Too big. Too fat. All his life Eric Sontag has judged himself on his size, believing love and friendship aren’t in the cards for someone like him. Tired of being alone and scared of his doctor’s warnings, he enrolls in a nutrition support group, determined to change his life. When a beautiful thin man sits next to him, he can’t believe they have anything in common, but conversation between the … the two soon proves first impressions aren’t always what they seem.
Drifter. Loner.
Corey DeSantis has always been the scrawny waif; he’s tired of struggling with his art and with life. Scarred by the disappearance and death of his drug-addicted mother, he doesn’t wish for love, believing it will bring him nothing but pain in the end. Now his only hunger in life is his desire to paint…until a health scare and his mentor force him to attend a nutrition class where he meets a man who piques his interest. One drunken kiss later, Eric is all Corey can think about.
The same, yet different.
An unlikely friendship is born with both men wanting more but afraid to listen to their well-guarded hearts. When Corey receives shocking news leaving him angry and helpless, it’s Eric he leans on, to help see him through, while a surprising career opportunity finds Eric leaning on Corey for advice. One night of explosive passion leads to a second and soon neither man can imagine a life without the other. Life is shaped by the challenges accepted and roads not taken but as Corey and Eric walk the path together, they’ll discover the most beautiful destination of all. Love.
more
4.5 stars. Corey and Eric carry scars and use food to deal with the pain. Corey rejecting it and Eric using it for comfort. I loved their journey to find the strength to see themselves as they really are and change the broken parts. Corey sees beyond Eric’s low self-esteem and loves the man he is. Eric is there to support Corey through every step and decision as he brings his life back on track. Corey’s gift to Eric was perfect.
Audiobook: Great narration
First off, I’m going to start by saying I picked this book up because of that beautiful cover. It grabbed my eye and would not let go. I had to read it and so I started knowing from the blurb that it was going to deal with some tough issues, namely fat-shaming and body image issues. Stevens does not shy away from getting into the heads of her characters, one of who has been overweight his entire life and the other who has been underweight. Both are trying to better themselves and a chance meeting at a nutrition class leads to something neither of them expected: a connection that is stronger than their own doubts and fears. This book could be repetitive with the way Eric constantly brought up his weight and refused to accept that he could be seen as attractive but as someone who has fought this battle, I found it realistic that he kept going back to his old habits of self doubt and self sabotage. I enjoyed watching these two men open up to each other and learn to rely on each other for the truth. It was a well written book and the sexy scenes are off the charts hot. I’m really glad I grabbed this on Chirp as an audiobook deal. I’ll be looking into more by Stevens.
Disappointing. The idea was good but the execution was repetitious and awkwardly written.
Great book for body image issues.
i love that you get both perspectives in this book, you get to see what it’s like to feel overweight and have everyone judge you, but you also get to feel what it’s like to be too skinny and have people say you look great when you feel like you don’t or people telling you, you need to eat more when you are struggle just to eat at all or you can’t find the motivation to to do it.
written with a sensitivity that was heartwarming
A very timely topic is encased in an appealing genre! Characters are real, the internal conflicts are frustrating but believable, and I can’t help hoping with every page that these two will finally move forward supporting each other…
Many authors are afraid to discuss real-life topics that may trigger readers. This story dives right in to the discussion of weight and how it affects how we are seen and feel. The characters are well written and each have their own voice throughout. At times it was difficult to read their struggles, but that just makes it more real.
This book was excellant!
One is dieting one is anorexic. They meet in nutrition class and begin an awesome friendship that turns into love. If you have wver been altra thin or heavy. Then you will understand this lovely book. Parts of it really tear your heart. And part of it will male you smile like you have never smiled before…
Nice easy read…
I love this story, sometimes it’s good to read about realistic characters with issues that I can relate to.
Corey and Eric is two lost souls trying to keep their heads over water in the challenge of their weight issues.
* Excellent storyline that goes up and down but still lets me see that the end is going to be good.
* The side topic of the book is two of my favourites, paintings and books. I absolutely love it.
* No unnecessary descriptions of surroundings
* The building of a relationship between Corey and Eric is sweet, challenging, revealing and without a doubt sizzling hot. The chemistry between them is tangible from the beginning even if Eric has problems believing in it. I could relate to the feeling of not being thin enough struggling with my own weight.
* Dialogues are fun, raw and emotional and I can feel the characters insecurities coming through in them.
* Love scenes is tasteful and steamy
Excellent mm romance from an author I’ve never read before but definitely going to read more from.
5 stars
What happens when a fat guy and a skinny one meet ? Want to find out how lives are changed, futures are formed and what you thought would happen doesn’t. Happiness is attainable for tortured souls, adults who become able to forgive and move on with their lives after tumultuous childhoods. Parents who reconcile and friends who guide. A inspirational book with a great end. Easy to read. Captivating.
Felice Stevens has done it again. She has created true to life characters with realistic issues. We are taken on the journey of Corey and Eric’s relationship with it’s misunderstandings and their self doubts. So many of us struggle with our body image and self confidence plus our own self worth. I love how the author brought up the nutrition class and the important teachings from it several times in the book. How it was ok that Corey and Eric may have slipped sometimes. It happens but how you deal with it is the important part. This is more that a beautiful story. There is some great advice as well. One thing I can always be sure of, when I read a Felice Stevens novel I come away with a beautiful heartwarming story and so much more.