On the Right Track by Sam Kadence

Title: On the Right Track

Author: Sam Kadence

Genre: YA, Contemporary

Length: Novel (184pgs)

Publisher: Harmony Ink Press, Dreamspinner Press (15^th August 2013)

Heat Level: Low

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥5 Hearts

Reviewer: Pixie

Blurb: Ryunoski “Ru” Nakimura knows all about the trappings of fame. Expelled from a boy band for coming out as gay, he still wants to continue his career in music. Too bad his ex finds nothing better to do than exploit their relationship in the press, so Ru leaves California behind to lie low in Minnesota for a while.

Adam Corbin attends a Minnesota high school and wants to coast through as a typical student. He’s friends with an openly gay student, Bas Axelrod, but while Adam plays football, he also stays away from much socializing. Blending in and not outing himself has been easy because he’s never really been seriously interested in any of the guys he’s encountered.

When Adam meets Ru in a library, Adam begins to think he’s found that special young man who might make it worthwhile to just be himself. And for Ru, Adam looks like someone he might trade his fame for, if they could be together. Ru and Adam will both come to realize that courage and love must go hand in hand if they are to have a future.

Purchase Link: http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=4094

Review: Ru is seventeen and already knows the pitfalls of fame. As a member of a boy band, he was dumped by his band and his record company when his then lover outed him. Ru is in Minnesota to lay low, while he writes songs for his solo career and comes across a beautiful young man in a library. A young man who doesn’t know who he is and makes him feel like the teenager he really is. Adam is sixteen and is perfectly happy to keep his head down and coast through school. when he meets a gorgeous young man in the library, he is both scared and excited and finally seizes the chance to be his true self with another person. Both young men come to realize, that to be together they need courage and love.

This story is amazing. It isn’t the usual rock-star story, but a story of two teenagers who have grown up in different surroundings and finding a youthful love. Ru has been through some difficult times, since he was outed. Hounded by the media, his ex living off the fame, and the only friend he really has is Tommy his ex-band mate. When he meets Adam, he falls for the wonderful boy and tries to spend as much time getting to know him as he can. At the same time, keeping hidden his fame. Adam knows the truth of being gay where he lives, he has seen his friend Bas badly beaten after he came out and Adam is scared to death of the same thing happening to him, if anyone found out. Meeting Ru has him being himself, he discovers more confidence in himself, and when he is outed himself, he confronts his bullies head on.

I was so impressed with this story that I re-read it immediately after I finished it. and I still loved every word in it. This story is so much more than just two young men meeting and falling in love. it’s about the family and support you have and the friends who are true friends. It’s about finding the courage to hold your head up high, in spite of the insults and abuse. And that no matter what your positions in life, bullies are still bullies. We feel drawn to the boys in this story as we get to know them and their fears. we see how they become confident and how they rely on each other for support. The supporting characters are wonderful, with Tommy being the big brother that Ru desperately needs and Bas being an incredible role model and friend to Adam.

There are many things in this story that will tug at your heart. not least of which is Bas’ speech that will hit you in the heart and bring tears to your eyes. The story is wonderfully written. The storyline is interesting and holds your attention. but, it is the characters and what they are going through that makes you love this book. The fear, depression, anger, hope, love, joy, understanding, and confidence are just some of the emotions that Ru and Adam experience and you experience it with them.

I have absolutely no choice but to recommend that everyone read this. And if you know a young gay man or a support group then donate a copy because this story might just give them hope that they are not alone.

Taking Chances by John Goode

Title: Taking Chances

Series: Tales of Foster High, #4

Author: John Goode

Genre: Young Adult

Length: Novel (200 pages)

Publisher: Dreamspinner Press (August 7^th, 2013)

Heat Level: No Sex

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥3.5-4 Hearts

Blurb: Fearing the backlash of living as a gay man in Foster, Texas, Matt Wallace runs away to California, only to find it isn’t the Promised Land he’d hoped for. Christmas sees Matt returning to Foster, where he bumps into his old flame, high school jock Tyler Parker.

Now that they’re older, it doesn’t take Matt too long to figure out that love at first sight is a very real thing. The only problem is neither Matt nor Tyler seems to know what to do after that. They’re both running from the past—and each other—requiring some reverse engineering to actually spur the relationship past the false start.

Product Link: http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=4099

Reviewer: Any

Review: A sweet story about two lonely guys that are searching for happiness.

I started this story in the morning before work and then was frustrated I had to wait the whole working day before I could get my mitts on it again and read, read, read. I haven’t read any of the other books (save one short story) in the Tales from Foster High series, so I’m reviewing this as a stand-alone—, and it is enjoyable without having prior knowledge of the ‘Foster’ world.

Things that worked for me:

The Forward & Postscript – I liked the discussion of hope and love and thought it added a nice touch to the story. It gave the whole story a more . . . polished, professional feel to it.

The ‘About the Author’ page at the end was creative and clever, and I had a very good chuckle while reading it.

The writing itself is good and the author really gets into the characters heads, so we get their thoughts, responses and emotions. This was particularly well done in the first chapters with Matt.

The flashbacks of the boy behind the red door really drew me in to the story and set up the romantic tension.

I really enjoyed how stylistic the author was with the narrative. Some chapters are told from the perspective of other characters in the book, and it fit, because it emphasized the need Matt and Tyler had for space. At that point, they were both so upset, they just couldn’t go on. Very clever writing device.

Thing that didn’t work for me:

The biggest issue for me was that the pacing of the story felt off.

It has a great initial lead in, but as soon as Matt and Tyler meet at Christmas, the splendid pacing hits a snag as the two guys fall for each other immediately without much conflict. The insta-love at this point just didn’t flow well for me. I can understand that both the men are lonely, and maybe that would make them quick to jump into something, but as a reader, I love to have the emotional/and or physical connection drawn out a bit more.

As well as the two getting together too quickly, they suddenly fall apart after a week, and the reasons didn’t feel very mature (especially for characters that are in their thirties). The guys seemed super sensitive, and I never really got what Tyler did that was so wrong that he had to put up with so much crap from Matt and his awful fag-hag toward the end of the book. So he freaked out? Good, I say. It shows some human emotion—this needed to be worked through and not run away from.

I guess from the moment the main characters kiss, the books speeds toward an end with so much happening too quickly. But, to be fair, the blurb does tell the reader what to expect.

It feels like maybe I’m placing a lot of emphasis on what didn’t work for me in this story, but I guess I feel passionate about it because the writing was awesome, and I was/am greedy and just wanted more.

I enjoyed the read and am certainly interested in the other stories set in Foster. Definitely an author to try again!!!

Pitch by Will Parkinson

Title: Pitch

Author: Will Parkinson

Genre: YA, Contemporary

Length: Novel (180 pages)

Publisher: Harmony Ink Press (August 8^th, 2013)

Heat Level: No Sex

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥4-4.5 Hearts

Blurb: The day Jackson Kern walks into Taylor Andrews’s classroom is a momentous day in Taylor’s life. He’s had crushes before, sure, but as time goes on, this is starting to look a whole lot more serious. Still, Jackson doesn’t return Taylor’s feelings.

Taylor has his own admirers, though. Kevin Richards is used to getting what he wants, and what he wants right now is Taylor, so when Taylor rejects him, Kevin retaliates. At first Taylor’s entourage rallies around him, but then Kevin takes his deception one step further and Taylor sees his support dwindle, teaching him the valuable lesson about who he can truly consider a friend.

Product Link: http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=4078

Reviewer: Any

Review: Let me start by saying I read this in one sitting. I was hooked, and I couldn’t put the story down. Way past midnight I finished, and I think that speaks a lot for my enjoyment of this story. This was a sweet, gentle read and who cares if I was a grumpy poobum today, it was worth it.

The things I liked:

How well this story portrays the hopes, yearnings, and starry-eyed moments of youth.

That the book explored not only romance—in fact, that was almost a side story in this book—but emotions of jealousy, self-doubt, and above all FRIENDSHIP. And that last one was a real treasure to read.

The thing I LOVED most:

Benny. Can I just swoon now? Please? He totally captured my heart. He’s the warmest, truest Best Friend ever! I wanted to be sucked into the pages, into their world, just so I could hug him and say thank you personally.

The ‘not quite my thing’:

The last twist in the book.

I’m a sensitive wee soul, and I hate to see anyone get hurt. Don’t let that put you off reading—there’s a very sweet HEA, but I was ready for Taylor and Jackson to walk off into the sunset after the first villain of the story is exposed, and the two of them come together.

I also wished there was more baseball games. I thought Jax could have been tested on the pitch in some way. I kept expecting he’d lose a game and then really figure out who his friends were.

Summing up:

This is a fun YA story that certainly brought me back to my own days at high school and my own unrequited crushes! In some ways, it was almost embarrassing thinking I had mooned and moped about just like Taylor, but that’s what I like about this story—it feels real to me. Though I was never as rational and clear-headed as Taylor and Benny. Sometimes they were just a little too good.

I’m really anticipating Benny’s story now . . . there was one chapter in this book that was almost a set up for the next book, and I really want to read it from Benny’s point of view!

Can’t wait!

Determination by Jamie Mayfield

Title: Determination

Series: Waiting For Forever, Book 3

Author: Jamie Mayfield

Genre: Young Adult

Length: Novel (336 pages)

Publisher: Harmony InkDreamspinner Press (August 1^st, 2013)

Heat Level: Mild

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥5 HEarts

Blurb: Brian McAllister and Jamie Mayfield have risked everything in a desperate escape and are finally together. Jamie is free of his tormentor … for the moment. But Brian and Jamie know that one wrong choice could lead him to their door.

The long, lonely hours in their safe house leave Jamie with nothing to do but think. He thinks about Brian, about the direction their lives should take. He thinks about his parents. Mostly, he thinks about drugs. Jamie wants to feel good again, forget about his self-hatred, and stop the gnawing cravings that prey upon his mind and body.

One moment of weakness may prove fatal for them both.

After being reunited with his father, Jamie attempts to put his life back together amid rehab, seizures, and the gutting loneliness of Brian’s rejection. As he tries to cope, he finds that relying on his friends isn’t as difficult as he’d imagined, and soon he can stand on his own feet. Jamie starts college, working to become the man Brian needs. Unless he earns Brian’s forgiveness and wins back his trust, their love will be sacrificed on the altar of Jamie’s demons.

Product Link: http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=4042

Reviewer: Tams

Review: Brian and Jamie have been to hell and back so many times on their journey, and all they ever wanted was just to be together.

In Determination, Brian has finally managed to get Jamie away from Steven and the two are tucked away in an apartment struggling to find a balance and live a somewhat normal life. Brian is still working in the porn industry, but has plans to buy into the business and move behind the camera. Jamie faces the daily battle of an addict, living in fear that Steven will find him or worse, find his friends and possibly hurt them to get to him. In a moment of weakness, Jamie breaks and goes in search of a fix, inadvertently leading the devil straight to their doorstep.

When the dust settles Jamie is reunited with his father, but has he lost the person he loves more than anything in the process? Jamie faces a long, hard road in the aftermath of his addiction and the damage the drugs have done to his body. He does the best he can to pick himself up and works hard to become the man that he needs to be, not just for Brian, but also for himself.

As difficult as these books were to read at times, I couldn’t put them down. By the end of the first chapter of the first book, I was fully invested in the characters. To say they are flawed would be an understatement, but their flaws gave them a level of depth and realism that I haven’t read in many books. The shit they had to deal with along the way will blow your mind. The books read like a journal written by these two young men. A chronicle of two lives that were woven together when they were children, two lives bound together regardless of the obstacles they had to face to have their happy ending.

As I said, there are parts of these books that were difficult to read, but I wouldn’t have missed this series for the world! I highly recommend this series. Brian and Jamie face some volatile and dangerous situations, half the time from people they love and trust! Over the years, they survive ‘straight camp’, gay bashing, an abusive lover, drug addiction, a mother that should be burned at the stake and being separated among other things. But they’ve also grown into strong and loving young men. They learn the definition of trust and friendship. They fight through insurmountable odds, hatred, and bigotry to come out the other side right where they were meant to be, together!

Don't Judge a Book by its Cover by Robbie Michaels

Title: Don’t Judge a Book by its Cover

Series: Most Popular Guy in the School, #1

Author: Robbie Michaels

Genre: Young Adult

Length: Novel (178 Pages)

Publisher: Harmony Ink Press (July 15^th, 2012)

Heat Level: Low

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥3.5Hearts

Blurb: High school can be some of the best years of life-and some of the toughest. Mark Mitchell’s strategy for surviving is to emulate the mighty turtle: pull back inside his protective shell and keep a low profile to avoid trouble. And it works-nobody bothers him. Of course, nobody really knows him, either, even in a town so small it seems like everybody must know everyone else.

Mark certainly knows Bill Cromwell, whom he meets officially when his father volunteers him for manual labor at the school. Bill is his polar opposite: outgoing, gregarious, athletic. But when a massive snowstorm traps the two boys together for three days, Mark learns that being popular doesn’t mean you can’t be bullied or abused-or gay-and that bullying doesn’t stop at the school doors.

Mark isn’t naive. He’s seen the news reports of gay teen suicides, and he’s determined not to become a statistic. But it’s not himself he’s worried about.

Product Link: http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=3731

Reviewer: John

Review: I loved the plot of this novel, but there were a few things that did not sit well with me. The story stars Mark Mitchell and Bill Cromwell. Mark is an outcast in his high school since he pulls back and tries to fly under the radar and that actually works for him. No one knows who he is or if he even exists. Bill Cromwell is the opposite of Mark. He’s popular, outgoing, athletic, and handsome. What do they have in common? They are both gay teens with unique families. When the two meet one day, there is an instant connection between them. Soon, they become good friends and then lovers.

Mark was a really amazing character just like Bill. The story is solid and there are few twists that I liked. For example, Bill is the one being abused at home by his alcoholic father. The only thing that blew me off was the way the story was written. There were a few times when Mark sounded like a teenager and in others were he sounded like a forty-year-old man. There wasn’t a constant narrative voice throughout the novel. There were a few scenarios that sounded unreal, but this is YA Fiction so that is fine by me. Besides that, I really loved the plot and characters.

I recommend this novel to anyone who loves YA novels with special little twists that will keep you wanting more.

Pride by Allison Cassatta

Title: Pride (2^nd Edition)

Series: Dear Diary 02

Author: Allison Cassatta

Genre: Young Adult, Coming Of Age, Contemporary

Length: Novella (130pgs)

Publisher: Dreamspinner Press (17^th July 2013)

Heat Level: Moderate

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥ 4 Hearts

Reviewer: Pixie

Blurb: Prom ends with a bang of unexpected epic proportions and leaves Chris with a disheartened outlook on where he is in his life, when he should be on top of the world. He’s graduating high school with honors and has the best boyfriend in the world, but things still aren’t right. Bullies make him doubt his choice to accept the way he feels and come out of the closet. Those friends turned foes make him realize how much the narrow-minded masses can hate gay people.

And everyone Chris loves starts to worry about him.

To give Chris a new perspective, his parents and loving boyfriend send him to his first gay pride—but Chris doesn’t see the point, and he damn sure doesn’t want to go. Will pride help him see there’s nothing wrong with him? Will it change his feelings and his mind?

1st Edition published by Allison Cassatta, January 2012

Purchase Link: http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=4022

Review: This book is part of a series and must be read in order. Chris and Josh share a dance at the prom but come up against abuse from people Chris thought were friends, Chris is disheartened by their reactions and becomes wary. Graduating high school should be one of the proudest moments of his life but the bullies make it a day of humiliation and Chris begins to wonder if the love he has for his boyfriend Josh is worth all the abuse and humiliation. Josh and Chris’ parents decide to show him that not everyone is bigoted and small-minded by arranging a weekend away at his first gay pride, but Chris doesn’t want to go until Josh sweet talks him.

This is an absolutely sweet and touching coming of age story that has angst, fear, anger, kindling hope and determination. In Dear Diary we are told the story of Chris and everything that had come about until the moment he was getting ready for his high school prom, in this story it picks up on the way to the prom continuing Chris’ and Josh’s story. Chris is cautious when he first gets to the prom, even though he knows that Josh is disappointed but he takes a chance and asks Josh to dance and it ends badly. Chris has to face up to the fact that some of his friends are now foes even though he doesn’t want to believe it, but the message is sent home further when he is cornered in the school bathroom. Josh tries to give Chris something to look forward to but to also give him perspective of the world around him with a trip to gay pride.

This isn’t a cutesy, rainbows dancing, love fest it’s a realistic coming of age, coming out story warts and all. Chris is faced with hate and anger from those he called friend, and he begins to wonder if being gay is worth the hassle. It is only because of the love and support of his family and friends that he gets through Graduation, but even that is tainted by humiliation. Josh is a super supportive boyfriend that sticks it through the tough times and gives Chris the love he rightly deserves; he also knows that seeing gay pride just might be what Chris needs.

There is a huge gamut of emotions that you feel as you read this book and we are made to see the fear, loss and anger that a young man faces when friends turn to foes. We see the effect it has on his confidence and emotions as he tries to work out why they are so prejudice and bigoted. We see the incredible support he gets from those that truly love him and the love he has for one special man. Josh and Chris’ relationship couldn’t have gone through a harder time, but their love for each other shines through and smashes the doubts. They are sweet together and their lovemaking is wonderful.

I recommend this to those who want a hard-hitting coming out story, who want a young love that’s built from stone, that want realistic problems being faced and our young couple facing the fire and coming through stronger together.

Superhero by Eli Easton

Title: Superhero

Author: Eli Easton

Genre: Young Adult, Humor, Bisexual

Length: Novella (136 Pages)

Publisher: Harmony Ink (Dreamspinner Press) July 25, 2013

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥4Hearts

Heat Level: Low

Blurb: It’s not easy for a young gay artist like Jordan Carson to grow up in Jefferson, Wisconsin, where all anyone seems to care about in middle school and high school are the sports teams. But Jordan was lucky. He met Owen Nelson in the second grade, and they’ve been BFFs ever since. Owen is a big, beautiful blond and their school’s champion wrestler. No one messes with Owen, or with anyone close to him, and he bucks popular opinion by keeping Jordan as his wingman even after Jordan comes out at school.

Their friendship survives, but Jordan’s worst enemy may be himself: he can’t seem to help the fact that he is head-over-heels in love with a hopeless case—his straight friend, Owen. Owen won’t let anything take Jordan’s friendship away, but he never counted on Jordan running off to find a life of his own. Owen will have to face the nature of their relationship if he’s to win Jordan back.

Product Link:http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=4081

Reviewer: Cat

Review: Jordan is a young gay man; actually, when the story begins he is in Junior high or younger. He has two loves in his life. One: drawing and creating comics. Two: Owen Nelson, the star wrestler and his best friend since he was seven.

Owen has had two things in life that he couldn’t live without one wrestling the other his best friend Jordy. The only problem is Joey is gay and he isn’t. This is such a sweet story of two best friends that truly love each other. They have been inseparable since they were seven. It’s also a story of denial, but a feeling so strong that nothing can put a wedge between them. It’s rare to read a story of youth with such convictions and no drugs, alcohol or anything with clear heads on their shoulders and such strong feelings. All we ever hear is the stereotypical bad stuff when there are kids that are actually good, and confused. It’s sweet, pure, clean, funny, and very sensual. I highly recommended this to any true romance lover.

Recommendations: if you like young adult, clean, sweet, yet sensual stories, varsity wrestling, comics, super heroes, and fulfilling endings this is for you.

Exile in Iowa. Send Help. and Couture.

Title: Exiled to Iowa. Send Help. And Couture.

Series: N/A

Author: Chris O’Guinn

Genre: Contemporary, Gay, High School, Bullies, Bullying, Gay Bashing, Young Adult

Length: Novel (173 Pages)

Publisher: Lightbane Publications

Heat Level: None (Lots of kissing and some amusing innuendo.)

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥5- OMG Hearts

Blurb: This is the story of me, Collin Murray, a bright, witty, and charming L.A. teen who is cruelly transported to a small town in Iowa by parents who delight in my suffering. It tells the tale of my struggles against such obstacles as flannel, packs of bullies, lack of car, hoodies, crazy English teachers, and vengeful former friends. It is an epic tale of survival in a savage denim wilderness.

Product Link: www.amazon.com/Exiled-Iowa-Help-Couture-ebook/dp/B003M5IQ88/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top

Reviewer: Patrick

Review: At first, I was a little leery about reading once I started. I am not very big on the idea of flamboyancy because it brings about a lot of stereotypical thoughts and there is already a bad stigma associated with gay people that we are all like this. However, as you read you find that Collin is a fighter and boy does he fight back once he learns to accept himself. He has a beautiful soul and a heart of gold with a hell of a fighting spirit. The love and acceptance of his family and the friends he makes and the people he transforms from bully to friend is a great little read. However, it was easy to tell who his boyfriend would end up being and I am glad it was. They seem to mesh very well together. This is a perfect story of bullying, gay bashing, fighting back, and learning, loving, acceptance of not only oneself but of others as well. Absolutely perfect for a young adult just coming out and learning about life and coming out. I would definitely recommend this read for anyone, straight, gay, adult, teen, young adult and everything in between.

I have read only one other book by Chris and it was good, but this was just so brilliant.

Destiny by Jamie Mayfield

Title: Destiny

Series: Waiting on Forever, Book #2

Author: Jamie Mayfield

Genre: Young Adult

Length: Novel (310 pages)

Publisher: Dreamspinner Press (July 4^th 2013)

Heat Level: Explicit

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥5Hearts

Blurb: San Diego is so much more than Brian McAllister ever expected. He’s found friends, acceptance, encouragement, and an entire world of sexual adventure he never dared to imagine back in his little Alabama town. The only thing missing is Jamie. Encouraged by new friends Mike and Emilio, Brian builds a life for himself, haunted by a beaten and bruised boy no one seems to want to help.

Dumped into gay rehab, blond-haired fallen angel Jamie Mayfield has been shunned by his parents and forced to find his own way. When Brian McAllister, the other half of his ravaged heart, explodes back into his precarious life, Jamie is astonished and dismayed. In the two years they’ve been apart, not a day has gone by that he hasn’t longed for Brian. How can Jamie protect Brian from the pain and brutalization of his life when he can’t even protect himself?

Brian and Jamie put every bit of themselves into saving each other, but obstacles keep them apart. Jamie’s own self-hatred may prove to be their undoing.

Product Link: http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=3955

Reviewer: Tams

Review: This story is part of a series and is best-enjoyed if read in order.This book picks up right where Choices, book one, left off. This is not a series where you can just jump in, I strongly suggest that you read the first book before you read this book or you won’t understand the characters and see the beauty of their relationship prior to reading where they are right now.

Brian has left his home and traveled to San Diego to find Jamie. What each of them find in California is so vastly different, and yet, shockingly similar. Brian found a boarding house full of other young gay men. He got a job and made friends, he’s safe. The only thing missing is Jamie. When he’s lain off, he refuses to admit his failure and go back home, not to mention he still hasn’t found Jamie. A friend in the house suggests gay porn as an easy way to make money. Reluctant at first, Brian finally gives in and applies for the job. The last thing he expected to find on a porn set was the first thing he came to California for, Jamie.

Jamie wasn’t quite as lucky as Brian was when he escaped the gay rehab center his mother condemned him to. The first person he meets and becomes friends with is brutally murdered, and in his grief, Jamie lands right in the hands of a sadistic sexual predator. Steven is emotionally and physically abusive in addition to getting Jamie addicted to drugs and making him do porn to pay his drug debt. He tells Jamie he loves him and he will keep him safe, but his love and safety come with a very high price, one Jamie might not survive.

I have a love/hate relationship with this book. I LOVE the love story of Brian and Jamie! I love Mayfield’s style of writing and the way he conveys the emotional and physical connection these two share with the reader. They actually make love on a porn shoot, surrounded by people and cameras, and Mayfield maintains the connection that is just them. I HATE the abuse Jamie has to endure! First from the one person that is supposed to love him regardless, unconditionally, his own mother. Then at the gay rehab center by delusional morons, and finally from Steven.

To spite the heavy seriousness of this series, Mayfield has my attention. I am emotionally invested in these characters and their journey. He is just that good. I cannot wait for the final installment to this trilogy and I highly recommend these books. Again, they are intense and graphic, but you can feel the love there as well. Mayfield shows both sides of the coin that is being gay and either accepted or denied by the people you love and trust. Brian’s adopted parents love him completely and there is nothing he could do to change that. Even Porn, they express their disappointment but adamantly maintain their unconditional love. Jamie’s parents dumped him off at a gay rehab center like an unwanted animal at the pound. It’s heartbreaking.

Just a reminder, read book 1, Choices, first if you haven’t yet and I promise you’ll be hooked with Brian, Jamie, their story, their struggle to just be together, and the obstacles they face along the way. (http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=3878)

Hushed by Kelley York

Title: Hushed

Series: None

Author: Kelley York

Genre: YA

Length: Novel (229 Pages)

Publisher: Entangled Publishing (December 6^th, 2011)

Heat Level: Low

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥4.5Hearts *

Blurb: Eighteen-year-old Archer couldn’t protect his best friend, Vivian, from what happened when they were kids, so he’s never stopped trying to protect her from everything else. It doesn’t matter that Vivian only uses him when hopping from one toxic relationship to another-Archer is always there, waiting to be noticed. Then along comes Evan, the only person who’s ever cared about Archer without a single string attached. The harder he falls for Evan, the more Archer sees Vivian for the manipulative hot-mess she really is. But Viv has her hooks in deep, and when she finds out about the murders Archer’s committed and his relationship with Evan, she threatens to turn him in if she doesn’t get what she wants… And what she wants is Evan’s death, and for Archer to forfeit his last chance at redemption.

Product Link: http://www.entangledpublishing.com/hushed/

Reviewer: John

Review: I have to admit, Hushed was pretty awesome. I absolutely loved this novel! Now, Hushed stars Archer Pond. Archer is a very special kid. Why? He is a serial killer.

I loved Archer with his flaws. The reason why he was killing people wasn’t justifiable. It was more of a private vendetta against a group of assholes that ruined his best friend’s life and his life in the process. His best friend is Vivian. I pitted her so much, but at the same time, I hated her because she was the reason why Archer went mad with rage. Archer’s plan was going great until Evan showed up.

I loved Evan! He was Archer’s voice of reason and the only one that proved to Archer that he really cared. Evan guided him in the right path and showed him the light. This story is very dramatic and very entertaining. The ending was tragic, so be prepared.

I recommend this novel to anyone who wants to read a very psychotic young novel that will keep you in the edge of your seat, wanting more

Banned Books by R.J. Astruc

Title: Banned Books

Series: None

Author: R.J. Astruc

Genre: YA

Length: Novella (70 Pages)

Publisher: Dreamspinner Press (June 27^th, 2013)

Heat Level: None

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥4Hearts

Blurb: A Harmony Ink Press Young Adult Title

At St. Peter’s, an exclusive British boarding school for boys, a teacher’s word is law—and Anthony Parker is leading a rebellion. When he is found reading a book containing “questionable content,” he receives a reprimand from the headmaster. Parker responds by secretly lending questionable materials to other students, aided by his best friend and long-time crush, Rafe.

The situation escalates when their draconic literature teacher discovers their subterfuge and compiles a banned books list. Parker and Rafe fall in with Peter Fritz, a broody outcast who’s turning the ban in his favor by buying and lending banned books to students—for a price. As the banned books library grows and hidden feelings threaten the boys’ burgeoning partnership, they discover that the challenges of growing up might outweigh the rewards of bucking the system.

Product Link: http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=3979

Reviewer: John

Review: I liked Banned Books. It was a very entertaining read and you learn a lot about books in this short little novel. Now, Banned Books stars Anthony Parker, a normal gay kid who is attending an exclusive British boarding school for boys. Everything in his life is normal and boring until he is caught reading a very controversial book by Miss Lowry.

I liked Anthony. He was smart, young, and naive. He is in love with his straight best friend, Rafe, who loves him like a little brother. I loved their relationship and Rafe is a really nice guy. I liked Fritz. He was unique and a rebel with a cause. He hated how society works and following its rules.

The one thing that turned me off about this novel was the ending. It was so vague and you don’t really know if Anthony got his happy ending after all. I recommend this novel to anyone who wants to read a short story about a group of friends who rebel against society and follow their own rules.

Beggars and Choosers by Mia Kerick

Title: Beggars and Choosers

Series: Beggars and Choosers #1

Author: Mia Kerick

Genre: YA

Length: Novel (284 Pages)

Publisher: Dreamspinner Press (September 21^st, 2012)

Heat Level: Medium

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥3.5Hearts

Blurb: After a hard life filled with experiences, he’d rather not remember but can’t forget, Brett Taylor decides he doesn’t need anyone or anything. He gets a job at a bar in a nothing little town where he can fish and race dirt bikes and hide from the world. So naturally as he’s walking across the parking lot at his new job, reminding himself how self-reliant he is, he meets someone he can’t shove aside.

Brett can’t help but admire Cory Butana, the kid who lives above the bar where his father is the principal bartender. Unwanted by either parent, the sweet, personable Cory grew up neglected and hungry for affection. Now he’s determined to make something of his life, even if he has to work himself ragged to do it.

Cory shouldn’t have to suffer like Brett did, and Brett wants to lend a hand. But when their relationship evolves into something Brett isn’t ready to need, he reacts… and the consequences may destroy their fledgling future. With scars like theirs, forgiveness is never easy.

Product Link: http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=3230

Reviewer: John

Review: I have to be honest. I really wanted to like this novel, but a huge part of me, didn’t like it or didn’t connect with the story. Beggars and Choosers stars Brett and Cory. Two very different boys sharing the same problems.

I loved Brett. I found him to be interesting and unique. Brett was a school dropped out and lived alone in a small apartment after his mom kicked him out. She was a very popular prostitute and drug addict. He got a job at a small pub and it was there where he met Cory. I somehow didn’t connect with Cory. He was almost in the same predicament as Brett. He had an alcoholic dad and he had to work to buy his personal belongings. All his father did was play his crappy music and get drunk. I have no idea why I didn’t connect with him like I did with Brett.

This novel was well written and it covers a period of several years of their lives. Now, this is the confusing part of the novel. All throughout the novel, the author kept jumping from one POV to the other. Add that to the fact that the story was written by months and it confused me a little. It made it hard to keep up and sometimes there were huge gaps in the story. I really did not like that. I would have loved that this novel was written in Brett’s POV only. It would have made it easier to read.

I recommend this novel to anyone who wants to read a good young adult novel about two very diverse boys as they become one and find the true meaning of love and happiness.

Out by J.W. Kilhey

Title: Out

Series: None

Author: J.W. Kilhey

Genre: YA

Length: Novel (234 Pages)

Publisher: Amazon Digital Services, Inc. (August 4th, 2012)

Heat Level: Medium

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥5

Blurb: Joe Dawson is a driven young man, hard working, and eager to please his father. But Joe has a secret…perhaps he has a few. In small town like Holton, South Carolina, Joe is the biggest thing around: young, talented, destined for greatness. As the pressure builds from the outside, Joe feels close to snapping. He is not being honest with himself about who he is and what he wants. He must make a choice: be what everyone else wants him to be or strike out and be his own man.

Product Link: http://www.amazon.com/Out-ebook/dp/B008T8PDR0/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1372121756&sr=8-1&keywords=out+by+kilhey

Reviewer: John

Review: What an emotional ride this was! Whoa, I absolutely loved this novel. Yes, there were times I wanted to strangle Joey, the main guy, but at the end, he came through.

Okay, this very interesting novel stars Joey. Now, Joey is a very sexually confuse jock who would let his geeky friend, Darwin, blow him from time to time. Joey lived for the game and his dad would bully him to make him better (Yeah, what an asshole!). I hated Joey’s dad more than anything in the word. Joey’s relationship with his dad reminded me so much of One Tree Hill’s Nathan Scott with his father.

I don’t want to give the plot away, but this book was really good. Joey went through a lot in his senior year as he came face to face with his sexual orientation. My heart went out to Darwin. He went through hell for Joey, but at the end, everyone found happiness.

This novel is fascinating and I cannot recommend it enough. Yes, there will be times that you would want to kill Joey and Darwin, but just keep on reading and you will end up loving it as much as I did.

The Year of Ice by Brian Malloy

Title: The Year of Ice

Series: None

Author: Brian Malloy

Genre: YA

Length: Novel (272 Pages)

Publisher: St. Martin’s Griffin (October 11^th, 2003)

Heat Level: None

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥4Hearts

Blurb: It is 1978 in the Twin Cities, and Kevin Doyle, a high school senior, is a marginal student in love with keggers, rock and roll, and–unbeknownst to anyone else–a boy in his class with thick eyelashes and a bad attitude. His mother Eileen died two years earlier when her car plunged into the icy waters of the Mississippi River, and since then Kevin’s relationship with his father Patrick has become increasingly distant. As lonely women vie for his father’s attention, Kevin discovers Patrick’s own closely guarded secret: he had planned to abandon his family for another woman. More disturbingly, his mother’s death may well have been a suicide, not an accident.

Complicating the family dynamic is the constant meddling of Kevin’s outspoken Aunt Nora–who will never forgive Patrick for Eileen’s death–along with Patrick’s inability to stay single for very long. His loyalties divided between his father and his aunt, between his internal reality and his public persona, Kevin is forced to accept his gay identity and reevaluate his notions of family, and love as painful truths emerge about both.

Product Link: http://us.macmillan.com/theyearofice/BrianMalloy#buy-the-book

Reviewer: John

Review: I absolutely loved The Year of Ice. This novel starred Kevin, a secret closet case who was madly in love with Jon, a straight kid. I fell for Kevin instantly. He lost his mom at a very young age in a car accident and he was left under his dad protection. But as his senior year advances, Kevin becomes a young man and he begins to see his father under a new light.

Kevin, to me, was the bomb. He was the Alpha of his group and loved bossing Jon around just to have him close. In other words, he was simply trying to attract his attention. I also loved Aunt Nora. Yes, she was a little crazy, but she was real and I really liked her. I HATED Kevin’s dad. Yes, he took care of him, but as the story unfolded, we got to see the trash he truly was. Trust me, I was shocked that he was that kind of person because at first glance, he seemed so nice and the perfect dad. Maybe, he was the reason why I fell for Aunt Nora.

You have to read this novel. Kevin’s life was really interesting and entertaining. The one thing I didn’t like was that there were a few spelling errors and missing punctuations throughout the book. Maybe, that happened when they transformed the novel into an eBook format. Overall, this story is pretty awesome since it tells the story of a father and a son as they discover their paths in life.

Choices by Jamie Mayfield

Title: Choices

Series: Waiting for Forever, #1

Author: Jamie Mayfield

Genre: YA/Contemporary Romance (contains strong anti-gay violence)

Length: Novel (304 pages)

Publisher: Harmony Ink *Dreamspinner Press (Published June 6^th 2013)

Heat Level: Moderate to Explicit

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥4Hearts

Blurb: Part One: The Throwaway Boy

As the country’s religious and secular leaders battle over equality in the abstract, Brian McAllister and Jamie Mayfield live in the crossfire. In their little town of Crayford, Alabama, loving another boy is the worst kind of sin. Best friends since childhood, they explore their love and each other in Jamie’s backyard tree house as they hide from the world. They happily plan for the future together—until their lives are rocked when their secret is exposed and Jamie’s family intervenes.

When hatred turns to violence in their sleepy little town, Brian tries to cope with the loss of his best friend, who is stolen in the night. In desperation, he turns to Adam, a new friend with a shared pain. Can Adam fill the hole left by Jamie’s absence? The answer will change everything.

Adapted from the award-winning Little Boy Lost series by J. P. Barnaby.

Product Link: http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=3878

Reviewer: Tams

Review: Brian and Jamie have been best friends since they were children. Brian is a foster child that has been in and out of several horrible foster homes until he was placed with the Schrieber’s when he was 11 years old. He and Jamie have been best friends since that day. Over time, friendship has grown into stronger feelings of desire and love, but neither boy has told the other. Until one day in their shared tree house, Jamie throws caution to the wind and kisses Brian.

This isn’t an insta love relationship, these two young men now 17 years old have been falling in love for close to 6 years. Due to their strict religious families, they haven’t shared their feelings for fear of rejection and hatred. When they finally open up and are honest with each other about how they feel, it is beautiful and touching. It’s what comes after that will break your fucking heart!

This was a hard book to read, I must warn you. The story of Brian and Jaime is beautiful, endearing, emotional, and tragic. Mayfield wrote a prolific story of the reality that is growing up gay in a small town with narrow-minded people. I mean, Brian isn’t even safe at school! I have to wonder how much of this book is reality since the author gave a main character his name.

This really is a powerful read that shows what some young gay men have to endure for being who they are. Brian is ostracized for being gay, and not only is he bullied and ultimately critically injured at school by his peers, but the adults gang up on him. I was floored by the reaction and treatment this young man received at the hands of the very people who are supposed to protect him. His foster parents, local martial arts teacher, and a fellow gay teacher are his only allies. When Jamie’s parents find out the truth behind the relationship between them they force Jamie out of Brian’s life and eventually place him in one of those “we cure the gay” programs that I think should all be blown off the map!

There is a positive in this story as well thankfully. Watching Jamie and Brian grow closer in the beginning and ultimately loving each other completely was my favorite part. Mayfield captured the true pain and pleasure of their first sexual encounter flawlessly. After Brian was hurt he was very bitter and withdrawn, rightfully so, but he came through it and learned how to protect himself in the end. I loved the addition of Adam and how he feels the same way about Brian that Brian feels about Jamie. I can’t wait for the next book to see how the trifecta that is Brian, Jamie and Adam plays out.

If you are looking for a fluffy young love story, pass on this one. If you are looking for a reality based love story where heroes’s have to fight not only to be together, but also to be true to themselves, grab it NOW! As hard as it was to read at times, I still loved this book overall and highly recommend.

Everything We Shut Our Eyes To by Gene Gant

Title: Everything We Shut Our Eyes To

Series: N/A

Author: Gene Gant

Genre: Contemporary/Young Adult

Length: Novella

Publisher: Harmony Ink Press (May 23rd, 2013)

Heat Level: Low

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥4 Hearts

Reviewer: Thommie

Blurb: Crushing on your straight best friend will make any normally outgoing high school football player withdraw from his friends. Unrequited love can do that to you. But when Dwight Varley’s mom dies, he’s also left with a burden of guilt he finds difficult to shake. To make matters worse, Dwight must cope with his distant, grieving father, who spirals into depression.

Playing it straight helps Dwight save face temporarily, but living a lie tears his insides apart. Tell his dad…. Don’t tell his dad…. Some choices seem too hard to make. Besides, what if coming out sends his dad over the edge?

A Bittersweet Dreams title: It’s an unfortunate truth: love doesn’t always conquer all. Regardless of its strength, sometimes fate intervenes, tragedy strikes, or forces conspire against it. These stories of romance do not offer a traditional happy ending, but the strong and enduring love will still touch your heart and maybe move you to tears.

Product Link: http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=3829

Review: Oh m., the emotional charge this book has is beyond words. This is the story of a fifteen year old boy who is realizing that the feelings he has for his best friend are more than brotherly… and they are not going away. We view this story entirely from his perspective. We are inside his mind and soul, and I can’t stop thinking how perfectly the puberty phase is captured and described. The way Dwight shuts his emotions deeply inside him, the way he tries not to even think about what’s going on with his sexuality, yet never able to truly escape it is incredible. And heartbreaking.

And as if his life isn’t already messed up in all those crazy emotions, he is burdened with the loss of his mother. with the guilt that he caused his mother’s death,( that is simply a distorted notion in his head), and with a father that dives head first into depression, Dwight’s entire world keeps sinking and the way his emotions are described can’t feel more real for me. It is almost unbearable witnessing how scared and powerless this kid is. It is gut wrenching when he eavesdrops on his father telling his best friend about his dead wife’s suspicions of Dwight being gay and how he would rather have no son. And it’s downright soul-shattering witnessing this young child feeling the guilt of letting down his father, thus trying to be straight for him.

I loved this book, really did, even though there were instances that it hurt too much reading it. Even though I got too attached to the character and thus too invested, experiencing many feelings on his behalf, or perhaps due to all these reasons, I found it brilliant. I think this book addressed so many issues and problems teenagers face nowadays and with a gorgeous writing skill. I even loved how things turned out in the near end. The fact that they went even worse, the fact that it had my jaw hanging there thinking that, come on, life can’t be crueler to this kid. It was just too damn realistic and I’m a sucker for all that. My one and only disappointment was the very way this book ended. I felt as if it was too abrupt, or as if there is a whole new story there to follow. I simply wish there is a sequel to this book, because damn I didn’t get a closure from this one.

So heads up, this is not a HEA or a HFN, this is downright life-sucks-reality and while a brilliant work, keep in mind you’ll get too emotional reading this book. If, however, you are like me and in need of some serious slap in the face story, with no happy endings there because life isn’t always fun and games, then I suggest you read this one. Totally worth it.

End of the Innocence by John Goode

Title: End of the Innocence

Series: Tales from Foster High #4

Author: John Goode

Genre: Young Adult

Length: Novel (300 Pages)

Publisher: Harmony Ink (November 15^th, 2012)

Heat Level: Low

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥5Hearts

Blurb: Kyle Stilleno is no longer the invisible boy, and he doesn’t quite know how he feels about it. On one hand, he now has a great boyfriend, Brad Greymark, and a handful of new friends, and even a new job. On the other hand, no one screamed obscenities at him in public when he was invisible.

No one expected him to become a poster boy for gay rights, either—at least not until Kyle stepped out of the closet and into the limelight. But there are only a few months of high school left, and Kyle doubts he can make a difference.

With Christmas break drawing closer, Kyle and Brad are changing their lives to include each other. While the trials are far from over, they have their relationship to lean on. Others are not so lucky. One of their classmates needs their help—but Kyle and Brad’s relationship may be too new to survive the strain.

Product Link: http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=3715&cPath=54_538

Reviewer: John

Review: I loved this novel and the previous ones as well. End of the Innocence is the continuation to Brad and Kyle’s love story at Foster High. Now, if you have not read the previous ones, you have to read them because they are so thrilling and exciting. These kids have been through hell and survived, but all of that was just the beginning.

Now, this novel, however, basically revolves around The Party. Every year, Kelly throws the party of the century and the last one promises to be the best one yet. There are several new characters introduced in this novel. For example, Sammy and Jennifer. They are so freaking awesome and I absolutely loved them! Now, at The Party, Kelly confesses to Kyle that he’s gay and he’s in love with Brad. But, unbeknown to them, someone records their conversation and all hell breaks loose.

This novel is very sad since it deals with cyber bullying. An issue that is affecting our youths these days and sometimes forcing them to choose between life and death. Sadly, many are making the wrong decisions. John Goode did an excellent job portraying this disease with his novel and I simply can’t wait to see what will happen next.

All in all, you have to read this novel. Its twist and turns will leave you wanting more.

See by Jackie Nacht

Title: See

Series: Ripples in the Water, #1

Author: Jackie Nacht

Genre: Young Adult

Length: Novella (86 Pages)

Publisher: Devine Destinies

Heat Level: Low

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥4Hearts

Blurb: When love allows you to see in your darkest hour.

Drew has had a tough couple of months. Coming out to his parents wasn’t too bad except it hasn’t been brought up since. However, coming out to his friends his freshman year in high school is a whole different story. His friends turn their backs on him and have become leaders in the daily tortures he has since had to endure. When a humiliation page pops up on the internet showing pictures of Drew being bullied, he decides to end it all.

Just before he takes his life, the fourteen-year-old Mason appears telling him that he will be Drew’s husband in the future and spirits are guiding him to help stop Drew from making an irreversible mistake. Mason will be advised to take Drew on a journey to see what his future would be like if he didn’t end his life. When Drew is still unconvinced, Mason will show Drew the impact his life will have on the others around him if he does end it all. Will Mason be able to show him that Drew has a future to live for and give him the guidance to help him get through his darkest hour?

Product Link: http://www.extasybooks.com/see-2/

Reviewer: John

Review: Oh. My. God! I loved this novel. This novel stars Drew, who has had a very hard couple of months. Why? He was brave enough to come out to his family and friends as a gay guy. That bravery was short-lived because his parents are completely ignoring the fact that he’s gay and his schoolmates are not very gay friendly. They bullied him to the point that he decides to end his life. And that’s where the story takes off.

I loved Drew. He was so sweet and loving. He was simply trying to find his way in life and be happy. As he is about to end his life, a mysterious boy appears before him and shows him what his life would be like in the future. Yeah, pretty awesome. I don’t want to give the story away, but what I can tell you is that this novel was very surprising and thrilling. It left me wanting more. I really hope there is a part two because Drew’s life seemed so interesting and fun.

Kale's Spirit by Jackie Nacht

Title: Kale’s Spirit

Series: Fork in the Road #1

Author: Jackie Nacht

Genre: Young Adult

Length: Novella (80 Pages)

Publisher: eXtasy Books, Inc. (September 15^th, 2012)

Heat Level: Low

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥4Hearts

Blurb: When Kale comes to the fork in the road, who will you choose for his happily ever after?

Kale has just a few more weeks of school and can’t wait to graduate and get on with his life. At home, he has amazing supportive parents but at school, he has habitual run-ins with the popular kids, who want to make everyone’s life miserable. After catching the group in the woods doing drugs, Kale has an encounter fighting for his life.

The road to recovery is long and Kale has the help from his rescuers Hunt and Volk. Hunt is the strong; take everyone under his wing kind of guy while Volk is the sweet, caring guy. Kale finds himself falling for both of them. Who would you choose for Kale to have his happily ever after?

Product Link: http://www.extasybooks.com/kales-spirit/

Reviewer: John

Review: I absolutely loved this novel! Kale’s Spirit stars Kale, a high school senior who has been bullied in school for four long years by the popular kids. Their reason? They suspect him to be gay. A very shitty reason if you ask me. One day, Kale runs into the popular kids in the middle of the woods and pretty soon, he finds himself fighting for his life, but two persons save him that day, Hunt and Volk.

I love Kale. He was smart, awkward and sweet. He was a closet gay guy who did not have the courage to tell his family and friends about his sexual orientation. I loved Hunt. He was strong, caring and sexy. I also loved Volk. He was caring, sweet, sensitive and loving. I had a hard time deciding who to pick for Kale, but at the end, everyone wins. Yes. Everyone. What is so great about this novel is that you can pick the ending. You get to choose with who Kale stays with, Hunt or Volk.

To put it briefly, this was a short and amazing little read with a surprising little twist. If you like wolves, mystery and love, this novel maybe the one for you.

Play Me, I'm Yours by Madison Parker

Title: Play Me, I’m Yours

Series: None

Author: Madison Parker

Genre: Young Adult

Length: Novel (244 Pages)

Publisher: Dreamspinner Press (April 1^st, 2013)

Heat Level: Low

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥5Hearts

Blurb: Fairy Tate. Twinklefingers. Lucy Liu. Will the taunting ever end? Lucas Tate suffers ridicule because of his appearance and sensitive nature. When he’s not teased, he’s ignored, and he doesn’t know which is worse. He feels unloved by everyone, but the one comfort in life is his music. What he wants more than anything is to find a friend.

Much to his dismay, both his mom and a schoolmate are determined to find him a boyfriend, despite the fact Lucas hasn’t come out to them. His mom chooses a football player who redefines the term “heartthrob,” while Trish pushes him toward the only openly gay boy at Providence High. But Lucas is harboring a crush on another boy, one who writes such romantic poetry to his girlfriend that hearing it melts Lucas into a puddle of goo. All three prospects seem so far out of his league. Lucas is sure he doesn’t stand a chance with any of them—until sharing his gift for music brings him the courage to let people into his heart.

Product Link: http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=3700

Reviewer: John

Review: What can I tell you about this lovely little piece of literature that has not been said before? Nothing. This book was awesome and I absolutely loved it!

Play Me, I’m Yours is the story of Lucas and Zach as they slowly grow together and become one. Lucas was introvert and unique; therefore, he never quite fitted in at school. Add that to the fact that he’s gay and you got an awesome story with clever little twists. Lucas, overall, was so sweet and innocent. There were several times that I wanted to hug and squeeze him to death. That way I could protect him from anyone who would want to hurt him, but that was impossible. I felt his emotions and the pain he went through every day as an outcast of life. Now, Zach was the opposite of Lucas, yet the same. He was gay, but he had to hide it from everyone because his mom did not approve of his sexual orientation. He and Lucas went perfectly together like a delicious peanut butter and jelly sandwich.

The one thing that I love about this story is the fact that the secondary characters were awesome and they did not overshadow the main ones. I absolutely loved Mason, Lucas’ brother. He was so overprotected of Lucas even though he came across as a jackass most of the time. He completely won me over with his attitude. Alex was another surprising character and I completely fell for him. However, I did not like Donovan. There was something about him that I found repulsive and annoying. He still has to prove himself to me, if there ever is a part two.

All in all, I loved the story from beginning to end and I cannot recommend it enough.

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