Uniquely Us

Us #3

by A.M. Arthur

Taro Ichikawa needs his weekly routines. Working from home as a programmer allows him to work around his constant struggle with anxiety and OCD—everything from exact meal times to his weekly dinner dates with his best friend Cris Sable. Openly demisexual, he’s comfortable knowing he’s different from most, and he’s content being single—until he breaks routine to attend Cris’s birthday party and makes an unexpected new friend.



Dell Greenwood moved in with his uncle eighteen months ago to turn his life around, and after a serious setback last fall, he’s finally healthy and heading in the right direction. His full-time job as a porn videographer keeps him busy, so he doesn’t have to think about the fact that while he seriously dated one man last year, he’s not attracted to…well, anyone. It’s easy to assume that his traumatic past is to blame for his lack of interest in dating, but when he meets and gets to know Taro Ichikawa, Dell wonders if there’s a different reason.



Befriending someone mired in strict routines isn’t easy, but Dell is stubborn when he wants something, and being patient with Taro is easy. From emails to tentative lunch dates, what begins as a simple friendship slowly deepens into something much stronger—and completely unexpected. But Dell knows that for him to be all-in with Taro, he not only needs to come to terms with his sexuality, but he also has to be honest with himself and his family about the absolute worst moment of his life.

Genres: M M Romance, Romance, Contemporary, LGBT, Gay, Mental Health, Asexual

300 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 24, 2017

About the author

No stranger to the writing world, A.M. Arthur has been creating stories in her head since she was a child and scribbling them down nearly as long. She credits an early fascination with male friendships (bromance wasn't a thing yet) with her later discovery of and subsequent affair with m/m romance stories. When not writing, she can be found in her kitchen, pretending she's an amateur chef and trying to not poison herself or others with her cuisine experiments. You can contact her at AM_Arthur(at)yahoo(dot)com

Reviews

[Elsa Bravante · Rating 3 out of 5]

La razón fundamental por la que leí este libro es que los personajes son demisexual (spectrum de la asexualidad) y asexual y es own voices. Es un tema que desconozco bastante así que me decidí a probar y el resultado ha sido bueno y malo al mismo tiempo.
La experiencia de leer el libro ha sido buena porque siento que he aprendido mucho, he podido comprender a los personajes y cómo ellos desean y llevan una relación sentimental, ha sido muy enriquecedor además de una lectura con sensibilidad y muy dulce.
En el lado negativo siento que la autora en ocasiones ha caído en un tono algo preachy y que la necesidad de que entendiéramos a los personajes ha hecho que en ocasiones parecieran un tanto encorsetados (en ningún caso me refiero al sexo) o demasiado perfectos, siempre con la respuesta o la reacción correcta. Fundamentalmente en el caso Taro, a veces sus diálogos dan la sensación de algo robotizados, he echado en falta algo más de emoción. Además, algunos giros del plot tienden a ser algo melodramáticos y al formar parte de una serie, aunque se puede leer solo, hay algunas escenas que son importantes y de las que solo tenemos un atisbo porque se ven en libros anteriores ya que las historias se solapan en el tiempo.
Ha sido una lectura interesante y bonita, aunque le han faltado cosas para que a mi me llegara a encantar.

[Denise H. · Rating 4 out of 5]

They met at a birthday party for Cris, Taro's best friend. Cris is in a triad with Chet and Jake.
* Taro, 26, is a work-at-home programmer,

who is tall and lean, a Japanese descendant who has some issues like OCD, panic attacks and more.
The man he meets is * Dell, 21, nephew of Uncle Charlie/Chet.

Dell is the camera man for the Mean Green Porn website run by Chet, his uncle Charlie, who stood by him through Dell's drug use, suicide attempt and kidney transplant.
Now, Dell and Taro are enjoying talking together at the party, They plan to keep in touch. Many issues are happening at once.

Our topics are possible triggers, like depression, suicide, drug addiction, low self esteem, asexual and demi-sexual preferences, with ace spectrum, aro, and homo-romantic definitions. Our men have a deep connection, and we see their inner thoughts, the conflicts inside their heads, and the explanations that tell us why our men are who they've become. People are byproducts of our childhoods in addition to our inherent selves, who we truly are as human beings.
Intense topics. Pasts are partially shared and Taro ans Dell become fast friends. They text, call, skype, plus each is accepting of the other man's quirks.
Each guy is atypical, and complicated, but they go forward and get closer, because they understand each other.


There are revelations, and slow burn, light sexy times. The men have kept one HUGE secret from each other, so, when they feel and tell each other about the love they feel, the secret must be told. The shattering truths blow up their current conceptions.

* This story is deep and dark at times, along with bright discoveries and happiness. We ride the roller-coaster to the HFN.
We get lots of information and thoughts to process.

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[Simply Love Book Reviews · Rating 4 out of 5]

Uniquely Us runs somewhat simultaneously with the first two books in A.M. Arthur’s Us series and I’ll admit I was intrigued by the pairing in this book. Two men with more baggage than anyone should even have at their young ages, explore a friendship that turns into more in this emotionally charged and hopeful romance.

Less than two years ago Dell Greenwood’s life was saved after he contacted his Uncle Charles for help following a severe beating at the hands of his father and another uncle and being kicked out of his home. Charles gave him a home, a job, and unconditional support, but Dell’s demons took over and a sexual encounter made him question his life even more and led to an overdose, kidney failure, and an eventual kidney transplant from an anonymous donor. Watching his Uncle find love with not just one, but two men and the models he works for pairing off, Dell wonders every day why he is unable to make connections like everyone else when at his Uncle’s party for his friend Cris Sable, he meets Cris’ best friend Taro Ichikawa who he finds easy to talk to and intriguing beyond anything he’s imagined, but Taro is not without his own problems and triggers making their friendship a delicate balancing act.

I enjoyed the way Dell and Taro built a friendship through their emails and allowed Taro to get comfortable and learn more about Dell and allowed Dell time to trust that Taro wasn’t going to push him for more than he was ready for. This relationship progressed slowly which was exactly what both these men needed and I felt they challenged each other to move beyond their comfort zones but did so in a respectful manner and one that allowed the other to know they could back out at anytime if they were uncomfortable. I won’t lie, both these men had some big time baggage in their lives and at times I wasn’t sure they could get past it all to move past the fragile friendship they shared. I respect the fact that Ms. Arthur didn’t try to speed it up or tie it all up in a nice, neat little bow for the sake of making this an easy romance; she showed that patience and trust is key especially when dealing with skittish individuals.

I always appreciate the depth in Ms. Arthur’s characters and Uniquely Us is a prime example of her attention to detail and her ability to craft an intriguing romance for two extraordinary individuals.

[Chris · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was sweet but just a little too fluffy ... I adore the ace / Demi focus and see how important it is to be celebrated so this was more about Dell & Taro. Both men had issues with anxiety, OCD and self esteem so it felt like the whole story was one constant apology ! Still enjoyed it, but felt a bit awkward

[Antisocial Recluse · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of the best things about reading MM, especially when it comes to favorite authors like A.M. Arthur, is how much I discover and learn, far beyond just simple romance stories. Several subjects are addressed in this volume, since Taro has OCD and anxiety, and Dell is a recovering addict, rejected by his religious family and has a transplanted kidney. Taro and Dell are coping fairly well with their individual issues, but one thing Dell hasn’t reconciled is his sexuality. Learning that Taro is demi-sexual and identifying with much of the information about the asexual spectrum, he embarks on a friendship with Taro, both slowly learning to expand their boundaries and understanding of themselves and each other. There are many email and Skype sessions, then a careful progression to dating, and sharing building emotions.

This isn’t quite as angst-filled as some of the author’s stories have been, although there’s moderate drama at points in the book. I think all subjects were handled quite respectfully in the narrative but it did draw out the length. It runs concurrently with books 1 and 2 of this series, so I’d recommend reading those first. It’s also a spin-off from the Perspectives series and a few of those characters appear at times. I did like the story very much, apart from wishing it moved forward more quickly, but there was a lot of elapsed time to cover. I also disagreed with how a few situations with Dell were handled, as he did not seem to have any kind of sobriety support or counseling. It bothered me as a missing detail that would seem to be obvious or at least suggested by someone, at some point. Still, I would recommend it for the informed exploration of part of the asexual experience, since asexuality is still often disregarded or misunderstood. Not that I can fully grasp all the nuances yet myself, but this greatly improved my understanding. I’d also recommend it as a very sweet, sexy romance with less-than-common subjects and a very fresh trope.

*An ARC was provided by the author or publisher and I have chosen to publish a fair and honest review for Hearts On Fire Reviews blog*

[namericanwordcat · Rating 3 out of 5]

Taro and Dell. This seems like it is going to be a way darker book than it actually is because of the underlying themes, anxiety, grief depression, suicide, porn industry, ocd...

However, it is really a kind of coming of age story and a discovered sexuality story in term the ace spectrum.

Despite the darkness of these two's past, which I will leave you to discover, it is a friends to lovers, dating, and making out story with a lot of side stories going on,

The pacing lagged in places and there was too little exploration of some details and too much of others but overall I enjoyed it.

[Bo · Rating 3 out of 5]

This started out strong, but kinda fizzled for me at the end. However, I loved that sex was not a priority for this couple. It was refreshing to read.

[Bárbara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Where do I sign for there to be more (many, many more) books like this?

This story just about *killed* me. These characters were so precious and so soft, and their relationship was such fucking goals.

This was such a lovely, heart-warming, moving, hopeful story. I can't tell you enough how close to home this one hit- Dell's character really meant a lot to me (although one could argue that I should have connected to a deeper level to Taro, what with both being demi and whatnot); I could relate to his insecurities, to his pain, to his defense mechanisms... It was pretty heavy, but I really, really loved to see a character as him.

Taro, on the other hand, was equally delightful: such strength, he was truly worthy of admiration.

I loved them both and I loved their relationship- and I also loved the "triad" (Uncle Charles especially, he was such a wonderful man!)

One teeny, tiny bit of criticism though: having TWO MCs with such heavy bagagges, with so many issues, kinda made me exhausted. I know that's realistic and whatnot, but at times I felt like both Taro being demi and Dell being ace was heavily influenced by their traumatic pasts (I had the same uncomfortable feeling with Neil while reading TFC and trust me, it wasn't pretty).
Seeing a demi(or ace) character who's also been through a lot of trauma that, tangentially or not, connects with the sexual aspect of their lives, sort of fucks up the whole message of "being this way doesn't mean you're broken". It may not have been the desired effect, but something about that aspect doesn't exactly bring me comfort.

Holy shit, I didn't mean to make the paragraph with the negative the longest one (I just needed to get things out of my chest). Truth is, apart from that (very personal) reading of the situation, I absolutely loved this story. I don't think I had ever felt as connected to a story or its characters as I did with this one. I'm also going to apologize because my emotions are crap and I have all these beautiful feelings about this story but I'm unable to put them into words. I guess it comes easier for me to deal with the negative stuff. That's completely on me, ugh, I hate this- but I loved, loved, loved this book and this story truly felt like a warm hug to my heart, to my soul. I lost count of the times I smiled and laughed and felt overall warm inside because THIS. WAS. WONDERFUL. Bye.

[Tammy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sweet, low in angst in my opinion and more of discovering for Dell who he was as a person with his sexuality and understanding himself and believing he wasn’t a burden to friends and his uncle. For Taro it was learning to overcome some of his OCD tendencies and learning to trust. It was a good read, nothing truly exciting but sweet read all in all.

[Debra ~~ seriously slacking on her reviews ~~ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Originally reviewed at Sinfully.

Although the third in a series, this book can be read as a standalone. You may miss out on some of the nuances of the side relationships, but the story timeline runs concurrently with the other books and is from Dell and Taro’s points of view from their first meeting forward. If you have read the other books, you’ll be happy to catch up with Chris, Chet and Jake, as well as some of the other men of Mean Green.

Dell harbors a lot of self-doubt and guilt over his recent overdose and kidney transplant, but his issues go back further to his teen years and the rejection by his family. He is also struggling with his sexuality, never really feeling comfortable about any of the experiences he has had. When Taro brings up the possibility that Dell may be on the asexuality spectrum, it’s just one more thing that, in his mind, makes him far from normal and accepting it scares him.

Taro is comfortable with being demisexual, but there are other things in his past that haunt him. He has OCD and deviations from his strict routines, especially if they are unplanned, need to be dealt with on a case by case basis. After spending time online with Dell and getting to know him better, he finds himself trying to break those routines whenever it comes to a chance to spend some actual time together. It doesn’t always work and could result in an anxiety attack, but he’s very drawn to Dell who seems to have a good effect on him and an endless ability to roll with Taro’s routines.

There is a lot of time spent getting to know both Taro and Dell as they go from emailing each other, to dates, to more. The story is told in alternating points of view, so we are privy to each man’s fears and hopes. Taro finds that he has a desire to protect Dell, while Dell wants to be a source of comfort and support for Taro. They have great communication, although not everything comes out in the open all that quickly, and that is what allows them to develop such a strong relationship.

Two imperfect hot messes who happen to be perfect for each other.

Occasionally the pacing of the story did seem a bit slow. There is not a lot of outside action as the focus is on Dell and Taro’s growing relationship. It made sense in the context of both men needing to move slowly and Dell spends a long time denying what he knows to be true, but sometimes it did feel like I wanted something else to happen.

The story is a lovely exploration of not just Dell’s coming to terms with his sexuality, but of both men finding a relationship that works for them. Both respecting each other’s limits while forming an intense emotional and romantic bond. They give each other the strength to deal with their pasts which, in true A.M. Arthur fashion, have some horrible incidents, but also have brought them both to where they are now. Things aren’t going to be easily “fixed”. There are plenty of emotions running through this story and you may shed some tears.

If you think you won’t be able to relate to a romance between a demisexual and homoromantic asexual, disabuse yourself of that notion right now. Dell and Taro’s love story is sweet and tender and their chemistry works throughout the story. You may even learn something new and lose some misconceptions about the asexuality spectrum. I know I did.

[Steffanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have been waiting for this book since I read The Heart as He Hears It because I wanted Dell's story. And I was not disappointed. This is a beautiful story about how everyone is worthy of love, no matter how broken and damaged you feel yourself. Both Dell and Taro are broken and dented but they are also so incredibly wonderful and their story is so beautiful. The absolute sweetness of both characters is so wonderful to see. They are so invested in making themselves better without requiring the other to change. Even though both characters grow it is so clear that that growth is to the benefit of the individual and not the rest of the world (not sure if this makes sense).

I am a series reader, I LOVE seeing the characters from previous books have supporting or cameo roles. I want to see the HEA keep going in everyday life, and in this book several of the characters from other books play a role. And I can also speculate who will get the next story (Adam/Rick phulease)

This story can be read on its own, but don't. You will get so much more out of it if you start from the beginning with The Truth as He Knows it (or if you want to go WAY back Cost of Repairs, actually go all the way back there if you haven't).

Oh, and most of the book can be read in public but the last third should be read at home, unless you don't mind ugly crying on public transpo (why do I never learn!!!)

[Andrew Rogers · Rating 5 out of 5]

So my opinion of A.m Arthur is very high. I have read many of her books if not all of them and consider her a good friend. This book was very sweet and I had been waiting to read Dells story. Dell being so damaged and trying to cope with his recovery and the fact his uncle has not one but two lovers in his life has turned his world upside down and learning his kidney that was donated was actually donated by one of his uncles lovers. The unique relationship he builds with Taro who is that same lovers best friend might just be what he needs. Taros life is nothing but routines and structure, but when you suffer from OCD and other things the structure helps you cope. Tuesday night dinners with his best friend Chris is something he looks forward to every week and now he has Dell. How does he fit in the carefully constructed life he has built? will he let Dell into the impenetrable fortress that holds his heart? This book was great addition to the series and highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys a story of strength love and hope. this is a stand alone but please read the companion series Perspectives and then the completed Us series. you won't be sorry.

[Emily Seelye · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have been anticipating this book for a few months. It did not disappoint. Taro, Cris' friend, and Dell meet at a birthday party at the house and become instant friends. Through a mostly online emailing friendship, Taro, who is demi, helps Dell figure out he is ace.

They do get closer and fall in love, and then learn to navigate a relationship that works for them.

Of all the books I've read recently that features ace or demi characters, this was the most informative, though I thought it was borderline preachy.

As always, the writing/story was well done.

After reading this, there are 3 characters' stories I want: Benny (Jakes former roommate) and Rick and Avery (2 models who work for Chet who had explosive chemistry)

Recommended

Copy provided by author

[Bronwyn · Rating 2 out of 5]

DNF at 48% - I’m really bummed out that I couldn’t get into this book. The rest of the series has been great. I was really looking forward to Dell and Taro’s story and it just didn’t work for me.

[Amy (I'd Rather Be Sleeping) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love the two guys, love the representation and the diversity. Don't love the melodrama happening in the background/past. I mean, really? It's soap opera worthy. Even some of the stuff currently going on in the book is very soap-y and, while I liked this book because I liked the pair - and the e-mails while they were getting to know each other - I probably won't be reading more in the series. (Maybe more by the author, if I can find something else that catches my attention that doesn't sound so soap-y.)

[Gabis Laberladen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Darum geht's:

Taro lernt Dell auf der Geburtstagsfeier seines besten Freundes Cris kennen. Beide verstehen sich auf Anhieb, doch weder Dell noch Taro sind unkomplizierte Menschen, denen es leicht fällt, neue Kontakte zu knüpfen. Da sie aber beide mit ähnlichen Dingen zu kämpfen haben, haben sie auch großes Verständnis für die Nöte des anderen. Und zum ersten Mal können sich beide vorstellen, einen Menschen gefunden zu haben, mit dem mehr möglich ist.

Meine Meinung dazu gibt’s hier

[Angie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a copy to read and review for Wicked Reads

If you have read the previous two books in the series you know that this book is happening at the same time, but from Dell and Taro’s perspective. We finally get to see what is going on with Dell, who is so quiet in the first two books, but we all knew something was going on. I really liked the connection between Dell and Taro. I even liked the emailing back and forth, which is shocking for me because I am a huge dialogue person, I hate inner monologue stuff. I am also not big on asexual books or demi sexual books. I will say this one did explain things in great detail but at times, I thought it was a bit preachy or more like Taro was on his soap box. I did enjoy the book and the story was great. I can’t wait to see what the next book is about.

[Pati · Rating 2 out of 5]

This should come with a warning! A HUGE WARNING! Truthfully, I don't consider this a romance. While it does contain a romance the main focus is in multiple, mental health issues. OCD, depression, anxiety, addiction, sucide attempt, murder/suicide, and attempted murder. *Sigh* I wish that I hadn't read this. I won't ever read it again.

[Amanda Fields · Rating 5 out of 5]

Of the books in this series so far, this one resonated with me personally. It gave me insight into myself. Each book in the Us series gets better and better. Such superb writing and character development. It’s rare to come across characters this real.

[Anke · Rating 2 out of 5]

Another one for my challenge

[Cammey Kelley · Rating 5 out of 5]

The third book in the Us series, this wonderfully written book covers topics that are gut wrenching and hit very close to home for me. Drug use, suicide, OCD and sexual identity aren't everyday topics in my world. I'm so glad A.M. had foresight to be all inclusive, to make folks like me and others on the asexual spectrum, feel not so alone.

Dell, Chet's nephew, was introduced early on in this series. Because of a strict southern upbringing, Dell turns to drugs when his sexuality doesn't fit into a perfect box. A subsequent drug OD, running from past demons, leaves Dell with a second chance to figure out he's an ace and that things aren't always black and white.

Taro, Chris's best friend, identifies as demi, but has his own quirks. He's OCD, suffers from PTSD and is an introvert. He and Dell are drawn to each other immediately, and form an emotional bond through emails that they both need to take their relationship to the next level.

I can't say enough about how this books resonates with me...loved it, loved its message. The explanations of the asexual spectrum are the best I've seen. Highly recommended.

[Jess A Jaye · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am a HUGE Am Arthur fan. And Uniquely Us is yet another fantastic read
Dell and Taro's story is amazingly beautiful and so very refreshing. I thought it was really brave to have not one but both MCs on the Ace spectrum.  I loved how AM showed that you can find love, have relationships, build intimacy without having full on sex.  Don't get me wrong when a sex scene is put in at the right time for the right reasons - love it.  But I get so frustrated in books when there's a penetrative sex scene every second paragraph and it feels like it's being done just for the sake of it.  I sit there and wonder did you really need that? Couldn't  a scene where the MCs snuggle on the sofa, or hug and kiss or go on a romantic date not have done the same thing. AM did this beautifully so in this book.
Seeing Dell struggle with his sexual identify and his past was at times heartbreaking as was discovering the cause of Taro's anxieties. I highly recommend this one and the rest of the Us series. In fact you should read all of AM's books.

[Stephanie · Rating 2 out of 5]

I really liked Taro in the first two books and was looking forward to his story. Unfortunately, this book just didn't work for me. I struggled to get through it. The email exchanges were excruciating to read. The formality of the dialogue, even after they had known each other for a while, struck me as odd. The big reveal at the end should not have been a surprise to anyone.

[Gv · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked the beginning, the unusual characters. But as the book goes by, it becomes more and more sexual and... what's the point of having an asexual character if he is going to actually want to have sex with his boyfriend non-stop? Like... being in a relationship makes him not asexual?? Meh.

[Annie Maus · Rating 4 out of 5]

A.M. Arthur’s “Uniquely Us,” the third in her “Us” series, is perfectly paced to highlight asexual spectrum relationships. Arthur specializes in slow burns, love before sex, and compassion over lust.

In Books 1 and 2, readers were introduced to Chris’ friend, Taro, who supported his developing threesome with Jake and Charles. Charles runs, a gay porn company in his home, where his nephew Dell, (the company videographer) also resides. “Uniquely Us,” which works well as a standalone, is Taro and Dell’s story.

Taro developed OCD after his parents died when he was 18. To manage a consuming need for routine, he’s basically limited deep human connection to friendship with Chris.

Dell was rescued, years earlier, by Uncle Charles, after his father beat and disowned him upon learning Dell was an addict who engaged in gay sex to pay for drugs. But Dell isn’t comfortable with the “gay” label either.

Taro’s declaration of asexuality causes Dell to wonder if the label might explain one element in his own very confused identity. Taro’s OCD rigidly controls his personality and behaviors, while Dell sense of self is unsettled. Can opposites support each other?

Taro and Dell are quiet loners, content to avoid confrontation, not because they are weak, but because they don’t want to be defined by either rebellion or conformity. Through their bond, they discover it’s impossible to know oneself without others to mirror and contrast one’s best and worst traits.

While teaching about the range of asexual desires, “Uniquely Us” gently reminds readers that sexuality is only one aspect of identity. “’Instead of figuring out normal, why don’t you figure out who you are?’” Taro suggests to Dell.

Likewise, sexuality is merely one reason that parents might tragically endanger children they supposedly love. “’Family can love you, but they can also hurt you the worst and in the most painful ways,’” Dell notes.

Because Dell and Taro accept each other’s limits, their bond develops at a leisurely pace. Slow proves healing, allowing them to confront personal demons, and to realize their passions were merely the tip of the icebergs causing internal conflicts.

Dell recognizes, “Others thought the worst about him, because Dell assumed the worst of himself.” And isn’t that the truth for most of us?

Arthur’s special skill is to make readers connect with those who are different, while showing how love and acceptance are universal healers. “Us” proves an appropriate name for the series.

And, if these points aren’t enough to encourage you to purchase “Uniquely Us,” here’s one more enticement. Taro and Dell’s asexuality is far more incendiary than much of the porn I’ve read!

[Heather York · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm just going to jump out of the gate and say this. Uniquely Us can be frustrating at times and seems repetitive with all the understanding that the boys do getting to know each other. I found myself setting my kindle down a few times saying "can't we just jump ahead" but no we can't. Truth is, not everyone is able to reach that level of knowing each other quickly or easily. The author doesn't do the "repetitiveness" to fill pages or because they're not sure what to write, AM Arthur has written the story this way because its who Dell and Taro are, they need structure, they need time, they need to develop the connection before they truly feel comfortable. So yes, you may get frustrated at times but it is so worth it, maybe you don't know anyone in your life like Dell and/or Taro or maybe you just haven't taken the time to understand how important developed structure is to that person. Uniquely Us may teach you something about yourself and those around you but don't think for one minute it isn't entertaining or that it comes across preachy because it doesn't.

I knew that Dell and Taro's story would be intriguing from the first time we met them but the balance between heartbreak and joy really pops and makes the characters come alive. I purchased this book when it first came out nearly 2 years ago and I'm not sure why it took me so long to read it. Perhaps the timing just wasn't right, I tend to be moody about my books and if I'm not feeling like a particular sub-genre it can get "lost a bit" on my always growing TBR list but for whatever reason then wasn't right but now was and I loved it!

Uniquely Us may be part of the AM Arthur's Us series but it is not an M/M/M or polyamorous story, it is a tale of friendship, self-discovery, and finding what love means to them. Dell and Taro will break your heart at times as you see them struggle to balance day-to-day existence with romance but watching them discover that balance with each other and within themselves will also warm your heart. Life is about being who you are and hopefully finding others who accept you and will help you along the way and Uniquely Us is a perfect example of just that. A true gem and though it centers around a different pairing than the first two in the series I highly recommend reading Here for Us and Sound of Us first as that is when we first met Dell and Taro. You won't be lost if you read book three first but I found it flowed better knowing the connections already established in the other two series entries.

[Janova · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked this one. It was quite different from the other books by this same author. It wasn't as much angsty, that's for sure. I mean, it had angst, but not as much. It was more of a sweet romance, and it made me swoon more than once <3

I loved Dell and Taro separately and together. Especially Dell. He was so, so cute and precious, and I really felt for him. I know not everyone experiences asexuality in the same way, but I could totally see myself and part of my own experience reflected in his and I cheered on him all the way.

One thing, though; be warned that this story is not much action-driven. This is a story about the internal struggles and internal journey of two guys in their 20s. It's a story about self-acceptance, self-discovery, trust, second chances among other things, and especially love--self-love and romantic love. At least, that's what I saw.

On the other hand, I think it has a really good representation of what asexuality entails (or, at least, it reflects perfectly how I experience it for the most part). I have not read many books with asexual characters as MCs, but the one thing I can say for sure is that this one does a good job in differentiating sexual attraction and aesthetic attraction. I mean, just because you're asexual doesn't mean you're consequently blind and can't recognize and appreciate when one person is attractive, wtf. Sadly, I've seen that in another book with an demisexual character. One thing is being clueless, sure, but as I was saying being asexual doesn't equel being blind lol

Another thing--I really, really hate is when one MC is asexual and, just because they are asexual, it's like it directly means open relationship so other MC can fuck around and the romantic relationship can survive. It's like because you're asexual can't possibly be jealous or want a monogamous relationship. I mean, I know not everybody wants the same, and it's not a prerequisite, but HEY asexuals are entitled to want to be in a monogamous relationship.

Excuse my mini rant.

The point is A.M. Arthur does a really good job in portraying an asexual monogamous relationship <3 (Other authors who also portray it perfectly are TJ Klune in How to be a normal person , and Nyrae Dawn and Christina Lee in Paint the stars --although their demi MC is a good example of obliviousness regarding aesthetic appearances)

[Love is Love Book Reviews · Rating 4 out of 5]

Originally appeared on Love is Love Book Reviews.

An asexual porn cinematographer falls for a demisexual programmer. Wow, that sounds so much simpler than the reality of this book. Both heroes have baggage and a lot of it. Nothing has ever been simple for these guys from the day they were born until they found each other and the relationship that slowly and carefully develops between them. It wasn’t always easy but it was a lovely journey nonetheless. I also loved that Dell and Taro didn’t let their issues define them. They were who they were and they owned that, for the most part, but they never believed that they couldn’t be more or do more.

I did have two criticisms of the book. First, there was too much of the previous two books interwoven into Taro and Dell’s story. In full disclosure, I haven’t read the other books in the series so I had zero investment in Chet/Cris/Jake’s relationship or any of the other cameos by previous couples that distracted me from the tale at hand. Fans of Ms. Arthur’s may have a different experience.

Second, most of the story is told at a relatively slow pace, and with their issues, it needed to be. These guys weren’t designed for insta-love. This is part of the beauty of this book, not a criticism. However, the last third-ish of the book is way too rushed, especially the big conflict between Dell and Taro at the end. There is no way these specific characters could process everything, come to the necessary insights, and have the relationship recover in just a day or so. Taro couldn’t process his parents’ deaths in eight years, there’s no way they could get past this issue without more time and talk.

Overall, this is a wonderful story about two men who could easily have been broken by the lives they’ve lived but were strong enough to survive in spite of it all. The love and support Dell and Taro give to one another were beautiful. I liked that they accepted each other’s issues without trying to fix them and that their issues were in no way cured in the end. I’m looking forward to the next book in the series.

The cover is a nice one. Nothing earth-shattering, but it does its job well. The Asian model is stunning. I’m not so enthused by the green title as it blends in a little too much but that’s a small thing.

[Chris · Rating 5 out of 5]

Taro Ichikawa lebt nach einer strikten Routine. Nur so kommt er mit seinen Angstzuständen und Unsicherheiten zurecht. Sein engster Freund ist Cris, über den er auch den jungen Dell Greenwood kennenlernen. Zwischen den Männern entsteht fast augenblicklich eine Bindung. Sie haben beide mit Problemen aus ihrer Vergangenheit zu kämpfen und brauchen all ihre Energie um ihr Leben zu meistern. Taro ist in dieser Hinsicht schon weiter, auch wenn ihn ein traumatischer Vorfall aus seiner Jugend noch immer verfolgt und hemmt.

Seine Sexualität ist ungewöhnlich aber für Taro händelbar. Dell hingegen hat Probleme damit. Er will nicht asexuell sein, doch alle Zeichen deuten daraufhin. Erst bei Taro kann er sich öffnen und von ihm lernen. Doch langsam wird aus ihrer Freundschaft mehr und romantische Gefühle drängen sich immer mehr in den Vordergrund.

Taro, wie auch Dell sind jetzt dem Leser der Reihe nicht unbekannt. Dell wäre ja fast an einer Überdosis gestorben und konnte nur durch Cris‘ großherzige Spende überleben. Seine Geschichte wird nun erzählt. Sehr intensiv und emotional. Wunderbar wird die Freundschaft mit Taro erzählt. Wie sie sich annähern, wo ihre Grenzen sind und wovon sie träumen und was sie sich wünschen. Natürlich ist es nicht einfach aus seiner Routine (Taro) auszubrechen und es ist genauso schwer die Vergangenheit hinter sich zu lassen und sich selbst zu akzeptieren (Dell).

A.M. Arthur beschreibt Dell und Taro sehr genau und hat sich auch mit dem Thema der Demisexualität bzw. der Asexualität gründlich auseinandergesetzt. Manche Dinge habe ich nicht ganz verstanden, aber das lag vermutlich auch am Original. Allerdings war für mich gut nachvollziehbar wie Taro und Dell gefühlt und wie sie sich eben im Laufe ihrer Freundschaft bzw. Beziehung dann weiterentwickelt haben.

Es ist jetzt keine besonders erotische Geschichte, auch wenn sie ihre Momente haben. Viel mehr werden Freundschaft, Vertrauen und Vergebung behandelt. Dell und Taro haben beide Tragisches erlebt und mussten schwierige Lebensabschnitte meistern. Doch sie hatten auch immer Menschen, die ihnen zur Seite gestanden haben und die noch immer tun. Und obwohl sie beide Probleme haben, schaffen sie es sich gegenseitig zu ermutigen und sich zu bereichern.

[Joyfully Jay · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Joyfully Jay review.

4 stars

Dell and Taro were prominent side characters in the first two books of the Us series, and so I was thrilled to hear they were getting their own story. Both men were fascinating in earlier books, especially because we got hints of their relationship but didn’t see most of it on page. So Uniquely Us was a great chance to see them again and get into much more detail on their story.

What I loved here is the way Arthur showcases these two men in a way that lets us really get to know them, but at the same time accepts them for exactly who they are. Taro suffered the traumatic loss of his parents and copes with it by having very strict routines that control his life and what he is comfortable doing when (things like last minute invitations can be overwhelming for him, for example). For his part, Dell is still recovering emotionally from his overdose, his kidney transplant, and from a sexual encounter that left him very upset and uncertain. I wouldn’t say this book is overly heavy with these topics, but it makes these guys both need to take things slowly emotionally, as well as be particularly sensitive to the other’s needs. On top of that, Dell is struggling with his sexuality, never before having been able to really identify to himself how he feels. Learning about Taro being demisexual suddenly opens up this whole new language for Dell that helps him figure out his own feelings and interests.

I think Arthur does a really nice job here walking the line between showing growth from both of these men as they work through things, but also not having them suddenly being “cured” of their issues. I loved the slow and careful way these guys interact. They are so tender and loving toward one another, so easily understandingly and willing to take things slowly and at the other’s pace.

Read Jay’s review in its entirety here.