First they become friends, though it’s clear they both want more. I loved the slow burn of their relationship.

Even better, he’s believable in that way. He’s got a huge heart, and he’s so dang nice. So even though we don’t get his POV, it’s clear to see what kind of guy he is. We don’t get to know Reed quite as well, but he’s very open and forthcoming. He’s got a great sense of humor, even if he doesn’t always mean to, and he’s a totally adorable geek. I mean, I was literally laughing out loud, and that doesn’t often happen to me with books. He’s got no filter, and the things he says are hysterical.

Even more than that, Henry is an absolutely fantastic character. Henry was all about being healthy, but he wasn’t doing it for anyone but himself anymore. He realized he wanted to do this for himself, that he wanted to take care of himself and be healthy. So it became quickly apparent that while Henry may have joined a gym in order to get his ex back, his attitude shifted within a few days (pages). But when Reading Challenge Month came up, and we needed something for TBR Pile Week, I decided it was time to take the chance. So I was hesitant, but it was still on my radar as one to read. Let’s just say that a character having to lose weight in order to finally be happy is a touchy subject with me. I’m a fan of this author and I usually snap up anything she releases knowing that I’ll get a great story with great characters. And with a heart to heart conversation with Reed, Henry finally has everything he wants. There he finds someone who is truly happy for the first time in a long time. But when Henry unwittingly makes Reed feel bad, Henry has to take a step back and really look at himself. But now everything in Henry’s life is changing, and that’s due to Reed. Henry has no filter, and he’s previously done his best not to speak much at work. And as his and Reed’s friendship grows, Henry starts coming out of his shell at work. Pretty soon, Henry is getting in shape for the right reasons: to take care of himself. And more than that, he encourages Henry in exactly the right way. He takes the first step by joining a gym, and that’s where he meets personal trainer Reed Henske. But now he’s determined to get his boyfriend back, and the first step to that is losing the weight that he’s unwittingly put on. Henry Beckett’s life has disintegrated while he wasn’t looking.

The Weight of It All by N.R. Walker