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100 Days
Jake and Aiden have been best friends—and nothing more—since the age of six. Now college graduates, they take a road trip around the USA, visiting every state in 100 days.
As they start their cross-country odyssey, Jake and Aiden think they have their journey and their futures mapped out. But the road has a funny way of changing course.
Fifty states. Two boys. One love story.
As they start their cross-country odyssey, Jake and Aiden think they have their journey and their futures mapped out. But the road has a funny way of changing course.
Fifty states. Two boys. One love story.
376 pages, Paperback
First published April 1, 2015
3 people are currently reading
558 people want to read
About the author
Mimsy Hale
2 books36 followersMimsy Hale has been a contributing ghostwriter to several bestselling nonfictions books. She is also an established writer in online fan communities, where her stories have hundreds of thousands of reads.
100 Days is her first novel. She lives in Suffolk, England, with her roommate and four cats.
100 Days is her first novel. She lives in Suffolk, England, with her roommate and four cats.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews
January 13, 2016
Exasperating!
Maddening!
Full of drama!
I hated this book so much. The only thing running through my mind as I read through the last couple of pages was, how an author could be so cruel to allow her readers to go through this kind of experience.
Would I recommend this to everyone? No! Because I tell you, you will hate the main characters. Aiden for his martyrdom; Jake, especially, for his idiocy. This is a slow-paced book, no matter how fast of a reader you are. A slow book with infuriating characters is something that you do not want to find in a book.
The plot is simple: Two best friends of seventeen years going on a road trip around the US in 100 days. Their relationship evolves as they not only cross different states but also that very thin line between friendship and romance.
So why 4 stars, then?
Because truth be told, despite dragging this simple plot until the very end, I can’t deny that this is a beautiful and well-written book. I loved the foreshadowing and the timings. The detailed description of scenes – as simple as a scenery or an activity, to as complex as feelings, inner thoughts, and plot twists – will give you goosebumps and leave you breathless. And don’t forget the music which was fitting and perfect. Despite the daftness of our main characters, they were easily relatable.
Did we miss our chance? Were we ever meant for something else, something more than what we've had to become in order to hold onto each other for as long as possible? Are we meant to be more?
In one word, this book was magic (which is code for “I cried lots”).
I guess my point is, love it or hate it, the book will pretty much be successful in affecting you, be it good or bad. Which is what every author wants to achieve, right?
dnf
October 29, 2021DNF @ 21%.
the writing was... fine, i guess, but this book just didn't work for me. it felt more like a series of vaguely connected scenes rather than an actual story.
the writing was... fine, i guess, but this book just didn't work for me. it felt more like a series of vaguely connected scenes rather than an actual story.
January 9, 2016
As much as I wanted to like this book it was a task for me to complete the 356 long, draw out pages! Finally!!!! Did I mention drawn out?
I've read many books with the same storyline but I still wanted to give this one a shot. I mean two best childhood friends become lovers while traveling in an RV visiting every state? Sounds enjoyable, right ?
But I was sadly disappointed in the book. The book dragged on forever and it didn't keep my interest. And as a guy I have to say, whether straight, gay, bi, or other , we don't share our emotions 24/7 on every other word we speak! I was so tired of the "you share your feelings with me and I'll share my feeling too" scenes! Both MCs walked around with their feeling on their shoulder and any quiet time was spent talking about .....feelings!
News flash......most guys don't do feely, lovey dovey, sweet gooey, "you are my everything" conversations 24/7!!! Enough already!
So no, I couldn't enjoy something so unbelievable.
Like anything sweet, I can only take so much .
But then again, that's just me.
I've read many books with the same storyline but I still wanted to give this one a shot. I mean two best childhood friends become lovers while traveling in an RV visiting every state? Sounds enjoyable, right ?
But I was sadly disappointed in the book. The book dragged on forever and it didn't keep my interest. And as a guy I have to say, whether straight, gay, bi, or other , we don't share our emotions 24/7 on every other word we speak! I was so tired of the "you share your feelings with me and I'll share my feeling too" scenes! Both MCs walked around with their feeling on their shoulder and any quiet time was spent talking about .....feelings!
News flash......most guys don't do feely, lovey dovey, sweet gooey, "you are my everything" conversations 24/7!!! Enough already!
So no, I couldn't enjoy something so unbelievable.
Like anything sweet, I can only take so much .
But then again, that's just me.
April 7, 2015
*copy provided by the author/publisher via Pride Promotions in exchange for an honest review*
Jake and Aiden have been best friends since they were 6 years old. After graduating college, before they start their real lives Aiden decides to take the RV he inherited from his grandfather on a road-trip across America. 50 states in 100 days. He of course asks his best friend to join him.
Aiden and Jake spend 3 and 1/2 months criss-crossing their way across the USA. Along the way they each discover their feelings for one another run much deeper than just friendship, but will they ever admit how they feel, and even after they admit their feelings will they be brave enough to enter into a romantic relationship?
After losing his mother at 8, then his father at 15, Jake is broken. Spending his senior year of college alone and feeling lost after Aiden leaves to take an internship across the pond in London, Jake hasn't really forgiven him. He feels betrayed by Aiden. He is afraid Aiden will abandon him again. These boys both had trust issues and they broke my heart at times. I haven't found a book that made me cry in quite a while, but this was was a definite tearjerker.
This was an amazing concept for a story, it was so original and it was well executed. By the time Aiden and Jakes's trip was complete I felt I had tagged along and also taken a trip across the United States. I saw things through Aiden and Jakes eyes that I will probably never get to see. The author did remarkable research to find a place in each state for them to visit.
The characters had an amazing chemistry. I loved the slow burn, it felt like things happened naturally and it was realistic. This book made me feel. It made me cry and laugh. It made me want to put in my head phones and listen to the music Aiden and Jake were listening to. It made me want to fire up my laptop and turn on some Netflix or Hulu to watch the movies Jake and Aiden were watching.
I felt the love these two young men felt for one another coming off the pages of this book. I felt the fear they had in admitting their feelings for one another and trusting in those feelings. I laughed with them, cried with them and felt loved with them.
This story was well written. It flowed well and moved at a believable pace. This was an amazing debut novel, and I can't wait to read more in the future!
(Oh, and just to note, I live in New Orleans, and I have never even seen True Blood! lol)
Jake and Aiden have been best friends since they were 6 years old. After graduating college, before they start their real lives Aiden decides to take the RV he inherited from his grandfather on a road-trip across America. 50 states in 100 days. He of course asks his best friend to join him.
Aiden and Jake spend 3 and 1/2 months criss-crossing their way across the USA. Along the way they each discover their feelings for one another run much deeper than just friendship, but will they ever admit how they feel, and even after they admit their feelings will they be brave enough to enter into a romantic relationship?
After losing his mother at 8, then his father at 15, Jake is broken. Spending his senior year of college alone and feeling lost after Aiden leaves to take an internship across the pond in London, Jake hasn't really forgiven him. He feels betrayed by Aiden. He is afraid Aiden will abandon him again. These boys both had trust issues and they broke my heart at times. I haven't found a book that made me cry in quite a while, but this was was a definite tearjerker.
This was an amazing concept for a story, it was so original and it was well executed. By the time Aiden and Jakes's trip was complete I felt I had tagged along and also taken a trip across the United States. I saw things through Aiden and Jakes eyes that I will probably never get to see. The author did remarkable research to find a place in each state for them to visit.
The characters had an amazing chemistry. I loved the slow burn, it felt like things happened naturally and it was realistic. This book made me feel. It made me cry and laugh. It made me want to put in my head phones and listen to the music Aiden and Jake were listening to. It made me want to fire up my laptop and turn on some Netflix or Hulu to watch the movies Jake and Aiden were watching.
I felt the love these two young men felt for one another coming off the pages of this book. I felt the fear they had in admitting their feelings for one another and trusting in those feelings. I laughed with them, cried with them and felt loved with them.
This story was well written. It flowed well and moved at a believable pace. This was an amazing debut novel, and I can't wait to read more in the future!
(Oh, and just to note, I live in New Orleans, and I have never even seen True Blood! lol)
April 13, 2015
FourStars
How do you tell your best friend you love him?
Jake and Aiden have been best friends since they were five. They have supported each other through everything life has thrown at them and are now ready to embark on a future making films together. Or - they’ll be ready after their trip of a life-time. Together, they will explore 50 states in 100 days in an inherited RV.
Each man is desperately in love with the other, but each worries that he could gain a lover only to lose his best friend.
Hale’s characters are complex and compelling. Both men are very young, but each has been uniquely damaged. The road towards a real relationship is as terrifying as the road towards the rest of their lives after college. I like the fact that neither man is entirely good, or entirely selfless. I love the years of shared history that Hale has wrapped around the men like a fading quilt they are carefully unpicking and re-stitching together.
The road-trip story has been told many times and a careful touch is needed to ensure it doesn’t become a series of ‘and then’ incidents. Most of the time Hale manages to use Jake and Aiden’s personal struggles to keep it fresh.
After such an honest book, the ending felt slightly contrived. Fortunately, the epilogue made up for it.
This is a wonderfully tender coming-of-age story with a sweet romance at its heart.
I was given this in return for an honest review by Inked Rainbow Reads.
~Sarah
How do you tell your best friend you love him?
Jake and Aiden have been best friends since they were five. They have supported each other through everything life has thrown at them and are now ready to embark on a future making films together. Or - they’ll be ready after their trip of a life-time. Together, they will explore 50 states in 100 days in an inherited RV.
Each man is desperately in love with the other, but each worries that he could gain a lover only to lose his best friend.
Hale’s characters are complex and compelling. Both men are very young, but each has been uniquely damaged. The road towards a real relationship is as terrifying as the road towards the rest of their lives after college. I like the fact that neither man is entirely good, or entirely selfless. I love the years of shared history that Hale has wrapped around the men like a fading quilt they are carefully unpicking and re-stitching together.
The road-trip story has been told many times and a careful touch is needed to ensure it doesn’t become a series of ‘and then’ incidents. Most of the time Hale manages to use Jake and Aiden’s personal struggles to keep it fresh.
After such an honest book, the ending felt slightly contrived. Fortunately, the epilogue made up for it.
This is a wonderfully tender coming-of-age story with a sweet romance at its heart.
I was given this in return for an honest review by Inked Rainbow Reads.
~Sarah
April 7, 2015
A Joyfully Jay review.
4.25 stars
An after college road trip between the best of friends is what you will find here. This is also a new author with a debut book that I took a chance on and I was hoping I was not going to be looking for the road trip to end before they made it off the east coast. And, whew, that was so not the case. We get caught up on Jake and Aiden’s friendship and family life quickly in the beginning of the book and then see the details expand over the course of the story. They are both at a crossroads in many ways, having just graduated college, figuring out where they go next, and dealing with a multitude of family issues. They are both emotional guys and the narrative at times is descriptive and introspective and that style suits me just fine.
These guys really emotionally shred each other over the entire road trip and there is plenty of angst for miles that doesn’t let up. They shift from friends, to kisses, to a full on physical relationship. They both want more, so much more. They make each other feel just a little less lost and the author plays up the touches and the lingering looks. While Jake feels he can’t be enough or give enough to Aiden, Aiden feels he is just not worthy of Jake. They agree their physical relationship will just be for the duration of the trip, but what we have here is a love that has been building since childhood. It is clear how well Aiden and Jake know each other and their true, familiar, and intimate friendship is well written.
Read Michelle's review in its entirety here.
4.25 stars
An after college road trip between the best of friends is what you will find here. This is also a new author with a debut book that I took a chance on and I was hoping I was not going to be looking for the road trip to end before they made it off the east coast. And, whew, that was so not the case. We get caught up on Jake and Aiden’s friendship and family life quickly in the beginning of the book and then see the details expand over the course of the story. They are both at a crossroads in many ways, having just graduated college, figuring out where they go next, and dealing with a multitude of family issues. They are both emotional guys and the narrative at times is descriptive and introspective and that style suits me just fine.
These guys really emotionally shred each other over the entire road trip and there is plenty of angst for miles that doesn’t let up. They shift from friends, to kisses, to a full on physical relationship. They both want more, so much more. They make each other feel just a little less lost and the author plays up the touches and the lingering looks. While Jake feels he can’t be enough or give enough to Aiden, Aiden feels he is just not worthy of Jake. They agree their physical relationship will just be for the duration of the trip, but what we have here is a love that has been building since childhood. It is clear how well Aiden and Jake know each other and their true, familiar, and intimate friendship is well written.
Read Michelle's review in its entirety here.
March 10, 2016
Jake and Aiden, take off in an RV, previously owned by Aiden's grandfather, on a road trip that probably not many get to experience. I've always wanted to do something like this. I'm sure it's probably on many bucket lists and very few get to check it off. I love the idea and it was laid out perfectly.
There was a scene of significance for every state. In some states they visit major destination stops. Other states, they visit places that mean something to them from their childhood, or are significant to them personally in other ways. It was fun, moving, cheesy, heartbreaking. Every emotion you want to experience in a book. Aiden’s habit of patching Jake’s heartache with a Band-Aid was so sweet!
The pace flows so frustratingly slow because these two guys are so deeply consumed by everything they fear, that it keeps them from acknowledging their love for each other. But at the same time, the slow pace is realistic for the characters and the time span of the book. At 376 pages, it felt like a very long book. I don't know what could have been excluded to reduce the number of pages, but their story seemed to drag by the end. I was ready for them to finally get it together and be happy with each other.
This review is cross-posted at Gay Book Reviews
There was a scene of significance for every state. In some states they visit major destination stops. Other states, they visit places that mean something to them from their childhood, or are significant to them personally in other ways. It was fun, moving, cheesy, heartbreaking. Every emotion you want to experience in a book. Aiden’s habit of patching Jake’s heartache with a Band-Aid was so sweet!
The pace flows so frustratingly slow because these two guys are so deeply consumed by everything they fear, that it keeps them from acknowledging their love for each other. But at the same time, the slow pace is realistic for the characters and the time span of the book. At 376 pages, it felt like a very long book. I don't know what could have been excluded to reduce the number of pages, but their story seemed to drag by the end. I was ready for them to finally get it together and be happy with each other.
This review is cross-posted at Gay Book Reviews
May 23, 2015
This book is a lovely emotional ride. Jake and Aiden's friendship and relationship issues (as the book progresses) aren't easy, and I love that Hale doesn't make them easy, skip over the hard parts, or solve things in a way that isn't realistic.
First I want to say that there is some stunning prose. Hale is so gifted, and there were moments I wanted to highlight just for how beautiful some passages and sentences were.
Second, I love Jake. I just love him. He's kind of fucked up and he's damaged and has a traumatic past. Hale doesn't overdo this history, and she doesn't make the escalation of Jake and Aiden's relationship an easy out or solve for these issues. He progresses and regresses, which is perfect for me because that's so real. I cried when Jake did at the end, because I really felt the catharsis and the pain he goes through.
I loved this book. Alaska was frustrating, but there are 49 beautiful states (I loved this trip).
Also, shoutout to the cover artist, that's lovely and perfect.
First I want to say that there is some stunning prose. Hale is so gifted, and there were moments I wanted to highlight just for how beautiful some passages and sentences were.
Second, I love Jake. I just love him. He's kind of fucked up and he's damaged and has a traumatic past. Hale doesn't overdo this history, and she doesn't make the escalation of Jake and Aiden's relationship an easy out or solve for these issues. He progresses and regresses, which is perfect for me because that's so real. I cried when Jake did at the end, because I really felt the catharsis and the pain he goes through.
I loved this book. Alaska was frustrating, but there are 49 beautiful states (I loved this trip).
Also, shoutout to the cover artist, that's lovely and perfect.
June 14, 2015
Oh. My. God. This novel had such a stunning slow build, that really made me feel for the characters and truly understand their love for each other, even if I wanted to yell at them to get their head's out of their butts sometimes. The roadtrip setting was absolutely genius (even for someone who has seen so little of the US and can't properly relate) because it allowed for all the beautiful little scenes between Aiden and Jake and showed how well they know each other and how far they are willing to go for each other. This was just so stunning and beautiful and I am so glad I took the time to read it because these characters dug their way into my heart and made me practically cheer out loud by the end! SO GOOD.
March 22, 2016
Didn't like this as much as I hoped I would. It felt like it dragged on for me :-/ and that disappointed me, because I ADORE long/thick books. Many parts were sweet, many fell flat :-/. I was hoping for another Megan Erickson type book [i.e. Friends to Lovers/Road Trip] and this one didn't do it for me. Something BIG was just missing and it lost my attention completely. Meh.
Bummer. Give it a try though because you might like it, seeing as it seems it's one of those "everyone adored it but me" type books.
Bummer. Give it a try though because you might like it, seeing as it seems it's one of those "everyone adored it but me" type books.
July 11, 2015
What an amazing and heartfelt and wonderful romance! I fell in love with these two men and loved being along for the ride of their story. I also felt as though I was travelling with them, Mimsy Hale does such a great travelogue. Now I want to drive an RV all through the States! Such a fantastic book, it will definitely be on my reread list.
February 7, 2017
Wooh!
I finished. This was "one hell of a ride" (see what I did there?) I have to admit that the beginning didn't get me as much as I wanted it, so it was a slow start, but by the time I reached chapter 3 after weeks of not reading it (sue me!), I couldn't put it down and read it in one go.
Ahhh Mimsy Hale.
I'm familiar with the writing. Her fic Snapshots is on my Fic Hall of Fame. That being said, I just want to point out that I'm aware of 100 Days, the Klaine fic, but I didn't read it before I read this book. If you read all my reviews of IP books you can see that knowing there's a fic version influenced my reading experience.
Anyway, that's not the point. Although, you have no idea how happy I was to see Snapshots references. When I found out Hale was going to work with IP, I was hoping for Snapshots, but after reading 100 Days, I'm happy she chose this story.
Yet, I was stoked when I found Snapshots references. Stuart and Jeff in Aiden's band, TOBY AND ANDREW (I was thinking about them the other day, and then they appear in the book!), the fucking 7-11 proposal, NAN!
But enough about Snapshots (go read it, though!), let's focus on 100 Days. Oh god, 100 Days.
Like I said, it didn't get me in the beginning. It was sweet and I loved the friendship between Jake and Aiden, and I was taken aback that the falling started so early in the book, but something missed. I don't know what.
But then it changed. And thank you for allowing me to basically travel with them. I never 'explored' America like this, since a lot happens in New York and LA. And I loved getting to know the boys. I love the little quirks. The band-aid... the "what would you film here?"...
I must admit that I'm not a fan of what their relationship shifted to. The entire "no strings attached" thing didn't do it for me. It fit the story, but I don't think I'll read another book involving a long "friends with benefits" plot like this.
Also, sometimes it was so annoying how they were falling for each other and didn't tell each other. I live for stories with mutual pining, especially when it's friends to lovers, but at one point I just wanted to smash their heads against a desk and yell: "TELL. EACH. OTHER. ALREADY."
Aside for that, I loved this so much. I loved the trip, I loved the individual struggles of the characters, since they were so well-written and realistic, I loved the music and their passion for film.
The ending surprised me. I was kind of mad at Jake for leaving off like that. I was surprised that this book didn't follow the clichés. In fact, Aiden even calls April, telling her that the movies and TV shows lie.
And it also surprised me that Aiden chose LA after all, since the whole point of Jake leaving was that Aiden could go to New York. It was different from the "I'll choose my life career for you" or the "I'm setting you free!" tropes. The first because Aiden didn't go to LA for Jake only, but also for himself and he told Jake so. The latter because Aiden didn't give a shit about Jake's plan.
And those end credits!
Here's a fact: I'm awful with names. It doesn't matter if I love a book/movie/series/musical, I am terrible with names. I confused Brittany and Quinn for way too long, I always lose track of characters (especially when a story involves a group of friends, like The Luckiest), I'm just awful.
For example: I couldn't tell Jake and Aiden apart for 50% of the book, which happens with a lot of books! I know one went to London, loves music, has a shit relationship with his dad, and has a brother. The other is an orphan, has a sister, still grieving and top. But names? And that annoys me so much.
That being said, it's not unusal that I didn't get the proposal.
Jake Callaway
By that time I knew who was who, but surnames? Eventually I got it, even before Aiden did, and this was the best proposal. Even better than the 7-11 one (sorry Toby and Andrew).
Oh, and Marcie? Her name is freaking Marcie Stevens? That's the name I used for one of my minor OCs, I can't believe it.
Mimsy, I have one question left: what will Nan tell them when they meet her again?
I finished. This was "one hell of a ride" (see what I did there?) I have to admit that the beginning didn't get me as much as I wanted it, so it was a slow start, but by the time I reached chapter 3 after weeks of not reading it (sue me!), I couldn't put it down and read it in one go.
Ahhh Mimsy Hale.
I'm familiar with the writing. Her fic Snapshots is on my Fic Hall of Fame. That being said, I just want to point out that I'm aware of 100 Days, the Klaine fic, but I didn't read it before I read this book. If you read all my reviews of IP books you can see that knowing there's a fic version influenced my reading experience.
Anyway, that's not the point. Although, you have no idea how happy I was to see Snapshots references. When I found out Hale was going to work with IP, I was hoping for Snapshots, but after reading 100 Days, I'm happy she chose this story.
Yet, I was stoked when I found Snapshots references. Stuart and Jeff in Aiden's band, TOBY AND ANDREW (I was thinking about them the other day, and then they appear in the book!), the fucking 7-11 proposal, NAN!
But enough about Snapshots (go read it, though!), let's focus on 100 Days. Oh god, 100 Days.
Like I said, it didn't get me in the beginning. It was sweet and I loved the friendship between Jake and Aiden, and I was taken aback that the falling started so early in the book, but something missed. I don't know what.
But then it changed. And thank you for allowing me to basically travel with them. I never 'explored' America like this, since a lot happens in New York and LA. And I loved getting to know the boys. I love the little quirks. The band-aid... the "what would you film here?"...
I must admit that I'm not a fan of what their relationship shifted to. The entire "no strings attached" thing didn't do it for me. It fit the story, but I don't think I'll read another book involving a long "friends with benefits" plot like this.
Also, sometimes it was so annoying how they were falling for each other and didn't tell each other. I live for stories with mutual pining, especially when it's friends to lovers, but at one point I just wanted to smash their heads against a desk and yell: "TELL. EACH. OTHER. ALREADY."
Aside for that, I loved this so much. I loved the trip, I loved the individual struggles of the characters, since they were so well-written and realistic, I loved the music and their passion for film.
The ending surprised me. I was kind of mad at Jake for leaving off like that. I was surprised that this book didn't follow the clichés. In fact, Aiden even calls April, telling her that the movies and TV shows lie.
And it also surprised me that Aiden chose LA after all, since the whole point of Jake leaving was that Aiden could go to New York. It was different from the "I'll choose my life career for you" or the "I'm setting you free!" tropes. The first because Aiden didn't go to LA for Jake only, but also for himself and he told Jake so. The latter because Aiden didn't give a shit about Jake's plan.
And those end credits!
Here's a fact: I'm awful with names. It doesn't matter if I love a book/movie/series/musical, I am terrible with names. I confused Brittany and Quinn for way too long, I always lose track of characters (especially when a story involves a group of friends, like The Luckiest), I'm just awful.
For example: I couldn't tell Jake and Aiden apart for 50% of the book, which happens with a lot of books! I know one went to London, loves music, has a shit relationship with his dad, and has a brother. The other is an orphan, has a sister, still grieving and top. But names? And that annoys me so much.
That being said, it's not unusal that I didn't get the proposal.
Jake Callaway
By that time I knew who was who, but surnames? Eventually I got it, even before Aiden did, and this was the best proposal. Even better than the 7-11 one (sorry Toby and Andrew).
Oh, and Marcie? Her name is freaking Marcie Stevens? That's the name I used for one of my minor OCs, I can't believe it.
Mimsy, I have one question left: what will Nan tell them when they meet her again?
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 8, 2015
What a journey.
From the very start Mimsy Hale gives this story an exciting, energetic vibe. There's an air of anticipation that gives way to curiosity-you can't help but jump right in to see what awaits. Two boys - friends for life - set out on an adventure. In a way it's almost an "us against the world" kind of feeling, or a coming of age, milestone moment. Whatever you want to call it, it's infectious, and you won't be able to put it down.
I should probably go ahead and apologize now for the hot mess that is the rest of this review. I've tried 100 different ways to capture exactly how this book makes me feel, yet each sentiment feels woefully inaccurate. I can simply say this: READ IT. This book made me laugh, cry, and scream out loud. My level of emotional investment is off the charts - way into unhealthy territory. I mean, I LOVE these guys! They're quirky, fun and a whole lot of other things you'll have to read to find out.
I'm a complete sucker for a good friends to lovers trope, and Mimsy Hale's take on it is spectacular. My heart is full - scratch that, overflowing - and happy with the romantic journey Hale creates for Jake and Aiden. It begins long before we get to know them and will continue long after we've said goodbye. The road is bumpy and uneven, and they must navigate carefully to avoid the road blocks that stand in their way. So often I think the largest obstacle in their relationship is simply themselves. There's so much tension, uncertainty and vulnerability that I wonder if they'll ever make it; I certainly wonder if love will ever be enough.
Adding to the overall enjoyment of this story is Hale's terrific style and delivery. I have a great appreciation for how Hale conveys Jake and Aiden's friendship in such minute detail yet it's not cumbersome in the way overly embellished novels can be. Each and every little bit is important, precious and meaningful to their past, present or future. It's rare to see two characters come full circle on this kind of life journey, and Hale's emotionally charged delivery adds an edge that belies promises. She accomplishes unspeakable growth and depth in roughly 350 pages - I truly feel as though I know Jake and Aiden. Their story has made a lasting impression, and they're friends I won't soon forget.
A copy of this review can be found at 3 Chicks After Dark.
From the very start Mimsy Hale gives this story an exciting, energetic vibe. There's an air of anticipation that gives way to curiosity-you can't help but jump right in to see what awaits. Two boys - friends for life - set out on an adventure. In a way it's almost an "us against the world" kind of feeling, or a coming of age, milestone moment. Whatever you want to call it, it's infectious, and you won't be able to put it down.
I should probably go ahead and apologize now for the hot mess that is the rest of this review. I've tried 100 different ways to capture exactly how this book makes me feel, yet each sentiment feels woefully inaccurate. I can simply say this: READ IT. This book made me laugh, cry, and scream out loud. My level of emotional investment is off the charts - way into unhealthy territory. I mean, I LOVE these guys! They're quirky, fun and a whole lot of other things you'll have to read to find out.
I'm a complete sucker for a good friends to lovers trope, and Mimsy Hale's take on it is spectacular. My heart is full - scratch that, overflowing - and happy with the romantic journey Hale creates for Jake and Aiden. It begins long before we get to know them and will continue long after we've said goodbye. The road is bumpy and uneven, and they must navigate carefully to avoid the road blocks that stand in their way. So often I think the largest obstacle in their relationship is simply themselves. There's so much tension, uncertainty and vulnerability that I wonder if they'll ever make it; I certainly wonder if love will ever be enough.
Adding to the overall enjoyment of this story is Hale's terrific style and delivery. I have a great appreciation for how Hale conveys Jake and Aiden's friendship in such minute detail yet it's not cumbersome in the way overly embellished novels can be. Each and every little bit is important, precious and meaningful to their past, present or future. It's rare to see two characters come full circle on this kind of life journey, and Hale's emotionally charged delivery adds an edge that belies promises. She accomplishes unspeakable growth and depth in roughly 350 pages - I truly feel as though I know Jake and Aiden. Their story has made a lasting impression, and they're friends I won't soon forget.
A copy of this review can be found at 3 Chicks After Dark.
April 25, 2015
Jake Valentine is a lucky man. He's spending just over three months in close quarters with his gorgeous, ridiculous best friend, traveling the country and seeing the best it has to offer. That's not why he's lucky, though. He's lucky because he's a fictional character, which means I couldn't reach into the book and smack him upside the head every time he was being stubborn or clueless or just generally frustrating -- which seemed to happen quite a bit. (I felt the same way about Aiden at times, but far less often.)
100 Days is a story, in part, about making mistakes, figuring out how to put things right again afterward, and moving on to make the next mistake (it's inevitable, really -- being fallible is part of being human). It's about getting closure for losses old and new. It's about figuring out that it's okay to need -- to need people, to need space, to need a hug, to need a good cry. It's about finally acknowledging the love you've felt for as long as you can remember, even though you didn't recognize it as such (sometimes only by sheer force of will or a heaping helping of denial). It's about the journey of life and all the pain, joy, and madness that goes along with it.
It's about figuring out that where you go next doesn't have to be where you go forever. As Hale's tagline for the novel says, the road never runs out.
100 Days is a story, in part, about making mistakes, figuring out how to put things right again afterward, and moving on to make the next mistake (it's inevitable, really -- being fallible is part of being human). It's about getting closure for losses old and new. It's about figuring out that it's okay to need -- to need people, to need space, to need a hug, to need a good cry. It's about finally acknowledging the love you've felt for as long as you can remember, even though you didn't recognize it as such (sometimes only by sheer force of will or a heaping helping of denial). It's about the journey of life and all the pain, joy, and madness that goes along with it.
It's about figuring out that where you go next doesn't have to be where you go forever. As Hale's tagline for the novel says, the road never runs out.
January 10, 2016
Reviewed for Prism Book Alliance®
I am not sure when I went from dreading the next page to turning page after page without stopping. At some point, Aiden and Jake burrowed their way under my skin and into my heart. At some point, it became imperative that these two lifelong friends find their happily every after. At some point, I started to love this book a little bit.
August 7, 2015
I really loved this story, their journey rediscovering each other in this new capacity. road trips are the best and this book certainly fuels my desire to go out and explore some of those locations myself someday.
March 24, 2016
Everything seems to go as it should or at least it did when we were younger then we all went on the road of life and gave us some twists and turns that we did not expect,how does everything change and how does it change us ???Read the pages within this book and all will be revealed
June 3, 2015
I have done nothing today but read this book. The story is so beautifully composed, the writing is absolutely incredible. I'm in love.
April 10, 2015
Mimsy Hale's 100 Days is a joy to read. Funny, dramatic and real, the worries of the characters aren't far-fetched, but instead visceral. Aiden and Jake's story is a must read.
May 5, 2015
This is typically not the type of book that I read but I had a hard time putting it down. Mimsy did a wonderful job telly a great story and i really enjoyed it. Thanks
July 6, 2015
This is one of the most beautiful books I've ever read in my entire life.
April 21, 2015
2.5 stars
It always saddens me to give a book a less than positive rating, but this one was a bit of a miss for me. I bought it as soon as it came out because I've been looking for another road trip/love story between friends since I read and loved Trust The Focus by Megan Erickson and this one sounded like perfect for my need. Unfortunately, it didn't live up to my expectations. I found it too long, with a few cliches I would have avoided, and with a love story that never really moved me.
Jake and Aiden have been best friends for a very long time, since they were just kids. They have gone through everything together, helping and supporting each other. But under the feeling of friendly love, deeper emotions are bubbling and during the road trip they take after graduation, those emotions come out, putting their friendship to test.
The characters were likable enough but I never really warmed up to either of them. Jake was more interesting, there always seemed to be something under the surface that needed to be addressed, but ultimately I felt like the author didn't manage to bring out his issues in a way that moved me. Aiden's issues were mostly with his dad, who cheated on his mom and left the family years before. In his case, the issue was resolved very early on in the book, taking away from what the road trip actually meant for him.
My main problem with the book, though, was the passage from friends to lovers. It felt like the two guys went through the same problem over and over again: miscommunication. They start the relationship as a sex thing to exist only during the trip, but since they are actually in love, they soon realize it's more than just sex. Unfortunately, neither has the guts to tell the other, so they end up stuck in a cycle of miscommunication that creates problem here and there. When Jake leaves Aiden for Aiden's own good (at least in Jake's mind), I kinda wanted to throw my ereader because it felt like another predictable and over-used clichè. There's also a run to the airport that felt a lot like a romance movie which I've seen too many times. When even that wasn't enough for these guys to finally resolve things for good, the book really started dragging for me.
If you like the idea of best friends to lovers and a road trip, I recommend Trust The Focus which in my opinion hits all the right places, something this book sadly didn't do for me.
It always saddens me to give a book a less than positive rating, but this one was a bit of a miss for me. I bought it as soon as it came out because I've been looking for another road trip/love story between friends since I read and loved Trust The Focus by Megan Erickson and this one sounded like perfect for my need. Unfortunately, it didn't live up to my expectations. I found it too long, with a few cliches I would have avoided, and with a love story that never really moved me.
Jake and Aiden have been best friends for a very long time, since they were just kids. They have gone through everything together, helping and supporting each other. But under the feeling of friendly love, deeper emotions are bubbling and during the road trip they take after graduation, those emotions come out, putting their friendship to test.
The characters were likable enough but I never really warmed up to either of them. Jake was more interesting, there always seemed to be something under the surface that needed to be addressed, but ultimately I felt like the author didn't manage to bring out his issues in a way that moved me. Aiden's issues were mostly with his dad, who cheated on his mom and left the family years before. In his case, the issue was resolved very early on in the book, taking away from what the road trip actually meant for him.
My main problem with the book, though, was the passage from friends to lovers. It felt like the two guys went through the same problem over and over again: miscommunication. They start the relationship as a sex thing to exist only during the trip, but since they are actually in love, they soon realize it's more than just sex. Unfortunately, neither has the guts to tell the other, so they end up stuck in a cycle of miscommunication that creates problem here and there. When Jake leaves Aiden for Aiden's own good (at least in Jake's mind), I kinda wanted to throw my ereader because it felt like another predictable and over-used clichè. There's also a run to the airport that felt a lot like a romance movie which I've seen too many times. When even that wasn't enough for these guys to finally resolve things for good, the book really started dragging for me.
If you like the idea of best friends to lovers and a road trip, I recommend Trust The Focus which in my opinion hits all the right places, something this book sadly didn't do for me.
April 13, 2015
Original review on Molly Lolly
Three and a half stars!
I feel like I missed something with this story. It’s long and I love many of the scenes and things Jake and Aiden see along the way. But the romance story got on my nerves at some points. Jake and Aiden have been best friends since way back in elementary school. They both had crushes on each other in high school, and now as college graduates they’re doing something fun before entering the “real world”. The trip they take is amazing and I’m beyond envious of all the wonderful things they see across the country. They start a physical relationship and pretend it’s just for the road trip. They keep up the charade for most of the book. But it’s obvious Jake and Aiden love each other pretty quickly. They also show their feelings to each other without saying them pretty early on. They both have the knowledge that their best friend loves them back. Yet, I don’t understand why they continue with the charade of it being just sex for a large portion of the book. Finally, FINALLY! Aiden tells Jake he loves him, but Jake holds back. Again, I don’t fully understand why. Around 85% into the book they both admit, out loud to each other, they are in love. But again they aren’t able to be happy together. I don’t get that full happily ever after feeling until they’re in the last state, Hawaii, and I still don’t understand why they were apart so long, or after they were together and then apart again. The epilogue is amazing and gave me the biggest warm feelings for Aiden and Jake. I also loved some of the scenes where you can feel the emotions between Jake and Aiden as they go along this journey. My favorite scene is where Jake sings again in front of an audience for the first time in forever. I get chills. I love how Aiden sees Jake then. How he pushes Jake and gets something beautiful. But Aiden also gets to see how scared Jake was when it’s all over, and help Jake overcome those fears.
Three and a half stars!
I feel like I missed something with this story. It’s long and I love many of the scenes and things Jake and Aiden see along the way. But the romance story got on my nerves at some points. Jake and Aiden have been best friends since way back in elementary school. They both had crushes on each other in high school, and now as college graduates they’re doing something fun before entering the “real world”. The trip they take is amazing and I’m beyond envious of all the wonderful things they see across the country. They start a physical relationship and pretend it’s just for the road trip. They keep up the charade for most of the book. But it’s obvious Jake and Aiden love each other pretty quickly. They also show their feelings to each other without saying them pretty early on. They both have the knowledge that their best friend loves them back. Yet, I don’t understand why they continue with the charade of it being just sex for a large portion of the book. Finally, FINALLY! Aiden tells Jake he loves him, but Jake holds back. Again, I don’t fully understand why. Around 85% into the book they both admit, out loud to each other, they are in love. But again they aren’t able to be happy together. I don’t get that full happily ever after feeling until they’re in the last state, Hawaii, and I still don’t understand why they were apart so long, or after they were together and then apart again. The epilogue is amazing and gave me the biggest warm feelings for Aiden and Jake. I also loved some of the scenes where you can feel the emotions between Jake and Aiden as they go along this journey. My favorite scene is where Jake sings again in front of an audience for the first time in forever. I get chills. I love how Aiden sees Jake then. How he pushes Jake and gets something beautiful. But Aiden also gets to see how scared Jake was when it’s all over, and help Jake overcome those fears.
January 8, 2016
DNF’d at 54% - which pisses me off because this should have been a slam dunk & the book is $6.99!!!! Yes, what an epic failure. That 54% represents a ton of effort on my part, skimming, sighing, and forcing myself to read little bits here & there.
I love a good road trip story where the best friends realize they were meant to be “so much more” & really explore that with sex in an RV. This book has it BUT ugh everything else proved too distracting.
There were two sticking points for me. The first is that the two MCs are 22 but the main one Jake reads way younger. With his back story & the two MCs history I would have expected more maturity, especially in relation to how he pursues things with his best friend Aiden. Side note: if you have an awesome name like Aiden, never, ever, EVER let someone call you Dan, seriously??? Aiden is the name of a rock star fantasy, Dan (no offense to the Dan’s of the world) is the name of a guy who has the Sunday Washington Post delivered.
Jake though proved to be the hurdle I couldn’t overcome. He’s the primary POV & I just disliked him. His thought process was flawed. By the 50% mark his actions proved to me he cared very little about Aiden’s feelings. I wanted to shake the kid and tell him that at 22 he should know that you don’t treat your friends shitty & should try and treat lovers even better. Seriously, if you want someone to put your penis in their mouth DO NOT BE A DICK.
This book was long & it was slow.
I love a good road trip story where the best friends realize they were meant to be “so much more” & really explore that with sex in an RV. This book has it BUT ugh everything else proved too distracting.
There were two sticking points for me. The first is that the two MCs are 22 but the main one Jake reads way younger. With his back story & the two MCs history I would have expected more maturity, especially in relation to how he pursues things with his best friend Aiden. Side note: if you have an awesome name like Aiden, never, ever, EVER let someone call you Dan, seriously??? Aiden is the name of a rock star fantasy, Dan (no offense to the Dan’s of the world) is the name of a guy who has the Sunday Washington Post delivered.
Jake though proved to be the hurdle I couldn’t overcome. He’s the primary POV & I just disliked him. His thought process was flawed. By the 50% mark his actions proved to me he cared very little about Aiden’s feelings. I wanted to shake the kid and tell him that at 22 he should know that you don’t treat your friends shitty & should try and treat lovers even better. Seriously, if you want someone to put your penis in their mouth DO NOT BE A DICK.
This book was long & it was slow.
July 10, 2025
It’s been ten years since I last read this. I remember it a little more fondly than I found it this time. I first read this back when it was first published as Klaine fanfic and it did read a little like that this time. It’s not the books fault. It’s still good, I’ve just read better things over the last ten years and this no longer competes like it did.
This is a classic friends to lovers tale with all the clichés that come with it. Two best friends who aren’t as close as they once were, learn to find each other again whilst travelling to all 50 states in 100 days. Except, of course, friendship isn’t the only thing they rediscover while living in such close quarters. It’s the typical ‘I love him, but I don’t want to ruin our friendship.’ Both of them scared to make the leap that literally everyone else they know and meet knows is inevitable.
Thankfully it doesn’t take too long for the tension to break, and for the old feelings they’ve each had for the other at one point or another to resurface. That fear is still a big factor though, especially early on, and so the old “what happens on the road trip, stays on the road trip” comes into play. They can only lie to themselves for so long through, as the feelings they each had only grow until they can no longer be denied. Of course there’s the obligatory penultimate act fight before the HEA but what romance would be complete without one?
This book can feel a little choppy at times but that’s due to the concept and I can’t see it working any other way without it being unnecessarily long. The books broken down into chapters like most others but also into days within the chapters, telling the story of what state they’re in and their adventures that occur before moving onto the next. I didn’t find it lacked flow because of this, but it sort of felt like it should at times..?
I did find it to be a bit repetitive; both the way the days were structured and the way the relationship progressed. The days can’t be helped so much, and at least that did evolve as the book progressed. It was mostly the relationship that was frustrating as they faced the same issue over and over the whole way through as they worked through the transition from friends to more. They’d admit to themselves it was love, they’d build up to telling the other person and then something would happen and they’d hold their tongue again. It was very one step forward, two steps back. But they got there in the end. Eventually. If it had gone on any longer it would have crossed over into tedium but luckily it was resolved before that point.
One thing the author did nail was the atmosphere of the big moments. I’m someone with a strong inner monologue and so I struggle with visualisation sometimes but I really lost myself in some of the moments in this. Whether it was dancing in a crowd, or that first kiss against the sunset I could clearly picture the moment and experience it to the fullest.
While it’s no longer one of my favourite queer reads, this will definitely still hold a nostalgic place in my heart, reminding me of my fangirl youth and where I first grew my roots that lead me to the reader I am today.
———★ ☆ ★——— FAVOURITE QUOTES ———★ ☆ ★———
…”It was like you came alive; I don’t know how else to put it. Here even more so. You’re all colour.” [27]
★★★★☆
The craving to touch and be close is agonizingly frustrating—it’s an itch beneath the surface of his skin that he can’t scratch, one that only grows worse no matter how many times he tells himself that it doesn’t even exist, that it’s simply a physical reaction to spending so much time with a hot guy. A hot guy with legs for days, broad shoulders, thick hair he could card his fingers through until they disappeared and a way of looking at him sometimes that makes him believe he is the beating heart at the center of the universe. [41]
★★★★☆
“You are running,” Nan says simply, and Aiden finally feels the wet press of ink against his skin. “But not away, and this is most curious thing about you. I think you were running away, but now, no. Now you are running to.”
Aiden’s gaze slides to his periphery but he doesn’t dare look at Jake—not now, not when every look is loaded, like a powder keg packed to the brim and just waiting for the slightest spark to ignite it. They carry it between them as if it’s a tangible thing—slowly circling a flame—and Aiden is losing purchase all the while. [84]
★★★★☆
…until now, the wall of their friendship has stood strong between them, but as Aiden’s lips part, the bricks tumble down on top of them both and Jake pulls back.
“Fuck,” he whispers, looking away as Aiden’s eyes open. “I’m s—“
“Don’t you dare,” Aiden orders him. He cards his fingers through Jake’s hair and yanks him into a messy, hungry kiss that burns in its intensity, teeth catching Jake’s bottom lip. Jake scrabbles for purchase, loops his arms around Aiden’s neck and pulls him flush against him, and all at once he feels a click, a slot back into place, a page turning. [103]
★★★★☆
Though he’s tethered to something that he is beginning to realise is bigger than either of them, it no longer feels like a chokehold constricting his air supply—instead, it feels like roots. [181]
★★★★☆
…”Do you love him?”
“I’m trying not to.”
“Why?”
“He deserves better,” Jake says, “and I’m not so good at trusting people with my heart.”
“But Aiden’s not people,” Andrew points out, and all of the reasons Jake has been conjuring sputter into darkness, as if the words have suddenly become his enemy, loaded with meaning he never intended them to have. [184]
★★★★☆
This is what Aiden wants.
He wants the feeling of this firm, assured body moving in time with his own. He wants the surprising and welcome gentility of the first kiss, and for it to turn to pure filth soon after. He wants these worshipping hands running the lines and planes of him as his hair stands on end and he surrenders and moans and pours heat into a kiss that sears him with its obscenity. He wants this contact, this touch, this sensation of his axis tilting. [237]
★★★★☆
“Nothing. It was just…nothing.”
Carefully, Jake asks, “And me?”
Meting his gaze squarely, Aiden whispers, “Everything.”
“Oh,” Jake says. He lets his eyes slide toward the flames, lets the music wrap around him anew, lets everything fade except the pleasant buzz in his bloodstream. It’s too much—everything is too much these days. The weight of it all is terrifying, but then…but then there is something burning inside of him, too, something stirring, yearning to break free, and Jake only ever feels right when he lets some of it out. Some, but not too much; inches that feel like miles. “You too, by the way. Out of everyone, it’s you.” [261]
★★★★☆
Aiden slowly climbs onto the bed next to him and waits until he unfolds before peeling open the Band-Aid and sticking it onto Jake’s shirt, right over his heart.
…
And in this moment, with Jake’s fingers tightening in the cotton of Aiden’s shirt as he cries himself out, Aiden realises that he doesn’t need to be some knight in shining armor, riding in to save the day and make everything better. He needs to be the oak tree in their place at Thomas Point Beach, the pillar of strength rooted to the earth. He needs to be the anchor, the tether, the reason to come back and endure. [291/292]
This is a classic friends to lovers tale with all the clichés that come with it. Two best friends who aren’t as close as they once were, learn to find each other again whilst travelling to all 50 states in 100 days. Except, of course, friendship isn’t the only thing they rediscover while living in such close quarters. It’s the typical ‘I love him, but I don’t want to ruin our friendship.’ Both of them scared to make the leap that literally everyone else they know and meet knows is inevitable.
Thankfully it doesn’t take too long for the tension to break, and for the old feelings they’ve each had for the other at one point or another to resurface. That fear is still a big factor though, especially early on, and so the old “what happens on the road trip, stays on the road trip” comes into play. They can only lie to themselves for so long through, as the feelings they each had only grow until they can no longer be denied. Of course there’s the obligatory penultimate act fight before the HEA but what romance would be complete without one?
This book can feel a little choppy at times but that’s due to the concept and I can’t see it working any other way without it being unnecessarily long. The books broken down into chapters like most others but also into days within the chapters, telling the story of what state they’re in and their adventures that occur before moving onto the next. I didn’t find it lacked flow because of this, but it sort of felt like it should at times..?
I did find it to be a bit repetitive; both the way the days were structured and the way the relationship progressed. The days can’t be helped so much, and at least that did evolve as the book progressed. It was mostly the relationship that was frustrating as they faced the same issue over and over the whole way through as they worked through the transition from friends to more. They’d admit to themselves it was love, they’d build up to telling the other person and then something would happen and they’d hold their tongue again. It was very one step forward, two steps back. But they got there in the end. Eventually. If it had gone on any longer it would have crossed over into tedium but luckily it was resolved before that point.
One thing the author did nail was the atmosphere of the big moments. I’m someone with a strong inner monologue and so I struggle with visualisation sometimes but I really lost myself in some of the moments in this. Whether it was dancing in a crowd, or that first kiss against the sunset I could clearly picture the moment and experience it to the fullest.
While it’s no longer one of my favourite queer reads, this will definitely still hold a nostalgic place in my heart, reminding me of my fangirl youth and where I first grew my roots that lead me to the reader I am today.
———★ ☆ ★——— FAVOURITE QUOTES ———★ ☆ ★———
…”It was like you came alive; I don’t know how else to put it. Here even more so. You’re all colour.” [27]
★★★★☆
The craving to touch and be close is agonizingly frustrating—it’s an itch beneath the surface of his skin that he can’t scratch, one that only grows worse no matter how many times he tells himself that it doesn’t even exist, that it’s simply a physical reaction to spending so much time with a hot guy. A hot guy with legs for days, broad shoulders, thick hair he could card his fingers through until they disappeared and a way of looking at him sometimes that makes him believe he is the beating heart at the center of the universe. [41]
★★★★☆
“You are running,” Nan says simply, and Aiden finally feels the wet press of ink against his skin. “But not away, and this is most curious thing about you. I think you were running away, but now, no. Now you are running to.”
Aiden’s gaze slides to his periphery but he doesn’t dare look at Jake—not now, not when every look is loaded, like a powder keg packed to the brim and just waiting for the slightest spark to ignite it. They carry it between them as if it’s a tangible thing—slowly circling a flame—and Aiden is losing purchase all the while. [84]
★★★★☆
…until now, the wall of their friendship has stood strong between them, but as Aiden’s lips part, the bricks tumble down on top of them both and Jake pulls back.
“Fuck,” he whispers, looking away as Aiden’s eyes open. “I’m s—“
“Don’t you dare,” Aiden orders him. He cards his fingers through Jake’s hair and yanks him into a messy, hungry kiss that burns in its intensity, teeth catching Jake’s bottom lip. Jake scrabbles for purchase, loops his arms around Aiden’s neck and pulls him flush against him, and all at once he feels a click, a slot back into place, a page turning. [103]
★★★★☆
Though he’s tethered to something that he is beginning to realise is bigger than either of them, it no longer feels like a chokehold constricting his air supply—instead, it feels like roots. [181]
★★★★☆
…”Do you love him?”
“I’m trying not to.”
“Why?”
“He deserves better,” Jake says, “and I’m not so good at trusting people with my heart.”
“But Aiden’s not people,” Andrew points out, and all of the reasons Jake has been conjuring sputter into darkness, as if the words have suddenly become his enemy, loaded with meaning he never intended them to have. [184]
★★★★☆
This is what Aiden wants.
He wants the feeling of this firm, assured body moving in time with his own. He wants the surprising and welcome gentility of the first kiss, and for it to turn to pure filth soon after. He wants these worshipping hands running the lines and planes of him as his hair stands on end and he surrenders and moans and pours heat into a kiss that sears him with its obscenity. He wants this contact, this touch, this sensation of his axis tilting. [237]
★★★★☆
“Nothing. It was just…nothing.”
Carefully, Jake asks, “And me?”
Meting his gaze squarely, Aiden whispers, “Everything.”
“Oh,” Jake says. He lets his eyes slide toward the flames, lets the music wrap around him anew, lets everything fade except the pleasant buzz in his bloodstream. It’s too much—everything is too much these days. The weight of it all is terrifying, but then…but then there is something burning inside of him, too, something stirring, yearning to break free, and Jake only ever feels right when he lets some of it out. Some, but not too much; inches that feel like miles. “You too, by the way. Out of everyone, it’s you.” [261]
★★★★☆
Aiden slowly climbs onto the bed next to him and waits until he unfolds before peeling open the Band-Aid and sticking it onto Jake’s shirt, right over his heart.
…
And in this moment, with Jake’s fingers tightening in the cotton of Aiden’s shirt as he cries himself out, Aiden realises that he doesn’t need to be some knight in shining armor, riding in to save the day and make everything better. He needs to be the oak tree in their place at Thomas Point Beach, the pillar of strength rooted to the earth. He needs to be the anchor, the tether, the reason to come back and endure. [291/292]
July 21, 2017
I not only like this book, I adored this so much. During the whole book, I was rooting for Jake and Aiden and this love story that I wanted so much. They were great characters that made me laugh and tear up multiple times. While reading the whole book I felt like telling them to realize the truth, that they were in love with each other forever. It was realistic though because their friendship was worth all the hassle. Their friendship was something I adored. I love them. Also, road trip books are my favorites along books that friends become lovers.
The ending was something that not only made me so happy but made me tear a little bit with happiness. I did not want it to end and I will admit to that.
I want to read this book again right now, which is a sign that it's one of my favorites. What a great book.
The ending was something that not only made me so happy but made me tear a little bit with happiness. I did not want it to end and I will admit to that.
I want to read this book again right now, which is a sign that it's one of my favorites. What a great book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 31, 2018
Jake and Aiden have both been hiding a secret from each other. They have been best friends all their lives and everyone else can see their secret but the other one because they are both two scared to change their friendship into anything else and possibly ruin something that has been there since they were little kids. They need to learn to take a leap of faith before they hurt and push each other two far.
This was a great book that shows the readers little bits of America as the two boys travel all 50 states in 100 days. The background characters in the story help to build a vibrant world that takes the reader on a journey of discovery about oneself.
This was a great book that shows the readers little bits of America as the two boys travel all 50 states in 100 days. The background characters in the story help to build a vibrant world that takes the reader on a journey of discovery about oneself.
February 2, 2022
This was a little frustrating to read because of the mutual pining. I got to 30% in and I honestly couldn’t care about the rest of it, but I did finish the book. I think it’s mainly because of the back-and-forth and I was just kidding so tired of the back-and-forth! The steam was at 3 out of 5!
July 10, 2017
Heartbreaking, uplifting, stimulating ...
Yes this book will take you through all these emotions - and through the United Stated :) A fantastic story of love and discovery
Yes this book will take you through all these emotions - and through the United Stated :) A fantastic story of love and discovery
June 5, 2022
dnf but an okay book!
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