We Could Be So Good by Cat Sebastian

At it's heart this is a romance novel. It occasionally veers off its true course into politics, but mostly it stays on the core mission of being a feel good story. It belongs on the shelves of high school libraries, both to offer hope as well as perspective that while things are going in the wrong direction in Red State America, it has been worse. This is about two men who work for a newspaper in New York City in the late 1950s who fall in love. Nick Russo worked his way up the ranks to become a reporter for the Chronicle, a reputable progressive newspaper. As a gay man, he keeps his personal life private. Even outside of work, he’s cautious about his actions since he knows cops regularly throw people like him in jail. Andy Fleming is set to inherit the newspaper from his father, but first he has to get experience by working in the newsroom with Nick. Scatterbrained, amiable Andy becomes unlikely friends with grouchy Nick, but after Andy is jilted by his fiancée and moves in with Nick, their friendship deepens into more. The story is grounded in its time and place with specific New York references, including visits to Yankee Stadium, and thoughtful mentions of real historical heroes and queer media. The hardships queer people faced because of intolerance are present, yet love can be had.