Book Review for Until September by Harker Jones

I received this book for free. This does not impact my review in any shape or form.

Until September, by Harker Jones, is a novel about a young man who becomes infatuated with the idea of a stranger, an infatuation that later develops into obsession. The book is separated into 6 parts. May introduces Kyle, who see a mysterious boy reading on the beach and immediately becomes smitten with him. June sees the whirlwind romance that Kyle and the boy, Jack, share, as well as the troubles they run into when Kyle tries to integrate Jack into his close-knit group of friends. In July, Kyle starts to isolate himself from the group, as thoughts of being with Jack take over. August finds Kyle and Jack doing whatever they can to ensure their relationship is long lasting, from confronting their parents about their sexuality, to Kyle changing universities to be with Jack. In September, the couple’s plans fall apart, and in Winter, Kyle decides to remain haunted by Jack, unwilling and unable to move on without him. 

This entire story reminds me of Lana Del Rey’s Summertime Sadness. With Trent and Kyle, it seemed they were both swept up in the romance and the fun. I like how, despite their completely opposite approaches to love, ultimately, it’s whether or not they choose to move forward with their lives that determine their fates. If anything, it seems they haunt one another; Kyle chasing one ghost while Trent chases another, if only for forgiveness. I can’t help but wonder if Trent places his best friend on a pedestal, if he believes that only Kyle knows what true love looks like. While it can’t explain the pain he put Veronica through, in this moment Trent reminds me of the golden child in a family full of addicts, doing whatever he possibly can to make sure that Kyle doesn’t leave him. 

It’s easy to want our relationships to last forever. The honeymoon phase is so enticing; all the red flags become flags to us, and first love can be incredibly intoxicating. That said, Kyle and Jack were already up against a hill. Kyle comes from privilege, and while his parents may try to be accepting of his sexuality, Jack has no such luxury. And while Kyle tends to be more whimsical about his feelings, having no problem declaring his undying love for Jack, it appears Jack is more grounded. He doesn’t let the emotions get to him, doesn’t allow himself to be swayed. In a way, he’s kind of like Trent, although he’s always been more wiser than the boy who doesn’t think how his own recklessness may affect others.

I do feel that Trey’s story is unnecessary. Personally, I feel the man places to much importance on himself. Even so, this was a wonderful book that delves deeply into love’s volatility and the importance of maturity when dealing with something as complex as that. As such, I would give this book a 4.5 out of 5 stars.