A young man is determined that love
...will unlock his dreams and set him free.

In the tradition of J. D. Sallinger (The Catcher in the Rye), John Knowles (A Separate Peace), and William Maxwell (The Folded Leaf) comes an uplifting coming-of-age classic by Fritz Galt (The Secret War, Patient Zero). In this story of leaving behind and new beginnings, a smart and sensitive young man’s clumsy attempts at love cause him to suffer numerous soul-searching setbacks. While he looks for the “right” girl, his best friends leave for college.

Working maintenance at the local hospital, Justin Archer has to take control of his life. He must cast off the trauma of his parents’ ill-fated marriage, navigate the shoals of first love, and venture out of the sanctuary of Summerville to create a role for himself in the world. But how can he do it? The world offers too many tempting but conflicting choices. It seems finding his way will come only from fighting blindly from within.

You will enjoy this “gritty” and “inspirational” novel about matching intellectual and emotional maturity. Using “incisive and evocative” prose, this compelling story will appeal to avid readers of modern fiction.

“Galt is a rising star in the new generation of writers.” - University of Illinois Department of English Honors Committee

If you enjoy or teach closely observed coming of age novels, buy Summerville today.