Tips on Having a Gay (Ex) Boyfriend
Common Sense Note
Parents need to know that this book centers on a teen girl whose boyfriend tells her he's gay. She recalls having sex with him -- and she eventually kisses a new guy. Her boyfriend goes on to have a relationship of his own with another boy. There is swearing, including derogatory terms for gay people. And there is a disturbing scene where Belle is attacked by a bully at her school.
Families can talk about the portrayal of small towns. Here, Belle is tolerant when she finds out her boyfriend is gay, but many in their town are not. Do you think this is an accurate portrayal? Are there any openly gay students at your school? How are they treated?
Common Sense Review
Reviewed By: Kate Pavao
The writer definitely has talent. She described the cold Maine setting beautifully, using the icy, barren backdrop to emphasize the loneliness that Belle feels after losing her boyfriend. She also shares wonderful significant details -- such as Belle and Dylan's trips to a small cemetery, where they imagine the lives of those buried there -- which give her characters some depth.
The problem here is that she tries to pack too much into this novel: A gay boyfriend, their intolerant small town, his new relationship, her new relationship, a bully who begins targeting Belle -- and, oh yeah, there's also Belle's epilepsy. The characters are either in the good camp or the bad camp -- and a few are too eccentric to be believed (such as Belle's mother, who goes around singing songs with the wrong lyrics).
In the end, this book has an intriguing premise, but there is just too much going on. Hopefully, this author will continue to write, sharpening her storytelling skills to match her talent for detail.
From The Book
"I won't ever love another woman because I'm gay!"
The world stops.
One century passes. Two. My mouth drops open. My legs bring me backwards, one step, another, and into the breakdown lane beside the road. My hand finds my mouth and covers it.
Plot Summary:
After Belle finds out that her high school sweetheart is gay, she has to move on with her life, trying to deal with his new boyfriend, the small town gossip, her own new love interest -- and even a intimidating bully who now seems fixated on her.
Related Books:
Other Books with Gay Characters:
The Straight Road to Kylie by Nico Medina
Getting It by Alex Sanchez
Georgraphy Club by Brent Hartinger
Split Screen: Attack of the Soul-Sucking Brain Zombies / Bride of the Soul-Sucking Brain Zombies by Brent Hartinger
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Sexual ContentBelle and her boyfriend have had sex. Other characters kiss and fool around. |
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ViolenceTwo boys fight. Belle is attacked in the school hallway by a bully. |
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LanguageLots of derogatory words for gay people, and other words such as "bitch" and "f--k." |
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Social BehaviorThis book centers around a girl whose boyfriend is gay. She is accepting of him though many in their small town are not. |
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