Two Tribes

CW: suicide attempt, description of major depressive episodes3.5 stars. High school seniors from opposite sides of the tracks have brief, passionate and doomed love affair, then meet again after 25 years. Because of the UK's version of “Don't say gay” law (Section 28, in effect from 1988 to 2003), Matt knows that he has to act tough that no one will suspect his homosexuality, and Alex is utterly baffled by the fact that he is attracted to girls but also desperately wants to kiss Matt. The book is definitely darker than the author's Surfing the Waves duology ([b:Brushed With Love 60180408 Brushed With Love (Surfing the Waves #1) Fearne Hill https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1642852353l/60180408.SY75.jpg 94916846] and [b:Dipped in Sunshine 60720181 Dipped in Sunshine (Surfing the Waves #2) Fearne Hill https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1648758865l/60720181.SY75.jpg 95731135]), and relies a little too much on the “love cures mental illness” fallacy. This isn't helped by the fact that the last section of the book is told entirely from posh Alex's point of view, as if snarky Matt's distinctive voice has been silenced. YMMV if you can just enjoy a well-written opposites attract queer romance without thinking about it too deeply, or if you are nostalgic for the music of the 90s.