Title: From the Inside Out
Author: Talya Andor
Genre: Contemporary
Length: Super Novel Plus (520pgs)
Publisher: Less Than Three Press (26th December 2012)
Heat Level: Low
Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥4Hearts
Reviewer: Pixie
Blurb: Shy, closeted college student and part-time barista Soren prefers to keep to himself, despite the urgings of family and friends to break out of his routines and live a little more. He likes things exactly as they are; school is going well; he has his study-buddy Sloane, long-distance best friend Liz, his online friend Tru, and a ridiculously hot boss to stare at longingly. It might not work for everyone, but it’s working for him.
Comfortable routine is upended the day Tru suddenly suggests they meet, and Soren finds himself uncharacteristically agreeing to coffee. When his date proves to be the last person he expects, a simple date is only the start of all the complications Soren has always tried to avoid.
Purchase Link: http://www.lessthanthreepress.com/books/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=90&products_id=403
Review: Soren is shy and quite; he has his job as a barista, he has his close friend Sloane and he has his school, but he breaks out of his shell one day and agrees to meet with his online friend Tru. The meeting doesn’t go as planned and Soren is left wondering just what he should do next. Lucas is a shift supervisor barista and has never really noticed Soren before, but after arranging a date with an online friend, he realizes just how much Soren appeals to him.
This is a wonderful finding yourself story for these two young men, both main characters discover themselves as we progress through the book, and they discover the courage to face everything head on. Soren is a character that is very quiet; he will back down or dodge when questioned head on and has made avoiding decisions an art form, when he finally gives Lucas a chance, he discovers that he has to take control of his life and to start standing up for himself. Lucas is a character that is very sure of himself; he knows what he wants and goes after it, when he does notice Soren, he discovers that he wants much more than he ever thought he would.
This story is a journey of discovery for Soren and Lucas, both of them grow as the story progresses, and they face the challenges that are thrown at them. Soren is a slow developing character; he has slow progress as he comes out of his shell, but he makes huge leaps and bounds as he starts to stand up for himself and what he wants. Lucas has his own confusion to work through as he faces the inner struggle to get to grips with how he feels. Both Soren and Lucas face the turmoil of coming out to their parents and the hostility of a co-worker.
I have to say that this is a very involved story, you get to know the characters very well and you become invested in them. The romance is very sweet and is drawn out throughout the book, there is no rushing in this story; it is all drawn out really well. There’s love, romance, angst, misunderstandings, a near miss with danger and some conflict, but most of all there is growth and finding the person you can be.
I will recommend this story to those who want a true finding yourself story, developing love, some parental conflict and a very sweet happy ending.