Loverboy by Ben Tomlinson

Alfie is a North London teenager who seems to have become the ‘unlucky-in-love’ pin-up boy (or Loserboy). His warm and comfortable friendship with Maya gets hi-jacked when she starts seeing other guys. His rebound connection to Maya’s best friend Gwen goes pear-shaped when Gwen realises that she really is same-sex attracted after all. And his best buddy Jack seems to have forgotten him too as he dates the touchy-feels and intense Lily. (But even Lily gets to become a failed Alfie exploratory connection.) Can Alfie find his place, develop  some confidence and really discover love that works for him? And can he forgive his drug-addicted mother now that she is sober? Growing up is so hard, and there are so many big emotions to deal with in Alfie’s life. 

Remarkably this is a teen-romance novel with a male central character who manages to look for love in all the wrong places. A bitter-sweet journey! Ben Tomlinson has managed to create a romance-oriented story without it becoming about teenage sexual experience. (Although there are some hints that this is occurring in the background, it is not the centre of attention. NB:Condoms are used.) Romance, first kisses, angst and anxiety in relationships and finding the right girl are all a part of this story. There is a hint of humour in the way we see the disasters unfolding and Alfie’s stumbling efforts will also engender sympathy.  With a main character who has deliberately chosen to avoid alcohol (his mother’s drug addiction is a strong reason) and who lives with his Nan with whom he has a loving relationship, and because he is the gentle one on the edge of his friendship group, we have a slightly different view of a teenage male in the dating world. He is also a soccer player, gamer, and fan of a heavy-metal goth band, who needs a part-time job so he can have some spending money. But essentially he is just a teen who must find his place in the world and follow his own path. Written in three main sections, depending on who Alfie’s attention is focused on - Maya, Gwen or Lily, the story relates a short period in the teen’s life. This is a romance tale with a slight goth flavour - so it is more likely to be read by female teens, but because the main character is male it is possible that it could cross the gender divide. Alfie is a hopeless romantic, and perhaps the target audience of 14-17 year-olds would need to share that quality, or at least be open to the insights of a teen romance.

Themes: Teenagers, Relationships, Friendships, Coming-of-age, LGBTIQ, Heavy-metal bands, Addiction.

Carolyn Hull