Samson & Domingo

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers as well as the author for sending me this ARC in exchange for my honest review!

I loved this story. So simple and sweet. Samson and Domingo were so cute together. Even Pablo got there in the end. I love stories like these where everyone is accepting and being gay isn’t the main issue in the story. Those stories are fine, but it’s good to see things be normalized. I haven’t read too many novels in verse, so this was a great break from my usual read. I didn’t really know the story of Sampson and Delilah, so this was also refreshing and new for me. If you’re looking for a cute and quick read I highly recommend.

A YA retelling of Samson and Delilah, perfect for this generation.
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The summer before their junior year of high school Samson and Domingo fall in love, but Samson is the star player for Domingo’s rival high school. At his high school Domingo plays in the marching band and his brother plays for the football team. In their bubble, the boys are safe and in love, but once their relationship steps into the light, they’ll have to fight for one another and learn to trust more than ever before.
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This book is an ode to all things south Texas, football and band. For those who live here, you’ll recognize references to @whataburger @heb Tex-Mex food, Latinx cultural traditions and homecoming. Samson and Domingo will tug at your heartstrings and make you reminisce for that first love from high school. I loved that this queer love story set in Texas didn’t focus on homophobia or anti-gay storylines. This novel in verse releases 2/16. Be on the lookout for more of @tx.author work—he’s gonna blow you all away!

CW: physical violence, character jumped and given a forced haircut, bullying

Thank you to NetGalley, Rosen Publishing Group, West 44 Books, and Gume Laurel III for the opportunity to read Samson & Domingo in exchange for an honest review.

Samson & Domingo is an enriching hi-lo novel-in-verse that immerses the reader into their world immediately. This page-turner is a one-sitting read about two boys, their relationship, and the star-crossed aspects to their world determined to put them at odds, but they refuse to relent! My only qualm is the cover; while it's not bad, it certainly doesn't do the content enough justice. The characters are juniors in high school, and the cover should reflect more to an older teen audience for this book to reach those it is meant for.

The novel, told from Domingo's perspective, starts off with the two already in a relationship. It was fun and fresh to see them start at this point, instead of watching the usual meet-cute type of story. Having this already established, the story focuses on Samson's football rivalry with Domingo's older brother, Pablo, as they attend rival schools. Because of Samson's school rivalry, when he comes to the south side, it sure isn't easy. All eyes judge him, but he won't let that stop him from being with Domingo. This puts an obvious tension between the brothers, though at least Domingo's parents seem chill.

While fighting the tensions that come with school and sibling rivalry, Samson shares that he has a secret. It took me out of the novel for just a moment, but I shrugged and rolled with it. It certainly was not something I expected, making for a fun twist of fate in the novels later plot and outcome.

What a dazzlingly written work. It's exciting and eloquent in style from start to finish, immersing the reader within some of the aspects of Hispanic culture that come with the characters and their setting. This novel is great for older teens who want the LGBTQ perspective, a fun sports novel, or anyone who wants to read an exquisite work of brilliance.

Teen boys Samson and Domingo navigate their friendship and relationship during a rocky football season where they're involved with opposing teams!
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A cute story for young and reluctant readers, pairing lovely visuals, with real teen drama!
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⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Thank you West 44 Books and Netgalley for this eARC, these opinions are my own. A super cute fast paced read! Samson and Domingo met over the summer and felt an instant connection. They’ve enjoyed their time together over the summer but summer is ending and they go to rival schools can their relationship work when their families, especially Domingo’s older brother Pablo, friends, and classmates don’t like them seeing each other? Samson also has a secret can he trust Domingo with it or will it just cost him everything? A in verse story that is quickly consumed and quite lovely! Samson and Domingo are really sweet and have the cutest relationship. There’s also some magical realism in the story that adds some intrigue! A charming story with some heartbreak as well! Highly recommend for rom com readers!

Thank you NetGalley for the arc!

This story is easily consumable, and it’s beautiful in its simplicity. I love the love for south Texas, and I love the mystical elements thrown in. These two deserve the world, and I’m so grateful kids in this age have stories like this about people who look and feel like them. A++++

One thing I love about queer novels is when the queer characters are openly queer and they live in a world without homophobia. For a retelling of Samson and Delilah, I didn’t really expect that to be an element in the book. However, it was. Not only that, but Samson and Domingo were both so sweet and loving too.

I don’t really read books in verses, so this is rather a new thing for me. And I think I kind of like it. If there’s something that I’d like to change in this book, I’d want to know how Samson and Domingo first met each other and the development of their relationship. Stable relationships are so comforting to read about, but I want a background, too.

Other than that, I don’t have anything else to say. If you’re looking for something cute and short to read, I highly recommend this.

Being able to read this book a little early and reviewing it after following the author on Instagram is for sure a giddy feeling. I jumped at the chance to read this book.
Going into this book I had a generally idea of what I was getting myself into by reading this book. A star crossed lovers kind of vibe book.
This book was a super short and easy read. No joke finished it in 20 min flat. The writing style for sure was deferent from the books I usually read but in a really interesting way. It was cute seeing Domingo and Samson’s love story play out. For sure a light and easy read that had a lot of underlining messages that I’m still thinking about after reading the last page. Which is the key to a good book. When it leaves you thinking after the last page has been turned.
4 stars
Thanks to the folks at NetGalley for an ARC of this book. My review is a honest reflection of my feelings towards this book.

Written in verse, this short novel is a beautiful story about the relationship between two Latine boys on opposite sides of a town's high school divide. It is part Romeo and Juliet and part Samson and Delilah. I loved the sweetness of their feelings for each other and the visual descriptions of sunsets on the Rio Grande and the beach on South Padre Island. As a former English and reading teacher, I especially appreciated that that the novel is written high/low because it is critical for young adults who struggle with reading English to have deep and interesting texts to read. I loved this and would recommend it to readers of YA romance and who appreciate diverse characters in their books.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC!

"I fell in love with your fragility."

Absolutely loved this Sampson & Delilah, novel in verse, retelling. A sweet love story that anyone would fall in love with. Not to mention my two favorite past times: football & Marching Band, with a little supernatural spin thrown in. Cannot wait to get this on my library's bookshelves! Thanks @netgalley for the e-arc.

This is the first story in verse I’ve read. I was totally enchanted. The characters are full and rich and endlessly charming. I was surprised by how impactful the story was because it was such a quick read. Despite the brevity inherent in its form, I was really caught up in the emotional world of these two young men. I wholeheartedly recommend this. It’s a joy!

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC.

When I saw the cover of this book on one of the author's TikTok posts and read that copies were available on NetGalley, I ran to request a copy. I'm so glad I did! The story of Samson and Domingo is a modern retelling of Samson and Delilah written in verse. It also has a star crossed lovers vibe. Samson is a talented football player for the Northside and Domingo is a French horn player in the marching band for the Southside. As students from rival schools, Samson and Domingo's relationship is called into question.

The author has weaved a beautiful tale of love, trust, healing, and forgiveness. It's refreshing to see parents that are open and accepting. Even Pablo, who is one of the antagonists, loves his brother and just wants to protect him from potential heartbreak. This would be a great book for reluctant readers. I'm looking forward to what Gume Laurel III writes next!

Gume Laurel III is a master with words. The prose writing is so beautifully done and well crafted. I truly enjoyed reading and only wish it was longer.

Forget the Bible's Samson and Delilah drama. This reimagining is the queer love story we deserve! That whole "haircut, betrayal, temple collapse" mess in Sunday School wasn't exactly relatable to young, queer me. But Laurel flips the script in this queer reimagining of the story, gifting us with Samson & Domingo, a tender, sun-kissed romance that'll melt your heart.

Laurel made magic with words, even when it comes to verse. Sparse lines paint vivid pictures of these two boys, their connection blooming like flowers along the Rio Grande. The river, a constant witness to their growing love, adds a layer of quiet poetry that had me swooning. Experiencing these two queer Latine boys living their best lives in a world that embraces them was pure joy. This book is a warm hug and a whispered promise: your love story is out there, waiting to be written.

Gume Laurel III's Samson & Domingo is queer Latine heart song that challenges norms, verse by verse.

This isn't your typical Sunday school story. In the fertile ground of contemporary verse, Laurel cultivates a blossom of unexpected beauty. This lyrical work transcends the confines of the hi-lo label, offering a poignant exploration of identity, resilience, and the transformative power of affection. Gone are the stoic hero and his damsel in distress. In their place, we find the titular lovers, navigating the trials of a new relationship filled with dueling anxieties and secrets. Yet, beneath the surface of this lyrical serenade, Laurel excavates deeper truths. Their love is a testament to the enduring strength of the human spirit in the face of adversity. Wielded with wonderful simplicity, the vibrant verse becomes a conduit for raw emotions.

Laurel's brilliance lies in the very fabric of his storytelling. Samson & Domingo is a beacon for reluctant readers, written in a language that resonates beyond the confines of schoolwork. Its verse format, stripped bare of unnecessary embellishment, becomes a bridge, inviting those who might shy away from traditional prose to step into a world that reflects their own experiences. For young queer Latine readers, encountering a love story that mirrors their own developing feelings and seeing their identities reflected in the narrative is not a literary indulgence but a vital act of validation. Laurel doesn't shy away from the complexities of their existence but instead celebrates them, reminding readers that they are seen, worthy, and loved. This is not just a story for the well-read but a welcoming hand reaching out to those who might have felt excluded from the literary landscape, offering a safer space where their voices can bloom.

This is a novel in verse that follows two high school students from neighboring rival schools: Domingo, the main character is a French horn player in the band at his school. Samson is the big, impossibly strong star football player at the rival school. The two fall for each other over summer break, and must deal with the fallout of their relationship as they return to school. The story is written to be of high interest with low readability, with accessibility in mind for English language learners, reluctant readers, or anyone let down by the education system. As an educator, I can absolutely see the value in a story like this, where ELL/ESL students need more engaging and relevant materials and those who are still working on their reading skills need the same. As some one who just loves good stories, I was able to enjoy it for myself too.
The prose is really lovely, and I feel like it captures the beauty of teenage love while getting across the larger points in the story as well. It’s a bit of a retelling of the Samson and Delilah story, and if you’ve been here for any amount of time, you know I LOVE queering up religious stories. It really just heals that religious trauma so nicely to read that classic Sunday school story told like this, it feels nourishing and fulfilling. And don’t worry, they don’t do Domingo dirty like the original does to Delilah.
Through the ups and downs as Samson and Domingo learn to trust each other and their love, the emotions are well conveyed through the writing and the imagery is just beautiful. It’s like a poetry, rival high school version of Heartstopper with a really sweet relationship between the characters as they navigate their young love. It’s really remarkable how in such a short story, with easy readability, so much is told. I can perfectly picture each scene with the vivid imagery. This was a really beautiful book, and I think it belongs in classrooms and personal shelves all over.

This was short, but so so sweet. It's written in verse and focuses on an already established relationship, which was so nice to read about. The story is based on the Bible story of Samson and Delilah, but a modernized version with gay and Latine characters. I really loved the relationship between Samson and Domingo, they were incredibly sweet together.

This book was short and sweet! I’ve never read a novel in verse before, but I ended up liking this format.

As a band nerd, I was so excited to read this story where the band nerd gets the quarterback. But - in the story Domingo is a french horn player in the marching band, and marching bands don’t have french horns in them.

Band mishap aside, this was a cute retelling of Samson and Delilah. I wish we got to see how Samson and Domingo got together in the beginning, but it was a very cute, quick read.

Thanks NetGalley for the arc in exchange for an honest review!

Thank you NetGalley, Gume Laurel III, and West44 books for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

This was such a sweet story! I've always been bothered by the Samson/Delilah story from the bible...Like, how annoying and horrible is Delilah!? And why did Samson put up with her for so long? Anyways, this (thankfully) is a great remix of that story (emphasis on REMIX) with MUCH better characters, plot, and ending!

The heroes, Samson and Domingo, are both super considerate, loving, protective, respectful, and caring (basically the opposite of Samson and Delilah from the bible). And their story is incredibly sweet and romantic with very, very low angst. Also, it's written in verse!

It's short enough to read in a couple of hours and it really just lifted my spirit. Well done!

This was a simple story, told in a simple way.... yet that doesn't describe it at all because it wasn't merely simple. These two boys are experiencing first love in the most beautiful way. I love their relationship and how deeply they care for each other.
I wish it had just been about the love story though, not the magical element at the end. Don't get me wrong I nearly teared up at the end because of the magic but I feel like the magic was added too late into the story for it to be cohesive. Despite that I still had an amazing time reading this and think it's an impressive work with a lot of potential.

A quick and touching love story written in Hi-Lo verse that feels especially important in today’s world. In this book we follow the love story of Samson & Domingo, from rival high schools in Texas, the band member and the football star are deeply in love. We follow them traverse what it looks like to be in love amidst the tension of being from rivaling schools especially when Samson’s brother plays for their school’s team. Domingo also has a secret, one that he has never trusted any with before. But as love does, it builds trust. Samson, on the other hand, has already had his heart broken before, as he falls for Domingo will it be enough to get through the pain? Will their love be their downfall? Samson & Domingo’s tale is simultaneously heartwarming and affirming.

Watching them both fall for each other, a queer BIPOC story by a BIPOC author is so important to see especially written in a way that is so accessible. Books like this bring gay stories to a wider audience, something that I didn’t see growing up. I hope books like this end up in schools so people can start seeing themselves reflected in art earlier than say college or even young adulthood. Samson & Domingo’s tale while a fast read, still takes you through the highs and lows of falling for someone and feeling like enough for them. Touching on both themes of love and family, this is a story that hits home. I hope you fall in love with Samson & Domingo like I have. A 5/5 read for me.

Thank you Netgalley and Rosen Publishing Group for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Taylor Swift songs I associate with this book: Fearless, Love Story, Jump Then Fall, Sparks Fly, Our Song, Mine

I remember reading about the story of Samson and Delilah. I also remember liking it a lot so when I realized that this book was a retelling of that story, I liked it even more. I think it's a sweet story between two people and I also love how their relationship is not a secret. Their love for each other is so innocent and wonderful.

This was a sweet story that I read really quickly.
Domingo is a French horn player in his high school marching band. Samson is the star football player of the rival school's team. The summer before junior year, they fall in love. But when school starts, they both get hassled for "fraternizing with the enemy." Especially from Domingo's big brother who plays on their school football team. As the boys come to trust each other, Samson shares a life-long secret that could change everything.

Admittedly, when I saw the title, I did think of the biblical story of Samson and Delilah. But I didn't make the connection until I was about halfway through the story. This story is so different that it stands completely on its own. Another great thing about this book is the hi-lo (high interest, low readability) verse style. I've never read this kinda of book before, but I think it makes it so accessible to a wider audience. The style will be especially good for teenagers who can really benefit from seeing queer BIPOC characters written by a queer BIPOC author in a positive light.
Personally, I loved the themes of family and sticking up for each other and taking care of each other. The boys are always so kind to each other. It's so sweet to read a low angst, healthy relationship. This was a short story, but it's made such a big emotional impact. I literally gasped at the last page because I was reading it digitally, so I didn't notice I was close to the end, and I wasn't ready for it to be over. Lol
I highly recommend it ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Huge thanks to @netgalley and @tx.author for sharing this copy with me.
Release Day: 02/01

Summary: Samson and Domingo find themselves head over heels in love during the summer before junior year, navigating the challenges of being star-crossed lovers from rival schools. Samson's mysterious strength and Domingo's musical passion create a unique backdrop for their budding romance. As they face opposition from those who disapprove of their schools mingling, the couple must navigate the dangerous waters of high school love while keeping Samson's extraordinary secret.


Pros:
🌟 Five stars for this delightful story! "Samson & Domingo" is like a love-filled touchdown, complete with the playful notes of a French horn serenade.

💑 The cuteness factor is off the charts! Samson and Domingo's love story is heartwarming, silly, and quirky, creating a perfect blend of romance and teenage antics.

🏳️‍🌈 Representation matters, and this book delivers! The diverse characters and the open acceptance of Samson and Domingo's relationship make for a refreshing and inclusive read.

📚 Written in verse, this hi-lo (high-interest, low readability) book adds a touch of poetic charm to the teenage romance, making it a perfect choice for students. It's a literary touchdown for inclusive storytelling!

Cons:
🤷‍♂️ If you're not a fan of adorable high school love stories, football antics, or musical interludes, this book might be as out of tune as a kazoo at a symphony. But really, who wouldn't want to root for Samson and Domingo?


📚 In conclusion, "Samson & Domingo" is a slam dunk (or should I say touchdown?) in the genre of heartwarming YA. Gume Laurel III, you've crafted a love story that's as endearing as it is entertaining! Bravo! 🏈🎺

Disclaimer: A heartfelt thank you to NetGalley and Rosen Publishing Group for this ARC. All opinions are as uniquely mine as Samson's secret strength. 💪📚

Samson & Domingo was such a pleasure to
read. In this short story, we’re able to feel the abundance of warmth and love they share for each other. Both main characters felt really thoughtfully written, and I loved how fiercely Domingo defended Samson anytime he had the opportunity. I really enjoyed this short and sweet story!

As a Thank You to West 44 Books and Netgalley, I write this review of Gume Laurel III’s debut YA Verse novel “Samson and Domingo.” As a native South Texan, this novel brought much pride as its setting is placed in Weslaco, Texas. The story is akin to the Bible’s “Samson and Delilah” unlike that story this one ends in a happy ending. Their relationship blossoms during the summer of their junior year of High School. Their story is filled with many of the firsts that happen when you are a teenager. One is entering a relationship, and for these young queer men they are brought together despite being complete opposites. Samson is a football player for North Weslaco and Domingo is a French horn player for South Weslaco’s marching band. The story follows Samson and Delilah with some key differences. Is all I will say. I enjoyed this immensely and look forward to Gume’s next work. I gave this a strong four stars out of five on goodreads. I recommend it to fans of Aristotle and Dante and the Secrets of the Universe and Fifteen Hundred Miles to the Sun.

I have not read anything by this author before, but I will definitely be looking out for their work in the future. I loved seeing the story unfold and seeing the characters grow.

This was such an easy read and a cute little YA romance,.The characters were easily likable and I think their love for each other was very clear right off the start. The little surprise to explain Samson’s strength and athleticism was so unique. A really great low grade low stakes YA romance.

Very cute and heartfelt gay story. I loved the characters and am looking forward to more from this author