The Rough
Boys series by J. Vaughn
is a three book series which is a cross between The
Basketball Diaries and Almost
Famous. The series
features three boys all dealing with the challenges growing up gay,
and the constant threat of homelessness. The first book, Runaway,
features Ty who runs away from home after being tortured by his
father. Living on the streets is hard, and simply getting food is a
challenge. Ty does his best, but harsh conditions and depression
drive him to depths he never imagined. Runaway
is a riveting story, and don't be surprised if you can't stop at just
one Rough
Boys story. I one-clicked to buy the next one without even
hesitating to take a breath. This book is currently being offered for
FREE on both Amazon
and Barnes
& Noble, so go grab it while you can! It's also a bargain at
the $.99 list price.
Fantasy
World
The world of Runaway
is gritty and disturbing. Some elements are surprising and others are
heartbreakingly real.
Tingle
Factor
For all its angst and suffering,
there are also some hot moments especially as Ty discovers his long
repressed sexuality.
Romance
Ty is befriended by a man who tries
to help him, but he's so consumed by fear he doesn't even know how to
recognize any feelings he might have. There is a romantic storyline,
but don't expect it to be any easier than the rest of Ty's life.
Drama
Staying alive every day is its own
drama in addition to ongoing family issues. There are also multiple
sub plots featuring Ty's friends and acquaintances. There is plenty
of angst, but it's not overdone or inappropriate.
Hero
Ty is a teenager in an impossible
situation. He does the best he can, but his options are limited. Ty's
father has left deep scars on him both physically and emotionally. At
first he is left with only the desire to survive, and eventually even
that seems like too much for which to hope.
Supporting
Cast
Runaway is rich with fabulous
characters, and I do mean fabulous. There are gay boys who dress like
girls, and rock band members on the edge of fame. Drug dealers,
homeless people, therapists, and crazy parents round out the cast.
They are all riveting in their own way, and they all appear again
throughout the series. The author
does a wonderful job of creating individual character arcs for
all of them.
Availability
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