RYAN AND AVERY

David Levithan gives listeners another queer YA romance that's full of joy and the promise of a better world for LGBTQ youth. Ryan and Avery meet at a queer prom; they're a perfect match with their respective blue and pink hair. Narrator Jamie K. Brown's measured tone gives weight to the budding emotions between the boys. Listeners are invited along on their first 10 dates, which are depicted out of chronological order to provide a unique perspective on how a relationship is built. The lyrical writing and undercurrent of electricity in the narration capture the sparks and exhilaration of falling in love. The boys find happiness in each other even as their relationship creates friction with Ryan's parents. S.T.C. © AudioFile 2023, Portland, Maine [Published: NOVEMBER 2023]