Dare Truth or Promise

by Paula Boock

When Louie and Willa first meet, they don't know their lives will soon be changed forever. Self-assured Louie is gearing up for another successful year in high school, starring in a production of Twelfth Night and running the Comedy Club. Kicked out of her last school and still stinging from a past relationship, Willa wants only to get through her final year at school quietly so she can graduate and become a chef. More than anything, she wants to be left alone. But each girl unexpectedly finds that plans mean nothing when it comes to love. Louie discovers that everything she was sure of-acceptance, faith, and identity-are not what they had seemed. And Willa finds herself suddenly willing to take another chance.

Genres: LGBT, Young Adult, Romance, Queer, Lesbian, Fiction, Contemporary

170 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1997

About the author

Paula Boock began writing when she was seven. 'There was this story of four brothers who were surprisingly like my four brothers... I illustrated the book as well — the characters looked sort of like the Beatles.'

'I've always been affected by books. As the youngest in a large, boisterous family, I developed early the ability to work — write even — amidst a racket. The library — school and public — was where I found most of my books. I went through all the crazes: Secret Seven, Famous Five, horsey books, detective novels, sci-fi... you name it.'

Paula began by writing plays and short stories, but it wasn't until she began working in publishing that she thought of writing a young adult novel. Her first novel, Out Walked Mel, won the AIM Best First Book Award and was a finalist for the Esther Glen Medal, a library award she won two years later for her novel Sasscat to Win. She was the 1994 Writer in Residence at the Dunedin College of Education where she wrote her third book, Home Run, a finalist in the 1996 AIM Senior Fiction Award, and began Dare Truth or Promise. This last novel sold worldwide, won the 1998 NZ Post Children's Book of the Year award, and was shortlisted for a Lambda Award in the United States.

Paula's recent work includes an adult novel, scriptwriting 'The Strip' and more young adult fiction titles. She enjoys the film and television genre, but finds that teenage characters 'still tend to sneak into my work and take over.' Paula lives and works in Wellington, New Zealand.

Reviews

[Neko · Rating 3 out of 5]

I tossed with liking and disliking this book...The story from the outset was going to follow a 'predictable' kinda romance except it followed two girls..Maybe if I was younger I would of enjoyed the story a bit more BUT I did manage to read it all in a night (so you can take whatever you want from that..lol)...I found the characters weren't that fleshed out..Like we knew who Willa and Louie were...They attended the same school, worked at the same place...One had an accepting family and one didn't.....It's actually all true to life...But if the characters HAD a little more substance I might of enjoyed it a little bit more.

Some of the writing got to me..The style was just a bit 'off'...Maybe I was looking for something with a bit more substance and I didn't get that with this novel.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

"'I'm in love with that girl,' she said out loud in amazement, because she knew that this was a life-changing thing and life-changing things should be said aloud, should have a moment in time, and a place in the air, some molecular structure to make them real. I'm in love with that girl, she heard as it reverberated inside her head. And it was a truth, she realized, as things are which you don't think, but discover have always existed."

[Kexx · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not really my sort of book - but recommended and I'm glad I read it - 40 years too late probably but who am I to argue. Realistic and worth it as I'd guess it was a difficult book to write. Thank you.

[Evan · Rating 3 out of 5]

While I was reading this, I thought why do I keep doing this to myself? First love is so exciting. Your heart is so full. Sometimes other's interference brings you down. This can happen even if you're not a gay teenager. This story centers around two girls, Willa and Louie, who fall in love. Louie's mom forbids her daughter from seeing Willa. Louie has to deal with not being honest with her family and friends about the relationship and her relationship with the church. The latter is barely touched upon, but when it is, it says what I wish every gay teen who's trying to balance faith and their budding sexuality could hear. "You see, I think love comes from God. And so, to turn away from love, real love, it could be argued, is to turn away from God." This quote is so true to me. Books like this are great to read and terrible too. They hit so close to home.

[CaseyTheCanadianLesbrarian · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read New Zealand author Paula Boock’s young adult lesbian novel Dare Truth or Promise (1997) in one day, practically in one sitting. I have a soft spot for queer YA anyway, but I really loved this book for its sweet, simple style. Boock writes in a very straight-forward, deceptively plain way that is reminiscent of New Zealanders themselves, at least what I learned about them when I was there for four months a few years ago. In fact, I’d say this book is a lot like Kiwis and Kiwi culture: humble, charming, quietly proud, and not inclined to boast of its own merits but rather to simply display them as if reassured of its own value. (Side note: for those readers not familiar with Kiwi culture or English, there is a glossary of terms at the beginning of the book).

Dare Truth or Promise is essentially a teenage love story. Willa is the bold red-headed daughter of a former-country star-turned-pub-owner, an aspiring chef, and a loving dog owner. Louie is a charismatic, self-assured actress, stellar student, and frequent poetry quoter from a well-off Italian family...

See the rest of my review here: http://lesbrary.com/2012/09/21/casey-...

[Bex · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is another somewhat sad story with a happy ending. Louie (Louisa) and Willa meet each other at work, and later in school, and there is instant chemistry. Unfortunately Willa just ended a relationship with Cathy, a girl who despite her feelings for Willa could not find enough courage to come out. Not that Willa is 'out' herself, she just knows what she wants, and she's not afraid to say it if someone asks. These two girls begin to fall in love but Louie's mother isn't accepting and tries to keep the girls apart. While Willa struggles with the thought of being the ruiner of the women she loves (Cathy is near suicidal and Louise becomes depressed), Louie must find courage to love herself, Willa and her family.

This is no 'The Children's Hour', but it sad in parts. Tragic in parts. Fortunately the ending is positive. I would say, again, that this is certainly an experience queer teens have had. The book is written in third person, but features a character with each chapter. I relate to the story, and I would recommend it to any teen who's having a hard time loving themselves for who they are.

[Darlene · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wish every parent and every teen could read this and talk about it with love. God is Love. Bigotry and hatred is not of God. Love is Love. If you are going to thump Leviticus remember all the rules must be followed and not just those that support your own biases.

This is the story of two high school girls in Australia who happen to find themselves in love. They are both responsible girls wanting to do what is right and still unsure, especially when parents and society seem to condemn them at every turn.

Two wise men and a very loving mother help guide the girls in their search. I Dare you to read it. It contains Truth. I Promise you will feel stronger and more loving to others.

[Mim-Is-Reading · Rating 1 out of 5]

The style of writing did not appeal to me at all. I felt like I was reading a book report, something not "personalized" enough.

Parts of the story were confusing, whereas some lacked intensity. So girl meets girl, in a matter of pages, they're missing each other and proclaiming in love...Frankly, the author didn't give them enough time to get to that point.
Perhaps if the book had been longer than 100-some pages, I'd have read something truly profound and substantial. Instead, I got a lot of jumping from this girl's perspective to the other, and it just didn't feel as incredible as reviewers made it to be.

[Jenn | bookdragonbrunette · Rating 4 out of 5]

She knew that this was a life-changing experience thing and life-changing things should be said aloud, should have a moment in time, and a place in the air, some molecular structure to make them real.

Sweet and tense story of a young girl's first love with another girl and the confusion of trying to fit in what you know in your heart with what others expect of you.

I'm not religious, but I loved the scene with the Priest and his explanation to Louie about how love is first and foremost in God's plan.

I think love comes from God. And so, to turn away from love, real love, it could be argued, is to turn away from God.

[Xdyj · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pretty well written with likable characters. I kinda wish they could really stand against bigots for their belief for once or go underground for a while instead of throwing blames and being "saved" by some authority figures, but probably that hope is too unrealistic. Kind of remind me of those Chinese YA stuff I read in middle school (full of teenage angst and "forbidden love" - though in this book the school and general public is much more supportive).

[Haylee C]

The book Dare, Truth or Promise by Paula Boock is about two girls that love each other and everyone else trying to keep them apart. Willa is a new girl that just moved to town and she has a past with another girl that didn't end so good. The there is Louie who is just a girl who loves acting and her friends and family. When they meet they know that they want to be together. They love being together and they love each other so much. Louie's mom is not okay with they whole thing so they try to hide it from everyone. In the end Louie doesn't know what to do, if she should be with the one that she loves or if she should do what her parents are telling her to do. She knows that she loves Willa and she wants to be with her she just know how to do it without hurting everyone else.

I think that this was such a great book. I thought it got both sides in the book and made everyone who read this book see what you go through and how it affects everyone if your life. I thought that the girls in this book were really great and there stories were so much fun to read. Though at times they did annoy me I still had a great reading about what they are going through. Through the whole book I just keep saying I want them to be together, I thought they were so cute together and I love this book a lot.

I would say that everyone should read this book. I would give this book 4 because I thought I was very well written and I was a good story. I really liked the book and I think that if you would give this book a chance you would see how great it really is and it is a very good read.

[Kayla · Rating 2 out of 5]

Dare Truth or Promise bordered on boring. There just wasn't enough to make this book stand out for me. In fact, it fell prey to some of the typical romance stories that are in abundance.

One, the two main characters meet and practically fall in love with one another right off the bat. I, for one, enjoy a romance that blossoms from friendship. Instalove just doesn't cut it for me. Two, Willa and Louie don't have a whole lot of personality. In fact, none of the characters in the story have a whole lot of depth. I'm not asking for an ocean, but more than a puddle would have been nice. Three, there's a lack of any real communication throughout the book. Whether you look at Willa and Louie or even Louie and her family, everything is just glossed over. Communication would have solved, like, 99% of everything that happened in the book. Four, this follows the very typical pattern we see in lots of books with homosexual characters... two same sex people fall in love, person A's family finds out and disapproves, the relationship falls apart, something intense happens, and the relationship is suddenly on the mend and welcomed by everyone. Yawn.

The only thing really different about this book is the main characters are two females rather than a female and a male. And, let's be honest, that's not very different anymore.

[Ginny Swanson · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was an excellent read, because it could really teach some people not to be so hasty to judge homosexuals. Love is the same even for them. the way it is for a man and women, it's the same with a man and man, or a women and a women. They fall in love the same way we do. So why do we judge? I don't , never did and this book just helped make that belief stronger that even two girls can love each other. No, I'm not a lesbian. i have a boyfriend and i love him very much, almost as much as Louie loves. They would do anything for the one they love as would i for the one i love. A great read, and a great inside look about homosexuals. Hey, some of my friends are either gay or lesbian but i still love them, because i care about them. not their background lives! I love them for who they are on the inside :).

[AM · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's more of a 3.4 stars.
I was originally not interested to read this book until I noticed it was set in New Zealand and the writer was from New Zealand and I honestly have never really come across New Zealand YA. So I read it and it's pretty short and quick. The characters are okay, nothing special. They spark up a few times here and there. I do feel bad for the character of Willa as I think everyone except maybe her mom takes advantage of her and emotionally manipulate her. The book is from 1997 so it has more of an outdated plot, sort of like, where parents are angry about having gay kids or it's very tragic. I know things like that still happen, but in the current YA LGTB market, the stories have moved on from that to other things. I didn't really like how the ending was resolved, not really buy it, but I was content enough with it.

[jo · Rating 2 out of 5]

ah, i'm abandoning this, not because it's not a worthy, sweet, nicely written lesbian right-of-passage YA novel, but because one can read only so many girl-loves-girl, parents-persecute-loving-girls, girls-turn-out-battered-but-okay stories. or at least i can. this is better written and better developed that Keeping you a secret, but the story is basically the same. i never much went for romance.

[Dahlia · Rating 4 out of 5]

After a bit of a struggle with the beginning, I ended up totally adoring this one. I've been looking desperately for f/f YA that has both cuteness and hotness and so far this is probably the one that most closely fits the bill. (I mean, not that it's particularly graphic or anything, but a subgenre that is supertame on that front, a couple of things pleasantly surprised me in this one.) The book is as old as its current audience, but it holds up pretty impressively well. The first pleasant surprise in f/f YA I've had in a while.

[Anne · Rating 3 out of 5]

Louie (for Louisa) is a high schooler working at Burger Giant. New girl Willa starts working there, too, and romantic sparks fly pretty much immediately, although both girls are a bit shy about expressing their feelings. However, familial and societal pressures pull them apart.

The reactions of both friends and families to the girls relationship seem quite accurate; it does have quite a bit of teen angst in it but guess that is pretty accurate, too.

[Kiriaki Sandy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked the book in general. Never having read a book about such a theme before, I was intrigued and had high expectations that it didn't fail to meet.
The book was a little too fast-paced, though. Like a movie, it didn't spend nearly enough time on the characters or the events, and I'd have liked it to be longer.

And even with a rating of 4 stars(well, it's actually 4.5), this book is undoubtedly on my top five.

[Heather · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good teenage read. Boock manages to capture the simplicity and yet the confusing complexity of the way that teens view the world creating a both enjoyable and occasionally uncomfortable read as you follow and empathise with the characters. This book also gives a great look at family interactions and cultural expectations.

[Lady Avalon · Rating 4 out of 5]

No matter where you are from, we all go through the angst, the confusion, and the self-acceptance path (for some with too many bumps, for others a little smoother) when you realize you are attract to someone of the same sex... IMHO, Ms Book has found a nice balance of all those feelings and the result is an entertaining YA book with likeable MCs.

[Ellen Shull · Rating 4 out of 5]

The characterization was a little weak at the beginning; I had trouble keeping Willa and Louie sorted out. But the further I got into the book, the more it became a page-turner. What can I say? I'm a sucker for a love story.

[Diana Prince · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was cute. A quick read; only took me an hour and a half, and not the best writing. But it was a cute story, and one with a blissfully happy ending.

[Victoria-Melita Zammit · Rating 4 out of 5]

There are very few books I will read in a day; this book is one of them.

Dare Truth or Promise is a wonderful little book, barely even 300 pages, by Paula Boock, from New Zealand. The version of the book that I have helpfully comes with a little glossary of terms in Kiwi that I might find difficulty understanding if I weren’t from there. The story revolves around Willa and Louie, two girls who attend the same school who notice that they’re very slowly falling in love with each other.

The book follows the simple rhythm of most every other LGBT-themed novel out there: two people meet, fall in love, deny it for a few pages and then decide to risk it all and be together. They start coming out – to friends and to family – and then, inevitably, comes the homophobia from somewhere. It’s a pretty predictable and set way of a story being told, and it doesn’t really differ much from anything else I’ve ever read. The main exception with this book I think – and probably one of the most important things about it – is how real the characters and their experience feels.

The problem with novels that follow a predictable pattern, like most other novels in their genre, is that sometimes characters seem to fall short of being more than just two-dimensional, 8-bit characters who could be anybody if you just imagined yourself in their shoes. Willa wants to be a chef; she’s a well-rounded character with her own insecurities and personality flaws that she acknowledges. She’s a fencer and a damn good stagehand. Louie is a brilliant actress who’s popular and has a great sense of humor (you can tell she does whenever she narrates a portion of the story herself). Louie is also very much entrenched in her family life, to the point where it can become rather toxic for her, and it is something that she learns to combat and deal with, and even grow from.

Another element I liked to this story is the way that the narration isn’t told simply through one point of view, or through an omniscient narrator. There are two narrators in this story – Will and Louie – and each one gets an almost equal amount of time telling her side of the story through her own point of view (third person, rather than first, but still). It’s a refreshing look at the often used first person narrative that we find a lot in LGBT fiction, and can get rather boring.

So why do I like this book so much? Because it somehow feels different from all the other LGBT narratives out there. Sure, there’s the formula that it follows, but it isn’t afraid to actually try and do something new with it. From a critical standpoint, I love how it attempts to tell the story through more than one point of view, and actually manages to do it. From a personal standpoint, I love how simple yet satisfying it is to read it, with great characters and brilliant one-liners.

Final rating: 4/5. It’s not a literary masterpiece but it’s worth a shot, especially if you need something to read while on a plane ride or something!

[hope · Rating 3 out of 5]

(3.5/5 actually) it felt a little rushed at times and it made me really sad but it was so cute too :((((( but overall it was a pretty nice read i loved it <3 and basically girls deserve the world we been knew

[Darlene Stericker · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was compelling. It is not fair to judge in today's social circumstances because it was written in 1997. I hope, but it is probably not the case, that parents of gay teenagers would not react as Louie's mother does.

[Morgan · Rating 2 out of 5]

Just a very predictable girl meets girl coming of age story. I didn’t love the characters or feel they were well-defined. Pretty important chunks of the story are told in almost a dreamy, summarizing way rather than clearly explaining action. The third act dragged on too long and went the path of extreme melodrama.
Could have been better, but could have been worse.

[Dr Jespersen · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book more than I anticipated I might. It's from when I was a teenager. I wish I had read it then, though in all likelihood I would have wished the characters were more similar to me. I was a tough customer for a while there. Reading it now, I had an eye out for the ways it feels dated and the ways it still feels relevant. I'm impressed by how subtly Boock lets both these protagonists deal with intense feelings time without making either of them spend too much page space worrying about labels. When words like lesbian and dyke get thrown around, it's to depict the experience of being labelled by others while you're still figuring yourself out. I thought this was handled pretty well, in a nuanced way that does justice to the characters and the story.

The shock-value 'anti-PC' performance art reaction scene was probably my favourite bit. It added to the locality of the setting for me, too. Sadly this hasn't changed much in Aotearoa.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think this was the first lesbian romance I ever read, and I read it before I'd even (consciously) began to think about my own attraction to women. Interesting how that happened. I remember enjoying the book but somehow pushing it to the back of my mind for another year or two until I was ready to think about it. Anyway, I think this is a really great book, with a lot of sweet parts and some unfortunate, but realistic, drama. I like the changing perspective between the two girls and their personalities, histories and goals. Some of the side characters might be a little under developed but hey, it's a pretty short book and I enjoyed that there were so many. I think this book will always hold a special spot in my heart and I'll probably get the feeling that I'll need to re-read it in another year or so again.

[Bella · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love the angst of a 1990s gay young adult book. So much pain, so many heightened conversations, so much acceptance from unlikely places. In that way, this book didn't disappoint. If this was 2006, this book would have been a 5. But I have grown since then, I have read many different gay YA books, and grading on a curve, this one was middling. Everything happened a little too quickly, I didn't feel as connected to the characters as I should have and I thought the car crash at the end was too melodramatic and then they didn't do anything, even when Louie admitted at the end she sort of wanted to kill herself! You can't just mention that on the last page of the book! That's something that needs to be dealt with! It's a good YA book if you're new to the genre, but once you've read them all, it falls a little flatter.

[Sam Geatches · Rating 4 out of 5]

Louie is 17 years old when she meets Willa at Burger Giant where they both work part time. The girls couldn’t be any more different if they tried. Louie is outgoing, loves comedy and acting, being centre stage, she wants to be a lawyer and lives with her Mum, Dad and Sister in a fancy house described as the “metal petal”. Willa lives on top of a pub with her Mum. She just wants to quietly get through her final year of school and become a chef. Then Louie and Willa fall in love. This isn’t the first time for Willa and she is wary after being hurt before; but Louie loves her madly. Everything is wonderful. Until Louie’s mother finds out. What follows is the sometimes heartbreaking, very real story of being a teenager, falling in love for the first and coming out.