Review: David Inside Out

TITLE: David Inside Out

AUTHOR: Lee Bantle

OVERALL RATING: 4.0/5

David Dahlgren loves the feeling of wind hitting his face, his feet slapping the ground at an even pace, winning for his cross country team. But he also loves something else. Something he would be criticized for if anyone found out. But does he even know it himself yet?

David has always had a thing for other guys, even if he is dating a girl to cover for it. Not wanting to go through the harsh judgement of his peers, and team mates, he turns to his "girlfriend" Kick to get him out of the picture for good. Thoughts crowd his mind every time he sees his friend, who also happens to be somewhat gay, and sometimes the thoughts make him feel uncomfortable, or not normal, but he knows he cannot help it.

The rubber band never did the trick. It only made his wrist sore after a thought provoked his mind, sending him into fantasies about Sean, or his other gay friend Eddie, whom he stopped talking to for a while. Every time him and Sean are together, it feels right to kiss or do other things they keep hidden from others.

At school though? Sean stays clear of David, for fear of his rich friends throwing him out of the pack. It's finally David's turn to come clean about himself, and his friends. The Gay Hot line only worked for a while, and the Gay Bookstore didn't do much help, other than finding him another romance novel. Will he finally admit to his girlfriend the reason for never wanting to kiss or be together alone? And will he finally admit his true feelings for other guys to his mother, and secret lover?

MY THOUGHTS:

This coming of age book was far different than what I had thought it would turn out to be. Yes, I knew the main character David, was gay and all, but I didn't think it would go into full detail when he and another guy were together. The story seemed, in a way, depressing. I hated the main character for keeping it a secret, but I knew it would've been hard for him to come right out and say he was gay.

The book gives the reader incite as to how it feels to have a secret that could tear your life apart, or piece it back together, and that is what made it unique. I loved how the book told the story of someone becoming who they were, and it was truthfully versed.

Though, it could have had less detail in some graphic parts, because I became somewhat uncomfortable with the details and such.

Personally, I didn't have a problem with David, and who he was, but I hated all the kids who did harass him and Sean, or Eddie.

The plot was very fast paced at times, but slow at other times as well. It did pick up when you became bored, so that was a plus. The plot itself was unique, and far different than what I had expected as well.

If you are looking for something to read, I suggest you try this out.

It will be released this month.

ARC provided by InGroup.