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Ghosting You
Tommy hears dead people. Okay, one dead person. His best friend, Chase. Since his death, Tommy can't stop hearing his voice. They talk every day and Tommy even sends him texts, but it always ends the same. Message failed to send. Until one day, a stranger texts back. Getting stuck in nowhere Georgia was not on Nick's summer agenda, but a horoscope, a chance encounter, and a cute boy has things looking up. There's just one problem, the boy hates him. When a broken phone leaves him with a new number, Nick is ready to write off the entire summer as a loss. But then he receives a strange text. When Tommy and Nick's worlds collide, the attraction is instant, but Tommy just can't let Chase go. Can Nick use his status as Tommy's anonymous stranger to break down his defenses or is Nick destined to live in a love triangle with a ghost?
350 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 2, 2019
96 people are currently reading
1079 people want to read
About the author
Alexander C. Eberhart
9 books253 followersA Metro Atlanta area native, Alexander has had a passion for writing from a young age. As he grew into his Queer identity, so did his works, and he is dedicated to bringing Queer stories to life in new and imaginative ways.
Alexander has penned over half a dozen titles, from Young Adult works exploring topics of Faith and Queer identities, to an Adult Urban Fantasy series, packed with magic and just the right amount of spice.
When not crafting quality Queer fiction, Alexander works for a local service company. He still lives outside of Atlanta with his husband and their children (dogs).
Alexander has penned over half a dozen titles, from Young Adult works exploring topics of Faith and Queer identities, to an Adult Urban Fantasy series, packed with magic and just the right amount of spice.
When not crafting quality Queer fiction, Alexander works for a local service company. He still lives outside of Atlanta with his husband and their children (dogs).
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 99 reviews
December 22, 2019
2.5 stars
I have mixed feelings about this book. There were parts that I liked so much that I didn't want to put it down. But there were other parts that really dragged for me and felt kind of dull.
Tommy and Nick were the highlight of this story for me. Although I never really connected to them, they did have some lovely moments together. Sadly, I didn't like any of the side characters. I found most of them very one-dimensional and the way some of them behaved at times didn't make any sense to me.
Another thing that didn't work for me was the overall atmosphere of the book. Both MCs come with a lot of baggage, too much in my opinion, and for the most part the story felt really sad and depressing to me. But what bothered me even more was that most of the issues that seemed quite heavy along the story were resolved too lightly at the end.
I have mixed feelings about this book. There were parts that I liked so much that I didn't want to put it down. But there were other parts that really dragged for me and felt kind of dull.
Tommy and Nick were the highlight of this story for me. Although I never really connected to them, they did have some lovely moments together. Sadly, I didn't like any of the side characters. I found most of them very one-dimensional and the way some of them behaved at times didn't make any sense to me.
Another thing that didn't work for me was the overall atmosphere of the book. Both MCs come with a lot of baggage, too much in my opinion, and for the most part the story felt really sad and depressing to me. But what bothered me even more was that most of the issues that seemed quite heavy along the story were resolved too lightly at the end.
July 9, 2023
4.5 stars ... Enjoyed this *almost* as much as the my first read by this author, 'Lock & West'. 😊
January 20, 2023
See? I knew that if I kissed a lot of frogs I’d find a princeling among them. This was beautiful. I had no idea it was YA , I would have probably avoided it but I went in blind because I had it on my tbr for a long time and I didn’t bother with the blurb again. Well, it was a treat! Good,witty writing with 2 endearing MCs and an emotional story. I enjoyed it so much. Some said that it felt depressing but I honestly didn’t see it depressing. I found it emotional, heartbreaking and heartwarming at the same time and Tommy’s pain made me tear up. A very fresh and very captivating YA story. 5 wonderful stars.
September 24, 2025
“I love you,” I whisper as the first drops of rain begin to fall. And I wish you were here to hear it. To hear all the times that I wanted to tell you. To experience all the embraces I kept at bay. To know how it would’ve felt to kiss you so lightly it stole the air from your lungs.”
5⭐️
Ghosting You was a surprise to me. It was a random find on Hoopla, and I thought it would be perfect to kick off my Spooky Season reading. Well… it turned out to be more of a Sobbing Season book. I was out here ugly crying during this emotional coming-of-age story.
We follow Tommy as he navigates the world a year after the tragic and traumatic loss of his best friend. Over the course of the summer, he learns to let go, come into himself, and begin to actually love again. And let me tell you — it’s painful, heartbreaking, and sometimes frustrating.
The book gives us both Tommy and Nick’s POV, which adds so much depth. It shows two teenage boys wanting freedom and trying to find it in very different ways, while still being pulled together.
It was a delightfully sad book that I couldn’t put down. If you’re looking for less spook and a lot more tears, I totally recommend it
5⭐️
Ghosting You was a surprise to me. It was a random find on Hoopla, and I thought it would be perfect to kick off my Spooky Season reading. Well… it turned out to be more of a Sobbing Season book. I was out here ugly crying during this emotional coming-of-age story.
We follow Tommy as he navigates the world a year after the tragic and traumatic loss of his best friend. Over the course of the summer, he learns to let go, come into himself, and begin to actually love again. And let me tell you — it’s painful, heartbreaking, and sometimes frustrating.
The book gives us both Tommy and Nick’s POV, which adds so much depth. It shows two teenage boys wanting freedom and trying to find it in very different ways, while still being pulled together.
It was a delightfully sad book that I couldn’t put down. If you’re looking for less spook and a lot more tears, I totally recommend it
January 14, 2021
*****Spoiler Free Review*****
Audiobook narrated by Joel Leslie Froomkin
Why read this book….
- YA… the innocence and genuineness of teenagers. #Real
- Enemies to lovers. #HateToLoveYou
- Tommy, who is grieving the death of his best friend and first love. #INeverKnewINeededYou
- Nick, who even closeted, is the breath of fresh air. #ICanBeMeWithYou
- All the feels… grief, sadness, sweetness, hope, love, healing and more. #YouBringItAllOut
- HFN… which is logical for their age. #JustTheBeginning
- The Audiobook is nothing short of stellar. Mr. Leslie brings Nick and Tommy to life, with all their nuances. The accents, the tones, the feelings.... they all came together to produces an amazing performance. #NarratorExtraordinaire
PS… This is a no steam book… kissing and the mentions of sex, but nothing graphic, which again fits the overall mood of the story and its characters.
Audiobook narrated by Joel Leslie Froomkin
Why read this book….
- YA… the innocence and genuineness of teenagers. #Real
- Enemies to lovers. #HateToLoveYou
- Tommy, who is grieving the death of his best friend and first love. #INeverKnewINeededYou
- Nick, who even closeted, is the breath of fresh air. #ICanBeMeWithYou
- All the feels… grief, sadness, sweetness, hope, love, healing and more. #YouBringItAllOut
- HFN… which is logical for their age. #JustTheBeginning
- The Audiobook is nothing short of stellar. Mr. Leslie brings Nick and Tommy to life, with all their nuances. The accents, the tones, the feelings.... they all came together to produces an amazing performance. #NarratorExtraordinaire
PS… This is a no steam book… kissing and the mentions of sex, but nothing graphic, which again fits the overall mood of the story and its characters.
May 5, 2020
"I cringe at his tone-deaf attempts at humor."
This quote doubles as a review.
This quote doubles as a review.
September 6, 2022
The first time I tried to read this book I couldn't get into it and DNF. But every now and then my thoughts went back to it. And then I read another book by the same author and really liked it, so I decided to give this one another try and this time I really liked it.
I have to say, it's a little bit hard to get into this book. First of all there's a prologue to overcome. It's not the worst kind of prologue, because it's at least related to the main story. But a back story, and a really depressing one at that, is not the best way to get into a book. And the following first few chapters are not much better. All the characters come across as some kind of jerks at first and it takes some time to warm up to them. But they really grew on me.
This book is slow paced, but in a good way. One of the themes is grief and grieving takes time. And although slow paced, the plot is moving forward constantly. There's no stalling or endless dragging on. I really appreciate that. Once you get into the book it's a pleasant read and you get hooked pretty fast.
Although the story is told alternatingly first person from both Tommy and Nick, the actual main character is Tommy. He's the one who has the biggest package of problems to carry and about three quarters of the book are actually from his POV.
I really love this book and it's main characters. It takes some time to get into but it's totally worth it. I loved Tommy's journey and character development and the cute love story. Nick's story felt a little bit rushed towards the end, but all in all that's quite okay. Like already said I'm not a fan of dragging on.
This book is certainly not flawless, but I really loved reading it. 💖
I have to say, it's a little bit hard to get into this book. First of all there's a prologue to overcome. It's not the worst kind of prologue, because it's at least related to the main story. But a back story, and a really depressing one at that, is not the best way to get into a book. And the following first few chapters are not much better. All the characters come across as some kind of jerks at first and it takes some time to warm up to them. But they really grew on me.
This book is slow paced, but in a good way. One of the themes is grief and grieving takes time. And although slow paced, the plot is moving forward constantly. There's no stalling or endless dragging on. I really appreciate that. Once you get into the book it's a pleasant read and you get hooked pretty fast.
Although the story is told alternatingly first person from both Tommy and Nick, the actual main character is Tommy. He's the one who has the biggest package of problems to carry and about three quarters of the book are actually from his POV.
I really love this book and it's main characters. It takes some time to get into but it's totally worth it. I loved Tommy's journey and character development and the cute love story. Nick's story felt a little bit rushed towards the end, but all in all that's quite okay. Like already said I'm not a fan of dragging on.
This book is certainly not flawless, but I really loved reading it. 💖
May 28, 2020
T&N
It was a rough start to this book with the town people being awful and Tommy being a jerk too. It got better and there were some adorable moments between Tommy and Nick.
It was a rough start to this book with the town people being awful and Tommy being a jerk too. It got better and there were some adorable moments between Tommy and Nick.
May 23, 2020
I live for that novel that doesn't want to be put down,
for that book that makes me fight off sleep,
for that story so compelling I keep telling myself just one more chapter.
From page one, I was smitten with Ghosting You. And my attention never waned. By 3 AM, I had moved to Hester, Georgia.
This is not a paranormal novel (unless you want it to be). However, certain coincidences, intricate to the plot, could be construed as being the work of unseen forces, and not just Tommy's deceased best friend Chase.
Townie Tommy and Outsider Nick are new hires at the same summer resort coffee shop. They are attracted to each other, reluctantly. Yet they don't especially like each other.
I loved how the initial tension, the slow growing trust, and their inevitable affection unfold through mysterious phone texts. At first neither boy realizes he is pouring his soul out to his barely tolerated co-worker. Tenderness flows then ebbs then cascades as the two teens slowly come to learn their strengths, their vulnerabilities, their growing bond.
I rarely wish for a sequel. But for Tommy and Nicky, there's a lot of story left to tell, Alex. Just saying.
for that book that makes me fight off sleep,
for that story so compelling I keep telling myself just one more chapter.
From page one, I was smitten with Ghosting You. And my attention never waned. By 3 AM, I had moved to Hester, Georgia.
This is not a paranormal novel (unless you want it to be). However, certain coincidences, intricate to the plot, could be construed as being the work of unseen forces, and not just Tommy's deceased best friend Chase.
Townie Tommy and Outsider Nick are new hires at the same summer resort coffee shop. They are attracted to each other, reluctantly. Yet they don't especially like each other.
I loved how the initial tension, the slow growing trust, and their inevitable affection unfold through mysterious phone texts. At first neither boy realizes he is pouring his soul out to his barely tolerated co-worker. Tenderness flows then ebbs then cascades as the two teens slowly come to learn their strengths, their vulnerabilities, their growing bond.
I rarely wish for a sequel. But for Tommy and Nicky, there's a lot of story left to tell, Alex. Just saying.
April 27, 2022
* 2nd read April 2022:
Still a heartwarming story. I forgot how bad ass Nick's mother turned out in the end...
* 1st read July 2021:
Heartwarming and disarming story about 2 teenage boys who try to cope with loss, find their place in the world and true love.
It pains me to know how many teenagers still don't get accepted by their parents when they come out being gay, trans, NB or whatever label fits them best at that specific moment... But it also warms my heart to know that there are parents who will support and back up their children no matter what.
Still a heartwarming story. I forgot how bad ass Nick's mother turned out in the end...
* 1st read July 2021:
Heartwarming and disarming story about 2 teenage boys who try to cope with loss, find their place in the world and true love.
It pains me to know how many teenagers still don't get accepted by their parents when they come out being gay, trans, NB or whatever label fits them best at that specific moment... But it also warms my heart to know that there are parents who will support and back up their children no matter what.
December 2, 2019
THIS WAS SO CUTE!!!! I haven’t read any sweet and simple romance in awhile and this was just wonderful! Short & easy to read. I wasn’t expecting to like it so much since I got it free off of kindle unlimited but hey sometimes life is surprising. Only reason its 4 stars and not 5 is cos all the “twists” are like. really predictable but this book was so cute and sweet I honestly dont care that much ahhh this was just such a nice happy story :)
March 26, 2021
5 ⭐️ Story
5 ⭐️ Audio- Joel Leslie
This was unique and not as morbid as I thought it would be with all the lingering death. It was sweet and funny. I’m not usually that into YA unless I need something fluffy (which this isn’t) but this had the emotional baggage of many adults, but through a teens perspective.
I’m definitely more interested in reading more by Alexander C. Eberhart.
5 ⭐️ Audio- Joel Leslie
This was unique and not as morbid as I thought it would be with all the lingering death. It was sweet and funny. I’m not usually that into YA unless I need something fluffy (which this isn’t) but this had the emotional baggage of many adults, but through a teens perspective.
I’m definitely more interested in reading more by Alexander C. Eberhart.
December 17, 2019
What an engaging story! I loved these characters and I’m not ashamed to admit that I cried a couple times. This book gets 5 stars for hitting all my buttons: pathos, angst, sweetness and that disappointment you feel when the book ends but you wish it hadn’t.
June 8, 2021
Fun and light read, but a little boring..
Audiobook was not good, it sounded like the characters might cry at any point, and it was hard to concentrate on.
Audiobook was not good, it sounded like the characters might cry at any point, and it was hard to concentrate on.
October 3, 2021
[2.75] i came for the messaging aspect and supernatural elements but wished we got more of the latter. the discussion of mental health issues was appreciated (we have a therapist that pops up every now and again!), and even though it took a while, i was eventually rooting for Tommy and Nick.
however, my biggest niggle would have to be that one of the mcs figures out pretty early on who's on the other side of the screen yet chooses to keep it under wraps until it's forcibly revealed in pompous dramatic fashion that, as expected, leads to a huge fallout. granted, the interest in each other is palpable both ways, but when unintentional catfishing turns intentional (and for a good period of time, no less), i tend to get nervous about the manipulation that often plays a role in the dynamic. the side characters didn't click with me either, striking me as strange with a few random personality shifts, but the audiobook helped me power through till the end.
however, my biggest niggle would have to be that one of the mcs figures out pretty early on who's on the other side of the screen yet chooses to keep it under wraps until it's forcibly revealed in pompous dramatic fashion that, as expected, leads to a huge fallout. granted, the interest in each other is palpable both ways, but when unintentional catfishing turns intentional (and for a good period of time, no less), i tend to get nervous about the manipulation that often plays a role in the dynamic. the side characters didn't click with me either, striking me as strange with a few random personality shifts, but the audiobook helped me power through till the end.
May 5, 2025
CW:
This is both so funny and yet so sad/tragic. So, a not-so-light-hearted love story with soul-crushing themes and a lot of humor (read: dumb jokes; though…I laughed, okay…)
The tag line on the cover is “Is it still a love triangle, if one of them is dead?” which sounds fun, but I think it gives an incorrect impression of this book: there is no “who do I chose?” or being torn between two loves. At least not in the typical love-triangle way Tommy struggles to fall in love again, because he lingers in guilt and grief. Chase is haunting him, but not as an actual romantic option.
Also: The summary is a bit misleading: there technically isn’t a supernatural element in this story? And we also never get an answer as to why Tommy can hear Chase’s voice at certain points but not at others? I’d say this is more a story about grief than about ghosts.
Otherwise: the cover is so perfectly chosen for this story! The ghost, the photography, the astronomy (not astrology!), the phone (somewhat of a major plotpoint throughout the whole book, not just because of the texting with a dead number, but also because phones often instigate drama for various reasons here)!
Once I got my expectations readjusted (bye, bye ghosts, hello crippling anxiety and grief), I could enjoy the story for what it was.
One thing I need to note: some editing would maybe have helped to stay clear of a plot-hole: Tommy asks Nick to meet him at the festival to meet his mother; then at the festival Tommy tells him that there is someone Nick is supposed to meet and Nick suddenly doesn’t know who that is anymore and is later surprised? Did I just miss something here? Wasn’t there even a joke about Tommy only setting up the festival to lure Nick to meet his mother? That just didn’t make sense and confused me a little.
I also think that the story could have used to lose one of its plot points as there just was so much and I think, therefore, it couldn’t give justice to all of them. As just parts of that: 1) enemies to lovers (as I saw someone call it, but it is rather Tommy being an ass to Nick for no apparent reason), 2) a side character pursuing one of the main love interests against their will 3) secret identity (Nick getting assigned Chase’s old phone number and texting Tommy as a stranger), 4) secret identity 2 (Nick being the son of a homophobic senator), 5) struggles between grief for lost love and ability to find new love, 6) Tommy’s grief and guilt of being “responsible” for Chase’s death; and there are more major plotpoints I haven’t listed here! I do think that the story pulled if off well, but at some point all the back-and-forth between the main characters felt a little repetitive to me. (and I feel like some things didn’t get resolved).
Other than that: I was entertained. I was touched. I laughed/smiled a lot and would recommend this book for lovers of YA and stories of two awkward teenage boys falling in love.
This is both so funny and yet so sad/tragic. So, a not-so-light-hearted love story with soul-crushing themes and a lot of humor (read: dumb jokes; though…I laughed, okay…)
The tag line on the cover is “Is it still a love triangle, if one of them is dead?” which sounds fun, but I think it gives an incorrect impression of this book: there is no “who do I chose?” or being torn between two loves. At least not in the typical love-triangle way Tommy struggles to fall in love again, because he lingers in guilt and grief. Chase is haunting him, but not as an actual romantic option.
Also: The summary is a bit misleading: there technically isn’t a supernatural element in this story? And we also never get an answer as to why Tommy can hear Chase’s voice at certain points but not at others? I’d say this is more a story about grief than about ghosts.
Otherwise: the cover is so perfectly chosen for this story! The ghost, the photography, the astronomy (not astrology!), the phone (somewhat of a major plotpoint throughout the whole book, not just because of the texting with a dead number, but also because phones often instigate drama for various reasons here)!
Once I got my expectations readjusted (bye, bye ghosts, hello crippling anxiety and grief), I could enjoy the story for what it was.
One thing I need to note: some editing would maybe have helped to stay clear of a plot-hole: Tommy asks Nick to meet him at the festival to meet his mother; then at the festival Tommy tells him that there is someone Nick is supposed to meet and Nick suddenly doesn’t know who that is anymore and is later surprised? Did I just miss something here? Wasn’t there even a joke about Tommy only setting up the festival to lure Nick to meet his mother? That just didn’t make sense and confused me a little.
I also think that the story could have used to lose one of its plot points as there just was so much and I think, therefore, it couldn’t give justice to all of them. As just parts of that: 1) enemies to lovers (as I saw someone call it, but it is rather Tommy being an ass to Nick for no apparent reason), 2) a side character pursuing one of the main love interests against their will 3) secret identity (Nick getting assigned Chase’s old phone number and texting Tommy as a stranger), 4) secret identity 2 (Nick being the son of a homophobic senator), 5) struggles between grief for lost love and ability to find new love, 6) Tommy’s grief and guilt of being “responsible” for Chase’s death; and there are more major plotpoints I haven’t listed here! I do think that the story pulled if off well, but at some point all the back-and-forth between the main characters felt a little repetitive to me. (and I feel like some things didn’t get resolved).
Other than that: I was entertained. I was touched. I laughed/smiled a lot and would recommend this book for lovers of YA and stories of two awkward teenage boys falling in love.
January 18, 2021
Audible Review
Overall 4 out of 5 stars
Performance 4 out of 5 stars
Story 4 out of 5 stars
It took awhile to engage.
3.5* overall for the story.
Ghosting You was a little frustrating for me. It took me up until about 60% in before I really fully engaged with this story, then once I hit a certain point, I was all in. Up until then, though, I almost dnf a couple of times. The characters, on their own, weren't too bad, but the scenes with them together were kind of tough, especially when it came to Tommy. I know he was dealing with a lot, more than a 17yo should have, but the way he was with Nick, without even knowing him or giving him a chance, yeah, not good. And some of the secondary characters, Mel in particular, were a little much.
But like I said, once I hit that 60% mark, I was hooked and rooting for Tommy and for Nick. I liked the way things started to really come together, and Tommy gave Nick a chance. I even found myself with tears running down my face at a couple of scenes. I ended up enjoying this so much more than I thought I would, considering how things started. It definitely tugged at all the heart strings,
Joel Leslie is so talented, with the way he's able to differentiate so many voices. This is the first book though, where I thought he sounded just a little too old for the character he was portraying, in particular Tommy. But overall it was another great performance.
Overall 4 out of 5 stars
Performance 4 out of 5 stars
Story 4 out of 5 stars
It took awhile to engage.
3.5* overall for the story.
Ghosting You was a little frustrating for me. It took me up until about 60% in before I really fully engaged with this story, then once I hit a certain point, I was all in. Up until then, though, I almost dnf a couple of times. The characters, on their own, weren't too bad, but the scenes with them together were kind of tough, especially when it came to Tommy. I know he was dealing with a lot, more than a 17yo should have, but the way he was with Nick, without even knowing him or giving him a chance, yeah, not good. And some of the secondary characters, Mel in particular, were a little much.
But like I said, once I hit that 60% mark, I was hooked and rooting for Tommy and for Nick. I liked the way things started to really come together, and Tommy gave Nick a chance. I even found myself with tears running down my face at a couple of scenes. I ended up enjoying this so much more than I thought I would, considering how things started. It definitely tugged at all the heart strings,
Joel Leslie is so talented, with the way he's able to differentiate so many voices. This is the first book though, where I thought he sounded just a little too old for the character he was portraying, in particular Tommy. But overall it was another great performance.
Read
August 5, 2022Trigger & Content Warnings:
Anxiety
Parent with breast cancer
Death of a father recounted
Death of a friend
Anxiety
Parent with breast cancer
Death of a father recounted
Death of a friend
0-mm-books-i-own-and-to-be-read
November 5, 2019How fucking STUNNING and adorable and clever is this cover?!!? I ADORE everything about it :-D!!! That little ghost art in the coffee ... SO FUCKING CUTE!!!!!
P.S. This book now belongs to me :-D!! Yay for M/M books like these; it [the blurb] sounds delicious and I am very positive I'll absolutely ADORE it :-D!!!
P.S. This book now belongs to me :-D!! Yay for M/M books like these; it [the blurb] sounds delicious and I am very positive I'll absolutely ADORE it :-D!!!
February 10, 2023
Honestly thought this one was super cute. Only read the first line of the synopsis before starting it and was pleasantly surprised by everything else it delved into! Good read!
January 7, 2021
usually i don’t comment on the book that i didn’t read but this one is really that special so i have to make some reviews after listening to the audiobook. to be honest, i normally dont read romance about young adults because the chance that their relationship is gonna work out is really small in my opinion. this is different in the way that for one i didn’t know it’s a story about two 17/18 year old boys in the first place and i did not literally read it. i don’t really feel related to the main characters for their story is just too sad and unfortunate. and during the listening experience, i don’t really like tommy our main character and something about his relationship with his best trans friend is just kinda weird for me. i guess i just don’t think it’s healthy and i seriously think he needs to get some help. just so you know, i wasn’t expecting that our main character had mental health issues and i thought it was like a supernatural funny story so i guessed that added to my dissatisfaction. some parts of the story is really really long and ponderous and i just felt so bored. anyway, it’s not really a light love story about teenagers. the two characters are too heavy. sometimes it’s too unreal and sometimes it’s too real. in a word, i would say it’s not what i was expecting.
October 7, 2019
Full review to come tomorrow.
Ok, so here it is.
5 full highly recommended stars.
I LOVED this story of Nick and Tommy.
Tommy stole my heart right away, I wanted to hug him several times throughout the book and I just wanted to tell that, one day, things would be o.k.
He has a lot to deal with - the death of his best friend Chase (with whom he was in love), his mother dealing with breast cancer, the absence of his father, who died when Tommy was still young, his anxiety...
At first sight Nick seemed to be a little flat, a bit of a spoiled guy who is bored with the small-town life where his parents force him to spend the summer. But once I got to know him better throughout the book, I was able to find there are more layers to him than I expected at first and he really grew on me. He was just the sweetest guy to Tommy, even though he messes up a couple of times. But even when he does, I still felt he meant well and he was honest about Tommy; he just happened to make some bad choices. I was happy to see that the mistakes Nick made didn't immediately turn into huge unnecessary drama. Sure Tommy was hurt, and sure he needed some time to think things over, but he was also able to forgive Nick for his mistakes and he could see Nick never meant to purposely hurt him.
I loved Tommy and Nick together, they were just so sweet and adorable and even though there are some tough subjects in this story, it also has a lot of humor, which I really enjoyed. Reese was a secondary character that I also liked a lot, though she is a bit 'too much' sometimes.
There also were some unexpected plot twists - at least, I didn't see them coming ;).
Alexander Eberhart is an amazing storyteller, I admire the way he is able to turn his MC's into real people, with all the real-life emotions and feelings that come with them. The story drew me in from page one and never let me go, as was the fact with his former books There Goes Sunday School and Lock & West. And as was with the MC's of these books after I read them, Tommy and Nick will stay with me for a little while longer.
This is a story about hurt and acceptance. About getting yourself together after life has punched you in the face. About trust and faith.
About picking up the mosaic shaped pieces of your life and be able to redefine yourself.
"But a mosaic? You take the shattered pieces, the ones you never thought would be salvageable, and you turn them into something new. Unique. You could break it a thousand times and you'd get the chance to create a thousand different masterpieces. And yet, they're still you. Made from all the broken pieces you never thought were worth anything."
I kindly received an ARC for an honest review.
Ok, so here it is.
5 full highly recommended stars.
I LOVED this story of Nick and Tommy.
Tommy stole my heart right away, I wanted to hug him several times throughout the book and I just wanted to tell that, one day, things would be o.k.
He has a lot to deal with - the death of his best friend Chase (with whom he was in love), his mother dealing with breast cancer, the absence of his father, who died when Tommy was still young, his anxiety...
At first sight Nick seemed to be a little flat, a bit of a spoiled guy who is bored with the small-town life where his parents force him to spend the summer. But once I got to know him better throughout the book, I was able to find there are more layers to him than I expected at first and he really grew on me. He was just the sweetest guy to Tommy, even though he messes up a couple of times. But even when he does, I still felt he meant well and he was honest about Tommy; he just happened to make some bad choices. I was happy to see that the mistakes Nick made didn't immediately turn into huge unnecessary drama. Sure Tommy was hurt, and sure he needed some time to think things over, but he was also able to forgive Nick for his mistakes and he could see Nick never meant to purposely hurt him.
I loved Tommy and Nick together, they were just so sweet and adorable and even though there are some tough subjects in this story, it also has a lot of humor, which I really enjoyed. Reese was a secondary character that I also liked a lot, though she is a bit 'too much' sometimes.
There also were some unexpected plot twists - at least, I didn't see them coming ;).
Alexander Eberhart is an amazing storyteller, I admire the way he is able to turn his MC's into real people, with all the real-life emotions and feelings that come with them. The story drew me in from page one and never let me go, as was the fact with his former books There Goes Sunday School and Lock & West. And as was with the MC's of these books after I read them, Tommy and Nick will stay with me for a little while longer.
This is a story about hurt and acceptance. About getting yourself together after life has punched you in the face. About trust and faith.
About picking up the mosaic shaped pieces of your life and be able to redefine yourself.
"But a mosaic? You take the shattered pieces, the ones you never thought would be salvageable, and you turn them into something new. Unique. You could break it a thousand times and you'd get the chance to create a thousand different masterpieces. And yet, they're still you. Made from all the broken pieces you never thought were worth anything."
I kindly received an ARC for an honest review.
January 14, 2020
Después de que Tommy sea testigo de la muerte de su mejor amigo, Chase, ha seguido escribiéndole al celular, desahogando todas sus frustraciones y culpas por el incidente. Pero los avisos de "Entrega fallida" un día desaparecen y se tornan en la respuesta de un desconocido. ¿Podría Tommy superar la muerte de Chase con la ayuda de este desconocido? ¿O solo liará más las cosas?
Disfruto leyendo este tipo de historias donde no hay insta-love y el romance no es el único hilo conductor. Los protagonistas se nos muestran humanos, con problemas, inseguridades, miedos, enfrentando los retos de vivir en un pequeño pueblo y no poder ser quienes son realmente.
Las narraciones de Nick y Tommy son muy distintivas una de la otra, y logran perfectamente que los conozcamos a fondo. La parte psicológica está muy bien trabajada y estoy segura que será de ayuda para alguien que esté pasando por una situación similar.
El nivel de inglés no es muy elevado. Alguien con nivel intermedio puede entenderlo bien.
Lo Mejor
El progreso del romance, las conversaciones, los coqueteos. Todo es super dulce y lentito, así que es muy disfrutable cómo va evolucionando la relación de Nick y Tommy.
Lo Peor
Después de toda la anticipación de cuando el padre descubriera la verdad, la conclusión es un poco anticlimática. Ese salto temporal sirve para que sepamos qué sucedió más adelante, pero me parece que faltó explicar detalles.
Citas
Everyone is born with a capacity for kindness. I think sometimes life just squeezes it out of people, ya know?”
“Didn’t we talk about a little cologne goes a long way?”
“My hand slipped,” I say, cheeks burning.
“Well, open a window. I don’t want to come home to find you passed out from your own fumes.
The mosaic, Tommy. It’s similar to a puzzle, but different. Take the jigsaw puzzle. The pieces stitch together to form a larger picture. No matter how many times you break it apart, you can always reassemble it back to perfection.
“But a mosaic? You take the shattered pieces, the ones you never thought would be salvageable, and you turn them into something new. Unique. You could break it a thousand times and you’d get the chance to create a thousand different masterpieces. And yet, they’re still you. Made from all the broken pieces you never thought we’re worth anything.”
Disfruto leyendo este tipo de historias donde no hay insta-love y el romance no es el único hilo conductor. Los protagonistas se nos muestran humanos, con problemas, inseguridades, miedos, enfrentando los retos de vivir en un pequeño pueblo y no poder ser quienes son realmente.
Las narraciones de Nick y Tommy son muy distintivas una de la otra, y logran perfectamente que los conozcamos a fondo. La parte psicológica está muy bien trabajada y estoy segura que será de ayuda para alguien que esté pasando por una situación similar.
El nivel de inglés no es muy elevado. Alguien con nivel intermedio puede entenderlo bien.
Lo Mejor
El progreso del romance, las conversaciones, los coqueteos. Todo es super dulce y lentito, así que es muy disfrutable cómo va evolucionando la relación de Nick y Tommy.
Lo Peor
Después de toda la anticipación de cuando el padre descubriera la verdad, la conclusión es un poco anticlimática. Ese salto temporal sirve para que sepamos qué sucedió más adelante, pero me parece que faltó explicar detalles.
Citas
Everyone is born with a capacity for kindness. I think sometimes life just squeezes it out of people, ya know?”
“Didn’t we talk about a little cologne goes a long way?”
“My hand slipped,” I say, cheeks burning.
“Well, open a window. I don’t want to come home to find you passed out from your own fumes.
The mosaic, Tommy. It’s similar to a puzzle, but different. Take the jigsaw puzzle. The pieces stitch together to form a larger picture. No matter how many times you break it apart, you can always reassemble it back to perfection.
“But a mosaic? You take the shattered pieces, the ones you never thought would be salvageable, and you turn them into something new. Unique. You could break it a thousand times and you’d get the chance to create a thousand different masterpieces. And yet, they’re still you. Made from all the broken pieces you never thought we’re worth anything.”
November 10, 2019
Good! Single-sitting reading. I love how Eberhart mixes all sorts of important topics together in all his books. This one has grief, guilt, conservative parents, single-parenting, cancer, summer jobs, secret boyfriends, guilt, being an awkward teenager, dealing with parental expectations, being in therapy. And he just deals with them like they're normal parts of life...just all parts of a bigger story. (I did not word that in any way that makes it make sense. :) Also lots of great tropes! I was onboard for all of them.
There's a line near the beginning that made me think this might be a paranormal romance, so I was a little confused (and/or prepared for something that didn't come). It also took me quite a while to warm up to Nick and Reese, but I did eventually.
I laughed and cried and thoroughly enjoyed it. Cute and fun and sweet. I look forward to his next book!!!
There's a line near the beginning that made me think this might be a paranormal romance, so I was a little confused (and/or prepared for something that didn't come). It also took me quite a while to warm up to Nick and Reese, but I did eventually.
I laughed and cried and thoroughly enjoyed it. Cute and fun and sweet. I look forward to his next book!!!
June 19, 2021
Such great love story
I can only say damn!!! I really like Alexander’s books.
If at the beginning was a bit hard to keep passing the pages it more than justified to keep reading another great love story…
Though I like the happy endings I wish to read a couple of sequels… so just hoping that there might be one in the future.
I can only say damn!!! I really like Alexander’s books.
If at the beginning was a bit hard to keep passing the pages it more than justified to keep reading another great love story…
Though I like the happy endings I wish to read a couple of sequels… so just hoping that there might be one in the future.
abgebrochen
September 14, 2020Dnf @ 52%
I hate the trope when two people are talking to each other about their relationship while one of them doesn't know the other is their love interest and this book is relying too heavily on that for me
I hate the trope when two people are talking to each other about their relationship while one of them doesn't know the other is their love interest and this book is relying too heavily on that for me
August 25, 2022
You know when u read a book that it’s so good u just have nothing to say about it? well this is it.
November 8, 2019
Really cute with just the right amount of angst. The sarcastic dialouge between the characters was *chef's kiss*
January 15, 2020
I've come to really like Alexander C. Eberhart's writing but story wise found this a little lacking in various aspects and didn't enjoy it as much as I thought I would.
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