Where You Are by J. H. Trumble

where-you-are Title:  Where You Are

Author:  J.H Trumble

Genre:  Contemporary, Young Adult

Length:  Novel (304 pages)

Publisher:  Kensington Publishing Corporation (December 24, 2012)

Heat Level:  Moderate

Heart Rating:  ♥♥♥♥♥5Hearts

Blurb:  Robert Westfall’s life is falling apart—everywhere but in math class. That’s the one place where problems always have a solution. But in the world beyond high school, his father is terminally ill, his mother is squabbling with his interfering aunts, his boyfriend is unsupportive, and the career path that’s been planned for him feels less appealing by the day.

Robert’s math teacher, Andrew McNelin, watches his best student floundering, concerned but wary of crossing the line between professional and personal. Gradually, Andrew becomes Robert’s friend, then his confidante. As the year progresses, their relationship—in school and out of it—deepens and changes. And as hard as he tries to resist, Andrew knows that he and Robert are edging into territory that holds incalculable risks for both of them.

J.H. Trumble, author of the acclaimed Don’t Let Me Go, explores a controversial subject with extraordinary sensitivity and grace, creating a deeply human and honest story of love, longing, and unexpected connection.

Product Link:  http://www.kensingtonbooks.com/finditem.cfm?itemid=21545

Reviewer:  Cat

Review:  Andrew McNelin is a high school teacher. He is still quite young, only 24, a father of a two-year-old, and gay. Yes, he is gay, but he and his wife have a workable relationship.

Robert Westfall’s father has been ill for a long time and is now terminal. Robert is dealing with being a high school senior, a so-called boyfriend, and how the illness has affected him and his family.

This story deals with how each man deals with his own life struggles, and how their lives cross.

This is such a poignant, well-written story of how unfair life can be, and how people struggle with love, death, and life in general.

I fell deeply in love with both characters, and cheered and cried through the entire story. I can’t think of a thing I didn’t like, and unlike most stories I didn’t want to smack any of the characters. Well, only the two main characters. I’d like to have smacked all of Robert’s family on his father’s side, and a couple of the student’s on both men’s sides.

I highly recommend this to anyone that likes a longer story with well-written, believable characters, strife, the struggle to find and keep love, and just an all-around good story!