Boy Friends
Simo and Luca are in love. At least, that’s what the noticeboard in the centre of Lombard village is telling everyone on one bright September morning. Best friends for ten years, Luca Dean and Simo Lorca know each other better than anyone else – but Simo doesn’t know that Luca is in love with him, and Luca doesn’t know if he can ever be honest with Simo.
Boy Friends is a light-hearted, feel-good story about finding joy in love, while also tackling some of the darker and more difficult challenges that are unfortunately still experienced by members of the LGBTQ+ community today, such as fear of rejection by family and friends. Set against the idyllic backdrop of a small coastal village, Boy Friends also centres on the tension that public scrutiny can bring to relationships.
This is a story about not just first love, but self-discovery. Many teen readers will feel seen and understood in Spellmeier’s depiction of Simo’s evolution throughout the novel as he begins to understand his emotions and his sexuality. Here, Spellmeier proves that panoramic settings and epic journeys are not needed to take readers on a captivating adventure – the most essential ingredients are likeable protagonists, tangible character arcs, and a spark of chemistry.
Spellmeier’s first novel written in English, Boy Friends is a comforting, yet pensive, representation of gay love, teen romance, and modern family dynamics, highly recommended for fans of the Simon Snow series by Rainbow Rowell.
