K. Ancrum

Perfect for fans of Adam Silvera and Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe, this suspenseful queer YA romance from critically acclaimed author K. Ancrum reimagines the tale of Icarus as a star-crossed love story between a young art thief and the son of the man he’s been stealing from—think Portrait of a Thief for YA readers. Icarus Gallagher is a thief. He steals priceless art and replaces it with his father’s impeccable forgeries. For years, one man—the wealthy Mr. Black—has been their target in revenge for his role in the death of Icarus’s mother. To keep their secret, Icarus adheres to his own strict rules to keep people, and feelings, at bay: Don’t let anyone close. Don’t let anyone touch you. And, above all, don’t get caught. Until one night, he does. Not by Mr. Black but by his mysterious son, Helios, now living under house arrest in the Black mansion. Instead of turning Icarus in, Helios bargains for something even more dangerous—a friendship that breaks every single one of Icarus’s rules. As reluctance and distrust become closeness and something more, they uncover the gilded cage that has trapped both their families for years. One Icarus is determined to escape. But his father’s thirst for revenge shows no sign of fading, and soon it may force Icarus to choose: the escape he’s dreamed of, or the boy he’s come to love. Reaching for both could be his greatest triumph—or it could be his downfall.

Icarus

Lindsay

Some of us lead lives that would require suspension of belief from others. The strange, the magical, the devastating, and the unbelievable. You deserve to have someone walk beside you. You deserve outstretched hands. You shouldn't have to live to house secrets. You should be allowed to just live.

"Do you do this on purpose," Luca asked once they started walking again. "Manipulate supply and demand to make being with you feel like a luxury good?"

Hardening yourself to survive has a cost and it takes incredible bravery to begin removing that protection to allow yourself to grow.

𓆩 𓆪

Spend what you need, save what you don’t.

He had just under $7,000 but he wouldn’t feel comfortable until it was $10,000. Couldn’t feel safe until it was $15,000. Couldn’t feel free unless it was $20,000. Enough to start over anywhere in the world.

He was funny and outgoing, girls and guys liked him, he got invited to parties. He just wasn’t allowed to go. It was lonely. He hated it.

If he touched Julian’s neck, he would know what Julian felt like. If he knew what Julian felt like, Icarus was afraid he wouldn’t forget it.

Icarus thought his father was ugly, so he knew he must be ugly too.

Both friendless, but Icarus knew how to make people like him.

Saturday was the only day of the week that was Icarus’s to do whatever he wished. The only thing he wanted was to sleep until this problem fixed itself.

Icarus quotes

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