The World Before Us

Justin Durand also wrote Two Roads Converged which I thoroughly enjoyed, but also struggles like this one with what seems an awful cover (to me). The cover does not communicate that it is a well written book. This book is far steamier than Two Roads Converged, but even so is making a point – in that the sexy bits are relevant to both character and plot… and theme. In The World Before Us, a young man chooses no-strings sex for a year (in order to get over a break-up), but through the experience finds something more meaningful. It is a very sex-positive book and his adventure driving across the US with his grandfather is a worthwhile journey. More than once I was pulling out my map and googling locations that they visit in the story.

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The World Before Us opens a few months after twenty-four-year-old Nathan put the brakes on love for one year with a plan to pursue simpler and very erotic experiences. He thought it would head off more heartaches until he could finally grow up. Then, through no fault of his own, the rest of his life fell apart. Now, broke and homeless, Nathan embarks on a summer-long road trip with his grandfather and the promise of a new job at their destination.

Nathan shares the story of that summer as it happens. He “encounters” two really hot guys, bounces back from a bizarre trio of setbacks, stages the absolute worst coming out scene ever, is reunited with his childhood best friend, and endears himself to an elderly hippie named Rima by picking thousands of blueberries.

There is another complication along the way when Nathan catches a glimpse of love in the rearview mirror and he has to reconsider his vow of a romance-free year.

The Purple Fantastic Steam rating gives this a 4 out of 5. It gets very steamy at times, but ALWAYS in context of plot and character. But it does not hold back in the steam dept. You can read more about the Steam Ratings on the About Page.