Enlightened: Little Boy Lost by JP Barnaby– Beautiful Coming of Age Love Story
23 Mar, 2010 in 5 Star Reviews, Erotic Romance, Male Male Romance 36 Comments
Enlightened: Little Boy Lost – A Beautiful Coming of Age Love Story
Genre M/M Contemporary Romance (Coming of Age)
216 pages
Amazon Print (Also Available on Kindle)
Available at Dreamspinner Press
I {Brian} felt his warm breath on my face; he was so damn close. My heart rate accelerated wildly, and I could hear the blood pounding in my ears. He (Jamie) whispered, almost too softly for me to hear.
“Please…please don’t hate me.” {Jamie}
In the lightest of touches, soft but unyielding, his lips pressed against mine. My eyes closed , and I felt a rush of emotion, sexual tension – something- building within me. The kiss was delicate, sweet, and lingered just long enough to make me want more. I had waited my whole life for my first kiss, and while it wasn’t exactly how I’d pictured it in my youth, it was perfect. It was everything that a boy’s first kiss should be.
Only it wasn’t with a girl.
Little Boy Lost tells the story of two teenage boys struggling to come to terms with their own sense of identity and sexuality as they make the transition into manhood. Told that homosexuality is a sin, Brian and Jaime combat their feelings of love, knowing that that their own sense of morality could lead to their own damnation. Taught that what they are feeling is depraved, this is a moving story of friendship and love, illuminating that even in the darkest of times there still remains a shimmer of hope.
Brian is a foster child that for the first time, has finally found peace in the guise of an older altruistic couple. His friendship with Jaime begins to change into something more, something he can’t control. Grief stricken by his own inability to control his sexual desires, Brain painfully makes the decision to back away from his friendship and try to be something he knows deep down he can’t be. Straight.
[Blows nose and dabs at the sheen in my eyes]… Cough, Cough, sorry it must be my allergies. [Clears throat]. It’s not often that I get the chance to read about characters that have an innocent, unspoiled love. I can’t imagine what it would be like to hide such an essential part of who you are for fear that you would be ostracized. What must it be like, to know that deep down, what you want might be impossible? The most poignant scene of the story has to be when Brain wants to go out on a real date with Jaime. Even though they can’t appear as anything more than friends, Brian so enviously wants what normal couples don’t have to hide. Freedom to be seen as a couple. Fearful of being ‘caught’ Jaime places a sweatshirt over his armrest at the movie, so that he and Brian can hold hands without being observed. Uh, just tear my heart out and stomp it to the ground why don’t you!
Add, a tearful ending and an insatiable need to read the next installment, Abandoned, and I’ve fallen hook line and sinker for these two.
I wonder what would it be like to see yourself as being ‘wrong’? How much of what we do or say is influenced by the acceptance of our peers? I applaud anyone who’s fought to keep their individuality even when it brought more pain than good. If you’re in the mood for a great coming of age love story that successfully shows that an erotica novel can be based on love and intimacy then don’t wait to read this one!
Rating
I heart this book so much I’m doing a Giveaway via Amazon either a gift card or print book
Just comment and tell me your thoughts. Giveaway ends Thursday 8:00pm.
+1 Tweet, +1 Google Friend or Fan, +1 leave comment
Possibly Related Posts:
- Smokinhotbooks June Recommend Reads – Books Made of Awesome
- Skin Game by Cara McKenna – SHB Highly Recommends
- Smokinhotbooks Recommend May/June(ish) Reads
- What The Heck Has Smokinhotbooks Been Reading Lately
- Dreams of Dark Warrior – Kresely (Mother Effin’ ) Cole Blows SHB’s Paranormal Panties Off
Oh come on… your gonna make me tear up now [grabs for box of tissues] I would like to read this. I’m a little scared though, I can seriously get “too much emotion” overload and lose it. My hubby will look at me like I’m crazy and shake his head *sigh* however, emotionally satisfying books are great. Thanks for the review.
Your last paragraph – how many struggle with that on a daily basis? It is heartbreaking.
This is on my Kindle waiting for me….great review KC!!
@KayAnna Kirby I so know what you mean, but this isn’t like tear your heart out kind of story – more heartfelt less rip my heart.
@Mandi I hope you like it, I really connected with this book. Probably one of my favorite m/m books this year.
Wow 5 smokin’ smooches from SHB. Awesome. Very nice heartfelt review. (don’t enter me in the giveaway)
Wow this book sounds good. I love it when a book touches my heart.
As you said I admire everyone who does stand for what he really no matter what the people around them think.
In 2001 Germany got a law that made a more or less marriage-like legal bond for homosexual couples possible. One of my mom’s colleagues immediately grabbed this chance and married her girlfriend. This was one of the bravest steps in my eyes cuz they all live in a rather small town with not so many tolerant citizens, to say it nice.
But they were happy to show to the world that they belong together, forever. So admirable! That was one of the best weddings I ever attended.
Great review by the way!
@Fiction Vixen why?! Is it because your feeling emo…?
PS I may have stayed up all night thinking about this one with a lump in my throat.
@SusiSunshine ::blinks rapidly:: there I go with the water works, that is awesome Susi!
Just reading about those two in your review almost had me in tears. Let alone if I had to read the book. Just wanted to comment on your beautiful review (don’t enter me for giveaway)
Hugs,
Pearl
OMG, girl you’ve got to me with your review, emotions poured from it and the novella sounds like such a heart rendering story! I guess brian and jaime’s storyis told over various novella’s??
If the book is anywhere near as good as your review of it is, I can’t wait to read it! It sounds like a beautiful story.
@Pearl aw thanks P
@Leontine I’m not sure I was hounding the author’s site last night, I do know this is a series not sure how many books will be in it.
@Julie S It is a heartfelt story – I totally fell in love.
I don’t know if I can handle a romantic tear jerker.
Oh, what the hell. I love any tear jerkers. Im a sappy hopeless romantic.
VERY nice review.
@Tori usually i’m the kind of gal that just says no to ‘tear jerkers’ but this wasn’t like that. More emphasis on the coming of age part, and okay the ending I kinda had a lump in my throat.
I’ve read several tear jerkers recently. I’m spent lol.
@Fiction Vixen oh come on, it’s not like Beaches sad, more like thatwasamazingbookandimustreadit
I think it is a great book to have around. Not many books deal with this kind of problems in the world. I can see why it is a tearjerker. Great review.
Alright already woman – I am going to get it…
You are bad for my reading pile…. Love the review, if you hadn’t pimped it to me before I would be picking it up now..
Thanks hon..
E.H>
Not for me but I’m glad you loved the book, KC.
Hugs, VFG
I wasn’t sure at first, but your review has me totally sold on it! It sounds like a great story and I so admire anyone who has gone through something like this.
I tweeted: http://twitter.com/NRSVampChick/status/11000721380
I’m now a fan too.
Aww.. your review has me sniffling..nope that must be allergies..sniffle..sniffle.. I can’t imagine what it would be like to be young and fearful of people knowing who you might be in love with..sounds like a super emotional book!
Ever since you sent me the book rec via goodreads I’ve been hanging out for your review, KC. God, I want and it’s available in pdf… YAY!
@Melissa I admit to coming really close to shedding a tear
@EH the goodreads recommend a book feature is dangerous, I get a little carried away
@Amanda Leigh Great!
@Heather ::rubs eyes:: damn allergies horrible this time of year
@Kris I was shocked when I found it was self-published, I’m probably going to buy it in print so I can sit and look at in on my bookshelf.
This sounds like a sweet but sad story. That arm rest scene, gawddd people are so close minded in this day and age! I know its a book but things like that happen every single day and it is such a tragedy for luv between two people to be condemn in such a way…it really is sick. Uff, I’m off my soap box. Include me in the giveaway please. I’ve re-tweet, follow blog and I did the humpty dance.
@Mar *sobs* you are getting me all choked up, I’m so emotional lately. +2 for humpty dance.
geez girl, your review has me all emotional! *sniffle* it’s been a long while since I read a “real” love story, will definitely check this one out. very well said, Mar. it really IS disgusting that ppl are persecuted in this day & age for something as trivial as sexual orientation.
I have been looking for more M/M books to read. This one sounds awesome and would love to read a real love story instead of a smut one! PLEASE let me win! Praying to the book Gods to win this one!
Amy J
+1 Google Friend or Fan
+1 leave comment
Throw me in the hat. It sounds so heart rending. I’m a Google friend too!
That quote at the beginning of your review already had me! But do you mean with a tearful ending that it’s not a HEA? Ohmy, dunno if I can handle that…
Wonderful review!
@jaymzangel *passes hankie to j* here ya go.
@Danielle Yockman your in dude.
@Janna this is a series – it has a wittle cliffhanger that leads into the next book but so worth it.
What a wonderful review!
Sounds like a great book full of emotional highs and lows.
MsM
A great review but I don’t know if I can handle emo m/m!!!
RT/@amyt865 http://twitter.com/amyt865/statuses/11060094679
@Amy dude, you so can. If you win, I wouldn’t know if you spent your Amazon gift card on another book. I dunno I might make the winner swear an oath to use to only to buy this book, lol
@Elizabeth thanks!
This was a great review , you almost had me tearing up.
Wow, I can tell this one really got to you. Love those type of stories especially the heart string tuggers. Very nice review!
– don’t enter me in the giveaway, just stopping by
–
Ahh this is exactly the type of book I was looking for yesterday when I was doing my ebook shopping, but unfortunately I spend an insane amount so no new books for me for a little while.
It does sound like a book I’ll be adding to my wish list!
Thanks for the awesome rec!
Thank you so much, I’m really glad that you enjoyed the book. Abandoned is currently in the final stages of the editing process (since I’m self-published, it falls on our team to make sure the book is the best it can be before we release it). I will send you an electronic copy as soon as its ready.
I’ll also link my site to your blog with an excerpt from the review.
Again, thank you so much, and happy reading!
J. P. Barnaby