Genre: Contemporary, New Adult, College, Coming of Age, Coming Out
LGBTQ+ Category: Gay
Reviewer: Maryann
Get It On Amazon | Publisher
About The Book
Eighteen-year-old Tobias Gavin is struggling to come to terms with his sexuality. For many years, the what-ifs of coming out have swirled around his head, so he has chosen to live a lie to keep from disrupting the “normal” life he has created with his family and friends.
That is until he meets Gareth David the day he enrolls for his first semester as a college student. He feels an immediate connection with Gareth…a connection that pushes Tobias to question the way he has been living his life. When Gareth coincidentally becomes, Tobias’s History professor, Tobias is forced to confront his feelings and confront the universe.
Tobias must come to terms his depression, anxiety, heartbreak, and his sexuality before he can even begin to heal his wounds. He believes that everything happens for a reason, but he learns that some experiences are meant to teach even if they cause heartbreak. Once he comes to terms with himself, he might find his knight in shining armor.
Tobias must learn to trust himself and those around him if he wants to find happiness.
The Review
Tobias Gavin is ready for his freshman year of college. He’s an enthusiastic and passionate eighteen year old and has a plan for his continuing education at Ashelford University. He has his classes all listed so he can succeed as history major, with the goal of becoming a professor in the field.
He knows he’s a nerd, and always had anxiety about being early for everything, but he takes it all in stride. He’s exceptional, and has gone above and beyond to make this next step in his life go perfectly. He also has a great connection with his parents and his two best friends, and he doesn’t want to disappoint anyone.
The one thing he isn’t ready to face is his sexuality. He’s never had a girlfriend or a boyfriend. He tries to talk himself into being straight, but deep down inside he knows he isn’t, so he stays as closeted as possible. He’s fearful of telling anyone that he’s gay – he doesn’t want to hurt his parents or his friends, and fears the consequences.
He’s ready for his first meeting with his college advisor, Dr. Helena Richards. As always, Tobias is very early for his meeting, and while he waits, he meets Gareth David.
Gareth is teaching assistant to Dr. Richards, and when he strikes up a conversation with Tobias, the new student is overwhelmed and enthralled by him. Tobias can’t stop thinking of Gareth and especially how normal Gareth made him feel. But Tobias thinks he will probably never see Gareth again on campus.
Then on the first day of school, Gareth turns up again, teaching his history class. Tobias is totally flustered – and what does it mean when Gareth wants to see him after class? Gareth has a proposition for Tobias, one he can’t refuse which will benefit Tobias and his future.
When he bumps into Gareth again at a school party, he will have to make some difficult choices, not only about himself, but about his parents and friendships, and what’s really important to him, no matter the consequences. In all his enthusiasm and excitement, Tobias looses his way, and has to realize that all is not what it seems.
Garrison creates a very personal story based on his own experience. Reading From the Universe to Me is like reading someone’s diary. It’s very much a coming of age story, as Tobias struggles with so many issues, from first love to heartbreak and possibly loving again. It’s about being who you truly are, and those times when you just have to take that step and trust in your friends and family to accept you for who you are. It’s also about knowing who your friends really are, and standing up for yourself.
Young adults struggling with their own sexuality will find this book very helpful.
From the Universe to Me is Garrison’s debut novel. He has s lot of potential, and I commend, him for taking a chance and writing a novel based on his own personal experiences. Well worth reading!
The Reviewer
Hi, I’m Maryann, I started life in New York, moved to New Hampshire and in 1965 uprooted again to Sacramento, California. Once I retired I moved to West Palm Beach, Florida in 2011 and just moved back to Sacramento in March of 2018. My son, his wife and step-daughter flew out to Florida and we road tripped back so they got to see sights they have never seen. New Orleans and the Grand Canyon were the highlights. Now I am back on the west coast again to stay! From a young age Ialways liked to read.
I remember going to the library and reading the “Doctor Dolittle” books by Hugh Lofting. Much later on became a big fan of the classics, Edgar Alan Poe, Mary Shelley, Bram Stoker and as time went by Agatha Christie, Ray Bradbury and Stephen Kingand many other authors.
My first M/M shifter book I read was written by Jan Irving the “Uncommon Cowboys” series from 2012. She was the first author I ever contacted and sent an email to letting her know how much I liked this series. Sometime along the way I read “Zero to the Bone”by Jane Seville, I think just about everyone has read this book!
As it stands right now I’m really into mysteries, grit, gore and “triggers” don’t bother me. But if a blurb piques my interest I will read the book.
My kindle collection eclectic and over three thousand books and my Audible collection is slowly growing. I have both the kindle and audible apps on my ipod, ipads, and MAC. So there is never an excuse not to be listening or reading.
I joined Goodreads around 2012 and started posting reviews. One day a wonderful lady, Lisa Horan of The Novel Approach, sent me an email to see if I wanted to join her review group. Joining her site was such an eye opener. I got introduce to so many new authors that write for the LGBTQ genre. Needless to say, it was heart breaking when it ended.
But I found a really great site, QRI and it’s right here in Sacramento. Last year at QSAC I actually got to meet Scott Coatsworth, Amy Lane and Jeff Adams.
