review 1: I'm putting it on hold, because so far it isn't what I expected at all.I thought it would be something gritty and dark, something like Protection or And So Is Love. Here it was nothing like it, I made it to 25% and it didn't seem like a prison at all, it could as well be the guys in some boarding school or army barracks.I also didn't know both guys would be so young - only 19 - I kind of thought at least one of them would be older, more experienced.And don't even get me started about the condoms in fucking prison! I mean seriously! Where would Jesse get them and why it was even needed, since they were all tested before incarceration?!Probably I'm just not it the mood for this story right now. It's not bad, it's just that I expected something different. review 2:... more> 3.5 stars. This is the first book by Rachel West I've read. I really liked the characters of Jesse and Andy. The differences between their lives and families were pretty big. Andy's remorse over his foolish decision to drive drunk and cause the accident that resulted in his prison sentence was handled sensitively. His guilt and isolation from family and friends was understandable. Jesse's father's homophobia and neglect of his son affected Jesse's ability to form a relationship with Andy. Luckily Andy is able to break through Jesse's walls. One other thing I really liked about this book was the portrayal of the power of forgiveness. Andy's writing and his victim's ability to see him as a person were really integral to the story. Kind of odd to call a prison story sweet, but the love story between Jesse and Andy is sweet. less
