Rich, popular, and gorgeous Bryan DeChamps pines from afar for his best friend. He loathes the idea of helping Elliot score a date for the snow dance. With his time running out, Bryan must find a way to capture his buddy’s attention—and that means boldly leaving an anonymous card in his main man’s locker.
Grateful for Bryan’s friendship ever since he moved from his Ojibway community to Thunder Bay to attend high school, Elliot Wasacase can’t disclose his true feelings, or he’ll lose the one true friend he has. Upon discovering an unsigned card in his locker from an admiring dude, he’s terrified someone knows his secret but suspects the person might be Bryan.
When Bryan’s car breaks down, stranding them on top of the mountain during a snowstorm, the two must either take a leap of faith or let fear and clashing beliefs cost them what they truly desire.
An Ojibway from Northwestern Ontario, Maggie resides in the country with her husband and their fur babies, two beautiful Alaskan Malamutes. When she’s not writing, she can be found pulling weeds in the flower beds, mowing the huge lawn, walking the Mals deep in the bush, teeing up a ball at the golf course, fishing in the boat for walleye, or sitting on the deck at her sister’s house, making more wonderful memories with the people she loves most. http://www.extasybooks.com/maggie-bla...
To continue his high school education and study law in the future, Elliot had to leave his family home among the Ojibway people and move to Thunder Bay. Although the boy constantly misses his loved ones, he has someone at his side who to some extent makes the time spent away from the family less severe. Bryan, his best friend and secret love, is rich, handsome, popular, and, as if that was not enough, has influential parents. But most importantly, his heart is in the right place and this heart beats for Elliot. The problem is that neither Bryan nor Elliot know how to confess their feelings to each other. So when one of them comes up with a brilliant idea of how to achieve his goal, their little game begins.
"After the Snow Melts" is a short story by Maggie Blackbird, in which the main characters are two teenage boys – not yet men, but not children anymore. Stories that are part of the young adult literature, and "After the Snow Melts" belongs to this group, are definitely not the easiest ones to write, because the author is usually an adult who must think like a teenager. So did Maggie Blackbird meet the challenge? Yes, definitely. Probably the best example of this is the fact that both Bryan and Elliot did not lose the innocence which is so characteristic for people their age. We see it, for example, in the greatly presented attempt to confess one's feelings that is so sweet that it really makes us smile. The young readers will immediately see themselves and their own ideas in this intricate plan, while the older ones will undoubtedly remember some "good old days" and the crazy ways in which they confessed their love. Believe me, in this respect the story is simply fantastic.
Another topic which in "After the Snow Melts" was presented in a really good way, because it takes into account the young age and small life experience of our main characters, is the acceptance of views, beliefs and way of life of other people, and more specifically of this one, somewhat the most important person. I really like the fact that in the story we see how our boys learn the said acceptance through trial and error. They start with a simple thing like music but over time they proceed to those more serious problems, which are not so easy to deal with. It turns out that Bryan and Elliot must accept certain things while remaining faithful to themselves, their views and decisions. Therefore, they learn not only how to make an adult decision, but also the mechanisms of acceptance of the other person, while remaining true to oneself. It is thanks to all this that Bryan and Elliot have the opportunity to really grow up. So I'm glad that the author didn't let her characters go the easy way, but she forced them to follow the more difficult and real path to adulthood.
Undoubtedly the great advantage of "After the Snow Melts" is also the universality of the story presented in this work. Although the action was set in the past, for some of us in the distant, while for the others in more recent one, all the readers can easily visualize the events presented in "After the Snow Melts" as if the story was taking place here and now. I think the fact that the teenage readers will be able to see themselves, their problems and their crazy ways of confessing love in this novella is really important. While the world and technology are changing rapidly, the way Bryan and Elliot's story is presented is not determined by them. Therefore, it doesn't matter if we were, are or will be the teenagers. This is a timeless young adult story that will always be up to date.
To sum up, "After the Snow Melts" is a small short story in which two cultures and two young hearts combine. It is a story about finding courage to confess love and respond to one’s feelings, and about respect for the differences that this love brings.
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Aby móc kontynuować naukę w liceum, a w przyszłości także studiować, Elliot musiał opuść rodzinny dom pośród społeczności Ojibway i przeprowadzić się do Thunder Bay. Chociaż chłopak bezustannie tęskni za bliskimi, ma u swojego boku kogoś, kto w pewnym stopniu wynagradza mu rozłąkę z rodziną. Bryan, jego najlepszy przyjaciel i sekretna miłość, jest bogaty, przystojny i popularny, a w dodatku ma wpływowych rodziców. Co jednak najważniejsze, serce ma na właściwym miejscu i właśnie to serce bije dla Elliota. Problem w tym, że ani Bryan, ani Elliot nie wiedzą w jaki sposób wyznać sobie nawzajem swoje uczucia. Kiedy więc jeden z nich wpada na genialny pomysł osiągnięcia swojego celu, rozpoczynają się wielkie podchody.
„After the Snow Melts” to opowiadanie Maggie Blackbird, które bohaterami jest dwójka nastoletnich chłopców – jeszcze nie mężczyzn, ale też już nie dzieci. Historie, które zaliczamy do gatunku young adult, a do nich zalicza się „After the Snow Melts”, zawsze niosą ze sobą pewien ciężar, albowiem autor pisząc jak dorosły musi jednocześnie wejść w psychikę i skórę nastolatka. Jak z tym zadaniem poradziła sobie Maggie Blackbird? Moim zdaniem naprawdę dobrze. Chyba najlepszym przykładem na to jest fakt, iż zarówno Bryan, jak i Elliot nie utracili tej jakże charakterystycznej dla osób w ich wieku niewinności. Widzimy to chociażby w obłędnie przedstawionej, wywołującej uśmiech na twarzy i jednocześnie słodkiej próbie wyznania uczuć. Młody czytelnik od razu odnajdzie w całym tym misternym planie siebie i swoje własne pomysły, zaś osoby starsze bezsprzecznie przypomną sobie siebie i liczne szalone sposoby, w jakie sami wyznawali miłość. Wierzcie mi, pod tym względem opowiadanie to jest po prostu fantastyczne.
Kolejnym tematem, który w „After the Snow Melts” został przedstawiony w sposób naprawdę dobry, ponieważ z uwzględnieniem młodego wieku oraz małego doświadczenia życiowego naszych bohaterów jest akceptacja poglądów i życia innych osób, a dokładniej mówiąc tej jednej, poniekąd najważniejszej osoby. Bardzo podoba mi się to, że w opowiadaniu widzimy, w jaki sposób nasi chłopcy uczą się tej akceptacji metodą prób i błędów. Zaczynają od rzeczy prostej, jak muzyka, jednak z czasem przechodzą do tych o wiele poważniejszych problemów, w przypadku których nie jest już tak łatwo. Okazuje się, że Bryan i Elliot muszą zaakceptować pewne rzeczy jednocześnie pozostając wiernym samym sobie, swoim poglądom i decyzjom. Nie chodzi więc do końca o to, aby po prostu podjąć dorosłą decyzję, ale o zrozumienie mechanizmów działania akceptacji drugiej osoby, przy jednoczesnym pozostawaniu wiernym sobie. To właśnie dzięki temu Bryan i Elliot mają okazję naprawdę dorosnąć. Cieszę się więc, że autorka nie pozwoliła swoim bohaterom pójść na łatwiznę, ale zmusiła ich do podążania trudniejszą, prawdziwą drogą ku dorosłości.
Niewątpliwie dużą zaletą „After the Snow Melts” jest również uniwersalność przedstawionej w opowiadaniu historii. Mimo że akcja została osadzona w przeszłości, dla jednych dalekiej, dla innych zaś wcale nie tak oddalonej od czasów współczesnych, to jednak każdy czytelnik bez najmniejszego problemu jest w stanie wyobrazić sobie przedstawione w „After the Snow Melts” wydarzenia, jakby miały miejsce tu i teraz. Uważam, że fakt, iż nastoletni odbiorcy będą w stanie odnaleźć w tym wszystkim siebie, swoje problemy, a także swoje szalone sposoby wyznawania miłości jest naprawdę bardzo ważny. O ile bowiem świat i technologia zmieniają się w szybkim tempie, o tyle sposób przedstawienia historii Bryana i Elliota nie został od nich uzależniony. Dlatego też nie ma znaczenia czy wiek nastoletni czytelnik ma już za sobą, czy osiągnął go teraz, czy nastąpi to dopiero za kilka lat. To ponadczasowe opowiadanie young adult, które zawsze będzie aktualne.
Podsumowując, „After the Snow Melts” to niewielkie opowiadanie, w którym łączą się ze sobą dwie kultury i dwa młode serca. Jest to historia o znalezieniu w sobie odwagi do wyznania miłości, do udzielenia odpowiedzi na uczucie oraz o szacunku dla różnic, które ta miłość ze sobą niesie.
Really loved this story of Bryan and Elliot. It captures all the excitement and uncertainty of love as a young person and makes great use of the friends to lovers and forced proximity tropes. These two have feelings for each other that go beyond friendship, but neither wants to state them openly for fear of ruining that friendship. When a snowstorm traps them together, however, they take a chance and open up. There is a lovely ending to this one. Bryan and Elliot are together, but there is also acknowledgement of their ages and how many changes life could have in store over the years. It's a tribute to the vivid characters Maggie Blackbird has created that I've continued to think about these two and envision all kinds of futures for them, some sweet and fluffy and others much angstier. I hope we will get another book showing us what the author sees for them in later years.
Elliott and Bryan had to be one of the sweetest coming of age couples I've read in a while.
Elliot had to attend school off the reservation in order to obtain the education needed to pursue his dream in law. Being the youngest in his family, the pressure was on. Being gay did not help in an environment where people could be potentially judgemental, not having any real friends, and fear of the burden on his future.
Bryan came from a family of wealth and influence. His choices were either a doctor or a lawyer. Neither were appealing in his eyes. He, of course, had eyes and a heart for Elliott. His attraction to young ladies were zero and he knew it was possible there would not be a person out there for him to love.
The worlds of Bryan and Elliot collide. After a girl begins to make the moves on Elliott, Bryan knew he had to put his plans in motion is he had any hopes of getting his man. The small gestures begin to take shape and Elliot goes into full freak out mode. Afraid someone figured out his secret. He did not want his friendship with Bryan ruined.
A few stolen moments and a snowstorm later, both were forced to confront many small but real circumstances about themselves. Bryan needed to get how to take things slow, communicate and see the relationship that Elliot desired. Elliot had to understand the clues, communicate and see how Bryan had to navigate the world being used by others because of status.
What basic hurdles take most a lifetime to figure out, these two manage in a short time. Bryan's injury only solidified his feelings for Elliott and some of his fears began to melt.
In the end, both were more than ready to share with family about their budding relationship, work out the physical parts of their attraction, and do it together.
I hope to see more of their story!!
**I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review**
Maggie Blackbird brings young love alive in After The Snow Melts. Blackbird lays the crumbs of sweet sorrow before trapping the lovebirds in a car (laugh). Picture two horny teenage boys who are confused about the emotion “love” nevermind the additional pressures of being gay. Blackbird tackles this with finesse and leaves us with an unfinished “happily-ever-after”.
It is two kids who are still partly in the closet hence my use of the term “unfinished”. I really hope Blackbird comes back to these two later in life and we see what happens and get some adult fun in too (laugh).
There are so many parts of the book I really liked because Blackbird let them be unlikeable - especially Bryan. Blackbird did not write an easy answer to their situation because they are still in high school - there are no easy answers. The characters’ lives, from their viewpoint, are being driven by others and therefore in their mind they have only so many solutions. Kudos to Blackbird for showcasing this so adroitly.
This is not so much a sweet romance as a teenage romance with both the highs and the lows of love. Though you have to hand it to Bryan for knowing how to romance someone.
I received an ARC of this book and I am writing a review without prejudice and voluntarily.
Sometimes, you just need a minute, to relax, think and talk. Elliot was trying to adjust moving from the reservation to the city. Bryan, his best friend and the popular rich kid befriends him and helps. Bryan, seriously crushing on Elliot. Elliot secretly crushing on Bryan. The boy were on an intricate emotional dance of discovery and stretching boundaries. Being stuck in a car during a snowstory provides an opportunity to open up. Do they take the opportunity of remain in unrequited state? Are they ready to come out? What will the families say? Is the environment ready? Ms Blackbird created absolutely likeable characters. I hope to read more about their future. Well done! I received an ARC from Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This is a wonderful coming-of-age story - two young men finding their way to each other. Set in a time when it was still not so acceptable to come out, it was even more difficult for Elliott and Bryan to admit their feelings due to general teenage angst, and differences in background and family income. This was a very nice book to read, with realistic characters, and a story line that's timeless. I always enjoy this author and glimpses into her native background.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Wow no double wow a cute short story of two friends who come from different backgrounds but the one thing they both have in common is their attention for the other which neither realize. Then they end up trapped in the snow in Bryan's car maybe its time to lay all there cards out and see where they fall.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Maggie Blackbird 's After the Snow Melts was a good, sweet coming of age, young love story. I liked that one of the main characters was a Native American - a person of color. My first time reading a main character of Native American background.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This is a short,sweet young romance between friends. The author does a nice job bringing them together, despite their different race , discovering their feelings for each other as well as dealing with being gay. It's well written,moves quickly and smoothly and is an interesting read.
I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book. All opinions in this review are my own and freely given.
A short story about coming of age and first loves. The story was good, the characters had a way of winning you heart with their love story and the ending left you pleased. Not too much drama just a stretch where there’s some tension but all ends up good.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This is the 5th book I've read written by Maggie Blackbird; she has done a great job at writing a good short story; I can’t wait to read more of her books.
The story line caught my attention at the very beginning and kept me interested throughout the entire book.
I loved the characters.
I received a free copy of this book via booksprout and I’m voluntarily leaving a review.
A well written coming of age, gay, short story of the friendship and love the grows between Bryan DeChamps and Elliot Wasacase. I enjoyed reading. I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.