The Boy I Love

Good book with strong characters but a bit of a sad ending.

Maya

St Kaths

I really like this book because the plot was quite interesting and the character design was done amazingly well. Another thing I liked about this book was that I really liked the genre of the book as it had the LGBTQ+ involved with it and making about war added more detail to the plot which I really enjoyed

Skye W

Vista Academy Littleport

I found The Boy I Love a very powerful and hard-hitting book. To me, it highlights the prejudice faced by members of the LGBTQ+ community while also vividly capturing the horrors and brutality of the trenches during World War I. William Hussey writes with emotional depth, making the characters feel real and their struggles and flashbacks poignant. The contrast between love and violence is especially striking, and Stephen and Danny’s bond is strong, but their need for secrecy creates constant tension and heartbreak. Beyond love, the story explores friendship, loyalty, and courage under pressure. By writing from Stephen’s point of view, Hussey immerses readers in his thoughts and feelings, creating a deep sense of empathy for his experiences. Overall, the book is unforgettable, thought-provoking, and leaves a lasting impression.

Jackie

The Perse Carnegians

This book was amazing! Although I had to reread some of the pages as it didn't make sense, it had depth and was really interesting. The two boys from different backstories and different ranks but only 6 months apart made a perfect couple. The ending shocked me a bit as I thought that maybe one of them might die but I was grateful and happy to see they both lived. It was a good read and I enjoyed it a lot. I would definitely recommend for 12-16 year olds.

Alyss

Ousedale Shadow Chasers

I absolutely loved this book, I read it in in 3 hours and was rushed with so many emotions whilst reading this. It was a meaningful book rather than a smutty romance, it focused more on the war around them rather than the blossoming love between two young men in the middle of it all. If there was a sequel; it wouldn't do it justice for this may be a national treasure in the future.

Olivia

Rainbeau Readers

This was a very interesting and inspiring book that really brings the experiences of war to life. It made me feel like I was there on the battlefield, and my heart raced along with the characters as they faced the dangers of World War 1. It also felt very historically accurate. The contrast between Danny and Stephen made the story a really unique read. I liked how they stayed loyal to each other while fighting for their lives and dealing with life-changing choices and secrets. I don’t usually enjoy or fully understand war novels, but this one was definitely an exception. A fantastic book!

Mackenzie

Rainbeau Readers

I loved the book plot and the slow- burn. The angst also changed how I thought of the characters and gave me more of a backstory for the characters. It highlighted the time in which it was set as in 1916 homophobia had a big play in time. William Hussey showed me how Stephen felt through the first person narrative and gave me an explanation of why the characters felt the way they did. Overall I really loved this book and think its very inspirational.

lily

PHS Book Explorers

’The boy I Love’ is a heart-breaking yet beautiful story of two young men’s forbidden love. It is set during World War 1 and both young men are fighting for their country, Great Britain. Follow Stephen and Danny through heart stopping twists and turns, navigating marshy trenches and worrying decisions. As their relationship develops, flourishes and becomes more than just one between lieutenant and private, so does the danger they find themselves in. I would definitely give this book a 10/10!

Maddie

Shelf Indulgence by JCG

I loved this book. I was emotionally compelling and brought light to a time of war. The slow burn felt perfectly paced and I really felt connected to the characters. Some were well written enough for me to despise them. It did well not idolising WW1 without making it a depressing book.

Eilidh

Knox Readers

The story is about how a boy returns to war after an injury and is put back on the frontline. It speaks about the emotions he’s gone through and how when he returns he meets a Private and how their relationship is hidden and frowned on by society and the army. The story follows their love and conflict through the war and how their love is devastating but also beautiful leading up to the battle of the Somme the story to me talked about and highlighted how devastating beautiful love an war Is and although they’re on different spectrums go hand in hand. I give it a 7/10 it is a riveting read although not realistic according to the times.

Elsa

Blake Student Shadowers 2026

All the horror and cruelty of World War One told from a viewpoint we don't often hear about. Times have changed so much, but intolerance and bullying still happen, even now. We still have a lot to learn and this sensitive portrayal helps us by encouraging empathy with the characters.

Bibliophile

Angmering Book Lovers 4 Life

The Boy I Love was a romantic book set in the trenches. Despite how many books I have read set during a world war, I don't think I've ever read a book set in the actual trenches before so that was a new different concept to me. At first, I found it boring and slow with too much army terminology I didn't know, like which of Colonels, Lieutenants, and Captains were more superior. However the book soon improved and there wasn't too much romance. The ending was about how I expected it which was realistic but not too sad.

Aidan

Ermysted’s Carnegie Shadowing Group

This is definitely one of my favourite books I’ve ever read! I loved the setting, characters and description. Often when I was reading this, it felt like I was there with the characters, and it was intense but also with a sense of hope, which really made me hope for a happy ending! I’m doing World War I in history at the moment, so it was definitely very useful to learn about how it affected ordinary people and what the fighting was actually like. I found this very impactful and was nearly crying at some points! I found this extremely moving and I was invested in the story, and it was so sad to finish it and know I’ve got no more to read! This is easily one of my favourites so far, I highly recommend!

Iris

Skipton Shadows

'The Boy I Love' is, overall, a well written book with vivid imagery. However, I believe that the romance progressed too quickly, resulting in a lack of emotional depth and connection between the characters. I felt like we moved too quickly past significant character deaths, as well as the world war two setting got relegated to the background and not given its due; it was completely overshadowed by the romance. Therefore, I couldn’t fully relate to the characters or be immersed in the setting. Having said that, I still found the book interesting and totally worth the read.

Evie

Shelf Indulgence by JCG

I found the book mostly boring. The book mostly feels like Danny and Stephen doing side quests together. Nothing really twisting or impactful till the end. It lacks the element of surprise.

Mahad.K

Ermysted’s Carnegie Shadowing Group

This book is like no other, it is incredible, not only does it show a perspective not often shown in books, but it also shows the light and love in war. I personally don't often read books about war or romance but I love this book. I also admire the way it's written and beautiful language used.

Maddie

Carnegie@StBede’s

A highly engaging but tragic read focused on the war. I feel that the glimpse of the relationship was vital at showing the reality of war and how people relied on each other when others would not help. The book encapsulates these emotions and realities strongly, especially in a period of time where LGBTQ ideas were seen as less valued or were undermined. Ultimately, the LGBTQ inclusion was realistic and more subtle than alternative titles, which allows more immersion into the text's purpose rather than a specific idea alongside it. Otherwise, its a successful book that I would love to see built on.

Kaleb

Folkestone Academy Readers

"The boy I love" was an educational book. It was set in 1916 during WW1. Whilst this book was not one I would usually go for, the pacing and structure was probably the best thing about the it! As a reader I found the book flowed very nicely. Now although the book was not terrible, it did seem to focus a lot on the love between the two boys which was of course frowned upon at the time which I thought was something that took away from the book as well as how Danny and Stephen were alone in the trench it just didn't seem accurate. Other than that the book was enjoyable but as I said it was not one I would go for again in future.

Libby

Vista Academy Littleport

The Boy I Love is an interesting book which concerns both the atrocities of the First World War and the political and cultural situation of the time. I felt that this book wanted to convey a hopeful message and I think it conveyed that message really well. In terms of pacing and the story it felt quite predictable but yet kept my interest throughout. Overall, a very enjoyable book that contrasts the horror of the First World War with a very romantic relationship.

Benjamin R

Ermysted’s Carnegie Shadowing Group

I love this book because it explores a very detailed description of the First World War. There were definitely a lot of words (objects) that I didn't quite understand. The story was told through the main character, Stephan, but I think it lacked some thoughts from Danny (Stephan's love) . The 14+ mostly just goes to the action of the war and the brutalness of torture from the other Captains. This book definitely pulled some of my heartstrings because of the main characters' love for each other. Highly recommend it for people who are interested in the First World War. Loved the relationship between the main characters. Sweet.

Karuna

Norwich High Bookworms

The Boy I love is a book set in 1916 in WWI. It follows the struggles and discrimination coming against Stephen, a Lieutenant heading back to the front after some time at home. He is a homosexual, and on the boat, he meets another boy, Danny, who is also attracted to other men. Stephen tries his best to keep Danny safe, both from Germans, and their commanding officers who would arrest them if caught being gay with each other. I like this book because, while it is a romantic book, it also expresses the hardships that ordinary men who were called up to the Battle of Somme faced in which 20,000 died in a single day. However, The Boy I Love lacked many decisive plot twists and from about halfway through the book, I could predict what would happen based on the way the story was going. Overall, I give this book 4.5/5

Felix C

Ermysted’s Carnegie Shadowing Group

The pacing and structure was really good, as well as the character development and plot change. All around a fun read

Elly

Rad readers

The book's writing was exceptionally structured - I'll give it that. William Hussey definitely knows what he's doing when he writes a book. However, that doesn't necessarily mean I instantly enjoyed the book. It felt like it was lacking in things that would actually make it interesting - twists and the like. Too much focus was on the romance and how it was forbidden. For me, when a story begins to revolve around that, it fails to leave room for much else, and becomes - I hate to say it - boring, without flesh or meat. It felt an empty book.

Hanzalah

Ermysted’s Carnegie Shadowing Group

This book was educational. It followed the story of Stephen, a gay second lieutenant in WW1. He falls in love with Danny, his soldier-servant, or squire, and they campaign for the soldiers not to have to go over in the battle of the Somme. I liked how the relationship was developed but I didn't think it was realistic how often they were alone in the trench. The description of war seemed accurate though, even if the ending was a bit hopeful, considering that all the gay characters survived. Overall, it was a perfectly fine read, just not one I would choose. 6/10

Elijah

Vista Academy Littleport

I really liked this! Nice structure, some emotive description, subtle links to Sassoon's war poetry. I give it 4/5

Mrs Radcliffe

Vista Academy Littleport

This book is beautifully written. It does not shy away from the realities of war nor from the punishments dealt to those who did not conform to societies expectations in those days. The themes of camaraderie amidst conflict, and enduring hope had me feeling uplifted.

Mrs Muller

Folkestone Academy Readers

I liked the development of the romance but I felt that there weren't many twists.

Libby

HGCSC Library

The romance between the two main characters and how it was a forbidden romance because of the time the book was set in (World War 1). I didn't like the ending as I felt the story shouldn't have had a happy ending.

Laura

HGCSC Library

I loved this story the best. I liked the descriptions and adjectives.

Grace

HGCSC Library