Genre: Literary Fiction, LGBTQ+ Romance, Coming-of-age
What if a single summer made you question everything you thought you knew about yourself?
Have you ever looked back at a summer and thought, That was the moment it all changed? Maybe it wasn’t dramatic—no fireworks, no epiphanies—but something in the air, the light, the way someone said your name for the first time (or the last) quietly rewrote your insides.
That’s the kind of ache Until September delivers.
Harker Jones doesn’t write a story so much as he time-travels you into memory. You’re not just reading about Kyle Ryan Quinn—you know him. A privileged, sensitive teen, Kyle arrives on an island where the days smell like salt and lavender and every second stretches long enough for feelings to ferment. He meets Jack Averill, and here’s where things get interesting—not in a rom-com “meet-cute” kind of way, but in that stillness that sometimes precedes a storm. Or maybe a rebirth.
There’s no formula here. No dramatic declarations. No shallow dramatics. Just two people, orbiting each other with all the quiet tension of a tide about to change.
At one point, Kyle watches Jack from a distance—just watches—and it hit me like a truck. Not because anything happened, but because everything did. In that stillness is vulnerability so sharp it makes you want to look away and stare harder all at once. Who hasn’t stood just outside of love, trying to decipher the rules with trembling hands?
But let’s be real—this isn’t a beach read with a twist. If you’re looking for plot twists or cinematic flair, look elsewhere. Until September doesn’t care about keeping you entertained—it wants to keep you honest. It asks you to slow down and sit with yourself, your memories, your forgotten truths.
What makes Until September special isn’t just its LGBTQ+ lens (though it’s crucial and beautifully rendered)—it’s the way it captures the universal messiness of growing up and falling in love. Quietly. Devastatingly.
This novel didn’t shout at me. It whispered. And then it stayed.
So, if you’ve ever mourned a moment while it was still happening, if you’ve ever loved someone in silence, if you’ve ever stood between the person you are and the one you’re afraid to become—Until September is waiting for you.
Just don’t expect to leave the same.
About the Author
A Multi-Genre Journey: Exploring Screenwriting and Literary Success with Harker Jones
In this interview, award-winning author Harker Jones discusses storytelling’s power to inspire change and inclusion.
Book of Excellence Award
This book is a winner of the Book of Excellence Award.
The Book of Excellence title is a year-round recognition awarded to books that demonstrate exceptional quality, originality, and impact. These works set a high standard in storytelling, creativity, and contribution to culture or thought.
Voting for The World’s Best Book Awards Readers’ Book of the Year title is now closed. The results are below.
Disclaimer: The book reviews on our platform are for informational purposes only and do not constitute professional advice. The views and opinions expressed are those of the writers and do not necessarily reflect the official position of The World’s Best Magazine. We do not offer blanket endorsements, as our goal is to provide thoughtful, objective reviews of award-winning books. While we only publish reviews of books recognized for their excellence, we understand that every reader may engage with them differently. Our reviews highlight each book’s unique aspects, acknowledging its strengths while offering an honest perspective to help readers make informed choices based on their individual tastes and preferences. This approach maintains the integrity of our reviews, respects the work of authors, and ensures the best value for our readers. In all cases, reader discretion is advised.
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