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every_reason599's review against another edition
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
friends2lovers's review
emotional
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I'm really surprised to be the only reviewer, so far, to tag this with the 'tense' mood—there's a lot of tension in this story! Peter and Adam are in a nebulous, secret relationship. They're both in the closet and Peter is already facing homophobic bullying, so if they were to be outed, then the threat of violence becomes even more serious. On top of that, Adam has a girlfriend! So much angst. I was constantly worrying about the characters. I feared Adam and Peter would be caught, while at the same time I hoped for it, so the deceit would be over. If I have one criticism it's that the narrative tension, which builds steadily throughout, doesn't really culminate in a satisfying climax. I kept expecting there to be a big dramatic moment—a break-up, outing, revelation, or something. But Adam and Peter never get caught, they graduate from high school, and Adam leaves for Italy. Obviously, the story continues in the sequel, so maybe I just need to adjust my expectations since this is not a standalone story. I'm still hoping for something more dramatic/climactic to happen in the next book.
All that being said, there is a rather cathartic scene towards the end whereAdam asks Peter to spank him "and tell me why you're doing it. You know, while you hit me." Peter doesn't hold back: "I thought of the meanest thing I could say that was true. 'This is for being a piece-of-shit cheater. Not just on me, but Leslie too.' Crack."
All that being said, there is a rather cathartic scene towards the end where
My mind grasped for meaning, a desperate, drowning sensation taking me over as I flailed emotionally, trying to keep from going under, trying to understand. What had I done? What did it mean? A sob wrenched me. Grief and anger, hatred and love all swelled inside me, and they heaved from my throat in waves.
The characters are well-drawn, complex, and imperfect. It would be easy to paint Adam as a villain and Peter as his victim, but it's not that simple. Peter is young and inexperienced, and I do think Adam takes advantage of his naivety, but he's not completely innocent. He's complicit in their deception, and he knows it. While Peter loves Adam and wants to be with him, their relationship is fraught with guilt, jealousy, anger, and heartbreak. Well, it is on Peter's side. On Adam's side, he's got his cake and is eating it, too. I'm still on the fence about Adam—I don't love him, but I don't exactly hate him, either. I feel he becomes a bit more understandable, if not sympathetic, once his past
※ M/M, new adult (the MCs are 18), contemporary (1990s), romance (no HEA or HFN, yet), series follows same MC, secret relationship, in the closet, first times, high school, set in TN, angst, 1st person single POV (Peter only, past-tense), novel (102k words), Kindle Unlimited and Audible audio (whispersync ready), read in October 2023
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Homophobia, Infidelity, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, and Violence
Moderate: Biphobia, Cursing, Drug use, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Adult/minor relationship, Hate crime, Blood, Vomit, and Pandemic/Epidemic
wandereaderr's review against another edition
5.0
Wow wow wow
Just absolutely stunning! I am so in awe. Keeping my rating at 4 stars until after I finish the trilogy.
This was fantastic! Oh, I YEARN. I YEAAARRRNNNNN. As a gay man who didn’t get to have a typical childhood, books and stories like this one always hurt so good.
I wish I could’ve been the way Peter is at 18, learning his power and how to stand his ground. That’s so incredible.
I DO NOT LIKE ADAM. I DO NOT. I DON’T!!!! He’s hurting my poor baby Peter. Even though Peter is also hurting people, he’s a freakin Angel. Adam just wants his cake and to eat it, too.
I’m so excited for book 2. Such a gorgeous coming of age novel. SO GOOD.
UPDATE 5/21: After finishing book 2, we are just gonna go ahead and update the rating to 5 stars. Toooooo good.
Just absolutely stunning! I am so in awe. Keeping my rating at 4 stars until after I finish the trilogy.
This was fantastic! Oh, I YEARN. I YEAAARRRNNNNN. As a gay man who didn’t get to have a typical childhood, books and stories like this one always hurt so good.
I wish I could’ve been the way Peter is at 18, learning his power and how to stand his ground. That’s so incredible.
I DO NOT LIKE ADAM. I DO NOT. I DON’T!!!! He’s hurting my poor baby Peter. Even though Peter is also hurting people, he’s a freakin Angel. Adam just wants his cake and to eat it, too.
I’m so excited for book 2. Such a gorgeous coming of age novel. SO GOOD.
UPDATE 5/21: After finishing book 2, we are just gonna go ahead and update the rating to 5 stars. Toooooo good.
artareadsatnight's review against another edition
5.0
5 stars. I don’t know how I didn’t find this one earlier. But I’m glad I didn’t. Now the wait for the last book of the series is not very long. And I have to wait for the second one just for a week.
This was delightful, but not in a light, fluffy kind of way. It felt a tiny bit detached, but I think it’s a good thing. As it was, I cried a bit two times. If it would feel even more personal, I would have cried my eyes out. This was not a very easy read. It was complex, layered and difficult. It was deep and at times morally gray. I think author did a great job of revealing how you can find yourself in a difficult, morally grey situation, how you can’t find your way (or strength) to get out of it and how it can slowly poison your heart and feelings. It was wonderful to watch Peter grow. To try to stay true to himself and his principles and to grow trough not succeeding.
I think I lacked a bit of Adams point of view, because he seemed erratic enough for it to be difficult to understand - was he so truly lost or just egoistic and cruel.
One of my favourite reads in the few last months for sure.
This was delightful, but not in a light, fluffy kind of way. It felt a tiny bit detached, but I think it’s a good thing. As it was, I cried a bit two times. If it would feel even more personal, I would have cried my eyes out. This was not a very easy read. It was complex, layered and difficult. It was deep and at times morally gray. I think author did a great job of revealing how you can find yourself in a difficult, morally grey situation, how you can’t find your way (or strength) to get out of it and how it can slowly poison your heart and feelings. It was wonderful to watch Peter grow. To try to stay true to himself and his principles and to grow trough not succeeding.
I think I lacked a bit of Adams point of view, because he seemed erratic enough for it to be difficult to understand - was he so truly lost or just egoistic and cruel.
One of my favourite reads in the few last months for sure.
bexbookrex's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Pictures of You by Leta Blake is an incredible journey. I think it truly resonates with me because I was in high school a few years before Peter. Like Adam, I was just beginning to understand my bisexuality in my senior year. Peter and Adam go through so much. They cheat and lie and make a big mess of their lives. I wanted to be mad at one or both them off and on throughout the entire book but I couldn't stay angry; maybe because I understood what they were going through. The book is beautiful, the writing excellent, and the characters multidimensional. I love this book. It will forever be one of my favorites.
enayqueerbooklover's review against another edition
5.0
A heavy-hitter that slams you in the feels with angst, but makes you fall in love with & become very invested in seeing a happily-ever-after for the MC Peter
thisgayreads's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
3 / 5 ⭐️‘s
"Pictures of You" by Leta Blake
This was a cute coming-of-age story of Peter Mandel, an 18-year-old private school senior who is struggling to come to terms with his sexuality. Peter is a talented photographer who is passionate about his art but is determined to keep his attraction to other men a secret. That is until he meets Adam, a charming and worldly guy who is not interested in labels, but is interested in Peter.
I had a love hate with Peter and Adam’s story but am excited to see what happens in the next book.
This ARC was provided by @gay.romance.reviews in exchange for an honest review.
anya_doesntmatter's review against another edition
4.0
Leta. Leta. Leta! You got me girl!
This book is wonderful. Pure emotional torture. The more I read the more engrossed I became. I remember the 90’s and what it was like to be young, in love and trying to fit in with your peers but not really belonging. I also remember how crazy, confusing and all-consuming first love can be.
Peter was born and raised in Knoxville, TN. He was constantly bullied & beaten by his peers in public school and so his parents transferred him to a private school Kinglsey. The summer before school started he met Adam and his sister Sarah. Adam and Sarah have lived all over the world. They moved from Jordan to Knoxville, for safety due to the impending war (Dessert Storm). The summer is filled with amazing new experiences for Peter. Finally! He's met a boy that is interested in him and he doesn't feel so alone anymore. Little did Peter, know he just may have traded one emotionally wrecking situation for another.
This book is full of angst! I wanted to reach through the pages several times and hit Peter and Adam, upside the head a few times. My emotions were all over the place… much like Peter’s throughout the book, thanks to Adam's indecisiveness and constant mixed signals. I cried, I screamed, I cursed like a drunken sailor over every emotional blackmail. I had to remind myself constantly that these guys are EIGHTEEN. We all made stupid decisions at that age.
Be forewarned:
There is a lot of cheating in this story. You're ging to be as conflicted as Peter is over Adam. I don’t want to give away why that is. Just keep in mind this is a teenage story, raging hormones dictated a lot of things that occurred.
There is some violence. Not a lot but I was queasy when I read a couple scenes.
This book ended on a cliffhanger…. which made me scream all over again but it ended at an appropriate time within the story which is satisfying but you'll want more.
If you love angst & your heart can withstand reliving your highschool years, READ THIS BOOK!
This book is wonderful. Pure emotional torture. The more I read the more engrossed I became. I remember the 90’s and what it was like to be young, in love and trying to fit in with your peers but not really belonging. I also remember how crazy, confusing and all-consuming first love can be.
Peter was born and raised in Knoxville, TN. He was constantly bullied & beaten by his peers in public school and so his parents transferred him to a private school Kinglsey. The summer before school started he met Adam and his sister Sarah. Adam and Sarah have lived all over the world. They moved from Jordan to Knoxville, for safety due to the impending war (Dessert Storm). The summer is filled with amazing new experiences for Peter. Finally! He's met a boy that is interested in him and he doesn't feel so alone anymore. Little did Peter, know he just may have traded one emotionally wrecking situation for another.
This book is full of angst! I wanted to reach through the pages several times and hit Peter and Adam, upside the head a few times. My emotions were all over the place… much like Peter’s throughout the book, thanks to Adam's indecisiveness and constant mixed signals. I cried, I screamed, I cursed like a drunken sailor over every emotional blackmail. I had to remind myself constantly that these guys are EIGHTEEN. We all made stupid decisions at that age.
Be forewarned:
There is a lot of cheating in this story. You're ging to be as conflicted as Peter is over Adam. I don’t want to give away why that is. Just keep in mind this is a teenage story, raging hormones dictated a lot of things that occurred.
There is some violence. Not a lot but I was queasy when I read a couple scenes.
This book ended on a cliffhanger…. which made me scream all over again but it ended at an appropriate time within the story which is satisfying but you'll want more.
If you love angst & your heart can withstand reliving your highschool years, READ THIS BOOK!
loulou87's review against another edition
5.0
I read this series years ago, back when my GR account was just for scouring recs.
I have decided to write a review for these two books in the series which is really hard because they are such intense books. They are undoubtedly Leta's best work to date.
#OldButGold
****SPOILER FREE REVIEW****
*****HIGHLY RECOMMENDED COMING OF AGE*****
For Fans of... #Bisexuals #ComingOfAge #SuperSteamy #Closeted
Before getting these books beware.... the series is not done. these are 2 books out of 4. The rest of the books have NO ETA!
Why read these books....
1. The Writing:
Phenomenal, Stellar, Engaging, Poignant, Real, Enchanting, Epic, Engrossing, Outstanding ... and I could go on and on. #OneOfAkind
2. The Characters:
Peter Mendel: 18 years old, high-school senior, gay and geeky with a passion for photography. he was bullied and out down for being gay. He is a phenomenal character. #WallFlower
Adam Algedi: Transfer Student, tall, gorgeous and an aspiring writer, He is bisexual and physically abused by his father for being attracted to boys. #HideInPlainSight
Daniel: College student and an amazing, admirable, real character . He and Peter are attracted to each other from the get go, but DO NOT pursue a relationship. #JustFriends
3. The Plot:
Revolves around Peter finding himself and building his out, proud, honest truthful life. it is also about his and Adam's relationship. A relationship built around lies, deception, selfishness, guilt and cheating, SO MUCH CHEATING! heartache and so much more. This book will make you rage, cry, curse and rage some more. #BraceYourselves
4. The Romance:
The books are not classified as a romance, but they have romantic elements. The boys do love each other, however differently. keep in mind that the three boys ARE NOT IN A LOVE TRIANGLE. #InMyOwnWay
5. The Heat:
These books were super steamy. the boys are teenagers... true.... but they have a healthy sexual drive and their sex is fueled by many feelings. #BurnUpThePages
6. The Ending...
After book 2, it is a Tentative HFN. #MoreToComeMoreToCome
Note: AIDS is very present in the books in relation to the setting of the book, though the MCs are negative.
#HappyReading
I have decided to write a review for these two books in the series which is really hard because they are such intense books. They are undoubtedly Leta's best work to date.
#OldButGold
****SPOILER FREE REVIEW****
*****HIGHLY RECOMMENDED COMING OF AGE*****
For Fans of... #Bisexuals #ComingOfAge #SuperSteamy #Closeted
Before getting these books beware.... the series is not done. these are 2 books out of 4. The rest of the books have NO ETA!
Why read these books....
1. The Writing:
Phenomenal, Stellar, Engaging, Poignant, Real, Enchanting, Epic, Engrossing, Outstanding ... and I could go on and on. #OneOfAkind
2. The Characters:
Peter Mendel: 18 years old, high-school senior, gay and geeky with a passion for photography. he was bullied and out down for being gay. He is a phenomenal character. #WallFlower
Adam Algedi: Transfer Student, tall, gorgeous and an aspiring writer, He is bisexual and physically abused by his father for being attracted to boys. #HideInPlainSight
Daniel: College student and an amazing, admirable, real character . He and Peter are attracted to each other from the get go, but DO NOT pursue a relationship. #JustFriends
3. The Plot:
Revolves around Peter finding himself and building his out, proud, honest truthful life. it is also about his and Adam's relationship. A relationship built around lies, deception, selfishness, guilt and cheating, SO MUCH CHEATING! heartache and so much more. This book will make you rage, cry, curse and rage some more. #BraceYourselves
4. The Romance:
The books are not classified as a romance, but they have romantic elements. The boys do love each other, however differently. keep in mind that the three boys ARE NOT IN A LOVE TRIANGLE. #InMyOwnWay
5. The Heat:
These books were super steamy. the boys are teenagers... true.... but they have a healthy sexual drive and their sex is fueled by many feelings. #BurnUpThePages
6. The Ending...
After book 2, it is a Tentative HFN. #MoreToComeMoreToCome
Note: AIDS is very present in the books in relation to the setting of the book, though the MCs are negative.
#HappyReading
wrensandroses's review against another edition
dark
emotional
funny
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Homophobia, Infidelity, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Hate crime and Mental illness
Minor: Vomit and Antisemitism