What do you think?
Rate this book
Growing Pains #2
Stretch Marks
Will is ready to start living the life he's dreamed of.
He's starting college.
His place on the volleyball team is set in stone.
And his dream boyfriend is only a bus ride away.
Everything is in place for him to get on with the happy ever after he's been daydreaming about for months, but life in the city isn't as idealistic as Will first imagined. With college deadlines, therapy, volunteering, volleyball, and friends, all packed into his schedule, his time with Gabriel is restricted to stolen moments, and Will quickly feels the strain of keeping the relationship a secret from his friends.
Will is determined to take hold of his happily ever after, but it becomes clear that to keep hold of that, he has to sacrifice parts of his life in exchange. Will has to figure out what it is that is truly important to him and grasp it tightly or risk losing what matters to him the most.
Stretch Marks is the second book in L. Sherleen's lgbt contemporary romance series and can be enjoyed after book one of the series Growing Pains.
He's starting college.
His place on the volleyball team is set in stone.
And his dream boyfriend is only a bus ride away.
Everything is in place for him to get on with the happy ever after he's been daydreaming about for months, but life in the city isn't as idealistic as Will first imagined. With college deadlines, therapy, volunteering, volleyball, and friends, all packed into his schedule, his time with Gabriel is restricted to stolen moments, and Will quickly feels the strain of keeping the relationship a secret from his friends.
Will is determined to take hold of his happily ever after, but it becomes clear that to keep hold of that, he has to sacrifice parts of his life in exchange. Will has to figure out what it is that is truly important to him and grasp it tightly or risk losing what matters to him the most.
Stretch Marks is the second book in L. Sherleen's lgbt contemporary romance series and can be enjoyed after book one of the series Growing Pains.
- GenresM M Romance
287 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 26, 2021
4 people are currently reading
30 people want to read
About the author
L. Sherleen
7 books131 followersLily Sherleen writes what she loves to read: sweet coming-of-age stories with a hint of romance--where the heroes find themselves during their journey. She currently lives on the coast of Ireland with her beloved cats who keep her company while she writes.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
August 6, 2024
Oof, this one hurt! I knew from reading all three blurbs ahead of time that Will's relationship with Gabriel wouldn't last, but I didn't expect to be HOPING for it to happen. Gabriel was showing all the signs of at best a controlling partner but at worst an abusive one, and he was clearly not the best person for Will's continued happiness and growth. I'm glad for the support Will DID have (can I just say how much I love Dune?), and I'm also glad the third book is out so I don't have to wait to see what happens next, ha ha.
I know from reading some other reviews that a few people were unhappy that Will's first relationship didn't last, but that reflects reality much more, in my experience. You grow and learn who you are as a person, and sometimes you realize that just because you love someone, that doesn't mean they're right for you. (GOD, I'm glad I'm well out of the dating scene)
Even though I usually avoid angst like the plague, this is a series I don't regret reading because I am INVESTED. This author has the gift of making characters come alive, flaws and all, and I will read anything they write.
I know from reading some other reviews that a few people were unhappy that Will's first relationship didn't last, but that reflects reality much more, in my experience. You grow and learn who you are as a person, and sometimes you realize that just because you love someone, that doesn't mean they're right for you. (GOD, I'm glad I'm well out of the dating scene)
Even though I usually avoid angst like the plague, this is a series I don't regret reading because I am INVESTED. This author has the gift of making characters come alive, flaws and all, and I will read anything they write.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 23, 2025
I just have this to say: I wish nothing but a slow and painful death to Jamie, and an equally slow and painful death to Gabriel. So glad my beautiful baby Will is finally out of that horrible relationship. Dune, I love you so much. And Cassie, and Vinny. 🥹🥹🥹🥹
May 7, 2025
Un libro que te hace sentir muchas emociones.
Soy de las personas que disfruta de leer estas historias juveniles llenas de dramas y angustia . Definitivamente la historia de Will me da esos sentimientos de angustia pero también de calidez por los personajes que lo rodean y apoyan.
Es un libro muy entretenido
Soy de las personas que disfruta de leer estas historias juveniles llenas de dramas y angustia . Definitivamente la historia de Will me da esos sentimientos de angustia pero también de calidez por los personajes que lo rodean y apoyan.
Es un libro muy entretenido
February 22, 2022
After reading the first book a couple of months ago I was really excited to see that there was a continuation in this story, and it didn’t disappoint! I’ll admit I don’t feel as sympathetic for Will as I did in the first book but on the flip side of that I do enjoy a character that isn’t always right or being the good guy 100%. I was super excited every time we saw Will’s feelings towards Gabriel start to sway but in all honestly as much as i disliked the Will/Gabriel relationship I do wish there was more of them to flesh out in this book. And the same goes for Leah and Cassie. I definitely would have liked to have seen more of them.
But Dune!! Oh, Dune! A background character in the first book but a star in the second, I just fell head over heels with poor Dune in this story and was rooting for him and Will the entire way through, and I’m just so excited to see more of them again!
Would like to hear more about, Jack, Amanda and Birch in the next instalment. Kinda sad they faded into nothing but a mere mention. Maybe a cameo in the next book would be good.
Overall I’m really glad the author took this story in the direction I was really hoping for!
But Dune!! Oh, Dune! A background character in the first book but a star in the second, I just fell head over heels with poor Dune in this story and was rooting for him and Will the entire way through, and I’m just so excited to see more of them again!
Would like to hear more about, Jack, Amanda and Birch in the next instalment. Kinda sad they faded into nothing but a mere mention. Maybe a cameo in the next book would be good.
Overall I’m really glad the author took this story in the direction I was really hoping for!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 26, 2021
It's been a while since I read the first book, so it took me a moment to get in to who everyone was again. But once I got in to it, it wasn't easy to put the book down.
Will finally getting to be with Gabriel again is something I was looking forward to from the first book, because this is what it's been leading up to, what Will have worked months to get better for.
Though dream and reality is always two different things and it's not without obstacles when they meet again. And Gabriel is not a man without issues.
Where the first book made me ache with sympathy for Will, this one didn't wreck the emotions the same way but I still had sympathy for him, for him stumbling his way through the first year of college and not finding his footing.
It had me want to give him a good shake a few times.
And while Dune was more a background character most of last book, he was an absolute sweetheart in this one, and he was shining brightly.
I loved all the support that was surrounding Will and how visible it became when he decided to lean in to it. I look forward to seeing him finding his place in the world, healthy and thriving.
Will finally getting to be with Gabriel again is something I was looking forward to from the first book, because this is what it's been leading up to, what Will have worked months to get better for.
Though dream and reality is always two different things and it's not without obstacles when they meet again. And Gabriel is not a man without issues.
Where the first book made me ache with sympathy for Will, this one didn't wreck the emotions the same way but I still had sympathy for him, for him stumbling his way through the first year of college and not finding his footing.
It had me want to give him a good shake a few times.
And while Dune was more a background character most of last book, he was an absolute sweetheart in this one, and he was shining brightly.
I loved all the support that was surrounding Will and how visible it became when he decided to lean in to it. I look forward to seeing him finding his place in the world, healthy and thriving.
October 2, 2021
I usually don’t enjoy sequels or continuations to books and other media, and I was hoping this would be different.
It was.
It’s clear to see the evolution that occurred in the making of this book, and you can still recognize the feeling you had when reading the first. I’m more than impressed. Reading this series will never be a one time experience for me, it’s refreshing and interesting after every reread. I’m excited for the third.
I wrote this review based on an advance reading copy that the author sent me.
It was.
It’s clear to see the evolution that occurred in the making of this book, and you can still recognize the feeling you had when reading the first. I’m more than impressed. Reading this series will never be a one time experience for me, it’s refreshing and interesting after every reread. I’m excited for the third.
I wrote this review based on an advance reading copy that the author sent me.
October 13, 2021
I was really excited to read this book and to see how Wills journey will continue.
I really liked the pace of this story. It was very interesting and realistic written.
Though I have to admit, some characters seem very different compared to the first book, but I guess as time goes people change.
But all in all, I really recommend this series
I really liked the pace of this story. It was very interesting and realistic written.
Though I have to admit, some characters seem very different compared to the first book, but I guess as time goes people change.
But all in all, I really recommend this series
May 31, 2025
I accidentally read the synopsis of the third book (which contains a major spoiler) before i started this one and it totally fucked my reading experience
I kept putting it down after a few pages and kept looking for lead up to the spoiler
I am enjoying the series so I will definitely be reading the final book
I kept putting it down after a few pages and kept looking for lead up to the spoiler
I am enjoying the series so I will definitely be reading the final book
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews