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In an unsafe world, death and danger stalk gay teens, Roger Cook and Steve Koemer.
Roger Cook is in the middle of his senior year when Kyle Davis, the most picked on kid in his high school commits suicide. Roger agrees to write an article on Kyle for the school newspaper. As he gathers information, Roger realizes the dead boy was gay and may have been murdered. Gay himself, Roger wants to find out the truth, but this leads him to danger and the possibility of love. Roger opens himself to even greater risk while trying to make those around him safe.
Roger Cook is in the middle of his senior year when Kyle Davis, the most picked on kid in his high school commits suicide. Roger agrees to write an article on Kyle for the school newspaper. As he gathers information, Roger realizes the dead boy was gay and may have been murdered. Gay himself, Roger wants to find out the truth, but this leads him to danger and the possibility of love. Roger opens himself to even greater risk while trying to make those around him safe.
236 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2014
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
February 21, 2014
Safe by Mark Zubro was nothing like I’d anticipated, and it completely rocked my socks off. I’m not usually a fan of the YA genre, because I’ve found that I just don’t relate well to the characters. It’s not a criticism against the authors who write it; it’s more a case of my own reading bigotry, if you will. Safe was chock full of twists and turns, with emotional plot developments that actually brought tears to my eyes at times, and characters that I not only liked, I loved.
Roger Cook is a closeted Gay athlete who writes for his school paper. On the surface he seems happy, well adjusted, liked by many of his peers and classmates. There’s a reason for that; he is a happy well adjusted teen male who enjoys moderate popularity - he’s also Gay. Roger has hesitated to come out to his family and friends because he’s fearful of the repercussions the revelation could bring. When word comes that a fellow classmate, Kyle Davis, has apparently committed suicide, Roger takes on the daunting task of writing a column to memorialize his life. However, the deeper he digs, the more he’s convinced that the boy didn’t take his own life. Roger is determined to honor Kyle the only way he knows how to - by uncovering the truth.
I found Roger to be very likable, and while he wasn’t up front about every aspect of his life, he was confident enough to stand up for what he believed in. He was a loyal friend, compassionate and dedicated to making sure others knew the value that Kyle held as a person, albeit posthumously. Kyle, at first glance was the odd duck; not well liked at all, and seemed to have little in common with his classmates. I was pleasantly surpassed at how his back story unfolded and ached a little at the loneliness he must have felt. Kyle may have been quiet and unassuming, but he was anything but boring.
Safe by Mark Zubro, is a white knuckled, spine chilling look at how hate and intolerance tend to bring out the worst in the small minded, while inspiring others to reach within to find the strength necessary to rise above their circumstances and live with authenticity. An entertaining tale of suspense that I highly recommend, whether you’re a fan of the young adult genre or not.
Roger Cook is a closeted Gay athlete who writes for his school paper. On the surface he seems happy, well adjusted, liked by many of his peers and classmates. There’s a reason for that; he is a happy well adjusted teen male who enjoys moderate popularity - he’s also Gay. Roger has hesitated to come out to his family and friends because he’s fearful of the repercussions the revelation could bring. When word comes that a fellow classmate, Kyle Davis, has apparently committed suicide, Roger takes on the daunting task of writing a column to memorialize his life. However, the deeper he digs, the more he’s convinced that the boy didn’t take his own life. Roger is determined to honor Kyle the only way he knows how to - by uncovering the truth.
I found Roger to be very likable, and while he wasn’t up front about every aspect of his life, he was confident enough to stand up for what he believed in. He was a loyal friend, compassionate and dedicated to making sure others knew the value that Kyle held as a person, albeit posthumously. Kyle, at first glance was the odd duck; not well liked at all, and seemed to have little in common with his classmates. I was pleasantly surpassed at how his back story unfolded and ached a little at the loneliness he must have felt. Kyle may have been quiet and unassuming, but he was anything but boring.
Safe by Mark Zubro, is a white knuckled, spine chilling look at how hate and intolerance tend to bring out the worst in the small minded, while inspiring others to reach within to find the strength necessary to rise above their circumstances and live with authenticity. An entertaining tale of suspense that I highly recommend, whether you’re a fan of the young adult genre or not.
July 20, 2015
Roger Cook is the star of his California high-school's baseball team and is happily looking forward to a college baseball career and maybe even a shot at the pros. But in the middle of his senior year, while working on his school paper, Roger is given an assignment that threatens that future. Kyle Davis, the most picked upon kid in his high school has committed suicide and his body is found hanging from a tree in the orange groves just outside town. Roger is assigned to write his obit for the school paper. Roger is disturbed that this kid he only knew peripherally seems to have known no one at the school. And the main reason for this isolation... rumors that Kyle was gay. As Roger investigates this kid's story he also confronts his own feelings and both seem more dangerous in the light of Kyle Davis's death.
This is yet another twist on the standard coming out story but in some places it rises above. The elements of the mystery surrounding Kyle's death and the reaction of Roger's closest friends as he starts the coming out process ring true and generate empathy for all concerned. It's tough to find new ground in this topic but the story is told in first person POV from the POV of Roger and it doesn't take long for the guy to charm you into wanting to hear his story. And while this book doesn't really uncover anything that hasn't been covered before, the prose is well-crafted, the mystery aspects are solid, and the main characters are folks that I didn't mind spending time with.
If you're a fan of this type of story-line you could do worse than to give this one a try. It should be noted that the cover has certain almost comic-book aspects that don't really do the quality of the prose justice, but the cover does depict a particularly crucial point in the plot.
Note: I was given a copy of this by the publisher in exchange for a fair and honest review.
This is yet another twist on the standard coming out story but in some places it rises above. The elements of the mystery surrounding Kyle's death and the reaction of Roger's closest friends as he starts the coming out process ring true and generate empathy for all concerned. It's tough to find new ground in this topic but the story is told in first person POV from the POV of Roger and it doesn't take long for the guy to charm you into wanting to hear his story. And while this book doesn't really uncover anything that hasn't been covered before, the prose is well-crafted, the mystery aspects are solid, and the main characters are folks that I didn't mind spending time with.
If you're a fan of this type of story-line you could do worse than to give this one a try. It should be noted that the cover has certain almost comic-book aspects that don't really do the quality of the prose justice, but the cover does depict a particularly crucial point in the plot.
Note: I was given a copy of this by the publisher in exchange for a fair and honest review.
February 17, 2014
Now, in the middle of all this craziness that is his life, Roger is dealing with his identity and making self discoveries. The story ends on a high note, and we know Roger is going to be okay. Justice has been served for Kyle, in the end that’s all he wanted. I’m hoping the author will revisit Roger in the future. I, for one, would love to know what he’s been up to.
See the entire review at The Novel Approach: http://thenovelapproachreviews.com/20...
See the entire review at The Novel Approach: http://thenovelapproachreviews.com/20...
February 24, 2014
Don't judge a book by its cover. Good young adult mystery book -- bad cover art.
January 24, 2024
Fantastic! This was so captivating that I couldn't put it down. Roger arrives at school heading for the newspaper office when he learns that another student, Kyle, has committed suicide. He's now tasked with writing an article about Kyle. Roger finds that Kyle was a viral non entity at the school with no friends. He discovers that Kyle was bullied for a long time and that he was gay. The last aspect really hits home for Roger despite his popularity as a respected athlete he's also gay and in the closet. Further investigation into Kyle's death raises suspicion that it was actually a murder. Will he be able get justice for Kyle? Will his secret come out through his association with the article?
February 11, 2019
Very entertaining book. Good mystery. There were twists in the plot that were interesting. The writing was good.
April 13, 2015
4.5 heart review by Dan
Roger Cook is an athlete, who also is amongst the smartest kids in his class, and works on the school newspaper. Up until now Roger has always handled the athletic write-ups, but never anything beyond that.
That changes one morning when word gets around school that Kyle Davis, the most picked on guy in town has been found dead, hanging in the orange groves, and that it has been ruled a suicide.
Roger doesn’t remember much about Kyle but does remember seeing him bullied and disregarded by the majority of the school. Roger also remembers a story of why Kyle never rode the bus, but instead walked all the way to school and home. On his first day of school, some kids tore off his pants and underwear and threw them out the window. By the time the bus driver paid attention, they were way down the road and Kyle was left naked from the waist down. After that sort of humiliation who would ride the bus? Not me!
Darlene, Roger’s friend and also the editor of the school paper, tasks Roger with writing an article on Kyle for the school paper, but as he begins his research he starts to get more and more puzzled. It turns out Kyle had no friends…zero…and the only people who had a nice thing to say about him were the owner, and his daughter, of a local pet store where Kyle worked part time. While questioning other students about Kyle’s death he got answers like “who cares, he was a fag, and he is dead.”
Next Roger visits the scene of the suicide where he meets a news reporter from the local newspaper. Bill Singleton was once a major player in the news industry, but now is past his prime and relegated to the less than stellar articles. Singleton feels that Kyle was killed. The clues are all there…multiple foot prints…a step ladder, rope, but no way to get them there?
Of course no one believe Roger and Bill. The suicide is too cut and dried. When Roger starts asking too many questions around school, he is outed by someone who only suspects he is gay. Roger told his best friend Jack and also Darlene, but no one else knew. Then Bert, another kid on the paper, a spoiled entitled rich kid, starts to suspect Roger might be gay. After he confronts Roger, lying and saying Jack told him, Roger doesn’t deny it. Overnight Roger is outed to the entire school.
Around the same time, Roger starts to notice a guy named Steve that has been working on the paper with him for years, but they’ve never spoken more than a word or two. Has Steve’s butt always looked that good in tight jeans?
Along the way there are some violent beatings, Roger’s parents threaten therapy, a party at Bert’s house goes disastrously wrong, and we find out just how homophobic Roger’s school is. When Roger and Steve are captured by the bad guys, and beaten, is there any hope? Will the mystery of Kyle’s death ever be solved?
I loved this book. It seemed to me to portray a good example of how all high schools in America don’t fit into the “Glee” format. Gay kids in America don’t sing and dance up the hallways, even today. I really enjoyed the mystery, and honestly didn’t figure out the “who done it” part until the very end of the book! I highly recommend this book for anyone looking for what I would consider a YA Mystery dealing with extreme homophobia, fear, and coming out.
A copy of this book was provided in exchange for an honest review. Please visit www.lovebytesreviews.com to see this and many more reviews, author interviews, guestposts and giveaways!
Roger Cook is an athlete, who also is amongst the smartest kids in his class, and works on the school newspaper. Up until now Roger has always handled the athletic write-ups, but never anything beyond that.
That changes one morning when word gets around school that Kyle Davis, the most picked on guy in town has been found dead, hanging in the orange groves, and that it has been ruled a suicide.
Roger doesn’t remember much about Kyle but does remember seeing him bullied and disregarded by the majority of the school. Roger also remembers a story of why Kyle never rode the bus, but instead walked all the way to school and home. On his first day of school, some kids tore off his pants and underwear and threw them out the window. By the time the bus driver paid attention, they were way down the road and Kyle was left naked from the waist down. After that sort of humiliation who would ride the bus? Not me!
Darlene, Roger’s friend and also the editor of the school paper, tasks Roger with writing an article on Kyle for the school paper, but as he begins his research he starts to get more and more puzzled. It turns out Kyle had no friends…zero…and the only people who had a nice thing to say about him were the owner, and his daughter, of a local pet store where Kyle worked part time. While questioning other students about Kyle’s death he got answers like “who cares, he was a fag, and he is dead.”
Next Roger visits the scene of the suicide where he meets a news reporter from the local newspaper. Bill Singleton was once a major player in the news industry, but now is past his prime and relegated to the less than stellar articles. Singleton feels that Kyle was killed. The clues are all there…multiple foot prints…a step ladder, rope, but no way to get them there?
Of course no one believe Roger and Bill. The suicide is too cut and dried. When Roger starts asking too many questions around school, he is outed by someone who only suspects he is gay. Roger told his best friend Jack and also Darlene, but no one else knew. Then Bert, another kid on the paper, a spoiled entitled rich kid, starts to suspect Roger might be gay. After he confronts Roger, lying and saying Jack told him, Roger doesn’t deny it. Overnight Roger is outed to the entire school.
Around the same time, Roger starts to notice a guy named Steve that has been working on the paper with him for years, but they’ve never spoken more than a word or two. Has Steve’s butt always looked that good in tight jeans?
Along the way there are some violent beatings, Roger’s parents threaten therapy, a party at Bert’s house goes disastrously wrong, and we find out just how homophobic Roger’s school is. When Roger and Steve are captured by the bad guys, and beaten, is there any hope? Will the mystery of Kyle’s death ever be solved?
I loved this book. It seemed to me to portray a good example of how all high schools in America don’t fit into the “Glee” format. Gay kids in America don’t sing and dance up the hallways, even today. I really enjoyed the mystery, and honestly didn’t figure out the “who done it” part until the very end of the book! I highly recommend this book for anyone looking for what I would consider a YA Mystery dealing with extreme homophobia, fear, and coming out.
A copy of this book was provided in exchange for an honest review. Please visit www.lovebytesreviews.com to see this and many more reviews, author interviews, guestposts and giveaways!
February 19, 2016
A real case of don’t judge the book by its cover – I nearly dismissed this title because of the crappy PhotoShopped dust jacket, but I’m glad the blurb intrigued me enough to overlook that failing and settle in for a cozy afternoon reading.
The main thing that attracted me to ‘Safe’ was that the protagonist, Roger, is on the school newspaper. YA – check; a blogger, reviewer or school newspaper – check; and a GLBT theme – check!
An issue I had with the narrative was that there was something clinical about this novel. For a high school student struggling with his sexual identity, Roger seemed very together. At one moment he was purporting to never tell anyone about being gay, and then he blurts it out to someone with little emotion or anxiety… it felt very unrealistic to me. (I began to wonder if Roger wasn’t a little bipolar)
Additionally, I had major problems stemming from the background and emotional motivations of Roger, pertaining his sexual orientation and coming out. It’s obviously connected to the point above about the inconsistent tone of the narrative. But these were the worst aspects I had with ‘Safe’ and even these are more nit picking than irreconcilable flaws.
The relationships and character development is second to none, even though it felt all wrong for a High School setting – they all seemed so much more mature, like this should have taken place on a University Campus. Especially with Roger being so cool calm and collected in some of his keystone events in the coming out process and places we find him in. Though I can see why Mark Zubro included them, in trying to shed a light on the shadier aspects of homosexual culture.
I really appreciated the statement this novel made, I just wish Zubro had either moved the landscape to an older demographic, or omitted the more difficult parts of Rogers culture to something more common and appropriate to teens. Ignoring that, ‘Safe’ is very enjoyable – think Veronica Mars.
The mystery and sleuthing was paced so well, I really felt like I was there with Roger tracking down clues, following leads. Even though I had nothing much in common with Roger, Zubro had me caring about him and eager find out the truth about Kyle, not an easy task.
On issues of bullying and making new personal relationships in the throes of being outed in an educational setting, this novel really bangs it on the head. And I’m not ashamed to admit, it gave me strength to know that all types of people are bullied in some form or another and it’s how we rise above it that defines us.
I read the entire book in a day, average-ish rating, but leaves you with a warm hug…
The main thing that attracted me to ‘Safe’ was that the protagonist, Roger, is on the school newspaper. YA – check; a blogger, reviewer or school newspaper – check; and a GLBT theme – check!
An issue I had with the narrative was that there was something clinical about this novel. For a high school student struggling with his sexual identity, Roger seemed very together. At one moment he was purporting to never tell anyone about being gay, and then he blurts it out to someone with little emotion or anxiety… it felt very unrealistic to me. (I began to wonder if Roger wasn’t a little bipolar)
Additionally, I had major problems stemming from the background and emotional motivations of Roger, pertaining his sexual orientation and coming out. It’s obviously connected to the point above about the inconsistent tone of the narrative. But these were the worst aspects I had with ‘Safe’ and even these are more nit picking than irreconcilable flaws.
The relationships and character development is second to none, even though it felt all wrong for a High School setting – they all seemed so much more mature, like this should have taken place on a University Campus. Especially with Roger being so cool calm and collected in some of his keystone events in the coming out process and places we find him in. Though I can see why Mark Zubro included them, in trying to shed a light on the shadier aspects of homosexual culture.
I really appreciated the statement this novel made, I just wish Zubro had either moved the landscape to an older demographic, or omitted the more difficult parts of Rogers culture to something more common and appropriate to teens. Ignoring that, ‘Safe’ is very enjoyable – think Veronica Mars.
The mystery and sleuthing was paced so well, I really felt like I was there with Roger tracking down clues, following leads. Even though I had nothing much in common with Roger, Zubro had me caring about him and eager find out the truth about Kyle, not an easy task.
On issues of bullying and making new personal relationships in the throes of being outed in an educational setting, this novel really bangs it on the head. And I’m not ashamed to admit, it gave me strength to know that all types of people are bullied in some form or another and it’s how we rise above it that defines us.
I read the entire book in a day, average-ish rating, but leaves you with a warm hug…
February 17, 2015
Good mystery that's also a cautionary tale of who to trust and who not to trust. When confronted by verbal or physical abuse, either to yourself or a friend, what do you do?
There is a death. Is it a suicide? Or a murder, which wood make it far more sinister.
The author is almost telling two stories in "Safe." One of those follows Roger, a superstar on his baseball team---the only one that can hit their ace's pitching, who happens to be gay, but not out.
The other one is about the death of a student no one cared about. Roger, also a writer(sports columnist) for his school's newspaper, is asked to do a story on the kid---who apparently committed suicide. Though the more Roger finds out, the more it's looking like a murder.
Interwoven between both story lines is Roger's sexuality. Which has never been questioned by anyone...until now. There's verbal and physical abuse, bigotry and hatred, along with fear and confusion.
It's Roger's best friend, Jack---also a star on the baseball team and friend of Rogers since they were kids, that is one of the best parts of the novel. How Jack, just as straight as Roger is gay, reacts is done really well.
Overall, good story, characters that are likeable and detestable, and a thriller of a climax that shows what one person will risk to save a life.
There is a death. Is it a suicide? Or a murder, which wood make it far more sinister.
The author is almost telling two stories in "Safe." One of those follows Roger, a superstar on his baseball team---the only one that can hit their ace's pitching, who happens to be gay, but not out.
The other one is about the death of a student no one cared about. Roger, also a writer(sports columnist) for his school's newspaper, is asked to do a story on the kid---who apparently committed suicide. Though the more Roger finds out, the more it's looking like a murder.
Interwoven between both story lines is Roger's sexuality. Which has never been questioned by anyone...until now. There's verbal and physical abuse, bigotry and hatred, along with fear and confusion.
It's Roger's best friend, Jack---also a star on the baseball team and friend of Rogers since they were kids, that is one of the best parts of the novel. How Jack, just as straight as Roger is gay, reacts is done really well.
Overall, good story, characters that are likeable and detestable, and a thriller of a climax that shows what one person will risk to save a life.
April 17, 2014
I greatly enjoyed this book. It's a good mystery glbt book. Had me guessing until the end. It takes place in modern southern CA; and having grown up in that area in the 70's I found myself identifying with they way the HS, community, and some of the settings were portrayed. Some of the events that happened in the book also happened back then to my peers in very similar locations. I would love to read a sequel.
September 20, 2014
A quick good read. A typical coming of age, coming out story with a twist of suicide/murder thrown in. Zubro does a good job of exploring realistic feelings of the gay mind, friends & family, the homophobic, and those that are a bit of each. For a mystery, it was a bit predictable unfortunately. This was the first of Zubro's books that I have read and I will give some of his others a chance. I will try Alien Quest next.
February 3, 2016
Good LGBTQ mystery YA that touches on topics such as coming out and homophobia. The story was fun and enjoyable despite the terrible cover art. Some elements of the plot were a bit cliché and the characters stereotypical. (The most homophobic jocks having gay tendencies? Seriously?) In summary, it was a good guilty pleasure read.
April 30, 2015
What a story about coming out and over coming
Great writing! Great book. This book has a plot that will keep your head turning until the end. If you read no other coming out books this year, read this one.
Great writing! Great book. This book has a plot that will keep your head turning until the end. If you read no other coming out books this year, read this one.
January 20, 2014
Excellent!!!
What a great story. Mark has yet to disappoint. He knows how to keep you on the edge of your seat. Can't wait for his next book.
What a great story. Mark has yet to disappoint. He knows how to keep you on the edge of your seat. Can't wait for his next book.
July 1, 2016
The last 30 or so pages are a freight train of suspense...awesome YA novel!
March 12, 2016
What a great book!!!
May 16, 2015
I couldn't put this down!
December 6, 2015
2014 Rainbow Awards Honorable Mention (5* from at least 1 judge)
September 10, 2016
4.5 stars
December 16, 2014
3.5 stars
May 10, 2017
4.25 stars
Their high school is Riverside Memorial. That sounds like a hospital or cemetery. What a depressing name.
So far there are random sentences stuck in paragraphs where they don't make any sense. The segues are terrible.
This is such a sad and tragic story. It seems like all LGBTQ YA books are sad even if they eventually have a happy ending.. I don't get it. Mainstream teen fiction isn't like that and these gay kids aren't any different in their interests. Plus, how do we show gay kids that their high school years don't have to be hell?
It's cool that the gay MC is into sports and is all tough, but his life is easier because of it and that doesn't help what I mentioned above.
It makes no sense that Boyer wasn't expelled for pulling a knife on the principal.
So cool that this kid didn't try to handle all the crimes himself like so often happens in teen books. He told his parents, they called the cops. That's what I would have done and my friends would have, too.
This is barely a romance. The first time the two MCs interact is almost exactly halfway through. The second MC is mentioned I think twice before that and only for a paragraph or two, the same amount or less than the other kids at the paper and it was only about his role there. The next time he shows up is another short scene 20 pages after the first time they interact. And then 10 pages after that. I can't even call him an MC. The principal has gotten more airtime and he's never interacted directly with the MC. The MC hadn't even expressed any attraction to him. Now I'm 3/4ths of the way through and they've talked twice and about two sentences each time. This is only the fifth time the second MC has even appeared and it was half of one paragraph.
There's lots of good danger and action and hospital scenes.
Why does a boy that rich and privileged and self-entitled go to public school?
I'm having trouble buying this excessive homophobia in California, one of the most liberal states in the union. Over and over reality has shown that for the most part, teens don't care if other teens are gay. Right now it's almost a fad to be gender questioning. People are afraid of lawsuits. The vast majority of people in the country don't have a problem with it and the majority supported gay marriage even before it passed. The only reason the anti gay marriage law Prop 8 passed in CA all those years ago is because of the enormous money from out of state, primarily by Mormons, that was funneled into ad campaigns using scare tactics primarily about how it would hurt children. The people against it were complacent and hadn't counted on that and advertised too little too late.
It makes total sense why he's targeted and beaten up and threatened, etc., though. It's not because he's gay, it's because he made a bully look foolish and weak.
They kiss once in the last few pages before the epilogue. They didn't even talk about getting together until the epilogue, very much a not quite an HFN. I see there's a sequel which I'll probably read. Hopefully that will be more about their relationship but still with the excitement and thrills.
This was good for a teenage mystery thriller. As a romance, not so much. Still, I enjoyed it much more than I usually enjoy YA.
Their high school is Riverside Memorial. That sounds like a hospital or cemetery. What a depressing name.
So far there are random sentences stuck in paragraphs where they don't make any sense. The segues are terrible.
This is such a sad and tragic story. It seems like all LGBTQ YA books are sad even if they eventually have a happy ending.. I don't get it. Mainstream teen fiction isn't like that and these gay kids aren't any different in their interests. Plus, how do we show gay kids that their high school years don't have to be hell?
It's cool that the gay MC is into sports and is all tough, but his life is easier because of it and that doesn't help what I mentioned above.
It makes no sense that Boyer wasn't expelled for pulling a knife on the principal.
So cool that this kid didn't try to handle all the crimes himself like so often happens in teen books. He told his parents, they called the cops. That's what I would have done and my friends would have, too.
This is barely a romance. The first time the two MCs interact is almost exactly halfway through. The second MC is mentioned I think twice before that and only for a paragraph or two, the same amount or less than the other kids at the paper and it was only about his role there. The next time he shows up is another short scene 20 pages after the first time they interact. And then 10 pages after that. I can't even call him an MC. The principal has gotten more airtime and he's never interacted directly with the MC. The MC hadn't even expressed any attraction to him. Now I'm 3/4ths of the way through and they've talked twice and about two sentences each time. This is only the fifth time the second MC has even appeared and it was half of one paragraph.
There's lots of good danger and action and hospital scenes.
Why does a boy that rich and privileged and self-entitled go to public school?
I'm having trouble buying this excessive homophobia in California, one of the most liberal states in the union. Over and over reality has shown that for the most part, teens don't care if other teens are gay. Right now it's almost a fad to be gender questioning. People are afraid of lawsuits. The vast majority of people in the country don't have a problem with it and the majority supported gay marriage even before it passed. The only reason the anti gay marriage law Prop 8 passed in CA all those years ago is because of the enormous money from out of state, primarily by Mormons, that was funneled into ad campaigns using scare tactics primarily about how it would hurt children. The people against it were complacent and hadn't counted on that and advertised too little too late.
It makes total sense why he's targeted and beaten up and threatened, etc., though. It's not because he's gay, it's because he made a bully look foolish and weak.
They kiss once in the last few pages before the epilogue. They didn't even talk about getting together until the epilogue, very much a not quite an HFN. I see there's a sequel which I'll probably read. Hopefully that will be more about their relationship but still with the excitement and thrills.
This was good for a teenage mystery thriller. As a romance, not so much. Still, I enjoyed it much more than I usually enjoy YA.
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews