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Wrestling #1
Wrestling With Desire
Derek Thompson is a senior, a wrestler, and has a secret. He’s gay.
Scott Thayer is a new student who’s just moved to Cambridge, Massachusetts from Iowa. On the first day of school Derek and Scott meet, and their lives change in an instant.
As Derek and Scott discover the things they have in common, they enter into one of the closest, most loving relationships either of them has ever experienced. When unexpected circumstances threaten to tear them apart, they both have to make a decision.
Do they protect their secret and separate? Or fight for what they want...each other.
268 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 19, 2010
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767 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 76 reviews
October 29, 2014
Just a sweet, High School story about two boys who fall in love for the first time!!!
December 15, 2010
Wrestling with Desire is a young adult coming of age story featuring sensitive, emotional teenagers exploring their sexuality. Now by this I mean the emotional and psychological impact of a first real relationship with raging hormones but not so much on screen sex. Considering their age and the genre, this isn’t too surprising and the two boys mostly kiss with a little groping and crotch shifting thrown in occasionally. This keeps the focus on the teenagers in their daily routines, which is both the strength and weakness of this novel.
The story revolves around Derek, boyfriend Scott, and to a lesser extent Derek’s best friend Beck, as they go about their daily lives. The timeline is their senior year in high school and there are numerous scenes of the teens going to school, wrestling, hanging out after school, meeting up and mostly chatting about Derek and Scott’s relationship, parents, and basic events that happen in their lives. There is nothing progressing the story other than the characters and their repetitive lives – such is the life of a high school teen – so many of the scenes are the same. This helps give the characters a sense of normalcy, that these are genuine, regular teens that some readers may recognize and identify with.
At the same time it lacks any inherent tension and driving purpose. The scenes meander from one to another as the trio go to class, gossip, obsess about their relationships, wrestle, obsess about their relationships, sneak off to make out, obsess about their relationships, talk to their parents, deal with classes and so on. Although the characters argue, fight, and even break up there’s no real question that they’ll work it out pretty soon so that takes away any dramatic tension. Instead it’s just a matter of when the resolution happens and usually sooner rather than later. While I expect a happy ending since the story is a romance, the predictable tone to the arguments and resolutions are pretty obvious and not surprising.
The story does a commendable job introducing and depicting average teenagers with raging hormones. Of course young men with their first brush of true desire are going to be horny and sneak off to make out as much as possible. The fact that there are two dicks in the equation means they twitch twice as much. Some of this I admit is pretty humorous yet some of the prose choices were unfortunate. Repeated phrases such as “the tangled mess in his pants” just give the wrong imagery.
There are also some technical errors and pronoun confusion. The writing isn’t always clear which “he” the story is referring to. This is sometimes compounded by the slight POV switching. The story is mostly told from Derek’s third person perspective but every once in a while a paragraph will flip to Scott’s POV and then flip back to Derek in the next paragraph. Additionally the writing will sometimes infer some reason or thought process to explain Scott’s actions when Derek wouldn’t necessarily know that. A lot of this is covered in the pseudo therapy sessions between Derek and his female best friend Beck or between Derek and his mother. These conversations are incredibly adult, more insightful than I’d give teenagers credit for, and very formal. The prose used is often very exact and reminiscent of much more mature, articulate speakers than these particular teenagers.
Wrestling with Desire is a very sweet, romantic tale of first love. The teenagers are emotional, often prone to crying jags, giggling, and ball jokes but they’re also young and rather sheltered for the most part. The story shows the exploration of a first relationship in a safe environment with only a minimum of negative influences. Young adults looking for a story that will depict young gay men as athletes and not high school extremes, neither the popular kids nor the picked on, that they can identify with may like this quite a bit. I think the lack of tension and rather typical, repetitive high school scenes may not appeal to some older readers. Even though I enjoy the YA genre quite a bit this particular offering didn’t work so well for me. It’s decent and easy enough to read but lacks the driving force that compels you to read and want to know more. Every reader’s different though so choose for yourself.
The story revolves around Derek, boyfriend Scott, and to a lesser extent Derek’s best friend Beck, as they go about their daily lives. The timeline is their senior year in high school and there are numerous scenes of the teens going to school, wrestling, hanging out after school, meeting up and mostly chatting about Derek and Scott’s relationship, parents, and basic events that happen in their lives. There is nothing progressing the story other than the characters and their repetitive lives – such is the life of a high school teen – so many of the scenes are the same. This helps give the characters a sense of normalcy, that these are genuine, regular teens that some readers may recognize and identify with.
At the same time it lacks any inherent tension and driving purpose. The scenes meander from one to another as the trio go to class, gossip, obsess about their relationships, wrestle, obsess about their relationships, sneak off to make out, obsess about their relationships, talk to their parents, deal with classes and so on. Although the characters argue, fight, and even break up there’s no real question that they’ll work it out pretty soon so that takes away any dramatic tension. Instead it’s just a matter of when the resolution happens and usually sooner rather than later. While I expect a happy ending since the story is a romance, the predictable tone to the arguments and resolutions are pretty obvious and not surprising.
The story does a commendable job introducing and depicting average teenagers with raging hormones. Of course young men with their first brush of true desire are going to be horny and sneak off to make out as much as possible. The fact that there are two dicks in the equation means they twitch twice as much. Some of this I admit is pretty humorous yet some of the prose choices were unfortunate. Repeated phrases such as “the tangled mess in his pants” just give the wrong imagery.
There are also some technical errors and pronoun confusion. The writing isn’t always clear which “he” the story is referring to. This is sometimes compounded by the slight POV switching. The story is mostly told from Derek’s third person perspective but every once in a while a paragraph will flip to Scott’s POV and then flip back to Derek in the next paragraph. Additionally the writing will sometimes infer some reason or thought process to explain Scott’s actions when Derek wouldn’t necessarily know that. A lot of this is covered in the pseudo therapy sessions between Derek and his female best friend Beck or between Derek and his mother. These conversations are incredibly adult, more insightful than I’d give teenagers credit for, and very formal. The prose used is often very exact and reminiscent of much more mature, articulate speakers than these particular teenagers.
Wrestling with Desire is a very sweet, romantic tale of first love. The teenagers are emotional, often prone to crying jags, giggling, and ball jokes but they’re also young and rather sheltered for the most part. The story shows the exploration of a first relationship in a safe environment with only a minimum of negative influences. Young adults looking for a story that will depict young gay men as athletes and not high school extremes, neither the popular kids nor the picked on, that they can identify with may like this quite a bit. I think the lack of tension and rather typical, repetitive high school scenes may not appeal to some older readers. Even though I enjoy the YA genre quite a bit this particular offering didn’t work so well for me. It’s decent and easy enough to read but lacks the driving force that compels you to read and want to know more. Every reader’s different though so choose for yourself.
April 13, 2011
Wrestling with Desire is set against the backdrop of high school, where the absolute last thing you want to be is yourself. The story starts at the beginning of the school year, and D.H. uses this well as a way of dating events and circumstances as they occur throughout the novel, finishing the story at the end of senior year.
Derek is definitely someone who hides his light under a bushel, and despite being a part of the wrestling team, lives the majority of his high school life striving to fade into the background. Lack of attention means lack of problems as far as Derek is concerned. The story is written from Derek's point of view and I enjoyed learning with him as his view changes. Although a fairly selfless character to begin with, Derek soon realises, with the help of Beck, that he has taken a lot, such as his parents' support, for granted. He quickly takes steps to remedy his self-seeking behaviour, which imparts adult wisdom in a teenage drama.
Beck, Derek's best of best friends, is a bit of a drama queen and wants to be in the spotlight. This only feeds into Derek's need to stay hidden as he is only too happy to leave Beck the limelight. This little diva has a no-nonsense attitude and a lack of tolerance for BS. Apart from the ongoing and spine-tingling ways of abolishing a male's genitals, Beck is a fun, quirky character with an ability to lay the cards on the table in a way these boys can connect with.
Meeting Scott may be the best thing that's happened to Derek, but as the story evolves, it becomes uncertain whether Scott can say the same. Apart from starting his senior year in a whole new school, Scott is also dealing with a heap of issues at home with unrealistic expectations the least of his troubles. Connecting with Derek seems to help at the beginning, but Scott is another who hides his true self away.
Since neither wishes to deal with the realities of being 'outed' in high school, and as most teenagers lack the greatest of communication skills, the insecurities start building and the one person each thought they could be honest with now becomes the one person to guard the hardest against.
Wrestling with Desire also uses the metaphor of wrestling as a way of life, where two opponents may fight it out in individual battles, but it is for the greater benefit of the team. For the age group this novel is aimed at, I found this to be a strong, yet subtly imparted message. D.H. has also managed to write about many issues faced by teenagers in an enlightening and informed way, educating the reader unknowingly writing coping mechanisms and communication strategies within the text. A thoroughly enjoyable novel, I would recommend this humorous, romantic drama to anyone. Nx
Note: Review written for Queer Magazine Online.
Derek is definitely someone who hides his light under a bushel, and despite being a part of the wrestling team, lives the majority of his high school life striving to fade into the background. Lack of attention means lack of problems as far as Derek is concerned. The story is written from Derek's point of view and I enjoyed learning with him as his view changes. Although a fairly selfless character to begin with, Derek soon realises, with the help of Beck, that he has taken a lot, such as his parents' support, for granted. He quickly takes steps to remedy his self-seeking behaviour, which imparts adult wisdom in a teenage drama.
Beck, Derek's best of best friends, is a bit of a drama queen and wants to be in the spotlight. This only feeds into Derek's need to stay hidden as he is only too happy to leave Beck the limelight. This little diva has a no-nonsense attitude and a lack of tolerance for BS. Apart from the ongoing and spine-tingling ways of abolishing a male's genitals, Beck is a fun, quirky character with an ability to lay the cards on the table in a way these boys can connect with.
Meeting Scott may be the best thing that's happened to Derek, but as the story evolves, it becomes uncertain whether Scott can say the same. Apart from starting his senior year in a whole new school, Scott is also dealing with a heap of issues at home with unrealistic expectations the least of his troubles. Connecting with Derek seems to help at the beginning, but Scott is another who hides his true self away.
Since neither wishes to deal with the realities of being 'outed' in high school, and as most teenagers lack the greatest of communication skills, the insecurities start building and the one person each thought they could be honest with now becomes the one person to guard the hardest against.
Wrestling with Desire also uses the metaphor of wrestling as a way of life, where two opponents may fight it out in individual battles, but it is for the greater benefit of the team. For the age group this novel is aimed at, I found this to be a strong, yet subtly imparted message. D.H. has also managed to write about many issues faced by teenagers in an enlightening and informed way, educating the reader unknowingly writing coping mechanisms and communication strategies within the text. A thoroughly enjoyable novel, I would recommend this humorous, romantic drama to anyone. Nx
Note: Review written for Queer Magazine Online.
June 8, 2012
Okay. Obviously, you come to a book like Wrestling with Desire with certain expectations. It's going to be light and fluffy, maybe a little sensual, mostly giving its audience what they want. Even by that criteria, Wrestling with Desire has problems. The first half of the book feels empty, and the novel as a whole lacks a clear sense of direction. The second half of it is better with some actual conflicts developing between Derek and Scott and Scott and his father, but until that point, things are just kind of dull.
The last few chapters have the sweet, cute moments that I wish had been present throughout the whole book.
Another issue? The bizarre focus on crotches.
You'd expect crotches to be somewhat-prominent in a gay romance novel, but the way this manifests cannot be what the target audience wants. For instance, Derek's friend Becky has a habit of threatening to mutilate her friends' scrotums, a trait which is supposed to be quirky and charming but really just comes off as eye-rolling, especially when the other characters imagine what she would say when she's not present.
And then there's the readjusting erections.
Let's be clear. You're going to spend a lot of time reading about guys tucking their boners into the waistbands of their underwear because they have to get to class. If that's what you're looking for in your gay YA romance novels, then you better stop wrestling with the desire and read Wrestling with Desire.
The last few chapters have the sweet, cute moments that I wish had been present throughout the whole book.
Another issue? The bizarre focus on crotches.
You'd expect crotches to be somewhat-prominent in a gay romance novel, but the way this manifests cannot be what the target audience wants. For instance, Derek's friend Becky has a habit of threatening to mutilate her friends' scrotums, a trait which is supposed to be quirky and charming but really just comes off as eye-rolling, especially when the other characters imagine what she would say when she's not present.
And then there's the readjusting erections.
Let's be clear. You're going to spend a lot of time reading about guys tucking their boners into the waistbands of their underwear because they have to get to class. If that's what you're looking for in your gay YA romance novels, then you better stop wrestling with the desire and read Wrestling with Desire.
February 14, 2011
Cute story about a couple high school boys in love
Some of Derek’s inner debates/monologues were a little too wordy for me but other than that it was a great story.
It is young adult so no sex which was refreshing
Some of Derek’s inner debates/monologues were a little too wordy for me but other than that it was a great story.
It is young adult so no sex which was refreshing
March 20, 2011
3.5 at my website
High school -- if offered the choice between eating a bug or reliving any one day of high school, I'd ask how big the bug is. This YA coming of age story illustrates the bittersweet reasons for the dilemma.
Growing up is hard enough, trying to complete senior year as an outsider coming into a stable group, as newcomer Scott has to do, makes it even harder. Fortunately, Derek, quiet, unassuming but still fairly popular, and also gay, is willing to befriend him. They find a lot of shared interests in academics, sports, music, and eventually, each other. We see the journey from Derek's POV, and if he sounds a lot more mature than his years sometimes, he can be both wise and clueless, in true late teen fashion.
Both boys wrestle, a high prestige sport in their school, which provides the backdrop to some of their most important instances of growing up -- they worry about making the team and being accepted, they win, fail, and teach each other new skills. If the technical descriptions of wrestling moves glazed my eyes over, I still think I got the important messages. Wrestling, with it's close physical contact, seems like a hard sport for a gay youth who'd like to stay in the closet, but also a really good life lesson in maintaining focus. I cheered for Scott, Derek, and their team when they won and grieved when they lost, caught up in their success if not the sport.
There's conflict with family, too, and NOT -- thankyouDHStarrletmemakeyoubrowniesfordoingitthisway -- over being gay, but over academics and power within the family, and this more than anything drives the last half of the book. It also renders this YA read more universally appealing, these are conflicts any teen will recognize. One scene did seem to push the YA standard re sex on the page, but we didn't have to hear every groan or feel every stroke to know that these are healthy, horny teenagers who are really into each other.
The line editing and presentation were unfortunately intrusive enough to affect the reading experience. I found myself responding sarcastically to sentences where meaning changed from the intended because of punctuation, or lack of it. Font size changed periodically, sometimes in the middle of a word, so swats to the publisher for not presenting the work more carefully.
The product placement was also intrusive; while the type of car Derek drove says something about him and his family and their values, mentioning "Cymbalta" instead of "antidepressant" or "Best Buy" instead of "electronics store" did not, and there were a lot of these kinds of things. I read books to get away from commercials.
The story is uplifting and positive, but could certainly have benefited from a stronger editorial hand -- some spots ramble or repeat, not truly moving the story forward, and the already mentioned issues took their toll. Still, I'm glad to have read it, and look forward to the other books from this author in my TBR pile.
High school -- if offered the choice between eating a bug or reliving any one day of high school, I'd ask how big the bug is. This YA coming of age story illustrates the bittersweet reasons for the dilemma.
Growing up is hard enough, trying to complete senior year as an outsider coming into a stable group, as newcomer Scott has to do, makes it even harder. Fortunately, Derek, quiet, unassuming but still fairly popular, and also gay, is willing to befriend him. They find a lot of shared interests in academics, sports, music, and eventually, each other. We see the journey from Derek's POV, and if he sounds a lot more mature than his years sometimes, he can be both wise and clueless, in true late teen fashion.
Both boys wrestle, a high prestige sport in their school, which provides the backdrop to some of their most important instances of growing up -- they worry about making the team and being accepted, they win, fail, and teach each other new skills. If the technical descriptions of wrestling moves glazed my eyes over, I still think I got the important messages. Wrestling, with it's close physical contact, seems like a hard sport for a gay youth who'd like to stay in the closet, but also a really good life lesson in maintaining focus. I cheered for Scott, Derek, and their team when they won and grieved when they lost, caught up in their success if not the sport.
There's conflict with family, too, and NOT -- thankyouDHStarrletmemakeyoubrowniesfordoingitthisway -- over being gay, but over academics and power within the family, and this more than anything drives the last half of the book. It also renders this YA read more universally appealing, these are conflicts any teen will recognize. One scene did seem to push the YA standard re sex on the page, but we didn't have to hear every groan or feel every stroke to know that these are healthy, horny teenagers who are really into each other.
The line editing and presentation were unfortunately intrusive enough to affect the reading experience. I found myself responding sarcastically to sentences where meaning changed from the intended because of punctuation, or lack of it. Font size changed periodically, sometimes in the middle of a word, so swats to the publisher for not presenting the work more carefully.
The product placement was also intrusive; while the type of car Derek drove says something about him and his family and their values, mentioning "Cymbalta" instead of "antidepressant" or "Best Buy" instead of "electronics store" did not, and there were a lot of these kinds of things. I read books to get away from commercials.
The story is uplifting and positive, but could certainly have benefited from a stronger editorial hand -- some spots ramble or repeat, not truly moving the story forward, and the already mentioned issues took their toll. Still, I'm glad to have read it, and look forward to the other books from this author in my TBR pile.
November 19, 2010
This is an official review from The Romance Reviews
I would have to say that this is the best coming of age story I have ever read. It shows the true angst of high school and teenage years. This story is about two senior high school students, Derek Thompson and Scott Thayer. Scott had moved to Cambridge Massachusetts from Iowa. Derek volunteered to show Scott around the school on the first day of class. Their friendship blossomed from the very start. Can you say love at first sight? Both being wrestlers they had that in common and they were rarely apart. Beck (Rebecca) is Derek's best friend. She pulls no punches and very much speaks her mind on matters. She loves to threaten great devastating harm to various male body parts when she's displeased. She was truly entertaining. But she was also a very important part of the book.
I felt this story was very well written. It was sensitive to the issue of being gay and the fear of discovery. The friendship between Derek and Scott was very sweet. It was interesting to watch each boy try to figure out if the other had the same sexual preferences. Each of them were afraid to broach the topic with the other. This was the first time for both of them to have any sort of relationship. I was rooting for them the entire way. I actually found myself telling each boy, as I was reading, “ask him already”. I was really drawn into this book.
At one point the boys are forced apart and it was devastating for both of them. And I will admit it brought out my motherly instincts. I wanted to go right into that book and shake some sense into Scott's parents. His father was never around, but he wanted absolute perfection from his son. When he didn't get what he thought was necessary he would pose impossible restrictions on Scott. It just about broke the boys apart for good. And Scott's mother would not stand up to him so things got a little tense. It was just so sad and I cried in frustration right along with them. The boys mothers were very concerned about them. They were both so sullen and depressed and they knew something had to be done. So when the boys mothers got together for a private talk, Scott's mother realized she needed to become more assertive and she lifted Scott's restrictions. It was so wonderful to see the boys back together again. When Scott showed up at Derek's house they weren't the only ones in tears.
This book has a great ending. It was a very sweet romance. I didn't read anything about a possible sequel, but should that happen I would be first in line to buy it. This is the first book by D.H. Starr that I have ever read and he did a wonderful job. I will definitely be looking at his other books.
I would have to say that this is the best coming of age story I have ever read. It shows the true angst of high school and teenage years. This story is about two senior high school students, Derek Thompson and Scott Thayer. Scott had moved to Cambridge Massachusetts from Iowa. Derek volunteered to show Scott around the school on the first day of class. Their friendship blossomed from the very start. Can you say love at first sight? Both being wrestlers they had that in common and they were rarely apart. Beck (Rebecca) is Derek's best friend. She pulls no punches and very much speaks her mind on matters. She loves to threaten great devastating harm to various male body parts when she's displeased. She was truly entertaining. But she was also a very important part of the book.
I felt this story was very well written. It was sensitive to the issue of being gay and the fear of discovery. The friendship between Derek and Scott was very sweet. It was interesting to watch each boy try to figure out if the other had the same sexual preferences. Each of them were afraid to broach the topic with the other. This was the first time for both of them to have any sort of relationship. I was rooting for them the entire way. I actually found myself telling each boy, as I was reading, “ask him already”. I was really drawn into this book.
At one point the boys are forced apart and it was devastating for both of them. And I will admit it brought out my motherly instincts. I wanted to go right into that book and shake some sense into Scott's parents. His father was never around, but he wanted absolute perfection from his son. When he didn't get what he thought was necessary he would pose impossible restrictions on Scott. It just about broke the boys apart for good. And Scott's mother would not stand up to him so things got a little tense. It was just so sad and I cried in frustration right along with them. The boys mothers were very concerned about them. They were both so sullen and depressed and they knew something had to be done. So when the boys mothers got together for a private talk, Scott's mother realized she needed to become more assertive and she lifted Scott's restrictions. It was so wonderful to see the boys back together again. When Scott showed up at Derek's house they weren't the only ones in tears.
This book has a great ending. It was a very sweet romance. I didn't read anything about a possible sequel, but should that happen I would be first in line to buy it. This is the first book by D.H. Starr that I have ever read and he did a wonderful job. I will definitely be looking at his other books.
August 10, 2012
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4 Stars
Wrestling with Desire is a very touching and emotional coming of age novel that is probably one of the most realistic I read so far. The story revolves around Derek Thompson, a very reserved teenager. On the first day of classes of his senior year, he meets Scott Thayer who recently moved to his hometown of Cambridge, Massachusetts. Derek, who is secretly gay, is intrigued by Scott’s charming good looks and the fact they both wrestle. There is an instant connection between the two that they can’t deny. Soon, they become friends and allies in the sport that they love. At first, Derek was unsure of Scott’s sexual orientation, but he soon sees a new side of him that he loves. Without giving away too much of the plot, they fall in love and their struggles begins.
I loved Derek. He was smart, funny, sensitive, caring and compassionate. I absolutely adored his relationship with his best friend, Beck (Rebecca). Their friendship is everlasting and they are there for each other when they need someone to cry on. Scott was a dream. He was tall, charming and the perfect guy. His relationship with his parents is not the best in the world because they move a lot and that puts a strain on their relationship. The secondary characters are very intriguing and in no way overshadow the main cast. I also loved the fact that in this story, no one found out about their secret love affair. I found that to be new and fresh since on many other YA novels, that is a main issue. I also loved that the novel was real and raw. It did not have any bizarre scenarios or fake plots. It was simply and clean.
There are two things that I didn’t like. One was the fact that the story was too long. I think that it could have been shorter. I also disliked the wrestling scenarios. I am not a fan of the sport, so I found them to be dull and boring, but if you are a fan, you will love them. Those scenes did not set well with me.
Overall, this novel was an amazing read. I would recommend it to anyone who enjoys wrestling and wants to read a sweet love story of two boys, as they become aware of who they are and what they want in life.
4 Stars
Wrestling with Desire is a very touching and emotional coming of age novel that is probably one of the most realistic I read so far. The story revolves around Derek Thompson, a very reserved teenager. On the first day of classes of his senior year, he meets Scott Thayer who recently moved to his hometown of Cambridge, Massachusetts. Derek, who is secretly gay, is intrigued by Scott’s charming good looks and the fact they both wrestle. There is an instant connection between the two that they can’t deny. Soon, they become friends and allies in the sport that they love. At first, Derek was unsure of Scott’s sexual orientation, but he soon sees a new side of him that he loves. Without giving away too much of the plot, they fall in love and their struggles begins.
I loved Derek. He was smart, funny, sensitive, caring and compassionate. I absolutely adored his relationship with his best friend, Beck (Rebecca). Their friendship is everlasting and they are there for each other when they need someone to cry on. Scott was a dream. He was tall, charming and the perfect guy. His relationship with his parents is not the best in the world because they move a lot and that puts a strain on their relationship. The secondary characters are very intriguing and in no way overshadow the main cast. I also loved the fact that in this story, no one found out about their secret love affair. I found that to be new and fresh since on many other YA novels, that is a main issue. I also loved that the novel was real and raw. It did not have any bizarre scenarios or fake plots. It was simply and clean.
There are two things that I didn’t like. One was the fact that the story was too long. I think that it could have been shorter. I also disliked the wrestling scenarios. I am not a fan of the sport, so I found them to be dull and boring, but if you are a fan, you will love them. Those scenes did not set well with me.
Overall, this novel was an amazing read. I would recommend it to anyone who enjoys wrestling and wants to read a sweet love story of two boys, as they become aware of who they are and what they want in life.
December 7, 2012
A very cute story about two high school students falling in love for the first time. Derek is gay, he's only out to his best friend Rebecca, and he tries to not attract attention. He is a good athlete and wrestling and music are his only passions. Scott is the new guy in school and Derek - who's immediately attracted to him - helps him during the first days in school and they soon become friends. They share their love for wrestling and slowly it becomes clear their friendship is turning into something else. Problems with parents, competing in the wrestling championship, having to be discreet, their studying, so basically the small everyday events in the life of a young student, complicate their relationship.
The story is not exactly a page turner, it's more like a day by day recount of what's going on in Derek's life. Since I was a teenager like a billion of years ago, I always had to remind myself how difficult it was to live those years, how easy it was to work myself into a frenzy, and how my moods could swing depending on what had happened a minute before... mmm, maybe it's not so different from now... anyway, yes, it was a faithful portrait of good guys on the verge of adulthood.
What I felt was a bit off was the language. The protagonists talked to each other and to themselves with a level of sophistication that detracted a bit from spontaneity, everything sounded rehearsed and too coherent, too wordy, so my mind kept wandering.
If you're closer to the age of the protagonists, you might enjoy it more than me. I'm going to read the sequel to see what happens to them.
The story is not exactly a page turner, it's more like a day by day recount of what's going on in Derek's life. Since I was a teenager like a billion of years ago, I always had to remind myself how difficult it was to live those years, how easy it was to work myself into a frenzy, and how my moods could swing depending on what had happened a minute before... mmm, maybe it's not so different from now... anyway, yes, it was a faithful portrait of good guys on the verge of adulthood.
What I felt was a bit off was the language. The protagonists talked to each other and to themselves with a level of sophistication that detracted a bit from spontaneity, everything sounded rehearsed and too coherent, too wordy, so my mind kept wandering.
If you're closer to the age of the protagonists, you might enjoy it more than me. I'm going to read the sequel to see what happens to them.
February 17, 2012
This book is a very first for me by D.H. Starr, and will NOT be the last! It was a contemporary story of two high school guys, primarily written from Derek's POV, who seem different yet compatible on the surface, but as the story progresses, and as Scott's POV is also brought into the mix, the relationship brings out the wonderful and sometimes heartbreaking differences within each man, and between them in their relationship. The secondary characters, namely Beck, the wrestling team, the school, and the city itself (with the lovely descriptions of the river, the outdoors, the music store), were an essential element of the story, but didn't detract from the story or waver your focus from these two men. Rather, it strengthened and defined them, and while there WAS some well-meaning interference from their family & friends (Beck especially), how each man dealt with the changes, the decisions to be together, the things which drove them apart, depression, desire, and resolution were wonderful to experience in their eyes. This book lends itself toward a sequel, because the story of these two men aren't over, and whether they journey solely or together in this future they call life, they DO journey, live life, and will hopefully continue to live each moment with fierce desire.
Now after reading this book, I cannot wait to read the others :) BRAVO, Mr. STARR!!
Now after reading this book, I cannot wait to read the others :) BRAVO, Mr. STARR!!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 23, 2011
What a wonderful read! I hadn't planned to read this all in one sitting, but once I had started I found it very difficult to put down. Wrestling with Desire was such a sweet, moving, and down-right wonderful story about first love - and I enjoyed every single page. The story is very much tailored for young adults, with much of the sex left to the imagination. That suited me fine, and I was happy to read about Derek and Scott's lives and the developments and changes they experienced through their senior year.
Derek and Scott were wonderfully developed characters but I absolutely loved Derek's best friend since childhood, Beck. She made me laugh and although she was very dramatic and diva-ish, she was still very lovable.
Overall, such a fab read with just the right amount of angst without being over the top. I've already started book 2, and I really can't wait to see what's in store for Derek and Scott :)
Derek and Scott were wonderfully developed characters but I absolutely loved Derek's best friend since childhood, Beck. She made me laugh and although she was very dramatic and diva-ish, she was still very lovable.
Overall, such a fab read with just the right amount of angst without being over the top. I've already started book 2, and I really can't wait to see what's in store for Derek and Scott :)
October 2, 2016
First Read: March 2011
Re-read: October 2016
This book was truly enjoyable. I loved the dynamics between Scott and Derek and Becks. I felt those initial tinglings of first love and the jitters that go with it, it came across in the storytelling. I am so glad that the author wrote the characters with all the teenage insecurities and feelings that make no sense in your teen years, but are true and strong and help create your sense of self. Looking forward to reading more from D.H.
Re-read: October 2016
This book was truly enjoyable. I loved the dynamics between Scott and Derek and Becks. I felt those initial tinglings of first love and the jitters that go with it, it came across in the storytelling. I am so glad that the author wrote the characters with all the teenage insecurities and feelings that make no sense in your teen years, but are true and strong and help create your sense of self. Looking forward to reading more from D.H.
August 8, 2014
Great story with a good mix of first time romance and wrestling. Derek and Scott are well developed characters. Beck makes a perfect best friend to Derek and adds comic relief. Derek's parents are the dream parents every high school wants while Scott's parents are far from it. The angst is in the mild zone and the sex is close to nil as each young man learns to navigate the rivers of life and new love.
September 2, 2011
This was a really sweet read. I feel like it could have been shorter. Derick tended to drone on and there was a little to much minor stuff that wasn't pertinent. (Or maybe I just didn't care about paragraphs filled with what mom made for dinner, ect) I think cutting some of that out would have made the story better.
Over all though, the story was good and I will read the sequel.
Over all though, the story was good and I will read the sequel.
June 27, 2016
I really liked this one! A sweet and fluffy read with just the right amount of angst. Can't wait catch up with these two in Wrestling with Love.
August 31, 2017
Wow. This book blew me away. It is one of the best young adult stories I have ever read. Right from the start, I was pulled into the story and I seriously couldn’t put the book down. D.H. Starr’s writing is so captivating, smooth and flowing.
He captures the characters perfectly. Not only Derek and Scott came alive on the pages. Also Beck, Derek’s feisty best friend, and all the other school and team mates.
His descriptions of high school life, the wrestling practices and matches are all spot on. I learned a lot about wrestling and music mixing. It never got boring and was perfectly balanced with the coming-of-age story.
All the feelings of insecurities and doubts teenagers struggle with are written with a clarity and realism it is astounding. The first tentative steps of falling in love, will he or won’t he feel the same., that first kiss. Wishing to be friends with everyone, but not wanting to be in the limelight. The pressure of achieving high grades and performing as well as you can in sports. It is all there. A careful and fragile balancing act to go through as a teenager.
Although it has been quite a few years I was that age but Derek could have been me (without being gay, though). And all the years came flooding back to me. It struck extremely close to home. It was like looking back to my teenage life with my parents, who were exactly as Derek’s parents.
At the same time Derek, Scott, and Beck show a maturity that is beyond their years and they kept growing. Just as a good young adult story should be.
It is funny, sweet and oh, so emotional. I can’t express how much I loved this story. You have to read it for yourself.
He captures the characters perfectly. Not only Derek and Scott came alive on the pages. Also Beck, Derek’s feisty best friend, and all the other school and team mates.
His descriptions of high school life, the wrestling practices and matches are all spot on. I learned a lot about wrestling and music mixing. It never got boring and was perfectly balanced with the coming-of-age story.
All the feelings of insecurities and doubts teenagers struggle with are written with a clarity and realism it is astounding. The first tentative steps of falling in love, will he or won’t he feel the same., that first kiss. Wishing to be friends with everyone, but not wanting to be in the limelight. The pressure of achieving high grades and performing as well as you can in sports. It is all there. A careful and fragile balancing act to go through as a teenager.
Although it has been quite a few years I was that age but Derek could have been me (without being gay, though). And all the years came flooding back to me. It struck extremely close to home. It was like looking back to my teenage life with my parents, who were exactly as Derek’s parents.
At the same time Derek, Scott, and Beck show a maturity that is beyond their years and they kept growing. Just as a good young adult story should be.
It is funny, sweet and oh, so emotional. I can’t express how much I loved this story. You have to read it for yourself.
July 31, 2017
The author of this book is new to me, so I did not know what to expect. I am so pleased that I took a chance on this book. It is not quite like the typical coming of age /coming out story.
Both characters are strong mentally and well balanced. They are so different in how they deal with their emotions and yet so compatible. Neither is stronger or weaker than the other mentally and emotionally, which is a nice change from the typical Jock meets Nerd/Geek. They are both technically Jocks.
The story is about their meeting and navigating their new love and life in general. Derick finds it difficult to express his emotions in words. And Scot is good at expressing his emotions and at reading Scots emotions.
The Story is so well written, and delves into the character’s thoughts and emotions so well, you kind of see the world through them. The author has done a fantastic job of showing us the pressure and challenges young people have to deal with in today’s world.
Although based around Wrestling, you do not need to be a wrestling expert or even a fan of wrestling to enjoy the book.
You may think that this book may be gloomy from what I have written but you would be so wrong. The author manages to keep the story warm and light most of the time. It is one of those books you will not want to put down once you start reading.
I am having withdrawal symptoms waiting for book to to be re-edited and released.
This is a honest review of a ARC copy provided by the author,
Both characters are strong mentally and well balanced. They are so different in how they deal with their emotions and yet so compatible. Neither is stronger or weaker than the other mentally and emotionally, which is a nice change from the typical Jock meets Nerd/Geek. They are both technically Jocks.
The story is about their meeting and navigating their new love and life in general. Derick finds it difficult to express his emotions in words. And Scot is good at expressing his emotions and at reading Scots emotions.
The Story is so well written, and delves into the character’s thoughts and emotions so well, you kind of see the world through them. The author has done a fantastic job of showing us the pressure and challenges young people have to deal with in today’s world.
Although based around Wrestling, you do not need to be a wrestling expert or even a fan of wrestling to enjoy the book.
You may think that this book may be gloomy from what I have written but you would be so wrong. The author manages to keep the story warm and light most of the time. It is one of those books you will not want to put down once you start reading.
I am having withdrawal symptoms waiting for book to to be re-edited and released.
This is a honest review of a ARC copy provided by the author,
August 3, 2017
First time reading from the author.
I thought the story was well written. It had a nice steady pace to keep the story moving along.
Derek and Rebecca (Beck) starts me off liking them right away. When Scott’s character comes into the picture another likable character as well.
Derek feels a pull right off the bat for Scott, but does nothing about it since he doesn’t know Scott’s preference for girls or boys. The chemistry between the two are off the charts. At times I felt sad for Scott. Dads can be really hard on kids at times. It makes Scott and Derek relationship rocky.
Beck has a major issue with wanting to punish the guys male parts. I thought that part was funny. At times I thought Beck was a little over the top, but I have seen some close to her ranting on things in school. So she pretty spot on how some friends try to protect you, even if seems overboard.
Reading the story, I even learned a little more about wrestling.
I can’t wait to read the next book to see what happens next.
I loved the story and hope to read more from the author’s book shelf.
Got ARC for an honest review.
Thank you for sharing your book with me.
I thought the story was well written. It had a nice steady pace to keep the story moving along.
Derek and Rebecca (Beck) starts me off liking them right away. When Scott’s character comes into the picture another likable character as well.
Derek feels a pull right off the bat for Scott, but does nothing about it since he doesn’t know Scott’s preference for girls or boys. The chemistry between the two are off the charts. At times I felt sad for Scott. Dads can be really hard on kids at times. It makes Scott and Derek relationship rocky.
Beck has a major issue with wanting to punish the guys male parts. I thought that part was funny. At times I thought Beck was a little over the top, but I have seen some close to her ranting on things in school. So she pretty spot on how some friends try to protect you, even if seems overboard.
Reading the story, I even learned a little more about wrestling.
I can’t wait to read the next book to see what happens next.
I loved the story and hope to read more from the author’s book shelf.
Got ARC for an honest review.
Thank you for sharing your book with me.
April 2, 2025
A nice, light book. I would say it is almost a slice of life because nothing much happens: it is all about school and wrestling, and also a romance about two young guys who meet, click instantly, get to be the best of friends and eventually boyfriends. All is paradise till Scott's asshole dad more or less imprisons him till he gets all A's. That makes Scott frustrated, depressed, angry so the boys distance themselves (more Scott than Derek.. Derek tries but it is hard).
Derek has a bff named Beck.. she wants the best for him, but she is a bit too much sometimes.
Derek has amazing parents that support him.. thankfully by the end of the book at least her mom knows he is gay (bc she asked).
The boys are nice and pure, so there is nothing steamy here. Most is juvenile (bc they are just too new in this and pure).
All that was about wrestling was boring for me. I don't mind watching it, but reading about it? Meh, I skipped most of the scenes.
Derek has a bff named Beck.. she wants the best for him, but she is a bit too much sometimes.
Derek has amazing parents that support him.. thankfully by the end of the book at least her mom knows he is gay (bc she asked).
The boys are nice and pure, so there is nothing steamy here. Most is juvenile (bc they are just too new in this and pure).
All that was about wrestling was boring for me. I don't mind watching it, but reading about it? Meh, I skipped most of the scenes.
September 24, 2018
An excellent read with two quite lovable and believable main characters. Derek and Scott are in their senior year of high school when they meet on the first day of classes. Scott is the new boy from Iowa and Derek is tasked with showing him around. Both boys share a secret and that secret will change their lives as they grow closer through their common interest in wrestling. When circumstances and family try to pull them apart they need to find the strength to stand up and let their feelings guide them to save themselves and each other. I'm looking forward to their further adventures as they start college.
January 1, 2018
Brilliantly written coming of age story. Starr takes you on a journey that hits very close to home revealing the joys and insecurity of young love. His attention to the characters' internal struggles and the psychology of growth was refreshing.
October 14, 2019
This is a light read for me. Coming out still takes courage. At least there's no cowardly way out in this sweet boys love novel. I'm glad for no bully or homophobic antagonist that usually stressed me out as a reader/fan of BL novel. A pleasant journey with the boys w/unsuspecting support from friends and family through the end.
April 23, 2018
Great!
I read a great deal of gay romance. This was a joy to read. The author does give you a roller coaster ride but it’s all worth it.
I read a great deal of gay romance. This was a joy to read. The author does give you a roller coaster ride but it’s all worth it.
January 11, 2019
It was OK, but too YA for this lady.
December 26, 2019
Enjoyed it
Great story but in need of a serious editing. Seems more like a first draft and the mistakes take away from the enjoyment of the story.
Great story but in need of a serious editing. Seems more like a first draft and the mistakes take away from the enjoyment of the story.
March 16, 2020
This cover is not cute.
The title is cheesy.
The story was really cute.
The title is cheesy.
The story was really cute.
February 25, 2012
Derek Thompson is a rather self-effacing, reserved teenager, living in Cambridge Massachusetts. Although he already has come to the realization that he’s gay, he hasn’t yet come out to anyone. He is a gifted high-school wrestler, quite popular amongst his peers, and he is also passionate about his hobby of mixing music. He has a female best friend named Beck (Rebecca) to whom he has confided his sexual orientation.
Scott Thayer is a transfer student, originally from Iowa. He appears to be quite self-confident and outgoing, and his extroverted personality makes it easy for him to adapt to a new school in his senior year. Scott quickly becomes friends with Derek and Beck, and the trio becomes a threesome.
As the friendship develops between Derek and Scott, Derek finds himself beset with anxiety. Derek desperately wants to come out to his new friend, but he fears rejection. As Derek begins to spend more one-on-one time with Scott, he ultimately realizes that he must take a chance. When finally he bites the bullet and confesses his true feelings, Scott responds with a passionate kiss. A romance ensues.
The 300-page novel chronicles the senior-year romance of these two high school jocks. Interwoven in the plot are the sidebar relationships they have with their parents and with their best friend Beck. A forced separation interrupts the romance, which adds a degree of edge-of-your-seat angst, and finally a resolution is realized when the climax of the story culminates at a championship wrestling match.
Without a doubt, this is a very touching coming-of-age gay love story. The moodiness and anxiety experienced by the teenage protagonists were realistically presented, and the development of the love story itself was quite moving. The secondary character Beck added drama and humor to the story. She appeared a bit overblown, but it seemed intentional, and I have little doubt that she was annoying at times because the author wanted her to appear as such.
The reservations that I have about this story center upon two specific criticisms. Firstly, the plot was excruciatingly slow-paced. I didn’t get the feeling that there was anything in particular driving the story forward. It was basically just a “slice of life”. Often a plot like this, when presented the right way, can be very satisfying, but in this particular case I just didn’t connect with the central characters. Perhaps my perception speaks more of my own limitations than it does of the quality of the story.
Secondly, I was taken aback by the extremely formal dialogue of the teenage characters. Even the parental voices within the story sounded stiff, almost as if the characters were reading from a dictionary. There were few contractions used, and no abbreviated verbs or slang.
The story was written entirely in third person from the POV of Derek. I applaud the author for so painstakingly adhering to literary rules by his avoidance of head-hopping, but I also yearned to get into Scott’s head as well. In this particular story, I think an alternating point-of-view may have been helpful.
The story was void of sexual intimacy, with the exception of one scene in which the couple mutually experienced orgasm though no oral or anal penetration was involved. There were numerous veiled references and quite a bit of foreshadowing which indicated that intimacy had occurred or would be occurring off-screen, and the author did use some language typically reserved for erotica.
Young adult is one of my favorite genres, and I do not regret my time spent with this novel. I sincerely enjoyed the story and found the romance to be very sweet and heartwarming. The theme and messaging within the story are timely and significant, and I consider this book to be a welcome addition to my YA library.
Scott Thayer is a transfer student, originally from Iowa. He appears to be quite self-confident and outgoing, and his extroverted personality makes it easy for him to adapt to a new school in his senior year. Scott quickly becomes friends with Derek and Beck, and the trio becomes a threesome.
As the friendship develops between Derek and Scott, Derek finds himself beset with anxiety. Derek desperately wants to come out to his new friend, but he fears rejection. As Derek begins to spend more one-on-one time with Scott, he ultimately realizes that he must take a chance. When finally he bites the bullet and confesses his true feelings, Scott responds with a passionate kiss. A romance ensues.
The 300-page novel chronicles the senior-year romance of these two high school jocks. Interwoven in the plot are the sidebar relationships they have with their parents and with their best friend Beck. A forced separation interrupts the romance, which adds a degree of edge-of-your-seat angst, and finally a resolution is realized when the climax of the story culminates at a championship wrestling match.
Without a doubt, this is a very touching coming-of-age gay love story. The moodiness and anxiety experienced by the teenage protagonists were realistically presented, and the development of the love story itself was quite moving. The secondary character Beck added drama and humor to the story. She appeared a bit overblown, but it seemed intentional, and I have little doubt that she was annoying at times because the author wanted her to appear as such.
The reservations that I have about this story center upon two specific criticisms. Firstly, the plot was excruciatingly slow-paced. I didn’t get the feeling that there was anything in particular driving the story forward. It was basically just a “slice of life”. Often a plot like this, when presented the right way, can be very satisfying, but in this particular case I just didn’t connect with the central characters. Perhaps my perception speaks more of my own limitations than it does of the quality of the story.
Secondly, I was taken aback by the extremely formal dialogue of the teenage characters. Even the parental voices within the story sounded stiff, almost as if the characters were reading from a dictionary. There were few contractions used, and no abbreviated verbs or slang.
The story was written entirely in third person from the POV of Derek. I applaud the author for so painstakingly adhering to literary rules by his avoidance of head-hopping, but I also yearned to get into Scott’s head as well. In this particular story, I think an alternating point-of-view may have been helpful.
The story was void of sexual intimacy, with the exception of one scene in which the couple mutually experienced orgasm though no oral or anal penetration was involved. There were numerous veiled references and quite a bit of foreshadowing which indicated that intimacy had occurred or would be occurring off-screen, and the author did use some language typically reserved for erotica.
Young adult is one of my favorite genres, and I do not regret my time spent with this novel. I sincerely enjoyed the story and found the romance to be very sweet and heartwarming. The theme and messaging within the story are timely and significant, and I consider this book to be a welcome addition to my YA library.
September 18, 2015
4.5 Heart Review by Kat
When I started this series I had not realized that the first book was YA. I had said I would do the review of the newest book if I could read and do the review on the entire series. I am not a “pick up a book mid-series” kind of reader.
I had not read a Young Adult in quite some time and it was refreshing. I have just retired from working in education, specifically High School, for many years. I was surprised and relieved to have Mr. Starr take it slowly, unlike the many rush into love and sex books that are flooding the market recently. Yes, it was like “tell him you like him” and get on to your lives at points but that is what real life in high school is like, “does he/she like me”? It is even more difficult for a young man who is extremely closeted and very active in sports. The fear of being “discovered” is terrifying for the young men who have to live and deal with our homophobic world surrounding them. Mr. Starr does a wonderful job in not only stating their fears but also in letting you in on a peak of what it is like to live with these secrets!
D. H. Starr shares with us the life of wrestling star Derek Thompson, a young very closeted gay teenager entering his senior in high school. He has only ever come out to one person in his life, his best friend Beck. Enter on the first day back to school, transfer student Scott Thayer, Derek’s walking wet dream. Beck is extremely concerned with her BFF’s instant notice of the very good looking young man that has just entered their lives. To top it off, Scott is a wrestling champion also. These two teenage men embark on a journey of self-discovery and friendship that turns to romance and love. It was a treat to accompany them on their discovery of both each other and their finally acting upon their sexual nature in a rather innocent and cautious way. It was both sweet and endearing as these two young men reach out to each other and learn to trust their gut feelings.
I appreciated the inclusion of the supporting members in this story. Derek’s parents and Beck were quite rewarding to read as was the glimpses into Scott’s mom. Scott’s father was a horror to read and endure. I am unsure what the final resolution in their lives was with his dad but it was awesome to have his mom finally stand up for Scott. What I found most rewarding was the support that they all gave to the boys.
I applaud D. H. Starr’s work and how it opens up to readers the trials that confront our gay young teenage men of today! I proudly give this book a resounding 4.5 stars! It is a fresh and real look at teenage gay life today.
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.
When I started this series I had not realized that the first book was YA. I had said I would do the review of the newest book if I could read and do the review on the entire series. I am not a “pick up a book mid-series” kind of reader.
I had not read a Young Adult in quite some time and it was refreshing. I have just retired from working in education, specifically High School, for many years. I was surprised and relieved to have Mr. Starr take it slowly, unlike the many rush into love and sex books that are flooding the market recently. Yes, it was like “tell him you like him” and get on to your lives at points but that is what real life in high school is like, “does he/she like me”? It is even more difficult for a young man who is extremely closeted and very active in sports. The fear of being “discovered” is terrifying for the young men who have to live and deal with our homophobic world surrounding them. Mr. Starr does a wonderful job in not only stating their fears but also in letting you in on a peak of what it is like to live with these secrets!
D. H. Starr shares with us the life of wrestling star Derek Thompson, a young very closeted gay teenager entering his senior in high school. He has only ever come out to one person in his life, his best friend Beck. Enter on the first day back to school, transfer student Scott Thayer, Derek’s walking wet dream. Beck is extremely concerned with her BFF’s instant notice of the very good looking young man that has just entered their lives. To top it off, Scott is a wrestling champion also. These two teenage men embark on a journey of self-discovery and friendship that turns to romance and love. It was a treat to accompany them on their discovery of both each other and their finally acting upon their sexual nature in a rather innocent and cautious way. It was both sweet and endearing as these two young men reach out to each other and learn to trust their gut feelings.
I appreciated the inclusion of the supporting members in this story. Derek’s parents and Beck were quite rewarding to read as was the glimpses into Scott’s mom. Scott’s father was a horror to read and endure. I am unsure what the final resolution in their lives was with his dad but it was awesome to have his mom finally stand up for Scott. What I found most rewarding was the support that they all gave to the boys.
I applaud D. H. Starr’s work and how it opens up to readers the trials that confront our gay young teenage men of today! I proudly give this book a resounding 4.5 stars! It is a fresh and real look at teenage gay life today.
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.
Read
January 11, 2011Due to the publisher, the Young Adult line of MLR Press, and the author, who is writing for both targets, Young Adult and Adult, my expectation for this novel was to be a good compromise, meaning that a good love story, with enough “sexy” details to make it enticing, but not too much for being x-rated. And I’m glad to say that my expectations were completely met.
Derek is a senior high school student, gay but a little in the closet; it’s not that he is afraid, or scared, to come out, it’s only that, first of all there are really no reason to do that, and second he doesn’t like to “stand out”. A good student, a good athlete (he is in the wrestling time), pretty enough to be above the average, Derek has all the basis to be considered an high school sweetheart, but he doesn’t like to be on the center stage; when he was offered the captain position of his wrestling team, he refused; when he is invited to a party, he prefers to being the D.J., rather than to mix with other guys and girls. For once, Derek is not one of those characters who “would like to”, but has not the characteristics “to be”, he is someone who wants to be a wallpaper boy.
All of that changes when he meets Scott, the new guy arriving at his high school. Scott is cute and kind, and he needs a friend being new in town; he has also the same love for wrestling that Derek has, they love the same music, they have similar expectations in life. They are the perfect couple, the only problem seems to be that both of them are too shy to make the first move. But as I said, this novel is a good mix between a true Young Adult, that usually tends to be full of angst, and a Romance, that has a more pink glasses perspective on life.
Derek and Scott will manage to have their high school romance, even if it will not always be a bed of roses. But the issues they will have to face are plenty manageable by two teenagers, and it’s not something so dramatic to completely upturning their life and changing their future. Moreover, the author will compare two possible family experiences, one supporting and the other not so much, but being gay will be not their main issue, and so, in the end, their relationship trouble will be pretty much similar to any other teenager couple.
The sex will arrive to something more of an heavy petting even if it will not move to the final stage; in this way this novel remains on a level that is still acceptable for a Young Adult reader (maybe a little more near the Adult edge than the Young one) but that can appeal also an older reader.
http://www.amazon.com/dp/1608202216/?...
Derek is a senior high school student, gay but a little in the closet; it’s not that he is afraid, or scared, to come out, it’s only that, first of all there are really no reason to do that, and second he doesn’t like to “stand out”. A good student, a good athlete (he is in the wrestling time), pretty enough to be above the average, Derek has all the basis to be considered an high school sweetheart, but he doesn’t like to be on the center stage; when he was offered the captain position of his wrestling team, he refused; when he is invited to a party, he prefers to being the D.J., rather than to mix with other guys and girls. For once, Derek is not one of those characters who “would like to”, but has not the characteristics “to be”, he is someone who wants to be a wallpaper boy.
All of that changes when he meets Scott, the new guy arriving at his high school. Scott is cute and kind, and he needs a friend being new in town; he has also the same love for wrestling that Derek has, they love the same music, they have similar expectations in life. They are the perfect couple, the only problem seems to be that both of them are too shy to make the first move. But as I said, this novel is a good mix between a true Young Adult, that usually tends to be full of angst, and a Romance, that has a more pink glasses perspective on life.
Derek and Scott will manage to have their high school romance, even if it will not always be a bed of roses. But the issues they will have to face are plenty manageable by two teenagers, and it’s not something so dramatic to completely upturning their life and changing their future. Moreover, the author will compare two possible family experiences, one supporting and the other not so much, but being gay will be not their main issue, and so, in the end, their relationship trouble will be pretty much similar to any other teenager couple.
The sex will arrive to something more of an heavy petting even if it will not move to the final stage; in this way this novel remains on a level that is still acceptable for a Young Adult reader (maybe a little more near the Adult edge than the Young one) but that can appeal also an older reader.
http://www.amazon.com/dp/1608202216/?...
September 19, 2011
Derek is a smart young high school senior who's grown comfortable flying under the radar. Though he's passionate about wrestling, a good student, and makes friends easily he prefers to go unnoticed when he can. He is particularly careful to ensure that his sexual preference goes unnoticed. With Rebecca, a great diva of a best friend that's relatively easy.
That is until Iowa boy Scott Thayer moves into town. Scott is a somewhat bigger, somewhat bolder, version of Derek right down to his enthusiasm for wrestling. Derek is smitten and feels his carefully constructed barriers crumbling but Scott's home situation, an uber-demanding albeit absentee father and a too-compliant mother result in some problems at home that may sour the boys relationship before it fully develops.
Overall, this is an engrossing read and the aspects of the story dealing with wrestling and with Boston geography show an able author that loves his subjects. As such it goes beyond being yet just another coming-to-terms, coming-out story.
Being the product of an earlier, less accepting, generation I was continually dreading the ominousness portents on the horizon and was worried that this nice romantic story was about to take a tragic turn. But Derek's almost too perfect parents help some in that regard, and then in the end... But, wait! That would be telling!
The story moves well and suffers from few of the flaws found in many minor-press/self-published stories of this type. While clearly aimed at the YA market, this tale does acknowledge that we're talking about teen-aged boys and, (sorry mom's) but they DO think about sex. Yet, this novel is pretty tame overall.
By all means, check it out.
That is until Iowa boy Scott Thayer moves into town. Scott is a somewhat bigger, somewhat bolder, version of Derek right down to his enthusiasm for wrestling. Derek is smitten and feels his carefully constructed barriers crumbling but Scott's home situation, an uber-demanding albeit absentee father and a too-compliant mother result in some problems at home that may sour the boys relationship before it fully develops.
Overall, this is an engrossing read and the aspects of the story dealing with wrestling and with Boston geography show an able author that loves his subjects. As such it goes beyond being yet just another coming-to-terms, coming-out story.
Being the product of an earlier, less accepting, generation I was continually dreading the ominousness portents on the horizon and was worried that this nice romantic story was about to take a tragic turn. But Derek's almost too perfect parents help some in that regard, and then in the end... But, wait! That would be telling!
The story moves well and suffers from few of the flaws found in many minor-press/self-published stories of this type. While clearly aimed at the YA market, this tale does acknowledge that we're talking about teen-aged boys and, (sorry mom's) but they DO think about sex. Yet, this novel is pretty tame overall.
By all means, check it out.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 76 reviews