Status Updates From Sibling Rivals

Peter sounds like a pompous Victorian gentleman. Peter reads like he's sixteen and Mark is a sulky baby. I don't give a s#*t about any of them. I'm done!

*1.5 Stars* rounded up

I think Mark is troubled... Very troubled

Peter and Collin are adorable but can Mark just disappear?

An emotionally satisfying character-driven story. I'd like to read Mark's story--he had a complex personality and a shitload of issues that promised another intense, character-developing story. I'm sure there'd be plenty of ways he could fuck up further before maturing and I would like to read that!

Well, the dad really fleshed out well by the end. Like it! The mom never had much character, but then again, I think there just wasn't much there--she was so cold and closed off to living.

But scenes with her are quick and easy, so it's do-able, I haven't left my suspension of disbelief yet.

It's a bit forced--contrived?--to introduce a friend now, simply as a sounding board for Colin.

Colin seems so far ahead of these brothers with self-awareness and adult behaviour.

I am REALLY hurting for Mark. God, poor guy. "When you were little, you laughed when Mom and Dad yelled at you. I cried when they did. And later? When you turned into an asshole? I stayed up all night worrying about you. Do you know that? The night the police hauled you home I puked I was so scared for you. And it was just a big joke to you." I feelz ya, Mark. He's such a serious fellow.

My heart does bleed for Mark, though, despite his immaturity. It's true: what he struggles so desperately with just comes easy-peasy to Peter.

The father is coming more alive, ironically, with his grief at losing his wife. Also, Colin. The way the dad treats Colin after his wife dies makes me hate her hate--her poison was strong enough to stop the dad from doing what he'd choose to do. Then again, I guess he made a choice: the choice to keep his wife calm. Gawd, dynamics/relationships. See, with books you can respond fully honest to people (in the books).

I am fully behind Colin's character, and Peter and Mark are fairly bouncy in my mind, but the parents of the brothers? Well, they are not well built; rather, they are somewhat flat, holding little else for the brothers but censure and criticism. I know some parents are that "empty" to their kids, but it's doing this story a disservice because I don't really *care* that the mom is dying and I think I'm supposed to.

And I like Colin even more for saying NO to Mark, despite Colin's need for connection. Good on him. I don't feel Mark fully recognizes what he did to Colin. His apology was weak.

The banter between the bros is fab! I can just tell no one knows them like they know each other and the acerbic conversations are awash in love!

Love Peter, and his this-is-my-life-and-this-is-who-I-am acceptance and joy, but I wasn't too keen on his brother, Mark, at the beginning. Already, at only 20 pages in, though, I am stating to like Mark--after all, he was so very young (and he still is!) when he abandoned Colin mind blames Colin for his own struggles.

Oh, Colin! I just love the personality type! Love it. Guy's wired for monogamy, but has had shit luck, is serious but has a sense of humour, is hurt easily but still strong, finds his own path and life interests and just keeps on a-hoping for lurvvvv.

"Mark had turned into a hot mess of a man, but Colin missed their long evenings of talk. The fumbling sex ... had given way to something calmer, sweeter, and God, thinking of it, Colin ached for the heat and heft of another body in his bed." Love that imagery.

Hey! Here's the elusive 'prep work' of gay romance. Bow-chika-wow-wow! <spoiler>"An, um, enema."</spoiler>

I am so in love with this book!!