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String Boys
Seth Arnold learned at an early age that two things in life could make his soul soar—his violin and Kelly Cruz. In Seth’s uncertain childhood, the kindness of the Cruz family, especially Kelly and his brother, Matty, gave Seth the stability to make his violin sing with the purest sound and opened a world of possibility beyond his home in Sacramento.
Kelly Cruz has loved Seth forever, but he knows Seth’s talents shouldn’t be hidden, not when the world is waiting. Encouraging Seth to follow his music might break Kelly’s heart, but he is determined to see the violin set Seth’s soul free. When their world is devastated by a violent sexual assault and Matty’s prejudices turn him from a brother to an enemy, Seth and Kelly’s future becomes uncertain.
Seth can’t come home and Kelly can’t leave, but they are held together by a love that they clutch with both hands.
Seth and Kelly are young and the world is wide—the only thing they know for certain is they’ll follow their heartstrings to each other’s arms whenever time and fate allow. And pray that one day they can follow that string to forever… before it slices their hearts in two.
Kelly Cruz has loved Seth forever, but he knows Seth’s talents shouldn’t be hidden, not when the world is waiting. Encouraging Seth to follow his music might break Kelly’s heart, but he is determined to see the violin set Seth’s soul free. When their world is devastated by a violent sexual assault and Matty’s prejudices turn him from a brother to an enemy, Seth and Kelly’s future becomes uncertain.
Seth can’t come home and Kelly can’t leave, but they are held together by a love that they clutch with both hands.
Seth and Kelly are young and the world is wide—the only thing they know for certain is they’ll follow their heartstrings to each other’s arms whenever time and fate allow. And pray that one day they can follow that string to forever… before it slices their hearts in two.
341 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 28, 2019
55 people are currently reading
782 people want to read
About the author
Amy Lane
203 books3,487 followersAmy Lane dodges an EDJ, mothers four children, and writes the occasional book. She, her brood, and her beloved mate, Mack, live in a crumbling mortgage in Citrus Heights, California, which is riddled with spiders, cats, and more than its share of fancy and weirdness. Feel free to visit her at www.greenshill.com orwww.writerslane.blogspot.com, where she will ride the buzz of receiving your e-mail until her head swells and she can no longer leave the house.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 115 reviews
May 7, 2019
Gah! Separations. This story haz them. In spaaaaades.
As the book began, I adored seeing Seth and Matty as fourth graders, and third grader Kelly tagging along with the two best friends.
It was all very sweet and my little YA heart was just waiting for Seth to see that he was totally as head over heels for Kelly as Kelly was for him.
That finally happened some years later, after one fateful nap during a bus ride home, and I may or may not have done a little jig in my seat as I read that passage.
But shortly after, the Goddess of Angst made her first of many, MANY appearances in the story, and that bitch stayed on the scene for close to a decade, just to make sure that nobody got their happy on too deeply. : (
What began as an educational opportunity for Seth, turned into a path to escape and safety, but that meant that Kelly would have to say goodbye to his beloved Seth.
And with that opportunity came the first separation. Then another, then another, and another. Sweet baby Jesus, I was about to scream, because other than The Big Misunderstanding (blessedly avoided here), the thing I loathe most is prolonged separations.
Yes, I understood that the separations were necessary, but God, that didn't help me enjoy them one tiny bit more.
Luckily, by the time that the first separation happened, Seth and Kelly were firmly and convincingly a couple in my mind, so I never felt as though the years (and years) apart would break them. As far as I was concerned, they were inevitable, but that still didn't make the distance any more enjoyable.
I adored the parts of the story where they would reunite for short periods, but would always dread the ending of those times, when Seth would have to leave again, while Kelly seemed perpetually trapped at home -- even into their mid-twenties.
The book was *RIFE* with angst, folks. Religious persecution, homophobia, bullies, an off-page sexual assault (light on actual details, thank fuck), death, and new additions to the family.
The angst train was a full-on express, with very few stops, but the fact that the story contained so much separation, with less actual dialogue between the MC's that I prefer, that left me feeling as though it was angst at 30,000 feet, with me high above the action, instead of me being down in the trenches as the guys fought and fought for their well-deserved HEA.
The book did finally get there, but OMG, only after ALL of the blood, sweat, and tears had been shed.
The story wasn't quite on par with my gold standard angst story, Amy's "Keeping Promise Rock", but it was still a very solid 4 star read for me, so I'd recommend it, but only to those who are looking for a break from sweet and fluffy, and want to rage for 300+ pages.
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My ARC copy of the book was provided by the publisher in exchange for a fair, unbiased review.
See All My Latest Reads (Review Quick-Links)
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May 25, 2019
4.5
I haven't read many books by Amy Lane but this is,without any doubt,my favourite.I loved pretty much everything about this book.I mean a story spanning over years is totally my thing and add in the angst,feelings-so many damn feelings,happy and sad,the ever present family connections that were so powerful in this story.I cried so many times reading this and it might sound weird but I LOVE it when a book moves me to tears.
Kelly and Matty are brothers and have been friends with Seth from a young age.Named the String Boys after being chosen to learn the violin.But it's Seth that excels,although he doesn't really see his own talent-he just loves to play.Kelly has loved Seth forever but it's Seth watching Kelly sleeping one day that has him recognizing his love for Kelly.
And it's a powerful love.It has to be.They go through so much but I never doubted their love or that they'd make it.Even when things seemed to crumble in front of them their love never wavered.This is one of the most believable love stories I've read in a long time.
Amy Lane tells their story and their struggles and their lives so beautifully.A massively important part of this story in family.Seth's family of two( him and his father ) and Kelly's family-the Cruz family.I could picture all their lives from the faded,worn furniture in their apartments to the laughter and tears as they grew up.
One of my favourite books this year(so far)
Highly Recommended.
An Arc of String Boys was kindly provided to DirtyBooksObsession in exchange for an honest review.
"I wanted to make your life beautiful,"he said simply,
I haven't read many books by Amy Lane but this is,without any doubt,my favourite.I loved pretty much everything about this book.I mean a story spanning over years is totally my thing and add in the angst,feelings-so many damn feelings,happy and sad,the ever present family connections that were so powerful in this story.I cried so many times reading this and it might sound weird but I LOVE it when a book moves me to tears.
Kelly and Matty are brothers and have been friends with Seth from a young age.Named the String Boys after being chosen to learn the violin.But it's Seth that excels,although he doesn't really see his own talent-he just loves to play.Kelly has loved Seth forever but it's Seth watching Kelly sleeping one day that has him recognizing his love for Kelly.
And it's a powerful love.It has to be.They go through so much but I never doubted their love or that they'd make it.Even when things seemed to crumble in front of them their love never wavered.This is one of the most believable love stories I've read in a long time.
Amy Lane tells their story and their struggles and their lives so beautifully.A massively important part of this story in family.Seth's family of two( him and his father ) and Kelly's family-the Cruz family.I could picture all their lives from the faded,worn furniture in their apartments to the laughter and tears as they grew up.
His boy. His beautiful, faraway boy.
One of my favourite books this year(so far)
Highly Recommended.
An Arc of String Boys was kindly provided to DirtyBooksObsession in exchange for an honest review.
This review is posted on DirtyBooksObsession
May 28, 2019
Amy Lane is the author of one of my "all time" favorite books "Beneath the Stain" and one of my "all time" favorite series "Johnnies" So there was never any question if I was gonna read this book. I would read the phonebook of Amy Lane had written it.
So I am also not surprised that this book was pretty awesome. Amy likes her emotions and angst and so there was no shortage of frustration and tears on my part. It is what I expected from this author, I tried going in prepared....but it never helps :P
I went through all the motions right along with Kelly and Seth and at the end of the ride, I was exhausted !! But what a ride it was !! My heart got broken into pieces, but I can always trust Amy Lane to mend it back together towards the end.
Kelly and Seth were perfect for one another....a true match made in heaven en for me this story really shows that love does conquer all.
Blood, sweat, tears (so many tears) and a whole bunch of swearwords ...but it was definitely worth it !!
I highly recommend this book and any other written by this author!!
Just make sure you have some wine and tissues when you start this one ;)An ARC was provided to
in exchange for an honest review
June 22, 2019
Dear god...….frustrating book. Great writing, but give the poor kids a break. Did they ever get their chance to be happy?
And why did they always have to give Matty chances? Ugh. Why did his poor choices have to become their problems, each time?
And why did they always have to give Matty chances? Ugh. Why did his poor choices have to become their problems, each time?
May 21, 2019
Full review to follow soonish! I need to get some glue and put me back together, it seems Ms Lane broke me and I have a buddy read to attend!
This one was full out tissues and teddies...
and if you don't know what I mean by that...well, it's really simple you need lots of tissues tor all the tears and a teddy to hug because everyone knows teddies make everything better.
I've been procrastinating about this one for a few days now because it's one of those stories where if a person's not careful they could give away the store and spoil so much of the story and if you haven't read this one yet than just trust me when I say that would be a shame.
'String Boys' is one of the most emotionally, gut wrenching stories that I've encountered in a very long time. It was heartbreaking and beautiful all at the same time. It was filled with love and hatred, anger and fear, beauty and ugliness, strength and weakness and so many diametrically opposed emotions. While it's probably one of the most angst filled books that I've read in a long time it was worth every moment.
Putting this book down once I'd started it was at the absolute bottom of my to do list. I literally got up at 5 o'clock in the morning to continue reading after having stopped at around 1 a.m. because keeping my eyes open any longer just was not possible so I got the minimum amount of sleep that i could and then I snuck out to the living room to carry on reading so that I wouldn't wake my husband up with my crying because crying was inevitable for me...remember I'm the person who cries over the Bell Canada commercials and let's not talk about Hallmark, ok?
More than anything this story is about love...obviously the love that Seth and Kelly share but also the love of family...the one that we are born into and the family that we create. There were so many awesome characters in this book besides Seth and Kelly I can't even begin to explain them all and how much I came to love them but as with any story there were also those that I came to hate...people whose sole purpose in this world isn't to help other's but to tear them down and subjugate them. People who can only feel good about themselves by making others feel bad and ironically it was one of these people who broke my heart and left me with so many tears that I actually had to stop reading for a few minutes because the tears were just too much to continue reading... am I going to tell you who it is? Well of course not, I want you to read the book and figure it out for yourself and let me know if they broke your heart too.
While I'm not going to talk about all of the wonderful characters in this story I am going to at least talk about Seth and Kelly for a few sentences. Seth was such a sweet young man and purely by accident he discovered that he had a gift...the gift of music when Seth played the violin the angels wept. Kelly was equally as wonderful as Seth and his gift was his heart. There were no limits to his ability to love or to what he would sacrifice for those he loved. Don't get me wrong Seth's heart was every bit as amazing as Kelly's and the sacrifices that both of these young men were willing to make without hesitation or thought was beautiful and heartbreaking.
I'm not really sure that there's much else I can say except that this book touched my heart on a deeper level than anything else that I've read in quite a while. The fact that it was written by Amy Lane is no surprise, she's left me in tears on more than one occasion and that's truly not a bad thing. I don't always want sunshine and rainbows in my stories sometimes I want that hard won, fought for happily ever after. I want to be left crying tears of happiness at the end because finally, finally the MCs in the story got the happiness that they deserved...no scratch that the got the happiness that they fought for and earned.
*************************
An ARC of 'String Boys' was graciously provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
This one was full out tissues and teddies...
and if you don't know what I mean by that...well, it's really simple you need lots of tissues tor all the tears and a teddy to hug because everyone knows teddies make everything better.
I've been procrastinating about this one for a few days now because it's one of those stories where if a person's not careful they could give away the store and spoil so much of the story and if you haven't read this one yet than just trust me when I say that would be a shame.
'String Boys' is one of the most emotionally, gut wrenching stories that I've encountered in a very long time. It was heartbreaking and beautiful all at the same time. It was filled with love and hatred, anger and fear, beauty and ugliness, strength and weakness and so many diametrically opposed emotions. While it's probably one of the most angst filled books that I've read in a long time it was worth every moment.
Putting this book down once I'd started it was at the absolute bottom of my to do list. I literally got up at 5 o'clock in the morning to continue reading after having stopped at around 1 a.m. because keeping my eyes open any longer just was not possible so I got the minimum amount of sleep that i could and then I snuck out to the living room to carry on reading so that I wouldn't wake my husband up with my crying because crying was inevitable for me...remember I'm the person who cries over the Bell Canada commercials and let's not talk about Hallmark, ok?
More than anything this story is about love...obviously the love that Seth and Kelly share but also the love of family...the one that we are born into and the family that we create. There were so many awesome characters in this book besides Seth and Kelly I can't even begin to explain them all and how much I came to love them but as with any story there were also those that I came to hate...people whose sole purpose in this world isn't to help other's but to tear them down and subjugate them. People who can only feel good about themselves by making others feel bad and ironically it was one of these people who broke my heart and left me with so many tears that I actually had to stop reading for a few minutes because the tears were just too much to continue reading... am I going to tell you who it is? Well of course not, I want you to read the book and figure it out for yourself and let me know if they broke your heart too.
While I'm not going to talk about all of the wonderful characters in this story I am going to at least talk about Seth and Kelly for a few sentences. Seth was such a sweet young man and purely by accident he discovered that he had a gift...the gift of music when Seth played the violin the angels wept. Kelly was equally as wonderful as Seth and his gift was his heart. There were no limits to his ability to love or to what he would sacrifice for those he loved. Don't get me wrong Seth's heart was every bit as amazing as Kelly's and the sacrifices that both of these young men were willing to make without hesitation or thought was beautiful and heartbreaking.
I'm not really sure that there's much else I can say except that this book touched my heart on a deeper level than anything else that I've read in quite a while. The fact that it was written by Amy Lane is no surprise, she's left me in tears on more than one occasion and that's truly not a bad thing. I don't always want sunshine and rainbows in my stories sometimes I want that hard won, fought for happily ever after. I want to be left crying tears of happiness at the end because finally, finally the MCs in the story got the happiness that they deserved...no scratch that the got the happiness that they fought for and earned.
*************************
An ARC of 'String Boys' was graciously provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
Read
May 31, 2019I honestly think I have reached my limit of Amy Lane-induced angst. I absolutely loved Racing for the Sun and Keeping Promise Rock and was there every step of the way through the trials, the anguish, the longing, the struggles to keep the family together ( Keeping Promise Rock), the deaths and pregnancy, the long, long path to finally getting something resembling a HEA. It was all rife with strife and dripping with angst, but by gawd I survived to the end.
Beginning String Boys, I loved meeting Seth, Matty and Kevin as children, but then we started careening down a bumpy path filled with abuse, alcoholism, anger, bullying, homophobia, struggle, longing, separation (after a certain point I just started skipping ahead reading a page here and there), and damn it, something inside me just seized up. I just didn't want to push myself to continue this book, so yeah, I DNFed it.
And yes, this is completely a case of "it's not YOU, it's ME" ... so happy reading to those who love the struggle and celebrate the eventual hard-won happy ending, but I'm out on this one.
I received an ARC from Dreamspinner Press in exchange for an honest review.
Beginning String Boys, I loved meeting Seth, Matty and Kevin as children, but then we started careening down a bumpy path filled with abuse, alcoholism, anger, bullying, homophobia, struggle, longing, separation (after a certain point I just started skipping ahead reading a page here and there), and damn it, something inside me just seized up. I just didn't want to push myself to continue this book, so yeah, I DNFed it.
And yes, this is completely a case of "it's not YOU, it's ME" ... so happy reading to those who love the struggle and celebrate the eventual hard-won happy ending, but I'm out on this one.
I received an ARC from Dreamspinner Press in exchange for an honest review.
May 27, 2019
My heart hurts.
My brain hurts.
My…everything hurts.
This book HURTS!
Did I love it? No. Wait! Some parts were so so good, I loved them.
Did I hate it? No. Wait! Some parts were so so hard, I hated them.
I’m exhausted. I’m relieved. I’m clinging to every bit of happiness that was finally delivered. I can tell you one thing, I will never ever forget this book!
What's to like: Things kick off early when the boys are in elementary school. Seth and Matty are neighbors, besties, and have a tag-along everywhere they go. Kelly is a year younger than Matty and has rockstar eyes for Seth. When they are given the opportunity to participate in an orchestra program at school, something shifts in Seth. He’s a good kid that has been dealt a shitty hand. Not only did he lose his mother but his father fell into a pit of despair afterward and he can’t seem to stop the slippery slope he’s sliding on. Depression leads to drinking and drinking leads to neglect and abuse. I wanted to jump in and save Seth. Luckily, he has the Cruz family and they do it for me. This isn’t the last time someone needs rescuing. Actually, we crash from one danger to another and everyone gets their turn to wear the savior cape. Hence my exhaustion. My body was tense, my jaw clenched, my breath tight from the beginning to the end. This book is definitely not for the seeker of fluff and sugar. And it spans a loonnnng stretch of time, like sixteen years. Lots of ‘stuff’ and lots of change occurs during this decade and a half. Was it a worthy ride? Yeah. It really was.
What's to love: Seth and Kelly. Or Kelly and Seth. There are times that one led the other. Then there are times that one carried the other. And finally, a time when they moved together as one. But no matter what, I adored both of them. Kelly knew he loved Seth with his whole heart early on. However, Seth lived with his head in the clouds and didn’t always see things that were right in front of his face. He eventually caught up. He knew Kelly was important to him and he would do anything for him, but cupid’s arrow took a roundabout way before it hit him. Just as they began to explore this exhilarating new aspect of their relationship, tragedy strikes. Kelly was brutally attacked and Seth ruthlessly snapped. If the turbulence was bad before, well, it’s merciless now. This isn’t one of the parts that I loved but what I did love was how they held fast and endured every storm. “Do you need me to walk away?” This was their code to each other. A silent agreement to give the other space if things become too much. Each and every time they were uttered, my lungs froze. I was scared for them. I ached for them. I was thrilled for them. This story is an emotional whirlwind. Despite my sore heart, I’m so very grateful that I had the chance to ride along on this memorable journey. Ultimately, this story is about love; first love, powerful love, and boundless love. But it’s also about forgiveness, perseverance, and family. And the ending was everything I hoped for and more.
Beware of: If you name a trigger, I bet this book has it. If you don’t want your heart pulverized, you should probably move along. If you aren’t prepared for a dozen lifetimes of emotional upheaval packed into 16 years, yep, you called it, you should move along.
This book is for: A dedicated angst junkie willing to take a leap of faith, trusting Lane to make sure it’s all going to be okay.
Book UNfunk
My brain hurts.
My…everything hurts.
This book HURTS!
Did I love it? No. Wait! Some parts were so so good, I loved them.
Did I hate it? No. Wait! Some parts were so so hard, I hated them.
I’m exhausted. I’m relieved. I’m clinging to every bit of happiness that was finally delivered. I can tell you one thing, I will never ever forget this book!
What's to like: Things kick off early when the boys are in elementary school. Seth and Matty are neighbors, besties, and have a tag-along everywhere they go. Kelly is a year younger than Matty and has rockstar eyes for Seth. When they are given the opportunity to participate in an orchestra program at school, something shifts in Seth. He’s a good kid that has been dealt a shitty hand. Not only did he lose his mother but his father fell into a pit of despair afterward and he can’t seem to stop the slippery slope he’s sliding on. Depression leads to drinking and drinking leads to neglect and abuse. I wanted to jump in and save Seth. Luckily, he has the Cruz family and they do it for me. This isn’t the last time someone needs rescuing. Actually, we crash from one danger to another and everyone gets their turn to wear the savior cape. Hence my exhaustion. My body was tense, my jaw clenched, my breath tight from the beginning to the end. This book is definitely not for the seeker of fluff and sugar. And it spans a loonnnng stretch of time, like sixteen years. Lots of ‘stuff’ and lots of change occurs during this decade and a half. Was it a worthy ride? Yeah. It really was.
What's to love: Seth and Kelly. Or Kelly and Seth. There are times that one led the other. Then there are times that one carried the other. And finally, a time when they moved together as one. But no matter what, I adored both of them. Kelly knew he loved Seth with his whole heart early on. However, Seth lived with his head in the clouds and didn’t always see things that were right in front of his face. He eventually caught up. He knew Kelly was important to him and he would do anything for him, but cupid’s arrow took a roundabout way before it hit him. Just as they began to explore this exhilarating new aspect of their relationship, tragedy strikes. Kelly was brutally attacked and Seth ruthlessly snapped. If the turbulence was bad before, well, it’s merciless now. This isn’t one of the parts that I loved but what I did love was how they held fast and endured every storm. “Do you need me to walk away?” This was their code to each other. A silent agreement to give the other space if things become too much. Each and every time they were uttered, my lungs froze. I was scared for them. I ached for them. I was thrilled for them. This story is an emotional whirlwind. Despite my sore heart, I’m so very grateful that I had the chance to ride along on this memorable journey. Ultimately, this story is about love; first love, powerful love, and boundless love. But it’s also about forgiveness, perseverance, and family. And the ending was everything I hoped for and more.
Beware of: If you name a trigger, I bet this book has it. If you don’t want your heart pulverized, you should probably move along. If you aren’t prepared for a dozen lifetimes of emotional upheaval packed into 16 years, yep, you called it, you should move along.
This book is for: A dedicated angst junkie willing to take a leap of faith, trusting Lane to make sure it’s all going to be okay.
Book UNfunk
May 20, 2019
4.5 stars.
I've read quite a few books by Amy Lane but that did not prepare me for this book. For all those emotions and angst that I wasn't ready for. At. All. String Boys was a journey. I don't have the proper words right now to describe it but its something you have to read if you're a fan of M/M and Amy.
This spans quite a few years and I loooved that. You get to see Kelly and Seth grow up and fall in love. You see all the good and the bad. There's so much tragedy, sadness, but there's also so much more love, happiness, family and friends.
This was pretty much a five star read. But the only reason I didn't give it that was because of all the underlying sadness you feel when you're reading the book. I felt like it doesn't go away.
I live for books like this. I'm glad I read it because I loved it and it's one that's going to stay with me for a long time.
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“...Any time is forever when you’re not at the end of it.”
I've read quite a few books by Amy Lane but that did not prepare me for this book. For all those emotions and angst that I wasn't ready for. At. All. String Boys was a journey. I don't have the proper words right now to describe it but its something you have to read if you're a fan of M/M and Amy.
This spans quite a few years and I loooved that. You get to see Kelly and Seth grow up and fall in love. You see all the good and the bad. There's so much tragedy, sadness, but there's also so much more love, happiness, family and friends.
“I wanted to make your life beautiful,”
This was pretty much a five star read. But the only reason I didn't give it that was because of all the underlying sadness you feel when you're reading the book. I felt like it doesn't go away.
I live for books like this. I'm glad I read it because I loved it and it's one that's going to stay with me for a long time.
Find me on: Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Blog
May 3, 2019
4.25 stars
Damn. What an insane rollercoaster of emotions this book took me on. I've read Amy Lane before, even the angsty stuff, but this...was constant until the end, basically. It got a little exhausting, so I couldn't find it in myself to give this 5 stars.
But man, this was a pretty amazing book overall. What a journey it takes us on. From start to finish is a wild, crazy ride. Did I love the whole journey? No, not exactly. But was it worth it? Hell fucking yeah.
The book starts in the "now" and gives us a little teaser, enough to know Seth and Kelly love each other, but Kelly broke Seth's heart, but when Kelly asks him to come home, Seth doesn't hesitate to say yes."All you had to do was ask."
Then for the rest we go back in time to catch us up on why they're not together in that short little teaser.
Seth Arnold starts out as a 9 year old who lives with his father in Sacramento, and is best friends with Matty Cruz and Kelly Cruz, the two boys who live right upstairs from Seth and his father in a complex they live in. Kelly is 8 years old, the younger brother of Matty, but it's clear from the start that Seth and Kelly are closer.
Then the book takes us over the years as they grow up. And it doesn't just skip ahead years - it kinda does, but also describes what happens over the years in detail and then stops for a time at one point in their life to get a look into it. It got tiring at some points, like I just wanted them to be grown ups already and see how they get back together and whatnot. But it was still interesting and engaging to read, to get the full back story of these two and their life together.
When Kelly is 15 and Seth is 16, almost 17, they get together, and they don't break, even through the hardest shit anyone can possibly go through, until about 9 years later. And even then it's only 6 months before we finally get some damn happiness. These two are in it for the long haul.
It was refreshing to see a "first love" story that actually worked. Seth and Kelly just worked together, because they never really gave up, even when it got hard. I can see why it happened when it did, I mean they're just human and one of them was at the end of their rope, but they weren't really apart. That short time apart just made them realize that they really wanted to be together, so...yeah.
Shit happens, and I will warn right now and then because of it Seth goes out looking
Also, I talked about this in my updates, so SPOILER ALERT if you don't want to be spoiled **** but I don't get why Seth and Kelly or anyone didn't think logically about this. Maybe not at first, sure, because emotions are high and they've got other shit to worry about. But eventually, when things died down, I don't know why no one thought "huh, Seth didn't have a knife on him after it happened, it's just gone. How did that happen? Wouldn't he have been holding it if he did it? Or it been in the grass, something? Anything?" But they never take the time to think that. It seemed a little ridiculous to me. Kelly never asked Seth "do you remember ever holding a knife, at all?" and why would Seth think he might have had a knife on him or not, he couldn't remember? Did Seth have a knife but we never got told this? It all didn't make sense.
And then ***Major Spoiler, don't read if you don't want the end spoiled***
And I don't buy it's because Seth wanted to push it aside and not talk about it. He's a smart guy, I refuse to believe he didn't have the brain power to think about this detail. So, I took a little more off my total rating for this whole mess, because it bothered me a lot.
But anyway, aside from that this was such a well written, tough to read book, but worth it in the end. Seth and Kelly just loved each other so much. It was interesting to see them work through a long distance relationship over the years and keep it going. It showed how meant they were for each other because they kept trying. Seth more than Kelly at first, but Kelly had a great reason as to why, so I let that go.
They had their temptations, they had their lonely days, they had their thoughts of maybe, you know? It wasn't easy peasy, in the least. In fact, most couples would have buckled under all they went through, and that would be perfectly understandable. They're teenagers, and they go through absolute shit this entire book, until the end basically. So 9/10, or maybe more like 9.9/10, that couple is gonna break (or they might cheat or some shit, which thankfully does not happen in this.) and that's gonna be it.
But sometimes it works, sometimes two people love each other enough to get through it. Even for a first love, which I feel most of the time is just that, a first love. But sometimes, for some people, that first love is also your only love, and that was the case for Seth and Kelly.
They weren't perfect - in fact Kelly annoyed me sometimes in this. I felt like Seth, even with his own temptations, was more sure of their relationship than Kelly at times. Kelly never did anything and was ultimately reminded about how much he loved Seth, but I had just about enough of his wandering eyes, mmkay? It didn't happen often, but it did happen. And the doubts happened often more with him, I felt. Seth had his own moments of thinking "what if?" and it seemed like several guys he knew were in love with him, but I just got a more sure feeling from him, I dunno, that's just how it felt for me. - but anyway, they weren't perfect, but they were human, and ultimately good people and so in love each other that they were able to hold on through all the shit that life threw at them.
This story was so interesting, even if it was angst city from start to finish, and their romance was great, and this story was so well written. I just couldn't give it five stars because it felt like I got no respite from the angst until the end, and that is just tiring and too much. Like even with the happy moments I was waiting for the angst to come - it always did - and for the break up to come because I knew it would happen because of the first chapter. But because this took so long to get to that present time, it was just constant high alert for when it happened. Not a fun way to read a book - also the knife thing, which I went over.
So yeah, I enjoyed this overall and Lane is such a great writer and the romance was good and realistic and so well fought for and the happy ending was definitely earned, but because of what I described, I couldn't get this 5 stars.
But I definitely recommend this, if you know Amy Lane and how she operates and are fine with reading some angst city craziness, because that's what you're gonna get with this book. Also! We get a quick Jackson/Ellery cameo at the end of this and that was awesome, I loved it! I love Jackson and Ellery so much, it made me so happy. (Also, Jackson showed up early on in the book when Kelly is 15 and Seth 17 when he was a cop, as "Officer Rivers" and it even said he got shot and was in the hospital, but that shit went the fuck over my head lmao - which, I'm shaking my head at myself now. How could I miss that? I think I forgot Jackson's last name, that's why haha. Should have picked up on it, though!)
So yeah, this is a lot to take and it's exhausting at times, but it's an interesting and great journey overall to take with Seth and Kelly, the first and only loves of each other's lives.
***ARC generously provided by the Alpha Book Club in exchange for an honest review.***
Damn. What an insane rollercoaster of emotions this book took me on. I've read Amy Lane before, even the angsty stuff, but this...was constant until the end, basically. It got a little exhausting, so I couldn't find it in myself to give this 5 stars.
But man, this was a pretty amazing book overall. What a journey it takes us on. From start to finish is a wild, crazy ride. Did I love the whole journey? No, not exactly. But was it worth it? Hell fucking yeah.
The book starts in the "now" and gives us a little teaser, enough to know Seth and Kelly love each other, but Kelly broke Seth's heart, but when Kelly asks him to come home, Seth doesn't hesitate to say yes."All you had to do was ask."
Then for the rest we go back in time to catch us up on why they're not together in that short little teaser.
Seth Arnold starts out as a 9 year old who lives with his father in Sacramento, and is best friends with Matty Cruz and Kelly Cruz, the two boys who live right upstairs from Seth and his father in a complex they live in. Kelly is 8 years old, the younger brother of Matty, but it's clear from the start that Seth and Kelly are closer.
Then the book takes us over the years as they grow up. And it doesn't just skip ahead years - it kinda does, but also describes what happens over the years in detail and then stops for a time at one point in their life to get a look into it. It got tiring at some points, like I just wanted them to be grown ups already and see how they get back together and whatnot. But it was still interesting and engaging to read, to get the full back story of these two and their life together.
When Kelly is 15 and Seth is 16, almost 17, they get together, and they don't break, even through the hardest shit anyone can possibly go through, until about 9 years later. And even then it's only 6 months before we finally get some damn happiness. These two are in it for the long haul.
It was refreshing to see a "first love" story that actually worked. Seth and Kelly just worked together, because they never really gave up, even when it got hard. I can see why it happened when it did, I mean they're just human and one of them was at the end of their rope, but they weren't really apart. That short time apart just made them realize that they really wanted to be together, so...yeah.
Shit happens, and I will warn right now and then because of it Seth goes out looking
Also, I talked about this in my updates, so SPOILER ALERT if you don't want to be spoiled **** but I don't get why Seth and Kelly or anyone didn't think logically about this. Maybe not at first, sure, because emotions are high and they've got other shit to worry about. But eventually, when things died down, I don't know why no one thought "huh, Seth didn't have a knife on him after it happened, it's just gone. How did that happen? Wouldn't he have been holding it if he did it? Or it been in the grass, something? Anything?" But they never take the time to think that. It seemed a little ridiculous to me. Kelly never asked Seth "do you remember ever holding a knife, at all?" and why would Seth think he might have had a knife on him or not, he couldn't remember? Did Seth have a knife but we never got told this? It all didn't make sense.
And then ***Major Spoiler, don't read if you don't want the end spoiled***
And I don't buy it's because Seth wanted to push it aside and not talk about it. He's a smart guy, I refuse to believe he didn't have the brain power to think about this detail. So, I took a little more off my total rating for this whole mess, because it bothered me a lot.
But anyway, aside from that this was such a well written, tough to read book, but worth it in the end. Seth and Kelly just loved each other so much. It was interesting to see them work through a long distance relationship over the years and keep it going. It showed how meant they were for each other because they kept trying. Seth more than Kelly at first, but Kelly had a great reason as to why, so I let that go.
They had their temptations, they had their lonely days, they had their thoughts of maybe, you know? It wasn't easy peasy, in the least. In fact, most couples would have buckled under all they went through, and that would be perfectly understandable. They're teenagers, and they go through absolute shit this entire book, until the end basically. So 9/10, or maybe more like 9.9/10, that couple is gonna break (or they might cheat or some shit, which thankfully does not happen in this.) and that's gonna be it.
But sometimes it works, sometimes two people love each other enough to get through it. Even for a first love, which I feel most of the time is just that, a first love. But sometimes, for some people, that first love is also your only love, and that was the case for Seth and Kelly.
They weren't perfect - in fact Kelly annoyed me sometimes in this. I felt like Seth, even with his own temptations, was more sure of their relationship than Kelly at times. Kelly never did anything and was ultimately reminded about how much he loved Seth, but I had just about enough of his wandering eyes, mmkay? It didn't happen often, but it did happen. And the doubts happened often more with him, I felt. Seth had his own moments of thinking "what if?" and it seemed like several guys he knew were in love with him, but I just got a more sure feeling from him, I dunno, that's just how it felt for me. - but anyway, they weren't perfect, but they were human, and ultimately good people and so in love each other that they were able to hold on through all the shit that life threw at them.
This story was so interesting, even if it was angst city from start to finish, and their romance was great, and this story was so well written. I just couldn't give it five stars because it felt like I got no respite from the angst until the end, and that is just tiring and too much. Like even with the happy moments I was waiting for the angst to come - it always did - and for the break up to come because I knew it would happen because of the first chapter. But because this took so long to get to that present time, it was just constant high alert for when it happened. Not a fun way to read a book - also the knife thing, which I went over.
So yeah, I enjoyed this overall and Lane is such a great writer and the romance was good and realistic and so well fought for and the happy ending was definitely earned, but because of what I described, I couldn't get this 5 stars.
But I definitely recommend this, if you know Amy Lane and how she operates and are fine with reading some angst city craziness, because that's what you're gonna get with this book. Also! We get a quick Jackson/Ellery cameo at the end of this and that was awesome, I loved it! I love Jackson and Ellery so much, it made me so happy. (Also, Jackson showed up early on in the book when Kelly is 15 and Seth 17 when he was a cop, as "Officer Rivers" and it even said he got shot and was in the hospital, but that shit went the fuck over my head lmao - which, I'm shaking my head at myself now. How could I miss that? I think I forgot Jackson's last name, that's why haha. Should have picked up on it, though!)
So yeah, this is a lot to take and it's exhausting at times, but it's an interesting and great journey overall to take with Seth and Kelly, the first and only loves of each other's lives.
***ARC generously provided by the Alpha Book Club in exchange for an honest review.***
May 5, 2019
The Queen of Angst is back! If you're familiar with Amy Lane, then you know she likes to torture her MC's before she lets them have their HEA. String Boys is angst from beginning to end. Don't worry, though - Amy Lane gives these boys their happy ending.
String Boys is about growing up and figuring out life when so much is stacked against you. It's about family, both blood and found. It's about finding and keeping love against all odds.
Seth Arnold, Matty Cruz, and Matty's younger brother, Kelly, have been inseparable since grade school. Having been picked to learn how to play violins that were donated to the school, the boys were dubbed the school's string boys. While Matty and Kelly did ok, Seth found his soul. Music became Seth's entire life, sheltering him from life's many uncertainties, until he noticed Kelly -- really noticed him. After that, Seth's life was music and Kelly Cruz.
Unlike Seth, Kelly is not an only child. Kelly's household is chaotic in the best of ways. He has parents that love him, an older brother he looks up to, and younger sisters to help care for. He's loved Seth since before he knew he was gay. Where Seth has his music, Kelly has art. The only thing he really wants out of life, however, is his beautiful Seth. Kelly is a nurturer and Seth needs someone to take are of him. Not because he isn't capable, but because he gets so lost in his music, he tends to miss everything else. Everything, except Kelly.
String Boys covers a lot of years, from the time the boys are in grade school, until Seth is 25. We see them grow up into their own people. As children, they assumed they would all be together forever (ah the innocence of youth), but things change as they got older. Matty starts hanging with the wrong people and becomes someone filled with hate. But Seth and Kelly grow closer and discover the wonders of young love.
This book. Damn. There is so much uncertainty and more than a little tragedy in these pages. No one grows up innocent and they learn responsibility from a really young age. I loved String Boys but I've also got to say that the tone of sadness, throughout the book, did wear on me a bit. It made the story feel so long. They go through so much on their way to their happy, it's a wonder they managed. But that's kinda life, ya know? It's messy and uncertain and sometimes people you love don't change for the better and sometimes tragedy strikes. It's how we handle those tragedies and uncertainties that show us who we really are.
I also want to give a shout out to the cameos from Jackson Rivers and Ellery Cramer. I love their books and was happy to see them here. Don't worry, though, they don't steal any of the story from Seth or Kelly.
-------------------
ARC of String Boys was generously provided by the publisher, in exchange for an honest review.
String Boys is about growing up and figuring out life when so much is stacked against you. It's about family, both blood and found. It's about finding and keeping love against all odds.
Seth Arnold, Matty Cruz, and Matty's younger brother, Kelly, have been inseparable since grade school. Having been picked to learn how to play violins that were donated to the school, the boys were dubbed the school's string boys. While Matty and Kelly did ok, Seth found his soul. Music became Seth's entire life, sheltering him from life's many uncertainties, until he noticed Kelly -- really noticed him. After that, Seth's life was music and Kelly Cruz.
Unlike Seth, Kelly is not an only child. Kelly's household is chaotic in the best of ways. He has parents that love him, an older brother he looks up to, and younger sisters to help care for. He's loved Seth since before he knew he was gay. Where Seth has his music, Kelly has art. The only thing he really wants out of life, however, is his beautiful Seth. Kelly is a nurturer and Seth needs someone to take are of him. Not because he isn't capable, but because he gets so lost in his music, he tends to miss everything else. Everything, except Kelly.
String Boys covers a lot of years, from the time the boys are in grade school, until Seth is 25. We see them grow up into their own people. As children, they assumed they would all be together forever (ah the innocence of youth), but things change as they got older. Matty starts hanging with the wrong people and becomes someone filled with hate. But Seth and Kelly grow closer and discover the wonders of young love.
This book. Damn. There is so much uncertainty and more than a little tragedy in these pages. No one grows up innocent and they learn responsibility from a really young age. I loved String Boys but I've also got to say that the tone of sadness, throughout the book, did wear on me a bit. It made the story feel so long. They go through so much on their way to their happy, it's a wonder they managed. But that's kinda life, ya know? It's messy and uncertain and sometimes people you love don't change for the better and sometimes tragedy strikes. It's how we handle those tragedies and uncertainties that show us who we really are.
I also want to give a shout out to the cameos from Jackson Rivers and Ellery Cramer. I love their books and was happy to see them here. Don't worry, though, they don't steal any of the story from Seth or Kelly.
-------------------
ARC of String Boys was generously provided by the publisher, in exchange for an honest review.
May 29, 2019
A Joyfully Jay review.
4.5 stars
String Boys is filled with moments. Moments of friendship and the awakening of first love. Moments of brutal terror and violent thoughts of revenge. Moments of tenderness and selflessness. Moments of standing by family under the most impossible of circumstances. And moments of knowing who you belong with. I have read only a few books by Amy Lane and have had some uneven experiences in the past, but the blurb on this book captured my attention and it held up in the execution.
The book opens in the present, but then takes us back when Seth, Kelly, and Matty met in grade school and I always like that moment when the past and present overlap and then move forward. Matty and Kelly protected Seth and the boys were the closest of friends. Kelly always knew he was in love with Seth, even before he could name it, and these boys are meant to be together always. The boys were given violins in school and Seth could make his second-hand violin sing to beautiful heights. Life moves in unexpected ways and Matty becomes the enemy, fracturing their bond and fracturing Kelly’s family and nearly taking Kelly out for good in the process.
Read Michelle's review in its entirety here.
4.5 stars
String Boys is filled with moments. Moments of friendship and the awakening of first love. Moments of brutal terror and violent thoughts of revenge. Moments of tenderness and selflessness. Moments of standing by family under the most impossible of circumstances. And moments of knowing who you belong with. I have read only a few books by Amy Lane and have had some uneven experiences in the past, but the blurb on this book captured my attention and it held up in the execution.
The book opens in the present, but then takes us back when Seth, Kelly, and Matty met in grade school and I always like that moment when the past and present overlap and then move forward. Matty and Kelly protected Seth and the boys were the closest of friends. Kelly always knew he was in love with Seth, even before he could name it, and these boys are meant to be together always. The boys were given violins in school and Seth could make his second-hand violin sing to beautiful heights. Life moves in unexpected ways and Matty becomes the enemy, fracturing their bond and fracturing Kelly’s family and nearly taking Kelly out for good in the process.
Read Michelle's review in its entirety here.
May 30, 2019
Few times have I ever claimed book hangover, but I have a huge case after this emotional roller coaster!
The story of three boys and their families, this gripping, angsty novel will leaving wanting to take out a few characters and hung the others.
Seth and Kelly’s journey is one obstacle after another, but their love never falters.
SO freakin good!!
The story of three boys and their families, this gripping, angsty novel will leaving wanting to take out a few characters and hung the others.
Seth and Kelly’s journey is one obstacle after another, but their love never falters.
SO freakin good!!
August 2, 2023
I love Amy’s words and stories, no surprise here. Her characters are flawed, real, devoted to each other, to family, with a strong sense of place, hopes and dreams.
And we have all of that in “String boys”. The story centers around music and family too, which reminded me of another brilliant Lane’s book “Beneath the stain”. And, what bothers me and frustrates me after reading is that the main dramatic event here is sexual assault, again, that haunts MCs for a long time and causes main division in the family. It bothers me because again young boys had to suffer such and yes, you can have trauma for various reasons, you can write angst without sexual assault, really just, ugh. Sure, we got sort of redemption arc in the end and HEA was well earned - but at what price?
4.5 instead of 5.
And we have all of that in “String boys”. The story centers around music and family too, which reminded me of another brilliant Lane’s book “Beneath the stain”. And, what bothers me and frustrates me after reading is that the main dramatic event here is sexual assault, again, that haunts MCs for a long time and causes main division in the family. It bothers me because again young boys had to suffer such and yes, you can have trauma for various reasons, you can write angst without sexual assault, really just, ugh. Sure, we got sort of redemption arc in the end and HEA was well earned - but at what price?
4.5 instead of 5.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 22, 2019
Seth and Kelly - a love story that starts before the boys know what love is. We follow them through their formative years, watching them through the hard times (sometimes through tear-filled eyes) and rejoicing with them when times are great. Life is never easy for our boys, born on the wrong side of the tracks but thankfully they have parents that love them and do what they can to make life worth living.
If you liked The Bones of You by Laura Stone then you should like this. A solid 5 star by Amy.
P.S. Ellery and Jackson make cameo appearances.
If you liked The Bones of You by Laura Stone then you should like this. A solid 5 star by Amy.
P.S. Ellery and Jackson make cameo appearances.
September 16, 2019
This book is about Seth and Kelly’s relationship through the years. They were always together since they were kids, but their romantic relationship begins when they’re 14-15 and we follow them for a whole decade or so. They’re, as you can imagine, each other’s first love.
Now, I have several problems with this book, because even though there were parts I enjoyed, I wasn’t thrilled about the story nor their relationship. From the very beginning it was an OK reading for me. In addition, you must know that the only thing that made me grab this book was Seth being a musician –to me music is a big part of my life and I am always drawn to those stories.
Still, that wasn’t enough for me to love this as everybody else. There was too much drama going on and unfortunately, the ending felt kind of rushed. I mean, you gave me an entire book of their relationship and how the cope up with their struggles only to end it in a few pages? Man, I was disappointed. Well, at least Matty, Kelly’s asshole brother, got his arc redemption…
Either way, my main problem was that I was never too invested in the story. I mean, the characters were OK, and they had a few nice moments, but I couldn’t love them like I was expecting to.
I also didn’t like the pace. Sometimes it made big jumps on the timeline and turned me off so much that I just wanted to finish it so I could move on onto other books. It took me a whole month to finish this, and even for an ebook, that’s not a good sign.
I don’t want to compare books but The Story of Us had a lot of drama (boy it had a lot!), and it had the same from friends-to-lovers trope but, I think it was better performed than String Boys.
Will I be reading more of Amy Lane books? I don’t know. I’m not sure because I was not in love with her writing. Like I said, it was a nice story but I just couldn’t love it and if her other books are just like this, well, I don’t want to spend my time with them.
Now, I have several problems with this book, because even though there were parts I enjoyed, I wasn’t thrilled about the story nor their relationship. From the very beginning it was an OK reading for me. In addition, you must know that the only thing that made me grab this book was Seth being a musician –to me music is a big part of my life and I am always drawn to those stories.
Still, that wasn’t enough for me to love this as everybody else. There was too much drama going on and unfortunately, the ending felt kind of rushed. I mean, you gave me an entire book of their relationship and how the cope up with their struggles only to end it in a few pages? Man, I was disappointed. Well, at least Matty, Kelly’s asshole brother, got his arc redemption…
Either way, my main problem was that I was never too invested in the story. I mean, the characters were OK, and they had a few nice moments, but I couldn’t love them like I was expecting to.
I also didn’t like the pace. Sometimes it made big jumps on the timeline and turned me off so much that I just wanted to finish it so I could move on onto other books. It took me a whole month to finish this, and even for an ebook, that’s not a good sign.
I don’t want to compare books but The Story of Us had a lot of drama (boy it had a lot!), and it had the same from friends-to-lovers trope but, I think it was better performed than String Boys.
Will I be reading more of Amy Lane books? I don’t know. I’m not sure because I was not in love with her writing. Like I said, it was a nice story but I just couldn’t love it and if her other books are just like this, well, I don’t want to spend my time with them.
May 28, 2019
Amy Lane knows how to rip the heart into a million pieces and then stitch it ever so slowly back together one piece at a time. String Boys is stunning. The story she's told, the love she's woven into it, these two boys to men and their families??? Oh my heart!
You are going to completely fall for Seth and Kelly. And you're going to cheer, and weep, and rage, and scorn, and mourn, and cry happy tears whilst reading this book.
I'm now going to go silently weep myself to sleep and hope my dreams bring a realisation of one of those violin concertos that have been so beautifully described.
5/5 stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
You are going to completely fall for Seth and Kelly. And you're going to cheer, and weep, and rage, and scorn, and mourn, and cry happy tears whilst reading this book.
I'm now going to go silently weep myself to sleep and hope my dreams bring a realisation of one of those violin concertos that have been so beautifully described.
5/5 stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
September 27, 2024
There are some authors that take you on emotional rides, ripping you apart and putting you back together again. Amy Lane is very skilled at this and that is why I love her work so much. The String Boys in no exception. This story takes you on a journey through Kelly and Seth's childhood, starting their carefree love together, but turns tragic and dark as they get older. Through it all, they still have this incredible, deep love for each other. Then there was the completely unexpected cameo by Jackson and Ellery! That put a smile on my face! This whole book was just amazing and I cannot recommend it enough!
May 5, 2019
Amy Lane is one of those rare authors who consistently writes extraordinary stories that manage to completely engross the reader with intricately layered characters and plot lines. She is a master storyteller and String Boys is a perfect example of her gift.
After the death of Seth Arnold’s mother in a car crash his father decides a new city far from painful memories is best for both of them. Moving to a fourplex in Sacramento is not the immediate answer they’d hoped for, however, and with Seth’s father continuing to rely on alcohol to dull his heartache more pain ensues. If the family living in the apartment above them have any say in the matter, however, they will not face this alone. Xavier (Javi) Cruz has recently reunited with his wife Linda and their four children; Matty, Seth’s best friend in fourth grade, Kelly a year below them, and younger twins Lily and Lulu. When Javi hears violence in Matty’s friend’s apartment he intervenes and a bond is formed between these two households that looks set to last a lifetime.
When retired music teacher, Mrs Sheridan returns to the boy’s school with a donation of nine second hand violins and her expertise, a group of boys is selected to learn some songs for the school Christmas concert. Seth, Matty and Kelly are among those recruited and Seth’s life, and the future he envisaged, are forever changed. Seth has a natural ability that quickly turns into a passion, a passion that could help him escape to a better life, if only he’s willing to take that leap.
Growing up in a less than savoury area of the city means that the boys need to stick together to survive. They have always had each other’s backs and not even the school bullies can divide them; or so it seems. As they grow older Seth’s extraordinary talent blossoms and a long simmering attraction explodes between him and Kelly. Unwanted attention from an evil local boy, and a new girlfriend in Matty’s life lead all the boys down a path that will result in events beyond anything they could have imagined in their worst nightmares. As Seth and Kelly fall in love their world explodes around them and nothing will be the same again.
String Boys follows the journey of two beautiful young men from friendship to love and from childhood to adulthood. There are separations and tragic losses, events that will come close to breaking them and within it all a love story that will touch your soul. This book broke my heart and very slowly put it back together again, only to repeat the cycle. It was flawlessly told and as gritty as life in these suburbs can get. Amy Lane takes the reader on a journey that is harrowing yet ultimately uplifting. I was utterly riveted from the first page and I have a feeling this story will stay with me for a very long time. I will certainly reread it and I doubt it’s impact will be any less with each revisit.
Highly Recommended.
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review for a Divine Magazine.
After the death of Seth Arnold’s mother in a car crash his father decides a new city far from painful memories is best for both of them. Moving to a fourplex in Sacramento is not the immediate answer they’d hoped for, however, and with Seth’s father continuing to rely on alcohol to dull his heartache more pain ensues. If the family living in the apartment above them have any say in the matter, however, they will not face this alone. Xavier (Javi) Cruz has recently reunited with his wife Linda and their four children; Matty, Seth’s best friend in fourth grade, Kelly a year below them, and younger twins Lily and Lulu. When Javi hears violence in Matty’s friend’s apartment he intervenes and a bond is formed between these two households that looks set to last a lifetime.
When retired music teacher, Mrs Sheridan returns to the boy’s school with a donation of nine second hand violins and her expertise, a group of boys is selected to learn some songs for the school Christmas concert. Seth, Matty and Kelly are among those recruited and Seth’s life, and the future he envisaged, are forever changed. Seth has a natural ability that quickly turns into a passion, a passion that could help him escape to a better life, if only he’s willing to take that leap.
Growing up in a less than savoury area of the city means that the boys need to stick together to survive. They have always had each other’s backs and not even the school bullies can divide them; or so it seems. As they grow older Seth’s extraordinary talent blossoms and a long simmering attraction explodes between him and Kelly. Unwanted attention from an evil local boy, and a new girlfriend in Matty’s life lead all the boys down a path that will result in events beyond anything they could have imagined in their worst nightmares. As Seth and Kelly fall in love their world explodes around them and nothing will be the same again.
String Boys follows the journey of two beautiful young men from friendship to love and from childhood to adulthood. There are separations and tragic losses, events that will come close to breaking them and within it all a love story that will touch your soul. This book broke my heart and very slowly put it back together again, only to repeat the cycle. It was flawlessly told and as gritty as life in these suburbs can get. Amy Lane takes the reader on a journey that is harrowing yet ultimately uplifting. I was utterly riveted from the first page and I have a feeling this story will stay with me for a very long time. I will certainly reread it and I doubt it’s impact will be any less with each revisit.
Highly Recommended.
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review for a Divine Magazine.
May 3, 2019
I haven't read every single Amy Lane book - sometimes my heart just says a giant NOPE to the sheer amount of pain I think I might be about to read. But when I saw that this was a book with main characters that were of colour, I really wanted to see how she would write their experience. It wasn't skepticism, it was more of a wary hope that they could get the same love, joy, life experience as other Amy Lane characters that live on in my head.
And ooooh boy did they!
I stayed up until nearly 4 am in the morning because I couldn't sleep not knowing what was going to happen. I wanted to hate Matty so much but couldn't. I was so invested that when I finished I was blubbing and trying to figure out what I was supposed to do next (sleep would have been good). As a POC I really appreciated the little touches regarding hair and skin care - I loved it, I really really loved it. The story wasn't about the colour of their skin, it was about their lives and families. But it didn't try to ignore the colour of their skin either.
I don't have the words to articulate how much this book touched me - how badly I wanted them to be a small glimmer of hope for Seth and Kelly; the happy ever after I wanted for their families; the sorrow I felt for a brother who took a step the wrong way and kinda fell down the cliff that was hidden in that direction.
I still find myself sniffing a little at some of it - it sticks with you and butts in at the weirdest times - but I think I might be ready to read the Go Fish books now.....maybe!
I received an ARC in exchange for a true review.
And ooooh boy did they!
I stayed up until nearly 4 am in the morning because I couldn't sleep not knowing what was going to happen. I wanted to hate Matty so much but couldn't. I was so invested that when I finished I was blubbing and trying to figure out what I was supposed to do next (sleep would have been good). As a POC I really appreciated the little touches regarding hair and skin care - I loved it, I really really loved it. The story wasn't about the colour of their skin, it was about their lives and families. But it didn't try to ignore the colour of their skin either.
I don't have the words to articulate how much this book touched me - how badly I wanted them to be a small glimmer of hope for Seth and Kelly; the happy ever after I wanted for their families; the sorrow I felt for a brother who took a step the wrong way and kinda fell down the cliff that was hidden in that direction.
I still find myself sniffing a little at some of it - it sticks with you and butts in at the weirdest times - but I think I might be ready to read the Go Fish books now.....maybe!
I received an ARC in exchange for a true review.
May 31, 2019
4.5 stars from me.
This was an old-fashioned Amy Lane read...chock full of feels and exceptional characters. Kelly and Seth were brilliant...as was Kelly's family with one rather obvious and detestable exception [and yes, I'd assumed what his role was in the murder, and how much he hated Seth and Kelly otherwise he wouldn't have put them though nearly 10 years of torture], and thankfully Seth's father got his s**t together eventually and was such a rock for everyone.
Loved the appearance of Jackson and Ellery from Fish Out of Water towards the end of the story, although I had already picked up the connection before Ellery's introduction.
Hope to goodness Guthrie gets a boyfriend of his own in years to come.
This was an old-fashioned Amy Lane read...chock full of feels and exceptional characters. Kelly and Seth were brilliant...as was Kelly's family with one rather obvious and detestable exception [and yes, I'd assumed what his role was in the murder, and how much he hated Seth and Kelly otherwise he wouldn't have put them though nearly 10 years of torture], and thankfully Seth's father got his s**t together eventually and was such a rock for everyone.
Loved the appearance of Jackson and Ellery from Fish Out of Water towards the end of the story, although I had already picked up the connection before Ellery's introduction.
Hope to goodness Guthrie gets a boyfriend of his own in years to come.
May 5, 2019
In true Amy Lane fashion, this book takes characters you love and drags them through muck and mire to bring about an ending that is shiny and sparkling. It is astounding how one character can create so much hurt and havoc, separating two loving hearts because of his own hate and contempt. Still, in the end, Amy can make you forgive and love someone so despicable. I loved this book, I loved the characters and it left me with a hope for two fictional characters to finally have a happy ever after.
June 3, 2019
Todd and the others described this one very well. I didn't cry (not a surprise - I'm not prone to that) but it was surprisingly emotional in places. What I loved is that the MC's were pretty rock solid once they figure things out. It is the outside that continually throws the proverbial wrench into the plans. That's a wonderful change from something like miscommunication or whatnot (never my favorite plot device).
Want to read
May 4, 2019May 2, 2019
Nobody can make you feel so many emotions while reading a book as Amy Lane can. This book will pull you in and won't let go till the end. You fall in love with the characters of Seth and Kelly and you feel every emotion that they're going through. If you want a complex book that makes you feel all the feels than look no further than String Boys!
June 24, 2020
This one hurts the heart so much. Oh man did this tear at me. This is a hard story to read while still being wonderful. I really felt for Seth and Kelly. So much pain and anger in this story. I know some people seem to have tagged this as Young Adult but really I would call this New Adult even though it follows these two boys from a very young age. The timeline is more in keeping with a YA novel, but there are some very dark elements here and trigger warnings needed. The subject matter feels a little more mature than YA.
The emotions in this story were so raw that it was hard not to be sucked into the struggle going on for these guys. Seth is such a doll. I loved that his head was in the clouds and yet Kelly could always manage to ground him. His love of music and his dedication to his violin was all encompassing. I worried with how the story started that we'd be mired in a family drama I was going to hate, but how Seth's father and Kelly's father dragged themselves up out of the struggle of their alcoholism was wonderful. The support between these two families was great. And because of it I loved the young love that develop between these two boys and how their discovery of it all came about.
But then things take such a dark turn. The torment these two suffered because of others actions was horrifying. But the love the had for each other was such a bright spot. This story covers so many years and so much time apart they really had to fight for each other. I truly enjoyed this story even as it ripped at my heart.
The emotions in this story were so raw that it was hard not to be sucked into the struggle going on for these guys. Seth is such a doll. I loved that his head was in the clouds and yet Kelly could always manage to ground him. His love of music and his dedication to his violin was all encompassing. I worried with how the story started that we'd be mired in a family drama I was going to hate, but how Seth's father and Kelly's father dragged themselves up out of the struggle of their alcoholism was wonderful. The support between these two families was great. And because of it I loved the young love that develop between these two boys and how their discovery of it all came about.
But then things take such a dark turn. The torment these two suffered because of others actions was horrifying. But the love the had for each other was such a bright spot. This story covers so many years and so much time apart they really had to fight for each other. I truly enjoyed this story even as it ripped at my heart.
July 29, 2019
Angst to the max
I've been keeping my distance from heartbreak angsty books for a while but my bestie highly recommended this book and then gifted it to me. WOW...This definitely pulled my heartstrings 💕. What a rollercoaster of emotions this was.
This was an engaging story with very strong character development. There were lots of heart-warming moments and tons of heart-wrenching moments. I really loved the family dynamics and there love for one another against all odds. And believe me when I say that the odds are there in spades. Happy with how it all turned out.
I've been keeping my distance from heartbreak angsty books for a while but my bestie highly recommended this book and then gifted it to me. WOW...This definitely pulled my heartstrings 💕. What a rollercoaster of emotions this was.
This was an engaging story with very strong character development. There were lots of heart-warming moments and tons of heart-wrenching moments. I really loved the family dynamics and there love for one another against all odds. And believe me when I say that the odds are there in spades. Happy with how it all turned out.
June 4, 2019
Well, I’ve read a lot of Any Lane’s books This is probably one of the worse, It started out very confusing, who was related to who and most of the main characters are mixed race and there really wasn’t any reason for their descriptions because it had no impact on the story. The amount of angst in this book felt forced and unnecessary.
I’m really very disappointed in this book. Amy Lane has always been a guaranteed winner this almost feels like someone else wrote it.
I’m really very disappointed in this book. Amy Lane has always been a guaranteed winner this almost feels like someone else wrote it.
Read
May 29, 2019Not among my favorite Amy Lane novels.
Review to come.
Review to come.
May 19, 2019
4.5-5 Stars... What a beautiful, heartbreaking, angst-filled story *sigh*
That description? That doesn’t even come close to the heartbreak that surrounds Kelly and Seth in String Boys. I’m not opposed to angst. Honestly, just about any emotion filled M/M romance has to include some type of angst, but this one? The only reason that this book isn’t getting a solid 5 stars from me is because I couldn’t believe how much this author put these characters through – and I’m not just talking about Seth and Kelly. The whole Cruz/Arnold clan was put through more than most people would survive… but that’s also one of the big reasons I loved this story so much. This wasn’t just Kelly and Seth’s story, this was a story about two families who as a whole, kept each other from falling apart. ❤
It’s amazing how sometimes one event can change things forever. That moment in String Boys was a turning point for everyone, not just Seth and Kelly. It followed them and everyone else for years. The sad part is that not only did those events pull Seth and Kelly away from each other, it took another series of tragic events to bring them back together.
They may have lost time together and both of them had to grow up a lot faster than most kids, but they never really “lost” each other. Their love and devotion toward each other was sometimes the only hope either one of them had. I cherished those moments that they got to share as their story unfolded almost as much as they did.
String Boys is as heartbreaking as it is heart warming. It begins when the boys are in elementary school and follows them to young adulthood. There’s a lot of emotion packed into this one. Some characters redeem themselves and some just dig themselves deeper. My heart broke for Seth as a young boy, but he wasn’t alone, which makes all the difference. Although both families had more than their share of tragedy, they never lost hope – at least not for very long.
Finally reaching their well deserved and long over-due HEA, is almost enough to forgive this author’s torture. Almost. On a side note, after the cameo at the end of String Boys, I’m now moving Red Fish, Dead Fish, which is the second book in Amy Lane’s Fish Out of Water series, up on my reading list. 😉
I received String Boys in exchange for a fair and honest review.
That description? That doesn’t even come close to the heartbreak that surrounds Kelly and Seth in String Boys. I’m not opposed to angst. Honestly, just about any emotion filled M/M romance has to include some type of angst, but this one? The only reason that this book isn’t getting a solid 5 stars from me is because I couldn’t believe how much this author put these characters through – and I’m not just talking about Seth and Kelly. The whole Cruz/Arnold clan was put through more than most people would survive… but that’s also one of the big reasons I loved this story so much. This wasn’t just Kelly and Seth’s story, this was a story about two families who as a whole, kept each other from falling apart. ❤
It’s amazing how sometimes one event can change things forever. That moment in String Boys was a turning point for everyone, not just Seth and Kelly. It followed them and everyone else for years. The sad part is that not only did those events pull Seth and Kelly away from each other, it took another series of tragic events to bring them back together.
They may have lost time together and both of them had to grow up a lot faster than most kids, but they never really “lost” each other. Their love and devotion toward each other was sometimes the only hope either one of them had. I cherished those moments that they got to share as their story unfolded almost as much as they did.
String Boys is as heartbreaking as it is heart warming. It begins when the boys are in elementary school and follows them to young adulthood. There’s a lot of emotion packed into this one. Some characters redeem themselves and some just dig themselves deeper. My heart broke for Seth as a young boy, but he wasn’t alone, which makes all the difference. Although both families had more than their share of tragedy, they never lost hope – at least not for very long.
Finally reaching their well deserved and long over-due HEA, is almost enough to forgive this author’s torture. Almost. On a side note, after the cameo at the end of String Boys, I’m now moving Red Fish, Dead Fish, which is the second book in Amy Lane’s Fish Out of Water series, up on my reading list. 😉
I received String Boys in exchange for a fair and honest review.
November 30, 2020
I found this book in my kindle and remembered why I never got past the first chapter. I was not prepared to get my heart broken. So this time I powered on and oh, my heart. The love these two boys had for each other and family. Broken, battered, learning to love themselves and family was an amazing journey. Seth, head in the sky with his violin whose doesn't have the word and Kelly, down to earth , who has the words and the strength. But the awful pain and fear that seperates them 8 long years, that gives the strength and hope that one day they can be a family, is the hea they finally get. Like many of Amy's books, family is both a strength and a weakness, at time sweet and at times harsh, and so many secrets. Kelly's brother Matty nearly kills Seth, damages Kelly in the worst way possible and accidentally kills his own father. The redemption is bitter and nearly too late for Matty, who even in his death I found hard to forgive.
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