Boyfriends with Girlfriends

Gr 9 Up—Lance is gay but has never had a successful relationship. Sergio, a new guy Lance met online, is bisexual, but his only relationship was with a girl. When they set up a "f2f" at the mall, they decide to bring along their best friends, Allie and Kimiko, for support. At the meeting, not only do sparks fly for Lance and Sergio; Allie, who has been dating a guy for two years, and Kimiko, a closeted lesbian, also make an instant connection. The usual relationship issues follow: Lance fears Sergio's bisexuality and lack of commitment; Allie ponders her sexuality and breaks up with her all-too-understanding boyfriend; Kimiko can't comprehend why a "straight," popular girl is attracted to her but gets invested enough to come out to her strict Japanese parents; all works out in the end with no repercussions. Give Sanchez credit for tackling the bisexuality issue; there is a dearth of YA fiction on this topic. However, the plotline is too predictable, with most of the characters living in an all-too-perfect-world of acceptance.—Betty S. Evans, Missouri State University, Springfield