Trust The Focus (In Focus #1)

by Megan Erickson (Goodreads Author)

With his college graduation gown expertly pitched into the trash, Justin Akron is ready for the road trip he planned with his best friend Landry— and ready for one last summer of escape from his mother’s controlling grip. Climbing into the Winnebago his father left him, they set out across America in search of the sites his father had captured through the lens of his Nikon.

As an aspiring photographer, Justin can think of no better way to honor his father’s memory than to scatter his ashes at the sites he held sacred. And there’s no one Justin would rather share the experience with more than Landry.

But Justin knows he can’t escape forever. Eventually he’ll have to return home and join his mother’s Senate campaign. Nor can he escape the truth of who he is, and the fact that he’s in love with his out-and-proud travel companion.

Admitting what he wants could hurt his mother’s conservative political career. But with every click of his shutter and every sprinkle of ash, Justin can’t resist Landry’s pull. And when the truth comes into focus, neither is prepared for the secrets the other is hiding.

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Source: eARC for Honest Review Courtesy of Intermix / Penguin Group

Genre: MM NA Contemporary Romance

Part 1 in a new series

My Trust the Focus Review ...

What a sweet coming of age/coming out/ friends to lovers story. Justin and Landry are perfect for one another.

Since the moment they met Justin and Landry have been best friends. As time went on Landry became comfortable in his own skin and owning his sexuality. While Justin buries that part of him to make his mother happy. The further in the closet he went the harder it became for him.

After graduation Justin wants to honor his father with a cross country tour in his dad's winnebago with his best friend at his side. This trip is the last bit of freedom before Justin is sentenced to work with his very opinionated closed minded mother.

With this bout of freedom it also comes with a very heavy secret. Justin has always loved Landry but pretending to be straight has pushed Landry away. Now with this trip they can strengthen their friendship. As they start to bond more and enjoy their trip, Justin's secret comes to the surface causing his inner asshole to come out. Justin is scared of the consequences of his secret. With this fear, he lashes out on Landry and pushing him further away.

Now that emotions are heated, secrets come straight to the surface. Justin quickly finds out that maybe things weren't so unrequited. Even though feelings may be reciprocated doesn't mean it is going to be smooth sailing for these two. With secrets come half truths and hurts.

"I wouldn't change it, you know." he said, his breath raising goose bumps on the skin of my neck. "The girls, the other boys, everything we experienced before this moment. Because that was all wrong. And I think we needed to feel what was wrong to know what's right."

Justin and Landry have to wade through from becoming friends to lovers while at the same time Justin has to come to terms with his self and come out of the closet. Being hidden for so long does not make the transition easy for Justin causing a whole bunch of hurt and heartache for this sweet duo. All Justin needs is to trust in himself and everything else will come together, but that's easier said than done.

"Never met two people who were so right together. Could you just have been friends? Sure. But I saw how you looked at him. And how he looked at you."

Justin has to face his worse fears if he wants a future with Landry. His journey is not an easy one, but it is a beautiful one.

"I get that , and I deserve it. But I'm telling you, Landry Jacobs, I have loved you , I do love you , and I will love you for the rest of my life. And if you can't believe that yet, I'll spend every minute of our lives proving it to you."

Gah! It was such a sweet love story for these two. I loved it. It was a perfect balance of coming of age, coming out and angst filled friends to lovers. This was my first Megan Erickson book and after this, it definitely won't be my last. I can NOT wait for the next book in this sweet series.

4 Focused thumbs up!