BOOK BLAST
Book Title: Why Can’t Life Be Like Pizza? (The Pizza Chronicles, Book 1)
Author: Andy V. Roamer
Publisher: Nine Star Press
Cover Artist: Natasha Snow
Release Date: Book 1: March 30, 2020
Book 2: Why Can’t Summer Be Like Pizza? : releases end May, 2020
Genre/s: Contemporary MM Romance, Young Adult, Gay/Bisexual
Trope: Son of Immigrants
Themes: In the Closet/Coming Out
Length: 55 100 words/ 208 pages
It is a standalone story. Book 1 of a series
Buy Links
NineStar Press | Amazon US | Amazon UK
Fourteen-year-old RV does his best negotiating freshman year in a demanding high school, obeying the rules of his immigrant parents, and exploring his budding sexuality
Blurb
RV is a good kid. So he’ll do his best to keep up in high school despite all the additional pressures he’s facing: His immigrant parents, who don’t want him to forget his roots. Some tough kids at school who bully teachers as well as students. His mean gym teacher. The Guy Upstairs who doesn’t answer his prayers. And the most confusing fact of all — that he might be gay. Luckily, RV develops a friendship with Mr. Aniso, his Latin teacher who is gay and is always there to talk to. RV thinks his problems are solved when he starts going out with Carole. But things only get more complicated when RV develops a crush on Bobby, the football player in his class. And to RV’s surprise, Bobby admits he may have gay feelings, too.
I looked back up. Mr. Aniso was regarding me patiently, waiting for an explanation.
“Well, we had a talk. And I told him… I told him that I was thinking about… That I might be…gay.”
There. I’d said the word out loud for the second time in my life.
Mr. Aniso didn’t react one way or the other. He just asked, “How did the conversation go?”
“Okay.” I wanted to tell him Bobby was struggling with the same feelings, too, but Bobby had made me promise not to say anything, to anyone. On pain of death. These secrets are really strong, aren’t they?
“What are you thinking about, RV?” Mr. Aniso was studying me intently.
I shrugged. “Oh, nothing. I was just thinking about my conversation with Bobby.”
“And how did it feel to open up to him?” Mr. Aniso wanted to know.
“It felt scary, but good,” I said.
“Yes, it does feel good, doesn’t it?” Mr. Aniso smiled. “Though right before opening up to someone about yourself is so scary, isn’t it?”
“Yes, but—” I said, interrupting him. “Things have been strange since.” I told Mr. Aniso about seeing Bobby with Cynthia in the hallway, and how Bobby acted strange in class the other day.
“Maybe he’s conflicted about his feelings toward Cynthia,” Mr. Aniso suggested. “Romantic feelings take time to sort out because they’re such a deep part of us.” He thought for a second and then added, “And people have complicated feelings about gay friends. Give Bobby time.”
“Yes,” I said, nodding.
“You don’t look like you believe me,” Mr. Aniso said.
“I do believe you,” I answered.
“But?”
“But, well, there’s been so much going on, I don’t know what to believe sometimes.”
“What’s been going on?”
So I told Mr. Aniso about going out with Carole and then breaking up with her. And praying to God. And seeing Duffy and Doyle pick on McGrath. And trying not to let Mom and Dad’s arguing get me down. And trying not to think about Bobby but thinking about him even more. And trying to be a regular guy, and a good guy, but not always being able to live up to my expectations.
The secrets kept tumbling out. I couldn’t tell Mr. Aniso more about Bobby, but I told him about so many other things, things that at one time I thought I could never tell anyone.
Mr. Aniso’s hand clutched my shoulder. I realized I had been crying. The tears kept rolling down my cheeks and I kept trying to wipe them with the shirt sleeve of my other arm, embarrassed that Mr. Aniso was seeing me in this condition.
But he was gripping my shoulder as hard as he’s ever gripped it and he wasn’t letting go. “RV,” he said, forcing me to meet his gaze. “Remember when I made you promise not to ever, ever call yourself a loser?”
I nodded.
“I hope you still remember that.”
I nodded again.
“You’re going to do great in life.”
“What makes you say that?”
“Because just by telling me everything you’ve just told me, you’re already starting to figure things out. You may not know it yet, but you are.”
“If you say so.”
“I know so. That’s what life is all about. Trying to figure things out. Asking questions.” Mr. Aniso took his cup and made me pick up my Coke can so he could toast it. Then he looked at me, starting to smile.
“Can you do me a big favor?”
“What?”
“Can you help me walk across the room a few more times?”
“Are you sure you have the energy?”
“Of course I have the energy! I want to celebrate our friendship.”
“Our friendship?”
“Aren’t we friends? You came to make me feel better when I was really bad during my early days in the hospital. And today you have made me feel great!”
“I have?”
“Yes.”
“How?”
“Just by telling me more about yourself.”
He smiled again. “That’s what friends are for, aren’t they? For sharing about themselves.”
“I guess so.”
“Yes,” he said, laughing. “And someday you’ll really believe me.”
I helped Mr. Aniso get out of his chair. He felt surprisingly light. Maria wouldn’t have had any problem lifting him up. I guess a few months in the hospital will do that to you.
I didn’t know what to think walking slowly across the room, with Mr. Aniso leaning on me. Who was helping who more? I always thought of teachers helping us. And I know how much Mr. Aniso has helped me. But I didn’t know it could go the other way.
Andy V. Roamer grew up in the Boston area and moved to New York City after college. He worked in book publishing for many years, starting out in the children’s and YA books division and then wearing many other hats. This is his first novel about RV, the teenage son of immigrants from Lithuania in Eastern Europe, as RV tries to negotiate his demanding high school, his budding sexuality, and new relationships. He has written an adult novel, Confessions of a Gay Curmudgeon, under the pen name Andy V. Ambrose. To relax, Andy loves to ride his bike, read, watch foreign and independent movies, and travel.
Social Media Links
Blog/Website | Facebook | Instagram: andy_v_roamer
Follow the tour and check out the other blog posts and reviews here