Beautiful Mess by Claire Christian

This book continues my Claire Christian obsession. The first book we read, It’s Been a Pleasure, Noni Blake changed the way we thought and experienced romance novels. We learned that the characters could have mature discussions during their black moment, that self-pleasure is just as steamy as partnered pleasure.

Beautiful Mess is achingly revolutionary:

• The love of a friend is just as important and profound as that of a lover.

• Men can cry first and more often that the female characters.

• Grief can be beautiful and joyous and painful all at once.

Ava lost her best friend, Kelly, to suicide six months ago and she floats through her days, except when she has to stand up for Kelly. Gideon struggles everyday with his depression and anxiety, so much so that he’s never had a girlfriend, or a real friend. When Gideon finds himself washing dishes at Magic Kebab, he and Ava forge a nearly unbreakable bond.

This book reached into my chest and squeezed. I couldn’t put it down. It was too beautiful AND THAT ENDING! No spoilers. -Ford