A Tiny Piece of Something Greater

In this tender, touching romance by Sierra (What It Takes), 20-year-old Reid Watsford moves to Key Largo, Fla., to reboot his life after a bout of rapid-cycling moods and a rough breakup. He meets Joaquim Oliveira at scuba diving lessons, and, after some flirtatious looks, they date and fall for each other fast. Joaquim’s laid-back charm calm the anxious, reckless Reid, who is afraid to share his big dark secret: that he is bipolar and often self-injures. Sierra does a good job of depicting Reid’s therapy and recovery, his triggers and difficulties, and his fear of rejection and other anxieties. The caring and patient Joaquim gives Reid the chance for a healthy relationship, but Sierra never plays up the idea of love as a magical cure. The guys do get to have hot sex, and they also fight briefly when their relationship is in jeopardy, but mostly this story focuses on them creating and building trust, especially when Reid backslides after his ex unexpectedly visits. The drama may be slight, but Sierra makes it satisfying. (May)