Leaving the Station

“A captivating romance that examines queer, religious, and personal identity.” — Publishers Weekly (starred review)“Explores religion and faith, gender identity exploration, and what it means to fail (and to keep going), all wrapped up in a delightful journey. A beautiful example to queer readers that every new day is a new opportunity.“  — Booklist”Profound, romantic, and evocative, LEAVING THE STATION feels like talking to a friend about all of the big questions that cloud our adolescence. Reading this book will take readers on a deeply felt journey through love and identity that they’ll never forget.” — Camryn Garrett NAACP nominee and author of Friday I’m In Love”Jake Maia Arlow possesses the kind of authentic voice that most contemporary authors can only dream of. Organically balancing bold and nuanced discussions of sexuality, gender, religion, and purpose alongside hilarious beats of kooky but dimensional characters and campy hijinks, LEAVING THE STATION reads like a once-in-a-lifetime ride where the journey truly matters more than the destination.”  — Racquel Marie, award-winning author of OPHELIA AFTER ALL “Leaving the Station captures the messy, confusing, and perfectly natural complications of trying to find a way forward in a world that doesn’t always give you an easy track to take in this sweet romance layered with very believable complexities around gender, sexuality, and faith.” — Tanya Boteju, author of Kings, Queens, and In-Betweens and Messy Perfect.“Filled with humor and heart, Leaving the Station is a delightful romance, a thoughtful exploration of self-discovery, and an honest, nuanced journey into the complexities of faith and identity, all rolled into one perfect package. Being a passenger on this whirlwind ride is a joy”. — Katie Henry, critically acclaimed author of Heretics Anonymous and This Will be Funny SomedayPRAISE FOR HOW TO EXCAVATE A HEART: “A tonic and a testament for the times. Warming as hot chocolate in a blizzard; a familiar favorite made fresh from scratch.” — Kirkus Reviews (starred review)PRAISE FOR HOW TO EXCAVATE A HEART: “This dialogue-rich narrative, told from Shani’s simultaneously biting and sincere first-person perspective, expertly conveys two romantically unconfident girls’ hesitancy to act on their feelings despite boundless chemistry. May and Shani’s clever banter, coupled with their myriad relationship ups and downs, make for a cozy and sharply funny confection.” — Publishers Weekly (starred review)PRAISE FOR HOW TO EXCAVATE A HEART: “A hysterically funny book. Any romance fan will immediately be charmed by Shani and May’s instant chemistry, but it’s Shani’s witty asides that set the novel apart from even the most swoon-worthy YA romcom. Arlow’s latest is bound to become a holiday classic that readers will pick up whenever they need to be reminded of the magic of a snowy day.” — BooklistPRAISE FOR HOW TO EXCAVATE A HEART: “For any readers who love to read sharp banter as much as they love to swoon.” — School Library Journal

Jake Maia Arlow is a Stonewall Honor author, podcast producer, and (reluctantly) Amtrak’s number one fan. They live with their girlfriend and loud cat in the Pacific Northwest.