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Summer Nights, Cigarettes & Spearmint Toothpaste
Not yet published
Expected 30 Jun 26As children, Adrian and Cyrus spent every summer together, forming a deep bond while Cyrus visited family in Scotland. But just as they were on the verge of childhood friendship blooming into something more, closely guarded secrets, teenage angst, and family drama drove them apart.
Now adults, Adrian is living in the US, trying to build a life for himself in Cyrus's hometown. He's not looking to reunite with his old friend, but when they inevitably run into each other, Adrian can't help but be hopeful. There's just one problem: Cyrus has no idea who Adrian is.
As Adrian and Cyrus grow close once more, will their new relationship survive Adrian's decision not to reveal his identity? Or will the mask he clings on to destroy their chance to truly know — and love — each other, for good?
A tale of trans romance, Summer Nights, Cigarettes & Spearmint Toothpaste is a tender friends-to-lovers story told over multiple childhood summers and one unexpected, complicated reunion.
James Edward Cook is a queer author based in Georgia, USA. As a dedicated fanfiction creator turned full-time writer, Cook has been sharing his stories online since 2016. He specialises in Romance, Tragedy, and Coming-of-Age. He has been previously published in The Aura Literary Arts Review and Divination Hollow’s Pride in Horror collection. Summer Nights, Cigarettes & Spearmint Toothpaste is his debut novella.
Now adults, Adrian is living in the US, trying to build a life for himself in Cyrus's hometown. He's not looking to reunite with his old friend, but when they inevitably run into each other, Adrian can't help but be hopeful. There's just one problem: Cyrus has no idea who Adrian is.
As Adrian and Cyrus grow close once more, will their new relationship survive Adrian's decision not to reveal his identity? Or will the mask he clings on to destroy their chance to truly know — and love — each other, for good?
A tale of trans romance, Summer Nights, Cigarettes & Spearmint Toothpaste is a tender friends-to-lovers story told over multiple childhood summers and one unexpected, complicated reunion.
James Edward Cook is a queer author based in Georgia, USA. As a dedicated fanfiction creator turned full-time writer, Cook has been sharing his stories online since 2016. He specialises in Romance, Tragedy, and Coming-of-Age. He has been previously published in The Aura Literary Arts Review and Divination Hollow’s Pride in Horror collection. Summer Nights, Cigarettes & Spearmint Toothpaste is his debut novella.
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Expected publication June 30, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
June 4, 2026
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
A really lovely short story that explores a heartwarming connection but with a flavour of LGBTQ representation. I really liked Cyrus’ character, and Adrian was rather unlikeable for me so it made me view the story a bit differently than perhaps was intended. A shame really as I would have liked to see positive trans representation.
However, the story was captivating and well written, I finished it in 2 days.
A really lovely short story that explores a heartwarming connection but with a flavour of LGBTQ representation. I really liked Cyrus’ character, and Adrian was rather unlikeable for me so it made me view the story a bit differently than perhaps was intended. A shame really as I would have liked to see positive trans representation.
However, the story was captivating and well written, I finished it in 2 days.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I received an ARC copy via the author and this is my unbiased voluntary review below.
******************************************************************
Reading the first few pages I thought the text came across sounding like a posh old Etonian. It was a surprise to know that the writer is a young man from Georgia, USA and this is his debut. Great start, James Edward Cook, who specialises in Romance, Tragedy and Coming of Age in his writing.
Thirtyfive year old Adrian works in the Restaurant Industry in Georgia, he lead quite a dull lonely life, after work he sometimes takes a walk in the local park in the late evening to enjoy the quiet space and the starry skies. After a rough day at work he heads to the supermarket to restock his food supplies. In a voice that stops Adrian dead, he’s asked to move his trolley, he obliges and looks up but can’t open his mouth. Across the aisle stands Cyrus Campbell, who grabs an item from the shelves and promptly moves on. Shocked that Cyrus didn’t recognise him he dashes home and grabs a stiff drink. He thought he had left his past behind in Scotland, but now here in Georgia a ghost has come from his past life.
This book flips between timelines in the MC’s history from age of 7 through their late teens up to now. Not really my favourite way to read as I find it interrupts the flow of the story for me. This time I didn’t mind too much about the switch back and forth. You get the full picture of their friendship and it was so sweet and cute.
‘Summer Nights, Cigarettes and Peppermint Toothpaste’ is an intriguing title but once you get into it understanding dawns. We get to see the growing friendship between Cyrus and Adrian and older brother Peter when they were very young. Cyrus lives in the USA and spends his holidays each school break in Scotland visiting his Uncle Isaac.
It was so sweet reading of their childish connection, Cyrus’s is fascinated by the stars and the sky, Adrian is drawn more to the Earth and Botany, yet they gel together. They bestow nicknames on each other, Adrian named him Starboy and Adrian became Thistle because that is also the emblem of Scotland.
Adrian’s feelings for Cyrus grew with each year and he cried whenever Cyrus returns to Georgia and they exchange letters frequently until they next meet. This carried on through their late teens when Cyrus about to fly home, asks Adrian to come too but it was impossible. When Cyrus’s letters become less frequent, an angry Adrian doesn’t bother to open the latest one that arrives after a long gap. Later ones get binned without opening.
Years pass and Adrian has changed, spiralling out of control and cast out of the family home, broken hearted when their mother dies, Peter gives him an ultimatum. Adrian cleaned up his act and decides to leave Scotland and heads to Georgia where we now pick up his story.
I cried a lot during the latter part of ‘Summer Nights, Cigarettes and Peppermint Toothpaste’, some surprises for both MC’s, a mixture of sadness and joy at the conclusion of a story that packed a lot into its 92 pages that I read through in only a few hours because I couldn’t wait to see how Cyrus coped. Hours well spent and enjoyed.
******************************************************************
Reading the first few pages I thought the text came across sounding like a posh old Etonian. It was a surprise to know that the writer is a young man from Georgia, USA and this is his debut. Great start, James Edward Cook, who specialises in Romance, Tragedy and Coming of Age in his writing.
Thirtyfive year old Adrian works in the Restaurant Industry in Georgia, he lead quite a dull lonely life, after work he sometimes takes a walk in the local park in the late evening to enjoy the quiet space and the starry skies. After a rough day at work he heads to the supermarket to restock his food supplies. In a voice that stops Adrian dead, he’s asked to move his trolley, he obliges and looks up but can’t open his mouth. Across the aisle stands Cyrus Campbell, who grabs an item from the shelves and promptly moves on. Shocked that Cyrus didn’t recognise him he dashes home and grabs a stiff drink. He thought he had left his past behind in Scotland, but now here in Georgia a ghost has come from his past life.
This book flips between timelines in the MC’s history from age of 7 through their late teens up to now. Not really my favourite way to read as I find it interrupts the flow of the story for me. This time I didn’t mind too much about the switch back and forth. You get the full picture of their friendship and it was so sweet and cute.
‘Summer Nights, Cigarettes and Peppermint Toothpaste’ is an intriguing title but once you get into it understanding dawns. We get to see the growing friendship between Cyrus and Adrian and older brother Peter when they were very young. Cyrus lives in the USA and spends his holidays each school break in Scotland visiting his Uncle Isaac.
It was so sweet reading of their childish connection, Cyrus’s is fascinated by the stars and the sky, Adrian is drawn more to the Earth and Botany, yet they gel together. They bestow nicknames on each other, Adrian named him Starboy and Adrian became Thistle because that is also the emblem of Scotland.
Adrian’s feelings for Cyrus grew with each year and he cried whenever Cyrus returns to Georgia and they exchange letters frequently until they next meet. This carried on through their late teens when Cyrus about to fly home, asks Adrian to come too but it was impossible. When Cyrus’s letters become less frequent, an angry Adrian doesn’t bother to open the latest one that arrives after a long gap. Later ones get binned without opening.
Years pass and Adrian has changed, spiralling out of control and cast out of the family home, broken hearted when their mother dies, Peter gives him an ultimatum. Adrian cleaned up his act and decides to leave Scotland and heads to Georgia where we now pick up his story.
I cried a lot during the latter part of ‘Summer Nights, Cigarettes and Peppermint Toothpaste’, some surprises for both MC’s, a mixture of sadness and joy at the conclusion of a story that packed a lot into its 92 pages that I read through in only a few hours because I couldn’t wait to see how Cyrus coped. Hours well spent and enjoyed.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Cover: sweet!
Bite-sized review for a bite-sized book! According to my Kindle, Summer Nights, Cigarettes, and Spearmint Toothpaste stops at 126 pages: a precise choice from Cook, one I applaud. It is possible to write a poignant, bittersweet story that goes straight to the point, without too many detours.
Maybe Cook’s background—a fanfiction author who decided to follow his passion! This is delightful to me, at a personal level—helped fine-tuning his grasp on a story arc, honing a natural talent. I sure appreciated Cyrus and Adrian’s characterization, their journey that starts with a friendship and deals with separation and second chances without becoming predictable. Both are strong, with distinct voices: kudos for creating characters who are complex and realistic, well-rounded. It’s easy to care about them and root for a happy ending.
SNCaST follows a non-chronological timeline, jumping back and forth between past and present. It’s a risky concept, because sometimes it might read a bit disorienting—another book I’m halfway in comes to mind, and I’ve been complaining a lot about it, haha. Here it’s handled well; I didn’t get that whiplash feeling that often hits me in dual timelines, and the past friendship has such sweet moments!
Grammar, punctuation, syntax, all is impeccable. My copy doesn’t have a foreword, so I can’t say if Cook worked with an editor or not: if yes, great job! If not, hat tip to Cook! Double great job!
4,5 stars on GR
Bite-sized review for a bite-sized book! According to my Kindle, Summer Nights, Cigarettes, and Spearmint Toothpaste stops at 126 pages: a precise choice from Cook, one I applaud. It is possible to write a poignant, bittersweet story that goes straight to the point, without too many detours.
Maybe Cook’s background—a fanfiction author who decided to follow his passion! This is delightful to me, at a personal level—helped fine-tuning his grasp on a story arc, honing a natural talent. I sure appreciated Cyrus and Adrian’s characterization, their journey that starts with a friendship and deals with separation and second chances without becoming predictable. Both are strong, with distinct voices: kudos for creating characters who are complex and realistic, well-rounded. It’s easy to care about them and root for a happy ending.
SNCaST follows a non-chronological timeline, jumping back and forth between past and present. It’s a risky concept, because sometimes it might read a bit disorienting—another book I’m halfway in comes to mind, and I’ve been complaining a lot about it, haha. Here it’s handled well; I didn’t get that whiplash feeling that often hits me in dual timelines, and the past friendship has such sweet moments!
Grammar, punctuation, syntax, all is impeccable. My copy doesn’t have a foreword, so I can’t say if Cook worked with an editor or not: if yes, great job! If not, hat tip to Cook! Double great job!
4,5 stars on GR
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
I received an ARC copy of this novella from BookSirens, and I am leaving a review voluntarily.
This is an incredibly touching second-chance romance. From long-distance childhood friends to childhood crushes, meet again a decade later and navigate changes, including grief, loss and identity.
Cook's writing stood out to me—just so nice to read a book with good prose! I am a sucker for a nonlinear narrative, and I felt like, despite the story's short length, we readers get to know the characters quite well. In addition to the main story following Adrian and Cy's relationship over the years, I also loved seeing Adrian's relationship with his brother, Peter.
I honestly felt a little stressed on Adrian's behalf and had to keep reminding myself that I think the story wrapped up well. I like where we are left at the end!
I would happily read more by this author!
This is an incredibly touching second-chance romance. From long-distance childhood friends to childhood crushes, meet again a decade later and navigate changes, including grief, loss and identity.
Cook's writing stood out to me—just so nice to read a book with good prose! I am a sucker for a nonlinear narrative, and I felt like, despite the story's short length, we readers get to know the characters quite well. In addition to the main story following Adrian and Cy's relationship over the years, I also loved seeing Adrian's relationship with his brother, Peter.
I honestly felt a little stressed on Adrian's behalf and had to keep reminding myself that I think the story wrapped up well. I like where we are left at the end!
I would happily read more by this author!
Review of advance copy received from Indie Reviewers
Summer Nights is a lovely second chance romance that explores the intersection between evolving relationships and evolving identity. It's short and sweet with relatively low angst. Of course it left me dreaming about Cy and Adrian's life together...but I think it closed on a satisfying and hopeful note.
Thanks so much for the chance to check out an ARC. I'm leaving this review of my own accord.
Thanks so much for the chance to check out an ARC. I'm leaving this review of my own accord.
Review of advance copy
Thanks to BookSirens & the publisher for providing me with an a-Arc!
CW: Alcoholism, Alcohol, Transphobia, (Nicotine) Addiction, Death of parent
4.5 / 5 Stars
Gonna write a Review later. 🌈
CW: Alcoholism, Alcohol, Transphobia, (Nicotine) Addiction, Death of parent
4.5 / 5 Stars
Gonna write a Review later. 🌈
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews