So It Goes

2.5

I'm assuredly not the audience for this and I'll emphasize right now that YMMV. My rating is for a well formatted, edited, and polished book, a narrative that means well and that others will likely enjoy and want to read.

This is the story of two nice people (two men) on their journey to love. The book covers about two years in their lives and everything happens: they meet, significant others are lost, heartbreak visits etc., in other words the usual pattern of most romances. I didn't have a problem with it but I was underwhelmed?

The book is 800+ pages and IMO it could've been whittled down to 300, which would've brought some much needed dramatic tension. As it is very single encounter and conversation is rendered blow by blow, step by step, word for word, songs they like, shows they watch, books they read ad infinitum. I was exhausted.

My other problem is that I was bored, which partly relates to the detailed, limitless minutiae, but also because everybody, every single character including the one sort of villain, was cookie-cutter good. They all speak in correct ways, they hold the right opinions, and no one has doubts or questions. I guess it's a feel-good story, and as I said, I'm not the audience for it.

As to the plot itself there were a couple of things that didn't work for me at all but I'll hide them here: ***Aaron and Lucas, two 30 something, partnered/married guys meet/become neighbors in June and by July they already consider themselves best friends. Really? ***Lucas becomes a widower in early November and by Thanksgiving he and Aaron are living together (as friends) and coparenting Lucas's newborn daughter. ***Despite Lucas & Aaron having been partnered in long standing heterosexual relationships no one even raises an eyebrow when they become involved. It's true that Aaron states early on that he's bisexual but still ... it read odd to me that not a single soul in their circle of family, friends, or acquaintances was wholly approving, nay even applauding of the relationship.

In any case if you want a polished, well written, feel good story where everyone and everything is pretty ideal you may enjoy this.