I liked the way Aiden's real situation and the reasons for it came out in stages - it felt as if I was getting to know the ins and outs of the character as more of his problems were revealed. I was really happy to connect with Evan and Joel again (I'd only read After Ben before this).The representation of Marco, though, I had a bit of a problem with. I first noticed when his Italianness was marked over and over by his "loud, staccato speech" and "exaggerated" gestures - nothing wrong with that, except to an Italian speaker - and there are many in my neighborhood who "yell" conversations with each other on the street. To me it created an equally one-dimensional perspective on the person describing this, that of a speaker of a culture/language in which gestures are mostly facial - very low key - and everyday loudness is - not considered good manners. It was a description that needed that perspective to make sense, and since I didn't have it, all I got was an impression of insularity on the part of Aiden or the writer - inadvertent, not the cosy kind. Then I noticed that Marco himself is a flat character, and most of his dialogue is very wise advice to Aiden. I mean, I'd noticed that before, but then the underdeveloped nature of Marco as a character came to the forefront for me.So that's my only real beef about the book. It was relatively well-written, the ending brought me to tears (in the right way!), and it was great to get a view of the development of Evan and Joel's relationship. It was like an epilogue that wasn't Disney-like and forced but came organically from the original conflicts between the two mc's - Joel and Evan - and how they're working through them. Nice. The third book in Con Riley's Seattle Stories series turned out quite a satisfying read, albeit not as great as the first one, After Ben. I loved the author's writing style and the characters, only our hero Aiden took a little bit too long to get down his high horse and accept some help from friends and family. After Aiden's father commited suicide some years ago and left the family in financial debts, Aiden took it upon himself to provide for his brother and mother and keep up their lifestyles. He works himself more or less into the ground and only opens up when he's up to his neck in problems. Marco, his partner, has the patience of a Saint, I think I would have given up on Aiden earlier. B- (the minus mainly for Aiden who is sometimes too stubborn for his own good.)
Do You like book Aiden's Luck (2012)?
I felt for Aiden every step of the way. Codependency IS an illness and as hard to beat as any vice.
—ael
I loved this book. Marco and Aiden just work! Can't wait for more of Levi.
—JARYCURL
