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Julian Winters: Running with Lions | Lara
Bloomington High School Lions' star goalie, Sebastian Hughes, should be excited about his senior year: His teammates are amazing and he's got a coach who doesn't ask anyone to hide their sexuality. But when his estranged childhood best friend Emir Shah shows up to summer training camp, Sebastian realizes the team's success may end up in the hands of the one guy who hates him. Determined to reconnect with Emir for the sake of the Lions, he sets out to regain Emir's trust. But to Sebastian's surprise, sweaty days on the pitch, wandering the town's streets, and bonding on the weekends sparks more than just friendship between them.
“You are not defined by who you love.”
“Acceptance has an amazing effect on people who pretend they don't need it.”
Growing up and getting around in high school was far from easy for Sebastian. Among anxiety, self-consciousness about his body and bullying he’s been putting up his entire childhood, the hardest hit was when his best, and only, friend Emir moved to London. A high school is a difficult place, especially for those who are different, and yet Sebastian found his salvation in a soccer team – a place where everyone is welcome and has a chance to prove themselves, places where they are supported and not submitted to cruel judgment. The team gave him friends and support, purpose and a future – something to dream of and something to work for.
“The future is only grim because people see it that way. It's unpredictable. Life is a summer storm of insecure thoughts. There's an umbrella of precautions to prevent insecurity, but it doesn't always keep the rain out of your face.”
His last summer and pre-season practices are going nicely; the team is getting together and there are pretty big chances of him being named the new captain, but there is a new recruit who turns out to be no one else but Sebastian’s childhood ex-friend. The team needs to be ready for the season, but the tension on the court seems to be coming straight from Emir - who has talent, but also a temper that doesn’t bode well with anyone on the team. The match with Spartans is coming close, but Sebastian’s uncertainty and confusing feelings do nothing to help him get things in line.
“Why do people let things so precious to them turn into dark, unbearable secrets?”
I am really really glad I loved this book so much because I know I usually don’t like low-stake plot-deprived novels stuffed with romance, but this was so fluffy and full of amazing characters just being awesome and doing sports. I love sports and I love seeing them change someone’s life. I enjoyed immensely reading about Lion’s practices and the team’s lively adventures, their inspirational coaches and crazy adventures. This book is full of little things that actually mean so much – like struggling with self-confidence, hardships of immigration and even dealing with the desperate crush. Sebastian and Emir were adorable, but I loved every single character in the book, especially Mason and Grey - they’re my personal favorites.
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