In 1934, life in Brookburn, Indiana, is quiet, simple, and peaceful, but young dreamer Levi Beckerman yearns for more. When the carnival shows up for the Fourth of July, he’s entranced by its many temptations. None is more seductive than the charismatic barker, Sebastian Gustineau.<br><br>Seb’s been a part of the carnival for almost a decade. Once, it provided him the escape he needed from a life he thought he didn’t want, but now, he craves things it can never offer. Flitting from dusty town to dusty town, he loses himself in pretty dalliances. Levi seems like the perfect distraction, until a single conversation convinces him that preserving Levi’s innocence and way of life is more important than his momentary satisfaction.<br><br>However, his plan to discourage Levi goes horribly wrong. When Levi’s family is threatened, Levi fights to protect them, doing what he can to hide the secrets he’s sheltered his entire life. The only person he trusts is Seb. He just isn’t sure if the growing bond between them is enough to save them all.

A Simple Charm

“I know what you do for people. How they look like they’ve heard the best sermon ever just from spending some time with the games and the rides.” Though they were already almost touching, Levi edged even nearer, practically tasting Seb’s quick breath. “I can do it, too. It’s what I’ve wanted my whole life. You don’t know what it’s like, living someplace where you have to pretend all the time. Where being different means everybody notices everything about you, so you have to try even harder to fit in or else it gets worse. If I come with you, I don’t have to do that anymore. Why’s that so bad?”


Chapter 11