Summer Sons

By Lee Mandelo,

Book cover of Summer Sons

Book description

Lee Mandelo's debut Summer Sons is a sweltering, queer Southern Gothic that crosses Appalachian street racing with academic intrigue, all haunted by a hungry ghost.

Andrew and Eddie did everything together, best friends bonded more deeply than brothers, until Eddie left Andrew behind to start his graduate program at Vanderbilt.…

Shepherd is reader supported. When you buy books, we may earn an affiliate commission.

Why read it?

1 author picked Summer Sons as one of their favorite books. Why do they recommend it?

To be honest, I was a little nervous of the blurb given the emphasis on fast cars and hard drugs, but this book ended up being the sweaty, sultry, sexy, Gothic horror book I didn't know I needed, way more dark academia than drag-racing drug-gang. I particularly appreciated the messy and authentic way in which the main character was allowed to grapple with his identity while processing his grief. I quite liked that no explicit labels were ever applied and that there was a more fluid approach to identity and sexuality in this book. So, if you're into slow-burn southern…

From Xan's list on LGBT+ reads for spooky season.

Want books like Summer Sons?

Our community of 11,000+ authors has personally recommended 100 books like Summer Sons.

Browse books like Summer Sons

5 book lists we think you will like!

Interested in LGBTQ+ topics and characters, suicide, and murder?

Suicide 197 books
Murder 1,059 books