbier writes with the intimacy of a diary entry and the bite of a well-timed joke. The dialogue sparkles. The banter? Flirty, fun, and sometimes heartbreakingly real. The characters don’t feel like characters—they feel like people you could run into at the corner café or cry over in your group chat.
The emotional depth here is something else. It’s about growing into your queerness and not just accepting it—but celebrating it in a world that sometimes wants to shrink you. And oh, the way this book explores complicated relationships, the push-and-pull of desire versus what’s right for your heart? Goosebumps. Actual goosebumps.
It’s funny, soft, painful in places, and beautifully tender in others. What if it's us? meets Call Me by Your Name with a touch of therapy, found family, and poetic yearning.
June 10, 2025
Thank you to author J Zuurbier for the gifted ebook.
I liked this story a lot. It included a lot of potential real life scenarios people have faced. People will lie to you to your face and still expect kindness and empathy. And I think this story shows decisions made for you are exactly that… for you. So when others don’t agree and you still life and enjoy your life, you know you made the right one.
I liked this story a lot. It included a lot of potential real life scenarios people have faced. People will lie to you to your face and still expect kindness and empathy. And I think this story shows decisions made for you are exactly that… for you. So when others don’t agree and you still life and enjoy your life, you know you made the right one.
January 16, 2026
The beautiful story
This story is raw and full of tenderness. Darius is has beautiful characters, learning and about seldom discovery and falling in love.
I loved the narrative as well a the overall world we got to go too.
This has been on my tbr and I am heartbroken it's over but I am happy about the time moment.
This story is raw and full of tenderness. Darius is has beautiful characters, learning and about seldom discovery and falling in love.
I loved the narrative as well a the overall world we got to go too.
This has been on my tbr and I am heartbroken it's over but I am happy about the time moment.
July 27, 2025
DARIUS is a queer romance novel tangled with family drama, but it’s more than just a love story. It dives into complicated family dynamics, toxic, suffocating relationships, and the chaos of identity crises. Every summer, Darius—one of the two POVs—vacations with his family in a beautiful French villa. It’s supposed to be the same as always. But this year? Something’s different. Rudy—Darius’s cousin’s best friend. He’s golden, reckless, completely off-limits… and the only person Darius can’t stop thinking about. This is a story of two boys trying to figure out who they are to each other—and to themselves. It’s about lust, and how easily it can be mistaken for love. It’s about love, and how terrifying it is to be held gently when you’re used to being hurt. But more than anything, it is about family. The kind you’re born into, the kind you choose, and the kind that breaks you down—then shows up with a plate of food and a badly timed joke.
I love all the different characters in the book. Each one has their own unique personality and flaws, which makes them feel so real. I love the growth that the characters undergo—watching them evolve from the environments they were shaped by, learning about themselves, and ultimately starting to live for themselves. It’s such a powerful journey. The twist, omg. I gasped.
Love Lucien!! He’s such a sweetheart—so gentle and kind, and his character really brings a sense of warmth to the story.
The book is fun and easy to read, even though it delves into some complex themes. It strike a perfect balance between heartwarming moments and the more intense, thought-provoking elements.
I love all the different characters in the book. Each one has their own unique personality and flaws, which makes them feel so real. I love the growth that the characters undergo—watching them evolve from the environments they were shaped by, learning about themselves, and ultimately starting to live for themselves. It’s such a powerful journey. The twist, omg. I gasped.
Love Lucien!! He’s such a sweetheart—so gentle and kind, and his character really brings a sense of warmth to the story.
The book is fun and easy to read, even though it delves into some complex themes. It strike a perfect balance between heartwarming moments and the more intense, thought-provoking elements.
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews