Despite tackling such a heavy subject as depression (and in such an accurate way), this was a surprisingly sweet and heartwarming story. I’m pretty sure YA will never be my go-to genre, but I really enjoyed this book (would’ve enjoyed it more if the MC were ten or so years older, but oh well) and will definitely continue this series. Jayden and Darren were really well drawn and believable characters — very emotionally mature, too — and I loved them together, how they completed and supported one another. Darren’s friends Ethan and Paul were hilarious, I loved this trio’s banter and I hope we’ll see more of them in the future installments. Some events near the end were perhaps a tad too dramatic, but I didn’t mind much.
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This book is a symphony all on its own. Jayden is a 16-year-old student who is bullied for being gay . One day, he stumbles across violin playing, private schoolboy, Darren. Darren is witty, caustic, has the messiest hair Jayden's ever seen....and he's immediately drawn to him.

Once these two boys get together, Jayden realizes there's more to Darren than he initially guessed. Depression lurks at the edges of Darren's life and sometimes takes over to the point that he shuts down. At such a young age, Jayden finds the weight of his boyfriend's depression overwhelming and out of control. But when you love someone, you stay with them and you just keep trying to figure out the best course of action.

Music plays a huge role in this story. Metzger does a wonderful job of illustrating the commitment it takes to be a musician and the way emotions can be all tangled up in our art. Many important issues are covered in this book: bullying, homophobia, self-harm, depression, coming out, parental pressure. And tangled up with all those issues... is a first love that will make your heartache. ( )