Content Warning: This review may spark introspection about themes such as self-discovery, unspoken love, and the complexities of human connection. While the story remains tender and reflective, readers should approach with an open heart and a readiness to tackle the emotional terrain of youth.

A Quiet Symphony of Self-Discovery

“How many years would you have to go back to change your destiny?” This haunting question sets the tone for Harker Jones’ Until September, a novel that tenderly captures the fragility and resilience of youth. But is destiny a force we succumb to, or one we forge with trembling hands?

The Enchantment of Time and Place

Set against the sun-dappled beaches of a coastal town in the summer of 1966, Until September feels like flipping through a faded photograph album, each scene imbued with nostalgia and aching beauty. From the cedar-paneled beach house with its “haunted house creak” to the languid evenings filled with laughter and shadows, Jones creates a setting as alive as the characters themselves.

Characters That Linger

Kyle Ryan Quinn, the introspective protagonist, navigates a summer of seismic shifts as he encounters Jack, the enigmatic newcomer who upends his world. Through their tentative connection, the novel deftly explores themes of longing, identity, and the unspoken rules that govern relationships. Jack’s “cornflower blue” eyes and Kyle’s internal monologue are painted with poetic precision, evoking echoes of F. Scott Fitzgerald’s tender prose.

A Historical and Literary Context

The novel’s setting during the tumultuous 1960s—a time of cultural upheaval and social redefinition—parallels Kyle’s internal struggle. The subtle allusion to historical undercurrents adds depth to the narrative, suggesting that personal and societal transformations are often intertwined.

Why It Matters

Does love unspoken still shape us? Do moments of vulnerability forge our strongest bonds? These are the questions Jones poses, and his answers, while subtle, are profoundly moving. The narrative invites readers to reflect on their own paths and ponder what might have been—an emotional exercise both cathartic and humbling.

Spotlyts Story Award

The above story/stories or storyteller(s) won the Spotlyts Story Award.

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