Andersen Press signs William Hussey 'heart-rending wartime love story'

Set in 1916, in the lead-up to the Battle of the Somme, The Boy I Love follows 19-year-old Stephen, a young officer returning to the trenches to lead his platoon. When Stephen meets young Private Danny McCormick, their connection is undeniable. "Determined to protect Danny, Stephen must face down the prejudices and ignorance of his superiors as well as the onslaught of German shells and sniper fire."

Hussey commented: "Working with my incredible editor Charlie Sheppard and the whole team at Andersen Press on The Boy I Love has been an honour and delight. Together, we’ve shared this epic three-year journey to bring a heart-rending wartime love story to readers. I don’t want to give too much away, but realising the world of Stephen and Danny has been a labour of love, from years of meticulous research to crafting the central relationship and bringing to life the camaraderie, passion and horror of a romance flowering in the shadow of the Battle of the Somme." 

Sheppard added: "For a long time I had been looking for a teen love story set in the trenches. But I wanted it written by a gay man and I wanted it well-researched and heartbreakingly written. When I met Bill, I knew my search was over and that he was going to write an astonishing book."