He & I

by Isabella Renee

As a young gay man in early 2010s New York, Frederick's life only begins when he finds love. He meets Johnny over an internet dating service and their relationship blossoms. But in a still broadly homophobic America their life together signals a rash of oncoming tribulations. Frederick faces aggression from every angle, even from within himself; his own body turning against him, Johnny's secretive emotions offering little support.
As the lovers are mired in their own internal struggles and strife, they are forced to question whether their love is worth the risk when death stalks around every corner. Will Frederick ever get his dream wedding? Will they be able to start a family together? Will their love endure through it all? Only time will tell.

134 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 28, 2022

About the author

LGBTQ+ author and (specifically NBC's) Hannibal Lecter apologist. Isabella Renee is just trying to finish what she starts. She is a professional procrastinator and often finds herself playing with her puppy March, watching anything with Nicholas Cage or Mads Mikkelsen, or doom scrolling through Instagram instead of doing what she needs to be doing—finishing the book she started writing ages ago, or her homework.

Reviews

[Hannah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well fuck. That was one hell of an emotional rollercoaster packed into a shot little novella.
I wasn’t sure if I liked it at first mostly due to the style and the jumping of times. But in the end I couldn’t help but love it. Even if it hurts. I just need to give Johnny a hug
I’ve also decided that final scene? Not a dream. I refuse to accept that was a dream and not a reality they got to have

[Cassandra Vella · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wish Frederick and Johnny’s journey could’ve been a little bit longer with a little more smooth transitions … but that’s life. More importantly that’s how Isabella wrote their stories in her debut album. She has so much talent and potential to follow this one for sure!

[Dorian · Rating 4 out of 5]

someone let me pet that fucking dog, how traumatic

[AJ Blue · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely amazingly written book from an Absolutely amazing writer! Congrats on the debut

[Isabella Renee · Rating 5 out of 5]

My opinion on this is biased because I wrote it, but here's what I think anyways.

(This book is barely a novel, it's more of a novella due to the page count.)

I learned a lot while writing this;

One: I am the equivalent to that cat gif that types at the speed of light.

Two: I will likely never write in first person again, it feels weird.

Three: It is so soothing to combine your trauma with others and turn it into something, writing about what you know and what you've gone through is therapeutic and easy (surprisingly).

Last: I wish I could undo this and write it a little differently, no matter how much I love my first born child.

Freddie and Johnny consumed my brain for so long. I love them (yes even Johnny, I know he's an asshole). Sometimes I go back and re-read what I've written and because my brain sucks and I don't entirely remember writing it, it's like reading a new book and I get to laugh at my own jokes.

All in all, I love what I have created, I do wish I could change some things but who doesn't after they've created something? I hope everyone who reads it finds some piece of it that they like or can relate too.