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Boys Like Daniel: A Journey of Desire and Reckoning
Some Memories Don’t Haunt — They Seduce
Four years after running from a night that changed everything, Daniel is out, living freely in Atlanta—and deeply unsatisfied. He’s had the hookups, the nightlife, the liberation he once feared—but none of it feels right. Something's missing.
When Daniel unexpectedly spots Kevin—his old friend and first gay experience—living in the same city, the moment knocks the breath out of him. Kevin is still handsome, still magnetic, and very much in a relationship with Josh. What starts as a quiet search for closure quickly unravels into something deeper and far more complicated. As old feelings resurface—seductive, painful, unfinished—Daniel is forced to confront a truth he’s long avoided. Is he chasing Kevin, or the version of himself he abandoned the night he ran?
Boys Like Daniel is a LGBTQ+ literary fiction novel of longing, reckoning, and the emotional cost of rewriting the past. Perfect for fans of Call Me by Your Name and Lie with Me, this sequel to Boys Like Kevin unfolds against the heat and hush of 1980s Atlanta, exploring the versions of ourselves we leave behind and the moments we never stop chasing.
Four years after running from a night that changed everything, Daniel is out, living freely in Atlanta—and deeply unsatisfied. He’s had the hookups, the nightlife, the liberation he once feared—but none of it feels right. Something's missing.
When Daniel unexpectedly spots Kevin—his old friend and first gay experience—living in the same city, the moment knocks the breath out of him. Kevin is still handsome, still magnetic, and very much in a relationship with Josh. What starts as a quiet search for closure quickly unravels into something deeper and far more complicated. As old feelings resurface—seductive, painful, unfinished—Daniel is forced to confront a truth he’s long avoided. Is he chasing Kevin, or the version of himself he abandoned the night he ran?
Boys Like Daniel is a LGBTQ+ literary fiction novel of longing, reckoning, and the emotional cost of rewriting the past. Perfect for fans of Call Me by Your Name and Lie with Me, this sequel to Boys Like Kevin unfolds against the heat and hush of 1980s Atlanta, exploring the versions of ourselves we leave behind and the moments we never stop chasing.
- GenresLGBT
243 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 30, 2025
7 people are currently reading
36 people want to read
About the author
D.J. Ciccarello
5 books8 followersD.J. Ciccarello writes tales of conflict and change (spiced with secrets and second chances) across multiple genres. Boys Like Kevin was his debut novel. He is also the author of The Lucky Chip and No Time for Duplicity, both psychological thrillers. His fourth novel entitled Boys Like Daniel is a sequel to Boys Like Kevin and will be released September 30th, 2025. When not writing, D.J. enjoys competitive tennis and traveling the world in search of delicious cuisine with his husband.
Follow at https://www.djciccarello.com/
Follow at https://www.djciccarello.com/
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
August 29, 2025
A Refreshing Twist on the Coming-of-Age Formula
I’ve read my share of gay coming-of-age novels, and too often they fall into the same predictable arc: boy meets boy, self-discovery follows, and the story dissolves into a tidy sunset ending. “Boys Like Daniel”defies that formula (thankfully!) by offering something more layered, more honest, and ultimately more memorable.
The novel throws us directly into the plot—a young man adrift, haunted by a past love, Kevin. Their relationship unfolds not linearly but through a mosaic of flashbacks and vignettes. This could easily have felt disjointed, yet the author handles it with such skill that the narrative feels fluid and organic, mirroring Daniel’s own restless mind.
Stylistically, the book races along with short, clipped sentences, a rhythm that seems to put you into the fragmented, chaotic thoughts of Daniel. It allows us to feel his uncertainty, longing, restlessness and search for meaning.
Perhaps this is my English Literature background surfacing, but I couldn’t help noticing how water and cleansing recur throughout the novel. These moments seemed to serve as more than just atmospheric detail; they carried symbolic weight. The imagery suggested Daniel’s attempt to wash away not only the “dirtiness” he associates with the hedonistic underworld he drifts through, but also the guilt and shame that shadow his desires. In this sense, water becomes a motif of renewal—an effort to reconcile the tension between pleasure and purity, intimacy and self-acceptance. Subtle though it is, the symbolism enriches the narrative and underscores Daniel’s struggle for clarity and peace.
What makes the novel stand out is its refusal to fall back on clichés. Instead of romantic resolution, we’re given something rarer in gay fiction: genuine closure. Daniel’s awakening comes from an unexpected place, offering him not just love but perspective, peace, and the sense of being truly “seen.”
Many gay men will recognize themselves in Daniel—the tension between freedom and intimacy, between living openly and still yearning for love, acknowledgement and as Daniel puts it “to be seen”. That duality is what makes the novel resonate so strongly.
Ultimately, Boys Like Daniel is both poignant and invigorating: a story about desire, loss, and the quiet beauty of closure. It’s a novel that speaks not just to young readers searching for themselves, but to anyone who has ever longed to be understood. Highly recommend!
I’ve read my share of gay coming-of-age novels, and too often they fall into the same predictable arc: boy meets boy, self-discovery follows, and the story dissolves into a tidy sunset ending. “Boys Like Daniel”defies that formula (thankfully!) by offering something more layered, more honest, and ultimately more memorable.
The novel throws us directly into the plot—a young man adrift, haunted by a past love, Kevin. Their relationship unfolds not linearly but through a mosaic of flashbacks and vignettes. This could easily have felt disjointed, yet the author handles it with such skill that the narrative feels fluid and organic, mirroring Daniel’s own restless mind.
Stylistically, the book races along with short, clipped sentences, a rhythm that seems to put you into the fragmented, chaotic thoughts of Daniel. It allows us to feel his uncertainty, longing, restlessness and search for meaning.
Perhaps this is my English Literature background surfacing, but I couldn’t help noticing how water and cleansing recur throughout the novel. These moments seemed to serve as more than just atmospheric detail; they carried symbolic weight. The imagery suggested Daniel’s attempt to wash away not only the “dirtiness” he associates with the hedonistic underworld he drifts through, but also the guilt and shame that shadow his desires. In this sense, water becomes a motif of renewal—an effort to reconcile the tension between pleasure and purity, intimacy and self-acceptance. Subtle though it is, the symbolism enriches the narrative and underscores Daniel’s struggle for clarity and peace.
What makes the novel stand out is its refusal to fall back on clichés. Instead of romantic resolution, we’re given something rarer in gay fiction: genuine closure. Daniel’s awakening comes from an unexpected place, offering him not just love but perspective, peace, and the sense of being truly “seen.”
Many gay men will recognize themselves in Daniel—the tension between freedom and intimacy, between living openly and still yearning for love, acknowledgement and as Daniel puts it “to be seen”. That duality is what makes the novel resonate so strongly.
Ultimately, Boys Like Daniel is both poignant and invigorating: a story about desire, loss, and the quiet beauty of closure. It’s a novel that speaks not just to young readers searching for themselves, but to anyone who has ever longed to be understood. Highly recommend!
September 12, 2025
John Barrymore, Drew’s grandfather (yes, that Drew), wrote that “[a] man is not old until regret takes the place of dreams.” Barrymore, among his many movie credits, starred in the 1920 film “Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde.”
I was reminded of the quote and of the movie as I read D.J. Ciccarello’s “Boys Like Daniel.” Daniel is a young man, now openly gay, who is haunted by regret at how he handled—or rather mishandled—his first gay experience, four years earlier with his best friend, Kevin.
If you think you know where the plot is heading—second chance with Kevin, cue Gay Romance tropes, that’s what I thought, too, and all I’ll say without spoiling the book, is that you would be wrong. Deliciously wrong.
Daniel, like Barrymore’s Jekyll and Hyde, inhabits two worlds simultaneously. In one world he’s the hard-boiled, world-weary gay man who churns through tricks, replaying his regret like a record player where the needle is stuck and the same lyrics repeat. Alternatively, there’s the Daniel who dreams of a second chance with Kevin, especially after their worlds collide, four years later, in a new city.
Regret and dreams are lyrical, almost musical themes that compete—point and counterpoint—for melodic dominance as Daniel’s story progresses. (No, I’m not waxing poetic or grasping at metaphors. Music seems an apt allegory/metaphor here because of the frequent references to albums, lyrics, and songs. Two scenes are set in a music store.)
Who amongst us doesn’t have regrets? Who hasn’t lost time, years even, while the needle of life’s phonograph seemed stuck? Maybe that’s why this story resonated with me.
The author did not take the easy off-ramps with his plot. Or should I say instead that he didn’t opt for bubblegum pop music?
Instead, at strategic points, just when I expected simplicity, Ciccarello added nuance. Fleshing out Josh’s character—and also Patrick’s—added depth and displayed true writing (composing?) chops.
My only complaint, the only sour note in a beautiful piece, was that Naomi’s character seemed more two-dimensional, more prop, less of a presence than the other characters.
Still, kudos to Ciccarello for composing this piece. Trust me, fix yourself a drink, put on some jazz, and settle down with this book. You won’t regret it.
I received a free copy of this book. This is my honest review.
I was reminded of the quote and of the movie as I read D.J. Ciccarello’s “Boys Like Daniel.” Daniel is a young man, now openly gay, who is haunted by regret at how he handled—or rather mishandled—his first gay experience, four years earlier with his best friend, Kevin.
If you think you know where the plot is heading—second chance with Kevin, cue Gay Romance tropes, that’s what I thought, too, and all I’ll say without spoiling the book, is that you would be wrong. Deliciously wrong.
Daniel, like Barrymore’s Jekyll and Hyde, inhabits two worlds simultaneously. In one world he’s the hard-boiled, world-weary gay man who churns through tricks, replaying his regret like a record player where the needle is stuck and the same lyrics repeat. Alternatively, there’s the Daniel who dreams of a second chance with Kevin, especially after their worlds collide, four years later, in a new city.
Regret and dreams are lyrical, almost musical themes that compete—point and counterpoint—for melodic dominance as Daniel’s story progresses. (No, I’m not waxing poetic or grasping at metaphors. Music seems an apt allegory/metaphor here because of the frequent references to albums, lyrics, and songs. Two scenes are set in a music store.)
Who amongst us doesn’t have regrets? Who hasn’t lost time, years even, while the needle of life’s phonograph seemed stuck? Maybe that’s why this story resonated with me.
The author did not take the easy off-ramps with his plot. Or should I say instead that he didn’t opt for bubblegum pop music?
Instead, at strategic points, just when I expected simplicity, Ciccarello added nuance. Fleshing out Josh’s character—and also Patrick’s—added depth and displayed true writing (composing?) chops.
My only complaint, the only sour note in a beautiful piece, was that Naomi’s character seemed more two-dimensional, more prop, less of a presence than the other characters.
Still, kudos to Ciccarello for composing this piece. Trust me, fix yourself a drink, put on some jazz, and settle down with this book. You won’t regret it.
I received a free copy of this book. This is my honest review.
January 20, 2026
I wandered into this book blind with no knowledge of the author’s previous book “Boys Like Kevin.” I found it to be a beautiful tale of longing but longing for and mourning something that never was.
There are similarities here to many of the great gay novels that we have all come to love but this reads almost like the postscript to them. Not what happens when we fall in love for a summer with someone that we shouldn’t but what happens after and how do we deal with it.
Our story’s main character Daniel is stuck and while this was at times frustrating, I felt that I understood the struggle, his friends seemed to understand the struggle. It was not a character floundering unreasonably out in the world. He had real problems that he was trying to work out in ways that made sense. He was often the cause of these problems but that made it feel all the more real.
The thing that I ddi not understand (maybe if I read the other book that came before, I would) was why we got Josh’s point of view along with Daniel’s rather than Kevin. I didn’t care about Josh and I really just barreled through those chapters as I found them mostly immaterial.
If you are looking for a nostalgic novel of gay longing this is it. You will be transported to a world of landlines and missed opportunities set in the hot Atlanta sun. Thoroughly enjoyable.
There are similarities here to many of the great gay novels that we have all come to love but this reads almost like the postscript to them. Not what happens when we fall in love for a summer with someone that we shouldn’t but what happens after and how do we deal with it.
Our story’s main character Daniel is stuck and while this was at times frustrating, I felt that I understood the struggle, his friends seemed to understand the struggle. It was not a character floundering unreasonably out in the world. He had real problems that he was trying to work out in ways that made sense. He was often the cause of these problems but that made it feel all the more real.
The thing that I ddi not understand (maybe if I read the other book that came before, I would) was why we got Josh’s point of view along with Daniel’s rather than Kevin. I didn’t care about Josh and I really just barreled through those chapters as I found them mostly immaterial.
If you are looking for a nostalgic novel of gay longing this is it. You will be transported to a world of landlines and missed opportunities set in the hot Atlanta sun. Thoroughly enjoyable.
October 2, 2025
I saw myself in Daniel. The book brought back so many memories of feelings I had not thought about in a long time. It made me grateful to have lived through that period of my life and made revisiting it through the book an enlightening experience. It is an easy read and worth the time.
I received an advance copy from the author and am voluntarily leaving this review.
I received an advance copy from the author and am voluntarily leaving this review.
October 15, 2025
A Haunting, Honest Exploration of Longing and Identity ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Boys Like Daniel by DJ Ciccarello is a beautifully written, emotionally layered novel that lingers long after the final page. It’s a slow burn in all the right ways, quiet, simmering, and introspective, and I found myself completely pulled into its atmosphere and emotional complexity.
Set in the humid hush of 1980s Atlanta, this story isn’t about a sweeping romance or a neatly tied-up coming-out arc. It’s about longing, regret, and the parts of ourselves we run from, and what happens when we can no longer outrun them. Daniel is deeply flawed, and I loved that about him. His self-awareness unfolds slowly, sometimes painfully, and I found myself desperately wishing he’d get there sooner… but when he finally does, it matters.
The writing is vivid and lyrical, with imagery that feels lived-in and honest. Ciccarello paints each scene like a memory, tinged with both ache and beauty. We also get brief POV shifts to Josh, which add rich layers to the story and complicate what might have otherwise felt like a predictable triangle. These characters aren’t caricatures; they’re messy, human, and searching.
I really appreciated the supporting characters too. Kevin, Naomi, Mateo, Patrick (even the vinyl shop guy) all serve a purpose, helping to nudge Daniel toward truth, healing, and confrontation with the past. The angst runs deep, and I absolutely wanted to hand Daniel a therapist’s number more than once, but the emotional tension never felt melodramatic.
And the ending? It’s a happily-ever-after, but not the kind we typically see in queer romance. It’s earned. Quiet. Mature. It trusts the reader to see growth as resolution, not perfection.
This is a story for readers who like their fiction reflective and character-driven, with literary flair and emotional depth. I’m grateful Ciccarello didn’t lean into tired coming-of-age tropes. This felt fresh, honest, and adult. I’m very much looking forward to reading more from him.
Boys Like Daniel by DJ Ciccarello is a beautifully written, emotionally layered novel that lingers long after the final page. It’s a slow burn in all the right ways, quiet, simmering, and introspective, and I found myself completely pulled into its atmosphere and emotional complexity.
Set in the humid hush of 1980s Atlanta, this story isn’t about a sweeping romance or a neatly tied-up coming-out arc. It’s about longing, regret, and the parts of ourselves we run from, and what happens when we can no longer outrun them. Daniel is deeply flawed, and I loved that about him. His self-awareness unfolds slowly, sometimes painfully, and I found myself desperately wishing he’d get there sooner… but when he finally does, it matters.
The writing is vivid and lyrical, with imagery that feels lived-in and honest. Ciccarello paints each scene like a memory, tinged with both ache and beauty. We also get brief POV shifts to Josh, which add rich layers to the story and complicate what might have otherwise felt like a predictable triangle. These characters aren’t caricatures; they’re messy, human, and searching.
I really appreciated the supporting characters too. Kevin, Naomi, Mateo, Patrick (even the vinyl shop guy) all serve a purpose, helping to nudge Daniel toward truth, healing, and confrontation with the past. The angst runs deep, and I absolutely wanted to hand Daniel a therapist’s number more than once, but the emotional tension never felt melodramatic.
And the ending? It’s a happily-ever-after, but not the kind we typically see in queer romance. It’s earned. Quiet. Mature. It trusts the reader to see growth as resolution, not perfection.
This is a story for readers who like their fiction reflective and character-driven, with literary flair and emotional depth. I’m grateful Ciccarello didn’t lean into tired coming-of-age tropes. This felt fresh, honest, and adult. I’m very much looking forward to reading more from him.
October 6, 2025
4.5 stars
This story was a bit angsty for me at times as Daniel dwelled on an event with Kevin years ago when Daniel had his first gay experience, then fled, ghosting Kevin. Now, he has unexpectedly seen Kevin with another man in Atlanta and the old feelings return. Regrets and feelings of guilt and unfinished times flood his mind, wondering if something could be rekindled, could he explain what happened, or should he let it be. But Daniel can’t keep from thinking about it, and apparently, neither can Kevin. As the two connect with innocent meetings, there are still feelings of guilt for Kevin, and ones of combined guilt and hope for Daniel, with feelings of insecurity and longing for more on Daniel’s part. When Josh, Kevin’s partner, confronts Daniel, he must review his feelings and actions, then do some hard soul-searching to determine what he expects, what he really wants, and what possible consequences could be if things continue the same way. This is a story of taking responsibility for one’s own actions, accepting whatever the consequences should be, and moving forward with a more satisfying outlook on his life and future.
I enjoyed the return to the ‘80s and all the music references. Those were parts of my life back then. It was strange to have the references to cassettes and phone cords and the cordless phone, things so removed from the more advanced technologies today. It brought back memories of a different time, a simpler one in many ways, but one I could identify with and appreciate. Times may change, but the human emotions involved with relationships and memories don’t change. They still affect our lives much longer than we realize.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This story was a bit angsty for me at times as Daniel dwelled on an event with Kevin years ago when Daniel had his first gay experience, then fled, ghosting Kevin. Now, he has unexpectedly seen Kevin with another man in Atlanta and the old feelings return. Regrets and feelings of guilt and unfinished times flood his mind, wondering if something could be rekindled, could he explain what happened, or should he let it be. But Daniel can’t keep from thinking about it, and apparently, neither can Kevin. As the two connect with innocent meetings, there are still feelings of guilt for Kevin, and ones of combined guilt and hope for Daniel, with feelings of insecurity and longing for more on Daniel’s part. When Josh, Kevin’s partner, confronts Daniel, he must review his feelings and actions, then do some hard soul-searching to determine what he expects, what he really wants, and what possible consequences could be if things continue the same way. This is a story of taking responsibility for one’s own actions, accepting whatever the consequences should be, and moving forward with a more satisfying outlook on his life and future.
I enjoyed the return to the ‘80s and all the music references. Those were parts of my life back then. It was strange to have the references to cassettes and phone cords and the cordless phone, things so removed from the more advanced technologies today. It brought back memories of a different time, a simpler one in many ways, but one I could identify with and appreciate. Times may change, but the human emotions involved with relationships and memories don’t change. They still affect our lives much longer than we realize.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
September 13, 2025
I received an advance copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving this review.
I’ve read many LBTQIA+ novels over the years. Boys Like Daniel is refreshingly different from almost all of those books.
The author captures the anguish and the joys of Daniel, a young gay man who is trying to find his way in Atlanta during the late 1980s. Daniel has come to Atlanta to start a more authentic life after running away from Kevin, his friend and first sexual encounter, as related in Boys Like Kevin, the first book by this author. No worries if you haven’t read Boys Like Kevin, since Boys Like Daniel can be read as a standalone story.
Daniel’s world is turned upside down when he discovers that Kevin has moved to Atlanta and is now with a partner. Daniel has decisions to make about how he lives his life and whether to hold on to the past or to create the future that he wants.
While I lived in Atlanta for many years and could identify with much of the Atlanta in which Daniel lives, Daniel’s complex decisions—especially about the kind of person he wants to be—are what most resonated with me while reading this book.
As a reader, I admit that I’m a crier. And while I cried several times while reading this book, my tears were because the author captured the intricacies of life, love and feelings so well, without ever making me feel manipulated. In my experience, that is a rare gift that very few writers can offer readers.
I heartily recommend this book for new adults and adults of all ages.
I’ve read many LBTQIA+ novels over the years. Boys Like Daniel is refreshingly different from almost all of those books.
The author captures the anguish and the joys of Daniel, a young gay man who is trying to find his way in Atlanta during the late 1980s. Daniel has come to Atlanta to start a more authentic life after running away from Kevin, his friend and first sexual encounter, as related in Boys Like Kevin, the first book by this author. No worries if you haven’t read Boys Like Kevin, since Boys Like Daniel can be read as a standalone story.
Daniel’s world is turned upside down when he discovers that Kevin has moved to Atlanta and is now with a partner. Daniel has decisions to make about how he lives his life and whether to hold on to the past or to create the future that he wants.
While I lived in Atlanta for many years and could identify with much of the Atlanta in which Daniel lives, Daniel’s complex decisions—especially about the kind of person he wants to be—are what most resonated with me while reading this book.
As a reader, I admit that I’m a crier. And while I cried several times while reading this book, my tears were because the author captured the intricacies of life, love and feelings so well, without ever making me feel manipulated. In my experience, that is a rare gift that very few writers can offer readers.
I heartily recommend this book for new adults and adults of all ages.
September 13, 2025
Boys Like Daniel is a thought-provoking, realistic, and enjoyable LGBTQ+ novel that tells the story of how a young gay man unexpectedly reencounters his “first” and the subsequent events and psychological self-analysis that ensue. In the course of the novel, Daniel must come to terms with how and why past experiences, decisions, and desires manifest in his current life. In my opinion, one of the most rewarding aspects of this novel, in addition to the compelling well-paced storyline, is that there are no fairy-tale answers and, ultimately, Daniel finds freedom and presence in realizing that the answers to and paths forward from previous challenges exist, and have always existed, within himself. It is his journey to that realization which made for a fulfilling read and can serve as a lesson to any reader.
Though it is a sequel, it is not a requirement to have read Boys Like Kevin. This novel stands on its own.
I received an advance copy from the author and am voluntarily leaving this review.
Though it is a sequel, it is not a requirement to have read Boys Like Kevin. This novel stands on its own.
I received an advance copy from the author and am voluntarily leaving this review.
October 20, 2025
I want to say first that I received a free copy of this book for my honest review.
I read Boys Like Kevin earlier this year and liked it a lot. Soni followed the author on social media and connected with him.
This book was great. It picks up where the other one left off, kind of. It's just 4 years later. I enjoyed jumping back into these characters. They are so well fleshed out and full of life. This author does that remarkably well. I can tell he spent his time getting to know them.
I did think there was a little bit of repetitive language in places. It wasn't horrible but it was enough to make me take note. However, it doesn't detract from the story.
If you're looking for a book about a gay man who endures coming to terms with a past love and how it led him down the path he's on., then this is for you. It' feels very familiar and has a longing in it that many of us will know. Again, I want to stress that the character work is so good. If you do want to read this one, make sure to read the other one first! You won't regret it.
I read Boys Like Kevin earlier this year and liked it a lot. Soni followed the author on social media and connected with him.
This book was great. It picks up where the other one left off, kind of. It's just 4 years later. I enjoyed jumping back into these characters. They are so well fleshed out and full of life. This author does that remarkably well. I can tell he spent his time getting to know them.
I did think there was a little bit of repetitive language in places. It wasn't horrible but it was enough to make me take note. However, it doesn't detract from the story.
If you're looking for a book about a gay man who endures coming to terms with a past love and how it led him down the path he's on., then this is for you. It' feels very familiar and has a longing in it that many of us will know. Again, I want to stress that the character work is so good. If you do want to read this one, make sure to read the other one first! You won't regret it.
July 27, 2025
This is an emotionally layered story about identity, desire, relationships, and what happens when we chase the very moments we once ran from. Set in 1980s Atlanta, the novel follows Daniel, 24, who’s out, adventurous, yet quietly unfulfilled. When he crosses paths with Kevin, his former friend and first gay experience, old feelings reignite. That’s when the real complications begin.
I knew this was a sequel to Boys Like Kevin (which I read and loved), but it absolutely works as a standalone novel.
The writing is thoughtful, honest, and beautifully introspective. Daniel is a compelling narrator—flawed, self-aware, and aching for something he can’t quite name. What unfolds is a journey of reckoning—with his past, his identity, and the man he’s still becoming.
If you enjoy LGBTQ+ fiction that embraces nuance, emotional depth, and the complexities of longing, this one’s for you.
I obtained a free Advanced Readers Copy from the author and am leaving this review voluntarily.
I knew this was a sequel to Boys Like Kevin (which I read and loved), but it absolutely works as a standalone novel.
The writing is thoughtful, honest, and beautifully introspective. Daniel is a compelling narrator—flawed, self-aware, and aching for something he can’t quite name. What unfolds is a journey of reckoning—with his past, his identity, and the man he’s still becoming.
If you enjoy LGBTQ+ fiction that embraces nuance, emotional depth, and the complexities of longing, this one’s for you.
I obtained a free Advanced Readers Copy from the author and am leaving this review voluntarily.
September 23, 2025
I enjoyed this read and the short chapters make it particularly suitable for the commute (even if some chapters are a touch steamy for the train!). The characters were realistic and relatable, and I found Daniel's supporting cast (Naomi and Mateo) to be fun punctuation (Greek chorus-like) to the action of the main plot line. I've read my fair share of queer coming of age novels and this one had a refreshing difference and it's true that the reader was kept guessing until the end. That said, I didn't find the ending very satisfying; and I don't mean that I need everything to come together neatly for everyone in a way that was retrospectively predictable. More that, there was a lot of suspense (it was the only slow-going part of the novel) leading up to the conclusion that didn't really work for me, hence the four stars.
I received an advance copy of the book from BookSirens free, and am leaving this review voluntarily.
I received an advance copy of the book from BookSirens free, and am leaving this review voluntarily.
September 24, 2025
4.2/5
I received an advance review copy at no cost, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. “Boys like Daniel” was a good read, and while I didn’t totally enjoy it in terms of plot, it ticked every other box for me. It’s an easy read, and while I don’t primarily enjoy novels written in the present tense, enjoying this was unusual for me and I will give the author their 10s here.
If you are looking for a good navigation of queer love and dating, then this might be for you. It’s unapologetically gay and coming to terms with the life of a gay person going through their normal life as a queer person. Each sentence was smooth and met expectations. A good recommendation to anyone looking to read more queer literature.
I received an advance review copy at no cost, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. “Boys like Daniel” was a good read, and while I didn’t totally enjoy it in terms of plot, it ticked every other box for me. It’s an easy read, and while I don’t primarily enjoy novels written in the present tense, enjoying this was unusual for me and I will give the author their 10s here.
If you are looking for a good navigation of queer love and dating, then this might be for you. It’s unapologetically gay and coming to terms with the life of a gay person going through their normal life as a queer person. Each sentence was smooth and met expectations. A good recommendation to anyone looking to read more queer literature.
October 1, 2025
Boys Like Daniel is an emotionally layered and refreshingly honest novel that lingers long after the last page. The author captures the ache of regret and the restless pull of longing with characters who feel deeply human—flawed, searching, and totally relatable. The prose mirrors Daniel’s own fragmented, unsettled mind, drawing readers into his inner world while offering moments of beauty, nuance, and genuine closure. This isn’t a story of easy answers or neat resolutions, but of hard-won perspective—and that’s exactly what makes it unforgettable. Highly recommended!
I received an advance copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving this review.
I received an advance copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving this review.
October 18, 2025
*I am voluntarily leaving this review after having received a free copy of this book.*
I really liked Daniel in the previous book, so I was stoked to read this book from his perspective. Unfortunately, it was a bit of a drag for me. Lots of beautiful imagery and I do like how Daniel's story (and Kevin's in this book) was resolved, but the first person narration meant spending so much time in Daniel's head, it started to wear me out. I guess that was kind of the point, and it was effective in conveying the somber, restless tone of the book, but it was sometimes hard to get through. Still worth the read, though.
I really liked Daniel in the previous book, so I was stoked to read this book from his perspective. Unfortunately, it was a bit of a drag for me. Lots of beautiful imagery and I do like how Daniel's story (and Kevin's in this book) was resolved, but the first person narration meant spending so much time in Daniel's head, it started to wear me out. I guess that was kind of the point, and it was effective in conveying the somber, restless tone of the book, but it was sometimes hard to get through. Still worth the read, though.
September 11, 2025
Boys Like Daniel by D.J. Ciccarello is a thoughtful, refreshing LGBTQ+ novel. The characters are deeply human – flawed, relatable, and never simply good or bad. I loved how the story shows Daniel not just through his own lens but also through the perspectives of those around him, which keeps the pace lively and engaging. This isn’t your standard M/M romance, and that’s exactly what makes it so satisfying. Highly recommended!
I received this book for free from the author and am voluntarily leaving this review.
I received this book for free from the author and am voluntarily leaving this review.
September 26, 2025
This is one of the greatest gay coming of age novels I’ve ever read. The emotions Daniel feels are palpable on every page- frustration, lust, loneliness. And of course how relatable is any book that delves into seeing the person you had your first experience with, many years later. The book shows what happens when you try to go pursue that connection from long ago, how you can lose yourself in the process, and how you can heal yourself. Loved the 80s setting also.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
September 10, 2025
I received this book for free from the author and am voluntarily leaving this review. Boys Like Daniel is a superb sequel to Boys Like Kevin, with a fast pace and a vivid 90’s Midtown Atlanta setting. I especially enjoyed seeing Kevin from other characters’ perspectives—it added depth and fresh insight to the story. I tore through this book in just three days because I couldn’t wait to see what happened next. Highly recommended!
September 28, 2025
Boys Like Daniel was an angsty, thoughtful, emotionally questioning story. Daniel is caught in the age-old "what could have been" questions and lives his life making questionable decisions. I thought the author wrote the story in such a way that you connected with each character and you felt the emotional angst each one felt.
I read and reviewed a copy of the book.
I read and reviewed a copy of the book.
October 2, 2025
He ran four years and yet he still has not found what he was looking until he sees them again. They are already in a relationship so he should stay away from them. Unfortunately it is much harder than he expected so see how he will get on
I received an advance copy from hidden gems and a lovely tale
I received an advance copy from hidden gems and a lovely tale
September 23, 2025
We meet Daniel in the previous book, "Boys Like Kevin". He worked with Kevin and became not quite friends but sociable. When Kevin came back after his divorce, they had a one night stand but Daniel left without a word. In this book, we find out why & how Daniel tries to cope through life & eventually finds himself. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
December 13, 2025
interminable
the first 70 pp are a guy trying to decide whether to make a phone call, which gives you a clue. Every page violates the cardinal rule of fiction writing: show, don’t tell.
the first 70 pp are a guy trying to decide whether to make a phone call, which gives you a clue. Every page violates the cardinal rule of fiction writing: show, don’t tell.
December 28, 2025
“Yeah. That’s most of my day—at school, at home. Walking into rooms like I’m untouchable. As if I’m fearless and know exactly what I want. Like I’m choosing everything—when really, I’m just trying to stay one step ahead of feeling anything at all.” This quote captures the guarded, inner conflict at the heart of the novel, Boys Like Daniel: A Journey of Desire and Reckoning, by D.J. Ciccarello, as it explores the complications of its protagonist, Daniel, following a chance encounter with his first sexual awakening with another man four years prior. Suddenly, he yearns for what could have been, attempting to come to terms with the cascade of desires and regrets, as he confronts a flood of long-buried truths. Moving and intimate, Boys Like Daniel is ideal for readers who connect with introspective, character-focused narratives.
I received an advanced complimentary copy and am voluntarily leaving this honest review.
I received an advanced complimentary copy and am voluntarily leaving this honest review.
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