Pretty Dogs

I chose to read the book because of the transgender representation of 1 of the main characters. Despite not knowing the author's writing style and not having read the first book in the series, I had no problem immersing myself in the story. And it was a really amazing journey getting to know the small found family of 4, living quite close and often under the line of poverty, but sticking together no matter the difficulties and trying to preserve as much normalcy as possible in their lives. Every day was a struggle, a battle of survival, described with shocking raw realism in vivid details. This book in particular is Dallas and Beck's story - the strong friendship they formed from the moment Beck took Dallas of the streets slowly transformed into a relationship. When I say slowly, it's really super slow but there was a solid reason behind this careful, tender unfolding of events. Both Beck and Dallas came from wildly different backgrounds and upbringing. And while Beck was a true street cat, hardened from young age in the intricacies of being a gang member, learned all the tricks to make a living on his own, Dallas was totally unprepared for the abrupt change in his life from having everything at the end of his fingertips to being no one and having literally nothing. His mother was a total enigma to me - Dallas had such fond memories of her and looking at them I was totally bewildered how such a stellar example of support and care that has risen Dallas on her own, will just accept the opinion of her piece of garbage boyfriend without a grain of salt and not look for her son. But no! She just upped and disappeared without a backward glance. Phenomenal!
So back to our 2 main characters. The story packs a lot of angst, pain and trust issues. There was impressive amount of gender dysphoria, because Dallas was battling severe insecurities about his body and while his mother loved him unconditionally and helped him transition when he was young, he didn't feel well in his body. Dallas' new friends, roommates and pillars of stability - Scout and Roman and especially Beck had a significant role helping him be himself with absolute, unwavering acceptance and understanding.
The relationship that developed between Dallas and Beck was like a natural continuation of their unusually close and tactile bond. But it wasn't easy because of the heavy weight of their past combined - Beck's gang life and the secrets he was keeping from his friends, his conviction that he wasn't good enough for Dallas; Dallas' own mistrust of letting anyone really close and making himself being truly seen, were a terrifying vulnerability he wasn't ready for. But step by step they worked through all these challenges and built their own little world of love, affection and intimacy. The story packs such a strong emotional punch, it leaves the reader with the feeling of missing answers to a lot of questions and the unsettling sensation of more to come. There are lot of TW that shouldn't be underestimated and ignored because the triggering topics are what gives the story its shocking depth and emotional value.