Bayou Book Junkie: Book Blast ~ Fall Beside You by Riley Parks (Review + Excerpt + Giveaway)

Monday, July 16, 2018

Book Blast ~ Fall Beside You by Riley Parks (Review + Excerpt + Giveaway)

This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. $15 in Boroughs Bucks will be awarded to a randomly drawn commenter. Also, Boroughs Publishing Group can't wait to give you a Xmas gift in July. Join the party: https://www.facebook.com/events/202551280465596/?active_tab=discussion.

Gideon Valsecchi had done the impossible when he busted out of the grueling poverty and pre-ordained existence his life had been on the South Side of Chicago. His free ride at college is the stepping stone to a career with a professional soccer team. And when his dream comes true it's not what he expects—sacrifice shouldn't taste this bitter, especially when the love of his life is what he's missing and can't seem to hold on to.

Elijah Tucker wants to give Gideon Valsecchi the world on a silver platter. And he has the means to do it. But Eli is learning the truth of the maxim that the way you hold onto the thing you want most is to let it go. And while his heart breaks into a thousand pieces, he doesn't come apart even when the worst happens. Because, even as cliché as it sounds...true love does find a way.

Read an Excerpt:

“I love you,” Elijah whispered, rubbing the bar of soap over Gideon’s chest.

To Gideon, those words were a hot shower, full stomach, and a hat trick combined; a phrase that he couldn’t remember ever hearing in his life. His father certainly hadn’t shared the sentiment with him, and while he couldn’t be certain whether his mother had or not, he somehow doubted she was ever able to see beyond her drug-induced hazes to recognize he existed to begin with. “I love you” was foreign and formidable. It felt like the promise of forever, which was what Gideon wanted and feared. He didn’t want to give up his fight and fall into forever, where life was comfortable and he was complacent. He didn’t want to let himself go. “I probably do, too,” Gideon replied quietly, the statement he made when he felt too guilty to not muster a response.

“Yeah?” Elijah asked, his eyes bright with excitement.

It killed Gideon that his boyfriend was eager for any scrap of verbal affection. Endlessly, he admonished himself for not being able to lavish Elijah with more.

“Yeah,” he confirmed. Elijah never pushed or prodded. He was tirelessly patient and understanding. Though Gideon was grateful for that patience, he almost wished that Eli would put more pressure on him. He worked well under pressure; he thrived in situations where he had to perform. As much as he wanted to get there, he knew he needed several shoves in the right direction. Being moderately self-aware, Gideon knew if Elijah goaded him, it would lead to epic arguments and his signature obstinance, but then maybe there would be a breakthrough.

“I feel it,” Elijah murmured as several beads of water dripped from his eyelashes. He tucked his face into the crook of Gideon’s neck and kissed the slick skin. “That’s the important thing.” From his tone, it seemed the statement was more a reminder for himself than reassurance for Gideon.

“Do you feel it?” Eli asked. “I mean, I tell you, but do you feel that I love you? Do I show you?”

“Of course you do,” Gideon replied, taken aback by the question. “You’re so good to me, so perfect,” he promised, slotting his mouth onto Elijah’s.

3 Stars!

So, one of the problems I had with book 1 was the age difference. Not just because Gideon was so young and in high school (that bothered me) but also because I just didn’t think he was mature enough for the type of relationship that Elijah was intent on having and this story affirmed that in my mind.

While I could tell that Gideon had somewhat matured in the time he’d been in college, I still felt as if they were miles away emotionally and mentally. It wasn’t about their love, I will get to that in a moment, it was about how they view life and their roles in it. Elijah just felt like he was in a different place and it wasn’t completely natural. This is really evident when we have Eli hanging out with Gideon and his friends from school. It was awkward to think about and I didn’t quite find it realistic.

Their relationship dynamic wasn’t very balanced in my eyes. Eli was borderline obsessive, not in the wrong way but definitely over the top compared to how I perceived Gideon’s love for Elijah. Again, I wonder how it would have worked in real life and whether Gideon could’ve handled it. Of course, the fact that Eli took such good care of him and basically pampered him probably helped a great deal. But if I were Eli I would’ve been fed up with the lack of reciprocation by Gideon and his immaturity when it came to communication and expressing his feelings.

When sh*t hit the fan towards the end of the book I wanted to climb into my Kindle and shake Gideon. It was so irritating, his behavior was awful and childish and well, kinda cruel. Eli was a lot more forgiving than I am and it irked me that he let it go so easily. I was a bit let down.

Overall, I have to say, I’m still a fan of Riley Parks and I’ll still be reading the next book even if this wasn’t my favorite. Also, I really want to read Bryce’s story like right now, I adore him. He was great in this book and I loved seeing how he cemented his role in their lives. I am anxious for his and Kieran’s story, I have a feeling I’m going to fall much more in love with them.

*** Copy provided to Bayou Book Junkie for my reading pleasure, a review wasn't a requirement. ***

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