Starred Review The story sounds simple: two college-age boys n, a football player, and brainy Ronny, his tutor adually fall in love. Their emerging relationship is sometimes tempestuous, though, leaving the anxious reader to wonder if it will endure. Simple, no? No, not at all, for the book is as complex as the human heart. Grimsley has an almost magical gift for evoking empathy in his readers, creating characters that they'll fall in love with and care desperately for. The writing that brings these young men to life is fresh and often beautiful, and the 1977 University of North Carolina setting is brilliantly realized ("forsythia, the spring's yellow telegram," "air drunk with pollen," "self-important as a city of bankers"). How Grimsley does this is the stuff of a thesis; suffice it here to say that part of it is his gift for finding telling details, insights, and closely observed moments, making every sentence a revelation. T. S. Eliot once observed that one of the three permanent reasons for reading is the enjoyment of art: here, in this wonderfully artful novel, is proof positive of it.

In 1977 North Carolina, a gay college student ruminates on identity, desire, and loss through a tumultuous relationship.Abandoned by his mother right before spring semester exams, college junior Ronny finds a room last minute in a boardinghouse and a part-time newspaper job for the summer so he can stay in Chapel Hill. In contrast to his mother's many marriages, Ronny has never had a boyfriend, and he knows his unstable connection, with Ben, the football player he tutors, won't last. Ben may like him when they're alone, but Ronny knows he'll leave him behind to marry one of his many girlfriends someday. Despite his jealousy and Ben's manipulation and emotional abuse, Ronny becomes entangled in Ben's life as Ben struggles with the imminent loss of his mother, who is dying of cancer. A nonlinear narrative progression emphasizes the on-and-off cycle of Ronny's relationship with Ben. It also draws attention to Ronny's lack of growth as he falls into the same patterns from the beginning to the unfulfilling end. Although Ronny acknowledges his need for growth, particularly around his internalized homophobia, he never changes and even intentionally imperils another gay man to provoke Ben. Ben may never harm Ronny physically, but he threatens and demeans him. Characters excuse Ben's behavior as immaturity, a personality quirk, or grief. Well-constructed prose can't redeem the draining co-dependence in this emerging adulthood romance that may hold more appeal for adult readers. Ronny and Ben are cued as White.Tiresome and moody. (author's note) (Historical fiction. 17-adult)

Achingly heartfelt, Grimsely’s (Dream Boy) gay campus romance, set in 1977 Chapel Hill, sees English and journalism student Ronny Mallory, who works at a local newspaper to make ends meet, falling for dimpled football player Ben Nickelsen, whom Ronny tutors. The cued-white students’ attraction is mutual, even if Ben—who has a girlfriend—initially seems to be spending time with Ronny for sex and emotional support (“You settle me down a little,” Ben admits). Despite Ben’s abuses (including homophobic slurs), the young men grow closer, with Ronny helping Ben through his mother’s cancer treatments—until Ben’s disappearance sends Ronny into an emotional tailspin. If and how the lovers might end up together forms the narrative tension amid jealousy, deep hurts, and emotional and physical intimacy. Though incidents of emotional abuse go uncontextualized, Grimsely excels at creating mood and strong emotions, from the goings-on at Ronny’s boardinghouse, whose proprietor experiences ill health, to palpable feelings of longing and grief. Ages 16–up. Agent: Melanie Jackson, Melanie Jackson Agency. (May)