I'm so happy Hayden got his own story and that we got another book in the CamBoy universe!
From the blurb:
He's the one I reach for in the middle of the night.
Santino
My life is going nowhere fast, so why not go out to New York for a few weeks and try my hand at something new? I crash with this guy, Hayden, who is gorgeous, sweet, and smart.
But there's something dark lurking beneath the surface, threatening to pull him under. I can't just stand by and do nothing--I have to help him. And in the process, I might end up helping myself too.
Hayden
I love my life. My job. My friends. Everything's great... until my mind betrays me. I'm sad and angry all the time, and I don't know why. There's a cloud hanging over my head, an ache in my chest, and a voice in my head that scares me.
I'm becoming someone I don't recognize, and Santino is the only one who notices that something's wrong. He's the only one who can keep the darkness at bay.
Santino is a hurt/comfort, forced proximity, sunshine/sunshiny-er MM romance between a golden retriever camboy struggling with depression and an empathic newbie looking for meaning in life. Expect lots of cuddling, late night chats, gentle showers, food as a love language, reading aloud to each other, blanket burritos, found family, and a very slow burn. It is the fourth and last book in The Camboy Network series, but can be read as a stand-alone.
Angel's review:
This group of men and their partners are goofy and fun, and I love seeing past characters pop back up. And while Hayden used to be the bubbly one in his friend group, lately he's been struggling...The only person who seems to realize is his new roommate Santino. Hayden and Santino's story is more on the serious side with heavy topic matter, so if talks of depression and dark thoughts might trigger you, please take care with reading this.
Yes, this story is heavy, but not in a bad way. Mental health representation in general is SO important, so I really love it when authors make representing mental health such a focal point in their stories. Hayden is struggling with something no one can see and something he himself didn't have a name for. Until Santino shows up on his doorstep with his bright and charismatic energy and kind personality and gently suggests a name for what Hayden has been experiencing. Depression.
The bond Santino and Hayden has formed is really special, Santino was always the lighthouse for Hayden, encouraging him to seek out the light and to try to leave the dark where it lies. I appreciate how Linden didn't sugarcoat what it's like having depression and how they explained everything in a thorough and well thought out way. Santino never judged Hayden, he just always offered the other man support and gentle guidance, which I find to be so beautiful.
When things got even worse for Hayden, Santino was as distraught and broken and Hayden was, which is understandable. I'm glad that there was a positive representation of seeking out professional help and how it's okay if you need to take medication to help with something. And that was showcased in two different ways within this book.
While this book is heavy and deals with sensitive topic matters, it still features all of the things we have come to love within this series. Comedy, lewd jokes, steamy scenes, found family, snarky dialogue, and of course, falling in love with your person. All in all, a really terrific and tear-jerking book.
Santino is currently available as an e-book and can be read as part of your Kindle Unlimited Subscription
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