Title: Can’t Live Without You
Author: Andrew Grey
Genre: Contemporary
Length: Novel (200pgs)
ISBN: 978-1-63477-757-5
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press (12th September 2016)
Heat Level: Moderate
Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥ 4 ½ – 5 Hearts
Reviewer: Pixie
Blurb: Justin Hawthorne worked hard to realize his silver-screen dreams, making his way from small-town Pennsylvania to Hollywood and success. But it hasn’t come without sacrifice. When Justin’s father kicked him out for being gay, George Miller’s family offered to take him in, but circumstances prevented it. Now Justin is back in town and has come face to face with George, the man he left without so much as a good-bye… and the man he’s never stopped loving.
Justin’s disappearance hit George hard, but he’s made a life for himself as a home nurse and finds fulfillment in helping others. When he sees Justin again, George realizes the hole in his heart never mended, and he isn’t the only one in need of healing. Justin needs time out of the public eye to find himself again, and George and his mother cannot turn him away. As they stay together in George’s home, old feelings are rekindled. Is a second chance possible when everything George cares about is in Pennsylvania and Justin must return to his career in California? First they’ll have to deal with the reason for Justin’s abrupt departure all those years ago.
Purchase Link: https://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/books/cant-live-without-you-by-andrew-grey-7501-b
Review: When Justin left his hometown he never looked back, he might have thought of his first love George often but he has no intention of ever returning there. When he gets a call to say his estranged father is dying Justin knows he has to go to at least lay some of his ghosts to rest. George was devastated when Justin up and left in the middle of the night, now Justin is back and while George wants answers he’s just happy to see him again, their feelings for each other have never changed but can they really have a relationship when George’s life is in Pennsylvania and Justin’s is in California.
This is a wonderfully written story that has both joy and sadness, it has forgiveness and letting go of the past and it has stunning revelations and rekindled love. Justin has never let go of his bitterness towards his father for kicking him out for being gay and even though he has a successful movie career and has created his own family with his best friend Ethan he still stings from that rejection. Returning home to his father’s deathbed is hard for him and it comes across jumping off the pages so you feel his confused twisted feelings and the bitterness that still plagues him.
George stuck around town and has been Justin’s fathers nurse for a while, he’s learnt to, in a way, to forgive what the man did to Justin and himself, he’s learnt to let it go and to move forward. George and Justin rekindle their relationship while Justin is in town, but Justin has never told anyone the truth about what happened to him that long ago night. So there’s a bit of a mystery going on that is shocking when revealed.
This really is a wonderful story and the characters are great, we get a good depth to them and we can connect with them, we understand why George has let go of his hard feelings and we feel and understand Justin’s bitterness towards his father… ohhh I could so totally relate to how Justin felt as everyone sang his father’s praises *grrrrr*. Seeing George and Justin come together and finding their love for each other is still there is a wonderful thing, these guys have both tried to move forward but their hearts only want each other.
I recommend this to those who adore rekindled love stories, brilliant characters, fantastic storylines and a wonderful ending.