Virtually no conclusions about anything, but I still really, really liked it.
So this wasn't actually set in St. Nacho's despite being "marketed" that way by being included in the series. There's a connection, but a vague one at best, so I don't know how well it fits in terms of setting or cast, but in feel and theme it really does so whatever you choose to make of that, there it is.
Stone really got to me. Maybe because I relate to the demi discovery after a failed marriage, but there's something in his tremendous heart and infinite care of those he cares for that hits me right in the feels. His shame and guilt are a bit painful to watch because the way he describes his fears and his vulnerabilities feel real and not something made up to give him complexity in a story that eventually gets an HEA. That's not what happens at all.
And then there's Bast who has a truckload of unresolved trauma that comes back with a vengeance. All the good he's done and the healing he thought he achieved before that happened falters in the face of a very real and disturbing situation. I liked him and that no one let him continue running from the consequences of PTSD from whatever really happened in his past. His honesty with Stone and his expressions of mortification were endearing as well.
So then there's the whole plot and character progression and the romantic arc to consider...
Plot: not much of one, to be honest. It basically centers on the personal evolution of each MC and how that brings them together. Throwing around little to no detail of Bast's past except that one video and a lot of intimation from one uncomfortable conversation with a pervy dude because of the NDA was annoying, actually. I get that we didn't really need a whole rehashing of some sick stuff that older dudes in the industry perpetrated on young, naive kids new to the scene, but it felt way too swept aside with the mention of the NDA even in Bast's personal thoughts.
Character progression: Stone does most of the growing because he's got a lot to discover about himself and come to terms with at the same time as making peace with his past. It's not complete by the end, but there is huge progress on the past front and a full acceptance of who he is in relation to Bast and what he wants out of that relationship. Bast doesn't actually deal with much of anything by the end and his character is left hanging despite being under the care and encouragement of Stone.
Romance: definitely on a good footing by the end, though the HEA is implied and not explicit because of where the author chose to end the story. Very slow burn and very low steam as well.
By the end I felt it was a really wonderful story and I was actually glad the author didn't try to cram in full resolutions on Bast's legal issues, Bast's emotional issues, Stone's relationship with his ex, Stone's relationship with his kids, Bast's career, Stone and Bast's living arrangements, therapy, etc. To do that the story would really have to be lengthened quite a bit.
Perhaps some of it could have been left out completely from the outset to keep the story simpler. Maybe we could have gotten a lot less of Stone's job and the repetitions of wolf-dog issue explanations. The balance could have been improved, yes, but judging the story for what we got, I was actually not displeased by the end and really felt for Stone and enjoyed the read. I'm still all in for the series.
*$4.99 on Amazon
A physically scarred veteran. An emotionally scarred young actor. Can they let go of the past and find a future together?Stone Wilder is happiest with his emotional support dog and the hybrid wolfdogs he rescues. They don't react to his scars or call him queer because sex doesn't interest him all that much. Maybe that's why he doesn't believe the rumors that paint gorgeous Sebastian Keye as an unprofessional "it boy." To Stone, Sebastian is simply a nice kid who shares his interest in dogs.
Sebastian is drawn to Stone's warmth and caring nature. With the help of his stalwart PA Molly, Sebastian and Stone begin a quiet friendship. But a video from Sebastian's past suddenly goes viral, causing old hurts and humiliations to destroy his emotional stability and nearly cost him his life.
After Sebastian's world falls apart, Stone wants to support him. But Stone has his own tortured past, and they can't move forward unless he makes things right.
Will growing close to Sebastian lead Stone to a new understanding of who he is and what he wants?
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