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Surviving Elite High #2
Senior Year
And you thought last year was full of drama, suspense and romance? You ain’t seen nothing yet!
After a summer of love, hard work and…ahem…cohabitation, Nick and John are beginning their senior year. However, putting the memory of last year’s turbulent events at Elite High behind them proves harder than ever. Mysterious notes begin to appear inside John’s locker. Something is definitely wrong since the writer of the notes is none other than Matthew Ward, the homicidal student who nearly killed John. Is Matthew now free to finish what he started?
As if that weren’t bad enough, a new girl at school has an obsession with Nick that makes her do terrible things, things that threaten to tear Nick and John apart at every turn. Will Nick and John ever find happiness and stability together? Or will they end up going their separate ways?
All of these questions and more will be answered in part two of the Surviving Elite High saga!
After a summer of love, hard work and…ahem…cohabitation, Nick and John are beginning their senior year. However, putting the memory of last year’s turbulent events at Elite High behind them proves harder than ever. Mysterious notes begin to appear inside John’s locker. Something is definitely wrong since the writer of the notes is none other than Matthew Ward, the homicidal student who nearly killed John. Is Matthew now free to finish what he started?
As if that weren’t bad enough, a new girl at school has an obsession with Nick that makes her do terrible things, things that threaten to tear Nick and John apart at every turn. Will Nick and John ever find happiness and stability together? Or will they end up going their separate ways?
All of these questions and more will be answered in part two of the Surviving Elite High saga!
152 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 1, 2013
2 people are currently reading
179 people want to read
About the author
John H. Ames
12 books86 followersMy real name is Juan H. Alvarado and I was born in El Salvador, C.A. I currently live in Belize and my passions are writing, reading and spending time with the ones I love. I began writing in 2009. After posting some of my work on an internet website and receiving positive feedback, I went on to write several full-length novels under my penname, John Henry Ames. My first completed series is the Surviving Elite High Trilogy which chronicles the life of a gay sixteen-year-old boy as he makes his way through life as an outcast in the shadows of an elite high school where he is tormented by two psychopathic bullies.
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
April 17, 2013
All my favorite characters from book one of the series are back in book two, and it's chocked full of drama, suspense, action, and angst. Readers who enjoyed the original story are sure to love the continuation. Again it's told in first person from the main character's POV. John and Nick are now a couple at Elite High, out and proud, but there are forces at work hell-bent upon destroying their relationship. A spiteful female friend of Nick's sets out to sabotage the gay couple's happiness, and a deranged sociopath makes a surprise appearance at the most inopportune time.
The prose is authentic, a quality characteristic of this author, and the drama is at times a bit over-the-top. But that's what makes for an exciting, entertaining read. I felt while reading the story I'd been transported onto the set of a reality TV show. At times the plot seemed unbelievable, yet I couldn't stop myself from turning the pages.
Book two has mystery, murder, unexpected pregnancy, and even a brain-dead comatose expectant mother. It's a gay teen soap opera that is fun, exciting, and deeply emotional. Yes, there is melodrama, but that's kind of the point. Nick is still as cocky and self-aggrandizing as ever. There are times when his personality is a bit off-putting and I wanted to smack him upside the head. Yet I also get why a self-deprecating, somewhat shy young guy like John would love this jock superstar the way he does. And Nick is very much the protector, the knight in shining armor, so to speak.
I guess this particular theme is one that will always resonate with me. I love the jock/nerd trope, and JH Ames does a fantastic job of delivering a story that pushes all my happy buttons.
The prose is authentic, a quality characteristic of this author, and the drama is at times a bit over-the-top. But that's what makes for an exciting, entertaining read. I felt while reading the story I'd been transported onto the set of a reality TV show. At times the plot seemed unbelievable, yet I couldn't stop myself from turning the pages.
Book two has mystery, murder, unexpected pregnancy, and even a brain-dead comatose expectant mother. It's a gay teen soap opera that is fun, exciting, and deeply emotional. Yes, there is melodrama, but that's kind of the point. Nick is still as cocky and self-aggrandizing as ever. There are times when his personality is a bit off-putting and I wanted to smack him upside the head. Yet I also get why a self-deprecating, somewhat shy young guy like John would love this jock superstar the way he does. And Nick is very much the protector, the knight in shining armor, so to speak.
I guess this particular theme is one that will always resonate with me. I love the jock/nerd trope, and JH Ames does a fantastic job of delivering a story that pushes all my happy buttons.
March 8, 2013
OMG!! OMG!!! I cried, i screamed, and i think my emotions were just all over the place.. ahahahahahaha.. when i was reading i just kept thinking.. "ah, i think this is the major plot.." and then i was like.. "whhhhaaattt??!!!!" it just kept getting better... i mean i was just like wow!! (speechless!! >.<) and i just kept thinking that maybe this will happen and it just threw me off the loop because it is so unexpected.. hehehehehe.. and when you know.. when john was being harassed by Mathew i just kept thinking (and maybe screaming!! haha!)that "where is nick??!!" i mean he is supposed to be there.. like he's the freakin hero... and you know where the story goes that just when all is lost suddenly a hero appears just in the nick of time... but WOW!!! really.. i mean i want to cry for john.. (me and my emotions!! ahahaha!!) and my GOSH!!! i thought the confession form nick to john in the first book was already amazing (and it was super "kilig" moments!! swear!! XD) but the prom!!! i mean WOW!! just WOW!!! John H. Ames, you truly are a gifted author... you captured what true love really means.. with all it's perfection and imperfections.. hehehehe.. I LOVE YOU!!! ahahahahahahaha.. (Sorry, i think my review sounds like a crazy girl talking!!! just finished reading the book and i'm still high with it.. hehehehehehe.. ) <3 <3
February 23, 2013
I had anticipated this book for quite some time and looked forward to reading it. It could not be released fast enough to my liking. Impatient person here. But having said that I was not disappointed and I know I tend to say that often in reviews. It's the nature of the beast.
I'm not giving any spoilers other than what I have to say on the story itself. JH brings to us a fiction version of high school in all its splendor and drama. Your jocks, your bullies, infatuations that's result with crushes when you can't have the one that you want. This is where the stage is set throughout mostly the entire story. There's romance in it of course along with a HEA and of course if you're anything like me, there's that one character that you'll think up all the ways you'd like to kill them.
JH brings fun, interest, intrigue and moments that are very intense when reading and have you flinching a time or two.
It's all well worth taking the time in your busy schedule to read, sit back and enjoy. I did and now I'm on to the next in this series.
I'm not giving any spoilers other than what I have to say on the story itself. JH brings to us a fiction version of high school in all its splendor and drama. Your jocks, your bullies, infatuations that's result with crushes when you can't have the one that you want. This is where the stage is set throughout mostly the entire story. There's romance in it of course along with a HEA and of course if you're anything like me, there's that one character that you'll think up all the ways you'd like to kill them.
JH brings fun, interest, intrigue and moments that are very intense when reading and have you flinching a time or two.
It's all well worth taking the time in your busy schedule to read, sit back and enjoy. I did and now I'm on to the next in this series.
February 27, 2013
There were a lot of ups and downs in this book. The whole thing shocked me to be honest. I loved it!
Some people may think this is too much. But I will tell you that when almost every chapter I ended up with something that shocked me I will tell you that is good. I am all for twists and turns. Great job John!
Some people may think this is too much. But I will tell you that when almost every chapter I ended up with something that shocked me I will tell you that is good. I am all for twists and turns. Great job John!
February 27, 2013
OH. MY. GOD. AN EPIC FINALE. TWO THUMBS UP!!
May 30, 2017
Quite the journey
Book two is loaded with over-the-top drama (same as book 1). I still cared about the characters, but they were placed in situations that didn't seem logical. I know, I know...why put yourself through unrealistic drama? It's still a fun ride. 3.0 for Lily Rose.
Book two is loaded with over-the-top drama (same as book 1). I still cared about the characters, but they were placed in situations that didn't seem logical. I know, I know...why put yourself through unrealistic drama? It's still a fun ride. 3.0 for Lily Rose.
May 4, 2013
3 stars
Review originally written for Joyfully Jay
John and Nick have had a wonderful summer growing as an independent couple, it is time for them to break out of their bubble and start their senior year at Elite High. At the beginning of the school year, a new student, Emily Roberts, proves to be a thorn in John’s side when she sets her sights on Nick. Nick loves him and John knows that, although it doesn’t make it any easier to see Emily constantly flirting with Nick. The biggest problem is that Emily turns out to be one of Nick’s oldest friends.
When notes from a former tormenter start showing up in John’s locker, he can’t help but think that Emily has something to do with it. He doesn’t know what to do when Nick sticks up for her, calling John jealous and bratty. But when Emily openly tries to sabotage their relationship and John’s friendship with one of his nearest and dearest friends, Nick realizes that he would rather give up his friendship with Emily than ever live without John.
After Emily’s parents are killed a car accident, John insists that Nick be there for her to help her through her loss. But when John catches Nick in a situation he never thought possible, he has to make the decision to either trust his heart or trust his head. He’ll have to decide if fighting for love will be enough to see their relationship survive their final year at Elite High or whether outside factors, jealousy, and doubt will be the end of their fairytale romance.
This is the second book in John H. Ames’ Surviving Elite High series. I liked this book okay, the same way I liked the first. It is young adult focused which is a plus since it’s very much a young adult book. But I find it hard to believe in comparison to the way I feel contemporary young adult stories should be. I mean, how many seventeen-year-olds live together as a couple, supporting one another, without any sort of parental supervision? How many schools would allow that? So whereas, when I focus on the plot, I really like the story, the details have left me scratching my head.
And the melodrama continues in the lives of John and Nick. Again the story is young adult focused, but even in young adult stories – as melodramatic and angsty as they tend to be – I still like some level of believability. The conflicts are not all unbelievable, which I do appreciate, but some are way over the top. And the final conflict was really just overkill. Also, the way that John and Nick talk about how much they love one another, how they can’t live without one another, is just too unbelievable and very cheesy.
“Yes, baby. I truly love you. You’re the fire my soul needs to be alive. Without you by my side, I’m incomplete.”
That’s only one line. They’re riddled throughout the entire book. I’ve never heard a seventeen-year old speak that way, not sure that I’d want to. And I can’t picture it.
Now, it’s not all complaints. I found myself liking John and Nick even more this story than the last. They face several attacks against their relationship in this book. They don’t always come out unfazed, but they do eventually come out stronger. John is more likable than he was in the previous installment. He’s more confident, stronger, and more secure. He is not perfect, but what seventeen-year old is? And, Nick…well, I loved Nick in the first story – overcoming odds to take what he wanted. And I liked him again in this story. He’s not confused any longer. He knows who and what he is and refuses to be swayed. The boys are growing up in this book and it’s refreshing to see them maturing emotionally a little.
I wavered on the rating for this story. On one hand, I like these characters and the story is decent if not entirely believable. But on the other hand, the believability is just not there and the melodrama is over the top. For me, the decision came down to the final conflict which was just too much, way too over the top. So I settled on a three-star rating, the middle of the scale, because I didn’t love this book, but I didn’t absolutely hate it either.
Review originally written for Joyfully Jay
John and Nick have had a wonderful summer growing as an independent couple, it is time for them to break out of their bubble and start their senior year at Elite High. At the beginning of the school year, a new student, Emily Roberts, proves to be a thorn in John’s side when she sets her sights on Nick. Nick loves him and John knows that, although it doesn’t make it any easier to see Emily constantly flirting with Nick. The biggest problem is that Emily turns out to be one of Nick’s oldest friends.
When notes from a former tormenter start showing up in John’s locker, he can’t help but think that Emily has something to do with it. He doesn’t know what to do when Nick sticks up for her, calling John jealous and bratty. But when Emily openly tries to sabotage their relationship and John’s friendship with one of his nearest and dearest friends, Nick realizes that he would rather give up his friendship with Emily than ever live without John.
After Emily’s parents are killed a car accident, John insists that Nick be there for her to help her through her loss. But when John catches Nick in a situation he never thought possible, he has to make the decision to either trust his heart or trust his head. He’ll have to decide if fighting for love will be enough to see their relationship survive their final year at Elite High or whether outside factors, jealousy, and doubt will be the end of their fairytale romance.
This is the second book in John H. Ames’ Surviving Elite High series. I liked this book okay, the same way I liked the first. It is young adult focused which is a plus since it’s very much a young adult book. But I find it hard to believe in comparison to the way I feel contemporary young adult stories should be. I mean, how many seventeen-year-olds live together as a couple, supporting one another, without any sort of parental supervision? How many schools would allow that? So whereas, when I focus on the plot, I really like the story, the details have left me scratching my head.
And the melodrama continues in the lives of John and Nick. Again the story is young adult focused, but even in young adult stories – as melodramatic and angsty as they tend to be – I still like some level of believability. The conflicts are not all unbelievable, which I do appreciate, but some are way over the top. And the final conflict was really just overkill. Also, the way that John and Nick talk about how much they love one another, how they can’t live without one another, is just too unbelievable and very cheesy.
“Yes, baby. I truly love you. You’re the fire my soul needs to be alive. Without you by my side, I’m incomplete.”
That’s only one line. They’re riddled throughout the entire book. I’ve never heard a seventeen-year old speak that way, not sure that I’d want to. And I can’t picture it.
Now, it’s not all complaints. I found myself liking John and Nick even more this story than the last. They face several attacks against their relationship in this book. They don’t always come out unfazed, but they do eventually come out stronger. John is more likable than he was in the previous installment. He’s more confident, stronger, and more secure. He is not perfect, but what seventeen-year old is? And, Nick…well, I loved Nick in the first story – overcoming odds to take what he wanted. And I liked him again in this story. He’s not confused any longer. He knows who and what he is and refuses to be swayed. The boys are growing up in this book and it’s refreshing to see them maturing emotionally a little.
I wavered on the rating for this story. On one hand, I like these characters and the story is decent if not entirely believable. But on the other hand, the believability is just not there and the melodrama is over the top. For me, the decision came down to the final conflict which was just too much, way too over the top. So I settled on a three-star rating, the middle of the scale, because I didn’t love this book, but I didn’t absolutely hate it either.
March 4, 2013
Review written for MM Good Book Reviews
http://mmgoodbookreviews.wordpress.com/
The summer was perfect for John and Nick. They may not have gone site-seeing and vacationing around the world and on merry beaches, but they were together, living as a couple and working hard to maintain that level of freedom they so hardly won the previous year. And now time came again for the happy couple to return back to school for their final year.
No more bullies, no more terror, no more tears caused by monsters lurking in the shadows. Or so they thought…
Things became clear on their very first day that they were not to have the easy, happy final year they imagined. When Emily, Nick’s best childhood friend, came back to town and joined them to school, John had his girl-friends knew instantly that they were going to have some trouble. Little did they know the magnitude of their horrors?
When I read Surviving Elite High last year I thought that even though the story had too much in common with Mark Roeder’s Gay Youth Chronicles and was full of drama, it was cute and enjoyable. The plot was realistic enough, albeit a bit extravagant, that won me over.
However I expected the sequel a bit different. I expected our heroes to have changed, matured perhaps. Nick didn’t disappoint, he was the one character that I felt I really, really loved. His maturity was glaring and his love and commitment to their relationship astonishing even if a bit surreal.
But John, damn it, I thought that kid would be done with the crying this time. I felt a little let down by his instability in his relationship with Nick. While he constantly repeated himself that Nick is his one true love, his only one man and his rock and comfort till the end of time etc. etc. he was quick to think the worse with a single blow of bad air. His emotions and reactions were similar to a leaf in a winter-storm that has no power or control over itself, only goes where the wind blows. His fast jumping to conclusions and wallowing in despair before having facts laid down, or even when the glaring truth was knocking in his head for all it matters, didn’t bode well with me. In my eyes he was not a solid character in this book, because everything he did came to opposition with his academic brightness. While I excused many things for that character on the first book due to the fear factor that his life was constantly in, I cannot excuse him in the sequel. His love for Nick should have been more solid and not so easily challenged.
Moving on there were many things plot wise that did not add to my satisfaction. Emily, while a psychotic should have not been allowed so much. Logically the first time the threats started and with the background of the previous year, the guys should immediately have contacted the police. It would have been the most logical thing to do, yet they again jumped to conclusions and took matters in their own hands. The plot felt like going round and round in circles what with so many scenes of bad things happening followed closely with a short dose of happiness and then over again, with each scene not properly developed and leaving questions to be answered. What was more disturbing was the rape scene and how incomplete the during and the after of that was emotion-wise. It seemed as if John recovered extremely well and fairly quick from that.
The end of the book however was quite satisfactory and made up for a lot putting an end to lots of questions in regard to our beloved pair. Looking the overall work and keeping in mind the over-exuberant and melodramatic streak of the Saga I quite enjoyed it. Yet again I loved Nick and couldn’t feel happier for him the way things ended. Perhaps John’s pride in him has him biased, but that Nick Wild Hawk could indeed make for president one day if he keeps his temper in check. ;)
Thommie.
http://mmgoodbookreviews.wordpress.com/
The summer was perfect for John and Nick. They may not have gone site-seeing and vacationing around the world and on merry beaches, but they were together, living as a couple and working hard to maintain that level of freedom they so hardly won the previous year. And now time came again for the happy couple to return back to school for their final year.
No more bullies, no more terror, no more tears caused by monsters lurking in the shadows. Or so they thought…
Things became clear on their very first day that they were not to have the easy, happy final year they imagined. When Emily, Nick’s best childhood friend, came back to town and joined them to school, John had his girl-friends knew instantly that they were going to have some trouble. Little did they know the magnitude of their horrors?
When I read Surviving Elite High last year I thought that even though the story had too much in common with Mark Roeder’s Gay Youth Chronicles and was full of drama, it was cute and enjoyable. The plot was realistic enough, albeit a bit extravagant, that won me over.
However I expected the sequel a bit different. I expected our heroes to have changed, matured perhaps. Nick didn’t disappoint, he was the one character that I felt I really, really loved. His maturity was glaring and his love and commitment to their relationship astonishing even if a bit surreal.
But John, damn it, I thought that kid would be done with the crying this time. I felt a little let down by his instability in his relationship with Nick. While he constantly repeated himself that Nick is his one true love, his only one man and his rock and comfort till the end of time etc. etc. he was quick to think the worse with a single blow of bad air. His emotions and reactions were similar to a leaf in a winter-storm that has no power or control over itself, only goes where the wind blows. His fast jumping to conclusions and wallowing in despair before having facts laid down, or even when the glaring truth was knocking in his head for all it matters, didn’t bode well with me. In my eyes he was not a solid character in this book, because everything he did came to opposition with his academic brightness. While I excused many things for that character on the first book due to the fear factor that his life was constantly in, I cannot excuse him in the sequel. His love for Nick should have been more solid and not so easily challenged.
Moving on there were many things plot wise that did not add to my satisfaction. Emily, while a psychotic should have not been allowed so much. Logically the first time the threats started and with the background of the previous year, the guys should immediately have contacted the police. It would have been the most logical thing to do, yet they again jumped to conclusions and took matters in their own hands. The plot felt like going round and round in circles what with so many scenes of bad things happening followed closely with a short dose of happiness and then over again, with each scene not properly developed and leaving questions to be answered. What was more disturbing was the rape scene and how incomplete the during and the after of that was emotion-wise. It seemed as if John recovered extremely well and fairly quick from that.
The end of the book however was quite satisfactory and made up for a lot putting an end to lots of questions in regard to our beloved pair. Looking the overall work and keeping in mind the over-exuberant and melodramatic streak of the Saga I quite enjoyed it. Yet again I loved Nick and couldn’t feel happier for him the way things ended. Perhaps John’s pride in him has him biased, but that Nick Wild Hawk could indeed make for president one day if he keeps his temper in check. ;)
Thommie.
March 6, 2013
[Contains spoilers, lotsa spoilers because how do you review without spoilers?]
The story had a well transition from the first book to the second book first of all. There hasn't been too drastic changes from the first one to this one but there is still the feeling of everything has been shifting since book one, especially the way kids on the school perceives the LGTB community and coping up with the school shooting.
All is well, until there is a trouble in paradise. People would probably cringed with this but I liked that the story didn't go too much like a high-school drama for me. That the author gave more back story and personality to Emily as well as eventually Matthew. It's no walk in the park, whatever happened (a couple of freaking times) between John and Nick but maybe that's why I love them both as fictional characters-they're not too much of a fiction. John leads us to his everyday life of consistent observation and consciousness while Nick give us just pure (Heh.) untainted love and positive outlook on things. It's also funny that people underestimated him but I saw him as a guy who actually take proper action at certain time, not like any asshole-jock-gay-turned-nice-boyfriend characters I have encountered. For example, the moment where John was basically screaming at him to stay away from Emily and he held it off as long as he can for a hope that he can still have his old friend and the love of his life, get together. But when he knew the moment will never come, he promised to stay away even before he really saw Emily for what real trouble she is.
The let me talk about the part where John got rapped. It was no joke, and you can feel that as you read it and it was quite sick because you can't really write rape without people feeling sick. But then, you see a human in John, on how getting raped is not the reason to give up. To turn it around and survive. Do not let me start on Matthew as a victim tho. I can't handle thinking he got this same abuse with his own father. Just. /shakes head.
Now let me get started on Nick and John on being fathers and married right off high-school. One, I don't actually see why not. Nick and John practically worked their asses off to get to live independently and solve their problems that most mature people can't even do. Getting married? I'm actually happy in their universe, gay marriage is available in their state. (I only know few, so) and again, I didn't find it questionable about them wanted it to tie it already. We've read their actions and feelings to each other and Nick, I'm proud of him that never once, he hesitated showing his love since he newly known that he's into guys (well maybe, into John /wink), so no question there.
Overall, it's an epic coming-out love story. It's refreshing and deadly because, wow, the feelings it brings. There is no moment you'll be bored out of your seat. I recommend this to all high-school drama fans, even suspense-genre fans! Juan Alvarado really deserves every bit of recognition for his work.
The story had a well transition from the first book to the second book first of all. There hasn't been too drastic changes from the first one to this one but there is still the feeling of everything has been shifting since book one, especially the way kids on the school perceives the LGTB community and coping up with the school shooting.
All is well, until there is a trouble in paradise. People would probably cringed with this but I liked that the story didn't go too much like a high-school drama for me. That the author gave more back story and personality to Emily as well as eventually Matthew. It's no walk in the park, whatever happened (a couple of freaking times) between John and Nick but maybe that's why I love them both as fictional characters-they're not too much of a fiction. John leads us to his everyday life of consistent observation and consciousness while Nick give us just pure (Heh.) untainted love and positive outlook on things. It's also funny that people underestimated him but I saw him as a guy who actually take proper action at certain time, not like any asshole-jock-gay-turned-nice-boyfriend characters I have encountered. For example, the moment where John was basically screaming at him to stay away from Emily and he held it off as long as he can for a hope that he can still have his old friend and the love of his life, get together. But when he knew the moment will never come, he promised to stay away even before he really saw Emily for what real trouble she is.
The let me talk about the part where John got rapped. It was no joke, and you can feel that as you read it and it was quite sick because you can't really write rape without people feeling sick. But then, you see a human in John, on how getting raped is not the reason to give up. To turn it around and survive. Do not let me start on Matthew as a victim tho. I can't handle thinking he got this same abuse with his own father. Just. /shakes head.
Now let me get started on Nick and John on being fathers and married right off high-school. One, I don't actually see why not. Nick and John practically worked their asses off to get to live independently and solve their problems that most mature people can't even do. Getting married? I'm actually happy in their universe, gay marriage is available in their state. (I only know few, so) and again, I didn't find it questionable about them wanted it to tie it already. We've read their actions and feelings to each other and Nick, I'm proud of him that never once, he hesitated showing his love since he newly known that he's into guys (well maybe, into John /wink), so no question there.
Overall, it's an epic coming-out love story. It's refreshing and deadly because, wow, the feelings it brings. There is no moment you'll be bored out of your seat. I recommend this to all high-school drama fans, even suspense-genre fans! Juan Alvarado really deserves every bit of recognition for his work.
September 1, 2014
Jaan and Nickelodeon FOREVER
STARS: 5 freaking-amazing STARS
First book was really good, but this one was even more good!
Many things happens in this book and everything is really stressful and I am telling you, you will cry and smile and laugh and be happy and be sad and be angry and want to kill someone and you will have those 'awww' moments at the end and so many more feelings.
Book is really full of everything and I loved it because of that, I really couldn't put it down, I just couldn't wait much more to see what happens, that's why I've read first two books in less than 12 hours.
John and Nick, they go through hell in this book and something that I admire about those two, is that they survived all that, they survived many bad things that happened to them in this book and there were quite a few 'close to break-up forever' moments, but they even survived that and this shows how those two love each other, yeah they have just 18 years, but for me they look more mature and what they survived and they are still standing after that... that just... RESPECT! Their love after all that they survived is stronger than ever and I'm still all 'happy' for them because they got that 'happily ever afer' that they deserved and I think I will not forget this book for a couple of days or maybe a whole month, because it was that good... I especially won't forget that special thing that happened at the Prom and then Epilouge... OMG... ahhh I love this book SO much! <3
I will not talk about everything that happened in this book, because if I tell just a small thing, I'll reveal everything, and really there's so much happening...
There's still left third book (Loving James) in this series, but that one is about Jacob and James, I will read their story soon!
AUTHOR: John you did an amazing job with this series, I will never forget those two characters and their story and I am sure going to look out for new stuff from you!
RECOMMENDATION: If you still haven't started reading this series, WHAT. ARE. YOU. WAITING. FOR.??? This is also YA book, really anyone can read it, but again I would recommend it to people 17+, because there are some inappropriate stuff!
April 15, 2013
I had a feeling, when I came to check on the reviews, that this joke book would have an over-4-star-rating. It was still a shock to see it though. Let me start by saying that I edited this review a lot because I do understand that a lot of work goes into writing a book and the author is probably very proud of his work. This was the best I could do.
Admittedly, it's better than the first book. But that is not saying much. The writing is terrible, the characters are terrible, the plot is terrible. I did two things while I read this: roll my eyes or cringe.
John and Nick's relationship is reduced to three things: screaming matches, crying and cringeworthily cheesy declarations of love that they actually say in front of other people, mainly other teenagers. I'm all for sap, but it was ridiculous and I didn't believe ONE second of it.
I only have two words for Emily, the villain/plot device, PREDICTABLE and OVERKILL. Her role was excessive, repetitive and downright insane.
The story repeated itself over and over. Things were going great, things went terrible. John the martyr ran away and cried a lot. Nick showed up, cried a lot too, apologised, things went great. Then things went terrible. Toss, shake and repeat, over and over and over again. Add to this a little drama with the school, A LOT of (you guessed it! repetitive) drama with a new crazy character, the appearance of an old crazy character, a baby and some deluded worship of others towards the two MCs and you reach The End.
Finally, with regards the author I found myself wondering about his age and/or maturity and came to the conclusion that either:
1. A teenager who enjoys writing fantasy wrote this, trying to come across as an adult.
2. An adult wrote this as a parody. For the sake of my sanity, I'm going with number 2.
Admittedly, it's better than the first book. But that is not saying much. The writing is terrible, the characters are terrible, the plot is terrible. I did two things while I read this: roll my eyes or cringe.
John and Nick's relationship is reduced to three things: screaming matches, crying and cringeworthily cheesy declarations of love that they actually say in front of other people, mainly other teenagers. I'm all for sap, but it was ridiculous and I didn't believe ONE second of it.
I only have two words for Emily, the villain/plot device, PREDICTABLE and OVERKILL. Her role was excessive, repetitive and downright insane.
The story repeated itself over and over. Things were going great, things went terrible. John the martyr ran away and cried a lot. Nick showed up, cried a lot too, apologised, things went great. Then things went terrible. Toss, shake and repeat, over and over and over again. Add to this a little drama with the school, A LOT of (you guessed it! repetitive) drama with a new crazy character, the appearance of an old crazy character, a baby and some deluded worship of others towards the two MCs and you reach The End.
Finally, with regards the author I found myself wondering about his age and/or maturity and came to the conclusion that either:
1. A teenager who enjoys writing fantasy wrote this, trying to come across as an adult.
2. An adult wrote this as a parody. For the sake of my sanity, I'm going with number 2.
April 6, 2013
"And then they all flew off into the sunset on a herd of flying, pink unicorns..." That's where I seriously expected the author's seemingly drug-induced wanderings to take me next as I got further and further into the last half of this story.
I did like the book, but all of the crazy-assed shit that kept escalating into the realm of completely unbelievable made it slightly less enjoyable.
I'm looking forward to part 3 in the series, but really hope that whatever he was smoking while writing part 2 had fully worn off prior to putting paper to pen for the last installment, "Surviving Elite High 3: Loving James".
Whackadoo, whackadoo, whackadoo. Bring on the unicorns! : )
I did like the book, but all of the crazy-assed shit that kept escalating into the realm of completely unbelievable made it slightly less enjoyable.
I'm looking forward to part 3 in the series, but really hope that whatever he was smoking while writing part 2 had fully worn off prior to putting paper to pen for the last installment, "Surviving Elite High 3: Loving James".
Whackadoo, whackadoo, whackadoo. Bring on the unicorns! : )
March 1, 2013
Ok I have to say that I really enjoyed this book a lot . I was on the edge of my seat with all the drama that happen to my fave couple. I had a good feeling something good would happen. The ending is the best part!!! XD I give the book 5 stars. If u keep thinking positive things then good things will happen to u. As far as the ending goes it was my favorite part of the book, it only took me a day and a half to finish The book. I did not like Emily SHE WAS A BITCH !!! Over all I would read this book again and again. XD
March 30, 2013
What I liked best about this book was getting to see what happen with Nick and John after they moved out together. It was delightful to see how their relationship grew and how they handled a barrage of new obstacles in their lives. This is necessary read for anyone who has read the first book, being I think rounds off the story of Nick and John very well. Nick’s grandparents I liked and thought it would be great to see another book with more of the both of them.
January 10, 2015
5 amazing stars!!
Omg! This was amazing! I can't even!!! Damn! Loved this book!! So many things happened, to much drama and suspense and holy shooot! That ending! This was surreal! But oh so good! I wanna keep reading more! Gimme gimne gimne! Loved Nick and John. There were some corny mushy mushy parts but loved them anyways. I wanna read about jacob now!
Omg! This was amazing! I can't even!!! Damn! Loved this book!! So many things happened, to much drama and suspense and holy shooot! That ending! This was surreal! But oh so good! I wanna keep reading more! Gimme gimne gimne! Loved Nick and John. There were some corny mushy mushy parts but loved them anyways. I wanna read about jacob now!
February 28, 2013
Thank God Emily that crazy bitch was at least good for one thing. So much action was packed into this book. I LOVED IT!!! Well done John, keep the books coming. I am a HUGE FAN....
March 4, 2013
Wonderful book. A very good example of what it gets better mean because things definitely got better for John. Couldn't put it down.
March 15, 2013
Another great book I couldn't put down
October 17, 2013
I am amazed how the author can create so many "reaching situations" in a single novel. It could probably be a gay soap opera with daily cliffhangers.
May 6, 2013
I love the book! All the twists and turns. Some of it made me gasp, others made me cry but most of all the story itself made me smile. It was a good read. :)
January 17, 2021
I like this even more than the first book... though I recognized the scene of John being raped by Matthew from somewhere, I just don't know where I recognize it from.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 27, 2013
An amazing ending to an amazing story.
August 28, 2018
This installment of the Elite High series does not start out as strong as its predecessor. It picks up strength significantly in the second half when the drama of spiteful people really starts to come out. John and Nick are besieged by jealousy from Nick's old friend Emily who is driven by his unaccepting parents to try to split the boys up one way or another. The reappearance of a vengeful bully from John's past makes for some very unexpected intrigue especially when Emily's true nature is revealed. Overall a very positive look at the realities of being very out while in high school.
June 5, 2014
I tried t give this a fair chance, I really did. And since I don't like giving bad reviews without saying at least one good thing, I have to mention that I the writer's enthusiasm does shine through and obviously there are a lot of people who like these kinds of stories.
I just don't happen to be one of them.
This is once again one of those stories you find on Fictionpress. People getting raped left and right, all women are bitches apart from the BFFs and even one of them fucked the boyfriend, the whole school lusts after the jocks whorish ass. And a baby. If this is high school, I don't want to know what happens to them during college. Let alone when they get careers.
Not for me. Nope.
I just don't happen to be one of them.
This is once again one of those stories you find on Fictionpress. People getting raped left and right, all women are bitches apart from the BFFs and even one of them fucked the boyfriend, the whole school lusts after the jocks whorish ass. And a baby. If this is high school, I don't want to know what happens to them during college. Let alone when they get careers.
Not for me. Nope.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 25, 2016
While I did enjoyed the first book a lot, I can't sadly say the same with this one. I didn't hate it either, since I liked most of it despite the obvious circle of one scene going good for them next scene going bad for them, and repeat... but one character in this novel almost ruined it for me. Without a reasonable explanation, there's just too much I can take from a character before making me feel like the author's going way overboard with said character's hatred. Thankfully I was close to the end by that point or I would have quit by then if I had to tolerate said character further.
February 1, 2014
I think I should give up on gay romance novels. They are just too easy, to simple and too short.
This novel is about two boys obviously, but all subjects are so easily passed by. Someone gets raped, but the next day everyone is fine again. A baby is born and just like that the two boys are the fathers.
Maybe I am just expecting too much.....
This novel is about two boys obviously, but all subjects are so easily passed by. Someone gets raped, but the next day everyone is fine again. A baby is born and just like that the two boys are the fathers.
Maybe I am just expecting too much.....
October 13, 2015
Heaps better than the first book. The infidelity and jealousy themes were strongly noted and enjoyed. But this still had an air on unnaturalness to the conversations and the direction of the plot which I greatly dislike in any book. Although the prom scene was greatly appreciated for all the sappy and mushy individuals like me. In any case, 3 strong stars.
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