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After School Activities
Two guys insist on complicating Dylan O’Connor’s one, his bully, and the other, his best friend. It started out simple enough. Step one, outsmart Adam with wit and flair, goad him into doing something stupid, and land him in detention. Step two, play video games with Kai all night and laugh about it. Go to bed. Repeat tomorrow. Only, Adam and Kai are about to change the rules on him. First, Adam's bullying turns suddenly violent, leaving Dylan to wonder if his bully really needs a friend. Then, Kai makes an unexpected move Dylan has only imagined in his most secret fantasies. Only he'd never dreamed it might come at a price. While Adam opens up, coming closer to revealing a secret he’s kept his entire life, Kai pulls away—even as they get closer than ever. With everything he thought he understood turned upside down, Dylan must decide what he really wants from the men in his life—before inaction loses him the very relationships he's always relied on.No pressure, Dylan. You got this. It's just love. How hard could it be?
200 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 11, 2015
14 people are currently reading
897 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 123 reviews
February 26, 2019
This sexy, fun, enemies to lovers YA novel was a complete joy to read.
If you like YA, then this book personifies everything that YA readers are normally looking for. In freaking spades.
Dylan and Adam are both 17 y.o. high school juniors and have hated one another for years. These two give new meaning to the word "nemesis."
Detention, anyone? Yes, please. He'll take 2. hehe
Dylan is openly gay and Adam doesn't let a single day pass without verbally squaring off against Dylan's "fuck you, if you don't like it" gayness.
Adam is the stereotypical "hot jock", complete with a pack of asshole, homophobic football buddies, but he has a secret. You know back in grade school when a little boy pulls a little girl's pigtails and what that really means, right? Yep, same thing here.
It was a complete blast to watch these two go at it. And then later on in the book, *actually* go at it in private.
Dylan's best friends, Kai and Mel are a complete trip, too.
Sexy, flirty Kai, who Dylan has done his best to not fall in love with, gets bored and horny ("borny"?) and initiates some consensual, no-strings-attached man-lovin' with Dylan. Not exactly sure why, but it was fun to read and turned out to be all kinds of dramatic.
And when Dylan and Adam finally get "together" together, then fear causes Adam to (stupidly) begin seeing Tiffany behind Dylan's back, "You should only use your powers for good" Mel initiates the ingenious (and hilarious) Operation "It's Raining Bitches". Turning a pack of vapid, vicious cheerleaders loose upon themselves??? Freaking *classic* and ingenious. I loved it.
We get our somewhat-expected "Oh no, you didn't, I'm fucking out of here" break up, but then a tragedy requires that Dylan comfort Adam as his life is falling part, bringing them back together again.
So, yes, we do get our HEA and it was pretty spectacular, IMHO.
All in all, the book was chocked full of genuine humor, feelings and fun, with a smattering of drama here and there. And I really loved it.
4 1/2 *I-outwardly-hate-you-but-inwardly-love-you* stars and I highly recommend this book for any YA fans looking for a good laugh and tug on their heart strings.
PS - I found Dylan's fluid "4 hottest guys in school" scale completely hilarious. Definitely a "must not miss".
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** My copy of the book was provided by the publisher in exchange for a fair, unbiased review.
See All My Latest Reads (Review Quick-Links)
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April 6, 2015
Every single one of my friends loved this book.
Except me.
UGH. I know. I know. I'm a Polish Jew, people. Don't you think I'm used to living with the guilt?
I can appreciate the stellar writing and the creativity.
But I just couldn't get behind the MCs.
REASONS:
1. Having a shitty home life and being trapped in the closet does NOT excuse bullying others. EVER.
2. Physical abuse is never okay. NEVER.
3. Dylan getting it on with Malachi didn't work for me. THE FUCK?
4. Adam. I TRIED to like him. But I just couldn't. Yeah, he pulled on my heartstrings in the beginning, but he couldn't get his head out of his ass quickly enough. And when he started dating a girl? FUCK NO. NO. NO. NO.
There was enough steam, but so what? I missed the tenderness, the real-life shit that couples go through.
I fucking HATED the way Adam treated Dylan. I hated that everything between them seemed like a joke.
The story dragged. I almost DNF several times over.
The ending was HFN at best.
*shrugs*
If you want a sweet, sexy YA romance, check out Anna Martin's Signs.
Enjoyment factor = low (LOW) 2
Objective rating (HA!) = 3.25 (It's not you; it's ME.)
Overall = 2.5~ish
P.S. Don't feel like you have to like this review. I know I'm in the minority here. This book just rubbed me in all the wrong ways.
Except me.
UGH. I know. I know. I'm a Polish Jew, people. Don't you think I'm used to living with the guilt?
I can appreciate the stellar writing and the creativity.
But I just couldn't get behind the MCs.
REASONS:
1. Having a shitty home life and being trapped in the closet does NOT excuse bullying others. EVER.
2. Physical abuse is never okay. NEVER.
3. Dylan getting it on with Malachi didn't work for me. THE FUCK?
4. Adam. I TRIED to like him. But I just couldn't. Yeah, he pulled on my heartstrings in the beginning, but he couldn't get his head out of his ass quickly enough. And when he started dating a girl? FUCK NO. NO. NO. NO.
There was enough steam, but so what? I missed the tenderness, the real-life shit that couples go through.
I fucking HATED the way Adam treated Dylan. I hated that everything between them seemed like a joke.
The story dragged. I almost DNF several times over.
The ending was HFN at best.
*shrugs*
If you want a sweet, sexy YA romance, check out Anna Martin's Signs.
Enjoyment factor = low (LOW) 2
Objective rating (HA!) = 3.25 (It's not you; it's ME.)
Overall = 2.5~ish
P.S. Don't feel like you have to like this review. I know I'm in the minority here. This book just rubbed me in all the wrong ways.
May 22, 2020
4.25 I laughed so hard stars
“I love you, you stupid fairy,” he said.
“I love you, you fucking jock.”
“Do we really have to fight, even about loving each other?” he asked with a smile.
“Wouldn’t be fun otherwise, now would it?”
“I suppose not.”
I have been bingeing on so many high school series on Netflix, Youtube (guilty pleasure that i am proud of) and i have been looking for the same experience in books, this came close to it. Elite got nothing on this one, or not!
The story is told from Dylan's POV, the only openly gay boy in Oak Lake High, he is so refreshing, he is funny, can dish it out, and gives as good as he gets. He is of course the target of bullies. I thought this was going to be another sad bully/bullied story, the thing is, Dylan and his friends stand up for themselves, i found myself saying. Go Dylan!
Adam, the Jock and Dylan's tormentor, i really wanted to hate Adam but i just couldn't, i liked him, He had no excuse to be a bully. I will never understand bullying someone because you like them. These high school stories are deceivingly good. Got me rooting for Adam and Dylan. The author showed how high-schoolers can be really mean but he also showed that they can also be remorseful and forgiving.
The secondary characters fit so well into the story, Dylan's best friends, Kai and Mel were so hilarious.
“Why did no one tell me about this?” I demanded.
“What, football?” Mel said.
“It’s a gay man’s paradise!”
“What, football?”
“It’s almost as good as wrestling, but completely without the risk of awkward erections that everyone can see. Tackled by hot guys, ass-smacking on the sidelines….”
“You have some really strange sexual appetites,” Kai said wryly.
“An interesting point from a straight guy who likes to get fucked by another dude,” Mel said.
“Harsh. But fair.”
Dylan, Mel and Kai's conversations! OMG! these guys had me loling all throughout.
I want to smoke what Dylan's parents were smoking. And give that shit to everyone. I freaking loved them.
The relationship between Dylan and Adam was interesting, just a simple/complicated relationship between two 17 year old boys. The sex in this book was so hot. Let's face it, these are teenagers and 90% of their brain is occupied by sex, cheerleaders, Jocks and school dance. Oh, that is at least in the movies and book world.
I can't believe this has been sitting on my kindle for years. Time to start digging. I might find some gems.
“I love you, you stupid fairy,” he said.
“I love you, you fucking jock.”
“Do we really have to fight, even about loving each other?” he asked with a smile.
“Wouldn’t be fun otherwise, now would it?”
“I suppose not.”
I have been bingeing on so many high school series on Netflix, Youtube (guilty pleasure that i am proud of) and i have been looking for the same experience in books, this came close to it. Elite got nothing on this one, or not!
The story is told from Dylan's POV, the only openly gay boy in Oak Lake High, he is so refreshing, he is funny, can dish it out, and gives as good as he gets. He is of course the target of bullies. I thought this was going to be another sad bully/bullied story, the thing is, Dylan and his friends stand up for themselves, i found myself saying. Go Dylan!
Adam, the Jock and Dylan's tormentor, i really wanted to hate Adam but i just couldn't, i liked him, He had no excuse to be a bully. I will never understand bullying someone because you like them. These high school stories are deceivingly good. Got me rooting for Adam and Dylan. The author showed how high-schoolers can be really mean but he also showed that they can also be remorseful and forgiving.
The secondary characters fit so well into the story, Dylan's best friends, Kai and Mel were so hilarious.
“Why did no one tell me about this?” I demanded.
“What, football?” Mel said.
“It’s a gay man’s paradise!”
“What, football?”
“It’s almost as good as wrestling, but completely without the risk of awkward erections that everyone can see. Tackled by hot guys, ass-smacking on the sidelines….”
“You have some really strange sexual appetites,” Kai said wryly.
“An interesting point from a straight guy who likes to get fucked by another dude,” Mel said.
“Harsh. But fair.”
Dylan, Mel and Kai's conversations! OMG! these guys had me loling all throughout.
I want to smoke what Dylan's parents were smoking. And give that shit to everyone. I freaking loved them.
The relationship between Dylan and Adam was interesting, just a simple/complicated relationship between two 17 year old boys. The sex in this book was so hot. Let's face it, these are teenagers and 90% of their brain is occupied by sex, cheerleaders, Jocks and school dance. Oh, that is at least in the movies and book world.
I can't believe this has been sitting on my kindle for years. Time to start digging. I might find some gems.
September 12, 2017
Re-read 12/9/2017. Still a 5 star read for me and exactly how I like YA stories. Where is Dirk Hunter and when is he going to write another book?
..........................................................................................................
4.5 -Operation it's raining bitches- stars!
So, I thought this would be a pretty standard and maybe cliche enemies-to-lovers story...The openly gay kid (Dylan) gets picked on at school by bullies. One of these bullies/jocks (Adam) is a closet case and eventually the animosity turns to lust which turns to love. The jock freaks out at some point because he's afraid to come out but after a short break up there comes the HEA/HFN. I was wrong. It would be a cliche story if it wasn't for :
Dylan's reaction to the bullying. I mean the guy was revelling it. He gave as much as he got, always coming up with the most hilarious answers. Adam was his long-time bully, his nemesis. Over the years, their banter and "hatred" became familiar, almost comforting and their trips to the principal's office an almost weekly thing.
Dylan's parents I laughed so hard thanks to them! This is a very funny book but has its moments of angst. Dylan's parent's would prevent it from being over the top so many times.
" Adam rolled under the bed.
“Since when do you lock your door?” my father asked.
“Since I started sleeping naked.”
“Since when do you sleep naked? ”
“Since you started turning the thermostat up to, like, ninety.” Even I was a little impressed with my nonchalance, the ease of my answers.
“Uh-huh. I see.” Was that a smirk on my dad’s face? What did he find so funny? “Well, Mom’s making waffles. Would you like any?”
“ No, thanks. I think I’ m going back to sleep.”
“How about your friend? Would he care for any waffles?”
For a second, I thought my eyes were going to pop out of my face. The silence stretched on until finally, in a teeny tiny voice, Adam said, “No, thanks, Mr. O’Connor.”
Kai.Dylan's best friend who decided that it would be nice to indulge in gay sex just because he was horny all the time. The truth is that I never fully understood Kai but then again, we 're talking about 17 year-old boys here who are indeed horny all the time and feel the need to explore their sexuality.
This is the reason I wasn't too mad with Adam being an asshole at some point. He was young, a jock and had some preety heavy stuff going on at home. I think he was entitled to some mistakes especially since he made things right in the end.
As I said before the book had its moments of angst but for the most part of it, it was funny as hell as the characters went through some pretty hilarious situations such as the operation "RAINING BITCHES" =turn the cheerleaders against each other or the riot they incited in the end because Adam's coming out wasn't as loud as they expected it to be
The writing was flowing beautifully and I didn't mind at all we didn't have Adam's POV. Oh and how could I forget...it was freaking hot. Plus...funniest HEA ever. I hope to read more of this author soon!
“I love you, you stupid fairy,” he said.
“I love you, you fucking jock.”
“Do we really have to fight, even about loving each other?” he asked with a smile.
..........................................................................................................
4.5 -Operation it's raining bitches- stars!
So, I thought this would be a pretty standard and maybe cliche enemies-to-lovers story...The openly gay kid (Dylan) gets picked on at school by bullies. One of these bullies/jocks (Adam) is a closet case and eventually the animosity turns to lust which turns to love. The jock freaks out at some point because he's afraid to come out but after a short break up there comes the HEA/HFN. I was wrong. It would be a cliche story if it wasn't for :
Dylan's reaction to the bullying. I mean the guy was revelling it. He gave as much as he got, always coming up with the most hilarious answers. Adam was his long-time bully, his nemesis. Over the years, their banter and "hatred" became familiar, almost comforting and their trips to the principal's office an almost weekly thing.
Dylan's parents I laughed so hard thanks to them! This is a very funny book but has its moments of angst. Dylan's parent's would prevent it from being over the top so many times.
" Adam rolled under the bed.
“Since when do you lock your door?” my father asked.
“Since I started sleeping naked.”
“Since when do you sleep naked? ”
“Since you started turning the thermostat up to, like, ninety.” Even I was a little impressed with my nonchalance, the ease of my answers.
“Uh-huh. I see.” Was that a smirk on my dad’s face? What did he find so funny? “Well, Mom’s making waffles. Would you like any?”
“ No, thanks. I think I’ m going back to sleep.”
“How about your friend? Would he care for any waffles?”
For a second, I thought my eyes were going to pop out of my face. The silence stretched on until finally, in a teeny tiny voice, Adam said, “No, thanks, Mr. O’Connor.”
Kai.Dylan's best friend who decided that it would be nice to indulge in gay sex just because he was horny all the time. The truth is that I never fully understood Kai but then again, we 're talking about 17 year-old boys here who are indeed horny all the time and feel the need to explore their sexuality.
This is the reason I wasn't too mad with Adam being an asshole at some point. He was young, a jock and had some preety heavy stuff going on at home. I think he was entitled to some mistakes especially since he made things right in the end.
As I said before the book had its moments of angst but for the most part of it, it was funny as hell as the characters went through some pretty hilarious situations such as the operation "RAINING BITCHES" =turn the cheerleaders against each other or the riot they incited in the end because Adam's coming out wasn't as loud as they expected it to be
The writing was flowing beautifully and I didn't mind at all we didn't have Adam's POV. Oh and how could I forget...it was freaking hot. Plus...funniest HEA ever. I hope to read more of this author soon!
“I love you, you stupid fairy,” he said.
“I love you, you fucking jock.”
“Do we really have to fight, even about loving each other?” he asked with a smile.
August 7, 2025
4 “IT’S RAINING, BITCHES!” Stars
This story was funny, charming and relatable. M/M (mature themed) YA at its finest.
And to think this is the author’s debut novel! I’m wholly impressed—by the narrative, the characters, and the impeccable writing quality. It was a “read in one sitting” kind of book. That should say it all.
The story follows Dylan, our 17 year old, openly gay, defender of the bullied (which often includes himself). He regularly takes on Oak Lake High's bullies like it’s a revered sport, using his sharp tongue to lay a verbal smack-down wherever they choose to strike.
Enter Adam, Dylan’s long-time personal bully and verbal sparring partner. These two haven’t passed a day at school (since third grade), where they haven’t verbally assaulted each other in the school halls or lunchroom. Dylan finds a ridiculous amount of joy through provoking Adam into snappy confrontations. It’s one of Dylan’s favourite things about school.
Their feisty interactions have never led to physical violence, until one day in the school lunchroom Dylan over-steps and says something a bit too personal, earning himself a punch to the face. He realises immediately he’s taken it too far and probably deserved Adam’s wrath, but the real question on Dylan’s mind is what did he say to make Adam snap? Dylan apologises and ensures Adam that if he ever needs someone to talk to, he can confide in Dylan. Surprisingly, Adam takes him up on this and begins to divulge some shocking personal secrets.
And so the story begins. Dylan and Adam somehow cross a line from nemeses to trusted confidants… to more. It was a joy to watch their tumultuous relationship unfold -- in the best possible enemies to lovers fashion.
I really liked Dylan's character. He was quick-witted and honest and completely relatable.
Where I liked Dylan's character, I absolutely loved Adam's. I probably shouldn't have cared for him as much as I did, considering all his bullying ways, but I found his character utterly fascinating, surprising and deliciously complex. I particularly adored the way he treated Dylan in their more private of moments. *sigh*
Surrounding these two guys, are a wonderful cast of colourful characters, including; a pair of awesome parents, a couple of loyal besties, a gorgeous popular jock and his equally beautiful and wise girlfriend, and an entire squad of sassy cheerleaders. I pretty much loved them all
I can’t write a review for this book without expressing the level of joy I attained from the few awesome segments which featured Dylan’s parents. These two were highly inappropriate (meaning, hilarious), and so damn supportive and understanding of Dylan and his life decisions. They delighted in teasing Dylan, at the expense of each other; they work hard to embarrass him, in the way that only parents are able to mortify their children. It was highly entertaining and I related all too well. I’m lucky enough (yep, lucky) to also have parents who think they’re hilarious, and they actually are (don’t tell them I said that or I’ll never hear the end of all the “I told you I’m hilarious” rants).
My one quarrel with this book is its title, After School Activities. I don’t have a particular preference for an alternate title, but I felt this one just set the wrong tone, and I’m worried people will overlook it on sight. This title makes the story look like it’s going to be less than what it is, and that’s a shame.
On the flip-side of my unenthusiastic feelings for the title, I must say, I adore the cover! That dude is totally how I picture our main man Dylan!
This story was funny, charming and relatable. M/M (mature themed) YA at its finest.
And to think this is the author’s debut novel! I’m wholly impressed—by the narrative, the characters, and the impeccable writing quality. It was a “read in one sitting” kind of book. That should say it all.
The story follows Dylan, our 17 year old, openly gay, defender of the bullied (which often includes himself). He regularly takes on Oak Lake High's bullies like it’s a revered sport, using his sharp tongue to lay a verbal smack-down wherever they choose to strike.
Enter Adam, Dylan’s long-time personal bully and verbal sparring partner. These two haven’t passed a day at school (since third grade), where they haven’t verbally assaulted each other in the school halls or lunchroom. Dylan finds a ridiculous amount of joy through provoking Adam into snappy confrontations. It’s one of Dylan’s favourite things about school.
What else was I supposed to do during school if not bait the bully? Learn? Hardly.
Their feisty interactions have never led to physical violence, until one day in the school lunchroom Dylan over-steps and says something a bit too personal, earning himself a punch to the face. He realises immediately he’s taken it too far and probably deserved Adam’s wrath, but the real question on Dylan’s mind is what did he say to make Adam snap? Dylan apologises and ensures Adam that if he ever needs someone to talk to, he can confide in Dylan. Surprisingly, Adam takes him up on this and begins to divulge some shocking personal secrets.
And so the story begins. Dylan and Adam somehow cross a line from nemeses to trusted confidants… to more. It was a joy to watch their tumultuous relationship unfold -- in the best possible enemies to lovers fashion.
I really liked Dylan's character. He was quick-witted and honest and completely relatable.
Where I liked Dylan's character, I absolutely loved Adam's. I probably shouldn't have cared for him as much as I did, considering all his bullying ways, but I found his character utterly fascinating, surprising and deliciously complex. I particularly adored the way he treated Dylan in their more private of moments. *sigh*
Surrounding these two guys, are a wonderful cast of colourful characters, including; a pair of awesome parents, a couple of loyal besties, a gorgeous popular jock and his equally beautiful and wise girlfriend, and an entire squad of sassy cheerleaders. I pretty much loved them all
I can’t write a review for this book without expressing the level of joy I attained from the few awesome segments which featured Dylan’s parents. These two were highly inappropriate (meaning, hilarious), and so damn supportive and understanding of Dylan and his life decisions. They delighted in teasing Dylan, at the expense of each other; they work hard to embarrass him, in the way that only parents are able to mortify their children. It was highly entertaining and I related all too well. I’m lucky enough (yep, lucky) to also have parents who think they’re hilarious, and they actually are (don’t tell them I said that or I’ll never hear the end of all the “I told you I’m hilarious” rants).
My one quarrel with this book is its title, After School Activities. I don’t have a particular preference for an alternate title, but I felt this one just set the wrong tone, and I’m worried people will overlook it on sight. This title makes the story look like it’s going to be less than what it is, and that’s a shame.
On the flip-side of my unenthusiastic feelings for the title, I must say, I adore the cover! That dude is totally how I picture our main man Dylan!
July 27, 2016
They were very cute in the beginning. After that, things were spoiled.
First of all, I had no complaint when I began the book. The premise was pretty striking: a youth and his bully. Enough to get your attention, at least. But beneath it, you feel something, not everything is obvious for the eyes, and here this statement is truer than not. I liked the first 30% a lot and I can count a few beautiful scenes that were close to break my heart. My inner goddess really swooned during this period.
Then everything turned out to be... normal. It was very shocking, to have a painfully tender story in my hands, to ending up with an average plot. Not really ordinary, because it never bore me, but is was never the same again. Never again I felt the magic the first pages transpired. And that felt like a big loss.
Even more, bullying here is generally treated like a joke. Therefore, I couldn't feel comfortable with certain scenes. It's a serious matter, so playing it down was like an insult or, even worse, as if the author weren't aware of the utter importance this problem represents. I was really worried that these two boys talk about it in such a nonchalant way. Don't get me wrong, I don't expect them to be unable to forgive or to move on to build something together. Just that erasing the significance of something so grave is not solving the conflict we have at hand between these two. I can understand Adam having a hard background but I felt cheated when the author implies that's the reason why someone becomes a bully. I only wanted the characters to be more conscious of this matter and judge and act consequently, that's all.
I loved the secondary characters: Dylan's parents, Dylan's friends (old and new)... They were mostly very nice and hilarious, and if they weren't their scenes made up for it. I loved the stereotypes being put away with the cheerleaders being all accepting and funny (Charlotte and the rest). Some of them were superficial and pedant but always with their hearts on the right side. It's less prominent with the jocks but we also have good examples here: James P. Hogan, for instance.
What I didn't like:
1) The affair with . Really? I felt zero chemistry here, no kidding. I couldn't bring myself to believe it.
2) The relationship between Adam-Dylan with the teachers and the director is almost casual, almost friendly. In no way I could picture a director turning a blind eye to certain attitudes, and I don't necessarily mean the bullying part.
3) Then, everything was ok between Adam and Dylan and suddenly, the cliché: Adam . I was upset about this. Not because it's weak or ridiculous, but because it's an overused card.
4) But nothing was as bad as the ending. I'm sorry to say this, because I honestly love your country, but this is what we call a huge "Americanada", which annoyed me enormously. I have a chronic disease, the one that makes me hate endings with people clapping after the couple's final kiss in public. Rest assured, it doesn't happen exactly like THAT. But my eyes rolled up into my head and I closed the book with the sensation I was watching the typical brainless comedy yet again.
I can't believe how wasted this story is. Something that began so well and ended so badly. I don't discard the possibility of repeating with this author, if only because the style was really good. It just didn't work for me how certain issues or scenes were handled. In conclusion, the beginning couldn't have been better but the development didn't measure up to it. What a pity.
First of all, I had no complaint when I began the book. The premise was pretty striking: a youth and his bully. Enough to get your attention, at least. But beneath it, you feel something, not everything is obvious for the eyes, and here this statement is truer than not. I liked the first 30% a lot and I can count a few beautiful scenes that were close to break my heart. My inner goddess really swooned during this period.
Then everything turned out to be... normal. It was very shocking, to have a painfully tender story in my hands, to ending up with an average plot. Not really ordinary, because it never bore me, but is was never the same again. Never again I felt the magic the first pages transpired. And that felt like a big loss.
Even more, bullying here is generally treated like a joke. Therefore, I couldn't feel comfortable with certain scenes. It's a serious matter, so playing it down was like an insult or, even worse, as if the author weren't aware of the utter importance this problem represents. I was really worried that these two boys talk about it in such a nonchalant way. Don't get me wrong, I don't expect them to be unable to forgive or to move on to build something together. Just that erasing the significance of something so grave is not solving the conflict we have at hand between these two. I can understand Adam having a hard background but I felt cheated when the author implies that's the reason why someone becomes a bully. I only wanted the characters to be more conscious of this matter and judge and act consequently, that's all.
I loved the secondary characters: Dylan's parents, Dylan's friends (old and new)... They were mostly very nice and hilarious, and if they weren't their scenes made up for it. I loved the stereotypes being put away with the cheerleaders being all accepting and funny (Charlotte and the rest). Some of them were superficial and pedant but always with their hearts on the right side. It's less prominent with the jocks but we also have good examples here: James P. Hogan, for instance.
What I didn't like:
1) The affair with . Really? I felt zero chemistry here, no kidding. I couldn't bring myself to believe it.
2) The relationship between Adam-Dylan with the teachers and the director is almost casual, almost friendly. In no way I could picture a director turning a blind eye to certain attitudes, and I don't necessarily mean the bullying part.
3) Then, everything was ok between Adam and Dylan and suddenly, the cliché: Adam . I was upset about this. Not because it's weak or ridiculous, but because it's an overused card.
4) But nothing was as bad as the ending. I'm sorry to say this, because I honestly love your country, but this is what we call a huge "Americanada", which annoyed me enormously. I have a chronic disease, the one that makes me hate endings with people clapping after the couple's final kiss in public. Rest assured, it doesn't happen exactly like THAT. But my eyes rolled up into my head and I closed the book with the sensation I was watching the typical brainless comedy yet again.
I can't believe how wasted this story is. Something that began so well and ended so badly. I don't discard the possibility of repeating with this author, if only because the style was really good. It just didn't work for me how certain issues or scenes were handled. In conclusion, the beginning couldn't have been better but the development didn't measure up to it. What a pity.
July 2, 2016
After the first two chapters, I was thinking, please don't let this be another openly gay nerd and the homophobic jock-bully end up falling for each other cliché book. Well, that's exactly what it ended up being.
So why 5 stars? Because it was a great read. Dirk Hunter gives a great first person perspective from Dylan's point of view, life as an openly gay high school student. Adam has been bullying him since elementary school and it's simply become a pattern of school life for them both as they trade insults each day. The story is touching and funny. The writing is great. The characters are, well, priceless. I found myself very much relating to both Dylan and Adam as they each deal with being gay in their own way.
Normally I'm disappointed with the nerd/jock gay cliché book but this one was definitely worth the read!
So why 5 stars? Because it was a great read. Dirk Hunter gives a great first person perspective from Dylan's point of view, life as an openly gay high school student. Adam has been bullying him since elementary school and it's simply become a pattern of school life for them both as they trade insults each day. The story is touching and funny. The writing is great. The characters are, well, priceless. I found myself very much relating to both Dylan and Adam as they each deal with being gay in their own way.
Normally I'm disappointed with the nerd/jock gay cliché book but this one was definitely worth the read!
i-m-a-quitter
April 6, 2015DNF @ 56%
It's quite possible I didn't like anyone in this book!
And then when I found out what happened after I stopped....
Yup, this one just wasn't for me!
It's quite possible I didn't like anyone in this book!
And then when I found out what happened after I stopped....
Yup, this one just wasn't for me!
March 30, 2015
I have to ask- why aren't more people reading this book???? This was such a fun & sexy read! Here we have two young men who have been enemies since elementary school. Adam, the jock, loves to torture Dylan. Dylan, the only gay boy in school (so he thinks), looks forward to his daily verbal sparring with his enemy Adam.
Despite dealing with some heavy topics, this book felt light and made me chuckle several times.
I loved:
*Dylan
*Adam
*Dylan & Adam, lol
They were so cute!
*The secondary group of characters. Kai and Mel cracked me up, as well as Dylan's parents.
*This was a feel good story with a sprinkle of angst.
There wasn't anything I would change about this story. I loved it all. This one is definitely going in my re-read pile! 5 Stars!
P.S. Mr. Hunter, please write a book for Kai!!
January 10, 2022
Re-read May 2016!! Oh yes, Dylan's still so awesome the second time around.
-------------
4.75 stars
SO MANY levels of awesomeness to this YA enemies-to-lovers story!
First and foremost is Dylan. He's funny and quick-witted and he's the kind of guy who refuses to back down from a bully. In fact, he always comes out on top through his wit. He's smart, he's caring and he's got a HUGE heart. It's so obvious why Adam has been secretly in love with Dylan for years.
Adam, on the other hand, starts out the book looking like a vile asshat (I was initially skeptical that he could be redeemed). Dylan may feel passionately about Adam, but those feelings are more the feelings one would have for a somewhat worthy verbal parrying partner. Dylan's secret love, if any, is for his hot, but straight, best friend Kai.
Things change when Dylan realizes that Adam is hiding a secret hurt and he offers to be the person that Adam can tell his problems to. Yes, Dylan is that awesome of a guy. Adam starts to open up to Dylan about his family issues and his actions start to become more understandable. Their relationship takes a huge turn and they start acting on their attraction to each other.
I won't go into the rest of the plot, but there's of course a few more bumps in the road for these two.
Oh yeah, I should also mention that Dylan's parents are perhaps the coolest, funniest parents I've EVER seen in a YA novel. And there are other great characters too, especially Dylan's friends, Kai and Mel, and his new cheerleader friends.
And I can't forget to mention the cafeteria scene near the end of the book which is so, so perfect!
Highly recommended for the humour, the enemies-to-lovers storyline, the hugely likeable MC and, well, a whole lot of other things!
-------------
4.75 stars
SO MANY levels of awesomeness to this YA enemies-to-lovers story!
First and foremost is Dylan. He's funny and quick-witted and he's the kind of guy who refuses to back down from a bully. In fact, he always comes out on top through his wit. He's smart, he's caring and he's got a HUGE heart. It's so obvious why Adam has been secretly in love with Dylan for years.
Adam, on the other hand, starts out the book looking like a vile asshat (I was initially skeptical that he could be redeemed). Dylan may feel passionately about Adam, but those feelings are more the feelings one would have for a somewhat worthy verbal parrying partner. Dylan's secret love, if any, is for his hot, but straight, best friend Kai.
Things change when Dylan realizes that Adam is hiding a secret hurt and he offers to be the person that Adam can tell his problems to. Yes, Dylan is that awesome of a guy. Adam starts to open up to Dylan about his family issues and his actions start to become more understandable. Their relationship takes a huge turn and they start acting on their attraction to each other.
I won't go into the rest of the plot, but there's of course a few more bumps in the road for these two.
Oh yeah, I should also mention that Dylan's parents are perhaps the coolest, funniest parents I've EVER seen in a YA novel. And there are other great characters too, especially Dylan's friends, Kai and Mel, and his new cheerleader friends.
And I can't forget to mention the cafeteria scene near the end of the book which is so, so perfect!
Highly recommended for the humour, the enemies-to-lovers storyline, the hugely likeable MC and, well, a whole lot of other things!
January 6, 2016
I freaking LOVED this book! Enemies to lovers? Yes please! I adored Dylan and loved being inside his head. I grew to love Adam, too. Mel and Kai were absolutely hysterical! So were Dylan's parents. And the lunchroom scene at the end was the best!! A must read if you are a fan of YA.
June 14, 2017
Having just read two YA books almost in a row brings to the forefront that I am so glad my teen years are behind me. There's a different kind of angst that comes with this genre - more of a palpable anxiety that encompasses a lot of things because everything is so new or an actual first experience.
But I digress…so as the blurb says, Dylan is suddenly faced with a literal buffet of sexual options and what he does and doesn't do and what happens and doesn't happen is the center of this fic with impressive results - hot horny love, painful sad revelations, crazy wacky drama.
Do I want to easily brush off the hard to read bullying and abuse? Does that excuse actions automatically? No. But not only does the author show that kids can be mean and cruel, he also showed their immense capacity to empathize, love and forgive.
I felt that this was quite realistic, nothing too over the top (well… mostly), no insta-love. It was true in depicting peer pressure, sexual experimentation, keeping secrets, fighting with friends, breaking up and then making up. The supporting cast of popular jocks and cheerleaders, Dylan's parents, and of course his BFF's Kai and Mel, lent just enough gravitas and comic relief every time it was needed. No doubt I felt joy, lust, fear, and sadness.
This definitely had it all - touching topical angst intermixed with some hot smexy times equals a great read!
And that ending? Freakin awesome!
But I digress…so as the blurb says, Dylan is suddenly faced with a literal buffet of sexual options and what he does and doesn't do and what happens and doesn't happen is the center of this fic with impressive results - hot horny love, painful sad revelations, crazy wacky drama.
Do I want to easily brush off the hard to read bullying and abuse? Does that excuse actions automatically? No. But not only does the author show that kids can be mean and cruel, he also showed their immense capacity to empathize, love and forgive.
I felt that this was quite realistic, nothing too over the top (well… mostly), no insta-love. It was true in depicting peer pressure, sexual experimentation, keeping secrets, fighting with friends, breaking up and then making up. The supporting cast of popular jocks and cheerleaders, Dylan's parents, and of course his BFF's Kai and Mel, lent just enough gravitas and comic relief every time it was needed. No doubt I felt joy, lust, fear, and sadness.
This definitely had it all - touching topical angst intermixed with some hot smexy times equals a great read!
And that ending? Freakin awesome!
October 24, 2015
This played out like a gay John Hughes movie. I would love to watch it on screen. =]
I think I loved Kai the most. He just did it for me. I loved how carefree and mellow he was and how everything was just fun with him. Mel is my gurl! Loved her fierceness and how protective she was of her friends. Dylan's parents were AMAZING and HILARIOUS. I loved them.
Dylan and Adam's relationship was pretty much based on them bullying each other and later on turned into bickering and love. Bullying is never OK and I loved how Dylan took it upon himself to knock the bullies down. I'm a bit confused on how I feel about the bullying since how they ended up. Some where upset with how what Adam did was swept aside because the feels came into play. I still don't condone bullying but it's in so many books where guy's treat girls like shit and then the girls end up with them in the end. Most of the time the guys are considered pricks, bad boys, or controlling. Nope, just a different type of bully. So in order for me to dislike this book at all because of the bullying I would probably end having to dislike a lot of books I have ended up loving. It's a weird line to cross I guess.
ANYWAYS! I loved the book and almost all of the characters and would love a sequel. ;]
I think I loved Kai the most. He just did it for me. I loved how carefree and mellow he was and how everything was just fun with him. Mel is my gurl! Loved her fierceness and how protective she was of her friends. Dylan's parents were AMAZING and HILARIOUS. I loved them.
Dylan and Adam's relationship was pretty much based on them bullying each other and later on turned into bickering and love. Bullying is never OK and I loved how Dylan took it upon himself to knock the bullies down. I'm a bit confused on how I feel about the bullying since how they ended up. Some where upset with how what Adam did was swept aside because the feels came into play. I still don't condone bullying but it's in so many books where guy's treat girls like shit and then the girls end up with them in the end. Most of the time the guys are considered pricks, bad boys, or controlling. Nope, just a different type of bully. So in order for me to dislike this book at all because of the bullying I would probably end having to dislike a lot of books I have ended up loving. It's a weird line to cross I guess.
ANYWAYS! I loved the book and almost all of the characters and would love a sequel. ;]
February 7, 2022
Sometimes rating a book is so difficult. I am tempted to rate it 2-3 stars but in reality, I enjoyed reading it, but also couldn't get over some inconsistencies in it.
See, I am pretty forgivable while rating romance. Because what is romance if there is no unwanted drama or miscommunication or public meltdowns but this book just confused the hell out of me.
First, I started it without reading the blurb so I didn't know it was going to be a love triangle with the ex-bully and best friend trope. I have no issue with reading bully romances and I even enjoyed the sassy openly gay MC, Dylan. And, like some of the scenes with his friends Mel and Kai. But then the love triangle twist started.
Still, this book should have been a 3-star read but I think the author kept forgetting what he wrote a few pages ago. Or, out of a sudden, the characters started behaving differently.
-Spoiler-
Adam(the other MC) came to see Dylan and told him, he had been beaten by his elder bro, his brother blames him for everything wrong in the family and says, "If you were not like this, our father would have not left". But, in the last few scenes, his brother says to Adam, why don't you tell me and behaved very normally about Adam being gay.
These kinds of things keep happening, where the characters suddenly start doing something without any reason. I think I am supposed to ignore all these inconsistencies because the MCs are in school??? 🤔🤔🤔
See, I am pretty forgivable while rating romance. Because what is romance if there is no unwanted drama or miscommunication or public meltdowns but this book just confused the hell out of me.
First, I started it without reading the blurb so I didn't know it was going to be a love triangle with the ex-bully and best friend trope. I have no issue with reading bully romances and I even enjoyed the sassy openly gay MC, Dylan. And, like some of the scenes with his friends Mel and Kai. But then the love triangle twist started.
Still, this book should have been a 3-star read but I think the author kept forgetting what he wrote a few pages ago. Or, out of a sudden, the characters started behaving differently.
-Spoiler-
Adam(the other MC) came to see Dylan and told him, he had been beaten by his elder bro, his brother blames him for everything wrong in the family and says, "If you were not like this, our father would have not left". But, in the last few scenes, his brother says to Adam, why don't you tell me and behaved very normally about Adam being gay.
These kinds of things keep happening, where the characters suddenly start doing something without any reason. I think I am supposed to ignore all these inconsistencies because the MCs are in school??? 🤔🤔🤔
January 2, 2016
Absolutely fabulous! It's rare, but it happens, that I'll get a book that perfectly suits my mood right when I need it most.
This was funny, heartwarming, frustrating, sweet, exasperating, hilarious, and just what I needed to read at this very moment.
The only thing that would have made it better?
This review has been cross-posted at Reviews by Jessewave.
This was funny, heartwarming, frustrating, sweet, exasperating, hilarious, and just what I needed to read at this very moment.
The only thing that would have made it better?
This review has been cross-posted at Reviews by Jessewave.
June 10, 2016
God I have so much fun with this book.
This make me feel that I was in highschool again, all that innecesary drama, it was so funny, Dylan is one of the most funnys characters I'd ever read.
At the beegining I was a little confuse the whole situation with Kai and Adam, but them when I now fur sure who he would pick It was so sweet but it kinda went really fast.
I realized I have a guilty pleasure you know inn this kinda of book when a character or both are in the closet I wait for the freak out scene, when one of the character wants to came out and the other don't? I live fot that scenes. The whole thing was really sweet but toward the end it became so sad and them sweet again I just loved.
Reallly really good.
This make me feel that I was in highschool again, all that innecesary drama, it was so funny, Dylan is one of the most funnys characters I'd ever read.
At the beegining I was a little confuse the whole situation with Kai and Adam, but them when I now fur sure who he would pick It was so sweet but it kinda went really fast.
I realized I have a guilty pleasure you know inn this kinda of book when a character or both are in the closet I wait for the freak out scene, when one of the character wants to came out and the other don't? I live fot that scenes. The whole thing was really sweet but toward the end it became so sad and them sweet again I just loved.
Reallly really good.
March 31, 2015
Pigtail pulling at its finest!
Meags told me to read this and I did and I really, really liked it, a lot. I am stealing her review because it says everything I would say but just not as pretty as she did.
You took the words right out of my mouth!
I will tell you for YA this to me was quite believable. High school is not easy and it is never perfect, but it should be fun and it should be a time to discover who you are and who you want to be.
Dylan and Adam are funny as shit. Actually, a lot of it had me laughing out loud.
Just a totally enjoyable read.
Thanks Meags!
Meags told me to read this and I did and I really, really liked it, a lot. I am stealing her review because it says everything I would say but just not as pretty as she did.
You took the words right out of my mouth!
I will tell you for YA this to me was quite believable. High school is not easy and it is never perfect, but it should be fun and it should be a time to discover who you are and who you want to be.
Dylan and Adam are funny as shit. Actually, a lot of it had me laughing out loud.
Just a totally enjoyable read.
Thanks Meags!
May 31, 2015
4.5 Stars
Once upon a time there was a boy (Adam) who liked another boy (Dylan). So, in the tradition of young boy's expressing their feelings, Adam picked on Dylan. Eventually, Dylan learned to use wit to combat his nemesis and their battle raged on for many years to come.
I loved this story, a lot. I don't want to make light of bullying, I really don't. It's often really serious and no one ever deserves to be bullied. Adam is hiding and he's terrified of being different, so he goes with the flow, with the other jocks. Not his best moments, for sure. Dylan is generally the focus of Adam's attentions.
After School Activities is told from Dylan's POV. Dylan is openly gay and is often the object of bullying. It's never been violent, so, once he learned to wield his wit like a weapon, he hasn't much been concerned by it all. In fact, he rather enjoys the verbal sparring. Until, one day, something changed and Dylan became worried about Adam and decides to actually befriend his bully. Everyone needs someone to talk to, sometimes. And Adam is surely no different.
Dylan seems to have a lot going on in his life all of a sudden, too. Right about the time he starts befriending Adam, Kai, Dylan's straight best friend, starts coming onto Dylan. Sort of.
I never really knew what to make of Kai. I can understand a straight horny teenage boy accepting a blowjob from another boy. I can even understand him asking for it. But the rest of it? He used Dylan, his best friend, and Dylan didn't deserve that at all. I suspect Kai was jealous of Adam and used that as an excuse to explore some bi-curiosity, but it was bad form for him to use Dylan like he did.
And during all this, Adam is trying to stay in the closet publicly, while having a relationship with Dylan in private. It was kind of a mess, for a while, until Adam gets the courage to be himself.
The ending was very dramatic and I loved it. Well done.
Once upon a time there was a boy (Adam) who liked another boy (Dylan). So, in the tradition of young boy's expressing their feelings, Adam picked on Dylan. Eventually, Dylan learned to use wit to combat his nemesis and their battle raged on for many years to come.
I loved this story, a lot. I don't want to make light of bullying, I really don't. It's often really serious and no one ever deserves to be bullied. Adam is hiding and he's terrified of being different, so he goes with the flow, with the other jocks. Not his best moments, for sure. Dylan is generally the focus of Adam's attentions.
After School Activities is told from Dylan's POV. Dylan is openly gay and is often the object of bullying. It's never been violent, so, once he learned to wield his wit like a weapon, he hasn't much been concerned by it all. In fact, he rather enjoys the verbal sparring. Until, one day, something changed and Dylan became worried about Adam and decides to actually befriend his bully. Everyone needs someone to talk to, sometimes. And Adam is surely no different.
Dylan seems to have a lot going on in his life all of a sudden, too. Right about the time he starts befriending Adam, Kai, Dylan's straight best friend, starts coming onto Dylan. Sort of.
I never really knew what to make of Kai. I can understand a straight horny teenage boy accepting a blowjob from another boy. I can even understand him asking for it. But the rest of it? He used Dylan, his best friend, and Dylan didn't deserve that at all. I suspect Kai was jealous of Adam and used that as an excuse to explore some bi-curiosity, but it was bad form for him to use Dylan like he did.
And during all this, Adam is trying to stay in the closet publicly, while having a relationship with Dylan in private. It was kind of a mess, for a while, until Adam gets the courage to be himself.
The ending was very dramatic and I loved it. Well done.
August 4, 2025
✰ 2.75 stars ✰
I was prepared to dislike Kai until the very end, but he grew on me.
I was prepared to hate on Adam for how he treated Dylan, but he surprised me.
I was prepared to give Dylan a piece of my mind and tell him to stop thinking with his unbridled desires during his After School Activities and more with his head. 😭😭 But, the fact that he did have a good head on his shoulders, and heart - is probably why I was able to forgive him for his many theatrical antics, if not the emotional fallout he allowed himself to feel at either male objects of his affection. 🥺
“... and I was faced anew with my dilemma—straight guy who is comfortable with liking me, and a gay one who isn’t.”
Not to say that I didn't get physical whiplash at how Dylan was so whipped for Kai that he just immediately fell into bed with him, without rhyme or reason, let alone discussion. But the moment he shed those visors he'd blinded himself to the antics of his best friend, a weight was lifted off him - and me - for wanting to scold him for behaving so flippantly. 🥲
And then not to say the hastiness in which Adam just upended their entire dynamic since pre-k - 'hating you has been one of the most constant things in my life' - also caught me off guard. 😕 Especially with his own personal burdens he shared with Dylan, in a moment of vulnerability, trust and tenderness, that gave him a glimpse of something he understood —the sadness of knowing you’re different, and trying not to show it.. ❤️🩹 ❤️🩹
“Whatever you need, however you need me. As long as you need me. I promise. Understand?”
For it's more so the whole still being so deep in the closet - the slurs and the rejection of verbal sparring he threw at Dylan in the eyes of others to save his own personal image of the school's classy handsome football jock is probably what unnerved me the most, and Dylan, too. 😢 It was fortunate, though, that he still remembered that as much as his words can be lethal with the scathing barbs, they can also do wonders by helping someone realize the error of their ways. 🙂↕️🙂↕️
Despite the speed in which their relationship accelerated from enemies to lovers (well, maybe not, all things considered), they were cute together. 🥰 The roughhouse flirting, the body appreciation, the general ease and comfort they felt with each other, when they were not hurling insults - was sweet and Dylan's inner voice of being whelmed by the fourth hottest guy in Oak Lake Adam's strength and looks was genuine. Even as he grappled with the sadness and uncomfortable feeling of being his dirty little secret no more, Dylan truly cared for Adam's well-being and was there for him, especially when he needed it. 💛💛
I'm also glad Kai's "storyline" was snuffed out before it erupted into something more serious, if not judgmental and hurtful to their best friends forever status. 😮💨 Mel was a good fulcrum to their strange situation, but they were also a great tag team to help Dylan out through some of the emotional onslaught he faced in Adam's reluctance to openly accept his attraction to Dylan. 🫂
“Do we really have to fight, even about loving each other?”
“Wouldn’t be fun otherwise, now would it?”
“I suppose not.”
As much as I'm all up for the feel-good ending of the year, the ending was too high school drama llamab that I could not take it seriously. 🤦🏻♀️ But, considering how the story did start with them literally on the wrong foot, I suppose it was a fitting end to their dynamic and their display of affection for the school to witness and embrace wholeheartedly if not cheesily so. 😏
So without much fanfare, Dirk Hunter's one and only novel reads as a turn off your brain kind of read, that is cheesy-breezy, but still manages to slightly tug at your heart strings with the predictable turn of events, along with some much needed levity of awkweird friendships and discovering first love without breaking any hearts, because some things are just meant to be. 🥹💘
“I’m saying that I don’t know if I love you, but this is the closest to love I think I’ve ever felt. I’m saying that I don’t want you to not be a part of my life.”
I was prepared to dislike Kai until the very end, but he grew on me.
I was prepared to hate on Adam for how he treated Dylan, but he surprised me.
I was prepared to give Dylan a piece of my mind and tell him to stop thinking with his unbridled desires during his After School Activities and more with his head. 😭😭 But, the fact that he did have a good head on his shoulders, and heart - is probably why I was able to forgive him for his many theatrical antics, if not the emotional fallout he allowed himself to feel at either male objects of his affection. 🥺
“... and I was faced anew with my dilemma—straight guy who is comfortable with liking me, and a gay one who isn’t.”
Not to say that I didn't get physical whiplash at how Dylan was so whipped for Kai that he just immediately fell into bed with him, without rhyme or reason, let alone discussion. But the moment he shed those visors he'd blinded himself to the antics of his best friend, a weight was lifted off him - and me - for wanting to scold him for behaving so flippantly. 🥲
And then not to say the hastiness in which Adam just upended their entire dynamic since pre-k - 'hating you has been one of the most constant things in my life' - also caught me off guard. 😕 Especially with his own personal burdens he shared with Dylan, in a moment of vulnerability, trust and tenderness, that gave him a glimpse of something he understood —the sadness of knowing you’re different, and trying not to show it.. ❤️🩹 ❤️🩹
“Whatever you need, however you need me. As long as you need me. I promise. Understand?”
For it's more so the whole still being so deep in the closet - the slurs and the rejection of verbal sparring he threw at Dylan in the eyes of others to save his own personal image of the school's classy handsome football jock is probably what unnerved me the most, and Dylan, too. 😢 It was fortunate, though, that he still remembered that as much as his words can be lethal with the scathing barbs, they can also do wonders by helping someone realize the error of their ways. 🙂↕️🙂↕️
Despite the speed in which their relationship accelerated from enemies to lovers (well, maybe not, all things considered), they were cute together. 🥰 The roughhouse flirting, the body appreciation, the general ease and comfort they felt with each other, when they were not hurling insults - was sweet and Dylan's inner voice of being whelmed by the fourth hottest guy in Oak Lake Adam's strength and looks was genuine. Even as he grappled with the sadness and uncomfortable feeling of being his dirty little secret no more, Dylan truly cared for Adam's well-being and was there for him, especially when he needed it. 💛💛
I'm also glad Kai's "storyline" was snuffed out before it erupted into something more serious, if not judgmental and hurtful to their best friends forever status. 😮💨 Mel was a good fulcrum to their strange situation, but they were also a great tag team to help Dylan out through some of the emotional onslaught he faced in Adam's reluctance to openly accept his attraction to Dylan. 🫂
“Do we really have to fight, even about loving each other?”
“Wouldn’t be fun otherwise, now would it?”
“I suppose not.”
As much as I'm all up for the feel-good ending of the year, the ending was too high school drama llamab that I could not take it seriously. 🤦🏻♀️ But, considering how the story did start with them literally on the wrong foot, I suppose it was a fitting end to their dynamic and their display of affection for the school to witness and embrace wholeheartedly if not cheesily so. 😏
So without much fanfare, Dirk Hunter's one and only novel reads as a turn off your brain kind of read, that is cheesy-breezy, but still manages to slightly tug at your heart strings with the predictable turn of events, along with some much needed levity of awkweird friendships and discovering first love without breaking any hearts, because some things are just meant to be. 🥹💘
not-interested
September 15, 2017I tried, but the beginning did not work for me at all:
“We’ve known each other since kindergarten, Adam. In all that time, you’ve called me names, fired spitballs at me, shoved my head in a toilet once, and you gave me wedgies for a week until I convinced everyone you were secretly gay and just wanted your hand down my pants. You’ve tripped me. You’ve pinched me. You’ve dumped things in my locker. But you have never, ever hurt me.”
And this is AFTER Adam punched Dylan, because Dylan defended someone that Adam was bullying and hazing...
Also Dylan is the one reaching out to Adam, trying to "help", which smells dangerously of an abusee trying to please and/or change the abuser.
So yeah, not my cup of tea, the humour was promising though.
“We’ve known each other since kindergarten, Adam. In all that time, you’ve called me names, fired spitballs at me, shoved my head in a toilet once, and you gave me wedgies for a week until I convinced everyone you were secretly gay and just wanted your hand down my pants. You’ve tripped me. You’ve pinched me. You’ve dumped things in my locker. But you have never, ever hurt me.”
And this is AFTER Adam punched Dylan, because Dylan defended someone that Adam was bullying and hazing...
Also Dylan is the one reaching out to Adam, trying to "help", which smells dangerously of an abusee trying to please and/or change the abuser.
So yeah, not my cup of tea, the humour was promising though.
April 1, 2015
There are no specific elements in Dirk Hunter’s charming “After School Activities” that are different from those in any other YA/LGBT novel. But Hunter (this cannot be his real name) manages to take every classic ingredient and twist it slightly, surprising the reader and transforming the tried and true into something both poignant and engaging.
Disclosure: I bought this book entirely because of the redhead on the cover, who represents the main character, Dylan O’Connor. I have a profound thing for redheads and this cover is simply beautiful.
However, I gave this book five stars because of the exceptionally smart, funny writing and the sparkling characterizations that fill the book with life. It was a joy to read, making me laugh out loud and also making me tear up with emotion.
Dylan O’Connor and Adam Anderson have been enemies since elementary school, especially since fifth grade, when Adam made Dylan cry nearly every day.
As high school loomed, Dylan came out to his parents and decided the only way to defend himself from the constant homophobic onslaught of Adam and his posse was to fight back—with words. Adam and Dylan’s back-and-forth over the years has become legend, and has gotten them sent to the principal’s office countless times.
Then, in junior year, Dylan realizes that his long-term enmity with Adam might in fact have been masking something else.
What Hunter does brilliantly is to sidestep our expectations. Imagine a school where your best friends can intuit your every mood and read you like a book. Imagine a school where the most beautiful and popular kids (Charlotte and James) are also the nicest and most compassionate people in school. Imagine a world where the protagonist’s parents are funny, loving and entirely cool.
Imagine a world where your life-long best friend suddenly decides he’s comfortable with the idea of getting physical with you, even though he’s mostly straight.
Uh oh.
This is, strictly speaking, not young adult. Or, literally young adult and not intended for the middle-school age audience that “young adult” actually means. There is real, explicit sex in this book—and I hasten to add that it is used fiercely by the author to illustrate both the joyous horniness of teenagers, and the stark difference between sex-for-pleasure and sex-for-love.
This is also the first instance I have read of the phenomenon of a “mostly straight” guy; that is a young man who is really into girls, but being horny, self-confident in his sexuality, and profoundly fond of his gay best friend, is interested in exploring what gay sex might offer him.
I barely winced at all. I think I bought into it because of Hunter’s beautifully rendered characters, and the way he uses Malachi’s unexpected sexual curiosity to help Dylan realize the difference between emotion and hormones.
At the core of the book’s success is Dylan himself. He is a teenager, no question. He is self-centered and short-sighted; but he is also kind and caring. He hates lying and he doesn’t want to hurt people. He is a role model without being a goody-goody. He is also hilarious (to use a word that the author employs a lot) and embraces the strange role of GBFF (gay best friend forever) with flair and wit.
He is, in short, the way I wish I’d been as a teenager.
And then there’s the red hair. Sigh.
Disclosure: I bought this book entirely because of the redhead on the cover, who represents the main character, Dylan O’Connor. I have a profound thing for redheads and this cover is simply beautiful.
However, I gave this book five stars because of the exceptionally smart, funny writing and the sparkling characterizations that fill the book with life. It was a joy to read, making me laugh out loud and also making me tear up with emotion.
Dylan O’Connor and Adam Anderson have been enemies since elementary school, especially since fifth grade, when Adam made Dylan cry nearly every day.
As high school loomed, Dylan came out to his parents and decided the only way to defend himself from the constant homophobic onslaught of Adam and his posse was to fight back—with words. Adam and Dylan’s back-and-forth over the years has become legend, and has gotten them sent to the principal’s office countless times.
Then, in junior year, Dylan realizes that his long-term enmity with Adam might in fact have been masking something else.
What Hunter does brilliantly is to sidestep our expectations. Imagine a school where your best friends can intuit your every mood and read you like a book. Imagine a school where the most beautiful and popular kids (Charlotte and James) are also the nicest and most compassionate people in school. Imagine a world where the protagonist’s parents are funny, loving and entirely cool.
Imagine a world where your life-long best friend suddenly decides he’s comfortable with the idea of getting physical with you, even though he’s mostly straight.
Uh oh.
This is, strictly speaking, not young adult. Or, literally young adult and not intended for the middle-school age audience that “young adult” actually means. There is real, explicit sex in this book—and I hasten to add that it is used fiercely by the author to illustrate both the joyous horniness of teenagers, and the stark difference between sex-for-pleasure and sex-for-love.
This is also the first instance I have read of the phenomenon of a “mostly straight” guy; that is a young man who is really into girls, but being horny, self-confident in his sexuality, and profoundly fond of his gay best friend, is interested in exploring what gay sex might offer him.
I barely winced at all. I think I bought into it because of Hunter’s beautifully rendered characters, and the way he uses Malachi’s unexpected sexual curiosity to help Dylan realize the difference between emotion and hormones.
At the core of the book’s success is Dylan himself. He is a teenager, no question. He is self-centered and short-sighted; but he is also kind and caring. He hates lying and he doesn’t want to hurt people. He is a role model without being a goody-goody. He is also hilarious (to use a word that the author employs a lot) and embraces the strange role of GBFF (gay best friend forever) with flair and wit.
He is, in short, the way I wish I’d been as a teenager.
And then there’s the red hair. Sigh.
October 12, 2024
reread 10/12/2024As with each reread, I wonder if this author is still writing. I love the idea that they are. I just wish I knew under what name. I’d snap up everything. I love this book. One of my absolute favorites.
reread 4/25/2020 this is probably the only YA/NA novel that I love enough to read again and again. It’s probably the only book involving a bully that I was able to forgive. I still wish this author would write more, OR to know if they write under a different name. I would seriously buy them all.
3/20/2017 I read this the first time two years ago. I loved it just as much today as I did then. I truly wish there were more stories out ther by this author. I’d snap them up in a heartbeat.
-----original review 3/31/3015-----
I normally stay away from young adult stories because my son is typically the same age as the characters. *shudder* But then I saw this review and thought maybe. Then I saw this review, and I thought my reading taste seems similar to both of them. I decided to give it a chance. I am SO glad that I did. I loved snarky Dylan. It was so fun to be in his head. I adored his parents. They are the parents that every child should have (and that I secretly wish I could be like). He had wonderfully supportive friends (although Kai was pushing it). The secondary characters were well written and came across fully. Finally, I loved the relationship between Dylan and Adam. There were a few times I felt the need for a "come to Jesus" meeting with Adam, but he made up for it.
"I love you, you stupid fairy,"he said.
"I love you, you fucking jock."
"Do we really have to fight, even about loving each other?" he asked with a smile.
"Wouldn't be fun otherwise, now would it?"
"I suppose not."
reread 4/25/2020 this is probably the only YA/NA novel that I love enough to read again and again. It’s probably the only book involving a bully that I was able to forgive. I still wish this author would write more, OR to know if they write under a different name. I would seriously buy them all.
3/20/2017 I read this the first time two years ago. I loved it just as much today as I did then. I truly wish there were more stories out ther by this author. I’d snap them up in a heartbeat.
-----original review 3/31/3015-----
I normally stay away from young adult stories because my son is typically the same age as the characters. *shudder* But then I saw this review and thought maybe. Then I saw this review, and I thought my reading taste seems similar to both of them. I decided to give it a chance. I am SO glad that I did. I loved snarky Dylan. It was so fun to be in his head. I adored his parents. They are the parents that every child should have (and that I secretly wish I could be like). He had wonderfully supportive friends (although Kai was pushing it). The secondary characters were well written and came across fully. Finally, I loved the relationship between Dylan and Adam. There were a few times I felt the need for a "come to Jesus" meeting with Adam, but he made up for it.
"I love you, you stupid fairy,"he said.
"I love you, you fucking jock."
"Do we really have to fight, even about loving each other?" he asked with a smile.
"Wouldn't be fun otherwise, now would it?"
"I suppose not."
April 2, 2017
Mmmmm, no sé qué hacer con esto, le doy dos? le doy tres? Voy con las dos, aunque me ha entretenido. Historia de adolescentes, con mucho humor, algunas bromas tienen gracias, otras no tanta, al menos para mi. Está claro que el autor quiere darle un tono light, pero hay algunas aseveraciones que mmmmm, me han parecido de muy poco gusto, por mucho humor que se le intente dar, concretamente dos: que el bulling no es tan grave si no hay por medio daño físico, y cuando uno de los protagonistas dice que se está poniendo en contacto con su lado femenido al empezar a cotillear, hablar de maquillaje, pintura y chicos porque es lo único que nosotras hacemos, claro. Meh, para el autor por no decir otra cosa.
Como comentaba, la lectura es muy light, la verdad es que no me he podido tomar en serio nada de lo que se cuenta por el tono en el que está escrito, y los personajes son muy planos.
El humor está fenomenal, soy la primera que creo que hay que reirse de todo, pero hay que saber hacerlo, y esta vez no he encontrado el punto gracioso en algunas cosas. No sé, igual y la rancia soy yo.
Como comentaba, la lectura es muy light, la verdad es que no me he podido tomar en serio nada de lo que se cuenta por el tono en el que está escrito, y los personajes son muy planos.
El humor está fenomenal, soy la primera que creo que hay que reirse de todo, pero hay que saber hacerlo, y esta vez no he encontrado el punto gracioso en algunas cosas. No sé, igual y la rancia soy yo.
July 27, 2016
I have mixed feelings about this one. On the one hand, it was a quick and easy read with everything I normally like in YA books. On the other hand, there were too many "really?!"-moments to rate it better. .
March 16, 2015
Fun read. Oddly humorous. Predictable, mostly. But, I didn't mind that much at all. Nice story. Happy ending. I'm feeling all cuddly inside. So...good book.
April 17, 2015
Thank god TayaJay read this a loved it or I might not have even given it a second glance. Why, you ask? Because when I saw the name Dirk Hunter my went directly to Dirk Diggler of Boogie Nights fame which made me think it was going to be one of those porn with maybe a shitty plot type books.
It was not!! It was fantastic...and funny...and snarky...and did I mention funny? So freaking clever. We have Dylan, the out and proud smartass and his nemesis Adam, the cool jock so far in the closet it's ridiculous. They've spent most of their lives taunting each other and visiting the principle. Like a lot of time visiting the principle. Dylan's friends are great (one a little too great) and his parents are hysterical. I want to be his parents. There was fighting and bitchiness and sadness but overall a feel good read. Highly recommend this one!
It was not!! It was fantastic...and funny...and snarky...and did I mention funny? So freaking clever. We have Dylan, the out and proud smartass and his nemesis Adam, the cool jock so far in the closet it's ridiculous. They've spent most of their lives taunting each other and visiting the principle. Like a lot of time visiting the principle. Dylan's friends are great (one a little too great) and his parents are hysterical. I want to be his parents. There was fighting and bitchiness and sadness but overall a feel good read. Highly recommend this one!
October 13, 2015
Ugh... I'm kind of conflicted. I mean I get it that the writer wanted it so hard not to make it seem like another nerd-jock cliché. Well, for one I thought that subtly hinting it out in Dylan's POV was interesting. But blatantly admitting it in one of their heated dialogue with Adam was just pure brainwashing. Because no matter what the author does, it is clichéd. But what's wrong with cliché anyway? Reading this felt like the author wanted to stand out and not be categorized as "one of those" MM stories. Which bothered me all throughout the reading experience.
But apart from that, I'd have to say that everything was witty and funny in Dylan's narration. Never a dull moment. Even in the overly dramatic moments, you can't help but laugh at Dylan's attempt to lighten up everything. Kudos to Dirk Hunter for that. I never did feel any angst-y atmosphere (although there were a lot of times were angst could have been injected). Instead, everything was kept light and funny, which oddly made the whole story work. All of the characters were witty and colorful, really. Even Dylan's parents.
Overall, I'd give this 4 stars. This was a fast read. High school fantasies locked away for good came flooding my mind as I read this (again, cliché is sometimes good).
April 3, 2015
Loved this. Dylan is a terrific main character. His upbeat wacky way to deal with being gay is positive and witty. He gets great support from his liberal (also wacky) parents, and the way he tries to deal with the changing relationships with both Adam and Kai is realistic, giving the book a terrific YA feel.
It's easy to get caught up in Dylan's antics and issues. I loved how the narrative resolves, and I would happily read more by this author.
It's easy to get caught up in Dylan's antics and issues. I loved how the narrative resolves, and I would happily read more by this author.
December 20, 2021
Just as quirky and good the second time around . . .
which makes me ponder why we've never heard or seen another book from Dirk Hunter . . . .
which makes me ponder why we've never heard or seen another book from Dirk Hunter . . . .
October 23, 2015
BR with Elsbeth.
3.5 stars
What can I say, this was YA, with sex! It was different and I liked it.
Dylan is 17 years old and the only openly gay kid at school. He doesn’t take crap from anyone. Especially from his nemesis, Adam. They have been insulting each other since kindergarten. And Dylan actually enjoys it.
He notices that Adam has been acting weird lately and he finds out he cares. He even offers to listen to Adam if he needs it and to Dylan’s surprise Adam takes him up on it. That is how their weird friendship starts.
But Dylan also has other things going on. Like his straight best friend suddenly wanting to have sex with him. And yes, he really is straight.
I liked Dylan, had some trouble with Adam, but I especially liked all the side characters. They never felt like side characters. They felt real to me. The 2 best friends, the parents, the cheerleaders, all of them.
I adored Dylan’s parents. I wish mine were like that when I was 17.
Adam rolled under the bed.
“Since when do you lock your door?” my father asked.
“Since I started sleeping naked.”
“Since when do you sleep naked? ”
“Since you started turning the thermostat up to, like, ninety.” Even I was a little impressed with my nonchalance, the ease of my answers.
“Uh-huh. I see.” Was that a smirk on my dad’s face? What did he find so funny? “Well, Mom’s making waffles. Would you like any?”
“ No, thanks. I think I’ m going back to sleep.”
“How about your friend? Would he care for any waffles?”
For a second, I thought my eyes were going to pop out of my face. The silence stretched on until finally, in a teeny tiny voice, Adam said, “No, thanks, Mr. O’Connor.”
And the reason the cheerleading squad was so nice to Dylan…. hilarious.
My main problem was Adam. Every time I come across a popular guy who is so deep in the closet he hurts other people I feel the rage coming on.
He hurt Dylan and I didn’t like it. I could understand it, but I still think he was an ass for acting the way he did.
I do have to mention the EPIC ending.
Overall, a very nice YA, with LOTS of sex.
3.5 stars
What can I say, this was YA, with sex! It was different and I liked it.
Dylan is 17 years old and the only openly gay kid at school. He doesn’t take crap from anyone. Especially from his nemesis, Adam. They have been insulting each other since kindergarten. And Dylan actually enjoys it.
He notices that Adam has been acting weird lately and he finds out he cares. He even offers to listen to Adam if he needs it and to Dylan’s surprise Adam takes him up on it. That is how their weird friendship starts.
But Dylan also has other things going on. Like his straight best friend suddenly wanting to have sex with him. And yes, he really is straight.
I liked Dylan, had some trouble with Adam, but I especially liked all the side characters. They never felt like side characters. They felt real to me. The 2 best friends, the parents, the cheerleaders, all of them.
I adored Dylan’s parents. I wish mine were like that when I was 17.
Adam rolled under the bed.
“Since when do you lock your door?” my father asked.
“Since I started sleeping naked.”
“Since when do you sleep naked? ”
“Since you started turning the thermostat up to, like, ninety.” Even I was a little impressed with my nonchalance, the ease of my answers.
“Uh-huh. I see.” Was that a smirk on my dad’s face? What did he find so funny? “Well, Mom’s making waffles. Would you like any?”
“ No, thanks. I think I’ m going back to sleep.”
“How about your friend? Would he care for any waffles?”
For a second, I thought my eyes were going to pop out of my face. The silence stretched on until finally, in a teeny tiny voice, Adam said, “No, thanks, Mr. O’Connor.”
And the reason the cheerleading squad was so nice to Dylan…. hilarious.
My main problem was Adam. Every time I come across a popular guy who is so deep in the closet he hurts other people I feel the rage coming on.
He hurt Dylan and I didn’t like it. I could understand it, but I still think he was an ass for acting the way he did.
I do have to mention the EPIC ending.
Overall, a very nice YA, with LOTS of sex.
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