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Lukas with a K
In 1999, 17-year-old Lukas Bradley faces life after coming out in a small town. His best friend has deserted him, his mom doesn't understand him, and he's got no clue what he wants for his life after high school. But he is reminded that life is unpredictable, for better or for worse, when his senior year brings him unexpected betrayal, newfound resilience, an inconvenient romance, and just a dash of magic.
- GenresM M Romance
Audible Audio
Published January 20, 2021
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
January 13, 2021
This book was the most satisfying read I’ve had in a long while. Kameron Tyler wrote Lukas With a K with all the emotion of Adam Silvera, actualized his characters with the thoughtfulness of Nick Burd and created a beautiful coming of age story with all the grace and emotion of Benjamin Alire-Sáenz.
For fans of any of these authors, Tyler writes a poignant vignette in the life of Lukas, a gay teen growing up on the cusp of the new millennium, 1999. Lukas’s life is turned upside down when he comes out to his best friend the year before their senior year of high school. While ostracized by his peers at the beginning of Fall and his only friend being his quick-witted and confident cousin, Lukas’s mental health journey ebbs and flows. The temperature of what growing up as a gay teen in a post Matthew Shepard world paired with his isolation immediately brought Lukas to burrow a forever place in my heart. Living with his single mother, whose concern over his sexuality dominates their arguments and disagreements, losing his best friend Michael to homophobic jocks and feeling completely out of place, Lukas’s dream is to escape his small town of Santana. The course of the year changes when he meets Ray, a mysterious transient that changes the course of Lukas’s life forever.
This book has everything. The story shifted, changed, surprised and broke my heart in all the best ways a strongly written novel can. Kameron Tyler crafted a world and story that had me so deeply invested in every character. Every character served purpose, but most importantly, were so whole. While reading Lukas’s story, I found myself wanting to know more about everyone else.
I recommend this book to everyone! Kameron Tyler weaved events, pains and triumphs that cater to every experience of what it means to grow up, grown out of and grow through.
Lukas With a K is a 10/10! Read it now and keep it close to your heart forever, because I know I will.
For fans of any of these authors, Tyler writes a poignant vignette in the life of Lukas, a gay teen growing up on the cusp of the new millennium, 1999. Lukas’s life is turned upside down when he comes out to his best friend the year before their senior year of high school. While ostracized by his peers at the beginning of Fall and his only friend being his quick-witted and confident cousin, Lukas’s mental health journey ebbs and flows. The temperature of what growing up as a gay teen in a post Matthew Shepard world paired with his isolation immediately brought Lukas to burrow a forever place in my heart. Living with his single mother, whose concern over his sexuality dominates their arguments and disagreements, losing his best friend Michael to homophobic jocks and feeling completely out of place, Lukas’s dream is to escape his small town of Santana. The course of the year changes when he meets Ray, a mysterious transient that changes the course of Lukas’s life forever.
This book has everything. The story shifted, changed, surprised and broke my heart in all the best ways a strongly written novel can. Kameron Tyler crafted a world and story that had me so deeply invested in every character. Every character served purpose, but most importantly, were so whole. While reading Lukas’s story, I found myself wanting to know more about everyone else.
I recommend this book to everyone! Kameron Tyler weaved events, pains and triumphs that cater to every experience of what it means to grow up, grown out of and grow through.
Lukas With a K is a 10/10! Read it now and keep it close to your heart forever, because I know I will.
January 10, 2021
A beautiful debut novel by Kameron Tyler! This book will have you rooting for Lukas from page one. In Lukas’ pivotal and ultimate year of high school, he becomes all too familiar with the unexpected twists and turns of life that exist even in the smallest of towns. There is love and loss, the birth of new friendships and the opportunity to connect with old friends in new ways. The reader is left hopeful for the lives Lukas and his friends will create in Santana and beyond as they navigate the experience of “jumping off the cliff of [their] youth and into [their] own separate rivers of life.”
August 25, 2021
This book took me by complete surprise. It is as bittersweet and complex as it is beautiful and touching. Kameron explores so many struggles and pressures that teens faced back then, face now and, I’m sure, will face in the future.
The book is told from Lukas’ POV, but we are introduced to an amazing array of characters all with their own unique personalities and, of course, flaws, that make you just as invested in them as you are with Lukas.
I felt more emotions than I was prepared for but wouldn’t change a thing. The highs, the lows. Love, loss, old, new and rebuilt friendships all make this a perfect coming of age story that, if not everyone, all young adults should read. Obviously this isn’t a crystal ball into the readers future, but a comforting hug letting you know that even though you will go though some hard times, there is always hope. Always love and always support.
The book is told from Lukas’ POV, but we are introduced to an amazing array of characters all with their own unique personalities and, of course, flaws, that make you just as invested in them as you are with Lukas.
I felt more emotions than I was prepared for but wouldn’t change a thing. The highs, the lows. Love, loss, old, new and rebuilt friendships all make this a perfect coming of age story that, if not everyone, all young adults should read. Obviously this isn’t a crystal ball into the readers future, but a comforting hug letting you know that even though you will go though some hard times, there is always hope. Always love and always support.
July 5, 2022
One of the best books I’ve read all of 2022. Really takes you on a journey with main character Lukas and his last year of high school. Him coming out to his friends and family. Hopefully there is a sequel would love to know where everyone ends up!
June 30, 2021
Synopsis:
The Year is 1999, and High School Senior Lukas Bradley just came out to his best friend. It went not exactly ideal, but his coming out is only the beginning of his story. Follow Lukas through his last year in High School, his wishes to leave his small hometown Santana but life has other plans in store for him. Through beautiful friendships and heartbreaking hardships, Lukas has to face life relationships and decisions with consequences for himself.
There are twists and turns that took us by surprise, and it was hard to put this book down.
This is our review on Instagram 💚
(Little bit of spoilers?)
„This is real life,“ Michael smiled.
Book review! So the lovely @kameronwrites sent us a copy of his book, and now we want to share with you our thoughts!
So we didn´t quite know what a ride we were in with “Lukas with a K”, but prepare to be emotionally invested. You´ll meet a strong cast of authentic characters, that you can´t help but love. Following the story of High School Senior Lukas, his journey shows what real life consists of, in all its wonders, pains, and beauty. It is written in such grace and clarity that reminded us a lot of Benjamin Alire Sáenz.
Lukas´s story is not painless, and you should know there are some difficult topics mentioned in the book, but we want to highlight how much joy and strength there is in his journey. Through his wonderful relationships with his family and friends, and reminding us that we can always learn new sides of those closest to our heart. Tyler reminds us that we can find acceptance and love from around us, even in our darkest moments.
Our favorite quote from above sums it up perfectly: This is real life. In all its facets and wonders.
Lukas deserves the world and not to be spoiling, but the end had us cheering and cry (relieved)happy tears. We´ll post our review on goodreads with a more detailed synopsis, and if you can please give this book a chance, you won´t regret it.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 19, 2021
A debut like no other! Holy shit!
Though this book is gay, like v gay, it's so much more than that. It's about self discovery in the face of trials. It's about the test of family, the test of friendship. It's about keeping those who truly love and care for you close no matter what may come your way. It's about taking that next step even when you're scared shitless. About doing what makes you happy, truly happy.
I didn't know what I was expecting when going into this book, but I do know that I wasn't expecting ANY of that and I loved it! This book was really heavy and hard to read at times due to the tough real life shit the MC, his family and his friends went through. But it was also so beautiful!! The resolve(s) was everything and justice was SERVED! I love me some drama and this book had ALL of it. I was so enthralled by all of these characters and elated as they journeyed into the next chapter of their lives.
I grew up in the 90s/turn of the century, so I know exactly what it meant to be gay back then. It was far from easy. So, I really felt the struggles of the MC and the fear what being gay ensued. But, I'm so proud of how far Lukas came within the year timeline of this novel. So. Good.
GAH! AND THE ENDING! It was SUCH a perfect ending!
This is a MUST READ! I loved it!
TW: death, molestation, mention of self harm, underage drinking/partying, teen pregnancy, cheating, homophobia, biphobia, internalized queer phobia, verbal abuse, fag slander.
Though this book is gay, like v gay, it's so much more than that. It's about self discovery in the face of trials. It's about the test of family, the test of friendship. It's about keeping those who truly love and care for you close no matter what may come your way. It's about taking that next step even when you're scared shitless. About doing what makes you happy, truly happy.
I didn't know what I was expecting when going into this book, but I do know that I wasn't expecting ANY of that and I loved it! This book was really heavy and hard to read at times due to the tough real life shit the MC, his family and his friends went through. But it was also so beautiful!! The resolve(s) was everything and justice was SERVED! I love me some drama and this book had ALL of it. I was so enthralled by all of these characters and elated as they journeyed into the next chapter of their lives.
I grew up in the 90s/turn of the century, so I know exactly what it meant to be gay back then. It was far from easy. So, I really felt the struggles of the MC and the fear what being gay ensued. But, I'm so proud of how far Lukas came within the year timeline of this novel. So. Good.
GAH! AND THE ENDING! It was SUCH a perfect ending!
This is a MUST READ! I loved it!
TW: death, molestation, mention of self harm, underage drinking/partying, teen pregnancy, cheating, homophobia, biphobia, internalized queer phobia, verbal abuse, fag slander.
January 6, 2020
Lukas with a K is the debut novel of Kameron Tyler and I can honestly say it is not a bad first effort. I know that may sound like a lukewarm review of this book but this book is far from mediocre. This book came to me nearly 20 years too late. It honestly makes me sad that books like this did not exist in the late-90s, early-2000s. This book gave me so many feels. I am still processing how I feel about certain things that happened. I am still mulling over my feelings towards certain characters. Kameron Tyler has done an impeccable job of crafting super complicated characters. Usually when it comes to the main protagonist in a story, I can see some of myself in that character. I can safely say, Lukas and I have NOTHING in common. But that's okay. I love that Lukas is so different than any character I have ever read. Lukas also makes bad choices and I especially like that because sometimes it's tempting for writers to have their protagonists walk the line while the people around them are the ones making poor decisions. There's so many things I want to say about this book but I do not want to spoil anything. This is a MUST READ for 2020. If you are reading this review, go ahead and order this book. I could not put it down. You will NOT be disappointed.
September 7, 2021
Excellent story about teenage angst
I gave this story 5 stars because the story line pulled me in almost immediately. The story of about a boy dealing with his friends and family during his senior year in high school. The trials and tribulations of youth.
I gave this story 5 stars because the story line pulled me in almost immediately. The story of about a boy dealing with his friends and family during his senior year in high school. The trials and tribulations of youth.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews