Jonathan's Letter

Two young boys come of age in a small midwestern town, each with his own secret. While one accepts himself willingly, the other struggles with societal pressure, threats of violence, and his undeniable urges that force him to question what's most important to him; a "normal" life or one full of love? A simple handwritten letter from a friend sends Ryan spiraling down memory lane as he recounts his life and his choices along the way. Growing up in a small midwestern town in the 80s had its own pressures, but with his best friend Kit, Ryan was always in good hands. Together, with their small band of friends, they got into as much mischief as possible, even going so far as to search for Riverside's famous local legend, the Snatcher. But all childhoods eventually come to an end. When Kit comes out to the tight-knit group towards the end of high school, he's immediately accepted by everyone. However, the night before he heads off to college he and Ryan cross boundaries that send Ryan careening into adulthood, confused and alone. Through all of life's tribulations, they learn that even the smallest decisions can greatly affect the outcome of their lives. Jonathan's Letter explores the pain of growing up, discovering yourself, and learning to accept who you are. An exploration in avoidance, trauma, and finally self-acceptance through letters written across the years. TW: Sexual Assault, Abuse, Addiction. This is NOT an HEA romance. An emotional and heartwarming story of one man's journey to self-acceptance and coming out as a gay man. Perfect for LGBTQ literature fans who loved books such as "The Perks of Being a Wallflower" or "Call Me By Your Name" and authors like Aiden Thomas, Becky Albertalli, and Patrick Gale.