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Hiroku
The Bravest Thing
High school junior Berlin Webber is about to reap the fruits of his hard work and land a football scholarship—if he can keep his sexuality a secret from his best friend, Trent, and their homophobic coach. Then Hiroku Hayashi swerves into the high school parking lot on his tricked-out motorcycle like some sexy comic book villain, and Berlin knows he doesn’t stand a chance.
Hiroku is fleeing his sophisticated urban scene to recover from drug addiction and an abusive relationship when he arrives in Berlin’s small Texas ranch town. Initially sarcastic and aloof, Hiroku finds in Berlin a steady, supportive friend who soon becomes more. As Hiroku and Berlin’s romance blossoms, they take greater risks to be together. But when a horrific act of violence tears them apart, they both must look bigotry in the face. While Berlin has always turned to his faith for strength, Hiroku dives into increasingly dangerous ways of coping, pushing them in opposite directions just when they need each other most.
Two very different young men search for the bravery to be true to themselves, the courage to heal, and the strength to go on when things seem darkest. But is it enough to bring them back together?
Hiroku is fleeing his sophisticated urban scene to recover from drug addiction and an abusive relationship when he arrives in Berlin’s small Texas ranch town. Initially sarcastic and aloof, Hiroku finds in Berlin a steady, supportive friend who soon becomes more. As Hiroku and Berlin’s romance blossoms, they take greater risks to be together. But when a horrific act of violence tears them apart, they both must look bigotry in the face. While Berlin has always turned to his faith for strength, Hiroku dives into increasingly dangerous ways of coping, pushing them in opposite directions just when they need each other most.
Two very different young men search for the bravery to be true to themselves, the courage to heal, and the strength to go on when things seem darkest. But is it enough to bring them back together?
228 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 17, 2017
17 people are currently reading
1081 people want to read
About the author
Laura Lascarso
30 books499 followersMM+ AUTHOR | Romance so good it hurts
Laura Lascarso wants you to stay up way past your bedtime reading her stories. She aims to inspire more questions than answers in her fiction and believes in the power of storytelling to heal and transform a society.
When not writing, Laura can be found screaming “finish” on the soccer fields, rewatching Avatar: The Last Airbender, and trying to convince politicians to act on climate change. She lives in North Florida with her darling husband and two kids. She loves hearing from readers, and she’d be delighted to hear from you.
Join her Facebook group at www.facebook.com/groups/LaurasLounge
Sign up for her newsletter at www.lauralascarso.com
Laura Lascarso wants you to stay up way past your bedtime reading her stories. She aims to inspire more questions than answers in her fiction and believes in the power of storytelling to heal and transform a society.
When not writing, Laura can be found screaming “finish” on the soccer fields, rewatching Avatar: The Last Airbender, and trying to convince politicians to act on climate change. She lives in North Florida with her darling husband and two kids. She loves hearing from readers, and she’d be delighted to hear from you.
Join her Facebook group at www.facebook.com/groups/LaurasLounge
Sign up for her newsletter at www.lauralascarso.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 126 reviews
December 30, 2019
Buddy reread with Ele, Jan and Moony. 😍💞 Thanks for the awesome time.
Bumping my rating to 5 stars.. I loved it even more.
**************************************************
4.5 stars
Four days later and i still have no words to describe this book. I loved Hiroku and was still hangover when coming into this one.
This book gutted me, the extreme homophobia got to me. Ugh! then they go to church every Sunday to justify their bigotry using the Bible.
The writing is stellar as always.
I loved Hiroku.
I loved Berlin, he was so good for Hiroku.
I disliked Hiroku's choices.
I hated Seth in this book, hated Trent, hated almost everyone.
Ugghhhhh!!
Overall it was a wonderful read and the story of Hiroku will forever be with me.
Bumping my rating to 5 stars.. I loved it even more.
**************************************************
4.5 stars
Four days later and i still have no words to describe this book. I loved Hiroku and was still hangover when coming into this one.
This book gutted me, the extreme homophobia got to me. Ugh! then they go to church every Sunday to justify their bigotry using the Bible.
The writing is stellar as always.
I loved Hiroku.
I loved Berlin, he was so good for Hiroku.
I disliked Hiroku's choices.
I hated Seth in this book, hated Trent, hated almost everyone.
Ugghhhhh!!
Overall it was a wonderful read and the story of Hiroku will forever be with me.
July 21, 2017
4.5 Stars.
Just Brilliant.I honestly don't know why I waited so long to read this,I read this in one sitting....it was captivating.The writing sucked me in from the first page.
The story of Berlin and Hiro...two high school students who couldn't be more different ....
Yes,it's YA which definitely isn't my thing but it most definitely doesn't read like one.
Berlin is an all American boy.Blonde,gorgeous working towards his football scholarship.He's gay but knows he must hide it if he wants to achieve his dreams.His resolve is about to be tested when he sees Hiro arriving for his first day of school,looking all kinds of hip and gorgeous and most definitely tempting....
Hiro is gay and doesn't care what people think.He and his family have recently moved to Texas.His parents are desperately hoping he's left his past and the temptations that go with it behind.He has his own style and isn't prepared to fit in for anyone.He immediately becomes the target for a group of homophobic boys,some of which are Berlin's friends.
This is the first book I've read by this Author and I was pretty much blown away.Brilliantly written and such an addictive read.It's definitely not pretty at times,the homophobia is very difficult to read at times but necessary for the story and Hiro isn't a push over....he can stand up for himself.
The relationship between Berlin and Hiro develops at just the right pace.Nothing felt rushed or forced.Their friendship felt special long before anything physical happened between them.
The supporting characters all play their part here-even the despicable ones.I'm probably in the minority but I found Seth fascinating and would love to get his story....I'm thinking the right man would get him to change his ways....I'm a sucker for the bad boy!!
Conclusion:
I absolutely loved this book and I really can't understand why it hasn't got more interest with MM fans.
READ it....I'm sure you won't be disappointed.
Just Brilliant.I honestly don't know why I waited so long to read this,I read this in one sitting....it was captivating.The writing sucked me in from the first page.
The story of Berlin and Hiro...two high school students who couldn't be more different ....
Yes,it's YA which definitely isn't my thing but it most definitely doesn't read like one.
Berlin is an all American boy.Blonde,gorgeous working towards his football scholarship.He's gay but knows he must hide it if he wants to achieve his dreams.His resolve is about to be tested when he sees Hiro arriving for his first day of school,looking all kinds of hip and gorgeous and most definitely tempting....
Hiro is gay and doesn't care what people think.He and his family have recently moved to Texas.His parents are desperately hoping he's left his past and the temptations that go with it behind.He has his own style and isn't prepared to fit in for anyone.He immediately becomes the target for a group of homophobic boys,some of which are Berlin's friends.
This is the first book I've read by this Author and I was pretty much blown away.Brilliantly written and such an addictive read.It's definitely not pretty at times,the homophobia is very difficult to read at times but necessary for the story and Hiro isn't a push over....he can stand up for himself.
The relationship between Berlin and Hiro develops at just the right pace.Nothing felt rushed or forced.Their friendship felt special long before anything physical happened between them.
The supporting characters all play their part here-even the despicable ones.I'm probably in the minority but I found Seth fascinating and would love to get his story....I'm thinking the right man would get him to change his ways....I'm a sucker for the bad boy!!
Conclusion:
I absolutely loved this book and I really can't understand why it hasn't got more interest with MM fans.
READ it....I'm sure you won't be disappointed.
September 19, 2021
4.5 stars
This book was pretty intense, but beautiful at the same time.
I loved both MCs, especially Hiro. Such a unique character! I could definitely read more about him.
I also wouldn't mind learning more about Seth. I found him quite intriguing.
Edit: My wish came true, because we got Hiro and Seth's story in Hiroku. 😊
*******
Re-read: 6/2018
This book was pretty intense, but beautiful at the same time.
I loved both MCs, especially Hiro. Such a unique character! I could definitely read more about him.
I also wouldn't mind learning more about Seth. I found him quite intriguing.
Edit: My wish came true, because we got Hiro and Seth's story in Hiroku. 😊
*******
Re-read: 6/2018
February 18, 2018
Holy crap. This story was about the furthest thing from an easy read as I've tacked in a while. So if you're looking for angsty, step right up, folks.
After a drug overdose and a stint in rehab, followed by his family moving from Austin to rural Texas, Hiro had (at least momentarily) escaped his abusive, controlling, older, ex-boyfriend, Seth.
Only to begin his Junior year of high school and immediately pop up on the singularly-focused radar of the bullying, homophobic quarterback of the new school's football team. Trent.
But in true Hiro fashion, his smart mouth couldn't help itself, which was funny, but also especially dangerous when making enemies of the entire football team.
“You know what we do to faggots around here?” Trent says.
“No, but I’m pretty sure I know what you do to the goats.”
Well, the entire football team, minus one, that is. Berlin Webber, running back and all-around nice guy. And deeply closeted.
Yet, Berlin can't seem to stay away from Hiro, becoming more and more addicted to the broken boy's presence, to the point of drawing even more attention to themselves.
As Hiro told Berlin, when Berlin tried to make light of the seriousness of Trent's bullying:
“Just remember this moment,” he says softly. “Remember that I warned you.”And with almost prophetic accuracy, Trent's attack came swiftly and mercilessly shortly thereafter.
I feel his breath, hot and foul on my neck as he whispers in my ear, “This here is what we do to faggots.”This part was extremely difficult to read. Downright horrifying, if I'm being blatantly honest.
It left Hiro even more wounded than before, after which he fled and fell back into bad habits with an equally bad person from his past. He knew better, but no longer had the strength to care.
What I loved about the book was that, no matter what, Berlin never gave up on Hiro -- even if Hiro had given up on himself, at least for a while.
The story was packed with both happy and gut-wrenching feels and, other than what I felt was a severe under-reaction to what was happening by Hiro's parents, I felt that the events in the story were pretty plausible. I detest manufactured melodrama and, thankfully, nothing here felt like that.
I enjoyed watching as Hiro proved to himself that he was (mostly) strong enough to face the world on his own, and finally realizing that, when he wasn't confident in meeting life's punches head-on, Berlin was the single best person to have by his side.
When the book wasn't drowning me in angst, there were a decent number of sexy bits, plus, the bad guys did at least get some form of comeuppance, thanks to Berlin's bravery in shedding light on the problem. It wasn't quite what I wanted, but I would've ranted like a mad man had there been zero consequences in the end.
Yes, I would have freaking KILLED for an epilogue, maybe from 3-4 years down the road, showing that the boys were happily building a life together, but I was sort of okay with how it left off. I'm just greedy, so of course, I wanted more.
Both the writing and editing were stellar, so I'd have to rate this book at around 4.5 stars, mostly because it drew me in and kept me fully engaged from beginning to end.
But I did take off half a star due to the frequent kicks to the balls I felt that the book squarely delivered my way.
** NOTE: Below is a link to Hiro's "origin" story, from before the events in this book.
https://lauralascarso.com/hirokuMy copy of the book was provided by the publisher in exchange for a fair, unbiased review.
June 25, 2017
Review updated 24/Jun/17
It's been a few days since I finished this and yet I can't seem to let this go. The story is still with me. The author created such unique and beautiful characters. They keep popping in my mind from nowhere. For that, I feel that I need to change my rate to 5 Stars. It's more than fair.
5 Remarkable Stars
**********************************************************************
20/Jun/17
The Bravest Thing was a damn hard pill to swallow, a heartwrenching story.
It evoked in me a blast of feels! Sadness, impotence and rage consumed me. There were ugly moments and one in particular where I thought I wasn't strong enough to read it and almost skimmed.
Why do I like reading this??? stories that tear my heart out? I don't want to read angst stories but when I am in the middle of all drama I feel like a junkie on a high. Do you get me? No, I know you don't. I don't get me either. Tell me again why am I reading this??
I'm Libra-born. Fairness is one of my biggest traits. You might not believe me, but injustice hurts my soul. It just hurts. When injustice is combined with impotence, SOMEBODY HELP ME! Bring me the antacids because I need an overdose.
The hate was horrendous. For my ulcer’s sake, I need to fool myself and believe that what happened here doesn’t exist, that people can’t be that evil, so narrow-minded, intolerant, blind and that bigoted and homophobic people are characters from books.
Oh Lord,
Or perhaps I just need to believe that the world is going to change?
For the better!
Hopefully not for too long.
But there was romance, too. And love. And it was beautiful. Therefore, even with all the distressing moments I don't regret reading it. In fact, that was why I loved it.
Oh, the joys of being a masochist reader
Enough from my ramblings.
Now, I'm just going to introduce Hiro and Berlin and get going.
Hiro moved with his parents from a big city to Lowry, in Texas.
Excuse me? Where is that?? apparently in the middle of nowhere.
In his first day at school he’s called at the junior’s guidance counselor office and is advised:
“to try a little harder to blend in, for your own sake.”
“With all due respect, “he says, “I don’t want to blend in. I checked the dress code and there’s no rule against eyeliner. If there’s nothing else, I’d like to go to class.”
The truth is: Hiro, a 17 year old Asian and gay stands out like a sore thumb in the middle of the other 600 hundred kids in Lowry High.
“I’m trapped in hillbilly hell.”
Now, you are allowed to roll your eyes, because enter the golden boy from the school’s football team: Berlin, a stunning work of art, hot as fuck and fascinated by Hiro's rock star slash pirate style - his words, not mine.
Oh! forgot a detail: buried deep in the closet.
Do I need to praise the author? Hell, no. I think my eloquent feelings speak for themselves.
If you are looking for an emotional book where love wins, don’t have an ulcer like me, love angst stories, have a shrink and think you can handle the pain, look no more. You have just found it.
Teaser:
“Mrs. Potts is right,” I tell him. “Your look won’t work here.”
He stops and turns a little, slides up to the counter so we’re facing each other. He tilts his head and looks at me from under his hair, smirks like I made a joke. Maybe he knifed someone at his old school. He looks kind of insane.
“How about you, cowboy?” he says in a deep, husky voice that goes straight to my balls. “is that look working for you?” My own throat goes dry as the desert as his eyes rake over me, from my waist to my chest and shoulders, finally my eyes. No guy has ever looked at me like that before. My junk starts throbbing again and I’m glad the counter’s between us, giving me some cover.
He purses his lips and raises on eyebrow. “Well, maybe it is working. For me, at least.” The smirk is still on his face when he leaves the office.
It's been a few days since I finished this and yet I can't seem to let this go. The story is still with me. The author created such unique and beautiful characters. They keep popping in my mind from nowhere. For that, I feel that I need to change my rate to 5 Stars. It's more than fair.
5 Remarkable Stars
**********************************************************************
20/Jun/17
The Bravest Thing was a damn hard pill to swallow, a heartwrenching story.
It evoked in me a blast of feels! Sadness, impotence and rage consumed me. There were ugly moments and one in particular where I thought I wasn't strong enough to read it and almost skimmed.
Why do I like reading this??? stories that tear my heart out? I don't want to read angst stories but when I am in the middle of all drama I feel like a junkie on a high. Do you get me? No, I know you don't. I don't get me either. Tell me again why am I reading this??
I'm Libra-born. Fairness is one of my biggest traits. You might not believe me, but injustice hurts my soul. It just hurts. When injustice is combined with impotence, SOMEBODY HELP ME! Bring me the antacids because I need an overdose.
The hate was horrendous. For my ulcer’s sake, I need to fool myself and believe that what happened here doesn’t exist, that people can’t be that evil, so narrow-minded, intolerant, blind and that bigoted and homophobic people are characters from books.
Oh Lord,
Or perhaps I just need to believe that the world is going to change?
For the better!
Hopefully not for too long.
But there was romance, too. And love. And it was beautiful. Therefore, even with all the distressing moments I don't regret reading it. In fact, that was why I loved it.
Oh, the joys of being a masochist reader
Enough from my ramblings.
Now, I'm just going to introduce Hiro and Berlin and get going.
Hiro moved with his parents from a big city to Lowry, in Texas.
Excuse me? Where is that?? apparently in the middle of nowhere.
In his first day at school he’s called at the junior’s guidance counselor office and is advised:
“to try a little harder to blend in, for your own sake.”
“With all due respect, “he says, “I don’t want to blend in. I checked the dress code and there’s no rule against eyeliner. If there’s nothing else, I’d like to go to class.”
The truth is: Hiro, a 17 year old Asian and gay stands out like a sore thumb in the middle of the other 600 hundred kids in Lowry High.
“I’m trapped in hillbilly hell.”
Now, you are allowed to roll your eyes, because enter the golden boy from the school’s football team: Berlin, a stunning work of art, hot as fuck and fascinated by Hiro's rock star slash pirate style - his words, not mine.
Oh! forgot a detail: buried deep in the closet.
Do I need to praise the author? Hell, no. I think my eloquent feelings speak for themselves.
If you are looking for an emotional book where love wins, don’t have an ulcer like me, love angst stories, have a shrink and think you can handle the pain, look no more. You have just found it.
Teaser:
“Mrs. Potts is right,” I tell him. “Your look won’t work here.”
He stops and turns a little, slides up to the counter so we’re facing each other. He tilts his head and looks at me from under his hair, smirks like I made a joke. Maybe he knifed someone at his old school. He looks kind of insane.
“How about you, cowboy?” he says in a deep, husky voice that goes straight to my balls. “is that look working for you?” My own throat goes dry as the desert as his eyes rake over me, from my waist to my chest and shoulders, finally my eyes. No guy has ever looked at me like that before. My junk starts throbbing again and I’m glad the counter’s between us, giving me some cover.
He purses his lips and raises on eyebrow. “Well, maybe it is working. For me, at least.” The smirk is still on his face when he leaves the office.
January 1, 2020
BR with, Ele, Moony and Shile. Dec2019 Thank you, my lovelies!! 💖
Review updated 24/Jun/17
It's been a few days since I finished this and yet I can't seem to let this go. For that, I feel that I need to change my rate to 5 Stars.
20/Jun/17
The Bravest Thing was a damn hard pill to swallow, a heartwrenching story.
It evoked in me a blast of feels! Sadness, impotence and rage consumed me. There were ugly moments and one in particular where I thought I wasn't strong enough to read it and almost skimmed.
Why do I like reading this??? stories that shred my heart? I don't want to read angst stories but when I am in the middle of all drama I feel like a junkie on a high. Do you get me? No, I know you don't. I don't get me either. Tell me again why am I reading this??
I'm Libra-born. Fairness is one of my biggest traits. You might not believe me, but injustice hurts my soul. It just hurts. When injustice is combined with impotence, SOMEBODY HELP ME! Bring me the antacids because I need an overdose.
The hate was horrendous. For my ulcer sake, I need to fool myself and believe that what happened here doesn't exist, that people can't be that evil, so narrow-minded, intolerant, blind and that bigoted and homophobic people are characters from books.
Oh Lord,
Or perhaps I just need to believe that the world is going to change?
For the better!
Hopefully not for too long.
But there was romance, too. And love. And it was beautiful. Therefore, even with all the distressing moments I don't regret reading it. In fact, that was why I loved it.
Oh, the joys of being a masochist reader
Enough from my ramblings.
Now, I'm just going to introduce Hiro and Berlin and get going.
Hiro moved with his parents from a big city to Lowry, in Texas.
Excuse me? Where is that?? apparently in the middle of nowhere.
In his first day at school he's called at the juniors guidance counselor office and is advised:
to try a little harder to blend in, for your own sake.
With all due respect, he says, I don't want to blend in. I checked the dress code and there's no rule against eyeliner. If there is nothing else, I'd like to go to class.
The truth is: Hiro, a 17 year old Asian and gay stands out like a sore thumb in the middle of the other 600 hundred kids in Lowry High.
"I'm trapped in hillbilly hell."
Now, you are allowed to roll your eyes because enter the golden boy from the school football team: Berlin, a stunning work of art, hot as fuck and fascinated by Hiro's rock star slash pirate style - his words, not mine.
Oh! forgot a detail: buried deep in the closet.
Do I need to praise the author? Hell, no. I think my eloquent feelings speak for themselves.
If you are looking for an emotional book where love wins, don't have an ulcer like me, love angst stories, have a shrink and think you can handle the pain, look no more. You have just found it.
Teaser:
Mrs. Potts is right, I tell him. Your look wont work here.
He stops and turns a little, slides up to the counter so we're facing each other. He tilts his head and looks at me from under his hair, smirks like I made a joke. Maybe he knifed someone at his old school. He looks kind of insane.
How about you, cowboy? he says in a deep, husky voice that goes straight to my balls. is that look working for you? My own throat goes dry as the desert as his eyes rake over me, from my waist to my chest and shoulders, finally my eyes. No guy has ever looked at me like that before. My junk starts throbbing again and I'm glad the counters between us, giving me some cover.
He purses his lips and raises on eyebrow. Well, maybe it is working. For me, at least. The smirk is still on his face when he leaves the office.
Review updated 24/Jun/17
It's been a few days since I finished this and yet I can't seem to let this go. For that, I feel that I need to change my rate to 5 Stars.
20/Jun/17
The Bravest Thing was a damn hard pill to swallow, a heartwrenching story.
It evoked in me a blast of feels! Sadness, impotence and rage consumed me. There were ugly moments and one in particular where I thought I wasn't strong enough to read it and almost skimmed.
Why do I like reading this??? stories that shred my heart? I don't want to read angst stories but when I am in the middle of all drama I feel like a junkie on a high. Do you get me? No, I know you don't. I don't get me either. Tell me again why am I reading this??
I'm Libra-born. Fairness is one of my biggest traits. You might not believe me, but injustice hurts my soul. It just hurts. When injustice is combined with impotence, SOMEBODY HELP ME! Bring me the antacids because I need an overdose.
The hate was horrendous. For my ulcer sake, I need to fool myself and believe that what happened here doesn't exist, that people can't be that evil, so narrow-minded, intolerant, blind and that bigoted and homophobic people are characters from books.
Oh Lord,
Or perhaps I just need to believe that the world is going to change?
For the better!
Hopefully not for too long.
But there was romance, too. And love. And it was beautiful. Therefore, even with all the distressing moments I don't regret reading it. In fact, that was why I loved it.
Oh, the joys of being a masochist reader
Enough from my ramblings.
Now, I'm just going to introduce Hiro and Berlin and get going.
Hiro moved with his parents from a big city to Lowry, in Texas.
Excuse me? Where is that?? apparently in the middle of nowhere.
In his first day at school he's called at the juniors guidance counselor office and is advised:
to try a little harder to blend in, for your own sake.
With all due respect, he says, I don't want to blend in. I checked the dress code and there's no rule against eyeliner. If there is nothing else, I'd like to go to class.
The truth is: Hiro, a 17 year old Asian and gay stands out like a sore thumb in the middle of the other 600 hundred kids in Lowry High.
"I'm trapped in hillbilly hell."
Now, you are allowed to roll your eyes because enter the golden boy from the school football team: Berlin, a stunning work of art, hot as fuck and fascinated by Hiro's rock star slash pirate style - his words, not mine.
Oh! forgot a detail: buried deep in the closet.
Do I need to praise the author? Hell, no. I think my eloquent feelings speak for themselves.
If you are looking for an emotional book where love wins, don't have an ulcer like me, love angst stories, have a shrink and think you can handle the pain, look no more. You have just found it.
Teaser:
Mrs. Potts is right, I tell him. Your look wont work here.
He stops and turns a little, slides up to the counter so we're facing each other. He tilts his head and looks at me from under his hair, smirks like I made a joke. Maybe he knifed someone at his old school. He looks kind of insane.
How about you, cowboy? he says in a deep, husky voice that goes straight to my balls. is that look working for you? My own throat goes dry as the desert as his eyes rake over me, from my waist to my chest and shoulders, finally my eyes. No guy has ever looked at me like that before. My junk starts throbbing again and I'm glad the counters between us, giving me some cover.
He purses his lips and raises on eyebrow. Well, maybe it is working. For me, at least. The smirk is still on his face when he leaves the office.
June 27, 2018
Quite frankly this is gonna be a grumpy review and a dissenting opinion, so maybe just chuck this one up to me being difficult?!?
Because JEEBUS ROLLERBLADING CHRIST what a weird book and what a ridiculous 'ending'...
First of all: Hiro and Berlin are teenagers, but at times their 'voices' read like grown adults, and it sort of threw me off again and again.
When Hiro (towards the end) mentions he's 17, I am sitting there gobsmacked, clutching my imaginary pearls and judging small-town-America, as well as the author, for writing a book where no adults are actually present and/or helpful!
Berlin's father did sort of come around, but these two were mostly left to their own devices and everybody just turned a blind eye on Berlin and Hiro's troubles, Trent (Berlin included) and Seth...
And I just... I didn't buy this story at all, and to be honest in the end, I didn't WANT to buy it!
Why the two (four when you include Hiro and Berlin, and I DO include them at times) fucktards Seth and Trent are left to just carry on, will be forever a mystery to me. And I can't or won't forgive the author for that choice.
Trent is a known bully and let's not forget that he FUCKING BRANDED HIRO WITH A BRANDING IRON and he's just left to his own devices, while Berlin contemplates to return to the football team WITH THE SAME TEAMMATES WHO HELPED ATTACK HIRO!
This was... So fucking ridiculous and lacking in terms of some sort of solution and/or resolution and I was just... Blindsided by the ridiculous decisions this author made.
Can we also maybe talk about how Hiro's supposed to be an independent, hardcore MC, but when it comes down to it he lets Seth almost kill him, and then just... Walks away, to return ALONE to do an interview???
Yes, Hiro and Berlin were teenagers, but in some instances they made quite grown-up decisions and choices and then when it actually counted, they left their heads somewhere out in the sun to cook and then 'waddled' off, hoping to not, you know, BE KILLED!.
I get that Hiro had an 'addiction'-personality, but for him to go see Seth (again) ALONE not long after he's sober and healed, had me rolling my eyes and just... Loosing my patience with him.
I keep thinking of the discussion regarding gay movies, and how most of the gay movies up until a few years ago were always ending with the (gay) MC alone and/or heartbroken and/or unhappy and/or dead, and this book had that same feel for me.
That feeling: that they didn't deserve to have some sort of REAL happy ending (or HFN), because the more tragic the better.
To clarify: they did have a HFN (???... I still don't know if I would call them happy, but Hiro and Berlin are a couple in the end, though that doesn't change the rest of the book or the decisions or the mood for me.)
I was left with a feeling of incompleteness, since so many things are still up in the air: Berlin's future? Hiro and Berlin's future together? Will Hiro actually survive to old-age? Will Trent die in a horrible accident? Just....
Nothing about this was hopeful in the end for me, it was just a shitshow with teenagers and bad decisions.
That Trent is walking around and Berlin just talks to him like it 'ain't no thang' had me giving up on this book, and possibly on this author.
My life is too short for imaginary worlds where there's not a smidgeon of consequence or karma or PRISON TIME for the bad guys.
Because JEEBUS ROLLERBLADING CHRIST what a weird book and what a ridiculous 'ending'...
First of all: Hiro and Berlin are teenagers, but at times their 'voices' read like grown adults, and it sort of threw me off again and again.
When Hiro (towards the end) mentions he's 17, I am sitting there gobsmacked, clutching my imaginary pearls and judging small-town-America, as well as the author, for writing a book where no adults are actually present and/or helpful!
Berlin's father did sort of come around, but these two were mostly left to their own devices and everybody just turned a blind eye on Berlin and Hiro's troubles, Trent (Berlin included) and Seth...
And I just... I didn't buy this story at all, and to be honest in the end, I didn't WANT to buy it!
Why the two (four when you include Hiro and Berlin, and I DO include them at times) fucktards Seth and Trent are left to just carry on, will be forever a mystery to me. And I can't or won't forgive the author for that choice.
Trent is a known bully and let's not forget that he FUCKING BRANDED HIRO WITH A BRANDING IRON and he's just left to his own devices, while Berlin contemplates to return to the football team WITH THE SAME TEAMMATES WHO HELPED ATTACK HIRO!
This was... So fucking ridiculous and lacking in terms of some sort of solution and/or resolution and I was just... Blindsided by the ridiculous decisions this author made.
Can we also maybe talk about how Hiro's supposed to be an independent, hardcore MC, but when it comes down to it he lets Seth almost kill him, and then just... Walks away, to return ALONE to do an interview???
Yes, Hiro and Berlin were teenagers, but in some instances they made quite grown-up decisions and choices and then when it actually counted, they left their heads somewhere out in the sun to cook and then 'waddled' off, hoping to not, you know, BE KILLED!.
I get that Hiro had an 'addiction'-personality, but for him to go see Seth (again) ALONE not long after he's sober and healed, had me rolling my eyes and just... Loosing my patience with him.
I keep thinking of the discussion regarding gay movies, and how most of the gay movies up until a few years ago were always ending with the (gay) MC alone and/or heartbroken and/or unhappy and/or dead, and this book had that same feel for me.
That feeling: that they didn't deserve to have some sort of REAL happy ending (or HFN), because the more tragic the better.
To clarify: they did have a HFN (???... I still don't know if I would call them happy, but Hiro and Berlin are a couple in the end, though that doesn't change the rest of the book or the decisions or the mood for me.)
I was left with a feeling of incompleteness, since so many things are still up in the air: Berlin's future? Hiro and Berlin's future together? Will Hiro actually survive to old-age? Will Trent die in a horrible accident? Just....
Nothing about this was hopeful in the end for me, it was just a shitshow with teenagers and bad decisions.
That Trent is walking around and Berlin just talks to him like it 'ain't no thang' had me giving up on this book, and possibly on this author.
My life is too short for imaginary worlds where there's not a smidgeon of consequence or karma or PRISON TIME for the bad guys.
December 30, 2019
I just finished my second read, and although I see where I was coming from with my original review, I appreciated this book even more this time. I was initially pretty hard on Berlin's characterization, and I felt better about him on my reread. I loved this book, and the one that comes before it, and I need more. Amen.
Shout-out to my BR partners! Much love. Ele 🖤 Jan 🖤 Shile
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Why is it that the best books are the hardest to review? Give me a book I hated, and the diatribe flows out of my fingers without effort. But when it's amazing, sometimes I just don’t have words to do it justice.
Hiroku was one of those perfect books for me. I’m not sure if I’ll ever feel any closer to being able to verbalize my thoughts and feelings about it. Maybe after my next time through.
But yes, I haven’t forgotten that this review is about The Bravest Thing. :)
A lot of discussion has happened around which one to read first, and I took the author’s recommendation and read them in chronological (not published) order. I’m really glad I did. I’m one of those people for whom even the blurbs are spoilers, so I was able to get more fully absorbed in the first part of the story... not knowing what was coming in the second.
Here’s the thing that was 50 million stars about these two books: the character development of Hiroku and Seth. There is absolutely nothing better than reading about characters that become so three-dimensional that I feel like I would know them viscerally if I met them on the street. I don’t require characters to always be likable, just to be real. It’s WHY I READ.
Unfortunately, the rub here was that I didn’t get quite that 3D feeling about Berlin. I wanted to, because of course he’s the good guy, but he was a little too good. I needed more flaws than just some cowardice due to wanting to fit in (which is only the nature of being a teenager). And I definitely needed a less psychologically mature narrative from a 17yo high school junior. Sometimes he sounded more adult and well-adjusted than most 40 year olds I know, which didn’t fit and made him too good to be true.
Some extremely difficult content was tackled here, and it was written admirably and without pulling punches. Definitely search the reviews for triggers if you are concerned or have limits. I don’t think I’m going to get Hiroku out of my head for a very long time. And despite how hard these books were to live in sometimes, I will definitely reread them both many times because now he’s just under my skin, part of my life, and that’s the only way I can keep him in it! So needless to say, very highly recommended.
Shout-out to my BR partners! Much love. Ele 🖤 Jan 🖤 Shile
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Why is it that the best books are the hardest to review? Give me a book I hated, and the diatribe flows out of my fingers without effort. But when it's amazing, sometimes I just don’t have words to do it justice.
Hiroku was one of those perfect books for me. I’m not sure if I’ll ever feel any closer to being able to verbalize my thoughts and feelings about it. Maybe after my next time through.
But yes, I haven’t forgotten that this review is about The Bravest Thing. :)
A lot of discussion has happened around which one to read first, and I took the author’s recommendation and read them in chronological (not published) order. I’m really glad I did. I’m one of those people for whom even the blurbs are spoilers, so I was able to get more fully absorbed in the first part of the story... not knowing what was coming in the second.
Here’s the thing that was 50 million stars about these two books: the character development of Hiroku and Seth. There is absolutely nothing better than reading about characters that become so three-dimensional that I feel like I would know them viscerally if I met them on the street. I don’t require characters to always be likable, just to be real. It’s WHY I READ.
Unfortunately, the rub here was that I didn’t get quite that 3D feeling about Berlin. I wanted to, because of course he’s the good guy, but he was a little too good. I needed more flaws than just some cowardice due to wanting to fit in (which is only the nature of being a teenager). And I definitely needed a less psychologically mature narrative from a 17yo high school junior. Sometimes he sounded more adult and well-adjusted than most 40 year olds I know, which didn’t fit and made him too good to be true.
Some extremely difficult content was tackled here, and it was written admirably and without pulling punches. Definitely search the reviews for triggers if you are concerned or have limits. I don’t think I’m going to get Hiroku out of my head for a very long time. And despite how hard these books were to live in sometimes, I will definitely reread them both many times because now he’s just under my skin, part of my life, and that’s the only way I can keep him in it! So needless to say, very highly recommended.
September 18, 2021
4 Stars
Told in dual POV, 1st person, it can be read as a standalone but I think it’s better if you read "Hiroku" first, to know more about the past. In this book, Hiroku wants to be fully with Berlin but his past keeps getting in the way of his present and he’s scared of his own feelings. Berlin is so caring and patient with Hiroku and he makes Hiroku feel like a real person. My only issue here is that I wish there was more to the ending. I needed to see them a few years later; to know how are they. And I wish the author writes something about Seth. I’d like to see that he regrets what he has done for real this time… All in all, I enjoyed it a lot and hope you like it as well!
Told in dual POV, 1st person, it can be read as a standalone but I think it’s better if you read "Hiroku" first, to know more about the past. In this book, Hiroku wants to be fully with Berlin but his past keeps getting in the way of his present and he’s scared of his own feelings. Berlin is so caring and patient with Hiroku and he makes Hiroku feel like a real person. My only issue here is that I wish there was more to the ending. I needed to see them a few years later; to know how are they. And I wish the author writes something about Seth. I’d like to see that he regrets what he has done for real this time… All in all, I enjoyed it a lot and hope you like it as well!
June 6, 2018
June 6, 2018 : amazon 0.99$ sale alert! get this one before the prequel drops.
---------
I've rated this an A for AAR which is equal to 4.75 stars.
I don't know who put The Bravest Thing on my radar but whoever it was, please feel free to find me and collect a reward for a job well done.
Laura Lascarso is a new-to-me author, one I'm sorry to say I hadn't even heard of before picking up this book, but I knew by the opening chapter (truthfully, the very first page) that it was going to be something special. Sweet and wonderful, utterly heartbreaking, or a mix of both (spoiler – it was a mix), I didn't know which, but I was already feeling things. The hooks were in me instantly.
Set in small town Lowry, Texas, the story opens on Berlin Webber, your typical all-American male – blond, popular, a hard working son, and the local high school's running back. Like so many teens his age, he's counting down the days until the end of high school; not just for the opportunities offered by college, but because every passing day is one less day he has to hide his sexuality so as not to risk his football scholarship. He's not entirely sure he's gay but, "judging by [his] browser history this summer, it's seeming more and more likely."
So of course, on the first day of his junior year, in cruises Hiroku Hayashi on his motorcycle. With his tight pants, touchable looking hair, and the fact that he's unapologetically wearing eyeliner, Hiro does more to affirm Berlin's orientation with one glance than any amount of fooling around with his long-term, but saving-herself-for-marriage, girlfriend. But it's not just for the sake of his spot on the team, or toeing the line of his current world order, that he stays in the closet. It's also because not only is the coach a raging homophobe, but so is Berlin's quarterback best friend, Trent – who happens to be the coach's son.
Though Berlin is committed to staying closeted in order to ensure a future somewhere that isn't the local community college, he can't manage to stay away from Hiro. The other boy fascinates him, draws him in, and after breaking up with his girlfriend because he's tired of the lies, Berlin even takes things a step further and, instead of resisting the pull or denying what he wants, asks Hiro out on a date. He tries to woo him by inviting him to see a band often displayed on Hiro's t-shirts and inadvertently offers the other boy a temptation he’s trying so hard to resist.
The only reason Hiro is in Lowry is because he hit rock bottom. After breaking off a toxic relationship almost as damaging as the addiction it fueled, Hiro's parents are helping him to start over. Removing him from the big city in hopes it'll help him heal post-rehab, Hiro's biggest struggle is no longer the drugs or his abusive rockstar ex, but facing down the daily bigotry and harassment from the football team. Berlin's cautious friendliness, and then clumsy interest at first feels suspiciously like a prank, but Hiro quickly catches on to the other boy's situation and a friendship blossoms. Hiro is taken in by Berlin's goodness and kindness, yet doesn't feel he deserves either. So used to being treated poorly, it takes time for him to understand he's being appreciated for all that he is and that Berlin might want more than just to experiment. He pushes, challenging Berli'’s belief in God, in his ignorant friends, and the relationship – hidden though it has to be – changes them both.
And, of course, everything goes to shit soon after.
This might not sound like anything more than your typical closeted-church-going-townie story but it is. It's so much more. Lascarso's writing, which I initially thought to be almost simple and without frills, is compelling in a ‘can't read fast enough’ kind of way and yet also manages to be incredibly emotional because it is simple. Her prose isn't weighed down by unnecessary flourishes or metaphors and is pure, one-hundred percent, undiluted perfection that doesn't distract from the characters or the events. The sweetness of the getting-to-know-you stage of a relationship, the violence that makes up hitting rock bottom and all the personalities who choose to live at that level, the hatred and bigotry wielded like a weapon against others – all are expressed or shown without crossing over into the dramatic, gratuitous, or trite. The descent into addiction and the following withdrawal is stark and raw. That very personal choice to stay close to God, or one's faith, even when the local church turns its back on you, even when friends abandon you, is powerful without feeling preachy. The inherent goodness of these characters, all with their struggles and baggage.. it's all so real. I had my hand on my heart for the final chapters because I was just feeling so much.
"Faith isn't like a rule book. Just because one small piece of it isn't working doesn’t mean you throw the whole thing out the window."
Hiro's journey is one he lives day by day, and he has much to overcome, not the least of which is learning to believe in and trust himself. And then there's Berlin. He's such an innocent in many ways, but it doesn’t mean he's perfect. Like so many kids his age, he doesn't always make the right choices; and yet it's never for the wrong reason or because he's ashamed or sticking his head in the sand. Every pace the author put him through surprised me and pointed to how refreshing and delightfully unexpected this boy is. Which I think sums up my feelings about this whole book. Unexpected.
But for all that goodness, there is darkness to this story, too. I often forgot I was reading a YA novel featuring seventeen-year-olds. Nothing about this feels young and yet so much of this story is about coming into your own, discovering yourself, and owning up to it no matter what (or who) holds you back. The happily ever after of the romance is so perfect, so well earned, and yet every step of the way is natural without feeling as though there were elements thrown in to delay things for the sake of the plot. It isn’t always an easy read but I loved every moment of it.
The Bravest Thing is heartfelt, heartbreaking, and heartwarming. This is hands down one of the best coming-out stories I've ever read and I can't wait to see what else this author has to offer.
Full review can be found at AAR.
---------
I've rated this an A for AAR which is equal to 4.75 stars.
I don't know who put The Bravest Thing on my radar but whoever it was, please feel free to find me and collect a reward for a job well done.
Laura Lascarso is a new-to-me author, one I'm sorry to say I hadn't even heard of before picking up this book, but I knew by the opening chapter (truthfully, the very first page) that it was going to be something special. Sweet and wonderful, utterly heartbreaking, or a mix of both (spoiler – it was a mix), I didn't know which, but I was already feeling things. The hooks were in me instantly.
Set in small town Lowry, Texas, the story opens on Berlin Webber, your typical all-American male – blond, popular, a hard working son, and the local high school's running back. Like so many teens his age, he's counting down the days until the end of high school; not just for the opportunities offered by college, but because every passing day is one less day he has to hide his sexuality so as not to risk his football scholarship. He's not entirely sure he's gay but, "judging by [his] browser history this summer, it's seeming more and more likely."
So of course, on the first day of his junior year, in cruises Hiroku Hayashi on his motorcycle. With his tight pants, touchable looking hair, and the fact that he's unapologetically wearing eyeliner, Hiro does more to affirm Berlin's orientation with one glance than any amount of fooling around with his long-term, but saving-herself-for-marriage, girlfriend. But it's not just for the sake of his spot on the team, or toeing the line of his current world order, that he stays in the closet. It's also because not only is the coach a raging homophobe, but so is Berlin's quarterback best friend, Trent – who happens to be the coach's son.
Though Berlin is committed to staying closeted in order to ensure a future somewhere that isn't the local community college, he can't manage to stay away from Hiro. The other boy fascinates him, draws him in, and after breaking up with his girlfriend because he's tired of the lies, Berlin even takes things a step further and, instead of resisting the pull or denying what he wants, asks Hiro out on a date. He tries to woo him by inviting him to see a band often displayed on Hiro's t-shirts and inadvertently offers the other boy a temptation he’s trying so hard to resist.
The only reason Hiro is in Lowry is because he hit rock bottom. After breaking off a toxic relationship almost as damaging as the addiction it fueled, Hiro's parents are helping him to start over. Removing him from the big city in hopes it'll help him heal post-rehab, Hiro's biggest struggle is no longer the drugs or his abusive rockstar ex, but facing down the daily bigotry and harassment from the football team. Berlin's cautious friendliness, and then clumsy interest at first feels suspiciously like a prank, but Hiro quickly catches on to the other boy's situation and a friendship blossoms. Hiro is taken in by Berlin's goodness and kindness, yet doesn't feel he deserves either. So used to being treated poorly, it takes time for him to understand he's being appreciated for all that he is and that Berlin might want more than just to experiment. He pushes, challenging Berli'’s belief in God, in his ignorant friends, and the relationship – hidden though it has to be – changes them both.
And, of course, everything goes to shit soon after.
This might not sound like anything more than your typical closeted-church-going-townie story but it is. It's so much more. Lascarso's writing, which I initially thought to be almost simple and without frills, is compelling in a ‘can't read fast enough’ kind of way and yet also manages to be incredibly emotional because it is simple. Her prose isn't weighed down by unnecessary flourishes or metaphors and is pure, one-hundred percent, undiluted perfection that doesn't distract from the characters or the events. The sweetness of the getting-to-know-you stage of a relationship, the violence that makes up hitting rock bottom and all the personalities who choose to live at that level, the hatred and bigotry wielded like a weapon against others – all are expressed or shown without crossing over into the dramatic, gratuitous, or trite. The descent into addiction and the following withdrawal is stark and raw. That very personal choice to stay close to God, or one's faith, even when the local church turns its back on you, even when friends abandon you, is powerful without feeling preachy. The inherent goodness of these characters, all with their struggles and baggage.. it's all so real. I had my hand on my heart for the final chapters because I was just feeling so much.
"Faith isn't like a rule book. Just because one small piece of it isn't working doesn’t mean you throw the whole thing out the window."
Hiro's journey is one he lives day by day, and he has much to overcome, not the least of which is learning to believe in and trust himself. And then there's Berlin. He's such an innocent in many ways, but it doesn’t mean he's perfect. Like so many kids his age, he doesn't always make the right choices; and yet it's never for the wrong reason or because he's ashamed or sticking his head in the sand. Every pace the author put him through surprised me and pointed to how refreshing and delightfully unexpected this boy is. Which I think sums up my feelings about this whole book. Unexpected.
But for all that goodness, there is darkness to this story, too. I often forgot I was reading a YA novel featuring seventeen-year-olds. Nothing about this feels young and yet so much of this story is about coming into your own, discovering yourself, and owning up to it no matter what (or who) holds you back. The happily ever after of the romance is so perfect, so well earned, and yet every step of the way is natural without feeling as though there were elements thrown in to delay things for the sake of the plot. It isn’t always an easy read but I loved every moment of it.
The Bravest Thing is heartfelt, heartbreaking, and heartwarming. This is hands down one of the best coming-out stories I've ever read and I can't wait to see what else this author has to offer.
Full review can be found at AAR.
January 1, 2020
4.5 stars
I’m afraid of saying it out loud and ruining it, but I think I might have found a keeper with this author. Two great books out of two seems like a very good sign and if you consider that they’re both YA, it’s pretty much a miracle.
It’s difficult for me to review The Bravest Thing without taking into consideration Hiroku, I really can’t say if this book would have worked as well for me if I hadn’t already read the prequel (which was written second, but it’s best read first, in my opinion).
For one thing, I doubt I would’ve cared as much for Hiroku so soon in the story, or at all. I started The Bravest Thing already rooting for him, knowing what he went through and what he was struggling with, and that influenced my reaction to everything he said and did. I wanted him to succeed and I was ready to cut him some slack when he was prickly and abrasive because I already knew and cared about him.
Berlin was a different matter, he was the new element and I was really surprised by how much I loved him from the start. He may not read as the most realistic teenager for many readers, because he was so mature and he messed things up a lot less than you would reasonably expect from someone his age, but that was actually what made me fall in love with him from the start. He had this mature, steady presence, he was very perceptive, and I could buy it because it fit him, his upbringing and his background. He was sweet without being saccharine and he never felt unrealistic. He had his doubts, he made mistakes, he was inexperienced and naive in a lot of ways, and he also just happened to have the right attitude and personality to be perfect for Hiroku. From the first moment I felt like they complemented each other perfectly and it never felt forced.
Without going into many details, I felt like the progression of Hiroku’s story was perfectly handled and it mixed well with the challenges of his new environment and Berlin’s situation. There are difficult parts in this book, as hard as the ones in Hiroku if not more, but I wouldn’t change a thing, because it was the realistic way to go. Just like in Hiroku, everything that happened never felt forced, never felt like it was put there for pure shock factor. Real life is often worse than fiction.
Speaking of worse,
As I’m here trying to decide if I should round up or down, the more I think about every detail of this book, the more I find things to like. I loved how every secondary character, no matter how minor, was fleshed out. I loved Berlin’s father and although I can’t say the same forthe biggest asshole ever Trent, he was also a great secondary character.
The only reason I can find for rounding down is that I was left wanting more, more of Berlin, more of Hiroku, more of knowing what’s in store for them in the future, what decisions they’ll make, and so on. And it’s weird because I’m usually okay with that, unless I feel like the characters still have things to work through and I don’t feel that way here. They might be young, but I feel confident that they can work everything out together moving forward.
So it seems like the only reason I have for rounding down is that I’m coming down with a book hangover, which seems by default like the perfect reason for rounding up.
----------------------------------------
Thank you to Jan, Moony, and Shile for another awesome BR. I promise to work on whining less when things get tough.
I’m afraid of saying it out loud and ruining it, but I think I might have found a keeper with this author. Two great books out of two seems like a very good sign and if you consider that they’re both YA, it’s pretty much a miracle.
It’s difficult for me to review The Bravest Thing without taking into consideration Hiroku, I really can’t say if this book would have worked as well for me if I hadn’t already read the prequel (which was written second, but it’s best read first, in my opinion).
For one thing, I doubt I would’ve cared as much for Hiroku so soon in the story, or at all. I started The Bravest Thing already rooting for him, knowing what he went through and what he was struggling with, and that influenced my reaction to everything he said and did. I wanted him to succeed and I was ready to cut him some slack when he was prickly and abrasive because I already knew and cared about him.
Berlin was a different matter, he was the new element and I was really surprised by how much I loved him from the start. He may not read as the most realistic teenager for many readers, because he was so mature and he messed things up a lot less than you would reasonably expect from someone his age, but that was actually what made me fall in love with him from the start. He had this mature, steady presence, he was very perceptive, and I could buy it because it fit him, his upbringing and his background. He was sweet without being saccharine and he never felt unrealistic. He had his doubts, he made mistakes, he was inexperienced and naive in a lot of ways, and he also just happened to have the right attitude and personality to be perfect for Hiroku. From the first moment I felt like they complemented each other perfectly and it never felt forced.
Without going into many details, I felt like the progression of Hiroku’s story was perfectly handled and it mixed well with the challenges of his new environment and Berlin’s situation. There are difficult parts in this book, as hard as the ones in Hiroku if not more, but I wouldn’t change a thing, because it was the realistic way to go. Just like in Hiroku, everything that happened never felt forced, never felt like it was put there for pure shock factor. Real life is often worse than fiction.
Speaking of worse,
As I’m here trying to decide if I should round up or down, the more I think about every detail of this book, the more I find things to like. I loved how every secondary character, no matter how minor, was fleshed out. I loved Berlin’s father and although I can’t say the same for
The only reason I can find for rounding down is that I was left wanting more, more of Berlin, more of Hiroku, more of knowing what’s in store for them in the future, what decisions they’ll make, and so on. And it’s weird because I’m usually okay with that, unless I feel like the characters still have things to work through and I don’t feel that way here. They might be young, but I feel confident that they can work everything out together moving forward.
So it seems like the only reason I have for rounding down is that I’m coming down with a book hangover, which seems by default like the perfect reason for rounding up.
----------------------------------------
Thank you to Jan, Moony, and Shile for another awesome BR. I promise to work on whining less when things get tough.
August 19, 2021
It's nighttime and I'm alone. My heart races with panic. He left me by myself. I start freaking out.
"I'm right here," he says quietly. He's lying on his back on the other side of the bed. He rolls over onto his side to face me, open his arms, and I scoot closer so he can hold me. I breathe his scent. I must be getting better. I can smell again.
"Don't go," I beg.
"I won't."
my second fave duology after cullinan's the roosevelt. hiroku, berlin, and seth in their own ways have my heart. when it comes to this book, i swooned so hard, i teared up, and most importantly i got emotional. one of the winning moment for me here was how there was this play of words in hiroku: about him falling in love for the first time for the second time. seth was his first love alongside with the obsession and addiction. how he craves to be seth's muse no matter the cost. in this book, he considers berlin as his first love in this new life of his. with berlin's shy smile, cowboy ways, and the way he cares about him. the homophobia was intense. it got me extremely uncomfortable. the thing they did to hiroku was just evil. it was vile. lastly, i don't know if this is the last book but i hope hiroku got more therapy to further help him but this time with berlin at his side. berlin fucking webber is officially my new fictional boyfriend! lascarso is becoming me new fave author.
my LL collection:
Master's Shiavo - 5 stars
The Bravest Thing - 5 stars
Hiroku - 5 stars
A Soft Touch - 4 stars
September 20, 2017
*3.75*
This has been sitting in my kindle for a while. It was totally depressing but I'm glad I read it. Will be reading more by this author.
I wish Hiro has seeked out more professional help for his issues, though...
Also, let Trent and Seth burn in the pit of hell.
This has been sitting in my kindle for a while. It was totally depressing but I'm glad I read it. Will be reading more by this author.
I wish Hiro has seeked out more professional help for his issues, though...
Also, let Trent and Seth burn in the pit of hell.
September 11, 2021
4.75 stars ⭐️ I don't have enough words to describe what I feel right now. Currently, I'm in a book hangover. I don't know for sure this book would do it to me because judging from my recent reads, my luck toward books ain't likely to seem better. But reading a pretty intense book surrounded by dark themes in a high school romance is the best way to persuade my mind to rate it as 5-star.
This is the story of Hiro and Berlin whose story you never forget if you ever read it..
“He makes me feel like I’m someone worth caring for. I like the person I am with Berlin Webber. Like the light shining from within him is bright enough to wrap us both in a safe, warm glow.
This must be happiness.”
Berlin is a gorgeous and athletic cowboy. His father is the only anchor he has after his mother's death. Berlin is a shy, caring, and kind guy. He is the perfect boyfriend everyone expects and should get. He struggles with his sexuality. His friends, school, neighborhood, and the church never become a support system for the LGBTQIA+ community. The dire consequences of coming out to his school or his friends could end his athletic and personal life, and it encourages him further to be in the closet as long as he can.
Eventually, Berlin knows with prior experiences of his life, preferring girls is the only option he has, and what Berlin did was hide his sexuality in the depth inside of him, and pretending to be someone he never intend to be.
“I watch Hiro. He’s the hottest, coolest, most badass kid I’ve ever met.
And he’s mine.”
Hiro is Japanese and handsome. The things he has experienced at his age are horrible, and anyone in his age should not have. He is bullied for being gay. But he doesn't give a damn anyone who thinks of him as a threat. He has a loving family. His mother loves him so much. But one spur-of-the-moment, Hiro did something he couldn't undo by hurting his loving ones.
“Berlin is like, perfect. Gorgeous, strong, kind and caring. And he likes me too. I still can’t believe it. If I were the gay bachelor, I’d choose Berlin a hundred times over.”
Here, homophobic gets the best of it. I was quite uncomfortable with the slurs the whole time. But it didn't prevent me from continuing the whole book.
Hiro and Berlin's relationship is well developed. it's not an easy road to take. But ups and downs in their relationship make it easier for them to bind tightly.
“how sometimes the bravest thing you can do is be honest with yourself about who you are and who you love.”
I admire Hiro and Berlin. They're the bravest boys. I know Hiro has a lot on his plate, and his decisions make Berlin hurts. Nonetheless, I couldn't make myself angry at Hiro. He is suffering, often enduring from his decisions. He doesn't think rationally.
I don't quietly understand Seth. He is an intriguing character. I hate Seth for making Hiro constrained and self-disdain, and I love Berlin for not judging Hiro and help him to improve his self-worth.
This story is not a simple one to read. Sometimes, I put the book down for a minute and start to read it again.
The only niggle have for the story is there isn't an epilogue and I feel like the story ended abruptly. I don't know whether there is a sequel or not, but I'll be too happy if there is one.
Cover ⭐️⭐️
Highly recommended!
This is the story of Hiro and Berlin whose story you never forget if you ever read it..
“He makes me feel like I’m someone worth caring for. I like the person I am with Berlin Webber. Like the light shining from within him is bright enough to wrap us both in a safe, warm glow.
This must be happiness.”
Berlin is a gorgeous and athletic cowboy. His father is the only anchor he has after his mother's death. Berlin is a shy, caring, and kind guy. He is the perfect boyfriend everyone expects and should get. He struggles with his sexuality. His friends, school, neighborhood, and the church never become a support system for the LGBTQIA+ community. The dire consequences of coming out to his school or his friends could end his athletic and personal life, and it encourages him further to be in the closet as long as he can.
Eventually, Berlin knows with prior experiences of his life, preferring girls is the only option he has, and what Berlin did was hide his sexuality in the depth inside of him, and pretending to be someone he never intend to be.
“I watch Hiro. He’s the hottest, coolest, most badass kid I’ve ever met.
And he’s mine.”
Hiro is Japanese and handsome. The things he has experienced at his age are horrible, and anyone in his age should not have. He is bullied for being gay. But he doesn't give a damn anyone who thinks of him as a threat. He has a loving family. His mother loves him so much. But one spur-of-the-moment, Hiro did something he couldn't undo by hurting his loving ones.
“Berlin is like, perfect. Gorgeous, strong, kind and caring. And he likes me too. I still can’t believe it. If I were the gay bachelor, I’d choose Berlin a hundred times over.”
Here, homophobic gets the best of it. I was quite uncomfortable with the slurs the whole time. But it didn't prevent me from continuing the whole book.
Hiro and Berlin's relationship is well developed. it's not an easy road to take. But ups and downs in their relationship make it easier for them to bind tightly.
“how sometimes the bravest thing you can do is be honest with yourself about who you are and who you love.”
I admire Hiro and Berlin. They're the bravest boys. I know Hiro has a lot on his plate, and his decisions make Berlin hurts. Nonetheless, I couldn't make myself angry at Hiro. He is suffering, often enduring from his decisions. He doesn't think rationally.
I don't quietly understand Seth. He is an intriguing character. I hate Seth for making Hiro constrained and self-disdain, and I love Berlin for not judging Hiro and help him to improve his self-worth.
This story is not a simple one to read. Sometimes, I put the book down for a minute and start to read it again.
The only niggle have for the story is there isn't an epilogue and I feel like the story ended abruptly. I don't know whether there is a sequel or not, but I'll be too happy if there is one.
Cover ⭐️⭐️
Highly recommended!
April 25, 2017
The Bravest Thing by Laura Lascarso took me completely by surprise. I devoured this book! Once I started, it was unputdownable, and I read it one sitting. I became in engrossed in this touching story of two high school students living in small town America. Berlin was born and raised in this little Texas town and knows that to get a football scholarship, he must hide his sexuality. Hiro was forced to move because his parents felt it'd be a new beginning for him and will keep him away from the bad influences in his past. Berlin never has met anyone like Hiro and was instantly drawn to him and pursues him. What ensues is a sweet, emotionally charged story.
My highlights:
-Hiro + Berlin. Hiro's a complicated, loving, and loyal character. Berlin was sweet and almost naive, and together they were perfect for each other- they were each other comfort from the troubles in their lives.
-Narration. The story is told through alternating POVs which worked great. It gave readers an insight into both their feelings and where they were coming from.
-The pace was smooth and quick.
-The angst. I was not expecting to cry, but this story got to me. There was an event that took place that was heinous. It made angry and broke my heart because it happens in real life.
-The relationship development was outstanding; it wasn't rushed.
-The end promised self-strength, self-acceptance, and hope.
Would I recommend this?Absolutely, I truly loved this author's writing style.
Steam: I'd say low to moderate.
One more thing- I know many don't like to read YA, but honestly, this didn't read like most YA stories and think readers that enjoy Contemporary Romance would enjoy this one.
All in all, this book surpassed my expectations. Laura Lascarso is a new to me author, but I'll certainly be looking out for more from her in the future. 4.5 Stars.
June 18, 2018
A nice read but not really original. Loved the first half but the second was meh for me so rounded out to 3 stars.
December 16, 2018
Wow. This is an intense and traumatic story about Hiro and Berlin - teenagers in a small football-is-God town, and being gay is a sin that can be prayed away. I hurt so much for Berlin and Hiro. I knew it wasn't going to be pretty, and I knew that things between Hiro and Berlin would suffer. But I still wasn't prepared for how bad things would be, or what Hiro would do in the aftermath .
I highly recommend this story and give it 4.25 stars. Not 5 stars because the ending is a little unsatisfactory. What happened to Hiro isn't really resolved. We are told the steps that have been taken but I wanted to hear that those responsible had been punished by the law, not just the school. And then there is Seth, and the fact that he is allowed to be free to hurt someone new. I wanted Seth to get help, arrested, or exposed and ruined.
I highly recommend this story and give it 4.25 stars. Not 5 stars because the ending is a little unsatisfactory. What happened to Hiro isn't really resolved. We are told the steps that have been taken but I wanted to hear that those responsible had been punished by the law, not just the school. And then there is Seth, and the fact that he is allowed to be free to hurt someone new. I wanted Seth to get help, arrested, or exposed and ruined.
July 29, 2018
Welcome to Hillbily Hell, where the gays are so far in the closet they practically reached Narnia.
I am officially obsessed with Hiroku and Seth (and Berlin but he was more of a balm to Seth's scorching fire). I sat on this review for 3 days just to test if the obsession will fizz away. But 3 days and two other very good books later, they are still there with me and I can't seem to let them go.
So whenever a book makes me so obsessive with the characters it gets a 5+++ from me.
There is a discussion among my friends as to which book to read first, Hiroku or TBT. I've read Hiroku first, and TBT second, and some of my friends the other way around. I think any way is the best way. Just read these books because they are absolutely amazing.
Berlin is a sheltered farm boy, that goes to church every Sunday, popular at school because he is the runner back of the football team, with a hot girlfriend and with a secret. He's gay, but he can't say anything about it because the entire town is filled with homophobic pricks and he could lose his place on the football team and then bye bye scholarship.
So half of the book Berlin will just be a pussy, crushing on Hiroku and pursuing him, but keeping it under secret.
Hiroku on the other hand does not give a shit. He wears eyeliner to school and doesn't hide the fact he is gay. This puts him smack in the attention of the school bullies, Berlin's best friends. Every time the bigot brigade would appear on paper they would make me wish Hiroku had some Dragon Ball Z powers to blow them out of their hillbilly manure splattered boots.
I was not mad at Berlin for wishing to hide who he really was to protect himself. Some people are so evil they can destroy your entire life. But I found him a little stupid from the way he handled his relationship with Hiroku. Maybe it was love that made him make the mistakes that helped Trent figure out he and Hiroku were an item. And when he realized his mistake it was already too late because by then everything had exploded in Lowry.
Seth will never be too far away, always prodding the fences for Hiroku's resolution to stay away from him. He's more intense than ever and as obsessed with Hiroku as he had been in the first book.
There are two villains in this book, Trent and Seth, but Trent is just a bedragled mule in comparison to Seth's red eyed horse from hell.
I recommend it to everyone but this is not a fluffy read. Just like Hiroku, it's like a punch to the guts.
Enjoy! :D
I am officially obsessed with Hiroku and Seth (and Berlin but he was more of a balm to Seth's scorching fire). I sat on this review for 3 days just to test if the obsession will fizz away. But 3 days and two other very good books later, they are still there with me and I can't seem to let them go.
So whenever a book makes me so obsessive with the characters it gets a 5+++ from me.
There is a discussion among my friends as to which book to read first, Hiroku or TBT. I've read Hiroku first, and TBT second, and some of my friends the other way around. I think any way is the best way. Just read these books because they are absolutely amazing.
Berlin is a sheltered farm boy, that goes to church every Sunday, popular at school because he is the runner back of the football team, with a hot girlfriend and with a secret. He's gay, but he can't say anything about it because the entire town is filled with homophobic pricks and he could lose his place on the football team and then bye bye scholarship.
So half of the book Berlin will just be a pussy, crushing on Hiroku and pursuing him, but keeping it under secret.
Hiroku on the other hand does not give a shit. He wears eyeliner to school and doesn't hide the fact he is gay. This puts him smack in the attention of the school bullies, Berlin's best friends. Every time the bigot brigade would appear on paper they would make me wish Hiroku had some Dragon Ball Z powers to blow them out of their hillbilly manure splattered boots.
Kamehameha bitches!
I was not mad at Berlin for wishing to hide who he really was to protect himself. Some people are so evil they can destroy your entire life. But I found him a little stupid from the way he handled his relationship with Hiroku. Maybe it was love that made him make the mistakes that helped Trent figure out he and Hiroku were an item. And when he realized his mistake it was already too late because by then everything had exploded in Lowry.
Seth will never be too far away, always prodding the fences for Hiroku's resolution to stay away from him. He's more intense than ever and as obsessed with Hiroku as he had been in the first book.
There are two villains in this book, Trent and Seth, but Trent is just a bedragled mule in comparison to Seth's red eyed horse from hell.
I recommend it to everyone but this is not a fluffy read. Just like Hiroku, it's like a punch to the guts.
Enjoy! :D
February 29, 2020
This is my second outing with Laura Lascarso and with her character Hiroku. I'm not mad, and I'm sure I'll be up for more from this author, but here's the thing ...
Though this book was published first it's sort of sequel to Hiroku, so at the urging of friends and because I'm absolute slave to chronological order I read in order of events. I'm glad I did. In Hiroku the voice of the character was so all consuming & convincing that I read it in a fugue-like state. I forgot that, given the age of the MC, it's technically a YA, (though it read more NA) which I rarely read. The down side to all that wonderful is that The Bravest Thing, while still a very good book, suffers in comparison. That's a shame because this story deserves an audience.
Hiroku's family has relocated to a small town in an effort to pry him from a toxic relationship but as we all know "small town, big hell". In this instance that hell is a town steeped in a culture that condones homophobia, the deification of football, and intolerant Christianity. In Lowry the only bright spot for Hiroku is Berlin Webber, a fellow junior who's and All-American boy, star of the football team, and questioning his sexuality. They become each other's safe port but it's rough going. A lot of things happen in this book. Beautiful things. Horrific things. Real. You should read it.
Thinking about it the problem for me is that the story is told in dual P.O.V. and though Berlin is a sweet boy, who's sure to grow up into a good man, the kind of person we all want in our future, his voice pales compared to Hiroku's. Maybe that's unfair of me but that was my opinion. It made for a bit of a lopsided reading experience. I'm still glad TBT exists, and by extension Berlin. They're the necessary coda for Hiroku and his story. I also wouldn't be averse to seeing them five years down the road. How does their future pane out? They'r not even 18 when we last see them. I'm worried about them. That's a good thing.
Though this book was published first it's sort of sequel to Hiroku, so at the urging of friends and because I'm absolute slave to chronological order I read in order of events. I'm glad I did. In Hiroku the voice of the character was so all consuming & convincing that I read it in a fugue-like state. I forgot that, given the age of the MC, it's technically a YA, (though it read more NA) which I rarely read. The down side to all that wonderful is that The Bravest Thing, while still a very good book, suffers in comparison. That's a shame because this story deserves an audience.
Hiroku's family has relocated to a small town in an effort to pry him from a toxic relationship but as we all know "small town, big hell". In this instance that hell is a town steeped in a culture that condones homophobia, the deification of football, and intolerant Christianity. In Lowry the only bright spot for Hiroku is Berlin Webber, a fellow junior who's and All-American boy, star of the football team, and questioning his sexuality. They become each other's safe port but it's rough going. A lot of things happen in this book. Beautiful things. Horrific things. Real. You should read it.
Thinking about it the problem for me is that the story is told in dual P.O.V. and though Berlin is a sweet boy, who's sure to grow up into a good man, the kind of person we all want in our future, his voice pales compared to Hiroku's. Maybe that's unfair of me but that was my opinion. It made for a bit of a lopsided reading experience. I'm still glad TBT exists, and by extension Berlin. They're the necessary coda for Hiroku and his story. I also wouldn't be averse to seeing them five years down the road. How does their future pane out? They'r not even 18 when we last see them. I'm worried about them. That's a good thing.
October 20, 2018
When I finished Hiroku I was convinced I should've read this book first, but now I'm glad listened to others, because this was the right order for me after all.
Hiroku's relationship with Berlin wasn't as explosive as with Seth. And I think that's exactly what he needed. He had enough intense shit going on with Seth, and after that disaster he needed someone who didn't rule over his life. Berlin was perfect in that regard.
However, living in a bigoted small town in Texas is not a fairy tale for gay boys. And I didn't expect such a horrible showdown. Poor Hiroku, only 17 but already lived through so much. ;(
I agree, the writing is better in Hiroku, though that might be because first person present tense is not my favorite to begin with.
Hiroku's relationship with Berlin wasn't as explosive as with Seth. And I think that's exactly what he needed. He had enough intense shit going on with Seth, and after that disaster he needed someone who didn't rule over his life. Berlin was perfect in that regard.
However, living in a bigoted small town in Texas is not a fairy tale for gay boys. And I didn't expect such a horrible showdown. Poor Hiroku, only 17 but already lived through so much. ;(
I agree, the writing is better in Hiroku, though that might be because first person present tense is not my favorite to begin with.
November 11, 2021
that was even more agonizing and beautiful than i ever could have imagined after reading Hiroku first. wow wow wow. Laura Lascarso is such an unbelievably talented author and her words always leave me speechless.
April 17, 2017
5++ read - Hiroku and Berlin
A delicate Japanese and a bulk from Texas
I didn't know what to expect from this title I just wanted to read the new one from Laura Lascarso her mind. While writing this review I had goosebumps and my eyes blurred.
This was....is....an amazing good read.
Being addicted is hard to deal with. And Hiro's reflections are so real, raw and honest. So determined but so undermined by his own fears and his fragile state of mind.
But he is strong, getting stronger, much stronger then before....
Berlin is so gentle and kind, somehow he gives Hiro hope...
I smiled more than once, there are really humorous lines.
“Should I bring something?” I ask. “Nothing that was once living.”
They have such a different background :)
Berlin's mind works different, less complicated. Afraid to come out....stubborn in his beliefs, almost naive...but also a tower of strength.
Damn Trent and his father and all those homophobics. I'm not a violent person but sometimes I wanted to smack around.
Then.... something unthinkable happens, I had a feeling to throw up, instead i just sat paralyzed, numb...perplexed....
Is this the end of Hiro...? Please please not....if he survives this... he is the strongest man I've ever known.
Seth is bad news and he is just thát what triggers Hiro. He is like a magnet, he and the drugs.
When Hiro calls: “Berlin,” and this like it’s his last, dying breath. I cried hard, Hiro my hero, boy...you are the Bravest thing.
Berlin gives Hiro some perspective.....and Hiro knows what to do...
Finally he is making the right decisions...Brave !! <3
And also Berlin knows finally what to do, now on the other side he can feel a fraction of what Hiro has experience and when he realize this fact....he never knew....
It was balanced, the switch between Hiro and Berlin their point of views.
Also the right pov at the right moment in the different situations, it felt real and whole.
Smoothly and smoldered written with depth, hope and progression.
It was a deep moving read and it felt awful real. The bullying parts were harsh.
The recovering and the ever struggling parts were even more harsh.
I felt it...i cried emotional tears....
It will always be difficult and the struggling is hard. But there will be a different life with perspective, one with you in control and not the drug.....
For all the Hiro's (read Hero's) Every day is a new one....a new one to start all over to get help or try to go further from where you are... Step by step - hour by hour - Day by day - you are in charge- you are not alone...
ARC received from Divine Magazine given by Publisher
This review is published on Divine Magazine
https://www.divinemagazine.biz/the-br...
A delicate Japanese and a bulk from Texas
I didn't know what to expect from this title I just wanted to read the new one from Laura Lascarso her mind. While writing this review I had goosebumps and my eyes blurred.
This was....is....an amazing good read.
Being addicted is hard to deal with. And Hiro's reflections are so real, raw and honest. So determined but so undermined by his own fears and his fragile state of mind.
But he is strong, getting stronger, much stronger then before....
Berlin is so gentle and kind, somehow he gives Hiro hope...
I smiled more than once, there are really humorous lines.
“Should I bring something?” I ask. “Nothing that was once living.”
They have such a different background :)
Berlin's mind works different, less complicated. Afraid to come out....stubborn in his beliefs, almost naive...but also a tower of strength.
Damn Trent and his father and all those homophobics. I'm not a violent person but sometimes I wanted to smack around.
Then.... something unthinkable happens, I had a feeling to throw up, instead i just sat paralyzed, numb...perplexed....
Is this the end of Hiro...? Please please not....if he survives this... he is the strongest man I've ever known.
Seth is bad news and he is just thát what triggers Hiro. He is like a magnet, he and the drugs.
When Hiro calls: “Berlin,” and this like it’s his last, dying breath. I cried hard, Hiro my hero, boy...you are the Bravest thing.
Berlin gives Hiro some perspective.....and Hiro knows what to do...
Finally he is making the right decisions...Brave !! <3
And also Berlin knows finally what to do, now on the other side he can feel a fraction of what Hiro has experience and when he realize this fact....he never knew....
It was balanced, the switch between Hiro and Berlin their point of views.
Also the right pov at the right moment in the different situations, it felt real and whole.
Smoothly and smoldered written with depth, hope and progression.
It was a deep moving read and it felt awful real. The bullying parts were harsh.
The recovering and the ever struggling parts were even more harsh.
I felt it...i cried emotional tears....
It will always be difficult and the struggling is hard. But there will be a different life with perspective, one with you in control and not the drug.....
For all the Hiro's (read Hero's) Every day is a new one....a new one to start all over to get help or try to go further from where you are... Step by step - hour by hour - Day by day - you are in charge- you are not alone...
ARC received from Divine Magazine given by Publisher
This review is published on Divine Magazine
https://www.divinemagazine.biz/the-br...
June 25, 2017
*4.5 stars*
Brilliant!! Loved this.
This book is still working through me. Some books will do that to me. They'll keep me thinking about it. So as a review I'll just leave some amazing quotes here;
Sometimes some people are bad for us. And Seth was toxic for Hiroku.
Brilliant!! Loved this.
This book is still working through me. Some books will do that to me. They'll keep me thinking about it. So as a review I'll just leave some amazing quotes here;
Sometimes the bravest thing you can do is be honest with yourself about who you are and who you love.
Sometimes some people are bad for us. And Seth was toxic for Hiroku.
"There’s no air in the room when you’re around, no space in my mind for my own thoughts or will. You make me hate myself. And if you really love me as much as you say you do, why would you want that for me?”~~ Hiroku about Seth
The two dragons inside me are always battling. One wants darkness and pain; the other wants goodness and light.
February 10, 2020
I enjoyed reading this, but it also is not exactly for me. Berlin is a super sweet hero, and ultimately lovely partner to Hiro, but he's a little too perfect. (Though I have issues with, like, everyone in this book). There was an on-page, horrific act of hate, which made me weak and sick to my toes. There's more acts of abuse-and I guess I'm an idiot because I thought this book had enough going on without that particular bit.
But one of the number one things I hated? Internalized homophobia from the perpetrator of violence in this book. It's so convenient, and it's so unconvincing, and it's such a myth His dad was a toxic abuser, did Trent need more motivation to be a violent character?
And Hiro's fall and ultimate recovery were just too easy. And what I did not understand? Why he ended up where he did at the end of the book. WTAF?
So, sorry, while I ultimately see the appeal of this and feels it deals with some real issues, the execution was a bit sloppy. The writing was better here, but it still didn't move to "show" territory.
Sorry for the long ranty, lack of coherent review, but that's where I am.
But one of the number one things I hated? Internalized homophobia from the perpetrator of violence in this book. It's so convenient, and it's so unconvincing, and it's such a myth His dad was a toxic abuser, did Trent need more motivation to be a violent character?
And Hiro's fall and ultimate recovery were just too easy. And what I did not understand? Why he ended up where he did at the end of the book. WTAF?
So, sorry, while I ultimately see the appeal of this and feels it deals with some real issues, the execution was a bit sloppy. The writing was better here, but it still didn't move to "show" territory.
Sorry for the long ranty, lack of coherent review, but that's where I am.
May 25, 2017
Me ha gustado mucho. La trama no es nada que no hayamos visto antes en el YA pero está muy bien escrito. A Hiroku y a Berlin los entiendes y los sientes cercanos. En general una lectura muy agradable.
June 19, 2017
3,5 básicamente porque hay partes que no me han convencido y otras que me han gustado muchísimo, pierde gas hacia el final, una pena porque toca temas muy interesantes.
Cuando lo empecé parecía que iba a ser otro tipo de historia, más ligera, de hecho me costó enganchar, lo tuve en parón una semana y ayer lo retomé. Hacia el 50% te da un mazazo tremendo y te gira las tripas del revés uf, qué mal rato pasé, una pena que como digo, se desinfle y que Berlin quede en un segundo plano, Hiro sufre, sí, pero todo por lo que Berlin pasa acaba desdibujado en favor se los sentimientos amorosos.
Seguiré leyendo más de la autora, en general me ha parecido un buen trabajo.
Cuando lo empecé parecía que iba a ser otro tipo de historia, más ligera, de hecho me costó enganchar, lo tuve en parón una semana y ayer lo retomé. Hacia el 50% te da un mazazo tremendo y te gira las tripas del revés uf, qué mal rato pasé, una pena que como digo, se desinfle y que Berlin quede en un segundo plano, Hiro sufre, sí, pero todo por lo que Berlin pasa acaba desdibujado en favor se los sentimientos amorosos.
Seguiré leyendo más de la autora, en general me ha parecido un buen trabajo.
June 12, 2021
Laura Lascarso’s writing is phenomenal. It just draws you in. This one didn’t pack in as much of a punch as the prequel did, but I appreciate that. All the gut wrenching emotion I felt in the first one couldn’t and shouldn’t be replicated. I liked Hiroku’s character development. I was all for him. The other characters also had a certain feel to them, which made them oh so realistic.
The fact that the author did proper research and nothing felt showy or ignorant, makes the whole series a win-win for me.
❤️
The fact that the author did proper research and nothing felt showy or ignorant, makes the whole series a win-win for me.
❤️
dnf
December 10, 2024DNF @ 19%
I loved When Everything Is Blue when I read it some years ago, and have been looking for something else by this author to read ever since. Unfortunately, she mostly writes stuff I don't particularly care to read about, which is why I skipped the first book in this series. I figured this was the "healing" book.
I did like Berlin and Hiroku. They were both in tough spots and going through stuff, Hiro especially since he's coming off a terrible relationship and substance abuse, and he hasn't really gotten over it emotionally or psychologically. I worried for him when he went off to Seth's show. Like, no, my guy. Look at your life, look at your choices. Make better choices. I want him to be better and do better, and Berlin was obviously being set up as a way for Hiro to see that he does have different choices available to him. I liked the scene of them talking in the truck and that Berlin is so understanding and doesn't get chased off by Hiro's ticks that he has leftover from his former relationship. The writing is a bit simplistic, but it was working for the story for the most part.
But things just weren't adding up. Where are the parents? We know they exist, but we don't see them. Do they know what's going on with their kids? Do they care? Hiro has what more or less amounts to a sex video of him online on Seth's website. Um, he's underage. Maybe do something about that??? They made this move to give Hiro a new start, but they go to Hicksville, Texas, which is just a stone's throw away from Austin if Hiro can drive there and back and not be missed. Y'all're in Texas. You can move farther away than that. Get new jobs if you have to. It's like they're doing the bare minimum to give the appearance of giving a crap while being completely negligent. I don't know if that's the impression I'm supposed to be taking away, but when you never have them on page, that's the impression you're going to give.
And going back to that video, Berlin finds it before knowing it was Hiro. He can just see the back of Hiro's bare back and there's mention of Seth's hand going underneath Hiro's pants line. Again, Hiro's underage. I don't know how much older Seth is, 2 or 3 or 4 years. Older enough to give this grooming vibes, especially with everything else we're told about him. Berlin doesn't think anything alarming about this once he learns it's Hiro. Granted, he's a horny teenager, but surely some alarms bells should be going off.
Then there's the football coach, an alcoholic homophobe, and his son Trent, who I felt a little bad for but he's also a homophobe (and a hypocrite, as I'm sure he's gay too but in denial, and I so don't give a crap about yet another in-the-closet bully story, because no. I've read enough of those). Cue every single trope you can imagine about that, because they're all here. I bet I can predict exactly where that storyline is going to go and it's nowhere good, and nothing's going to happen to the bully. *sigh*
I'm moving on from hoping this author will ever write something I'll want to read ever again. After I got the same creeper groomer vibes from Book of Orlando (I just read the synopsis which was enough, and a friend who DNF'd it confirmed my suspicions), and now this, my spidey sense is tingling and telling me to back away from this author, so that's what I'm doing. To be clear, I'm not saying the author is a creeper; I know nothing about her to say that. But she writes about creepers and that's not what I want to read about.
I loved When Everything Is Blue when I read it some years ago, and have been looking for something else by this author to read ever since. Unfortunately, she mostly writes stuff I don't particularly care to read about, which is why I skipped the first book in this series. I figured this was the "healing" book.
I did like Berlin and Hiroku. They were both in tough spots and going through stuff, Hiro especially since he's coming off a terrible relationship and substance abuse, and he hasn't really gotten over it emotionally or psychologically. I worried for him when he went off to Seth's show. Like, no, my guy. Look at your life, look at your choices. Make better choices. I want him to be better and do better, and Berlin was obviously being set up as a way for Hiro to see that he does have different choices available to him. I liked the scene of them talking in the truck and that Berlin is so understanding and doesn't get chased off by Hiro's ticks that he has leftover from his former relationship. The writing is a bit simplistic, but it was working for the story for the most part.
But things just weren't adding up. Where are the parents? We know they exist, but we don't see them. Do they know what's going on with their kids? Do they care? Hiro has what more or less amounts to a sex video of him online on Seth's website. Um, he's underage. Maybe do something about that??? They made this move to give Hiro a new start, but they go to Hicksville, Texas, which is just a stone's throw away from Austin if Hiro can drive there and back and not be missed. Y'all're in Texas. You can move farther away than that. Get new jobs if you have to. It's like they're doing the bare minimum to give the appearance of giving a crap while being completely negligent. I don't know if that's the impression I'm supposed to be taking away, but when you never have them on page, that's the impression you're going to give.
And going back to that video, Berlin finds it before knowing it was Hiro. He can just see the back of Hiro's bare back and there's mention of Seth's hand going underneath Hiro's pants line. Again, Hiro's underage. I don't know how much older Seth is, 2 or 3 or 4 years. Older enough to give this grooming vibes, especially with everything else we're told about him. Berlin doesn't think anything alarming about this once he learns it's Hiro. Granted, he's a horny teenager, but surely some alarms bells should be going off.
Then there's the football coach, an alcoholic homophobe, and his son Trent, who I felt a little bad for but he's also a homophobe (and a hypocrite, as I'm sure he's gay too but in denial, and I so don't give a crap about yet another in-the-closet bully story, because no. I've read enough of those). Cue every single trope you can imagine about that, because they're all here. I bet I can predict exactly where that storyline is going to go and it's nowhere good, and nothing's going to happen to the bully. *sigh*
I'm moving on from hoping this author will ever write something I'll want to read ever again. After I got the same creeper groomer vibes from Book of Orlando (I just read the synopsis which was enough, and a friend who DNF'd it confirmed my suspicions), and now this, my spidey sense is tingling and telling me to back away from this author, so that's what I'm doing. To be clear, I'm not saying the author is a creeper; I know nothing about her to say that. But she writes about creepers and that's not what I want to read about.
August 5, 2018
Lovely, brutal and hopeful. This is the sequel to Hiroku, although this was written first.
I loved being able to follow Hiroku’s story to his HFN, because if anyone deserves one, it’s him.
Fresh out of rehab, Hiroku’s parents have moved to a new town on the outskirts of Austin to make a fresh start and remove Hiroku from temptation.
His new town is small and homophobic, and his presence and actions stir up angry tensions at school to disastrous results.
If you’ve read Hiroku, this is a must read. If you’ve read this, pick up Hiroku and meet him before the abuse and addiction.
Triggers: drug use, withdrawal, severe hate crime/assault, sexy ranchers.
I loved being able to follow Hiroku’s story to his HFN, because if anyone deserves one, it’s him.
Fresh out of rehab, Hiroku’s parents have moved to a new town on the outskirts of Austin to make a fresh start and remove Hiroku from temptation.
His new town is small and homophobic, and his presence and actions stir up angry tensions at school to disastrous results.
If you’ve read Hiroku, this is a must read. If you’ve read this, pick up Hiroku and meet him before the abuse and addiction.
Triggers: drug use, withdrawal, severe hate crime/assault, sexy ranchers.
April 2, 2023
4.5
Starting The Bravest Thing, I’d been a little worried it wouldn’t have the same emotional impact as the prequel, Hiroku, and up to 50% or so, that proved to be the case — Berlin was sweet, and good, but Hiroku’s connection with him paled in comparison with what Hiroku and Seth used to have. Yes, I know that Seth is the Bad Guy™ in these two books, and I’m an asshole for feeling this way, but he was freaking intense (in both good and bad ways), and despite the fact that I absolutely would NOT tolerate that shit in RL, I live for reading about characters like him! So I admit that when I started this, I was low-key hoping that they would work things out… (I can hear everyone who read these books going “Boo” right now, but it is what it is. 🙈)
But! Even though I pretty much never root for the “good guy” in my romance books, and even though I didn’t care for the religious themes here, Laura worked her magic and did the impossible: she made me believe that Berlin is THE guy Hiroku needed — at least right now — to heal himself. Stability and safety over intensity and danger. I’m not sure what’s my headcanon for them all down the road (that interview made me think that Seth could change one day, even if it’s not anytime soon), but I’m satisfied with the way this book ended, and my heart feels happy and full. 🥰
Starting The Bravest Thing, I’d been a little worried it wouldn’t have the same emotional impact as the prequel, Hiroku, and up to 50% or so, that proved to be the case — Berlin was sweet, and good, but Hiroku’s connection with him paled in comparison with what Hiroku and Seth used to have. Yes, I know that Seth is the Bad Guy™ in these two books, and I’m an asshole for feeling this way, but he was freaking intense (in both good and bad ways), and despite the fact that I absolutely would NOT tolerate that shit in RL, I live for reading about characters like him! So I admit that when I started this, I was low-key hoping that they would work things out… (I can hear everyone who read these books going “Boo” right now, but it is what it is. 🙈)
But! Even though I pretty much never root for the “good guy” in my romance books, and even though I didn’t care for the religious themes here, Laura worked her magic and did the impossible: she made me believe that Berlin is THE guy Hiroku needed — at least right now — to heal himself. Stability and safety over intensity and danger. I’m not sure what’s my headcanon for them all down the road (that interview made me think that Seth could change one day, even if it’s not anytime soon), but I’m satisfied with the way this book ended, and my heart feels happy and full. 🥰
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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