Review: Remember When by S.J.D. Peterson

Life is simple and hopeful in youth. Luke and Nelson are best friends exploring their budding sexuality. They have big plans for the future, and nothing can stand in their way or tear them apart—except a family move that puts a continent between them.

Ten years later Luke and Nelson meet again, but nothing is simple anymore. As strong as the attraction remains, obligations and expectations come between them as Luke is forced to honor family responsibilities over the desires of his heart.

Impossibly fate sees fit to offer them a last opportunity to see what might have been. Will the third time be the charm, or is trust so badly broken it is impossible to repair? Can they recapture the innocent love they once knew and make up for all the wasted years? In a love story that spans half a lifetime, two friends destined for each other will have to fight hard for their happily ever after.

I may have mentioned a time or three that friends to lovers is my favourite trope. Soppy old romantic that I am, I place a lot more value on the friendship part of love, than the lust, and I absolutely adore books where the friendship becomes something much deeper than either party foresaw. ****sigh****

Remember When is all about the friends to more - with added angst and heartache, and I loved it.

Loved it.

The story is written in three sections; firstly when Nelson and Luke are kids/teens, secondly when they're in their 20's and lastly when they hit their 40's. I like this style because I'm completely invested in the two of them having seen them as youngsters. It makes the painful moments harder to bear though. I'm not going to spoiler the story, but as it implies in the blurb, fate doesn't set them a straight, smooth path. The middle section practically broke my heart. I felt so much for them because the choices they had were so hard. I completely sympathised with them and couldn't fault the reasoning behind the choices (for the most part). I understood the decisions made - even if a bit of me wanted it to be an oh so different result, I couldn't unwish the way things went for reasons. (Reasons I'm not explaining cos spoilers!).

Basically this book gave me all the feelz. And that is feelz with a z on the end. Feelz. Feelz. Feelz.

I liked how each part of the story felt representative of them at the ages they were without losing sight of the essence of their characters. If that makes sense. I was reading about 13/23/40 year old Nelson and Luke. Not a repeat of 13 year old Nelson/Luke with deeper voices and facial hair NOR a 23/40 year old N/L who retained nothing of the original characters we met. It's quite a tricky balance, me thinks!

Basically, in case you missed the message, I liked this story A LOT and I think you should give it a go!

A copy of this book was given in exchange for an honest review.

See the Remember When blog tour HERE