Israel Ingham’s life has never been easy. He grew up in a house devoid of love and warmth. Nothing he ever did was good enough. The fact Israel is gay just added to the long list of his father’s disappointments. Then a letter from Eastport Children’s Hospital changes everything.A discovery is made, one of gross human error. Twenty-six years ago two baby boys were switched at birth and sent home … sent home with the wrong families.
Sam, Israel’s best friend, has been his only source of love and support. With Sam beside him every step of the way, Israel decides to meet his birth mother and her son, the man who lived the life Israel should have.
Israel and Sam become closer than ever, amidst the tumultuous emotions of meeting his birth family, and Sam finds himself questioning his feelings toward his best friend. As Israel embraces new possibilities, he needs to dissect his painful relationship with his parents in order to salvage what’s left.
Because sometimes it takes proof you’re not actually family to become one.
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OMG. Where to start. N R Walker has now become a must have author-joining a selected list for me. Her character development is always brilliant and her plots are very original.
This is the story of two boys switched at birth and the discovery of family and all that entails. Another M/M book-which is her forte and done well. Angst, romance and some comedy leading to a HEA. What’s not to love?
You will not be disappointed.
NR Walker + Best friends to lovers = joy
NR has written some great stories this year, but she has saved the best for last. This was NR Walker at her best. In Switched, she gave us the story of two best friends- one of which has recently found out that due to human error was accidently switched at birth. Israel was never close to his parents but has always found comfort in his best friend, Sam. Sam has been there for him through it all, and it was no different this time.
My highlights:
-The plot. It was different- we don’t often get switched at birth stories, and then add a delicious slow burn with best friends to lovers- golden!
-Israel and Sam. Their characters and friendship were well fleshed out.
-The supporting cast- all of them. Their friends and family added substance to the story without overtaking it, and they also didn’t add unnecessary drama.
-Narration. The dual POV lover in me didn’t mind the first person in this instance. This was Israel’s journey with himself, his best friend, and his family.
-The pace of the story is quick and smooth. You can read this in one sitting and not realize it.
-Angst. This story had the perfect amount of angst. It will pull at your heartstrings, but Sam was there to comfort us Israel through this emotional time.
-Relationship development. It was exceptionally written. I could gush on and on about this. I was GI-DDY.
-Slow burn. It’s not about the quantity of the sex scenes it’s about the quality of well-written chemistry and sexual tension. In this case, it was perfection. I had butterflies in my stomach.
-Humor and banter- they will always get extra points from me.
-The end…
I can’t recommend Switched enough, you guys! Gaaah! Writing this review is making me smile because it’s bringing all the awesomeness that is Israel and Sam’s story. 5+ Stars!
What a wonderful and unique story! I was not expecting to feel all the emotions I felt while reading this book. Israel was an interesting character and I really felt for him while he tried to navigate the rift between him and his parents plus the bombshell news that he was actually switched at birth. I enjoyed the friendship to lovers trope that developed between Israel and Sam. The entire story was interesting and left me feeling good.
Narration: Joel Leslie was absolutely amazing with his narration of this story. He really conveyed all the emotional complexities Israel felt as he dealt with such unusual and intricate circumstances. I loved the narration.
Overall Rating: 5 Stars. The writing was magnificent and the story was just fantastic. I loved the characters and the emotional rollercoaster ride they took me on.
What a terrific book! The story shows the importance of communicating honestly among family members and other loved ones. When the characters shared their thoughts and feelings healing began. Talk about life lessons found in fiction. I heartily recommend this book!!!
Another wonderful story from Ms. Walker, featuring one of my favorite tropes, friends-to-lovers. But there was so much more to this book than just 2 friends falling in love and I loved the whole storyline. And Sam has one of what I think is the sweetest lines in a book ever… “Then I take you home and call my parents, and we’ll have you adopted into my family by dinner time, okay?” I seriously can’t handle how freaking sweet that was for him to say! Sam is just a doll.
I was very happy with how everything worked out in the end, for everybody!
Loved friends to more