ARC Review: Trust the Focus by Megan Erickson

Trust the Focus by Megan Erickson
Goodreads

With his college graduation gown expertly pitched into the trash, Justin Akron is ready for the road trip he planned with his best friend Landry— and ready for one last summer of escape from his mother’s controlling grip. Climbing into the Winnebago his father left him, they set out across America in search of the sites his father had captured through the lens of his Nikon.

As an aspiring photographer, Justin can think of no better way to honor his father’s memory than to scatter his ashes at the sites he held sacred. And there’s no one Justin would rather share the experience with more than Landry.

But Justin knows he can’t escape forever. Eventually he’ll have to return home and join his mother’s Senate campaign. Nor can he escape the truth of who he is, and the fact that he’s in love with his out-and-proud travel companion.

Admitting what he wants could hurt his mother’s conservative political career. But with every click of his shutter and every sprinkle of ash, Justin can’t resist Landry’s pull. And when the truth comes into focus, neither is prepared for the secrets the other is hiding.

You know that feeling you get when you finish a book that is just written so well written that even the choices the character makes that you don’t agree with still get to you? Like really get to you? Well lovelies, this book totally did that for me. I found myself on the verge of angry tears and frustrated pointing of fingers more than a few times- especially with my bro Justin. But Landry had quite a few of those moments as well. Don’t you worry your pretty little head. The character development through this book is freaking fantastic. So y’all. This novel is about self-recognition. Yes, the recognizing of one’s self.

Justin already knows who his is, but due to outside factors *cough*mother from hell*cough* and self-confidence issues, he doesn’t dare acknowledge it, especially in public. Did I mention his mom is running for a conservative public office position? Oh, yes, there is that. Oh, and the It (in case you couldn’t tell from the rather explicit statement in the summary) is Justin being gay. It is also being head over sneaker for his also gay best friend who is totally out and totally doesn’t know that he’s gay. Oh, yes. *evil cackles* It’s all rather amusing.

This is a story about a road trip. But y’all, it so much more than a simple road trip. It’s everything. Absolutely everything. Fear. Hope. Love. Fate. The emotions and turmoil. I just sort of adore the coming to terms with who you are story and this one was executed with such skill that I was seriously blown away. My heart broke.

Trust the Focus is told in a duel POV. One of the POVs is in a blog post. (UHM. YES, POR FAVOR!) Coming to terms with who you really are, coming out about who you are, acceptance, love, a killer way of telling the story, throw in a little heartbreak and angst and you get this book. So would I recommend it? Yup. Yup, yup, yup. I recommend it. With all my heart.