Let me start this review by saying that you need to add this book to your TBR lists right now. Where We Go From Here is the one that broke the curse of me suffering through disappointing contemporary reads. This book will make your heart curl with pain, it will make your heart jump in excitement and romance, and it will make your heart hope for something.
Where We Go From Here is a deeply heartwarming story about friendship, found family, and the journey to overcoming your fears. Above all, it is a highly informative novel that shines light into HIV and aims to stop the stigma that surrounds it. It follows the story of three young men in Brazil, whose lives intertwine because of one significant day at the clinic. Ian just found out he’s HIV-positive, Victor just found out he’s negative, and Henrique has been living with HIV for three years now. Their lives intersect when Victor comforts Ian after they meet at the clinic, and suggests that he should meet Henrique. The story hits it off from there.
The writing style is great and I was impressed with how distinct the characterisation was despite the multiple, alternating point of views. The storyline is light and funny at the right times, but the author is also not afraid to point out the nuances of HIV and the prejudice aimed at those who live with the virus. A few times, though, I felt like the dialogue can go on and the character’s inner thoughts would fade away, which is a setback since I would love to see more of their thoughts and feelings.
What I love most about this book is the three main characters and their perspectives. Ian just found out about his results and he’s scared more than anything. I remember reading some of his early chapters and just feeling so scared as he is. Henrique, on the other hand, has been living with HIV for years now and although he has already overcome the initial fear Ian is feeling, he also has his own struggles with his relationships and the prejudice he deals with. Meanwhile, Victor is happy about his negative results, but conflicted about his and Henrique’s relationship. I found Victor’s perspective particularly interesting because he’s still biased and he still carries the prejudice and the stigma so many people are perpetuating to this day. But as I read through the book, he changes and he tries to understand Henrique, and I love that. Reading the story through their perspectives allowed me to absorb their different lives and see just how people can deal with HIV in different ways.
This book is also very educational. As someone who had little knowledge about HIV prior to reading this book, I welcomed and appreciated all the information I got. There are numerous facts about HIV all throughout the book—about how it actually affects the body, the medicine an HIV-positive person should take, the best practices they should do to control their condition, and more. The author also brought forth the idea that those who have HIV can live great lives, and that they are in fact living great lives. The author did this so wonderfully and I believe whoever reads this book will be enlightened just as I am.
I believe a story such as Where We Go From Here is important and necessary and can make an impact to all kinds of people. Henrique, Victor, and Ian’s stories need to be heard because their stories are those of hundreds and maybe thousands of people as well. This is exactly the story people need to read, whether they are a part of the LGBTQ+ community or not, whether they are HIV positive or not.
Where We Go From Here is available from Amazon, Book Depository, and other good book retailers as of June 2nd 2020.
Will you be picking up Where We Go From Here? Tell us in the comments below!
Synopsis | Goodreads
An absorbing debut novel about three gay young adults in Brazil whose lives become intertwined in the face of HIV, perfect for fans of Adam Silvera and Bill Konigsberg
Ian has just been diagnosed with HIV. Victor, to his great relief, has tested negative. Henrique has been living with HIV for the past three years.
When Victor finds himself getting tested for HIV for the first time, he can’t help but question his entire relationship with Henrique, the guy he has-had-been dating. See, Henrique didn’t disclose his positive HIV status to Victor until after they had sex, and even though Henrique insisted on using every possible precaution, Victor is livid.
That’s when Victor meets Ian, a guy who’s also getting tested for HIV. But Ian’s test comes back positive, and his world is about to change forever. Though Victor is loath to think about Henrique, he offers to put the two of them in touch, hoping that perhaps Henrique can help Ian navigate his new life. In the process, the lives of Ian, Victor, and Henrique will become intertwined in a story of friendship, love, and stigma-a story about hitting what you think is rock bottom, but finding the courage and support to keep moving forward.
Set in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, this utterly engrossing debut by Brazilian author Lucas Rocha calls back to Alex Sanchez’s Rainbow Boys series, bringing attention to how far we’ve come with HIV, while shining a harsh light on just how far we have yet to go.
AMAZING review!!! Instantly added it to my TBR!
Aaahhh! Thank you! I hope you enjoy it as much as I did!