Funny - authentic - tragic - intense

My review on goodreads

When Michael asked me to write a review for his new novel I did not remember that I had been beta-reading this novel months (years?) ago and how much I loved it. But after the first two sentences it came all back to me.

How could I ever forget this emotional story about first love? I don't know. Perhaps I'm reading too much, too fast, too unfiltered, too….I don't know. But I know that this novel is worth remembering.

It's hard to be a 16-year-old boy in modern society. Thoughts go wild when looking at girls. But what is appropriate? What is weird or perverse? Is it true that women don't want to be touched, never ever? Is staring harassment? Does your pure presence make a girl uncomfortable? How can you ever build a relationship with a girl if you're not supposed to approach them?

Our protagonist finds his opportunity in a ballet class. While all girls believe he's gay he gets to know Sara. The attraction between them is palpable.

Reading this novel stirs up an incredible range of emotions: the funny self-reflexions, the sweet love-story, the tragedy at school, their wise and not-so-wise choices, and deep sadness - you'll laugh, you'll chuckle and you'll cry.