And They Lived . . .
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4.5 • 22 Ratings
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- $8.99
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- $8.99
Publisher Description
From the author of Can't Take That Away comes a sex-positive, fairytale-inspired YA novel that celebrates first love and self-acceptance, perfect for fans of What If It's Us.
"My heart didn't stand a chance. I loved it from once upon a time all the way to its joyfully complex ever after." - New York Times bestselling author Becky Albertalli
"A jolt of lightning to my soul. The characters are so bright, the emotion is so vibrant, and the love is exquisitely electric." - Jason June, author of Jay's Gay Agenda
Chase Arthur is a budding animator and hopeless romantic obsessed with Disney films and finding his true love, but he's plagued with the belief that he's not enough for anyone: he's recovering from an eating disorder and suffers from body dysmorphia fueled by his father, and can't quite figure out his gender identity. When Chase starts his freshman year of college, he has to navigate being away from home and missing his sister, finding his squad, and contending with his ex-best friend Leila who is gunning for the same exclusive mentorship. If only he can pull together a short for the freshman animation showcase at the end of the semester.
Then Chase meets Jack Reid, a pragmatic poet who worships words and longs to experience life outside of his sheltered world. But Chase throws everything into question for Jack, who is still discovering his sexual identity, having grown up in close-knit conservative family. Jack internalized a lot of homophobia from his parents and childhood best friend, who unexpectedly visit campus, which threatens to destroy their relationship. Chase will have to learn to love--and be enough for--himself, while discovering what it means to truly live.
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
As viral film sensation and self-described "uncoordinated queer AF Disnerd Chase Arthur," who is white, starts college, there's a lot on his mind: avoiding his ex-best-friend on campus, becoming an animator for Disney, maybe falling in love, navigating body dysmorphia and disordered eating, and figuring out his gender identity and "the whole pronoun question." He quickly befriends his roommate, "pure gay chaos" Italian American Benny and suitemate Xavier, Black and also gay, then meets adorably masc, white student Jack Reid, who's as passionate about writing as Chase is about animation. Though Chase can't tell whether Jack's queer or into him, he can't help making the lead characters in his tropey fairy tale animation project resemble the two of them. Salvatore (Can't Take That Away) renders Chase's experiences sympathetically, uses the animation project to create a romantic story-within-a-story, and fills the book with funny, pop-inflected dialogue. 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. Ages 14–up.
Customer Reviews
TOP OF MUST READ LISTS!!
This was an amazing story and so perfectly written. The dialog was modern and fresh, and Steven gracefully captured all the non-verbal cues and movements. The tension and emotions of the characters are engaging and intense. I laughed and cried (hard). The ending was amazing and glorious. I’m hoping so bad for a sequel!! Steven is a top notch author and understands pain and heartbreak. This book helped me process so many emotions and so much about myself. I highlighted so many sentences and paragraphs! I’m forever grateful ❤️