Review of "The Distance Between"

Description:

Michael Adams, a lawyer in his late twenties, has everything a guy could wish for. He’s smart, rich, good-looking and has a degree from an Ivy-League university. There is only one thing he cannot have; his stepbrother David. He’s struggled with his feelings for years and even traveled great distances to be away from David. 

Michael has tried to build a new life for himself in Paris where he is dating a handsome French guy, Remi. All the ingredients for a happy, successful life are there but Michael can’t get over his feelings for his stepbrother. After all this time David is still the man of his dreams. 

David has felt the same way about his stepbrother for a long time; he loves Michael more than anything. But Michael has been too afraid of their families’ reaction to let David into his life. He pushes his stepbrother away constantly and David throws himself into the arms of a series of wrong men. 

Review:

What an emotional roller coaster. I was sucked into the characters lives and torment immediately.

A wonderful story of two men's journey to find and acknowledge true love. 

The extreme emotional conflict of falling for someone society says you shouldn't and hurting that person to keep them at a distance. A decade of push and pull, arguments and hurt, lashing out to keep your hearts desire at arms length.

Michael was such a tormented soul, you will find yourself crying for him. He wants to push away his feelings and desires for David. Brief moments of happiness and fulfillment give you hope for a happy ever after. The extremes Michael goes to causes both men pain.

David keeps hope alive. No matter what Michael or Michael's father dish out, David takes it. He wants to be accepted and loved by the two men most important to him. David is a whistful romantic in many ways.

Taboo love stories are often written to titilate. While there are moments of desire acted upon in this story, the heart of it is about the relationship and rivalry between step siblings. Both seeking a fathers approval draw them apart, many times.

A delightful set of supporting characters. An understanding sister and brother in law bring warmth and understanding to the story. A mom/step mom who seems like the heart of the family, bringing them together for Sunday family dinners. Younger twin brothers that bind them together as a family. A host of friends and lovers, brings laughter, understanding of self and some levity to the tale.

I enjoyed this novel. Emotionally I felt as if I had been through the ringer with these characters. I would love to read more by this author. Even a follow up with the main and supporting characters would be nice. Since same sex marriages are legal in many states it would be nice to see the couples commit. Just wishful thinking. I hated that the story ended, I need more!