Review: Making Ends Meet by S.L Armstrong & K.Piet

Making ends Meet by S.L Armstrong & K.Piet
Storm Moon Press
Novel: 186pgs
4 Pants Off

Blurb:
Zach is just seventeen years old, but despite his youth, he has more than his fair share of responsibility. An experimental fling in high school has led him down the path of single fatherhood. Now, he holds down a job, takes his college classes online, and pays his own bills as best he can—all while juggling daycare and chores and play-dates for his four-month-old, Mae. It's a rough, 24/7 life, but to Zach, Mae is worth every penny spent and every minute of his day.

With no free time to speak of, it feels like a miracle when Zach meets Wil in the check-out line at his work. Handsome, grounded, from the proverbial "right side of the tracks", and—even better—good with kids, Wil is everything he could want in a boyfriend. But as interested as Wil is in Zach, he has his own life, his own family, his own job and college career to think about. All the various draws on their time means that it's hard just to find chances to be together. But Zach's no stranger to hard tasks, and believes he owes it to himself to try.

Review:
If anyone is going into this book expecting some sort of angst, then you are in for a surprise. This book is on the right side of fluffy, it made me smile and a bit teary eyed. Plus, it makes a nice read for holidays, because who doesn’t love a happy when it includes a cute baby girl. Plus, that cover is to die for (makes my heart so happy).

Zach is seventeen and a onetime spur of the moment experiment has made him the father of baby girl (Mae). He decided to tread through life as single father, doing the job, school, and struggling his ass off. Nevertheless, his daughter is worth it, she's worth everything and even though sometimes he might wish for other things. Being a father to Mae is not something he would ever trade. Then he meets Wil, the good-looking college boy who comes in and sweeps him off his feet. Yet, Zach has his doubts about the life they can live, will both he, and Mae destroy the bright future that Wil has waiting for him.

I really enjoyed this a lot, and I am quite surprised by the overall sweetness coming from this book. As a fan of both authors this really threw me because at no point was there any serious angst. Yes, there was a bit of conflict but it was minor and easily overcome. I found that sometimes Zach created his own problems by being absolutely stubborn. Yet, that stubbornness was a clear indication of his youth and worked quite well into the story. Because what 17 year old doesn't think they know everything and can handle everything on their own (I was that 17 year old minus the young baby).

The sexual part of the book was handled very well, cus lets just be real: the first time is gonna hurt the behind. Zach fears and frustrations were well founded, he had to take care of his heart so being a bit skeptical  I accepted easily. I got a bit teary eyed when he was dealing with a sick Mae, because dealing with a sick screaming baby can bring grown men to tears. I have experienced that helplessness and so I connected with Zach there.

The relationship between Wil and Zach was very sweet (though Zach might be too good to be true but if anything he can be an example of; please men don't run away from anyone with kids. It’s really somewhat annoying). Mae is also a show stealer, so freaking cute and the cover of the book captures her chub little face perfectly. This brings me to the illustrations in the book (Vera Vera nice).

Should You Read It? Yes, if you want your heart to be filled with Christmas joy and young love. If you like stories where the kid is apart of the story and not just in the background. Overall, I am surprised by the level of light and fluff because if you have read a K.Piet/S.Armstrong you know shit can get heavy. Really enjoyed it!

SideNote- I like the contrast of Zach and Wil's parents.

4 Pants Off