Release Day Review ~ All You Need Is Love by Russell J. Sanders (Giveaway)

Release Day Review ~ All You Need Is Love by Russell J. Sanders (Giveaway)

Title: All You Need is Love
Author: Russell J. Sanders
Release Date: March 21, 2017
Category: Historical: Americas, Gay, Teen Fiction
Pages: 220

Dreamspinner Press  Amazon  Goodreads

In the era of the Woodstock Festival and the Stonewall Riots, 1969, Dewey Snodgress is in high school in Fort Worth, Texas. He might be far from many of the changes taking place in the world, but they still affect his life. For one, as his school’s theater star, Dewey takes part in a production about a young gay man protesting the Vietnam War. During the play, he meets another uninhibited young actress, Lucretia “Lulu” Belton, and their performances are a hit, changing attitudes about the war—especially the attitude of Dewey’s dad.

It’s also the year Dewey meets Jeep Brickthorn, the school’s hippie and a local musician. They quickly become friends, and although Dewey tries to suppress it, they start to fall in love. Though he knows his father won’t condone their relationship, Dewey can’t resist his feelings for Jeep.

The times are changing, and maybe the time has come for Dewey and Jeep to escape their repressive town for somewhere more open-minded. Somewhere they can pursue their interests in acting and music. Somewhere they’ll have the freedom to be in love.

4.5 Stars

My favorite period pieces are stories that are set in the late 1960's to the early 1990's. This a time when being gay was definitely not accepted, especially in the south. I like that growing up in the 80's, I can relate to the music, television shows, games, and such that are featured in books from this period. I find you can put yourself in the character's situation with much more ease if you can relate to their surroundings. I also find this is a just an extremely interesting cultural era that fascinates me.

This story isn't so much a romance, as it is a coming of age and a story of self discovery. Dewey slowly comes to the realization that he is gay, but he is in denial: Deep in denial. Even though he has feelings for Jeep and gets that warm feeling in his belly and his heart beats a little faster when he sees Jeep, he can't admit to himself what he feels. He definitely can't admit it to anyone else. Even once Dewey accepts and acts on his feelings, he can't risk his father's disapproval. He'll have to hide, maybe forever, so as to not disappoint his family.

I had a love/hate relationship with Dewey. I loved watching him grow and accept who he was. He was a likable character and I especially loved his interactions with LuLu and Butch, but I wanted to punch him in the face for the way he treated Jeep. He could be so cold and mean. I wanted to hug Jeep and protect him from the hurt caused by Dewey. I absolutely loved Jeep. I know this was Dewey's story, but I really wish the author had given Jeep a voice. Maybe we'll get a follow-up story? *hint hint nudge nudge*

I loved the story and the setting, but I thought Dewey accepted his love for Jeep too suddenly. I wish he had thought about it more and worked through it more. I liked the circumstance in which Dewey realizes that Jeep is worth it, I just wish he'd come to the conclusion a little more gradually, it seemed too sudden and like he accepted it too easily for as resistant as he was to it.

I loved the secondary characters in this story and I thought the backstory of the play Dewey participates in was interesting and entertaining. I was glad to see the author touched on Woodstock, the Stonewall Riots, Segregation and, of course, Vietnam.

This was an interesting and enjoyable read. It was well-written and while the book held my attention, I thought it wrapped up too quickly. The ending felt too rushed. I'd love to know what the future holds for Dewey and Jeep. Very recommendable read!

*Copy provided to Bayou Book Junkie by Harmony Ink Press for my reading pleasure, a review wasn’t a requirement.*

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