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| Strings Attached | 
 enlarge | Author: Nick Nolan
Publisher: BookSurge Publishing
Category: Book
Buy New: $12.99
New (13) Used (5) from $12.79
Avg. Customer Rating:  40 reviews
Sales Rank: 151133
Media: Paperback
Number Of Items: 1
Pages: 312
Shipping Weight (lbs): 1.1
Dimensions (in): 8.9 x 5.9 x 1
ISBN: 1419628895
Dewey Decimal Number: 813
EAN: 9781419628894
ASIN: 1419628895
Publication Date: June 12, 2006
Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours
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Product Description
From BOOKS TO WATCH OUT FOR by RICHARD LABONTE, Volume 4 number 1 - Adolescence is a hazardous way of life for 17-year-old Jeremy Tyler; his father died in a mysterious accident when he was a child, and his mother has since descended into alcoholic hell and forced rehab; that's when he's sent from the Fresno slums of his childhood to the posh estate of his overbearing great aunt Katherine and her censorious husband - liberated from an economic prison, only to land in an emotional one - and is overwhelmed by the change. It's not easy for him to fit into the upper crust, particularly because he's trying to hide how much he's attracted to other boys. Jeremy's story of breaking free from the strands of dishonesty, deceit, and self-doubt has its parallels to the tale of Pinocchio, but Nolan's queer take is totally contemporary: think the TV series The OC - girls with mean cheekbones, well-built guys with snotty attitudes, and Jeremy in the role of a queer Ryan Atwood. He's a good-looking kid, with a sleek swimmer's physique - and the swim team's champ is out to get him. He dates one of the smart-set girls in an attempt to keep his gay hormones at bay - but that doesn't do him much good. Nolan's debut novel is a kitchen sink of genres - coming of age, coming out, mystery, romance, erotica, even a dash of the supernatural - that add up to an impressive story about the passage from boyhood to manhood.
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| Customer Reviews: Read 35 more reviews...
 Great coming-of-age/coming-out story with a clever mystery September 17, 2006
22 out of 22 found this review helpful
Seventeen year old Jeremy Tyler is being given the "second chance" of a lifetime, moving from the Fresno home of his alcoholic, irresponsible single mom, to the Los Angeles area beachfront mansion of his rich Aunt Katherine. Aunt Katherine and her husband Bill also acted as surrogate parents to his father Jonathan, who died in an unfortunate accident on a winding mountain road when Jeremy was an infant. Jeremy wants to be a man of whom his aunt can be proud, just like his father, whom he resembles and shares many interests. He works on developing a good relationship with his interacial girlfriend, Reed, hoping that they will prove that an attraction he had to better looking, gregarious guys was just envy rather than an indication of sexual orientation. While his aunt and uncle are very kind to him, Jeremy becomes closest to Katherine's butler, Alfred, a somewhat mysterious gay man who is a former marine officer and seems to have an uncanny knack for anticipating everyone's needs. One day, Jeremy receives a call from his mother in rehab, warning him that he is in danger from Katherine's husband, Bill, and that it is likely he was responsible for his father's death. Jeremy doesn't know what to think, suspecting his mother is intentionally poisoning his mind against his aunt and uncle in order to retain her hold on him ... and to get her hands on the sizeable trust inheritance he'll see when he turns 18.
A detailed, engaging and highly original first novel, including the ultimate dysfunctional family in a tale of coming out, coming of age, working toward a goal and responsibility. The author pushes a similarity to the original story of "Pinocchio," an unnecessary gimmick that fortunately doesn't add confusion to the already-complex nature of the story. Realistic, flawed characters, a fast pace and a developing mystery make this a real page-turner as well. Looking forward to more works by this talented author.
 pretty good April 15, 2007
14 out of 20 found this review helpful
i give it 3-1/2 stars. the writing is simple and accessible. the story is pretty simple even tho it grows out of some pretty heavy issues: alcholism, drug trafficking, gay teenage identity. NONE of these "heavies" weigh the story down, however: this is NOT a depressing or sad book at all. indeed, i thoroughly enjoyed it and a few scenes made my palms sweat a little!
my complaints:
(a) it's a teen story "made" adult by the addition of sexual situations. puhleeze. the idea that these scenes make the book "adult themed" is ludicrous and homophobic. i'm not adverse to reading a gay teen "coming of age" book at all, but call a teen book a teen book and don't insult your reader's intelligence.
(b) the end is a total writing cop out. ALL THOSE DAMN PAGES developing the story and the end is paltry, third-person, 5 page explanation. weak! REALLY weak!
(c) my personal pet peeve: males are "blond". females are "blonde". DRAG QUEENS are allowably "blonde". ALL OF YOU SO-CALLED "EDITORS" OUT THERE MAKE A FREAKIN' NOTE OF THE LANGUAGE ALREADY! BUY A DICTIONARY!
to end positively, i really did enjoy the book, and i think it's solid enough to justify the purchase.
 A Page Turner February 28, 2007
11 out of 11 found this review helpful
Jeremy Tyler is seventeen, poor and living in Fresno with his alcoholic mother. When she goes into rehab, he is shipped off to his wealthy great aunt Katherine's, who is intent on making sure that he knows the difference between Ivy-league and a bowling league. What we have here is a coming-of-age/coming out/mystery novel all rolled into one that never slows down. The plot does not drag, and there are enough surprises for the most jaded reader. The students at Ballena Beach High, where Katherine enrolls Jeremy, are perfect in every way: perfect bodies, perfect teeth, handsome faces. Teenage acne is as foreign as riding on public transportation. But perhaps that is as it should be since the author in his notes at the end of the novel says that the story is based on the fable of Pinocchio, the wooden puppet (hence the title) who becomes a real boy. Mr. Nolan, a former social worker, is presenting to the reader young Jeremy whom he describes as a "codependent" teen who wishes to become a real man. Had I not read the author's notes, I would have missed both the illusions to Pinocchio and the fact that I was to believe that the sweet Jeremy is "codependent," an amporphous term at best. If you were not aware of Mr. Nolan's reasons for writing this good first novel, it would not in any way affect your enjoyment of it.
In addition to a good plot, the novel also has some characters who either are decent to begin with or who grow and become better: Arthur is an example of the former; Jeremy's mom and aunt, the latter. Like Alex Sanchez' series of RAINBOW novels, STRINGS ATTACHED deserves to be read by young people struggling with coming out and dealing with their sexuality.
Can't wait for another installment November 25, 2006
8 out of 8 found this review helpful
Who is this guy? Yeah. Nick Nolan seemingly comes out of nowhere to serve up the can't-put-it-down read I've been craving. I often wonder when gay fiction will just be fiction (sans "gay") and this book takes us one step closer. Nolan has crafted a page turner that pulled me in with just enough intrigue and seduction that I didn't really want it to end. The book is a fun read, perfect for a long flight or lounging around over a weekend. The storyline, without giving it away, reminded me a bit of the noir essence from the works from Felice Picano, while also delivering the steamiest flesh from watching the OC (with the volume off). Nolan's attention to detail is refreshing--he knows what he writes. I noted that Nolan gives thanks to the late Paul Monette am certain had Monette lived to read this book he would smile upon finishing the last page, knowing that the depth and emotion he shared in his own works has indeed influenced others. Check it out.
Great story! April 20, 2007
7 out of 9 found this review helpful
This librarian loves this story! It is a coming-of-age tale with a twist of mystery and intrigue. It is very easy to care about Jeremy and his journey to becoming a real man. The dialog is real and well-done, and the Pinocchio references are subtle and add depth to the story. This is Mr. Nolan's first novel--a fine effort. I look forward to more from Mr. Nolan.
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