Book Reviews

Book Blurb

Chris Bishop has everything a high school senior could want—a loving family, a perfect girlfriend, and a bright, shining future. At his dad’s suggestion, he spends a summer working at a law firm to gain experience, but he never bargained on meeting Josh. Josh is handsome and green-eyed and just what Chris doesn’t want—or does he? Some things Chris has admitted only to his digital diary, but by the time prom comes around, he needs to make a decision: risk the pain of honesty about himself and his feelings for Josh, or play it safe and lose what matters most.

 

Book Review

Sometimes risking everything is worth it. But knowing when that's the case, which "something" is the one to go for, is not as easy as it may seem. Chris works hard and has an easy life, but he discovers a few truths during his last year in high school, and they shake things up. Now, on the afternoon and evening before his prom, he is trying to come to grips with all of it, and the method he uses is fascinating. He speaks his story into a digital recorder, his "diary", to make sure he remembers it before taking the next step. His final rite before truly becoming a man, it is supposed to bring him closure and help him look forward.

Chris knows he is gay, but he's never admitted it out loud. He has a boyfriend, and hasn’t really been hiding the fact he does, so he understands the truth. Yet, saying it out loud has so far eluded him. Speaking it into the recording device makes it easier for him, and it gave me hope that he'll find the courage to say it to his family and friends next.

Josh is a great guy, and while we only get to see him through Chris's eyes, he emerges as a pretty amazing friend and lover. He's only a year older than Chris, but I got the feeling he's been out longer than that, and it wasn't at all an easy process for him. He lives in the dorms and never talks about his family, so there will be things to deal with in the sequel, I am sure. But the way he supports Chris made this a very sweet story indeed.

It's a pretty unique way of telling a story, and I have to say it really grew on me. Chris's emotions are so raw, even though everything he talks about is in the past. But as he reflects on them, he brings them back not only for himself but for me to see and understand what was going on in his head. And the ending of the story, as he walks downstairs to meet his date for the evening, is just perfect!

If you like sweet stories that make you smile as much as they make you think, if you enjoy reading about fresh realizations of deep truths and how a young man might deal with coming out to himself, and if you're looking for a book that will touch your heart and move you deeply, then you definitely need to read this novella. I adored it and cannot wait for the next installment. 

 

 

 

 

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

Additional Information

Format	ebook
Length	Novella, 90 pages/21350 words
Heat Level
Publication Date	08-May-2013
Price	$3.99 ebook
Buy Link	https://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/books/dear-diary-by-allison-cassatta-303-b