REVIEW: The You I See by Danny Freeman
Review:
Wow, what an absolutely delightful, heartwarming, and funny story about two boys coming-of-age, and coming out in the 80s and 90s. My Gen X, Princess Bride loving heart soared.
This was a love story, at a precious age, in an era where a lifeline was hard to come by, especially when you are questioning who you are and people around you are closed-minded and hateful. And though this deals with outright homophobia, the story never ceases to remain hopeful and affirming.
This so perfectly captured young/teenage boys; they were all the things teenagers are: funny, awkward, wise, and immature. Brandon is wild, energetic, and emotional. He has a huge heart and will fight (literally) anyone who hurts the people he loves. Alex is thoughtful, mature, and calm. They are the opposite sides of a coin. They make such a charming pair. And though things aren’t always smooth, there is no denying their bond is special and strong.
Thanks to some beautiful people in their lives, these two have a chance to love themselves and fight the shame some would want to bestow on them. It's a powerful story, that will leave you with all the feels.
Stars: 5
🕮 The You I See by @dfreemanbooks
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Synopsis:
What happens when two gay boys meet at a fundamentalist church and talk about tits?
Brandon’s family are long-time members. In fact, his dad is the preacher. Alex’s skeptical parents reluctantly attend after repeated invitations from a colleague of Alex’s father. Alex and Brandon feel an immediate and undeniable attraction to one another, though both of them are confused about their own and each other’s feelings. They soon develop an affectionate, endearing friendship, mostly by balancing out each other’s opposite personalities and quoting their favorite lines from The Princess Bride until they nearly wet themselves. Brandon is loud, impulsive, irreverent, and foul-mouthed. Alex is quiet, thoughtful, shy, and considerably more precocious than Brandon.
With the support of Alex’s unconventional and affirming parents, Alex and Brandon navigate the challenges of being gay teenagers in Houston in the early 1990s. They face obstacles, setbacks, misunderstandings, and outright homophobia but remain resolutely committed to their unique friendship and budding romance.
From beginning to end, The You I See by Danny Freeman is an infectiously funny, relentlessly hopeful, and ultimately life-affirming celebration of friendship and young love in one of its many-hued variations.
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