Different for Boys

By: Patrick Ness

Narrated by: Nezar Alderazi

You know, the way teenage guys talk about sex, you’d think all of us were having it all the time, non-stop.

Friendship, masculinity, sex – is it different for boys who like boys? Ant Stevenson has a lot of questions but doesn’t know where to even begin to look for answers. But he is determined to figure it out, all while balancing his ever-changing friendships with three very different boys.

From the author of A Monster Calls and the Chaos Walking trilogy comes a powerful story of loneliness and intimacy, of unexpected support and heart-ripping betrayal.

2025, The British Audio Awards (The Speakies) Young Adult Books, Short-listed

©2010 Patrick Ness (P)2025 Bolinda Publishing

Critic reviews

'The brevity of this story adds to its power, distilling the plot to its most necessary, brutal, loving elements. [Blanking] masterful.' (Kirkus Reviews, starred review)

'Ness superbly blends Ant’s philosophical musings with realistically voiced teen thoughts and dialogue, where expletives and sexual content are curtained by heavy black rectangles yet blatantly present. Within this beautifully crafted package lies a poignant story of a boy reaching out in loneliness to another boy and grasping unvarnished truth.' (Booklist, starred review)

'Different For Boys by Patrick Ness explores teen sexuality, friendship, and romance in this frank and humorous LGBTQ+ story about Ant who is finding all his relationships increasing complicated.' (Books of 2023, BBC Entertainment & Arts)

'The best quality of this narrative is its brutal honesty ... Young adults will recognize the feeling of being alone as they process their own inner monologues.' (School Library Connection)

'A quietly unforgettable book from an award winning author.' (Guardian)