Ice on Fire by GR Lyons

Amazon

This is the first book I have read by GR Lyons.  I am so glad I gave it a chance.  It was a wonderful story.

Zac is a college student who dreams of becoming a rock star.  He fights hard for this dream because he needs money to help out his family.  But, to stay in his band, he needs to hide the fact that he is gay.  And is doing so, he is hurting himself mentally and physically.  He is lucky to still be alive.

Adrian is an extremely shy college student who is basically a recluse.  He is completely controlled by his father. He is also mentally ill and needs medicine to help him even leave the house.   His path is life is set for him - graduate college, work for his father's company, and marry an appropriate girl. Unfortunately, Adrian is gay.  And his only way of dealing with not being able to be true to himself is to self-harm.  He is on a path that could kill him.

When Zac and Adrian are forced to work together on a class project, they get to know each other.  And their are sparks.  Some hot sparks.   Unfortunately, Adrian's father catches them together.  Adrian is kicked out of his house, all his money is taken away, and he won't be able to get the medicine he so badly needs.  

The road to happiness for these two is not an easy one.  They will both have to sacrifice a lot.  And it won't be easy.  They have to both decide what they really want and if they really want to be together.  And they need to admit that they actually love the other.   Harsh words and miscommunication is a big problem that they will need to overcome.

Again, I am new to this author.  But, I am so grateful to have found her.  I loved this story.  The love between these two is passionate and intense.  The sacrifices they each make will bring you to tears.  The overall crap they need to overcome is heart-breaking.  The mental issues that Adrian faces when forced to deal without his meds is gut-wrenching.  These are two men who both come with so much baggage and desperately need the other to help them through everything.  

I seriously loved these characters and was rooting so damn much for them to get their happiness.  I am excited to see what else GR Lyons come up with for the side characters.