Grayson&Dane was zig's first story of IfYouCan series fyi, also it's central story.
I'm lazy to construct sentences every time this was assumed, so I copied others perspectives.
"The grayson we knew was only forged through the eyes of the people who got hurt by him before, such as Chase, so when we see the person itself and Dane, who has no prior prejudice against the man (except his unnerving behavior) see him for who he is that's what makes him and the writing more real and interesting."
regis June 28, 2026 11:00 pm
There are two reasons. 1) He is genuinely neurodivergent. Contrary to what many here say—calling him stupid—Grayson is actually quite intelligent. He even holds a law degree, though he doesn't practice. The issue is that he has alexithymia (meaning he cannot understand his own emotions). Consequently, he was taught to feign normalcy by mimicking others' reactions—such as smiling in various situations to appear less odd—though in some contexts, this actually comes across as even stranger! So, he tries to navigate society based on logic rather than emotion.
2) His upbringing didn't help him understand his condition or how to manage it properly. Ash, Grayson's father, believed he was incapable of feeling emotions at all, rather than realizing he felt them but struggled to comprehend them. So, he "raised" him using harsh punishments—like locking him in a room—and demanded almost blind obedience, threatening even worse consequences if he disobeyed. In Grayson's mind, he believes that if he frees the child, the subsequent punishment will be worse; and since he used to wish someone had been with him during his own punishments, he thinks he is helping the child by staying with them. Ultimately, he doesn't realize that he himself was a victim of child abuse, and he acts according to this distorted logic. He also fails to recognize that Santiago's father is committing abuse as well.
Wdym zigs first story from if you can series? Chase was released 8 years ago, even his daddy just released like 5 years ago... Darling I purchased almost all this series (but not really interested in bliss ones) Still I think it's such a waste to pair a good character like Dane to Grayson.. smh
what I meant was it's zig's first characters created for this universe, not the date of release. It was Grayson who's the central character and you'll see it as you read the novel. If you really purchased them, didn't you realized he's like the most carefully-crafted one, with a great character development too.
this story was like the foundation of all the branched-out ideas and stories of the other millers
Not really, her writing was inconsistent... You'll know that he's zig favorite character when reading Nathaniel and chase. Nathaniel plot was not that good, it's like half assed. Also great Chara development? I don't think so.
If he's the foundation why there's 7 years gap wait it's supposed to released in 2024 so 6 years? I think the foundation wasn't Grayson but Ashley
I think the award the novel has gotten represents most of its readers' take on it.
Maybe the favorite because as what I'm saying he's the first creation.
it seems to me that you have a bias and has deep hatred for grayson to truly think. A foundation doesn't have to be the first to be published.
"Still I think it's such a waste to pair a good character like Dane to Grayson.."
You also said this one, and this is where you've shown a biased view. If we are talking about a good characterization, Grayson is far better than Dane's. If we are really looking at it on a literary perspective, objectively.
Of course... I present myself as hater still I bought his novel, I have the right to state my opinion
Well it's one of the anticipated novel and I'm obviously not one of the voter, then again with first creation whatsoever... Yeah think what u like. Your opinion and my opinion not the same and it's fine
Because I'm tired writing this bs in english so let's end this
lmao you refuse to accept even though the author said it was their first story.
Opinions are different from facts but you are blinded by hatred. Keep drowning in hate bye
Ughhh.... I hate it when zig nerfed Grayson so bad in order to pair him with Dane, she makes him stupid in his novel when crazy in others novel.