Like a Love Story is a young adult novel by Abdi Nazemian, released in 2019. Set in New York City, 1989, amidst the AIDS crisis, the novel offers a poignant exploration of queer identity, love, and activism. Through the interconnected lives of its three teenage protagonists–Reza, an Iranian immigrant grappling with his sexuality; Judy, an aspiring fashion designer; and Art, a proudly out teen and Judy’s best friend–the story explores themes of truth, deception, and the fight for love and self-expression in an era marked by fear and discrimination.
When the story opens, Reza has just moved to New York City from Toronto with his mother and new stepfather and stepbrother, and is determined to hide the fact that he is gay. At school, Reza befriends Judy and Art, and soon gets tangled up in a complex romantic web. Judy unwittingly becomes Reza’s girlfriend, even as Reza harbors feelings for Art. The novel examines Reza’s struggle with his identity and the impact on his relationship with Judy and Art, highlighting his journey to self-acceptance and coming out amidst societal challenges. Additionally, through the lens of Art’s photography and activism, as well as Judy’s personal connections to the AIDS epidemic through her activist gay uncle, Like a Love Story pays homage to the resilience and solidarity of the queer community during one of its most devastating crises.
Acclaimed for its heartfelt narrative, richly drawn characters, and evocative portrayal of a critical period in queer history, Like a Love Story is recognized as an important addition to both YA and LGBTQ+ literature. It was named a Stonewall Honor Book in Children's and Young Adult Literature in 2019, earned a place on the American Library Association’s Best Fiction for Young Adults Top Ten for 2020, and was a 2020 Audie Award finalist in the Young Adult category. In 2021, Like a Love Story was named by TIME magazine as one of the 100 Best YA Books of All Time.
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About the author
Abdi Nazemian
Abdi Nazemian is an Iranian-American author, screenwriter, and producer known for his compelling contributions to both literature and the film industry. In 2015, his debut novel, The Walk-In Closet, received widespread acclaim, winning the Lambda Literary Award for Debut Fiction. He went on to write three significant young adult novels—The Authentics (2017), Like a Love Story (2019), and The Chandler Legacies (2022). Like a Love Story, a poignant tribute to queer history and love, won a Stonewall Honor and was recognized by TIME magazine as one of the 100 Best YA Books of All Time.
Born in Iran in 1976, Nazemian spent his childhood living in various global cities, including Tehran, Paris, Toronto, and New York. He is an alumnus of Choate Rosemary Hall, where his passion for writing first blossomed. He holds a bachelor's degree from Columbia University and an MBA from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). In addition to his novels, he has written for television shows such as NBC's Ordinary Joe, Fox’s Almost Family, and NBC’s The Village as well as six films, including The Artist’s Wife (2020), Menendez: Blood Brothers (2017), The Quiet (2006), and Revolution (2012). As the Head of Development for Water’s End Productions, he has had a hand in producing or executive producing films including the acclaimed Call Me By Your Name.
Nazemian currently lives in Los Angeles with his husband and two children, holding dual citizenship in the United States and Canada. He humorously claims to be the inspiration behind Madonna’s children’s book, The Adventures of Abdi.
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