From bestselling and award-winning author Kacen Callender comes a tender and moving novel about two boys who find solace in each other while their worlds fall apart, perfect for fans of Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe

You stood still. Stared out at the ocean. Like you were searching for something. Maybe the same thing I was searching for, too. Something that belongs in my chest. Warm and bright.

Kole has mastered the art of deflection. He explains away the real reason why he had to move to St. Thomas to live with his father and his new family. He makes excuses for any bruises or limps people notice. He starts dating a girl at his new school to avoid questions about who he’s really attracted to.

But he can’t seem to hide how drawn he is to Gabriel.

Gabriel wishes he could disappear. But everywhere he goes on the island he calls home, he can’t escape the people who misgender him, who threaten him. He’s haunted by the memories of a painful past. And with his single mother barely making ends meet, he knows there’s no hope for a better life after high school.

As Kole and Gabriel slowly start to share their struggles with each other, their connection becomes a lifeline. But can a young love survive in a world determined to tear them down? Are there some wounds that can never be healed?

“Assured, delicate renderings of weighty topics, including discrimination based on class, gender, race, and sexuality, add depth to a quietly impactful story about resilience.”—Publishers Weekly