First Lines Fridays is a weekly feature for book lovers hosted by Wandering Words. What if, instead of judging a book by its cover, its author or its prestige, we judged it by its opening lines?

The Rules:

• Pick a book off your shelf (it could be your current read or on your TBR) and open to the first page.
• Copy the first few lines, but don’t give anything else about the book away just yet – you need to hook the reader first.
• Finally… reveal the book!

First Lines:

“I’ve been in Florida less than a day and already I’m in a life or death standoff. The gator stares at me, his eyes glowing against the moonlight. I stare at the gator, my eyes wild with fear. Shit, I’m gonna die.”

Yikes! This sounds like the kind of story I’m intrigued by, but also I’m always secretly scared of coming across a gator when I go to Florida.

Do you recognize the lines?

Here’s a hint:

This is a published YA queer romance.

Still not sure? Here’s another hint:

It’s written by Jacob Gelman.

The First Lines Friday book is:

Butterflies in the End Zone.

About the Book:

• Title: Butterflies in the End Zone
• Author: Jacob Gelman
• Page Length: 312 pages
• Publication Date: June 15, 2023
• Publisher: Self-published

Synopsis:

Introducing “Butterflies In The End Zone” – an emotionally charged YA romance novel that explores the power of friendship, self-discovery, and the resilience of love. Join Alex, the popular quarterback of Scalia High’s football team, as he navigates the complexities of his seemingly perfect life. Despite his stellar grades and an enviable social circle, he finds himself inexplicably drawn to Jamie, the new kid from the Bay Area. Jamie, a closeted Jewish student, never expected the attention of someone like Alex, especially in the midst of his own struggles after moving to Jacksonville. With dreams of getting into his dream college, all he wanted was a quiet senior year.

“Butterflies In The End Zone” delves into the extraordinary bond that develops between these two unlikely friends in an environment that encourages division. As they grow closer, their friendship transforms into something deeper, leaving them both vulnerable and scared. Together, they face the challenges of living in a homophobic community, wondering if their love can withstand the pressures surrounding them. This compelling novel tackles themes of acceptance, identity, and the courage to love fearlessly. Author Jacob Gelman expertly weaves a heartfelt narrative that will keep you captivated from start to finish. Experience the rollercoaster of emotions as Alex and Jamie defy societal expectations and strive to be true to themselves.

“Butterflies In The End Zone” is a must-read for fans of LGBTQ+ romance, ownvoices storytelling, and coming-of-age tales. Get ready to be swept away by a powerful narrative that challenges prejudice and celebrates the beauty of love in the face of adversity. Order your copy of “Butterflies In The End Zone” today and embark on a journey that will leave you inspired, moved, and believing in the transformative power of love.

Links: Goodreads     

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links, and I may earn a small commission at no cost to you if you purchase through my links.