"An unforgettable story of the horrors of war and the heartbreak of forbidden love."
January 2025 Book of the Month
This is so much more than the love story proclaimed by the title, it is also a remarkable work of historical fiction and a valuable addition to the canon of World War One novels and from an author that we are more used to producing fantasy, dystopia or crime stories. But it is certainly a compelling, lyrical, tender and important queer love story because it depicts so vividly the added dangers that forbidden love brought to the trauma of warfare and life in the trenches.
The story is told by 19 year old Lieutenant Stephen Wraxall and set in the summer of 1916 leading up to the Battle of Somme and centring on the dangers and utter stupidity of The Big Push.
Returning to the front after recovering from a crippling injury and following the devastating heartbreak of discovering that his childhood friend and first love, Michael has been killed, only to have the irrepressible 18-year-old Private Danny McCormick installed as his soldier-servant. Stephen is determined to preserve the life and innocence of Danny where he could not save Michael and the developing chemistry between the two of them is so vividly drawn that the reader is kept in a state of almost unbearable tension as they face both death and discovery.
The author does not flinch from portraying the brutality of war and the dedication of his research can be judged by the extensive bibliography and useful glossary at the end of the book, but the research never overwhelms the writing and the superb characterisation. In his acknowledgements the author states he wanted the story to be a testament to those men who lived and died ‘defending a country that for the most part despised them.’ This he has most memorably and poignantly achieved in magnificent fashion.
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At just nineteen, Stephen has already survived a year at the front. Now he is returning to the trenches to lead a platoon, despite his wounds.
Broken-hearted from the loss of his first love, Stephen wonders what he's fighting for. Then he meets Private Danny McCormick, a smart, talented young recruit. From their first meeting, there's something undeniable between them - something forbidden by both society and the army.
Determined to protect Danny, Stephen must face down the prejudices and ignorance of his superiors as well as the onslaught of German shells and sniper fire.
As the summer of 1916 ticks down to one big push on the Somme, can Stephen and Danny stay together - and will their love save them - or condemn them?
The LoveReading4Kids Editorial Team have read and reviewed The Boy I Love and determined it is suitable for children aged 13-18 years old
The Boy I Love features in the following genres: Featured Books for 13+ readers, Featured Books for Young Adults, Books of the Month, Recommendations, Star Books, Historical Fiction, Romance / Relationship Stories, Personal Social Health Economic (PSHE), Children’s / Teenage fiction: Romance and love stories, Children’s / Teenage personal and social topics: LGBTQ+, Children's and Young Adult Fiction, Children’s, Teenage and Educational
The Boy I Love is available in Paperback
The Boy I Love was written by William Hussey and published by Andersen Press an imprint of Andersen Press Ltd
The Boy I Love has 290 pages
£8.09
