This is the basic plot for my book: a woman took the young hero under her care for over 15 years (when he was around 1 year old). At the beginning of the book, their relationship is pure and innocent. They cared for each other. After a few chapters they were split apart and tried to look for each other. Over the course of the story, their feeling and sexual tension will grow.
My issue is: I tried to describe their relationship at the beginning as something fun and innocent. Someone mentioned that it sound close to sex (which is not, because their relationship it totally clean). Another beta reader said that it hooked him in and a little bit flirting should be fine, even for the YA crowd (my book is aimed toward teens around 16-17)
But I wonder if it cross any moral line, because she took care of him since he was 1. They had been companions for 15 years. I'm not sure if this kind of relationship is considered taboo or not. Should I tone down the first part of the story a lot more? I don't know if I should keep a little flirting around or just delete it completely.
What do you think?
My issue is: I tried to describe their relationship at the beginning as something fun and innocent. Someone mentioned that it sound close to sex (which is not, because their relationship it totally clean). Another beta reader said that it hooked him in and a little bit flirting should be fine, even for the YA crowd (my book is aimed toward teens around 16-17)
But I wonder if it cross any moral line, because she took care of him since he was 1. They had been companions for 15 years. I'm not sure if this kind of relationship is considered taboo or not. Should I tone down the first part of the story a lot more? I don't know if I should keep a little flirting around or just delete it completely.
What do you think?