Author Name: Zane Riley
Book Name: With or Without You
Sequel to ‘Go Your Own Way’
Should be read in order to appreciate the books
Release Date: July 21, 2016
Blurb:
In the much-anticipated sequel to Go Your Own Way, high school seniors Lennox McAvoy and Will Osborne pick up right where they left off—navigating the tumultuous waters of a new relationship and dealing with Will’s disapproving father.
When a violent incident forces Lennox to give up his independent ways, he must come to terms with his past just as Will is grappling with his future. As Will’s college plans become reality, will Lennox have the courage to go after the opportunities he doesn’t think he deserves?
Pages or Words: 348 pages
Categories: Contemporary, Gay Fiction, M/M Romance, New Adult
Now, in the first book, I did get annoyed with Lennox, as he seemed to do anything to get himself in trouble, but in hind sight I think a lot of this was due to what had happened to him in recent months, but more importantly I think he believed he was worthless and unloveable..
However, in this second book, I think it was Will that I would get annoyed with - to me, in some ways it seemed like he was trying to take over Lennox's life, or rather totally organise everything, but without asking what Lennox actually wanted.
Things are rather fraught for them both, with Will's father disapproving about their friendship and especially their relationship, on top of where Lennox was living at the time. Things were just going along as usual, until a violent incident involving Lennox occurred. His saviour was the last person who he thought would help him.
Lennox was taken to Will's house, and it was there that he was able to recuperate, and it is now that their relationship seems to change, but for the better. Wills father was not pleased to have Lennox there, but I think he began to see a different person from the one usually portrayed.
As Lennox recovers, all talk turns to the colleges again, and Will is trying to decide where he wants to go, he has narrowed this down to a few choices. Lennox on the other hand has no idea about college, or rather he doesn't bother looking as he would not be able to afford to go.
However, things happen for a reason, and although he was hurt, it seems like this was a blessing in disguise, and there are a few surprises for Lennox in the works, but will he be brave enough to attempt what others know he can do? I really do feel for Lennox at this time, as I think he is scared of failing, but again the last person he would expect to help him does so and give him things to thing about.
This series is so different to what I usually read, but I was hooked as soon as I started reading. I actually read Go Your Own Way and then went straight onto With Or Without You, and I was pulled straight into the story of Will and Lennox. I can't wait for the next book to come out in the series, and that will then mean that I can go back and read these again!!
The band room was empty when he pushed the door open, but the piano was set up like it was almost every afternoon these days. Only Mr. Robinette and a music stand littered with sheet music was absent.
"Hello?"
The silence struck Lennox as odd, but as he sat down he also realized how strange it was to announce himself. So much had changed since the first time he'd snuck in here to play on his own. Now he was auditioning for some college he still couldn't fathom.
To make Will happy. And maybe a little bit for himself.
"Ah, I wondered if you were going to show up."
Mr. Robinette was behind him, the door to his office now wide open. He'd taken off his tie and undone a few buttons on his shirt like he did most afternoons when they practiced.
"You just want to play it through a few times or mess around with something else?"
Lennox took a seat at the piano, but didn't both opening his bag. He'd memorized the piece he was playing by Valentine's Day and now, almost two weeks later, he could write it out measure for measure on blank sheet music. But playing it was becoming repetitive. For two hours, three times a week, almost nonstop with the same four pages and nothing else.
"I'd rather try something new. That piece is getting a little old."
Mr. Robinette smiled and pulled a chair up beside him. "I had a nightmare the other night and it was the theme song while I ran around a haunted house Scooby Doo style."
"You didn't catch a ride in the Mystery Machine, did you? I've always wanted that van."
"I've got a lunch box version of it. It doesn't fit much though because it's too narrow. Anyway, play what you want. I'll be here until about four-thirty, so it's all yours."
As Mr. Robinette returned to his office, Lennox pulled what had become his music notebook out of his bag and opened it to the latest page. He'd taken to composing during class when he should have been taking notes, especially calculus where he had no reason to pay attention anyway.
The latest page was a tune he'd come up with while the other kids had been tapping their pencils and erasing answers. Every moment of his life carried a rhythm, a melody, and an emotion he could create with, and his notebook was becoming a testament to that. He played through everything he'd jotted down over the past few days, but after several rounds he kept coming back to one. It was a piano version he'd tried—and mostly failed—to create of one of the songs Will had played on a loop a few weeks ago.
"I'm getting ready to lock up!"
Mr. Robinette's voice carried out of the office and into the band room. A few minutes and several jingles of Mr. Robinette's keys later, the office door was shut and Lennox was closing the cover on the keys.
"That last piece you were playing, was it a cover?"
Lennox shrugged as they headed for the door.
"It was supposed to be. Didn't sound much like the song."
"Well, the others did. They were all really good, even the ones that weren't covers."
"Uh, thanks."
Lennox watched him at the door to the parking lot for a moment. He'd been a great help over the last month—all year if Lennox was honest. Mr. Robinette had believed in him in his own way since school had begun, and thanks to him he had a decent shot at this audition.
"Thanks for… all of this. I actually feel like—just thanks."
Mr. Robinette gave him a genuine smile and patted him on the shoulder.
"You're very welcome. Let me know how it goes when you get back, okay? I'm rooting for you. Got all of my fingers and limbs crossed. You deserve the chance. Don't doubt that or yourself."
"I-I won't."
It was funny to have so many people believing in him after so long. Happiness was a strange feeling as well. Until he'd let Will into his life he couldn't remember how to capture such a feeling in his chest and keep it there.
Buy the book:
Meet the author:
Zane Riley is a transgender writer who wrote his first work of fan fiction in the fourth grade. He is a recent transplant to Vancouver, Washington where he spends his time watching long distance baseball games, hiking, and exploring the musical depths of the internet. His first novel, Go Your Own Way, was published by Interlude Press in 2015.
Where to find the author:
Facebook Author Page: facebook.com/ZaneNebula
Twitter: @ZaneNebula
Other: https://www.goodreads.com/Zane-Riley
Goodreads Link: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/28764212-with-or-without-you
Publisher: Interlude Press
Cover Artist: Colleen M. Good
Tour Dates & Stops:
21-Jul: Parker Williams, Unquietly Me, Louise Lyons, Joyfully Jay, Velvet Panic
22-Jul: Bayou Book Junkie, Sinfully Addicted to All Male Romance, Outrageous Heroes
25-Jul: Havan Fellows, Gay Media Reviews, Nephy Hart, Happily Ever Chapter
26-Jul: Oh My Shelves, Kirsty Loves Books, Dawn’s Reading Nook
27-Jul: MM Book Escape, My Fiction Nook, Prism Book Alliance
28-Jul: MM Good Book Reviews, Book Lovers 4Ever, Open Skye Book Reviews, BFD Book Blog
29-Jul: Scattered Thoughts & Rogue Words, Inked Rainbow Reads, Boys on the Brink Reviews
1-Aug: Alpha Book Club, Love Bytes
2-Aug: Wicked Faerie's Tales and Reviews, Butterfly-O-Meter
3-Aug: V's Reads, Molly Lolly