I really wanted to like this book more than I actually did. It took me a long time to get through the first half because I didn't like the lack of quotations and the sudden, random scene jumping. The second half of the book is really when things started grabbing my interest and when I started to really feel some connection with the story and characters.

There are lots of important themes and topics covered in this book. I realize the importance of these and think it's wonderful they are being explored in this way, but I personally couldn't relate to any of them. This made me feel less of a connection with the book which is one of the reasons I didn't give it a higher rating. That being said, I do understand that these need to be talked about and there are others who can relate to them, just not me personally.

All things considered, I think this is a good book. It's informative, entertaining, and illuminating. Though I didn't feel very connected to the characters or story for most of the book, I think others might and would enjoy it more than I did.

Full review: https://picturethisliteraturecom.wordpress.com/2019/09/17/we-are-lost-and-found/

*Thank you to NetGalley and the author for an ARC in exchange for an honest review!*

I read one of Helene Dunbar's novels, These Gentle Wounds, back in late middle school and remember loving it so much that I returned my library copy and bought my own on Amazon. This novel was no less moving or important.

Set in NYC in the 80's, this book tackles the AIDS crisis and the way that affected young people in the LGBTQ community. While it's well written and I felt for the characters, I personally found the book a bit slow at points and struggled to fully get sucked into the poetic prose. However, I can see this book being absolutely perfect for other readers who can appreciate a less rushed contemporary.

While I struggled to connect with the writing style, the characterization, plot, and overall message of the book was dazzling. I would highly recommend it to fans of Dunbar's other works, readers who enjoyed David Levithan or Nina LaCour, and of course, those who want to spend a few hours reflecting on how far we have come as a country in understanding AIDS and just how far we still have to go.

3.5 ⭐️
enjoyed the story itself, was not a fan at all of the writing style—i’m begging for some quotation marks

This book allows us to see into the perspective of being gay during the beginning of the AIDS epidemic, through that of those who are fuelled with fear and already experiencing death not knowing what the future holds.
The writing style is quite unique and worked well for me personally to read the book.
However, a lot of major events seem to take place in just one year and so many unanswered questions, such as Connor’s health, James’ shift in behaviour… a book that will leave me wondering!

Micheal and his friends are living their teenage years in New York in 1983 in the beginning of the Aids epidemic. His older brother Connor has already been kicked out for being gay and Micheal isn't sure how much longer he can keep himself in the closet. He's got 5 goals for himself: fall in love, figure out who the hell he is, have sex without catching something, repair his family and escape. He's working through his goals and then he meets Gabriel at a club, and he instantly feels drawn to him. But its' not as simple as just meeting a boy and falling in love.

This book is a wonderful piece of historical fiction about a gay male teen in 1983. It's raw and at moments hard to read, but it is so beautifully written. Micheal's friends are an excellent part of his journey, one of them being gay himself, and they add to the fact that he's just a teenager who wants to fall in love. There are two afterwords and both of them do an amazing job of adding more perspective to this time. I'd recommend this for anyone who likes to read historical fiction or anyone who's curious about the beginning of the AIDS epidemic.

sweet and full of historical details to remember

How do I live my life without becoming a statistic?

OOF. This was amazing. Set in New York in 1983, this novel follows a year in the life of Micheal, his brother Connor, his best friend and theatre prodigy James, and his other best friend Becky. Typical coming of age, filled with love and identity formation, but set right in the middle of the AIDS epidemic.
This novel hit so many spots, and I can imagine it being so educational for young queer people. It features heartwrenching details but without a single touch of tragedy porn. The main character, Michael, struggles to come out in his traditional household, especially after witnessing his brother Connor being kicked out of the house for doing the same thing. Adding to that, his first experiences with love and lust are soured by the everlasting dread and the constant possibility of becoming sick. There are only hints at the lack of information due to the oppressive and homophobic politics of the time but they stick out. Multiple characters are hinted at potentially being sick, but nothing is confirmed and the reader, just like Michael is left hanging: maybe things will work out, maybe Micheal will grow old, maybe the hookup didn't lie about being healthy. But we won't know.
Highly recommend to anyone in need for queer YA, though the representation is rather 'lacking' in 2021 standards (as most AIDS-centric narratives it largely focuses on gay men). Pairs well with BBC's It's a Sin mini-series, since both manage to feature highs next to the lows (though the series is heavy in some of its portrayals so be warned).

"Everyone has a story, Michael. Maybe you just don't know the plot of yours yet."