Safe

Title:   Safe

Author:  C. Kennedy

Publisher:  Dreamspinner Press

Length:  89 pages

Rating:  A List

Up All Night Satisfaction

Blurb:  A Harmony Ink Press Young Adult Title

They met at ten, kissed at twelve, and were madly in love by eighteen.

Caleb Deering is the captain of the swim team and the hottest senior in school. He comes from a loving home with a kind father and a caring, but strict mother who is battling breast cancer. Nico Caro is small and beautiful, and has a father who rules with an iron fist—literally.

One morning Caleb forgets himself, and he pecks Nico on the lips at school. A teacher sees them and tattles to the headmaster. The accidental outing at school might be the least of their problems, because the ball set in motion by the school’s calls to their parents could get Nico killed. In the face of that very real danger, Caleb knows he has only one mission in life: to keep Nico safe.

1st Edition published by No Boundaries Press, April 2012.

2nd Edition published by Harmony Ink Press

Review:  What a rush! When you read “They met at ten, kissed at twelve, and were madly in love by eighteen.” from the blurb you expect a sweet love story, but this was so much more. Such a rollercoaster of emotions.

Nico and Caleb have the sweetest, most honest relationship I’ve seen. It’s all about feelings, what feels right, who I love. There is no doubt that being BFF’s feels natural, moving towards that first kiss is just the next comfortable step for them. They explore their feelings and their sexuality with such open minds.

It was beautiful to see them discover that connection. Yes, they go through the coming out, and it’s not nice, especially for Nico. And the relationship has some ups and downs, but the flow of emotions keeps them strong.

I keep thinking, while reading, about the use of words, the ones Cody decided to mix here to build those scenes, how carefully they were chosen, poetry. Pure and simple, poetry.

Emotions, connection, first love, friendship, family support. Everything that a young boy needs while walking down the road of self discovery. But above all, a love that is so innocent and pure it will leave you with a warm feeling in your heart.

Reviewed by Connie