Title: We May Be Fractured

Author: Jessica Lascar

Publisher: NineStar Press

Graphic Designer: Denise Bozzo

Release Date: 08/12/2025

Heat Level: 2 – Fade to Black Sex

Pairing: Male/Male

Length: 93850

Genre: Contemporary, #ownvoices, asexual, bisexual, coming of age, contemporary, demisexual, enemies to lovers, found family, friends to lovers, gay, new adult, romance, slow burn, tattoos

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Description

A queer coming-of-age about a grieving teen whose plan to move abroad and find his own “Neverland” is derailed by community service, only for it to lead him on an unintentional journey of self-discovery — navigating love, coming to terms with his demisexuality, and redefining what home truly means. Haunted by the car crash that took his family, eighteen-year-old Aaron is on the brink of fleeing London for Australia. Inspired by his late sister’s dream of working in a wildlife park, he searches for a fresh start — a place he can finally call home. But on the eve of his departure, Aaron is caught with weed at a party, arrested, and sentenced to community service cleaning up the grounds and reviving the gardens of a neglected local retirement centre, anchoring him to the very city he longs to escape. At the centre, Aaron meets an eclectic crew of misfits, including Landon, a fellow young offender with a reputation for trouble. As Aaron spends more time with the group — especially with Landon — he begins to feel a sense of belonging he never expected. Beneath Landon’s tough exterior, Aaron discovers a kindred spirit, someone who sees beyond his scars, both physical and emotional. Through sleeplessness and late-night conversations, a connection sparks unlike anything Aaron has ever known. For the first time, he feels attracted to someone. Just as Aaron begins to embrace his demisexuality, Landon’s difficult past resurfaces, threatening their fragile relationship. Torn between honouring his sister’s memory and staying with Landon, Aaron must decide where his true “Neverland” lies: in Australia or right where he is.

Excerpt

We May Be Fractured Jessica Lascar © 2025 All Rights Reserved Neverland [Now playing » Somewhere I Belong—Linkin Park] Aaron’s cheek scars tingled as he got lost one last time in the Barbican Centre’s maze. But the pendant pressing against his chest gnawed at him more—a haunting reminder of the night he’d survived and a promise waiting to be fulfilled. He yanked his hood low, adjusted his earphones, and claimed his usual spot on a low wall. With one knee hugged to his chest and the other leg dangling, his faded black canvas trainers tapped out a rhythm in the air above the deserted courtyard. Surrounded by the stillness of the fountains and the ghostly playground, the song’s melody began to untangle his thoughts, knotted like the strings of his hoodie. In less than twenty-four hours, he’d be in Australia, soaking up the magic of the Southern Lights and taking care of koalas and other wild critters. It felt unreal that the trip was happening after being on hold for what seemed like forever. First, he’d completed school, then exams, and he’d even hung around for those A levels and uni interviews. Not that he was into it, as he couldn’t care less. It was all to keep Aunt Olivia off his back. She was convinced he was taking a gap year, after all. But the truth? He’d be leaving for good, with no plans to return. As the last notes faded away, muffled silence swallowed Aaron. The eerie calm, a stark contrast to London’s typical hustle, amplified the very thoughts he’d been attempting to quiet. He grasped his necklace, fingers tracing the jagged edges of the pendant’s glass. The uneven texture grounded him. Taking a deep breath, Aaron pulled out his phone and opened the call log: Tori Tori Tori Each unanswered call echoed his growing desperation. Shivers ran down his spine. A name shouldn’t wield such power. But it did. With a shaky thumb, Aaron pressed the call button and held the phone close to his chest, waiting. Once again, Tori’s familiar voicemail message greeted him. Hey there, it’s Tori. Can’t find my phone…as usual! But leave a message after the beat and maybe—just maybe—I’ll get back to you! The chorus of “Something Just Like This” by The Chainsmokers and Coldplay hummed in the background. Not his favourite tune, but its catchy melody often played on a loop in his mind. “Hey, Tori, it’s me, Aaron,” he said, his voice rough and choked as if he’d downed a shot of vodka. “I keep hoping you’ll answer one of these days. I wanted to tell you that tomorrow, I’m leaving and not coming back. I’m heading to the place we always dreamed of, far away from everything and everyone. You remember, right? Our Neverland.” He paused, his throat tightening as memories of that imagined future flooded back. “I wish you were coming with me, but—” An incoming call cut off his message, and Cliff’s image, grinning as he clutched a bottle of tequila, flashed on the screen. After a moment’s hesitation, Aaron answered the call with, “What now?” “You sorted for tonight’s party?” Cliff’s voice buzzed with excitement, and Aaron pictured him bouncing on the balls of his feet. Oh, right, the costume party. It had slipped Aaron’s mind as his great journey loomed over everything. “I’ll pass,” he replied curtly. “Don’t be such a mood killer! Afraid you’ll bump into your ex?” Cliff teased. Aaron straightened, feet planted firmly on the ground. “For the last time, she wasn’t my girlfriend. We hooked up. Once.” It wasn’t even that great. “Come on, mate. It’s your last night here.” “I’m off to Australia tomorrow, and—” “All the more reason. One last wild night. See you in a bit.” Without waiting for a response, Cliff ended the call. He was always the life of the party, always pushing Aaron out of his comfort zone. But as Aaron’s gaze lingered on the Barbican Centre’s vastness, a hard realisation struck him: this was, indeed, his last night in London. Aaron sighed, something between giving in and gearing up hanging in the crisp air. He stared at the three huge concrete blocks cutting sharply against the sky, their jagged edges slicing through the fluffy clouds above. He’d always been fascinated by those brutalist giants, with their bold, no-nonsense lines. They took him straight to the world of sci-fi movies as he got lost in the grid patterns of the surrounding buildings, scanning the balconies arranged in a gravity-defying architectural ballet. The place never got old, no matter how many times Aaron came here. He’d often scratched his head over the maze-like layout. He could see where he wanted to go, but getting there always involved a mad dash of ups, downs, and loads of twists and turns. He figured some genius had dreamed up the structure, an endless loop that always spat him back where he started. The sky-high walkways didn’t make things any easier, linking identical buildings, distinguished only by the occasional plant hanging on the railing. How odd to see bits of green in such a grey landscape. It seemed out of place. Much like himself. But for Aaron, the combination of green and grey had its own charm. It made him think of places from myths and bedtime stories reminiscent of the Hanging Gardens of Babylon. A place as fantastical as Neverland. A brief smile crossed his face, but it didn’t stick around for long. It was time to say goodbye—to the city, to this life, and maybe even to Tori. His phone buzzed again in his pocket, but this time, a message from Aunt Olivia flashed on the screen. Aunt Olivia: Coming back for dinner? Dragging his feet, Aaron made his way towards the exit. He couldn’t help but chuckle when he passed a bewildered group trying to navigate the maze of pathways. Once he stepped outside, the familiar noise of the city hit him—the constant buzz of traffic, bursts of laughter spilling out from nearby pubs, and the occasional distant wail of an ambulance siren. Heading to the Tube station, Aaron moved mechanically, phone in hand to swipe through the turnstile, a quick dash down the left side of the escalator, and an agile pivot towards the platform where the train would whisk him back to Aunt Olivia’s.

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Meet the Author

Born in Boston (USA) and raised in Naples (Italy), Jessica has always had a desire to explore beyond borders, leading her to live in Japan, the Netherlands, Germany, and now the UK. These experiences have given her a deep appreciation for different cultures and a sense of being a true citizen of the world. Writing is her way of making sense of things—a space to explore the complexities of identity and belonging. During the pandemic, she rediscovered this passion, leading to the publication of her first YA novel in Italy, Love is a Mess, which won the Italian Wattys Award in 2021. For the past 11 years, Jessica has called London home, and the city’s rich diversity inspires her to dive deeper into LGBTQ+ themes in her stories, with a special focus on the asexual spectrum, reflecting her own experience as demisexual. When she’s not writing, Jessica brings her creativity to the fintech world as a digital product designer. She’s also on a mission to perfect the art of sourdough baking and stays busy as the chief tin-opener for her two cats.

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