A shy artist. A reckless skater. One secret, passionate summer that will change Gus and Bridger forever.

Scraps: In rural 2003 Montana, two closeted teen boys navigate skateboarding, harsh small-town judgment, and a summer of unexpected young love.

🌈 MM Teen Gay Romance
🏞️ Small-Town Secrets
🌿 Breathtaking Montana Landscapes
🛹 Heart-Pounding Skateboarding Action
🌟 Perfect for fans of Call Me by Your Name, Mid 90s, Heartstopper, Perks of Being a Wallflower, and The Miseducation of Cameron Post.

When Gus Shepard’s quiet artistic life is upended by his mother’s death in 2003, he’s sent to the rural town of Livingston, Montana, to live with his estranged woodworking father. For Gus, it’s a place filled only with grief, painful childhood memories, and too much sawdust—until he meets Bridger Owens, a local skateboarder with a rebellious streak.

Drawn together by a deal—Gus will build Bridger a handcrafted board in exchange for skateboarding lessons—the two form an unexpected bond, inspiring each other to reach for bigger goals and make the most of their short summer. What starts as friendship soon blossoms into a tender romance they must keep hidden in a town where everyone already knows each other’s secrets.

In a town this small, escaping feels impossible.
Being… gay? Unthinkable.

Immediately suspicious, Bridger’s jealous skate crew leader, Max Stevens, resents Gus and his growing closeness to his best friend. And the coolest skater girl in Livingston, Tara Shae, senses that Gus, like her, doesn’t quite fit the town’s mold. As whispers turn into confrontations and family pressures mount, Gus and Bridger’s fragile relationship is tested at every turn.

Through late-night swims, daring skate sessions, and moments of breathtaking vulnerability, Scraps paints an unforgettable picture of discovering young queer love in the early 2000s. Will Gus and Bridger risk everything to hold onto what they’ve found, or will the weight of their separate worlds pull them apart?

Why Readers Love Scraps:

🌟 A richly detailed LGBTQ+ romance that celebrates love, courage, and self-discovery.
🌟 Explores themes of family, belonging, and breaking free from small-town expectations.

“Inspired by the viral success of the "Scraps" Gay Skateboarding Romance Short Film that captivated millions worldwide, Scraps is a deeply moving, visually evocative story of first queer crushes, finding oneself, and the risks we take for a shred of love that’s real.”

Grab your copy today and immerse yourself in the breathtaking summer that Gus and Bridger will never forget.

LGBTQ+ bloggers and YA-focused reviewers will be auto-approved — thank you for championing diverse stories.

As a gay man who came of age in the 2000s, SCRAPS is my love letter to the queer kids who felt alone, and to the stories I wish I had growing up. It’s for the quiet ones, the artists, the skaters, and everyone who ever felt like they had to hide to be loved.

Thank you for taking the time to read. If you connect with Gus and Bridger’s story, I’d be incredibly grateful for your honest review — it truly helps indie authors like me get discovered.

If you love the story and leave a review, DM me on Instagram (@Matthewfrancisj) or email a screenshot, and I’ll send you high-res images of the novel to post about and special links to our Scraps Short film and BTS videos to enjoy. We will happily re-post your review on our social media and tag you as a thank you! We can even invite you to help us promote the feature film version!