Reviewed by Kat
TITLE: Picked Fresh
SERIES: Naked Organics #2
AUTHOR: Posy Roberts
PUBLISHER: Labyrinth Bound Press
LENGTH: 247 pages
RELEASE DATE: June 23, 2016
BLURB:
Is five thousand miles far enough to say I love you?
Hudson Oliva loves stability. He was a throwaway teen before finding Kaleidoscope Gardens, but has since thrived at the commune. When Jude Garrity moves in, life gets even better, but Hudson still craves more. He knows he has to be satisfied with their exclusive status being temporary and that Jude will eventually navigate his full sexual awakening with their other housemates.
Hudson has a journey of his own to make. It might only require going home to settle his grandmother’s estate, but he plans to use his time away to figure out how to temper his feelings for Jude and bury his jealousy once and for all. But when Jude joins him on his trip, Hudson falls even deeper in love, especially after Jude stands by his side when he finally confronts his mother for rejecting him.
However, it’s not all hearts and flowers while they travel. They’re over two thousand miles from home when Hudson learns a ruthless corporate farm threatens the commune they both love. In order to save their way of life, Hudson must ask his mother for help. And if he wants a chance at a stable future with Jude, he has to tell him the truth about his feelings, no matter if it ruins the harmony he’s tried so hard to preserve.
BACKGROUND NOTE:
If you have not taken the time to read Hudson’s short story you can find it on the author’s webpage. This is a character study, not a romance, and currently is available for free by signing up for her newsletter. http://eepurl.com/bL0gRj”. It will provide some additional insight on his life while he was growing up and what it took for him to finally get where he is today. It will also help in understanding this particular book.
REVIEW:
I have to apologize for this being a bit late but I was really looking forward to some more of Hudson and Jude and I just wanted to savor it a bit.
Picked Fresh picks up right where Farm Fresh ended. Hudson has received a letter from his estranged mom stating that both his father and grandmother are dead. The will stipulates that both his mom and Hudson have to bury her ashes under a newly planted Sweet Gum tree on Grandma’s horse farm in Kentucky. Hudson really doesn’t want to do this. He barely escaped with his sanity from his homophobic parents. But he isn’t that innocent 18 year old boy that ran away in the middle of the night and did anything to survive. He is a 30 year old man and has people that depend upon him to make sure Kaleidoscope Gardens, the commune that they live on outside Portland, Oregon, thrives and continues. This is his home…his only home as far as he is concerned and he will do anything in his power to protect his home and loved ones.
Jude is in his final term at Portland State University and all he has to do is finish up his term paper and he will be done. Not an easy feat in three years time. But Jude has a secret. He doesn’t want Hudson taking this trip alone. He knows how hard it will be on his lover. Plus he has all the looming legal things to do with getting his younger brother and sister away from his over-the-top conservative Christian parents and their barbaric beliefs and practices. Picked Fresh is the story of Hudson and Jude’s journey, both the physical road trip and the mental one as well.
The Naked Organics series is not your typical gay romance. The author has no problem delving into some deeply emotional issues. Dealing with Christian parents that are homophobic is nothing new in this genre, but the levels that were thrust upon these men in their youth is not only outrageous but out and out child abuse.
As I stated at the beginning of the review, I took my time with this book. It is most definitely worth your time. It may not always be in your “comfort-zone/reading genre” but it is thoughtful and will really make an impact. I can’t recommend it highly enough. A must-read series and I can’t wait for more to come!
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