Tuesday, May 14, 2013

Review: Don't Let Me Go by J.H.Trumble

Don't Let Me Go
Don't Let Me Go by J.H.Trumble
Some people spend their whole lives looking for the right partner. Nate Schaper found his in high school. In the eight months since their cautious flirting became a real, honest, tell-the-parents relationship, Nate and Adam have been inseparable. Even when local kids take their homophobia to brutal levels, Nate is undaunted. He and Adam are rock solid. Two parts of a whole. Yin and yang.
But when Adam graduates and takes an Off-Broadway job in New York—at Nate’s insistence—that certainty begins to flicker. Nate starts a blog to vent his frustrations and becomes the center of a school controversy, drawing ire and support in equal amounts. But it is the attention of a new boy who is looking for more than guidance that forces him to confront who and what he really wants.
J.H. Trumble’s debut, DON’T LET ME GO, is a witty, beautifully written novel that is both a sweet story of love and long-distance relationships, and a timely discourse about bullying, bigotry, and hate in high schools.
Check out my giveaway of this book HERE 

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Publishes in US: December 27th 2011 by Kensington Publishing Corporation
Genre: YA contemporary
Source: author for review
Series? No

Buy it:  Amazon  Barnes & Noble  IndieBound  BookDepository.com

Find J.H. online: site   twitter   facebook  blog

 
   This is an intense, emotional and gritty contemporary. I connected with Nate and felt his pain. 
    We see all sides to this relationship, the present and then different things in flashbacks throughout the book. We get to see the uncertainty, the flirting, an even that is traumatic for Nate, and pieces of Nate and Adam's healing as well as their happy times. 
    Nate is so vulnerable and brave all at the same time. You can clearly see the insecurities, but he also stands up for the injustices. I loved the T-shirt theme. He would wear something about gay pride and the teachers would make him repeatedly turn it inside out. Instead of stopping, he turned it into a "movement" at his school, where others would wear pride shirts or just wear inside out to support him.
   It really highlights the cruelty, ignorance and intolerance of some people. I do not miss high school and this shows me many reasons why. It was painful to read about what Nate and Adam went through, and had to deal with because of who they love. As a christian, I feel bad that there was people that opposed and was so cruel to Nate. I am really close with Jesus, and in no way do I think that he would have treated someone that way or stood for it. I have my own things that I do that is against what the bible speaks for or against, and I agree with what was said that they needed to get the planks out of their eye before trying to judge someone else. 
   Danial is a great secondary character, and I loved every scene he was in. He is a straight guy, but he has ties to the gay community. I really appreciate how he stood up for and was a true friend to Nate. His back story is so touching, and it moved me so much. 
   I was so conflicted about Luke. His mere presence put Nate in a weird place. He is a guy who is ready to come out, but worried about the ramifications, and very worried that his parents won't be supportive. Since Nate's dad didn't support it and he felt much the same way, Nate took him in and wanted to help him. 
   This story of first and powerful love isn't perfect though. There are big misunderstandings that get in Adam and Nate's way. There is evidence that Adam is not being the guy that we believe him to be... the evidence just is not pointing his way. And then Nate does some stupid things too that made me want to smack some sense into him. But at the end of the day (or book, however you want to look at it) I felt for these characters, and I cared what happened to them. I could see where their mistakes come from, and usually the heart is in the right place, just not fully realizing what the consequences can be and who it could hurt.
   This book should be for mature teens and up due to drugs, language and semi-descriptive sexual acts. Nothing is too gratuitous but still a bit more descriptive than most ya lit. 
   None of the above really bothered me though, it seemed realistic from a male pov.
   The ending is abrupt, but the epilogue gives more closure, and it is sweet.

Bottom Line: Hardcore emotional but beautifully written story about a gay boy learning to love and accept himself, and taking others along for the ride.

My question to you, my lovely readers:
Do you think you could encourage the person you love to leave the state to pursue their dream when you couldn't go with them?

29 comments:

  1. So wonderful to see such issues as same sex relationships homophobia being dealt with in this way. Sounds like a great read, thanks for recommending it.

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  2. This sounds like an awesome read! I love the emotional ones! Glad you enjoyed!

    Teresa @ Readers Live A Thousand Lives

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  3. Wow Brandi this sounds powerful and clearly well done..kudos to the author. Wonderful review..i think i will turn my t-shirt inside out.

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  4. Great review! I love this book. J.H. Trumble is a fantastic author. You should definitely read her second book, Where You Are. I think I love it even more than Don't Let Me Go if that's possible.

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  5. I've only seen this book around once or twice, and I'm already intrigued. While books that deal with tough issues aren't usually my thing, I have a feeling I'll enjoy this. I love how the author was able to make the story both powerful and emotional at the same time, too.

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  6. I must agree that I do not miss high school either. This sounds like a great emotional read. I would love to check this one out sometime. Awesome review!

    Janina @ Synchonized Reading

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  7. First time I am reading about this one. Glad you really liked it, really does sound like an emotional read. I don't miss high school either for those reasons lol

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  8. I love intense and emotional read, it's always so interesting to feel everything the characters feel. It's difficult for an author to succeed sometimes.

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  9. I am glad it was awesome for you

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  10. Oh this does sound like a good character book. I haven't really heard of it, but it looks like a contemp that I would read!

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  11. I have let someone go, so he could go to another country to pursue his dreams. In the end, it was the right thing to do, to answer your question.

    What a beautiful review, Brandi! I can't say anything more. It was just beautifully written and I hope you post it everywhere so the author an others can read it.

    Heather

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  12. Sounds quite heavy. It must be so hard for these young people who find themselves in this situation. And in answer to your question, I can't say for certain, but I'd like to think that I could when I knew it was in their best interests.

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  13. This definitely sounds gritty and emotional! I think it would be an honor to encourage the people I love to pursue their dreams even when I couldn't go with them. Thanks for sharing, Brandi!

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  14. Oh, I have been meaning to read this story for quote a while now! Anyone who's read it seems to be deeply affected by the story and characters.
    Great review, Brandi!

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  15. This sounds like a touching and intense story, Brandi! I totally agree, people need to get the planks out of their own eyes before judging someone else. Great review. :)

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  16. It's hard to read books describing hatred and prejudice - especially because it's all too real.
    I do have a tendency to roll my eyes though when any high schooler swears they've met their soul mate. It does happen, but far less often than people think they've found their soul mate only to change their mind in a year or so.

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  17. I have actually had this one on my wishlist for awhile. I think it would hit me hard emotionally. I had friends in school who were gay but it was something that was kept kind of quiet since it wasn't well accepted there.

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  18. I am a christian as well and I have a gay friend who's father is a preacher. I had to stage an intervention with his family to remind them that they love him and the ideals that they follow shouldn't keep them from continuing to love him. This story was probably very emotional and a tough rode for him. I really enjoyed the review and am glad that you loved the book. Jaclyn @ JC's Book Haven.

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  19. I like it when an author decides to tackle a difficult subject in a book and makes it really shine through. Don't Let Me Go sounds like a really emotional read and I'm glad it left such a great lasting impression with you Brandi!

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  20. This is a new one to me. I love emotional and gritty reads. Great review.

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  21. OMGosh - this sounds all angsty and wonderful. Great review Brandi!

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  22. Wow, this sounds so emotional and powerful! And I agree with what you had to say about Jesus!

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  23. This definitely sounds like an emotional read! Very powerful and wonderful!! Great review!!

    Magen Corrie
    ~Corrie the Book Crazed Girl

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  24. I do so adore gritty contemporaries, especially ones about first love and acceptance. This sounds like a wonderful story, and I'm glad you enjoyed it so much! I think I would definitely insist my bf leave the state if an opportunity came up that would change his life. I would hope he'd do the same for me, but I know it's very hard to continue a relationship long distance. Great review!

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  25. I think it's important to be able to let the person you love follow their dream no matter of the consequences. That seems like a tough subject and he made it very realistic. We should stop judging everyone else, we all have our flaws

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  26. This sounds amazing! I really want to read this one now.School Also yes I think I could. I've always told my boyfriend that he should always worry about himself first and not worry about how I'll deal with it, because I know I can. So if he wanted to go take a job in another state I'd encourage it. He encouraged me when I was thinking of going to college out-of-state.

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  27. I loved Don't Let Me Go as well! Nate and Adam's relationship wasn't perfect, but they really loved each other. But I agree, the ending was a little abrupt.
    Btw, have your read Where You Are (also by Trumble)? I LOVED that book :)

    Great review!

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