Yancy Bell was bullied in high school for being a yellowbelly, not because of any cowardice, but because of his nervous bladder condition. It’s Yancy’s first year in college, and he’s hoping to make a fresh start.
Three days before Christmas, the campus is empty. Having to pee on a midwinter night leads Yancy to meet Curt Donovan huddled in a dark shower stall. Curt’s a troubled jock whose coming out went badly, so he plans to end it all.
But Yancy adamantly refuses to let Curt go through with his irrevocable plan. With just one dark night to talk Curt around, Yancy has to win the trust of a stranger who only sees one way out.
Professional Reviews
5 Hearts - Prime's Review
I am not a stranger to Susan Laine’s writing and Yellowbelly Hero has to be my favourite book that I’ve read so far from her.
The story line is fairly simple, exactly as you read in the blurb, but it is full of emotion and well paced. Yancy, who has a bladder disorder of some sort, finds jock, Curt contemplating suicide while he waits out the days until his parents pick him up from college for Christmas.
Yancy is a complete and utter sweetheart who immediately starts talking to Curt to find out what was happening that led him to hiding out in the bathroom stall in the boys’ dorms. Curt is a senior who is confused and has been sorting out his sexuality, while Yancy, who is a couple of years younger, is comfortable being different (let’s just add gay on top of his bladder issues) but he doesn’t particularly advertise from the roof tops.
These guys are two contrasting characters who just click. There isn’t a lot of angst, despite the thoughts of suicide from one character, but I like how the issues have been dealt with. However, I must add that the way this has been written, Laine has left a lot open the subsequent books. I think we have a lot to look forward to in the future in terms of getting to know both Curt and Yancy more.
Yellowbelly Hero only really just scratched at the surface.
The short of it is that I cannot wait for book two! There is a lot of space for these guys to develop more, both as young men and as a possible romantic couple. I read the sneak peek and – Sweet Jesus – I want to read it now!!!
This is a heartbreakingly familiar world where similar stories to that of Curt’s is all too common, but I loved the way in which the story has been told.
5 Stars - Tosha's Review
This is a short story that is too close to being a reality for so many in this situation. Susan Laine held nothing back in this story when it came to the emotions of feeling so utterly alone, useless, and pretty much numb inside. This is a story about Curt feeling all these emotions and so much more that he felt as if he nothing left to live for.
Yancy is s very brave individual because he could have looked the other way or turned and walked away without giving it a second thought. He could have thought to himself that this is not his problem so who cares but he didn’t. Yancheng felt as if something was wrong and knew he could not leave it as it was. He did not have a clue what he was walking into but he choose to be a decent human being and offered his help. That is what makes him a hero because he did not let the fact that Curt could have possibly tried to harm him stand in the way of offering friendship and an ear and shoulder to cry on. He was there when no one else was.
I stated in the beginning of this post that this book could be a reality and I feel that is a true statement on my part because there are so many people out there in the world that feel as if they have nothing to live for and I think that it is very commendable of Susan Laine to put this situation into a story for others to read because so many people are scared or turn a blind eye on topics of sensitive nature such as this story. And this story was done with such compassion. It is truly an amazing read.
4 Stars - Gabbi's Review
Anyone who has followed my reviews knows that I really love Susan Laine’s stories. Her heroes are always unique and sexy and I love the world that she creates for them.
Yancy is definitely a sweet and sexy hero. He is a self-proclaimed geek in the first year of college. Yancy is also very smart and has a heart as big as the ocean. I loved his compassionate, loving side and I was immediately wrapped up into the story he had to tell.
Although Yancy is a cutie pie, he does suffer from having a nervous bladder. This has caused him to be quite bashful and anxious at times. He’s been teased throughout the years because of it and although in many ways he’s come out of the bullying experience a stronger person for it, he still has a lot of anxiety when it comes to how people will react to his condition.
When he unexpectedly meets Curt, he is compelled to help him despite his worry of being around people who truly do not know and understand him. It is because Yancy has been through so much himself, he is able to immediately see that Curt is hurting and needs help. It is because of Yancy’s compassion and persistence that Curt is able to open up to him so quickly and see Yancy as the sweet and cute man he is.
I really liked this couple. This book is in the beginning stages of their meeting and possible relationship. It is easy to see how well they could fit together and hope they are able to do so. Curt still has MANY things to work out and even Yancy has issues of his own too, but I can see already see that this series will be an addictive one to read.
The ending is quite abrupt and I hated that the book was over just when it was getting good, but you can bet I’ll be reading the next installment, Yellow Streak as soon as it is out. Susan Laine fans will definitely love this book and this couple and I know they will be as anxious to read the next book in the series too!
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