The Friend Scheme

by Cale Dietrich

I'm going to give him the power to destroy me. I guess thats what love is.

    The Friend Scheme, the second novel by Cale Dietrich, was a very cute read. Cute is the best word I can use to describe it, in all of its early teens flirting and first dates, mixed in with a sprinkling of and underground crime world, and Romero and Juliet almost, glory. We follow Matthew Miller, whose father is head of one of the biggest crime families in Florida. Matthew never fit in with the crime family, not like his older brother, Luke, who took to it like a match to dry grass. Besides that, Luke and Matt actually have a cute brotherly relationship, Luke knows his brother is more gentle and looks out for him throughout the whole story. 

    Matt has known he likes boys for years, but hadn't acted on it, so never really came out to anyone. That was until, at one of his families meetings, he meets a boy. Someone he's never seen before, but makes it very obvious they both feel the same about the crime world and women. 

Both ain't it. 

Only catch is, Matt is pretty sure this boy is a member of their rival family, the second most powerful crime family in town. Out of respect for their families, the two never talk about their family, or even tell each other their last names. Only it's hard to get to know someone when keeping half of your identity a secret. 

While is nots the deepest story I've ever read, and some moments were really awkward and consisted of the two love interested talking about movies and video games whenever they were hanging out, I still really liked it. I had to choose my favorite quotes from the book, so below is the honorable mention. 

"You're friends with a straight guy? In this economy?" - The Friend 

Scheme

:)