Review: Focus On Me
Focus On Me by Megan Erickson
Publication Date: July 21st, 2015
Format/Source: ebook, purchased
Rating: 5/5 stars
Part of a series? It's the second in In Focus, a series of standalones.
Goodreads / Purchase: Amazon - Barnes and Noble
Colin Hartman can now add college to his list of failures. On the coast-to-coast trek home from California, Colin stops at a gas station in the Nevada desert, and can’t help noticing the guy in tight jeans looking like he just stepped off a catwalk. When he realizes Catwalk is stranded, Colin offers a ride.
Riley only intended to take a short ride in Colin’s Jeep to the Grand Canyon. But one detour leads to another until they finally find themselves tumbling into bed together. However there are shadows in Riley’s eyes that hide a troubled past. And when those shadows threaten to bury the man whom Colin has fallen in love with, he vows to get Riley the help he needs. For once in his life, quitting isn’t an option…
Riley only intended to take a short ride in Colin’s Jeep to the Grand Canyon. But one detour leads to another until they finally find themselves tumbling into bed together. However there are shadows in Riley’s eyes that hide a troubled past. And when those shadows threaten to bury the man whom Colin has fallen in love with, he vows to get Riley the help he needs. For once in his life, quitting isn’t an option…
*PSA: This review contains spoilers.*
I loved Trust the Focus, the first book in this series, as well as the other two of Megan's books that I've read, so I obviously had very high expectations for Focus On Me. And I knew I would like it because Megan can do no writery wrong, but I didn't expect it to resonate with me the way it did. You probably know that I've been in this horribly sad reading slump for a while now. Well, I'm delighted to say that Focus On Me has brought me out of that slump, it being the first book I've devoured and given five whole stars in more than a month.
The list of things to love about this novel are endless. The dynamic between Colin and Riley was perfect. I loved seeing the progression of their relationship because they really complimented each other. Their chemistry was off the charts (and swoony, duh), and their banter had me laughing and smiling. I also love the way Justin and Landry were worked into the plot. I missed them.
Based on experiences with friends that deal with depression, the statements made about it were very accurate. It's hard to admit you need help, and it's harder to seek it and allow others to help you, and more than anything get help because you know it's the best for you. I love that Colin let Riley deal with it himself, not because he didn't love him, but because he knew it was the best thing for him.
Other notable, random elements about the novel that I loved included the presence of a dog (and in turn, hot boys playing with said dog), a pig-themed shopping trip, barbecue, and a whole lot of kissing. What more could you want from a book?
Focus On Me was just as wonderful, if not more so, as its predecessor. Though the subject matter was heavy, it left me feeling light and happy and wanting to read more of JusLan and Colin/Riley's story. This is not a book you want to miss.
If you do read it/have already, let me know! I'd love to discuss/fangirl/gush.
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