Java Girl's review posted at Guilty Pleasures Book Reviews 
 I graduated high school in a small town, in the early 80s, and this book really took me back to that place and time. Ms. Sexton captured the social hierarchy and cliques of a small town in the 1980s, as well as the prevailing attitudes of the time. It's easy for us to forget how hard and dangerous life was (and still is for many in the GLBT community) for those who were perceived as different. The available information about and advances in the treatment of AIDS/HIV has alleviated much of the initial fear and panic, but those of us who came of age in the 80s remember those days. She perfectly conveys a full range of emotions-- despair, pain, loneliness, fear, confusion, shame, anger, love, and hope. She tells a great story, full of emotion, without being overly sentimental or too sweet. She doesn't preach-- she simply tells a beautiful story that pulls you into the thoughts, hopes, dreams, and fears of these two young men. I couldn't help but become emotionally attached to both Nate and Cod; they could have been friends of mine. I just wanted to hug them both and tell them it gets better. 
 I enjoyed immensely going inside the heads of both Cody and Nate, two young men from very different backgrounds. Both were dealing with more than their share of challenges and issues. Cody's compassion, loyalty, and work ethic, coupled with his loneliness and rather dire family situation made him a very sympathetic character. It would have been easy for his character to become a stereotype or caricature of the poor kid from the wrong side of the tracks, but he never felt anything other than authentic and genuine to me. Nate's family, financial, and social situation were very different from Cody's, but his struggles to adjust to a new life in a new town, and his self-discovery were very believable. I was completely enthralled by their story, and although I couldn't wait to see how and where they would end up, I truly didn't want this book to end. 
 Review copy provided for an honest review.