Reader's Choice 2023 - First Love - Part 3 - Stories

After a tragic accident brings his old life in London to an end, shy teenager Gianni is sent to live with his estranged grandparents in the beautiful surroundings of Italy’s Amalfi Coast.

There, he meets the irrepressible Angelo, who promises to show him his world and, as the long, hot summer days unfold, slowly helps Gianni to heal.

Gianni’s new life in the sun brings him friendship of a kind that he has never known and, with it, important discoveries about himself. But what will the future hold when the summer of the firefly comes to an end?

The sleepy village of Crumbington is about to get a wake-up call.

When the new chairperson of the Summer Fête Committee pushes to create a naked calendar of the Crumbington football team, mouths drop open. Her further pronouncement at having snagged a celebrity host for the fête—rising television and movie star Clifton O’Keefe, and ex-resident of Crumbington—is met with indifference.

Not by Nathan Fresher, though, local baker and captain of the football team. He had been Clifton’s boyfriend in high school, until Clifton and his family disappeared into the night over ten years ago.

David Henderson's parents were splitting up, and David was off to stay for a few weeks with his favorite grandfather in the city while his mom and dad sorted out a few things. David was not happy with this abrupt change in his life, but had decided there was nothing to do but go with it. He loved visiting his grandfather, and figured he would at least spend the two-week visit having some fun.

But soon a small mystery cropped up, followed by a meeting with someone new and special. And in almost no time, David's world was to change forever.

Ridley wants a lot of things. To be left alone, for people to forget a stupid nickname, and for time to stop and rewind two years. What he doesn't want is to be featured in the school paper.

Portento is a town hiding a huge secret. A secret the Morgan Family has worked for generations to keep. Outsiders are not allowed in without the Portento Council's approval. Until the Takeda Family moves in unnoticed.

Milan Takeda has been sick all his life. Rory Morgan just turned eighteen and is looking forward to taking on his birthright. Then he meets Milan, and his world changes.

Andy is a deeply closeted priest who has lived his life denying his sexuality. But after a rogue night with Marcus, indulging in long buried temptations, Andy can no longer ignore the truth about who he is. Can he come to terms with his sexuality without abandoning his faith? Will Marcus stick around while Andy learns what it means to be a gay Catholic?

The plan was simple: survive high school and get the hell out of his hometown.

Alec Kennedy failed miserably.

He fell in love. Unfortunately, he still carried out his plan and left town. Leaving his first love behind.

Years later, Alec's forced to return home to deal with an unexpected family emergency.

There was a new plan: desperately try to avoid his former partner.

He failed miserably again.

There seems to be a pattern here.

Zach thought he was fooling everyone and was only out to Jake, his kid brother. Then on his 15^th birthday, his dad gave him a rainbow pendant inscribed with the Hebrew word ‘Chai’, which means ‘Life’. His dad had had it made to give to his best friend, Cliff, who had AIDS, but never got the chance. Zach promised to wear it with pride, but hid it under his shirt, forgetting he had to undress for gym, a class he shared with Tanner, his secret crush.

Howard and Betsy have a problem. They can't find a stash of money, and need help finding it. Who can help them?

Charlie and his boyfriend Kippy are caught up in getting ready for Halloween. The day is almost there and they haven't quite figured out how to handle it. What they want more than anything is to have fun - and it looks like events just might conspire to make that happen!