The Shadow of Summer by Marlon Yelich

Socialite Jem has always lived in an ivory tower, hiding his own secrets and insecurities behind a veneer of surliness. But tragedy has struck his life and he'd rather not stick around to see the mess. When his initial escape plan fails, he ends up taking a job on a secluded Cumbrian farm. In the English Lake District, glitz and glamour are out, traded for hay bales and horses. Surrounded by nothing but fells and mountains, he meets Mat. Mat is confident, openly gay, optimistic—everything that Jem struggles to be. Nevertheless, an unlikely bond forms. And above all, Jem realises Mat has secrets of his own. Together, the pair begin a journey that will shake their perspectives of the world. They must acknowledge all that stands against them—and make it, despite the odds, to the other side. IMPORTANT NOTICE: "The Shadow of Summer" is a work of fiction not intended for readers under the age of 16. The novel deals with themes that some readers may find upsetting. These include alcohol/substance abuse, bereavement, mental health issues & suicide. A more comprehensive list of trigger warnings can be found on Instagram at @marlonyelichauthor.

New Adult • Diversity Representation/Mental Health/Own Voices • Diversity Representation/LGBTQ+/Own Voices • Historical Fiction • Diversity Representation/Neurodiversity/Own Voices • Romance/Historical

Content Warning: Implied/referenced suicide Alcohol (mis)use Smoking Marajuana use Implied use of cocaine/MDMA Period-typical homophobia Vomiting Mention of pedophilia Outing Injury Period-typical ableism Mentions of overdose Mentions of parental, spouse, pet and infant death Drug misuse Referenced sexual assault