In this stunning debut, Javier Fuentes chronicles a passionate love affair between two young men from different worlds during one extraordinary summer in Spain, exploring themes of identity, class, belonging, and desire. Set in 2007, Demetrio, a 30-year-old celebrated pastry chef in New York's Le Bourrelet, faces a turning point as he contemplates a new position at a Michelin-starred restaurant. However, as an undocumented immigrant, he lacks the necessary papers and decides to voluntarily return to his homeland, leaving behind his beloved uncle Chus, his only family. On his flight to Madrid, he meets the handsome and sensitive Jacobo, a student from an aristocratic, fascist family, and an instant, unacknowledged connection sparks between them. Their relationship unfolds in dimly lit bars and on pebbled beaches, marked by Demetrio's fear of intimacy and anxiety about their class differences. Both men grapple with their identities and sexuality, avoiding their true feelings until a family tragedy forces them back together. Powerfully sensual and dramatic, this story immerses readers in the intense emotions and conflicts of love and loss.
