Reviewed by Marieke
TITLE: Being True
AUTHOR: Jacob Z. Flores
PUBLISHER: Dreamspinner Press
LENGTH: 89,430 words
BLURB:
Truman L. Cobbler has not had an easy life. It’s bad enough people say he looks like Donkey from Shrek, but he’s also suffered the death of his policeman father and his mother’s remarriage to a professional swindler, who cost them everything. Now dirt poor, they live in the barrio of San Antonio, Texas. When Tru transfers to an inner-city high school halfway through his senior year, he meets Javi Castillo, a popular and hot high school jock. Javi takes an immediate liking to Tru, and the two become friends. The odd pairing, however, rocks the school and sets the cliquish social circles askew. No one knows how to act or what to think when Mr. Popular takes a stand for Mr. Donkey. Will the cliques rise up to maintain status quo and lead Tru and Javi to heartbreak and disaster or will being true to who they are rule the day?
REVIEW:
Tru has had a tough time in life. He’s not so good looking, he’s been bullied badly and changed schools for that multiple times, his stepdad left him and his mom with lots of debts and they are very poor.
When he starts his new school, he has little hope for improvement, but it does come––in the form of Javi.
Javi is a popular jock, everyone loves and admires him. But he’s not the typical asshole, he actually cares about others. He immediately strikes up a friendship with Tru, making the whole school change how they treat him. But do they actually see him differently or do they just pretend?
Parents are the other problem they have to deal with. They do get attacked from all sides in this emotionally laden story. The parents aren’t are big problem though, but of course the boys have to deal with coming out and parents being worried. Javi’s parents are good people–– taking Tru in and feeding and comforting him–– even if they are quiet religious.
Most of the story was great, with some tears, a lot of laughs and a few aaawwww moments. There were a couple of scenes I had a hard time with though. They didn’t feel completely believable to me. I can’t explain that without giving away a lot of the story, but the coming out was too easy and the school’s acceptance in the end too.
Not that the school accepts it just like that, nooo. But in then end, it just happens too fast and easy after all that’s happened.
Like I said before, most of the story was awesome, though. The characters were amazing, likeable and for the most part realistic. The pacing was just right, and the love between the two boys felt so warm and sweet. That their parents didn’t want eighteen year olds to have sex and they obeyed…? Maybe that’s the author’s fatherly-heart speaking, because no way would that work in real life.
It did make the boys seem even sweeter and good-hearted, so it’s forgiven. This book was very enjoyable and I’m very glad I get to review and recommend it. You won’t be sorry for buying it.
RATING: 
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