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Another F-Word
Gentle Rory Calhoun Wilson is the antithesis of the 1950s cowboy he’s named for. He loathes sports, NASCAR and everything else his father adores, putting the two on a collision course fueled by Darrell Wilson’s inability to control contempt for his son’s emerging homosexuality.
Another F-Word is a story of bullying, courage and love. It examines parental struggles to support a gay child, the role that schools and religious institutions play, the tragedy of teen suicide, and the ability of a rural Bible Belt boy to remain open to people who can influence his life in remarkable ways. Rory’s is a story of triumph over the scarring effects of being labeled and bullied.
Another F-Word is a story of bullying, courage and love. It examines parental struggles to support a gay child, the role that schools and religious institutions play, the tragedy of teen suicide, and the ability of a rural Bible Belt boy to remain open to people who can influence his life in remarkable ways. Rory’s is a story of triumph over the scarring effects of being labeled and bullied.
240 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 5, 2013
3 people are currently reading
125 people want to read
About the author
Lissa Brown
8 books4 followersLissa Brown has been writing since she learned how to form letters and commit them to paper. She’s been a columnist, a speechwriter, a ghost writer for public and corporate officials, and a media relations specialist for gubernatorial and state legislative campaigns.
After successful careers in teaching, marketing and public relations she retired to her present home in North Carolina’s Blue Ridge Mountains where she wrote Real Country: From the Fast Track to Appalachia (as Leslie Brunetsky), Family Secrets: Three Generations under her own name, an award-winning novel, Another F-Word, and a sequel to Another F-Word, Family of Choice. Filthy Money out in Oct. 2020. Her newest book is Tarnished Streets of Gold, about the journey of a young Jewish woman who leaves Russia to escape antisemitism in the early 20th century. Her journey involves overcoming a series of obstacles, but she perseveres.
After successful careers in teaching, marketing and public relations she retired to her present home in North Carolina’s Blue Ridge Mountains where she wrote Real Country: From the Fast Track to Appalachia (as Leslie Brunetsky), Family Secrets: Three Generations under her own name, an award-winning novel, Another F-Word, and a sequel to Another F-Word, Family of Choice. Filthy Money out in Oct. 2020. Her newest book is Tarnished Streets of Gold, about the journey of a young Jewish woman who leaves Russia to escape antisemitism in the early 20th century. Her journey involves overcoming a series of obstacles, but she perseveres.
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
May 21, 2015
I have many many issues with this book. I'm not sure I need to explain them all. At the moment I'm just glad that I managed to finish it.
Probably it's my personal perception and has nothing to do with the story, with the main protagonists, with missing of the common thread. But I'd like to name at least ONE of the reasons WHY I didn't like this book(well, along with the tedious writing):
It is not a 1st person POV, but it is a story of Rory Calhoun Wilson that is told, for most of the book, from HIS view. But I've NEVER had a feeling that it was told from the perspective of six, eight, thirteen or seventeen year old boy. Rory Calhoun Wilson sounded ALWAYS like a middle-age-woman who tried very hard to feign a teen gay boy's pov. There was a lot of faked theatrical performance that I struggled through and that didn't convince me at all.
But it's my personal feelings, the book has a respectable rating, and you can enjoy it. From my experience I can say that I often disagree with a mainstream taste trend.
February 17, 2013
Well I guess the fact that I read this book in one sitting says a lot. From the first page I was drawn into the life of Rory. We get to follow him from childhood all the way through to adulthood.
This is not a romance book, neither is there any on page sex. What there is, is a wonderfully moving tale of life growing up in a bigoted world.
Be prepared for some heartbreak along the way, and a massive OMG moment that I don’t want to give away.
On first reading the OMG part my original reaction was “Oh you are kidding me, really?” But then I got to thinking of the old saying, fact is stranger than fiction, so maybe the story line wasn’t so far stretched after all. Either way I’m glad to see Rory did not forgive and forget like most books would portray. That might make me a bad person, but sometimes forgiveness just seems too much to ask.
A strong read, and a reminder of just what so many people had to suffer through.
I have to minus a star due to a few sections not being to clear. We are left to image rather than be told the details. Also I had a few moments of confusion when the time line was changed without warning.
This is not a romance book, neither is there any on page sex. What there is, is a wonderfully moving tale of life growing up in a bigoted world.
Be prepared for some heartbreak along the way, and a massive OMG moment that I don’t want to give away.
On first reading the OMG part my original reaction was “Oh you are kidding me, really?” But then I got to thinking of the old saying, fact is stranger than fiction, so maybe the story line wasn’t so far stretched after all. Either way I’m glad to see Rory did not forgive and forget like most books would portray. That might make me a bad person, but sometimes forgiveness just seems too much to ask.
A strong read, and a reminder of just what so many people had to suffer through.
I have to minus a star due to a few sections not being to clear. We are left to image rather than be told the details. Also I had a few moments of confusion when the time line was changed without warning.
January 15, 2013
More of a 2.5...
I'm struggling to decide what to say. I liked the book; I did. The characters were good, well rounded and realistic for the most part, but the plot didn't hold up to the quality of the characters.
I'm struggling to decide what to say. I liked the book; I did. The characters were good, well rounded and realistic for the most part, but the plot didn't hold up to the quality of the characters.
July 11, 2014
This is a little different from the typical books in this genre. It takes you in a new direction, covering a success story of a young man's early life, and the real support that extended family can bring. More of a drama than a romance, it shows what life can be for an underprivileged youth coming from a small town, and how being gay and strong can make a real man.
There's no steamy love affairs, no horrific abuse or neglect. There is just abiding family love and support, and a really great lesson that hard work, some tragedy and just a bit of good luck can make for a genuinely uplifting read.
I really enjoyed this alternative and believable tale. It is beautifully and sensitively written by an author with a real talent for telling the story of a gentle boy who grew to be a real man.
The setting is northeast Tennessee, an area with which I am quite familiar. The people, the locations, and the feelings are incredibly accurate. The period in which this was written is not exactly clear, most likely fairly recent. I hope things have become a bit more tolerant, but this particular area is behind the norm for midstream America.
It was refreshing to see the perseverance of the main character, to watch how he learns from his environment and follows his dream. The author gave me a personal connection to these people, and that is rarely found in this genre.
Highly recommended!
There's no steamy love affairs, no horrific abuse or neglect. There is just abiding family love and support, and a really great lesson that hard work, some tragedy and just a bit of good luck can make for a genuinely uplifting read.
I really enjoyed this alternative and believable tale. It is beautifully and sensitively written by an author with a real talent for telling the story of a gentle boy who grew to be a real man.
The setting is northeast Tennessee, an area with which I am quite familiar. The people, the locations, and the feelings are incredibly accurate. The period in which this was written is not exactly clear, most likely fairly recent. I hope things have become a bit more tolerant, but this particular area is behind the norm for midstream America.
It was refreshing to see the perseverance of the main character, to watch how he learns from his environment and follows his dream. The author gave me a personal connection to these people, and that is rarely found in this genre.
Highly recommended!
February 27, 2013
Too many folks still dismiss bullying as a regrettable yet basically harmless fact of childhood and adolescence. As an educator, I guarantee you that bullying is far from harmless, often undermining academic success and leaving emotional scars that can negatively impact a child's life into adulthood. That's why books like Another F-Word are so important -- for youth (both LGBTQ and straight), for their families, and for educators. Lissa Brown is right on the mark in depicting the abuse, both emotional and physical, endured by kids who are targeted -- whether for being (or merely being perceived to be) LGBT, short, tall, overweight, non-athletic, disabled, or of a different race, religion or nationality. As reflected in the story of Rory, kids often are too scared or embarassed to confide or ask for help, so it is up to our schools, churches, and families to be vigilant and establish environments where it is clearly understood that bullying is unacceptable behavior. Youth and their families also need assurance that there are individuals and groups (such as PFLAG) that are there to provide support when needed. Another F-Word helps spread the awareness in a compelling read with realistic characters. Highly recommended.
April 22, 2014
Rory has to face many challenges along the way. As a young boy he tries to gain acceptance from his father, but can't live up to the expectations his dad has for him. Rory likes flowers not football. His dad is an abusive bully to both Rory and his mother. Then there are the bullies at school, and the difficulty of fitting in with his classmates. Thank God for Rory's mother and grandparents who are supportive of him and begin to understand more about why their boy is different.
I'm glad Lissa wrote this book to enlighten readers about the problems gay children face growing up. Today's world is more accepting than it used to be, but there is still a lot of hatred out there. This is another book that makes me want to sing Get Together to the world ... like the old coke commercial wanting the world to sing in perfect harmony.
The book is very hard to put down and has some parts that might make you think "seriously?" ... but it is the shocking turn of events that makes it so addictive. I also liked the way Lissa made each character so human .. both good and bad, they were all believable.
Looking forward to the sequel.
I'm glad Lissa wrote this book to enlighten readers about the problems gay children face growing up. Today's world is more accepting than it used to be, but there is still a lot of hatred out there. This is another book that makes me want to sing Get Together to the world ... like the old coke commercial wanting the world to sing in perfect harmony.
The book is very hard to put down and has some parts that might make you think "seriously?" ... but it is the shocking turn of events that makes it so addictive. I also liked the way Lissa made each character so human .. both good and bad, they were all believable.
Looking forward to the sequel.
Want to read
March 29, 2013Free on Amazon today!
December 24, 2020
Such a humble book, yet so so powerful
Was lucky enough to get this as a freebie, but it's totally worth full price. Here's how to read it: first, you get a box of Kleenex and seat yourself somewhere where it's not going to cause a scene if you get all weepy. DO NOT do what I did and read it in a restaurant lest people think you're really weird bawling over your pizza.
The book basically works in thirds: first third takes you down a path to a plot turn that you could basically see coming, but you weren't sure it was going to happen. The second third has some weird foreshadowing going on and I couldn't tell if it was the cynic or the romantic in me that was going to be right in guessing where the story was going to go: both missed the massive plot turn at the end of the 2nd third completely, and there I was KO'd in the pizza restaurant. The last third basically patches you back up again, little by little, and by the end of the book, you're ok again.
Take my advice and go for this ride; you're going to get knocked around a bit, and it's gonna hurt, but you'll be ok at the end, I promise. If you know ANYone that's gay, yourself included, you should read this; it'll touch your heart in places you didn't even know were there.
Was lucky enough to get this as a freebie, but it's totally worth full price. Here's how to read it: first, you get a box of Kleenex and seat yourself somewhere where it's not going to cause a scene if you get all weepy. DO NOT do what I did and read it in a restaurant lest people think you're really weird bawling over your pizza.
The book basically works in thirds: first third takes you down a path to a plot turn that you could basically see coming, but you weren't sure it was going to happen. The second third has some weird foreshadowing going on and I couldn't tell if it was the cynic or the romantic in me that was going to be right in guessing where the story was going to go: both missed the massive plot turn at the end of the 2nd third completely, and there I was KO'd in the pizza restaurant. The last third basically patches you back up again, little by little, and by the end of the book, you're ok again.
Take my advice and go for this ride; you're going to get knocked around a bit, and it's gonna hurt, but you'll be ok at the end, I promise. If you know ANYone that's gay, yourself included, you should read this; it'll touch your heart in places you didn't even know were there.
November 6, 2013
This was my first story by Brown and I'll read additional stories by her. Brown's writing is clear, mellow and easy to follow, she is very adapt at using appropriate Southern phrasing, she is not afraid to write about difficult issues, especially gay ones found in the American South, and she has a great proof-reader.
There are spoilers coming.......
So, then why would I not give Another F-Word 4 or even 5 star? First, the time period covered and the amount of story to be told was too great for a short novel/novella. Large portions had to be told and not shown. The reader did not even witness Rory and Jake's first kiss, or the most of the abuse Rory suffered at school. We only "heard" about these major events. This was a major problem to the story. Show me... don't tell me. Brown would often come across as "preachy," as if to say, "I know what is wrong, what is best for gay Southern youth and by God you're going to listen to me tell you about it." This is one of the problems with telling and not showing.
In addition,there was difficulty with the actual timeline. The story starts in 1989 when Ruth finds out she prego with Rory. Later in the story, the Matthew Shepherd hate crimes bill(2008) was introduced at a time when is would appear that Rory was 12 or 13 years old. He would have need to be at least 18 years old for that to be relevant.
Also, Ruth was using the internet to do research in 1989/90. She says, " I looked him up on the internet," meaning Rory Calhoun. This is very unlike to be the case in rural Tennessee at that time. The modern internet, the internet we use today, did not really come into being until the mid 1990s... 1993 would be the date that I would use. Of course, AOL had email, messaging and game functions before this date.
Lastly, too many stereo-types piled on too many cliches: drag queens, abusive father, alcoholic father, gay teen attempted suicide, gay teen suicide, understanding school counselor, homophobic preach, teacher, and gay father, and on and on!
"What's a faggot, Papaw?" If Brown had stayed with Rory and Rory's voice, as used here, she would have had a vastly better story to tell.
It appears to me that Brown needs to narrow the story's focus, do more research, choose a voice to stay with, stop with the over use of stereo-types and find an editor to help stay the course.
Brown's clear, mellow prose, Southern phrasing, and Rory's heartbreaking six year old voice indicate great potential for her to become a great story-teller.
Recommended. This is s sweet story.
There are spoilers coming.......
So, then why would I not give Another F-Word 4 or even 5 star? First, the time period covered and the amount of story to be told was too great for a short novel/novella. Large portions had to be told and not shown. The reader did not even witness Rory and Jake's first kiss, or the most of the abuse Rory suffered at school. We only "heard" about these major events. This was a major problem to the story. Show me... don't tell me. Brown would often come across as "preachy," as if to say, "I know what is wrong, what is best for gay Southern youth and by God you're going to listen to me tell you about it." This is one of the problems with telling and not showing.
In addition,there was difficulty with the actual timeline. The story starts in 1989 when Ruth finds out she prego with Rory. Later in the story, the Matthew Shepherd hate crimes bill(2008) was introduced at a time when is would appear that Rory was 12 or 13 years old. He would have need to be at least 18 years old for that to be relevant.
Also, Ruth was using the internet to do research in 1989/90. She says, " I looked him up on the internet," meaning Rory Calhoun. This is very unlike to be the case in rural Tennessee at that time. The modern internet, the internet we use today, did not really come into being until the mid 1990s... 1993 would be the date that I would use. Of course, AOL had email, messaging and game functions before this date.
Lastly, too many stereo-types piled on too many cliches: drag queens, abusive father, alcoholic father, gay teen attempted suicide, gay teen suicide, understanding school counselor, homophobic preach, teacher, and gay father, and on and on!
"What's a faggot, Papaw?" If Brown had stayed with Rory and Rory's voice, as used here, she would have had a vastly better story to tell.
It appears to me that Brown needs to narrow the story's focus, do more research, choose a voice to stay with, stop with the over use of stereo-types and find an editor to help stay the course.
Brown's clear, mellow prose, Southern phrasing, and Rory's heartbreaking six year old voice indicate great potential for her to become a great story-teller.
Recommended. This is s sweet story.
March 16, 2013
Craggy Grove, Tennessee, is not exactly the most liberal or progressive place for a young boy like Rory Wilson to grow up in. In fact, were it not for his loving mother and grandparents, Rory knows he may not have made it through high school.
Learning she was pregnant was the greatest day of Ruth Wilson’s life, and for a while her family felt complete. As the years progress, however, her husband becomes increasingly awful towards their son, especially when it is clear that Rory is not like all of the other boys.
Rory learns early on to keep his head down at school and avoids being noticed in any way, yet that does not stop the incessant bullying. The one thing that always takes his mind off of his troubles is his gardening, although even that is not enough when he loses the only boy friend he ever had. Ruth instinctively understands why Rory does not enjoy regular “guy” things like sports, hunting, and girls, yet it really hits home when she learns of PFLAG. Rory knows his mother loves him unconditionally; unfortunately there is no easy way of getting through life when you feel like the only gay kid on the planet.
It seems like no matter how nice and kind and inoffensive Rory is, someone someway finds a reason to hate him. It is sickening to know that this kind of mentality is still alive and well in the human race, no matter what the prejudice may be. It is a testament to the loving support from his mother and grandparents that Rory has the inner strength he does. This story could easily be about the kid next door whose life may be changed with such a simple act like acceptance.
Lototy
Reviewer for Coffee Time Romance & More
Learning she was pregnant was the greatest day of Ruth Wilson’s life, and for a while her family felt complete. As the years progress, however, her husband becomes increasingly awful towards their son, especially when it is clear that Rory is not like all of the other boys.
Rory learns early on to keep his head down at school and avoids being noticed in any way, yet that does not stop the incessant bullying. The one thing that always takes his mind off of his troubles is his gardening, although even that is not enough when he loses the only boy friend he ever had. Ruth instinctively understands why Rory does not enjoy regular “guy” things like sports, hunting, and girls, yet it really hits home when she learns of PFLAG. Rory knows his mother loves him unconditionally; unfortunately there is no easy way of getting through life when you feel like the only gay kid on the planet.
It seems like no matter how nice and kind and inoffensive Rory is, someone someway finds a reason to hate him. It is sickening to know that this kind of mentality is still alive and well in the human race, no matter what the prejudice may be. It is a testament to the loving support from his mother and grandparents that Rory has the inner strength he does. This story could easily be about the kid next door whose life may be changed with such a simple act like acceptance.
Lototy
Reviewer for Coffee Time Romance & More
January 10, 2013
I just finished reading Lissa Brown's `Another F Word' on my Kindle fromAmazon.com. What a wonderful and thought provoking book. I have read her other novels, Real Country: From the Fast Track to Appalachia, and Family Secrets: Three Generations. All though L. Brown's first book (Real Country) had me in hilarious bouts of laughter and her second book had an endearing quality that was a breath of fresh air; her third book `Another F Word' was a combination of the first two.
Along with thought provoking and heart wrenching, it too had me laugh and fall for these endearing characters.
The main theme of this book is tolerance where no tolerance should be necessary between our all too human kind. Bullying of someone who is different weather gay or straight should never be tolerated in what we as a self proclaimed liberated society claim.
L. Brown eloquently projects a story of unconditional love and acceptance and the hope that with love and healing a gay boy's life can lead to a successful and productive adulthood, even though he does run into what at times seems to be unmovable life obstacles.
I could not put this book down! I do think this is the author's best written book to date and look forward to many more books from her.....(possibly a sequel to Another F Word!!!)
I thank Lissa Brown for such an important and entertaining book. Paul David.
Along with thought provoking and heart wrenching, it too had me laugh and fall for these endearing characters.
The main theme of this book is tolerance where no tolerance should be necessary between our all too human kind. Bullying of someone who is different weather gay or straight should never be tolerated in what we as a self proclaimed liberated society claim.
L. Brown eloquently projects a story of unconditional love and acceptance and the hope that with love and healing a gay boy's life can lead to a successful and productive adulthood, even though he does run into what at times seems to be unmovable life obstacles.
I could not put this book down! I do think this is the author's best written book to date and look forward to many more books from her.....(possibly a sequel to Another F Word!!!)
I thank Lissa Brown for such an important and entertaining book. Paul David.
February 5, 2013
Ruth and Darrell Wilson are excited at the birth of their son Rory, but as little Rory grows, his father is bothered that his son's interests aren't in line with his perceived notion of those of other boys. Darrell tries to force Rory to participate in sports activities and doesn't hold back on criticizing and degrading him when he doesn't show interest. Ruth, trying hard to accept that Rory is different, demands a divorce from Darrell due to his treatment of their son. Things are better for Rory at home but school is torment because of the bullying he receives. As Rory matures, he excels at science and meets others who help him understand he is not alone. As he enters college, he begins to find friendship and acceptance and is able to acknowledge and stand up for who he is.
Lissa Brown does an excellent job portraying the challenges gay boys face as they grow up and become men as well as those of a loving parent trying to understand and accept their offspring. She realistically depicts the rejection, bullying and outright hate gays and lesbians face and shows how family dynamics can influence the adults they will become. This is a story teenagers and adults would benefit from reading as it reveals the perspective of a gay person dealing with a rejecting parent and bullying from peers, as well as their inner and outer struggle to recognize their own self-worth.
Lissa Brown does an excellent job portraying the challenges gay boys face as they grow up and become men as well as those of a loving parent trying to understand and accept their offspring. She realistically depicts the rejection, bullying and outright hate gays and lesbians face and shows how family dynamics can influence the adults they will become. This is a story teenagers and adults would benefit from reading as it reveals the perspective of a gay person dealing with a rejecting parent and bullying from peers, as well as their inner and outer struggle to recognize their own self-worth.
February 27, 2013
I tend to forget how many of my friends suffered in silence, never talking about how much it s06 to be picked on every day. This story is full of examples how each of us finds our own right time and place to stand up with the people we care about. I'd like to think I have done at least as well as Ashley, and some days as well as Grady and Lily.
Every day we are pushed to agree with bad science, "misinformation" and bullying about what is masculine or feminine; but we aren't so easy to define, none of us. As a physician, I know this on several levels. We are all wonderfully complex and we all need a safe place to express our true selves. This book's characters and situations pretty well cover the usual personalities you'll find around GLBT bullying. My favorite to hate on is one that preaches hate because he's filled with self-hate; that character is all around us! This book gently shares a story that shows some of the realities of GLBT life in the modern world, through characters that made me care. And the writing is better than any "best-seller" I've read in years. I read it in one sitting.
Every day we are pushed to agree with bad science, "misinformation" and bullying about what is masculine or feminine; but we aren't so easy to define, none of us. As a physician, I know this on several levels. We are all wonderfully complex and we all need a safe place to express our true selves. This book's characters and situations pretty well cover the usual personalities you'll find around GLBT bullying. My favorite to hate on is one that preaches hate because he's filled with self-hate; that character is all around us! This book gently shares a story that shows some of the realities of GLBT life in the modern world, through characters that made me care. And the writing is better than any "best-seller" I've read in years. I read it in one sitting.
February 11, 2013
As I opened the pages of this book and began to read, I was immediately taken by the detail of the characters and surroundings that placed me inside the story itself. The characters were alive and the subject matter heart felt. As each page turned, I found myself able to visualize things from past and present that emulated throughout the story. An audible "no" or "it cant be" was heard a time or two.
The author has an amazing way of pulling you into the story, making you care about the characters, delivering the unexpected and finishing with a sigh of gratitude for having been a part of the story.
This is by far one of the most important books that I have read in a decade. I hope the author and her readers will push this into main stream for the important message to be heard around the world.
Bravo!!! Well Done!!!
The author has an amazing way of pulling you into the story, making you care about the characters, delivering the unexpected and finishing with a sigh of gratitude for having been a part of the story.
This is by far one of the most important books that I have read in a decade. I hope the author and her readers will push this into main stream for the important message to be heard around the world.
Bravo!!! Well Done!!!
March 24, 2013
Brown's story of Rory Calhoun Wilson, a young boy in Tennessee is a must read for parents, teens, religious groups, and educators. Bullying is a threat to the lives of young people especially those who are gay or lesbian. These kids are given so many labels that the kids are weighed down by the labels. Brown relates the story of Rory within his family and his grandparents. His dad is the first one who bullies his son...so tragic for Rory. There are layers of messaages to be learned about the ramifications of bullying. I hope the book becomes required reading.
Marcia M. Cham, retired pastor in the United Church of Christ and author of a memoir, You Mean I Have to Look at the Body?! Stories of Dying and Living and a work a fiction, Tarnished Pulpit.
Marcia M. Cham, retired pastor in the United Church of Christ and author of a memoir, You Mean I Have to Look at the Body?! Stories of Dying and Living and a work a fiction, Tarnished Pulpit.
February 28, 2013
Lissa Brown’s Another F-Word caught and held my attention from the first page. I was completely engrossed with Rory’s story and could feel the pain of his isolation and rejection and recall the teenage giddiness and angst of burgeoning sexuality. And ultimately, I felt like I could share in his triumphs.
I can imagine any number of LGBTQ kids wishing their parents were more like Rory’s mom Ruth, and unfortunately there are too many kids who know how it feels to be rejected by a parent and others they love.
The story I want to read now is the story of Rory’s grandparents.
I can imagine any number of LGBTQ kids wishing their parents were more like Rory’s mom Ruth, and unfortunately there are too many kids who know how it feels to be rejected by a parent and others they love.
The story I want to read now is the story of Rory’s grandparents.
March 28, 2013
This is a very realistic story of a family with a son who is gay. Lissa Brown has a wonderful way of weaving the boy’s painful situation into a powerful story that should be read by everybody.
It is an inside view of many of the feelings and thoughts of what it means to be gay. It is both tender and tragic and will be helpful to all who struggle with these issues.
This book provides a framework for dialog and discussion for families, schools and religious institutions.
It is an inside view of many of the feelings and thoughts of what it means to be gay. It is both tender and tragic and will be helpful to all who struggle with these issues.
This book provides a framework for dialog and discussion for families, schools and religious institutions.
March 2, 2013
This was a good book. My heart ached for Rory and Jake. Both their fathers were complete jerks. I applaud the author for not ending the book with Rory mending fences with his father. Some things are just unforgivable. Considering the fact that his own parents were so loving, his treatment of Rory was unconscionable.
January 28, 2013
The characters are real. I'm from the area where the story is set, and I feel that I know all of them. There's a message, of course, and the author leads us through our own experience along with Rory, the main character until we find our own answers.
February 21, 2013
Different...especially the where the anger issues came from and led to Rory's abuse! The ending seemed a little abrupt to me otherwise a decent read and not gross when it comes to a homosexual story...
April 1, 2013
At first I thought that Rory's mum was in the wrong but she ended up being the strong one whilst his father was the bully as was Jake's father. It was a really good book which kept my interest from beginning to end.
February 15, 2022
3.5 stars. A touch too dramatic at times and I wasn't fond of the pacing in the second half of the book.
March 2, 2013
Informative, moving , well written story. Reader becomes embroiled with characters and feels the daily torment.
Unconditional love trumps negative forces . Thank you Lissa for another winner.
Unconditional love trumps negative forces . Thank you Lissa for another winner.
April 4, 2013
The parent-child relationship is amazingly well written.
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews