Saints of Augustine-P.E. Ryan

Sam and Charlie were once best friends, but haven't spoken to each other in over a year. Sam suddenly ends his friendship with Charlie, claiming it "just wouldn't work out." Charlie always wondered why Sam ended things so abruptly, but decided not to press the issue. The story unfolds in chapters that alternate between the two boys' viewpoints, revealing the struggles each of them are facing.
After the death of his mother, Charlie becomes concerned with his dad; he's been more interested in drinking than interacting with his son. Charlie's only salvation, smoking pot, has put him into debt with a menacing dealer and caused his girlfriend to break up with him.
Sam's parents have split and he learns it's because his father has come out and now lives overseas with his lover. He now has to endure time with his mom's bigoted boyfriend. Sam finds it exceptionally difficult to put up with him because he is worried that he may be gay. Sam later reveals that he ended things with Charlie due to the feelings he had for him. Both Sam and Charlie's lives come to a head and they end up turning to each other for comfort and escape.
I know this probably seems like a somber read, but Ryan does a good job at creating genuine characters and drawing the reader into each of their lives. I enjoyed the story because it is so true to life. This really is what happens when a relationship dies out between friends; things are awkward and neither party wants to be the first to talk to speak to the other, but when you really need each other, everything gets put in the past.