Alan Chin Libri

After watching his lover's long and painful slide into death, there is no peace for Garrett Davidson. Grief eats at him. In a desperate bid to survive, he flees to a secluded Hawaiian refuge. There he intends to write a memoir about his relationship with Marc, hoping the process will bring closure, restore his sanity, and kick-start a career in writing. He meets a captivating island native, Songaree, who offers promises of enlightenment and spiritual healing--but Garrett can only achieve it by abandoning his personal history. Can Garrett endure an excruciating journey that will tear him to pieces, wreak havoc among his friends, and break his despairing heart? Is it possible to attain fulfillment, even love, by surrendering everything you cherish? To survive, Garrett must find the answers.

The story follows Cord Bridger as he returns to the West for his grandmother's funeral and discovers unexpected truths about his family, including his grandmother's lesbian relationship and the existence of his teenage son, Kalin. As fate intertwines their lives, Cord faces the challenge of leaving his secure New York City life to embrace his new family and forge a future on the rugged ranch lands of Nevada. The narrative explores themes of identity, family, and the courage to embrace change.

The story follows Daniel Bottega, who, after being ousted from the professional tennis circuit for his sexuality, finds refuge teaching at a lesser-known country club. As he navigates his new life, he grapples with the challenges of hiding from societal judgment, while his partner, Jared Stoderling, struggles with alcohol addiction stemming from the heartbreak of his own failed tennis dreams. Their intertwined journeys explore themes of love, acceptance, and the impact of societal pressures on personal identities.

Set against the backdrop of World War II, the story follows Andrew Waters, a Buddhist facing the brutal realities of war while grappling with prejudice due to his half-Chinese heritage. He wins over his shipmates through his exceptional cooking, but his challenges multiply when he falls in love with a superior officer. Their burgeoning relationship must navigate the strict military code, and when Andrew inadvertently reveals his sexuality, his commitment to serving his country is thrown into jeopardy.