By the Creek a gay YA novel
Published by: Harmon Ink Press
Author: Geoff Laughton
Soon-to-be high school junior David Harper hates his family’s move to the country. There’s nothing to do, and he misses his friends in the city. But he doesn’t have a choice. His mother’s job is in Mason County now, so David and his mom are too, and he has to make the best of it.
At first, the only redeeming feature of David’s new home is the swimming hole across the field from his house. Then David meets Benjamin Killinger, and suddenly life stops being so dull.
Benjamin is Amish, and cooling off in the swimming hole is one of the few liberties he and his brothers enjoy. A friendship with an English boy is not—but that doesn’t stop him and David from getting to know each other, as long as it's on the neutral ground by the creek. After David risks his life to save Benjamin’s father, the boys’ friendship is tolerated, then accepted. But before long, Benjamin’s feelings for David grow beyond the platonic. Benjamin's family and the rest of the community will never allow a love like that, and a secret this big can’t stay secret forever….
When I first took this book for review I asked the author to tell me about the story. He said he wanted to write a YA novel with a gay storyline because there really aren't any available. I have to agree with him, atleast not where the entire story is based on the two young men. This isn't a sexy steamy M/M novel, this is a well written YA novel about young love, that love just happens to be between two young men.
David and Benjamin happen upon each other one afternoon at the swimming hole that lies between their properties. David has recently moved into his ancient country home with his mom, and Benjamin is a member of the Amish family that lives in a homestead across the road from David. The pair move at a steady pace starting with a friendship that is forbidden at first, then accepted due to David's actions, moving into something kind of like love. It's not an instant overnight love, and it's not a slow burn, it's pleasently steady and happens exactly when it's supposed to.
Benjamin is wildly curious about the outside world and David is more than happy to fill him in. The swimming hole becomes their sanctuary where innocent conversations lead to looks of longing and ultimately, that first kiss. It's during one of these afternoon frollicks when the boys are locked in a passionate embrace that Ben's father finds them. David is inconsolable as his mom and two best friends rally at his side. Will Ben come back to him, or will he ultimately choose to stay with his family.
Laughton has a way of conveying emotions from pen to paper that is really unique in books today. I was seriously drawn into David and Benjamin's reality, I grew with them, I fell in love with them, I cried with them.. it was Fabulous!
I was reminded of one of my favorite movies while reading this book, Latter Days. There is a line in By the Creek where Ben questions if the love that he and David share is a sin, David quickly tells him that to be loved and love someone could never be a sin. At the end of Latter Days Jacqueline Bisset's character has one of the best lines in any movie ever "So, your church forbids drinking and homosexuality. Well, forgive me for not joining, I can't imagine Heaven without both of them." That line is so perfectly, David and Ben!
I give this one 5/5. Well written. Characters have depth and realism. Overall an emotionally fabulous read!!
Laughton is offering up an ebook copy of By the Creek for one lucky winner.
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Soon-to-be high school junior David Harper hates his family’s move to the country. There’s nothing to do, and he misses his friends in the city. But he doesn’t have a choice. His mother’s job is in Mason County now, so David and his mom are too, and he has to make the best of it.
At first, the only redeeming feature of David’s new home is the swimming hole across the field from his house. Then David meets Benjamin Killinger, and suddenly life stops being so dull.
Benjamin is Amish, and cooling off in the swimming hole is one of the few liberties he and his brothers enjoy. A friendship with an English boy is not—but that doesn’t stop him and David from getting to know each other, as long as it's on the neutral ground by the creek. After David risks his life to save Benjamin’s father, the boys’ friendship is tolerated, then accepted. But before long, Benjamin’s feelings for David grow beyond the platonic. Benjamin's family and the rest of the community will never allow a love like that, and a secret this big can’t stay secret forever….
When I first took this book for review I asked the author to tell me about the story. He said he wanted to write a YA novel with a gay storyline because there really aren't any available. I have to agree with him, atleast not where the entire story is based on the two young men. This isn't a sexy steamy M/M novel, this is a well written YA novel about young love, that love just happens to be between two young men.
David and Benjamin happen upon each other one afternoon at the swimming hole that lies between their properties. David has recently moved into his ancient country home with his mom, and Benjamin is a member of the Amish family that lives in a homestead across the road from David. The pair move at a steady pace starting with a friendship that is forbidden at first, then accepted due to David's actions, moving into something kind of like love. It's not an instant overnight love, and it's not a slow burn, it's pleasently steady and happens exactly when it's supposed to.
Benjamin is wildly curious about the outside world and David is more than happy to fill him in. The swimming hole becomes their sanctuary where innocent conversations lead to looks of longing and ultimately, that first kiss. It's during one of these afternoon frollicks when the boys are locked in a passionate embrace that Ben's father finds them. David is inconsolable as his mom and two best friends rally at his side. Will Ben come back to him, or will he ultimately choose to stay with his family.
Laughton has a way of conveying emotions from pen to paper that is really unique in books today. I was seriously drawn into David and Benjamin's reality, I grew with them, I fell in love with them, I cried with them.. it was Fabulous!
I was reminded of one of my favorite movies while reading this book, Latter Days. There is a line in By the Creek where Ben questions if the love that he and David share is a sin, David quickly tells him that to be loved and love someone could never be a sin. At the end of Latter Days Jacqueline Bisset's character has one of the best lines in any movie ever "So, your church forbids drinking and homosexuality. Well, forgive me for not joining, I can't imagine Heaven without both of them." That line is so perfectly, David and Ben!
I give this one 5/5. Well written. Characters have depth and realism. Overall an emotionally fabulous read!!
Laughton is offering up an ebook copy of By the Creek for one lucky winner.
Tams
ReplyDeleteThank you for the amazing review. ***sniffles***
Well Deserved!
DeleteThanks for the review and giveaway! I have so been waiting for Geoff's debut!
ReplyDelete