Abandoned by J.P. Barnaby (Little Boy Lost #2)
(Cover not available yet)
M/M romance
E-Book
Release date: TBA
Abandoned picks up right where its predecessor Enlightened leaves off. 17 year old Brian, has been left broken hearted, when his best friend turned lover Jamie, gets whisked away from Alabama to California after his parents found out he was having a physical relationship with Brian. Their relationship is much more than physical, they are in love, both recently realizing their feelings for each other. But living in a very conservative town, they are frowned upon by many. Brian is lucky to have his foster parents backing him with their full support, but even that can’t help mend his heart. Brian is devastated and decides in nine months, once school is done and he is 18, he will go off to California to try to find Jamie.
But before those nine months are up, Brian has a lot of living to do, and unfortunately for him, it is hard living. Rumors have started at school about his sexual orientation, and some don’t like it. Bullying starts, and gets so bad, Brian finds himself in a coma. The months it takes him to recover, Brian goes on a journey to learn more about himself and his place in the world.
Abandoned grabs the issue of bullying and being a gay teenager and lays it all out for us. The beginning of this book is brutal as Brian is literally beaten down for being gay. And then we watch his painstaking physical and mental recovery. Not only mending his broken bones, but somehow finding the courage, and strength to make it through the last year of school. To not hang his head when he goes out in public. To not flinch at the littlest movement towards him. He discovers karate, and it becomes more of a lifestyle as his confidence starts to build up.
He is also dealing with the loss of his first love. He is determined to save money, and go out to California to find Jamie when he turns 18. This book becomes not necessarily a romance, but a journey for Brian and his future. I liked the book, and if you go into it knowing there won’t be sex scenes and a strong romantic element, then you are good to go. The first book Enlightened had multiple sex scenes and was very erotic driven. So I was surprised that Abandoned lacked that. I’m not saying Brian should have given up on Jamie or been having sex days out of a coma. But, I did get frustrated towards the end. I personally needed more romance in it to satisfy me. But I also enjoyed watching Brian build himself back up and with the way it ends, I will definitely have to see where Brian goes from here. I really enjoy JP Barnaby’s voice and look forward to more from her.
Rating: B-
This series includes: (Must read in order)
Enlightened
Abandoned
Nice review Mandi ;) I didn't miss the romance overly much because when I heard this was going to be a series of, I think six novels revolving around the same characters, I didn't expect an easy solution to Jamie and Brian's problem. I did miss Jamie's POV a bit but loved how deep the author took Brian's character development.
Nice review.
But how horrible, poor guy, I am glad he makes it and doesn't change
I had no idea this is going to be a six book arc…I like that :) I love the way she writes…
and not to give away a spoiler..but the ending really surprised me….I thought he would choose plan B :)
@Mandi – I think it was on her blog…let me see if I can find the info…found it:
What you can expect to see from me:
Little Boy Lost Series
Enlightened (published March 2010)
Abandoned (in editing)
Vanished (started)
Discovered
Escaped
Sacrificed
I thought plan B was definitely an option so I was on edge because I wanted something else :) I'm not an avid reader of YA novels but this series just had me from the very first chapter.
Nice review. I really missed the romance on this one but I know there is so much more coming. JP Barnaby really write emotional stories and I love her style.
Poor Brian gets beat up :(. If there is proof that we need more GLBT YA, Barnaby is the perfect author to give the public this.
Leontine – awesome..thank you!!
FV – I love her style too..she gets you on a very intimate basis with Brian.
KB – Brian goes through hell in this book. It was nicely done.
Mandi – this is a lovely review. I've just started watching Queer as Folk, and just last night watched the last episode of the first season in which Justin is attacked. And with the news about the bullying of gay teens… I think I'd really like to read this book. Plus…I love deeply emotional books :) I guess I should started with Enlightened though?
Definitely start with Enlightened! You need the story of how they fall in love first :)
God my heart broke when I read this one. Do we know when this one will be released for the public to buy…?
PS Six books?!!!!! How exciting.
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