Fourteen months ago I bought a package of ten ISBNs because I had a feeling I was going to get to ten novels. And sure enough, here we go! Number 10!!
TAKE EVERYTHING is the 2019 National Novel Writing Month project. This book stars Richard Hollister, a character first introduced in BEAT back when it was a novella; and Willem van der Meer, who makes a cameo appearance in LIFT.
And this book is a little different. It is definitely a romance, don’t get me wrong, but it’s about a little more than that (much as FACE THE MUSIC is). My two heroes have some serious troubles. This book was written as an intentional exploration of mental-health issues and how two people deal with them while they are falling in love.
Richard is a former child actor; his issues stem from that history. He’s a longtime ballroom student working as a records manager for a law firm when he meets Willem, who is making a living in the entertainment industry. Willem’s issues stem from childhood trauma.
Content warnings front and center: sex on the page; alcoholism; anorexia; childhood sexual abuse (off the page); overdose (off the page); sudden death of a friend (off the page).
This book is about two guys who find a way to use their creativity to process trauma, and in the process learn how to communicate with each other about what they need, and about how they can help each other heal. It’s also about found family, therapy, and second chances.
TAKE EVERYTHING is a M/M romance novel. Adult situations, themes, and language. Click image for product link!