4.5 Stars...Bobby Gallegos and Alejo Sandoval were childhood lovers in the late 70's. They shared their first, and many, sexual experiences in high school--despite Alejo being a devout Catholic and bisexual. Bobby always knew he was gay--and he loved Alejo terribly. They had grand plans to build a life together, knowing their family and culture would reject their relationship.Fast forward twenty-two years. Those youthful dreams had died. Bobby, against all odds, has built himself from the youngest son of a dead convict into a promising defense attorney in Houston. He's lived his life open, but he could never get over his love for Alejo. After a near-death experience, he returns to Albuquerque to see if he and Alejo can build the life together they once dreamed about.Alejo has been busy these years as well. He's a successful restaurant owner, and a father of twins about to graduate high school. A year ago his wife divorced him--she knew his love for her was more the tepid-sort. And she wanted more. Alejo's daughter is whip-smart and compassionate. She recognizes her father's love for Bobby is true. His son's a self-absorbed brat who didn't have a clue Alejo and Bobby were lovers--not that they had been open. Ever.Still, Alejo knows he needs Bobby, and wants to have a life with him, but he's still got the kids at home--his wife left them to marry another man. So, being the truly fantastic father he is, Alejo's puts Bobby on the side burner. At first. Of course, as soon as we think Bobby and Alejo will get their HEA, Alejo's son becomes and even bigger nuisance. Good thing Alejo grows a spine.This book spans the 20+ year gap between the end of their torrid juvenile love affair, and the slow burning passion that they now experience. There's a lot of hurt to work out--a lot of history to reveal--and it's done in mutliple flashbacks. Told from both Bobby and Alejo's view, we see the hard choices they made, for themselves and others. It's a strong story, and I enjoyed it. Also, it's good to see the transition from the homophobic world of 1980 to the more gay-hospitable 2012. The love scenes are wonderfully written. The one detractor I had really was more of frustration with plot inconsistencies I found between this book and the second one REACH FOR THE MOON--which I adored completely.That said, as a stand-alone, this is a solid, contemporary M/M romance. I received a review copy of this book from the author via the Don't Buy My Love program at Goodreads. I really appreciate getting a book about gay Latinos that really gets into the culture, the religion, the family stuff, and everything that makes us who we are. Bobby and Alejo are Mexican-Americans who grew up together in small-town New Mexico, fell in love with each other, but were driven apart at age eighteen by unhappy family circumstances. Twenty years pass, pulling them further apart. They have never forgotten each other. When the story begins, both are forty years old and Bobby has returned to their hometown to try for a second chance with Alejo who is divorced with two teenagers. What follows is a bittersweet erotic dance of attraction as both men test each other’s hearts. The sex scenes are wicked hot, and just the right length and amount not to overwhelm the story. The supporting characters are frequently hilarious, especially Bobby’s newly sober cholo brother. But it is Bobby’s and Alejo’s personalities that made me fall in love with both of them. Bobby, who grew up as the youngest brother in an abusive household, is resourceful, funny, sexy, and fiercely protective. Alejo, the sheltered son of devout Catholics, is insecure, high-strung, aggressive, tender-hearted, and unaware of his own beauty. The emotions between them are so strong, so filled with longing. I became so emotionally invested in these characters finding their happy ending because they seemed so completely meant for each other. (Book purchased and review written from my personal collection.)
Do You like book Fall Into The Sun (2012)?
A very very good one. It is the story of a life long love, very well written and really moving.
—Alessandra
Not my choice of read... Too angsty.. =)
—bobbeth28
