Review ~ Always ~ Kindle Alexander

Always by Kindle Alexander
Release Date: March 11, 2014
Genre: Adult, M/M Contemporary Romance
Source: Purchased on Kindle
Rating: 4 Bookworms
Challenges: #ShelfLove
Goodreads

Synopsis
Born to a prestigious political family, Avery Adams plays as hard as he works. The gorgeous, charismatic attorney is used to getting what he wants, even the frequent one-night stands that earn him his well-deserved playboy reputation. When some of the prominent men in politics suggest he run for senate, Avery decides the time has come to follow in his grandfather's footsteps. With a strategy in place and the campaign wheels rolling, Avery is ready to jump on the legislative fast track, full steam ahead. But no amount of planning prepares him for the handsome, uptight restaurateur who might derail his political future.

Easy isn't even in the top thousand words to describe Kane Dalton's life after his father, a devout southern Baptist minister, kicks him out of the family home for questioning his sexual orientation. Despite all the rotten tomatoes life throws his way, Kane makes something of himself. Between owning a thriving upscale Italian restaurant in the heart of downtown Minneapolis and managing his long-term boyfriend, his plate is full. He struggles to get past the teachings of his childhood to fully accept his sexuality and rid himself of the doubts brought on by his religious upbringing. The last thing he needs is the yummy, sophisticated, blond-haired distraction sitting at table thirty-four.

Always is a touching love story and not something you typically see in that it spans some 40 years. Rather than being a story of how a couple met and fell in love, it's that PLUS how they live out the HEA...their always.

Kane was a man struggling to reconcile his religious beliefs with his sexuality. Having been kicked out of his home at 18, because of his sexuality, he luckily found a mentor and now he owns and runs a successful restaurant in Minneapolis.

Avery, a son of a political family, great-grandson to a President, has come home to Minnesota to consider a political run. In his first attempt at being seen by his public, he has dinner in Kane's restaurant. When they meet, the earth moves for them both. And an almost 40 year love affair begins.

I love both Kane and Avery. Being from Texas, I identified with Kane and his Southern Baptist upbringing more than Avery's privileged one. Sometimes Avery annoyed me in that I thought he was selfish when it came to what he wanted for himself and Kane. But one thing that was unquestionable was their love and devotion to one another.

Their love affair began in the late 70's. I liked how KAlexander had their story span decades of my lifetime. It was fascinating to see them live as an openly gay couple and see how different movements, scientific discoveries, etc., affected their lives. And I loved thinking (reading about) an American population accepting enough to elect a gay man to public office. Watching Kane and Avery live out their life together was heartwarming. Seeing the people they had surrounding them, Avery's mom and Kane's mentor, Paulie, who'd served as a mentor and father figure to Kane - seeing their love and support for Kane and Avery was beautiful.

Always was unique and moving. And I'm so happy I finally knocked off the virtual dust bunnies and read it.