The Warmth of Our Closest Star

Enzo and Peter #2

by Chase Connor

If Enzo were to list his problems, being sad would not be one of them any longer. Almost two years after his one perfect night in Montreal with Peter, he is still alone, but the future now holds promise. After starting a job, finding financial stability, and getting his life in order, he is ready to make his first trip to the U.S. His only concern is whether or not Peter has held him in the same regard as he has held Peter. Will their one night in Montreal two years prior translate to something more meaningful?

When they meet at the Minneapolis airport, Enzo gets his answer. And his life finally begins.

Over the next ten years, Enzo experiences love and heartbreak, sickness and health, wins and losses, extraordinary friendship, the world changing forever, and an unimaginable miracle he wouldn’t have hoped for in his wildest dreams. In the end, he finds that the only question he has left is: What is a life without possibility?

Genres: Romance, LGBT, M M Romance, New Adult, Contemporary

421 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 8, 2022

About the author

BANG BANG HE SHOT HER DOWN - the fourth book in the Head Rock Harbor Mystery series - NOW AVAILABLE!

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Chase Connor spends his days writing about the people who live (loudly and rent-free) in his head when he’s not busy being enthusiastic about naps and Pad Thai. Chase started his writing career as a confused gay teen looking for an escape from reality. Ten years later, one of the books he wrote during those years, Just A Dumb Surfer Dude: A Gay Coming-of-Age Tale, was published independently. Chase has numerous projects in various stages of completion lined up for publishing. Chase is a multi-genre author, but always with a healthy dollop of gay.

Reviews

[ML Stevens · Rating 5 out of 5]

You know that moment when a book hits just right? When it answers something that you haven't been able to answer about yourself? Or it makes you realize something you've needed to realize for a while? A book that just slithers its way into your heart and makes you really think? That was this book for me.
Chase is a wickedly talented author and his writing never ceases to amaze me. This raw, real, heartfelt book made me feel so many things from hunger (it's Chase, it's expected lol) all the way to the tears falling down my cheeks. Happy tears. Sad tears.
Most importantly this book brought back a feeling I was sure I had lost.
It made me feel hope.
It grabbed me by the collar and showed me that time is not running out. In a way this book could not have come into my life at a better time. It helped me get unstuck in a way I didn't realize I could.
Thank you, Chase.

Now away from all the gushy stuff. I was honored to get an arc of this book in exchange for an honest review and can say that this book will not disappoint readers who have been waiting for it since reading Between Enzo and the Universe. There is hope, love, loss, those scary moments where you're unsure what's going to happen next and oh yes, there is lots of food. This raw, heartfelt continuation of Enzo and Peter's story will have readers by the heart, unable to let them go.
I would give this so many more stars if I could, so grab some snacks, wrap up in a blanket and get ready to feel everything once again.

[Ace Jamerson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve read thousands of books, and there are only a few that have really stuck with me. Whether it was a particularly emotional scene, or a complex, relatable character, or even the inner workings of the evil mind of a villain. The ‘Warmth of Our Closest Star’ is undoubtedly now one of those books. Beautifully written with exquisite descriptions, deep, personal insights, and engaging characters, this novel will take you on a bumpy, yet completely cherished, emotional ride. Enzo’s inner monologue is compelling, vivid and passionately introspective, Peter is tenacious and so very sweet, and everyone (especially me 😉) needs an Alex in their lives. Show yourself some love, read this book, and enjoy the ride!

[Kent Schuelke · Rating 5 out of 5]

Chase Connor's latest, “The Warmth of our Closest Star” – a sequel to his extraordinary 2020 novel “Between Enzo & the Universe”, is a beautiful and poetic work of fiction. It is a continuation of the love story of Enzo and Peter. The prose of this novel is crafted with extraordinary clarity. The sentences are tight and thrifty and word choices on the nose. Written from the narrator's inner monologues. Connor designed clear thought patterns for Enzo. It is easy for the reader to jump aboard Enzo's mental trip and journey with him as he works out his feelings and debates the choices he makes regarding life. As a reader I was immersed in Enzo's world and I was so in tune with the narrative that I personally felt like I was wrestling with the mental dilemmas right along with Enzo. That is one of the highest compliments I can pay a storyteller – that their story becomes my story. I was in Enzo’s head every step of the way. The novel also ventures into my favorite narrative topic – existentialism. “The Warmth of Our Closest Star” is an existentialist book. Enzo has a best friend – Alex - who lives in another state. As Enzo tries to determine his relationship with his own traumatic past, and whether or not his marriage can work, the two friends make intelligent, introspective dives into questions about God, afterlife, romantic love and the meaning of life. Enzo and Peter walk through a realistic, candid and healthy talk about the loss of virginity and physical sex. Every couple should have a sex talk like this. The story examines inequalities between partners and the difficulties for immigrants establishing a fulfilling existence in USA. Enzo has lost many people in his young life. In “Between Enzo & the Universe”, book one in this series, as well in “The Warmth of Our Closest Star”, the ghosts of his past knock on the door to his present. A character who is on Enzo’s mind at the end of book one is also on Enzo’s mind at the end of book two. It is a delightful stylistic flourish. Enzo and Peter are emblematically human. They make mistakes. They have big hearts. And most notably in book two, they misunderstand one another, and to the point of crisis, and have stark problems communicating. Their communication problems practically destroy the blessed love they share. Both characters grow and evolve across the narrative of book two – and in a realistic fashion. There is no melodrama in this book. Everything that occurs in this book echoes of truth. This is a journey into real life. I loved this book. I have read almost every Chase Connor book. It thrills me to tell you that the latest novel glows with artistic maturity. The prose is lean but poetic. The writing is as clear as a fresh mountain stream (like you’d find in Winnipeg, Alberta, Canada…and forgive me for such drivel). This is arguably Connor’s best book to date. I know him a bit on Twitter and I fear one day soon he’ll be too big in the britches to “like” my posts. But I like to encourage and to celebrate artists – and Chase Connor is a big talent. One day it might be National Book Award winner Connor or Pulitzer winner Connor. Keep living under the warmth of our closest star, Mr. Connor, and you might accomplish anything.

[PaperMoon · Rating 4 out of 5]

This follow-up volume sees Enzo having accumulated enough courage and wherewithal to make that much anticipated trip across the border to reunite with Peter. Once the sunshine and roses of the meet-again subsides - it is the buried and unresolved traumas and grief that begin to play havoc with our MCs interactions/relationship; the second half of the book standing in harsh and brutal contrast to the first. Thank goodness for the support and wisdom of their small group of close friends - Alex may well be one of my favorite characters for this year! There were no quick nor easy resolutions but the ending was realistic enough to be fully satisfying (although I prefer the quieter charm of Between Enzo and the Universe).

[Tjpayne · Rating 5 out of 5]

The first book in this series, Between Enzo and the Universe, is one of my favorite books of all time. It had a profound impact on me, and even though I read it over 2 years ago, I still think about it quite often.

So I was a little apprehensive about reading the sequel. How could it possibly measure up to the first book? I crossed my fingers and decided to just start reading.

I read the whole thing in less than a day. And it's possible I love it even more than the first book.

Not only is this author a master storyteller, he has a gift of perception. He beautifully articulates thoughts and emotions I recognize and can relate to, but have never been able to put into words.

His insights on sorrow and life and love are intoxicating, and the prose found in this book is simply gorgeous. I found myself constantly stopping to reread a sentence or paragraph and marveling at his choice of words or how easily he was able to capture a thought or emotion.

This book is a beautiful love story. But I think it's so much more. Love is hard. It's often without romance and can be complicated and messy. It's not always about the highs and, in fact, is often about the lows. It's about perseverance and hope and possibility.

"What is a life without possibility? Can one live life well without possibility?"

So I think it's more than just a book. It's an experience. It's learning more about life and love and overcoming grief and healing. It's about choosing to love.

"Choosing to love is powerful."

I know the insights written in this story will stay with me forever. I've always been a lover of books and have read thousands of them, but the story of Enzo and Peter is one I will never, ever forget.

[Misc]

A very touching, emotional book just like the prequel, and the writing is vastly above the average level of the majority of romance books’ out there. The author clearly knows a thing or two about framing and making the book enjoyable to read with certain narration devices. It’s not completely perfect but still worth checking out.

[Duine · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Warmth of Our Closest Star

Proxima Centauri is the closest star to our sun. Not visible from the Northern hemisphere, it is still approximately 25 trillion miles away. Not so close, then.

Chase Connor's recent book is all about distance and closeness, attraction and repulsion. Seen in context with Between Enzo and the Universe, the two volumes make up an impressive study of human relationship: the impossible made possible.

The first volume effectively is the story of one night in the life of Enzo, although his previous life is filled in as well. And that early life is all about loss, destruction, separation, bereavement, displacement, together with the aching need to restore precious relationships. His brother Noe's coat symbolises the close enveloping contact he misses so much; smelling of warm sugar - such a down-to-earth image - it nevertheless is described as being like a cloud, so something that can't quite be grasped, something beyond Enzo's reach, just like, apparently, all his relationships.

His chance meeting with Peter is just such an impossibility. An American tourist on his last night in Montreal, Peter is twice Enzo's age, and also evidently extremely well-off and successful. So no possibility of a relationship there, in spite of the evident attraction between the two. Peter's insistence on repaying Enzo's spontaneous kindness merely emphasises the distance between them; his generosity reads as condescension to Ezra, making him feel infantilized and resentful of his helpless poverty. And yet . . . as they finish the basket of rather too many doughnuts (sorry: donuts!) 'A cloud of leftover confectioner's sugar rose into the air between us'. There it is again: clouds and sugar. Noe's coat. An unmistakable reminder of the closeness Enzo is missing so much. Just as Noe's death makes that relationship beyond reach, so Peter's superiority makes a relationship with him beyond the pale.

And yet, somehow, across all that astronomical distance, some warmth manages to persist, and Volume 2, The Warmth of our Closest Star, deals with the development of the impossible relationship.

The writing of this book is so skilfully handled: in the quality of description, of dialogue, of characterization. The introduction of Alex into the plot hits like a cold shower, revealing the deadness of that side of Peter, as reflected in his friends who belong in his professional life. While at the beginning of the book every exchange between Peter and Enzo makes me aware of the age gap between them, by the end, I suddenly discover that I am not aware of their relative ages at all, and I don't know how Chase has managed to achieve that magic.

The structure of the novel is really carefully managed. Passages of flashback to past events are quite a common writer's device, but in this novel, written in the past tense, we have regular chapters devoted to looking forward to the present. They threaten to be full of spoilers that would remove the tension for the reader. But they don't. They are so carefully controlled that they actually build tension and increase the reader's curiosity. I don't mind admitting that I fell hook, line and sinker for that recurring 'bundle' reference. And I was wrong. But it made the double-bluff all the more satisfying in the reveal!

The insights into the nature of trauma are impressive. It is difficult to comprehend the way early trauma seems to cling to us like Brer Fox's Tar Baby. The understanding that such adherence to trauma is an unconscious defence of the Self is central. It is as if the constant re-traumatization is a kind of reminder of past pain that was so dangerous that it has to be kept in constant review; trauma so toxic that it can never be allowed to happen again. Even self-destructiveness is preferable to going through that pain again. It's as if a taste of poison has to be constantly readministered in order that we may learn to avoid the poison forever.

It falls to Alex to reveal to Enzo that there is a part of Peter that is skilled at immersing himself in 'social' relationships which can be so destructive of personal relationships. Yet, as Peter's long-term friend, Alex bridges both sides of him. He is able to accustom Enzo to Peter's duality, while Enzo's early trauma inclines him towards seeing the social Peter at the expense of his deeper reality. Enzo can't let himself trust Peter's deep self. Look where such closeness got him in the past! The important chapter 'You Really Got a Hold on Me' is where Alex puts into words Enzo's 'survivor's guilt' (another way of seeing the self-destructive effects of trauma).

Swallowing hard, I said, 'You must hate me. Peter must hate me.'

'I don't hate you, Frenchie,' he chuckled. 'I don't pity you. I simply understand you.'

The adherent trauma and the effects it has on Enzo's life are reflected in his meningioma. It is Alex who is instrumental in getting Enzo to take the necessary steps to have the growth surgically removed, which is the first step to Enzo regaining a sense of his own authority in his life, rather than being the perpetual helpless victim of his circumstances. The regaining of his authority is expressed in his 'disobedience' in not letting Peter know he was going through such crucial surgery. He did not need the permission of the older man, and took on the responsibility for hurting Peter by his omission.

His new grasp on himself leads eventually to the big argument he and Peter have, which is so realistically and sensitively written as to leave me feeling that the argument, and indeed the whole book, might well have a basis in the author's real life. None of my business, such speculation, but my comment remains a tribute to the liveliness of the writing.

Enzo's grasp on his authority, his authorship, his Promethian Self, is something he finds characteristically hard to put into words, but he manages:

But . . . being alone . . . it has shown me that before I can be part of us, I need to be Enzo. For a while. So I can know who Enzo really is. I've hardly ever had the chance to just be Enzo.

and later he states:

One cannot erase their history - their trauma. And they shouldn't. A person isn't who they are without those things, for better or worse.

Even astronomical distances can miraculously be crossed.

So now I'm off to re-read A Surplus of Light, and find out how The Bees and Other Wild Things works with that. I'm looking forward to it.

[Valerie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This beautiful, epic love story – spanning ten years – goes far beyond Enzo and Peter reuniting and solidifying their relationship. Throughout this novel, author Chase Connor has his young hero contemplate his life's purpose. What is the meaning of life, he questions? What is hope without possibility? How do you discover your mission? This character driven story is profound.

“My future was opening up wide, waiting for me to decide how to give myself a purpose. To find the meaning of my life. To live with a belief in possibility.”

The Warmth of Our Closest Star begins two years after Between Enzo and the Universe ended with Enzo visiting Peter in Minneapolis for the first time. They stayed in touch during the interim by texting, calling, emailing, and writing letters. (It’s not clear why Peter never visited Enzo in Montreal during that time.)

Twenty-two year old Enzo is over the moon fulfilling his life long dream of visiting America and, of course, being able to kiss Peter again. All is okay in the world when Enzo holds Peter's hand once more. There’s complete ease between the men as they flirt their way through the activities of every day life. They delight in the simple things because they’re doing them together – conversing, dining, sightseeing, and intimate moments exploring each other's bodies. The joy of just being together imbues everything they do. As sublime as their time is, they’re both aware that a two-week vacation is no guarantee of a future together; there are considerable barriers including living in different countries.

“I knew that when my eyes met Peter’s, it would most likely be the last time we saw each other’s eyes. I hadn’t been ready for that, and Peter had given no indication that he was prepared for that final look either.”

Goodbyes can be grueling. This one didn’t break my heart… it smashed it on a rock. I cried. And cried and cried.

Once Enzo has everything he’s dreamed of, the hard parts of living together kick in. While dealing with self-hatred, sustained grief over his family’s deaths, survivor’s guilt, and other seemingly insurmountable conflicts, he struggles with an existential crisis.

This is a gloriously long book at over 400 pages. In the hands of a lesser author, the story might have been concluded in half the length shortly after the men's reunion as they settle into life together and are rewarded with a happily ever after (unlike the tearjerker HFN in Enzo.) Mr. Connor takes this book much further, creating a complex narrative with outstanding, fully developed characters, and plenty of conflict. The highs are transcendent; the lows are gut wrenching. I applaud authors who take the time to conceive a book that delivers such depth and an emotional punch.

I have to be forthright – before embarking on this read, I couldn’t image how this sequel would hold a candle to its predecessor. In my review of Enzo, I said it was one of the best novels I’ve ever read. I had no need to worry…The Warmth of Our Closest Star is another exquisite book. I learned things from this book that I will apply to my own life. If you’ve already read Enzo, this book is a must. If you haven't, this is not a standalone. I implore you to put both on your TBR pile. You won’t be sorry.

[Edward · Rating 3 out of 5]

I loved the first book in this series "Between Enzo and the Universe". I gave it 5 Stars. I thought it was complete with a HFN ending. I didn’t expect a sequel, but here it is and fell a bit flat for me.

The first book is about Enzo, a 20 year old French immigrant, and Peter, an American businessman twice Enzo's age, meeting by chance one evening in Montreal. Enzo has had a tragic life and is down on his luck. Peter is wealthy and they spend an entire evening and night getting to know each other. Peter provides Enzo a contact in Montreal who might be able to help him with a job. There is hope that they might see each other again. This book jumps forward two years. Enzo is travelling to Minneapolis to see Peter for the first time since their perfect evening in Montreal. This was the first surprise for me. They've been communicating for two years, but this is their first actual reunion? Enzo doesn't have the financial means to travel, but I found it hard to believe that Peter didn't visit him or pay for Enzo to visit him in two years.

The Peter we meet in this book seems like a different person. In the first book, he came across as warm, confident, and caring. In this book, he comes across as needy, clumsy in relationships, and clueless as to how to include his younger boyfriend in his life. He’s stuck in his world of older, wealthy friends and his perfect house. He seems to reluctant to allow Enzo to add his imprint on "their" home. He doesn't involve Enzo in any decisions but seems put out when Enzo makes decisions on his own. I really didn’t see what Enzo liked about Peter, other than his looks. I found Peter’s treatment of Enzo infuriating. He needed a housekeeper and pet to take care of, not Enzo. The fact that Enzo left Peter carrying only a suitcase and his box of family mementos shows how little Peter allowed Enzo to make the house “his home”.

The book starts with Enzo reflecting on how his life has changed since visiting America, on him "becoming Enzo". I liked hearing his opinions of America and Americans, both the good and the bad. I loved the first quarter of the book. Many of Enzo's thoughts are pretty philosophical, which I usually like. But, I found some just rambling: “Why did my family have to die?…Because life means nothing without death. More specifically, life means nothing if every life—and every death—is the same.” The book rehashed the standard cycle of grief contained in many stories and textbooks.

Enzo eventually finds a friend around his age, Alex. He's the best thing to happen to Enzo and their conversations were the best parts of the book. Alex learns a lot about Enzo and his life, but as Enzo says, Alex keeps his personal life in a vault. It seems like he's hiding or trying to forget parts of his life. It stays that way throughout the book. I think learning more about Alex would have made the book more interesting. I enjoyed parts of the book, but others were repetitive and boring.

[BeckieLouLou]

HEA is in book 2!!!! Make sure you have access to book two for the full story and the HEA, book two is not on audio as of March 2026.

A caregiver to everyone in his circle finds himself grieving and alone. We meet a sweet, kind, melancholy young man and join him on his years-long journey of surviving, existing, and living. Grief, loss, love, depression, romance, friendship, family, never ending change, persevering, hoping, dreaming. All the things. All the feels. Lots of emotion. 2 book series following the same couple, must read in order. Very deep, philosophical and introspective. Be in the mood for moderate angst.

Narration on the first book is lovely, sets a tender, hopeful tone and breaths a lot of emotion into Enzo.

[Peter Bajnoci · Rating 5 out of 5]

If I had to give a 400-page solution to the question, "What is life and where does love fit in? " this Book would be it.
And who says sequels can't live up to their predecessors? This one is the exception. Beautiful characters, real-life
issues, and delicious food.

Of course, I'm simplifying a lot, but the novel made me care about its characters in a way that few others have. Having had the privilege of reading it, I can only express my gratitude. I could have read it cover to cover in one sitting if I'd had more time in my day. It was mind-blowing, riveting, heart-wrenching, and nerve-wracking in the best way. It's more evidence of why I like Chase Connor so much.

[Nella · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5/5⭐

despite the excessive use of the nickname "babe" (that I LOATHE, mind you) I still fell in love with this wonderful sequel to "between enzo and the universe". it has one of the sweetest but also the most heartwrenching portrayals of a growing relationship between two men who, essentially, still have no idea what they're doing, especially how to communicate in a healthy way. it was incredibly introspective and I especially loved the mental health aspect of it and how well the main character's thoughts reflected his mindset. it REALLY takes the miscommunication trope to a whole new level and sometimes I wanted to SHOUT at the characters, to make them TALK to each other. but although that trope is very easy to do wrong, in this case? it was frustrating, yes, but it was also extremely important plotwise and trust me, the conclusion was one of the most satisfying things I've read because??? all the healthy communication?? just the way they talk through everything?? Top Tier honestly. I also adore alex and I want to be friends with all the relevant characters.

[Rich Lopez · Rating 5 out of 5]

An absolute must-read

The story of Peter and Enzo continue in book 2 of the authors series. The writing, the plotting, the character development, the warmth and breadth of the story are epic. I have read most of this authors novels and I have always found them very relatable and enjoyable. His story of Peter and Enzo is a gay love story superior to anything else that I have read over the years. Well done. Do yourself a favor and read this book.

[Perry · Rating 5 out of 5]

OMG! I loved reading Enzo and Peter's story!

Chase Connor's two books together tell Enzo and Peter's story of family lost and family found - love lost in death and sadness, personal doubt and pain. But most importantly, love and family are always there waiting to be found and made real by these two wonderful characters. Read this book! It is well written; it will draw you on page by page. Thank you, Chase!

[Larry · Rating 5 out of 5]

The sun does really shine.

Another excellent story told by Chase. Enzo from France and Peter from the USA and they meet in Canada. It is an international world. The book had the most real feeling I have gotten from a book in a long time. This story might as well have been called a biography, it felt so real. Read and enjoy

[SciencePhi · Rating 5 out of 5]

God i thought I loved book one and that it was perfect as it was I didn’t think I needed book two. But every one needs this book is so good, so well written again so new so different. This book ended me and put me together in a new way. It’s an adult vision of a fairytale love and realistic soulmates . 100% recommend to everyone

[L · Rating 5 out of 5]

beautiful story

Compelling and honest, beautifully written, heartbreaking, and full of hope and love. This one will stay with me for a while

[Mia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thoughtfully written and incredibly underrated

[Johan Van Dijk · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mooi boek!

Jammer dat het niet beschikbaar is op Apple books

[Trish Skywalker · Rating 5 out of 5]

it’s so good to see you again Enzo!

I loved book one, and I absolutely loved this conclusion. Where book 1 was very much Enzo’s past, this is his future. We catch up with Enzo two years after his fateful night in Montreal. He is doing better this time around, and is about to embark on a trip to America to see Peter again. After two years apart, Enzo fears that things won’t be the same, but they fall right back into each other. Enzo is so happy at how well things go, and Peter is enamored with him.
But Enzo grows to learn how much his past trauma affects his future, and things are definitely not perfect. Just because the scenery and circumstances changed, his past is the same and he has to deal with it. This book is emotionally raw as Enzo learns some sad and difficult truths about himself.
Enzo is such a brave and resilient man, and I was so happy to be back with him through all the ups and downs. He’s definitely one of those characters that will stick with me.

[Peachyteach · Rating 5 out of 5]

It’s hard for me to think about appropriate words to describe how much I loved this book, but I will give it a try…

First, please note that The Warmth of Our Closest Star is the sequel to Between Enzo and the Universe, which is also a phenomenal read.

The Warmth of Our Closest Star picks up 2 years after that fateful, perfect night Enzo and Peter spent together in Montreal. It spans the next 10 years of Enzo’s life.

As usual, Chase Connor’s prose is not only beautiful, but evokes so many emotions. This is why I love Chase Connor so much - he makes me FEEL. And there is so, so much to feel in this book.

We feel Enzo’s roller coaster of emotions as he learns to adapt to a new country, a new relationship, new people and a new sense of self. This was not an easy journey, but it is one I lived embarking upon with Enzo.

There are highs and lows, laughter and tears. Enzo is forced to deal with his past trauma and grief, while navigating his relationship with Peter. It’s no easy task. And Chase Connor does not hold back on how hard that can be. It’s gorgeously realistic.

This is a beautiful conclusion to a beautiful story about learning to live one’s self and those around you. I cannot recommend this highly enough.

[Matt · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.3

[Alex · Rating 5 out of 5]

I can't fucking handle Chase's beautiful stories and everything that is Enzo and Peter. My emotions can't take it, it's too perfect, I quit. 5 stars.

I was lucky enough to be blessed with an ARC of this for my honest review. Go read it. You won't regret it.

[Valentine · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have to say that this book was pretty realistic about how an actual relationship between these two would go. All the same, I couldn't help but dislike Peter quite a bit.