Within These County Lines

by Brian Zepka

Eighteen-year-old Stetson Delancey never thought breaking up with his boyfriend would turn him invisible.

In Penango County, Pennsylvania, high school couples carve their names into the legendary Ardor Tree, a rite of passage said to grant love that lasts. Stetson and his boyfriend were no exception. But a bitter breakup just before college splinters their future, and in a moment of anger, Stetson does the unthinkable: he hacks their names from the tree.

That’s when everything in his rural hometown goes from boring to bizarre. Shadows flicker where they shouldn’t. Strangers pass by like he’s not even there. And some people stop seeing him altogether.

With just two months left in Penango and his college dream slipping away, Stetson races to uncover the tree’s secrets before he vanishes for good. But when he meets a boy only he can see—a boy who may have secrets of his own—Stetson begins to wonder if breaking free from his hometown means letting go of everything or learning to hold on to what matters.

WITHIN THESE COUNTY LINES is a queer coming-of-age novel about the unraveling of first love, hometown magic, and how sometimes we can’t uncover the truth about others without confronting the truth about ourselves.

Genres: Young Adult, LGBT, Romance, Queer, Contemporary, Fiction, Mystery

328 pages, Hardcover

Published February 24, 2026

About the author

Brian Zepka is an award-winning author born and raised outside Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. His debut young adult novel, The Temperature of Me and You, was a Brazilian bestseller and honored as the best translated young adult stand-alone novel of 2022 at the Tres Cantos International Festival of Children's and Youth Literature. Outside of writing, Brian works in global sustainability research, while pursuing his doctorate in public health at Johns Hopkins University.

You can find him on Instagram and TikTok @brianzepka.

Reviews

[Brian Zepka · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m baaack.

I’m excited to share my second book with y’all! This one might be for you if you like small towns, big feelings, heartbreak, slow burn love, secrets, second chances, and a whole lot of queer self love.

Thanks for your support and happy reading! Questions for me can be submitted through the contact form on my website and I'll do my best to answer: brianzepka.com

[Marieke (mariekes_mesmerizing_books)]

I’m so sorry. I really am. It’s been a few years since I read The Temperature of You and Me and I liked that story. And now I don’t know if my taste changed or if Brian Zella’s new book is different. I liked the writing, it’s pretty action packed, but the main character is eighteen and I found the story quite immature.

So… instead of giving a bad rating I decided to DNF at 31%. Please check out other reviews if you want to read this one!

Thank you Pennor Books and NetGalley for this ARC.

Follow me on Instagram

[Gabriela M · Rating 4 out of 5]

A cursed tree, a breakup, and a lost boy only you can see. Yeah, count me in!

Bonus point: the cover is gorgeous.

The story follows Stetson, who accidentally ruins a small town tradition after carving his name off the Ardor Tree, where couples are supposed to leave their mark forever. Of course, traditions like that often have darker roots, and this one is tied to old witch-hunting history and magic. Once Stetson breaks the rule, things start getting weird: shadows acting up, people ignoring him, and the town suddenly feels a lot less normal.

I really liked Stetson as a main character. He felt relatable in that messy teenager about to step into adulthood way. One thing I appreciated is that the story happens right after high school. The characters are still teenagers, but they’re planning for college, so we are saved from the usual high school drama.

I also didn’t realize how much small towns in Pennsylvania share Appalachian-style folklore, and it made the spooky elements feel even more exciting. Even though the book has ghosts (kind of), I wouldn’t call it horror. It’s more eerie than scary. If you usually balk at horror like I do, you’ll probably be fine with this one.

I have MAD RESPECT for how the DV was handled in this story. It’s not the center of the plot, but seeing a teen recognize the red flags, know his worth, and get the hell out before the cycle of violence could start? YES 👏 I am sat for this.

Poor Stetson is having the worst summer of his life, but somehow it also becomes the best one.

He needs a hug.
Luckily, Xander is there to give it to him.

Overall, this is a queer coming-of-age story with a little magic, a little mystery, and a lot of heart.

**Thank you NetGalley and Pennor Books for this ARC. All opinions are my own.

[Gareth Jones-Jenkins · Rating 4 out of 5]

The story flowed very nicely,there were a few parts where I was overthinking things but I enjoyed the storyline.
The only let down for me was the ending felt it happened to quickly

[PaperMoon · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was pleasantly surprised by this YA paranormal romance; well developed characters and strong plot pacing kept my full attention throughout.

[Harrison · Rating 1 out of 5]

1.5⭐️
No, just no.

I will admit: I’m not the biggest YA fan; but even I can tell when a book just does not work. Strap in, because I’m about to go off:

To start, my biggest issue is the “what did Murray, the boyfriend, do to Stetson.” It is a cheap ploy to string the reader along with “I don’t know if I can say” or “I’m not sure I want to ruin his image” excuses from the main character. Even if you don’t want the other characters to know, at least tell the reader. And to reveal it at the 2/3rd mark and have it not be that bad?! Oohh, I’m getting heated…
To save you the trouble: Stetson wants to go to college out-of-state but tells his boyfriend (of 2+ years, mind you) in a way that does not leave room for conversation. Stetson basically says “I’m getting into a college out of state that I never told you I was considering, but you’re not supporting me and want to keep me tethered here, why are you not being a good boyfriend?” Blah, blah, blah. The two fight and eventually things get heated and Murray throws a beer bottle that slices Stetson’s forehead and pushes him, sending Stetson down the stairs.
Now, do I think Murray is justified in this situation? Absolutely not! Do I think Stetson’s actions are inflammatory and dramatically overreactive? Well, yes! Both are extremely volatile and do not know how to communicate in a healthy way. A lot of the drama could have been easily avoided if they had talked through what their plans were for after high school and gone from there. Bye.
By the way: no, that is not abuse. Yes, Murray did some irrational things, but Stetson did far more damage, and that is a hill I will die on. Speaking of…
Stetson is melodramatic and overreactive. I don’t want to hear anything about “oh, he’s a teenager we’re all like that!” For an 18-year-old that has scholarship potential, going to college, and has had a relationship for 3 years, I’d expect a little bit more maturity. Also, he is a terrible friend. I felt so bad for Whitley, she is constantly sidelined and left out of his life and it, honestly, infuriated me.
Also, what is the reason Stetson wants to leave his hometown again? I get it’s small, and the gay things, sure. But: he’s got a boyfriend, doesn’t get bullied (that we know of), his parents and friends are supportive…Sooooooo?
Now, on to the world building/magic system…it’s a chop. Xander is invisible? And anything he touches is invisible? Okay…wouldn’t the rest of the town have sort of picked up on the fact that food and supplies go missing? Like when Xander makes him and Stetson milkshakes, wouldn’t the cook have seen the missing supplies? Or, at the least, heard the blender going for said milkshakes? That doesn’t even touch on the fact of why Xander needs to eat at all! Does he feel hunger? What is happening, am I insane?
And then! At the end, when Xander “comes back to life,” how old is he? He’s been 17 for 10 years, since 2015….Soooo, is he 17 still or 27 now? I am confusion.

I’m probably missing a lot of other details, but oh boy, I could probably do a 3-hour long rant about how inane this book is.

The one glimmer of hope is the representation of supportive families and pro-LGBTQ+ messaging. Proud parents, gay camp counselors; yes, very good.

Overall, I don’t think I can find much good with this book, sad to say.

Thank you to NetGalley and Brian Zepka for an ARC of this novel.

[Kai · Rating 4 out of 5]

Super cute.
As someone who was a high school senior in 2015, I will say this managed to make me feel old in a way I was unprepared for. Xander mentioning mean girls and Stetson being shocked he was familiar with it really threw me for a loop until my sister mentioned the new mean girls musical and I realized I'm old once again.
But ignoring me being entirely too old to be the target demographic, this book was really good. I liked how it managed to be a gay romance while maintaining a strong focus on non-romantic love as well. Dara's (albeit minor) character arc did this super well, and then Stetson maintaining Whitley as his most important person also helped with that. That being said, the story was a bit frustrating with Stetson constantly putting her on the back burner during the middle of the story. It was giving "women have to suffer for male character development" a bit.
I also loved how Stetson maintained his dream throughout the story. He didn't need to give up on getting away just because he wasn't running from something anymore. It was a refreshing resolution to be sure.
Overall, I thought it was cute. A little basic, and very YA, but not in a bad way on either point.
(I received a free copy for review)

[Maia · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a very very sweet YA romance with a fun element of the supernatural.
We meet Stetson at the start of summer break, just turned 18 and ready to leave his hometown for college. Some spooky goings on happen snd he finds himself invisible to his recent ex boyfriend, Murray

However, in becoming invisible to Murray, he can now see Xander, a boy who was assumed dead or missing ten years prior.

The summer sees them working together to resolve this odd situation and something else begins to blossom! 🌸

Overall, I thought it was cute and lots of moments felt moving, especially the storyline with his best friend at the end. 💛 3.5 ⭐️

Reviewed as part of an ARC from NetGalley

[Jonny Andrew · Rating 5 out of 5]

Within These County Lines completely mesmerized me from the opening lines through the very end. Brian Zepka effortlessly transports readers to Penango County, PA, a small town full of quiet rules, lingering magic, and the kind of place Stetson Delancey can’t wait to escape. That is, until he meets Xander…a boy only Stetson can see and interact with.

The mystical elements are wonderfully woven throughout the story, particularly the unknown abilities Xander possesses, abilities that ultimately prove to Stetson’s best friend Whitley that Xander isn’t dead, yet not quite alive either. This sense of mystery adds an emotional depth that mirrors Stetson’s own in-between state as he navigates identity, belonging, and the ache to leave home.

The slow-burn friendship-to-romance between Stetson and Xander is tender, heartfelt, and absolutely beautiful. The legendary Adora Tree adds another imaginative layer, tying the community together while enforcing its own rules and consequences, especially when it comes to proclamations of love. Zepka’s writing is lyrical and whimsical without ever losing its emotional depth, and I found myself completely enraptured, unable to put this book down. A magical, queer YA story about longing, love, and finding meaning where you least expect it.

Thank you Pennor Books, NetGalley, and Brian Zepka for this eARC!!

[Daria · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thanks to NetGalley and Pennor Books for providing me with an ARC in return for an honest review.

From me - 4.5/5

Turns out, life isn't a simple math. Two things can be true at once.

Stetson lives his last summer in his hometown, a god-forgotten county in Pennsylvania. He dreams big and wants to study at a college as far away from his home state as possible. But his boyfriend, Murray, isn't supportive. Something happens between two of them, and Stetson breaks everything between them up. Being angry and shocked, he runs to the famous Ardor Tree to destroy their carved names from it. He wants to eliminate everything that reminds him of his boyfriend. Something happens, and... Some people don't see him anymore. Or are they pretending?
So, things are changing too fast. His long-term relationship is over, his dream of Tennessee is hanging uncertain. His work doesn't give him enough money to cover his goals and dreams. His best friend seems not to understand his struggles. And here he is. Xander.

I loved the fiction part. To be honest, I read this book more as a fairy tale than a romance or a mystery. And that's why I enjoyed it.
Short chapters, fun jokes, from friends to lovers, supportive families and friends. Goal-oriented boys - do they even exist? I loved how it was shown that even while understanding the importance of a goal, a person still can get distracted by something even more important. Because that's life, how it is. Nothing ever goes as planned. Never.
I love Xander. I loved some side characters.

But still, there are some flaws.
First of all, the book has to be proofread once again. I'll leave these details to the other place, but it is crucial. For example, there are pretty noticeable inconsistencies.
Second of all, for me first few chapters were enough to get that Stetson wears earbuds, earbuds, earbuds. Please, stop. I get that repetitiveness is one of the first concepts of the Writing Method, but please. It was important for the story just twice.
Also, it was supposed, I guess, to be a romantic mystery fiction, but for me, there was not enough mystery. Again, I loved the mystery and the fiction. But it could be presented a bit deeper.
The Murray wrongdoing. There was so much suspense about it, but it ended up being... pff...


To crown it all, I loved the book as a fairy tale. That's a kind of book that makes me wonder if I want to find myself in love. I took 0.5 points mainly because it should have been proofread better. And because there were not enough details on the origin of the curse.

[December · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5/5. It was unexpected but I loved what happens in the epilogue. Probably cuz not everyone would do something like that, and I'd like to think I would and hope someone will one day do that for me.

[Kai (CuriousCompass) · Rating 4 out of 5]

WITHIN THESE COUNTY LINES:

All the boys who keep promises must be invisible. No wonder everyone has a hard time dating.

Within These County Lines has a lot going for it, but it’s definitely a gem in the rough…uncut edges and dirt smudges and all. There’s a shining ruby heart here if you’re willing to push through the grime though, for sure! Just don’t go in expecting a high strangeness sci-fi mystery thriller like I did: there are shades of that here for sure, but at its core, Within These County lines is more interested in being a compact YA standalone small town coming of age story.

It’s a pretty good one, too, not perfect, but pretty good! So I’m going to break it down:

-Last Summer
-Growing Up/Money Troubles
-The Mystery
-Stetson
-Xander
-Murray/The Breakup
-The Good
-The Bad
-Whitley
-Lost Threads

Last Summer

The novel is set during our hero Stetson’s last summer in his hometown before college starts. He’s got to raise enough money to go on his summer road trip with his best friend Whitley and they’ve got summer jobs to secure their plan, but the entire novel really focuses on reflecting on senior year of high school and the drawn-out death of Stetson and Whitley’s childhoods and the looming future, which lends this summery, hazy, painfully nostalgic thread to the entire book and enhances our setting.

Growing Up/Money Troubles

Stetson is dealing with a lot of money problems because his parents can’t really afford to help him and his best friend is counting on him to go with her, so a lot of the novel is driving home the bitterness of scholarship requests and how hard it is to get financial aid. When you’ve got like six bucks in your bank account like Stetson does, everything feels crucial, every tiny choice could financially make or break you, so there’s genuine stakes to whether or not Stetson is able to raise this money: his entire future could collapse without it.

I thought it was really relatable that Stetson deals with constant stress over whether his every tiny action will cause his future to collapse like a house of cards. And I wish I didn’t.

The Mystery

The central mystery surrounding this tree really pissed me off. I can’t believe we didn’t dig deeper into this thing! I have nothing but questions. Frankly I’d risk burning this thing down, but I also want scientists to study it. It’s one of those books where the answer is pretty much ‘it’s magic’ and you gotta just deal with it.

Stetson

Stetson might be the most frustrating part of this book. I genuinely could not believe how often he spent his time just sitting on his ass and refusing to even try and solve this mystery. If I was Xander and this was who was solving my situation for me, I’d be angsty too! I get that he had a lot on his plate, but there was nothing more pressing than this. He routinely gave ‘I tried one thing and I’m all out of ideas.”

Don’t get me wrong, I didn’t hate him, but I genuinely wanted to shake him by the shoulders several times throughout the course of the novel. He’s got a good head on his shoulders but he’s in the wrong genre here. He’s wrong-genre savvy because for a romcom protag he’s doing amazing, but when it comes to dealing in the supernatural he’s in over his head for sure.

Xander

Easily the best character in the novel. Exactly the kind of guy I’d have a crush on as a teenager too, he’s got that sweet boy next door golden retriever thing going on, but he’s playful and adventurous as well. His struggles with his weird situation were fascinating and I honestly kind of wanted a novel about his ten years in isolation and his adventures being invisible.
I wish he’d also been more proactive in solving the mystery though, for sure.

Murray/The Breakup

We’ve all known a Murray or two. A small-town lifer who may have a crab-in-the-bucket mentality or view anyone who wants out as a traitor. Frankly I get people who want to live in their hometown forever, but not everybody does. The places the breakup went got a little dark for a minute but it came back around and I genuinely enjoyed their final scene together, I thought it was a nice contrast: the boy who longs for the past and the boy who longs for the future, the way nostalgia is a trap you fall into and not an actual realistic depiction of your past, that things were never as good as you imagined.

The Good

The atmosphere, overall emotions, and core mystery of the novel are all compelling enough to keep you reading, and there’s a few characters who are gems. The novel has some decent writing here and there, although the style is mostly functional Zepka will still hit you with a banger line of prose at times when he decides to get more detailed or focused. The idea of the Ardour tree and the crazy things happening around it were deeply compelling and I wanted a lot more of the archives, the research, the slow building of answers…

The Bad

…but the novel has a lot of glaring flaws too. Like the lost threads and dropped plot elements we can get into in a minute, but along with that, the frustrating lack of focus or action from our two leads. Stetson and Xander just sit on their asses far too often. There’s large swaths of the novel where you’re just left in disbelief these guys can go about business as usual instead of spending every waking moment focused on their current issues. At points it become absurdly unbelievable that they aren’t going straight to the Ardour tree after learning new information to try new experiments on the thing.

The novel brims with potential and threads that are set up that just never fully blossom. Side characters like Stetson’s parents, his guidance counselor, even Dara, all feel a little underbaked with so much focus on stuff that doesn’t fully land like scenes at Stetson and Whitley’s pool job.

Despite Stetson’s apology to Whitley in the end it’s also insane that he didn’t have to do more to apologize or repair their friendship. It was lovely that Whitley helped him without him asking or knowing even while mad at him, but when you read this book (and you should!) you may be as disgruntled as I was that he genuinely left her alone for two weeks and then was forgiven so easily.

Truth be told the climactic scene was also kind of boring, but I didn’t care because the montage of scenes following and the epilogue hit just how they needed to and landed perfectly.

Whitley

Whitley is easily the best part of this novel, criminally underutilized throughout, disrespected by everyone around her, and kind of deserves her own damn book. When I said some characters are gems I was mostly talking about her, and the reason for that is that she rocks.

Lost Threads

The fact that the pentagram, the lesbian couple, the tree, the town history, the magic itself, are all just…dropped? Like, is there going to be a historical prequel? Is there going to be a spin-off? I guess with some indication of that I’d be fine but the fact that so much of the core mystery and point of this entire novel is just left up in the air is insane!

I genuinely thought we might get some kind of flashback sequence ore even some straight up time travel to explain some of this, but no.

Final Thoughts /b>

Brian Zepka is clearly a hugely talented creative with a sharp mind for plots and concepts but some time and experience will do him well. A lot of the problems with this book feel a lot like typical ‘debut author’ problems you see in a lot of YA books in the coming of age story space (and no not every YA book is about coming of age, I’ll die on that hill) but even with some of the growing pains on display here it’s a fun worthwhile book especially if you’re looking for some age appropriate reading material for gay/bi teen boys, because even though they’re college-aged the book is very clean/chaste.

I had some fun with this one. I want more about Whitley to be honest, would love a spin-off or sequel from her POV.

This one just barely squeezed past that third star because of its overall charm.

Big thanks to the author and NetGalley for providing a free review copy!

[Richard Derus · Rating 3 out of 5]

Real Rating: 3.5* of five

The Publisher Says: Eighteen-year-old Stetson Delancey never thought breaking up with his boyfriend would turn him invisible.

In Penango County, Pennsylvania, high school couples carve their names into the legendary Ardor Tree, a rite of passage said to grant love that lasts. Stetson and his boyfriend were no exception. But a bitter breakup just before college splinters their future, and in a moment of anger, Stetson does the unthinkable: he hacks their names from the tree.

That’s when everything in his rural hometown goes from boring to bizarre. Shadows flicker where they shouldn’t. Strangers pass by like he’s not even there. And some people stop seeing him altogether.

With just two months left in Penango and his college dream slipping away, Stetson races to uncover the tree’s secrets before he vanishes for good. But when he meets a boy only he can see—a boy who may have secrets of his own—Stetson begins to wonder if breaking free from his hometown means letting go of everything or learning to hold on to what matters.

WITHIN THESE COUNTY LINES is a queer coming-of-age novel about the unraveling of first love, hometown magic, and how sometimes we can’t uncover the truth about others without confronting the truth about ourselves.

I RECEIVED A DRC FROM THE PUBLISHER VIA NETGALLEY. THANK YOU.

My Review: Stetson's a queer kid at the inflection point between ending the perspectiveless wasteland of adolescence and taking on the habituation to and of emotional regulation that we call "young adulthood." At eighteen, he knows when he fucks up there'll be consequences; sometimes he just doesn't much care. This is where we meet him.

What happens to start Stetson on his path to maturity is not revealed until about two-thirds of the way into the story...bye now, fifth star...while he very thoroughly trashes his now-ex boyfriend (of two years, at eighteen) in the vaguest most undefendable terms. It's clear Precious is a Major Drama Queen. He's got his BFF Whitley (I mentally called her the most patient girl in the world because she never snapped on this inconsiderate chud despite how often he simply ghosted her, used her as ears to whine into, etc.) as his captive audience for obsessively overthinking all the weird stuff that's happening to him. It's not 100% clear to me the supernatural implications of Stetson becoming invisible to Murray, the ex, and his sudden ability to "see" the long-missing Xander were real or simply the intense fantastical overdescriptions of Stetson's wounded spirit.

What I want to praise is the evocation of how domestic violence becomes normalized within a relationship. If you screw up, like Stetson did with his big dramatic announcement to Murray, and your partner's response is what Murray's was, you're going to need to consider an exit strategy. Props to Author Zepka for making this a point, though why wait so long to bring it up?

I'm generally positive about the read, though more for teens than readers in my age bracket. As the author's already in the YA market, I'm supposing this is more aimed at "New Adults" (a kind of reader I characterize as "YA with pubic hair"). It's still not on my top-ten list but I'm not the marketed-to reader. I'd prefer a story with much better female representation, the sweet, patient BFF is in short supply in the real world; but that's me being an old guy with multiple axes that need grinding. I'd buy it for my grandkid who's navigating a new relationship territory. If they asked for it.

[Tammy · Rating 5 out of 5]

📚Within These County Lines
✍🏻Brian Zepka
Blurb:
Eighteen-year-old Stetson Delancey never thought breaking up with his boyfriend would turn him invisible.

In Penango County, Pennsylvania, high school couples carve their names into the legendary Ardor Tree, a rite of passage said to grant love that lasts. Stetson and his boyfriend were no exception. But a bitter breakup just before college splinters their future, and in a moment of anger, Stetson does the unthinkable: he hacks their names from the tree.

That’s when everything in his rural hometown goes from boring to bizarre. Shadows flicker where they shouldn’t. Strangers pass by like he’s not even there. And some people stop seeing him altogether.

With just two months left in Penango and his college dream slipping away, Stetson races to uncover the tree’s secrets before he vanishes for good. But when he meets a boy only he can see—a boy who may have secrets of his own—Stetson begins to wonder if breaking free from his hometown means letting go of everything or learning to hold on to what matters.

WITHIN THESE COUNTY LINES is a queer coming-of-age novel about the unraveling of first love, hometown magic, and how sometimes we can’t uncover the truth about others without confronting the truth about ourselves.
My Thoughts:
Within These County Lines completely mesmerized me from the opening lines through the very end. Brian Zepka effortlessly transports readers to Penango County, PA, a small town full of quiet rules, lingering magic, and the kind of place Stetson Delancey can’t wait to escape. That is, until he meets Xander…a boy only Stetson can see and interact with.The mystical elements are wonderfully woven throughout the story, particularly the unknown abilities Xander possesses, abilities that ultimately prove to Stetson’s best friend Whitley that Xander isn’t dead, yet not quite alive either. This sense of mystery adds an emotional depth that mirrors Stetson’s own in-between state as he navigates identity, belonging, and the ache to leave home.The slow-burn friendship-to-romance between Stetson and Xander is tender, heartfelt, and absolutely beautiful. The legendary Adora Tree adds another imaginative layer, tying the community together while enforcing its own rules and consequences, especially when it comes to proclamations of love. Zepka’s writing is lyrical and whimsical without ever losing its emotional depth, and I found myself completely enraptured, unable to put this book down. A magical, queer YA story about longing, love, and finding meaning where you least expect it.
Thanks NetGalley, Pennor Books and Author Brian Zepka for the complimentary copy of "Within These County Lines" I am leaving my voluntary review in appreciation.
#NetGalley
#PennorBooks
#BrianZepka
#WithinTheseCountyLines
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
⚠️Trigger Warnings:Animal cruelty, Bullying, Child death, Domestic abuse, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Toxic relationship, Blood, Grief, Gaslighting, Abandonment, Injury/Injury detail, Homophobia, Death of parent, Alcohol

[Jason Conrad · Rating 3 out of 5]

Actual Rating — 2.5 out of 5 ⭐️ I’ll round up.

I’m a little bit bummed as I write this. And I was a little bit bummed while reading the book. For me, it was a swing and a miss. And that breaks my heart, because I LOVED The Temperature of Me and You.

I’ll start with the good:

- The book had a great premise, even if it wasn’t executed perfectly.

- The mystery elements were fun.

- There are some very exciting chapters that are fast-paced and interesting.

- There’s good humor worked into the writing.

- I LOVED Xander.

Now, the “room for improvement” part of the review.

What a lot of my disappointment comes down to is that the concept just wasn’t well-defined enough. There were some glaring gaps in logic and world-building that were kind of just dismissed / explained away … it felt like the story was kind of just relying on the fact that it’s in a book with fantasy elements, so why should everything have to “make sense”?

And when we finally start getting answers and things get more intriguing, it all happens directly at the end, and those answers are rushed — in fact, they only left me with more questions. There were too many important things that weren’t elaborated on. The resolution just wasn’t satisfying enough for me. It felt rushed and half-baked.

Some of the plot “twists” / realizations were incredibly obvious from the moment they were alluded to early on in the story, and not at all shocking when they were explained 100+ pages later.

The characters … eh.

Stetson needed some improvement. His narrative voice was repetitive and he lacked common sense. Essentially, he was a very average protagonist who I won’t remember.

Whitley was not a good friend. She was self-centered, she was rude, and she was petty. Her personality and actions were inconsistent, which just showed that she wasn’t developed enough.

In reality, the book may have needed another round of editing / tweaking before it was fully ready for release.

Although the book didn’t work for me, I will still read whatever Brian Zepka comes up with next, as I do indeed have faith in him as a writer.

A BIG thank you to NetGalley for an ARC of this book!

[Sasha Wolf · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an intriguing mystery about a boy on the brink of going to college who discovers after an accident that his ex-boyfriend can no longer see him, even though everyone else can - but instead, he himself can now see another boy who's supposed to have vanished without trace ten years earlier.

I enjoyed the central mystery a lot, as the characters work out what's going on and learn a lot in the process. For the last third of the book, I couldn't put it down at all.

Earlier in the book, there were some awkward moments where I didn't find the main character's actions and motivations very plausible. There's a hint that he may be neurodivergent, but it's never made clear, and I'm not sure it would explain everything anyway. Most notably, he's driven by a desire to get out of the small town he lives in, but it's never really clear why he resents it as much as be does. He alludes to being gay as one of the reasons, but it doesn't seem like anyone in the town gives him a hard time about that; he seems to have nothing but support. He's very melodramatic in general. There's also some awkward dialogue that doesn't feel like anything a real person of any age would say, and some of the prose feels like it's trying too hard. There are other times when it works well, though, and then it can be quite moving or quite funny, depending on the mood. I also found the portrayal of the attraction between the MC and his love interest unusually well done and relatable for a YA book. Finally, I liked the overall theme of love being shown through safety, care, support and being receptive to what the other person is sharing with you.

Thanks to NetGalley and Pennor Books for providing me with an ARC in return for an honest review.

[a r u s h i · Rating 3 out of 5]

i’d place this somewhere around a 2.5 to 3 for me, but there were definitely things i appreciated. within these county lines has a really strong premise and opening that immediately pulls you in. the idea of memory, disappearance, and emotional fallout tied into something slightly uncanny or surreal works really well, especially in the beginning. i also liked how the story leans into a queer coming-of-age narrative, exploring messy relationships, vulnerability, and that confusing space between adolescence and adulthood. there are moments where the writing captures that emotional intensity quite well, particularly in how grief, confusion, and identity blur together for the protagonist.

that said, i think where it didn’t fully land for me was in the pacing and character connection. the middle section felt a bit uneven, and while i could understand what the story was trying to do emotionally, i didn’t always feel fully grounded in it. steston as a character is intentionally flawed and impulsive, which works thematically, but it also created a bit of distance for me as a reader. i found myself more interested in the ideas and the overall arc than in following him moment to moment. however, the book does come together more strongly toward the end, and i can see this really resonating with readers who enjoy introspective, slightly abstract coming-of-age stories with queer representation and a touch of the uncanny. it didn’t completely click for me, but it’s definitely one i can respect for what it was trying to explore.

[Smallbob · Rating 2 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC!

DNF @ 35%

I just could not with these kids. I know they're teens, but they are so insufferable.

The MC's best friend is the worst, like, if my best friend returned from a meeting with his ex with a gash on his head that he refuses to explain, and also adamantly refuses to talk to or meet said ex again, I would be joining some dots and calling the cops, not arranging for him to meet up with his ex!! What??? Also idk if this is legal in the US/Pennsylvania, but regardless, hunting coyotes for whatever reason is not ok. Why does this teenage girl have a shotgun??

It's one thing to write flawed characters, but it doesn't feel like the author is writing their flaws deliberately; more like he's unaware how illogical their actions and decisions are.

And the MC has some of the most insufferable quirks, like constantly listening to podcasts even during conversations, and only listening to live recordings of songs. We get it dude, you're not like the other guys.🙄

P.S. As someone who lives on a literal island, it's also kind of funny how the MC constantly complains about how his town is too small and acts like it's the end of the world if he doesn't go to an out of state college.

[Brady · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thanks Pennor Books and Netgalley for this eARC, these opinions are my own. Such an enjoyable read! There’s not much that happens in Stetson’s county in Pennsylvania unfortunately nobody gets out either. But Stetson is determined to leave, college is coming and he’s going to get out. Only his boyfriend, well ex-boyfriend now, Murray isn’t supportive. After they break up Stetson ends up at the Ardor Tree where couples carve their name in it. Including Stetson and Murray. In a fit of rage Stetson destroys their name but something weird happens, it’s like the tree comes to life. Bizarre things also start to happen, shadows flicker that shouldn’t and some people seem not to see him anymore, including his ex. He needs to figure out what is going on before he vanishes altogether. Then he meets a boy that only he can see, who has secrets of his own. Together they’ll work to figure out what is happening and maybe as they spend time together their feelings will grow. I was hooked and couldn’t put this one down! A cozy feel good story that kept me highly entertained and intrigued! Brian Zepka delivers a little mystery, a little queer romance, and a little speculative fiction!

[Arimi Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was one of my more enjoyable reads. Not sure if anyone grew up on Dude! That's my Ghost- but this book was essentially that if the two guys were somewhat romantically interested in each other. I wonder what it would be like to be a guy, falling for another guy, only he can never have him because he's you know... dead.

Rather bizarre story from start to finish. Nothing extra ordinary, but I thoroughly enjoyed reading this. Also the ex story line, loved the arc with that one. Not too bad, this is the sort of book I expect to read when I see Brian Zepka is writing. If I saw this in my library I would pick it up.

It reminded me of some of the stories I read back in 2015, so there was also the nostalgic element for me. As this book hasn't been released yet, I won't spoil too much: but would recommend reading. It's more of a gay, romance, mystery kind of thing. Uncanny valley to some extent.

Special thanks to NetGallery and the publisher for giving me a free e book in exchange for my honest review.

[Mollie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to Netgalley and Pennor Books for sending me this ARC!

Within These County Lines mixes the everyday with magic. I found the folklore of the Ardor Tree fascinating. I do think there should have been more focus surrounding the tree itself, as well as Abigail and Louise and their story.

At first I wasn't Whitley's biggest fan - I thought she came across as quite self-centred, but she grew on me as the book went on.

I wish there was more focus on the abuse Stetson suffered from Murray, and that he told Whitley the reason why he was so distant.

The pacing felt a bit off for me, and there were a lot of metaphorical paragraphs that ended in something poignant, which is fine to an extent, but when it happens every other page the point you are making loses its importance.

3 stars.

[Andrea Ariza · Rating 4 out of 5]

*Thank you to NetGalley and to the publisher for granting me this arc.

Oye pues me ha gustado mucho, ojo con esta novedad, es una historia preciosa y me ha tenido superenganchada 🥹

El uso metafórico de los elementos fantásticos y el realismo mágico me han parecido muy bien llevados, el terremoto al principio que solo el protagonista siente y lo que acaba siendo es que es para chillar!!!! Qué genialidad.

¿Lo único? Quizá se encariña de Xander demasiado rápido, aunque solo le atraiga o lo que sea. Chaval, lo conoces desde hace dos días, calm down.

Pero, insisto, la metáfora de cómo los jóvenes queer en entornos rurales se hacen invisibles es fantástica, me tenía atrapada desde el primer minuto.

[bookishmarcos · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you Pennor Books and NetGalley for this ARC.

2.5 stars.

A strong premise with uneven execution. The idea of a small-town curse tied to first love and invisibility is intriguing, and the mystery does become more engaging toward the end.

However, the story struggled with clarity and consistency. The rules of the magic felt underdeveloped, several plot points were brushed past, and character behavior didn’t always feel believable. Stetson’s narration became repetitive, and some relationships lacked the depth needed to make their emotional impact fully land.

There are thoughtful ideas here about first love, self-identity, and the fear of being stuck in your hometown, but the rushed resolution and loose worldbuilding kept the book from reaching its full potential.

[Rikke Aurora · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was not everything I had hoped it was, but it was cute enough.

It's a story of perspective, identity, choices and the later years and struggles of adolescence.
It's about being seen, about being remembered and about being accepted.

In the end I missed more muchness and layers to the characters. And the direction and reasons behind the "why" of mystery seemed somewhat weak.
But I liked the vulnerability of it, and its portrait of the characters of Stetson and Xander. I liked how they balanced each other and how they each had their own vibes.
And for a teenage queer love story, with a supernatural element, it was fine and cute. It could have had more depth but I get the message - especially for the people and targeted audience it most likely is intended for.

[Scott Lovelace · Rating 4 out of 5]

A brilliant coming of age mystery with a touch of magical realism. Stetson just wants to get out of Penango County, especially after his tenuous break up with Murray. Years earlier, Stetson and Murray carved their names into the Ardor tree, now Stetson has smashed his name out of the carving. Stetson and his best friend Whitley are starting their summer jobs as pool inspectors At his first inspection, Stetson meets Xander, who as it turns out, can not be seen by anyone except Stetson. Is he a ghost? Is he dead? Then Stetson learns he is invisible to his ex Murray. This was a really enjoyable and entertaining YA mystery.

[Axel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Review of advance copy received from Netgalley

Stetson and Xander were cute together, and I would have loved more scenes of them developing feelings for one another or simply spending time together.

The tension with Stetson’s best friend felt like it was meant to be a major conflict, but it was ultimately swept under the rug and didn’t resolve in a satisfying way.

The history of the Ardor tree was intriguing, and I wish it had been explored more deeply. A dual timeline featuring the witches who were mentioned could have added to the story.

Overall, it was a quick, cute read that still left me with a few questions.

[ines · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this one. The start felt a bit slow as we got to know Stetson and his situation, but once the strange magic of the Ardor Tree kicked in and he met Xander, I was completely hooked.

For me, the heart of the book was the characters and their dynamic. His connection with Xander was the highlight—their interactions and developing bond were written with so much warmth and comfort that it just made me want to keep reading about them. It's exactly the kind of relationship that makes you smile while reading.

[Abigail · Rating 2 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley for an arc of this book

This book was a let down for me. The writing felt overly cheesy, and even childish at some points. There were things about the characters and story that were repeated too many times. The pacing felt weird; some things moved really fast while some things dragged on. The characters didnt feel relatable as even they felt overly cheesy at times. The writing was what turned me off of this book; the story itself with the curses and tree and stuff was interesting.

[Saskia Veldhuis · Rating 4 out of 5]

A somewhat unusual and, at times, quite scary story. There were a number of missing people in the small town, and Stetson was able to see some of them while others couldn't. Xander hadn't been seen for ten years, and together with Stetson, and sometimes Whitley tried to figure out what was going on. I sometimes struggled a bit with linking parts (for example, hunting a coyote with Whitley), and the ending was good but felt very abrupt. The reason behind the mysteries was very interesting if quite creepy.
Thanks for the advance copy via NetGalley, I am happy to leave a voluntary review.

[Bethany Hall · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you Pennor Books for the digital copy to review!

This teen romance with a touch of magical realism was truly an intense read. From the jump, I was caught up in Stetson’s story and his breakup. I was so so worried about what happened to him and I hate that I was proven correct :(.

Also, when we meet Xander, how could you *not* feel for him? This quote sent me: “But this is something else entirely. It’s panic, grief, exhaustion, something five times heavier. He’s about to hyperventilate in my arms.” Poor Xander!!! As we learn more about him and this mystery got bigger, I was flipping pages so fast to find out what happened.

I liked the friendships in the book and I loved the end. It was really an interesting take on magical realism and it does have a happy ever after that is well earned and felt beautiful. I teared up toward the end.