Captures all the best and most terrifying parts of loving both yourself and others, masterfully balancing a dreamy romance with the raw honesty it takes to sustain it. This book is a true delight.” —Dahlia Adler, author of Cool for the Summer
“Steven Salvatore writes complicated love stories with such sincerity, thoughtfulness, and emotional resonance. My heart didn't stand a chance-I loved it from once upon a time all the way to its joyfully complex ever after.” —Becky Albertalli, New York Times bestselling author of Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda
“I devoured this novel. . . . Compulsively readable, unapologetically human, and refreshingly original, this is a modern gay fairy tale that will turn even the most jaded reader into a hopeless romantic.” —Nicolas DiDomizio, author of Burn It All Down
“Reading And They Lived was like a jolt of lightning to my soul. The characters are so bright, the emotion is so vibrant, and the love is exquisitely electric. Chase's story is a reminder to all of us that we're deserving of love from ourselves and others, and-even through the hardships-to enjoy the journey and live.” —Jason June, author of Jay's Gay Agenda
“Sincerely funny and heart-achingly real. . . .Salvatore delivers the memorable queer fairy tale readers are craving!” —Julian Winters, award-winning author of Running With Lions
“Salvatore has done a superb job of dealing with a dramatic complexity of issues while creating equally complex, highly empathic characters. Readers will urgently root for a happily ever after.” —Booklist, starred review
“Taking on coming out, the challenges of art-making, the importance of mentors who get where one is coming from, and the joys and terrors of romance, Salvatore sweeps readers off their feet.” —Publishers Weekly, starred review
“A sex-positive, LGBTQIA+ romp through an artist's freshman year of college, with quick, witty dialogue and sure pacing that makes it a perfect crossover title for older teens and college students in the vein of Rainbow Rowell's Fangirl and Margot Wood's Fresh.” —School Library Journal
“[Chase's] growth, supported by queer mentors and friends, provides affirming representation of questioning and nonlinear healing . . . A dramatic and refreshing storm of emotion.” —Kirkus Reviews
“This charming, joyful story-about self-love, fighting for what's right, and the love to be found in chosen family-will make you want to put on a pair of red heels and blast Mariah Carey.” —Booklist, starred review, on Can't Take That Away
02/01/2022
Gr 10 Up— After his gay stop-motion videos of Disney characters went viral during his senior year of high school, Chase, a queer nonbinary artist, is living his happily ever after as he starts freshman year in a prestigious animation program. But the reality of figuring out his gender identity, dealing with family trauma, fighting a bitter rivalry with a former best friend, and beginning a secret romance that has him questioning his self-worth is hardly the stuff of fairy tales. This novel is complicated, full of messy, flawed humans discovering themselves, their art, and how they want to live as brand new adults. Salvatore handles Chase's body dysmorphia and eating disorder recovery with sensitive realism, acknowledging how it affects every aspect of his life, without letting the disorder become his defining characteristic. Chase and most of the main characters are white, with some diversity in secondary characters. VERDICT A sex-positive, LGBTQIA+ romp through an artist's freshman year of college, with quick, witty dialogue and sure pacing that makes it a perfect crossover title for older teens and college students in the vein of Rainbow Rowell's Fangirl and Margot Wood's Fresh.—Molly Saunders
2021-12-15
Once upon a time, on the college campus of his dreams, a freshman embarked upon a quest for love and self-discovery while striving to attain his life goal of becoming a successful animator.
Like lightning, first love strikes when Chase, a fat, queer animation major, meets aspiring writer Jack at a party before the first day of classes. Charming, Captain America–handsome Jack might not even be gay as far as Chase knows, but when they’re together, Chase feels seen. Their electric connection inspires Chase to write his own fairy tale for his advanced animation seminar’s short film showcase. The winner will receive an all-expenses-paid trip to Los Angeles to be mentored by their famous director professor. After having lost out on a desperately needed scholarship to Leila, his wealthy, dream-stealing, ex–best friend, earning the showcase prize would help make up for all the loans his single mom took out to send him to college. Amid the pressures of the competition and tension with Jack, Chase grapples with body dysmorphia, how to label his gender identity, and the fallout of his toxic relationship with Leila. His growth, supported by queer mentors and friends, provides affirming representation of questioning and nonlinear healing. Frank, vivid sex scenes model consent, informed safety, and honest conversations about intimacy. Chase and Jack are White; the supporting cast is racially diverse. A satisfying resolution delivers a nuanced reimagining of happily-ever-after.
A dramatic and refreshing storm of emotion. (author's note) (Romance. 15-adult)