I recieved a free eARC of this book so I could read it. Thank you for the opportunity.

I have to be honest. Romance usually is one of my "it's OK, but not my favorite" genres. However, it's also a fairly common YA genre that a lot of kids do likeand since I read a lot of MG and YA books to decide which might be good fits for my library.

And I've come to a conclusion. LGBT YA romances tend to be much better than straight ones. And I think the reason is that the characters are better developed, and the romance tends to be a slow simmer, not a fast boil.,

The Long Run is an example of such a book. The two main characters, both high school athletes, one track, one field, are real, flawed, sometimes gross, sometimes insensitive teen boys. Sandro is a closeted gay teen. Bash has dated one long time friend who happens to be a girl, but has to deal with his growing connection and friendship, and maybe something more, with Sandro. The book spans their senior year of high school. They learn, they grow,,,and yeah, they eventually have sex, with enthusiastic consent.

In many respects, this is a more wholesome and healthy view of teen romance than in many books. Sadly, I suspect in many states, including mine, this is a view of romance that teens won't be able to encounter at school. Which is too bad-teens need more flawed, slow growing, and loving enthusiasticly consentual romantic relationships. If you are in a position where you can add this book to your collection for older teens, I suggest doing so.

I was a bit skeptical when I started this book. First the author says it's for teenage boys and second he comes right out and says: "It's a solid book. I did a good job." First, I have not been a teenaged boy for 50 years and second, I thought, "Wow! this guy thinks alot of himself!" Turns out that he was not only writing for teenage boys and second, it IS a solid book and he certainly did a good job.

It's the end of summer before the start of their senior year in high school and the two MCs are both on the track and field team at their New Jersey high school (Jersey is another character here). Bash (the Flash), is a sprinter and Sandro Miceli, throws shot put, and both are dealing with heavy family and personal issues. The author writes the best first (second?) meet scene of any in recent memory: Driving to an end of summer party, Bash has stopped his beloved pick-up at a stop sign and notices two boys playing basketball, unlike him, seemingly carefree as summer winds down. Sandro who is on crutches and is walking to the same party, knocks on Bash's window and interrupts his reverie. Beautiful.

The rest of the book is beautifully written as well The author's read on the characters seems honest and accurate for 17 year-olds trying to figure out themselves and life (I guess a 17 year-old boy would be a better judge of this!) and he clearly cares for his characters; he gives them much more depth than in the typical MM romance with LOTS of feels along the way. With them, we experience the joy, the pain and the uncertainly of growing up. And the ending is realistic rather than cheesy. Can't wait for the author's next effort.

First off, thank you so much to NetGalley for letting me read this ARC! I had such a good time reading this book and it was such a fun time. I really, really enjoyed this book. One thing that I really liked about the author's writing style was how the feelings and emotions that the characters were going through really understandable, even if the reader can't identify with the character or see themself in the character. This romance was adorable and it was absolutely what I needed to get me more excited about reading! Overall, I really liked this book and enjoyed seeing a story being told that we don't usually get in books.

This ARC was provided to me via Kindle, from Inkyard Press and #NetGalley. Thank you for the opportunity to preview and review. Opinions expressed are completely my own.

Well developed characters, enjoyable book.

Thank you to netgalley and the publishers for allowing me to read this book in exchange for an honest review

The story of Bash and Sandro going through their senior year was quite entertaining. One loves their different characters, how they fall in love with each other and what they experience

I had a great time reading it and can only recommend it to others

Clocking this at 4 stars because for the most part, I really enjoyed the voices and the exploration of a bro-on-bro romance, given that most of the queer YA I've read has been pretty queer-informed (i.e., diverse queer casts, incorporating modern queer culture). This was, literally, bros in a heterocentric tough guy culture who FALL IN LOVE!

I had issues, though, with the timelining - mainly that crucial conversations were happening two months after an incident. It was like any modern high school friendship interactions were conveniently ignored for the sake of the plot. I get that the author wanted to move the story along over the course of a school year, but it was jarring and took me out of what was otherwise lovely on a scene-by-scene basis.

I picked this up because it was described as a comp for Heartstopper. So....is it? Maybe? It isn't warm and fluffy and cozy like Heartstopper is at its core. It is a I know I'm gay/I'm discovering I'm bi romance, but both are essentially closeted through the story. It's also rougher - Heartstopper would not feature a character (jokingly) yelling FAAAAAG! at another character between kisses. There is also a LOT more vomit (especially in early chapters) than I have encountered in any other book I've read recently. And that includes the book about the bulimic. (As I said at the halfway mark: "If Heartstopper's love story is a bowl of Froot Loops then this is a bowl of jagged metal Krusty Os but also OHHH THE ANGST AND AWAKENING")

I think the tagline: a bro-meets-bro love story tells it like it is. A fun ride that moved beyond stereotypes, but it's probably not for your more sensitive souls.

(Also I HAAATE the cover.)

This book has been one of the best books I've read in a long time. This is THE coming-of-age tale I needed as a teenager. Bash and Sandro are both incredibly well-rounded characters. My only complaint about these two would be the self-hate they have for very normal things. However, it seemed appropriate given the circumstances of their upbringings.

I thought this book would be a quick funny read, nothing super meaty but I was wrong. It's an extremely well thought out story with these two boys who have the odds pretty much stacked against them. Bash was kind of an ass and I loved his character development. We got to see so much of who he really is whenever he was with Sandro.

Sweet Sandro. Freakin love him. He is someone I would definitely be friends with. I had a family sort of like his and it was definitely not always easy. This book is now one of my top five of all time.

James Acker's The Long Run features two athletes who find each other when they weren't looking for love. Through their growing friendship, Bash comes to discover his queer identity and both he and Sandro find the courage to come out to a trusted family member. Readers should be advised that the author strives for authenticity with his frank treatment of the locker room dialog and description of sex of teen boys.

this was a beautifully done young adult novel, it does what it set out to do and keeps you invested in what was happening. I enjoyed getting to know the characters and the romance was so well done, they just felt like people. I enjoyed how James Acker wrote this and look forward to more from him.

"I didn’t know where we were driving. I don’t think he did either. We’d done the errands, we’d done the burgers, there was nothing left for Gio Sr. and his boy Sandro to do on this earth. We never spend more than an hour alone together and for good reason. We have nothing to talk about. Nothing in common except a wife/mother who insisted that I stop moping around the house and we have a boys’ day together."

This was an incredible story which absolutely blew me away. What an incredible book, I couldn’t put it down and now I’ve finished I want to sob my eyes out. A powerful novel about friendship, identity and love..Beautiful and important book. I look forward to seeing what comes next from this author.

Thank you to the publisher for providing me with an advance review copy of this book, all opinions are my own.

4.5 stars

A beautiful and wonderfully written coming of age novel. Acker does an incredible job of capturing the tumultuous nature of senior year and all of the changes it brings. Both Bash and Sandro felt incredibly real and their romantic and platonic chemistry was tangible.

I thoroughly enjoyed this novel - devoured it, even. Typically when I write reviews for novels on NetGalley I try to find some fault with the novel and view it with the most objective eye possible, but as I write this review I genuinely have trouble recalling any flaws. Some things did feel abrupt at times and the time skips could be jarring, but other than that I found this to be a moving read.

This was an interesting read. The writing is compelling and gripping; I binged the whole book without a break. Sandro and Bash romance is compelling and I would just have preferred to have a epilogue.

A special thank you to Inkyard Press and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

The Long Run tells the story of two closeted queer athletes in a small town as they navigate family expectations, anxiety about the future, and their first queer relationship. The book is so genuine - heartbreaking at times (but not gratuitously so), and written with such care. I loved both main characters with all my heart, and I cannot wait for my high school students to meet them.

The Long Run is such a great story of two young boys finding their way and finding themselves along the way. Sandro is invisible in so many ways and he’s learned to protect his softness by keeping to himself, especially as his dad and brothers like to “pick on him” in a way that crosses from affectionate into toxic. Bash is having trouble deciding who he is and who he wants to be outside what those around him expect, and in the process has been isolating himself from those who love him. But when Bash and Sandro go to a party that gets busted and end up running off to a ditch together, they begin a journey of finding themselves and each other.

This is such a compelling story and I had trouble putting it down. I loved the messy, complex nature of both Bash and Sandro. They’re both dealing with heavy things but with one another they’re able to find space to be soft and learn what love can look like. I really appreciate that while Sandro has known he was gay for a long time, Bash has an internal revelation because Sandro is the first guy he’s been interested in, and because of the bro-culture (toxic masculinity at its finest) he’s part of with his “friend” and the track team, he’s never given himself space to question his identity and doesn’t have the language to define his feelings and experiences.

Overall this is a really great story of friendship and self discovery and two guys learning to find and build spaces for softness while inundated in toxic masculinity. I really enjoyed this and look forward to what James Acker will write in the future.

[cannonball read review will post February 7, 2023]

Thanks to Inkyard Press and NetGalley for the e-ARC! I found this to be a poignant, lovely book that I’ll be thinking about for awhile. I remember all too well the rivalry between the runners and the field athletes on my track team in high school, and this book brought me right back. Bash and Sandro start out embodying this rivalry, then become something more to each other than just another guy on the track team.

This isn’t some sweet teenage rom-com, this is a moody, introspective, real look at what it’s like to be a teen and be questioning your own sexuality, how you fit into your family and the world around you, and how to use all of that to propel yourself forward in life. It both made me wish I could go back and experienced angsty teenagerhood again, and also made me glad I’m so far removed from it! Definitely recommend to anyone feeling wistful about the things that may have confused you as a teenager, or to anyone who still is an older teen, who wants to feel like they’re not alone.

honestly it was fine? i feel totally neutral on it which sucks because i was really excited about this book.

This is, genuinely, one of the best books I've ever read. I inhaled this book. I sat down with my iPad at 9pm and finished the entire thing by 2:15am. I am a changed person. I cried, laughed, cheered. This book was hilarious and heartfelt. I could feel every emotion from every character, but especially from the two main boys. They were so earnest, it was like they were jumping off the page. So eager to share their story with me, and I'm so glad they did.

When I read the closing words of this novel I still wasn't sure how I felt about it, and I think I will feel that way for a while. The characters often felt like shining stars in a somewhat bogged-down storyline that stumbled with its pacing. Bash and Shandro were complicated, yet so good in what they both tried to do and who they became by the end of the book. Even by the end of all their struggles it still wasn't a perfect 'Happily Ever After' for them, which I suppose is true to life at times (and even might possibly be setting up for a sequel), but it seemed like they deserved more after what they went through both physically and mentally.

The book's dialogue did feel real and was written well; it ranged from funny to heartbreaking and kept its tone and delivery even. Bash and Shandro had separate chapters and viewpoints and I didn't have trouble discerning between the two while reading. I liked the book, its two main characters shining through, and I hope to hear more from them since I feel like there is more to tell in both their lives (hopefully) together.

4.5 Stars

I’ve had this ARC forever, and just haven’t been in a reading mood. I totally regret not getting to this sooner.

I adored Bash, but Sandro, man, he has my heart! He had great himbo energy, and the way he wanted to take care of everyone to the extent that he neglected what he really wanted and needed really resonated with me as the oldest sibling of a single mom. I legit teared up several times during his familial interactions. Especially with his Mom.

“You were so busy and I only wanted to help you. I didn’t want you to worry about me so you just fucking stopped!

If I can’t give them silence, at least I can give them peace.

The romance and friendship building was great, but this aspect of the story really stole the show for me.

Now - about the romance. SO well done. The chemistry was *chef’s kiss* and I felt like their relationship progressed at a reasonable pace. We get to see their friendship blossom first which is needed considering the headspace they’re both in at the beginning. Totally lost and misunderstood by their peers; it was nice to see them bring each other out of their respective shells.

And the way Sandro smiled. I think that’s how I knew it was true. That I wanted it. That I wasn’t sorry. That I’d drive that kid anywhere he asked me to. Because what a fucking smile.

Their constant internal monologue was a bit much sometimes, but it didn’t bother me too much because we got a lot of humorous thoughts they’d never say aloud. Especially Sandro.

Speaking as Alessandro Vincent Miceli, I want to fuck the soul out of him.

Given their ages and the coming of age aspect I’d say the steam was at an appropriate level. Very limited description and fade to black.

The ending is definitely HFN which sucks if you crave a HEA/epilogue like me, but it works in the context of the story and their ages. I wouldn’t be opposed to seeing where they end up down the road someday though!

If you’re a fan of YA/NA and more low key stories that focus on relationship building versus lots of action I’d say this is a great read!

Actual rating 4.5 stars.

Raw. Harsh. Moody. Intense. Dark at times. The Long Run is about two masculine-looking boys on the cusp of adulthood who constantly push away their real me’s. Bash ‘the Flash’ around his ‘so-called’ friends, Dro ‘Italian Yeti’ around his huge family.

This story reminded me a lot of Invisible Boys by Holden Sheppard. Both books have the same gritty vibes and are not cute. It’s actually the opposite. The rawness of The Long Run is everywhere. In the writing. In the inner thoughts of Bash and Dro. In the dialogues. And everything comes back to toxic masculinity: the toughness, the loudness, the slurs, the misogyny, and homophobia. Bro’s being bro’s.

From the moment I started reading, I felt a knot in my belly, and sometimes I wanted to slam on the table out of anger. But at the softer moments when Bash and Dro helped each other to find their real me’s, a smile danced on my face. I got invested in their story and wanted them to find their true selves so much.

I have to be honest. This story is not for everyone. I’m a sucker for darker and gritty stories, I love flawed characters, and I don’t need cuteness, softness, or a guaranteed HEA. If you need all these things, skip this one. For those who love intense, honest, and written from the heart stories about people who find themselves and each other, I highly recommend The Long Run.

Thanks so much, Inkyard Press, for trusting me to read and review this ARC!