Zach survived 5 years of hell. Kidnapped, tortured and abused, his rescue was only the beginning of a new struggle. Two years later, he is back home with his family, still undergoing daily counselling and struggling to find himself and his place in the world. The one thing that he hung onto all those years was the thought of David, his best friend and the boy he loved. The boy he turned away from the hospital on his return. David is now back home and determined to once again be Zach's friend and protector. Feelings of guilt over what happened to Zach have haunted David for the past 7 years, but even though he has been pushed away, he has never stopped loving Zach.This book is emotional and raw. There is no magic cure for what Zach endured and Rowan Speedwell does a great job keeping that at the forefront, but still moving the relationship between Zach and David along at a believable pace. There are more obstacles than can seemingly be overcome, but David is devoted and patient and willing to be whatever Zach needs. In spite of all the hard emotions, there are a number of light moments in the book between both Zach and David and both men's supportive parents.
This is not an easy book to read and Zach's issues will never be completely eradicated, but it was compelling and I enjoyed seeing the relationship bloom with perspective from both David and Zach.
