Book Reviews

Book Blurb

Truman Reid is Summitville High’s most out-and-proud senior. He can’t wait to take his fierce, uncompromising self away from his small Ohio River hometown, where he’s suffered more than his share of bullying. He’s looking forward to bright lights and a big city. Maybe he’ll be the first ever genderfluid star to win an Academy Award. But all that changes on the first day of school when he locks eyes with the most gorgeous hunk he’s ever seen.

Mike Stewart, big, dark-haired, and with the most amazing blue eyes, is new to town. He’s quiet, manly, and has the sexy air of a lost soul. It’s almost love at first sight for Truman. He thinks that love could deepen when Mike becomes part of the stage crew for Harvey, the senior class play Truman’s directing. But is Mike even gay? And how will it work when Truman’s mother is falling for Mike’s dad?

Plus Truman, never the norm, makes a daring and controversial choice for the production that has the whole town up in arms.

See how it all plays out on a stage of love, laughter, tears, and sticking up for one’s essential self…

 

 

First edition published by Dreamspinner Press, November 2018.

 

Book Review

Featuring the same almost-idyllic setting – the fictional small town of Summitville, Ohio – as the first book in this series, this novel tells the story of one of my favorite characters of that first volume. In fact, I thought Truman was the third main character in Seth and Dane’s story and I am so happy to get to read the continuation of his story. Truman is now a senior, an out and proud genderfluid person, and fiercely determined to make it in the world as soon as he graduates. But Fate has a different idea and it means that Truman, and those who support him, do not have an easy time of it. I was fascinated by Truman’s story, loved seeing Seth and Dane again, and admire the way that Rick R. Reed manages to weave the themes of personal growth, self-acceptance, and the difficulty of finding love into a wonderful tale.

Truman has come a long way since he was fourteen and struggled with who he is and how to live in a world that sees gender as binary. He is determined to become an actor, and Seth (who teaches drama and English) has been a real help already. Truman is so certain that he will leave at the end of this school year that the effect of meeting Mike, and everything that implies, totally blindsides him.

Mike is the new guy in school, tall and strong and very quiet, and quickly becomes part of the stage crew in charge of making the school play come to life. Truman falls for him almost as soon as they meet, but he has no clue if Mike is gay and might be interested. Their initial interactions are tentative and full of potential for at least friendship, and when Truman’s mother and Mike’s father (both single) hit it off, there are many more opportunities for Truman and Mike to meet and figure things out.

Truman and Mike have a few obstacles to overcome and face quite a bumpy road. Mike is hesitant to admit who he really is, takes a few missteps in his relationship with Truman, and almost damages what they have beyond repair. Truman remains true to himself, but has to learn that his demanding the truth all the time does not work for everyone. Patience and empathy don’t come naturally to everyone, but this story shows that people can learn.

If you like young men who struggle with who they are and who they want to become, if personal and emotional growth are your thing, and if you’re looking for a read that covers serious issues, is very realistic, and utterly touching, then you will probably like this novel as much as I do. Its powerful message of the importance of love, hope, and honesty moved me deeply, and I recommend this book to anyone who appreciates complex and intense stories.

 

 

 

 

DISCLAIMER: Books reviewed on this site were usually provided at no cost by the publisher or author. This book has been provided by the publisher for the purpose of a review.

Additional Information

Format	ebook and print
Length	Novel, 210 pages/60100 words
Heat Level
Publication Date	15-June-2020
Price	$5.99 ebook, $7.99 paperback
Buy Link	https://ninestarpress.com/product/bigger-love/