XOXO Hayden

Chris Corkum
P.D. Publishing (2010)
ISBN 9781933720715
Reviewed by Paige Lovitt for Reader Views (08/10)


As a teen, Steven Carlisle totally worships British pop sensation Hayden Whitfield.  When Steven’s best friend wins concert tickets with backstage passes, he breaks his parent’s rules and sneaks out to go.  When Steven and Hayden meet, both of them feel a special connection. Steven nervously follows up their meeting with a letter.  He is elated when Hayden responds. Steven is suffering more than just teen angst. He doesn’t feel that he fits into the cookie-cutter world in which he resides. Everything seems so mundane to him. Hayden can relate.  As a musician, he pours his heart out into his lyrics and music, but he doesn’t seem to be able to maintain social relationships.  This makes his friendship with Steven more meaningful. 
           
Steven is often ostracized by his classmates and his family for being different. As his friendship with Hayden evolves, he begins to realize that he is a homosexual. This does not help him with his relationship with his father and his brother. He is able to write about what is happening to him to Hayden and Hayden can relate back his own experiences.  Steven’s family is not comfortable with him corresponding with Hayden.  At one point, he runs away to England to see him. Because he is underage, Hayden has to be very careful. Steven returns home and Hayden writes about them in his lyrics. When Steven goes away to college, he is finally able to be himself. His relationship with Hayden continues to grow.
           
As the years go by, and the men become lovers they share some wonderful times. Eventually Hayden’s tortured soul brings Steven a lot of pain.  Even though he is a more stable character, he goes through some really rough times trying to deal with the anguish that life with Hayden brings.  In spite of occasional setbacks, Steven continues to evolve and Hayden begins to deteriorate. Both men have to make choices that take their lives in different directions. Even when separated, there is always a special connection between their souls.
           
“XOXO Hayden” is a wonderfully written novel.  In addition to enjoying the story, the author, also helped me to gain a better understanding of what life must be like for a teenager who is struggling with issues about his sexuality.  Even though this is a fictional story, I think that there will be young adults who will find themselves relating to “XOXO Hayden” and it will help them gain some insight into their own lives. This book is highly recommended.

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