I was reluctant to read this story, because the subject is difficult and heavy, but the reviews were promising so I went for it. I am very glad I did. Jake, oh dear, poor Jake, I believe the PTSD was portrait well and probably very realistically, at least for some sufferers, my heart broke for him, he had a great support system with his sister and Gabe.I understand Alice, even if I wish she could have been different about some things, I really really hate slapping!, but she was dealing with Jake blocking her and cutting her out of his life and feelings, her own issues with her ex and of course raising a young daughter. I thought she was holding up very well. Gabe was a little harder to figure out, he never pushed Jake, well at least not until the very end, when ever Jake said everything's fine, or I don't want to talk about it, he accepted that, but I figured he was afraid of losing Jake or pushing him away with any demands. He also had a less than ideal childhood which might have been part of his issue, to not be confrontational. I was glad that Gabe was there for Jake, but stuck to his guns as far as the relationship went, after the incident.Hype was a great side character and I really hope things turn out well for her.So, yes this story dealt with a heavy and sometimes very sad Jake and horrible thoughts and his suffering, it was also hopeful and happy and left me satisfied that things were all going in the right direction for all of them.On a side note, I was actually very glad that the relationship and character issues were at the forefront, and the sex is very muted and merely hinted at.
