Title: Ball Caps and Khakis
Series: Deep Secrets and Hope, #6
Author: Jo Ramsey
Genre: Contemporary
Length: 180 pages
Publisher: Queer-Spectrum, Harmony Ink Press (February 25, 2016)
Heat Level: None
Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥ 4 Hearts
Blurb: Man-Shik “Manny” Park, grandson of strict Korean immigrants, is trying to protect his friend Jim Frankel from bullies who don’t think Jim should be allowed to live in Ludington, Michigan, let alone have any friends. Manny is determined to stand by Jim, even if Jim isn’t willing to defend himself.
But Jim’s problems aren’t the only ones facing Manny. Against his parents’ wishes, Manny yearns to be an artist. He’s also more attracted to guys than girls, and he’s asexual. Only Jim knows these secrets, and Manny knows a few of Jim’s too.
Bonded by their shared confidences, Manny supports Jim after he’s accused of sending explicit Facebook messages to middle school girls, including Manny’s sister. While Manny sets out to prove Jim’s innocence, things go from bad to worse. Soon after the incident, Manny and Jim receive intimidating messages, and Jim is put in danger.
To help his friend, Manny risks everything to try to learn who’s behind the threats and why they want to destroy Jim’s life.
ISBN: 978-1-63477-035-4
Product Link: https://www.harmonyinkpress.com/books/ball-caps-and-khakis-by-jo-ramsey-365-b
Reviewer: Lisa
Review: I have only read one book by this author and I have to say that Jo does know how to put a story together. However when I saw the title to this I thought the story would go in another direction.
That is until I saw the blurb and wasn’t really sure what to think. It is a very touching story and talks about friendship. However I am not really sure what to think other than that. I am never one for books with teenagers so I wished I had taken another look at it.
Jim had been dating two girls at one time and had been having sexual relations with them. Then they both turned on him and said that he had raped them. He spent time in a teen’s correctional center but he had always blamed himself. He had not been the great guy, but he never thought he would get time for rape.
So when he moved away he decided to stay away from everyone. However Manny refused to let him do that. He had one friend in town and maybe three others who trusted him. Then a girl in town decided to get him in trouble, and messages were showing up. He really needed someone to stand by him.
Manny was a great kid who didn’t let anyone talk shit about others. He had made the choice to be friends with Jim, even when Jim pushed him away. He knew Jim had not done anything towards the girls. And that they had a witness to the fact that he had not. Also he knew Jim hadn’t posted those notes, seems whoever did had no clue you could find the truth. It seems Jim has found a true friend.
It was well written and fully developed, although when I started reading I realized that I had no clue what happened in the beginning so I was a bit lost. It was told with a serious tone and very little humor in it which was another part that didn’t work for me. I will admit that it is a great story but was not for me. I don’t much care for stories with teens so I don’t really have much to say on it.
However like I said it is a really good story with a great story line and plot. The author rocked it perfectly.
It is a very touching story and I would recommend it.
* I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review through http://mmgoodbookreviews.wordpress.com *