Mal is my favorite character in this series. They are an absolutely amazing person who knows exactly who they are, what they want, and what makes them happy. They are perfectly happy being non-binary and blurring the lines in dress and style. They have their own style and they are perfectly happy sharing it with the world. Mal is creative, loving, a loyal friend, a loving son, and an all-around fantastic person.

When Mal's friends ask them to help with a move, they say yes. That's because they are hoping to see the hot roommate. The problem is, roommate hottie isn't there. A different hottie is, though. Parker. Mal is instantly attracted to Parker and his muscly muscles and his smiling face and his attitude.

Parker is in the middle of divorcing his straight-laced, homophobic wife. When she blamed his cousin for her miscarriage, he knew that the couldn't stay with her anymore. Parker has spent his whole life knowing that he's straight, but once he sees Mal, he starts to question that straightness because he is so attracted to Mal. They are always in his thoughts, and in his dreams. When they go out on a date, it ends up in ways that Parker didn't expect.

I love this book. This whole series is totally about love, but this one, in particular, explores what it means to love. You can't choose who you love or why you love them, but you just do. It also explores sexuality and how you aren't always what you think that you are and who you think you are, and that's OK. The important part is that you find your truth and you live that truth and that your truth can change over your lifetime. Parker learns that nothing is ever set in stone and that life is never what you thought it would be. This is, quite simply, one of the best books I've ever read. ( )

Great contemporary romance. ( )