Despite the slightly awkward and fumbling writing the story is a gem. Truly heartfelt. ( )

The "cut" of the title cuts a number of ways - from former Marine Jesse Bauer's close-cropped haircut to Tucker Grey's penchant for self-mutilation when his life turns rough. While Jesse seems more trustworthy than cutting himself as far as putting life's ups and downs in perspective, Tucker has to determine which can ultimately bring him peace.

When Tucker first meets Jesse at a mutual friend's birthday party, sparks fly between them. Tucker is wary because his last boyfriend, another big guy, abused him. Jesse, however, is stunned since even though he's long known he prefers men to women, he's never acted on his preference except once in high school.

Jesse has spent his years as a Marine with his "girlfriend" Miranda, who has insinuated herself into his life to such a degree that she actually thinks he'll marry her even though she knows he's a closeted gay man. Tucker, too, has a female best friend in Alison, an acerbic yet loyal roommate who is Tucker's staunchest champion.

For Jesse and Tucker to come together, not only must they get past their own baggage but also they must win over the other one's faithful female companion. In Boehme's story that's a lot to ask from one of the women.

What makes this book a different from other opposites attract romances is Tucker's reaction to bad times in his life. Boehme explains Tucker's habit of cutting himself so that it's understandable in its own way. Tucker's reasons for cutting himself may not be the reason why most cutters take the step, but his reason is perfectly understandable within Tucker's framework.

Another difference between this novel and many other gay romances is how important women other than mothers are to the men involved. Tucker relies on the grounded Alison, who adores him and protects him like a mother hen. Unlike Jesse's Miranda, Alison doesn't have an ulterior motive. Alison doesn't want to marry Tucker while Miranda is positive Jesse will marry her.

Read the rest of my review at AAR: http://www.likesbooks.com/cgi-bin/bookReview.pl?BookReviewId=9672 ( )

I really enjoyed this one, I just had a couple of little niggles. 1. Tucker goes into the pub, orders a draft beer, Jesse gets caught up watching his fingers holding the handle of the mug, then minutes later, Tuck is peeling the label off his beer. Mugs don't have labels. Then 2, it's late, and Tuck offers to sleep on the couch while Jesse sleeps in his bed, but just a few days/weeks ago, Jesse and Miranda sleep over in their guest room. Why would Tuck need to sleep on the couch if there's a guest room?

I know, nitpicky shit, but it bugged me. The story was really good, angsty, the way I like it. I would have liked to have known more about Tucker's past though, like when he became a cutter, and about his former, abusive relationship. We really got no details, other than that he was a cutter and had an abusive ex. ( )