Trust the Focus - Megan Erickson

Trust the Focus by Megan Erickson
Series: In Focus #1
Publisher: Intermix
Publication Date: March 17, 2015
Source/Format: Netgalley || e-galley

[I received this book from the publisher. This in no way affects my opinions or review content.]

With his college graduation gown expertly pitched into the trash, Justin Akron is ready for the road trip he planned with his best friend Landry— and ready for one last summer of escape from his mother’s controlling grip. Climbing into the Winnebago his father left him, they set out across America in search of the sites his father had captured through the lens of his Nikon.

As an aspiring photographer, Justin can think of no better way to honor his father’s memory than to scatter his ashes at the sites he held sacred. And there’s no one Justin would rather share the experience with more than Landry.

But Justin knows he can’t escape forever. Eventually he’ll have to return home and join his mother’s Senate campaign. Nor can he escape the truth of who he is, and the fact that he’s in love with his out-and-proud travel companion.

Admitting what he wants could hurt his mother’s conservative political career. But with every click of his shutter and every sprinkle of ash, Justin can’t resist Landry’s pull. And when the truth comes into focus, neither is prepared for the secrets the other is hiding.

I have only read one other M/M romance before, but I knew I needed to check out Trust the Focus since it was written by Megan Erickson, author of the Bowler University series (which I really like!). I read this in the span of a couple of hours, and if that’s not a testament to how engaging + readable this novel is, then I don’t know what else could be. But really, Trust the Focus is such a cute story! 

Justin and Landry have been best friends for a long time, and Justin has secretly been harboring feelings for Landry. What complicates things is that he isn’t out of the closet, and it’s hard for him to think about being “different” when his mother is a conservative politician who expects him to work for her after graduation. The story follows Justin and Landry as they embark on a very special road trip – where Justin will be scattering the ashes of his photographer father at twelve different sites. 

I love that there are multiple plot threads going – Justin and his feelings for Landry, his inner conflict over his sexuality and what that means for his future + his relationship with his mom, and Justin dealing with the death of his father. Erickson definitely manages to juggle each one pretty deftly, though I do think the thread with his mother could have used the teensiest bit more development. My favorite thread is not the romance (though I do think it’s sweet to watch a friends-turned-romantic situation playing out); it’s actually watching Justin work out his internal conflict. That alone would have kept me reading, but the romance was definitely a great bonus. 

All in all, I really liked Trust the Focus. There was a touch too much angst + drama, but that’s more a personal reservation. It’s a great story, especially as it focuses on Justin’s personal journey and his dynamic with Landry as he changes throughout the course of the novel. I really enjoyed Trust the Focus, and I’m confident many others will too.