Just finished reading . . . By Degrees (mini-review)

By Degrees by J.B. McDonald

This review cross-posted from Goodreads.
My Goodreads rating: 5 of 5 stars
View all my reviews at Goodreads >>

Orphaned at eleven and bounced around the foster system, Tim learned young that the only thing he could control was himself. It was a lesson he took seriously, and it’s the only thing that keeps him safe from more heartbreak. Conner doesn’t understand this desire to control things, but he doesn’t need to. He loves everything about his control-freak friend, even the way he quirks just one eyebrow. He has for years.

With Con’s arrival, everything starts unraveling in Tim’s life. He’s questioning his sexual orientation, wrangling with emotions from his past, and fending off questions from Con’s well-meaning family. Drowning in a world out of his control, his one hope is to let go and trust that love will save him. But after so many years of burying his feelings, he’s not sure it’s possible.

This book was recommended by Orannia (Walkabout blog) in her post which inspired my If You Could Give a Book to Someone post & giveaway.

By Degrees was a wonderful romance that really developed the characters of both Tim and Con. The book did not gloss over the issues that Tim was dealing with, nor did it take the easy route of “love heals all”. The book explored the development of Tim and Con’s relationship and really showed them working through their challenges. This was a wonderful friends to lovers story, and I’ll definitely be reading the companion book to By Degrees, In the Rough.

• JB McDonald’s site.
• Excerpt for By Degrees.
• By Degrees at Goodreads.