Feels like a story for a class project. It’s interesting what details of modern life make it into the future dystopia & which don’t. Broken windows theory makes it, LGBTQ marriage not so much, as such.
I enjoyed it but I didn’t really understand what the story was about for most of the middle, which made it less engaging for a while.
But aside from a little stranger danger, & frustrating systemic barriers – the real core conflict – it’s a relatively low angst gay love story that is mostly gentle to the readers. Makes it a relatively safe pandemic read for all it’s a post pandemic dystopia.
Steam: Low until it’s hot & bothered. Slow/no burn as upper crust hero sorts out his privilege to better accommodate his desired mate, which pays off in a deeply pleasing reunion.
Narration: steady.