Don't Let Me Go [Paperback]

J.H. Trumble (Author)

Book Description

Release date: January 1, 2012

Some people spend their whole lives looking for the right partner. Nate Schaper found his in high school. In the eight months since their cautious flirting became a real, heart-pounding, tell-the-parents relationship, Nate and Adam have been inseparable. Even when local kids take their homophobia to brutal levels, Nate is undaunted. He and Adam are rock solid. Two parts of a whole. Yin and yang.

But when Adam graduates and takes an off-Broadway job in New York--at Nate's insistence--that certainty begins to flicker. Nate's friends can't keep his insecurities at bay, especially when he catches Skyped glimpses of Adam's shirtless roommate. Nate starts a blog to vent his frustrations and becomes the center of a school controversy, drawing ire and support in equal amounts. But it's the attention of a new boy who is looking for more than guidance that forces him to confront who and what he really wants.

Tender, thoughtful, and unflinchingly real, Don't Let Me Go is a witty and beautifully written account of young love, long-distance relationships, and learning to follow your heart.

"Don't Let Me Go is a charming story. Trumble's love for the characters is evident on every page, and it's contagious." -- Robin Reardon, author of A Secret Edge

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Trumble's debut is a deeply moving and in-depth look at the perils and anxieties of being gay in high school . . . Layered with the gritty everyday details of teen existence . . . ." -Publishers Weekly (Starred Review)

"This high-school-set story richly and smartly captures the thrilling highs and the devastating lows of a first love between two young men who deal with far more than the typical dramas in an average teenager's life." -Instinct Magazine

"It has been quite some time since gay literature has seen the likes of a character as genuine as Nate Schaper, the irritatingly lovable narrator of J.H. Trumble's highly engaging debut novel, Don't Let Me Go." -Christopher Verleger, contributor, Edge on the Net.

"This is a great addition to GLBTQ collections, and a good read for those teens looking for a gay love story that explores a relationship in the same way that straight love stories do." -School Library Journal

"Trumble excels at putting the reader inside the mind of a gay young man living in a largely unaccepting community. The emotion brought to this work is its strength. . . . A discussion guide follows the story, providing insightful questions that could lead to very deep class discussion." -VOYA 

From the Author

A Lambda Literary Awards finalist.

Product Details

• Paperback: 288 pages
• Publisher: Kensington (January 1, 2012)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0758269277
• ISBN-13: 978-0758269270
• Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 5.4 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (56 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #207,296 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

16 of 16 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Where was this book when I was a teen? March 5, 2012

By Kyoske

Format:Paperback

J.H. Trumble's debut novel is an excellent read. The pacing was sublime, and I found it impossible to put it down. I literally read it within 24 hours of purchasing it.

In LGBT fiction, especially YA LGBT fiction, I appreciate any story that seeks to go beyond the incredibly difficult task of coming out or surviving a hate crime. Both of these issues are present in Trumble's novel, but they are not the sole focus of the work. Trumble's use of her main character's past, to explain their present behavior, is a breathe of fresh air. The book is not about accepting/admitting being gay, but rather, what happens after that. What is it like for a teenager who has come out to express his love, but must survive the halls alone, while his love is across the country pursuing his dreams. For anyone who has ever had a long-distance romance, especially if you were young, the trials and tribulations that Nate and Adam go through will be easy to relate to. Trumble's ability to demonstrate that even with cellphones, texting, and skype, long-distance is still difficult is truly masterful.

But the real treasure of this novel, is that is features realistic relationships. Seeing parents who are forced to rethink what behavior/level of privacy is allowed under their roof when their child comes out, is something important, yet rarely seen. Seeing teenagers confused by love, because it is actually just confusing at that age, without all the hang-ups on gender/sex, is also a treat. From girl's trying to forget/deal/process that the object of their affection is gay, to straight people fighting for what is right, even if people might question their sexuality, "Don't Let Me Go" demonstrates that there is so much more to the queer world than sexual orientation. Trumble's writing takes these issues on from multiple angles, with a style that makes the text seem as refreshing as it is addictive. This book is for everyone, gay or straight, who has ever been curious about what is like to be a LGBT teen. I only wish more books like this were around when I was growing up.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars The best YA book I've ever read...and I've read a lot that I loved... April 4, 2012

By Ulysses Dietz

Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase

This is a remarkable addition to the YA/LGBT genre...read all the other positive reviews - I can't really add to then except to reiterate that it's not just the difficult subjects, the complicated relationships, and the beautifully woven narrative - it's the characters. These people come to life - in all their power, stupidity, willful blindness, and, ultimately, human realism. And not just the main characters - Adam and Nate, who I'll love for the rest of my life. All of the secondary characters and even the tertiary characters are vivid, well drawn, and add to the impact of this book. It was a pleasure to read. An amazing first novel.

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Just Surperb! March 11, 2012

By Man-Khoi Nguyen

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

I started this book about a week ago and had to put it off during the midterms time. However, I was finally able to finish it on my long flight to Vietnam a few days ago. And guess what I'm doing? Of course, re-reading the excerpts that are imprinted in my head.

I just have to say, the book, the storyline, is just so REAL, so powerful, but so delicate. I see myself in Nate, I see someone else in Adam; and I wonder if I was that deeply passionate in such a relationship like theirs before. They somehow let me believe in "love" again, believe that such a genuine relationship can be found--with our soulmates. I was angered at the hostility and hatred spread throughout the unkind human being characters in the book; but it doesn't surprise me since I see it everyday. I just hope that some time, people who hate on others can set their "ideological beliefs" aside and take maybe a few hours to read this book. Then, they would discover what harms their hatred are doing to the young adults nowadays, instead of their preached "love."

I am looking forward to read any other books written by JH Trumble now. Thank you for such a terrific book, I love it!

And oh, I'm still re-reading some more. Gosh, I can't take my mind off these characters...