Social Skills [novel]

The book tells of a young man in first year college with extreme social anxiety. This story is told 100% from his viewpoint.

I know nothing about this condition but the author's journey of Connor rang true and didn't dwell unnescessarily. Whilst the book is longer than many MM books around, it didn't wallow or fall flat in parts. The story continued to progress and our MC learnt and grew. One of my pet peeves is excessive internalisation (character thinking about everything in his head). I didn't notice this - not once. So the author struck a great balance between story telling, character thoughts and dialogue.

The romance was interesting and well-handled. The side-characters well fleshed out, providing good balance for the dramas show more surrounding the MCs :D

Narrated by Andrew Eiden - 4 stars. No complaints ~ a great narration. show less

The aptly titled social skills tells the story of the sweet but initially unlikely relationship between two first year university students - shy, high achieving violinist Connor and confident, popular jock Jared. The relationship is instigated by Jared, taking place mostly in the sanctuary of Connor's room and kept mutually secret by both closeted boys. Connor, from whose perspective the story is told, is overwhelmed by his feelings for Jared but how can such a relationship last when Jared has a girlfriend and the boys are so different in so many ways?...
This was a beautifully written novel and a joy to read from start to finish. I loved both MC's but especially Connor as I have suffered from shyness and social anxiety and could really show more identify with his character. The relationship though at first unlikely becomes more believable and I was rooting for these two throughout. I also loved all the musical references and I even listened to the violin solo from Scheherazade on YouTube and could just imagine Connor playing it in a particular scene from the book. I also loved the character of Rebecca and was glad that Connor had her for a friend. In conclusion - this is a sweet and heart-warming romance and one to read again and again. show less

Re-read 6/11/14 for the MM Romance Group Re-romancing the Faves Challenge. I stil greatly enjoyed this book. I sympathized with Connor. I was never as painfully shy as he was, but even to this day, I'm not big on being thrown into a group of people, no matter how big or small, and being expected to interact. I was more disappointed with Jared on this re-read though. I'm not sure why, but it came across more like he was using Connor, at least in the beginning. He was really harsh when he was trying to get Connor to talk to him, and he also admitted he knew Connor wanted him because he saw him staring a lot. He also knew Connor was painfully shy and didn't really have any friends, so Jared knew he could get Connor to hide away with him. I show more loved when they got back together and Jared commented about Connor being more confident and that was why he was making it harder on Jared this time. I think he should have made it harder on him, but that's just me. Would have been nice for Ray and Connor to remain friends and to see him included in the story even after Connor told him about Jared. And even with my new issues this time around, I'm keeping the 5 star rating.


Originally read 2/1/13- Such a great story, and by the end I was so proud of Connor. I cringed a few times throughout the book when he'd just give in to people or not stick up for himself, especially with his mother (God was she awful!), but in the end when he finally stood up to her, I just wanted to hug him! And I enjoyed some of those awkward conversations with Ben too, like when Ben, in a round-about way, told Connor he thought he was cute. Glad Jared and his friends got their crap together! show less

Reviewed on Hearts On Fire... http://heartsonfirereviews.com/

Connor is shy, gifted violinist stuck with an over bearing mother and a spineless father. Social interaction doesn't come easily to Connor and college is really throwing him for a loop. Classes are a breeze but now he is forced to interact with people. Rebecca is his partner in orchestra and begins on a quest to break Connor out of his shell. In the mean time, Connor meets Jared who just may hold the key to Connor's prison. The problem is that Jared is a closeted football player and Connor doesn't want to hide.
This was beautifully written coming of age story. Freshman year of college is hard enough on a young person with healthy self-esteem but for Connor it is hell. This show more was definitely a character driven story and despite the well developed secondary characters this is Connor's story. Rebecca was the perfect best friend for Conner as she was also a quirky misfit but comfortable with it. Jared was a train wreck and while he boosted Connor's self-image and drew him out of his shell, Jared's own baggage crushed Connor. I enjoyed the emotional pull that this story provided. Ms Alva did an exceptional job of bringing Connor from the reclusive boy who's only real friend was his violin to the fairly confident young man who stood up to his obnoxious mother. The struggle between Jared and Connor was heart wrenching at times and brought smiles at other times. I was rooting for Ray and Connor to get together because Ray really had it together. I could not find any sympathy for Veronica despite her illness. The story was not without a HEA but I'd really enjoy seeing Connor in another ten years. show less

This was good.
The unnecessary drama with Veronica aside. Could do without it IMO.

I really enjoyed Connor's story. I'm so darn glad for him.

This was a surprisingly good story about growing up, owning up. It's about courage, about embracing your Self. And coming out, of course.

But I'll be honest with you here. It's a 3 star book. I gave it a bonus because of Connor. And Rebecca, yes, definitely her.

I kind of hated Jared. I mean if I were living in this book I would be charged for a (thoroughly justified!) assault. I wouldn't even regret it.

FINAL VERDICT: TRY IT?

A good book of a jock and his tutor... just like 90% of the YA stuff I've read this year. It's not the author's fault that I've read this same story too many times now, but there is absolutely nothing new or inspiring. The characters were good, although I wish Connor wasn't so completely lacking in self-esteem and his mother wasn't the stereotypical overbearing mother. Jared was a bit unevenly written, but harmless.

I just felt this went down the checklist of YA: jock, tutor, fall in love, must hide for sake of jock, get outed and then must find their way to love again.... blah.

I found this on one of my lists and it sounds fascinating. I love anything to do with anxiety and/or musicians. There is something about the desire to jump into the music to get past awkwardness that I can completely identify with from high school and college.

The writing was pretty good. But here's the thing. I really disliked Jared. He was a self-centered a-hole in my opinion and I think that Connor could do so much better. I was actually hoping some other dude would come in and sweep him off his feet.

That being said, I suppose I can understand that Jared was in a bad situation and he did what many of us would do in that situation, being ruled by fear. I just felt he was a rather selfish individual.

Overall though, I enjoyed the book.