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And They Lived . . . by Steven Salvatore

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And They Lived . . .

by Steven Salvatore

Narrator Kirt Graves

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Length 10 hours 4 minutes

Language English

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Summary
About the author

Bloomsbury presents And They Lived . . . by Steven Salvatore, read by Kirt Graves.

From the author of Can’t Take That Away comes a sex-positive, fairytale-inspired YA novel that celebrates first love and self-acceptance, perfect for fans of What If It’s Us.

"My heart didn't stand a chance. I loved it from once upon a time all the way to its joyfully complex ever after." – New York Times bestselling author Becky Albertalli

"A jolt of lightning to my soul. The characters are so bright, the emotion is so vibrant, and the love is exquisitely electric." – Jason June, author of Jay's Gay Agenda

Chase Arthur is a budding animator and hopeless romantic obsessed with Disney films and finding his true love, but he’s plagued with the belief that he’s not enough for anyone: he’s recovering from an eating disorder and suffers from body dysmorphia fueled by his father, and can’t quite figure out his gender identity. When Chase starts his freshman year of college, he has to navigate being away from home and missing his sister, finding his squad, and contending with his ex-best friend Leila who is gunning for the same exclusive mentorship. If only he can pull together a short for the freshman animation showcase at the end of the semester.

Then Chase meets Jack Reid, a pragmatic poet who worships words and longs to experience life outside of his sheltered world. But Chase throws everything into question for Jack, who is still discovering his sexual identity, having grown up in close-knit conservative family. Jack internalized a lot of homophobia from his parents and childhood best friend, who unexpectedly visit campus, which threatens to destroy their relationship. Chase will have to learn to love—and be enough for—himself, while discovering what it means to truly live.

Romance LGBTQIA+ Fiction YA Fiction

Steven Salvatore is a gay chaos agent whose obsessions include Star Wars, Mariah Carey, his loud Italian family, boating in the Adirondacks, exploring Italy, and having and then dissecting his existential crises (not in that order). For twelve years, he was a studied, accomplished writing professor having held many positions within higher education spheres; he now works as an academic advisor at Manhattanville University. He has an MFA in Creative Writing from The New School and he’s a book coach and founder of Queerative Writers, a full-service creative hub for LGBTQ+ aspiring writers. A lifelong New Yorker, he now lives in New Jersey with his amazing fiancé Chris. He is the author of AND THEY LIVED…, CAN’T TAKE THAT AWAY, and NO PERFECT PLACES.
stevensalvatore.com | X: @StevenSSWrites | Instagram: @StevenSalvatoreBooks

Audiobook details

Author Steven Salvatore

Narrator Kirt Graves

ISBN 9781547610273

Length 10 hours 4 minutes

Language English

Publisher Bloomsbury Publishing

Publication date March 8, 2022

Edition Unabridged

Genres Romance, LGBTQIA+ Fiction & YA Fiction

Reviews

Captures all the best and most terrifying parts of loving both yourself and others, masterfully balancing a dreamy romance with the raw honesty it takes to sustain it. This book is a true delight. Steven Salvatore writes complicated love stories with such sincerity, thoughtfulness, and emotional resonance. My heart didn’t stand a chance—I loved it from once upon a time all the way to its joyfully complex ever after. I devoured this novel. . . . Compulsively readable, unapologetically human, and refreshingly original, this is a modern gay fairy tale that will turn even the most jaded reader into a hopeless romantic. Reading And They Lived was like a jolt of lightning to my soul. The characters are so bright, the emotion is so vibrant, and the love is exquisitely electric. Chase's story is a reminder to all of us that we're deserving of love from ourselves and others, and—even through the hardships—to enjoy the journey and live. Sincerely funny and heart-achingly real. . . .Salvatore delivers the memorable queer fairy tale readers are craving! Salvatore has done a superb job of dealing with a dramatic complexity of issues while creating equally complex, highly empathic characters. Readers will urgently root for a happily ever after. Taking on coming out, the challenges of art-making, the importance of mentors who get where one is coming from, and the joys and terrors of romance, Salvatore sweeps readers off their feet. From Salvatore’s warm dedication onward, Kirt Graves ignites the pages with kaleidoscopic talent and charm. . . . Salvatore knows how to tell an empowering story. Graves embellishes with indispensable sparkle. A sex-positive, LGBTQIA+ romp through an artist’s freshman year of college, with quick, witty dialogue and sure pacing that makes it a perfect crossover title for older teens and college students in the vein of Rainbow Rowell’s Fangirl and Margot Wood’s Fresh. [Chase’s] growth, supported by queer mentors and friends, provides affirming representation of questioning and nonlinear healing . . . A dramatic and refreshing storm of emotion. This charming, joyful story—about self-love, fighting for what’s right, and the love to be found in chosen family—will make you want to put on a pair of red heels and blast Mariah Carey. Expand reviews

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