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You Belong With Me
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….
164 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 15, 2013
6 people are currently reading
380 people want to read
About the author
Jeff Erno
71 books641 followersJeff Erno currently lives in southern Michigan. He holds a bachelor's degree in business management and human resources. Jeff began writing stories in the late 1990's and initially posted them to a free online amateur website. The positive feedback he received from readers encouraged him to continue, and this eventually led to the publication of his first novel, Dumb Jock. Erno has subsequently published several other novels.
His greatest passion in life is writing, and he hopes to be able to continue sharing his work with readers worldwide.
His greatest passion in life is writing, and he hopes to be able to continue sharing his work with readers worldwide.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 67 reviews
April 21, 2013
Well I enjoyed that so much I could read it all over again!
I must admit Ive always loved these sort of teen stories were the jock falls for the more geeky student because I love to see the underdog get his day and his man and of course the proverbial bullies get the punishment they deserve, and the humiliation that they put their victims through! This super enjoyable YA story didn't disappoint at all. I suppose you could argue that its just another version of a trope that's been done many times before and in a way it is, but if the wonderful messages in this book about accepting and liking who you are and who you choose to love and fighting bullying in schools reaches any gay teen who's confused or frightened about his or her sexuality, then that's fantastic.
Wes is the 'geek' of the story, except its more that he's slightly effeminate and sensitive than actually nerdy. He loves Art and the more gentle pursuits in life. His parents are fantastic and love and support him for what he is but they don't know he's being bullied at school for being gay. His best friend is a girl and he's attracted to the stronger more jock like type so when Brad moves in next door he's smitten straight away. Brad is so nice and surprisingly friendly, he seeks out Wes' friendship pretty much from the word go, of course Wes is convinced he's no chance with Brad but he has a secret that may not surprise us , but surprises Wes . You can sort of guess the rest but what you won't see is the sweet but still insightful way that Jeff Erno handles all the teen trauma of first love and of course the added pressure of that love being gay , because however enlightened we think we are, being gay for most young teens is still a very difficult thing to come to terms with especially when a lot of the distress they face comes from their own peers.
Then taking away the important messages there's the romance which was just perfect. It was sweet, cute, frustrating when you get to the ' misunderstanding' which of course you can see coming but its also uber romantic and sexy . But sexy in just the right way for the age group that its aimed at. There's lots of kisses that are swoon worthy and some love scenes that could have been too explicit in some authors hands but in this story were pitched just right. Theres a prom, a bitchy girlfriend and a fabulous epilogue that made me sigh contentedly and if this was made into a film it would rival any het teen drama out there today. I'd watch it and be glued. Freddy Prinz Junior eat your heart out! Lol!
I can honestly say it was just an absolute pleasure to read and I'm going to be adding a lot more YA reads to my ever growing list of books. Mr Ernos books will definitely among them! Oh and I forgot..... The awesomeness that is Lady Gaga makes a guest appearance and that made mine and Wes' day!
I must admit Ive always loved these sort of teen stories were the jock falls for the more geeky student because I love to see the underdog get his day and his man and of course the proverbial bullies get the punishment they deserve, and the humiliation that they put their victims through! This super enjoyable YA story didn't disappoint at all. I suppose you could argue that its just another version of a trope that's been done many times before and in a way it is, but if the wonderful messages in this book about accepting and liking who you are and who you choose to love and fighting bullying in schools reaches any gay teen who's confused or frightened about his or her sexuality, then that's fantastic.
Wes is the 'geek' of the story, except its more that he's slightly effeminate and sensitive than actually nerdy. He loves Art and the more gentle pursuits in life. His parents are fantastic and love and support him for what he is but they don't know he's being bullied at school for being gay. His best friend is a girl and he's attracted to the stronger more jock like type so when Brad moves in next door he's smitten straight away. Brad is so nice and surprisingly friendly, he seeks out Wes' friendship pretty much from the word go, of course Wes is convinced he's no chance with Brad but he has a secret that may not surprise us , but surprises Wes . You can sort of guess the rest but what you won't see is the sweet but still insightful way that Jeff Erno handles all the teen trauma of first love and of course the added pressure of that love being gay , because however enlightened we think we are, being gay for most young teens is still a very difficult thing to come to terms with especially when a lot of the distress they face comes from their own peers.
Then taking away the important messages there's the romance which was just perfect. It was sweet, cute, frustrating when you get to the ' misunderstanding' which of course you can see coming but its also uber romantic and sexy . But sexy in just the right way for the age group that its aimed at. There's lots of kisses that are swoon worthy and some love scenes that could have been too explicit in some authors hands but in this story were pitched just right. Theres a prom, a bitchy girlfriend and a fabulous epilogue that made me sigh contentedly and if this was made into a film it would rival any het teen drama out there today. I'd watch it and be glued. Freddy Prinz Junior eat your heart out! Lol!
I can honestly say it was just an absolute pleasure to read and I'm going to be adding a lot more YA reads to my ever growing list of books. Mr Ernos books will definitely among them! Oh and I forgot..... The awesomeness that is Lady Gaga makes a guest appearance and that made mine and Wes' day!
February 25, 2013
Sugary, stiff prose and dialogue, too neatly unrealistic, didactic.
Aside from all this, a sweet, mildly enjoyable and engaging, easy little read.
Aside from all this, a sweet, mildly enjoyable and engaging, easy little read.
April 3, 2013
ok so I wanted to give this book a better rating cos 65% of it was ok even if it was so predictable but then devoled into some literal born this way bull quoting lady gagas song and even a cameo from her. the author totally destroyed the mood of the book with that bullshit and it was just so corny and ugh I wished I didn't read all of that like I don't know, man. it was cute and all that for a while but the drama was so tuck unnecessary like I want a cute gay book where no one is getting their ribs broken, smfh.
June 9, 2017
First kiss. First love. Also, it had all the typical teenage plot lines: hot jock, geeky love interest, brainless cheerleaders, bullies, parents who can't accept their kids for who they really are, etc.
Publishers should encourage teens to write YA fiction.
Wes' mom referring to her husband's ex as a whore the last push making this a bad book. She was his high school girlfriend and the mom still calls her a whore in a conversation with her teenage son. Maturity took a fast exit.
Publishers should encourage teens to write YA fiction.
Wes' mom referring to her husband's ex as a whore the last push making this a bad book. She was his high school girlfriend and the mom still calls her a whore in a conversation with her teenage son. Maturity took a fast exit.
September 4, 2013
A nerd falls for a popular jock who is not out of the closet. Throw in the popular cheerleader girlfriend, the bullying by another jock, a story modeled after a popular Taylor Swift video (including the title) and you have a fairly predictable teenage story.
Full review can be found at Greedy Bug Book Reviews.
Full review can be found at Greedy Bug Book Reviews.
July 10, 2013
Love Jeff Erno's books and this of course was no exception. Sweet, funny and enteratining. Highly recommend!
February 18, 2013
4.5 Stars
Very cute story about two high school juniors, Brad and Wes, who become neighbors and then develop romantic feelings for each other. It was written in 1st person POV and was very well done and well written. I think it's a very good example of how 1st person POV can really work for a story.
But what I didn't like about this story was that the whole entire thing took place in the span of about a month... I really wish the characters' relationship had progressed over a much longer time, because prior to the conflict that came between them, they were only together for a week or so. Which is really no time at all, but I felt the chemistry between them, even in this short amount of time.
Another thing with this story is that it reminded me a lot of the two teenage neighbors in the film "American Beauty" (even though those neighbors were heterosexual) but the idea of looking into each other's windows made me think of that. I'm a film buff, so a lot of times I relate books back to films and vice versa. And I kept thinking about that movie when reading those parts in this book.
I just wish this story was longer and I wish that after the conflict was resolved that there was a lot more before the story ended. I also feel like the ending was a bit too sugary sweet in its haste to wrap up, but as I love a happy ending, I can't complain too much.
I also wish there was more to the epilogue. The Epilogue was set up in such a way that it looks like there will be a sequel to this story which will introduce two more teenage neighbors with romantic feelings for each other, with Brad and Wes in supporting roles now that they are adults. This is similar to how Erno did his books Dumb Jock and Dumb Jock 2. And if there is a sequel, I will certainly read it.
I really loved the character of Brad and thought he was very sweet and I liked Wes as well. For a young adult novel, this certainly kept me entertained and for my tastes as a 25 year old, it had the right amount of sexuality, but perhaps it may be a tiny bit too much for others who enjoy Young Adult novels. But then again, I'm not really sure. But I'm glad that young adults nowadays have stories like this. Even when I was a teenager 10 years ago or so, I don't really think YA LGBT existed like this, and I am glad that so much has changed during this time and I hope that younger folks know about this genre and can enjoy stories like this one and get some great entertainment and not feel so alone.
So a sweet read that had me smiling and enjoying it. It wasnt very deep, but for the most part just a light, sweet read. As I said, I wish it had been longer with more time for these characters to interact with each other, but for the length it was, I thought it was good. It was not too angsty, and the beginning of the story, when Brad and Wes were first interacting, especially had me laughing and smiling. :)
Very cute story about two high school juniors, Brad and Wes, who become neighbors and then develop romantic feelings for each other. It was written in 1st person POV and was very well done and well written. I think it's a very good example of how 1st person POV can really work for a story.
But what I didn't like about this story was that the whole entire thing took place in the span of about a month... I really wish the characters' relationship had progressed over a much longer time, because prior to the conflict that came between them, they were only together for a week or so. Which is really no time at all, but I felt the chemistry between them, even in this short amount of time.
Another thing with this story is that it reminded me a lot of the two teenage neighbors in the film "American Beauty" (even though those neighbors were heterosexual) but the idea of looking into each other's windows made me think of that. I'm a film buff, so a lot of times I relate books back to films and vice versa. And I kept thinking about that movie when reading those parts in this book.
I just wish this story was longer and I wish that after the conflict was resolved that there was a lot more before the story ended. I also feel like the ending was a bit too sugary sweet in its haste to wrap up, but as I love a happy ending, I can't complain too much.
I also wish there was more to the epilogue. The Epilogue was set up in such a way that it looks like there will be a sequel to this story which will introduce two more teenage neighbors with romantic feelings for each other, with Brad and Wes in supporting roles now that they are adults. This is similar to how Erno did his books Dumb Jock and Dumb Jock 2. And if there is a sequel, I will certainly read it.
I really loved the character of Brad and thought he was very sweet and I liked Wes as well. For a young adult novel, this certainly kept me entertained and for my tastes as a 25 year old, it had the right amount of sexuality, but perhaps it may be a tiny bit too much for others who enjoy Young Adult novels. But then again, I'm not really sure. But I'm glad that young adults nowadays have stories like this. Even when I was a teenager 10 years ago or so, I don't really think YA LGBT existed like this, and I am glad that so much has changed during this time and I hope that younger folks know about this genre and can enjoy stories like this one and get some great entertainment and not feel so alone.
So a sweet read that had me smiling and enjoying it. It wasnt very deep, but for the most part just a light, sweet read. As I said, I wish it had been longer with more time for these characters to interact with each other, but for the length it was, I thought it was good. It was not too angsty, and the beginning of the story, when Brad and Wes were first interacting, especially had me laughing and smiling. :)
February 10, 2016
You Belong with Me is the story of two high school students that live next door to each other. Wesley Harris is artistic and nerdy. His neighbor is Brad Johnson, the popular baseball jock. This story is told in first person through the eyes of Wesley.
February 13, 2013
Wesley Harris is a shy, artistic gay teen who is lucky enough to have a close knit group of supportive family and friends. Unfortunately he’s bulled at school by a group of jocks. So when the poster boy jock, Brad Johnson, moves in next door and he and Wes strike up a fast friendship; Wes’s family and friends are more than a little skeptical.
Brad Johnson is the star baseball player for the school team, all American straight jock. He really is a nice kid though, unlike his teammates. His bedroom window faces Wes’s and the two begin writing notes on paper for each other, it’s all very innocent in the beginning. Until the two share a brief but electric kiss on Brad’s porch one night. Wes has been in love with Brad for years, but Brad is struggling with his identity. Is he straight, gay or bi? And his homophobic friends and family really don’t help the situation.
Brad’s struggles threaten to tear him and Wes apart, and for a while there it seems as though they have. Then the two exchange a piece of paper at the school dance, something they wrote at different times to share through the window, but neither one did, until now. When the bully that has hurt Wes on more than one occasion attacks him at the dance, will it destroy any chance he and Brad have to reconnect?
Erno has written a powerful coming of age YA gay novel. The story flows well and depicts the up’s and down’s that straight, gay and bisexual teenagers face daily. There are a few twists and turns toward the end of the book that just made this an even more enthralling read. He could have ended the story on a flat note, but no, he goes out with a bang! The ending of this book is beautiful and I admittedly shed a tear!
I give this one 5/5, but that's just my two cents!!
Brad Johnson is the star baseball player for the school team, all American straight jock. He really is a nice kid though, unlike his teammates. His bedroom window faces Wes’s and the two begin writing notes on paper for each other, it’s all very innocent in the beginning. Until the two share a brief but electric kiss on Brad’s porch one night. Wes has been in love with Brad for years, but Brad is struggling with his identity. Is he straight, gay or bi? And his homophobic friends and family really don’t help the situation.
Brad’s struggles threaten to tear him and Wes apart, and for a while there it seems as though they have. Then the two exchange a piece of paper at the school dance, something they wrote at different times to share through the window, but neither one did, until now. When the bully that has hurt Wes on more than one occasion attacks him at the dance, will it destroy any chance he and Brad have to reconnect?
Erno has written a powerful coming of age YA gay novel. The story flows well and depicts the up’s and down’s that straight, gay and bisexual teenagers face daily. There are a few twists and turns toward the end of the book that just made this an even more enthralling read. He could have ended the story on a flat note, but no, he goes out with a bang! The ending of this book is beautiful and I admittedly shed a tear!
I give this one 5/5, but that's just my two cents!!
April 11, 2018
Cute. Nothing more. A nice YA story that satisfies romance needs, a growing love story between two teen agers, identity awareness and homophobia, violence and parenting acceptance themes, happy ending and hope for a bright future. There are all these reasons to read it. But for not too demanding readers anyway.
September 23, 2015
I love a good high school love story, especially when it involves a big jock and a little geek/nerd. This story certainly had all the elements that I usually go Gaga for (a little inside joke there), but there was just something missing for me.
February 21, 2013
This author just satisfies all my buttons. Excellent work. LOVED IT!
maybe-later
April 12, 2013...
wow.
Just...wow.
And not in a good way.
wow.
Just...wow.
And not in a good way.
May 3, 2019
So adorable and sweet. Loved it...just like I love my high school movies. Cute and good characters!
March 8, 2013
Review Originally Published here: http://joyfullyjay.com/2013/03/review...
I kind of have to look at You Belong With Me like it’s an over-the-top teen movie. It is a YA novel, published by Harmony Ink, the YA division of Dreamspinner Press. I would, without reservation, recommend it to young adult readers. I enjoyed it as an adult as well. However, it has moments you can only picture as a scene from a movie, moments that that make you groan on the inside while you smile a big goofy grin. If you can set aside its idealistic tendency to present sweeping dramatic, emotional moments, I think you can enjoy this as well. I suppose this is my advice: Start this book with the expectation that you’ll be reading a light, fun, sweet YA novel that likes to wrap things in a big red bow, and I believe you’ll be glad you did.
Wesley Harris marches to the beat of his own drummer. He’s 16, small in stature, creative, quirky, and openly gay. Needless to say, he’s the victim of frequent bullying. One day, as he’s sitting in his room, creating t-shirts for a group presentation for school, he looks out his window into the next house and is surprised to see his long time crush, Brad Johnson, looking at him from his own window next door. He’s even more surprised when his new neighbor introduces himself to Wesley’s family and immediately strikes up a friendship with him. Wesley doesn’t want to get his hopes up. He knows Brad has a girlfriend and his crush will remain unrequited, but he really enjoys spending time with him.
Brad’s sexuality comes into question and is a struggle for him as he gets to know Wesley. Wesley continues to be bullied until he finds the strength to stand up for himself. And they both continue to be a part of one another’s lives, even when it seems that only friendship is possible between the two of them. Homophobia amongst Brad’s friends and his own father make it difficult for him to accept who he is and, while he has strong feelings for Wesley, he’s not sure he can stand up to the bigots who surround him.
I adored the characters in this story. Wesley is talented and adorable and, while he is often the victim of bullying, remains strong and true to himself. Brad is athletic and gorgeous and kind. While he gets a little wishy-washy, it’s a realistic portrayal of a boy struggling with his sexuality while receiving no support. I had two favorite supporting characters. Chrissy, Wesley’s best friend, whose enthusiasm and love are a force to be reckoned with, and Wesley’s mom, whose support and unconditional love is touching.
This isn’t a complicated story. Two boys, falling in love, exploring their sexuality, and deciding if they can become one team against the world. It has everything you would find in a popular teen movie. A caricature of a troubled bully, slow build-up to coupledom, grand romantic gestures, and a final scene that is, quite literally, too good to be true. But it’s sweet and hard to dislike.
Get a copy for yourself and your teenager too. If nothing else, they will understand a little better the impact of bullying and the struggle that gay teenagers have living their lives true to themselves. And this message is an important one.
I kind of have to look at You Belong With Me like it’s an over-the-top teen movie. It is a YA novel, published by Harmony Ink, the YA division of Dreamspinner Press. I would, without reservation, recommend it to young adult readers. I enjoyed it as an adult as well. However, it has moments you can only picture as a scene from a movie, moments that that make you groan on the inside while you smile a big goofy grin. If you can set aside its idealistic tendency to present sweeping dramatic, emotional moments, I think you can enjoy this as well. I suppose this is my advice: Start this book with the expectation that you’ll be reading a light, fun, sweet YA novel that likes to wrap things in a big red bow, and I believe you’ll be glad you did.
Wesley Harris marches to the beat of his own drummer. He’s 16, small in stature, creative, quirky, and openly gay. Needless to say, he’s the victim of frequent bullying. One day, as he’s sitting in his room, creating t-shirts for a group presentation for school, he looks out his window into the next house and is surprised to see his long time crush, Brad Johnson, looking at him from his own window next door. He’s even more surprised when his new neighbor introduces himself to Wesley’s family and immediately strikes up a friendship with him. Wesley doesn’t want to get his hopes up. He knows Brad has a girlfriend and his crush will remain unrequited, but he really enjoys spending time with him.
Brad’s sexuality comes into question and is a struggle for him as he gets to know Wesley. Wesley continues to be bullied until he finds the strength to stand up for himself. And they both continue to be a part of one another’s lives, even when it seems that only friendship is possible between the two of them. Homophobia amongst Brad’s friends and his own father make it difficult for him to accept who he is and, while he has strong feelings for Wesley, he’s not sure he can stand up to the bigots who surround him.
I adored the characters in this story. Wesley is talented and adorable and, while he is often the victim of bullying, remains strong and true to himself. Brad is athletic and gorgeous and kind. While he gets a little wishy-washy, it’s a realistic portrayal of a boy struggling with his sexuality while receiving no support. I had two favorite supporting characters. Chrissy, Wesley’s best friend, whose enthusiasm and love are a force to be reckoned with, and Wesley’s mom, whose support and unconditional love is touching.
This isn’t a complicated story. Two boys, falling in love, exploring their sexuality, and deciding if they can become one team against the world. It has everything you would find in a popular teen movie. A caricature of a troubled bully, slow build-up to coupledom, grand romantic gestures, and a final scene that is, quite literally, too good to be true. But it’s sweet and hard to dislike.
Get a copy for yourself and your teenager too. If nothing else, they will understand a little better the impact of bullying and the struggle that gay teenagers have living their lives true to themselves. And this message is an important one.
March 15, 2013
"You Belong With Me" is a prime example of how a cute, sweet story can overcome the handicap of bad writing. Even with the fact that this story can only be described as YouTube fanfiction, I still enjoyed it.
What worked: I liked the main character Wes, and I enjoyed the interplay between him and his mother. The scene where his mom first meets Brad is one of the funniest scenes I've ever read. The romance between the jock and the fey boy was really endearing—not original, but still endearing.
More than the bullying storyline, what I really liked was the author getting into talk about effemiphobia and gender roles. I wish there had been more. It's really important to discuss effeminate gay men because the gay community at large acts so ashamed of its less-masculine brothers.
What didn't work: As I said, the writing was bad. A thorough editing job could have brought this story up to a 3.5 or maybe even a 4. The author kept contradicting himself from one page to the next; Wes knew nothing about baseball but then suddenly knew all the terminology, Wes had never interacted with Brad, but Brad said they were friends, Wes sucked at video games and then there was a game he was sure he could win at, etc.
As a bisexual guy, I was deeply disappointed that bisexuality was given the shaft in this story. Having Brad come out as gay, saying he had only been using the bi label as a cover, is a trope that we bis have thrown in our faces whenever people try to tell us we're just confused.
The author's obsession with sticking to the plot points of the two "You Belong With Me Videos" (the original and the gay one) was cute at first and then it started to drag the story down. A book is not a music video. The shortcuts and tools a video maker uses are different than the tools an author has. Erno should have abandoned the video script and used it as an homage, in this reviewer's opinion.
The book was a solid 3, edging towards 3.1 until the end when it went totally off the rails. The dialogue in the principal's office sounded so much like a badly-written PSA that I expected the characters to turn to the cameras and give the number for the Trevor Project.
This book also leaned a whole lot on telling rather than showing, and when I notice that, you know there's a problem.
And the epilogue was just utterly unnecessary.
Some people will argue that with the plague of bullying this country suffers from, it's important to have books that show how bad it is and challenge people to make the world better. For me, I think that the story must come first, if you're writing fiction. The characters need to stay in character and not suddenly be possessed by the personalities of TV spokespeople. I also think that makes the story more powerful.
So while I am rounding up and giving "You Belong With Me" 3 stars, it's really about a 2.7
What worked: I liked the main character Wes, and I enjoyed the interplay between him and his mother. The scene where his mom first meets Brad is one of the funniest scenes I've ever read. The romance between the jock and the fey boy was really endearing—not original, but still endearing.
More than the bullying storyline, what I really liked was the author getting into talk about effemiphobia and gender roles. I wish there had been more. It's really important to discuss effeminate gay men because the gay community at large acts so ashamed of its less-masculine brothers.
What didn't work: As I said, the writing was bad. A thorough editing job could have brought this story up to a 3.5 or maybe even a 4. The author kept contradicting himself from one page to the next; Wes knew nothing about baseball but then suddenly knew all the terminology, Wes had never interacted with Brad, but Brad said they were friends, Wes sucked at video games and then there was a game he was sure he could win at, etc.
As a bisexual guy, I was deeply disappointed that bisexuality was given the shaft in this story. Having Brad come out as gay, saying he had only been using the bi label as a cover, is a trope that we bis have thrown in our faces whenever people try to tell us we're just confused.
The author's obsession with sticking to the plot points of the two "You Belong With Me Videos" (the original and the gay one) was cute at first and then it started to drag the story down. A book is not a music video. The shortcuts and tools a video maker uses are different than the tools an author has. Erno should have abandoned the video script and used it as an homage, in this reviewer's opinion.
The book was a solid 3, edging towards 3.1 until the end when it went totally off the rails. The dialogue in the principal's office sounded so much like a badly-written PSA that I expected the characters to turn to the cameras and give the number for the Trevor Project.
This book also leaned a whole lot on telling rather than showing, and when I notice that, you know there's a problem.
And the epilogue was just utterly unnecessary.
Some people will argue that with the plague of bullying this country suffers from, it's important to have books that show how bad it is and challenge people to make the world better. For me, I think that the story must come first, if you're writing fiction. The characters need to stay in character and not suddenly be possessed by the personalities of TV spokespeople. I also think that makes the story more powerful.
So while I am rounding up and giving "You Belong With Me" 3 stars, it's really about a 2.7
April 24, 2013
It has to be said, I do love nerd/jock romances. Maybe this has to do with the fact that, being somewhat of a bookish type myself, the idea of the geek landing the hot guy really appeals to me. Or perhaps it’s simply that there’s something incredibly touching about two individuals, considered to be at opposite ends of the social spectrum, disregarding expectations to be together. Whatever the reason, it’s a formula that presses all my buttons, and this latest novel by Jeff Erno is no exception.
In many ways, sixteen-year-old Wesley Harris is lucky. His family and close friends have been extremely supportive since he came out to them, and also encourage him to pursue his creativity, in particular his talent for designing T-shirts. At school, however, his shyness and artistic nature have always made him a target for bullies, who subject him to a constant barrage of homophobic taunts and physical humiliations. So, when baseball jock Brad Johnson moves in next-door, Wesley can’t help but be wary, uncertain as to how the other boy will behave towards him.
The one thing he doesn’t expect is that Brad will be anxious to get to know him. Yet, the holding up of written notes from their bedroom windows quickly develops into sharing confidences, and Wesley discovers Brad’s life isn’t as straightforward as he imagined. In addition to coping with his parents’ divorce, he is struggling with the realization that he may be bisexual. Before long, their friendship has deepened into something more, and Wesley is head over heels in love. But with the school bullies to contend with, not to mention the prejudice from Brad’s own father, does their fledgling romance stand a chance?
Easy to read, with heroes who will surely arouse your sympathy, this is a feel-good story following two very different boys as they fall in love and learn to be comfortable with who they are. Most of all, it’s a story about the fight against bullying, of standing up and refusing to be a victim. There are so many young people currently going through what Wesley has to endure, and this book is a wonderful illustration of how things truly can get better.
If you’re seeking a sweet young adult novel that’s rich with optimism, and you share my soft spot for nerd/jock romances, this may well be one for your to-read list.
NOTE: This book was provided by the author for the purpose of a review on Rainbow Book Reviews and the Boys on the Brink Blog
In many ways, sixteen-year-old Wesley Harris is lucky. His family and close friends have been extremely supportive since he came out to them, and also encourage him to pursue his creativity, in particular his talent for designing T-shirts. At school, however, his shyness and artistic nature have always made him a target for bullies, who subject him to a constant barrage of homophobic taunts and physical humiliations. So, when baseball jock Brad Johnson moves in next-door, Wesley can’t help but be wary, uncertain as to how the other boy will behave towards him.
The one thing he doesn’t expect is that Brad will be anxious to get to know him. Yet, the holding up of written notes from their bedroom windows quickly develops into sharing confidences, and Wesley discovers Brad’s life isn’t as straightforward as he imagined. In addition to coping with his parents’ divorce, he is struggling with the realization that he may be bisexual. Before long, their friendship has deepened into something more, and Wesley is head over heels in love. But with the school bullies to contend with, not to mention the prejudice from Brad’s own father, does their fledgling romance stand a chance?
Easy to read, with heroes who will surely arouse your sympathy, this is a feel-good story following two very different boys as they fall in love and learn to be comfortable with who they are. Most of all, it’s a story about the fight against bullying, of standing up and refusing to be a victim. There are so many young people currently going through what Wesley has to endure, and this book is a wonderful illustration of how things truly can get better.
If you’re seeking a sweet young adult novel that’s rich with optimism, and you share my soft spot for nerd/jock romances, this may well be one for your to-read list.
NOTE: This book was provided by the author for the purpose of a review on Rainbow Book Reviews and the Boys on the Brink Blog
April 2, 2013
Plot:
Wesley and Brad are each other's opposite and wouldn't have gotten to know each other if Brad hadn't moved in to the identical house next door. They start communicating through their notepads that they are showing from their windows and they get to know each other better.
Review:
When I started to read this book I realized that I recognized the plot from the music video by Taylor Swift with the same title as the book. I felt like it wasn't as original as I would have wanted it to be. I found out that Jeff Erno admitted that this book was based on that song in an interview, but it doesn't say that in the book so it feels like it's plagiarized rather than based on. If you've watched the music video, I can tell you right away that you will be spoiled by the book since it's almost identical.
The notes were identical, the actions were identical, some parts were identical. You see my point? The only thing that wasn't identical with the music video was that instead of a straight couple we got a gay couple. We got a background story for the music video and get to know them a bit better. I really liked the characters though, they made the story move further in its own way.
We got to know Wesley as feminine with his nasal voice, his love for drawing, making t-shirts and his emotional feelings. He's nerdy, shy and unfortunately bullied in school. People suspects he's gay, but he's only out to his family and his best friend Chrissy.
Brad on the other hand is the popular jock and the hero of the school's baseball team. He likes cars, sports and is known for liking girls, not boys.
There are many funny parts that made me laugh. I can relate very well to having a mom that reveals your darkest secrets, especially if they are embarrassing. Just like Wesley's mom did. I felt so sorry for him, so awkward.
The only thing I didn't like with this story -- as I already mentioned -- was that if you already had seen the music video, you have a hint how it will end. No big surprises. I wish it was more loosely based on the song rather than copying it. Either way, I still like the video, even though I don't listen to Taylor Swift and that makes me like the book as well. I just see it like a reread instead of reading it for the first time.
4-/5: ♥♥♥♥-
Posted on book blog.
Wesley and Brad are each other's opposite and wouldn't have gotten to know each other if Brad hadn't moved in to the identical house next door. They start communicating through their notepads that they are showing from their windows and they get to know each other better.
Review:
When I started to read this book I realized that I recognized the plot from the music video by Taylor Swift with the same title as the book. I felt like it wasn't as original as I would have wanted it to be. I found out that Jeff Erno admitted that this book was based on that song in an interview, but it doesn't say that in the book so it feels like it's plagiarized rather than based on. If you've watched the music video, I can tell you right away that you will be spoiled by the book since it's almost identical.
The notes were identical, the actions were identical, some parts were identical. You see my point? The only thing that wasn't identical with the music video was that instead of a straight couple we got a gay couple. We got a background story for the music video and get to know them a bit better. I really liked the characters though, they made the story move further in its own way.
We got to know Wesley as feminine with his nasal voice, his love for drawing, making t-shirts and his emotional feelings. He's nerdy, shy and unfortunately bullied in school. People suspects he's gay, but he's only out to his family and his best friend Chrissy.
Brad on the other hand is the popular jock and the hero of the school's baseball team. He likes cars, sports and is known for liking girls, not boys.
There are many funny parts that made me laugh. I can relate very well to having a mom that reveals your darkest secrets, especially if they are embarrassing. Just like Wesley's mom did. I felt so sorry for him, so awkward.
The only thing I didn't like with this story -- as I already mentioned -- was that if you already had seen the music video, you have a hint how it will end. No big surprises. I wish it was more loosely based on the song rather than copying it. Either way, I still like the video, even though I don't listen to Taylor Swift and that makes me like the book as well. I just see it like a reread instead of reading it for the first time.
4-/5: ♥♥♥♥-
Posted on book blog.
May 4, 2016
What you have here is a story of love between a mousey nerd type and a sensitive jock type. A tale as old as time right? Not exactly. While high school me would have traded my soul for something like this to happen, I see it happen more in books than it ever happening in real life. But I digress.
Wesley is your typical scrawny (his word not mine) nerdy gay 16 year old. He's perfectly fine with being himself as long as it flew under the radar of anyone looking to take out their aggression on him just for being him. One day Brad Johnson, jock superstar moves in next to him. What begins as friendship between them soon blossoms into something more and we're treated to quite a quick love story between these two high schoolers. All is going great between the two of them but then a quick visit from Brad's bigoted father makes him turn his back on Wesley, effectively breaking his heart.
A quick retrospective on both characters:
Wesley was me during high school. Except take away the artistic talent and add on about 150 pounds. He sees Brad and never dreams that he'd ever draw the interest in this seemingly perfect athletic type but soon surprisingly, Brad makes the first move. What we have here is the birth of such a loving relationship for ones so young.
Brad is the sensitive athletic jock with the heart of gold. Competitive yet modest, he strikes a quick friendship with neighbor Wesley and after a few days of seemingly harmless flirting, the flame is lit. Both he and Wesley fall hard and fast (no pun intended) but all it takes is a bigoted reaction from his dumba** father and it all falls apart.
It feels like I revealed a lot but there was so much more to this book. The emotions are what made up the meat of this book. Wesley himself comprised of 95% of the emotion. Since it's his POV, we feel everything he feels and boy does he feel with all his heart. He feels like he's nothing, not worthy of Brad's attention and still doesn't believe that Brad would spend his time and energy on him. From his actions we also see that Brad feels deeply for Wes and is willing to be who he really is around him and others so we also feel hurt when things take a turn for the worse.
The last thing I have to say is this book WAS SO CUTE. Wes & Brad are simply adorable and already married as of their first date. Simple as that. And the messages on notepads between the two of them from their bedroom windows?? Like a cheesy 80s movie and I loved it!
Wesley is your typical scrawny (his word not mine) nerdy gay 16 year old. He's perfectly fine with being himself as long as it flew under the radar of anyone looking to take out their aggression on him just for being him. One day Brad Johnson, jock superstar moves in next to him. What begins as friendship between them soon blossoms into something more and we're treated to quite a quick love story between these two high schoolers. All is going great between the two of them but then a quick visit from Brad's bigoted father makes him turn his back on Wesley, effectively breaking his heart.
A quick retrospective on both characters:
Wesley was me during high school. Except take away the artistic talent and add on about 150 pounds. He sees Brad and never dreams that he'd ever draw the interest in this seemingly perfect athletic type but soon surprisingly, Brad makes the first move. What we have here is the birth of such a loving relationship for ones so young.
Brad is the sensitive athletic jock with the heart of gold. Competitive yet modest, he strikes a quick friendship with neighbor Wesley and after a few days of seemingly harmless flirting, the flame is lit. Both he and Wesley fall hard and fast (no pun intended) but all it takes is a bigoted reaction from his dumba** father and it all falls apart.
It feels like I revealed a lot but there was so much more to this book. The emotions are what made up the meat of this book. Wesley himself comprised of 95% of the emotion. Since it's his POV, we feel everything he feels and boy does he feel with all his heart. He feels like he's nothing, not worthy of Brad's attention and still doesn't believe that Brad would spend his time and energy on him. From his actions we also see that Brad feels deeply for Wes and is willing to be who he really is around him and others so we also feel hurt when things take a turn for the worse.
The last thing I have to say is this book WAS SO CUTE. Wes & Brad are simply adorable and already married as of their first date. Simple as that. And the messages on notepads between the two of them from their bedroom windows?? Like a cheesy 80s movie and I loved it!
January 1, 2014
I did like this book but it had so many corny/far fetched aspects it was really hard to take seriously. It involved hot athlete Brad ( and closeted gay man) and self proclaimed "dork" (very openly gay) Wesley. Brad's parents are in the midst of a divorce and he happens to move into a home practically attached to Wesley's house. In fact,their windows are so close they start writing notes to each other to read through each others windows. Some parts with the bullying of Wesley being gay were sadly accurate with what goes on at school but most of the book was unrealistic to me. How they both show up at the dance holding identical I love you notes, the epilogue where Wesley is a teacher and encounters a student who also happens to be writing love notes to a "popular jock" through his bedroom window. I felt Wesley's character was over the top with his emotions. I know a lot of gay men and yes, some are very flamboyant but this guy was just too much. Wesley came from very supportive parents , while Brad's dad just isn't having it. Of course against all odds they end up together. It's a very light, easy read but like I said, kind of cheesy, not too deep but just a fun read even though Wesley's constant sobbing gets a bit old.
March 17, 2013
Ahh, how I loved this book. 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!
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.
A lovely read that was over far too fast. I loved the epilogue, though. It made me smile the entire time.
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!
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.
A lovely read that was over far too fast. I loved the epilogue, though. It made me smile the entire time.
July 25, 2017
Jeff Erno’s You Belong With Me is such a sweet, lovely little book. It can easily be read in three or four hours, and those hours will be spent with the reader enveloped in warm feelings. Wesley Harris is a somewhat nerdy gay high school artist and his new neighbor Brad Johnson is a jock. When they connect via their bedroom windows, opposite from each other, sparks fly. It is obvious from the beginning that these two boys need each other. But their relationship has its pitfalls and potholes. And one of those potholes leads to a timely and powerful message about bullying, and thus the novel is instructive as well as entertaining. But mostly, this is just a lovely romance that gay teens, any teens, and in fact, anyone can enjoy.
May 2, 2013
It was based on Taylor Swift's song entitled (you guessed it!) You Belong With Me. I love how it addresses gender confusion, homophobia and etc. It helps people understand the consequences of hate crimes/homophobia to not just LGBT people but also straight people as well.
A good read for teens. Highly recommended.
I've been reading Jeff Erno's work like Dumb Jock 1-3 and Puppy Love 1-3 and I've been thoroughly satisfied by his work. Thank you Jeff Erno. :)
A good read for teens. Highly recommended.
I've been reading Jeff Erno's work like Dumb Jock 1-3 and Puppy Love 1-3 and I've been thoroughly satisfied by his work. Thank you Jeff Erno. :)
May 14, 2013
I really liked it, actually. Although I hated the constant references to Born This Way and You Belong With Me, it was a really, really cute book. Like, even the angst was good. Quick read, cool story, a little cliché, but it was really good. I even liked the two main characters! I loved Brad, but not because of what he represented (the "love interest"), it was because of his full personality. I related to him, like, as soon as I started reading it (kidding, but you get what I'm saying).
So, yeah. Good book. Lovely, a little bit cliché, but still valid.
So, yeah. Good book. Lovely, a little bit cliché, but still valid.
April 1, 2015
While YA isnt the first type of read I will go to (totally love hot, scorching books) this one had me in the first scene. I knew I would love it. I love instalovey, sweet as cotton candy books. I love angst filled, cry your eyes out books. I must have a happy ever after......this book had all the pre-requisites in the right amount. I loved Brad, who was such a sweet character even when faced with his father's dislike, and Wes? Just wanted to go into momma mode and hug him to death. I borrowed from my library, but will end up purchasing.
September 23, 2016
The story of a high school infatuation. What’s different here is the fact that it’s between two teenage boys. One has parents who are supportive; the other divorced parents with a homophobic father.
Just as gay marriage has been a bonanza for divorce lawyers gay relationships seem to have as many ups and downs, tiffs and misunderstandings as their hetero counterparts.
The storyline confronts bullying but unfortunately the handling is rather contrived and reads more like a promotional campaign than a novel.
Just as gay marriage has been a bonanza for divorce lawyers gay relationships seem to have as many ups and downs, tiffs and misunderstandings as their hetero counterparts.
The storyline confronts bullying but unfortunately the handling is rather contrived and reads more like a promotional campaign than a novel.
Read
August 31, 2018I think that this a a jock and a nerd and the nerd has ferlings for him but the jock does notice him so the nerd gets upset and tries many ways to get him to like him and then the jock says something upsetting to the nerd the he cries but then he apologies to him and then he and the nerd become friends and then start to get friendly and then gets feelings towards him so so then he asked him to prom and then kisses him and he asked him to be his boyfriend and then he and him get stemy and have sex
March 18, 2013
You Belong With Me is another book of Jeff Erno, an author I like very much
Again Jeff wrote an amazing book about coming of age and what it means for gay boys. I loved the story (inspired by Taylor Swift's video), the wonderful characters and the message: If you don't give up you can make a difference.
Again Jeff wrote an amazing book about coming of age and what it means for gay boys. I loved the story (inspired by Taylor Swift's video), the wonderful characters and the message: If you don't give up you can make a difference.
June 26, 2014
This was a really sweet book with only a modicum of angst. The plot isn't original - outcast falls for the 'straight' jock, but that didn't bother me once - especially because I fell in love with Wes. His interests aren't ones MCs usually have, and he was just incredibly endearing! Everything happened a bit fast, and it was a bit 'insta-love' for me really, but I'll still definatly re-read this one day soon!
December 1, 2014
Good
It was a good story. I always like my geek and jock stories. I also liked the bullying emphasis.
One pet peeve! "Oh, Brad" was overused and reminded me way to much of the Rockies horror picture show. Every time I read it I heard the Kaiser voice of Janet from the movie saying it... ugh.
But overall a cute story...even though eve Rudi thing moved to fast for my liking, I still have a 3 star rating for a cute story.
It was a good story. I always like my geek and jock stories. I also liked the bullying emphasis.
One pet peeve! "Oh, Brad" was overused and reminded me way to much of the Rockies horror picture show. Every time I read it I heard the Kaiser voice of Janet from the movie saying it... ugh.
But overall a cute story...even though eve Rudi thing moved to fast for my liking, I still have a 3 star rating for a cute story.
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