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The Bluffers #1
Double Bluff
Nick is gay, and he'd do anything to hide it. That's why his best friend, Jordan, sets him up on a date with a girl. But things are never as simple as they seem, and dating Aria turns out to be an eye opening experience. With an emerging love interest conflicting with his plans, Nick has a big decision to make: he has to decide whether he wants to live a lie or be true to himself.
343 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 23, 2017
3 people are currently reading
92 people want to read
About the author
Hayley Anderton
35 books145 followersHayley Anderton is an author, reader, baker and crazy cat lady, born and raised in the North West of England. She strives for diversity in her writing, and believes that books can change the world. She graduated from John Moores University in 2017, and is now searching for her next adventure.
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
September 26, 2017
-'What did you expect?'
-'I don't know. a fuss?'
-'what, like fireworks and streamers and unicorns draped with Pride flags?'
-'Sort of, yeah'
-'Well...I kind of suspected you were coming out today, considering how much of a flap you got in on the phone...so I baked a rainbow cake. Is that gay enough for you?'
-----
After this exchange in the first chapter I knew I was going to love this book!
We follow Nick, a creative 15 year old, who happens to be gay, but doesn't want anyone to find out.
With the help of his gothy best friend Jordan, he's set up with the feisty feminist Aria, in hopes that seeing him with a girl will send everyone off the scent, and let him live peace. Then in walks new kid Adam, to stir up feeling that Nick wants to remain hidden.
-----
This book was a joy to read, there was no unnecessary angst or blow ups, just four teenagers trying to navigate life. A lot of different aspects are explored; sexuality, family life, feminism and the inner politics of school life - each is done with positivity and tenderness, even when things don't necessarily work out the way a character might want, there is always an underlining feeling that there's at least something to work towards.
I really enjoyed all of our main characters - it would have been easy to make Aria irritating or over baring, but instead we see a young woman who has opinions and isn't afraid to share them. Jordan could have been a one-note 'glass is half empty' downer, but we see multiple sides of her personality and emotions as she opens up. Nick, our main protagonist isn't just a closetgayMC™ shell, he has interests and hobbies which are explored throughout. I really enjoyed the fact he was writing / drawing a graphic novel, and it was nice to see our love interest Adam engage with, and enjoy the same things, rather than being the popular-jock-who-has-nothing-in-common-but-he's-hot-so-I-love-him trope.
While I didn't see very many moments where the book screamed 'This is set in England!' I really loved that in a scene where two of our characters are going to a dance, they have to go on a bike because they are too young to drive over here. It was a nice change, as most teens in YA books are American and therefore are driving everywhere all the time.
The whole date set up / beard situation was handled really nicely, a lot of authors would be just dying to throw in all manners of upset and betrayal and sadness - it was refreshing to see characters actually talk to each other and share their feelings. One of my most hated YA tropes is unnecessary tension from characters simply not talking to each other, so it was great to read a book that stays clear.
Double Bluff may not push boundaries or be totally unique, but if you are looking for a cute, feel-good coming of age story that does handle quite a few topics in an uplifting way, then I would highly recommend this book.
(I still have no idea what the cover is about though...!)
----
I'll leave you with another quote that I absolutely loved
-'So I won't get married. I won't have a life, it's fine. I'll just have no partner, no family. I'll get ten budgies and collect thimbles'
(review copy)
-'I don't know. a fuss?'
-'what, like fireworks and streamers and unicorns draped with Pride flags?'
-'Sort of, yeah'
-'Well...I kind of suspected you were coming out today, considering how much of a flap you got in on the phone...so I baked a rainbow cake. Is that gay enough for you?'
-----
After this exchange in the first chapter I knew I was going to love this book!
We follow Nick, a creative 15 year old, who happens to be gay, but doesn't want anyone to find out.
With the help of his gothy best friend Jordan, he's set up with the feisty feminist Aria, in hopes that seeing him with a girl will send everyone off the scent, and let him live peace. Then in walks new kid Adam, to stir up feeling that Nick wants to remain hidden.
-----
This book was a joy to read, there was no unnecessary angst or blow ups, just four teenagers trying to navigate life. A lot of different aspects are explored; sexuality, family life, feminism and the inner politics of school life - each is done with positivity and tenderness, even when things don't necessarily work out the way a character might want, there is always an underlining feeling that there's at least something to work towards.
I really enjoyed all of our main characters - it would have been easy to make Aria irritating or over baring, but instead we see a young woman who has opinions and isn't afraid to share them. Jordan could have been a one-note 'glass is half empty' downer, but we see multiple sides of her personality and emotions as she opens up. Nick, our main protagonist isn't just a closetgayMC™ shell, he has interests and hobbies which are explored throughout. I really enjoyed the fact he was writing / drawing a graphic novel, and it was nice to see our love interest Adam engage with, and enjoy the same things, rather than being the popular-jock-who-has-nothing-in-common-but-he's-hot-so-I-love-him trope.
While I didn't see very many moments where the book screamed 'This is set in England!' I really loved that in a scene where two of our characters are going to a dance, they have to go on a bike because they are too young to drive over here. It was a nice change, as most teens in YA books are American and therefore are driving everywhere all the time.
The whole date set up / beard situation was handled really nicely, a lot of authors would be just dying to throw in all manners of upset and betrayal and sadness - it was refreshing to see characters actually talk to each other and share their feelings. One of my most hated YA tropes is unnecessary tension from characters simply not talking to each other, so it was great to read a book that stays clear.
Double Bluff may not push boundaries or be totally unique, but if you are looking for a cute, feel-good coming of age story that does handle quite a few topics in an uplifting way, then I would highly recommend this book.
(I still have no idea what the cover is about though...!)
----
I'll leave you with another quote that I absolutely loved
-'So I won't get married. I won't have a life, it's fine. I'll just have no partner, no family. I'll get ten budgies and collect thimbles'
(review copy)
April 1, 2018
D'aww, this was an adorable read!
A story of self-discovery and acceptance, Double Bluff tackles some pretty serious issues, but at no point does it feel angsty or heavy. I loved the focus on friendship, and the dialogue was fabulous - ofttimes *lol* funny.
Anderton loves her characters, she's given them a lot of care and attention, and it shines through!
There are, sadly, a few errors and inconsistencies that did irk me a little. I couldn't not mention this, but also they're so minor I couldn't bring myself to mark down for them. I'm damned sure that very few people are likely to be as bothered by such nitpicky faults as I am, in all honesty.
Looking forward to The Bluffers Book 2.
And I'm now following @Hazzer123 on Wattpad :)
A story of self-discovery and acceptance, Double Bluff tackles some pretty serious issues, but at no point does it feel angsty or heavy. I loved the focus on friendship, and the dialogue was fabulous - ofttimes *lol* funny.
Anderton loves her characters, she's given them a lot of care and attention, and it shines through!
There are, sadly, a few errors and inconsistencies that did irk me a little. I couldn't not mention this, but also they're so minor I couldn't bring myself to mark down for them. I'm damned sure that very few people are likely to be as bothered by such nitpicky faults as I am, in all honesty.
Looking forward to The Bluffers Book 2.
And I'm now following @Hazzer123 on Wattpad :)
October 11, 2017
Hayley Anderton makes the characters alive. It revolves around everyday difficulties that teenagers nowadays face; family, friends and surrounding peers. It deals about acceptance, towards yourself and people around you. It moves you. Definitely keeps you turning the pages as you uncovers the characters inside. A beautiful story definitely worth reading. Thumbs up to the writer!!
September 12, 2017
Title: Double Bluff
Author: Hayley Anderton
Publisher: Hayley Anderton
ISBN: B0745VWBH2
Buy Link: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07...
Reviewer: Teresa Fallen Angel
Blurb:
The Bluffers 1
Nick is gay, and he'd do anything to hide it. That's why his best friend, Jordan, sets him up on a date with a girl. But things are never as simple as they seem, and dating Aria turns out to be an eye opening experience. With an emerging love interest conflicting with his plans, Nick has a big decision to make: has to decide whether he wants to live a lie or be true to himself.
Total Score: 5/5
Summary:
Received for an honest review.
All Nick wants is to get through high school without making any waves that will get him noticed. That is what you do if you want to keep a secret and Nick's is that he is gay. He finally comes out to his best friend Jordan, but she has bad news for him; the rumor is that he is gay. Jordan devises a plan to help him. She gets him to take Aria, a girl at school, on a date. Anyone who knows Jordan is that she keeps most of what she thinks to herself so you never know the depth of what she is up to. If that situation isn't awkward enough you you can add; Scarlet Nick's tutor who may have a personal interest in Nick, Aria's activist activities, family issues, Jordan's quirky personality, and last but not least Nick's secret crush on Adam, a popular boy at school.
It was incredible how pulling Nick out of his comfort zone was the initial step that could lead him towards new friends and maybe his hearts desire. The first step is never easy, but once taken it could change someones life forever.
Author: Hayley Anderton
Publisher: Hayley Anderton
ISBN: B0745VWBH2
Buy Link: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07...
Reviewer: Teresa Fallen Angel
Blurb:
The Bluffers 1
Nick is gay, and he'd do anything to hide it. That's why his best friend, Jordan, sets him up on a date with a girl. But things are never as simple as they seem, and dating Aria turns out to be an eye opening experience. With an emerging love interest conflicting with his plans, Nick has a big decision to make: has to decide whether he wants to live a lie or be true to himself.
Total Score: 5/5
Summary:
Received for an honest review.
All Nick wants is to get through high school without making any waves that will get him noticed. That is what you do if you want to keep a secret and Nick's is that he is gay. He finally comes out to his best friend Jordan, but she has bad news for him; the rumor is that he is gay. Jordan devises a plan to help him. She gets him to take Aria, a girl at school, on a date. Anyone who knows Jordan is that she keeps most of what she thinks to herself so you never know the depth of what she is up to. If that situation isn't awkward enough you you can add; Scarlet Nick's tutor who may have a personal interest in Nick, Aria's activist activities, family issues, Jordan's quirky personality, and last but not least Nick's secret crush on Adam, a popular boy at school.
It was incredible how pulling Nick out of his comfort zone was the initial step that could lead him towards new friends and maybe his hearts desire. The first step is never easy, but once taken it could change someones life forever.
August 22, 2017
One of the most common problems with YA LGBT fiction is that the writer tends to assign various clichés to their characters. I absolutely love how Anderton didn’t do that. Each conversation seemed so authentic that, at times, I felt like I was eavesdropping on normal people at a local pub.
She tackles a big theme as well: living a lie vs. being true to one’s self. This is a common trope of LBGT literature, but Anderton handles it like a pro and engaged me from the start.
This book was also quite eye-opening for me as I am not a part of the LBGT community. I appreciated how each character was likable and relatable in a way that suggested that I didn’t need to be gay to enjoy their story – some works in this genre tend to assume that you have to identify with the community the book is written about…not the case here.
Anderton - I want to say “Hayley” here as I felt like I got to know her through reading the book, parts of it felt autobiographical – is definitely one to watch in not just the LBGT category but the YA one as well…which is really saying something.
She tackles a big theme as well: living a lie vs. being true to one’s self. This is a common trope of LBGT literature, but Anderton handles it like a pro and engaged me from the start.
This book was also quite eye-opening for me as I am not a part of the LBGT community. I appreciated how each character was likable and relatable in a way that suggested that I didn’t need to be gay to enjoy their story – some works in this genre tend to assume that you have to identify with the community the book is written about…not the case here.
Anderton - I want to say “Hayley” here as I felt like I got to know her through reading the book, parts of it felt autobiographical – is definitely one to watch in not just the LBGT category but the YA one as well…which is really saying something.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews