Title: Rainbows All around Us
Author: Nathan J. Morissey
Genre: Contemporary, Reflection, Bittersweet
Length: Novella (66pgs)
Publisher: Self-Published (1st March 2012)
Heat Level: Moderate
Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥3 ½ – 4Hearts
Reviewer: Pixie
Blurb: Deeply closeted and lonely, Justin spirals into a depression when he has no one to turn to. When compassionate and sexy Lucas enters the picture, he changes Justin into a confident and happy young gay man. But tragedy strikes when Lucas gets involved in the gay rights movement and attracts homophobic bigots. Can Justin protect his true love? Or will they be torn apart forever?
Set amid the gay marriage movement, Rainbows All Around Us is a story about the difficulties of being both gay and masculine in the modern world, the importance of being yourself, and most importantly, the power of love to change your world.
Purchase Link: http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/137949
Review: Justin struggles with his sexuality until he meets Lucas. But, even then he still has his fears, but with Lucas’s love he will find his way.
This is an extremely touching story from a young man’s POV, as he handles the revelations of his sexuality, his first relationship and the ups and downs that they face as they progress down the path of being a couple. Justin has accepted that he is gay to the extent that as long as it is just him that knows then he can accept it. He also struggles with his religion and its views on homosexuality. When he meets Lucas, he fears the reaction of those around him and he begins to feel isolated and depressed. Lucas is like a shining light who shows him a way through the darkness.
This story is from Justin’s POV, so we have a lot of his thoughts and internal dialogue. And, I will be honest; some of it threw me because of the way he sounded. He sounded a lot older than he was. The same with Lucas, they are both around the ages of 18-20, but they sound more 40-45, they don’t sound like young men. The way that the story is written is very good. We capture the young Justin as he falls head over heels for Lucas, Lucas and his frustration with his work and Justin’s final acceptance of being gay.
The ending is bittersweet and you may shed a few tears. Justin’s and Lucas’s relationship has some stormy moments as Lucas’s passion and Justin’s apathy clashes, some romantic moments and sweet loving. So, I will recommend this to those who want a coming of age, finding acceptance within one’s self, facing loss, facing bigotry and finding strength, while accepting your love will last forever story.