Focus On Me by Megan Erickson

Posted July 20, 2015 by shooting in Uncategorized / 20 Comments

Focus On Me by Megan Erickson


Review by Lauren


Source: copy from author; all opinions are my own


Official Summary: Colin Hartman can now
add college to his list of failures. On the coast-to-coast trek home
from California, Colin stops at a gas station in the Nevada desert, and
can’t help noticing the guy in tight jeans looking like he just stepped
off a catwalk. When he realizes Catwalk is stranded, Colin offers a
ride.

Riley only intended to take a short ride in Colin’s Jeep to
the Grand Canyon. But one detour leads to another until they finally
find themselves tumbling into bed together. However there are shadows in
Riley’s eyes that hide a troubled past. And when those shadows threaten
to bury the man whom Colin has fallen in love with, he vows to get
Riley the help he needs. For once in his life, quitting isn’t an option…

Review: I read and loved Trust the Focus, the first in the “In Focus” series by Megan Erickson. While this is a series and you should read them in order so things are not spoiled (the main characters in Trust the Focus appear in Focus On Me), these are essentially companion novels. Each books focuses on a different m/m couple and how they find love and happiness on a road trip across America. For Focus On Me, this is about Colin Hartman who has failed out of college and is on his way home for the last time. On the way, he meets Riley at a gas station in the middle of nowhere and he offers him a ride.

The relationship between these two starts out a bit slow, as Riley is obviously hesitant to get close to Colin, even when it’s revealed that they are both gay and obviously attracted to each other. The reader knows a bit more about Riley than Colin does, but most of Riley’s troubles are revealed as their trip continues and Colin decides to keep visiting various locations across the U.S. with Riley. I always like road trip novels because it shows me parts of the U.S. that I’ve never heard of and would like to one day visit.

Once the two do start having a physical relationship, it’s intense and passionate. It’s easy to want these two to work, but readers know that it’s not entirely healthy. Colin and Riley both really like each other, but they can’t form a long lasting relationship with secrets. I loved both of these guys. Riley is easy to care for because you want him to get well, but Colin is also wonderful as he’s desperate to help Riley. He doesn’t want to fail at that. Colin also has a close relationship to his younger sister, who he communicates with a few times on the trip and it was nice to see their bond.

Thank you so much to Megan Erickson for allowing me to read her novel for review. I think these are great books with a lot of heart – and heat- and I would love to read more in the series!

20 responses to “Focus On Me by Megan Erickson

  1. Aww, great review, Mag! I love what you said about books with a lot of heart and heat –– you have just summed up what I look for in a YA Romance novel. :') Riley and Colin sound like great characters, and I have not read a YA Romance novel like this yet, which I think I should definitely change with this book. Thanks for the lovely review! 🙂

  2. This month seems to be dedicated to romance novels. Every reviewer I've visited is hosting them. I'm not much a romance reader, but I enjoy knowing about all book releases. God luck to Megan.

  3. I don't read many adult romances, only the classics really, but I can appreciate an emotional storyline especially when it's so wonderfully written as this one sounds. Absolutely lovely review Lauren, so glad you're enjoying the series <3

  4. I love this series as well Lauren 🙂 As a matter of fact, I recently reviewed this one as well. I agree, that Colin and Riley's relationship was slow-building, but grew intense and passionate. I loved how Colin was there for Riley from the start, and was so caring. My heart broke for Riley. Great Review 🙂

    Lindy@ A Bookish Escape

  5. You know, I haven't read any books that are centred around a LGBTQ+ romance yet. That's not intentional, they just haven't crossed my path yet. This sounds like it was a fun romance to read though. Glad you enjoyed it!

Leave a Reply

(Enter your URL then click here to include a link to one of your blog posts.)

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.