Title: Donick Walsh and the Reset-Button
Author: Nathaniel Shea
Source: Netgalley, I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Genre: Contemporary, YA, Romance
Trigger Warnings: Homophobia, bullying, abuse, suicide.
Explicit? No.
Release Date: August 15, 2023
Summary: Donick Walsh: king of the school bullies, secret dancer, closet-case. What’s to be done when a football injury means he can never play again? Dance in the school musical, of course! Not like he has a choice. Fingers crossed his father doesn’t find out!
Enter Michael Penrose: theatre-kid, and Donick’s former best friend. For years Michael has been the object of Donick’s ridicule simply because Michael is out and proud, and Donick is afraid.
Suddenly confronted with his old friend, Donick sinks under the weight of the guilt of his past. How can a bully make amends for all the hurt he’s caused? How can a closeted ex-high school football player make peace with the very real crush he suddenly has on a boy? And what in the world can be done to hit the reset-button on an entire life? Donick Walsh and the Reset-Button examines the confusing nature of what it means to forgive, the discovery of living one’s authentic self, and yes, even the joys and pains of first love.
My Thoughts:
I was nervous to read this book, even though it was the cover that was what really got me into it. The description however, kind of made something curl up inside me and hide from the world. It reminded me a lot of growing up queer in the late 90s and early 00’s.
I sincerely hope that kids act better than they do in this book, which was very reminiscent to that time period. I don’t know if it was realistic to the here and now, but it was very realistic to a high school experience I know myself and a lot of my friends both at my school, and at other schools went through when it came to our peers.
I am of course, reading this now as an adult, and I do realize a lot of those people who seemed so horrible then, were doing it for a reason, like Donick, or were just genuinely horrible people (like some of his ex-friends). It doesn’t excuse the behaviour, but speaks a lot to how much discussion needs to be had about humanity, our differences, and leading with kindness toward each other instead of aggression. (Some exceptions required.)
I really did fall in love with so many characters within this book, including Donick (he needs so much therapy), and Michael (so does he.) As well as the side characters such as Brent, and Calista. Adorable little Liam.
The energy when writing about the production was enticing and frenetic, and the story of redemption left me with a lump in my throat and eventually tears flowing down my cheeks.
Not everyone can fix everything bad they’ve done in the world, and not every apology deserves to be met with forgiveness, but that yes, apologies should be given when you do things, from the small bad moments to the true unforgivable things.
I was a little sad to close the book, and I think I will buy it when it comes out.
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