This was really different from your typical romance. I honestly wouldn't categorize it as one but it was a beautiful and strange story. I enjoyed it even though I typically don't read YA books. It didn't feel young in maturity but it did feel young in the author captured the youthful feelings of not being in control of your life and feeling emotions intensely.

"Run Away With Me" is a Young Adult romance novel by Brian Selznick. It inlcudes the beautiful artwork that Selznick is famous for, with illustrations of architecture and statues in Rome as well as the two main characters, Danny and Angelo (names they give each other). Set in 1986, Danny (actually named Michael) is spending the summer in Rome, Italy while his mother, a museum conservator, works on a mysterious book. Danny meets Angelo and they travel around Rome, with Angelo sharing historical facts and stories about the beautiful city. A beautiful queer romance blossoms. A must buy for YA fiction collections.

In 1986 Michael was sixteen, spending the summer in Rome while his mother worked with rare books at a museum. Friendless because her job meant they constantly traveled, Michael wandered the city and was lonely until he met a curly-haired boy. Stories spun from his imagination but containing truths from Rome’s history intrigued him, taking them out of the present and into a world of their own. He was christened Danny, short for Dante, while Michael named his new friend Angelo because of angels he’d recently seen on a church ceiling.

With Angelo he felt emboldened and alive as they spent every moment together. Their feelings grew into intimacy while Angelo’s tours taught Danny about Rome’s people, myths, architecture, sculptures, paintings, music, and poetry. As their fateful summer winds down Danny knows they will soon part but also knows this summer in Rome will be forever theirs.

This touching story of two lonely boys who find love during a hot summer in Rome is Selznick’s first foray into Young Adult literature, and his debut is breathtaking. Unlike many of his earlier books illustrations do not appear everywhere. At the beginning a series of detailed illustrations show the Mondo Museum where Michael lives, and sights from their Roman tours. At the end of their last day together, poignant illustrations show the passage of time from their youth until the end of their lives. Teen readers will find much to enjoy as they also learn history.

Recommended for ages 16 and older.

Thank you Scholastic Press for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

Summary: A summer in Rome transforms sixteen-year-old Danny as he discovers love, friendship, and secrets through his deepening bond with the mysterious and enigmatic Angelo.

My review: This book is a breathtaking blend of art and narrative that immerses readers in a summer of love, discovery, and the timeless allure of Rome. The story unfolds through a dual storytelling approach, seamlessly weaving poetic text with hundreds of finely detailed pencil drawings. .

The illustrations are a standout feature, capturing Rome’s iconic landmarks and hidden corners with remarkable accuracy and artistry. For readers who have walked the ancient streets or marveled at the city’s grandeur, the drawings will feel like a nostalgic return.

At its heart, this is a tender story of young love, centering queer identities in a way that feels authentic and affirming. Danny and Angelo’s relationship blossoms with sweetness and vulnerability, exploring themes of first love and self-discovery while connecting to stories of queer love across generations.

Genres/Themes: Young Adult Fiction / Romance - LGBTQ+ / LGBTQ+ / Places - Europe

Run Away With Me by Brian Selznick is scheduled for publication on April 1, 2025, by Scholastic Press.

What a lovely, charming book! This was quite different and refreshing; it was a love story between two teenage boys, a love letter to Rome, and a story about gay love through the ages, all bundled together.

Thanks to NetGalley for an ARC of this novel.