Silent by Sara Alva

Silent by Sara Alva

Published by Amazon Digital Services
352 Pages

Blurb: Alex’s life as a teenager in South Central L.A. is far from perfect, but it’s his life, and he knows how to live it. He knows what role to play and what things to keep to himself. He’s got it all under control, until one lousy pair of shoes kicks him out of his world and lands him in a foster care group home. Surrounded by strangers and trapped in a life where he could never belong, Alex turns to the only person lower on the social ladder than he is: a “special” mute boy. In Sebastian, Alex finds a safe place to store his secrets—those that sent him to foster care, and the deeper one that sets him apart from the other teenagers he knows. But Sebastian has secrets of his own, and when tragedy rips the two boys apart, Alex will stop at nothing to find the answers—even if it means dragging them both through a past full of wounds best left buried. It might just be worth it, for the slim chance at love.

Review: I thought Sara Alva's Social Skills was one of the best stories I'd read in a long time, but her latest release, Silent, is in an entirely different category. As I was reading this gripping story, I felt intensely disappointed that the gay fiction genre is so small. A story as beautifully written and well-crafted as this deserves mainstream distribution. Though we often see reviews where the reader lauds the book as being a riveting page-turner, I can assure you, it is without hyperbole that I sing this story's praises. In fact, I almost don't know where to begin.

Silent is the emotional story about this incredible foster kid named Alejandro. He prefers to be called Alex, and in the beginning he's facing a dilemma. He's fifteen, and he's outgrown his shoes. His mother will not buy him new ones and his mother's abusive boyfriend Hector hates him. Alex takes matters into his own hands and steals some of Hector's weed, then sells it on the street and uses the money for new shoes. When Hector discovers what Alex has done, he uses a lighter to burn Alex's arm, right after torching the new shoes. The injury is severe, and when a teacher at school discovers it, it sets in motion a chain of events that drastically change Alex's life.

He's taken into protective custody and placed in a foster home. Now, at this point in the story (about 20% into the book) I was ready to hurl my Kindle against the wall. I didn't like the social worker and I hated the foster parents. I couldn't believe how callous and unsympathetic they were to Alex after what he'd been through. Actually, I still sort of feel this way, at least about the foster parents. On the other hand, I think they did care about the boys they fostered and did the best they knew how.

The beauty within that environment wasn't so much the relationship any of those kids had with those foster parents, though. It was the relationship they developed with each other. They became a loving family, perhaps less dysfunctional than many conventional families. And it is at this point that the story really grabbed hold of my heart.

Alex becomes friends with one of his foster "brothers", a boy his age named Sebastian. Seb is mute, and everyone assumes he is mentally handicapped. Oddly enough, Alex bonds with him, and they become close. They become VERY close as Alex begins to discover a Seb that no one else knows exists. Alex learns to communicate with Seb, and he uncovers some secrets within Seb's past that are startling...and unbelievable. 

There is so much more to this book than what I've shared in this review. It's an epic story that at times made me laugh. It also infuriated me at points and even made me cry. Silent is a book I really don't want to remain silent about it. It's one of those books that is going to stay with me a long, long time, and it very well may remain one of the best books I've read in my lifetime

"I tried not to think about all the horrible things that could happen to a little boy when no one could hear him scream."

Review by Jeff

Meeting Chance by Jennifer Lavoie

Meeting Chance by Jennifer Lavoie

Published by Bold Strokes Books
264 Pages

Blurb: Scarred physically and emotionally from a dog attack at age nine, Aaron Cassidy has spent the last seven years breaking out in a cold sweat at the mere sound of a bark in the distance. Days after he receives his driver’s license, he decides to challenge his bone-deep fear once and for all.

Volunteering at the Happy Endings Animal Foundation gives Aaron a new sense of purpose. Here he’ll face his fears and learn to love man’s best friend. When an abused pit bull with scars mirroring his own arrives at the shelter, Aaron cannot even be in the same room without lapsing into his familiar, paralyzing terror. But as he gets to know the wounded animal, and the two learn to trust again, Aaron finds that sometimes all you need is a little...Chance.

Review: Meeting Chance is a feel good story about a boy named Aaron who is determined to overcome his debilitating fear of dogs by volunteering at a local animal shelter. During his time there, he meets a dog recovering from severe abuse, and the two form a bond.

Aaron is a likable young man with a refreshingly positive outlook, despite the adversity life has thrown his way: he has a noticeable scar across his face from a childhood dog attack, his two best friends distanced themselves from him after he came out as gay, and his parents are divorced. While any one of these problems could have been played up as a source of extreme anxiety for Aaron, none of them were overdone. Yes, Aaron got upset and had his share of worries, like any typical teen would, but the anxiety felt realistic without being overly angsty. He seemed to take most things in stride and recover quickly.

I'll be honest. I love angsty reads. I kept waiting for something really bad to happen, especially towards the end of the book. My mind was reeling with possibilities. Would Aaron be attacked by another dog? Would he be beaten up by his homophobic ex-friend? Would there be an ugly confrontation between his parents when one of them started dating? Would Chance get into another dog fight? Would his new friend Finn turn out to be gay? Would an unfit family end up adopting Chance? etc., etc. But ultimately, I was okay with the low level of drama. In fact, I enjoyed seeing all the "little things" that Aaron had to deal with on a daily basis, like if/when/how to tell new people he meets that he's gay, and if/when/how to ask if they are too; or how to react to children (who have no filter and don't understand that they're being impolite) when they stare at or make comments about his disfigured face. There was some homophobia, but again, it wasn't extreme. It was hurtful, for sure, but was also addressed in a calm and reasonable way.

I loved how much Aaron and the dog Chance had in common. They'd both been attacked by other dogs and both had scars on their faces to show for it. They both had to deal with people making assumptions about them or rejecting them based on their appearance. They were both on a journey of healing and were able to comfort each other along the way. I would have liked more detail about their time together. Initially, the relationship between Aaron and Chance seemed to be the focus of the story, but eventually, it broadened into a story about Aaron and all the various relationships in his life. Chance wasn't as front and center as I had hoped he would be. Also, I felt Aaron got over his fear of dogs a little too quickly. I know the story spanned several months, but the lack of detail made it feel like it happened too easily.

I also loved the friendship that developed between Aaron and another teen he meets at the shelter. For once, the gay guy makes a friend who turns out to be just that: a friend. Some readers might be disappointed that this doesn't blossom into a romance, but I really liked their relationship the way it was. The fact that Aaron was gay did impact some of his relationships (due to homophobia), but overall the message was clear: Aaron was simply Aaron, whether people knew he was gay or not. The friends who could see this, remained in his life, and those who didn't, didn't.

"What the hell did Caleb want? He'd just be a pain in the ass and cause trouble, which made Aaron want to skip dinner altogether. Friendship triangles could be tricky. Throw in the fact that one triangle point was queer, and they ratcheted up to flat-out treacherous. Was it even worth it?"

Finally, I loved the positive manner in which the school's GSA was portrayed. Aaron was an active member of the GSA and was friendly with all the other members, even though none of them were his best friends. Many people have this notion that all gays will "click" and become instant friends. Yes, they supported one another, stood up for each other, and interacted in a friendly manner, but that doesn't necessarily translate into being close friends outside of school or wanting to date one another. I think the same can be said for many other types of clubs, too. The GSA was portrayed as though it were a perfectly natural part of the school's ecosystem, as it should be!

I hope Meeting Chance helps to bring awareness to the issues of animal abuse and abandonment. The devastatingly high number of animals who are put down every day is horrifying. According the U.S. Humane Society, 2.7 million cats and dogs are euthanized each year (about one every 11 seconds). Animal shelters like the one described in this book do amazing work and truly need all the support they can get. Until reading this book, I hadn't stopped to think that something as simple as donating old towels could help.

I would recommend this book for young adult readers, especially those in middle or early high school grades, or those who prefer a low level of angst.

Review by Madison

Hat Trick by Jeff Adams

Hat Trick by Jeff Adams

Published by Queerteen Press
Pages 282

Blurb: Simon Roberts’ plan for his senior year is simple -- help his high school hockey team win the state championship and earn a college scholarship so he can get away from his dysfunctional family, especially his belligerent father and obnoxious older brother.

When the Central High Falcons open their season with an away game, Simon is forced to deal with the problem he’s struggled with for months -- his crush on teammate Alex Miller. After the game that night, Alex makes an unexpected announcement -- he’s gay, and in love with Simon.

Simon’s elated but scared to openly acknowledge that he’s gay, especially with so much at stake in their senior year. Now that they’re out to each other they have to decide what to do next. Should they date? Should they keep things between them secret? What about the team? Can Simon and Alex hide that they’re more than friends from the guys they spend so much time with?

Then a simple kiss is witnessed and their secret is out. The team fractures, and Simon’s family explodes as news about the gay hockey players quickly spreads. The guys must figure out how to move forward with everyone watching. Being the center of attention was in no way part of Simon’s plan for the year.

Can Simon juggle school, commitments to the team, his new relationship, and an unexpected tragedy all before the end of the hockey season?

Review: Hat Trick by Jeff Adams is the story of Simon Roberts, an eighteen year old high school hockey player from Pennsylvania. Simon realizes he has same-sex attractions but has never acted upon them. Then one night he and his teammate Alex become intimate and a relationship blossoms.

The story is far less about the actual romance of Simon and Alex and more about the challenges that Simon faces with his family and the struggle the couple has with their teammates and school when they decide to come out. Simon's mother is supportive but his father and older brother are not.

Some of the scenes that describe the hockey games were confusing to me mainly because of the sports jargon. (I've never so much as watched a hockey game of any kind and didn't know exactly what was happening.)However, I think this probably would be a bonus to a hockey fan. At least it sounded pretty authentic to me.

There was a major conflict between Simon and his father which unfolded tragically. To some, the outcome might seem a bit overkill, but I thought the story was well-paced and rather exciting. The relationships Simon had with his mother and his teammates (particularly Jackson and Leo) were quite revealing, showing us exactly who Simon is and what motivates him. I think this book will be a great addition to any YA LGBTQ library.

Review by Jeff

Omorphi by C. Kennedy

Omorphi by C. Kennedy

Published by Harmony Ink Press
480 Pages

Blurb: High school senior Michael Sattler leads a charmed life. He’s a star athlete, has great friends, and parents who love him just the way he is. What’s missing from his life is a boyfriend. That’s a problem because he’s out only to his parents and best friend. When Michael accidentally bumps into Christy Castle at school, his life changes in ways he never imagined. Christy is Michael’s dream guy: smart, pretty, and sexy. But nothing could have prepared Michael for what being Christy's boyfriend would entail.

Christy needs to heal after years of abuse and knows he needs help to do it. After the death of his notorious father, he leaves his native Greece and settles in upstate New York. Alone, afraid, and left without a voice, Christy hides the myriad scars of his abuse. He desperately wants to be loved and when he meets Michael, he dares to hope that day has arrived. When one of Michael’s team-mates becomes an enemy and an abuser from Christy’s past seeks to return him to a life of slavery, only Michael and Christy's combined strength and unwavering determination can save them from the violence that threatens to destroy their future together.

Review: You had me at watermelon lip gloss. Actually, you had me long before that. I fell in love with Christy in a heartbeat. He was so delicate and fragile yet showed such incredible inner strength. It’s hard not to care for someone who has suffered so, but even before I learned of his tragic past, Christy came across as a lovable character. The way he silently admired Michael from afar and sat in the stands to watch him practice every day was sweet. My heart about burst when he told Michael he was his #1 Fan.

Michael was a sweetheart, too. He was patient, kind, loyal, loving. He never gave up on Christy no matter how difficult or dangerous their circumstances became. He was a valiant and lovable hero. And I found it completely endearing that he was so shy when it came to physical intimacy. Christy, of course, was not sexually inexperienced like Michael, and this was a great source of stress for Christy, but Michael couldn’t have handled it more beautifully than when he told Christy what they did together was a first for Christy, too—the first time he was touched with love.

The intimate moments between Christy and Michael were very sweet. They were so tender with one another. It was cute the way Michael became flustered when Christy flirted with him. They were just so very right for each other. I especially liked the way Michael encouraged Christy to embrace his effeminate side. It was easy to see how much Michael’s acceptance and support meant to Christy.

So far I’ve used words like sweet and loving and tender to describe this book. But I would be remiss if I didn’t also mention that there were moments filled with pain and terror and struggle. Christy’s past abuse is not something that can be easily overcome, and much of the book shows the physical, emotional, and psychological trauma Christy must deal with in his everyday life as he works through the healing process.

For example, when Christy feels physically threatened, he becomes paralyzed with fear. He cannot run away or yell for help or defend himself in any way. He’s completely at the mercy of his attacker. This was very difficult for me to read, but also somewhat comforting given my past history with childhood sexual abuse. I wish I had read Christy’s story when I was a child. It might have helped me deal with the shame, guilt, and self-hatred I felt over not having run from the people who took advantage of me.

The torture Christy suffered was extreme, though it isn’t described in graphic detail. Much is left to the imagination of the reader. I am extremely squeamish when it comes to torture or gore of any kind, but the way the information was presented here didn’t cause any problems for me. It was unpleasant, for sure, but not nightmare-inducing. I think, as a reader, you have to be willing to sit through a little bit of the horror to understand Christy.

Where the story went astray for me was the way the boys dealt with homophobia. There were several LGBT teen characters in the book, and several scenes wherin one or more of these characters were bullied at school. In every case, the situation was resolved with violence or the threat of violence. Michael and his friends, Jake and Lisa, beat the crap out of the bullies, or threatened to beat the crap out of the bullies, or threatened to spread rumors around school about the bully being gay. They even went so far as to stage a fight (presumably to make themselves look tough, though their motives weren't explicitly stated). I worry that this sends the wrong message to teens who read this story. I don’t blame Michael for defending Christy, and I don’t expect him to be a saint, but when good characters do bad things, I like to at least see some consequences for their actions (realistically, they would have been suspended).

There were also a few plot holes, but I’m not going to go into those. I know how annoying it is when my friends point out things that are illogical or inconsistent in movies I like, so I’ll refrain. ☺ But if you really, really want to talk about plot holes, go here: http://www.cracked.com/article_16625_8-classic-movies-that-got-away-with-gaping-plot-holes.html.

On top of the sweet love story and the portrayal of the struggle it takes to overcome childhood abuse, there is a whole other element to this book. It is very much a thriller, complete with multiple psychopaths on the loose attempting to abduct and/or kill various characters. This element of the story felt a bit over the top to me, but I will admit that it added a great deal of suspense and fast-paced action. I found it difficult to put the book down each night (though I had to because of its long length). Maybe “over the top” isn’t the right word. Rather, it changed the tone of the story from “serious, real life drama” to “entertainment”. Based on the forward, I wasn’t expecting that, but I enjoyed it nonetheless.

If you enjoyed The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, I think you'll enjoy Omorphi, too.

Review by Madison

Asher's Fault by Elizabeth Wheeler

Asher's Fault by Elizabeth Wheeler

Published by Bold Strokes Books
264 Pages

Blurb: The day fourteen-year-old Asher receives a Minolta camera from his aunt Sharon, he buys the last roll of black-and-white film and takes his first photograph—a picture of a twisted pine tree. He’s so preoccupied with his new hobby he fails to notice his dad’s plan to move out, his increasing alienation from his testosterone-ridden best friend, Levi, and his own budding sexuality. When his little brother drowns at the same moment Asher experiences his first same-sex kiss, he can no longer hide behind the lens of his camera. Asher thinks it’s his fault, but after his brother dies, his father resurfaces along with clues challenging Asher’s black-and-white view of the world. The truth is as twisted as the pine tree in his first photograph.

Review: I loved this book. So much so that, despite having to work the next morning I stayed up until the wee hours of the morning to finish it. Teens everywhere, gay or straight, will relate to Asher, Garrett, Levi, Jennifer, and Kayla. There are so many different personalities in this book, each one so realistic I felt as if I knew them personally.

Asher is struggling to accept his parents divorce, especially when his father leaves his mother for another woman. His younger brother, Travis, annoys him, but as you find out from the blurb alone, his brother dies right at the same moment he has his first kiss with another boy. And I mean literally right at that moment.

What follows is a beautiful story about truths and lies. What is the truth? How do we know who is telling the truth and who isn't? Asher's friendship with Levi starts to fade when his friend becomes a member of the football team, and though Kayla is so different from him and doesn't want to fit any mold, she appears to be the one person who understands him the most.

I love that Asher uses an old camera to capture his photos rather than a digital camera. There's just something so much more special about taking a photo that way. His care in taking the photos is shown very carefully on the page.

In the end, I found myself standing in the open field with the sun hot on my head and neck and arms. I studied how the bark turned black when the sunlight was directly behind it, how the longer I stood there, the longer the shadow grew on the ground. I watched how the clouds changed beyond the tree. Last summer, I had hoisted Travis up to perch on the flat part of the curve. HIs legs were longer now; he could probably scramble up there on his own. I circled the tree again with the camera against my face.

The sun grew a shade brighter. I could actually see the veins on the bark through the viewfinder. I held the camera steady and adjusted the zoom. An internal light warned red until I pressed the button halfway down. The camera whirred and focused for me, and the twisted trunk of the pine tree came clear in the square of the viewfinder. The red light blinked and turned green. I felt the pinch of a mosquito on my forearm and a trickle of sweat running from my hairline to my jaw., but I didn't brush either away. I took my first picture. That afternoon I used the whole roll on that pine tree.

I'm very happy that there will be a sequel because I want more of everyone. I want to know what happens between Asher and Garrett, and if Asher ever confronts his mother and father with the truth about Travis. Needless to say I was shocked when at the VERY end you find out a secret.

And reader's are left with the biggest question of all. When it comes to Travis's death, whose fault was it really?

Review by Jennifer

Lake Thirteen by Greg Herren

Lake Thirteen by Greg Herren

Published by Bold Strokes Books
264 Pages

Blurb: It seemed like a good idea at the time…...

Every summer three families take a trip together—this year it’s to a remote resort in the mountains of upstate New York. Scotty, a teenager who’s just come out, is nervous about how his friends will react to him. A late night visit to an old nearby cemetery seems like a great idea to the bored teens, but the old cemetery holds dark secrets hidden for almost a century—secrets that might have been better left undisturbed.

And what originally seemed like a boring week in the mountains gradually becomes a nightmare of terror for the teens and their families...

Review: Yet another great young adult book by Greg Herren. This mystery follows Scotty and his friends on a vacation to a mountain lodge that's more popular in the winter. As such, they are the only guests there. After visiting a cemetery on the road, the five teens start to experience paranormal activities around the lodge. And Scotty can't help but feel a connection to deceased Albert Tyler, whose grave he found.

The story that follows brings the kids on a frightening journey, which might put them and their loved ones in danger.

I was in bed, but the room was different. My eyes were open and it was bright, moonlight was shining in through the windows, so I could see the cabin I was in was nothing more than just a big room, really. There was a rough-hewn door that closed and bolted, but the windows were open, and I could see the trees and the night sky. I was underneath a beautiful red and green quilt, but even though I was warm underneath the quilt I could see my breath, and it seemed like the air was getting colder with every breath I was taking. When I'd opened my eyes I had felt safe and warm, but not anymore--there was danger, I was in danger, something was coming for me, and I needed to get out of the bed and get away from there, but I couldn't, I was frozen in place, and I could heart it, outside of the cabin, it was coming for me and it wanted me, it was evil and dangerous and was going to kill me--

The book does has its scary moments, especially when the author moves into the stream-of-consciousness style. With the lack of punctuation, you can't help but read it faster and faster, which puts you on the edge of your seat wondering what is going to happen next. The scenes also shift from present to the past very rapidly. For the reader it can be disorienting, which is exactly how Scotty feels when it happens to him.

Despite it being a mystery and horror, there are some tender, romantic moments, and also some rather heavy sadness concerning Albert. I felt what Scotty felt, both the terror, the heartbreak, and the joy.

The only gripe I had was how abrupt it ended. I really wanted Scotty to get home to Marc and see the two of them interact outside of Scotty's mind. But at the same time, the final line was perfect, and any more may have taken away from the bittersweet ending. I just wish Scotty and Marc got a moment together like the other two lovers in the story.

Review by Jennifer

The Gene Pull by Benjamin Shepherd Quiñones

The Gene Pull by Benjamin Shepherd Quiñones

Published by G. and J. Publishing
192 Pages
LGBT YA Sci-fi
4.5 Stars

Blurb: Sixteen-year-old Noah Fletcher has a lot on his mind. Not only has he finally come to terms with being gay, but he also harbors a much deeper secret. He's been abducted by aliens who, after performing who-knows-what kind of experiments on him, left him naked in a cornfield with the ability to talk to and understand all the animals on earth.

Noah decides he's ready to come out, but his best friend, Chris Cassidy, reacts badly to the news, and before long, the whole school turns against him. He's just about to give up on having human friends when popular cheerleader Candy Bloom sticks up for him publicly. Noah is happy to have her on his side, but there's something strange about Candy. She seems to know more than she should. Somehow, she knows about his secret power and warns him about what's coming next...an alien invasion.

The question is, how are they going to stop it? And who else will join them on their mission?

The Gene Pull takes the reader on a great adventure as Noah comes to grips with the bullying of his schoolmates, his growing inner strength and confidence, and the blossoming relationship with Chris’s younger brother, Jamie.

Review: This story was a pleasant surprise. The Gene Pull is a debut novel by twenty-year-old aspiring author Benjamin Quinones. I probably shouldn't admit this, but when I purchased the book, I had rather low expectations. It's published through a self-publishing company, and I figured that since the author was so young, the writing wouldn't be all that great.

What a pleasant surprise! With the exception of some annoying POV shifts, the word-crafting was brilliant and felt very seasoned. I loved the characters, the plot, and infusion of humor throughout the story. Granted, this is a YA story about a high school kid who just came out of the closet as gay the same day he gets abducted by aliens. The events and characters are at times over the top, but it was such an entertaining read.

I loved the main character Noah. He was self-deprecating enough to be viewed sympathetically, yet he didn't have a victim mentality (in spite of some pretty harsh bullying and homophobia from his peers). He ends up falling in love with another gay kid who's absolutely adorable--kind of a nerdy bookworm who's really sweet and lovable.

I really hope readers will support this author, and I hope he goes on to write a lot more really cool books. I'm adding him to my auto-buy list and will be on the lookout for more of his stories.

Review by Jeff

Openly Straight by Bill Konigsberg

Openly Straight by Bill Konigsberg

Published by Arthur A. Levine Books
341 Pages

Blurb: A funny, honest novel about being out, being proud...and being ready for something else.

Rafe is a normal teenager from Boulder, Colorado. He plays soccer. He's won skiing prizes. He likes to write.

And, oh yeah, he's gay. He's been out since 8th grade, and he isn't teased, and he goes to other high schools and talks about tolerance and stuff. And while that's important, all Rafe really wants is to just be a regular guy. Not that GAY guy. To have it be a part of who he is, but not the headline, every single time.

So when he transfers to an all-boys' boarding school in New England, he decides to keep his sexuality a secret -- not so much going back in the closet as starting over with a clean slate. But then he sees a classmate breaking down. He meets a teacher who challenges him to write his story. And most of all, he falls in love with Ben . . . who doesn't even know that love is possible.

This witty, smart, coming-out-again story will appeal to gay and straight kids alike as they watch Rafe navigate being different, fitting in, and what it means to be himself.

“That’s when I felt it.

One thin finger. Gently touching my thigh.

I kept talking about how alpha loses two protons and two neutrons, like his finger wasn’t on my thigh. And I think he liked that, because he kept asking questions, as if his finger weren’t on my thigh.

Nobody had ever touched me that way before, and even though my mouth kept motoring, I felt a little bit under a wave, maybe, water rushing everywhere and the shock of chill and the sound. It was almost deafening, the sound of us not talking about it, and I loved the dizziness it gave me.”

Review: I found it easy to relate to Rafe. Who hasn’t thought about getting away from it all and making a fresh start somewhere new? Rafe knows he’s fortunate to have family and friends who accept him for who he is. He knows he’s lucky to live in a community where he can be openly gay without fear of harassment. But he’s also feeling smothered by the label, as if it’s the only thing people see when they look at him. He wants his sexuality to be a non-issue, so he decides to move to a private boarding school on the other side of the country and reinvent himself. He doesn’t want to be straight. He just wants to not be gay for a while, so people will get to know the real him.

His plan seems to be working. He makes new friends right away. On his first day, he’s invited to join in a pickup game of touch football, and manages to do all right. That seems to be all it takes to be accepted into the jock crowd, and he loves the feeling of being “one of the guys”. The trouble is, as time goes by, he finds that in order to fit in, he has to deny the truth more and more, and one little white lie compounds into major heartache. I loved the progression from Rafe being in a position early on where he seems to have gotten everything he’s wanted to one where he slowly discovers the flaw in his plan. Ironically, he does what he does so that people will look past the label and get to know the real him, but the “him” they get to know isn’t the real him.

Throughout his experiment, Rafe keeps a journal, in which he reflects upon who he is, where he came from, and why he’s doing what he’s doing. With some careful prodding from his English teacher, he slowly realizes what the label “gay” means to him. Rafe learns a lot about himself over the course of the semester, and he comes to appreciate his family and friends in a new light as well.

So what is the lesson to be learned here? Just be yourself? It’s not that simple. Had Rafe not hidden the fact that he was gay, would he ever have gotten close to Ben? Is he better or worse off for that? This is a story worthy of further reflection once that last page has been turned. The message seems to be “embrace the gay”. You can’t be a whole, healthy, happy person if you deny that part of who you are. But at the same time, the message seems to be “quit making such a big deal about it.” A person shouldn’t be defined by his/her sexuality alone. In an ideal world, people won’t have to “come out”; being gay will just be another attribute.

The blurb says this book will appeal to both gay and straight kids, and I whole-heartedly agree. The book’s main theme is about the power of labels. Anyone can relate to that. It offers a poignant look at how we perceive not only other people in our lives, but also how we perceive ourselves.

Review by Madison

Almost Perfect by Brian Katcher

Almost Perfect by Brian Katcher

Published by Delacorte Books for Young Readers
370 Pages

Blurb: Logan Witherspoon recently discovered that his girlfriend of three years cheated on him. But things start to look up when a new student breezes through the halls of his small-town high school. Sage Hendricks befriends Logan at a time when he no longer trusts or believes in people. Sage has been homeschooled for a number of years and her parents have forbidden her to date anyone, but she won’t tell Logan why. One day, Logan acts on his growing feelings for Sage. Moments later, he wishes he never had. Sage finally discloses her big secret: she’s actually a boy. Enraged, frightened, and feeling betrayed, Logan lashes out at Sage and disowns her. But once Logan comes to terms with what happened, he reaches out to Sage in an attempt to understand her situation. But Logan has no idea how rocky the road back to friendship will be.

"We just stood there for a few seconds. Back when we were friends, we'd have already been laughing and joking. Now things were tense and awkward. There was no way I could ever be relaxed around this person again. To me, Sage would never be just Sage. She'd be Sage-the-boy-who-pretended-to-be-a-girl-and-who-I-kissed-that-one-time. No friendship could survive with that many hyphens."

Review: I've read a few stories that feature transgender characters, and I've learned from each one. I used to have a hard time understanding why someone would physically transition, but throughout this story, I never once doubted it was the right decision for Sage. After reading this story, I have a much better understanding of the struggles trans people face. Even though Sage was not the point-of-view character, this very much felt like her story. Although we see her through Logan's eyes, it's easy to imagine the range of emotions she feels as Logan cycles through periods of acceptance and rejection.

Logan's biggest fear is that if people find out he's dating Sage, they'll think he's gay. He can't deal with that. He remembers his reaction to learning her secret. He called her a faggot, too. In actuality, neither one of them is gay. I think that's a common misperception regarding trans people (and their partners). The novel addresses this and a lot of other issues as well. I found it all very thought-provoking and enlightening.

I only wish the ending had been happier. I would call it "hopeful" rather than "happy". I hope with all my heart that she finds acceptance, love, and happiness.

I highly recommend this novel for all audiences.

Review by Madison

Normal? by Stephen J. Mulrooney

Normal? by Stephen J. Mulrooney

Published by Busterfly LLC
146 Pages

Blurb: “Were it a dream, it would be a most wondrous dream; but it’s more. It’s a life. And I don’t have to remember any of it. It remembers me.” With these words, Gene Poole-Hall takes us on a beautiful coming-of-age journey that will leave you questioning any preconceived impressions of the definition of normal, and lead you to the conclusion that when it comes to family, at the heart of the matter, it’s the heart that matters. Gene’s story begins with his adoption into an extended family that includes everything from a few drag queens to a well respected rabbi. If Gene’s life is anything but normal, he isn’t aware of it. He enjoys all the advantages of being an only child at the heart of a family of unrelated adults bonded together by mutual love and respect.

The core of Gene’s family is Mother, who is actually his biological uncle Ben. Mother is a bigger than life female impersonator whose warmth and compassion has attracted the most unusual extended family you will ever meet. Mother’s partner, Tom, whom Gene calls Dad rather than Uncle Tom for obvious reasons, is a Wall Street executive. Gene’s Uncle Josh, the rabbi, is Mother’s life-long best friend and first unrequited love interest. Gene’s aunts, Allie and Sue, whose lives are anything but a drag, are famous, if not infamous, drag queens from Mother’s band of performers. And that’s just the beginning of Gene’s family.

A sudden move to the suburbs and the unexpected addition of three new family members, Chip and Dale, an unusual set of twins, and Robbie, an attractive farm boy, soon add colors that Gene has never imagined, to his already colorful world. Travel through all the trials and tribulations of a young teen’s life as he explores all the joys, wonders and pitfalls of coming of age and experiencing the emotional and biological dramas and traumas of infatuation and love for the first time.

Review: Normal by Stephen J Mulrooney is anything but normal. Normally, in a gay fiction novel, you'd find a jaded, snarky narrator. Normally, you'd find sarcasm and meanness and humor at the expense of others. Normally you would not get a happily-ever-after ending (that just wouldn't be good literature). Normally, you'd find gay characters who were equally as masculine and butch as any straight character, because, as you know, there is really no difference between gay and straight people... those perceived differences are simply unfair stereotypes. Normally, you'd find political correctness and lots of big words you've got to look up in the dictionary (or just pretend you know the definition of).

No, there are none of these norms in Normal. Normal is remarkably, beautifully, memorably ABNORMAL. It's a story of a sweet adorable kid named Gene who has the most amazing family you'd ever meet. He has two fathers, one that he calls Mother. Mother's a drag queen, and he's very motherly. He rules the house with an iron fist and a heart full of love. Gene's Uncle Josh, a rabbi, is Gene's closest confidant, and he tells the most wonderful stories. Gene has three siblings, all also adopted. And his older brother Robbie is Gene's hero. He harbors a not-so-secret crush on him from the moment they lay eyes on each other.

This story is so magnificent, I just might have to go back and read it again. I laughed. I cried. And I kept turning the pages, until sadly there were no more. But believe me, that's the only disappointment I had with this book--that it didn't go on and on.

I loved the writing style. I loved the little stories within that Gene told. He was a writer, and every time something touched his heart, he'd write a story about it. The author used a lot of puns that made me smile and sometimes laugh right out loud.

Really, this book was like candy to me. It was such a treat, and if I could give it more than five stars, I certainly would. From a literary standpoint, I'm sure plenty of the experts will have lots to bitch about, but as a reader, it was absolutely perfect, and anything but normal.

Review by Jeff

Love is the Higher Law by David Levithan

Love is the Higher Law by David Levithan

Published by Knopf Books for Young Readers
Pages 167

Blurb: The lives of three teens—Claire, Jasper, and Peter—are altered forever on September 11, 2001. Claire, a high school junior, has to get to her younger brother in his classroom. Jasper, a college sophomore from Brooklyn, wakes to his parents’ frantic calls from Korea, wondering if he’s okay. Peter, a classmate of Claire’s, has to make his way back to school as everything happens around him.

Here are three teens whose intertwining lives are reshaped by this catastrophic event. As each gets to know the other, their moments become wound around each other’s in a way that leads to new understandings, new friendships, and new levels of awareness for the world around them and the people close by.

Review: For those who are too young to remember, or for those not yet born, September 11, 2001 might seem like some date in history. Maybe they know about it because their parents or older siblings talk about it sometimes. Or maybe they know about it because every year on that day their school does something to remember those who died. But for someone like me, who was just a year younger than the characters in the book, I remember all too vividly what happened on that terrible day. Reading this novel brought back every single emotion I felt on that day. Like Claire, I was mesmerized yet terrified by what happened. I may have been a state away in Connecticut, but it still shocked me to my core. In this book, author David Levithan has perfectly recreated those confusing days in the eyes of teenagers who experienced it.

Suddenly there's this big scream from the classroom next to ours - at least ten people yelling out. Mrs. Otis goes to the door connecting her room to Mr. Baker's, and about half our class follows, so we're there when she asks what's going on. But nobody needs to answer - Mr. Baker's gotten his TV to work, and it's not one but two towers that are burning, and they're saying on the TV that there was a second plane, that the towers are under attack, and seeing it erases any premonitions I might have had, because even if I felt something was wrong, I never would have pictured this.

The novel follows Claire, Peter, and Jasper. All three are loosely connected to each other. Claire and Peter go to school with each other, Peter and Jasper met at a party and were supposed to go on a date, and Jasper finds Claire on the street where she remembers him from that same party where he met Peter. Because of their shared experiences on 9/11, they form an unbreakable bond, and the book follows them in the days, weeks, months, and years after the events.

What I liked most about the book was how the characters always asked other people "where were you when it happened?" or "what were you doing?" For those that lived through this day, it's a phrase that was heard often. I even tell my own students my story when they ask about it on September 11th every year: I was a junior in high school, gym class had just started, and we were getting ready to go outside to play tennis. We heard from someone who had heard from someone else who had heard it from a teacher, and of course we thought it was a joke. The teacher announced outside that a second plane had hit and we went back inside. I was in art class when the towers fell and I watched them on the television. I have never heard our school grow so quiet or felt more terror at one time in my entire life before or since.

Let Claire, Peter, and Jasper take you through that day, through their eyes, and from those around them. See how others grieved and started to move on. Like them, become a part of the history. Even if you weren't there for it, even if you weren't born yet, you can still get a taste of the horrors through this masterfully crafted novel from David Levithan.

Review by Jennifer

Swans and Klons by Nora Olsen

Swans & Klons by Nora Olsen

Published by Bold Strokes Books
202 Pages

Blurb: What does it take to survive in a world built on lies?

Sixteen-year-old Rubric loves her pampered life in the Academy dormitory. She’s dating Salmon Jo, a brilliant and unpredictable girl. In their all-female world, non-human slaves called Klons do all the work. But when Rubric and Salmon Jo break into the laboratory where human and Klon babies are grown in vats, they uncover a terrifying secret that tears their idyllic world apart.

Their friends won’t believe them, and their teachers won’t help them. The Doctors who rule Society want to silence Rubric and Salmon Jo. The two girls must flee for their lives. As they face the unthinkable, the only thing they have left to believe in is their love for each other.

Review: Imagine a world where men do not exist. Women not only run society, but they ARE society. As in the only members. In the distant future, male children are born with something wrong with them that ultimately causes them to become what the women call "Cretinous Males." They are physically and mentally weaker to a large degree, making them giant children essentially. In this future society, women do not even give birth anymore. All children are created and raised in giant tubes until they are able to be born. And in order for humans to have a more meaningful life free from menial labor, Klons are created. They do everything for their human counterparts.

Stencil Pavlina's eyes flashed. "You can't slap me," she told Rubric. "You are supposed to slap my Klon!"

"Weird, weird, weird," Rubric declared. "You know what? You are veruckt."

"Gerda, throw a tantrum," Panna Stencil Pavlina ordered.

The other Gerda, the one who hadn't slapped Rubric, threw down the cloth she was using to rub emollient on the bird. "Waah!" she cried and stamped her feet. She balled her hands into fists and shook them at Rubric. "Waah!"

Rubric was startled at how genuine the Klon's dictated emotions seemed to be. The other Gerda just watched, slowly stirring the plaster so it wouldn't thicken and harden. Was the stirring Gerda smiling ever so slightly? Rubric's eyes darted back and forth from stirring Gerda to tantruming Gerda. Finally, she returned her gaze to Stencil Pavlina. She had often seen humans ask Klons to act out their emotions on edfotunement. She had believed it was in poor taste, but it had never before struck her as insane.

This book has a wonderful plot that takes readers on a journey of self-discovery, and shows what happens when the basic principal you have been taught all your life turns out to be a lie. Rubric and Salmon Jo do not find anything wrong with their world until they see something that makes them question just how Klons and Humans are created. They begin to wonder, what makes someone human? Even though this book is set in the distant future, it is a plausible world and when you consider genetic engineering that is done, and the creation of highly advanced AI, you have to wonder what DOES make someone human? What does it mean to be human?

I can easily see this as the first in a series, because the book leaves off at a place that could be the end, but also the beginning of another grand adventure. I'd love to see more of Rubric, Dream, Salmon Jo, and everyone else. There is a lot of potential here with what the author could do.

Review by Jennifer

Tapestry by Hallie Burton

Tapestry by Hallie Burton

Published by Harmony Ink Press
255 Pages

Blurb: In Ollas, anything that stirs the emotions is forbidden by the governors—especially music. So when Tallie Tarmelin, a farm boy from a lower-tier guild, is offered a scholarship for his talent in design, he keeps his head down and follows the rules. He's terrified of breaking one of his society’s many laws and ruining his future. But feeling lost and alone in an unfamiliar city takes its toll, and Tallie accepts sympathy from a guildless social outcast even though he knows it could destroy his reputation.

Despite the rules against casual touching and fraternizing in public, Jonis Sinter offers Tallie comfort instead of denouncing him for an excessive emotional display, and they fast become friends. Secret friends, though, because Worran, the respectable son of a governor, has asked Tallie to be his partner.

When Worran’s mother learns of Tallie’s association with an outcast, she dispatches the militia. Worran sends Tallie a warning, and Tallie flees the city and civilization with Jonis. Surviving the wilds will take every ounce of perseverance they can muster, and the rediscovery of music might be their only solace— unless they recognize the love that's growing between them.

Review: Wow. Where do I even begin with a book like this? I'm not even sure what genre it would be categorized under. It has some elements of fantasy, but not like in major fantasy novels, as the magic is not real, just assumed. It's epic in scope, and features a utopian society. Parts of me feel like it takes place in our future where a section of our country is partitioned off by some method and then they seem to regress in some ways. So... historical at the same time? I even felt a bit of steampunk in there at times. Overall it's a wonderfully disorienting experience when you read something so refreshingly new.

"Do you feel like you're a part of everything?" Jonis asked.

Tallie nodded. "I've never felt anything like it...except when...when Worran kissed me. That was something like this."

"When the goats stand on their hind legs and prance, we call it capering," Cather said. "So I call this caperin too."

"Sharri called it dancing," Jonis said.

"Yes she did." Tallie smiled. "I like capering." He paused. "Eve though it's a little frightening."

"Why does it frighten you?" Cather asked.

"Don't you feel as though it might take control of you?"

"I like it when this feeling takes over. It makes me forget my loneliness."

"But you agree that it's very powerful."

"Of course. Who would deny it?"

"That's the bit that worries me." Tallie nodded his thanks as Jonis unrolled his sheepskin for him to lie on.

Tallie and Jonis are wonderful characters that I loved throughout the novel. At many parts they tugged at my heart and I needed a few moments to compose myself before reading on. I wanted to rush through the story to get at the end, and yet at the same time I forced myself to slow down and enjoy it. I didn't want it to end. I want more from Tallie and Jonis, yet it feels like their adventure is over at the end of the book, especially given the last line. Another story in that world would be great, and yet I don't think it would be as enjoyable without Tallie and Jonis present.

What a wonderful experience this book was, and that's just what it is. An experience. Hallie Burton fully immerses readers in the world she created where loving someone of the same gender is so completely normal that it's not questioned in the slightest. No one objects to it. The things that are objected to, the things that are forbidden, are elements we take for granted, such as music and dancing. And affection. Can you imagine living in a world without those things? I can't.

Review by Jennifer

By the Creek by Geoff Laughton

By the Creek by Geoff Laughton

Published by Harmony Ink Press
173 Pages

Blurb: Soon-to-be high school junior David Harper hates his family’s move to the country. There’s nothing to do, and he misses his friends in the city. But he doesn’t have a choice. His mother’s job is in Mason County now, so David and his mom are too, and he has to make the best of it. At first, the only redeeming feature of David’s new home is the swimming hole across the field from his house. Then David meets Benjamin Killinger, and suddenly life stops being so dull. Benjamin is Amish, and cooling off in the swimming hole is one of the few liberties he and his brothers enjoy. A friendship with an English boy is not—but that doesn’t stop him and David from getting to know each other, as long as it's on the neutral ground by the creek. After David risks his life to save Benjamin’s father, the boys’ friendship is tolerated, then accepted. But before long, Benjamin’s feelings for David grow beyond the platonic. Benjamin's family and the rest of the community will never allow a love like that, and a secret this big can’t stay secret forever...

Review: I'm a fan of Amish books in general because I am fascinated by the culture. It seems to be such a simple lifestyle, and yet at the same time, complex in its own way. Stories that involve LGBT members of the Amish community intrigue me even more because it is not a subject that is spoken of often, and I do not recall seeing any nonfiction book about the issue. This novel takes a look at this issue. David is new to the area and lives in the beautiful country close enough to the Amish community to see them working in the fields. When he wanders and finds a swimming hole, he accidentally stumbles upon Benjamin. What follows is the tentative friendship and then relationship between the two boys.

I loved that the author took time for the two boys to not only become friends, but fall in love. Given the Amish reactions to anyone they consider English or an outsider, it was the best course of action. Their relationship was even more tentative, and I followed the slow course with just as much anticipation as they felt.

Whenever the two boys felt a bump in the road, I felt it. I'm an emotional reader, and I will admit, I did cry. The book is beautifully written and worth a look.

Review by Jennifer

Play Me, I'm Yours by Madison Parker

Play Me, I'm Yours by Madison Parker

Published by Harmony Ink Press
Pages 244

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.

Review: If you had a chance to read Madison Parker's debut short story, "Sock It to Me, Santa," you already have an inkling of this burgeoning author's talent. Play Me, I'm Yours is her first full-length novel, and it is sure to be immensely successful.

Parker has a gift, not only when it comes to word crafting, but also with characterization. She's able to bring her characters to life in a realistic, memorable way that peels back layer after layer of their complex personalities. She avoids the pitfalls so many authors fall into of over dramatizing her villains and lionizing her protagonists. Instead, they are real people--flawed and complicated. You love them and hate them and sometimes want to smack them upside the head. But when it comes to her main character Lucas, you're going to want to pull him into an embrace and squeeze him so tightly you'll never let go.

Lucas is a doll. His tender heart and sensitivity make him the most sympathetic of characters, but he is also funny and talented. On every page he makes me smile and laugh and (several times) cry. I wanted him to have a protector, a hero, a knight in shining armor--not because Lucas appeared pathetic and weak, but because I loved him so very much.

And the love interest Zach...what can I say? Magnificently flawed. Every bit a man but 100% boy. Irritatingly sexy. Ridiculously romantic. I could go on, but the point is that he was absolutely perfect for Lucas.

Setting aside the dynamic of the romantic relationship, I think this young adult story is so amazing because of the realistic portrayal of Lucas's family life. There were times I really wanted to grab hold of his mother's shoulders and shake her. She did things that were utterly stupid, but don't all parents? Don't parents do things like this when they love their children...sometimes too much?

And I cringed every time Lucas's brother Mason made an appearance. He was so embarrassed by his sensitive, effeminate older brother. This was SO real to me. Seriously, siblings are embarrassed of each other all the time, even when there's nothing to be embarrassed about, and I totally get why Mason was such a jerk about having a gay brother. But the arc of this character was just beautiful. We saw Mason mature right before our eyes.

The cornerstone of this plot, though, in my humble opinion, is the relationship that Lucas has with his father. Finally a true-to-life YA GLBT novel that portrays a loving father/son relationship! I'm so thrilled that Parker did not succumb to the distant-father/dominant-mother stereotype. It was beautiful the way Lucas and his father connected, especially at the end of the story.

I share a connection with this author, so perhaps some will question my objectivity here. But I want to stress that every word of this review is sincere, and my feelings about the story are in no way related to my feelings for Madison Parker. The writing was spectacular, but more than that, the story struck a chord in my heart.

I honestly think this is THE book of the year--award worthy. Five stars PLUS.

Review by Jeff

You Belong With Me by Jeff Erno

Published by Harmony Ink Press
164 Pages

Blurb: High school junior Wesley Harris is a stereotypical shy, soft-spoken nerd. He is obsessed with crafts and art and doesn't even need to come out of the closet to become the target of antigay bullying. Though he has the support of close friends and liberal-minded mother, he finds it hard to believe in himself.

Brad Johnson, Wesley's new neighbor, is Wesley's age-and his complete opposite. A popular jock and hero of the school's baseball team, Brad has an outgoing personality and a reputation as a ladies' man. When he and Wesley are alone, away from their classmates' scrutiny, they become friends despite their differences. But when Wesley confesses to wanting more than friendship, Brad walks away, unwilling to risk their romance being exposed.

Though devastated, Wesley resigns himself to accept that they were never meant to be. The next time he runs afoul of bullies, school counseling empowers him to report them. Encouraged by his new confidence, he decides to attend the school dance and face Brad....

Review: As a former teenage nerd myself (who is now an adult nerd), it's nice to see the nerdy, quiet kids get the popular jocks.

I think what I loved most about this book is how unashamedly gay Wesley is. He's effeminate and he says it himself. I loved that about him. So many gay teen books now focus on kids who could probably pass for straight. Wesley will not deny that he loves crafting, he's scrawny, and his voice is higher pitched than he'd like. And then there's Brad, his complete opposite. And that's OKAY because there are gay teens from every spectrum out there!

So did that make me the "girl" in the relationship? And if so, was there something wrong with that? Should I think badly of myself because I liked the idea of Brad protecting me? I liked knowing that he was a lot stronger than me but chose to handle me with tender loving care. And last night, when he had his arms around me, I loved that feeling of being so much smaller than him.

I really felt this book. I teared up whenever Wesley did, and my chest got tight whenever I thought he was hurting. I connected with him because of how similar I was to him in school. Granted he may be a gay teenage boy and I'm a straight adult woman, but that just goes to show the skill of the author to be able to bridge that gap. What he went through in school with the bullying, I did too. And my mother was just as supportive as his is when I was in high school.

This book was a lovely read that was over far too fast. I loved the epilogue, though. It made me smile the entire time.

Review by Jennifer

Kings of Ruin by Sam Cameron

Kings of Ruin by Sam Cameron

Published by Bold Strokes Books
288 Pages

Blurb: Danny Kelly cares only for rock 'n' roll and fast cars. Too bad he's stuck in the capital of country music and he's banned from driving until he turns twenty-one. Plus he likes other boys, a secret that he's vowed to keep until he graduates high school. When his stepdad's new truck roars off on its own, Danny discovers a secret that is endangering cars and drivers across America. It almost kills Danny, too, until he's saved by seventeen-year-old Kevin Clark. Kevin's gay, handsome, and confident, but working with his dad's secret government organization has left him lonely. It's going to take a weekend of car chases, fiery explosions, and country-western singing to save the citizens of Nashville from certain death—but can Danny protect his heart and secrets as well?

Review: This book has definite science fiction elements. The Ruins are a sort of alien being that come and enter engines to take over them. The Kings are the biggest of the Ruins and are set on having fun and do not care about destruction. Well, they care about it in a way. They like destruction.

I loved the characters, both human and Ruin. Danny is a great character because he's flawed but trying to do his best to improve after some serious mistakes in his past. He is gay, but he so desperately wants to hide that part of him. When things get strange and he meets Kevin, who is open about his sexuality (and part of a top secret organization), he almost blows his chance at having something special.

The author included great non-human characters. Even though they didn't speak and weren't on the page for long, I completely fell for FIREBUG, 2KEWLE, and CHOPR. These Ruins were tiny and resided in toys, but they had very human reactions to what went on around them. I hope this book will have at least one sequel if not become a full series because I want to see them again.

The book is filled with action and drama, both real and science fiction based. It might be the book that bridges the gap for some kids who aren't sure whether they like science fiction novels or not. This is definitely a book worth having on your YA shelf!

Review by Jennifer

Social Skills by Sara Alva

Social Skills by Sara Alva

Published by Sara Alva
312 Pages

Blurb: Music is the only form of communication Connor Owens controls. No matter how badly he wishes to fit in, friendly banter and casual conversations have never been his thing. College is yet another social universe he has no clue how to navigate—until he meets Jared, a football player with chestnut eyes and a cocky grin that holds the power to shatter his self-imposed prison.

Jared’s attention opens Connor up to a new realm of emotional and physical intimacy. But as Connor’s self-confidence grows, so does his fear that everything will fall apart. Because in this socially stratified world, how long can a relationship between an introverted violinist and a closeted football player really last?

Review: Connor is shy. The rest of his family, on the other hand, lie on the opposite end of the introvert/extrovert spectrum and just don’t get why Connor is the way he is. The constant criticism from his parents and his inability to relax and speak freely around others have torn down his self-esteem over the years. There’s a difference between being alone and being lonely, and now that Connor is in his freshman year of college, he finds that he is both. He wants to make friends. It’s just so hard.

"Rebecca rolled her eyes and the banter continued, right over Connor’s head. He chewed and swallowed methodically, nodding and smiling when he felt it appropriate, and silently wishing he were a more interesting person so he could quit being a shadow on the sidelines of his own life."

The frisbee scene in chapter one nearly brought me to tears because it’s so real. That’s exactly what it’s like for a shy person trying to fit in. We try and we fail. And it hurts. But we suck it up and go on because that’s just who we are. Sara Alva perfectly captures what it’s like to be shy. I’ve experienced so many of the same feelings as Connor. My heart went out to him time and time again as I watched him struggle to overcome his social anxiety.

Not only has Sara Alva developed a rich, three-dimensional character in Connor, but the other characters in the novel are also well fleshed out. Connor’s relationship with Rebecca builds slowly and evolves into a beautiful friendship. His rocky relationship with Jared, an athlete who is part of the “in-crowd”, is portrayed realistically as well. It isn’t easy for these boys to move forward in their relationship, but they care enough about each other to try. It’s hard to see them hurt, but easy to empathize with them–and even easier to root for them as a couple and hope for a happy ending!

Review by Madison

Always Joey by Adelhardt H.

Always Joey by Adelhardt H.

Free Online Fiction
115 Pages

Blurb: Joey is forced to pair up with Jimmy for a school assignment. Too embarrassed to be seen with the school's biggest social outcast (who is also rumored to be gay), Joey agrees to go over to Jimmy's house to work on the project. Away from the scrutiny of their peers,
Joey finds that he actually enjoys Jimmy's company. But Joey quickly realizes that Jimmy has developed a crush on him, and although Joey likes the attention, he doesn't want to lead Jimmy on. Will Jimmy's strong feelings ruin their newly formed friendship?

Review: Jimmy is a seventeen-year-old boy who is ostracized at school because he's rumored to be gay. He hasn't had any friends in three years. Others perceive him to be sarcastic and mean, but that's purely a defense mechanism. He's very sensitive and longs for someone special in his life.

Joey is a popular kid, and like everyone else at school, avoids Jimmy like the plague. Much to his dismay, he's forced to partner with Jimmy for a project, and decides to work with him at Jimmy's house to avoid being seen with him in public. That kid could ruin his reputation.

Over the next several weeks, Joey begins to see the cracks in Jimmy's armor. He sees the boy who is desperately lonely and trying to latch onto whatever kindness Joey has to offer. He realizes how much he cares for Jimmy and wants to be his friend. He accepts that Jimmy is gay and that Jimmy has a crush on him; he is flattered by the attention. He even goes so far as to allow flirting between them, although he makes it clear to Jimmy that he's straight.

It's heartbreaking to see Jimmy so desperate for affection that he'll take whatever he can get, even if it means crushing on a straight boy. At the same time, it's heartwarming to see Joey befriend him and be so affectionate and comfortable with him, even though he just wants to be friends.

Jimmy gives Joey much cause for self-reflection, as Joey struggles to accept newfound feelings towards his friend.

This is a beautiful coming out story. Both characters are really sweet. If you enjoy young adult fiction with sweet, intimate moments, I highly recommend this one for you!

Review by Madison

One Boy's Shadow by Ross McCoubrey

One Boy's Shadow by Ross A. McCoubrey

Published by iUniverse
434 Pages

Blurb: Fifteen-year-old Caleb Mackenzie doesn't put up a fight when his father announces the family is moving to Stapeton, Nova Scotia. In fact, Caleb looks forward to a fresh start in the scenic little area. Their new home, Wakefield House, sports large rooms, a big barn where Caleb can work on cars, and acres of forested land for privacy. But it also has a troubling past. In 1943, a boy who lived in the home vanished.

Caleb hears the stories about what may have occurred so many years ago, but he passes them off as folklore until one day he's alone in the woods and hears the faintest whisper. Did someone in the distance just call his name? And what about his discovery in the hayloft? Could there be something to those old stories after all?

The initial need to dismiss everything as coincidence becomes a soul-searching journey into the past where Caleb is determined to uncover the truth about what really happened to the missing boy. And in the process, he learns even more about himself and what's really important.

“I’ll cover your mouth with one hand to muffle any noise you make, I promise.”

I couldn’t help it. I laughed.

Shane was giggling too as he said, “Guess that’s not very romantic, huh?”

"Not really. It’s oddly kinda hot, but, no, not very romantic.”

“Fair enough.” Shane flopped over on his back, still snickering.

Review: After experiencing several inexplicably creepy events on his family's new homestead (complete with creepy barn and creepy woods), Caleb realizes there's something to the stories he's heard about the place being haunted. I was on the edge of my seat (and wrapped tightly under a blanket) throughout most of the book as I pieced together what happened to Toby all those years ago. It was a delicious mystery that turned out to be an achingly beautiful tale of love and loss.

As Caleb and his friends uncover more and more of the truth regarding the 60-year-old mystery, they are forced to face their present-day fears and open up to each other in a way that causes them to form closer bonds of friendship, family, and love.

Although what happened to Toby (the ghost) is tragic, he is able to touch each of these boys in a very special way, and in the end, find his own peace. This is a remarkable tale beautifully told.

Ross McCoubrey is donating all proceeds from the sale of this novel to The Youth Project in Halifax, Nova Scotia. Learn more about the project on their website or visit them on Facebook.

Review by Madison