The Art of Hero Worship by Mia Kerick is a romance novel that combines elements of the thriller genre as well. The Art of Hero Worship is about the love and relationship between two young men and tackles the subject of gay romance beautifully. The book begins with a mass shooting in a theatre where Jason Tripp, a young college freshman student, first encounters older junior student, Liam Norcross. As Jason takes refuge under the theatre seats, he finds himself unexpectedly shielded and protected by Liam on the top. As both men emerge from this experience shaken, but still alive, a natural bond of friendship forms between them. They soon realize it is not just friendship that they both feel as they are drawn to and attracted to each other. However, each one is fighting his own private demons of past tragedy, PTSD, trauma, coming out to themselves as well as family and society as homosexuals, and dealing with the ups and downs of a tumultuous romantic relationship. All of this is explored in a very nuanced and realistic way and forms the plot of the story. In the end, we learn that not only is Liam a "hero" who risks his life to save people, but so is Jason in his own way as he guides and supports Liam to the expression of love and emotions and how to be in a loving relationship.

The Art of Hero Worship is a beautifully written book and one I enjoyed thoroughly. The development of the relationship between the two central characters as each realizes that he is not straight but gay is very delicately handled. The conflicts with parents and society are also explored in a realistic manner. The LGBT community is sensitively supported and I love how well etched and portrayed both Liam's and Jason's characters are. This is a unique romance novel that anyone in today's modern society can easily identify with and relate to, and I would highly recommend it.

Mia Kerick’s The Art Of Hero Worship takes us first to Batcheldor College’s Harrison Theater where a gunman is on the rampage. Jason, a college freshman, is inside the theater with his girlfriend, Ginny, to watch a friend perform when gunshots send all the terrified men, women and children to the floor. Ginny is fatally hit and, as the gunman approaches, a stranger covers Jason and instructs him to play dead. The two eventually escape the mayhem together and Jason feels grateful to Liam for saving his life. What follows is the development of a gay relationship between two straight men with Jason worshiping Liam as his hero. As the two young men get on with their lives and get to know each other better, they will seek to discover their true innermost feelings.

The Art of Hero Worship is an unlikely love story that starts with a bang, literally and figuratively. Author Mia Kerick gets her reader’s undivided attention and she keeps it until the very end. Sharing a horrifying mass shooting experience, an extraordinary bond is formed between Jason and Liam. This eventually develops into an unexpected same sex relationship that makes people around them uncomfortable. Indeed, the relationship bothers Jason and Liam too and they still have to deal with the demons of their personal lives. As the two young men grapple with their passion for each other, Jason discovers the reasons why Liam is compelled to acts of heroism and he is called to rescue his hero in return. This novel is a compelling read!