The History of Us Author: Nyrae Dawn
Pages: 184 (Kindle)
Publisher: Harmony Ink Press
Release Date: June 11, 2015
Source: Purchased
Purchase: Amazon
Sometimes it's not about coming out, it's about settling in.
Eighteen-year-old Bradley Collins came out a year ago and hasn't looked back since. Who cares if he doesn’t know any other gay people? Bradley has friends and basketball—that’s all he needs. Even if that means always sitting on the sidelines when the guys go out looking for girls.
When cute film-boy TJ tries to flirt with Bradley while his friends are doing their thing, he freaks. Yeah, he’s gay, but he’s never had the opportunity to go out with a boy before. He’s never had to worry about how his friends will react to seeing him with a guy.
Bradley accompanies TJ on a road trip to film TJ’s senior project documentary. In each city they visit, they meet with people from different walks of life, and Bradley learns there’s a whole lot more to being honest about himself than just coming out. He still has to figure out who he really is and learn to be okay with what he discovers.
The History of Us has a sweet romance, but also a life changing roadtrip. Bradley is out, but isn’t really living like he’s out. His friends and family are accepting of him being gay, and yet Bradley never dates, talks about his orientation, and refuses to meet with other gay teens (despite his mother’s best efforts). Then he meets TJ and is hit by lust, but doesn’t want to pursue it. But on a whim, Bradley decides to join TJ on a roadtrip to film his documentary and learns a lot more about himself in the process.
What I liked best about The History of Us was that it wasn’t a coming out story. It was a self acceptance story. Bradley keeps telling himself that he’s out and that’s a great thing, but TJ and his documentary make him realize that he’s not 100% okay with himself like he claims to be. Admitting that you’re gay (or any other identification) isn’t enough if you’re afraid or ashamed to be who you are. Bradley has to come to terms with that, which he learns to do while listening to the stories of other gays and lesbians who had it much tougher than him.
The History of Us also has a cute, budding romance. TJ and Bradley hang out a bit before the roadtrip, but never go beyond friendship. But being in close proximity for hours on end and the sharing of motel rooms cause tension to arise. At first Bradley is hesitant: no kissing and no holding hands in public! But soon he can’t fight his feelings anymore, and TJ is very understanding of Bradley wanting to take things slowly. The two share some moments that definitely get a bit steamy!
I really enjoyed The History of Us. I loved the peeks into TJ’s documentary, which was to tell the stories of gays and lesbians, the trials they face, but also their happiness. Of course, there has to be some twist and conflict, which ending up being quite predictable, and I do think it took too long to get resolved based on how short the story is. But there’s a happy ending.
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