3 1/2 - 4 HeartsReview written for MM Good Book Reviews
http://mmgoodbookreviews.wordpress.com/
When Padrig returns home from holiday he never expected to find his lover Nick in bed with another man, fleeing the house he runs to the park and finds himself in a position he can’t get himself out of. Drugged and forced into prostitution Padrig is rescued by a stranger, coming to in a hospital bed he believes the worst is behind him, until he is told he is HIV positive. When Padrig and Nick reconnect they both have much to say, but their relationship can never be the same again. Rebuilding a relationship from scratch they both have burdens to share, can they really have a relationship with the past weighing down on them?
This is a very interesting story that has a very bittersweet ending that will tug at your heart. We join Padrig as he tells his story, from the moment his life changes forever and through the intervening years where he builds a new life and rediscovers love. We are with him as he makes friends and loses them, reconnects with old friends, as he works through his shock and new circumstances and with Nick’s help puts the pieces together of what happened to both of them and why.
This is a really well written story that delves into the life of a man who had his whole life ripped away from him, and, as he picks up the pieces, discovers that it will never be the same again. There is a lot that we discover in this story about Padrig and his friends, both old and new, and how Padrig process’s what happened to him. We briefly get an idea of what happened to Nick and we see Nick and Padrig rediscovering the love they once had and rebuilding a new life together and coping with HIV and the fear they both have when the medication begins to fail.
Although I liked this story I found that it dragged in places, I know that it was all about Padrig, but, it would have been nice to see what happened to Nick rather than him briefly explain years later what he went through. We see a lot about Padrig’s recovery and him getting back on his feet, dealing with HIV and the support that he receives from new friends. This is a sad story that has its bright moments, but when you finish this story you are left with a lingering sadness and tears in your eyes at the hopelessness of the situation that was caused by another’s sins.
I will recommend this story to those that love bittersweet stories, losing love, rediscovering love, tragic circumstances, a strong will to live life and an ending that will have you nearly crying.
