Sharing Secrets

by Matthew J. Metzger

Adam has a secret. But maybe Charlie has a few of his own.

Adam’s got a secret and nobody knows.

He’s promised himself never to get into relationships and risk revealing it, but Charlie Fielding has a way of getting under one’s skin. One party, one kiss and Adam is faced with a horrible choice—tell Charlie the truth or keep quiet. And either way, lose the only friends he’s had in years.

But Charlie might have a secret, too—and everybody knows but Adam.

Pre-Order Date: 25th July 2017
Early Download Date: 8th August 2017
General Release Date: 5th September 2017
https://www.finch-books.com/book/shar...

Genres: Transgender, M M Romance, Young Adult, Romance, Contemporary, LGBT, Queer

259 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 5, 2017

About the author

Matthew is an asexual, transgender author from the wet and windy British Isles.

Matt writes LGBT novels, both adult and young adult, and particularly enjoys digging into the weird and wonderful diversity of people all across the sexuality and gender spectrums. When not writing, Matt is usually asleep, or crunching numbers at his day job. Free time is not really a concept here.

He is also owned by an enormous black cat. Approach with caution.

Reviews

[Daniel · Rating 5 out of 5]

(Re-read: April/May '25)

All the feels! 🥰
❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

[Iman (hiatus) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Matthew and representation-positivity is just something else 🥹❤️

[Lori · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Nobody knows."

Matthew J. Metzger is a MUST read author for me, he is absolutely amazing, yet he's one that I don't hear enough about and that's a real shame.

This book, like many of Metzger's, is YA - but it's real. The characters aren't some polished Hollywood version of teens, they are teens I can relate to and understand (despite my teen years being a loooong time ago!) Real proper characters. Adam and Charlie are just two unique characters that sold me their story in the first couple of pages.

Many of Metzger's novels feature transgender characters, and this one is no different; the ups and downs and secrets and hurt aren't how you think they're going to be though. It's not straightforward, and it's not easy, but it's also compelling to read. To understand. To think about things in a different way than before.

I really don't want to spoil the storyline, so I'm being very vague. okay, so the storyline is absolutely compelling reading. I personally think this is the type of book that should be in school libraries, it covers diversity and illness/disability in the way it should; with a normalcy sadly lacking in many books. Adam, Charlie, Phoebe and Ollie are still teens doing teen things with teen worries. Give 'em a few years and they'd be adults doing adult things with adult worries... they just have another aspect to them. Adam and Charlie's are mayhaps a bit larger to deal with.

I love how Metzger writes this but I'm struggling to put it into words without sounding ridiculous. Everyone is different. Everyone has things to deal with. Some are harder to cope with than others, but the people (characters) are still people and Metzger nails that. There are no caricatures in his literature.

The small town setting - the families, school, secondary characters - they all worked together to support the MC's and their story. It is a fantastic piece of work.

I absolutely think everyone should read this author. If YA isn't your thing then pick up another of his novels, but whatever you do check him out. He's very talented and this book was - IS - amazing.Review previously at BMBR.
A copy of this book was given in exchange for an honest review.

[Tess · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars

This will definitely appeal if you like Matthew Metzger's other YA stories. Although there are some big, important issues dealt with, the story and romance had a really sweet feel to it.

[Chris, the Dalek King · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nobody knows.

Adam has a secret. One he had repeatedly failed to keep hidden over the course of his life…but he is determined that this time no one will find out. A new school, with new friends, should make that easy. Adam knows the rules, what not to do, what not to say. As long as nobody knows, he’s safe. But his not-so-secret crush on his friend Charlie threatens to upset all his plans. Because Charlie has a secret too.

Yeah…I loved this. Huge shocker, I know.

Once again Matthew J. Metzger gives us an excellent book full of great characters, wonderful twists, and just such a damn good story that I’m left quite bereft when it ends. And if I didn’t like being kicked in the feels so damn much I would curse his name. Seeing as I am not quite recovered from his last novel release, I can say I’m a bit relieved to return to his more YA centered stories. I’d say I’ve come full circle, but it is more of a spiral…a never-ending book-buying spiral.

Sharing Secrets, is a good summary about what this book is about. Both Adam and Charlie have secrets–but they are not the ones you think they are. And can I just say I loved the twists in this book. I am not going to give them away, because that would make me a horrible person, but nothing is ever as it seems here. I went in expecting one thing–and while that thing was still there–it was actually one of the few things that didn’t play hugely into the story. And the things I didn’t expect. Damn. Let’s just say, well played.

One of the things I can talk about, though, is how refreshing reading Metzger’s teenage characters is. I just love them. The colorful cursing, the way they act around each other, the way the talk and feel…it makes them relatable. Even though I’ve never met a single school-age English person in my life. And they are all flawed, but not in the exactly the same way. When a author is able to create a character that is Adam or Charlie or Phoebe instead of just “angst-filled teenager 1, 2, etc…” it makes the book worth reading. Because you care about those characters instead of just feeling sorry for those bunch of characters over there. And to make me care at all about teens in a story means that the author knows what he is doing.

While I would not call this a light-read, I also don’t think it was all doom-and-gloom either. Adam and Charlie are both dealing with some pretty heavy things, but there was a sense of hope to this book that I enjoyed. I cried, but I also laughed. I cared enough about the characters to feel with the characters.

If you love reading YA I definitely think this is for you, and if you are anywhere close to the level of fanboy over this author’s work as I am then I doubt I even need to prod you to go buy it. For those on the fence…um, I’d say it is worth the risk. Even if YA isn’t your jam, normally. Metzger is very good at writing characters, and his stories always suck me right in. There hasn’t been a book of his that I’ve ever regretted reading (even the one that nearly killed me with feels and hard limits). I just adore his writing style and this book was so. damn. good.


This book was provided free in exchange for a fair and honest review for Love Bytes. Go there to check out other reviews, author interviews, and all those awesome giveaways. Click below.

[The Novel Approach · Rating 5 out of 5]

I firmly believe that author Matthew J. Metzger is one of the most important voices in YA literature today. Not only that but his voice clearly defines what it means to be transgender in a world that rages against those who seek to simply live truthfully. He strips down and exposes the raw emotions that accompany the life of anyone who has been born in the wrong skin—in the wrong body. And in this latest novel, Sharing Secrets, he goes one step further and shows us the overwhelming fear of a teenage harboring a secret so deadly that he cuts himself off from life, from love, from ever hoping to be “normal”.

Sharing Secrets is just incredibly powerful because it’s steeped in everyday reality. It doesn’t take much to understand or accept the secrets Adam and Charlie have as plausible and real. From the dialogue to the daily routines, these two boys will become as familiar to you as your next-door neighbor. On the outside, they seem to have normal, everyday worries that any teen could have, but once you are given a closer look, you realize that their lives are crashing and burning around them, and all they truly want is someone to love, someone to hold them, someone to look beyond their secrets and see the scared person beneath.

Charlie is transgender, Adam is gay and both are out at school. They have close friends and, for the most part, are not bullied but supported by their peers. Adam loves his adopted parents and feels their love in return. Charlie, unfortunately, does not have that same type of parental support. When his dad died a few years back, Charlie lost the only parent who supported his identifying as he really is—a boy trapped in a girl’s body. Having his own deep-seated anger issues, along with a healthy dose of depression, he lives with a mother who neither supports his gender nor is able to hide her own anger and pain. Charlie is holding on as best as he can, and he wants only one thing—Adam. But Adam has kept himself apart from the dating world forever. And for good reason. The secret he has buried inside himself has already nearly ruined his life once before, and he will not let it destroy his second chance at a high school where no one even suspects. Charlie and Adam are on a collision course with each other. They will either have to confess their worst fears and secrets to each other and hope that there is understanding, or walk away from the deep emotions they both have growing inside for each other.

This novel is brilliantly done from start to finish. Grappling with real life issues, the author creates a story that grips you by the heart and never really lets you go. The talent Mr. Metzger has is reflected in how well he crafts and gives life to characters that grow and change as the story unfolds. His are not cookie-cutter, cardboard dolls, but living, breathing people with real world problems that are life altering and can be emotionally shattering. But in this novel, he carefully balances these heavy issues with compassionate and caring friends who are loyal and never allow Charlie or Adam to fall too far. Friends who are willing and able to give both boys a kick in the proverbial ass when it’s needed the most.

I wish I could go into more detail for you about how gorgeous this story really is, but to do so would reveal those hard kept secrets, and that would truly ruin it for you. Instead, I will encourage you to read this wonderful novel, Sharing Secrets. I cannot say enough about how powerful a story it truly is.

Reviewed by Sammy for The Novel Approach

[Pablito · Rating 4 out of 5]

The writing here is well above the pack. It's such a pleasure to read a YA novel this well worded. Without giving away the plot, I will add that the author deals with two delicate identities with a rare and mature sensitivity . . . unless you're a girl. In that case, you may find yourself cringing at the way "girl" and "girly" are used by the characters, Adam and Charlie. Of course, this may be an authorial device to portray the adolescent mindset. If so, it's a surprising one in a novel of such sensitivity. The dialogue is as true as a builder's plumline, and the theme of acceptance and self-acceptance reflect off the main characters like sunlight on a crystal pond, once the early mist rises.

[Libby · Rating 5 out of 5]

Yet another young adult novel by Matthew that I absolutely enjoyed reading. He always impresses me with the amazing variety of characters that he creates that are so believable. I loved this couple and REALLY hope that Matthew will write a follow up to to lives as adults.

[Suze · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5*
Matthew J Metzger’s writing just flows for me. The language and pacing really enages me.
This one is no exception. Tackling a couple of huge topics in a YA story (the MC’s are coming up/are 16) yet it doesn’t feel heavy or dire.
The language and antics of all four main YA characters ring true to teens I know. They are by default very focussed on self at that age and this comes across despite the massive burdens that Charlie and Adam carry from events outside of their control.
I think also the openness of youth allows them to tackle both the issues head on and deal with in typical teen done it, talked it, whats next fashion. They are still somewhat unconstricted by society still at that age. Something older characters would probably not be able to do so easily.
Charlie’s mum seemed a bit extreme and a Dan much earlier than 14 may have helped Charlie.
The story only covers about 7/8 months and long journeys are ahead but these guys have a unique bonding history to keep them going.

[Jimbo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Matthew J. Metzger did a great job with hiding secrets in this coming-out story that is deeper than a gay YA book. I liked the four musketeers that inhabit the pages. Best friends, lovers, and family, they are what everyone one should have. Those that believe in you no matter what, who have your back, who make you crazy sometimes, and who keep you in line when you get out of it.

I wish that there had been a strong copyeditor on the book to take out the repetitive lines that seemed to flow throughout the book. The reading would have been much smoother and it wouldn't have taken you out of the story because you were thinking in the back of you head, "you said this last chapter and two chapters before that ..."

But that being said, I thought this book was well done and should be read. I will look for other books by Metzger because I think that there is something worth following and reading from this author.

[Terri · Rating 3 out of 5]

I am not this book's intended audience. I'm decades beyond young adult.

The pace is slow; I started skimming at 55% in, because it was that or stop.

There's too much physical aggression between the friends for me to take it very seriously, by which I mean I kept picturing cartoon teens. But they are each distinct and made a good group. Well done, author.

The serious topics of being HIV-positive and handling mental illness are well enough handled (this is British) and only one parent is terrible, which I found comforting. I loved the frank safe sex talk considering the (medically-minimized) danger to the partner, very smart. So was Charlie's trans identity. He just is a guy and his body differences are just part of that. Adam's acceptance was no struggle at all, he fell for Charlie the person.

I just wish the filler dialogue and the dithering had been edited out. Oh well. :)

[Ventus Noctis · Rating 5 out of 5]

HIV, Adam has HIV. I really wish the book told you this going in because I was soooo confused for the first few chapters. Having read another book by Matthew, Spy Stuff, I assumed Adam was trans and was very confused that he was scared to come out when Charlie was very openly trans. I feel the book could actually be better if it was clearer from the start that Adam is living with HIV and thus could be marketed to kids who have to live with this condition. Overall though, it's a super fluffy LGBTQ+ book that treats mental health, trans topics, and HIV with respect while not giving them too much power to ruin lives.

[J.S. · Rating 3 out of 5]

The complex and interesting characters made this an enjoyable read. However, so many of the conversations and events felt repetitive and redundant, taking up valuable space that I feel could have been better used, that on finishing this, I'm kinda unsatisfied.

[Stephen Severance · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very kind way to introduce HIV and bipolar

The story was interesting from the start. I was disappointed in the quick ending and uneventful let down. The characters were interesting and had there own story lines, as well as, being intertwined with the main characters lives.

[Sunny · Rating 4 out of 5]

Abrupt ending, and I wanted more information about Charlie's transgender experience, but I loved the story.

[Dena · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5*

[Fi · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars

[Holly · Rating 2 out of 5]

Had a lot of promise, but it was hard to get invested in any of the characters. :/

[Janeylou · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

[Brandi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sharing Secrets by Matthew J. Metzger follows the exact plotline that you would expect from such a title. This book introduces us to Adam, our main character with a carefully guarded secret, and Charlie, his love interest who has a few secrets of his own.

Adam has promised himself he’ll never get into a relationship, but Charlie doesn’t seem to care about Adam’s personal vow of celibacy. One party, one kiss, and Adam has to make a choice he never thought he’d have to make—tell Charlie the truth or keep quiet.

No matter what he chooses, Adam is convinced he’s going to lose the only friends he’s had in years, and if he keeps lying, he also keeps hurting Charlie.

From the beginning of this book, I ached for Adam. I didn’t know what his secret was, but I think a lot of queer folks can relate to what Adam goes through; having to keep an aspect of your identity locked away out of fear is a terrible feeling. I know it hit me hard. Thankfully, Adam has a lovely and supportive family that has his back during the entire novel, which I found kept some of the darker moments from feeling too heavy.

Sure, Adam feels alone, but the reader knows he has a strong, solid support system at his back that won’t let anything happen to him.

That support system only grows as the novel goes on. Phoebe, the first friend that Adam makes at his new school, is someone that quickly takes a liking to him. In fact, Phoebe is the first person at Adam’s new school that Adam tells his secret, and she immediately accepts him with open arms, something he never could have imagined.

She sticks with him and pulls him into her friend group, which includes the slightly abrasive Ollie and Charlie, a tall, handsome boy that Adam spends quite a bit of time staring at.

Charlie, who without Adam knowing, spends quite a bit of time staring back.

Their first kiss, initiated by Charlie, is absolutely not something that I was expecting before it happened, which I really enjoyed! However, things don’t go smoothly, and this leads us to our first major conflict of this novel.

Which, as I mentioned, is all about secrets!

Unfortunately, the secrets that have built up between Adam and Charlie cause a lot of hurt after Charlie makes a move on Adam. Terrified of his secret getting out, Adam rejects Charlie and then begins to avoid him, which plays on Charlie’s insecurities which are founded in his own secrets. It’s very clear that both boys are hurting; Adam, for wanting something he won’t let himself have, and Charlie, for what he’s telling himself Adam is feeling and why that’s his fault.

This makes the eventual confession from Adam, Charlie’s easy acceptance, and their second kiss all the sweeter.

(I totally cheered. So much.)

I read this novel in one sitting. I needed to know Adam’s secret, then I needed to know what he was going to say about Charlie, then if he was going to tell Phoebe, then what was going on with Charlie, then what was going to happen between Adam and Charlie and…

Yeah, you get it. I couldn’t put it down, and I genuinely didn’t want to! I found it really well-paced! There was enough action (emotional action, mostly) to keep me turning pages (or scrolling through my e-book), and I genuinely couldn’t stop until I reached the (happy) ending.

This book handles some heavy, sensitive topics. While I believe it does it well, I also believe it could have done it better. Unfortunately, there is some questionable language surrounding mental health, as well as some tricky discussions regarding child abuse that I thought could have been handled with more care. Be aware of this before going into it.

With that said, Matthew J. Metzger has once again knocked it out of the park with a sex-positive, high school romance featuring a transgender character. While I definitely consider this book YA, it does deal with some heavier topics, but it’s wrapped up in a happy, hopeful ending that speaks of trans joy and happiness.

This is another bookshelf staple of mine, and I highly recommend it!

[Ay · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this. I hope Metzger writes more about these people. They are great characters, and the next few years of their lives is not going to be simple. ...okay, to be honest, I just want to hang out with them more.

As an aside, I find the way they interact rather odd. Are all English people like that? All the time? I mean I tease my friends here and there....but not all the time.

[Straight Girl Goes Gay · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hey, fellow smut lovers!
This book has its own episode on Straight Girl Goes Gay - a Vimeo on Demand web series.
Subscribe and watch here.

Everything contains spoilers! You have been warned :)