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.

4 people found this helpful

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?

3 people found this helpful

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!

2 people found this helpful

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!

1 person found this helpful

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.

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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

1 person found this helpful

Excellent.. until the stupid ending

I don't think I've even felt this disappointed by anything in my entire life!!! This was a phenomenal story and it had so much potential until the author handed the book to his 12 year old brother to finish it!!! How utterly disappointing! I recommend it only so you (the future reader/listener) can see what I mean by this. Honestly, I would buy the rights to the book so I can finish it better. What a ridiculous waste of a spectacular premise!

The danger of secrets.

I liked the book very much as an exercise in secrets and assumptions. Both boys have everyone assume things about them and those assumptions effect their lives and futures. I am very happy about the conclusion of the Heather and Tristan story because in most books there is a unrealistic make up scene that leaves the reader with a WTF moment. The danger of faceless online predators is very much highlighted and I believe is much more common than most people think.

Great story

Great story, narrator read so slowly I had to change the speed to 1.3x just for it to sound normal

Brilliant Story - Ignore The Haters

While I have an affinity for LGBTQIA+ fiction, most of it surrounds m/m romance. This kept getting recommended to me, so I went thinking 2 things - this would be in the m/m romance section (I don’t like spoilers so I skim the blurbs - this backfires a lot).

This isn’t a romance. This IS a love story. A brotherly love story (no, not THAT kind).

Twin boys, one gay - one straight. One is the big hockey star and everyone’s favorite. The other dreams of being a Broadway star, and loves musicals but his family isn’t supportive.

I love getting a surprise lesson in my own prejudices. I thought, “Oh, another story where the poor gay boy has to fight to be seen as worthy just because he loves Broadway and isn’t the boy his parents wanted. *Hits Brakes* Oh! Ummm… sorry about that - the gay kid is the hockey star and the straight brother is the one who loves Broadway musicals.

That was my first surprise, and not the last. There are several places where the author will challenge your preconceived notions, making alterations to what at first seems like a stereotypical type of character. By throwing in these minor challenges to “what most people will probably assume,” it’s a very non-preachy way to remind us we don’t know every damn thing, and we ALL have unconscious bias. But none of that distracts from the story.

While told from the “straight twin’s” POV - it delves deeply into the homophobia of modern male sports, relentless bullying (regardless of sexual orientation) people have to fight through, and how blind you can make yourself to reality, when you really want something.

Bringing in aspects of the brutality kids can face in school to the abject loneliness that causes us to miss ALL the red flags being thrown - Mia had written an incredible story. It’s not perfect… though, I’m not really a fan of perfection anyway.

** Vague Spoiler **

I had to go back several times to understand really how they located each other - the twin connection was kind of mentioned (that it appeared to be absent - and stays that way for most of the story). Then it becomes a major point in the ending arc.

I felt it wasn’t really needed - another machination to find each other would have kept it more “real worldly,” or if you’re going with ESP and twin telepathy - bash me over the head with it. It brushes on this and then the way it’s used feels a little lazy for the end, and then it’s never mentioned again.

That’s just my preference - there’s nothing inherently wrong with it - it just felt like the telepathy thing was used as a way to quickly explain away how one twin could find the other. I prefer either a “strong fantasy” arc - like - as they get closer, they could be practically having full conversations while they try and understand each other - showing where their connections are increasing or fading based on how close they were feeling to each other. That might have been a fun way to note the times where Robbie was pissed (like going from feeling the connection - to finding the connection silent).

Or… get techno-nerd and find him by real means with things like explaining IP tracing and geotagged photos.

It’s a minor annoyance, that takes nothing away from a really talented piece of writing. I’ve read this three times now. I think this would make an amazing Netflix limited series.