Lena S. May

The Signs We Missed

Sanity is fragile – especially if your guardian angel, your love interest, and your worst trigger happen to be the same person.

Thrown out by his mother, 17-year-old Luke hopes to overcome his narcotic addiction and depression by changing his surroundings. At his new school, he quickly becomes friends with Sean, but finding that his developing feelings aren’t returned, Luke retreats into old habits. Determined to hide his self-injurious behavior and an advancing eating disorder, he soon risks much more than a broken heart.

When Sean meets Luke, the last thing on his mind is falling in love with a boy. Grappling with his own conflicting emotions and trying to keep them from his suspicious girlfriend, he brushes off Luke’s strange behavior. But when Luke suddenly cuts him off, Sean is forced to confront the truth and take action to save his best friend.

The Signs We Missed addresses a range of topics that may be disturbing or triggering for some readers. As the following list is not necessarily exhaustive for everyone’s needs, reader discretion is advised.

Depression

Disordered eating

Drug abuse, addiction

Forced prostitution

Homophobia

Physical violence

Self-harm

Sexual assault

Suicide

Withdrawal

Published on 2 August 2022 by Cinnabar Moth Publishing LLC

Cover by Ira Geneve

ISBN: 978-1-953971-44-9 (Paperback)
ISBN: 978-1-953971-45-6 (Hardcover)
ISBN: 978-1-953971-46-3 (EPUB)

Selected Reviews

The Signs We Missed could have been just another (queer) lovestory. But it’s not. May added different topics of current relevance in a balanced, remarkable way.

J M

This is kind of a heartbreaking story about unrequited love and decisions between heart and mind.

A I

The author takes the reader into a world of self harm, loss of self respect and eating disorders but avoids any sensationalism whilst helping the reader to understand why each behaviour might appear to be the only choice available.

S T

A really catching, illuminating, sometimes heartbreaking but hopeful novel

S K

Love the characters. This story has such a different feel to it. I would recommend it.

M B

This is not a light book in any sense. It does not involve assassins or the mafia but it is high angst and a beautifully written story of a romance between a broken person and a more loved person.

P J

A turbulent story that closely follows our main characters Luke and Sean, I found myself immersed in the storyline because of this different narrative and different vantage point.

A V

An emotional, heart-breaking, and heart-warming coming of age story of two friends with unconditional love. You'll definitely cry at Luke's story and fall in love with Sean. You'll definitely cry at Luke's story and fall in love with Sean.

J R

A perfect debut! It's a very well-written and a very challenging book. If you're expecting a cute romance that is not it. Yet I encourage you to stay.

K B

It's an impressive debut novel that doesn't shy away from deep and controversial topics, but never overdone and does not succumb to a point where the traumatic things are just there to make things worse.

M K