Reality Bites! Let's Get Lost!: Blog Tour Review & Giveaway: Freeing by E.K. Blair

Freeing (Fading Series, Book #1.5)

By: E.K. Blair

Release Date: September 13th

Goodreads Link: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17898670-freeing

Knowing who you are and accepting who you are come at different prices.

Jase Kinrick grew up in your typical, all-American household. But after the death of his sister, his parents shut down, forcing him to deal with everything life throws his way alone. Terrified of the person he’s discovering himself to be, Jase has his way with every willing girl to try and rid himself of what he fears he is—gay.

Escaping California and moving to Seattle to attend the University of Washington, Jase frees himself to the reality that he likes men. Never staying with any guy long enough to get to know them, he doesn’t realize that he’s still hiding from who he is until he meets Mark. Scared of having real feelings for another guy stirs up the questions and fears he’s fought hard to bury.

To strip away the barriers to the heart of what is real, and to be okay with what lies underneath, will be Jase’s moment of truth. But he’ll need Mark to lead him there.

**This is a companion novel to the USA Today Bestseller, FADING.**

*ARC provided by author for an honest review*

We first met Jase in Fading, which was Candace's story. He was her rock in her darkest moments. During this time, we got just a small hint as to the past life Jase had lead. But now, we get the full story and I have to say, it made me love him even more.

Jase is fighting who he really is for the sake of appearances. He knows his parents will never accept him for who he is underneath the façade. But when he goes away to college, he decides to explore those feelings he has been suppressing. He randomly hooks up with different guys throughout his first three years there. They are all meaningless encounters that he can easily walk away from. And more importantly, he can keep them off the radar of public knowledge.

But then he meets Mark.

Mark is open about his sexuality and is not the kind of guy that is into random hook ups. Jase feels something for Mark that he has never felt for anyone before and it scares him. Jase is still hiding in the closet and believes that by becoming emotionally involved with Mark, he will be outing himself.

It was really difficult to read about Jase's struggle with his identity. The shame and embarrassment he felt was heartbreaking. You get a more in-depth look into the internal battle he fought for so long about being comfortable in his own skin. But his love for Mark is what gives him the strength to finally embrace not only who he is but also the ability to allow himself to be in a loving, committed relationship with someone.

This was a great addition to the Fading series! I am now eagerly awaiting Ryan's book!

"It isn't about deserving; it is about accepting. None of us deserve anything. Everything we have is a gift, and you have to learn to simply accept what God gives you."

“I need you to be mad.”

Taking a step toward me, he asks, “Why?”

I walk over and sit on the arm of the chair before admitting, “Because I need to feel it. So that I know that you can see this for what it is.”

“And what’s that?”

“Imperfect. Unequal.” Dropping my head, I release a deep breath before looking back up at him. “I’m undeserving and selfish. You’re worth so much more than what I’m capable of giving you.”

He moves to stand in front of me and takes my face in his hands as he questions me intently. “You don’t think you give me what I need? You think I’d stick around if you didn’t fill up pieces inside of me that only you’ve been able to?”

As he moves his hands to my shoulders, I drop my eyes when I tell him, “My pieces feel stripped bare.” I catch his eyes when I look back up and tell him, “I’m not sure I even have enough of them.”

“Maybe I have what you’re missing. But if you keep holding back, you’ll never find out. You’ll never know how well we can fit together unless you try.” I grip his shirt in my hands, almost pained by my confessions when he affirms, “I need you to try.”

“So that’s it?”