Never Tear Us Apart

Queer as Folk #2

by Quinn Brockton

Your favorite Queer as Folk characters take you along on their youthful journey of sexual self-discovery in a new line of books based on the record-breaking Showtime series hailed as "fiercely realistic" by The New York Times. USA Today raves, "There's never been anything else like it on TV."

Never Tear Us Apart

They've been to the prom and signed the yearbooks. Now Brian and Michael are apart for the first time since grade school. Brian's soccer scholarship takes him to Carnegie-Mellon where he finds that he's a fresh -- if not a small -- fish in a big new pond. Meanwhile Michael, Deb, and Uncle Vic embark on the annual Novotny family vacation in the Poconos, where Michael makes some "new" friends. When the trip is cut short because Vic doesn't feel well, Michael learns that his uncle has AIDS and that their family must come together more closely than ever. Soon classes begin for both boys, and new passions and adventures put their friendship to the test. Lindsay, a pretty, talented art major at Carnegie-Mellon, is quickly becoming a fixture in Brian's life, and Emmett, whom Michael met at Babylon, becomes a good friend outside the club too. As sex becomes more than experimentation for both, Brian and Michael struggle with jealousy, homophobia, the realities of HIV, and finding a place of their own as they find their way back to each other.

Genres: LGBT, Fiction, Gay, Gay Fiction, Media Tie In, Queer, Contemporary

293 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2003

Reviews

[Remi · Rating 3 out of 5]

Okay. Review to come...

[gemsbooknook Geramie Kate Barker · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Queer As Folk Story.

Based on the record-breaking Showtime series; Never Tear Us Apart reunites you with your favourite Queer As Folk characters. A prequel to the Showtime series, Never Tear Us Apart follows Brian and Michael as they adjust to their new lives as college students. We join the boys as they meet new friends, explore their sexuality and come face to face with the realities of jealousy, homophobia and HIV.

This book was awesome. I absolutely loved it.

I was concerned about how the characters were going to be developed in this book, but I really didn’t need to worry. Quinn Brockton did a great job in capturing the essence of these characters and creating this story without altering their personalities. This book kept true to the heart and soul of Queer As Folk while giving some extra layers to the characters we know and love.

It was fantastic getting to see the friendships between Brian and Lindsey and Michael and Emmett form. Seeing the situations that shaped these characters into the men and women we got to know in the television series. It was quite nostalgic getting to read about Brian, Michael, Debbie, Vic, Lindsey and Emmett. It was like catching up with old friends.

Reading this story and watching the characters grow throughout it gave me a greater insight into the bond that these characters have and how it developed.

Quinn Brockton’s writing style was very cinematic, which made both the characters and narrative read more like a script than a novel, which really worked perfectly for this story.

This book doesn’t affect or distract from the Queer As Folk television series, it just adds another dimension to the much-loved characters. I am really looking forward to reading the rest of the Queer As Folk novels and getting to see the introductions of the remaining Showtime series characters.

This book is a must have for any Queer As Folk fan.

Written by Geramie Kate Barker
https://gemsbooknook.wordpress.com

[Phillip · Rating 4 out of 5]

When I first started this book, I thought, "Oh, it's a cute little prequel, but it's kinda fanfic-y. Whatever, I don't think there will be much to it." But then the whole book turns into a great QaF mini-season! To be sure, it is a "prequel," about 10 years or so before the series. We do get to see some of our characters meet for the first time. I suppose if I were quibble with the canon (and who cares, if it's a good story), it's that in the show we are told Emmett was just the roommate who never left but in the book he meets Michael at school. But, that said, I also thought, "Well, this is a book. It's not going to have all the, um, elements that are in the episode." But, oh no, it does. I think I was at p 33 thinking, "wow, three times already!" So if you are a QaF fan (the U.S. series), this is certainly a great read and definite recommend.

[Michael · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reading Challenge 2018 - Pinterest: book by an author you have never read before. The series continues with Mikey in college and Brian making his way to the top. Everything he wants he gets. Mikey gets a little to much from Andy and Jason, and finally realizes he will never have Brian. Lindsay and Emmett are introduced to the little family, both providing their own parts to it. I like how Brian is always thinking ahead, especially when it comes to protecting Mikey. I can hear the characters speaking in the voices from the television show. Looking forward to finishing the series.

[Stephanie · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was alright, not as good as the first one.

The writing seemed to digress, there were some very confusing parts in the editing.

[Mona · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very well written. I love the idea of getting to know the past of our beloved characters. I'm very interested in Brian's and Michael's friendship and this book gives plenty of that. Also, finally Emmett is part of the book. I love the way he is introduced, although he only shows up when half of the book is already done. I love him and the way he is portrayed in this. The way he bonds with Michael and becomes part of the Novotny family. This is really precious, I would have loved more of this.
Sadly, the tragic story of Vic's illness is only a side story.
Lindsay is introduced in this book, too. She is not aware of being a lesbian. I would have liked to see her realization about her gayness in another setting.
There are too many unnecessary original characters for my liking. All in all I really liked this book, if only for Emmett's presence and some cute bits about Brian's and Michael's friendship.

[Em D'ag · Rating 5 out of 5]

Huge improvement from the first book! Characters felt much more believable as the younger versions of themselves from the show than they did in the first book. Some confusing errors in grammar and dialogue though.

[Mj · Rating 4 out of 5]

Just like watching the show... This comes after Every Nine Seconds by Joseph Brockton. Still a very light read.

[Sarah · Rating 2 out of 5]

so bad, it's good.

[Amy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Better written than the first book, but that's not really saying much. Some confusing typos and odd sentence structures. And entertaining and quick read that fans of the series should enjoy.

[Anaisabel Montenegro · Rating 4 out of 5]

Only read it because of how much I love this show