Review: Inseparable (Port Java, #1) by Sloan Johnson

Trevor and Gabe never knew life without the other. As only children, they grew up as close as brothers, but their love grew to something more. Something they couldn't talk about because their parents wouldn't understand.

Gabe is gay and unapologetic about his sexuality. He refuses to live his life in the shadows, but that doesn't mean he isn't harboring secrets.

Trevor is his parents’ miracle child and he doesn’t want to hurt them. Coming out, admitting he's in love with Gabe, could ruin everything.

Heading off to college was supposed to finally free them to be together, but nothing is as easy as it seems. Can they find a way to navigate this new world, living and loving openly?

This was a sweet college romance that brought about a bit of nostalgia. Do you remember the feelings you had (or currently have) when you couldn’t wait to leave home for college (or any other reason)? That when you went away, you could finally be yourself, find yourself, and find your tribe? That’s what Inseparable reminded me of; Those feelings of hope that everything would be epic and smooth sailing once you were an "adult”.

They aren't at the point where they realize adulting is overrated.

Anywhooo, Gabe and Trevor have been best friends since the crib. Seriously. Their moms are best friends and were pregnant at the same time. They lived two houses from each other and did everything together from playing childhood games all the way to an eventual attraction once puberty hit. Gabe and Trevor started secretly dating their junior year of high school and decided they would wait until college to make everything official. Trevor was still in the closet and both boys were terrified of how their families would react to them being together.

The day had come and they were all moved into their dorm. Freeeeeedom. They found relief in the privacy of their dorm room as they explored new aspects of being in a relationship. I loved the way Gabe loves Trevor. Trevor gets to see a part of Gabe that’s only for him. His typical abrasiveness is replaced with vulnerability, affections, and openly showing Trevor love.

Outside of their room, they struggled with the course load, making time for each other, insecurities, coming out, and family issues.

The family mom issues were insane.

Their moms, especially Trevor’s were wayyyyyyyy beyond helicopter parenting. If she could have found a way to reattach the cord, she probably would. Most of the drama in the book was caused by fear of parental (mom) expectations with coming out and/or admitting that they were in a relationship. I didn’t get it. Why did it matter that they were together? Just when I was about to hit my WTF is the big deal moment, clarity was provided the last quarter of the book and the worry *kind of* made sense.

We’re also provided a helping of relational angst with insecurities, lack of communication, and the burden of hiding their relationship. They soon realize not everything about adulting is amazing and have to navigate through the muck and mire to reach the other side. They get their HEA and find *their* people. I ended up enjoying the families (minus Trevor’s mom because drama) and really liked the secondary characters they met at college.

I read the ARC version so I’m hoping this went through another round of edits. Seth (secondary character) was called Alan a couple times at the end. I don’t hold that or spelling/grammar against the rating for ARCs. The time lapses though... *smh.* They were random throughout and a few times skipped parts that should have been on page based on the build up.

It wasn’t love, but I liked it. The characters were relatable and the leaving home nostalgia this story provided kept me coming back for more. I’d recommend it and would read Seth’s story if he gets one.

A review copy was provided.