Perfect Score by Susan Roebuck

Blurb From Publisher's Website:

It’s the 1960s and feckless, exasperating Alex Finch is a rich, handsome and talented singer/songwriter who longs for two things: a career as a professional rock singer, and to have his love for Sam Barrowdale reciprocated. But drifter Sam's two aims are simply to earn enough money to pay his sister's medical bills and to hide from the world his reading/writing and speech disability. At this time the word "dyslexia" is generally unknown so to most people he's just a "retard". From the severe knocks life's dealt him, Sam's developed a tough outer coating and he has no time for a spoilt, selfish guitar player.

Despite his defects, Alex's love for Sam never wavers and when Sam unexpectedly disappears, Alex begins a somewhat bungling quest to find him, only to discover that Sam has a fearful enemy: Alex's powerful and influential yet sociopathic uncle.

As Alex spirals downwards towards alcoholism, many questions need answering. Just why did Alex's evil uncle adopt him at age eleven yet deny him any affection? And what's the mystery behind Alex's father's death?

Both seem to face unbeatable odds. Are they doomed to follow separate paths forever?

My Review:

I write in the afterglow of this wonderfully written light literary/romance novel, the characters' emotions of heartwrenching longing still washing over me in waves.

Alex is a character I didn't understand, nor care for very much, at the beginning.  I didn't understand his fascination with a boy he had only barely met once before.  But, as I read on, I began to witness his circumstances and I began to empathize with him.  I could see that he needed Sam, as a youth.  And, once I knew of Sam's story, and saw the level of compassion in him (despite the odds), I could see why he was so drawn to him once they were older.

Sam is an intriguing character.  He has everything against him, the world continually spits on him, yet he still maintains his decency, despite his tough outer shell.  Sam is Dyslexic with a stutter, and since the story is set in the late 1960's (when Dyslexia was very misunderstood) he is often wrongly labeled a "retard" or "dumb".  I've seen men with less on their plate than all Sam has had to survive through, turn downright feral as adults.  But, Sam has a level of compassion and goodness in him that has saved him from such a fate, and has made him into a very endearing character that the reader can completely embrace.

Perfect Score has enough suspense and mystery within (and none too predictable) to make it a wonderful read with a strong storyline, and one I would recommend on those merits alone.  But, the tale of these two men, the struggles they face and the longing they have to be together.....that emotion is so powerful that it made my heart ache for them.  That is why I suggest you read this book, to experience that for yourself.

This was my first M/M novel to read, and after doing so, it will not be my last.  This book has no explicit or overly erotic scenes, so if you are a reader of romance, but tend to shy away from same-sex characters, perhaps this book would still be of interest.  This book leans more towards light literary than romance, but would appeal to readers of both.  I was thoroughly caught up with the Uncle and his practices, as much as I was about the mysteries of Sam's life. 

You can buy the e-book at the publisher's website Here , (as well as read an excerpt and more about the author, Susan Roebuck), and look for it in paperback form this Spring 2011.

4 & 1/2 Stars

This book was provided to me by the author. The opinions and review are entirely my own.