Slick's review posted at Guilty Pleasures Book Reviews 
 4.5 Stars 
 Author Megan Erickson offers up another poignant and satisfying story in Focus On Me. Because I loved the first book in this series so much, I was worried that she wouldn't be able to live up to my expectations with another book but she proved me wrong. Readers are given the opportunity to ride along with Riley and Colin as they make their way from Nevada to North Carolina on a road trip that will make them both face their fears and limitations as well as accept that while their feelings are solid they have work to do before they can truly be together the way they want. This is a powerful story that deals with some serious issues yet it is incredibly hopeful and pretty damn wonderful. 
 Colin is headed home to North Carolina after losing his scholarship and dropping out of college something that really doesn't bother him all that much other than it's something else he's failed to finish. As a gas station in Nevada he encounters Riley who he ends up offering a ride to. Riley has been hitching rides since California and has a bucket list of things he'd like to do including seeing the Atlantic Ocean. From the beginning Colin is aware that something is "off" with Riley but he can't pinpoint it. He feels he's lying about parts of his life but he lets it go because after all he's just giving him a ride. They are attracted to one another from the start but neither one is sure the other is gay and even after they realize they both are Riley put the brakes on things simply telling Colin it's the right thing to do. 
 During their time together Colin does a great job of basically pouring out his life history to Riley but Riley remains tight lipped. Their relationship changes throughout this book with them becoming intimate after an incident that leaves Riley jealous and upset. Colin's need to see Riley happy and Riley's need to have Colin in his life starts them down the road of co-dependency and while Colin begins to figure out that something is not right about their relationship, he's scared to bring it up for fear of losing Riley. Yes friends, this is one 'effed up mess and to top it off Riley has some major issues that Colin either doesn't see or doesn't want to see. 
 There are so many ups and downs in this book and while it deals with some heavy issues I didn't feel like there was no hope. Throughout this book I could see bits and pieces of light and knew that while their journey wouldn't be easy they would get to that place they both wanted to be. I applaud Ms. Erickson for tackling two tough issues, well three if you count the co-dependency, yet never losing sight of the connection these two young men had or the love that obviously blossomed between them. I loved the emails that Riley wrote along the way to Landry from book one and seeing Landry and Justin again in this book especially during a very pivotal moment was definitely a highpoint. I did love this book, but I kind of wanted to see Colin and Riley really get to know one another without the issues in the way. Don't get me wrong, I'm very happy with the way this book ended but they needed to spend a little more time together really talking about their lives, hopes and dreams. 
 A highly emotional yet optimistic story of two young men both fighting for the love they want, need and deserve make Focus On Me a truly exceptional book and another fantastic offering from Megan Erickson. 
 Review copy provided for an honest review.