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False Face

by Josh Galarza

Desire, danger, and double lives

Regular price $18.33 USD
Regular price $30.55 USD Sale price $18.33 USD
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Awards & Recognition

  • Author recognition

    National Book Award finalist (author)

    The metadata identifies Josh Galarza as a National Book Award finalist; the finalist recognition is attributed t...

  • Critical praise

    Starred review from SLJ

    Starred review; described as “A tour de force.”

AlbakiReads Editorial

Desire, danger, and double lives

Rusty’s certainty that Todd is imaginary sits beside his fixation on Burt, while Burt’s hidden work rescuing queer teens gives the school romance a secret-agent dimension. The two perspectives converge when Rusty lands in danger and Burt faces a mission tied to the boy he has hurt. The setup connects questions of self-perception and accountability with acceptance, forgiveness, and the pressures of being seen as a role model. Its young-adult romance unfolds through both a school setting and Burt’s covert rescue work.

Good fit for readers who enjoy

  • Teen and young-adult readers interested in LGBTQ+ romance.
  • Readers drawn to stories combining school relationships with secret-agent and rescue elements.
  • Readers interested in themes of self-discovery, forgiveness, and acceptance.

Themes

Self-discoveryForgivenessAcceptanceQueer identity and safetyPublic image and responsibility

Based on publisher information and book metadata.

Book overview

"A tour de force." --SLJ, starred review

From National Book Award Finalist Josh Galarza comes a moving new young adult novel full of self-discovery, forgiveness, and acceptance.

Rusty is positive Todd with two D's is a figment of his troubled mind. That's the only explanation for why he breaks into musical numbers and lurks in the school bleachers to stare unabashedly at Burt, the cutest guy in school. But when Todd's antics go a little too far, Rusty quickly finds himself in a dangerous situation. Little does Rusty know, the boy he's head over heels for just might be the one to save his life.

By day, Burt Espinoza is the only out kid in school who's ever maintained his social status. But by night, he is a real hero: a secret agent rescuing vulnerable queer kids in danger. His handlers (also his adoptive moms) are concerned he's pushing himself too hard to be the man he thinks he needs to be. Now Burt has to prove that he's ready for his biggest mission yet: saving the only boy he's ever hurt.

Raw, surreal, and timely, this novel is perfect for fans of Rex Ogle and Randy Ribay.

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