There is something so intrinsically sad about not saying what you want to say and pretending you're fine, pretending you're over someone and watching them move on without you. For LGBT readers tired of gay romances being horror stories about homophobia, this one isn't about that at all - it's full of supportive parents and friends positive representation of gay AND bisexual boys teens having sex without shame, and with protection. He broke me in a way everyone should be lucky to be cracked open at least once.Īnd yet, though this sounds so bleak, it's also balanced by its warmth, humour, nerdy references and Griffin's numerous quirks. It's in the pretending you're fine when you're not you're really not. It's in all the things the characters don't say. It's in the inexplicable sadness of moving on. It's in the little ways he reveals that past relationships are not quite over, not really. The author manages to rip your heart out without seeming like he ever tries to.

The small, simple observations on people and relationships cut really deep for me.

Theo was the group's anchor and they all find themselves confused and helpless without him - Griffin is especially torn between his dislike for Jackson and the feeling that he can relate to him most of all. We soon learn that there is a complex web of relationships at play here, as we are introduced to Theo's new boyfriend from California, Jackson, and the third member of their friendship group, Wade. The story (or 'history) is revealed by Griffin as he comes to term with the death of his best friend and first love, Theo. The book is driven by its characters - Griffin, Theo, Wade and Jackson - jumping back and forth between the loss of Theo in the present and their intertwining histories. Perhaps Silvera is just fantastic at putting himself into other people's minds, but I got the sense that this was a very personal story, told from someone who knows a lot about love and loss. History Is All You Left Me is a deeply sad book, perfectly in tune with human nature and yet never manipulative as it explores love, friendship and grief between four boys.

I stayed up late last night to finish this book and, I confess, I had chills down my spine as I came to the final page. People are complicated puzzles, always trying to piece together a complete picture, but sometimes we get it wrong and sometimes we’re left unfinished.

History is all you left me book