Singlets & Secrets

 
by Joe Chianakas

When Aiden Rothe falls in love with wrestling captain Mateo Hernandez, Aiden doesn’t expect that one day the two will fight in the school’s biggest match in history. But that’s exactly what happens when Aiden’s romantic dreams backfire.

Aiden’s life is full of secrets, and his sexuality is only the tip of the iceberg. Unfortunately, his high school wrestling team views gay and strong as mutually exclusive, but Aiden is determined to prove them wrong. It’s time for a gay athlete to take top prize, if only Aiden wasn’t in love with Mateo, the best wrestler in the school.

Outside of the wrestling room, Aiden finds a mentor in his English teacher, Mr. Samuels. Samuels has a martial arts background, and he teaches Aiden and Mateo private lessons to give them an edge over the other athletes. When Aiden’s honesty backfires with some homophobic teammates, Mr. Samuels steps in to protect him and creates a club for other outsiders. Once word gets around, there’s an exciting new challenge on campus: the state-winning wrestling team against the new martial arts club. And for the main event—Aiden versus Mateo. How can Aiden ever fight his first true love?

Published:
Publisher: Mad Cat
Genres:
Mainstream

About the Author

Joe Chianakas

Joe Chianakas has been an educator for 21 years, the first half as a high school English teacher, the last half as a professor of communication at Illinois Central College. He's published several novels, including his horror series Rabbit in Red, and is working on a new adult horror series, Darkness Calls, with Oghma Creative Media. Under his pen name, NC Nest, he's published a series of LGBTQ YA contemporary books, including Looking for Derek. His next YA LGBTQ series is titled Singlets and Secrets, which will be published by Young Dragons Press.

When he's not teaching or writing, he enjoys spending time with his mini Australian Shepherd, Bailey. Joe loves the outdoors, fitness, reading (of course!), martial arts, travel, and binge-watching TV. He lives in Peoria, IL, with his husband, Brian.

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