Reviewed by Amber
TITLE: The Need to Touch
SERIES: Stay True #1
AUTHOR: Natalya Parks & Brooke J. Breaux
PUBLISHER: Self Pub
LENGTH: 169 pages
BLURB:
You can only win someone’s heart once you’ve captured it.
Nineteen year old Ryder Harrison grew up near a small town in Montana, working on the family’s ranch and in love with his best friend, Landon Pennington. That was until his Grandfather decided he needed to go to college in California. Ryder promised his Mom before she died that he would finish his education. Staying true to his word, Ryder packs his clothes, and heads to California, confident that it would all be one big disaster. The only thing he hadn’t planned on was meeting Bentley Carter.
Twenty year old Bentley Carter has enough emotional issues to write his own ‘How to Cope’ manual. Surviving an abusive childhood, he made a personal promise to always stay true to himself, and never let emotions overrule his common sense. Content with his current life and friend with ‘benefits’, Ben is determined to not let his new roommate affect him.
Uncertain about their places in the world, and with each other, Ryder and Ben struggle to understand the person who is not what they thought they wanted, yet who they are unable to live without. Living in a sometimes cruel and unforgiving world they are determined to embrace the reality of falling in love and the challenges that follow
REVIEW:
For some reason I’ve led myself to believe that I’m not a fan of “college boy” or “dorm life” stories. I really don’t know where that belief came from but looking back I find myself more often than not, really enjoying them. So of course going into this one I’m like “ugh…college boys…” but like I now realize I’m so wrong. SO WRONG!!! This story was really great.
I was sold with “Pops” to be honest. Pushing his “out” grandson who’s only ever known the ranches of Montana to leave it all, go to college in California and know true freedom…I adored the man. I loved the fact that the authors didn’t put the same ole homophobic, rigid, straight-laced father figure in that role. Loved him!!
Ryder and Bentley are roomed together in their college dorm. Both open and out gay men they find themselves attracted to each other. They try to deny themselves but ultimately chemistry wins out and they both find themselves in a relationship. A relationship they both thought they didn’t want.
This is a coming of age, embracing your sexuality, and trusting your heart type of story. Ryder and Bentley just complement each other. Even the times when I thought whoa…possessive….but it was almost needed in the situation. I enjoyed those “claiming” moments. And I wasn’t put off by the jealousy, indecision and doubt…these two were solid and I really enjoyed them together.
Readers that gravitate towards these types of stories will love this one. The characters are immature at times but they’re teens/early 20s, so it’s expected and I absolutely understood it. I really enjoyed this one and am eager to read book 2!!
RATING: 
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