Ranking: 4.5 stars
Purchase Hyperlink: Amazon | iBooks | Amazon UK
Size: Novel
Greg Sullivan loves his job as a flight attendant, even when his of us surreptitiously pump him for particulars about journey locations for them to make use of at their very own resort in Aspen. Greg loves being based mostly out of LA and the house he shares with three different queer males has helped him create deep, supportive friendships. His finest buddy, Micah, was the one who helped Greg perceive his asexuality and Darius was his ethical assist when Greg went to get examined for HIV after he trusted the improper man. All in all, Greg life goes fairly nice. Besides that his sexuality and HIV standing—to not point out how he obtained contaminated within the first place—make him cautious of forming a deep connection to a different man. Loads of would-be lovers have ghosted him previously, but Greg nonetheless desires the fairytale romance Micah has discovered. After his newest boyfriend loudly complained that Greg ought to make use of cockrings and blue tablets within the bed room, Greg is certain his dream of discovering a person is only a pipe dream.
Then Greg meets Holden Mercer at a membership in LA. At 48, Holden has just a few years on 33-year-old Greg, however the distinction in life expertise solely appears to make them extra appropriate. Holden isn’t just affected person with Greg, he’s genuinely understanding about Greg’s sexuality and HIV standing–to the purpose he overtly wonders what sort of man would move over somebody as wonderful as Greg. And Holden is impressed when he learns the understanding swings each methods; Greg isn’t delay by Holden being within the closet to guard his authorities contractor job. In lower than 72 hours, these two notice they’ve in all probability discovered the love of their life. The largest problem, then, is figuring out if the snug establishment as flight attendant and protection contractor will permit them sufficient freedom to construct the sort relationship they at all times needed, or if they should rethink how they envision their future…one to allow them to be collectively.
Blue Skies is the primary e-book in Marie Sinclair’s eponymous collection. Set in modern-day America, it includes a couple with an age hole and really particular circumstances that make discovering somebody to share their life with a problem. The narration is all third individual, however typically alternates between Greg and Holden, so readers can actually get a really feel for our two MCs’ experiences.
Greg and his asexuality are what initially drew me to the story. That is the primary e-book I recall studying that has so thoughtfully explored the romantic life of somebody who is mostly not going to really feel sexual attraction. I actually loved the deep dive into Greg’s experiences and the way they formed his (lack of) expectations and hopes for something significant with Holden. I cherished that Holden’s age made him much more sympathetic and supportive of Greg and that it allowed these two to search out sufficient widespread floor to maneuver ahead. These two had incredible chemistry and, regardless of the variations in age and romantic/sexual expectations, they realized fairly shortly that they might be so excellent for one another.
Holden being closeted was a tragic reminder concerning the actuality of being homosexual at (or going into the closet for) work. His state of affairs was punctuated by a colleague named Brody who appeared to symbolize the type of informal bigotry that handed as “tolerance” not so way back. At first, it was clear Brody supplied all the chance Holden wanted to carry out the straightness that protected his profession, even when he privately hated having to do this. As soon as Holden began seeing Greg, nevertheless, the insouciant bigotry began looming ever bigger. Although Brody appeared solely sparingly, the restrictions he represented have been by no means removed from Holden’s actuality and this served as a foundation for development in his character: Holden realized he needed higher for himself and for his relationship with Greg.
One factor that basically stood out about this story is how the characters drive the motion. For me, the connection that developed between Greg and Holden was the plot. No matter Brody or Greg’s roommates delivered to the desk, it solely served to progress the MCs’ relationship. I can’t bear in mind the final time I learn a narrative the place there was no exterior conceit to push the story ahead. No lengthy misplaced lovers got here out of the woodwork, Greg’s HIV standing and Holden’s response to it wasn’t mired in angst or shut calls, even the comb with their secrets and techniques being revealed got here and went with out melodrama. Personally, I actually loved how low-drama this couple was; that they had loads of situational parts to take care of (jobs that made being in the identical metropolis on the identical time extraordinarily troublesome and understanding how they may fall so fully in a matter of days).
If you happen to’re searching for a narrative that explores human sexuality and connection and that focuses on the extraordinary connection two folks can type, I can’t suggest a greater e-book. Readers who take pleasure in uniquely relatable characters, age-gap love tales, or believable instalove themes will discover a complete lot to take pleasure in in Blue Skies.
