Just Between Us

The price is a little steep and normally I would not pay $9.39 + tax for an eBook, but I had read both of the other books and knew the writing would be good. I do feel cheated a little bit however because instead of 327 Pages listed in the description there was only 276 Pages (not locations FYI). It is still a long novel with lots of content and good writing. You do not have to have read the previous two books to understand this one. They are all stand alone. This story is about Luke who we met in "Don't Let Me Go" and Curtis, the older guy Luke wants for a boyfriend, but who has to deal with a scary diagnosis of being HIV Positive as a result of previous promiscuous behavior. Robert from "Who We Are" has a couple of cameo appearances. For chronological reference for those who have not read the other books, Don't Let Me Go comes first, then Just Between Us, and then Who We Are. But be warned, the epilogue of Don't Let Me Go gives us a brief glimpse of how "Adult" Luke's life turned out. I must say though the draw of Just Between Us is not the desire to know if there is an HEA, but rather how Luke and Curtis can get to that point.Like Nate in "Don't Let Me Go", I wondered what happened to Luke after the events of that story. (I must say I did not like Luke's character in that book. He was so needy and immature. Plus, he emotionally manipulated Nate for "sex" and nearly cost me a HEA.) Anyway, when I saw this book a couple months ago as a pre-order I was excited to find out I would be getting to see what became of Luke. I'm glad to say I liked him a whole lot better in this book. He was more mature and more relatable this time around.I think the character of Curtis and his reactions to how his HIV diagnosis affects his life was extremely well written. It came across as real, honest, raw, which made everything more believable for me. I could sympathize with his struggles to come to terms with his disease and how much he could let Luke into his heart with HIV "hanging over his head."I felt like the transition from acquaintances to friends to emotional romantic attachment was a bit fast and I would have liked to have seen more detail concerning how they came to enjoy each other's company.Other than that, the writing and story development was really good and occurred in a natural progression. The subject matter may be tough, but the story is great. I do recommend this if the story is what is most important to you.

This is JH Trumble's third book and I have loved all three of them. I call this book a "sort-of-sequel" to "Don't Let Me Go." It shares some of the same characters, a couple years after the previous book, but can be read as a stand-alone novel without any problems. (In fact, I didn't even realize the main character, Luke, was the same character from "DLMG" until I was almost at the end of the book!)The book follows the story of Luke Chesser as he falls in love with his marching band assistant coach. (Don't worry about the fact that Luke is still in high school and the band coach is in college, the boys are actually only a couple of years apart in age.) The problem is his coach, Curtis, is HIV positive. The story follows Curtis' struggles to come to terms with his disease and how to have a relationship with anyone, let alone with Luke who is head-over-heels in love with him.I really like Trumble's novels. She does not have simple solutions to complex problems and creates characters that are multi-dimensional. Her novels tend to be a bit longer than your average YA novel, which I think allows her to create these more complete stories. There is some sex in the novel, but no more than is becoming fairly common in all YA novels, especially those targeted more for high school age students rather than junior high age. (On a personal note, I am less bothered by the sex in these novels than the graphic violence in many of them. A fellow teacher of mine made the comment recently that it seems OK that we have no problems teaching/reading about the destruction of man, but that we don't dare talk about how man is created.- And I don't mean biblical creation!)Another great novel from JH Trumble. I can't wait for her next one.

This book has a decent story, but the level of self-flagellation is overpowering and there is little time at the end of the story to tie up loose ends. The book was written in 2012/13, which means some of the medical info is dated, but I think the author got at least part of how someone could respond correct. It would’ve been nice to have an afterward that flashed forward to possibly add something for the casual reader.

First point: before you decide to read this one, it would be appropriate to read J. H. Trumble's "Don't Let Me Go," and "Where You Are," so by the time you get to this book (the third one in the series, one could say) everything makes sense and your not lost.Second point: Luke and Curtis. The story of beautifully complex relationship, but also a story that talks about several issues that exist in today's culture, but are not really exposed in literature (my p.o.v). I really enjoyed reading this book, because I felt that every page and every word, was honest. I love the fact that as a reader, the author gives one the opportunity to see, to understand, and live the characters emotions and thoughts, because this made me be more understanding of a situation I had little knowledge about. This one, just like the two other books, have met my expectations and have left me feeling different. It's amazing what words, or what a book, can do to you.Third point: J. H. Trumble is pretty cool (:

This book blew me away. I hadn't read anything by this author before but by the time I finished half of this book I was hooked! I couldn't wait to read the others in this series and they too kept me reading way into the night. Tough subjects but tastefully and realistically done. I would highly recommend this writers work to anyone who enjoys M/M romance.

A first rate read. One of those books when you want to keep reading but don't want want to get to the end. Real issues, real people. I would like to know how, or indeed if, the relationship progresses, but I don't suppose we shall ever know. Read it, think about the issues.Enjoy is not quite the right word.

I really enjoyed reading it!I was not sure about the whole AIDS theme at first but the book is really great!

Interesting topic and genre defiantly would read again. Really good book, recommending you to read it. You shall not be disappointed.

Where to even begin? I came into this, knowing that J.H. Trumble had already made me cry whilst I was reading 'don't let me go', and this book did it all over again.Seeing Lukes development as a minor character in 'don't let me go', I was intrigued to see how things would develop in this novel, with much more of a focus on him and the way he thinks. And I was not disappointed. Luke has a fragile heart, and he seems willing to open it to those he loves - even if the people he loves try to protect him, as they put it "for his own good". Reading about such a kind and passionate young man, just trying to love the way he knows how is refreshing. But so is the story of Curtis.Curtis has a lot to deal with in this novel. Falling in love. Dealing with a diagnosis of HIV. Grappling to cope with the diagnosis, whilst trying to carry the weight of the world on his shoulders. I've read other M/M books where a character has HIV. But it's always at the point where they are undetectable, no side effects from meds, no concerns. The fact that Trumble takes us to the very beginning - to the point where Curtis receives a phone call. Tries to talk himself out of getting tested. Receiving the diagnosis, and then burying his head in the sand until he can't any more. That's brave, and its a battle that doesn't get written about nearly enough.The fact that Trumble is able to provide all points of view - from the negative connotations, the poor reactions, the confusion, the anger, and the stigma's attached to a person diagnosed with HIV - makes this an incredible story. It's important to remember, that whilst this may be fiction, there are people who are going through this everyday.When I started reading this book, I thought I would be bored of Luke. That he was just having a repeat of his part in 'don't let me go' - how wrong I was. I loved Luke and Curtis. Their families and friends (with the exception of Luke's dad - right up until the very end).I would wholeheartedly recommend this book to anyone. No matter what you identify your sexuality or gender as, I think there is a whole lot of learning that you can do from reading this book.When you do read this book - once you have finished, I would recommend you go back to 'don't let me go', and re-read Chapters 52 & 53. It ties together the stories perfectly, and gives you the closure that you need. Although a small part of me would still love to read about their adventures, and find out where the author would see them now.Part of Nates final blog post in 'don't let me go' is just the perfect end to these two intertwined novels."Human beings seek closure. It's that tendency to fill in the gaps, connect the dots, and see complute figures where there are only dots. When this human need to fill in the gaps is blocked, psychologists say we experience frustration and anxiety. Today, I connected my dots.", "whoever you are, wherever you are - live. Love."