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Drown
Dom Sal is the star quarterback of his high school football team. His charming, earnest personality has girls tripping over themselves to be with him. Everyone knows his family lives in the St. Michael Charity Housing, but all that matters is how many touchdowns he can score. And Dom never lets them down. No one knows he hides a secret--he dreams about men.
Damion Adrik is the school freak. His gothic style and cold, biting sarcasm keeps everyone at arm's length. His all-too-perfect family is a prison cell, and he's slowly destroying himself from the inside out. No one knows he has secrets of his own and that he's tormented by the darkness he takes comfort in. No one truly sees him, until Dom.
When these two worlds collide and the spark of attraction pulls Dom and Damion together, both boys are faced with choices that will break their realities in two. While conflict with parents and peers drives them closer together, their inner battles threaten to destroy the relationship they fight so desperately to keep. In the end, they must choose whether to be true to themselves, and each other, or to drown in the lives they built before.
Damion Adrik is the school freak. His gothic style and cold, biting sarcasm keeps everyone at arm's length. His all-too-perfect family is a prison cell, and he's slowly destroying himself from the inside out. No one knows he has secrets of his own and that he's tormented by the darkness he takes comfort in. No one truly sees him, until Dom.
When these two worlds collide and the spark of attraction pulls Dom and Damion together, both boys are faced with choices that will break their realities in two. While conflict with parents and peers drives them closer together, their inner battles threaten to destroy the relationship they fight so desperately to keep. In the end, they must choose whether to be true to themselves, and each other, or to drown in the lives they built before.
352 pages, Paperback
First published August 15, 2012
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Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
July 12, 2013
Wow! Just WOW.....! This book was really amazing. You get to follow two unlikely matched boys grow to not only love each other, but love the life they're given. One in faith of God and the other in faith of pain and desperation, my heart really went out to them both. They made a perfect pair of love and forgiveness.
This book was filled with so much emotions, so much strength and weakness. Through their good times smiling, and through their fights, you really get a feeling of real life with these two characters. The love they so clearly have for each other saddens me at times. The one afraid to love and be left behind, and the other loving but in sore need of confirmation from the other.
Sadly it also reflects on one kind of character we got in this world, this time (sadly) as so many times before, in the form of jocks. Oblivious to what kind of actual damage they do by keeping their "image" up and by closing their eyes to what love really is all about. The loving parents who's lost in a memory, and the hurting teens.
I exploded. I wanted to throw the book on the floor, jump and scream at it, then finally throw it in the garbage. Obviously I couldn't do it. (Thank the Lord.....!) Furious at both Dom and the author I read page up and page down. Then it finally dawned on me. It wasn't Dom's battle to fight. Sure he would be there for Damion when he needed him, but it wasn't his battle to survive.
This author really opened my eyes on the subject, and I’m not ashamed to admit just how wrong my way of thinking had been. It was a real wake up call. Even though my heart sank to the bottom of the universe when Damion The book made so much sense in so many ways it shouldn't have. I actually cried, and then when Dom while showing him so much love when doing so, I was a total goner. Dehydration by crying times thousands!
This book is a juicy taste of real life and a wakeup call for so many reasons.
Why it got so many bad reviews, I frankly can’t understand. Sure it's a matter of taste in books, but if people are too blind to read between the lines on this one, then I really feel saddened by them.
I can proudly say that this book (and author) earned its rightful place on my top shelf. Now and forever... Job well done Alex Jones!
January 24, 2013
I did want to like this novel but unfortunately I just couldn't, it was full of angry , destructive and ugly natured characters and was overloaded with so many depressive subjects that it became harder and harder to wade through the book. I practically forced myself to finish the book but it was hard going in the end and there were big chunks that I glossed through just to get there, I think I was trying to see if there was any light to be found but if there was I didn't see it! Because of the nature of the book I couldn't even bring myself to sympathise or like the two main protags, they both had major issues but after a while I found myself not caring and I should have!
I could see the direction and style of book that the author wanted it to be and in her defense is obviously tackling some serious issues but in doing so has forgotten that to make a story interesting and readable there has to be a balance of light and dark, some humour to balance out the sadness, some poignancy instead of all the harshness and the odd 'nice but quirky' character to counteract the angst ridden ones. There is also a slightly weird religious undertone that underlies some of the characters, and that doesn't work for me either but in that case each to their own, I don't not believe but I'm not particularly religious.
One other thing that is a pet peeve with me is when authors will insist on giving their characters monikers like "the jock", "the goth", "the driver" referring to them as that instead of using their names!
Overall this would be a 2.5* because there is nothing wrong with the writing and the intention. Who knows this could be a 5* rating for someone else, just not for me.
I could see the direction and style of book that the author wanted it to be and in her defense is obviously tackling some serious issues but in doing so has forgotten that to make a story interesting and readable there has to be a balance of light and dark, some humour to balance out the sadness, some poignancy instead of all the harshness and the odd 'nice but quirky' character to counteract the angst ridden ones. There is also a slightly weird religious undertone that underlies some of the characters, and that doesn't work for me either but in that case each to their own, I don't not believe but I'm not particularly religious.
One other thing that is a pet peeve with me is when authors will insist on giving their characters monikers like "the jock", "the goth", "the driver" referring to them as that instead of using their names!
Overall this would be a 2.5* because there is nothing wrong with the writing and the intention. Who knows this could be a 5* rating for someone else, just not for me.
August 18, 2012
I think what grabbed me first on this book was the amazing cover art. I don't usually, but rather see what the story is about first and if that's appealing to my tastes then I'll scoop it up. In this case you really can't judge a book by its cover. I'm not saying it's a shitty story because there's much of it I did enjoy. How well it was written, next to known in grammar errors and the whole thought put into place to make it something good, and then there was some aspects of it that I didn't, so I'll touch on both.
The characters themselves appeal to the audience. I mean what wouldn't? You have your goth boy and you also have your jock. Two different guys in completely different walks of life and the only thing they have in common is they're both...gay.
The storyline in and of itself wasn't too bad, and the whole outcome is very appetizing, but here's what got to me about it:
First, for both of them they're first love scene could've had some details and not been closeted. Don't get me wrong here, I have my moments where I'd prefer if the book had no sex scenes at all than have nothing but the bump and grind in every chapter, but this book could've had at LEAST one. I feel if you can get very graphic and detailed on Damion's cutting, you can put their first time as more than a tackle, touch and it's over before you blink. It made me feel detached to the story and rather tough to connect with what the characters felt for each other.
Which brings me to my next view. I think we are pretty much clear that Damion is goth, but did he have to be referred to as 'the goth' all the time? This made me grind my teeth. Even Dom wasn't called the jock as often. Dom was sweet and understanding. Too understanding under certain incidents that took place, whereas Damion was self centered, didn't care about anyone else and full of pity for himself. He wanted someone to love him yet pushed it away when offered. Confusing. I don't think the two ever met eye to eye.
Lastly, I get that Damion, notice I'm not saying the goth? :snickering: is a cutter, but he wasn't cutting in this story persay, he was friggin mutilating himself every chance he could and that was too often. Along with drugs and the booze which I'm surprised he didn't get alcohol poisoning from.
I would have liked to have seen Damion receive some counseling since with all the doubts Dom kept having that he couldn't help Damion with his self mutilation issues that in the real world would have required the help of professionals. So I was a little disappointed with that.
I was also confused with understanding if they were actually in high school or college. It seemed that practically every student had their own car, except for Dom.
I know my likes stem at 40% in comparison to my dislikes at 60% but that's just the way it is for me.
I will quote: I will not allow this to deter me from reading future stories from this author because the storyline could improve in other books of his. Every author should be given the chance to prove their writing talent.
The characters themselves appeal to the audience. I mean what wouldn't? You have your goth boy and you also have your jock. Two different guys in completely different walks of life and the only thing they have in common is they're both...gay.
The storyline in and of itself wasn't too bad, and the whole outcome is very appetizing, but here's what got to me about it:
First, for both of them they're first love scene could've had some details and not been closeted. Don't get me wrong here, I have my moments where I'd prefer if the book had no sex scenes at all than have nothing but the bump and grind in every chapter, but this book could've had at LEAST one. I feel if you can get very graphic and detailed on Damion's cutting, you can put their first time as more than a tackle, touch and it's over before you blink. It made me feel detached to the story and rather tough to connect with what the characters felt for each other.
Which brings me to my next view. I think we are pretty much clear that Damion is goth, but did he have to be referred to as 'the goth' all the time? This made me grind my teeth. Even Dom wasn't called the jock as often. Dom was sweet and understanding. Too understanding under certain incidents that took place, whereas Damion was self centered, didn't care about anyone else and full of pity for himself. He wanted someone to love him yet pushed it away when offered. Confusing. I don't think the two ever met eye to eye.
Lastly, I get that Damion, notice I'm not saying the goth? :snickering: is a cutter, but he wasn't cutting in this story persay, he was friggin mutilating himself every chance he could and that was too often. Along with drugs and the booze which I'm surprised he didn't get alcohol poisoning from.
I would have liked to have seen Damion receive some counseling since with all the doubts Dom kept having that he couldn't help Damion with his self mutilation issues that in the real world would have required the help of professionals. So I was a little disappointed with that.
I was also confused with understanding if they were actually in high school or college. It seemed that practically every student had their own car, except for Dom.
I know my likes stem at 40% in comparison to my dislikes at 60% but that's just the way it is for me.
I will quote: I will not allow this to deter me from reading future stories from this author because the storyline could improve in other books of his. Every author should be given the chance to prove their writing talent.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 29, 2012
Dear Author,
Goths are NOT all like Damion. Yes, we sometimes do wear all black, and tend to live in our own heads. Considering the dreck all around us, sometimes our imaginations are a safer place to be. We are not a bunch of death-obsessed, anti-social, satan-worshipping pyschopaths. Believe it or not, there are Christian Goths! And lastly, Marilyn Manson IS NOT GOTH! He has made that fact perfectly clear and yet even now people still link him to the subculture. I'd have more respect for an author who actually KNOWS what goth music consists of (and it's a lot more diverse than most people realize). I would have rated this book higher had there been a mention of Siouxsie and the Banshees, Bauhaus or Sisters of Mercy.
Drown had the building blocks of a great story and in spite of the character fail, I actually cared about Dom and Damion (oh my goth, so typical but what do you expect). Dom's soul-searching was quite poignant and I'm certain mirrors the real life struggle of being both Christian and gay. That was one of the reasons I didn't just give this story an automatic fail. The other reason was the cover was really nice. Too bad the book didn't quite measure up.
What drove me stark-raving batshit was the endless use of "the goth" or "the jock" when describing the main characters: "the GOTH said this" or "the JOCK said that". How about just writing, "Damion said..." or "Dom said..."? Oh and just for diversity's sake, there was Chance's girlfriend Angela better known as "the Latina". I'm sort of surprised there was no "the black guy" tossed in.
I don't mind the lack of explicit scenes because they're not always necessary. Damion was pretty self-destructive, but what can one expect with messed-up parents like his. Damion was pretty much on his way to his own personal hell having been the child who wasn't like his deceased brother Adi and lacking any support from his overachieving parental units. Still, I managed a modicum of sympathy for their plight though I hated their behavior as well. Losing a child is extremely difficult and that had a lot more to do with Damion's behavior than his being a goth, but one wouldn't know it.
Finally***spoiler alert***How do you let the guys who beat up and verbally abused Damion in the parking lot just get away with what they did? Seriously? There was just no reasonable resolution. No, HEA's aren't necessary either, but if the story is an HFN--Happily For Now--at least the loose ends should be tied up in a more satisfactory fashion.
Goths are NOT all like Damion. Yes, we sometimes do wear all black, and tend to live in our own heads. Considering the dreck all around us, sometimes our imaginations are a safer place to be. We are not a bunch of death-obsessed, anti-social, satan-worshipping pyschopaths. Believe it or not, there are Christian Goths! And lastly, Marilyn Manson IS NOT GOTH! He has made that fact perfectly clear and yet even now people still link him to the subculture. I'd have more respect for an author who actually KNOWS what goth music consists of (and it's a lot more diverse than most people realize). I would have rated this book higher had there been a mention of Siouxsie and the Banshees, Bauhaus or Sisters of Mercy.
Drown had the building blocks of a great story and in spite of the character fail, I actually cared about Dom and Damion (oh my goth, so typical but what do you expect). Dom's soul-searching was quite poignant and I'm certain mirrors the real life struggle of being both Christian and gay. That was one of the reasons I didn't just give this story an automatic fail. The other reason was the cover was really nice. Too bad the book didn't quite measure up.
What drove me stark-raving batshit was the endless use of "the goth" or "the jock" when describing the main characters: "the GOTH said this" or "the JOCK said that". How about just writing, "Damion said..." or "Dom said..."? Oh and just for diversity's sake, there was Chance's girlfriend Angela better known as "the Latina". I'm sort of surprised there was no "the black guy" tossed in.
I don't mind the lack of explicit scenes because they're not always necessary. Damion was pretty self-destructive, but what can one expect with messed-up parents like his. Damion was pretty much on his way to his own personal hell having been the child who wasn't like his deceased brother Adi and lacking any support from his overachieving parental units. Still, I managed a modicum of sympathy for their plight though I hated their behavior as well. Losing a child is extremely difficult and that had a lot more to do with Damion's behavior than his being a goth, but one wouldn't know it.
Finally***spoiler alert***How do you let the guys who beat up and verbally abused Damion in the parking lot just get away with what they did? Seriously? There was just no reasonable resolution. No, HEA's aren't necessary either, but if the story is an HFN--Happily For Now--at least the loose ends should be tied up in a more satisfactory fashion.
August 24, 2012
This story was filled with so much emotion and such beautifully crafted characters that I felt like it was too real at times. The story is about two high school senior boys who come from two totally different worlds, but both have pain and secrets that they must deal with before finding love and realizing that it's worth fighting for. I loved reading Dom & Damian's story, how they overcame not only their own prejudices about one another but also facing adversaries that took courage, faith, and love to over come.
April 14, 2014
This is one of the most beautifully written books I have ever read. Waves and currents and pools of exquisite prose form a compelling tale of two young men from vastly different backgrounds. What they ultimately find together is love and healing, and a future together.
Dominic is an athlete, the high school's star quarterback. He has everything. He has the admiration of the entire school. He has a beautiful girlfriend and the rest of the school worships him. He is academically gifted. But he comes from a broken home, living in poverty with a cruel stepfather.
Damion is a goth who has secrets. His family is rich, but uncaring. He uses drugs, drives his Jaguar too fast, and takes pride in being totally outcast and friendless. He also self mutilates himself to escape the pain of a lost brother, and to somehow cope with his own life's agonies.
One day, a history class assignment brings the two together, in an unlikely assignment. They must partner on an assignment. Part of the assignment is to get to know each other. What follows is a very compelling and truly unique love story. But it is a story filled with pain, regret, sorrow, and a real depth of emotion. Every page is filled with anxiety, frustration, and revelation. There is nothing trivial to be found in this story of mutual discovery.
The author takes his time in building his main and secondary characters to such a degree that they begin to become real. Alex Jones has a very special talent for knowing how to construct a really engaging and realistic story that captures the reader's hart and soul. I'm sorry to say that this is that rare and special time when no one seems to see what I took away from this story. I wish it could have had a wider audience, because it is truly deserving of one. Ms. Jones is in a class of writers that ranks among the finest. It is our loss that we have not heard more from this gifted author.
I can not say enough about how this story made me feel the heartache, the terror and the despair of its main characters.
Lengthy enough to be a complete novel, not one of the 200 page romances we usually find, the story covers a great deal of current problems facing the emerging generation of the LGBT community. Bigotry, fear, self loathing and hate fight against love, understanding and acceptance in this most worthy story of a relationship between two star-crossed lovers. Overall, a very satisfying experience.
Dominic is an athlete, the high school's star quarterback. He has everything. He has the admiration of the entire school. He has a beautiful girlfriend and the rest of the school worships him. He is academically gifted. But he comes from a broken home, living in poverty with a cruel stepfather.
Damion is a goth who has secrets. His family is rich, but uncaring. He uses drugs, drives his Jaguar too fast, and takes pride in being totally outcast and friendless. He also self mutilates himself to escape the pain of a lost brother, and to somehow cope with his own life's agonies.
One day, a history class assignment brings the two together, in an unlikely assignment. They must partner on an assignment. Part of the assignment is to get to know each other. What follows is a very compelling and truly unique love story. But it is a story filled with pain, regret, sorrow, and a real depth of emotion. Every page is filled with anxiety, frustration, and revelation. There is nothing trivial to be found in this story of mutual discovery.
The author takes his time in building his main and secondary characters to such a degree that they begin to become real. Alex Jones has a very special talent for knowing how to construct a really engaging and realistic story that captures the reader's hart and soul. I'm sorry to say that this is that rare and special time when no one seems to see what I took away from this story. I wish it could have had a wider audience, because it is truly deserving of one. Ms. Jones is in a class of writers that ranks among the finest. It is our loss that we have not heard more from this gifted author.
I can not say enough about how this story made me feel the heartache, the terror and the despair of its main characters.
Lengthy enough to be a complete novel, not one of the 200 page romances we usually find, the story covers a great deal of current problems facing the emerging generation of the LGBT community. Bigotry, fear, self loathing and hate fight against love, understanding and acceptance in this most worthy story of a relationship between two star-crossed lovers. Overall, a very satisfying experience.
September 26, 2012
[TW for talks of suicide and self-harm]
I wonder how long ago this book was really written before it was published. I'm not sure of the author's age, but bands she mentions were popular (and still made music) back when I was in high school and I'm 25 now.
I sympathized with Damian and I didn't at the same time. What he went through was tragic. How his parent's dealt with that tragedy was abismal. And Damian's coping mechanism was heartbreaking. I knew cutters and I knew they have to be going through a lot for them to self-harm. I just really hated his bratty behavior even if it might've been justified. I hated his parents for not being actual parents instead of letting Damian do as he pleases. And if I had put my hands on my mother, I'm sure she would've snapped out of her comatose state long enough to knock me so hard I'd land back in the womb and she'd start over.
I wish Dom's other-side-of-the-tracks life was explored more. His life with his mom and stepdad. I feel like Dom's story got drowned out in favor of Damian's. Was Dom a cutter or lived in the emotional state Damian did? No, but I empathized a lot with him. It's painful watching someone you love spiral downward and not know how to help them without being dragged down too. I loved Dom and think he handled everything well considering. Also, religion was a big part of Dom's life, but it really wasn't explored that much. We don't really see him struggling with reconciling his religion with his sexuality, so his part of the epilogue didn't really make sense to me.
I think this would be a decent YA novel to pick up, but it could be triggering for teens. Overall I think this was well-written with solid characters.
3 stars out of 5.
I wonder how long ago this book was really written before it was published. I'm not sure of the author's age, but bands she mentions were popular (and still made music) back when I was in high school and I'm 25 now.
I sympathized with Damian and I didn't at the same time. What he went through was tragic. How his parent's dealt with that tragedy was abismal. And Damian's coping mechanism was heartbreaking. I knew cutters and I knew they have to be going through a lot for them to self-harm. I just really hated his bratty behavior even if it might've been justified. I hated his parents for not being actual parents instead of letting Damian do as he pleases. And if I had put my hands on my mother, I'm sure she would've snapped out of her comatose state long enough to knock me so hard I'd land back in the womb and she'd start over.
I wish Dom's other-side-of-the-tracks life was explored more. His life with his mom and stepdad. I feel like Dom's story got drowned out in favor of Damian's. Was Dom a cutter or lived in the emotional state Damian did? No, but I empathized a lot with him. It's painful watching someone you love spiral downward and not know how to help them without being dragged down too. I loved Dom and think he handled everything well considering. Also, religion was a big part of Dom's life, but it really wasn't explored that much. We don't really see him struggling with reconciling his religion with his sexuality, so his part of the epilogue didn't really make sense to me.
I think this would be a decent YA novel to pick up, but it could be triggering for teens. Overall I think this was well-written with solid characters.
3 stars out of 5.
August 18, 2012
I was a bit surprised that I liked this book as much as I did. Normally when people write about teens the angst is really overdone but I didn't get that from Drown. Damion and Dom are an odd couple but I think that the only type of person that could have reached Damion would have been someone like Dom.
I wanted more, but it's not that I wanted more from the story (I loved the story)...more depth maybe? I realize that if the author had gone deeper into everything that happened the book would have been way longer than the 400+ pages it already was but I sort of felt like forgiveness came too fast and things were resolved to easily, if that makes sense.
I wanted more, but it's not that I wanted more from the story (I loved the story)...more depth maybe? I realize that if the author had gone deeper into everything that happened the book would have been way longer than the 400+ pages it already was but I sort of felt like forgiveness came too fast and things were resolved to easily, if that makes sense.
August 18, 2012
This was a very emotional and heartwarming story. I loved the boys, they were so different but so alike in so many ways. I'd love to see a story for James because he changed alot through this book, and I'd love to see the effect it had on his life.
January 16, 2024
So confusing swapping from everyone’s POV. I would have to reread to see who was actually thinking something or saying something. The whole jock, goth, driver etc got really old. I have never in my life heard a high school student call another one “hun” especially a guy saying it to another guy. Very weird
October 12, 2017
I like the subject, just not the way it's written.
May 16, 2014
This is going to be a short review, I just wanted to say I have never seen such a selfish MC before. Everything was about him, if something went wrong it was always everyone else. He lied broke promises cheated and yet faced no repercussions.
Before the , I would have probably rated 3.5. But this was just beyond selfish once again taking the easy way out.
The pronouns were over-used. Every sentence either containing "The Jock" or "The Goth".
The author tried to villainize every characters except the MC's. This was perhaps to garner sympathy and make his action more acceptable. It came across as false.
Chase came across as caring and understanding working through his personal issues to be there for his friend. His and Damion interaction left me hating Damion, because even though Damion is in the wrong he turns it around to make Chase appear the guilty party.
I was hoping Chase became gay so the he and Dom could end up together. Damion doesn't deserve a HEA. This is the first time ever I actually wished a character succeeded in .
Well apparently after getting all my frustrations out the review wan't as short as I expected.
For readers who liked the blurb about a Jock and a social outcast coming together try "Social Skills" by Sara Alva.
Before the , I would have probably rated 3.5. But this was just beyond selfish once again taking the easy way out.
The pronouns were over-used. Every sentence either containing "The Jock" or "The Goth".
The author tried to villainize every characters except the MC's. This was perhaps to garner sympathy and make his action more acceptable. It came across as false.
Chase came across as caring and understanding working through his personal issues to be there for his friend. His and Damion interaction left me hating Damion, because even though Damion is in the wrong he turns it around to make Chase appear the guilty party.
I was hoping Chase became gay so the he and Dom could end up together. Damion doesn't deserve a HEA. This is the first time ever I actually wished a character succeeded in .
Well apparently after getting all my frustrations out the review wan't as short as I expected.
For readers who liked the blurb about a Jock and a social outcast coming together try "Social Skills" by Sara Alva.
November 20, 2012
I liked the core of the story, the relationship between the two main characters, the way Dom helped Damion with his issues and the way Damnion ultimately found the strenght not just in Dom but in himself too. But the book suffers of a few problems. The first and biggest one to me is that the author often uses "the jock" and especially "the goth" for the two main characters. I can deal with it a few times, but after a while it becomes very distracting.
The second problem was the point of view: the story is mostly told in alternate third person point of views of Damion and Dom, but sometimes the two POV shifts so quickly and repeatedly and confused me as to which one I was reading. Plus, there are some random parts that are told from the point of views of other characters.
The final problem is that I wasn't entirely happy with the way things were developed in the last part of the book. I think the story lost something there in terms of realism.
But overall, in spite of those problems, I did enjoy the book and I'm glad I read it.
The second problem was the point of view: the story is mostly told in alternate third person point of views of Damion and Dom, but sometimes the two POV shifts so quickly and repeatedly and confused me as to which one I was reading. Plus, there are some random parts that are told from the point of views of other characters.
The final problem is that I wasn't entirely happy with the way things were developed in the last part of the book. I think the story lost something there in terms of realism.
But overall, in spite of those problems, I did enjoy the book and I'm glad I read it.
January 26, 2013
Very disturbing but compelling and quite realistic portrayal of self-harm mental illness. Thisnbook demonstrates just how much harm parents, adults, peers and society affect the lives of our children. Sends a tacit message that society needs to address these issues conclusively. The coming ut, self ID as gay is accurate and shows a depth of understanding of the miriade concerns. Portrays courage and resolve in dealing with being gay...and so manyother issues.
Cant wait to see what is next from his auhor.
Cant wait to see what is next from his auhor.
September 8, 2012
I enjoyed this book, I think what I really liked the most was how the "Jocks" faith was handled and the conclusion that he came to about God and what he believed about being gay. I find that in many of the M/M books I read and "christians" are haters and the worst evil characters you will find, while in reality some are....some are not! Some are thoughtful people just trying to reconcile what they are taught to believe with what Jesus really said. Thanks to the author for making this point.
August 3, 2016
I really like this book. Even though I'm in a super depressed state of mind and books like this have the effect of also bringing me down, there are so many qualities that Dom and Damian possess, that I too possess. So I could relate to them. I know the reviews are all over with this book. I think it's one that may depend where a person is emotionally themselves. I couldn't put it down and I didn't want it to end.
April 23, 2016
Just too much!
First, I would have to agree with the person who wrote the review about the overuse of the word " goth" constantly. It was irritating and distracting. Second, I hate that Damion cheated on Dom (even if it was just the one time and out of hatred and self-loathing). At that point, the book became an epic failure to me, and I was completely turned off by everything that occurred afterwards.
First, I would have to agree with the person who wrote the review about the overuse of the word " goth" constantly. It was irritating and distracting. Second, I hate that Damion cheated on Dom (even if it was just the one time and out of hatred and self-loathing). At that point, the book became an epic failure to me, and I was completely turned off by everything that occurred afterwards.
did-not-finish
September 26, 2012DNF stopped at 73% ( pat myself on the back)... I'm totally pissed, this book could have worked, But they were so many things that just irked me the wrong way YEAH i got it Dom Sal is the JOCK and Damion Adrik is the GOTH, the freak. I'm not even sure why the author even bothered giving them names since it's hardly used..
January 30, 2013
Another GLBT novel about a trouble teen who finds support and love from an unexpected source. The stroy involves some graphic details regarding one characters difficulties with cutting, but in my opinion it was very eye opening and helped me to better understand why someone might be a cutter. This is probably not for everyone, but I found it very good.
June 27, 2013
One of the best coming of age stories I have ever read. The story of two young men, from different worlds who come together to conquer the trails and trepidations of small towns, smaller minds, and Love bigger than them both. It's a story telling how with love, even the darkest night's can be beat back in the bright rays of morning.
October 29, 2012
Agree with a few comments that this book was poorly edited. That said, it was a really great story. Not your ya novel with themes of cutting, drugs, and suicide. It was very emotional and I found myself engrossed despite the sometimes confusing dialogue.
September 24, 2013
Omg it was a great story. Yea there were a lot of sad stuff like how Damian's dad didn't care for him or how others cared for him. I really do like how Dom cares about him and would do anything to help him
May 25, 2015
loved it, really loved it. Sat up till the early hours and finished it. It was strong. Powerful. And all the emotions grip a person hard. The author has done a splendid job.
Sometimes I am so glad I didn't listen to the reviews.
Sometimes I am so glad I didn't listen to the reviews.
August 20, 2012
I like this book bit confusing sometimes
July 30, 2014
It was dark with self destructive MC's that are still in high school. Underage everything. This was a rough read( needs some editing), but I couldn't put it down. I'll look for more from this author.
September 17, 2014
Liked it. I got the feeling the author cleaned up the use of "the goth" and "the jock" by the time I read it. I only saw it on occasion.
November 27, 2014
A must read
This is truly a love story. Take the time to read this heartbreaking yet feel good story about true love.....
This is truly a love story. Take the time to read this heartbreaking yet feel good story about true love.....
Read
August 18, 2012This was a DNF for me, unfortunately.
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