Harker Jones’ Until September is a tender, emotionally charged LGBTQ+ coming-of-age novel that captures the delicate beauty and heartache of a cathartic summer, where the bonds of friendship and the stirrings of first love collide with the complexities of self-discovery.
Table of Contents
Review
A dreamy, melancholic exploration of love, loss, and identity.
The opening pages of Until September immerse readers in Kyle’s reflective world, where nostalgia for simpler times intertwines with a growing awareness of life’s inevitable complications. As Kyle Ryan Quinn, a privileged and sensitive teenager, steps into what becomes a pivotal summer on his idyllic island, he encounters Jack Averill, a quiet, introspective boy whose presence triggers a shift in Kyle’s understanding of himself and the world around him. Kyle’s internal struggles with his emotions and the weight of unspoken desires offer readers a window into the mind of a young man torn between the expectations of his peers and the intense, quiet longing he feels for Jack.
The novel’s strengths are anchored in its lyrical prose and rich, introspective narrative. Jones excels at portraying the emotional landscape of adolescence, especially in the LGBTQ+ context. The scenes between Kyle and Jack are filled with understated tension, their connection brimming with unspoken words and fragile hope. The novel’s writing style evokes the sun-drenched, salt-tinged atmosphere of the island, effectively transporting readers into the world Kyle inhabits, where every small gesture and fleeting glance is loaded with meaning. The editing is seamless, ensuring that the pacing, while slow at times, serves the character-driven nature of the story. One of the book’s most striking passages involves Kyle’s realization of the depth of his feelings as he watches Jack from afar, a scene imbued with raw vulnerability and poetic subtlety.
While the book’s deliberate pacing may challenge readers who prefer more action-driven narratives, the introspective depth compensates by drawing readers into the intricate emotional journey of its characters. Fans of LGBTQ+ romance with a literary edge will find this deeply reflective novel fascinating, while readers looking for fast-paced drama might struggle to connect with its thoughtful, measured storytelling. The book may remind readers of André Aciman’s Call Me by Your Name in its portrayal of a formative, emotionally complex summer romance, with echoes of Fitzgerald in its exploration of privilege and longing.
Until September is a significant contribution to both LGBTQ+ and literary fiction. Through its exploration of identity, love, and friendship, Harker Jones’ novel holds the potential to resonate deeply with readers who seek stories of emotional growth and introspection. The novel’s quiet power lies in its ability to evoke the nostalgia of youth while confronting the painful truths of growing up.
About the Author
Harker Jones is an award-winning author best known for his deeply moving love story Until September. With a background in media, he served as the managing editor of Out magazine for seven years, where he honed his editorial skills and contributed to the cultural conversation around LGBTQ+ issues. Currently, Jones brings his sharp insights to the stage as a theater critic for Broadway World. A proud member of the Los Angeles Drama Critics Circle, his love for the arts is matched by his passion for intellectual pursuits as a member of Mensa. Outside of writing, Jones is a lover of cats and carb-heavy treats, and while he dreams of being a pop star, he’d be just as happy meeting a memorable end in a classic slasher film.
Book Details
- Title: Until September
- Author: Harker Jones
- Genre(s): Literary Fiction, LGBTQ+ Romance, Coming-of-age
- Theme(s): Self-discovery, Unrequited love
- Publication Date: 8 July 2019
- ISBN or ASIN: B07V46MPBT
- Number of Pages: 453
- Minimum Audience Age: 18+
- Main language used in the text: English
Book Themes
(Note: 0=none, 1=a few, 2=considerable, 3=pronounced, 4=excessive)
- Sexual themes: 2
- Kyle’s attraction and longing are central to the plot.
- Religious themes: 0
- No significant religious discussions or references appear.
- Violence, self-harm, etc.: 1
- Occasional emotional distress but no explicit violence.
- Crude language, expletives, swearing, etc.: 1
- Mild expletives are used but not frequently.
- Other adult themes: 3
- Coming-of-age struggles, peer pressure, and identity exploration.
Rating
- Content: 4 stars
- Writing Style: 5 stars
- Appeal to Target Audience: 4 stars
- Uniqueness: 4 stars
- Editing: 5 stars
- Other factors: 4 stars
- Overall: 4.3 out of 5
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We are seeing great work coming grom the LGBTQ+ romance genre. It’s become one of my favorite genres, even when I’m just an ally. And I love character-driven stories!
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