The Other Brother by Jax Calder. Pub. OneTree House 2022.

First and foremost this novel for Young adults is a romance with a difference because it is about a gay relationship that builds from the beginning to the thankfully satisfying end.

Ryan and Cody are in the same family group but they are not blood relatives. Still their relationship is going to cause havoc within a family setting that has always been volatile.

Cody grows up with Ryan’s step sisters in a moneyed family and is a private school boy who is gifted in music. He has always been resented by Ryan throughout their childhood because Ryan is a state school boy who has never been able to compete with Cody’s situation.

This is all about to change when Cody gets plastered at a party and Ryan takes him home only to be caught by Cody’s parents. At the party Ryan is already known as being gay and he can’t keep his eyes off Cody. Is the attraction mutual you ask yourself?

The relationship gets under way when Mel and Cody are to look after their parents beach house and Ryan is asked to stay. Eventually they are going to be alone and Cody teaches Ryan to play guitar and Ryan teaches Cody how to surf.

They hold a party and Cody becomes aware of Ryan’s sexuality on a day when Ryan has shown incredible character by saving the life of a young boy who has almost drowned. After that the relationship develops amongst family chaos but you will have to read the rest yourself.

Well told in the first person by Ryan which leaves the reader to work out what Cody’s position is and that of their family and friends.

I have never read a story like this before but at the end information is released that will either make you happy or not. I was happy.