Blending Past and Present: A Review of the Upcoming Book 'Right Beside You' by By Tucker Shaw

Life often surprises us with unexpected turns, and Tucker Shaw's latest novel, "Right Beside You," captures this beautifully. This title is slated to be published by Henry Holt Books on April 29, 2025, this engaging and heartfelt story takes readers on a journey through time and emotions, blending queer romance and coming-of-age themes.

In "Right Beside You," we follow Eddie, a recent high school graduate from a small Colorado town. Feeling lost and disconnected, Eddie seizes the chance to care for his great aunt Cookie in New York City. Little does he know, this opportunity will change his life forever.

Cookie's tiny Greenwich Village apartment becomes Eddie's new home, and she gives him a vintage Polaroid camera to capture her favorite places. But there's a twist—this camera transports Eddie back in time to the underground queer life of the Roaring 20s. Amidst this historical adventure, Eddie encounters Francis, a dangerously handsome boy who captivates him.

As Eddie's feelings for Francis grow, he also meets Theo, a charming baker in present-day New York. Torn between the enchanting past and the promising present, Eddie must decide where his heart truly belongs. Will he chase his romantic fantasies of the past or embrace a reality that may hold everything he's ever wanted?

"Right Beside You" is a perfect blend of humor, romance, and heartfelt moments. It resonates deeply with fans of "Last Night at the Telegraph Club" and Adam Silvera's works. Tucker Shaw's engaging writing style and rich character development make this novel a must-read.

Tucker Shaw is no stranger to literary acclaim. His previous novel, "When You Call My Name," released on May 3, 2022, received high praise and was selected as a CBC Young Adult, Teacher & Librarian Favorites 9th - 12th Grade Selection, a Rainbow Book List Top Ten Title for Teen Readers, a School Library Journal Best Books of 2022 Selection, and a Buzzfeed New LGBTQA+ YA Novels You Need This Spring Selection. "Right Beside You" promises to capture readers' hearts just as profoundly.
If you're searching for a book that combines speculative fiction with queer romance and coming-of-age themes, "Right Beside You" is a fantastic choice. Tucker Shaw's ability to weave humor and heart into every page ensures that readers will be hooked from start to finish.

I was fortunate to receive early access to this book from the publishers, Henry Holt and Co, Georg von Holtzbrinck Publishing Group, Macmillan Publishers via Edelweiss.plus, and I want to extend my heartfelt thanks to them and the author, Tucker Shaw, for the opportunity to not only review but enjoy this wonderful story.

Thank you for joining me on this journey. Your thoughts, feedback, and stories are not just welcome but eagerly awaited. Each comment adds a unique color to this vibrant tapestry we're weaving together. And if you feel inspired to show a bit of extra support, know that your contributions—be they in words, gestures, or other forms—are deeply appreciated. Until next time, keep the curiosity burning and the kindness flowing.

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My Book Review of Nightmare Before Kissmas by Sara Raasch

The Nightmare Before Kissmas American Cover

I finished this book last night and have been so excited to write this review since chapter three. It will be released October 8, 2024...just 5 days away from the time I post this. I honestly had a hard time putting it down. If you’re looking for a holiday read that perfectly blends the spooky vibes of Halloween with the festive cheer of Christmas, Nightmare Before Kissmas by Sara Raasch is your go-to book. This quirky rom-com introduces us to Nicholas “Coal” Claus, the Prince of Christmas, and Hex, the Prince of Halloween. Their worlds collide in the most delightful way, creating a story that’s both heartwarming and hilariously chaotic. Raasch’s writing is engaging and witty, making it hard to put the book down once you start.

Hex, the Prince of Halloween

One of the standout aspects of this book is the character development. Coal and Hex are not just charming leads; they have depth and personality that make their romance believable and endearing. Coal’s golden-hearted nature contrasts beautifully with Hex’s more rebellious spirit, and their chemistry is off the charts. The supporting characters also add a lot of flavor to the story, making the world feel rich and vibrant.

Coal, the Prince of Christmas

Raasch does a fantastic job of balancing humor and emotion. There are plenty of laugh-out-loud moments, especially when the cultural quirks of Christmas and Halloween clash. But the book also touches on deeper themes, like the commercialization of holidays and the importance of staying true to oneself. It’s a fun read that also makes you think, which is a rare and delightful combination.

Overall, Nightmare Before Kissmas is a must-read for fans of holiday romances and paranormal comedies. It’s a fresh take on the holiday genre that will leave you smiling long after you’ve turned the last page. Whether you’re a fan of Christmas, Halloween, or just a good love story, this book has something for everyone. So grab a cup of hot cocoa, curl up by the fire, and dive into this enchanting tale!

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Date Me Bryson Keller by Kevin van Whye Book Review

Date Me Bryson Keller by Kevin van Whye

Date Me Bryson Keller North American cover

This YA romance was absolutely adorable, featuring a coming-out storyline that felt genuinely realistic, especially in regions of the US and the world where conservative religion still holds sway. I appreciated how Kai and Bryson were portrayed as real teenagers rather than exaggerated stereotypes. Their relationship reminds me a little bit of one I had with a classmate throughout middle and high school though our ending was nothing like Kai and Bryson. Often in YA novels, characters quote unlikely things or have peculiar hobbies that stretch believability. However, Kai’s aspirations to be a writer, his love for a band, his daily school drives with friends, and his struggle to keep his sexuality a secret all felt authentic and relatable. The romance between Kai and Bryson was incredibly sweet, showcasing some of the best chemistry I’ve encountered in a gay YA novel in a long time!

Date Me Bryson Keller UK Edition Cover

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Some of the blurbs from various authors and booksellers include:

"One of the most adorable, big-hearted, charming books in existence." --Becky Albertalli, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda

"I can't tell you how much joy [Date Me, Bryson Keller] brought me. One of the most adorable, big-hearted, charming books in existence." —Becky Albertalli, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda

“[A] fantastic love story. . . . Uplifting.” —BuzzFeed

"A poignant, cute queer love story that showers teens with support and shows that the hate will never win as long as we stick together." —The Nerd Daily

“An adorable featherlight romance.” —The Guardian

"A fun, feel-good story that shows the importance of having a strong support system, that love is love, and that everyone deserves to love and be loved." —School Library Journal

"This #ownvoices debut is scrupulously romantic. . . . A solid blend of swoon-worthy moments and minor injustices." —Kirkus Reviews

"[Kevin van Whye] writes a coming-out story with authority and empathy. . . . The execution is appealing, and readers, too, will want to date Bryson." —Booklist

"Debut author van Whye uses the dare to set up a book filled with good-natured sweetness." —Publishers Weekly

"A sweet romance and exploration of the ways we can accidentally fall in love. Adorable and authentic." —L. C. Rosen, author of Jack of Hearts (and Other Parts) and Camp

The basic storyline for those who love spoilers would be:

What If It's Us meets To All the Boys I've Loved Before in this upbeat and heartfelt boy-meets-boy romance that feels like a modern twist on a '90s rom-com! 

Everyone knows about the dare: Each week, Bryson Keller must date someone new--the first person to ask him out on Monday morning. 

But Kai Sheridan never expected Bryson to say yes to him. As the days go by, he discovers there's more to Bryson beneath the surface, and dating him begins to feel less like an act and more like the real thing. Kai knows how the story of a gay boy liking someone straight ends. With his heart on the line, he's awkwardly trying to navigate senior year at school, at home, and in the closet, all while grappling with the fact that this "relationship" will last only five days. After all, Bryson Keller is popular, good-looking, and straight . . . right?

Drawing on his own experiences, Kevin van Whye delivers an uplifting and poignant coming-out love story. Readers will root for Kai and Bryson to share their hearts with the world--and with each other.

About the Author: Kevin van Whye is a writer born and raised in South Africa, where his love for storytelling started at a young age. At four years old, he quit preschool because his teacher couldn't tell a story. Kevin's love affair with stories led him to film school to study script writing. Date Me, Bryson Keller is his first novel. Kevin currently lives in Johannesburg, and when he's not reading, he's writing stories that give his characters the happy rom-com endings they deserve. Find him at kevinvanwhye.com and on Instagram.

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The Darkness Outside Us Eliot Schrefer Book Review

The Darkness Outside Us by Eliot Schrefer

The Darkness Outside Us Cover Art

Hardcover Released June 1, 2021

Paperback Released May 10, 2022

Winner of the 2022 Stonewall Book Award

While sorting a shipment of books to be shelved in Ink, the main bookstore I work in, a book caught my eye. The cover of The Darkness Outside Us, a young adult LGBTQ+ book by Eliot Schrefer, looked interesting so I read the back cover and the first couple of pages and the story drew me in. I'm not really into Sci-Fi but in spite of being a Science Fiction & Dystopian Romance, I very much enjoyed The Darkness Outside Us.

I recently read a few books by Adam Silvera as well as Becky Albertalli. If you enjoy their writing style, imagine it being remixed with episodes of Black Mirror or Twilight Zone. Schrefer brilliantly encapsulated a dark, foreboding atmospheric feel to the story, almost giving you a claustrophobic vibe due to the fact these guys are on a spaceship. The first couple of chapters are a little slow but not bad and you don’t want to put it down because it sets up with a melancholic mood that continually builds and all of a sudden, you are hooked and want to know what's going on and what's going to happen. 

The story is set several centuries in the future with Ambrose and Kodiak on a mission to save Ambrose's sister from a fledgling colony on one of Jupiter's moons. I won't give away much more to this story because the less you know, the better your reading experience will be. As with most reviews I've read, the general consensus among all of us who have read it, it's a complicated story that the slightest of detail within the story could be a spoiler. I will say, it's classified as a romance book, and a love story is inevitable, the only thing I will say that doesn't spoil the story is about the journey and Ambrose and Kodiak finding themselves.

Some of the national trade reviews are quoted as:

They Both Die at the End meets Gravity in this mind-bending sci-fi mystery and tender love story about two boys aboard a spaceship sent on a rescue mission, from two-time National Book Award finalist Eliot Schrefer. Stonewall Honor Award winner!

Two boys, alone in space. Sworn enemies sent on the same rescue mission.

Ambrose wakes up on the Coordinated Endeavor with no memory of a launch. There’s more that doesn’t add up: evidence indicates strangers have been on board, the ship’s operating system is voiced by his mother, and his handsome, brooding shipmate has barricaded himself away. But nothing will stop Ambrose from making his mission succeed—not when he’s rescuing his own sister.

In order to survive the ship’s secrets, Ambrose and Kodiak will need to work together and learn to trust each other . . . especially once they discover what they are truly up against. Love might be the only way to survive.

* Chicago Public Library's Best of the Best Books of the Year * A Booklist Editor's Choice of the Year * A BCCB Blue Ribbon Book of the Year * A YALSA Best Fiction for Young Adults & Amazing Audiobooks for Young Adults Book of the Year *

A film adaption by Eliot Page's Pageboy productions has been announced though no details of a timeline of when it will be filmed, released or who will star.

If you enjoy The Darkness Between Us, you will be happy to know that Eliot Schrefer's sequel The Brightness Between Us will be released October 1, 2024 available at Libro.Fm, HudsonBooksellers.com, Amazon.com or your favorite book retailer. I already have an advance copy and will review it soon.

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