My rating: 4 of 5 stars
When Ben White walks into a job interview and discovers the hiring manager is Wade Pearson — his high‑school tormentor — his worst fears are confirmed. Eight years later, Wade is no longer the cruel, homophobic boy Ben remembers but a brooding, undeniably attractive man whose gaze still rattles him, though for very different reasons. What Ben doesn’t know is that Wade has been carrying his own regrets. The moment he saw Ben’s application, he knew he needed to face him. Wade wants to make amends for the way he treated Ben in school, even if he can never reveal the real reasons behind his behaviour. Working together only intensifies Wade’s longing and his guilt, especially as he realises how much he still wants Ben — and how little he deserves him. Ben is convinced Wade hasn’t changed. Wade is determined to prove he has. But wanting Ben’s forgiveness is one thing… wanting his heart is another entirely.
I loved this story which delivers a surprisingly powerful emotional punch by exploring how high‑school bullying leaves scars on both sides of the equation. Ben’s anxiety when he walks into that interview is heart breaking — the way old wounds flare instantly shows just how deeply Wade’s past cruelty shaped him. But what really elevates the book is the revelation that Wade hasn’t escaped unscathed either. His regret, shame, and long‑buried longing give the narrative a compelling dual perspective on the damage done. Watching these two men navigate the weight of their shared history — one carrying hurt, the other carrying guilt — makes their slow, tentative reconnection feel genuinely meaningful. The romance is sweet, but it’s the emotional reckoning, the acknowledgment of harm, and the hope for healing that make this story resonate. This was an MM story with mature content.
Buy from Amazon
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