This book follows three couples and two other young men over the course of a couple of days. One couple, Harry and Craig, are exes and friends who are attempting to break the world record for longest kiss (32+ hours!). Another couple, Avery and Ryan, meet at a gay prom and gradually reveal their secrets to each other. A third couple, Neil and Peter, have been dating for about a year, but they are still learning about love and being together. One of the young men, Cooper, struggles with being suddenly and accidentally outed to his family. Another, Tariq, struggles to recover from a vicious attack that left him with more than just physical injuries.
The book is narrated by a Greek chorus consisting of gay men who died of AIDS. They provide a unique perspective on the trials of coming out and loving as gay teens in the 21st century. Their commentary is both heartbreaking and hopeful.
As the book moves toward its climax, the pace picks up, pushed relentlessly higher by shorter glimspes at each character, increase space on the page, and snappier transitions. As usual, Levithan not only creates compelling characters and tells an honest story, he also uses every part of the writer's craft, right down to line breaks and spacing, to tell his story. It's amazing and wonderful.
This book also features a short afterword, in which Levithan reflects on the confluence of events and experiences that helped him create this book. In a time when LGBT youth still struggle with acceptance, bullying, and increased risks of homelessness, drug use, and suicide, this is an important book.
Word count: 200
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