Reviewed by Becca
TITLE: Better Together
AUTHOR: BL Maxwell
PUBLISHER: self-published
LENGTH: 322 pages
RELEASE DATE: May 15, 2018
BLURB:
Since being thrown out of his home by his parents, Caden has been struggling to survive on the streets.
He lives in constant fear, stresses over his next meal, and dreads trying to find a safe place to sleep at night. He eventually finds an unlocked car and settles in to sleep, but is soon interrupted when someone steals the car. With little choice but to ride along, Caden soon learns that first impressions aren’t always correct.
Seventeen-year-old Damario has been raising his little brother and sister by himself since his parents were deported. He never knew how hard it was going to be paying the bills and making sure there was always food on the table. Or how hard it would be to hold his family together when they all depended on him to do it. He finds himself stealing cars to make ends meet, but he never expected to find someone sleeping in the back of one of them. And he really didn’t expect this stowaway to change his life.
When Damario brings Caden home, it was supposed to be just for a shower and a hot meal, but he can hardly kick him out onto the streets again. There is no way he could have seen that by saving Caden that night, he was also saving himself. When Damario’s world starts to fall apart, they both realize that the answer to all of their problems is helping each other, and although the world tries to drive them apart, they really are better together.
REVIEW:
Man this was such a good book, but I’m not going to lie. This book is why I hate people sometimes. Especially our government. Just babies themselves having to be adults, and do things they aren’t ready for.
For Caden, he was forced from him home, at 17, because heaven forbid, he’s gay. Assholes. Trying to survive on the street is killing him. He’s so lost and don’t know what to do. It’s been months now. As he was trying to get sleep one night in a car, someone decided to break into the car. Rio was forced, but by his choice, to take an illegal job. Grab some cars to steal for the chop shop. He hated it with a passion, but since his parents got deported, for no good reason, he’s worn out from trying to finish school, working, and taking care of his two younger siblings. Fate, I guess you could say, drew him to that car with Caden and Rio wasn’t going to let him back out in the streets. Something told him Caden just needed a hand up. Hell, he did too. And maybe they could help each other. And that’s what happened. Caden learned to trust, and Rio had a friend. Eventually more. They were both each other’s rocks. Their support system. They did everything they could to survive and raise those kids. And they were making it. Now if their ‘luck’ would hold out, because they learned quick, they were much better together.
Caden broke my heart. Having being shoved out of his home. Asshole parents. I hate people like that. He was so scared. Alone. Lost. Thankfully he hadn’t had to prostitute or do the drug thing, but he was getting desperate. Rio finding him when he did was the best. Of course for Caden, it was hard to trust. There were bad people out there he’d been trying to avoid for months. Rio seemed like a good guy but you never know. But when he finally let go and trusted, it made all the difference.
For Rio, man I went for him as well. Seventeen years old boy, forced to set aside his life and happiness to make sure he took care of his family. Which meant paying the mortgage, the bills, having food, clothes, etc. For a 17 year old to be thrown in that kind of situation, it’s scary as hell. And most kids today wouldn’t do it. Which in turn made me admire him. Both of them.
Caden came in to this situation and jumped in with both feet. He didn’t hesitate to help. Rio even did things he shouldn’t have done to save his family. He didn’t do it for long, but he had to have help. These are some strong boys. Courageous. You never quite know the strength of your character until the situation calls for it. And these boys passed that test with flying colors. A really good book.
RATING: 
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