Forever Man

Santa Fe becomes the land of dreams and second chances in this sexy, engrossing gay homage to Casablanca. Cole Mc­Knight and Ren Warner have been best friends—and secretly in love—since they were both students at an all-boys Catholic preparatory school. Doubt and insecurity kept them from following through on their feelings, and, a decade after graduation, they lead their own lives with other lovers, separated by a distance they never expect to overcome. Then fate brings them both to the El Dorado Hotel and allots them 12 days to explore the love they never acted on as boys. Cole must learn to embrace his dreams more fully, and Ren must decide whether he’s willing to leave his fiancé, an activist who’s on the verge of striking a deal that will bring marriage equality to every state. This intense debut will leave readers clamoring for more. (Aug.)