Focus on Me

In Focus, Book #2

By Megan Erickson

ISBN: 9780698194632

Author’s Website:  http://meganerickson.org

 

Brought to you by OBS reviewer Una

 

Synopsis:

A sexy new romance from the author of Trust the Focus.

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…

 

Review:

Again, I was surprised at how much I enjoyed this book and Megan Erickson didn’t disappoint. I loved the characters of Colin and Riley, and through descriptive character development and the complexity of the characters, Erickson reeled the reader in.  Once I started I just couldn’t put the book down; the story flowed easily. The connection to Trust the Focus was appreciated if you had read it however it was not necessary if you hadn’t; this book stands alone on its own merit.

Riley is a disturbed young man who accepts a ride with Colin hoping to find a purpose for himself along the way. I found it interesting how Megan Erickson worked the story around the issue of male anorexia and depression.  Detours don’t provide the answers he is looking for and he finds himself attracted to Colin physically and emotionally .As their relationship strengthens, Riley realizes that he has fallen in love with Colin. Riley is forced to face the demons that have been haunting him for years. This causes him to wonder if he ever will be well enough to accept help and venture into the relationship with Colin the way he knows he wants to.

Colin is returning home having failed in life again this time with college. Stopping at a gas station, he offers a ride to the sexiest guy he has ever seen. When they both admit to being gay, a physical relationship embarks having both men realizing that they have something special. As the detours continue Colin sees darkness in Riley and knows that for the relationship to survive he must get him help. He just can’t fail again especially when the stakes are so high. He continues to tell Riley during his darkest time to focus on him; but will Riley want him once he is well?

As a fast moving story I found myself totally immersed in the characters and their trip. I love the way the author lets each character find out their own strengths and rid themselves of past doubts. She also keeps Riley’s character and illness believable and as Riley admits he would always have to take medication and be followed for his ups and downs. This leads the reader to realize that the relationship would have highs and lows in spite of the love the two felt for each other. I would highly recommend this story, and will look forward to other stories by Megan Erickson.

*OBS would like to thank the publisher for supplying a free copy of this title in exchange for an honest review*