Noah Derwin knows what it’s like to be different. Being a seventeen-year-old kid in high school with blue hair, piercings, a mostly all black wardrobe, and an obsession with zombies and video games, he doesn’t exactly blend in. But he never wanted to. His two dads raised him to always stay true to himself.Bastian Hunter prefers structure and predictability. Suffering from a rare disease, every … every day is a challenge for him, and he prepares for the future by excelling academically and denying who he really is. Everything changes when he meets Noah, the unpredictable variable in the equation he’s built his life around, and feelings he’s hid for so long begin to surface.
Being gay in high school isn’t exactly rainbows and butterflies, and Noah has definitely faced his fair share of bullies. Moving to Port Haven, Oregon opens up new possibilities for him, and he starts falling for the quiet, brown-eyed boy from his English class. Too bad the attraction is one-sided… or is it?
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4.5 stars
This was the story of Noah Derwin, a blue-haired, pierced teen who stole my heart as he found love and friendship during his senior year of high school. Noah was kind and funny, and people were so drawn to him at his new school, which was a surprise to him since he was constantly bullied at his previous town. Noah’s adoptive fathers and brother, his new friends, and his love interest Bas, were wonderful characters who refused to let Noah sink into the anxiety and depression that plagued him. There were moments that were difficult to read without being angry with someone who was causing Noah to hurt, but luckily he was more forgiving than I am, so the story continued with a mostly optimistic, hopeful outlook.
I loved Noah, and while I almost wanted him to go after someone who was not as difficult as Bas often seemed, I was fully rooting for this couple long before the end of the book. Their story was so good, and I happily recommend it.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This was a sweet story about two boys who are still trying to find their place in the world, but when they meet, everything changes. The start of the book you meet Noah, who has moved with his two father’s and brother to a new town and so he is starting over during his senior year. He’s an outcast, looking goth but interested in art and video games, but accepts who he is and realizes he will never be popular. He spots Bastian during his first day of class and everything changes for him.
The secondary characters in this book especially’s Noah’s fathers, are truly memorable, but it’s the relationship that develops between Noah and Bastian that makes the story worthwhile. The boys, while seeming immature at times, compliment one another and because of this, the book pulls you in and you can’t wait to see what happens between them.
This is my first book from Jaclyn Osborn and I truly enjoyed getting immersed in Noah’s world. A good read!!
3.5*
This was a really sweet read. Noah and Bas were terrific young men, each dealing with their own issues in the best way they could. I liked how Noah owned who he was, even if it wasn’t always easy. It helped that he had such great role models in his fathers.
Bas had a tougher time, especially when it came to his parents. They were a bit over protective with him- which was understandable on one hand, but on the other they just needed to let him be and live his life. But I guess as a parent, wanting what it best for your child, that’s a little easier said than done.
The major point of contention in this story was resolved just a little too easily for me. From all the build up I expected more of a major confrontation, but I guess it fit with the feel of the story. And I’m glad things worked out the way they did in the end, and that Noah and Bas got their happy.
Noah’s Song by Jaclyn Osborn is the first book in the Port Haven series. It is a Young Adult contemporary story that deals with topics such as depression, illness and making connections.
There is a little angst/drama but mostly the book is filled with sweetness. It definitely pulled at my emotions. I loved the characters, bothmain and supporting… Bas and Noah are adorable together and Ineeded to get them to a HEA, or at least a HFN. I loved Noah’s family and their friends. To me this book was just truly beautiful and amazing.
I received an advanced reader’s copy of the book and I am voluntarily leaving my honest review and recommendation.