Reviewed by True
TITLE: From the Universe to Me
AUTHOR: Scott E. Garrison
PUBLISHER: NineStar Press
LENGTH: 220 pages
RELEASE DATE: April 11, 2023
BLURB:
Eighteen-year-old Tobias Gavin is struggling to come to terms with his sexuality. For many years, the what-ifs of coming out have swirled around his head, so he has chosen to live a lie to keep from disrupting the “normal” life he has created with his family and friends.
That is until he meets Gareth David the day he enrolls for his first semester as a college student. He feels an immediate connection with Gareth…a connection that pushes Tobias to question the way he has been living his life. When Gareth coincidentally becomes, Tobias’s History professor, Tobias is forced to confront his feelings and confront the universe.
Tobias must come to terms his depression, anxiety, heartbreak, and his sexuality before he can even begin to heal his wounds. He believes that everything happens for a reason, but he learns that some experiences are meant to teach even if they cause heartbreak. Once he comes to terms with himself, he might find his knight in shining armor.
Tobias must learn to trust himself and those around him if he wants to find happiness.
REVIEW:
Tobias is eighteen and excited to start at Ashelford University as a history major. He wants to become a history professor.
Making his parents proud is one of his drives, it’s taking its toll. He doesn’t want to confront them that he’s attracted to men. He’s hugely struggling with his sexuality, and indoctrinates himself time after time he’s straight and likes girls.
While waiting for his appointment to talk about the schedule for his first semester, he meets Gareth David, the Professor’s teaching assistant.
He could never predict what an impact this gorgeous man would have on his life.
He’s a lot in Tobias’ head, and now teaching Tobias’ class, Gareth is an example of a kind, patient man, and helpful, with Tobias becoming his student assistant he sees him even more.
The twenty-five-year-old Gareth is everything Tobias can think of, every free moment he’s in his head.
He’s afraid to get too comfortable and expose himself.
It’s unavoidable, they start a secret relationship, that turns into a sexual one, and even the L word falls.
Sounds good, until it’s so not.
Poor Tobias, his head will explode if he keeps up that hard and harsh thinking. He’s one big ball of anxiety. His thoughts are getting dark.
His inner turmoil was huge, the struggle, the anxiety, the fear, depression, the constant internal corrections, always self-conscious, all well pictured by the author.
The story shows how different relationships can be. How hard it is the shake it off and step out of it. Tobias did make the right choices!
So, a debut novel, I must say, my compliments, it was a captivatingly written, convincing story.
The flow was good, and the pace was comfortable. I read it in one sit. It’s a gay coming-out story, with some harsh life lessons, we can see Tobias grow from a confused, innocent, and anxious guy, to a much stronger version, because boy did he grow!
RATING: 
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