JUNK by Josephine Myles

JUNK by Josephine Myles

 

Page: 351

Date: March 15, 2015

Details: No. 1 The Bristol Collection

Kindle

The blurb:

Letting go is the first step to healing…or bringing it all crashing down.

When an avalanche of books cuts off access to his living room, university librarian Jasper Richardson can no longer ignore the truth. His ever-growing piles of books, magazines and newspapers can no longer be classified as a “collection”. It’s a hoard, and he needs professional help.

Professional clutter clearer and counselor Lewis Miller thinks he’s seen it all, but even he has to admit he’s shocked. Not so much by the state of Jasper’s house, but by the level of attraction he still feels for the sexy bookworm he remembers from school.

What a shame that Lewis’s ethical code forbids relationships with clients. As Jasper makes slow but steady progress, though, the magnetic pull between them is so strong even Lewis is having trouble convincing himself it’s a temporary emotional attachment arising from the therapeutic process.

Jasper longs to prove to Lewis that this is the real deal. But first he’ll have to lay bare the root of his hoarding problem…and reveal the dark secret hidden behind his walls of books. 

Product Warnings
Contains a level-headed counselor with a secret addiction, a bespectacled geek with a sweet tooth, a killer “to-be-read” pile, embarrassing parents, a van called Alice, and deliciously British slang.

My thoughts:

This was a wonderful read about two everyday young men with personal issues they have to overcome if they want to have a future together. Jasper’s hoarding problem was fascinating because it was both recognisable and unimaginable to me. I completely get the need to hang on to books and magazines (newspapers not so much), but can’t imagine allowing it to ever get as bad as it gets in Jasper’s case.

Lewis’s fear that Jasper has established a need for his guidance and support rather than fallen for him is understandable, as is his need for proof that Jasper can function without him around.

It was impossible to read this story and not root for the two men, even as there were moments when I wanted to scream at them to recognize the good thing they had together already. Jasper’s secret broke my heart and Lewis’s insecurity about relationships made me want to wrap him up in a massive hug.

I not only loved the two main characters but fell hard for those they interact with as well. Lewis’s family was laugh out loud funny at times and I can’t wait to read Stuff and get to know Mas better.

All in all this was a wonderful and engrossing read. Besides, what’s not to love about a book in which one of the secondary characters is described as follows:

“Jos. The tall Dutchman...”

Especially since I happen to know a tall Dutchman named Jos. J