All About Pretty Boys


Growing up gay always comes with a set of unique problems, especially in small towns like Ashford, North Carolina. Homophobia and harassment at the hands of parents, peers, teachers, and residents were only tips of icebergs, and for years Jeffrey Booth encountered and endured such issues alone until it took an irreparable toll on him; his life. Pretty Boys is the beginning to a series of books chronicling the lives of four ordinary young high school boys whose worlds are disrupted after the death of their respective friend, classmate, lover, and neighbor, whose death begins a tumultuous search for the truth about his passing and the events that led to it. Considered a local tragedy, the only thing that is certain to almost everyone in town is Jeffrey’s sexuality brought on his circumstances.
             A coming of age novel, Pretty Boys focuses on many of the issues individuals in the gay community face daily at the hands of strangers, friends and family alike and the consequences they can produce. Issues of bullying, homophobia, violence, coming out, and learning self-acceptance and love are prevalent throughout the novel as the four protagonists each deal with their grief and the growth that follows. Soon they are faced with making the decision whether to allow Jeffrey to become a cautionary tale for the small quiet town, or to allow his passing to actually stand for something.
Pretty Boys features a variety of distinct characters who showcase the range within LGBT communities and the differences we each encounter growing up and dealing with our own sexuality. Terry the town’s newest resident, August the ostentatious socialite, Darrin the most popular kid in his class, and Demi the breakout star of the basketball team each are at different stages of realizing their sexuality. For some of us, we realize and embrace our uniqueness early in life, while others may take years to realize and accept. Ultimately there is a character for every reader, gay or straight, to relate to as the characters embark on their individual and collective journeys.
          Pretty Boys was originally featured on www.wattpad.com to help garner attention and an audience, but upon completion was removed for sales and distribution. The novel was self-published through www.lulu.com, and is also featured on Amazon.com and on Amazon kindle.