Such a Small World

Mackenzie is traveling on vacation through Australia when he locks eyes with his handsome flight attendant. In a typical romance, this would be where “love at first sight” comes in to play. But Mackenzie is not your typical guy. He has the ability to see visions of his future relationship with a person whenever he makes eye contact with them for the first time.

Normally, this is a few short seconds detailing highlights of what’s to come. But when Mack sees Jasper, he witnesses nearly a decade of a beautiful relationship and the life they will build together, ending with Jasper dying in his arms. Mack is immediately intrigued by this dashing stranger who he seems to share an intertwined fate with, but he is determined not to even let their love life begin. Not only does he want to protect this stranger from an early end, but he can’t bear to lose another person he loves.

As a teenager, Mack lived a charmed life in small town Australia with his best friend Finn. But as they traveled down a path of self-discovery, their relationship blossomed into something much more intimate. Ultimately ending in tragedy. Forged by that trauma, Mack immediately puts walls up. But the universe has other plans.

Jasper and Mack keep being thrown into each other’s orbits. Whether they both end up at the same bar, or they each unknowingly accompany their best friend to the same music festival. No matter what Mack does, he can not avoid him, or the mutual spark between them. Told in alternating timelines, Mack grapples with his past love while struggling to accept new love out of fear. With an enthusiastically queer ensemble of characters, moments of vigorous heat, and lots of heart; Such a Small World is a delight.

Clayden-Lewis does a masterful job of using speculative elements to highlight very real experiences. This is a world where one can have psychic visions, but the focus is on the character’s emotional journey. This story is a testament to the power of fate, begging you to let happiness in despite the heartbreak or the potential for grief. This is healing.

TreVaughn Malik Roach-Carter

Fiction Editor