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The Lives of Remy and Michael #2
All that is Solid Melts into Air
I thought life after high school would be easier. I’d go to California Pacific for a year while I got a handle on my HIV, then after Michael graduated from high school, we’d blast out of here for colleges—and life—on the East Coast. Then I visited Boston and everything changed. I realized I like CalPac. Turns out, Boston didn’t have anything for me beyond one of the biggest regattas in North America.
Life grew more complicated when I got home. I couldn’t find a way to tell Michael that I’d just blown our plan for our lives out of the water. Then my CalPac coaches dropped a bomb on me. Those rowing officials who’d been watching me? They were recruiters for the national team, and my coaches wanted me to try out. They’d even let Lodestone coach me. Now I have to choose, school or crew, CalPac or Michael, and I still haven’t told Michael I can’t transfer. Is there even a place for Michael in my life? Somehow we have to withstand training at the highest levels and having different goals. Will love hold us together… or tear us apart?
Life grew more complicated when I got home. I couldn’t find a way to tell Michael that I’d just blown our plan for our lives out of the water. Then my CalPac coaches dropped a bomb on me. Those rowing officials who’d been watching me? They were recruiters for the national team, and my coaches wanted me to try out. They’d even let Lodestone coach me. Now I have to choose, school or crew, CalPac or Michael, and I still haven’t told Michael I can’t transfer. Is there even a place for Michael in my life? Somehow we have to withstand training at the highest levels and having different goals. Will love hold us together… or tear us apart?
- GenresM M RomanceSports
376 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 22, 2016
2 people are currently reading
38 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
March 6, 2021
I like the writing. The story is fast-paced. However, the characters aren't that charming. I can understand the reason considering the condition they were in.
I feel the topic of HIV could have been represented better and with much more understanding.
And yes, I feel the book is rather too long.
I feel the topic of HIV could have been represented better and with much more understanding.
And yes, I feel the book is rather too long.
March 2, 2016
4.5 Stars on Prism Book Alliance
The opening paragraph and I was reminded of one of the reasons I so much enjoyed Poz, book one of this series: the voice of our narrator knows who he is, while not even close to having all the answers, and he carries around a healthy dose of humor, even when he’s using it as a coping mechanism.
Game on, Remy, game on.
Remy is experiencing a lot of those firsts in terms of adult decisions and changes that seem unstoppable, looming large as one turns 18 and becomes legally responsible for one’s life. Is he really in love? Is it long-term relationship love? How does he continue to work through the emotions and reality that is his life now, especially after everything that happened a year and a half ago? What of the plans he and Michael have been making for a life together? How does he navigate dealing with his family, especially when some things are so personal, he shouldn’t have to divulge them, even if they explain his choices? And underneath all of this, he’s dealing with the trauma of a year and a half ago, and the uncertain, shaky, terrifying, and overwhelming emotions that come with all of that. This is a complex story about a complex person and it’s well presented. This is especially true in terms of the familial relationships, and the working relationship between Remy and his therapist, Alicia.
One of my favorite parts of this rowing world, of Remy’s world, is that of the portrayal of the relationship between Remy and his brother, Geoff. Or Germy and Goff as they sometimes call each other. Being twins, they share a lot, including often a point of view on whatever the topic. As they begin to discover, adulthood also means that is sometimes not the case, changing their honest, messy, supportive, loving, and smart connection.
If you’re a young adult, 17, 18, 19 years old, I’d venture a guess and say this book might feel like a revelation, involving many of the challenges not often openly discussed in families, or even amongst friends or teammates.
The writing is meaty and expressive. The pace speeds along while still allowing attention to be paid to each important event and topic. There are some cases of repetition, though. Some of the sessions between Remy and his therapist, Alicia, cover information we already know, whether from Remy discussing it with someone else already, or we out and out experienced it with him. I understand why the author would want to include them and, as I already mentioned, they’re well done scenes. But they do feel repetitious.
Friendship. It can be and often is a lifesaver, in whatever sense you’d apply this truth. Remy has some friends that play the role of safe haven, mentally and physically. He experiences this vital part of life, of survival, from some unexpected sources, too.
I supposed we could’ve gone out, even to the aforementioned Ass-Pecs, but when it came down to it, games were more fun, and we could make hogs of ourselves with the Chex mix without anyone judging.
Boardgames do in fact rule.
Here’s something else: some might say that Remy’s vocabulary doesn’t read age typical. That’s your first mistake. Remy isn’t typical in many ways, including intelligence level, that’s one. And two, he is typical in that many young adults know and use those fifty cent words. And I appreciate it. Use whatchu got, don’t limit yourselves.
Remy is 18 and the entire world is now at his disposal, and that can be exhilarating and terrifying both. This fact definitely works to thwart his confidence in the things he thought to be absolute. It also does its thing in altering the prism through which he sees and feels and treats his relationships, and potential relationships.
Change is a bitch and she never lets you off the hook. Loved and loathed, she be.
Also, if I never read the word “suave” again, it’ll be too soon. :p
And how did I not know there are other books in this universe that feature some of the older characters from this story? I must find these.
This is a great story, and oftentimes difficult story. The characters are complicated and imperfect and worthy of love. I recommend this.
The opening paragraph and I was reminded of one of the reasons I so much enjoyed Poz, book one of this series: the voice of our narrator knows who he is, while not even close to having all the answers, and he carries around a healthy dose of humor, even when he’s using it as a coping mechanism.
Game on, Remy, game on.
Remy is experiencing a lot of those firsts in terms of adult decisions and changes that seem unstoppable, looming large as one turns 18 and becomes legally responsible for one’s life. Is he really in love? Is it long-term relationship love? How does he continue to work through the emotions and reality that is his life now, especially after everything that happened a year and a half ago? What of the plans he and Michael have been making for a life together? How does he navigate dealing with his family, especially when some things are so personal, he shouldn’t have to divulge them, even if they explain his choices? And underneath all of this, he’s dealing with the trauma of a year and a half ago, and the uncertain, shaky, terrifying, and overwhelming emotions that come with all of that. This is a complex story about a complex person and it’s well presented. This is especially true in terms of the familial relationships, and the working relationship between Remy and his therapist, Alicia.
One of my favorite parts of this rowing world, of Remy’s world, is that of the portrayal of the relationship between Remy and his brother, Geoff. Or Germy and Goff as they sometimes call each other. Being twins, they share a lot, including often a point of view on whatever the topic. As they begin to discover, adulthood also means that is sometimes not the case, changing their honest, messy, supportive, loving, and smart connection.
If you’re a young adult, 17, 18, 19 years old, I’d venture a guess and say this book might feel like a revelation, involving many of the challenges not often openly discussed in families, or even amongst friends or teammates.
The writing is meaty and expressive. The pace speeds along while still allowing attention to be paid to each important event and topic. There are some cases of repetition, though. Some of the sessions between Remy and his therapist, Alicia, cover information we already know, whether from Remy discussing it with someone else already, or we out and out experienced it with him. I understand why the author would want to include them and, as I already mentioned, they’re well done scenes. But they do feel repetitious.
Friendship. It can be and often is a lifesaver, in whatever sense you’d apply this truth. Remy has some friends that play the role of safe haven, mentally and physically. He experiences this vital part of life, of survival, from some unexpected sources, too.
I supposed we could’ve gone out, even to the aforementioned Ass-Pecs, but when it came down to it, games were more fun, and we could make hogs of ourselves with the Chex mix without anyone judging.
Boardgames do in fact rule.
Here’s something else: some might say that Remy’s vocabulary doesn’t read age typical. That’s your first mistake. Remy isn’t typical in many ways, including intelligence level, that’s one. And two, he is typical in that many young adults know and use those fifty cent words. And I appreciate it. Use whatchu got, don’t limit yourselves.
Remy is 18 and the entire world is now at his disposal, and that can be exhilarating and terrifying both. This fact definitely works to thwart his confidence in the things he thought to be absolute. It also does its thing in altering the prism through which he sees and feels and treats his relationships, and potential relationships.
Change is a bitch and she never lets you off the hook. Loved and loathed, she be.
Also, if I never read the word “suave” again, it’ll be too soon. :p
And how did I not know there are other books in this universe that feature some of the older characters from this story? I must find these.
This is a great story, and oftentimes difficult story. The characters are complicated and imperfect and worthy of love. I recommend this.
January 27, 2016
I struggled quite a bit to make it through this book. With everything the main character has been through, I would expect to feel some sympathy for him, but that wasn't easy. He's quite the jerk to everyone around him, he lacks even a single ounce of self-awareness, and he doesn't seem to grow as a person at all over the course of the book. There's no journey. There are no revelations. Unlikeable character stays unlikeable with no redeeming qualities and readers are just supposed to accept this and cheer for him. Not so much.
This is written in a first-person narrative style, and I found the voice to be particularly grating, on top of everything else. A do not recommend from me.
This is written in a first-person narrative style, and I found the voice to be particularly grating, on top of everything else. A do not recommend from me.
October 17, 2016
When we last saw Remy and Michael at the end of Poz, the book that precedes All That Is Solid Melts into Air, Remy was graduating from high school in California while Michael had one more year to go. Remy made mistakes, one of which left him HIV-positive. He credits Michael with saving his life by standing by him when Remy wouldn’t tell anyone about his condition. Both of them are rowers, with plans for the future that includes rowing, college and each other. Remy ends Poz by saying, “I knew one thing: He would always be my friend.”
As we begin another year in the lives of Remy and Michael, Remy and Michael have grown closer and are lovers. Remy is poz (HIV-positive), but with medication and a healthy lifestyle, his viral load is undetectable. Remy is a subby bottom and Michael is a toppy dominant, which they discovered together last year. They are not in the BDSM lifestyle but are sexually in a D/s relationship. They plan on going to college on the East Coast, but Remy’s parents put the halt to those plans at least temporarily by insisting that Remy attend college near home for at least his first year.
This is a story of change and growth in people, no matter how old they are. Remy’s parents will either drive Remy away or they will change their relationship with him. Remy’s twin brother is also caught up in the changes that engulf the family. Remy and his coaches discover a talent for rowing that eclipses anything he has done before or even dreamed of. As for Michael, who is still in high school, the question becomes whether there is room for him in Remy’s life and also whether his parents and Remy’s parents will permit the boys to continue down the path they have chosen. With the maturity and concentration Remy displays as an athlete, it’s sometimes difficult to remember he’s only 19 years old, still a kid in many ways, but trying so hard to make his own life choices, and Michael is a year younger.
As I read this book I sometimes loved Remy and Michael, and sometimes I was so angry at one or the other of them. The story is told from Remy’s POV, so Michael’s thoughts and actions are filtered through Remy’s eyes and heart. It leaves the reader having to decide which boy is right when they disagree and whether what happens is justified. Will they remain lovers or even the friends that Remy swore they would always be? This is a real roller-coaster ride that will leave you breathless and perhaps wishing some things turned out differently. The angst gets turned up to high and never quite goes back down to sweetness and light. As Remy learned, to his cost, a year ago, you can’t turn back the clock and get a do-over in life. All you can do is decide what to do going forward. I highly recommend this book, but bring tissues. Lots of them. Oh, and if you are not familiar with rowing terminology, keep Google open.
As we begin another year in the lives of Remy and Michael, Remy and Michael have grown closer and are lovers. Remy is poz (HIV-positive), but with medication and a healthy lifestyle, his viral load is undetectable. Remy is a subby bottom and Michael is a toppy dominant, which they discovered together last year. They are not in the BDSM lifestyle but are sexually in a D/s relationship. They plan on going to college on the East Coast, but Remy’s parents put the halt to those plans at least temporarily by insisting that Remy attend college near home for at least his first year.
This is a story of change and growth in people, no matter how old they are. Remy’s parents will either drive Remy away or they will change their relationship with him. Remy’s twin brother is also caught up in the changes that engulf the family. Remy and his coaches discover a talent for rowing that eclipses anything he has done before or even dreamed of. As for Michael, who is still in high school, the question becomes whether there is room for him in Remy’s life and also whether his parents and Remy’s parents will permit the boys to continue down the path they have chosen. With the maturity and concentration Remy displays as an athlete, it’s sometimes difficult to remember he’s only 19 years old, still a kid in many ways, but trying so hard to make his own life choices, and Michael is a year younger.
As I read this book I sometimes loved Remy and Michael, and sometimes I was so angry at one or the other of them. The story is told from Remy’s POV, so Michael’s thoughts and actions are filtered through Remy’s eyes and heart. It leaves the reader having to decide which boy is right when they disagree and whether what happens is justified. Will they remain lovers or even the friends that Remy swore they would always be? This is a real roller-coaster ride that will leave you breathless and perhaps wishing some things turned out differently. The angst gets turned up to high and never quite goes back down to sweetness and light. As Remy learned, to his cost, a year ago, you can’t turn back the clock and get a do-over in life. All you can do is decide what to do going forward. I highly recommend this book, but bring tissues. Lots of them. Oh, and if you are not familiar with rowing terminology, keep Google open.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews