Review – Life Doesn’t Come With a Manual (But it Should!) by Lane Shelby

I ended up reading one of the best books I’ve read in a while. Jonah learns the difference between loving someone and being “in love” with someone. ~ Charnel, Guilty Pleasures

Description:
Jonah was confused. He thought he should be happy with his life. He had loving, supportive parents, he excelled in school, had great friends, and the most beautiful girlfriend he could have ever asked for. Jonah was always level-headed, so he didn’t find it odd that when Bailey said she wanted a more physical relationship with him, he chose to wait. He didn’t want to rush into something so important, even though they’d known each other for years. He loved Bailey, that was certain, but he didn’t understand why she kept pushing him to have sex. He wasn’t ready…well…not until he met his brother’s new roommate…

Luke was older and wiser, but deeply buried in the closet. When he meets Jonah, desire takes a strong hold, and suddenly both of their lives are spinning out of control. Luke has his life planned out and he’s not ready to risk coming back out of the closet until he’s through college and settled in his career. But, when Jonah forces the issue, and history repeats itself, Luke tries to protect Jonah the only way he knows how…he runs, leaving Jonah alone and heartbroken.

Imagine my surprise when; I get home from work, decide to look though my kindle for a book I’ve downloaded but haven’t read yet, and I ended up reading one of the best books I’ve read in a while. Here I am writing this review wiping tears from my eyes. To start with I fell for the characters so fast! The story mainly consists of Jonah; the 17 year old, high school nerd, trying to understand himself, his girlfriend Bailey and his developing feelings for his brother’s, 23 year old, college roommate, Luke.

Lane Shelby sent me on a roller coaster ride! Jonah and Bailey start as best friends, Bailey wants more and Jonah can’t understand why he has little interest in becoming more. Their relationship develops a bit and is not really one sided, Jonah loves Bailey, however when Luke enters Jonah’s life everything starts to become clearer to Jonah. He learns the difference between loving someone and being “in love” with someone.

Luke knows he’s gay but is firmly in the closet, he makes some bad choices trying to protect Jonah and things spiral out of control quickly.

I can’t properly explain how thrilling, exciting, and just how fun it was to read about the ups and downs in the lives of these characters.

When the reader learns of the painful experience behind Luke trying to come out to his parents, WOW, it is completely unexpected, heartbreaking and unlike anything I have ever read before.

Young adult, m/m
*Some situations may make readers uncomfortable, mention of rape.