Moment of Impact
It all began with the first sentence: I didn't mean to see Tanner D'Amico's cock. I really didn't.
You just CAN'T do that to a girl! Lucky for me, estrogens protected my heart. Thank you, estrogens. Never leave me, please.
I knew I wanted the book just by the looks. It's just that, I fell in love with the cover. And call me crazy, but I always thought this was a story in the 50s. Maybe that vintage sort of picture, maybe the James Dean looks, maybe the John Travolta's toupee. I just, plain and simple, assumed this was a Grease kind of movie, without the musical part. Even more, the position in which the model is reminds me of that of an American football player. These little details are messing with my mind.
You see it, right? RIGHT? Don't tell me he is not James Dean!
Weird as it is, I continue picturing this as a Grease movie, even with all the laptops, tablets and mobile phones. I just can't get rid of that image. And it doesn't matter, as this story has that reminiscence of antiquity. For starters, Collin is a closet case and has a 100% certainty that his mother would disown him if she found out her younger son is gay. Collin's family is Catholic and a very religious one. But it's not only Catholic, but intolerant with demonstrations of sex and even masturbations in the house.
It's here when I stop and laugh a little. Why, aren't there any devoted Protestant families who disown their children? How come that every religious parent who despises his gay son is Catholic? Isn't there any Islamic person who does the same? Or Jewish? Or Protestant? Or Orthodox? It's very easy and well-used the plot of intolerance due to religious matters, and it sounds like too much of a coincidence that, if the person is pious and intolerant, he or she usually practices the Catholicism. Are these books written by Protestant people? I want to look further for the reasons of this fashion. I also can say I'm a little disappointed that the author fell for that cheap excuse to create a drama.
We only have Collin's POV, so Tanner remains a mystery. Sometimes too much of one. Tanner's role is less explored but the sense of dissatisfaction is not only due to the lack of his perspective. Tanner should have been more than the confident, cocky and teasing guy. He deserves more development and depth, as he was portrayed in a mostly superficial fashion. I hope that this shallow feeling I have about him is fixed during the following books.
The story is sexy and there is chemistry in their interactions. It's a insta-lust and almost a insta-love, if not for the fact that their friendship began two years before page one and they became roommates shortly afterwards, until they finally decided to risk it to get more. And yes, they do get it indeed! Collin is unexperienced in gay sex and shy at his participation in it. I liked the part when Tanner suggests he uses his account in a porn website to see if Collin would ask to do any of the creative ways two boys can have sex. I think it's very original and funny.
I thought the title of the book was one of those names you use to baptize something because they sound cool. But in fact it holds a particular meaning. I liked the final twists of the story, when Collin panics after Tanner kisses him in the theatre and flees which results in their first real argument. And of course, when Tanner decides to give him time to "think bout it" so of course Collin panics more and realizes he can lose everything that makes him happy. Then the meeting and the accident, the "moment of impact" was the icing on the cake. I'm fond of angst and although here there was a light version of it I liked it and it had an aim: it served to consolidate their feelings and to give name to what they are to each other... at last.
