Thank you Newsouth Books for this book in exchange for an honest review
Synopsis:
“It started with a kiss…as love stories often do. Jesse Andrews had the arms of a Greek god and he was on the track team. The night of our kiss fell on a Friday.”
Then, only a few days later, Fin’s world is turned upside down – and not in a good head-over-heels-in-love way – when Jesse cruelly outs him. An event which ultimately leads to his family leaving town.
But a fresh start isn’t going to change the truth of who Fin is. And it’s not going to stop his sexuality causing everyone all sorts of problems. Everyone, that is, apart from his new best friend Poppy, her girlfriend-in-waiting June, and his new crush Rye… So, while Fin and Rye are enjoying some seriously intimate moonlit moments together, Fin’s parents decide to pack him off to the local ReSouled ‘therapy camp’.
It’s a nightmare – and there’s no easy way out. Can Fin’s squad hatch a plan outrageous enough to spring him before the ‘conversion’ acolytes force him into the straight and narrow?
Review:
This is the kind of book that will smash you in the heart and leave you breathless.
I honestly struggled after this book, because at this moment in my life, it really resinated with me.
You meet Fin, who has found himself outed by his male crush and vocal about his narrow mindset and views. Poor Fin not only get rejected but his shame filled father decides its in the family’s best interest to pack up and flee town and hide the shame of having a gay son. But no matter where they live, Fin faces the brutal opinions and threats of his homophobic father.
You can’t help but feel sorry for Fin, you legit want to rescue him from his family, but you want to protect him from any harm. Not only in this story something that is definitely real but it is real life for many young beautiful lives, so having this book as something to relate to is HIGHLY important! Not only that it shows that sometimes your family isn’t that of blood but who you hold in value in your life, and those that accept you no matter what. What I love is the support system that is around Fin, that accept him for who it is and help him in any way that they can.
Honestly this is the book that 2020 needs, a little light in the darkness. Not only is this book eye opening but it is needed. Cook has a way of bringing these stories to life, making it real for the readers and literally tearing at all our heart strings.
If this book isn’t in your TBR, then maybe it should be!
Rating: 4/5
Publisher: Ink Road
ISBN: 9781785302473