A review by ljamison01
Red Zone by Nicole Dykes

emotional medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

Poor Dallas. How awful to feel different and have to suppress it because of others. Dallas is a senior in high school, he’s a football player and a confused young man. Dallas’s actions caused a man to lose his job and for Dallas to do some foolish things. Now that senior year is here Dallas just wants to keep his head down and hope this year flies by. Unfortunately on his first day he is confronted by Colt. Colt is a great guy who got out of his small town so that he could live. He loves his family and wants the best for his sister. Now, Colt is accusing him of fathering his nephew and thinks that he needs to step up. Dallas is being browbeaten by his parents, his pastor, the coach and his teammates. He has one legitimate friend. But, no matter what Dallas does or says Colt will not give up on him. Colt wants him to take a DNA test but he agrees to getting to know Dallas first. The getting to know each other is the interesting part, Colt admits to being bisexual. Poor Dallas’s mind is blown since he had no idea there were other ways people could identify themselves. Colt really does try to be there for Dallas and help him understand he is not bad or wrong. This is truly a sweet, story you can’t help but feel for Dallas and hope that there aren’t places as backwards as this place is. I loved this story this was my first book by this author however, I see that there is one previous book about the town of Big Bend Bear. She also has other books that I intend to read. If you enjoy books about men discovering their love for other men in such a wonderfully sweet, considerate and thoughtful manner please give this book a try.