Jase Kinrick grew up in your typical, all-American household. But after the death of his sister, his parents shut down, forcing him to deal with everything life throws his way alone. Terrified of the person he’s discovering himself to be, Jase has his way with every willing girl to try and rid himself of what he fears he is—gay.
Escaping California and moving to Seattle to attend the University of Washington, Jase frees himself to the reality that he likes men. Never staying with any guy long enough to get to know them, he doesn’t realize that he’s still hiding from who he is until he meets Mark. Scared of having real feelings for another guy stirs up the questions and fears he’s fought hard to bury.
To strip away the barriers to the heart of what is real, and to be okay with what lies underneath, will be Jase’s moment of truth. But he’ll need Mark to lead him there.
BOOK GENRES:
Coming of Age
Sept 13, 2013
**THIS IS A FULL-LENGTH COMPANION NOVEL TO FADING**
Our Review:
After I read Fading and saw that there were two other books planned, I knew I would be one of the first in line to read them. Freeing is Jase's story and for those who read Fading there are some insights into Candace's story, but this truly is Jase's story.
I do have to say that if anyone is apprehensive about this book being about Jase and Mark falling in love. Don't be. Read Fading, fall in love with them because they truly are amazing friends with how well they take care of Candace in light of her life changing trauma...and then go for Freeing. I thought it was a great addition to this series!
I do have to say that if anyone is apprehensive about this book being about Jase and Mark falling in love. Don't be. Read Fading, fall in love with them because they truly are amazing friends with how well they take care of Candace in light of her life changing trauma...and then go for Freeing. I thought it was a great addition to this series!
This story follows Jase's struggle to openly accept his sexuality. While he's been 'out' at college for a while, he's never allowed himself the intimacy of a relationship with another man. When Mark enters the picture Jase must figure out how to handle the fears he never had to confront with the casual hook ups he's known for. Most of the novel is dedicated to him having some honest conversations, making impossibly hard decisions, and learning how to trust that the people who love him will not hurt him--or at least take a chance on being vulnerable and strong enough to handle what happens if it doesn't go his way.
Poor Jase was what was going through my mind through most of the book. He's lost a lot in his life, but this admission causes him to lose even more. Finding someone to love him was nothing he ever wanted because it would have meant admitting to himself some harsh truths that for most of the book he was not ready to delve into. This book doesn't shy away from intimacy, but it is not graphic so don't be afraid of that either. :)
Mark is such an amazing person and a fantastic partner to Jase. He seems so stable, even-keeled, and calm. He's able to provide Jase with perspective and advice and understanding...all things that Candace could do except that she's so victimized that she can't really give much, plus she's not a gay man trying to figure out how to live in a world that seems very judgmental. Mark almost seems, at times, to have superhuman patience and acceptance of all of Jase's insecurities and shenanigans.
Poor Mark. I thought that a lot too, because when Jase tells him over and over that he takes and Mark gives..that is completely true. Now, sure he has been through all of it before and is at a different place in loving himself than Jase is...but since he was always so great and gave chance after chances and showed like you said, superhuman patience...it was hard not to want him to just take back his own dignity and walk away.
Poor Mark. I thought that a lot too, because when Jase tells him over and over that he takes and Mark gives..that is completely true. Now, sure he has been through all of it before and is at a different place in loving himself than Jase is...but since he was always so great and gave chance after chances and showed like you said, superhuman patience...it was hard not to want him to just take back his own dignity and walk away.
This was a seemingly realistic portrayal of what I'm sure many gays and lesbians feel when they are trying to navigate a sometimes harsh and ugly world. It made me pause many times to reflect on how brave and honest my openly gay friends are...and to hope that one day what your sexual preferences are will be a non-issue.
How true those words are. The world is harsh and ugly, and you for sure can't help who you are attracted to. I loved Jase and Mark in the first telling of this story, and while I felt like this could have been a tad shorter for me, it was great to see how he struggled inside. Jase was Candace's rock in Freeing and seemed unflappable. That was definitely not the whole truth, and it was heartbreaking how much sometimes that he did not love himself. I am all about self love before anyone else can have your love, so I wanted him to have that in a bad way!
How true those words are. The world is harsh and ugly, and you for sure can't help who you are attracted to. I loved Jase and Mark in the first telling of this story, and while I felt like this could have been a tad shorter for me, it was great to see how he struggled inside. Jase was Candace's rock in Freeing and seemed unflappable. That was definitely not the whole truth, and it was heartbreaking how much sometimes that he did not love himself. I am all about self love before anyone else can have your love, so I wanted him to have that in a bad way!
I'm pretty sure I could just stare at that cover all day... sigh
ReplyDeleteMe too! I think it has a future as a background photo for me! :)
DeleteOh, I have this one! My friend really liked it, too, so I'm excited to read it. Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteHave you read Fading yet? Def read that first, it's killer emotional but soooooo goooood!
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