• Jerkbait

  • By: Mia Siegert
  • Narrated by: Raviv Ullman
  • Length: 7 hrs and 34 mins
  • 4.4 out of 5 stars (360 ratings)

Prime logo Prime members: New to Audible?
Get 2 free audiobooks during trial.
Pick 1 audiobook a month from our unmatched collection.
Listen all you want to thousands of included audiobooks, Originals, and podcasts.
Access exclusive sales and deals.
Premium Plus auto-renews for $14.95/mo after 30 days. Cancel anytime.
Jerkbait  By  cover art

Jerkbait

By: Mia Siegert
Narrated by: Raviv Ullman
Try for $0.00

$14.95/month after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

Buy for $19.95

Buy for $19.95

Pay using card ending in
By confirming your purchase, you agree to Audible's Conditions of Use and Amazon's Privacy Notice. Taxes where applicable.

Publisher's summary

Even though they're identical, Tristan isn't close to his twin Robbie at all - until Robbie tries to kill himself. Forced to share a room to prevent Robbie from hurting himself, the brothers begin to feel the weight of each other's lives, on the ice and off. Tristan starts seeing his twin not as a hockey star whose shadow Tristan can't escape, but a struggling gay teen terrified about coming out in the professional sports world. Robbie's future in the NHL is plagued by anxiety and the mounting pressure from their dad, coach, and scouts, while Tristan desperately fights to create his own future, not as a hockey player, but a musical theatre performer. As their season progresses and friends turn out to be enemies, Robbie finds solace in an online stranger known only as "Jimmy2416". Between keeping Robbie's secret and saving him from taking his life, Tristan is given the final call: sacrifice his dream for a brother he barely knows, or pursue his own path. How far is Robbie willing to go - and more importantly, how far is Tristan willing to go to help him?

©2016 Mia Siegert (P)2016 Audible, Inc.

More from the same

What listeners say about Jerkbait

Average customer ratings
Overall
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    234
  • 4 Stars
    76
  • 3 Stars
    30
  • 2 Stars
    12
  • 1 Stars
    8
Performance
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    253
  • 4 Stars
    62
  • 3 Stars
    22
  • 2 Stars
    1
  • 1 Stars
    0
Story
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    211
  • 4 Stars
    75
  • 3 Stars
    24
  • 2 Stars
    12
  • 1 Stars
    15

Reviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.

Sort by:
Filter by:
  • Overall
    1 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    1 out of 5 stars

Why fatphobia why

I wish I could say that getting only five minutes into a book and quitting due to fatphobia was a first, but... This book took the cake (fat person joke!), though, by saying fat people should be suicidal. Yikes, author. Yikes.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

6 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Makes Identicle Twins Stand Out

Would you consider the audio edition of Jerkbait to be better than the print version?

I was amazed to see so many characters, including identical twins, stand out with their own voices and personalities. I didn't have a problem telling anyone apart or remembering who was who. The story sucked me in and took me on a ride that allowed my imagination to fly free.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

I was so moved by the portrayal of Tristan and Robbie, their connection and the progression of their relationship. When Robbie breaks down and is reaching out to Tristan but Tristan just can't bring himself to say anything to his brother--that's the part that got me the most. The raw emotion in the narrator's voice, the helplessness, brought me to tears.

Any additional comments?

JERKBAIT is a gripping and beautifully written story that starts off strong and doesn’t let go until the final epilogue. Even then, you’ll be in tears, wishing it didn’t end. Mia Siegert granted me a copy of the Audible audiobook, which I highly recommend everyone check out. I loved it so much that I immediately downloaded the Kindle e-book from Amazon.

I’m a huge fan of LGBTQ+ books that aren’t strictly “issue books.” Mia Siegert takes LGBTQ+ themes, brings them to light, but makes the novel about so much more than the issues of homophobia and coming out. JERKBAIT deals with racism, predators, first loves, gay stereotypes, homophobia in sports, targeted bullying, fake friends, parental pressure to succeed, sibling rivalry, and so much more.

I’ve had the pleasure of speaking to the author about her novel, and she told me certain parts were Tristan’s story and certain parts were Robbie’s. I read JERKBAIT as someone who has experienced life from Robbie’s point of view: a person living with mental illness and constantly seeking help through whatever (destructive) means possible only to be ignored. I was the kid in the family asking for help, admitting that I didn’t have control, and being told “I’ll be fine.” But it won’t. Unless something is done and people talk, it’ll only get worse. We see the progression of Robbie’s mental state decline and that no matter how many shallow precautions his parents take to prevent another suicide attempt, they’re no replacement for therapy.

It was fascinating to take a step back and think about what other people in these situations are going through and how they cope. Tristan explains, “I wanted to argue with Dad, to yell at him, but I couldn’t. He wouldn’t listen to me.” The parents don’t want to admit that their child is flawed. The siblings can only do so much without risking their parents’ wrath. While one person in pain is crying out, those around them can feel as if their hands are tied because of outside pressures. Several factors go into the Betterby’s decision not to seek professional help: needing to put on a front for family and sports’ scouts and wanting to avoid the stigma a mental health diagnosis can bring. They decide to pretend like everything’s fine, and that’s never a solution to a long-term problem.

Robbie is constantly telling his identical twin brother Tristan that “I can’t do it. You’re not listening! No one fucking listens!” Tristan sees Robbie putting on the classic show and pretending like nothing has ever happened. Robbie acts like didn’t try to commit suicide or that he’s not miserable away from school. Around their teammates, he’s perfectly fine. That’s what he’s expected to be, fine. As the reader, you may or may not have picked up on the subtle hints as to what’s really going on with Robbie—I was practically screaming as Tristan to get a clue—but Tristan is slow to piece the parts together.

The characters of Robbie and Tristan’s parents really hit home. Siegert tackles issues teenagers are dealing with that many adults don’t want to see, including domestic abuse which doesn’t just come from the parents but from his brother as well.

This is something I’ve also personally experienced. It happens. People don’t talk about it because there’s this siblings-are-going-to-fight mentality. Again, it’s not okay. It’s not okay to ignore one child for another or to allow one child’s temper to rage and beat up on the other one because they’re special or they have a problem containing themselves. I hope adults and teens alike will read JERKBAIT and see these actions for what they are, abuse.

But JERKBAIT is about the evolution of character. Siegert provides a beautiful dynamic between the two passions of the Betterby twins. Tristan loves musicals and performing on stage while Robbie is devoted to hockey. They are both very talented in their fields, but only one (Robbie) is supported by their parents. In an ironic twist of fate, Tristan is the one who is bullied by his teammates and called queer when they discover he likes musical theater.

In JERKBAIT get a sneak peek into the boy’s locker room, which has this strange homoerotic tension that goes unspoken between the players. It’s okay to flaunt yourself and make crude gestures or jokes—as long as you’re not really gay. The moment a person is, well, that’s crossing the line. Then, everyone has to jump into ultra-masculine mode and prove their heterosexuality or risk being called out. High school locker rooms are terrible for everyone. Let’s all admit it: no one really felt comfortable in changing rooms as a teenager. As Tristan puts it, “locker room homophobia could make anyone’s life miserable.” But it’s about more than homophobia. Certain hockey players cite religion and others blame sexuality as reasons to ostracize and torment a gay teammate, as if it’s perfectly fine because they have their reasons.

What really drives the novel is the progression of Robbie and Tristan’s relationship. They start out as strangers who have been hiding secrets from one another, sides of their personalities that they haven’t dared to share with anyone in their family. Tristan is tasked with watching over Robbie while the hockey season plays out so he can be drafted. It’s all about rankings and draft picks for their parents. There is an enormous amount of pressure on Robbie’s shoulders to be perfect, be the star athlete—the golden child. Meanwhile, Tristan is forced to sacrifice his health and happiness to further his brother’s career. At the same time, this isn’t what’s best for Robbie. When you see the two brothers come together and sharing truths, that’s when the most progress is made.

You have two imperfect characters living imperfect lives in a dysfunctional family. Through this comes a story that’s believable and highly relatable for anyone who is has struggled with issues at least once in their life. These can be issues of homophobia, mental illness, domestic abuse, neglect, pressure, or bullying. JERKBAIT also provides an excellent opportunity to stand back and look through the lens as an outsider. Think about how others are feeling in similar situations and how you can help. What can we all do to be better?

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

4 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    2 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    1 out of 5 stars

Not worth your time

This story was “okay” until the last hour. It became almost unbearable. The story itself is filled with traumatic moments about being a gay athlete in high school and parents who are at best emotionally abusive and negligent. The last hour was totally unnecessary.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Do not judge this book by its title!

I’m so glad I read this. Initially I found the start a bit slow. I actually put it down for a while but recently gave it another chance. A few chapters in second time around and I was hooked.
This is an excellent portrayal of the difficulties many gay athletes experience. It’s honest and beautiful. Lovable characters and stereotypes are shattered. Well done. Highly recommend it to anyone!

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    3 out of 5 stars

Just toxic people

Honestly This book brought out my homicidal side because I just thought that most the characters in this book did not deserve to live especially the parents they had no right to be parents

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    1 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    1 out of 5 stars

Only good part was the performance

Not only does this fat shame but this is also a terribly edited story. Would never read again.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    3 out of 5 stars

Left with a slight sense of hope

I had higher hopes going into this book. unfortunately for me it fell a little flat. I was expecting more emotion in a book that surrounds a set of twins where one attempted suicide. Unfortunately I didn't end up with all that much emotion regarding that at all. the only emotion I felt from this book was anger towards the parents (like legitimately they disgust me) and a slight sense of hope at the end that Robbie was going to be alright in the long run.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    1 out of 5 stars

LGBTQ adjacent

this isn't an LGBTQ book, it's about suicide and a straight brother dealing with his gay suicidal brother, the main character regularly talks about the girl he likes and stereotypes the gay characters, missed the mark,

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Loved it!

I finished this story in one day. I absolutely loved it. It was one of those stories where I was sad that it was over. The performance was great, the story was intriguing and captivating. I’m jealous of everyone who is listening to this for the first time!

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    3 out of 5 stars

A lot of horrible people

The story is okay but the horrible characters are disturbing. For example the evil best friend is so horrible it's almost impossible. I almost didnt finished it.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful