It pains me but I simply can't finish this story because it contains at least one trope I avoid at all costs, namely a hero who buried his sorrows in alcohol and practically gave himself up during the last nine years since he was forcefully separated from his college fling by his "overcaring" and homophobe father and uncle. Nine years!!!
I am totally okay with people enjoying their drinks and beers but I don't like them to be alcoholics, even reformed ones, therefore my DNF. Sorry, because KA is a great author whose novel "The Current Between Us" was one of my favourite stories in 2013.