Endless Sky

by Christopher Renna

A big-hearted and thoughtful YA about first love, friendship, and facing one's fears.

In Boondock, Indiana, Josh Cooper keeps a low profile as the only openly gay student in school. He tries not to draw attention to himself and avoids causing any trouble. But his life takes an unexpected turn when the popular wrestler, Matt Bentley, asks him out in secret. As Josh navigates his first relationship, he realizes that it means leaving behind his self-isolation. Falling for his closeted boyfriend is both nerve-wracking and exciting, but life remains fairly predictable. That is, until rumors start spreading about strange lights in the sky.

Josh joins his friends in their search for extraterrestrial activity, but instead finds himself caught in a clash of personalities. The night also allows Eric, one of their classmates, to continue bullying Josh. Desperate to protect Matt's secret, Josh endures the abuse in silence. However, everything changes when Eric's lifeless body is discovered. With no one being charged with murder, Josh takes it upon himself to uncover the truth about Eric's death and the reasons behind it. As secrets are revealed, Josh is forced to confront a hidden truth of his own in order to find closure and live his happily-ever-after.

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

320 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 7, 2022

About the author

Christopher Renna is an author. He's also a Developmental Editor with a focus on the work of young writers and indie authors. He lives in New York with his husband, two children, and their rescued dogs.

Reviews

[Marieke (mariekes_mesmerizing_books) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Actual rating 3.5 stars.

I started reading Endless Sky on a rainy Sunday, and it was the perfect distraction. A cute love story between two boys that turned into a darker mystery.

Even though I believe Endless Sky could have been tighter edited, I really enjoyed the overall story. Josh and Matt are two great guys, and I liked that the author approached their romance differently by letting them be a couple from the start of the book. Matt was almost too perfect, but he was so sweet, and I really loved him. Alyssa and Chase were wonderful best friends, and Josh, well, it was difficult not to like him.

While the first part of the story is cute (although there’s bullying!), the second part is harsher. I’m a sucker for darker (romance) stories, so I devoured that part.

What I liked less were the COVID references. It made the story very dated (even now already), and I think that’s a shame for such a lovable book.

Thank you so much, Christopher Renna, for offering me an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

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[Drakoulis · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book is out now!

Endless Sky is a wholesome coming-of-age/first-love book that will make you feel warm and fuzzy!

Josh is hiding in the shadows since he came out at his school in a small town of Indiana, and is content to avoid unwanted attention. But when he starts secretly dating Matt, the star of the school wrestling team, he finds himself in a spotlight he never wanted.

The plot's foundation is basic, but don't let this discourage you: this book is about Josh and Matt and their journey to fully understand themselves, face their insecurities and savor their feelings for each other.

As the blurb hints you, Eric is a pain for Josh, he keeps harassing him every chance he gets, crossing many red lines. And then he turns up dead, because life is a bitch Eric. The mystery subplot was interesting without altering the book's atmosphere.

I really loved Matt, he gave strong golden retriever vibes, and the two boys' best friends, Alyssa and Chase. We also saw the different ways parents love and care about their kids, and how past bullying can affect teenagers and their self-confidence for a very long time.

I have one big complain (I'm not deducting a star for it but it's really starting to get on my nerves): constant Covid references. I don't like the idea of Covid related terms and scenes becoming a trend in contemporary fiction books. The plot would be the same without it - you just wouldn't know that the author wrote the book in 2020. It took magic out of some scenes for me.

Overall, this book exceeded my expectations and I recommend it to every fan of YA gay coming-of-age/romance stories!

Thank you BookSirens for the ARC!

[Gordon Ambos · Rating 2 out of 5]

I rarely feel this conflicted after finishing a book. If this book would've been about Josh and Matt's relationship and them falling in love - 5 stars. I loved them together. But this whole mystery aspect about the murder? Not very well executed.
The synopsis spoils the biggest plot-twist, which happens at 70%. The conclusion was super obvious and I did not get why Josh wants to investigate his bully's murder so bad. Be glad the fucker is dead for god's sake.
The bullying is also immensely down-played by Josh himself, which rubbed me the wrong way. He literally gets sexually assualted and calls it "just normal high school BS". Um, no.
There were also some name inconsistencies. "Cooper" was sometimes called "Copper", same with "Schiller"/"Shiller". This book needed some extra editing.

CW: bullying, sexual assualt, violence, homophobia, murder, drug abuse

EDIT: The author left a comment under this review (which is kind of intrusive, as reviews are meant for readers, not the author) thanking me for pointing out "three" typos. This came off to me as rather passive-aggressive (I might be wrong though), so I won't pick up anything else by him. To clarify: this book had more than three typos in it. I don't really care about typos and wouldn't point those out. Spelling names differently througout the whole book on the other hand, is not a typo. It's a continuity error that should've been caught by the editor.👋

[Urszula · Rating 5 out of 5]

I like the book. Sometimes IT seems too long and too mamy plots but still IT is great. I love characters. The story of the relationship is great. Relationships among characters add a lot to the overall story. Great read.

I receiced an advance review copy for Free and I AM leaving the review viluntarily.

[Kyle · Rating 5 out of 5]

I got lucky getting an ARC of this book. At first I was going to give it four stars. After reading it I kept thinking about the characters. I usually read thrillers and horror novels. And the other Christopher Renna books I read are thrillers or horror. But this one was more like a drama/romance story. And I still liked it. There was some mystery toward the end when Josh tried to figure out who killed Eric. Since this wasn't a thriller I guess I realized that I like Renna's books because of the characters and not just the thrills or horror.

I also liked Josh and Matt's relationship because it wasn't totally cheesy and seemed pretty realistic to me.

[Jason Conrad · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was very excited for this book and it did not disappoint! I was so enticed by the premise in the synopsis and started reading the day it was released.

There was a lot to love here. First, Josh and Matt were both amazing characters. I was happy that there wasn't so much a "slow burn" storyline and that we got to dive right in with their relationship already in progress. Watching Matt go through the process of coming out with a supportive, loving boyfriend made me so happy. The first time they walked through the hall together made my heart so full. Josh was a very complex, fascinating character. He had been through a very traumatic incident that left him scarred with debilitating anxiety and mental health issues, and what was most emotional about it is that so many queer people can relate to that experience. Being a trauma survivor myself, seeing the effects it had on Josh's life had me all up in my feelings -- but in a good way. It was so important to the story and was executed so well.

I was so into the sci-fi and mystery elements of this story, too. And I loved that when we got closure on the UFO mysteries, it immediately shifted into full on murder-mystery / whodunit mode. The entire plot with Eric kept my attention throughout the book and I was so invested in learning who was responsible for his death. I'm a huge fan of thrillers, horror, and mystery, so the combination of those elements with a coming-out / young love story was an equation that resulted in a very unique story.

Christopher Renna did an incredible job on this book, and it was easily a 5-star read for me. It was a book I never knew I needed, and I'm so happy I stumbled across it. Also, both versions of the cover are GORGEOUS. ✨

Oh, and Matt introducing Josh to his father in the stars? Rip my heart out and stomp on it, Mr. Renna! That sequence had me happy crying on my couch and was so heartwarming.

Highly highly highly recommend!

[Amy Voce · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was my first book by Christopher Renna but it won't be my last that is for sure. Endless Sky is well written coming-of-age story about first love and takes place in a small town of Boondock, Indiana

Josh is newly out at his school and secretly he's dating Matt, the school star wrestler. Josh is going through the motions of being out in a small town community and all the tribulations that come with it. As these two boys juggle their feelings for eachother/pressures of finding themselves and dealing with past issues and overcoming insecurities. Weird goings-on in the skies start happening and Josh and his friends investigate but when Josh's long time tormenter and bully turns up dead. Josh set's off to find answers.

Endless Sky isn't just a coming-of-age drama/romance though there is an intriguing whodunnit element to this book that adds a level of mystery and I found that really interesting. I really enjoyed Endless Sky and I looking forward to reading more from Christopher Renna, the writing was great and plot/pacing of the story was fantastic. I really recommend this YA Romance.

I Received an Arc copy from BookSirens in return for an honest review.

[Amanda Reeves · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was the first book I've read by this author and I will be on the lookout for more. It was a bit to get through because I tend to like books a little shorter than this, but in the end it was just great. This book is well written, a great storyline, and wonderful characters. While this is a coming-of-age book with some romance between two boys, it also is twisted in with some mystery, so a little something for everyone.

[Roger Hyttinen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Endless Sky is a delightful coming-of-age story brimming with personality that was part romance, part drama, and part mystery. It checked all the right boxes for me: funny, charming, emotional, and inspiring, with a lovely feel-good ending, all bound together by a beautiful, well-written narrative. This story grabbed me quickly and sucked me right in. The romance. The mystery. The compelling characters. This novel dealt with some heavy yet compelling themes such as first love, bullying, coming out, acceptance, drug use, and, ultimately, murder.

I thought this was an excellent, well-crafted story that was a perfect blend of romance and mystery…a rare find. I loved the slow unfolding and blossoming of the romance between Josh and Matt, resulting in a tender, honest exploration of identity and sexuality as we journey with Matt through his coming out process.

All in all, I loved the clever story and the characters. Endless Sky is well thought out, populated by engaging characters, well-written, and perfectly paced. The narrative never bogs down, and the author even offers us a few twists and surprises. I would definitely read more by this author.

A huge thank you to Book Sirens for providing a review copy of this book.

[Ria Elle M. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rating: 4.75

Heartstopper by Alice Oseman meets Endless Sky by Christopher Renna.

This book is cute and fluffy at first, then becomes dark. It's a Young Adult Fiction, Coming-of-Age, and Gay Romance with a twist of Mystery. The author's goal was to make this book about relationships, and I get that. Matt is someone who's coming to terms with who he is and deciding when he feels comfortable coming out to his loved ones, while Josh is a gay kid who came out of the closet a long time ago and isolated himself. This made me laugh multiple times because of Matt's best friend, Chase. I also felt tensed when it finally came to the mystery part, and it had me devouring it and kept me guessing who killed Eric. I hate and love how I wasn't able to predict this XD

CW: Bullying, Cyber Bullying, Sexual Harassment, Sexual Assault, Violence, Gun Violence, Drugs, Panic Attacks, and Anxiety (search it up for more specifics or correct CW as mine is what I thought was triggering while I read it)

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Stu Worthington · Rating 5 out of 5]

As gay and out schoolboy Josh works hard to manage school, his part time job, strange lights and UFO rumours, his life is complicated even further by his secret relationship with fellow classmate, Matt, who is a school jock and whose mother is the local sheriff. The murder of a bullying classmate has a major impact on Josh who is determined to find out who did it. Drawing strength from the love he shares with Matt, Josh starts to search for clues and evidence, putting himself in great danger.

The novel deals with many themes such as harassment, drugs, parental control, sexual exploitation and murder and Mr Renna brings it all together successfully, giving the storyline pace and allowing the characters to grow. The main characters are well suited and the parents and friends are given sufficient background for them to become established.

I enjoyed this novel and will certainly look forward to reading more from Mr Renna.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Jenny Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

The story is captivating, there are plot twist I hadn't anticipated.
The relationship between Josh and Matt is so sweet. It is not a typical Highschool relationship, it seems so much more substantial. There are a lot of things happening in this book but those two are solid. Loved this so much.
The book is a lot about relationships, Matt and Josh's, with their friends, the boys with their parents (or Mom) and is beautifully written.
I highly recommend this one...
***
I was given an ARC by BookSirens and this is my honest review
***

[DJ McCready · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wish there wee half stars as this would get the extra half. It is a long book that at times appears to go into side stories but the basic book is beautiful in both plot and character development. The abandoned house, the country roads where the two main characters escape to brings back thoughts of the late 1940s and 1950s. The writing is smooth and the plot develops logically - I would read more of this author.

[Shawn E Cox · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome Story

This was a very beautiful love with some exciting twists and turns along the way. I would definitely recommend this book 😊

[Helen · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book had potential but in my opinion it just fell completely flat. The writing was robotic, the characters were all stereotypes, and a whole plotline was just dropped halfway through. I just found it so hard to root for any characters at all because they were all the most basic versions of high school jocks, popular girls, bullies, etc. I also felt like I was being talked at instead of let inside of an actual story - like it was the definition of a school essay where the teacher had to repeatedly write "show don't tell."

I wish I'd gotten more out of this book, I really do, but I still want to say thank you for the Kindle copy I received as a giveaway winner.

[S · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really can’t tell if this book is “objectively” good or if I just like it very very much. Five starts because it made me genuinely gasp and clap my hands over my mouth, while also making me kick my feet and twirl my hair.

It was so refreshing to see just two teenage boys in love from start to finish, absolutely obsessed with each other the way teenagers are, incapable of keeping their hands off one another. Couldn’t stop grinning. Reminded me of being a young gay teenager.

I genuinely thought there was going to be aliens though LMAO imagine my surprise when the aliens turned into a murder mystery. In fact the aliens were brought up around 30% and then the messy teenage drama distracted me until around 60% when i realized they hadn’t been brought up again.

The plot could have been tightened up JUST a little, and there was some dialogue that I felt was a little weird— Josh has a lot of adult conversations with the grown ups in his life and those scenes always felt a little weird, like maybe josh’s internal teenage life didn’t necessarily need them? A lot of exposition happened through conversation, which can sometimes work and sometimes just feels a tiny bit rushed.

The ending felting just a tiny bit rushed as well, but everything got neatly wrapped up and it wasn’t distracting enough that I didn’t enjoy myself the whole time.

Anyway. Genuinely enjoyable. I had fun. I’m glad I read it.

[Nico · Rating 2 out of 5]

A decent read, but it got bumped down from a 3 to a 2 because of the decision to include dozens upon dozens of references to the pandemic for no narrative reason. I'm a big fan of avoiding specific pop culture/life references in a writing most of the time, unless it's specifically a period piece, because it immediately dates the book. Having constant references to covid for no reason took me out of the book every single time they happened and by the end I was just groaning when covid protocols were a part of the epilogue, I can't imagine reading this book 10+ years from now and not being immediately turned off by it.

As far as the book itself, it felt like it was more on the young side of young adult. The themes were heavy, but the characters weren't written in a way that felt like they portrayed them with enough seriousness. It was like watching a CW teen drama but with the cast of a Disney Channel series.

Overall, I feel like there are places where an editor should have been like "Do we really need this?" but otherwise it was a quick and slightly fun read, just not one that I'll remember.

[Kyle · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this a second time because I got the print cover that was different than the ARC cover. I decided this was a 5 star book for me. And the reason is because it wasn't the typical fluff gay romance novel. A friend pointed out something to me about the line on the cover. "The end of one story is the beginning of another." When I thought about the book I was like oh, hey that's exactly what happened. Guess I didn't understand that the first time.

I mostly read thrillers so I'm surprised I liked this as much as I did. But maybe because it was the thriller with the romance. I don't know. My first read was a 4 or a 5 but this time I'm confident with my 5 star rating.

[PaperMoon · Rating 3 out of 5]

For a YA coming of age/romance - this was low-angst, sweet and endearing. Not so sure about the sci-fi aspects (mainly found in the first third of the read) - the plot kinda went nowhere fast and reappeared momentarily nearing the end; was this really necessary? However, I had some misgivings when the tone shifted into Hardy Boys territory for the last third almost jarringly out of place. I would have been happy if the focus had remained firmly on Josh and Matt's discoveries of each other and the wonders of first love.

[Andrew Hobbs- Nicholas Scott · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is such an incredible book. The characters are simply beautiful. Matt & Josh's relationship is so deftly woven; I'm completely enamored. But it's not just Matt & Josh's relationship but all of them, the friendships and familial relationships are wonderfully drawn and so thoroughly authentic. When I started Endless Sky, I didn't know it would have a mystery too, so I was delighted with that development and Matt's tenacity in getting to the truth despite everything.
Renna's writing is lovely and captivating and I can't wait to slip Salt of the Sea.

[Bob · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pretty good

I’ve just started reading Renna’s books and he seems to be a capable writer. The first book of his that I read was more adult oriented and much edgier. This one more YA. Story lines and characters have been interesting. I might have given this book 5 stars except I found that it drifted off into some hum-drum areas now and then. The editing was near spotless. I only noticed one mistake. When the young cop comes to see Josh at home, he asks, “Are you Josh Copper?” If it had been intentional, Josh would have corrected him, but he didn’t.

[Axel Reads · Rating 3 out of 5]

Overall this wad okay. It was just hard to focus on all the storylines. Beginning with Matt hiding Josh from everyone, to the aliens, to coming out, to COVID, to Josh’s aunt getting sick, to Josh getting bullied (with a previous assault plotting) to parents struggling with their relationship to solving the murder of Eric.

It was just a lot and wasn’t very memorable to me. It was very middle, but the author poured his heart and soul into this book and it shows.

[Meowmeow · Rating 5 out of 5]

honestly this is one of my fave books rn like ,, IS IT UNREALISTIC. VERY MUCH SO. BUT IM A GAY TEEN IN MY LAST YEAR OF HIGHSCHOOL WITH NO GAY RELATIONSHIPS. i related to matt hard because i also made out with girls just to find out im gay. i think matt was probably my favorite character however i dont mind josh as the protagonist. Also this book gave me so much more than i bargained for

[Michael Wolfson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Teen love

This story is a slow simmer. It never boils up to a crisis or inflates the drama. It is a beautiful story of growing up. Some people may appreciate that the sex in this story is only an allusion, but I felt that it was too chaste and could have been more open.

The pacing, characters and plot made for a joyful read.

[Joy Rosales]

DNF @ 29% I received a copy of this ebook in a Goodreads giveaway. This book seems right up my ally, and I really tried with this one, but I was just finding it kind of boring and a slog to get through.

[Linda A · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a nice story of young love with a murder, intrigue and suspect UFO's to spice it up.
When Josh came out to everyone he ended up withdrawing to save himself from possible bullying.
Matt is not out and is not planning on changing that but he likes Josh.

[Cameron Eagleston · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars. Character development was strong but I feel like the book left me feeling like I still had questions and just unresolved. Also, any would a high school student who was being bully and sexually harassed ever think he should try solving a murder?

[Mah E Noe · Rating 4 out of 5]

the book touches many topics of teenage problems and remains entertaining throughout

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Larry · Rating 5 out of 5]

relaxing read

Enjoyable story. Very believable. Many authors are predictable in their plot, that didn’t happen here. Great story line with many nice twists.

[Bruce · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a spectacular book! I really enjoyed the love story between Josh and Matt. The story was beautifully written. I wish I had this type of Queer books when I was in school.