Saturday, August 2, 2014

Timmy's Review of Private Display of Affection by Winter Sandberg

Kevin and Hugo’s relationship represents what I imagine many kids their age go through, but their personal stories are very unique. I’m not saying they are the only two kids with an overbearing and strict father, or a parent that is dying of cancer, but this is the first story I have read that had these aspects mixed in a story. Winter did a really good job telling their stories. From what I understand this book was originally an adult book adapted to YA. I have never read the original story, but I can say I would never have guessed it was an adult book to start with, and that these boys had started as adults. I imagine it would be hard to have these characters as adults, these people, in your head telling you their story and becoming real people to you, then taking them to a completely different mindset. There is a huge gap from teen to adult thinking. I applaud her ability to do this in the book. 

That said, I had things I loved about the book, and things that bugged me. To start, I will say that I really truly felt Hugo’s love for his dad. His grief for the future loss and the actual loss of his father felt very real to me. I’m a bit confused how he was able to hide it so well from classmates, when they live in a town where it would be hard to conceal. I feel Hugo was a very believable character, and his story was heartbreaking. I cried with him a few times in this book. 

Kevin, to me, was a typical rich kid that didn’t want what he had because of all the strings that came attached to it. I wanted to hate him at times, but was unable to ever really hate him. He had what many would love to have, but it came with too high a price. He never got what he truly wanted from his father, and that left me feeling a bit unfulfilled. I really liked watching him grow into the person he wanted to be, against very hard odds. He turned into someone I would be proud to know. 

Now, I get to talk about my favorite part of this book. The love story. I love that we got to experience everything through their very different perspectives. Hugo was gay, and was comfortable with this fact. Kevin was bi and had not really known that about himself at the beginning of the story. 

I think if I was Hugo, the part that would be hardest for me is knowing that my boyfriend DOES like girls and has a girlfriend. Even if it’s just for appearances, I would be just as hurt as he was when Kevin was with Tricia. It surprised me that the author didn’t really talk about that. Hugo was upset, but it was because he was feeling left behind, not the fact that his bisexual boyfriend may actually want a girlfriend instead of a boyfriend. Hugo seemed more upset that Kevin was allowing his father to direct his life. 

I love that this story left an opening for more to come. I’m looking forward to reading more about both boys and their relationship. I give this story 4 marbles, because I think rereading it will bring new things to life for me.~Timmy


Pirvate Display of Affection by Winter Sandberg
Available in Print and eBook 

About Private Display of Affection

Hugo Thorson knows he’s gay, but coming out during high school is not part of his plan. His parents are open-minded, but Hugo doesn’t want to add more stress for anybody, especially his dad, who is fighting terminal cancer. 

At a summer job he meets and befriends Kevin Magnus, and before long, their friendship becomes something more. Kevin knows this will anger his overbearing father, so he decides to protect his secret by dating a girl at school. 

Hugo plays along, but it’s still hard to watch the two of them together just to make Kevin’s homophobic father happy. And when Hugo’s father dies, he realizes he can’t go on living the lie. He comes clean to Kevin, who decides Hugo’s true feelings are more important than his father’s expectations. 

One fact remains: Kevin and Hugo’s relationship must always be hidden behind friendship, lies, girlfriends, or secret kisses. Will they find a sanctuary big enough to hold their feelings? 

Find Winter here: blog, on Goodreads, and on Facebook

26 comments:

  1. As always great review, Timmy! <3

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    1. Thanks Lili! Thanks for stopping by and reading it. <3
      Timmy

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  2. Lovely review Timmy. You are really starting to make me push YA stories higher on my TBR pile lol.

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    1. That's because that's where all the good reading is. :D Thanks for stopping by Deeze! <3
      Timmy

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    2. Me too! Timmy and Cody are going to make me a YA book junkie! :D

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    3. I'm telling you, that's where all the good reading is! It's not me though, it's the awesome authors. I have been lucky to find their books. <3

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    4. I just bought Two Boys Kissing by David Levithan and Geography Club by Brent Hartinger. I hope to get to them soon. <3

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    5. I have both and I'm reading Geo Club now. <3
      Timmy

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    6. I'll be looking forward to your review! <3

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  3. Great review, Timmy. I have both the adult and the YA versions in my TBR stack. It's an interesting point you bring up about the differences in the mindsets for the MCs. I'll have to read both versions to see how they compare. I think I will read the YA version first to see how the personalities of the MCs compare between their teenage and adult selves. Thanks for the rec. Mel

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    1. Let me know what you think after you have read them both. :) <3
      Timmy

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  4. Fabulous review! I loved this book :D

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    1. Thanks for stopping by and reading it Diverse. I really liked this book too, <3
      Timmy

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  5. Great review Timmy! I have read the Adult version now I should read the YA.

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    1. Thanks Nancy! Let me know what you think after you read it. <3
      Timmy

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  6. As always a good review, Timmy. I have read the adult version of Kevin and Hugo. I'll have to read this book to see if the MC's coincide. I'll let you know what I think.

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    1. Please do! I'm not sure I can read the adult version. I would need it to be approved. It would be awhile, because I have other books lined up to read. <3
      Timmy

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  7. I haven't read either versions of this book, or this author, before. I love finding new-to-me authors! Another great review, Timmy :-)

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    1. I don't know about the adult version, but the YA is a must read. :D <3
      Timmy

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  8. Timmy, this review is perfect! I love Winter's writing, and I have read both versions of this story! You capture it so brilliantly when you say that it doesn't feel like it was adapted. I adored both versions, and actually prefer the YA one. I have followed this author for some time now, and she never disappoints. SO GLAD she does some YA too now, because she has a good message of love and understanding. Excellent review, Timmy! Well done! Simply LOVE your take on things.

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    1. Thanks Anna! Does she have other YA books? I'll need to look into that. <3
      Timmy

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    2. Right now, this is the only one, I think. But she has the sequel coming out in a while, and will surely write more. I'll let you know if I hear anything!

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  9. Great review! I haven't read this one and Im eager to read both this and the adult version! Like Lili, I'm reading Two Boys Kissing and I am really curious what you think. The last three books I've read have been YA and my next two are as well. The Geograpgy Club will be after that.. Now that I'm home, I hope I have more time to read! Thanks, Timmy! ❤️

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    1. Sorry Kari, the mean blog is picking on me again. The comment below is for you. <3
      Timmy

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  10. That's awesome Kari! I hope to have a few more reivews done for next weekend. We will have to see what happens. <3
    Timmy

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    1. No worries, Timmy.. Surprisingly, Cody's blog never gives me issues.. ❤️

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