This author participates in the Readers' Favorite Free Book Program, which is open to all readers and is completely free. The author will provide you with a free copy of their book in exchange for an honest review. You and the author will discuss what sites you will post your review to and what kind of copy of the book you would like to receive (eBook, PDF, Word, paperback, etc.). To begin, click the purple email icon to send this author a private email.
This author participates in the Readers' Favorite Book Review Exchange Program, which is open to all authors and is completely free. Simply put, you agree to provide an honest review an author's book in exchange for the author doing the same for you. What sites your reviews are posted on (B&N, Amazon, etc.) and whether you send digital (eBook, PDF, Word, etc.) or hard copies of your books to each other for review is up to you. To begin, click the purple email icon to send this author a private email, and be sure to describe your book or include a link to your Readers' Favorite review page or Amazon page.
This author participates in the Readers' Favorite Book Donation Program, which was created to help nonprofit and charitable organizations (schools, libraries, convalescent homes, soldier donation programs, etc.) by providing them with free books and to help authors garner more exposure for their work. This author is willing to donate free copies of their book in exchange for reviews (if circumstances allow) and the knowledge that their book is being read and enjoyed. To begin, click the purple email icon to send this author a private email. Be sure to tell the author who you are, what organization you are with, how many books you need, how they will be used, and the number of reviews, if any, you would be able to provide.
Reviewed by Tammy Ruggles for Readers' Favorite
The Enigmatic Marsden by Todd A Biron is a compelling LGBTQ novel about self-acceptance and fitting in. The story centers around high school student Alex Marsden, who has the same aspirations and goals as his peers; to fit in and make friends along the way. But Alex has a different set of challenges because he is awakening to his sexuality. He realizes he's been untrue to himself and denying himself the pleasure of being who he is on the inside. But his parents' divorce brings about an unexpected opportunity to start over in a new city, perhaps make new friends and find people he can identify with. But with this unique opportunity comes new barriers, and he can't decide whether to tuck himself away and hide who he is or let himself freely shine.
Biron has created a novel that is instantly relatable, even for a non-LGBTQ audience, as all of us have experienced issues of needing to fit in, perhaps being different from the norm, and not always revealing who we are unless the circumstances are right. The character of Alex is an intriguing one, fully-formed, a typical teenager in an atypical situation. The pages fly by as you read, and you feel a little sad that it has to end so soon. The situations are mature but evenly handled, the writing absorbing and socially relevant. The language is explicit in places but doesn't take away from the story. Natural dialogue and the first-person POV create a connection with Alex. If you like character-driven novels that speak to today's readers, don't pass up The Enigmatic Marsden by Todd A Biron.
