Review by Susan Lee

TITLE: 500 Miles
AUTHOR: Parker Williams
PUBLISHER: MLR Press
BLURB: Since he was fourteen, Mark knew he loved Jase, his brother Eric’s best friend. As Jase and Eric leave for the Army, Jase leaves Mark something to hold onto, but when the two men are shipped to Kuwait, things change when Jase tells Mark he’s met someone. Confused and hurt, Mark is left to wonder what happened. Eric returns, but with devastating news – and needing Mark’s help. Can Mark help the man who broke his heart? Or will he let Jase push him away – for the second time?

REVIEW:

Wow

Ok…where to start. My heart feels…full.  “500 Miles” is a modern-day fairy tale and the kind of book that reminds me that I read for this very reason.  I love to read for a story that feels real, but has a bit of “perfect fantasy” tied into it, and ends in a way that makes me smile.

Mark, 14, has a huge crush on his brother’s best friend, Jase.  Jase, 17, is gorgeous and kind and never fails to include the younger Mark in his adventures.  Jase’s care and big-brotherly affection makes a huge impact on Mark and he soon finds that his young heart is forever committed to Jase.  Until Jase & Eric leave for the army…and Jase falls in love and gets married.

4 years later, Eric and Jase return home. 4 years of Mark dating other boys. 4 years of Mark trying to get over Jase.  And 4 years of Mark trying to hate Jase for breaking his heart.  But 4 years later, Jase is not the same man that left…and he’s coming clean with secrets he’s been keeping…

“500 Miles” was sweet and emotional. It touched on young infatuation, families left behind when service men/women leave for war, the toll of war on those that return, and the healing that fierce commitment between 2 people in love can bring. I found it charming and beautiful.  Because of the short length, there were parts that were rushed and the cadence of the story felt off at times (too much time spent on seemingly more insignificant parts and not enough time spent on really important parts)  The reunion after 4 years, especially, could have taken a bit more care in playing itself out.

However, despite that, the characters were so loveable and the story itself powerful.

I highly recommend this quick and enjoyable read.

Susan’s Rating:

BUY LINK: MLR Store  ||  Book Store

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Susan Lee is one of the official reviewers on The Blog of Sid Love
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