Horn Book (Fri Aug 01 00:00:00 CDT 2014)

Everyone in art class knows that Jamie loves Mason...except Mason. Caught between a desire to profess his feelings and a need to preserve the boys' best-friendship, Jamie struggles to come to terms with his complicated emotions. Meanwhile, his art friends are determined to play matchmaker. An exploration of the boundaries (real and perceived) in friendships, this is a refreshing love story.

ALA Booklist (Sun Jun 01 00:00:00 CDT 2014)

Jamie is perfectly happy to stay closeted at school, particularly when it comes to his best friend, Mason. If Mason found out he was gay t alone probably in love with him mie is sure that Mason would never speak to him again. So Jamie focuses on editing his school's literary magazine, which is the perfect distraction til someone submits a short comic (included) about two boys falling in love, and the lit-mag staff are divided over the homosexual content. As Jamie becomes more embroiled in the controversy and closer to new friends in the Gay-Straight Alliance, he feels mounting pressure to come out and admit his true feelings for Mason. In a light and earnest first-person narrative, Jamie reveals his insecurities and the walls he constructs to protect himself, and it's gratifying to watch him gain confidence and choose to not hide anymore. Tregay handles homophobia gently, which, along with the happy ending and refreshingly supportive community, makes this a breezy romance with just enough light drama to keep its feet on the ground.

School Library Journal (Thu May 01 00:00:00 CDT 2014)

Gr 9 Up-Jamie has problems on top of problems. He's not out at school, he's just realized he's in love with his best friend, and everyone seems to know it. Will coming out and coming clean ruin not only the tail end of senior year, but the college future he's planned? This title provides gay teen readers with the sympathetic ache of romance that they may not find with run-of-the-mill heterosexual romantic fiction, and for that reason alone it should be included in collections that are trying to build their LGBQT content. However, as a novel on its own merits, this one falls flat. Outside of the central romantic longing, the relationships are poorly fleshed out and seem stilted and unrealistic. The main character's conflict around acceptance is strange considering all the concrete support demonstrated around him, especially juxtaposed with the challenges his closeted lesbian friend faces. The pacing and plotting are also odd, with events seeming to take place over months instead of days and then days instead of weeks. If a collection of YA LGBQT titles is well developed, there is no need for this uneven book. L. Lee Butler, Stoughton High School, MA

Voice of Youth Advocates

High school senior Jamie Peterson has fallen for his best friend. This is a common theme in young adult romance, except that Jamie has fallen for Masonhis best male friend. Jamie is not "out" at school, and though his supportive parents know his orientation, no one else does. Jamie is terrified that if Mason finds out he is gay, their friendship will be ruined, or at least changed irrevocably. The funky art-class girls see the truth about Jamie, though, and are determined to help him and Mason become a couple.This is a standard romance, save for the LGBT angle. The plot is predictable, but pleasant and humorous, with a few twists. The characters are likable, but not terribly original. The art class girls are full of passion and angst, the jocks are full of good-natured fun, and the antagonist is a pick-up-driving goon called "the Redneck." Jamie is an average nice guy, kind to his little sisters, embarrassed by his overly-supportive parents, and afraid of coming out. Mason is smart and handsome, with a complicated family life, including a mechanic father brimming with machismo. The two boys have a beautiful friendship, and it is understandable that Jamie is afraid to risk revealing his secret. This is a sweet, funny story that delves into the world of being a gay teenager, and all the extra complications, fears, and heartbreaks involved. Most collections need more LGBT titles, and this one is highly recommended.Heather Pittman.

Publishers Weekly (Fri Oct 06 00:00:00 CDT 2023)

A high school literary magazine becomes the vehicle for a number of awakenings in Tregay-s (Love and Leftovers) tender coming-of-age-and-coming-out story. Narrator Jamie has been open about his sexuality to his parents since ninth grade but, fearing rejection, he heads toward graduation still closeted from his best friend, Mason, with whom he is falling in love. Though Jamie isn-t the rebellious type, when the literary magazine-s board tries to avoid controversy by rejecting a lesbian student-s comic (illustrated by DeJesus and not seen by PW) depicting love between two boys, Jamie-s righteous indignation propels him to take unorthodox steps to address their prejudice. Poems by classmates, some anonymous, appear between chapters, providing poignant insight into supporting characters- inner lives. Suspense builds as Jamie-s fear blinds him to signals readers will likely discern. The school-s factions are refreshingly nuanced, not stereotyped; a lack of understanding does not equate with meanness. The fact that even with supportive adults, encouraging friends, and a gay-straight alliance, coming out can be a daunting prospect will make this story resonate with readers. Ages 13-up. Agent: Danielle Chiotti, Upstart Crow Literary. (June)