Nobody's Hero by J. Leigh Bailey

Following two years in a harsh military school, Brad Greene moves cross-country to start a new life, with no money and no help from his rich parents. He is on the run from his family after they catch him involved with another man and take violent action to end it. Danny Ortega knows who he is and what he wants. He definitely does not want to hook up with Rob in the truck stop parking lot, but Rob isn't giving Danny much of a choice. Brad witnesses this assault on Danny and quickly steps in to end the abuse. Neither Brad nor Danny expects to see each other again, but Brad lands a job with the Ortegas' construction company. Over the next serveral weeks, Danny's steady friendship helps pull Brad out of his self-imposed isolation, until the two start dating. Despite support from Danny's family and friends, Brad is reluctant to come out publicly, fearing retaliation such as he received from his own family and at school. Danny ends up frustrated, and Brad must decide if this love is worth the fight.

Verdict Bailey (Midnight in the Maze) hits all the sweet spots of first love while highlighting the difficulties that can arise in a budding relationship. Danny's charming and persistent attempts at overcoming Brad's barriers endear readers to these reluctant heroes. The consummation of their relationship begins with laugh-out-loud awkwardness that quickly moves to fantastic, authentic sex. Bailey gets everything right, with a great sense of humor that balances the serious topic of gay prejudice without undermining it. All in all, a stellar romance.

This review was originally published in Library Journal Xpress Reviews: E-Originals, February 19, 2015.

Aquarium by David Vann

Caitlin, a twelve-year-old, visits the Seattle aquarium each day after school. Spellbound by the fish and other marine creatures there, she is transported away from the rough neighborhood where she and her single mother, a dock worker, live. One day, Caitlin meets an elderly man at the aquarium, and they begin an unlikely friendship, discussing the incredible fish they see and eventually sharing more about their personal lives. Several weeks later, Caitlin's mother hears about the old man at the aquarium and realizes her small family of two is threatened. She then goes to extreme lengths to keep Caitlin from seeing him.

Caitlin's safe and trusting relationship with her normally loving mother is jeopardized by her mother's nearly uncontrollable fury at the old man, a long-lost family member. Fearing her mother's unpredictable rages, Caitlin nevertheless keeps her heart open and forgiving, reuniting the broken family that surrounds her. Though not for the faint of heart, this story will resonate with readers long after it's finished. The author, David Vann, has won numerous awards for his other books, including best foreign novel in France and Spain for Legend of a Suicide.