Fan Art

A sweet contemporary romance about a boy who falls in love with his best friend and the girls who help them get together.

Jamie Peterson has a problem: Even though he tries to keep his feelings to himself, everyone seems to know how he feels about Mason, and the girls in his art class are determined to help them get together. Telling the truth could ruin Jamie and Mason’s friendship, but it could also mean a chance at happiness. Falling in love is easy, except when it’s not, and Jamie must decide if coming clean to Mason is worth facing his worst fear.

In Fan Art, Sarah Tregay, the author of the romantic Love and Leftovers, explores the joys and pains of friendship, of pressing boundaries, and how facing our fears can sometimes lead us to what we want most. Fan Art is perfect for fans of contemporary romances as well as novels like Two Boys Kissing by David Levithan and Openly Straight by Bill Konigsberg.

This heartfelt and funny MM romance is about more than just a crush:

• First Love: Jamie is head over heels for his best friend, Mason. The only problem? Mason is completely clueless, and telling him the truth could ruin everything.
• Coming Out Story: A heartfelt and humorous journey of figuring out who you are, who you love, and mustering the courage to face your biggest fears.
• High School Romance: Complete with meddling friends, prom-posals, and high school drama, this story captures the dizzying feeling of being a teen in love.
• Found Family: The art-geek girls have decided Jamie and Mason are perfect for each other, and they won’t stop until their favorite ship becomes a reality.

Senior year is almost over, and Jamie Peterson has a big problem. Not college—that's all set. Not prom—he'll find a date somehow. No, it's the worst problem of all: he's fallen for his best friend.

As much as Jamie tries to keep it under wraps, everyone seems to know where his affections lie, and the giggling girls in art class are determined to help Jamie get together with Mason. But Jamie isn't sure if that's what he wants—because as much as Jamie would like to come clean to Mason, what if the truth ruins everything? What if there are no more road trips, taco dinners, or movie nights? Does he dare risk a childhood friendship for romance?

This book is about what happens when a picture reveals what we can't say, when art is truer than life, and how falling in love is easy, except when it's not. Fan Art explores the joys and pains of friendship, of pressing boundaries, and how facing our worst fears can sometimes lead us to what we want most.

An interesting, attractive novel. A verse novel with real depth to accompany all that white space. - Kirkus Reviews

Although the words are simple, the themes of Love & Leftovers are not. The cover art will attract readers. It is worth the read.” - Voice of Youth Advocates (VOYA)

The school’s factions are refreshingly nuanced, not stereotyped; a lack of understanding does not equate with meanness. The fact that even with supportive adults, encouraging friends, and a gay-straight alliance, coming out can be a daunting prospect will make this story resonate with readers. - Publishers Weekly

Tregay handles homophobia gently, which, along with the happy ending and refreshingly supportive community, makes this a breezy romance with just enough light drama to keep its feet on the ground. - Booklist

[Marcie’s] cries of the heart are captured in effective and affecting free verse. […] Her story is thus as credible as her voice, and readers will relate to her complicated but accessible heartbreak, as she, like her parents, makes mistakes and struggles to fix them. - Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books

Praise for Love and Leftovers: The author does a terrific job of keeping the plot moving by using poetry to her advantage. Reluctant readers will appreciate the brevity while poetic souls will appreciate the format. - School Library Journal (starred review)

Amazing. The most delicious love story I’ve read in ages. And now, if you’ll excuse me, I’m going back for seconds. - Lauren Myracle, New York Times bestselling author of the Internet Girls series, Bliss, and Shine

There is a common assumption that romantic stories aren’t important. FAN ART proves unequivocally that this is wrong. A refreshingly honest, dizzyingly sweet story of first love. - Lili Wilkinson, award-winning author of PINK

A sweet, quasi-coming-out love story with a bass line tailored for art and design fanatics. - Kirkus Reviews