This is really good! I honestly had no idea how things would turn out! I won't say anything about the ending, though I will admit I might have had more of a clue if I had read Jane Austen's Northanger Abbey, the inspiration behind this graphic novel. (I can't believe, 10+ years post college, that I'm now considering reading more Austen just because I enjoyed this graphic novel so much!) I love the characters, they're well rounded and realistic. Cade is living a life many queer people can relate to, feeling afraid to come out, especially while in a hostile rural area. Cade's uneasiness and the constant strain of keeping his sexuality a secret leads him to be wary of others and question their motivations. Henry is likewise dealing with a host of issues, ones that affect his life and relationships, but that he doesn't want to talk about. Despite the increasingly fraught tone of the novel, the boys do carve out moments of happiness. I love the progression of their friendship and romance, and how things get resolved!

While this graphic novel addresses racism, homophobia, and other tough topics, it also has a wealth of positivity, character growth, and joy. The art is lovely! I especially love all the character designs and expressions, looking at them I could really feel the emotional impact of the scenes. Complex, emotional, and mysterious, this is a graphic novel I could not put down!

*I received an eARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review*