MacGregor, Maya - The Many Half-Lived Lives of Sam Sylvester

Title: The Many Half-Lived Lives of Sam Sylvester

Author: Maya MacGregor

Genre: Young Adult Fiction

Synopsis:

In this queer contemporary YA mystery, a nonbinary teen with autism realizes they must not only solve a 30-year-old mystery but also face the demons lurking in their past in order to live a satisfying life.

Sam Sylvester feels like they've lived countless lives but haven't found their true self. After a breakup with their longtime girlfriend Dunya, Sam decides to start fresh in a new town. There, Sam encounters Luus, an intriguing young woman who sparks a sense of discovery in Sam. As they explore their connection, Sam grapples with questions of identity, love, and what it means to live a life true to oneself.

Blurb:

Sam Sylvester's not overly optimistic about their recent move to the small town of Astoria, Oregon after a traumatic experience in their last home in the rural Midwest.

Yet Sam's life seems to be on the upswing after meeting several new friends and a potential love interest in Shep, the pretty neighbor. However, Sam can't seem to let go of what might have been, and is drawn to investigate the death of a teenage boy in 1980s Astoria. Sam's convinced he was murdered--especially since Sam's investigation seems to resurrect some ghosts in the town.

Threatening notes and figures hidden in shadows begin to disrupt Sam's life. Yet Sam continues to search for the truth. When Sam discovers that they may be closer to a killer than previously known, Sam has a difficult decision to make. Would they risk their new life for a half-lived one?

LGBTQ+ Themes:

Self-discovery, coming-of-age, non-binary, autism, romance

Relevant Tags:

young adult, fiction, lgbt, self-discovery, new beginnings, romance