Love Drugged

by James Klise

If you could change who you are, would you? Should you? Fifteen-year-old Jamie Bates has a simple strategy for surviving high fit in, keep a low profile, and above all, protect his biggest secret-he's gay. But when a classmate discovers the truth, a terrified Jamie does all he can to change who he is. At first, it's easy. Everyone notices when he starts hanging out with Celia Gamez, the richest and most beautiful girl in school. And when he steals an experimental new drug that's supposed to "cure" his attraction to guys, Jamie thinks he's finally going to have a "normal" life. But as the drug's side effects worsen and his relationship with Celia heats up, Jamie begins to realize that lying and using could shatter the fragile world of deception that he's created-and hurt the people closest to him. Told with equal doses of humor and suspense, Love Drugged explores the consequences of a life constructed almost entirely of lies . . . especially the lies we tell ourselves. An American Library Association Stonewall Honor Book in Children's & Young Adult Literature

Genres: Young Adult, LGBT, Realistic Fiction, Contemporary, Gay, Fiction, Romance

212 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 1, 2010

Reviews

[Justin · Rating 3 out of 5]

When I was a wee little boy and my eye began to linger a bit longer on the boys it was right around the time I began to reread the books of my early days as a reader. All the books I read, especially the one's by Judy Blume centered on some young protagonist whom felt they were different than everyone around them. I picked several favorites and read and reread them over and over savoring the outsider tales identifying with them deeply.

If I had come across a book like Love Drugged during my early days of sexual awareness it would of been apart of the books I read again and again.

James Klise's tale for young adults centers around the teenage archetypal awkward everyman of Jamie Bates and his high drama navigation of personal identity & societal sexual stereotypes.

Like the young protagonist the book balances it's self between Gay Lit and the traditional Young Adult faire of teen transition. To say the book is merely a coming out tale for boys would gloss over the actual discussion occurring in Klise's book.

Love Drugged centers around an imaginary miracle drug which offers it's users freedom from physical attraction to those of the same gender.

The characters in this fast paced tale not only exposes modern misconceptions about sexual & gender identities it opens a dialog about compassion and the social pressures young adults face as they begin to given more responsibility of their own day to day lives.

The contrasts between Wesley, Celia and Jaimie and their discussions around the choices they make in regards to the practicalities of personal pharmaceutical use are where Klise's writing is at it's best.

One thing that was omitted quite noticeably was an equal treatment of the recreational drug & alcohol use many teens encounter today. A bottle of wine makes it's appearance but the characters quickly move onto the next subject allowing the reader to focus on the topic of Prescription Medication practices.

What seems to be just a tale of a gay boy figuring out being gay is ok is actually a subtle critique of the modern practice of life modification through self medication.

The few moments the author slips into cliche is in his treatment of Attention Deficit, Hyper Activity and Latino stereotypes. Young readers will not even notice the villain is a Gun toting Mexican wise guy but an author's cultural biases will always come to the surface with enough examination.

I'll forgive the white guy. He's a gay librarian in Chicago- at least the evil drug figure was not African American, right?

[Gabrielle · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is great for LGBT teens. It tells the story of a high school boy, Jamie, who finds a pill to make him straight. He knows he's gay but can't face the truth of who he is. He tries to date the most popular girl at school, Celia, but he is never sexually attracted to her. They become great friends and Jamie even goes on vacation with her family, but there is always something missing.

Celia's father is a scientist who is developing a drug called Rehomoline, which is supposed to make gay people straight. Jamie finds some pills and takes them, but all them do is make him sexually numb and give him headaches. By the end of the book, Jamie's life has kind of fallen apart and he realizes that only by coming out to his family and friends an being who he really is, will his life improve and he'll be happy.

The author does a great job of creating an authentic teenaged narrator in Jamie. He's funny, goofy, thoughtful, at times crass and inappropriate but always believable. Jamie forces himself to date the most beautiful girl in school to prove that he's straight, but the whole thing blows up in his face. The moral of this book is to be true to yourself, but doing anything else just makes life complicated. I think this is a must read for anyone who works with teenagers who might be questioning or exploring their sexuality.

[✦BookishlyRichie✦ · Rating 1 out of 5]

Stereotypical gay male character. This turned me off and I put the book down. I'm a gay male myself and this just made me angry. The author pinned the main character as a cliche homosexual and it just didn't go well with me.

[Lydia · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an outstanding book, with an interesting, almost fantasy type of theme. Jamie is 15 years old and trying to get through school without anyone discovering he is gay. The one outlet he allows himself is participating in an online chatline of gay boys who like movies. Jamie is fine, enjoying this one release, until mistakenly he provides real information to one chatter, only to discover the boy is not only in his high school, but on one of the other library computers.

When Jamie becomes involved with a Celia as a cover, he is introduced to her father, a scientist who is trying to develop a pill that will change homosexuals. From there, the plot becomes thicker and darker.

Klise has a lot to say in this novel -- not only about the trials and tribulations of being young and gay, but also about the adult world and some people's perspectives about the homosexual community. This is not a difficult or truly dark read. It is meant to make you think.

I enjoyed the writing and the subject/theme of Love Drugged and can highly recommend it.

[Sarah · Rating 2 out of 5]

Wait, what?

Love Drugged started off with a very interesting premise - What if there was a pill that could turn gay people straight? - but was almost immediately derailed by unrealistic dialogue, one predictable subplot (the coffee shop) and one completely unbeliveable subplot (the ritalin thing...seriously?), and a ridiculous climax and ending that seemed to have been air-lifted in from a Young James Bond novel.

Weird.

[Amanda Ferris · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book kept me paying attention throughout the entire time of reading it. It was very well written. While I was reading it I always wanted to know what would happen next, so many interesting things happened, what with the fire, the sudden trip to Mexico, and the typical day of Jamie's life. It shows real emotion and and confusion of Jamie being gay and I feel like in the real world many people could relate to how he's feeling. This book also humored me many times, Jamie's inside thought can sometimes be laughable. The overall book gets you wanting to know what happened next. I couldn't put it down. Only thing I think it could use more work on is telling the readers more about what happened after Jamie came out, how is his relationship now with Celia?

[Alicia · Rating 2 out of 5]

The end of the book explains a bit more, that Klise, while gay himself, didn't do much research about a drug that can (like allegies) block an unecessary reaction. In this case, it's homosexuality. So when Jamie begins to see Celia, he thinks that he can adapt and although he begins to love Celia, it certainly doesn't create any physical reaction. Celia's father uses this relationship for his own diabolical purposes-- testing a homosexual drug that he knows Jamie will steal and use because his intentions for his daughter are not sexual.

There's a loving relationship between Celia that can be appreciated and a sad truth about Jamie's homelife with his grandparents and unfocused parents, but the way the drug plot finishes is too odd to match the rest of the book-- trying to hurt Celia's father, burning the house/laboratory and then confessing everything from his gayness to his stealing to his family without much shock and then a subsequent lawsuit that leaves Jamie in a better position even after the side effects of his testing drug.



"He wrote: Silence is a mansion where dwell my greatest notions."

"Maybe what the old songs said was true: Falling in love takes time. Let the record show, I was willing to give it all the time it required."

"Fisherman know that the sea is dangerous and the storms terrible, but they have never found these danger sufficient reason for remaining ashore. Vincent van Gogh."

[Mrs. Palmer · Rating 3 out of 5]

What if there was a drug that could remove homosexual tendencies? That's the premise of this book. Jamie is a 15 year old and he's gay. He wishes more than anything to just be normal, and when he comes across the chance to "be normal", as in not gay, he goes for it, and takes an experimental drug. The drug works, but Jamie realizes his mistake and comes to accept himself for who he is. The Chicago setting was fun. The story is not dark in any way, despite the potential to be a serious topic.
There were some uncomfortable stereotypes-an evil Mexican drug pusher/researcher, a friend who is ADHD and out of control, but the overall message of acceptance and tolerance is on point. The novel doesn't really explore anything on a deeper level. It's definitely light reading and suitable for YAs.

[Samiha Sultana · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is about and boy named James and he is gay but he doesn't want anyone to know that he is gay, but one day one his class mates finds out his secret. And they only thing James know to do to protect his cover was to started dating a girl. The girls dad knows that James is gay so he tells James about a pill that can "cure" gayness. James goes and stills some pills. James girlfriends father started to blackmail him, in the end James gets kicked off of his school and he leave him family and she stopped using the pills.
I would recommend this book to everyone. This is a book about a gay kid who is afraid to be gay and he just wants to be a "normal" teenager. This book makes you feel, bad for James because all he want is to be normal and like the other kids.

[Jamie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I heard Klise speak at ALA and I was so taken with him; I nodded at everything he said about reaching reluctant readers, and I was intrigued by the work he does as a school librarian at a (unionized!) charter school in Chicago. So it was doubly exciting to realize that he is also the author of this book I'd been wanting to read.

There are important messages in this book, and it speaks to a certain experience of being in the closet. I just didn't love the story. I found it rather contrived, and I didn't buy into the plot & conflict.

[Karly Kirkpatrick · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found Klise's debut to be fascinating. Diving into the mind of a gay male teen was definitely a new adventure for me, but I felt like Jamie, the main character, and I were old friends. I also thought the premise was really something. We are so over-medicated in this country and the thought that there is a medication to cure everything, even homosexuality, was very poignant.

If we learn anything from Jamie's adventures it's that being true yourself is the greatest freedom.

[❤♥♔Nia♔♥❤ · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book... the ending was very sudden I think. Like, in the beginning, you think that the ending will be long by the way he's telling it, but it's really just a summary. I suppose he did that so the book wouldn't get too long...

Anyways, I like the book!

[H · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think the lesson of this is a good one. And the concept was a unique one when I first read this.

But I found myself just bored with the beginning and middle of this book. It was so boring and monotonous and didn't make a lot of sense. Also, Jamie likes Ivan ... why? Because most of it was just sexual. They barely knew each other. And also, the rejection. Why. Just why.

The end was so horrible, I remember flipping through.

[Grace · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an incredibly good read. The topic and plot were ENTIRELY different from and book I have ever read. Every chapter was filled with suspense, and I could not stop wondering (and dreading) the outcome. The plot twist shocked me so badly that I had to reread it a few times. I would HIGHLY recommend this book to anyone and everyone because it is so interesting and unique and never ceased to make me stop thinking.

[Bella Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

Our protagonist Jamie is trying his best to maintain an adequate school reputation like any teenager his age would do and keep his secrets and personal issues confidential. Yet, he is in a constant fear of his biggest secret of all being revealed; he's gay. However, a classmate of Jamie's discovers his secret and he is bound to not let it get out to any of his friends or family. In an attempt to "cure" himself and preserve his reputation, Jamie does all he can to change who he is- even drugs.

[Courtney · Rating 3 out of 5]

This one was only okay for me. I did like the idea of the story, a pill that could make someone no longer have homosexual attractions. Adam Silvera’s More Happy Than Not takes a similar concept and does a much better job with it. I felt that the conclusion of the story was very rushed and I wanted to know more about Celia and how she was dealing with everything that happened. All of the characters seemed one note and were relatively boring. A good read, not a great one.

[Isabelle | Nine Tale Vixen · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars maybe?

An interesting idea, though I thought it was really obvious that Jamie was totally being manipulated. Not sure what kind of message his actions really send - arson, larceny, and all the rest - even though I can understand why he so badly wants to be straight, considering societal pressures and judgment.

[angela · Rating 4 out of 5]

interesting concept, but i didn't really like how the author put a drug that keeps you from being homosexual... even though the author cleared it up in the authors note that he didnt think that there should be such pill and that its okay to be gay, it still seemed a little off-putting. idk read if you want. it's interesting.

[Kelly Jankowski · Rating 2 out of 5]

Meh, okay book. I liked the premise but felt the writing was too surface level and elementary. It was a bit too straightforward and the reader could guess exactly what was happening that the main character couldn’t see. There were too many unnecessary details about the street layout of Chicago, and we never got a conclusion of what happened with Paul.

[DaSha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love Drugged is amazing! I chose to read this book because the concept has always fascinated me. I have a lot of gay friends some of whom are very unaccepting of their own sexuality. A few have spoken to me about the possibility of changing that about themselves. It got me wondering how a drug like would affect the mind of a person or even the world. Those aforementioned friends would be the first I'd recommend this to. It's also a great read for anyone who is struggling to accept a concept about themselves that is relatively unchangeable; be it sexuality or otherwise.
In an English classroom this book can show students the importance of acceptance, both of themselves and of others. It exudes diversity and love for all, two things I believe all students should accept. As a whole class novel it would be developmentally meaningful for the growth of the students as they face adulthood. Unfortunately due to the very controversial nature of the work it isn't likely to be accepted as a whole class novel as it may spark a very politically charged argument or target students for bullying.

Language: Deity and quite of bit of strong language is used.
Violence: Guns are mentioned.
Sex: There are mentions of sex, the main character finds a used condom, vague description of homosexual dream, and homosexuality.
Drugs: The entire premise of the novel is drugs.
Rock and Roll: Homosexuality, underaged drinking and smoking, thief, hate language, and unconventional family dynamics are prevalent in the novel

[Lyssa Brantley · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked the book, but it wasn't really very interesting. There was so much that could have been done with the storyline to add to it but its mostly the same feelings and thoughts over and over so it gets repetitive. The last 100 pages were the only thing that made it good for me.

[Lexi · Rating 3 out of 5]

now that I really think about it, this book sounds like conversion therapy. I mean the guy drove himself crazy trying to be attracted to the girl he had a hard time being around intimately.

[Bailey Conn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Interesting and unique concept.

[Jen Bigheart · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think the synopsis is an excellent question and really is the heart of this story. If you could change who you are, would you? For 15 yo Jamie, it was a resounding yes. He was not comfortable with his attraction to other boys. He certainly didn't welcome the dreams of his hot classmate Ivan. Jamie wanted to fit in; be normal. He saw enough movies to know that stories of people who came out of the closet didn't always have a happy ending. He starts to explore his homosexual feelings by surfing chat rooms. Jamie can be *more* honest while he hides behind his avatar and pen name. This is his little secret; his safe haven. I definitely think this is a 'testing the waters' situation that many gay teens explore. When he meets a young girl, Celia, he thinks this is his best shot at being normal. She's beautiful, smart, funny, and takes a liking to Jamie. Jamie tries his best to reciprocate feelings - he wants their relationship to be so much more. His mind is there, but his body doesn't cooperate. Celia's father is a drug researcher, and after he tells Jamie that he has invented a drug to lessen homosexual feelings, Jamie thinks it is his first class ticket on the Straight Train.

Jamie goes to great extremes to get his hands on those pills that will make him un-gay*ish. He steals the little blue pills (ironic they are blue?) from Celia's father, and tries to convince himself that he is a heterosexual teenager - like everyone else. Everything goes according to plan until Celia's fondness for Jamie heats up - way up (she needs to take a cold shower). Even though Jamie feels his attraction toward men waiver, his desires for Celia border friend and friend with benefits. To make matters worse, Jamie begins to feel negative side effects from the medication. A showdown between Jamie and Celia's father is the breaking point for Jamie. Will he continue to lie and dismiss his feelings or honor himself? What will become of Celia and Jamie's relationship?

It was really refreshing to a read a book about a confused teenage boy that didn't involve a vampire or werewolf! It was also refreshing to see misconceptions about being gay explored. There are a lot of fallacies about homosexuals. One of them is that they have all of their feelings worked out. Another one (and Oprah is so guilty of this), is that you know your gay from the age of 5 and that's it; you're gay, no questions asked. There is no gay cookie cutter or mold. Everyone has a different story; gay or not.

If you put aside the somewhat implausible drug and unlikely "arrangement" between Jamie and Celia's father, this book is a gateway to conversations, and therefore...Jame Klise's's job is done. Hopefully teens and parents will look to Love Drugged as a resource. Teens can identify with Jamie's uncertainty and his willingness to put his feelings aside to please others. Parents may begin to understand that being gay isn't always so cut and dry. Homosexuality is an easy issue to ignore -you stay in that corner, and I will stay in mine. Life doesn't work that way. Conversations to better understand each other is what is important. Jamie's story should be a welcome addition to a middle school and high school library.

4 out of 5 stars

Giving away a signed copy at I Read Banned Books!

[Jennifer Wardrip · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reviewed by Randstostipher "tallnlankyrn" Nguyen for TeensReadToo.com

TAKE A DOSE OF "LOVE DRUGGED"! Side effects include: laughing out loud, insomnia (from wanting to finish), and being one step closer to finding your identity.

Jamie Bates may seem like any other teenage guy on the outside, but deep down he knows he is far from it. His constant attraction to other guys could be a huge hint that he's gay, yet Jamie does not want to come to this conclusion. In a world where phrases like "no homo" and the word "queer" can be thrown around jokingly, guys like Jamie fear it, understanding the torment and consequences that would result if their peers knew of their sexuality.

At first, Jamie finds solace with his homosexuality in an online forum, being able to discuss his interests without being ridiculed. Unfortunately, his one escape is nixed once he discovers a fellow user just so happens to go to the same school. Panicked, Jamie tries to find a way out of the island he and his online friends would be exiled to once everyone knew the truth.

Jamie's savior comes in the form of his fellow service club member, Celia Gamez. Extremely gorgeous, rich, and smart, Celia is the girl every guy would want. Jamie and Celia eventually are paired up to work on the Valentine's Day Carnation sale. With her flirtatious manner towards him, Jamie takes this as an opportunity to be put on the straight path. The idea seems to backfire in an instant though, as the physical attraction is absent, at least for Jamie.

Out of the blue, Jamie is introduced to a pill called Rehomoline, a drug that is meant to suppress the feelings one has for the same sex. When all else fails, Jamie takes this second chance to live like every other guy, without knowing the side effects that will ensue. Before he knows it, Jamie's relationship with Celia veers in a direction that he never expected, his actions become completely out of character, and the drugs begin to have serious consequences. And yet, is this all okay if it means he will end up being straight?

With having to worry about his best friend, Wes, and his own pill problem, dreams that haunt his mind, crushing on a blue-eyed classmate, and having a family that is all too plain and unsuccessful, Jamie must quickly figure out if this drug is what will cure him and give him the life he so desperately yearns for.

Every now and then a novel is published that will change the lives and minds of whoever reads it, and LOVE DRUGGED just so happens to be the one. James Klise creates a realistic character who some will fear because he is all too easy to relate to. Just like Jamie, those who are gay are sometimes unsure whether they will be accepted, mainly because a picture of a perfect, normal guy who is meant to play sports and marry a woman is painted and loved by family and friends. Little do they know that they will still be loved for who they really are.

An intriguing, perceptive, and heartwarming novel, LOVE DRUGGED may seem like any other simple coming-of-age novel, but with its twists and page-turning effect, it will ultimately leave a lasting impression.

[D · Rating 3 out of 5]

LOVE DRUGGED was kind of a sad book to read. Not that it actually made me sad but it was sad to see a boy so uncomfortable with himself that he'd be willing to pop unknown pills and suffer through some horrifying side effects just to be "normal." But I guess it's true, isn't it? Even the author admitted in his blurb at the end, that if given the chance when he was Jamie's age he would have taken Dr. Gamez's wonder pills and see if they helped. The fictional character and the real one can't be the only ones. In a world where being gay is okay only depending on where you live and who's around you, I can see it being double hard for a teenager, who's just trying to fit in, to want to do everything he can to blend in with the crowd. It just hurts to read that Jamie took such drastic measures to do it.

Jamie is a compelling character and I was definitely right there, sitting on his shoulder, begging him to not get involved with those pills. They were ultimately far more hurtful than just having some scary physical effects. Honestly I'm not surprised the story went where it did. When you have people that believe that treating homosexuality is akin to getting rid of allergies, it puts their moral stance firmly into perspective. So when the poo smacked against the rotating device I can't say I was surprised. I'm kind of shocked that Jamie didn't see it coming but really, he was a bit involved in convincing himself that the pills were working.

What I didn't really understand was why Jamie's parents were the way they were; idea people that got good starts and then fell flat on their faces, ending up being, for the most part, fiscal screw-ups that just couldn't get their shit together. I wouldn't be so hung up about it if it weren't such a prominent part of the story. And I'm still unsure as to why. Them being that way ultimately didn't serve a purpose, it didn't hurt or hinder them as characters. But Klise was insistent that they were less than stellar financially and they ended up in this position because they couldn't get it together. Maybe it was a round about way of focusing blame? If they hadn't moved there Jamie would have never come across those drugs? Or maybe it was a means of helping him, that final step. Maybe if they were more stable, Jamie would have felt even greater pressure to be "a man" and wouldn't have found himself. I don't know. I'm still trying to sort it out.

I liked LOVE DRUGGED. It was a strong read that pulled me from one cover to the other. I was always afraid that Jamie would get found out or he'd get outed outside of his control or the situation would just get away from him entirely. The plot was always right there in teetering on the edge of everything collapsing. It did that for most of the story, actually. And as a result it was only a matter of time before it came crumbling down. It's a story about a teenager finding himself, and doing some really drastic things to do it. Sure, it can be just like so many other stories out there. But it's not. It's so much more drastic than that.

[Robyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gay teenager Jamie has caught the attention of the most beautiful girl in school. He is ecstatic... If only he was actually attracted to her. He's not. But when he finds out about her father's experimental drug meant to change boys like him, Jamie finds hope for the first time... But can it actually work?

When I think about Love Drugged the first thing that comes to my mind is the word true. Then real. Because Love Drugged is both of these things and more. If asked, how many teenage (and even adult) gay guys would say yes to a drug meant to "fix" them? Particularly when they aren't comfortable with themselves. It's truly tragic that some people would go to such lengths to change something about themselves that really doesn't need changing. Something that is perfectly normal and okay, but something that is still so taboo that many would change themselves if they could. Love Drugged is a wonderful novel, addressing the issue of sexuality and drugs beautifully and with humor, capturing the heart of the reader effortlessly.

The characters were amazing. They were lovable and humorous, and a blast to read about. Every character had something great to add to the novel, and to Jamie's life. The dialogue was real, particularly between Jamie, Wes, and Celia. As well as between Jamie and his parents and grandparents. Jamie himself tugged at my heart. I felt horrible for him, and truly hoped that his life would turn out okay, and that he would begin to accept himself for what he really is. Love Drugged was a sweet and cute novel, with miles of depth. It talks about such a real issue you could just as easily find someone who's got a similar story. Because who doesn't want to change at least one thing about them? I'll be the first to say that I do. And Jamie does too. The difference is that what Jamie wants to change is a lot harder than changing hair color of weight or attitude. As far as I'm concerned, you can't change sexuality. You can pretend, but you can't really make it go away. It's part of you, and I was really rooting for Jamie to realize this.

Love Drugged takes the reader through such an incredible journey of self acceptance and love that it's hard to put down, hard to forget. Jamie and his friends and family will be stuck in my mind and heart for a long time. It would be beneficial for many people to read Love Drugged and learn from it. Maybe then people like Jamie wont feel that they have to change themselves to fit in.

Love Drugged is heartbreaking and real and is a lesson intertwined with humor and wonderful characters. With a great ending that wrapped things up perfectly, leaving just a little to the imagination, Love Drugged is deserving of a perfect rating, 5/5 stars.

[Hannah · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love the idea for this novel! A drug that could "cure" homosexuality - that's crazy; scary, even. The idea is fascinating, and I was very excited to read Love Drugged. Sadly, though, the novel didn't turn out as great as I'd hoped - I had issues with the characters and the plot development, which made it hard for me to really enjoy this novel.

The characters were my main problem with Love Drugged - they're severely underdeveloped. I never got a clear grasp on Jamie as a person - to me, there wasn't much to his personality other than being gay. Of course that's the main focus of the novel, but I would have preferred a more complex character with actual interests and character traits. The same goes for Celia: she didn't have enough of a personality and seemed to just personify the beautiful, popular girl. She seemed more like a plot device than an actual person. Wes is an interesting character, but I don't think his experience is fully developed, and we don't know enough about his situation for me to really take anything from his storyline. The family storyline is just as underdeveloped: the set-up is interesting, but stays very one-dimensional because it isn't elaborated on enough.

One thing that bothered me about the novel is its focus on sex. That feels very strange to write, since I usually appreciate books that address sex openly and honestly. In Love Drugged, though, it felt overemphasized to me. The only way that Jamie is characterized as gay, and the only way he wants to "turn" straight, is in relation to sex; the relationship aspect is never addressed. It bugged me that the only problems Jamie and Celia have in their relationship stem from Jamie's refusal to have sex with her, especially because they're only freshman in high school. The issue of sex should of course be addressed within this context, but I had hoped that Jamie's homosexuality had been discussed in the context of relationships as well.

I enjoyed the plot in the beginning - seeing how Jamie is dragged into this relationship, and how that works within the context of the "cure" is interesting to read about. However, over the course of the novel, things got a little too crazy. Especially the ending - what happens at Celia's house - seemed melodramatic and unrealistic to me. The happy end that follows, too, seemed too happy and dramatic.

Despite all of these issues, I still really enjoyed exploring the idea of Love Drugged. Even though the novel is far from perfect, the message is an important one. I do recommend Love Drugged, if not for the plot and characters, simply for the things it will force you to think about.

Reviewed at http://www.paperbacktreasures.blogspo...

[Bambi · Rating 3 out of 5]

Love Drugged by James Klise – Review
Bambi Nyembo
Gr. 8

Love Drugged is by James Klise is about a Chicago teenager named Jaime Bates that is 100% sure he is gay but he isn’t looking for a relationship. When one of his classmates figure out his secret, Jamie’s whole life turns around. He tries to “prove” himself by dating Celia Gomez. Celia is a pretty, funny ordinary smart girl and plus she is into Jamie. But Jamie isn’t attracted to her in that way. Celia’s dad is a doctor and he gets Jamie’s hand on a drug that is supposed to “cure” gay men. Jamie starts to realizes that this drug is not working in his favour, doing the total opposite of what the drug intended to do, will Jamie find love with whom who truly loves?

I liked this book just a bit because I couldn’t relate to any of the characters that much but I could relate to how Jamie was feeling throughout the book. I understand he felt pressured by not only his friends, family and girls that liked him but himself as well. In the book, Jamie tries so hard being some he is not even if it means in the inside its killing him. His friend Wes, not only puts stress on Jaimie, but makes fun of the LGBT community itself. “Didn’t you see her flirting? I know you won’t disappoint us. Damn, maybe I should join one of these gay clubs” pg 12. I feel empathy for Jamie because he knows for sure that he is not attracted to girls “Celia moved across the cafeteria, and I tried to see her through Wesley’s eyes. It was easy to appreciate how pretty she was. But below the belt, I felt nothing” pg 12. I think it’s really amazing seeing Jamie finding his true self even if people aren’t going to accept him. He realizes that it’s okay that I am not like everyone else even if most people aren’t okay with me, my happiness is prioritized. I admire Jamie for what he stands up for even if it means letting down some people.

I recommend this book to teenagers and above who like funny comedy books because this one had me crying of laughter at some parts. I think the author was trying to target teenagers which he did really well by using humour, and taking everyday day to day teen actives as an approach. Overall, I think the book sends an amazing messages on accepting who you are, and not only dealing with being gay but accepting your weight, disabilities, religions and many other things. Even if you are not comfortable with stories about LGBT, I would still recommend this book to apply what Jamie learned in other scenarios. In conclusion I learned something really important. “Be yourself, Accept yourself, Value yourself, Forgive yourself, Bless yourself, Express yourself, Trust yourself, Empower yourself and most importantly, Love yourself” – Lupytha Hermin

Bambi Nyembo
Gr. 8
Love Drugged

[Tania Maradiaga · Rating 5 out of 5]

To put this bluntly, I chose to read the book Love Drugged by James Klise because 1. I thought the cover was cute, and two, it seemed interesting to read about and step into the life of a gay fifteen-year-old who’d do just about anything to become straight but come out of the closet. This story is about a teen named Jamie Bates who’d do whatever it took to become straight. Just the thought of revealing himself as homosexual terrifies him. He falls in love with a the richest, prettiest girl in all of school named Celia, and they date. After spending months together, she wants to take it to the next level and sleep with him, but he still doesn’t know if he’s in love with her in the friend kind of way, or in the madly in love way. Celia’s dad who is a doctor master-minds a way to blackmail Jamie into continuously taking a drug called Rehomoline which would take away Jamie’s lust for other men, and it seems like everything goes down hill from then..or so you think. My favorite quote from this selection is on pg.285, where Jamie says: “What good could come from a pill that removed a person’s capacity for desire? I couldn’t believe I had willingly taken the pills for months, thinking they would make me straight-- a whole different person. Instead, all they did was strip away the essence of what made me a person.” This is my favorite quote because now, when Jamie is wondering why he took the pills in the first place, he is realizing that he is wrong, and that he should love himself whether he is straight or gay, he doesn’t need to change himself because of what other people might think of him. Moreover, what was unique about the author’s writing style was that I literally could NOT put this book down! Although it lacked interesting descriptions, especially during the most dramatic parts of the book, the plot was by far amazing, original, and creative. It kept me turning page after page, and I finished reading the book in one day. I would recommend this book to anyone like me who is interested in reading about the conflicts of a boy struggling to conceal his sexual orientation and anyone thinking about over dosing on drugs/pills because this book shows me that even though Jamie took but one pill a day, he still had major side effects like spaz-attacks, migraines, fatigue, and much more. Lastly, I would recommend this book to anyone who is in the same spot as Jamie was, struggling to conceal his or her sexual orientation because even though all along Jamie was trying to change himself and magically make himself straight, in the end he realized that it wasn’t possible, and that he shouldn’t let some stupid doctor try to change who he is.