Sometime After Midnight

April 15, 2018
The sins of the fathers can't prevent fate from coupling their musician sons in this split-narrative, boy-loves-boy ballad. High school senior Nate is the son of a dead-before-his-time musician. Doomed to work at the Dairy Barn and live with his not-so-wicked stepmother, he's ready to pack up his guitars and eke out a musician's life. Cameron is heir to a music empire and eager to prove his talents as a vocalist to his cutthroat father. When they meet at a live show, their ignited passion unwittingly illuminates the scandal that binds their families. Their desire to be both paramours and a professional duo is subsequently tested by the tragedy of truth. Will they ever make literal and figurative music together? Nate and Cameron's budding tryst is TMZ'd--only because their bloodlines, not their sexuality, spell scandal. Their ultimate conflict stems from negotiating loyalty to their families, themselves, and each other. On the socio-economic spectrum, Cameron coasts through a privileged existence of wealth while Nate's middle-class existence doesn't even skim the surface of destitution despite his laments. Light applause for not making homosexuality the social challenge in this La La Land-scape of fame, glamour, and oodles of cash. Both Nate and Cameron are white, fit, and adorable. Nate's bestie, Victor, is Italian-American; presented in caricature form, he's likened to an overfed Al Pacino.A fun enough fluffy fairy tale with a colorless cast and easily mounted conflict. (Fiction.13-18)

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April 16, 2018
Philips offers a star-crossed romance between two teenage boys, Nate and Cameron, both aspiring musicians. Cameron’s dad has a successful record label, and Nate’s dad was a famous musician who committed suicide under mysterious circumstances related to Cameron’s father. The two teens meet while seeing a band, yet Nate runs—and keeps on running—when he finds out who Cameron’s father is. Cameron’s überfamous twin sister, Tess, sends out a tweet asking for help identifying her brother’s “Cinderfella,” and Nate’s life is upended with paparazzi and posts about his father. Told in alternating first-person perspectives, this is an unapologetic fairy tale about boys. Philips pulls out all the romantic stops—heartfelt songs written by one boy for the other, giant obstacles in the way of their love that they must overcome, love conquering all, and the rest of the world hanging on what will happen in their story. A rare sort of romance that is cheesy in the best of ways. Ages 14–up.

May 1, 2018

Gr 9 Up-Nate Grisheimer is a musical prodigy, son of a legendary guitarist who killed himself when the record label he was signed to-Paradise Entertainment, run by power-hungry music mogul Richard Pierce-sapped him of his creativity. Nate's only dream is to follow in his father's footsteps and continue his legacy, but he's held back by his fast food job, his emotionally distant stepmother, and the fact that he can't sing. His voice doesn't capture his music and lyrics the way he wants, and he's desperate to find that perfect voice. Richard Cameron Pierce, Jr. is the heir to the Paradise fortune, along with his twin sister Tess. His real ambition is not to run Paradise, but to be one of its artists. He hasn't found musicians good enough to bring his words to life. Plus, he's promised his father that he would spend a gap year learning about the business. So when Cameron attends a small concert by a band that has potential, and meets a cute, mysterious guy named Nate, the meeting has unforeseen implications for both of them-especially when Nate realizes who Cameron really is, and what he represents. Philips (Perfect Ten) has created a realistic, not-overly-mushy, well-written romance with a mostly white cast. Nate and Cameron's relationship is rocky, sweet, tense, real, and not the driving force of the story, which is refreshing. Readers will love Nate's hipster-ness and Cameron's humility despite his privilege. VERDICT Teens should enjoy this quirky, tender romance. A recommended purchase.-Tyler Hixson, Brooklyn Public Library

Copyright 2018 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

May 1, 2018
Grades 9-12 It's love at first sight when Nate and Cameron meet, but when Nate discovers that Cameron is heir to Paradise Entertainment, he flees the scene. Here's why: Nate's father was a legendary musician who, it is believed, was driven to suicide by Richard Pierce, Cameron's mogul father. Knowing this, Nate has hated the Pierce clan since he was a boy. Now 17, he's not about to change his opinion. So he's astonished when he, a guitarist, finds himself becoming a musical collaborator with Cameron, a singer. What's more, Nate finds himself falling in love with Cameron. Given their history, can such a collaboration last? Philips' tale of these two talented teens is not without its soap-opera elements, and the author never met a superlative she didn't like: Nate seems to be the greatest guitarist in America, while Cameron is the finest singer. And, of course, both are boys as beautiful as the dawn. But romance fans will forgive all this and simply enjoy the story, over the top though it may be.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2018, American Library Association.)

January 1, 2019
It's love at first sight for Nate and Cameron--until Nate realizes that Cameron's father is the big-time music executive who drove his musician dad to suicide. Soon guitar-player Nate is hiding from the paparazzi and his own feelings despite the pull of Cameron and his music. Told in the teens' alternating points of view, this "Cinderfella" romance gains depth as Nate learns about his father's past.

(Copyright 2019 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)