Monday, June 16, 2014

Review: Fan Art by Sarah Tregay

Fan Art
 Fan Art by Sarah Tregay
When the picture tells the story…
Senior year is almost over, and Jamie Peterson has a big problem. Not college—that’s all set. Not prom—he’ll find a date somehow. No, it’s the worst problem of all: he’s fallen for his best friend.
As much as Jamie tries to keep it under wraps, everyone seems to know where his affections lie, and the giggling girls in art class are determined to help Jamie get together with Mason. But Jamie isn’t sure if that’s what he wants—because as much as Jamie would like to come clean to Mason, what if the truth ruins everything? What if there are no more road trips, taco dinners, or movie nights? Does he dare risk a childhood friendship for romance?
This book is about what happens when a picture reveals what we can’t say, when art is truer than life, and how falling in love is easy, except when it’s not. Fan Art explores the joys and pains of friendship, of pressing boundaries, and how facing our worst fears can sometimes lead us to what we want most.
Publishes in US: June 17th 2014 by Katherine Tegen Books
Genre: Contemp
Source: Harper Teen via Edelweiss
Series? no

Buy it: Buy Books by Sarah Tregay at IndieboundBuy Books by Sarah Tregay at AmazonBuy Books by Sarah Tregay at Barnes and NobleBuy Books by Sarah Tregay  at Books A Million

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    I wanted to read this one because it sounded like a perfect discovering yourself story. The idea of having a crush on your best friend is such a universal concept, and I have read about it and enjoyed it but never with a gay guy crushing on seemingly straight best friend. I have read it both ways, where it turns into a romance or where another love interest was introduced and I was wondering where this story would take it. 

    Jaime and Mason as best friends worked so well. They are comfortable with each other, go to school together, and have been friends and part of each other's lives for quite some time. 

    Another aspect that I enjoyed was the family togetherness from Jaime. He is so sweet and patient with his younger twin sisters, and is thoughtful of his mom. He helps with the girls, and he also has an open and honest relationship with her. He came out to her and she luckily was very accepting and she gets to the point of bordering on annoying how in tune she wants to be about Jaime's love life. 

   The art class, where his friends there are fun to read about. The girls seem to know about his preference and try to help him out and set him up. He ends up asking one to the prom and they have an interesting time because she is a lesbian but her parents aren't supportive so they put on quite the show. 

    The magazine, his friendship and cover up with Eden, the prom and senior pranks all make this story even more real and full. It has characters who are openly gay, supportive and then the complete opposite and against homosexuals. But it is more open than my high school was, but that was also years ago that I was in school. 
  
    I kept going back and forth if Mason knew anything about how Jamie felt or if he was completely oblivious and I think that totally added to the suspense and build up of the story. The ending worked wonderfully because of this as well. It was hard to read at times, but so glad that I got to see Jamie begin to accept himself and trying to be okay regardless of what Mason's orientation was. I could understand why he was so afraid to tell him, and I can't imagine what pressure was on his shoulders. 
  
    While it had a great message, in some ways to me it was a feel good read. It was quick, I liked the growth in Jamie and the build up, friendships and family relations both positive and negative all drove this character driven story. The pacing was great and it felt like I flew through it. 
    

Bottom Line: Fast read that made me feel good.

My question to you, my lovely readers:
Did you go to the prom?
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18 comments:

  1. I really like the sounds of this one, and I have a copy and hope to get to it soon. Great review, I am glad that you enjoyed it.

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  2. This book sounds wonderful! I'm going to add it to my reading list!

    Karen @ For What It's Worth

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  3. kirstymariejonesstudioreadsJune 16, 2014 at 10:19 AM

    Glad you enjoyed it, I've read a few reviews that didn't, so it's nice to see a different positive opinion. Schools are a lot more open now than they used to be, I mean, it's still an issue but there's a difference between issue and homophobia. My best friend's gay, and she liked one of our teachers and once everyone found out, they teased her, but it wasn't like bad teasing or anything. Just teasing you'd tease anyone for having a crush on a teacher, you know? I think today, people have more issues with their own sexuality than others'.

    And nope, I didn't go to prom, mainly because I had a 10 hour Art exam over two days and I had my hands in cold water and plaster all day so by the end of the first day I caught a bad head cold. :(

    Kirsty @ StudioReads

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  4. So intrigued by this and I love that the family is a permanent thing in this novel. Heh, I love the sound of that art class and Jamie's friends there :) Really, Brandi! Your review makes me all kinds of excited. I'm so happy that you enjoyed this one! And nope, we don't have proms here in Estonia, but I did go to a few mask balls in HS :)

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  5. Andrea @The Bookish BabeJune 16, 2014 at 11:33 AM

    I read another of Tregay's books, Love and Leftovers, and I loved it. Great story and written in prose. I'm assuming this isn't in prose?
    Glad you enjoyed!

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  6. LOVED this book! So glad you enjoyed it too. Loved the characters and the romance. I thought it was so perfect!

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  7. I've not read many reviews on this book, but I have seen the cover around a lot. This sounds like a pretty interesting even though I don't read many books likes. I think it something that I could possibly check out at some point. Great review!

    Janina @ Synchronized Reading

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  8. Ooh this seems so interesting! I want to read it, just to see how the transition (if it happens) from best friend to romance happens, seeing as there are so many people who end up going through this awkward transition themselves! I have never been to a real prom yet, because of age xD But I have been to Junior Prom, although I missed this years because I was traveling xD

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  9. My co-blogger has read this one and loved it too. It tells me all I need to know about the book so I really hope to read it soon. Great review, Brandi :)

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  10. I love when a book has you unsure, is quick and ultimately makes you feel good. Wonderful review Brandi!

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  11. Oh this sounds like a great summer read! I need to read this one! I love feel good stories and romances!


    Yes, went all three years of high school (I'm so old high school was 10th-12th). I was a server during 10th grade. It was the best year. Did you go?

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  12. I agree with Heather, great summer read for teens and I love how diverse this book sounds and it seems to really have captured the heart of a coming of age story.

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  13. So glad you enjoyed this one. It seems wonderful having the different dynamics like it covers most bases. I went to Junior prom, but not senior. It was with a guy that I had dumped a week prior to and I had the flu so was not very fun!

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  14. Glad you liked this; I do want to read it!

    lauren
    www.shootingstarsmag.blogspot.com

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  15. This sounds like such a fun and cute read! I’m really glad that you
    liked it and enjoys the MC’s journey throughout the book. I am so
    looking forward to reading this! Thanks for the review!

    Precious @ Fragments of Life

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  16. Oh it's nice to see you had a good time with this one. I'm intrigued it sounds and looks so cute!

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  17. Melissa (Books and Things)July 17, 2014 at 2:35 PM

    Sounds like a good growth story. I do enjoy those. Will have to check this one out.

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