Blurb:
Jesse Peterson is 26 and loves his job at a pet store. He loves the cats, the dogs and Sniffles the rabbit. What he doesn't love is the way people assume that he can't look after himself, that he's isn't a man. So, when the store's newest customer, buying supplies for his kitten, asks him out, Jesse has trouble understanding why. Jesse knows he's not stupid, but nobody else seems to know that. They just see a good-looking young man whose smile seems to be the brightest thing about him.
Drew Oliver isn't other people. A high school teacher with a history of bad relationship choices, Drew is patient, loving, and doesn't care that Jesse is different. He just cares about being able to make him smile as often as he can.
Everyone seems to have an opinion about the differences between Drew and Jesse, few notice the things they share. Can their relationship survive the scrutiny and judgement passed by everyone around them? And when one of Drew's bad choices shows up, will love be enough to help them survive the aftermath?
REVIEW:
Wow. What a great book!
This is the first time I have heard of this author, and I was completely wowed by her writing style, the depth of her characters, and all the layers to this story! It is just amazingly well written and had so much content, so much detail.
Jesse works at a pet store, and meets Drew when he comes in to buy cat supplies. Drew immediately notices that Jesse is different, but he sticks up for him when there is a rude customer. Drew asks him out on a date, which just confuses Jesse, who doesn't know why someone would want to date him.
Drew is a high school teacher who has not made good decisions with his love life in the past. He is just so unique. He is patient, understanding, loving and kind. He doesn't care at all that Jesse is different.
As they spend time together, Drew learns about Jesse's issues. Jesse has ID (Intellectual disabilty), autism, Dyslexia, OCD, and anxiety. And Drew does not care. He doesn't look down on Jesse. He doesn't think Jesse is less worthy of his love. Instead, he wants to love Jesse just as he is.
Both families struggle with their relationship. Drew's family doesn't understand why Drew would want to burden himself with someone like Jesse. And Jesse's family are afraid that Drew will get tired of Jesse, leave him, and they will have to try to pick up the pieces. They are also just afraid of letting him go. They have spent their lives taking care of him and don't know how to let someone else do so.
In the world we live in, we don't often see a relationship like this. It was so beautiful to witness Drew's acceptance and love for Jesse. He sees him as his equal, explaining that Jesse just learns differently and interprets things differently than most people. Jesse's parents have always treated him like he needed help all the time. Drew tries to help him without ever implying that Jesse needs his help. Drew wants to learn more about Jesse's issue so that he can better understand him and to help Jesse better understand things. The most beautiful thing of all is that Drew loves Jesse as he is. Drew does not want to change Jesse. He just wants to love him.
There are just so many wonderful moments in this book. One of my favorites is when Drew convinces Jesse's mom to tell him how to help Jesse instead of rescuing him herself. It was so touching that Drew truly was invested in this relationship and finally started to break through to her that he truly wanted to be with her son.
Another touching moment is when Jesse himself starts to convince his parents that he belongs with Drew. He makes them realize that someday he will be alone when they die, and he doesn't want to be alone. He wants to have someone to love. And Drew really does love him and just wants Jesse to be happy. It was such a heart-felt moment. I just felt everything Jesse was feeling at that moment and it was heart-breaking to see him verbalize such a fear.
Overall, this is just an amazing story, about two amazing men. They have to fight people's reactions to them. They have to fight for acceptance from their families. They also have to deal with Drew's awful ex, who cause them a lot of trouble. And then they need to find a way to heal Jesse after he is hurt by Drew's ex. Finally, they need to help Jesse move on afterwards.
I can't imagine anyone reading this book and not falling in love with this couple. They are remarkable and their journey is remarkable as well.
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