Books like A very, very bad thing by Jeffery Self

In "A Very, Very Bad Thing," Jeffery Self follows Marley, one of the few gay kids in his North Carolina town, as he meets Christopher and discovers a love that feels almost too good to be true. Their relationship tests the limits of honesty, family expectations, and personal identity. When external pressures threaten to shatter their bond, Marley must decide whether to lie to protect his love or confront the painful consequences of truth. The novel explores themes of friendship, courage, and the harsh realities of homophobia while highlighting the importance of support from parents and peers. It offers a candid, emotionally charged look at the challenges faced by LGBTQ teens in conservative environments, touching on topics such as teenage suicide and the struggle between truth and falsehood. Self’s narrative invites readers to consider how love can drive us to actions that are both right and wrong, and how the choice to conceal or reveal truth can profoundly impact those we care about.

First publish date: 2017