Reviewed in the United States on April 11, 2015
Hayden is a big, bad bully terrorizing and intimidating the school, finally Ian decides to give into the challenge of the school bully, and totally turn him around. Hayden gives into his desires and learns that he had been hiding in the shadows of his own sexuality for years by subjugating others into submission. Ian realized this year’s earlier but after the torment turned to rage, he decided it was time to help Hayden direct his sexual frustration onto the proper path he is meant to be on. They travel for the summer holidays to Kauai Hawaii and experience all that the island has to offer only, as you think the story is riding off into the sunset, tragedy strikes and Hayden is terrorized by a bully. It was a fantastic story, filled with irony and intrigue, love and hope and most of all imagery that invited my imagination to discover more than just the author’s words. I hope the author will continue the storyline as this book certainly held my attention almost as if I was swept away in the story.
Reviewed in the United States on February 28, 2016
They say that bullies pick their targets based on a specific reason. It could be as simple as the target is different in some way, either because of race, disability or sexuality. In the case of sexuality, it may often be that they want to deflect the suspicions of others away from themselves; that they may in some way be like their victims.
As we enter the high school world of Ian, the lead character in the next volume of the Rainbow Reader Series – White: Educating Hayden, we are quickly confronted by the bully of every gay teen’s worst nightmares. He is older, bigger, stronger and has a reputation for violent and relentless bullying.
After the previous Summer spent in Hawaii in the arms, and bed, of his first love, Warren, Ian has developed a level of confidence about himself and his sexuality that when Hayden decides that he would make an ideal next victim for being gay he stands up to him, taking charge of the situation and confronting Hayden about his own sexuality.
The result is a surprisingly tender awakening and education for Hayden; about himself and the world in which he lives. The culmination of this process is a Summer spent with Ian in the relative freedom of an accepting Hawaiian community, where Hayden truly discovers himself and the role he could play in actually helping other teens struggling with the same issues he was earlier.
This heart-warming, and quite often funny, journey swept me along with its positive message of self-acceptance, hope for the future and embracing the differences among us all. I look forward to following on from here to witness Hayden putting into practice the peaceful and harmonious life which he has begun to experience by embracing his true colours and loving unconditionally.
Reviewed in the United States on April 27, 2015
Wow!!! The author has done a great job by writing such a wonderful book. In this book, They travel for the summer holidays to Kauai Hawaii and experience all that the island has to offer only, as you think the story is riding off into the sunset, tragedy strikes and Hayden is terrorized by a bully. This is a short story with a lot of bang for the buck. This is a lovely story I ever read before!!! The progression of their relationship and how impossible and silly they find it, to fall so hard for each other, so quickly. I highly recommend buying and enjoying this book!!
