Guest Reviewed by Morgan
Title: Lucky Seven
Author: E.L. Esch
Heroes: Dante/Sven
Genre: MM Contemporary
Length: 172 Pages
Publisher: Loose Id
Release Date: January 6, 2015
Available at: Amazon and Barnes & Noble
Add it to your shelf: Goodreads
Blurb: Dante Mathers, college student, fifth year, has a track record for being dishonest with himself, and is about to undergo the biggest, scariest change of his life.
Dante’s forced himself to go out with girls in the past and he does it again when he’s approached by the beautiful Serena one day on campus, desperate to prove to himself that he’s “normal.” But when he loses a drinking contest and is dared to go to the next campus GLBT meeting by his best friend, he’s not sure how to handle it. Sure he could blow it off and say he went, but something nagging at the back of his mind compels him to go anyway. After all, he’s had problems with intimacy in the past and his first crush was a boy in high school. But is he really forcing himself to go, or is he finally starting to be honest with himself? No need to over think this, Dante tells himself. It’ll be get in, get out. No need to talk to anyone. Easy, right?
But then he meets Sven. Sexy, toned, wearing a leather jacket with spiked up bleach-blond hair, Sven’s bad-boy flare sticks out on campus and catches Dante’s eye. But there’s more to Sven than his punkish looks, and Dante’s about to find out all the sultry little details.
Review: This is a coming of age book and falls into that category of YA/New Adult/Contemporary, and as such, it’s a touch awkward, just like that time of life can be.
Parts of this book are very tender, sweet and endearing. Dante is confused about who he is and he is terribly worried about disappointing his family. (Which is ridiculous because they are flat out AWESOME and almost too good to be true!)
Sven has his own secrets and his own issues to work out about his sexuality and has a past that isn’t pretty.
Parts of this book have the potential to be really meaty and moving. Sven’s being bullied. Both boys’ developing sexual awareness. First time sex. Dante’s coming out. Graduating and becoming an adult. Finding love.
In a way, I think too many “issues” were tackled and none of them were as deeply explored as they could have been.
Some of the writing was awkward in a way you might expect from a first time author, though I see the author has at least two other published novels. There were several penis euphemisms. The inner and actual dialog felt stilted and non-realistic at times. There was a lack of follow through or development on key plot points. Some of the resolutions were come upon too easily or too simplified.
I think the love story and the out-for-you/virgin sex/coming of age parts were really sweet, and if you are in the mood for a new adult novel with a little angst and a little tender, you will enjoy this book.
Overall Impression: It was good
*I received a copy of this book from the author in return for a fair and honest review.*
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