Reviewed by Becca
TITLE: Made in Portugal
SERIES: Made In #1
AUTHOR: Ana Newfolk
PUBLISHER: self-published
LENGTH: 264 pages
RELEASE DATE: June 1, 2018
BLURB:
At 10 years old Joel was uprooted from his home and everything he knew in Portugal to start a new life in the States. At 26 he finds himself returning for the first time in thirteen years. So what if looking into the eyes of his childhood best friend again still makes his heart race out of his chest?
Living in sunny, laid-back Portugal isn’t all it’s cracked up to be. For David, dreams of being a pastry chef come second to working in his family’s café where his renowned custard tarts draw in the crowds. Seeing Joel brings old feelings back. Feelings he’s not sure he’s brave enough to acknowledge to anyone other than himself.
With the inspiration of an old travel journal, the two friends embark on a real journey through memories in a country where looking back into the past runs as deep as the blood that courses through their veins.
Falling in love was never meant to be a stop along the way, but maybe inevitable when you have the adventurous spirit and courage to pursue what you want, make love under the stars and even figure out how to jumpstart an old Citroen 2CV in the middle of the Alentejo countryside.
REVIEW:
So I love this book for a few reasons. One, I was really good. You could almost feel yourself on those sunny beaches or traveling all over the countryside. And two, it was published on my birthday. So that makes it extra special. Lol im just teasing. Well, it was my birthday…oh you know what I mean. They only problem I had with this book is that there were quite a few grammatical errors. Punctuation and wrong names in wrong places kind of thing. Other than that, I really liked it.
I have to admit, I read so much that sometimes I skim descriptions of buildings and such. Not always, so no one panic. But I was really engaged with the surrounding areas in this book. The descriptions, where they were, it’s just like being there yourself. Whether in the little chapel they visited, or the motels/in some they went to, to the beaches and feeling the sun on your face. I was totally engrossed in this country. I love the history of other countries so this hit for me.
I also loved the connections. Whether it be between the MCs moms and the families or the MCs themselves and their friends. There is an intimacy of different kinds with each one. Even though some intimacies were brought together by bad situations. The bonds were still there.
Joel and David from the time they were kids were each other’s halves. As kids they didn’t really understand what they were feeling, but they knew they were different. They didn’t feel the way other kids did. And their bond was unbreakable. But circumstances caused them to be separated. David remaining in Portugal, Joel in New York. David feared for years Joel would never return and in some ways was very lost without him. So when Joel returned 13 years later, after the death of his parents, David felt home return. So did Joel. But Joel is out, and David is not. And fear of past events is keeping him from coming out. But fear of losing Joel makes things come to a head and decisions have to be made.
I love that even though Joel returned for a wake for his parents, the reconnection with David was instant. But what made it better is when the found an old journal and an old car belonging to their moms. The retraced their steps and let their relationship blossom. It was so sweet. Even the chemistry. Yeah it was hot, but there was suggested a sweetness to it. It was beautiful. These guys were bonded over so many things and now they had more. It just further cemented the relationship they had.
It’s a sweet book. It really is. You get to follow these guys on a journey of reunions, reconnecting, regrowth and much more. Not to say that it comes easy. No relationship does. But it’s just so much. I think you guys will like it.
RATING: 
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