Sidecar

Review by Sandra - 4.5
I really enjoyed this, and I do think that the audio version contributed to that greatly. Wonderful pacing, and good inflection for emotion without it sounding campy or over-acted. Both men had distinct voiced without sounding like caricatures.
I really liked the format of this story. The first chapter and the epilogue take place in 2011 (current day as far as we are concerned) but otherwise it takes place over the course of about a decade, starting when they meet in 1987 and spanning into the late 90's as we follow their journey. It totally worked.
As much as I love reading May-December romances where one of them is really young and they just can't restrain themselves... that's a book and we all know we'd be uncomfortable with it IRL. I liked that Joe completely shut Casey down and was not at all attracted to the abused 15 year old boy that he saved. He knew what Casey needed, and an older lover it was not.
But I also loved that Casey knew what he wanted and wouldn't give up, and refused to let Joe keep seeing him as a child once he was a grown man. I loved these guys together, and even though the sex was hot, it wasn't stand out for me because the story was really about watching their lives and how they intertwined.
The bit with Joe's family was nice to make it a well-rounded story. It allowed us to see the guys outside their element and interacting with other people. There were sad bits that I got me a little teary-eyed, but I didn't find it uber angsty the way some did. Maybe that's a product of the audio version and popping in and out more frequently, but I definitely had stints where I sat on my couch listening because I wasn't ready to put the book away yet.
As with most Amy Lane books, I would recommend this one. The length was perfect, the pacing worked well, and I thoroughly enjoyed it.

When you start reading a book that from the note from the author touches your heart and soul you can only think that the story is going to be good.
Oh ... Josiah and Casey's will make you believe through tears and laughter that you can change someone's life just buy caring enough about them.
It took Josiah time to understand that Casey was all he wanted and needed but even though the realization came when he almost lost him ... Nonetheless he always treated Casey with humanity and respect ...
After being a couple ... They got the reward they always wanted ...
Family is all that mattered ...
Amy Lane has written again a wonderful book.

I'm going to preface this review by saying two things. One, I waited to write this review until I had read this three times. I wanted to make sure I wrote the best review I could and the one that said everything I needed it to say. Two, Sidecar by Amy Lane is my number one most favorite book of all time. Hopefully my review will explain why.
The story begins with 16 year old Casey, a runaway thrown out of his home for being gay, having the best fortune in the world by crossing paths with Josiah Daniels (Joe), a 27 year old nurse raised Quaker who has made his life out of taking in strays and caring for them. Casey isn't the first stray, but he ends up being the one who stays. Now Casey realizes pretty quickly that Joe is nothing like the Big Daddy's who picked him up for the last two months. Joe is a good man who talks to Casey as if he matters, something his own parents never did. It's not hard to see why Casey develops a crush on Joe. Joe knows it, but he has morals and Casey is just a kid. Joe is determined that Casey will be allowed to be a kid for as long as that lasts.
\"But, then, life with Casey would tend to be that way for Joe - moments of gorgeous, shining faith and moments of agonizing, painful doubt. Joe was young in his way too. It would take him years before he recognized the ebb and flow of true love.\"
Watching the friendship build between Joe and Casey is phenomenal. Joe is not a father figure, not a boyfriend. He's more like an older brother and best friend who loves Casey for everything (good and bad) about him. The safe sex talk is funny and heartbreaking in this day of HIV/AIDS. Joe is just the kind of guy you wish every single homeless runaway in the country would be lucky enough to find. He's just that special.
Time goes on, Casey grows up and the inevitable happens. Joe looks at Casey and realizes he wants to touch him. And thru all the angst to get together and start a love relationship, you witness something beautiful and tender and momentous as these two men make their journey together. And you get to watch something very, very sexy.
Joe and Casey go through boyfriends, girlfriends, school, work, death, family, jobs, friends, kids, dogs, cats, parents and love, a lot of love. And a lot more strays come their way. You get to watch life in its worst and best moments.
\"You'll never know what it costs me seeing you in them, again and again and again.\"

Casey has run away from home after his parents found out he was gay. He has been living on the streets for two months, surviving every day by doing unthinkable thinks and hanging on by a thread. He wants to give up and end his suffering, but just went he thinks he can't continue on a kind biker comes into his life offering food and shelter without wanting anything in return except that Casey finish school and enjoy what is left of his teenage years.
Josiah is a kind soul that believes that every one deserves a chance. He has lived his life and done things he's not particularly happy to revisit but doesn't regret. Now that he has settled into his life he only wants the peace and quiet that his house and his dog offer and he is determined to keep it that way. Until he sees Casey walking along the road. Believing that he could help the young man, Joe offers him help wanting to have Casey safe from the cold and fed.
What's not to love about this story? Joe and Casey's story was one on love, heartache, compromise and loyalty. With interesting characters, great humor, engaging dialog and musical references this emotionally driven story had all the elements I have come to expect from Amy Lane and then some. From the humor to the pain each man felt at times, Amy Lane brought a range in emotions so great that at times I had to step away to get a grip on myself.
Joe and Casey's story tugged at my heart strings and left a grin on my face days after I was done. It was sweet, romantic and so very heartfelt. I loved it!!! It's Amy Lane and she has not disappointed me yet.