Jericho Candelario’s Gay Debut

Jericho Candelario’s Gay Debut (2018) R. Cooper

I needed the softest and fluffiest of escapes, so I turned to this, even though it hadn’t been that long since my last reread.

Because Jerry is sweet and adorable.

They always asked for him. Probably because a slender, average-sized man with a low voice was a lot less intimidating than Al or Kristoff, both of whom were over six feet tall, broad, and loud.

He is the squishiest of cinnamon rolls, having spent almost half his life helping his sister care for her unplanned daughter.

he’d spent years trying to keep everyone together, to pay the bills and ensure Sofia was surrounded by love at all times.

And despite their very quiet disagreements about it, Lincoln understands how important Jerry’s family is to him.

“Aw.” Lincoln smiled in sympathy, in a more playful mood than he had been a second ago. “You poor thing. But it was bound to happen sooner or later. Kids grow up. Next thing you know, you’ll be driving her to college and she’ll be— oh no! Jerry, don’t panic. It’s okay. Please don’t make that face.”

“What face?” Jerry felt a little frozen.

“I was kidding.” Lincoln leaned closer and spoke soothingly.

There is something about that passage that I adore.

This story all in Jerry’s POV and most of it is in his mind, which means that we get to delight in just how naive Jericho is.

“You brought your toolbox,” Lincoln informed him, as though Jerry didn’t know that, and then mumbled, “Coffee, he says,” and stomped off. He returned a second later. “What exactly are you doing?”

“The door squeaks.” Jerry sprayed each hinge and then opened and closed the door a few times. “You have to lubricate it to keep things smooth.”

“Irish coffee,” Lincoln declared vehemently. “I know I have bourbon somewhere in here for bourbon cakes. Or brandy. I definitely have brandy somewhere.”

And Lincoln’s reaction to that naivete.

Or just to Jerry in general.

Jerry inhaled sharply. He couldn’t begin to think how to show Lincoln how amazing he was. Jerry could level that one wobbly chair in the bakery, refinish all the cabinets, help him choose a coffee machine, and it wouldn’t come close.

Also, I have spent so much time thinking like Jerry does.

Hoping someone would know so he wouldn’t have to say it was a feeling he was intimately familiar with.

So this is a mental hug I gave myself.

Rating: 9/10

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