Book Talk Review; Everything To Lose

 

These two are so cute

Zane’s in trouble. His younger brother is off to college in California and he makes Zane promise to look out for the best friend he leaves behind. It shouldn’t be a problem but being around Dante makes Zane question everything he thought he knew about himself. The more time he spends around Dante, the more alluring he becomes. But… Zane is straight. Right?

Dante is alone in a strange city. He didn’t have much back home, but at least he had his best friend. Zane’s increased presence in Dante’s life comforts him and stops him from feeling adrift and alone. There’s one complication, however. Dante’s years-old crush on his best friend’s brother is back. While struggling to put his feelings behind him for good… Zane kisses him.

Pursuing their mutual attraction isn’t without risks. Zane could lose his heart, but loving Zane could cost Dante everything.

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These two are so cute. I love any type of EM Denning story, but what I really, really enjoy is watching her characters fall in love. It's always the sweetest thing ever, even when they make me emotional for a second. 

Zane has never thought about being with a man before, but as he spends time watching out for his brother's best friend he develops Dionne unexpected feels. The best part is that after the initial confusion, there's not a lot of time dedicated to him freaking out about liking Dante. One of my biggest hangups about bi-awakening books is when the character fights tooth and nail to not be attracted to the same gender. I understand done resistance and confusion as part of a person's growth, but there is a point of too much. Thankfully, EM writes sweet, lovely romances so that doesn't happen. 

Dante is adorable. So shy and awkward but his time with Zane, Lindon, and at school really opens his personality and he grows into a lovely young man. He's adorable and didn't have the best life until Jonathan and his family took him in. 

When these two get together it's all sweetness and happy except for Dante's doubts of getting to keep both Zane and the family that took him in. His fears and insecurities broke my heart. I just wanted to wrap him up and keep him forever. 

Like with any EM Denning book, the sweet love story comes with some emotion at the same time and at one point I teared up for them because I could feel Dante's emotions emitting from the book. Zane was a bit of a dumbass and they learned that communication was something they needed to work on. In the end, it brought them back together in the most perfect way. 

Zane and Dante are perfect for each other. Zane helps Dante come out of his shell and gives him the family and love he's always wanted and needed. It's wonderfully written as all of EM Denning's books are. While she writes insta-love and insta-lust I don't mind it in her books like I do in others. Because the characters still have to work at their relationships and show why they should be together. The insta-love doesn't feel like insta-love, which is important for me. 

Zane’s family is an important part of the story as his brother is Dante’s best friend and they’re the only real family that Dante ever knew since his mother wasn’t really a mother. Dante feared that he would lose them if he dated and then lost Zane. Thankfully, Zane’s family is as lovely as he is (when he’s not being an idiot). The way they eased Dante’s fears was perfect. Jonathan’s worried over Dante may have been a little smothering, even across the country, but it’s because he loves and cares for his best friend, which the sweet young man needs so desperately. I kind of hope that Jonathan isn’t as straight as he seems because I would love to read a story about him finding someone to love and care for. He would be a bit of a neurotic boyfriend, but I can see a perfect hurt/comfort storyline coming from him. 

I am excited for the other books in this new series. I already know I'm going to love it just based on the characters in this one. If you've read the Upstate Education series, there is a small Easter egg in this one, since they're set in the same world, the same university. I can't wait to see who else shows up in the other books, I had the biggest grin for the cameo in this one. 

*Quote-

"Zane's heart responded to the way Dante looked at him with a series of flutters. Flutters in your chest should be a bad thing, it meant you were dying, or maybe dead already. But in Dante's presence Zane felt electric and unmistakably alive." 

"Kissing Dante was the easiest, most natural thing in the world." 

"Naked like he'd never been, but not because he wasn't wearing clothes. Dante was naked all the way through. He trembled with want. With happiness. With hope. With a thousand other things fluttering in his insides like fireflies. Delicate like butterflies, but brighter. Warmer. Something that lit up the darkness. Something that made him feel safe, even in this most vulnerable moment."

"It wasn't a touch. It was a promise. It felt like one. Like Zane vowing to worship Dante's body, to cherish him."