Book Review: When It's Time by Zane Riley

In the New Adult series that began with Go Your Own Way, Will Osbourne and Lennox McAvoy must now face the challenges of a long distance relationship that will determine their future. Despite the fulfillment of his childhood dream, Will is suffocating in too-loud, too-dirty, too-busy New York City. Lennox, who has always relied on Will for guidance, is thriving in Boston without him. As Lennox embraces his promising new life and rediscovers old family, Will searches for a future of his own that won’t tear them apart.

Amazon         Goodreads

4.5 Stars

It’s the end of summer after high school graduation and Will and Lennox are both preparing to head off to college, Lennox to Berklee in Boston and Will to NYU in New York. Although they know long distance won’t be easy, they plan to visit each other as often as possible, but while things go great for Lennox, Will’s dreams of NYU aren’t everything he thought they would be and as things slowly start to fall apart for him, he retreats into himself and tension builds between Will and Lennox. Will they make it through their first semester of college with their relationship still intact?

I’ve been waiting for what seems like forever for the conclusion of Will and Lennox’s story, and Mr. Riley doesn’t disappoint. I loved that the roles are somewhat reversed in this installment. I adored seeing Lennox become the nurturing one and seeing the more vulnerable and not so put together side of Will. This installment seemed to put Will and Lennox on a more even footing, and while I’ve always been confident in Will’s feelings for Lennox, I think I walk away from these two young men feeling much more confident that Lennox feels that same for Will and with more assurance that they can make it work no matter what they face as long as they face it together.

The story is well-written and I loved seeing Lennox open up and flourish. College and his new friends suit him beautifully and it was amazing to see him come into his own. Will had a tougher time, but I’m glad that although what he thought was his dream didn’t work out, in the end I think he gets what he most wanted and walks away stronger and more confident in his future.

Although there have been times throughout the series where I’ve wanted to knock one or both of them in the head, I absolutely love Will and Lennox and it’s bittersweet to say goodbye to them as well as the host of loving family and friends that make up the secondary cast of characters.

This was a great addition to the series and Zane manages to recapture the chemistry, love and passion between Will and Lennox. Very enjoyable and definitely recommendable!

*copy provided by author/publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review*