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Nathan's Story
Luke Hartwell, author of the award-winning novel Atom Heart John Beloved, returns with a second look at its characters from Nathan's point of view. Readers of the first book will find some situations familiar, but Nathan is not John, and his story is his own. As Nathan narrates the story of his teen years, Hartwell's unexpected plot twists will surprise and delight, all the while remaining true to his fundamental theme: love as a state of grace.
170 pages, Paperback
First published June 20, 2013
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235 people want to read
About the author
Luke Hartwell
38 books62 followersReaders can track Luke Hartwell's book releases on the Watersgreen House website. Luke's books are available from Barnes & Noble, Apple, Kobo, Gardners, Baker & Taylor, Smashwords, Scribd, Odilo, and OverDrive.
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
February 19, 2015
Updated 8/30/14:
After some intensive discussions about the book, I decided to add some lines and hope that it'll help you.
Between 2,5 and 3 stars.
NO, NO, NO, NO. DON'T GET ME WRONG. It was not terrible.
The writing style is the reason WHY you should read it.
It was just NOT AT ALL what I expected from the Nathan's POV.
If it were a stand alone, I would have probably liked it.
Because I just ENJOY the writing of Luke Hartwell, I like to see the world through his eyes, to be in the heads of his MCs. I ADORE the first person's POV, if it is good written, and he CAN IT, it is why he has this secret power over me, it's like a spell: I read his lines and I'm stoned. But in a good OMG-IT'S-SO-FANTASTIC way.
Unfortunately it is not a stand alone. It is the Nathan's story. And Nathan is not a stranger. I know him through the John's view. How could somebody NOT fall in love with him?! He was the main attraction of the Atom Heart John Beloved.
And I asked myself: WTF has HAPPENED to this reasoning honest thoughtful cute and mature guy?! Who is this clone who has the same name, the same appearance, but has NOTHING to do with Nathan from Atom Heart John Beloved. Why is he so shallow and false and dishonest? Why is he so DIFFERENT from Nathan I sooo LOVED? Why does he have so many secrets from his best friend John? Why does he name John in his thoughts "the guy"? Why does he lie to him?
I am not a fan of the same stories that are told from different POVs. This kind of stories is very popular in FM-romances. Not in a gay fiction. Luckily. Because NORMALLY I don't like to read the same stories again and again. But I soooo loved Atom Heart John Beloved, I sooooo loved Nathan, I soooo loved John, I soooo loved the writing. HOW COULD I NOT?
And you know what? I wished I didn't read it. I wished this book didn't exist at all. Because I couldn't pass it by. Because I couldn't ignore THE NATHAN'S POV. And now I'm sitting here and thinking:
WTF I HAVE JUST READ?!
After some intensive discussions about the book, I decided to add some lines and hope that it'll help you.
* My rating of this book is my personal relationship with the new old Nathan. It has nothing to do with the writing style or with the story itself. And MY PERSONAL EXPERIENCE doesn't have to be YOUR personal experience. You're not my clone.
* If you're looking for a hot sweet MM-romance with TWO likeable characters you're probably shouldn't read Luke Hartwell's books at all. You can find a lot of proper books under the MM-romance genre. I'd classify his books as a gay fiction.
*Didn't you want to be in Nathan's head reading John's story?!
Here you have this possibility, and even more!
* If you've read the previous book you HAVE TO READ this one. Even if you'd share my opinion. Even if I wrote, I wish I wouldn't have read it. I did overreact. But I'm not going to change my original review.
Between 2,5 and 3 stars.
NO, NO, NO, NO. DON'T GET ME WRONG. It was not terrible.
The writing style is the reason WHY you should read it.
It was just NOT AT ALL what I expected from the Nathan's POV.
If it were a stand alone, I would have probably liked it.
Because I just ENJOY the writing of Luke Hartwell, I like to see the world through his eyes, to be in the heads of his MCs. I ADORE the first person's POV, if it is good written, and he CAN IT, it is why he has this secret power over me, it's like a spell: I read his lines and I'm stoned. But in a good OMG-IT'S-SO-FANTASTIC way.
Unfortunately it is not a stand alone. It is the Nathan's story. And Nathan is not a stranger. I know him through the John's view. How could somebody NOT fall in love with him?! He was the main attraction of the Atom Heart John Beloved.
And I asked myself: WTF has HAPPENED to this reasoning honest thoughtful cute and mature guy?! Who is this clone who has the same name, the same appearance, but has NOTHING to do with Nathan from Atom Heart John Beloved. Why is he so shallow and false and dishonest? Why is he so DIFFERENT from Nathan I sooo LOVED? Why does he have so many secrets from his best friend John? Why does he name John in his thoughts "the guy"? Why does he lie to him?
I am not a fan of the same stories that are told from different POVs. This kind of stories is very popular in FM-romances. Not in a gay fiction. Luckily. Because NORMALLY I don't like to read the same stories again and again. But I soooo loved Atom Heart John Beloved, I sooooo loved Nathan, I soooo loved John, I soooo loved the writing. HOW COULD I NOT?
And you know what? I wished I didn't read it. I wished this book didn't exist at all. Because I couldn't pass it by. Because I couldn't ignore THE NATHAN'S POV. And now I'm sitting here and thinking:
WTF I HAVE JUST READ?!
September 8, 2013
"You're the only person I've ever wanted." Nathan to John, in Atom Heart John Beloved
"[Y]ou could have had me; you know that. I shouldn't say that . . . but you know it's true. You've always known it." Nathan to Harper, in Nathan's Story
One of the difficulties that I have always had is first-person narrators who I cannot trust. It took me a long time to forgive the narrator in Atonement; I still haven't gotten over the narrator in "The Murder of Roger Ackroyd." This situation is different -- Nathan wasn't the narrator of Atom Heart John Beloved, the story to which this novel is inextricably connected. Rather, after reading Nathan's Story, I learned that the person who I could not trust was the author himself. He made certain story-telling choices in John Beloved that turned to a large degree on the depth of Nathan's devotion to John and his willingness to forgive him for his sins and love him anyway. Given the exploration of faith and spirituality in that novel, it was a construct that worked -- John was a man who needed redemption and he found it, both in a new understanding of the scope of his own flaws, but also in accepting the fullness of the love that Nathan had been offering (which was almost Christ-like in its breadth and purity, with a totally human sexual fierceness), a love that we were led to believe had belonged completely to John since they were thirteen years old.
Except that isn't altogether true. In an effort to make Nathan's half of the story more complex, we learn that a slightly older young man, Harper, is actually Nathan's first love, and based on the way their relationship is described, Harper was an ongoing, existential threat to John and Nathan's relationship until -- in other words, very late in John Beloved. Not only was Harper always out there, but Nathan was never upfront with John about the nature of his relationship with Harper, or the depth of his importance to Nathan. With one aggravating exception () John was always honest with Nathan about everything -- the only person for whom this was true. Nathan, however, was dishonest with John about really important things. He hid the nature of his relationship with Harper; he also hid something else really crucial: ().
This book was well-written, but I did not like it because it did not stay true to the character of Nathan as he was drawn in John Beloved. It turned him into a bigger liar than John ever was, or that we were led to believe he ever was. And I don't think that is because we "missed" the hidden Nathan in John Beloved; rather, I think it's because Hartwell re-crafted him outside of the parameters that the John Beloved version of Nathan should have allowed. I have no problem with the fact that Nathan liked sex and was able to get it. I have a problem with the emotional dishonesty of his secrets, and the fact that the Nathan in John Beloved would not have had those kinds of secrets. I have a huge problem with the fact that in John Beloved, we were led to believe that Nathan was unshakeably devoted to John, when in truth, that devotion could have been shaken by a Harper who was brave. I feel like Hartwell has undermined one of the core emotional supports of John Beloved in an effort to do something "cool" with Nathan Story's, and in doing so, he has made me like John Beloved a great deal less. Because now, I believe in John and Nathan less.
Luke Hartwell should have paid closer attention to Jay Bell's Seasons series. Something Like Winter and Something Like Autumn are how you re-envision a story you've already written from the perspective of other characters, while remaining true to the narrative decisions you've already made in the first novel. (To be fair to him, if those books hadn't yet been written when he wrote Nathan's Story, than this comment makes no sense. I think that SLW, at a minimum, had been, though. It would have been an instructive model, just from the perspective of craft.)
Last note: If you read this book, read John Beloved first. There is a lot that this author skips because he assumes that you read John Beloved.
"[Y]ou could have had me; you know that. I shouldn't say that . . . but you know it's true. You've always known it." Nathan to Harper, in Nathan's Story
One of the difficulties that I have always had is first-person narrators who I cannot trust. It took me a long time to forgive the narrator in Atonement; I still haven't gotten over the narrator in "The Murder of Roger Ackroyd." This situation is different -- Nathan wasn't the narrator of Atom Heart John Beloved, the story to which this novel is inextricably connected. Rather, after reading Nathan's Story, I learned that the person who I could not trust was the author himself. He made certain story-telling choices in John Beloved that turned to a large degree on the depth of Nathan's devotion to John and his willingness to forgive him for his sins and love him anyway. Given the exploration of faith and spirituality in that novel, it was a construct that worked -- John was a man who needed redemption and he found it, both in a new understanding of the scope of his own flaws, but also in accepting the fullness of the love that Nathan had been offering (which was almost Christ-like in its breadth and purity, with a totally human sexual fierceness), a love that we were led to believe had belonged completely to John since they were thirteen years old.
Except that isn't altogether true. In an effort to make Nathan's half of the story more complex, we learn that a slightly older young man, Harper, is actually Nathan's first love, and based on the way their relationship is described, Harper was an ongoing, existential threat to John and Nathan's relationship until -- in other words, very late in John Beloved. Not only was Harper always out there, but Nathan was never upfront with John about the nature of his relationship with Harper, or the depth of his importance to Nathan. With one aggravating exception () John was always honest with Nathan about everything -- the only person for whom this was true. Nathan, however, was dishonest with John about really important things. He hid the nature of his relationship with Harper; he also hid something else really crucial: ().
This book was well-written, but I did not like it because it did not stay true to the character of Nathan as he was drawn in John Beloved. It turned him into a bigger liar than John ever was, or that we were led to believe he ever was. And I don't think that is because we "missed" the hidden Nathan in John Beloved; rather, I think it's because Hartwell re-crafted him outside of the parameters that the John Beloved version of Nathan should have allowed. I have no problem with the fact that Nathan liked sex and was able to get it. I have a problem with the emotional dishonesty of his secrets, and the fact that the Nathan in John Beloved would not have had those kinds of secrets. I have a huge problem with the fact that in John Beloved, we were led to believe that Nathan was unshakeably devoted to John, when in truth, that devotion could have been shaken by a Harper who was brave. I feel like Hartwell has undermined one of the core emotional supports of John Beloved in an effort to do something "cool" with Nathan Story's, and in doing so, he has made me like John Beloved a great deal less. Because now, I believe in John and Nathan less.
Luke Hartwell should have paid closer attention to Jay Bell's Seasons series. Something Like Winter and Something Like Autumn are how you re-envision a story you've already written from the perspective of other characters, while remaining true to the narrative decisions you've already made in the first novel. (To be fair to him, if those books hadn't yet been written when he wrote Nathan's Story, than this comment makes no sense. I think that SLW, at a minimum, had been, though. It would have been an instructive model, just from the perspective of craft.)
Last note: If you read this book, read John Beloved first. There is a lot that this author skips because he assumes that you read John Beloved.
August 29, 2014
More 
for Atom Heart John Beloved upon completion of Nathan's version of events..
It was John Beloved's seductively beautiful cover of course...that sssucked me in. My short-attention span was held effortlessly as I read a story..authentically rough-around-the-edges but humble in its endearment.
After reading Nathan's Story I had even a firmer appreciation of John Beloved's sensually-heartfelt version of events and Luke Hartwell's writing.
Although, there are many appreciative moments in getting to know Nathan's version of this sweetly-sexy story, John is much in the foreground with their story being told much in off-page sequencing of events with little on-page exploration for the reader.
The beginning of Nathan's story is effectively strong and present (even with conflicting content-which-I enjoyed). Unfortunately, the pacing increases and so does the lack of important detailing..quickly glossing over..as the writing achieves more of a summary effect. This in turn diminishes their story and the intimate connection with the writing.
Regardless, my summary of John & Nathan's story is still positive in my ultimate enjoyment of their total story, as I found it sweetly provocative and Hartwell's writing a great pleasure to read.
for Atom Heart John Beloved upon completion of Nathan's version of events..It was John Beloved's seductively beautiful cover of course...that sssucked me in. My short-attention span was held effortlessly as I read a story..authentically rough-around-the-edges but humble in its endearment.
After reading Nathan's Story I had even a firmer appreciation of John Beloved's sensually-heartfelt version of events and Luke Hartwell's writing.
Although, there are many appreciative moments in getting to know Nathan's version of this sweetly-sexy story, John is much in the foreground with their story being told much in off-page sequencing of events with little on-page exploration for the reader.
The beginning of Nathan's story is effectively strong and present (even with conflicting content-which-I enjoyed). Unfortunately, the pacing increases and so does the lack of important detailing..quickly glossing over..as the writing achieves more of a summary effect. This in turn diminishes their story and the intimate connection with the writing.
Regardless, my summary of John & Nathan's story is still positive in my ultimate enjoyment of their total story, as I found it sweetly provocative and Hartwell's writing a great pleasure to read.
February 16, 2015
Just like Atom Heart John Beloved, Nathan's Story blew me away. I liked getting Nathan’s take on some of the events in the first book, and I enjoyed seeing Nathan write about John. When you read both books, you come away with an understanding of what true love really means. Both young men see each other as almost godlike perfection of what they desire, and both boys find themselves lacking and are just so happy that the other loves him. The new character Harper is as intriguing as John in his way. Harper tries as hard to be a model citizen as John tries to be a rebel, and Hartwell leaves you wondering who made the better choice. At times the depth of feeling in this book left me with watery eyes, like the time John is leaving the room after Nathan makes his college choice. I highly recommend both books as money well spent. Hartwell touches my soul in ways few writers have.
February 10, 2017
I read this one immediately following Atom Heart John Beloved simply because I didn't want to leave these exceptionally wonderful characters. I was extremely pleased to find out that this was NOT simply the same story told from Nathan's point of view. It is a completely separate, stand-alone story about the lives of the characters we met in the previous book. This one focuses on Nathan and reveals aspects of his life that we did not know.
I almost gave it four stars instead of five because, in comparison to Atom Heart John Beloved, it was not quite as good. But I have to wonder how much of that is because I fell in love with the characters in the first book. This one was shorter which is another thing that bothers me about books. I prefer the longer ones. Last but not least, this book BROKE MY HEART with Harper and Nathan's story.
But, once I finished, I couldn't help but give this author all the credit he deserves. His writing is flawless, his characterization is so detailed that I felt I lived their lives. The plot is so unique that I have never run across another like it in the thousands of books I've read.
Yeah, 5 stars is the least I can give.
I almost gave it four stars instead of five because, in comparison to Atom Heart John Beloved, it was not quite as good. But I have to wonder how much of that is because I fell in love with the characters in the first book. This one was shorter which is another thing that bothers me about books. I prefer the longer ones. Last but not least, this book BROKE MY HEART with Harper and Nathan's story.
But, once I finished, I couldn't help but give this author all the credit he deserves. His writing is flawless, his characterization is so detailed that I felt I lived their lives. The plot is so unique that I have never run across another like it in the thousands of books I've read.
Yeah, 5 stars is the least I can give.
February 25, 2016
Urgh. What happened to sweet Nathan? I really loved him in the first book Atom Heart John Beloved. Now...not so much.
Seeing things from Nathan's perspective really changed my view of some of the things that happened in the first book but I ended up really quite disliking Nathan and considering he was my favourite in Atom Heart John Beloved I was quite disappointed with this.
Full review to follow once I have organised my thoughts...
Seeing things from Nathan's perspective really changed my view of some of the things that happened in the first book but I ended up really quite disliking Nathan and considering he was my favourite in Atom Heart John Beloved I was quite disappointed with this.
Full review to follow once I have organised my thoughts...
October 26, 2014
4.5 stars
February 2, 2014
This was such a short yet poignant story that I finished in a day, because like anyone who's ever read a Hartwell story knows, it's all you can do.
July 26, 2015
I couldn't disagree more with those who think Hartwell betrayed the character of Nathan with this book. Hartwell fleshed him out, made him real, made him interesting. Just as John told his story in Atom Heart John Beloved, Nathan tells his here, and as another reviewer or two have pointed out, what makes their stories even more beautiful is that each of them sees the other as a better person than himself. Each has his secrets, his own story--and don't we all? But what is undeniable is the love they have for each other. Sure, Nathan loves Harper too in this one, but life's like that, especially for teenagers. It is entirely possible to love two people at once. I honestly don't see how either John or Nathan can be considered cheaters in their relationship because they were never an actual, declared couple when they were having sex with others. There's a review here that claims that Nathan had sex with Harper the night before his wedding. That's HARPER's wedding, not Nathan's, so I don't see how Nathan gets the blame for that when it is what he had been waiting for since he was, what, thirteen? I don't even blame Harper. Life is just complicated sometimes, and this novel is a good slice of realistic...and beautiful...fiction. I loved these characters after reading Atom Heart. I love them even more after reading this. I think I'm in love with Luke Hartwell, too. How does he write like that?!!!
May 3, 2016
What I hated about this book?
- I read Atom Heart John Beloved first.
What I loved about this book?
- I read Atom Heart John Beloved first!!!
I should have stopped there. I should never have given into the temptation of wandering into Nathan's mind.
I liked John in the first book. He was a human being. He handled his urges and fears in a "less than honorable" way. In other words, a way that some of us really do handle situations and not how we wish we would. Nathan in the first book is the guy we aspire to be. John is the fuck-fest that we are.
I have no idea who Book 2's Nathan is and I'm wondering if the author is in the same boat with me. In fact, I'm sure he is. And he stranded us at sea without a paddle and shredded sails, in the middle of a storm... At least that's what it felt like with this story.
- I read Atom Heart John Beloved first.
What I loved about this book?
- I read Atom Heart John Beloved first!!!
I should have stopped there. I should never have given into the temptation of wandering into Nathan's mind.
I liked John in the first book. He was a human being. He handled his urges and fears in a "less than honorable" way. In other words, a way that some of us really do handle situations and not how we wish we would. Nathan in the first book is the guy we aspire to be. John is the fuck-fest that we are.
I have no idea who Book 2's Nathan is and I'm wondering if the author is in the same boat with me. In fact, I'm sure he is. And he stranded us at sea without a paddle and shredded sails, in the middle of a storm... At least that's what it felt like with this story.
June 7, 2015
Atom Heart John Beloved put me off reading this book sooner because I didn't like John. Not sure now if I should have read these books back to back. What I did like was this book was not a retelling of the same story from a different point of view; it was a completely different story and I liked that.
If I had a son who was straight and a young gay boy had a crush on him, I'd hope that he'd react as Harper did with Nathan. I really liked Harper and wished he was Nathan's HEA instead of John. The times when Nathan and Harper were together was magical. We really could have done without John or Matt.
It's sad that a good man like Harper will one day realize he's only living a half life but hopefully will recognize his true self and finally be happy. No wonder some men don't come out until later in life.
If I had a son who was straight and a young gay boy had a crush on him, I'd hope that he'd react as Harper did with Nathan. I really liked Harper and wished he was Nathan's HEA instead of John. The times when Nathan and Harper were together was magical. We really could have done without John or Matt.
It's sad that a good man like Harper will one day realize he's only living a half life but hopefully will recognize his true self and finally be happy. No wonder some men don't come out until later in life.
December 20, 2014
Nathan was the only character I partially liked from the first book and now I don't like him either. This book is just an extension of the torturous nightmare the first one was. Anyone who can relate to these characters and like them has got some serious issues. Save your money and time.
October 9, 2015
Just like ATJB, this one was perfection.
February 24, 2019
This is the most tender and touching story of a young boy's love for an older boy that I've ever read. It definitely ranks among Hartwell's best, and is my personal favorite. It's a beautiful story throughout, and the ending sticks with you.
August 16, 2016
4,5 stars
I loved it as much as John's story.
I loved it as much as John's story.
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