Daily Deals: An idealized HS world, a historical, and a friends to lovers
Boy Meets Boy by David Levithan. $ 1.99 AMZN | Kobo
From the Jacket Copy:
This is the story of Paul, a sophomore at a high school like no other: The cheerleaders ride Harleys, the homecoming queen used to be a guy named Daryl (she now prefers Infinite Darlene and is also the star quarterback), and the gay-straight alliance was formed to help the straight kids learn how to dance.
When Paul meets Noah, he thinks he’s found the one his heart is made for. Until he blows it. The school bookie says the odds are 12-to-1 against him getting Noah back, but Paul’s not giving up without playing his love really loud. His best friend Joni might be drifting away, his other best friend Tony might be dealing with ultra-religious parents, and his ex-boyfriend Kyle might not be going away anytime soon, but sometimes everything needs to fall apart before it can really fit together right.
This is a happy-meaningful romantic comedy about finding love, losing love, and doing what it takes to get love back in a crazy-wonderful world.
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Losing Control by Nina Croft. $ .99
From the Jacket Copy:
Four years after escaping her abusive ex-husband, Kim finally believes she’s in control of her life and her emotions and she’s determined to never risk either again with a man. She has a great home, a job as a security specialist which she loves, and Jake for a best friend. But things are a tad lonely in the sex department, so she decides to embark on a no-strings-affair with one of her hot co-workers. And who better to help her remember how to lure a man than her best friend?
Jake has wanted Kim from the moment he first saw her, but four years ago, she was too young and too damaged. So he kept her close and he kept her safe, offering her a job in his security company and the training to feel safe again, and he bided his time. But now, after the long wait, if she imagines he’s going to stand by while she seduces some other guy… Never going to happen.
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The Earl’s Desire by Alexia Praks. $ 2.99
From the Jacket Copy:
Worldly and influential, Merrick William Hasting, Earl of Huntingdon, is the catch of the season. It is expected of him to propose the belle of the ton. On his way to his country estate, Merrick saves a youth name Chris from being beaten to death and takes him to his grand home. Suddenly, Merrick begins to feel an undercurrent of emotions toward Chris, emotions he has lost since the mysterious death of his wife. Not to mention an attraction of the sexual type so powerful, he thinks he has gone mad. The desire is entirely unnatural and against God’s rule of nature, and he must at all cost annihilate his sinful craving.
Shy and loyal to her boot, Christine Smith is disguising herself as a lad in order to protect herself and her family. After Merrick has saved her and fostered her in his home, her devotion and love for him knows no bound. She, however, is very confused and hurt when he starts pushing her away after the arrival of his guests. She knows those vile, scheming beautiful women are competing for his hand in marriage, and she uses her wits and tricks to protect him. Trying to convince the stubborn man so, however, is very hard indeed, especially where his heart is concern.
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Beloved by Antoinette Stockenberg. $ .99.
From the Jacket Copy:
Fans of Nora Roberts, Barbara Freethy and Barbara Michaels will enjoy this humorous and suspenseful story by bestselling author Antoinette Stockenberg ….
A COTTAGE BY THE SEA: it’s a dream come true for Jane Drew. Too bad it comes with a ghost — and a seductive neighbor who’d like to boot Jane off the island.
The inheritance of a cottage on Nantucket Island might seem like a really Good Thing for an unemployed graphic designer. The fact that the house is ramshackle and possibly haunted? Mere details. But a series of eerie events soon has Jane convinced that the spirit of a beautiful Quaker is roaming the place, and it’s clear that it will take more than a smiling wave goodbye to make the spirit leave.
Mac McKenzie is descended from generations of hard-working islanders and has very clear opinions of uppity off-islanders. He has little patience for New Age types, moneyed types, and those for whom “antiquing” is a verb. He regards spaghetti as noodles, not pasta, and he drinks water from a tap, not a bottle. And he doesn’t believe in ghosts. Period. When he finds himself up against the insistent, persistent, infinitely irritating Jane Drew with her knack for complicating his life, he does what any self-respecting islander would and shrugs her off — for a while, anyway. But Mac understands, as Jane does not, that not every force is benign … and not every force is otherworldly.
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re Boy Meets Boy – if PW is calling it groundbreaking, they’ve never watched Glee, nor heard of alllllllllll the Glee fanfic.
I think Boy Meets Boy was ground breaking because it’s a gay YA that’s not about coming out or dealing with homophobia, etc – being gay isn’t a problem or a plot point, it’s accepted and not a big deal. (I say all this not having read the book but I remember some of the praise for it). That’s what separates it from Glee in my mind.
Also, Boy Meets Boy was published in 2003, long before Glee was on the ground.
I’ve read quite a few of Stockenberg’s books and I can’t recall them being humorous either. Must have a really light touch.
Levithan’s Two Boys Kissing and Every Day are also on sale for $1.99.
Boy Meets Boy was in a world where for the most part the cross-dressing and homosexuality are accepted. However, there was a character who was having problems with his parents. And heterosexual relationships were also explored.