If I had a nickel for every time a young wolf left his home due to homophobia and was picked up by a bara gay wolf trucker I would I have two nickels. Which isn't a lot, but its weird that it happened twice.
You had me in the first half not gonna lie. The story of a wayward soul hits a little close to home, and the first half did a good job of building up the atmosphere. I was getting Echo vibes, and Americana wistfulness. I think that we lingered a bit too long on the MC kinda wandering with a lot of internal dialogue, but appreciated that aspect if not a bit overdone. The first lyrical song needed to be none lyrical. It kinda hurt the ability to read anything.
Once we hit Cassidy things kinda take a tonal shift that obliterates the stronger first half. I enjoy sexy time don't get me wrong, but the lead into the last half could have gone a bit slower and "will they won't they" instead of just it being inevitable. The intimate moments take up so much time of the VN that much of the story feels secondary and cheapened as a result. The story of a young gay man trying to figure out shit while a mentor figure swoops in to provide support is not a BAD IDEA. Hell another entry does the same job. I think the sex they have is fine, but I wish it wasn't mostly sex lead up and sex. We don't get much resolution towards MC's goals and progression he just gets an ally.
Music and presentation were on point for this kind of story. Envious of the song usage hoenstly.
Honestly was hoping some inter-play theme-wise between Mike and Cassidy, but we didn't really get that. Mike just feels like a character that sets up the past and nothing else thematically.
Lots of the ideas and concepts feel a little disparate and disconnected. We got such strong contemplative moments throughout, but no broader idea past "I have to keep going" which in fairness is fine, but I felt like you were on the tip of something more there.