The Importance of Being Kevin

by Steven Harper

Overview

Kevin Devereaux’s life can't get worse. He’s on probation. He’s stuck with an unemployed ex-convict dad. And he lives in a run-down trailer on the crappy east side of town. To keep his probation officer happy, Kevin joins a theater program for teenagers and falls hard for Peter Finn, the lead actor in the show—and the son of the town's leading family. Despite their differences, Peter returns Kevin’s feelings, and for the first time, Kevin learns what it means to be in love.  But Peter’s family won’t accept a gay son—let alone a boyfriend from the wrong side of the tracks—and in their conservative town, they must keep the romance secret. Still, they have the play, and they have each other, so they’ll get by—  Until a brutal attack shatters Kevin’s life and puts Peter in danger of going to jail for murder.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781644052570
Publisher:	Dreamspinner Press LLC
Publication date:	07/02/2019
Edition description:	First Edition,New edition
Pages:	224
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 9.00(h) x 0.50(d)
Age Range:	13 - 17 Years

Editorial Reviews

05/20/2019

Harper’s debut novel tells a beautiful yet heart-wrenching story of overcoming tribulations with the power and strength of loving oneself. Kevin, 16, stuck being gay and poor in a conservative small town, joined a gang and attacked another teen, and only his youth has kept him out of jail. When his probation officer insists that he get a job or participate in a summer program, he auditions for the community play. He is surprised to win one of the lead parts, and he immediately falls for the other lead, 19-year-old Peter. The second night they kiss after rehearsal is also the night Kevin’s raped on his way home by villainous Les, who videotaped Kevin and Peter and threatens to reveal their relationship. After Kevin confides in Peter, Peter goes to Les’s home and beats him up. The next day, Les is found battered—and dead. Peter denies murdering him but is arrested nonetheless, and must now face his parents, who own half the town, finding out about his relationship with Kevin. Readers will fall for this sweet couple’s discovery of love as they seek the killer and learn to assert their true selves. (July)

Publishers Weekly