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From Behind Those Eyes

   (2 reviews)
Genres: Romance
Sub-genres: Contemporary Romance

Stephen is your everyday high school jock, popular and smart too. While he has gotten accustomed to living his life each day as a straight guy, deep down he knows he’s gay, and one magical night he meets someone who intrigues him enough to step out of his normal complacency and take a chance at being himself.

To my collaborator, my sweetie, my little brother and best friend... You have been the one who has held my hand, without you this story wouldn't be what it is. Thanks Davey. Any comments can be sent to david.stories@hotmail.co.uk Thanks Sweetie!
Copyright © 2011 viv; All Rights Reserved.

Story Recommendations (3 members)

  • Action Packed 0
  • Addictive/Pacing 2
  • Characters 3
  • Chills 0
  • Cliffhanger 0
  • Compelling 0
  • Feel-Good 0
  • Humor 0
  • Smoldering 2
  • Tearjerker 0
  • Unique 1
  • World Building 0

Select Chapter
Table of Contents
  • 1. Chapter 1
    • 5,863 Words
    • 17,732 Views
    • 3 Comments
  • 2. Chapter 2
    • 5,723 Words
    • 11,408 Views
    • 2 Comments
  • 3. Chapter 3
    • 5,232 Words
    • 10,535 Views
    • 4 Comments
  • 4. Chapter 4
    • 5,281 Words
    • 9,642 Views
    • 1 Comments
  • 5. Chapter 5
    • 5,930 Words
    • 9,228 Views
    • 4 Comments
  • 6. Chapter 6
    • 6,815 Words
    • 9,013 Views
    • 4 Comments
  • 7. Chapter 7
    • 5,424 Words
    • 8,648 Views
    • 0 Comments
  • 8. Chapter 8
    • 5,332 Words
    • 8,085 Views
    • 1 Comments
  • 9. Chapter 9
    • 4,775 Words
    • 7,980 Views
    • 1 Comments
  • 10. Chapter 10
    • 4,562 Words
    • 7,841 Views
    • 0 Comments
  • 11. Chapter 11
    • 4,566 Words
    • 7,638 Views
    • 0 Comments
  • 12. Chapter 12
    • 5,240 Words
    • 7,303 Views
    • 1 Comments
  • 13. Chapter 13
    • 5,527 Words
    • 7,802 Views
    • 2 Comments
  • 14. Chapter 14
    • 5,552 Words
    • 7,394 Views
    • 1 Comments
  • 15. Chapter 15
    • 4,515 Words
    • 7,332 Views
    • 1 Comments
  • 16. Chapter 16
    • 5,090 Words
    • 7,761 Views
    • 1 Comments
  • 17. Chapter 17
    • 4,776 Words
    • 7,640 Views
    • 1 Comments
  • 18. Chapter 18
    • 5,779 Words
    • 8,020 Views
    • 1 Comments
  • 19. Chapter 19
    • 4,965 Words
    • 7,045 Views
    • 0 Comments
  • 20. Chapter 20
    • 5,583 Words
    • 7,463 Views
    • 0 Comments
  • 21. Chapter 21
    • 4,553 Words
    • 7,397 Views
    • 2 Comments
  • 22. Chapter 22
    • 4,593 Words
    • 6,669 Views
    • 0 Comments
  • 23. Chapter 23
    • 5,165 Words
    • 7,219 Views
    • 0 Comments
  • 24. Chapter 24
    • 5,434 Words
    • 6,277 Views
    • 1 Comments
  • 25. Chapter 25
    • 4,754 Words
    • 7,190 Views
    • 0 Comments
  • 26. Chapter 26
    • 9,835 Words
    • 9,816 Views
    • 15 Comments

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ChillFire

   1 of 1 member found this review helpful 1 / 1 member

Who is that boy?

At Homecoming, Stephen ends up being partnered with a mystery masked boy and is immediately captivated by him. In the days after, he tries to find out who the hell he was. 

Though, if Stephen does find him… Will he be able to step out of his comfort zone, truly accept his sexuality, and be open with who he really is?

What I Loved

Jesse is an absolute sweetheart for being patient with Stephen every step of the way.

Similarly, the supporting cast is great too! Jules, Sean, and Bobby are real friends for sticking with Stephen and supporting him.

Spoiler

I loved how Stephen’s self-acceptance was slow and gradual. First, he was able to come out to Jesse and enter a relationship with him. Then, he came out to each of his friends individually in his circle. Finally, by the end of the story, he was ready to be out and proud of who he is.

Stephen has some great monologues! Probably the best one, in my opinion, is where he talks about how Jesse developed from someone who he simply found attractive to someone he is now in love with.

Tim is a bigoted ass, but Stephen still thinks of him as his teammate, so he extends an olive branch to him (“see you on the field”) despite all the shitty things that he said.

What Could’ve Been Better

A few chapters are a bit awkwardly written in terms of dialogue and such, but most of it is pretty good.

While most of the grammar is OK, it could use a few touch-ups here and there.

Spoiler

Nitpick: There’s a scene in Chapter 18 where Bobby, Tim, Sean, and Stephen are arguing in the school cafeteria, and Stephen walks away in frustration. Despite the story taking place from his point of view, the scene continues as if he was there to witness it. I thought that perhaps Stephen could’ve overheard the conversation, but Bobby later recounts what happened to him in art class, implying that Stephen didn’t witness or overhear it at all.

Justin, Jesse’s former best friend, shares a name with Justin, Stephen’s teammate. I’m like 95% sure these two aren’t the same person, so I think it would’ve been best if they had different names to avoid confusion.

Miscellaneous Thoughts

Spoiler

Damn, Stephen must’ve had some gigantic balls to say “I love you, Jesse” in front of everyone at the assembly.

Wilson is an interesting enigma… I think Robert might’ve been (or currently is) his partner. If so, perhaps they went through something similar to Stephen and Jesse? Would explain why he had such a visceral reaction to Tim’s antics.

Verdict

Honestly, I first read this a long while ago and I remember thinking it was quite average and nothing amazing per-se. A solid 3 or 4 stars.

After my re-read, however… I really don’t know what I was thinking before! Maybe I wasn't in a good mood while reading.

From Behind Those Eyes is an extremely heartwarming story, and I very much enjoyed following Stephen’s journey of finding love and self-acceptance. While it does have some flaws, they are minor and did not affect my reading experience.

A must read.

5 stars.

  • Love 1
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cognac69

   1 of 1 member found this review helpful 1 / 1 member

There is so much realism in this story as reminds many of us and tells others of the real struggle within ourselves of our own acceptance and struggle to be true to ourselves. Beautifully written and very poignant. Thank you.

  • Love 2
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