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Just a Dumb Surfer Dude #1
Just a Dumb Surfer Dude
Cooper is a genius. At least that's what everyone else keeps saying, even if he doesn't like it. But that's not his biggest problem. Being gay while attending Dextrus Academy, an all-boys prep school, and only having one other gay friend, life can be...difficult. Cooper wants to stay true to himself, and being a hormonal gay teen makes that difficult at times. So far, he's managed to navigate being a good son, a good student, a best friend, and not lose himself in the process. But when Logan, a hot surfer dude, transfers to Dextrus Academy, is it possible that Cooper will lose himself for a chance at true happiness?
148 pages, Paperback
First published June 25, 2018
104 people are currently reading
263 people want to read
About the author
Chase Connor
37 books312 followersPRIDE AND PUNCTURE - the third book in the Head Rock Harbor Mystery series - is available now!
https://mybook.to/HRHM3PaP
Chase Connor spends his days writing about the people who live (loudly and rent-free) in his head when he’s not busy being enthusiastic about naps and Pad Thai. Chase started his writing career as a confused gay teen looking for an escape from reality. Ten years later, one of the books he wrote during those years, Just A Dumb Surfer Dude: A Gay Coming-of-Age Tale, was published independently. Chase has numerous projects in various stages of completion lined up for publishing. Chase is a multi-genre author, but always with a healthy dollop of gay.
https://mybook.to/HRHM3PaP
Chase Connor spends his days writing about the people who live (loudly and rent-free) in his head when he’s not busy being enthusiastic about naps and Pad Thai. Chase started his writing career as a confused gay teen looking for an escape from reality. Ten years later, one of the books he wrote during those years, Just A Dumb Surfer Dude: A Gay Coming-of-Age Tale, was published independently. Chase has numerous projects in various stages of completion lined up for publishing. Chase is a multi-genre author, but always with a healthy dollop of gay.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews
January 31, 2020
WHAT THE HELL is up with the books I've picked this week???
Yet another tale of two adorable guys who at the end of the story.
I'm beginning to think I'm cursed. :- /
Instead of Cooper
I enjoyed the story, but totally felt like I'd been hoodwinked, getting bait and switched for something not quite advertised.
There was a good dose of humor and snark, and I loved Cooper's awesome dad, so it was still a 3.75 star read, but the twist was totally out of the blue and felt kind of manufactured, IMHO.
Now on to Logan's story, where he'll hopefully get his own HEA.
And get to KEEP IT!
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May 24, 2023
Disappointing..
There was nothing really wrong with the book (beside bad editing) but sadly I didn't feel a thing.
Cooper, his father and their relationship, Alex and their relationship.. I felt no connection to the characters and no connection between them, I didn't like any of them very much, and didn't get their interactions (I think they should have been mostly funny but found them cringey).
2,5 stars.
A note to the bad editing... this is a direct quote from the book (they are texting.. ps "homo" is supposed to be an affectionate term they only use with each other)
Alex: U wish I was on ur dick. Hurry up, homo!
Me: “You” and “you’re.” If you speak English, text in English.
English is my third language so I'm no expert, but hopefully an author who writes English and their editor should have seen that this isn't correct? It's nearly funny in this context 🤦🏻♀️.
There was nothing really wrong with the book (beside bad editing) but sadly I didn't feel a thing.
Cooper, his father and their relationship, Alex and their relationship.. I felt no connection to the characters and no connection between them, I didn't like any of them very much, and didn't get their interactions (I think they should have been mostly funny but found them cringey).
2,5 stars.
A note to the bad editing... this is a direct quote from the book (they are texting.. ps "homo" is supposed to be an affectionate term they only use with each other)
Alex: U wish I was on ur dick. Hurry up, homo!
Me: “You” and “you’re.” If you speak English, text in English.
English is my third language so I'm no expert, but hopefully an author who writes English and their editor should have seen that this isn't correct? It's nearly funny in this context 🤦🏻♀️.
July 15, 2022
The ending was just impeccably fruity (pun intended). It had unexpected thus thrilling/mellow ending, thoughtful and mature characters, adorable father-son/best-friends relationship and so much more "wow"
ps the ending was "fireworks"
ps the ending was "fireworks"
October 23, 2020
I loved the Dad. He was incredible and funny and the best Dad ever. However, I didn’t think much of Cooper. Ok, he’s only 18, but what he did to Alex by going out with Logan behind his back. That’s just not what you do to your best friend. The end didn’t bother me like it did some other reviewers. All in all it was a short ok read. I’m not really into stories about 18 year olds just coming out.
May 14, 2022
Just a Dumb Surfer Dude
By Chase Connor
Published by Lion Fish Press, 2019
Five stars
This neither a long nor complex book, but it filled me with delight from beginning to end. It’s a classic teenage gay romance, but with an interesting twist and filled with laughter.
I especially loved the central characters, Cooper Weissman and his best friend Alex Johnson. Together they form a little “tribe” who understand each other better than anyone else in their school. The only possible exception is Mr. Weissman (whose first name we never learn), Cooper’s widowed father and a teacher at Cooper’s all-boy prep school, the Dextrus Academy in Vermont. This father/son relationship is one of the warmest I’ve ever read in a YA/LGBT novel, and was enormously gratifying.
The surfer dude of the title is a transplant from San Diego by the name of Logan Marshall. Stereotypically beautiful in his SoCal way, Logan is instantly on Alex and Cooper’s radar—another rich jock, who the boys quickly realize is more than he seems.
You can’t much talk about this book without spoiling it, so I won’t. Just say that Chase Connor knows how to make characters both real and appealing. At first I was shocked by the salty language that parents and children use with each other—until I realized that this is the way I talk to my kids. Generational differences, for sure.
I loved this book so much that I bought the second book while I was still in bed, having just finished this. These are all people I want to get to know better.
By Chase Connor
Published by Lion Fish Press, 2019
Five stars
This neither a long nor complex book, but it filled me with delight from beginning to end. It’s a classic teenage gay romance, but with an interesting twist and filled with laughter.
I especially loved the central characters, Cooper Weissman and his best friend Alex Johnson. Together they form a little “tribe” who understand each other better than anyone else in their school. The only possible exception is Mr. Weissman (whose first name we never learn), Cooper’s widowed father and a teacher at Cooper’s all-boy prep school, the Dextrus Academy in Vermont. This father/son relationship is one of the warmest I’ve ever read in a YA/LGBT novel, and was enormously gratifying.
The surfer dude of the title is a transplant from San Diego by the name of Logan Marshall. Stereotypically beautiful in his SoCal way, Logan is instantly on Alex and Cooper’s radar—another rich jock, who the boys quickly realize is more than he seems.
You can’t much talk about this book without spoiling it, so I won’t. Just say that Chase Connor knows how to make characters both real and appealing. At first I was shocked by the salty language that parents and children use with each other—until I realized that this is the way I talk to my kids. Generational differences, for sure.
I loved this book so much that I bought the second book while I was still in bed, having just finished this. These are all people I want to get to know better.
November 23, 2018
When I first started reading this book it didn't seem right for me but as I read more Couldn't put it down.I enjoyed it a great deal.😊😊I was reading about what I wanted when I was that age and never had.😣 At this point in my life I never will.
Great book . Sadness feels my heart for myself and others who have missed the same relationship in their youth.
Great book . Sadness feels my heart for myself and others who have missed the same relationship in their youth.
July 12, 2020
3.5 stars rounded up.
New author to me. Liked the writing although it felt a little stilted at times. I also felt that the characters were a little one-dimensional, and not fully realised. A coming of age story for Cooper and Logan...Alex too, but none of them were 'dumb' as implied in the title; in fact, they all seemed pretty clever to me as they're at a prep school in Vermont. Onto book 2 after that surprise ending...
New author to me. Liked the writing although it felt a little stilted at times. I also felt that the characters were a little one-dimensional, and not fully realised. A coming of age story for Cooper and Logan...Alex too, but none of them were 'dumb' as implied in the title; in fact, they all seemed pretty clever to me as they're at a prep school in Vermont. Onto book 2 after that surprise ending...
May 15, 2024
Mmm... escuela privada para hombres, dos mejores amigos, chico nuevo surfista y super atractivo... la idea es buena, pero como todo pasó tan rápido y tan de la nada, me pareció un poco inverosímil.
De todas manera hay que tener en consideración que es la primera novela YA del autor, y como ya tuve el placer de leer A Surplus of Light, le perdono todo.
De todas manera hay que tener en consideración que es la primera novela YA del autor, y como ya tuve el placer de leer A Surplus of Light, le perdono todo.
September 21, 2018
This is a sweet, light story set in a private school in Vermont. Main character Cooper is a gay virginal 18-year-old and has never even been kissed. Cooper and gay BF of four years, Alex, look forward to their first boyfriends. Cooper’s mother died when he was a child, although we don’t find out why or how she died. As a result of his single parent, single child household, Cooper and his dad have developed a very close and supportive relationship.
This is a novella but feels more like a short story. The story is predictable and the characters are not well flushed out. We learn little to nothing about the secondary characters. For example, character Logan, is introduced as a transplanted “total California surfer” but we learn nothing about his surferness. He doesn’t even utter the word “dude” once.
Good storytelling, as with any endeavor, requires practice. Fans of THROW MAMA FROM THE TRAIN might remember Billy Crystal’s character as a night school creative writing teacher and his mantra, “A writer writes”. This being Chase Connor’s break from erotica and first foray into LGBT romance, is not his best but is in the right direction. He has since improved by leaps and bounds with innovative and inspirational romance novels/novellas, like GAVIN’S BIG GAY CHECKLIST, A SURPLUS OF LIGHT, and A TREMENDOUS AMOUNT OF NORMAL. Chase has quickly become one of my favorite authors.
This is a novella but feels more like a short story. The story is predictable and the characters are not well flushed out. We learn little to nothing about the secondary characters. For example, character Logan, is introduced as a transplanted “total California surfer” but we learn nothing about his surferness. He doesn’t even utter the word “dude” once.
Good storytelling, as with any endeavor, requires practice. Fans of THROW MAMA FROM THE TRAIN might remember Billy Crystal’s character as a night school creative writing teacher and his mantra, “A writer writes”. This being Chase Connor’s break from erotica and first foray into LGBT romance, is not his best but is in the right direction. He has since improved by leaps and bounds with innovative and inspirational romance novels/novellas, like GAVIN’S BIG GAY CHECKLIST, A SURPLUS OF LIGHT, and A TREMENDOUS AMOUNT OF NORMAL. Chase has quickly become one of my favorite authors.
September 25, 2019
Absolutely loved it! My first Chase Connor book and there was nothing about it that I didn't enjoy. Great, believable characters ... people I would want to know. Fast-paced and never a dull moment. I immediately grabbed the next in the series!
March 26, 2019
I loved this one so much that I'm scared to read the second book. YA really is not my thing (because I'm old) and there are few YA authors whose stories I like to read. Well, Chase Connor jumped on that list right away.
And he will stay on the favorites shelf unless
I'm not going to rehash the blurb. Instead, I'll tell you what I liked the most.
Relationship Connor has with his father.
I had that kind of a relationship with my mother and after years of not having her, I thought it was all my imagination. This book took me down some memory lanes and it felt good. Better than good.
Everyone takes from our books something different. I'll walk away with this feeling of happiness, nostalgic sighs, and the notion that I haven't imagined it after all.
Read this book. You'll get some serious feelings from first to the last page.
And he will stay on the favorites shelf unless
I'm not going to rehash the blurb. Instead, I'll tell you what I liked the most.
Relationship Connor has with his father.
I had that kind of a relationship with my mother and after years of not having her, I thought it was all my imagination. This book took me down some memory lanes and it felt good. Better than good.
Everyone takes from our books something different. I'll walk away with this feeling of happiness, nostalgic sighs, and the notion that I haven't imagined it after all.
Read this book. You'll get some serious feelings from first to the last page.
April 26, 2020
Perfect YA Appetizer
This is a wonderfully developed introduction to the world of YA romance at a private New England boys' school. There are two main characters initially--the narrator sort-of-nerd Cooper and his best friend lacrosse player Alex. Both are gay, a fact no one else seems to know in the school or town except for Cooper's father, who is a teacher at Dextrus Academy and an important catalytic character in the lives of both boys and the new one who pops into their lives.
That would be Logan, a boy from San Diego, who manages to intrigue both Cooper and Alex instantly, and who worms his way into their lives in a totally unexpected way that leads the reader to believe one thing, but winds up bringing Logan to a completely different viewpoint.
The novella ends with questions that I am sure will be answered in the sequel, which I am ready to purchase.
This is a wonderfully developed introduction to the world of YA romance at a private New England boys' school. There are two main characters initially--the narrator sort-of-nerd Cooper and his best friend lacrosse player Alex. Both are gay, a fact no one else seems to know in the school or town except for Cooper's father, who is a teacher at Dextrus Academy and an important catalytic character in the lives of both boys and the new one who pops into their lives.
That would be Logan, a boy from San Diego, who manages to intrigue both Cooper and Alex instantly, and who worms his way into their lives in a totally unexpected way that leads the reader to believe one thing, but winds up bringing Logan to a completely different viewpoint.
The novella ends with questions that I am sure will be answered in the sequel, which I am ready to purchase.
May 6, 2020
Great Book!
Great start to a Coming-of-Age trilogy, we have Cooper in his senior year at an all-boys prep school in Vermont. He got in as his dad is a teacher, and has gone all 4 years as the only non-white kid in the entire school. Biracial, African-American, that hasn't stopped Cooper from having Alex as a best friend, nor stopped him from being friends with other members of the lacrosse team. He also forms a friendship with the newest kid in school, Logan, the surfer dude from California.
This book is excellent at introducing to us everything and everyone that crosses Cooper's path, and takes place during the first half of the school year. Lots of emotions, teenage struggles, potential relationships, nerds and jocks, this book covers many topics that all teenagers go through.
Excellent read and highly recommended! Thank you!
Great start to a Coming-of-Age trilogy, we have Cooper in his senior year at an all-boys prep school in Vermont. He got in as his dad is a teacher, and has gone all 4 years as the only non-white kid in the entire school. Biracial, African-American, that hasn't stopped Cooper from having Alex as a best friend, nor stopped him from being friends with other members of the lacrosse team. He also forms a friendship with the newest kid in school, Logan, the surfer dude from California.
This book is excellent at introducing to us everything and everyone that crosses Cooper's path, and takes place during the first half of the school year. Lots of emotions, teenage struggles, potential relationships, nerds and jocks, this book covers many topics that all teenagers go through.
Excellent read and highly recommended! Thank you!
January 7, 2019
3.5*
Cooper is a highly intelligent high school senior with a supportive dad who teaches lit at his prep school. The love story between 3 teens is interesting if not spellbinding, but the characters are life-like, and the *snark* between Cooper (aka Holden) and his dad makes this novella a joy ride.
I have a few quibbles with the plot resolution. But when taking a new car for a joy ride, why get hung up on the mechanics?
PS. Chase, please hire a copy-editor.
Cooper is a highly intelligent high school senior with a supportive dad who teaches lit at his prep school. The love story between 3 teens is interesting if not spellbinding, but the characters are life-like, and the *snark* between Cooper (aka Holden) and his dad makes this novella a joy ride.
I have a few quibbles with the plot resolution. But when taking a new car for a joy ride, why get hung up on the mechanics?
PS. Chase, please hire a copy-editor.
December 9, 2019
A sweet book about prep school boys. I couldn't stop smiling.
January 31, 2020
I loved this book!
I love love love everything about this book! Cooper, Alex, and Logan were all amazing and lovable characters! I’ll be reading book 2 in this series very soon!
I love love love everything about this book! Cooper, Alex, and Logan were all amazing and lovable characters! I’ll be reading book 2 in this series very soon!
September 15, 2018
Awesome
Epic coming of age story. Good characters true to life. Author nailed it. Hope to read more from him soon.
Epic coming of age story. Good characters true to life. Author nailed it. Hope to read more from him soon.
September 10, 2018
At times hilarious, a funny YA novel about first love.
May 17, 2020
Sometimes it takes a Dumb Surfer Dude...
To open your eyes and mind to the world around you that you are seeing but not feeling. The everyday joy of best friends being themselves, annoying and snarky, but always with a smile. The one who you can tell anything, but do not because you are afraid in your heart to say the love word. But when a stranger joins the group of friends, as an outsider he sees things that you miss. Repressed love that is exposed when the surfer makes waves and the fireworks tell the truth. Fathers know best. Sons love best. Surfer Dudes are not dumb. High school is a beach.
To open your eyes and mind to the world around you that you are seeing but not feeling. The everyday joy of best friends being themselves, annoying and snarky, but always with a smile. The one who you can tell anything, but do not because you are afraid in your heart to say the love word. But when a stranger joins the group of friends, as an outsider he sees things that you miss. Repressed love that is exposed when the surfer makes waves and the fireworks tell the truth. Fathers know best. Sons love best. Surfer Dudes are not dumb. High school is a beach.
December 10, 2024
Just a Dumb Surfer Dude was the perfect refreshing read that I needed to get back into the swing of reading before this year came to a close! I fell into a little reading slump but I remembered that I had this book on my Kindle. I checked and realized that I bought it back in 2020!! Better late than never!
All in all though this book was perfect. Not too short, not too long, one hundred fifty pages that told a wonderful gay YA story that, like many other books in said genre, had me wishing my time in high school was similar. Coming to terms with what made me me long before I actually did, having friends like me and experiencing things that could’ve brought a lot of excitement to my teen self.
Cooper Weissman is a senior at Dextrus Academy, an all-boys school. He and his best friend, Alex Johnson, are both gay and as far as they know the only gay guys at their school. I absolutely loved their friendship. I really did. They met when they were fourteen and Alex pretty much told Cooper from the get-go that they were going to be friends. Talk about another what-if scenario. Having that one best friend who you got to hang out with basically every weekend, if not every day thanks to school, with whom you share a commonality that makes both of you all the more unique. Having figured that out about yourself early on and having a person in your life to talk to about it and confide in.
Alex has heard word that a (hot) new student is starting and he hopes that this new guy will be gay and if he is, he wants to go out with him. Cooper begrudgingly agrees to help him find out what he can about him if he’s able. The stars align and it’s Cooper’s luck that the new transfer student, Logan Marshall, becomes his lab partner in chemistry. Luckily for Logan, Cooper is super smart and is actually taking chemistry again due to having completed all the other science classes he could possibly take so Cooper helps him study. The two become pretty attached as the story progresses due to Logan not really knowing anyone. Cooper attempts to put some feelers out there to see if Logan may be interested in Alex, for Alex’s sake. That goes over like a lead balloon and Cooper finds himself down in the dumps for having ruined what he thought was a great friendship.
Next week, Logan asks to speak to Cooper in private and opens up about what makes him different than almost all of the other boys at school. Instantly, their connection and friendship is returned to normal. What happens next is understandable. I’m all for opening up and being honest but I can understand why this character, Cooper, a teenager (had to remind myself of that), did things the way he did. He was feeling things he hadn’t felt before and wanted to see what would happen all while feeling that weight in his stomach that he had done something wrong since he felt as though he was hurting Alex due to not having tried to push Logan onto Alex.
Cooper’s dad (also a professor at Dextrus), Mr. Weissman, is a single parent and has a strong bond with his son but he really has a chance to shine and connect even more so around act three after Cooper has a sweet little date. I loved his character and the important lessons he gave Cooper about what he felt in his past with his wife that helps Cooper understand and see more clearly what he needs to do with Logan.
The ending was super sweet and I loved how things ended! I couldn’t believe how quickly this book flew by! I mean, from the beginning I knew the page count and how many chapters there were but like any gay YA story I’m always finding myself wanting more. Chase Connor crafted a cozy little universe with characters that I most definitely want to see again! I can’t wait to read book two and three in this series! I think I’ll have to reach out to Chase to see where I can find the next two books because it looks as though the Just a Dumb Surfer Dude series is no longer on Amazon for Kindle purchasing. It also says the paperback editions are out of print, save for the one used copy of the second book and I try not to buy used if I can help it in order to support the author!!
All in all though this book was perfect. Not too short, not too long, one hundred fifty pages that told a wonderful gay YA story that, like many other books in said genre, had me wishing my time in high school was similar. Coming to terms with what made me me long before I actually did, having friends like me and experiencing things that could’ve brought a lot of excitement to my teen self.
Cooper Weissman is a senior at Dextrus Academy, an all-boys school. He and his best friend, Alex Johnson, are both gay and as far as they know the only gay guys at their school. I absolutely loved their friendship. I really did. They met when they were fourteen and Alex pretty much told Cooper from the get-go that they were going to be friends. Talk about another what-if scenario. Having that one best friend who you got to hang out with basically every weekend, if not every day thanks to school, with whom you share a commonality that makes both of you all the more unique. Having figured that out about yourself early on and having a person in your life to talk to about it and confide in.
Alex has heard word that a (hot) new student is starting and he hopes that this new guy will be gay and if he is, he wants to go out with him. Cooper begrudgingly agrees to help him find out what he can about him if he’s able. The stars align and it’s Cooper’s luck that the new transfer student, Logan Marshall, becomes his lab partner in chemistry. Luckily for Logan, Cooper is super smart and is actually taking chemistry again due to having completed all the other science classes he could possibly take so Cooper helps him study. The two become pretty attached as the story progresses due to Logan not really knowing anyone. Cooper attempts to put some feelers out there to see if Logan may be interested in Alex, for Alex’s sake. That goes over like a lead balloon and Cooper finds himself down in the dumps for having ruined what he thought was a great friendship.
Next week, Logan asks to speak to Cooper in private and opens up about what makes him different than almost all of the other boys at school. Instantly, their connection and friendship is returned to normal. What happens next is understandable. I’m all for opening up and being honest but I can understand why this character, Cooper, a teenager (had to remind myself of that), did things the way he did. He was feeling things he hadn’t felt before and wanted to see what would happen all while feeling that weight in his stomach that he had done something wrong since he felt as though he was hurting Alex due to not having tried to push Logan onto Alex.
Cooper’s dad (also a professor at Dextrus), Mr. Weissman, is a single parent and has a strong bond with his son but he really has a chance to shine and connect even more so around act three after Cooper has a sweet little date. I loved his character and the important lessons he gave Cooper about what he felt in his past with his wife that helps Cooper understand and see more clearly what he needs to do with Logan.
The ending was super sweet and I loved how things ended! I couldn’t believe how quickly this book flew by! I mean, from the beginning I knew the page count and how many chapters there were but like any gay YA story I’m always finding myself wanting more. Chase Connor crafted a cozy little universe with characters that I most definitely want to see again! I can’t wait to read book two and three in this series! I think I’ll have to reach out to Chase to see where I can find the next two books because it looks as though the Just a Dumb Surfer Dude series is no longer on Amazon for Kindle purchasing. It also says the paperback editions are out of print, save for the one used copy of the second book and I try not to buy used if I can help it in order to support the author!!
December 7, 2023
Not Dumb, just a little bland
I guess we all have our own different opinion of what a YA novel should be like. Some want it to be a voice the young can relate to that reaches out to them to show them they are not alone. Others want it to broach the difficult subjects and get you thinking about the world around you in a different way. While some think it should just show life reflected back at the young but with a new insight into their world. There are lots of things a YA novel can be, but being "vanilla" isn't enough for me.
The story of "Just a Dumb Surfer Dude" is about a new boy who comes to a private, all boys school and is befriended by the resident genius, Cooper, who helps him settle in and make new friends. Along the way they study chemistry together, go on a date and then help Cooper finds his true love. Some interesting things there, yes? Well maybe not the chemistry bit but the rest sounds like it could be fun to read with some new insights explored by the author. Unfortunately not. Don't get me wrong it was very pleasant to read and Cooper's father was an excellent, fun addition to the story but there just wasn't enough depth for me.
Firstly there were characters in there that were not really explored enough particularly given their importance. Alex seemed like a great fun guy but the depth of feelings he had for Cooper just suddenly appeared in the last 5% of the story. Why weren't we given more of him? Even his friendship with Cooper suddenly took a hiatus during the main part of the story as if the author couldn't handle more than two people on the page at once.
Then there were Cooper and Alex's other friends, they were mentioned but hardly played a part. So the world building around Cooper, who is basically the centre of the story, felt threadbare. It served to create a Disney view of the world around him. Something that seemed idyllic but had little substance the deeper you dug.
This is a short, inoffensive book and maybe that's the problem. It's borderline novella but without the depth. There was no real conflict or angst that was needed to sustain it. It might have worked better as a short story but I guess the writer had too many ideas to fit in and no real twist to warrant the payoff for anything shorter. If this was fleshed out more I think it would have been a lot better. The prose could then have been embellish somewhat, as the first few chapters felt like Cooper was just explaining his life-to-date to us… interesting at first but basically a list of things the author wanted to get across to the reader as efficiently as possible.
So if anything, it was all a little vanilla for me in the end. I prefer much more interesting flavours when it comes to my YA. So if you're like me you might want to skip this and check out Jay Bell's "Pride High" series, which is light years ahead of this in my opinion.
I guess we all have our own different opinion of what a YA novel should be like. Some want it to be a voice the young can relate to that reaches out to them to show them they are not alone. Others want it to broach the difficult subjects and get you thinking about the world around you in a different way. While some think it should just show life reflected back at the young but with a new insight into their world. There are lots of things a YA novel can be, but being "vanilla" isn't enough for me.
The story of "Just a Dumb Surfer Dude" is about a new boy who comes to a private, all boys school and is befriended by the resident genius, Cooper, who helps him settle in and make new friends. Along the way they study chemistry together, go on a date and then help Cooper finds his true love. Some interesting things there, yes? Well maybe not the chemistry bit but the rest sounds like it could be fun to read with some new insights explored by the author. Unfortunately not. Don't get me wrong it was very pleasant to read and Cooper's father was an excellent, fun addition to the story but there just wasn't enough depth for me.
Firstly there were characters in there that were not really explored enough particularly given their importance. Alex seemed like a great fun guy but the depth of feelings he had for Cooper just suddenly appeared in the last 5% of the story. Why weren't we given more of him? Even his friendship with Cooper suddenly took a hiatus during the main part of the story as if the author couldn't handle more than two people on the page at once.
Then there were Cooper and Alex's other friends, they were mentioned but hardly played a part. So the world building around Cooper, who is basically the centre of the story, felt threadbare. It served to create a Disney view of the world around him. Something that seemed idyllic but had little substance the deeper you dug.
This is a short, inoffensive book and maybe that's the problem. It's borderline novella but without the depth. There was no real conflict or angst that was needed to sustain it. It might have worked better as a short story but I guess the writer had too many ideas to fit in and no real twist to warrant the payoff for anything shorter. If this was fleshed out more I think it would have been a lot better. The prose could then have been embellish somewhat, as the first few chapters felt like Cooper was just explaining his life-to-date to us… interesting at first but basically a list of things the author wanted to get across to the reader as efficiently as possible.
So if anything, it was all a little vanilla for me in the end. I prefer much more interesting flavours when it comes to my YA. So if you're like me you might want to skip this and check out Jay Bell's "Pride High" series, which is light years ahead of this in my opinion.
July 14, 2021
"Just a Dumb Surfer Dude" received FOUR stars.
Loved this one. Characters were great. Cooper and his father’s relationship was inspiring. The ending took me by surprise, but after I thought about it the signs had been all there. I mis-read them, just like Cooper…
The novel gained *stars* for these items:
* gained for: "The book caught my interest in the first five pages."
* gained for: "I thought about the book when I was forced to set it down and re-enter society."
* gained for: "There were no info dumps, poor writing, or copy edit mistakes that jerked me out of the story."
* gained for: "I was sad when the book ended. I wanted more!"
The novel failed to gain stars for this item:
NO STAR gained for: "That's it. I'm hooked on this author. I will automatically try anything s/he writes."
Loved this one. Characters were great. Cooper and his father’s relationship was inspiring. The ending took me by surprise, but after I thought about it the signs had been all there. I mis-read them, just like Cooper…
The novel gained *stars* for these items:
* gained for: "The book caught my interest in the first five pages."
* gained for: "I thought about the book when I was forced to set it down and re-enter society."
* gained for: "There were no info dumps, poor writing, or copy edit mistakes that jerked me out of the story."
* gained for: "I was sad when the book ended. I wanted more!"
The novel failed to gain stars for this item:
NO STAR gained for: "That's it. I'm hooked on this author. I will automatically try anything s/he writes."
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 27, 2019
A hidden gem. Cooper and Alex are best friends at an exclusive boys academy, both gay and both in the closet. When Logan, the "dumb surfer dude" of the title, arrives at the school, Alex begs Cooper to find out if the new guy is gay and interested in dating Alex. What follows next is a sweet comedy of errors that went in a completely different direction every time I thought I had it figured out with an ending that took me as completely by surprise as it did the narrator. Well done, and I'll definitely be reading more of Chase Conner (starting with the sequel to this one!).
As a bonus, Cooper's succinct reviews of "Beowulf", "And Then There Were None" and "Catcher In The Rye" are dead on and absolutely hysterical!
As a bonus, Cooper's succinct reviews of "Beowulf", "And Then There Were None" and "Catcher In The Rye" are dead on and absolutely hysterical!
December 12, 2019
Not so Dumb Surfer Dude
I have always preferred to read books that have some possibility of being a real event. This book has all of those characteristics. Very enjoyable story about the inner action of boys in an all boys school. Coppers dad is someone I would like to be friends with. I have read several of Connors books and they have all been great story lines with a feel good theme.
I have always preferred to read books that have some possibility of being a real event. This book has all of those characteristics. Very enjoyable story about the inner action of boys in an all boys school. Coppers dad is someone I would like to be friends with. I have read several of Connors books and they have all been great story lines with a feel good theme.
March 11, 2021
Usually, I rate books based upon the writing quality rather than merely upon how much I enjoyed the book. In this book, what makes the writing quality stand-out is also what makes the book so enjoyable. The author Chase Connor did an excellent job of portraying 18-year-olds. The book feels authentic, the characters feel genuine, the behaviors of these young-men seem quite appropriate to their ages. In short, I enjoyed the book because of the writing and feel good about rating it well.
September 21, 2021
I started reading the authors book “a surplus of light” which is brilliant and that sorta crept into how i expected this book to be. It’s not at all like that book. Totally different. That said it is an enjoyable read. I loved the father. He’s too funny. And the twist at the end. I think this might have been the authors first book. Needless to say i bought the rest of the series. A cozy book overall.
July 6, 2022
Charming, fun and quick read. Well written and relatable. It takes place in Vermont but it could have been anywhere as the only city name they used was Montpelier. I was slightly disappointed that the author didn't address the whole California Surfer in Vermont. How did they get there? Why was he there mid year? Maybe it's just me. LOL. Chase Conner is a good writer and this was like comfort food. Not the three course meal.
September 16, 2019
I really enjoyed this coming of age, first love story. I think my favorite part was the relationship that Cooper had with his father. They were so real with each other, yet there was respect there. They made me laugh multiple times.
There was just so much in this story to love. I can't wait to read the rest of the series!
There was just so much in this story to love. I can't wait to read the rest of the series!
May 3, 2020
A feel good coming of age story.
Such a very good and tender sweet story about young love , written in an easy going way. No over played angst or meaness. The characters were well fleshed out in such a way as to make them believable and likeable. I enjoyed the story and would recommend.
Such a very good and tender sweet story about young love , written in an easy going way. No over played angst or meaness. The characters were well fleshed out in such a way as to make them believable and likeable. I enjoyed the story and would recommend.
August 20, 2020
A heartfelt love story, thanks so much Chase ;)
This story completely blows away the the stigma of a perverted gay agenda. I am totally overwhelmed by the love between Alex, Coop and Logan. Their story is moving and romantic. I can't wait to read the next book this story, even I have to cry tears of joy to get through it.
This story completely blows away the the stigma of a perverted gay agenda. I am totally overwhelmed by the love between Alex, Coop and Logan. Their story is moving and romantic. I can't wait to read the next book this story, even I have to cry tears of joy to get through it.
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