“As devastating as it is heart-warming, Harker Jones crafts a story that brings together all the best parts of a coming-of-age romance. Until September is a true page-turner, moves quickly while still cutting deeply. Throughout the story, Jones’s prose is effortless and expressive, subtly infusing the pages with a sense of lyrical beauty. Although the narrative unquestionably shines, the characters are the crown jewel. With a cast of ultimately flawed but lovable teenagers, the plot is driven by their deep-rooted characterization. — The BookLife Prize
“Novelist and screenwriter Harker Jones is someone you should know. The Los Angeles–based writer and editor has charmed readers with his first published novel, the beautiful and tender gay coming-of-age story Until September, a book about first love and the fragile nature of friendship.” — The Advocate
“Until September by Harker Jones is an impressive novel with complex, relatable characters. He addresses plenty of existential questions without imposing burdensome answers on his readers. The novel’s conclusion was quite moving, which you rarely find in other stories addressing this theme. This is a solid tale about youth, memories, heartaches, and choices. It sounds simple, but reading it will make you discover that it is far more profound.” — Readers’ Favorite, 5 out of 5 rating
I was so young when it all began that the blame hardly feels like mine. …”
In the lull between the conservative ’50s and the turbulent ’60s, Kyle Ryan Quinn, an introspective, sentimental boy, leads a golden life. He’s rich, beautiful and smart, and he vacations each year on the same island with the same circle of friends: entitled Adonis Trent; acerbic Claudia; practical Dana; and frivolous Carly. Haunted by the ghosts of a tragedy that took place in his youth, Kyle is more sensitive than his privileged friends. He understands loss, and secrets.
When he meets Jack Averill, a quiet, bookish boy, his fateful 18th summer on the island, Kyle falls hopelessly, heedlessly in love. As he befriends and attempts to woo Jack — and tries to integrate him into his tight-knit yet troubled circle — he’s pursued himself by another summer boy, Trey, who will stop at nothing to win Kyle’s love, all while Trent toys with the affections of an island girl. Amid mounting familial, sexual and peer pressures, all four young men make heartbreaking decisions that will steal their innocence, destroy lives and consume them forever.
About the Author
Hello! Thanks for checking out “Until September.”
I grew up on a dirt road in Michigan and started writing when I was 13. I was inspired to write “Until September” while I was suffering an unrequited crush on a beautiful boy. He was lovely and kind, but he was with someone else, so I channeled my emotions into a book.
I now live in LA, where I’ve taken up screenwriting, having adapted my first novel, a mystery-thriller, into a screenplay called “Never Have I Ever.” I have seven completed feature scripts, focusing mostly on comedy and horror. My first two short scripts, “Cole & Colette” and “One-Hit Wonder,” have been produced (one of them won a contest and the other was purchased) and accepted into a combined 63 film festivals, winning several awards.
I’m the book reviews editor of the literary journal Gertrude Press. If you’d like to support queer arts, consider becoming a patron at https://www.patreon.com/GertrudePress.
Additionally, I’m a member of the Los Angeles Drama Critics Circle, I have an Emmy-winning producer for a partner, and we’re the proud parents of a demon-cat named Holly (whose adventures you can follow on IG @hollywood.jones). I love horror movies, cats, autumn, and carbs, and I’m a card-carrying member of Mensa.
If you’d like to follow my adventures, you can find me at:
IG: @harker_j
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/UntilSeptemberBook/
Cheers!
Harker Jones
Elizabeth McKenna 