The boy I love

Esmé Y9 Ardingly College

The boy I love William Hussey

This book has so much depth in all it does, from the beautiful language the author uses, to the emotional attachment to the characters, this is an amazing book. Though, I am not saying this was an easy read. It covered the worst parts of humanity, but even in those times, love and caring for others still was there. I enjoyed the ending most of all, but there were parts in this book where it got a little bit boring, but the ending definitely made up for that. There were some parts of this book also where I had to highlight it, even if I did not have one, that was how special some of these lines were. I also am a huge lover of Historical Fiction, so I can tell how much research was put into this book because of all of the small details. I must say it might be the most detailed historical fiction book yet, and that was also one of the reasons why I loved this book so much. I really want this author to write more historical fiction because of how much effort he put into this book, I think it will also be good for other time periods, maybe with a similar storyline. I would definitely recommend this book to my friends and family because it is a delight to read.

Powell Year 8

An AMAZING book!!! The plot is absolutely phenomenal, and sheds a light on the dark and horrifying cesspit that is the First World War. Their backstories complement each other perfectly and heal all that is needed to be healed. It is a fantastic book based in reality and also having realistic consequences for the time period!
Best book ever!!!

Niamh year 8 St Pauls

This book exceeded my expectations quite a lot actually! Despite me not being the biggest historical fiction reader, I really enjoyed this. I was on the edge of my seat a lot, and the ending was perfect, with Stephen and Danny’s storyline was both comforting and heartbreaking. My only problem was that sometimes it became a little hard to read and hard to completely immerse myself in the story but overall it was an action-packed read that I recommend to historical-fiction fans who enjoy World War 1 books e.g. fans of Private Peaceful.

Lily Year 8

“The Boy I Love” ended up being the one book from the Southern Schools list that completely wrecked me. I’ve never had a story break my heart this badly. It really showed how awful it was to be gay in WW1, and watching Steven and Danny hide everything was rough. It even got so sad I had to take a break, and the worst part is that they survive the front line together and still can’t be together because of the time they live in. The romance was amazing: flirting, the tension of knowing they “shouldn’t” be together, and then the kiss that changed everything. I loved how Steven starts out so serious, and Danny brings him back to life. The whole book was great even though the ending crushed me… and honestly, I’d still read it again. Definitely recommend.

Alexandra year 8

The boy I loved was a delightful read and I enjoyed it a lot, I’m used to reading fantasy-fiction, so this book was a new and wonderful experience. Danny and Stephen’s relationship was heart-warming and touching, I’m not one for historical romances, but something about the way that everything about their love was forbidden and scorned upon made this book so much more alluring. I hope that somebody else will enjoy this book as much as I did.

Tommy

I think the thing that I respect this book most for is the fact that even if wasn’t at all well researched, it wouldn’t really have mattered to me, as it has the rare ability to create a story that could exist in a world with almost no parallels to our own and it would hold up. This is because it is so effective at building an atmosphere around the characters and storyline, rather than simply relying on the tragedy and terror of war to act as placeholder for inventive scene setting. It does well to create solid character arcs and yet maintain consistent traits in those characters, and not just the main ones, which is an unfortunate failing of most of the SSBA books. I also really liked the way it’s written like a diary, especially in the part leading up to the charge on the Somme where they become shorter and more to the point, as if to show the impatient anticipation of the writer (Stephen). The only fault I can really find with this book is that I feel that maybe the plot progresses a little to quickly towards the start, though this might be deliberate choice made by the author to allow the reader to focus on the climax of the story. Overall, definitely worth a read.

Charlotte Year 8

The Boy I love is definitely the greatest war love-story of all time! Danny and Stephen have a particular spark when it comes to them being together and when they are alone, although that is quite hard considering being gay at this time is not accepted. It is delicately and beautifully written throughout however the starting is a bit unstable but once Stephen meets Danny it starts. When they first met you instantly knew what Stephen’s feeling were going to become, which was wonderful so he could stop mourning Michael. The repetition of ‘kamerad’ really shows the futility of war for everyone who is in this dreadful position, it also shows how the enemy is human as well even if you are trying to blow them up at the same time. I will definitely be recommending to everyone.

Vanshika Year 9

The Boy I love is probably one of the best books I’ve read so far. It taught me a lot about how hard war was and how much you have to rely on other people. I found it interesting how Stephen was more concerned about his platoon losing their old selves mentally than them actually dying. It taught me a lot about how war took a huge mental toll on all the soldiers. I found it heart breaking every time Steven and Danny had to think twice about being together because they were worried what others would think. Overall The boy I love is a wonderfully written book and it combines love and conflict really well. I would recommend this book to anyone who wants to find more about war and how being gay made life a whole lot more difficult than it needed to be.

Phoebe YEAR 8

The boy I love is definitely the best Southern Schools Book Awards book I’ve read so far! Reading this book gave me a deeper understanding about how hard it was to be homosexual in the 1910’s. found the fact that they had to hide their relationship from the whole world heart breaking making me almost want to put the book down (of course I couldn’t because I simply had to know what would happen next ). What made me want to read this book in the first place was that it was set during the war but in the end I got so much more out of it.
It was a difficult choice but I think in the end my favourite parts are how whenever Steven and Danny are alone together, its just like none of the horrors of war and prejudice matter anymore.
I would definitely recommend this book but maybe not re read it as I might break out into tears

Anonymous

Didn’t like really anything about it not my kind of book

Gabriella Ardingly College Y9

I loved reading the “The boy I love” because it was emotional and heart breaking, whilst also describing important historic facts, and there was also a lot of humour. It was really upsetting that Danny and Stephen could not be together because of the time they were living in, so they had to keep it secret. I felt sorry for Stephen because his parents were disappointed in him. At the end I got scared that Stephen and Danny would never see each other again, but I was so relieved when they did. The book shows how horrifying and miserable it would have been to fight on the front line, as you could be killed any minute, like many of the characters in the book were. Overall, I really enjoyed reading “The boy I love” because of how emotional it was.

Adrian YR8

This book is an accurate depiction of the suppression of sexual freedom in the 18-19th century and its effect on LGBTQ+ people in the discipline of the army. It follows an officer, celebrated for saving his platoon, yet having to conceal his past homosexuality and his lover in his new platoon, while the threat of the German army and the all-out over the top attack in the schedule. Overall, this book is gripping and yet relaxing to read, both hilarious and heartbreaking.

Clara Y8

I’ve never had a book break my heart like this one did. Because even after they fought at the front line together and survived Stephen and Danny don’t even get to be together due to the time that they live in. This book was one of the best books I have ever read because I love books on the war as I find it fascinating how crazy and brutal it was. I believe this book highlighted all of the small parts of the war that often get forgotten about. A great part about this book was the beginning because in a lot of books I start I always take forever to get into it due to the start not being as interesting but this book drew me in from the first few sentences. The romance side of this book was brilliant; the subtle flirting matched with the knowledge that they couldn’t be together was so tantalising that when they finally kissed it finally meant they knew what the consequences were was perfect. I also love the the fact that at the beginning Stephen is cold and serious but Danny somehow brings back the life to him. In all this book was pretty much perfect in every corner and yet ended in the saddest way possible… still I loved this book and would definitely re-read.

Bella year 10 st pauls

I had high expectations of this book and dare I say that they were met. William Hussey did a fine job at incorporating themes of star crossed lovers, history and the LGBTQ+ community. One of the favourite bits of this book was when Stephen came out to Captain Jackson and Jackson was shown to be vulnerable which is not often a connotation of a captain. I love Jackson’s character as it demonstrates the ‘don’t judge a book by its cover’ as a large man, high up in the army ranks in the early 1900’s but still part of the community that is still discriminated against today. I loved how this book was actually historically accurate in the facts and dates about the battle of the Somme. The boy I love throws us around emotionally as the reader as we are given bits of information a little but at a time urging us to keep reading. It displays hidden romance, parental expectations and gives us a better insight into the more social side of history we don’t necessarily learn about at school.

Quinn – Park Community School

This book by William Hussey is certainly a story to remember. Not only does it express the emotions of war, but the emotions of embracing your true identity and feelings. Also, a fascinating story of love in the time of war, and of such love being illegal – very well written. Overall, a stunning book and would clearly recommend to people who love to read poignant and devastatingly beautiful stories.

Olivia

Spoiler alert!!!

I loved The Boy I Love. It has the right balance of war and romance plus a touch of humour from the other privates in their platoon. I thought the start awfully confusing as I had no clue what was going on till later on but then they get to the front and that’s just the start. The end was so amazing, and I love the fact Danny found him in the art museum.

Norah Yr8

This has to be the most heart breaking yet eye-opening book about the hard truth of love and war. In the way Stephen is portrayed as a cold Lieutenant Wraxall, it only makes sense that he falls for the most cheery, extroverted private. The mix of Romance and never ending war would get anyone on the brink of tears. In the end, making this book even more risky and captivating.

Alie year 8 St Paul’s

This book was a wonderful read. I loved how it included the love Stephen and Danny had for each other while also incorporating the dilemma they faced living in the 1910’s and having to hide their relationship due to homophobia. I also enjoyed how the author had shown the grief of losing their friends and loved ones during war and the bittersweetness of getting out but losing their friends, ones you had grown close to in the process. Overall, it was a beautiful book that I found myself immersed in. Would definitely recommend!

Dasha year 8 St Pauls

This book is definitely one of my favourites. I loved the idea of mixing key historical facts about world wars and intertwining it with a bit of LGBTQ+ romance.
This book is for people who like to learn while reading, with also a bit of a taste for light romance.
I would definitely read it again for the first time if I could!

Annabel year 8

I loved the general storyline of this book as well as the way it was beautifully written to deeply express the struggles of war, love and death. I really liked how they showed the mental affect that war has on a person and all the struggles that come with it. Overall, I really enjoyed reading this book and would recommend it to anyone looking for a good book to obsess over.

Dalia – year 8

This book was an amazing book to read. I loved how it mixes the idea of life in the trenches with the idea of love. Probably my favourite part was when Danny and Stephen go to the listening box and get seen by the Germans. I don’t know why but that bit was a really nice but because it really showed how much Danny cared for Stephen. I already have recommended it to friends and family and I would definitely read it again!

Tabitha year 9

The book is beautifully written, balancing raw emotion with lyrical prose. The novel captures both tenderness and brutality, making it powerful but heartbreaking. The pacing was a bit uneven but the honesty and depth stood out. It’s an amazing read for those who appreciate historical and LGBTG+ fiction with real weight.