"MOST ANTICIPATED YOUNG ADULT LGBQT+ LITERARY FICTION" —Lambda Literary

"Intriguing and messily realistic..." - Kirkus Reviews

Mark Cooney grows up aware that there is something different about him and hopes that his parents will never find out.

Mark's best friend Dave disappeared when he was thirteen and returned ten years later. Mark became more and more vulnerable as they got closer. It came with a price.

Tormented by his inner demons and refusing to be controlled by anyone, Dave reveals a secret that he has kept since childhood, which leads to a terrible misunderstanding that will have grave consequences for Mark and his family.

The Complexities of Love is a coming-of-age story about Mark as he confronts the truth about his family and his identity.

All he yearns for is for Dave to return his love, but will that happen, or will he find someone else?

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“Intriguing and messily realistic...” — Kirkus Reviews

"Exceptional story. Such a tender romance, with a very gratifying ending. I can't stop talking about it. 100% recommend." — Alex Williams, editor.

"An Australian teen learns about life, hidden love, and family secrets. It’s 1966, and Mark knows he’s different from the other boys, hiding his attraction for his best friend, Dave… 10 years later, [Dave] returns, and when Mark tries to discover the truth behind his absence, upsetting family secrets come to light… Mark’s interest in cooking, future dreams of living openly as a gay man, and desire to make a living as a chef add elements of lightness and hope… The characters deal with trauma, mental illness, and addiction throughout the story... the discussions of family bonds, complex sibling relationships, finding a place to belong, and the reveal of Mark’s family history are intriguing and messily realistic..." — Kirkus Reviews

"Heartbreaking... I found myself rooting for Mark to accept himself... and ultimately find true love. — such a profound novel." — Mario Dell'Olio, author of Forbidden Rome