Lennox McAvoy is nearly 18, and he's already survived the loss of both parents, 18 months of juvie, and being exiled by his homophobic grandparents. All he needs to do is graduate high school--and then what remains of his family can wash their hands of him. He hasn't seen his beloved younger sister Lucy in nearly two years--and it kills Lennox that his "guardian" grandfather just dumped him in rural Virginia, in a small town run-down hotel with barely enough allowance to keep the bills paid and some food in his belly. Isolated, Lennox wants to lash out, as he'd done many times before. But, if he doesn't graduate, he'll never see Lucy again.

Will isn't sure what to make of Lennox. There aren't any out kids at his school, but Lennox is all swagger and dirty mouth. Lennox learns that Will's out, and takes no time tossing out some crude and poorly-received come-ons. While Lennox's shell is a tough one to crack, Will does his own investigating, and learns about Lennox's squalid living arrangements. I comes around the time that Will's father has a big health setback, and Will needs a distraction from his worries. Lennox is down for that, but their connection grows as they confide more and more in one another.

I need to mention that there's lots of graphic language, and sex on the page. Both Will and Lennox have troubles they aren't comfortable confiding. I liked how they do connect, and how Will--who is a genuinely decent kid--sees beyond Lennox's prickly facade. Lennox is used to losing all his loved ones, and he's sure that Will will leave him broken-hearted. They are both risking pain, but they find so much more, instead. Will's encouragement helps Lennox to make new friends, and find allies in their school--including the music teacher who becomes very important in the next books. There's a lot of healing happening here, and Will and Lennox find more than just comfort with one another.

Will can't wait to get out of his small town and get on to a better life without harassment and bullies, but first he has to make it through his senior year of high school. He expects to keep his head low and just survive what he doesn't expect is Lennox. Lennox has an ankle monitor and is crude, but also shows this sweet side once in a blue moon.

Lennox and Will butt heads to begin with but slowly they start to realize there is more than tolerating each other, they just have to find a way to each other.

This is only the first book in the series, so it ends a bit abruptly but its a great book, exactly what I was needing at the time.

I seem to be in the minority here, but I really struggled through this one.

First of all, you should know that this book is all about the drama and the angst. And it gets REALLY angsty. If you aren't prepared for an exhausting read, then look away. I can deal with some heavy drama and angst, but this pushed my limits.

However, that wasn't my issue with the story. My main issue with this story is something we need to talk about as M/M readers, and that is the overly sexually aggressive MC. Lennox was relentless. Even when Will clearly wasn't interested, even when it was FULLY inappropriate (like talking about explicitly banging Will in front of teachers, classmates, and parents), Lennox would NOT STOP.

I can see Lennox using his rudeness and vulgarity as a defense mechanism (which clearly it was meant to be) in the early parts of the story, but well past the 60% mark he was still making non-stop comments and physically touching Will, even when he said no.

Now, here is my sticking point: If this was a M/F book, would we still be rooting for this couple? If there was a guy who was calling our female MC a cock-whore or talking about how well she could suck him off (to a virgin, no less), would we still think it was okay? Why is it okay here? I didn't think it was, and even though the Will was sometimes turned on by the attention, that doesn't make it okay. People can be turned on and uncomfortable and still deserve proper respect.

I'm no prude, and I'm very much in favor of dirty talk, but it was just wrong place, wrong time, ALL THE TIME.

The push and pull between these characters also tested my limits. They were back and forth, hot and cold, and I was just over it by 75% or so. I was expecting some relief, but the drama was constant.

Also, we need to touch upon the racial stuff in this book. Lennox is biracial, and some of the stuff that he just brushed off that the characters said and did to him was... not okay. A lot of hair touching, and a WHOLE lot of really gross name-calling by people in this story. Now, I'm not sure if the author meant to highlight racism in certain parts of the country, and I'm not a person of color, but I felt icky and anxious about many of the exchanges. Just putting that out there.

The book gets two stars from me because some of the details of Lennox's life really touched me, and I think the story has some moving and powerful elements, but I struggled with it all the same. Even though the ending is abrupt and a HFN, I don't think I'll continue with the series.

*Copy provided in exchange for an honest review*

First love story between two young men, each of whom are very different. Started out not getting along, moving towards being friends and then a romance between the two. Well written, interesting characters with difficult backgrounds to overcome. Opposites definitely attract with much hate and then love. Looking forward to reading the sequel because the ending left me wanting more. Much more!!! Great story!

Go Your Own Way by Zane Riley was a delight to read. It tells the story of High School students Will Osbourne, an openly gay student trying to get through his senior year unscathed. That is until he meets Lennox McAvoy, a loud, crude and rude transfer student who takes an instant liking to Will. But will Will uncover the truth behind the rough exterior?

Ugh. I wanted to like this book so much. The idea was good, great even. I love the idea of a bad boy and a good boy getting together, but this just wasn't told right.

The problem, for me, was that the middle portion lasted too long. Will was a judgmental asshole to Lennox, so other than being the only other gay individual in the school, I don't see what he was so obsessed with. Lennox was also an asshole to Will, so again, I don't see the connection. If they had had some deep meaningful moments together I would totally buy their chemistry, but beyond sex and basic physical attraction there was nothing there.

Lennox was so complex and had so many things going on in his life that his whole story line was a missed opportunity. The things you could do with his story are endless, but we are left with a ton of answers. When does he get his monitor off? What happens with his family? Where does their relationship go from there? What about the jackasses and Lucy? The book just ends without ever answering these questions.

Which brings me to my next grievance, the end. The climax and the ending happen within the final 2 chapters. This big event happens and then they go back to Will's house and go to sleep. The end. Literally, it says "The End". That is not an ending, that is a HFN or even a slight cliffhanger. We needed another chapter and a prologue to even make it passable as an ending. The majority of the middle area could have been cut down significantly to provide a better climax and ending because all it was was the same complaints and sexual innuendos over and over and over again.

Another issue I had was with the racism. Lennox is biracial and suffers from a lot of racism within the town and school, especially because of the ankle monitor. However, if you look at the cover, his hand is obviously white. It's pretty misleading. Once again, though, it was a missed opportunity. We kept getting told about racist looks and comments, but that's as far as it went. If you're going to have it be such a constant mention in the book, do something with it. Don't just let it be said and not have something of meaning come from it.

Another reviewer mentioned that this started off as Glee fanfic and I can totally see it. This had Kurt Hummel and his dad written all over it. In fact, before I found that out, I thought the same thing. I'm actually happy I know that because I thought for sure it was an unoriginal copy and paste type of relationship and it was, but it was for a reason. I can say though, I didn't like how okay Will's parents seemed with knowing, seeing, and hearing about his sexcapades. I'm all about having open dialogue about things, but details are a little much.

This author has a degree in creative writing, which you can tell because it was actually really well written and is ultimately why I gave this two stars instead of one star. The problem came from the story itself. Unfortunately, I don't recommend it because it's simply not finished. If it had been, it really would have been a fantastic story.

Go Your Own Way is a great YA novel. Will and Lennox are both interesting characters, such a study in contrasts as well as having things in common.

Will has been living his whole life being made fun of for being gay. He can't wait to get his last year of high school over so he can get on with his life in college in New York, preferably. When he meets the hot new guy in his class, he's attracted to him, but his obnoxious, so blatantly forward manner turns him off even while Lennox's flirting turns him on. As the two boys get to know each other, Will starts to see that Lennox's crude manner masks some serious pain and Will just can't seem to resist making out with, and finally, more, with him.

I really enjoyed Go Your Own Way, but the ending seriously irritated me. I hate HFN endings, but I guess since there are apparently at least two more in the series, I can let it go. Other than the ending, though, Go Your Own Way was just about the perfect teenage love story. It's got a touch of angst (thank God it's not more angsty!), it's got two interesting characters, it's hot in a flirty way, and it's got a great secondary cast. I am definitely a fan of Will and Lennox and am dying for more about them now!

These days I am shying away from YA books because I have a hard time reading sex scenes between kids, especially as mine get older. And while there are some sex scenes in this book, this story is so strong that those scenes didn’t bother me as much. The writing is absolutely fantastic and I loved the dual points of view – I can’t imagine not being in either kid’s head. At the surface, there doesn’t appear to be much to this story but the depth of the characters and what they’re going through is staggering. This is a typical coming of age, bad boy and innocent boy story but so much more.

Lennox is the bad boy. His story is absolutely, heartbreakingly tragic. I hurt so much for him. He is an orphan that lashes out. He’s biracial and gay. And the grandparents that took him in when his father failed him, no longer want him. People treat him like trash because of his race, sexuality and criminal history. They don’t look further than his skin, ankle bracelet and crass comments (and they are REALLY bad). But underneath all that, he is a still small, very hurt boy. He is immensely talented. He is sweet, loving and has so much to offer. And Will sees that. As he spends more time with him, he sees past the brash comments and ankle bracelet (he never even sees the skin color difference) and gets to know the real Lennox; and falls in love with him; and finds out that love isn’t as easy as he thought it was. Will who is completely innocent when it comes to relationships – both emotional and sexual. Will who cannot comprehend how or why Lennox was thrown aside and is treated as badly as he is and lives as poorly as he does. Will who is a romantic and wants the hearts and flowers but Lennox knows nothing about that and wants no part of it. Will who wants to break through the tough exterior and live inside it with Lennox and wants to make things better for him and with him.

There is so much story here and it’s as wonderful as it is heartbreaking. And the author isn’t done yet, because book 2 should be just as emotional and wonderful as this book. And I’m diving in…

‘Go Your Own Way’ is one of those books that everyone needs to stop what they’re doing and read it immediately. Lennox and Will’s relationship is one that is built so carefully throughout the book and is very sweet and passionate, The characterization of Lennox is so spot on for how someone who has been so hurt would act. Will is such a strong force to always stand up for what he believes is right. This book makes you think about how family isn’t always about what you’re born into, but who you surround yourself with. I just finished this book and already want more! Also, everyone needs a mom figure like Karen in their life. I highly recommend this book to everyone.