Come What May (PIU’s Review)

Title: Come What May (All Saints #1)
Author: A.M. Arthur
Publisher: Carina Press
Release Date: May 23, 2016
Genre(s): Contemporary
Page Count: 320
Reviewed by: PIU
Heat Level: 4 flames out of 5
Rating: 4 stars out of 5
Blurb:

Jonas needs Tate. He just doesn’t know it yet.

Or at least, he doesn’t want to admit it. Because there is no way Jonas Ashcroft is gay. He’s a straight, carefree frat boy player, just like any good son of a conservative state senator. If only his struggle to convince everyone—especially himself—didn’t leave him so miserable. No matter how many girls or bottles he drowns himself in, Jonas can neither escape nor accept who he is.

Enter Tate. He’s smart, confident, and instantly sees right through Jonas’s surly exterior. Sure, he’s done things in life he’s not proud of, but he knows who he is and what he wants. And what he wants is Jonas. As their easy friendship intensifies into something more, Tate introduces Jonas to a life he’s never known. One filled with acceptance and sex and a love that terrifies and excites them both.

But some inner demons refuse to be shaken off so easily. When Jonas’s old life barges in, he faces a shattering choice, one that could destroy everything he and Tate have fought so hard for. Sometimes love just isn’t enough—and sometimes it’s exactly what you need.

“The greatest thing you’ll ever learn is just to love and to be loved in return.” ~ Moulin Rouge!”

“Come What May” is the first book in the All Saints series by A.M Arthur. It is a very sweet and engaging “coming out” story. I liked both the MCs and specially the secondary characters. The story portrays all the hardships that teens still face because of their sexuality even in this twenty first century. There are haters everywhere which most of the times include parents but there are also people who put a great effort to support these kids and try to give them a safe place to be themselves. I just loved the principal and dedication behind the shelter for LGBT teenagers, which plays a significant role in this story.

Jonas Ashton has been expelled from college because of a frat house hazing gone wrong. Now he has been dumped on his uncle and aunt in a less than glamorous town of Wilmington. For the first time in his life, Jonas has an actual job managing his uncle’s thrift store. Jonas is tired of pleasing his overbearing father and trying to pretend to be someone he is not. He gets a new start with a new town and a new family who support and love him unconditionally. He meets Tate Dawson, who is the founder of All Saints shelter for LGBT teenagers and Jonas finally finds the strength and support to stop pretending and embracing his real self.Jonas finds purpose in his life and though in the end he loses the one thing he has been pining his entire life, he also gains a far more beautiful gift of freedom and acceptance to live his life on his own terms.

“I think you work very, very hard to be perfect when no one is, and the only thing anyone should ever do is just be her or himself. Be true to you, not to what others want from you.”

Jonas Ashton is a typical rich kid with famous(read SHALLOW) parents who wants to mold him in a way that would go with their public image. Jonas’s parents have never tried to know him or understand what he wants out of life. Jonas has always wanted his father’s acknowledgement and respect which makes him hide his sexuality. In the start it is quite confusing about Jonas’s sexual preference. We know that he is tired of always getting his parent’s approval but it is not implied that he is hiding being gay. Jonas was all over the place in the beginning. I couldn’t make out if he is gay but hiding or if he has actually no idea that he is gay. He settles down about his sexuality without too much angst. He was more afraid of coming out to his parents than to the entire world. I liked how he stand up to his parents and protects Tate from his father. At the end of the story he emerges out as a person more sure of himself and with a clear purpose in his life.

Tate Dawson is one of those guys whom you just have to respect and love. He is a responsible guy with a very big heart. His dedication and total selfless gesture towards his cause was mind-blowing. He takes Jonas under his wing and gives him what Jonas’s parents has failed to give his entire life: Zero judgement and Unconditional LOVE. Tate’s character was really strong. He has been taking care f his two sisters from a very young age and his finances are not that great but that never stops him from helping homeless teenagers and giving back to the community. I respected the hell out of him. Tate was the best thing that could have ever happened to Jonas. Their HEA is perfect.

“You’ve been living in this bubble, afraid to break free, and now you have the chance to. You’re still this baby bird who fell out of the nest and landed hard. You can barely walk right now, let alone fly” -Tate

“Will you help me walk? I’m not ready to fly” -Jonas

The plot was not overwrought with drama or denial. Tate and Jonas’s relationship was pretty smooth sailing except the few times of Jonas’s father being an asshole. The romance was sweet and soothing. Jonas had horrible parents but he stands up to them which was pretty amazing. The secondary characters were great. Jonas’s new family was very supportive and loving. Also Tate’s friends and co-founder of the shelter created a nice supportive atmosphere to nurture Tate and Jonas’s budding romance.

The chemistry between Jonas and Tate was HOT. Jonas may have been new to the whole gay thing but he was a total champ while doing the sexy with Tate. There are very well placed sex scenes throughout the story which complements the various stages of their relationship.

All in all, “Come What May” is a sweet and beautiful story about acceptance and love. The boys were perfect together in every sense of the word. If you are looking for a minimum angst, loving romance about coming-out, then this is the book for you. Marc’s character is a huge part of Tate’s life and i am hoping his story will be next. Can’t wait to read it.