Donick Walsh and the Reset-Button by Nathaniel Shea

Simon vs the Homo Sapiens Agenda meets a darker version of High School Musical in this fastpaced and addictive story about finding your true self, facing your wrongs and making amends. And maybe finding some new friends and love on the way.

Donick (Nick) Walsh has been the stereotype high school jock for years, harassing anyone being nerdy, different or just in his way. But it wasn’t always like this. Up until Nick was eleven, he had a best friend, Michael Penrose, and was into “dorky things” like Buffy the Vampire Slayer and wondering what it would be like to kiss a boy. Or, more specifically, what it would be like to kiss Michael. When he finally tried it, his father walked in on them, and the horror and anger from his dad put Nick on the toxic, masculine football playing, homophobic track he’s been on ever since.

Michael on his hand never really understood what happened. One day, Nick was his best friend, the next day, Nick punched him in the face and looked at him with resentment, either calling him names or avoiding him entirely. The hurt and bitterness kept growing over the years, and got even worse with Nick suddenly coming back into his life again when getting injured and joining the school revue instead of playing football.

I really loved all the musical theatre references and the wonderful representation, but most of all the complex, fleshed out characters, as well as how the story shows how hard it can be to truly change and grow. Not only for the person trying to grow and make amends, but also for the persons around him. Forgiveness isn’t granted just because you ask for it. The hurt you have caused might just be too much to get over, and you have to find a way to live with yourself for the damage you have caused. It was really great that the story was told in dual POVs, so that both aspects were shown so clearly, and we could see how toxic it can be for the victim as well to refuse to confront the past and let the bitterness control your life.

I did find the “Secret Admirer”-thing a little cheesy and over the top though, and I would have liked to get to see more of Nick’s struggle with his conscience before wanting to hit the reset button. Now we entered the story when he already knew that he wanted to change, with glimpses back to his former mean bully self, but we never really got to be part of the internal character transformation as such. But those are just minor complaints.

All in all, this was an emotional, poignant and addictive story about breaking free from toxic expectations to be your true self, making amends and finding new friends and love. I read this book in one sitting, it was such an easy and fast read, full of wonderful music and theatre references and relatable characters. (Just be aware of the trigger warning for homophobia.)

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC of this book, which I have voluntarily reviewed.

Rating:
4 stars

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(This book will be published on August 15th, 2023.)

​Author info:
Nathaniel Shea