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Pioneer Summer by Kateryna Sylvanova

Book

Pioneer Summer

A Novel

Kateryna Sylvanova, Elena Malisova, Anne O. Fisher

Abrams Press · Print & ebook · June 3, 2025

Reading lane: Contemporary Russian Fiction

This star-crossed gay romance is a #1 bestselling TikTok sensation that took readers by storm, made international news, and catalyzed one of Russia’s largest-ever crackdowns on LGBTQ representation.

At a Glance

Why This Clicks

Sharp Summer

A sharp, contemporary romance that leans into feeling, tension, and conversation.

Come here for

  • summer romance with an edge
  • easy to talk about after

Expect

  • immersive, sustained read
  • stage-ready emotional beats

Book Details

Authors
Kateryna Sylvanova, Elena Malisova, Anne O. Fisher
Publisher
Abrams Press
Published
June 3, 2025
Format
Print & ebook
Theme
Contemporary Russian Fiction · YA Romance - LGBTQ+
Reading lane
Contemporary Russian Fiction

Affinity

Publisher Categories

  • Gay Fiction

  • Gay Romance

  • New Adult Romance

  • Coming-of-Age

Show all 6 publisher categories
  • Cultural Heritage Fiction

  • Contemporary Russian Fiction

About This Book

This star-crossed gay romance is a #1 bestselling TikTok sensation that took readers by storm, made international news, and catalyzed one of Russia’s largest-ever crackdowns on LGBTQ representation. Cowritten by a Ukrainian–Russian duo, Pioneer Summer reached such heights of popularity that Putin stepped in to ban it. Now this swoony romance will transport American readers to another place and time and introduce them to one of the most memorable relationships of their lives....

Read full description

This star-crossed gay romance is a #1 bestselling TikTok sensation that took readers by storm, made international news, and catalyzed one of Russia’s largest-ever crackdowns on LGBTQ representation. Cowritten by a Ukrainian–Russian duo, Pioneer Summer reached such heights of popularity that Putin stepped in to ban it. Now this swoony romance will transport American readers to another place and time and introduce them to one of the most memorable relationships of their lives. The year is 1986, and Yurka Konev, 16, has been sent off for another summer at Pioneer Camp. Impulsive, forthright, and unfairly branded as a troublemaker, he anticipates the weeks ahead of him with boredom and dread. But when he’s pushed into working on the camp’s theater production, he meets serious, thoughtful troop leader Volodya. Yurka finds himself drawn to the slightly older boy, and, surprisingly, Volodya seems to like him, too. The two boys grow closer and closer, and though both fear the consequences of their illegal attraction, its gravity pulls them together. Now, 20 years later, Yury returns to the abandoned camp to reminisce on the relationship that changed his life forever—and discovers that not all history is destined to remain in the past.

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