I have to say that I typically love Amy Lane.... this book... not so much.It was actually a bit of a disappointment. I just felt so... confused by the love that we, as readers, are to believe, developed between Dawson and Jared.I have to say that I typically love Amy Lane.... this book... not so much.It was actually a major disappointment. I just felt so... agitated and frustrated by the end of the book. I felt... unsettled.... Jared was so ... so... lost. He was a mess, and I could deal with his past mistakes, but he just was so damaged that he couldn't grow, he couldn't develop into the man I felt was worthy of Dawson. And so as I continued to read, I got angry, and frustrated, and I actually had to set away from my kindle just to calm myself. I WAS SO FRUSTRATED! It was like being forced to watch a scene from a scary movie when you wanted to just cover your eyes and block your ears.I think when I read any novel, I can handle some bad things occurring. That is natural... it's expected, but when essentially EVERYTHING about a person's choice is destructive... I can't get as far away from this type of 'scene' fast enough. We're all damaged. We make bad decisions... We're all f*cked up in some aspect or another... We aren't all lucky in love. But, we all should have faith when someone has proven themselves to us over and over again. Dawson continuously proved his love for Jared. And yet, even the littlest of things Dawson requested of Jared... he failed to do. So, I soon stopped having faith in Jared. Yes, we don't get to choose our families. And yes, sometimes we have to make it on our own, but Jared was over 25 and I could NOT understand how someone who was intelligent enough to earn his BA at NIGHT, while working his body the way he did to perform could be taken in over and over again. He just made TOO many bad choices, and didn't give his proclaimed love for Dawson the weight that he should have. I was floored when Dawson asked him if he was saving something for him. How sad and pathetic it is to ask if someone to actually have to ASK that of your lover... the one you want to spend the rest of your life with? It broke my heart. I couldn't take it anymore.... but of course I continued reading and proceeded to get angrier and angrier... I think Dawson's dad said it correctly, over and over again when he stated that Dawson LOVED Jared, and that Jared... had feelings for Dawson. That's putting it 'nicely'. Dawson was a selfish bastard. He put himself above everything. He defined his worth in dance, and even when love was right there, over and over again.... he just didn't care. And I think Dawson's feelings for Jared were too intense. Yes, we all want to 'save' broken/damaged things, but it just went too far. Jared assured Dawson that he would bring him the medical proxy forms. And over and over again, he did not... and look what happened? How is Jared so foolish as to think his agent has his best interest at heart? I couldn't stop rolling my eyes. I was just too done. I'm glad there was a HEA but I didn't feel happy. And any book that makes me question the true happiness of any character... or makes me feel this uncomfortable and unhappy... just isn't worth it. I don't want to admit this but, I actually hoped that Jared would overdose and die so Dawson could find a love worthy of him. Looks are NOT everything, and no one should have to save someone over and over and over again for a relationship to really take root. With all that I've said, I still want to know if Dawson's dad ever found love. I want to know if Benji and Darian get married. I want to know if Jared and Dawson actually stay together, and get their duck pond... I have so many questions. So, even though I don't have that happy for them feeling at the pit of my stomach, I think the IDEA of this book was fabulous... in theory. But because I am honest to the point of annoyance... I begrudgingly have to admit that "BEHIND THE CURTAIN" is not up to the standards I have come to expect from Amy Lane... Sorry Amy... better luck next time. As usual Amy Lane writes an interesting, quirky and angsty story. I found this one a little difficult to get into at the start - I felt like everything was on fast forward until I hit about 15%. Then I settled in for the ride :) Dawson and Jared are complete opposites but perfect for each other. You initially see Jared as this composed, cool uber put together professional dancer. And then you learn that there are so many more layers to him. Amy developed the story well, layer by layer. Dawson is just a sweet gangly young man, one who doesn't believe he's beautiful enough for Jared the dancer. One of my favourite scenes in the book is where Dawson sees a photo that Jared had taken and had framed of him. It was a beautiful photo and he finally saw the beauty that was him.I have read several Amy Lane books now and I have noticed that she often weaves her tale using family as the connecting theme. I love that thought that friends are the family you choose for yourself. Highly recommend.
What do You think about Behind The Curtain (2014)?
The relationship felt rushed, but I enjoyed it nonetheless
—jazzyd
Amazingly written and really a funny and full of fun read.
—freddi
