The Vast Fields of Ordinary by Nick Burd

Here's a brief summary I took from goodreads.com: It’s Dade’s last summer at home. He has a crappy job at Food World, a “boyfriend” who won’t publicly acknowledge his existence (maybe because Pablo also has a girlfriend), and parents on the verge of a divorce. College is Dade’s shining beacon of possibility, a horizon to keep him from floating away.

Then he meets the mysterious Alex Kincaid. Falling in real love finally lets Dade come out of the closet—and, ironically, ignites a ruthless passion in Pablo. But just when true happiness has set in, tragedy shatters the dreamy curtain of summer, and Dade will use every ounce of strength he’s gained to break from his past and start fresh with the future.

I've had quite the run of "boy" books lately. :)  Dade can only think of getting out of his small town and escaping to college.  He really has no one in his corner other than Pablo who's periodically abusive to him.  I think Pablo cares for Dade, but that scares him at the same time.  By the way, that in no way justifies his abuse, but might explain some of it.

Then Dade meets Lucy and Alex.  Lucy is his sounding board and helps Dade to come to grips with who he is.  Dade falls in love with Alex and he shows him what love really feels like.  A love free of abuse, where you are valued and not hidden away.  Dade's mother abuses pills, his father is pulling away and losing himself in an affair, while Dade has a drinking and drug use problem. 

Like life, there was joy, passion, wonder, sadness, grief and cruelty.  I believe being who you truly are holds deep happiness for most people and for some it's too terrifying.  I'm a strong believer in the LGBT adolescents being represented in literature.  This is a great read.  While the ending does have a certain amount of tragedy, there is hope and hapiness for Dade.  The cover is pretty cool really.  Due to sexaul content, excessive drinking, and some druge use, I would say 17 and up.  I give this book a solid 3 1/2 roses.