Reviewed by Amber
TITLE: You Are Not Me
SERIES: ’90s Coming of Age
AUTHOR: Leta Blake
PUBLISHER: Self Published
LENGTH: 328 pages
RELEASE DATE: November 29th, 2016
BLURB:
Follow Peter into the summer following his senior year to face new beginnings, new friends, and old baggage.
After a tumultuous final year of high school, Peter Mandel needs a break. It’s the summer of 1991, and his secret relationship with his ‘best friend’ Adam Algedi is put on hold as Adam goes away to Italy for the summer. On the cusp of adulthood, Peter has a couple of months to explore who he is without Adam at his side.
Enter Daniel McPeak, a slightly older, out, responsible college guy with a posse of gay friends and an attraction for Peter. Drawn into the brave new world of the local gay club, Peter embarks on a whirlwind of experiences—good and bad—which culminate in a hotel room where he has to make the ultimate choice.
But Adam will come back eventually, and there are promises that have to be kept. As autumn draws near and college awaits, can Peter break free of the binds of twisted first love? And what exactly is Daniel’s role in his life – a brief temptation, or something more?
Join Peter in the second book of this four-part coming of age series as he struggles to love and be loved, and grow into a gay man worthy of his own respect.
REVIEW:
Considering I’m a dedicated Leta Blake fan I don’t know why I’m so surprised by how much I enjoying this series. I could just go on and on about how emotionally deep these stories are. Book 2 again centers around Peter, but unlike book 1, Adam plays a semi-minor part in this story which I have to admit was a good and bad thing for me. Leta Blake has written this amazing story where you kind of love/hate Adam. And at times REALLY hate Adam but you still sort of want him to end up with Peter in the end. I don’t know!!! It’s all so addictively confusing and absolutely wonderful. We learn more about Daniel and he’s so good and kind and perfect….maybe too perfect. I really have no idea how the end will play out but I’m so invested in this story and these characters…did I say addicting??? I need MORE!!
After Adam leaves for his summer in Rome, Peter doesn’t think it’ll be a good time. But time spent by himself leaves Peter reevaluating a lot of things. Adam returns after the summer and a super hot day leads to a dramatic and terribly upsetting departure.
Spending more time with Robert (Renee), Barry, and Daniel leads Peter to a new set of more open, out, and accepting friends which gives him experiences he never counted on.
Also, spending more time with Daniel, Peter’s crush grows and intensifies…and so does Daniel’s.
In this story we also get more of Daniel’s back story and more information on the AIDS charity he works for. There’s so much goodness in this story and this man. I just lapped it up.
Like I mentioned you really can’t go wrong with this series. But these books are not standalones, make sure you read them in order or you will be lost.
Absolutely recommend this series!!!
RATING: 
BUY LINK:
This is a wonderful book! I loved it as well as the book leading up to it; ‘Pictures of You.’ The characters are complex as is the story line. I’m waiting with bated breath for book 3!