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The B-Side of Daniel Garneau
The B-Side of Daniel Garneau concludes a rollicking three-book series set in Toronto featuring the misadventures of boyfriends Daniel and David, their eccentric family and friends. As Daniel prepares to graduate from med school and propose marriage, David sets out to donate his sperm so his brother can have a baby. But as his celebrity ex, Marcus, launches his boldest exhibit yet, an unexpected crisis forces Daniel to re-evaluate his priorities in life. The B-Side of Daniel Garneau is the inspirational follow-up to A Boy at the Edge of the World (2018) and Tales from the Bottom of My Sole (2020). At turns both comic and tragic, it is a celebration of queer identities and non-traditional families, as Daniel struggles to discover himself and his path in the world. At its heart, it is a philosophical reflection on acceptance and living with courage and love.
320 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 1, 2023
7 people are currently reading
1724 people want to read
About the author
David Kingston Yeh
4 books82 followersDavid Kingston Yeh holds his MA in cultural sociology from Queen’s University, is an alumnus of George Brown Theatre School, and attended Post Graduate Studies in Expressive Arts in Saas Fee, Switzerland. He has worked twenty years as a therapist and educator in Toronto, Canada. David resides up the street from a circus academy, along with his husband and a family of racoons. His short fiction has appeared in numerous magazines. He is the author of three novels: A Boy at the Edge of the World (2018); Tales From the Bottom of My Sole (2020); and The B-Side of Daniel Garneau (2023) – the Boy at the Edge Trilogy. David has been listed among "writers to watch" by CBC Books.
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
January 16, 2024
Well, I didn't expect that! I won this award through Goodreads (thanks!) and have no idea how it ended up on my want to read list. If you are prudish, which I suppose I am, this is definitely not the book for you. BUT...I kept reading because the protagonist and his family and friends were so authentic and lovable. Not that I could relate to their lifestyles (or thought processes) in the least. Maybe younger people would like this book, but I was out of my depth with this one.
September 8, 2023
A Trilogy’s Heartfelt Conclusion
“The B side of Daniel Garneau” is the final installment of a captivating trilogy that explores the life and adventures of Daniel Garneau, his eccentric family, and circle of friends. This concluding novel delves into the profound themes of love, courage, friendship, and the unbreakable bonds that tie this extraordinary group of characters together, all while having lots of special and funny moments that keeps it’s lighthearted.
At its core, the novel follows Daniel Garneau as he prepares to take a significant step in his life by proposing marriage to his beloved boyfriend, David ( no spoilers to follow, promise :D ) This pivotal moment serves as a focal point for the story, and readers are drawn into the emotional depth of their relationship.
parallel to that, other intriguing aspects of the narrative is the stories of Daniel’s family and friends woven in. These subplot adds an intriguing layer to the narrative, exploring complex themes of family and the lengths one would go to support a loved ones.
The author skillfully weaves together these individual narratives, creating a rich tapestry of interconnected lives that resonate with authenticity and depth. The characters come alive on the pages, each with their quirks and idiosyncrasies, making them relatable and endearing to the reader.
Throughout the trilogy, the author has masterfully crafted a world where love crosses boundaries, courage conquers adversity, and friendship stands as an unwavering pillar of support. The book beautifully concludes this heartfelt series, leaving readers with an appreciation for the power of love, friendship and family.
In summary, “The B side of Daniel Garneau” is a fantastic and emotionally resonant conclusion to a remarkable trilogy.
“The B side of Daniel Garneau” is the final installment of a captivating trilogy that explores the life and adventures of Daniel Garneau, his eccentric family, and circle of friends. This concluding novel delves into the profound themes of love, courage, friendship, and the unbreakable bonds that tie this extraordinary group of characters together, all while having lots of special and funny moments that keeps it’s lighthearted.
At its core, the novel follows Daniel Garneau as he prepares to take a significant step in his life by proposing marriage to his beloved boyfriend, David ( no spoilers to follow, promise :D ) This pivotal moment serves as a focal point for the story, and readers are drawn into the emotional depth of their relationship.
parallel to that, other intriguing aspects of the narrative is the stories of Daniel’s family and friends woven in. These subplot adds an intriguing layer to the narrative, exploring complex themes of family and the lengths one would go to support a loved ones.
The author skillfully weaves together these individual narratives, creating a rich tapestry of interconnected lives that resonate with authenticity and depth. The characters come alive on the pages, each with their quirks and idiosyncrasies, making them relatable and endearing to the reader.
Throughout the trilogy, the author has masterfully crafted a world where love crosses boundaries, courage conquers adversity, and friendship stands as an unwavering pillar of support. The book beautifully concludes this heartfelt series, leaving readers with an appreciation for the power of love, friendship and family.
In summary, “The B side of Daniel Garneau” is a fantastic and emotionally resonant conclusion to a remarkable trilogy.
March 25, 2025
What a poignant and beautiful conclusion to a profound trilogy that introduced us to the beautifully-formed gay young male protagonist Daniel Garneau, who matures through the series into a young man ready to take on the world through all the development we got to witness over the course of his journey masterfully formed by David Kingston Yeh.
I've never related more to a protagonist, and removing the parallels to my own journey, it's the vivid storytelling of the author that made Daniel the most fully immersive queer character I've ever had the pleasure of getting to know through fiction. His cast of friends and family are such a powerful and rich ensemble, the whole thing comes together like real life. You can't help put put yourself in the novel.
Beautiful writing, profound narrative, and wildly funny.
One of the greatest literary gifts I've ever received.
I've never related more to a protagonist, and removing the parallels to my own journey, it's the vivid storytelling of the author that made Daniel the most fully immersive queer character I've ever had the pleasure of getting to know through fiction. His cast of friends and family are such a powerful and rich ensemble, the whole thing comes together like real life. You can't help put put yourself in the novel.
Beautiful writing, profound narrative, and wildly funny.
One of the greatest literary gifts I've ever received.
January 24, 2024
A delightful cast of characters makes this an entertaining read. A bit repetitively graphic at times though.
October 27, 2023
Exploring Love, Identity, and Resilience: The B-Side of Daniel Garneau
The B-Side of Daniel Garneau (210) marks the captivating culmination of a dynamic three-book series situated in the vibrant urban backdrop of Toronto. The novel chronicles the adventurous incident of an inseparable pair of boyfriends, Daniel and David, along with their eclectic circle of family and friends. As the narrative unfolds, author David Kingston Yeh portrays Daniel, the protagonist, finding himself on the brink of medical school graduation and an imminent proposal of marriage, while David embarks on a unique quest to donate his sperm to facilitate his brother's journey to parenthood. However, as a sudden and unforeseen crisis disrupts their lives, Daniel is compelled to reevaluate his aspirations and priorities, ushering readers into a realm that is at once humorous and poignant.
This novel serves as a resounding continuation to the previous works in the series, namely, "A Boy at the Edge of the World" (2018) and "Tales from the Bottom of My Sole" (2020). It masterfully weaves elements of antithetical bits into its narrative, providing a vibrant tribute to diverse queer identities and unconventional family structures. As readers journey with Daniel in his quest for self-discovery and a meaningful life path, the novel assumes the role of a discourse on themes of acceptance, resilience, and the power of love to navigate life's complexities.
One could argue that the city's presence appears almost as another character, full of life and energy, upholding the storytelling that moves forward with an autobiographical quality. This enables readers to traverse the protagonist's past and present, offering valuable insights. The author's descriptive style merges beautifully with his skilful editing and coherent narrative structure making it accessible and engaging. A nice read.
The B-Side of Daniel Garneau (210) marks the captivating culmination of a dynamic three-book series situated in the vibrant urban backdrop of Toronto. The novel chronicles the adventurous incident of an inseparable pair of boyfriends, Daniel and David, along with their eclectic circle of family and friends. As the narrative unfolds, author David Kingston Yeh portrays Daniel, the protagonist, finding himself on the brink of medical school graduation and an imminent proposal of marriage, while David embarks on a unique quest to donate his sperm to facilitate his brother's journey to parenthood. However, as a sudden and unforeseen crisis disrupts their lives, Daniel is compelled to reevaluate his aspirations and priorities, ushering readers into a realm that is at once humorous and poignant.
This novel serves as a resounding continuation to the previous works in the series, namely, "A Boy at the Edge of the World" (2018) and "Tales from the Bottom of My Sole" (2020). It masterfully weaves elements of antithetical bits into its narrative, providing a vibrant tribute to diverse queer identities and unconventional family structures. As readers journey with Daniel in his quest for self-discovery and a meaningful life path, the novel assumes the role of a discourse on themes of acceptance, resilience, and the power of love to navigate life's complexities.
One could argue that the city's presence appears almost as another character, full of life and energy, upholding the storytelling that moves forward with an autobiographical quality. This enables readers to traverse the protagonist's past and present, offering valuable insights. The author's descriptive style merges beautifully with his skilful editing and coherent narrative structure making it accessible and engaging. A nice read.
September 17, 2023
Yes, we live in a rainbow of chaos … and it is beautiful.
When I reached the last chapter of David Kingston Yeh’s third and final instalment in his Boy at the Edge Trilogy, I took longer to read it than the rest of the book! I didn’t want it to end, nor say goodbye to the Garneau brothers and all of the layered and colourful characters in their lives. Marcus outdoes himself this time with his art “exposing” his past lovers; Karen and Parker make bold moves in their intimate relationships; and one of Daniel's brothers has a brush with death.
When I eventually arrived at “the end”, I rested the book on my chest, took a deep breath, and sighed with contentment. Although there are many full circle moments throughout, there are never any perfect endings with bows on top. Just like in real life, there is no endgame (except for in death), but a series of relatable and fleeting moments meant to be savoured – and there are plenty in B-Side!
Yeh beautifully centres the lives of twenty-something year olds, yet he writes their stories in a way that can be appreciated at any age. I was often reminded of my younger days: the adventures, silliness, amazement, and intensity of it all – it felt like I was gently saying “hello you." Most importantly, what B-Side and its two predecessors teach is that life doesn’t have to be as complicated as we make it sometimes.
We are living in politically polarizing times where queer voices are being silenced again. We cannot afford to step back in time. Queer literature is a beacon of hope and light, especially for youth. Read this book, complete the trilogy, and share it with those who need a little escapism and a reminder that being LGBTTIQQ2SA is beautiful and deserving of everything that life has to offer!
When I reached the last chapter of David Kingston Yeh’s third and final instalment in his Boy at the Edge Trilogy, I took longer to read it than the rest of the book! I didn’t want it to end, nor say goodbye to the Garneau brothers and all of the layered and colourful characters in their lives. Marcus outdoes himself this time with his art “exposing” his past lovers; Karen and Parker make bold moves in their intimate relationships; and one of Daniel's brothers has a brush with death.
When I eventually arrived at “the end”, I rested the book on my chest, took a deep breath, and sighed with contentment. Although there are many full circle moments throughout, there are never any perfect endings with bows on top. Just like in real life, there is no endgame (except for in death), but a series of relatable and fleeting moments meant to be savoured – and there are plenty in B-Side!
Yeh beautifully centres the lives of twenty-something year olds, yet he writes their stories in a way that can be appreciated at any age. I was often reminded of my younger days: the adventures, silliness, amazement, and intensity of it all – it felt like I was gently saying “hello you." Most importantly, what B-Side and its two predecessors teach is that life doesn’t have to be as complicated as we make it sometimes.
We are living in politically polarizing times where queer voices are being silenced again. We cannot afford to step back in time. Queer literature is a beacon of hope and light, especially for youth. Read this book, complete the trilogy, and share it with those who need a little escapism and a reminder that being LGBTTIQQ2SA is beautiful and deserving of everything that life has to offer!
November 10, 2023
"The B-Side of Daniel Garneau" culminates Yeh's three book series following, "A Boy at the Edge of the World" and "Tales from the Bottom of My Sole." The novel tells the story of long term boyfriends Daniel and David and their lives in Toronto. Daniel is preparing to graduate medical school and propose to David. Meanwhile David is excited to become an uncle after he donates sperm so his brother can have a baby. Daniel's narrative switches between the present and moments from his past, but Yeh's transitions are smooth so it never feels jarring or out of place. After an incident with his ex, Daniel goes on an emotional journey to reevaluate his priorities and discover the meaning of found family. I especially enjoyed reading about Daniel and David's eclectic group of friends and their lives in vibrant downtown Toronto. I was initially surprised when I realized this was the third book in the series because it was very easy to follow both the characters and the plot. It could almost read as a standalone. This is a touching LGBT+ story filled with love, humor, and resilience.
October 12, 2023
If you're looking for a truly immersive reading experience that challenges conventions and leaves a lasting impression, "The B-Side of Daniel Garneau" is an absolute must-read. David Kingston Yeh has crafted a masterpiece that will resonate with readers long after they turn the final page. Over the course of a year, the narrative unfolds with Daniel as he embarks on a captivating journey, encountering a series of intriguing events that ultimately lead him to a profound self-discovery, unveiling his true identity and desires. Recommended!
December 6, 2023
I love a great queer romance, and B Sides was such a hit. A truly humanizing experience of a read, with realistic and lovable characters. Marcus feels like a monolith ala Scott Pilgrim, but don't we all have that person who was a blip in our lives and an enigma? Life hurdles at you fast, no matter your diverse background, and I feel like everything, from Luke and Ai Chang to boards, to big moves and reconciliation with tough family, this felt like a perfect ensemble cast without feeling like the cluster of an ensemble cast.
I laughed, I sighed, I cried. This was a really fantastic work..
I laughed, I sighed, I cried. This was a really fantastic work..
October 17, 2023
Please David, one more Daniel Garneau book. Pleeeeaaaaseeee! 🥹🥹🥹🥹🥹🥹
March 15, 2024
Enjoyed. I will read the other two in the series as well even though this is the 3rd in the series.
October 30, 2024
I want this turned into a graphic novel.
Especially that last shower scene…
Especially that last shower scene…
January 5, 2025
A lovely end to a wonderful three book series. I felt like I knew the characters by the end and would have liked them in real life.
September 29, 2025
A solid final instalment of the adventures of Daniel Garneau.
An amazing snapshot of Toronto and the triumphs/stumbles/searching for purpose of being mid-twenties in the “big city.”
The exploits of Daniel Garneau and his friends and family were one to witness. This was a fantastic journey.
I need these books to be made into a CBC/Showtime miniseries ala ‘Tales of the City.’
‘So why did I hesitate every time people asked how we were doing? When two people love each other as much as we did, it should be easy to say so. But constant worry was my normal.
It was., unfortunately, my super power.’
“That was a long time ago. I was just a kid. Marcus introduced me to Toronto. I fell in love with my tour guide.”
‘Then he knelt and whispered in my ear how the two of us were as strong as we could be, that we had just begun, that there was no stopping us because we both knew what freedom meant, and that there was no reason why we should ever want to die.’
‘Over time, we might forget what people say, or even what they do. But long after they’re gone, we’ll always remember how they made us feel. Our first grade love, our first great grief.’
An amazing snapshot of Toronto and the triumphs/stumbles/searching for purpose of being mid-twenties in the “big city.”
The exploits of Daniel Garneau and his friends and family were one to witness. This was a fantastic journey.
I need these books to be made into a CBC/Showtime miniseries ala ‘Tales of the City.’
‘So why did I hesitate every time people asked how we were doing? When two people love each other as much as we did, it should be easy to say so. But constant worry was my normal.
It was., unfortunately, my super power.’
“That was a long time ago. I was just a kid. Marcus introduced me to Toronto. I fell in love with my tour guide.”
‘Then he knelt and whispered in my ear how the two of us were as strong as we could be, that we had just begun, that there was no stopping us because we both knew what freedom meant, and that there was no reason why we should ever want to die.’
‘Over time, we might forget what people say, or even what they do. But long after they’re gone, we’ll always remember how they made us feel. Our first grade love, our first great grief.’
November 11, 2023
When I first heard about this book, a friend told me how much they enjoyed it. I just knew that we have similar tastes when it comes to reading, so I jumped on it immediately. This book is one of my new favorites now! I really enjoyed the character development that the author uses and his writing is like no one I have ever read before. Let's take a deeper dive.
This book is all about Daniel, who is the protagonist. He is about to graduate from medical school and he has a lot of stress added to his life because of it. Not only that, he is thinking about proposing to the love of his life. Everything just keeps adding up for him and he has so much on his mind right now, who wouldn't? Daniel's family needs his help on top of everything else. His brother is trying to have a child, but he isn't having too much luck in that regard. He decides that he can help by donating his sperm in order to show his brother that he does care about his parenting journey. As he is doing all of this, he begins to think back on his life and his choices so far. What he discovers about himself is pretty inspiring, but also very humorous.
This is the third book in the series and the author really has captured the tense and funny moments in Daniel's life throughout these books. One of the other things that I have noticed about this book is that the city itself is presented as a character. He writes about just how full of energy it is and it was easy for me to get drawn into the life of the city as well as the characters. This was a beautiful representation and I could feel the author's love for the city. It really did captivate me from beginning to end.
Overall, I really enjoyed this book. I do feel like you will need to read all three of them to fully grasp the author’s language, technique, and the story of Daniel as a whole. Five big stars!
This book is all about Daniel, who is the protagonist. He is about to graduate from medical school and he has a lot of stress added to his life because of it. Not only that, he is thinking about proposing to the love of his life. Everything just keeps adding up for him and he has so much on his mind right now, who wouldn't? Daniel's family needs his help on top of everything else. His brother is trying to have a child, but he isn't having too much luck in that regard. He decides that he can help by donating his sperm in order to show his brother that he does care about his parenting journey. As he is doing all of this, he begins to think back on his life and his choices so far. What he discovers about himself is pretty inspiring, but also very humorous.
This is the third book in the series and the author really has captured the tense and funny moments in Daniel's life throughout these books. One of the other things that I have noticed about this book is that the city itself is presented as a character. He writes about just how full of energy it is and it was easy for me to get drawn into the life of the city as well as the characters. This was a beautiful representation and I could feel the author's love for the city. It really did captivate me from beginning to end.
Overall, I really enjoyed this book. I do feel like you will need to read all three of them to fully grasp the author’s language, technique, and the story of Daniel as a whole. Five big stars!
November 21, 2025
Real Rating: 3.25* of five
The Publisher Says: "Equal parts raunchy and sweet ... A fun, funny look at gay life in Toronto." - Kirkus Reviews
"A timeless, well-crafted story about love, family and friendship." -IndieReader
"Laugh out loud ... Reminiscent of Armistead Maupin's Tales of the City." -Reedsy
The B-Side of Daniel Garneau concludes a rollicking three-book series set in Toronto featuring the misadventures of boyfriends Daniel and David, their eccentric family and friends. As Daniel prepares to graduate from med school and propose marriage, David sets out to donate his sperm so his brother can have a baby. But as his celebrity ex Marcus launches his boldest exhibit yet, an unexpected crisis forces Daniel to re-evaluate his priorities in life.
The B-Side of Daniel Garneau is the inspirational follow-up to A Boy at the Edge of the World (2018) and Tales from the Bottom of My Sole (2020). At turns both comic and tragic, it is a celebration of queer identities and non-traditional families, as Daniel struggles to discover himself and his path in the world. At its heart, it is a philosophical reflection on family bonds, and living with courage and love.
I RECEIVED A DRC FROM THE PUBLISHER VIA NETGALLEY. THANK YOU.
My Review: As much as I liked the second book in the series, review linked above, I was deflated reading this one. It got repetitive, not of the series but within itself, as the focus never really got going on the group dynamic like it did in Tales from the Bottom of My Sole. I think most cishet people won't enjoy the read.
I did; but not as much as before.
Guernica Editions charges $21.95 for a paperback. If you've read the others, maybe yes.
The Publisher Says: "Equal parts raunchy and sweet ... A fun, funny look at gay life in Toronto." - Kirkus Reviews
"A timeless, well-crafted story about love, family and friendship." -IndieReader
"Laugh out loud ... Reminiscent of Armistead Maupin's Tales of the City." -Reedsy
The B-Side of Daniel Garneau concludes a rollicking three-book series set in Toronto featuring the misadventures of boyfriends Daniel and David, their eccentric family and friends. As Daniel prepares to graduate from med school and propose marriage, David sets out to donate his sperm so his brother can have a baby. But as his celebrity ex Marcus launches his boldest exhibit yet, an unexpected crisis forces Daniel to re-evaluate his priorities in life.
The B-Side of Daniel Garneau is the inspirational follow-up to A Boy at the Edge of the World (2018) and Tales from the Bottom of My Sole (2020). At turns both comic and tragic, it is a celebration of queer identities and non-traditional families, as Daniel struggles to discover himself and his path in the world. At its heart, it is a philosophical reflection on family bonds, and living with courage and love.
I RECEIVED A DRC FROM THE PUBLISHER VIA NETGALLEY. THANK YOU.
My Review: As much as I liked the second book in the series, review linked above, I was deflated reading this one. It got repetitive, not of the series but within itself, as the focus never really got going on the group dynamic like it did in Tales from the Bottom of My Sole. I think most cishet people won't enjoy the read.
I did; but not as much as before.
Guernica Editions charges $21.95 for a paperback. If you've read the others, maybe yes.
October 23, 2023
The cherished B-Side…
The B-Side of Daniel Garneau is the third, and final Trilogy of the Daniel Garneau adventures, which explores all sides of love, friendship, and family. This finale is simply a must read, its heartwarming depth within is something to cherish!
This book is an easy, light hearted read, which I appreciate, however I truly treasure how the author adds subtle, but thoughtful complexity to the characters. This final Trilogy is the “B-Side” of Daniel Garneau, where humour, and heart felt messages deeply explore the various aspects of love, family, friendships, and of course sexuality. There is just so much I want to say about the characters this time around (I do adore Parker), however I also do not want to spoil anything either! What I can say is that I approached the last chapter with a smile on my face, I was grateful, and I did not want it to end.
The author did a wonderful job, as this final trilogy continues to show how love, friendship, and family can be deeply connected, powerful, and fiercely courageous. I highly suggest reading the complete trilogy from start to end, sharing with others, and supporting queer literature. It is the “B-Side” of Daniel Garneau’s life…the rainbow of chaos!
*I give it a 5/5 stars
The B-Side of Daniel Garneau is the third, and final Trilogy of the Daniel Garneau adventures, which explores all sides of love, friendship, and family. This finale is simply a must read, its heartwarming depth within is something to cherish!
This book is an easy, light hearted read, which I appreciate, however I truly treasure how the author adds subtle, but thoughtful complexity to the characters. This final Trilogy is the “B-Side” of Daniel Garneau, where humour, and heart felt messages deeply explore the various aspects of love, family, friendships, and of course sexuality. There is just so much I want to say about the characters this time around (I do adore Parker), however I also do not want to spoil anything either! What I can say is that I approached the last chapter with a smile on my face, I was grateful, and I did not want it to end.
The author did a wonderful job, as this final trilogy continues to show how love, friendship, and family can be deeply connected, powerful, and fiercely courageous. I highly suggest reading the complete trilogy from start to end, sharing with others, and supporting queer literature. It is the “B-Side” of Daniel Garneau’s life…the rainbow of chaos!
*I give it a 5/5 stars
October 24, 2023
The B-Side of Daniel Garneau by David Kingston Yeh tells the story of a young man named Daniel Garneau and his family and friends. In this final book of the series, Daniel is in his 20s and about to finish medical school. He lives with his boyfriend, David, who has decided to donate his sperm to his brother and sister-in-law. As the novel progresses, Daniel navigates complex relationships and asks himself important questions about his identity and future.
The book explores the evolving relationship between Daniel and David and the queer identities of many of their friends. The cast of characters is colorful and intriguing, and I particularly enjoyed seeing the evolution of Daniel's relationships with his friends, his brothers, and David.
What's interesting is that I didn't notice until the end that this was the third of a series. The book works well as a standalone novel. Although there are quite a lot of characters, I still greatly enjoyed the story. It doesn't follow a traditional plot line, but it is engaging throughout, and it tackles important topics that need to be talked about more openly. I would recommend The B-Side of Daniel Garneau to readers of all ages and backgrounds.
The book explores the evolving relationship between Daniel and David and the queer identities of many of their friends. The cast of characters is colorful and intriguing, and I particularly enjoyed seeing the evolution of Daniel's relationships with his friends, his brothers, and David.
What's interesting is that I didn't notice until the end that this was the third of a series. The book works well as a standalone novel. Although there are quite a lot of characters, I still greatly enjoyed the story. It doesn't follow a traditional plot line, but it is engaging throughout, and it tackles important topics that need to be talked about more openly. I would recommend The B-Side of Daniel Garneau to readers of all ages and backgrounds.
November 2, 2023
The B-Side of Daniel Garneau was the first book I read in the series as I didn’t realize it was part of a set until after I purchased it but I didn’t feel lost at any time while I was reading it though I’m thinking of going back to read the first ones because this was so much fun I imagine the others are the same. It’s a good coming-of-age story where we get to learn about a fantastic love story between two men as they interact with their friends and family. It offers many insights into the LGBTQ+ lifestyle without distracting from an engaging story that keeps you turning the pages.
I recommend this book to anyone who wants a great book about what it’s like living in the LGBTQ+ community.
I recommend this book to anyone who wants a great book about what it’s like living in the LGBTQ+ community.
December 1, 2023
This is the first book I'm posting a review for on here that I wish was possible to rank three and a half stars. It definitely had moments for potential good fiction. But a lot of them were overshadowed by the privilege of being a white male.
Maybe this is a harsh review but outside of the graphic details of the content in this one, I could not resonate with Daniel. And therefore the rest of the characters seemed to not be relatable as they were introduced. They had a fun city lifestyle but each one didn't bring anything new outside of that. And for that reason alone I gave this a three stars.
Maybe this is a harsh review but outside of the graphic details of the content in this one, I could not resonate with Daniel. And therefore the rest of the characters seemed to not be relatable as they were introduced. They had a fun city lifestyle but each one didn't bring anything new outside of that. And for that reason alone I gave this a three stars.
October 16, 2023
When I found out that the setting for this book is Toronto, ON, I knew I was in for quite the ride. Living near Toronto, I know there is a lot of action and excitement, and I expect those reading this book. I have not read nor seen too many LGBTQ novels, so when one is available, I have to jump at the chance and review the book. Daniel and David’s relationship is unique, and reading their adventures and history together was fascinating. The drama surrounding this plot was exciting and jaw-dropping. The book was also well-edited, and I appreciated some grammar errors. However, some scenes in the book were overly graphic and explained in too much detail. However, I enjoyed how the story flowed well and was easy to interpret and comprehend.
The B Side of Daniel Garneau by David Kingston Yeh is an original story of a complex relationship with modern chaos. I am rating this book 4 out of 5 stars.
The B Side of Daniel Garneau by David Kingston Yeh is an original story of a complex relationship with modern chaos. I am rating this book 4 out of 5 stars.
October 24, 2023
I loved this book, from cover to cover.
It's such a fun story with rich, interesting characters who have diverse and detailed personalities that really make them come to life.
I also love how it reads almost like an autobiography, telling stories about the past and present of the protagonist's life as he reflects on life lessons and how to cope with various things moving forward.
Overall, this book has such a positive message and it's really encouraging for the people of this community, myself included!
I'd absolutely recommend giving this one a shot!
It's such a fun story with rich, interesting characters who have diverse and detailed personalities that really make them come to life.
I also love how it reads almost like an autobiography, telling stories about the past and present of the protagonist's life as he reflects on life lessons and how to cope with various things moving forward.
Overall, this book has such a positive message and it's really encouraging for the people of this community, myself included!
I'd absolutely recommend giving this one a shot!
November 23, 2023
Get ready for a rollercoaster of love and laughter in The B-Side of Daniel Garneau! In the final installment of this trilogy, the author David Kingston Yeh crafts a witty and heartfelt journey about relationships, sex, and family. It's a must-read for a wild ride of emotions and a celebration of love in all its fabulous forms.
November 22, 2023
Great things come in threes and the Daniel Garneau saga is no exception. The B-Side is a fast paced story of love, friendship, and the wondrous City of Toronto. A perfect wrap up to this trilogy.
November 1, 2023
Once more, and for the final time, the adventures of Daniel Garneau, the former rural hockey player, quick with his fists, now completing his medical degree while living in Toronto's urban gay scene of grungy bars, art galleries and indy music.
As usual it's by times funny and moving but something felt slightly off with this installment from the start. The tone seemed a bit different. Events felt contrived to have full-circle moments and for plot convenience. The pace seemed faster than usual with little time for reflection. It's jammed packed with event after event after event. Oddly while so much is crammed in there is almost zero information about Daniel's actual education or any part of that aspect of his life. It focuses almost exclusively on his sexual adventures and the upheavals of his relations with family and friends. Is that the B-side? The only repeated mention about his time in medical school is how expensive it has been and that he is broke and needs to make some money, which renders the conclusion of the novel nonsensical.
Nevertheless I mostly enjoyed 95% of it, until 3 pages before the end comes an unsatisfying random ending out of nowhere. I wish I could unread those pages. I would enjoy the whole thing a lot more.
As usual it's by times funny and moving but something felt slightly off with this installment from the start. The tone seemed a bit different. Events felt contrived to have full-circle moments and for plot convenience. The pace seemed faster than usual with little time for reflection. It's jammed packed with event after event after event. Oddly while so much is crammed in there is almost zero information about Daniel's actual education or any part of that aspect of his life. It focuses almost exclusively on his sexual adventures and the upheavals of his relations with family and friends. Is that the B-side? The only repeated mention about his time in medical school is how expensive it has been and that he is broke and needs to make some money, which renders the conclusion of the novel nonsensical.
Nevertheless I mostly enjoyed 95% of it, until 3 pages before the end comes an unsatisfying random ending out of nowhere. I wish I could unread those pages. I would enjoy the whole thing a lot more.
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