Lio Min’s Beating Heart Baby is an “achingly romantic” (Publishers Weekly, starred review) love letter to internet friendships, anime, and indie rock
When artistic and sensitive Santi arrives at his new high school, everyone in the wildly talented marching band welcomes him with open arms. Everyone except for the prickly, proud musical prodigy Suwa, who doesn’t think Santi has what it takes to be in the band.
But Santi and Suwa share painful pasts, and when they open up to each other, a tentative friendship begins. And soon, that friendship turns into something more. . . .
Will their fresh start rip at the seams as Suwa seeks out a solo spotlight, and both boys come to terms with what it'll take, and what they'll have to let go, to realize their dreams?
Genre: Young Adult Romance
When artistic and sensitive Santi arrives at his new high school, everyone in the wildly talented marching band welcomes him with open arms. Everyone except for the prickly, proud musical prodigy Suwa, who doesn’t think Santi has what it takes to be in the band.
But Santi and Suwa share painful pasts, and when they open up to each other, a tentative friendship begins. And soon, that friendship turns into something more. . . .
Will their fresh start rip at the seams as Suwa seeks out a solo spotlight, and both boys come to terms with what it'll take, and what they'll have to let go, to realize their dreams?
Genre: Young Adult Romance
Praise for this book
"Blistering, deeply emo, and shimmering with the messiness of intimacy, Beating Heart Baby is a dizzying, occasionally infuriating, gleefully sexy, and utterly heartfelt exploration of identity, culture, and finding home within your art and in yourself." - Mary H K Choi
"A stunning heartbreak of a novel that will mean so much to so many. I couldn't put it down--following the always tender and often romantic journeys of these beautiful boys. A story about how love can shape you and open up the entire world. Lio Min is a superstar to watch." - Maurene Goo
"A beautiful story about finding family, messy first loves, and the power of music. Beating Heart Baby will break your heart in the best way." - Emiko Jean
"You know that feeling, when you hear your favorite song for the first time? Lio Min has captured it in electrifying prose. Beating Heart Baby reached deep inside me and healed wounds I always assumed I'd be carrying forever." - Adib Khorram
"Beating Heart Baby combines an anime-addled queer coming-of-age with a luxurious, sensual love story. You won't know whether to swoon or seethe with jealousy that you weren't this cool in high school." - Meredith Russo
"An altogether wildly moving story of finding yourself while chasing down dreams, Beating Heart Baby reads like the best kind of love song and leaves you wanting to hit repeat, with chapter after chapter positively humming in your head. And the beating heart of this beautiful novel? A story of love and forgiveness like no other." - Eric Smith
"A peek into the white-hot moment of a music star's birth, written by a seasoned pro who knows this world down to the most intimate gesture. You'll fall hard for this absolute nightmare and his devoted sweaterboy. What a vivid and vital gift to queer teens everywhere." - Peyton Thomas
"A stunning heartbreak of a novel that will mean so much to so many. I couldn't put it down--following the always tender and often romantic journeys of these beautiful boys. A story about how love can shape you and open up the entire world. Lio Min is a superstar to watch." - Maurene Goo
"A beautiful story about finding family, messy first loves, and the power of music. Beating Heart Baby will break your heart in the best way." - Emiko Jean
"You know that feeling, when you hear your favorite song for the first time? Lio Min has captured it in electrifying prose. Beating Heart Baby reached deep inside me and healed wounds I always assumed I'd be carrying forever." - Adib Khorram
"Beating Heart Baby combines an anime-addled queer coming-of-age with a luxurious, sensual love story. You won't know whether to swoon or seethe with jealousy that you weren't this cool in high school." - Meredith Russo
"An altogether wildly moving story of finding yourself while chasing down dreams, Beating Heart Baby reads like the best kind of love song and leaves you wanting to hit repeat, with chapter after chapter positively humming in your head. And the beating heart of this beautiful novel? A story of love and forgiveness like no other." - Eric Smith
"A peek into the white-hot moment of a music star's birth, written by a seasoned pro who knows this world down to the most intimate gesture. You'll fall hard for this absolute nightmare and his devoted sweaterboy. What a vivid and vital gift to queer teens everywhere." - Peyton Thomas
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Used availability for Lio Min's Beating Heart Baby