What About Everything?

********ARC Provided to Alpha Book Club For an Honest Review********

This is the sequel to Taking Changes a Foster High Novel.

This book starts a couple years later with Matt and Tyler going to a party for Matts parents. After a misunderstanding, Tyler wants to make it right.

Tyler kept me on my toes in this book. I found it endearing and I finally felt like maybe they were growing up. They had the best friends in Sebastian and Robbie. I loved those two men as well before the end of this book. I laughed with Tyler and Matt and at times wanted to hit both of for just not getting it. The two men lacked communication in the biggest way. You can tell they love each other but is it enough? Tyler truly messed up and now he is afraid he is going to lose everything. In order to make it up to him, without killing him, Tyler buys tickets to a gay Disney cruise. Drama and hilarity ensues. Still did not care for the former BFF in Sophia. I wanted to beat the ever loving crap out of her. These two had enough going on with her insight. If there is another book with these two men and their best friends sign me up I want to read it, and see what the future may hold for them. That includes Sebastian and Robbie as well.

Imagine my surprise when I discovered that book nine in the 'Tales from Foster High' series was going to revolve around a vacation taken by Tyler and Matt, and Robbie and Sebastian. I was a little in disbelief because I really wasn't sure how these two couples would handle being locked on a cruise ship with one another. I mean, let's face it, these four did not have the best beginning so I was stunned that they'd want to vacation together. Of course it made more sense once I realized a year had gone by since the events of book eight and during that time, apparently, Matt and Sebastian had become close friends who Skype about once a week. With Robbie and Tyler's friendship, I figured I was in for the ride of a lifetime.

“I love you,” he interrupted breathlessly. “That’s what I was saying out there, that I love you.” “And I love you too, Tyler, but those three words don’t change things. They don’t solve problems. They’re just words without actions, without changes, and we have been doing the same thing for too long now. I need something more, Tyler.”

I have spent a lot of time during this series wondering how Tyler could be as severely clueless as he seems. I guess it comes from hiding in the closet for so long, never dating or having a relationship beyond sex, and truly believing deep down inside that he's not worthy of being loved. Sigh. After a little over a year together I would have thought Matt and Tyler had made strides in communicating. Nope. No such luck. Thank goodness for Robbie and Sebastian - mostly Robbie - keeping it real and forcing Tyler and Matt to move forward emotionally.

All I can say is if the author's rendition of the Disney cruise ship with its smart rooms is accurate… sign me up! There were some hilarious moments on the cruise although Sophia, Matt's former friend from San Francisco, was there. You remember her? She did everything in her power to break Matt and Tyler up? Yeah, she's just gotten older and meaner. Again I can only say, thank goodness for Robbie and Sebastian. Tyler might have completely self-destructed on this cruise and I'm not sure where Matt might have ended up.

I know, I know, I've said it twice already, but I'm saying it again. I'm so grateful that Robbie and Sebastian were on this cruise. I truly believe that Matt and Tyler would have found their way, eventually, but their best friends made it slightly less painful. I'm going to go out on a limb here and assume that this is the final book in the series. That makes me sad, but oh what a way to go, John Goode. 'What About Everything' is perfect. It made me laugh, cry, sigh, moon over hot guys, laugh a lot more, and more than anything it reminded me how perfect the families we make can be. I've run out of adjectives to describe how much I loved this book. I can only say thank you and hope that's enough.

NOTE: This book was provided by Dreamspinner Press for the purpose of a review on Rainbow Book Reviews