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Beneath Angel's Wings
This is a coming of age book about a gay teen. It’s not a story about supernatural beings or a Christian text.
Bullied and friendless, with little love or support from his parents, seventeen year-old Adam has reached his breaking point. Just as he’s about to take the irrevocable last step, he meets Angel, who helps him see another path.
Angel’s life has been a series of tragedies and barriers. He has no time to take on other people’s problems, but when he recognizes Adam’s desperation, he can’t turn away. On the spur of the moment, he becomes the younger boy’s protector and introduces him to a new group of friends who help Adam develop the strength and self-confidence to confront and overcome his fears.
The two boys from different backgrounds have little in common, yet their newfound friendship propels them both toward achieving their dreams. Angel embarks on a road to independence while Adam, for the first time, finds love. But just when things can’t get much better, Adam is faced with his worst nightmare and has to make a life-altering choice.
This book contains themes that may trigger negative responses in readers, such as attempted suicide, discussion of a death of a background character, physical and verbal bullying, discussions of sexual practices, including safe sex, and potentially offensive language. Some themes in this book may not be appropriate for readers under fifteen years of age.
Bullied and friendless, with little love or support from his parents, seventeen year-old Adam has reached his breaking point. Just as he’s about to take the irrevocable last step, he meets Angel, who helps him see another path.
Angel’s life has been a series of tragedies and barriers. He has no time to take on other people’s problems, but when he recognizes Adam’s desperation, he can’t turn away. On the spur of the moment, he becomes the younger boy’s protector and introduces him to a new group of friends who help Adam develop the strength and self-confidence to confront and overcome his fears.
The two boys from different backgrounds have little in common, yet their newfound friendship propels them both toward achieving their dreams. Angel embarks on a road to independence while Adam, for the first time, finds love. But just when things can’t get much better, Adam is faced with his worst nightmare and has to make a life-altering choice.
This book contains themes that may trigger negative responses in readers, such as attempted suicide, discussion of a death of a background character, physical and verbal bullying, discussions of sexual practices, including safe sex, and potentially offensive language. Some themes in this book may not be appropriate for readers under fifteen years of age.
219 pages, ebook
First published October 31, 2013
62 people want to read
About the author
E. Summers
1 book6 followersI'm straight, married, and old enough to not want to talk about exactly how old I am. I have a fairly demanding full time job in the corporate world, which takes much too much of my time. I used to be an avid reader, but then I started to write. Now I struggle to find enough time for both, which means I read when I'm suffering from writer's block.
I've been writing m/m fiction under a different name for a few years, but I've always loved YA fiction and wasn't too surprised when a couple of YA characters came to mind and demanded that I tell their story. Angel and Adam from Beneath Angel's Wings are very hear and dear to my heart, as are the other characters in that book, and there is a good chance that readers will see them again in future stories.
I love hearing from readers and I appreciate constructive criticism, so please feel free to contact me with your thoughts about my works, good or bad, here on goodreads or via my blog or twitter.
I've been writing m/m fiction under a different name for a few years, but I've always loved YA fiction and wasn't too surprised when a couple of YA characters came to mind and demanded that I tell their story. Angel and Adam from Beneath Angel's Wings are very hear and dear to my heart, as are the other characters in that book, and there is a good chance that readers will see them again in future stories.
I love hearing from readers and I appreciate constructive criticism, so please feel free to contact me with your thoughts about my works, good or bad, here on goodreads or via my blog or twitter.
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
December 21, 2013
Great story with a really good message, but the juvenile writing style and telling instead of showing was a little off putting. I can see where this book would be great for teens who could use a little hope while struggling with their identities.
Full review on booklikes and my blog.
Full review on booklikes and my blog.
February 7, 2014
This is a terrific, heartfelt book filled with strong characters, both likable and unlikable. The premise intrigued me because I always enjoy stories where people come together because of an unusual set of circumstances, whereas they would never have probably even met, let alone become friends otherwise. Seventeen-year-old Adam is Caucasian, the son of snooty parents, gay, and attends a Catholic High School. He has been so unmercifully bullied with no one standing up for him, especially his own detached parents, that he is in the process of killing himself as the novel opens.
Nineteen-year-old Angel is of Mexican descent, struggling to make it on his own who happens to be looking for a quiet place to chill when he literally stumbles upon Adam and his razor blade. An unlikely friendship is born.
Angel literally stops Adam from committing suicide and then becomes a kind of guardian angel to the younger boy. With the help of his cousins, Angel takes on the bullies and empowers Adam over time. More importantly, he makes a conscious choice, despite his many personal responsibilities, to help this complete stranger feel better about himself so he will never try suicide again, a choice that changes him in as many ways as it changes Adam. Why does he do this? There’s a reason we learn near the end, but by that time it’s almost unimportant because these two seem to mesh together so seamlessly, despite their inherent differences. That’s a big part of the message I love – Angel’s Mexican relatives and friends accept Adam even when he sucks at soccer, and Adam loves being with them because, as with all ethnic or sexual orientation variations, at the end of the day we’re all the same – human, and these people “get” that. It’s a theme I use in my own writing and I love the way the author brings these disparate people together and forges bonds that will last a lifetime.
There are subplots involving Angel’s goal of adopting his younger half-brother, Keenan, and how Adam helps the younger boy without consciously planning to just be being himself. Keenan and another boy from Adam’s school, Sebastian, are very likable, too. Again, Sebastian is white, while Keenan is of mixed-race and there’s no issue about those unimportant differences at all because they simply like each other. Javier, Angel’s friend, is a significant character, both to Angel and to Adam, and Javier’s family members are amazing, really well drawn and realized.
On the surface, I suppose, some critics might say that Angel is too good to be true. Maybe, maybe not. I’ve known people much like him. He chooses to do the right things because he has a real goal in life and having that goal infuses his decision-making, which leads me to one aspect of this character related to that goal that I particularly loved: too many authors seem to be of the opinion that teen males (and yes, nineteen is still a teen) are driven purely by primal urges and cannot possibly exercise self-control under any circumstances. Angel could be a player if he wanted. By all accounts he’s very handsome and seems charismatic. But he chooses not to be a player or get involved with anyone sexually because his goal is to get custody of his little brother and prove he's responsible rather than careless. He also has to work a lot and save his money toward that goal. I love this guy. A man after my own heart, exercising the easy art of self-discipline for a higher purpose. I say it’s easy, because it is. We don’t see as much self-restraint as we should in our young people today because it is not being modeled for them by their elders, in real life or in entertainment.
So yes, all of you out there, us males can control ourselves, and by doing so, Angel is an outstanding role model for his thirteen-year-old brother. Keenan can learn by his brother’s actual modeling of self-restraint, rather than by cheap words not borne out by actions. Angel was, for me, the most interesting of the characters. To her credit, the author shows the darker side of Javier’s father, but ultimately the love of parent for child prevails, as it always should. However, Ms. Summers doesn’t sugarcoat Adam’s strict, hardcore, rigid parents by making them act in ways counter to who they are, even though Adam’s life becomes increasingly more strained and difficult as a result. Sadly, there are way too many parents like them, the kind of people who should never have had kids in the first place.
This brings me to my one caveat with this book, and admittedly, it’s a personal dislike whenever I encounter it. The author alternates narrators by chapter, bouncing back and forth from Adam to Angel a la Rick Riordan in his latest Percy Jackson books. And I dislike it in those books, too. Often here, the author repeats the same scene or partial scene that has already happened through the eyes of the other narrator, and I found that especially annoying. As an author in my own right, I try to keep point of view to one character per scene, but that doesn’t always happen. However, from scene to scene that point of view could change depending upon what is happening. I feel this book would have been much better and less disorienting if the author had used only one narrator, or merely switched from Angel to Adam per scene as needed. At present, it almost seems like two different books, melded together at times, but otherwise on their own separate tracks. It becomes especially problematic with a major plot thread involving Adam’s feelings for Angel, which culminates late in the book. However, we already know the answer way before Adam does because we’re inside Angel’s head. Thus, being way ahead, a whole sequence that should have been emotionally powerful for Adam and us readers is sadly anti-climactic.
Ah, well, as I said, the alternating chapter thing is a technique I never like, just as I hate those found-footage, home video-type movies where somebody’s always running for their life carrying a camera. A personal pet peeve, I admit. It would probably lose half a star for this if I could do that, but since I can’t I’m letting it be.
All in all, this is a well-written, involving book with strong characters and a strong message for teens and adults alike: no matter how much you think you’re alone and you have no reason to live, there is someone out there who wants you to, even if you haven’t met him yet. It also reminds us to stop obsessing over ourselves, get the ear buds out of our ears, and pay attention to other people around us. In so doing, we might sense the desperation of another, especially a teenager, and save a life the way Angel did. All it takes is the willingness to step up, something too few people today seem willing to do.
This is billed as a gay coming of age story, and it is. But more importantly, it’s the story of a boy made to feel worthless his whole life who finally, through caring friends, comes to realize his worth as a human being, much like George Bailey does in “It’s a Wonderful Life.” After all, that movie said it best: no man is a failure who has friends, and Adam has tons. Highly recommended.
Nineteen-year-old Angel is of Mexican descent, struggling to make it on his own who happens to be looking for a quiet place to chill when he literally stumbles upon Adam and his razor blade. An unlikely friendship is born.
Angel literally stops Adam from committing suicide and then becomes a kind of guardian angel to the younger boy. With the help of his cousins, Angel takes on the bullies and empowers Adam over time. More importantly, he makes a conscious choice, despite his many personal responsibilities, to help this complete stranger feel better about himself so he will never try suicide again, a choice that changes him in as many ways as it changes Adam. Why does he do this? There’s a reason we learn near the end, but by that time it’s almost unimportant because these two seem to mesh together so seamlessly, despite their inherent differences. That’s a big part of the message I love – Angel’s Mexican relatives and friends accept Adam even when he sucks at soccer, and Adam loves being with them because, as with all ethnic or sexual orientation variations, at the end of the day we’re all the same – human, and these people “get” that. It’s a theme I use in my own writing and I love the way the author brings these disparate people together and forges bonds that will last a lifetime.
There are subplots involving Angel’s goal of adopting his younger half-brother, Keenan, and how Adam helps the younger boy without consciously planning to just be being himself. Keenan and another boy from Adam’s school, Sebastian, are very likable, too. Again, Sebastian is white, while Keenan is of mixed-race and there’s no issue about those unimportant differences at all because they simply like each other. Javier, Angel’s friend, is a significant character, both to Angel and to Adam, and Javier’s family members are amazing, really well drawn and realized.
On the surface, I suppose, some critics might say that Angel is too good to be true. Maybe, maybe not. I’ve known people much like him. He chooses to do the right things because he has a real goal in life and having that goal infuses his decision-making, which leads me to one aspect of this character related to that goal that I particularly loved: too many authors seem to be of the opinion that teen males (and yes, nineteen is still a teen) are driven purely by primal urges and cannot possibly exercise self-control under any circumstances. Angel could be a player if he wanted. By all accounts he’s very handsome and seems charismatic. But he chooses not to be a player or get involved with anyone sexually because his goal is to get custody of his little brother and prove he's responsible rather than careless. He also has to work a lot and save his money toward that goal. I love this guy. A man after my own heart, exercising the easy art of self-discipline for a higher purpose. I say it’s easy, because it is. We don’t see as much self-restraint as we should in our young people today because it is not being modeled for them by their elders, in real life or in entertainment.
So yes, all of you out there, us males can control ourselves, and by doing so, Angel is an outstanding role model for his thirteen-year-old brother. Keenan can learn by his brother’s actual modeling of self-restraint, rather than by cheap words not borne out by actions. Angel was, for me, the most interesting of the characters. To her credit, the author shows the darker side of Javier’s father, but ultimately the love of parent for child prevails, as it always should. However, Ms. Summers doesn’t sugarcoat Adam’s strict, hardcore, rigid parents by making them act in ways counter to who they are, even though Adam’s life becomes increasingly more strained and difficult as a result. Sadly, there are way too many parents like them, the kind of people who should never have had kids in the first place.
This brings me to my one caveat with this book, and admittedly, it’s a personal dislike whenever I encounter it. The author alternates narrators by chapter, bouncing back and forth from Adam to Angel a la Rick Riordan in his latest Percy Jackson books. And I dislike it in those books, too. Often here, the author repeats the same scene or partial scene that has already happened through the eyes of the other narrator, and I found that especially annoying. As an author in my own right, I try to keep point of view to one character per scene, but that doesn’t always happen. However, from scene to scene that point of view could change depending upon what is happening. I feel this book would have been much better and less disorienting if the author had used only one narrator, or merely switched from Angel to Adam per scene as needed. At present, it almost seems like two different books, melded together at times, but otherwise on their own separate tracks. It becomes especially problematic with a major plot thread involving Adam’s feelings for Angel, which culminates late in the book. However, we already know the answer way before Adam does because we’re inside Angel’s head. Thus, being way ahead, a whole sequence that should have been emotionally powerful for Adam and us readers is sadly anti-climactic.
Ah, well, as I said, the alternating chapter thing is a technique I never like, just as I hate those found-footage, home video-type movies where somebody’s always running for their life carrying a camera. A personal pet peeve, I admit. It would probably lose half a star for this if I could do that, but since I can’t I’m letting it be.
All in all, this is a well-written, involving book with strong characters and a strong message for teens and adults alike: no matter how much you think you’re alone and you have no reason to live, there is someone out there who wants you to, even if you haven’t met him yet. It also reminds us to stop obsessing over ourselves, get the ear buds out of our ears, and pay attention to other people around us. In so doing, we might sense the desperation of another, especially a teenager, and save a life the way Angel did. All it takes is the willingness to step up, something too few people today seem willing to do.
This is billed as a gay coming of age story, and it is. But more importantly, it’s the story of a boy made to feel worthless his whole life who finally, through caring friends, comes to realize his worth as a human being, much like George Bailey does in “It’s a Wonderful Life.” After all, that movie said it best: no man is a failure who has friends, and Adam has tons. Highly recommended.
December 9, 2014
I received a copy of this from the author in exchange for an honest review.
I won't overview the story here, because others do that better than I do, and it is not my thing when reviewing. This book comes in solidly shy of four stars for me. Those that know me, know this is a respectable mark.
This was well written, with good flow, and an engaging plot. The characters were well thought out, and unique in their own ways; something not easy to do when so many characters are involved. The dialog was quite effortless, and the story very easy to stay with, even becoming absorbing in moderate doses.
The beginning starts with a bang, and then quiets, almost too much. I had a hard time sticking with this book through the first third or so, but I am not one who likes to be told a story, and these characters tell their story more than show you their lives. However, now and then, when they do interact, the story becomes engrossing. I loved Javier. He was probably my favorite character, and when he hurt, so did I.
There are very few annoying editing errors, but, BUT a few overused or illogically used words (Opined comes to mind, since this is an uncommon word for a teen novel) had me cringing, and remembering when I read Fifty Shades of Grey. It seems correct use of dialog tags (said, asked) is something of an enigma in MM these days, and too many writers use tags to express emotion, rather than expressing them through actions.
The final third is a satisfying wrap up, and I thoroughly enjoyed the ending.
Overall this book makes you feel good in the end, and considering the hardships traversed, that is something.
I won't overview the story here, because others do that better than I do, and it is not my thing when reviewing. This book comes in solidly shy of four stars for me. Those that know me, know this is a respectable mark.
This was well written, with good flow, and an engaging plot. The characters were well thought out, and unique in their own ways; something not easy to do when so many characters are involved. The dialog was quite effortless, and the story very easy to stay with, even becoming absorbing in moderate doses.
The beginning starts with a bang, and then quiets, almost too much. I had a hard time sticking with this book through the first third or so, but I am not one who likes to be told a story, and these characters tell their story more than show you their lives. However, now and then, when they do interact, the story becomes engrossing. I loved Javier. He was probably my favorite character, and when he hurt, so did I.
There are very few annoying editing errors, but, BUT a few overused or illogically used words (Opined comes to mind, since this is an uncommon word for a teen novel) had me cringing, and remembering when I read Fifty Shades of Grey. It seems correct use of dialog tags (said, asked) is something of an enigma in MM these days, and too many writers use tags to express emotion, rather than expressing them through actions.
The final third is a satisfying wrap up, and I thoroughly enjoyed the ending.
Overall this book makes you feel good in the end, and considering the hardships traversed, that is something.
February 8, 2014
E. Summers's "Beneath Angel's Wings" is a wonderful new addition to the YA/LGBT world.
It starts in a very dark place - and then Angel appears. Adam, at 16, is at the end of his rope, pushed there by bullying at school and his parents' seemingly hostile indifference to his plight. He is poised to take his own life, but Angel stops him, and offers him the one thing he's never felt - friendship.
From this brief, critical act of salvation Summers's book unrolls into a fascinating, touching and ultimately powerful story of creating a family that crosses lines of race, ethnicity and social class in a way I've never experienced in a YA novel. Written in the typically "non-literary" style that one sees in YA novels, the power in this book is its narrative, the interweaving of Adam's story with those of other people who, because of Angel, become increasingly important in his life.
Summer uses both Adam's and Angel's points of view, repeating an episode in the plot through different eyes. It's a wee bit jarring at first, but then becomes an interesting technique for showing the reader how the two main characters understand what's happening around them.
I am always a little sad when parents become negative archetypes, and Adam's fit that bill. But the book makes up for it in a very powerful way that I won't reveal. Not all happy endings are achieved without cost, but life is like that.
It starts in a very dark place - and then Angel appears. Adam, at 16, is at the end of his rope, pushed there by bullying at school and his parents' seemingly hostile indifference to his plight. He is poised to take his own life, but Angel stops him, and offers him the one thing he's never felt - friendship.
From this brief, critical act of salvation Summers's book unrolls into a fascinating, touching and ultimately powerful story of creating a family that crosses lines of race, ethnicity and social class in a way I've never experienced in a YA novel. Written in the typically "non-literary" style that one sees in YA novels, the power in this book is its narrative, the interweaving of Adam's story with those of other people who, because of Angel, become increasingly important in his life.
Summer uses both Adam's and Angel's points of view, repeating an episode in the plot through different eyes. It's a wee bit jarring at first, but then becomes an interesting technique for showing the reader how the two main characters understand what's happening around them.
I am always a little sad when parents become negative archetypes, and Adam's fit that bill. But the book makes up for it in a very powerful way that I won't reveal. Not all happy endings are achieved without cost, but life is like that.
December 20, 2013
4.5 stars
This is a brilliant coming of age story about teenager Adam, starting at his lowest point in life. This story felt very real to me, because it shows us the keen but distinctive differences between hero worship, friendship and love from Adam and Angel’s perspectives. It’s what distinguishes this book from so many others. Because the one you love cannot be the one to save you. You need to save yourself (with help, of cause) in order to be able to love someone. God, this made me love this book so much more than I did love it anyway.
This book deals with a lot of sensitive subjects for gay teens but it also shows the good things that are already installed in our society to help them. While there is a love story in this book, it is not the focusing point in it. This book is more about accepting who you are and dealing with the consequences of your actions.
I loved the writing style and the characterization of the different protagonists. They felt very real to me. The only very small critique I have is that Angel was a little bit too perfect for my taste. I don’t know if there really is a 19 year old boy out there in this world who would act like him.
Very solid 4.5 stars
This is a brilliant coming of age story about teenager Adam, starting at his lowest point in life. This story felt very real to me, because it shows us the keen but distinctive differences between hero worship, friendship and love from Adam and Angel’s perspectives. It’s what distinguishes this book from so many others. Because the one you love cannot be the one to save you. You need to save yourself (with help, of cause) in order to be able to love someone. God, this made me love this book so much more than I did love it anyway.
This book deals with a lot of sensitive subjects for gay teens but it also shows the good things that are already installed in our society to help them. While there is a love story in this book, it is not the focusing point in it. This book is more about accepting who you are and dealing with the consequences of your actions.
I loved the writing style and the characterization of the different protagonists. They felt very real to me. The only very small critique I have is that Angel was a little bit too perfect for my taste. I don’t know if there really is a 19 year old boy out there in this world who would act like him.
Very solid 4.5 stars
July 26, 2021
.M.Summer ’s novel offers touching story about bullied gay teenager Adam who on the very edge of suicide meets his guardian angel, caring and protective Hispano-American Angel. In some coming of age gay novels this might be end of the story. In „Beneath Angel ’s Wing“ it ’s just the opening of the plot. Meeting Angle is not solution of Adam ’s problem, it’s the start of discovering himself, requesstioning the values of his surroundings, his family values and general worldview. Because Adam is not depicted as „typical“ (whatever it might be) gay teenager: he is not only bullied because of being obviously different, he is also lonely, friendless and without true shelter in his own home. The novel is in that sense more than „young gay“ story, it is about growing up, making friends, facing important life questions and finally facing love. Adam is confronted with his homosexuality – but at the same time he opens towards other world, other culture (Hispano-American in this case), overcoming stereotypes and prejudices. World of Latin Americans is symbol of other world, otherness where he is ready to dip in casting away rigidity and frozen world of loneliness. Plotting is done wisely, by alternating two point of views, Adam’s and Angel ’s. Relation between characters are presented in such way to keep your attention (what will happen between them? Is Angel gay? Will Adam find love?). of course, I wont give any spoiler here, but I can say that it is worth following till the end definitely and till the last page you are not sure what will be. Finally, the conclusion is not superficially happy: it is sweet-bitter end, or better to say, an open end, quite close to real life issues.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 7, 2014
Before I review this book, I wanted to point out that I am a friend of the author. However, this is an honest review for which I received nothing in exchange.
Beneath Angel's Wings is so much more of the story than it would have been had the author taken the easy option; but by keeping the character of Angel straight and dealing with Adam's handling of that, we got so much more. It was a brave move I think on Elizabeth's part because I felt myself willing Angel and Adam to get it together; but then I got treated because the relationship between the two of them develops so beautifully and that widened up the story and deepened my appreciation of the skill that it had required to lead us down that path; and I didn't feel disappointed which I guess has to have been the biggest risk.
For me; as soon as I start to really feel that I know the characters and begin to share in their emotions then at that point the author has done her job; and that point came fairly early on for me.
This story quickly engaged me on an emotional level and didn't let go; the characters are well painted - and there are quite some number of characters too - then it's a relatively long story and we cover a lot of ground in a relatively short amount of time; good job on the author's part to keep all of the plates spinning actually. Good job too that the subject was handled so sensitively and maturely and also with a lot of credibility. I've been in Adam's situation so I was looking to identify with the character and I wasn't disappointed, far from it.
Read this story and put it on your read again shelf.
Beneath Angel's Wings is so much more of the story than it would have been had the author taken the easy option; but by keeping the character of Angel straight and dealing with Adam's handling of that, we got so much more. It was a brave move I think on Elizabeth's part because I felt myself willing Angel and Adam to get it together; but then I got treated because the relationship between the two of them develops so beautifully and that widened up the story and deepened my appreciation of the skill that it had required to lead us down that path; and I didn't feel disappointed which I guess has to have been the biggest risk.
For me; as soon as I start to really feel that I know the characters and begin to share in their emotions then at that point the author has done her job; and that point came fairly early on for me.
This story quickly engaged me on an emotional level and didn't let go; the characters are well painted - and there are quite some number of characters too - then it's a relatively long story and we cover a lot of ground in a relatively short amount of time; good job on the author's part to keep all of the plates spinning actually. Good job too that the subject was handled so sensitively and maturely and also with a lot of credibility. I've been in Adam's situation so I was looking to identify with the character and I wasn't disappointed, far from it.
Read this story and put it on your read again shelf.
January 23, 2014
Wow, this book was so much more than I expected. I snatched it up from a free to review list because it was the best sounding of the lot, but honestly I wasn't completely excited. But then?
I read it in three days.
I took a short day at work so I could come home and finish it before my plans that night. Yup, that happened.
As another reviewer said, this is written very simply. There is no flowing prose, no 'snow falling like gentle kisses' or anything like that. There is some telling instead of showing and you know what? That's all fine with me because I felt more for these characters than I felt during my recent read of Boy meets Boy by a much bigger author.
This story felt very real. The simple style made it feel more real because it was like a few dudes telling you their story. They aren't trying to come out in a perfect world and they are met by people who accept it, people who hate it, and people who need some time to come around to the idea. A very real portrayal of coming out, at least in my experience.
Simply written as the descriptions may be, the characters themselves are wonderful. I quickly was drawn into Adam's struggles, I championed his champion, Angel, and even the characters with smaller parts came through as completely three dimensional.
Overall an easy read that will make your heart soar for young love and all the trials that come along with it.
I read it in three days.
I took a short day at work so I could come home and finish it before my plans that night. Yup, that happened.
As another reviewer said, this is written very simply. There is no flowing prose, no 'snow falling like gentle kisses' or anything like that. There is some telling instead of showing and you know what? That's all fine with me because I felt more for these characters than I felt during my recent read of Boy meets Boy by a much bigger author.
This story felt very real. The simple style made it feel more real because it was like a few dudes telling you their story. They aren't trying to come out in a perfect world and they are met by people who accept it, people who hate it, and people who need some time to come around to the idea. A very real portrayal of coming out, at least in my experience.
Simply written as the descriptions may be, the characters themselves are wonderful. I quickly was drawn into Adam's struggles, I championed his champion, Angel, and even the characters with smaller parts came through as completely three dimensional.
Overall an easy read that will make your heart soar for young love and all the trials that come along with it.
December 1, 2013
This is a very well written, sweet and sometimes angsty read. What really caught me was how extremely 3 dimensional the stories and characters felt. It's Adam's story- about his life, coming out, his strengths and weaknesses- but really it's Angel's story too. I loved that I got to know them not only from their own pov, but also through how they saw each other and their friendship. Adam sees Angel as this perfect person, but really he's not. He's just a guy that wants what we all want and is really just trying to survive.
If anything I'd say this story is really about family. About the one we get born into and the one we choose. The family that develops in Adams life absolutely sucked me in and warmed my heart. Not just Adam and Angel, but all the boys and Javi's family. It's also about how even some of the worst things or moments in life are the very same things that could result in making your life better. Since I've experienced that in my own life, maybe that's why this one touched me so deeply.
I highly recommend this one for anyone in the mood for a touching, life-can-get-better story.
If anything I'd say this story is really about family. About the one we get born into and the one we choose. The family that develops in Adams life absolutely sucked me in and warmed my heart. Not just Adam and Angel, but all the boys and Javi's family. It's also about how even some of the worst things or moments in life are the very same things that could result in making your life better. Since I've experienced that in my own life, maybe that's why this one touched me so deeply.
I highly recommend this one for anyone in the mood for a touching, life-can-get-better story.
November 18, 2013
This book touches so many sensitive subjects for gay teens it should be a mandatory reading in high schools. The subjects are treated with truth and honesty and the characters are great. The book is targeted for fifteen-year-olds and over, but I would let my twelve-year-old read it. It's more about solutions than angst which is different than what we usually read in YA novels. Not too much time is spent on the drama but more on what to do about it, and how to move on. It's great.
I found it sometimes difficult to know where we were at when scenes we just read were retold but from another character's point of view. Once you know this is going on, it becomes interesting to see how it develops.
One of the two main characters is just a little too perfect for my taste but it serves a purpose: it's the voice of reason, spoken through him. You'll not meet many 19-year-olds so mature and flawless. He puts most people to shame.
All in all, a very good book that I would recommend to teenagers everywhere, not just gays.
I found it sometimes difficult to know where we were at when scenes we just read were retold but from another character's point of view. Once you know this is going on, it becomes interesting to see how it develops.
One of the two main characters is just a little too perfect for my taste but it serves a purpose: it's the voice of reason, spoken through him. You'll not meet many 19-year-olds so mature and flawless. He puts most people to shame.
All in all, a very good book that I would recommend to teenagers everywhere, not just gays.
November 18, 2013
Without giving too much of the plot away, this is an incredible story of a group of boys that help each other and learn from each other. Adam is a gay teenager. He struggles with harassment and with parent's that won't accept him. He is on the verge of killing himself when he encounters Angel, a nineteen year old boy who stops him from suicide.
Angel is an orphan who lives with his aunt. He wants more than anything else, to be able to take in his younger half-brother Keenan in. Circumstances have forced to the two to live separately with different aunts since their grandmother's death. Angel suspects Keenan might be gay and sees in Adam a good role model for his younger brother.
The boys quickly become true friends and slowly form a group around them, friends and family both.
It's definitely a feel good story. If you are one of those pessimistic types that prefers dark cynical tales, this might not be for you. The rest of you should give this story a try.
Angel is an orphan who lives with his aunt. He wants more than anything else, to be able to take in his younger half-brother Keenan in. Circumstances have forced to the two to live separately with different aunts since their grandmother's death. Angel suspects Keenan might be gay and sees in Adam a good role model for his younger brother.
The boys quickly become true friends and slowly form a group around them, friends and family both.
It's definitely a feel good story. If you are one of those pessimistic types that prefers dark cynical tales, this might not be for you. The rest of you should give this story a try.
October 4, 2019
Family
E. Summers gives us hope that even at rock bottom life is worth living. And bonus: a friend who believes in you. The feels sneak in from time to time. Love and support along with religion are threaded throughout the story. 3.75 for hugs.
E. Summers gives us hope that even at rock bottom life is worth living. And bonus: a friend who believes in you. The feels sneak in from time to time. Love and support along with religion are threaded throughout the story. 3.75 for hugs.
Want to read
November 11, 2013This LGBTQ YA book was so highly recommended to me that I have to read it.
April 3, 2014
2.5 stars
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