“You never got over her. You just left.”
As a college freshman, Erik Fiskare is drawn to the world of theater but prefers backstage to center stage. The moment he lays eyes on a beautiful, accomplished dancer named Daisy Bianco, his atoms rearrange themselves and he is drawn into a romance both youthfully passionate and maturely soulful. It is a love story seemingly without end. But when a … end. But when a disturbed friend brings a gun into the theater, the story is forever changed. Six lives are lost and Daisy is left seriously injured, her professional dreams shattered.
Traumatized by the experience, the lovers spiral into depression and drug use until a shocking act of betrayal destroys their relationship. To survive, Erik must leave school and disconnect from all he loves. He buries his heartbreak and puts the past behind. Or so he believes.
As he moves into adulthood, Erik comes to grips with his role in the shooting, and slowly heals the most wounded parts of his soul. But the unresolved grief for Daisy continues to shape his dreams at night. Once those dreams were haunted by blood and gunfire. Now they are haunted by the refrain of a Gershwin song and a single question: is leaving always the end of loving?
The Man I Love explores themes of love and sexuality, trauma—physical and mental—and its long-lasting effects, the burden of unfinished business and the power of reconciliation. Through Erik’s experience we reflect on what it means to be a man, a son and a leader. A soul mate, a partner and a lover. What it means to live the truth of who you are and what you feel. What it means to fight for what you love.
“With The Man I Love, Laqueur opens the door to a new kind of adult contemporary romance. A gorgeous, riveting novel with a cast of complex and memorable characters. It seduces the reader with its engaging storyline and emotional intelligence, and resonates long after the last page is turned.” —Ellen Harger, author of Strong Enough>/i> and The Anonymous Blog of Mrs. Jones
more
Books have a way of making us forget about our mundane lives and transport in a fantasyland. Some impact us, some effect us, some devour us completely, leaving the after effects on our hearts for a long time to come.
Then come along certain illusive books that speak directly to our souls, changing us irrevocably. Suanne is a creator of such poignant and thought provoking prose, I call them not merely stories to be read but journeys to undertaketake, like pilgrimages.
I enter the books, walk slowly feeling around every nook and cranny, sliding along straight forward love and turn corners, not knowing what lies beyond it. I can’t rush through them turning pages.
In this particular story, Erik Fiskare meets Daisy Banco in the university theater production set and despite the warnings, he looks her straight in the eye and falls for her hook, line & sinker.
Their love starts as a heart clanging clash, like they can’t help but be with each other.
I know, I was right there!!
My heart beat fast, my pulse thrummed, my skin heated up!!
“I want to feel my name in your mouth. I want to feel me inside of you, making an US”
Erik is naturally guarded and closed off, but finds himself lowering his guard for her. Like willingly opens the drawbridge for her to cross the moat, straight into his castle.
They become inseparable, breathing together, dreaming together and for no fault of their own, their lives are shattered for them mindlessly. The story evolves in the aftermath, the devastating accident becomes the main character taking center stage. Every character is an innocent bystander and I became addicted to the misery for them.
I know, I was there, I was dragged over charred remains and burnt my gut on them.
The story is full of violent emotions.
Love so powerful, it made me jealous of its existence, I wanted to BE Daisy,I wanted to hear Erik’s words. I wanted to lie with him, touch his skin, play with his necklace, own his thoughts.
“I wanted to hear my name in his mouth. I wanted to be inside him, looking inside out, I wanted to be us”
Daisy is the most perfectly imperfect character I’ve ever read. Her strength lies in recognizing her flaws, being sorry for them without begging for it. It’s so hard to pull off such a character but Suanne makes her shine.
And the piece de resistance is in the ending. The act of Acceptance is the hero now.
“At some point you have to start living the TRUTH of who you are and what you’re feeling”
Suanne serves these vials of therapy and calls it the book. I wish I’d read it sooner, but as she told me once. “it wasn’t time then”
It. Is. NOW.
As usual, I’m promised a life altering experience with her every book and she manages to over deliver everytime. The best way is to enter the doors of the book and just stand still in the midst of her field of words, letting the beautiful love story wash over like sunshine. Feel every whisper of Erik’s heart, caress of Daisy’s emotions, hold Will Kaegers hand, listen to Kees’s advice and sit unmoving amidst it all.
Every reader living should read this book.
Every aspiring reader should start their journey with this book.
Every seasoned reader should go live in this book.
Infinite stars the best of US
Wow.
This book has to be one of the most emotional and angsty books I’ve ever read and it was so, so worth it.
Exquisite writing.
Full characterization development.
Fantastic setting with lots of details about music, ballet, and theater.
I highly recommend this book to anyone who wants to be swept away by one of the best authors I have ever read.
I love finding a new (to me) author who can write a deeply moving story in such a beautiful way. As an author myself I’m very fussy, but Suzanne’s phrasing is, well, stellar. As another reviewer said above, sometimes the metaphors or descriptions were so lovely I’d have to pause for a little bit. I’m definitely looking forward to reading more by this talented author.
Wow! This story has everything! It’s hard to put into words what the experience of reading this was like.
“Byron Erik Fiskare” his friends call him Fish, named after the Father that abandoned him he goes by Erik.
His story is one that will leave you with the urge to leave no stone unturned or word unspoken. Give every day your best, because tomorrow isn’t promised. Love with all your heart and be a forgiving soul.
This is my 1st Suanne Laqueur Book! I Definitely recommend it!
Thank You to this Author for writing such a Amazing story !
Loved it. On to book number two now.
After reading an Exaltation of Larks and a Charm of Finches, I knew I had to go back to find the Fish Tales, highly recommended by friends. I don’t know what’s taken me so long!
I was happily watching Daisy and Erik fall in love, the sweetness of learning and falling was beautiful when the rug was ripped out from underneath me with the intensity of the destruction, my heart was in my mouth, thumping away! I huddled into the story as it unfolded.
I loved seeing the bonds created between the characters, all different, but so strong and believable, the love affairs, the friendships and the family connections. I was sometimes overwhelmed by the scenes with Daisy’s Dad.
I did have trouble with how magnanimous Melanie was, she seemed to have no bitterness in her at all, despite the situation she was left in – a much better person than me.
This isn’t a book, its an experience! you don’t just read it, you live it right alongside the characters.
I’m staring at my iPad trying to find the exact right words to sum up how I feel after finishing The Man I Love. Well, first I had to splash some cold water on my face cause my eyes were swollen from crying, then I had to take a few breaths to gather my thoughts. I’m still having difficulty finding words.
The Man I Love is unlike anything I’ve ever read before. I feel like I’ve gained four new friends in the form of Erik, Daisy, Will and Lucky. I’ve experienced writing like I’ve never experienced before. This story was extraordinary. It was such an intense journey and I think the reason it worked so well for me was that I got to follow these characters through fifteen years. I formed a bond with them. A connection. I felt I lived vicariously through Erik especially but also Daisy. Their relationship was raw, honest and real.
This was also an experience in relationships and emotions. How to love and forgive. To accept and let go.
What Erik and Daisy went through was real and believable. Their relationship was a journey and I cherish every moment. No matter how ugly it got because it’s a part of their history. It made them the people they are. Shaped them.
Suanne Laqueuer’s writing is insanely addictive and beautiful. It was like reading poetry. The words took on a whole new meaning and gutted me. Page after page. My heart was filled with love. Love for her words and these fabulous characters. The Man I Love is proof why I love to read. This isn’t just a story. It’s an experience!!
5 BadAssIBreatheYouStars