Title: Memorizing You
Series: n/a
Author: Dan Skinner
Genre: Coming of Age/1960’s-1970’s
Length: Novel (292 pages)
Publisher: Cerberus Inc. (July 9th, 2013)
Heat Level: Mild
Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥4.5Hearts
Blurb: Two high school boys from different walks of life: Ryan, a handsome athlete, and David, an average Joe from a blue collar family, discover their desires, stealing their kisses under the cover of an old oak at night. Their love begins a secret life, hidden from their families, friends, and classmates. As their passion grows, so does the danger of their discovery. Their only hope is to create a separate world where every kiss is a treasure and every moment… memorable. First love. Secret love. Unforgettable love.
Product Link: http://www.amazon.com/Memorizing-You-ebook/dp/B00DUXS4Z2
Reviewer: GiGi
Review: This is a coming of age story with many turns and twists. I read this story feeling like I got an honest view of what it was like to discover your sexuality as a gay man in the late sixties. There was fear, hate, bigotry, and hiding, but through it, all there was also beauty, acceptance, joy, and true love. There are many painful parts of this story, and it’s that pain that makes me feel this is real. There’s not a perfect ending, but there is plenty of heart-lifting joy and hope. I also can’t say enough about the characters! Ryan, who on the outside was supposed to create the facade of typical jock, is anything but. He’s passionate, he loves his gardening, and to see things grow and thrive, and he’s poetic. I mean to say that the letters and conversations he has with David in this story make me misty-eyed and contemplative. And I can completely relate to Rosemary, having a similar experience in life, and the way she turns that unrequited love into a great friendship. There are parts of this story that my gushy heart would have wanted written differently, but bottom line, life isn’t that way. You can’t just rewrite the ugly parts; it’s what makes us who we are. The one shining theme that sticks with me way after finishing this book is that yes, there are lots of ugly parts in life, but we need to see the beauty of what it provides too. Memorize that beauty, bathe yourself in it, and hold it up as your standard. Use love and beauty to conquer hate, fear, and ugliness. And yes, even after tragedy, keep on truckin’ through life; you never know when that second chance will hit. This is a wonderful book, a time warp, and a great message. Read it. You won’t regret it.