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The Bible Boys
A Sin. An Abomination.
Teenagers Caleb and Matthew had grown up under the shadow of a radical fundamentalist church that dictated every aspect of their families' lives. They were taught that a love like theirs—a love between two boys—was unnatural, forbidden, and destined to damn them forever.
The religion didn't just influence their families; it controlled them, pulling the strings like puppets. Every action, every word, and every glance was scrutinized, making it nearly impossible for Caleb and Matthew to keep their secret.
But their love demanded a chance—a single, daring opportunity to be together. They would risk everything, taking their shot right under the watchful eyes of those who would condemn them.
Teenagers Caleb and Matthew had grown up under the shadow of a radical fundamentalist church that dictated every aspect of their families' lives. They were taught that a love like theirs—a love between two boys—was unnatural, forbidden, and destined to damn them forever.
The religion didn't just influence their families; it controlled them, pulling the strings like puppets. Every action, every word, and every glance was scrutinized, making it nearly impossible for Caleb and Matthew to keep their secret.
But their love demanded a chance—a single, daring opportunity to be together. They would risk everything, taking their shot right under the watchful eyes of those who would condemn them.
125 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 17, 2014
22 people are currently reading
519 people want to read
About the author
Dan Skinner
20 books428 followersDan Skinner is a new author who hates writing bios. He lives in St. Louis, Missouri, and has been a book cover artist for seven years.
Visit Dan's deviantart profile for more works of art.
Visit Dan's deviantart profile for more works of art.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 138 reviews
July 29, 2014
4.5 stars. Review posted July 22, 2014
The story of Matt and Caleb is set against a religious background in the late 60s in Saint Louis. Born into a radically Evangelical family, Matt is living a very restricted and controlled life, commanded by his stern parents as well as the church whose pastors try (successfully) to put the fear of God into their believers. More than a few of the church's members manifest fanatic traits that are disturbing.
"Sin hides behind closed doors!"
Matt's sexuality is uncharted territory and just when he starts to acquire his first experiences as to what kind of hidden pleasure can be unleashed with the right touch, the farm boy Caleb conveys his interest. Together, they embark upon a journey to discover their first love. It's more than a mutual secret, though. It's the time of unexpected gifts. Gifts of affection and passion but also a friendship that transforms into love. Matt and Caleb are living in their own little world on borrowed time of true happiness. Sometimes, however, you have to sacrifice something to make that crucial step out of confinement and onto the path of your own personal conviction to see the real light.
"Genesis nineteen, verse three: 'And Lot pressed upon them greatly, and they turned unto him…'"
"Press upon me greatly," Caleb mimicked, taking Matt's head into his palm. (…)
Not a devout individual myself, I did like the religious aspect of The Bible Boys. Dan brought up a couple interesting points and theses.
The Bible Boys started off…well, just good and then somewhere along the line it will overwhelm you; it comes upon you like an ocean wave and pulls you under. And all you can do is hope that you will have enough time to come back to the surface to breathe air. Truth be told, I'm a bad swimmer yet I made it back alive and kicking. I'm glad my art of swimming isn't that pathetic, after all. Besides, I'm ready to jump into the water again because I want so much more. You can't quench my thirst. Not now. Not ever.
Dan painted yet again a wonderful picture of two teenagers who fell in love in the 60s. This story emanates a myriad of feelings and deep emotions and I was enjoying the MCs ability to create their little wonderland. And Dan set the amazing framework for these two to allow them to gravitate to each other in a way that happened so naturally and without hesitation, despite their innocence and lack of experience, it simply amazed me. No wasted word, no wasted breath. All I had to do was bask in Dan's wonderland of beautiful and thought-provoking words. Dan has an amazing way of pacing a story, putting the right words at the right place at the right time. I think there's a lot to admire about this quick read.
Minor quibbles
Calling Caleb farm boy numerous times even while the two of them were making out bugged me and felt weird. An example:
The band tightened. It drove the farm boy deep to the back of Matt's throat. (…)
Another issue of mine was I can already see your shocked faces but I will say it nonetheless. It wasn't necessary. I can't even explain why but that's how I feel about it. I thought Matt and Caleb's tale was beautiful the way it was, without adding that particular scene. For me, it didn't add anything substantial that I would have missed if it hadn't been there in the first place.
I have said it before and I will say it again. Dan is an extraordinary author and everyone who loves M/M should have read one of his books. Heck, read them all. The Bible Boys is a quick read and might be the perfect place to discover his terrific storytelling skills. If you like it then I strongly recommend you to move on to Memorizing You. In my book, it's still his very best work. A true gem.
Recommended read.
The story of Matt and Caleb is set against a religious background in the late 60s in Saint Louis. Born into a radically Evangelical family, Matt is living a very restricted and controlled life, commanded by his stern parents as well as the church whose pastors try (successfully) to put the fear of God into their believers. More than a few of the church's members manifest fanatic traits that are disturbing.
"Sin hides behind closed doors!"
Matt's sexuality is uncharted territory and just when he starts to acquire his first experiences as to what kind of hidden pleasure can be unleashed with the right touch, the farm boy Caleb conveys his interest. Together, they embark upon a journey to discover their first love. It's more than a mutual secret, though. It's the time of unexpected gifts. Gifts of affection and passion but also a friendship that transforms into love. Matt and Caleb are living in their own little world on borrowed time of true happiness. Sometimes, however, you have to sacrifice something to make that crucial step out of confinement and onto the path of your own personal conviction to see the real light.
"Genesis nineteen, verse three: 'And Lot pressed upon them greatly, and they turned unto him…'"
"Press upon me greatly," Caleb mimicked, taking Matt's head into his palm. (…)
Not a devout individual myself, I did like the religious aspect of The Bible Boys. Dan brought up a couple interesting points and theses.
The Bible Boys started off…well, just good and then somewhere along the line it will overwhelm you; it comes upon you like an ocean wave and pulls you under. And all you can do is hope that you will have enough time to come back to the surface to breathe air. Truth be told, I'm a bad swimmer yet I made it back alive and kicking. I'm glad my art of swimming isn't that pathetic, after all. Besides, I'm ready to jump into the water again because I want so much more. You can't quench my thirst. Not now. Not ever.
Dan painted yet again a wonderful picture of two teenagers who fell in love in the 60s. This story emanates a myriad of feelings and deep emotions and I was enjoying the MCs ability to create their little wonderland. And Dan set the amazing framework for these two to allow them to gravitate to each other in a way that happened so naturally and without hesitation, despite their innocence and lack of experience, it simply amazed me. No wasted word, no wasted breath. All I had to do was bask in Dan's wonderland of beautiful and thought-provoking words. Dan has an amazing way of pacing a story, putting the right words at the right place at the right time. I think there's a lot to admire about this quick read.
Minor quibbles
Calling Caleb farm boy numerous times even while the two of them were making out bugged me and felt weird. An example:
The band tightened. It drove the farm boy deep to the back of Matt's throat. (…)
Another issue of mine was I can already see your shocked faces but I will say it nonetheless. It wasn't necessary. I can't even explain why but that's how I feel about it. I thought Matt and Caleb's tale was beautiful the way it was, without adding that particular scene. For me, it didn't add anything substantial that I would have missed if it hadn't been there in the first place.
I have said it before and I will say it again. Dan is an extraordinary author and everyone who loves M/M should have read one of his books. Heck, read them all. The Bible Boys is a quick read and might be the perfect place to discover his terrific storytelling skills. If you like it then I strongly recommend you to move on to Memorizing You. In my book, it's still his very best work. A true gem.
Without expectation, love had found him.
Recommended read.
March 10, 2017
Love does not make cowards.
It creates heroes.
Poignantly hopeful, beautiful, and timeless, The Bible Boys paints a picture of religious hatred and bigotry in 1960s small-town America where arbitrary rules created by hypocritical, power-hungry men ruin lives and shatter dreams. Sound familiar?
You don't need someone to sell you fables of spirits in burning bushes or talking snakes. You don't have to accept the impossible idea of someone walking on water, changing water into wine, or doing a magic act with a couple of fish to feed a whole bunch of people. You don't have to believe in a God you're told is good but becomes a mass murderer on a whim. A god that rapes another man's wife to have a son. Who plans a murder in advance just to forgive man's perceived sins.
Matt has always been the outcast. Beautiful and quiet, he hides his shame in a shed and doesn't dare hope for more. But one weekend spent with Caleb at Caleb's farm changes everything. Caleb the farm boy is wise beyond his years and way ahead of his time.
I didn't wake up wanting to believe in magic or miracles. I realized I saw real magic every day.
The boys have nothing to lose. They have everything to lose. One weekend is long enough: long enough to love, long enough to know.
While the ending is ambiguous, the weathered-looking cowboy in a checkered shirt and cowboy hat nods his approval. And that was enough for my heart to unclench.
This book broke me in so many ways. I was fortunate to be raised in a tolerant, liberal, open-minded home. My brother coming out was greeted with little surprise and much joy. It hurts me to know that even today not many are so lucky.
In Matt's world and today, hate masquerades as love; prejudice and ignorance as truth. Fear and bigotry are doled out and spewed forth like candy: all in the name of a mythical god.
Few scenes will stay with me like Caleb and Matt in the barn rejoicing in their love while the despicable homophobic pastor rhapsodizes about Lot and his daughters: I have two daughters who have not known any man. Let me bring them out to you, and do to them as you please.
One love, pure and true; the other, twisted and angry.
There's always something to be done. That's what the idea of sacrifice is all about. The struggle to save what you believe in against all the dangers and risks. Without that willingness to fight and sacrifice at our core, who the hell are we anyway?
July 29, 2016
"All those millions of stars and planets and it only takes three to make something important. The Sun, the Moon, and the Earth. And here we are. Life."
I didn't chose the theme of my books on purpose, but it happened that I had a few books recently, one after another, that dealt with a religion topic, and where the religious families/surroundings were a significant part of the plot.
Being grown up in an atheist family with respect to another cultures and traditions I have always considered the Bible being kinda a historical document like an ancient papyrus, and Jesus Christ not more than a fiction figure/hero. (Here I have to add, that my hubby is a total opposite of me. Just to let you know.)
I'm thankful to my fate to LET me be one of this happy humans. ("I don't care about your GOD"). Though don't forget: Never Argue Over Politics Or Religion.
Just my small verdict to the topic:
The Bible Boys is a story of Matthew Moore who had bad luck to be born into a radically Evangelical family. Religious fanatically.
With that everything has been said. He didn't have a childhood, he doesn't have any privacy, he doesn't have any friends and he's DIFFERENT.
For me is The Bible Boys a beautifully told episode, actually there are only few days, taken from the life of Matthew Moore at the very important turning-point. When Caleb Clare entered his life and put everything upside down.
Reading Dan Skinner is always a big pleasure. I think I enjoy his writing even more than his stories, his philosophical prose full of amazing lines and faithful thoughts.
I didn't rate it with a full stars score because the romance between Matt and Caleb was a bit too rush for my taste, and it is also my way to show how much I love his Memorizing You.
For everybody who appreciate a great writing highly recommended!
April 23, 2018
I really really REALLY loved this one. Dan's writing is one of my favorite cuppas!
Review to come! :D
*****
Story ends at 87%.
*****
Thank you, Secret Santa! :D
Review to come! :D
*****
Story ends at 87%.
*****
Thank you, Secret Santa! :D
August 10, 2019
Completely OTT on the insta-love element, something I really don’t appreciate. However, as always, Dan Skinner sprinkles his dusty magic all over it making me overlook one of my non-go/pet peeves.
Simply captivating, beautiful and compelling.
Simply captivating, beautiful and compelling.
June 22, 2015
I'll tell you right up front on this one, The Bible Boys was 5 solid stars for me.
Although set in a small town in the 1960's, this story of religious repression and forbidden love could well have happened at any time through present.
The story is told from the perspective of 18 year old Matthew, who was "born into the church" to which his parents are members; however the church is much more cult than congregation.
Members are not allowed to associate with anyone outside of the church, their rooms cannot have doors (“Sin hides behind closed doors!”) and the women can't speak until given *permission* by the men. Like I said -- Cult. (At least there weren't sister wives.) *cringe*
And since Matthew was cursed by being born more beautiful than handsome, his life consists of being shunned by the congregation and continually disciplined for no reason by his strict father at the behest of the hypocritical pastors.
Matt had sadly resigned himself to a lonely, unfulfilled existence until another boy around his age in the church, Caleb insists that he join the other "Bible Boys" on a weekend religious retreat to his parents farm in the country.
Caleb's home life was normal and happy, until he almost died at 15, at which time his emotional mother "found the lord" and that happiness was suddenly gone from their lives.
But Caleb is (eventually) brave and fearless, so he volunteers their farm for a Bible Boy retreat and uses the retreat as an excuse to get to know his crush of 3 years, Matt. Matt never attends these retreats, but makes an exception this once for Caleb.
As since Caleb has a bit of a devious side, he not only pulls Matt into his room for a weekend mostly alone, he also masterfully finds excuses to avoid the religious activities of the weekend as well.
LOVED Caleb's scene where he introduced Matt to his horse:
Caleb makes his feelings known to Matt and vice versa pretty quickly in the story, but I thoroughly enjoyed witnessing the time that they spent together. It felt a tiny bit insta-love, but not enough for me to really notice or be bothered by.
Another of my favorite scenes was where Caleb confronts the Pastor with a flurry of religion-challenging questions. It was pretty damn perfect and contained a lot of questions that I've wanted to ask fanatically-devout church members myself in the past.
Evidently "free will" and "free thinking" aren't viewed in the same vane. Go figure... ;- )
The only bit of the book that came across as awkward for me was the love scene where Caleb wants to give Matt "a gift." The gift that you can only give once.
Most of that scene felt like it was fast approaching that purple prose line in the sand that books without Fabio on the cover are really careful to avoid.
The scene was all epicurean journey, virgin territory and silk cocoon, but it was the climax itself that was way purple for my taste.
That section went all " hot fudge sundae " in my head, so that scene didn't work as well for my own warm center as the rest of the book, which I can't even begin to say enough good things about.
With only the affirming nod of one older man, the book didn't have a fully flushed out happily ever after, but it did have one helluva lot of hope that their courage and love would let everything work out for them in the end.
So hand in hand, in front of God and everybody (Preachers, Bible Boys and horses mostly), Matt and Caleb sealed their fate and began a life together.
*Hearts-&-Flowers-Hearts-&-Flowers-Sigh*
Although set in a small town in the 1960's, this story of religious repression and forbidden love could well have happened at any time through present.
The story is told from the perspective of 18 year old Matthew, who was "born into the church" to which his parents are members; however the church is much more cult than congregation.
Members are not allowed to associate with anyone outside of the church, their rooms cannot have doors (“Sin hides behind closed doors!”) and the women can't speak until given *permission* by the men. Like I said -- Cult. (At least there weren't sister wives.) *cringe*
And since Matthew was cursed by being born more beautiful than handsome, his life consists of being shunned by the congregation and continually disciplined for no reason by his strict father at the behest of the hypocritical pastors.
The pastors watched him like he was a dangerous pariah. He heard their whispers behind his back. They’d nicknamed him “Pretty Boy” and said it like it was a curse word. Like he was less masculine than they were. There was no mistaking the snide tone in their voices, or the sneers on their faces. They made him an outcast. He had no explanation for the way they acted toward him. He’d never been a rebel, been in any trouble that would make others assume he was a bad influence.
Matt had sadly resigned himself to a lonely, unfulfilled existence until another boy around his age in the church, Caleb insists that he join the other "Bible Boys" on a weekend religious retreat to his parents farm in the country.
Caleb's home life was normal and happy, until he almost died at 15, at which time his emotional mother "found the lord" and that happiness was suddenly gone from their lives.
But Caleb is (eventually) brave and fearless, so he volunteers their farm for a Bible Boy retreat and uses the retreat as an excuse to get to know his crush of 3 years, Matt. Matt never attends these retreats, but makes an exception this once for Caleb.
As since Caleb has a bit of a devious side, he not only pulls Matt into his room for a weekend mostly alone, he also masterfully finds excuses to avoid the religious activities of the weekend as well.
LOVED Caleb's scene where he introduced Matt to his horse:
“They're like big dogs,” Caleb said. “Gentle and loving and they get attached to people very easily. This one is Perseus. I belong to him.”
Caleb makes his feelings known to Matt and vice versa pretty quickly in the story, but I thoroughly enjoyed witnessing the time that they spent together. It felt a tiny bit insta-love, but not enough for me to really notice or be bothered by.
“Love is like that. It’s a real thing. It isn’t governed by laws that men make up because they believe in something that isn’t real. You suddenly feel it. It comes upon you like an ocean wave and pulls you along in its tide. As natural as can be. It’s not a choice. It’s not a figment of imagination. It’s no different than a honeybee on a flower doing what it’s supposed to do.”
Another of my favorite scenes was where Caleb confronts the Pastor with a flurry of religion-challenging questions. It was pretty damn perfect and contained a lot of questions that I've wanted to ask fanatically-devout church members myself in the past.
“Apparently God frowns on independent thought,” Caleb explained “Or, at least, God’s self-ordained spokesmen do.”
Evidently "free will" and "free thinking" aren't viewed in the same vane. Go figure... ;- )
The only bit of the book that came across as awkward for me was the love scene where Caleb wants to give Matt "a gift." The gift that you can only give once.
Most of that scene felt like it was fast approaching that purple prose line in the sand that books without Fabio on the cover are really careful to avoid.
The scene was all epicurean journey, virgin territory and silk cocoon, but it was the climax itself that was way purple for my taste.
He was shooting repeatedly into Caleb’s warm center. His thought process evaporated bit by bit with each ejection of his essence into the velvet furnace.
That section went all " hot fudge sundae " in my head, so that scene didn't work as well for my own warm center as the rest of the book, which I can't even begin to say enough good things about.
With only the affirming nod of one older man, the book didn't have a fully flushed out happily ever after, but it did have one helluva lot of hope that their courage and love would let everything work out for them in the end.
So hand in hand, in front of God and everybody (Preachers, Bible Boys and horses mostly), Matt and Caleb sealed their fate and began a life together.
*Hearts-&-Flowers-Hearts-&-Flowers-Sigh*
September 8, 2014
First, I must admit that as I was reading I had this fear that whatever was waiting for me at the end of this book was going to rip my heart out. Luckily for me, I was pleasantly surprised and my heart is still in one piece.
I really can't imagine growing up in Matt's family. No wonder he was depressed. And then Caleb enters the picture. Well, not exactly. I mean, he does enter the picture, but it takes three years for them to have any interaction with each other.
Caleb was the oxygen that Matt needed so he would stop suffocating from his life. I loved everything about Caleb. I loved how he stood up for Matt in the restroom when he hadn't even spoken to Matt yet. I loved how he personally invited Matt to his house to make sure that he would come. I loved how he carefully planned the weekend so that it would be as perfect as it could be. I really loved how much he loved his pop and he wasn't afraid to say it. I loved how he challenged the bigoted pastors. And I loved that he brought Matt to life by letting Matt be himself without any judgment.
This was a truly great read! But seriously, it's by Dan Skinner so I wasn't expecting anything less than fantastic!
I really can't imagine growing up in Matt's family. No wonder he was depressed. And then Caleb enters the picture. Well, not exactly. I mean, he does enter the picture, but it takes three years for them to have any interaction with each other.
Caleb was the oxygen that Matt needed so he would stop suffocating from his life. I loved everything about Caleb. I loved how he stood up for Matt in the restroom when he hadn't even spoken to Matt yet. I loved how he personally invited Matt to his house to make sure that he would come. I loved how he carefully planned the weekend so that it would be as perfect as it could be. I really loved how much he loved his pop and he wasn't afraid to say it. I loved how he challenged the bigoted pastors. And I loved that he brought Matt to life by letting Matt be himself without any judgment.
This was a truly great read! But seriously, it's by Dan Skinner so I wasn't expecting anything less than fantastic!
January 10, 2025
Okay so, what the what was that ending? Seriously? Such a beautifully written book that worked the whole insta-love to perfection and ..... it just ended? Surely a book where the romance aspect spans a few days NEEDS an epilogue?
Like I said, the writing is fabulous - I really love the way the author wove the story from Matt being a young boy. How he lived a life with no hope for a happy future, no light, no love, just a world of pain, punishment and neglect by his hideously revolting parents and those contemptible preachers who hid behind their church. I adored reading him discovering love for the first time, giving it and receiving it back from Caleb but, if ever a book needed an epilogue for me to see and revel in their happiness, it's this book.
I feel totally cheated hence my rating which would have been 5 stars had I gotten my epilogue.
Like I said, the writing is fabulous - I really love the way the author wove the story from Matt being a young boy. How he lived a life with no hope for a happy future, no light, no love, just a world of pain, punishment and neglect by his hideously revolting parents and those contemptible preachers who hid behind their church. I adored reading him discovering love for the first time, giving it and receiving it back from Caleb but, if ever a book needed an epilogue for me to see and revel in their happiness, it's this book.
I feel totally cheated hence my rating which would have been 5 stars had I gotten my epilogue.
July 29, 2014
To be honest I wasn't quite sure what to expect from The Bibles Boys. I knew two things going in: it was a M/M romance & that it dealt with religion (obviously from the title). Right off the bat Dan Skinner gripped my attention. He is such a masterful storyteller. This is story of first love and self discovery set in a very oppressive environment. Matt, was born in a very strict form of Christianity where there is basically no individuality and the church is your all.
You don't question, you just do. Caleb, wasn't born into it but instead came into the church later in his teenage years after his mother decided to follow it after a terrifying incident.
This story... it was overwhelming at times. There were moments I was angry at the unfairness of it all. My heart broke for Matt. I just wanted to break him out of that cult (<--- cause that's what it was to me) and love him as a child should be loved by a parent.
My heart also broke for Caleb but for a different reason. He'd grown up in a loving family, that had suddenly become a sad one. I loved Caleb's strength- his ability to not get lost and become one of the herd.
My only issue with the book is the end. I wanted more. I felt like I turned the page, a few sentences, and the end. I would have loved some kind of an epilogue. A look down the road to let me know how they were. Maybe it sounds silly but it was kind of hard to let these characters go and when it ended so suddenly I felt like they were taken from me and I didn't get to say bye to them.
Anyhoo, this is a highly recommended read. It was beautifully written.
July 24, 2014
4.5 StArS
*L*O*V*E*D***L*O*V*E*D***L*O*V*E*D***I*T*
I alway's find myself truly immersed in Dan Skinner Books, The Bible Boys was no exception.
Proverb 13:24 will stay with me for a long time....how people's world's differ, yet we are all 'one'. We all come into the world and depart the world in the same way....just our paths in our life's journey differ in between.
I loved Matthew's and Caleb's coming of age story, it was beautiful.
What I like most about Dan's books is that he makes me Reflect. Makes Me Really Think. Really Feel.
*L*O*V*E*D***L*O*V*E*D***L*O*V*E*D***I*T*
I alway's find myself truly immersed in Dan Skinner Books, The Bible Boys was no exception.
Proverbs 13:24
........He who spareth the rod, hateth the son. But he that Loveth him corrected him. Thou shalt beat him with a rod, and deliver his soul from Hell"
Proverb 13:24 will stay with me for a long time....how people's world's differ, yet we are all 'one'. We all come into the world and depart the world in the same way....just our paths in our life's journey differ in between.
I loved Matthew's and Caleb's coming of age story, it was beautiful.
What I like most about Dan's books is that he makes me Reflect. Makes Me Really Think. Really Feel.
June 10, 2016
4.5 stars
This was lovely. The beauty and innocence of first love set against the backdrop of a horrible fundamentalist church. I loved that it ended with lots of hope for these boys' future together.
But what was constant in the history of mankind was that love found a way ... He would find a way. They would find a way. Because love had found a way to them.
This was lovely. The beauty and innocence of first love set against the backdrop of a horrible fundamentalist church. I loved that it ended with lots of hope for these boys' future together.
September 26, 2014
Dan Skinner is a man on a mission. That mission is to never, ever be pigeonholed as one type of author. Yes, everything he has written has been about gay men (or boys), because he is one, but other than that, they are vastly different. In The Bible Boys, Dan takes on a topic that could cause some controversy: fundamental, bible-believing, evangelical churches and their hateful view of people who were created homosexual.
Having been one of those Bible bangers myself for most of my adult life, the themes in this book resonate with me personally on one side of my brain. Having a brother who is gay caused the themes in the book to resonate on the opposite side of my brain. Picture a little cartoon Taz running wild in my skull the first time I read this book. I am so thankful that the rainbow side of my brain has won.
Everyone who would pick up a book about young gay men either knows someone who has had or they themselves have had personal experience with a hater using the Bible as their weapon of choice. I don't think they will ever go away. There will always be people willing to use the word of God to incite hate in others toward one group or another. But gay folks aren't going anywhere either. This is a war that no one can win.
As is his custom, Dan creates layered, lovable characters and enables you to feel the wind on your face with his detailed description of how they feel it on theirs. His words invoke pictures, memories, feelings of love and longing. You feel the touch of another human hand on your naked body for the first time all over again because he describes that feeling through his characters' minds so flawlessly. You feel the bigotry of an ignorant hateful soul directed at you because Caleb and Matt feel it and Dan gives their feelings voice to stir the emotions in your heart, those that you felt as a teenager. I could run out of words spouting my love of all the things and ways in which Dan Skinner makes a reader feel.
Better than that, you can read The Bible Boys and cry, laugh, cringe, nod in agreement, shake your head in disgust, clench your fist in anger. And when you get to that scene (you'll know the one) you can say out loud "He did NOT just write that." But he did. Because he is an artist who doesn't worry that someone might be offended by his art. It's his creation. We are so lucky he chooses to share it with us. Thank you for another deeply moving story Dan. Dig a couple more out of the drawer and let's dust 'em off.
Having been one of those Bible bangers myself for most of my adult life, the themes in this book resonate with me personally on one side of my brain. Having a brother who is gay caused the themes in the book to resonate on the opposite side of my brain. Picture a little cartoon Taz running wild in my skull the first time I read this book. I am so thankful that the rainbow side of my brain has won.
Everyone who would pick up a book about young gay men either knows someone who has had or they themselves have had personal experience with a hater using the Bible as their weapon of choice. I don't think they will ever go away. There will always be people willing to use the word of God to incite hate in others toward one group or another. But gay folks aren't going anywhere either. This is a war that no one can win.
As is his custom, Dan creates layered, lovable characters and enables you to feel the wind on your face with his detailed description of how they feel it on theirs. His words invoke pictures, memories, feelings of love and longing. You feel the touch of another human hand on your naked body for the first time all over again because he describes that feeling through his characters' minds so flawlessly. You feel the bigotry of an ignorant hateful soul directed at you because Caleb and Matt feel it and Dan gives their feelings voice to stir the emotions in your heart, those that you felt as a teenager. I could run out of words spouting my love of all the things and ways in which Dan Skinner makes a reader feel.
Better than that, you can read The Bible Boys and cry, laugh, cringe, nod in agreement, shake your head in disgust, clench your fist in anger. And when you get to that scene (you'll know the one) you can say out loud "He did NOT just write that." But he did. Because he is an artist who doesn't worry that someone might be offended by his art. It's his creation. We are so lucky he chooses to share it with us. Thank you for another deeply moving story Dan. Dig a couple more out of the drawer and let's dust 'em off.
September 9, 2014
Rating: 3.5* of five
The Publisher Says: A Sin. An Abomination. Teenagers Caleb and Matthew had been told by the radical fundamentalist church that dominated their families' lives that a love like theirs—between two boys—was unnatural and forbidden. That it would damn them forever. The religion controlled their families like puppets, watched their every move, made keeping a secret almost impossible. They had only one chance to be together...and it would be a daring one right under the noses of the very people who would condemn them...
My Review: How charming this was! How wonderful the breaking-free fantasy is for all of us who don't have Golden Boy stamped on our lives the instant we're born. (Which is to say "all of us.")
But really. "I wanted to know what it felt like to be joined to you!" Spoken by a 20-year-old in the throes of passionate virginal lovemaking with his 18-year-old lover? Hell, ANYone experiencing passionate lovemaking even NOT for the first time who can be that articulate? Please. If you can focus long enough to emit a sentence like that, someone's doing something wrong.
So there's that. And then there's the religion thing, which anyone who's ever read anything I've ever posted since I got a personal ISP account in 1993 can tell you is right up my alley. Yes, religious people are unkind to those who are different, and young religious people are very unkind to everyone like all other young people. But these pantomime villains! The creepy youth pastor wantin' to nosh on some chicken! Wee bit overstated.
So it sounds like I'm going to make this a bad 3-and-a-half star review. But that's not my purpose. Mr. Skinner sets a beautiful scene with his descriptions of the Clare farm, the over-barn apartment, the flowers and the corn and the stock tank. The horse Perseus. The fireflies and the shooting stars. Just lovely, all of it.
But the stars are all for this, an essential and a true and a beautiful expression of an eternal reality we grope blindly for then so often drop and shatter when we find:
Yes.
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported License.
The Publisher Says: A Sin. An Abomination. Teenagers Caleb and Matthew had been told by the radical fundamentalist church that dominated their families' lives that a love like theirs—between two boys—was unnatural and forbidden. That it would damn them forever. The religion controlled their families like puppets, watched their every move, made keeping a secret almost impossible. They had only one chance to be together...and it would be a daring one right under the noses of the very people who would condemn them...
My Review: How charming this was! How wonderful the breaking-free fantasy is for all of us who don't have Golden Boy stamped on our lives the instant we're born. (Which is to say "all of us.")
But really. "I wanted to know what it felt like to be joined to you!" Spoken by a 20-year-old in the throes of passionate virginal lovemaking with his 18-year-old lover? Hell, ANYone experiencing passionate lovemaking even NOT for the first time who can be that articulate? Please. If you can focus long enough to emit a sentence like that, someone's doing something wrong.
So there's that. And then there's the religion thing, which anyone who's ever read anything I've ever posted since I got a personal ISP account in 1993 can tell you is right up my alley. Yes, religious people are unkind to those who are different, and young religious people are very unkind to everyone like all other young people. But these pantomime villains! The creepy youth pastor wantin' to nosh on some chicken! Wee bit overstated.
So it sounds like I'm going to make this a bad 3-and-a-half star review. But that's not my purpose. Mr. Skinner sets a beautiful scene with his descriptions of the Clare farm, the over-barn apartment, the flowers and the corn and the stock tank. The horse Perseus. The fireflies and the shooting stars. Just lovely, all of it.
But the stars are all for this, an essential and a true and a beautiful expression of an eternal reality we grope blindly for then so often drop and shatter when we find:
Love does not make cowards. It creates heroes.
Yes.
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported License.
June 10, 2016
Another 5 star read from Dan. Full of love, flawless like a gemstone and just as precious. Millions of stars, and my wonderful author, all I can say is Smooch and if this is what happens now you've found ‘he who shall remain nameless’, NEVER let him go.
”I'm now a part of you”, Caleb whispered. “We belong to each other”.
I don’t want to rant and rave about the ‘religious freaks’ aspect of this story…we all know they exist to varying degrees… although I could, and none of it would be pleasant BUT try and focus instead on the rest of the story.
CALEB An absolute joy. Strong, loyal, committed, sensible, rebellious, resourceful, didn't believe any of the religious crap he was being fed by the various Pastors involved in that stupid fundamentalist Evangelical ministry of assholes….oops sorry, I wasn't going to rant and rave was I, but I will just quote one of Dan’s lines here ”It made the Amish of today look like liberals”. Must have been horrifying for anyone dragged into the little ‘club’, against their will as Matt was, he definitely didn't want to be there, which brings us very nicely to...
MATT What a non-life he’d had, a real struggle!! A mother and father brainwashed by the Church, and because Matt was beautiful and one of the pervy pastors fancied him, they were encouraged to discipline him severely to salve the pastor’s guilty conscience. Matt was sent to the Bible Boys study group each week, and only really came ‘alive’ when he saw Caleb there, but Caleb stirred feelings in Matt that Matt had been told were filthy, disgusting and a sin so he stopped going.
Matt looked at Caleb. His face was open, honest. Caleb said “I saw you and then it was there. Bam. I couldn't get you out of my head. I thought about you all the time. I had to sneak peeks at you without others catching me. I looked for you at all the Bible Boys meetings. You never came. I knew I had to do something.” “When it’s got you hook, line and sinker, you know you have to take the chance. It’s worth the risk. It’s like something takes over. You’ll swim that creek and just hope you make it to the other side”.
Do Matt and Caleb risk everything for love?? You’ll have to discover that for yourselves. I can only highly recommend this coming of age and coming of hope story, and leave you with another couple of quotes….
Every step made after that held its own drumbeat of fear and heartbeat of hope. There could be no other way for them. Love does not make cowards. It creates heroes.
“ That’s what the idea of sacrifice is all about. The struggle to save what you believe in against all the dangers and risks. Without that willingness to fight and sacrifice at our core, who the hell are we anyway??”
PERFECT!!
October 9, 2014
As soon as I realized that there was a new Dan Skinner book, I knew I had to read it, so I bought it in the same instant. First, I love all of his books and his writing, and second, I love the way this author brings the most controversial topics and how he makes you think about them.
Religion is one of those topics, and these "bible boys" had to struggle in their young lives because of religion's fanaticism and radicalism. But what can we expect from something so defective?...
So this is the story of Matt and Caleb coming out. How brave they were to face those who believe they were sinners.
I love this book and I am really happy for my beliefs!
Religion is one of those topics, and these "bible boys" had to struggle in their young lives because of religion's fanaticism and radicalism. But what can we expect from something so defective?...
So this is the story of Matt and Caleb coming out. How brave they were to face those who believe they were sinners.
I love this book and I am really happy for my beliefs!
December 8, 2014
"Your first kiss.I wanted it to be mine"
To be honest I went into this with some trepidation.I finished Memorizing You last week and was an emotional wreck after finishing it.
But I just adored this book.It's simply a beautiful story of two people falling in love whilst living in an oppressive religious community
One trip changes their lives forever...
" I'm now a part of you" Caleb whispered."We belong to each other"
I loved Matt and Caleb together, you could feel their love and connection coming of the pages
This is the 3rd Dan Skinner book I've devoured and I can't get my greedy hands on them fast enough, I just LOVE his writing !!
To be honest I went into this with some trepidation.I finished Memorizing You last week and was an emotional wreck after finishing it.
But I just adored this book.It's simply a beautiful story of two people falling in love whilst living in an oppressive religious community
One trip changes their lives forever...
" I'm now a part of you" Caleb whispered."We belong to each other"
I loved Matt and Caleb together, you could feel their love and connection coming of the pages
This is the 3rd Dan Skinner book I've devoured and I can't get my greedy hands on them fast enough, I just LOVE his writing !!
July 31, 2014
"He’d been raised in the church. But it was different than other people’s churches. Theirs were churches they went to only on the weekends. His church invaded his daily existence."
Yes Matt you are CORRECT because yours would be called a CULT!!! This isn't your typical church going folks this is brainwashing at its BEST! Books like this kill me especially when kids are involved, it's so disheartening to see religion twisted and even though this is fiction it happens EVERYDAY!! The day my preacher told me to spank my child because they "crossed their legs wrong" would be the day I'd have to tell the preacher where he can go and ROT!
Alright moving ON.....
Matt was so innocent, sweet, and naive. He knew his life wasn't normal and that most people didn't live like they did but instead of facing it he withdrew. Part of the beauty of this book was watching him open up and unfold!!!!!
"If it’s supposed to exist, it does. If it’s real, it’s there. If it’s natural, you know it. You can’t undo or deny or argue it. Nature doesn’t tell you what’s wrong. It only let’s you know what’s right.”
Caleb......LOVE HIM!!! He didn't care what anyone thought about him or his behavior. The reason for that was because he KNEW his parents loved him and that for me was HUGE!! As a child you can't fight a whole society but as a child with the 2 people you love more the anything, your parents, you can make a difference.
My philosophy is you can't change who you are, you can hide it but not change it....even if people want to beat it out of you.
"Love lived everywhere. In every country, in every form, in every century human beings had existed. Oceans formed, teemed with life, dried into deserts as civilizations rose and died living and loving. Populations grew and moved across the green planet. Cities rose and fell. All the while, behind every door of every house, love touched and changed each and every one of them. Some found forever. Some did not....."
Was LOVE found in this book??
Was LOVE enough?
READ IT AND FIND OUT!!!!
I not a huge fan of short books but this book hit a spot with me, for some reason this is the second religious/cult book I've read this month and it's intriguing to try and understand how these weirdos comprehend normal life!!! I mean how "f'ed up" does someone have to be to not realize they are being brainwashed!!!
I seriously need to lay off these types of books for a bit because I could go on a rant!!!
All in all......this is a great book with a great storyline. It's short, sweet and to the point!! I love books that get me fired up and this one DEFINITELY did THAT!! It's also a book that I wish didn't END.....I WANT MORE hence why I'm not a short book fan:(
Yes Matt you are CORRECT because yours would be called a CULT!!! This isn't your typical church going folks this is brainwashing at its BEST! Books like this kill me especially when kids are involved, it's so disheartening to see religion twisted and even though this is fiction it happens EVERYDAY!! The day my preacher told me to spank my child because they "crossed their legs wrong" would be the day I'd have to tell the preacher where he can go and ROT!
Alright moving ON.....
Matt was so innocent, sweet, and naive. He knew his life wasn't normal and that most people didn't live like they did but instead of facing it he withdrew. Part of the beauty of this book was watching him open up and unfold!!!!!
"If it’s supposed to exist, it does. If it’s real, it’s there. If it’s natural, you know it. You can’t undo or deny or argue it. Nature doesn’t tell you what’s wrong. It only let’s you know what’s right.”
Caleb......LOVE HIM!!! He didn't care what anyone thought about him or his behavior. The reason for that was because he KNEW his parents loved him and that for me was HUGE!! As a child you can't fight a whole society but as a child with the 2 people you love more the anything, your parents, you can make a difference.
My philosophy is you can't change who you are, you can hide it but not change it....even if people want to beat it out of you.
"Love lived everywhere. In every country, in every form, in every century human beings had existed. Oceans formed, teemed with life, dried into deserts as civilizations rose and died living and loving. Populations grew and moved across the green planet. Cities rose and fell. All the while, behind every door of every house, love touched and changed each and every one of them. Some found forever. Some did not....."
Was LOVE found in this book??
Was LOVE enough?
READ IT AND FIND OUT!!!!
I not a huge fan of short books but this book hit a spot with me, for some reason this is the second religious/cult book I've read this month and it's intriguing to try and understand how these weirdos comprehend normal life!!! I mean how "f'ed up" does someone have to be to not realize they are being brainwashed!!!
I seriously need to lay off these types of books for a bit because I could go on a rant!!!
All in all......this is a great book with a great storyline. It's short, sweet and to the point!! I love books that get me fired up and this one DEFINITELY did THAT!! It's also a book that I wish didn't END.....I WANT MORE hence why I'm not a short book fan:(
August 5, 2014
Another Dan´s beautifully written story, with a message:
“Out here you don’t have to have someone tell you what’s natural and what isn’t. It just comes to you. You know? It’s okay to be different. To grow into whatever you’re supposed to grow into without someone trying to change you into something else. To force you to fit into their mold.”
“Nature is the best teacher on the planet. It doesn’t make up fairy tales and ask us to believe them in order to function in life.”
So…
This book addresses some controversy subjects as people beliefs which are a delicate thing, and going against them is difficult but fortunately there's people out there who choose to live the life they deserve!
Dan Skinner is so profoundly talented in is work, and made me think about my own believes,and I believe there must be something bigger than us out there, and we can worship or follow whom we see fit, but love is love no matter what, and that shouldn’t be judge, in any religion, cult or… whatever!!
“Let he who is without sin cast the first stone.”
Highly recommended, it´s not 5 because I felt that their relation was rushed but I want more Matt and Caleb!!
November 20, 2014
BR, Oktober 24th with Julie, Susan, Vilda, Ingela, Christina and Zainab
4,5 stars
After reading Memorizing You and being absolutely devastated afterwards, I thought this book was going to rip out my heart again…
Thankfully that was not the case..
This is story about two boys falling in love.
Matt, being brought up in a strict religious regime, being told everything about his body is sinful.
”They’d told him many times that part of his body was dirty and a source of sin. He wasn’t even supposed to look at it when he bathed."
There were no doors in their house, or in any of the other church members’ homes, because church policy dictated there could not be. “Sin hides behind closed doors!”
Matt
Matt is unhappy, isn’t connected to anyone in his life. He has no friends, not in the close community he lives in and not outside because it was forbidden to make contact with anyone other than someone from church. Other people’s churches were different. Their churches they went to only on the weekends. His church invaded his daily existence.
Matt resents his parents for the restrictive world they chose and that they forced him to be a part of. He wants to be free of them.
The only escape is the club of the “Bible Boys”. But even at that place he is not accepted because he is "weird”.
One day he meets Caleb and is invited to a “Bible Boys get-together”. Caleb’s family is in charge of the weekend as hosts. There would be a campout at the family’s farm and the boys will be told a lot about farming.
Caleb
This weekend changes everything for Matt and Caleb. A turning point in Matt’s life.
Caleb has “lived” a life full of excitements that Matt had totally missed out off. Together they discover their sexuality and fall in love.
“Love is like that. It’s a real thing. It isn’t governed by laws that men make up because they believe in something that isn’t real. You suddenly feel it. It comes upon you like an ocean wave and pulls you along in its tide. As natural as can be. It’s not a choice. It’s not a figment of imagination. It’s no different than a honeybee on a flower doing what it’s supposed to do. The end result is just as sweet. And when you taste it you say: ‘Yum!’”
Matt realizes there is no way back to his way of living. He won’t…..
"He would lose an old home to make a new one. That only this deed could break the shackles and free him. That everything he would sacrifice was worth it because...he was in love. They sealed their fate with their lips."
Cause in the end:
"Love does not make cowards. It makes heroes…."
Thanks again, Dan Skinner for this fantastic book!!
*smooches*
=======================================
- ARE WE READY FOR THIS, GIRLS?
November 1, 2016
It is a beautiful coming of age story that warmed my heart! And not only there! Lol!
Growing up in a fanatically religious family, and being told many times that the intimate parts of his body is a source of sin, and no doors on their rooms because 'sin hides behind closed doors', left him the only option for his sexual identity and orientation through having an experience, not through being aware of it.
Matthew has never known anything but the church and its restrictive postulates. He knows he is different in some way and he must keep these confusing feelings hidden deeply inside him. Everything is changed when Caleb and his family join Matthews church, and he sneaks glances at the new boy.
The Bible Boys is a tale about radical fundamentalist beliefs and their effect on those who they see as different. There is a very strong point against the church dogmas and their global relevance, using one of the most influential tools- irony and ridicule. The Bible Boys is also about discovering ones sexuality, and finding love and hope for a better life when you least expect it. The end is open to our imagination, where it needs to work to come up with that HEA on its own.
'Oceans formed, teemed with life, dried into deserts as civilizations rose and died living and loving. Populations grew and moved across the green planet. Cities rose and fell. All the while, behind every door of every house, love touched and changed each and every one of them. Some found forever. Some did not. The landscape changed as love moved from one corner to the next to find new variety. Some tales would be tender and touching. Some would be heroic and filled with courage. Some would dim with tears and tragedy. But what was constant in the history of mankind was that love found a way.'
Growing up in a fanatically religious family, and being told many times that the intimate parts of his body is a source of sin, and no doors on their rooms because 'sin hides behind closed doors', left him the only option for his sexual identity and orientation through having an experience, not through being aware of it.
Matthew has never known anything but the church and its restrictive postulates. He knows he is different in some way and he must keep these confusing feelings hidden deeply inside him. Everything is changed when Caleb and his family join Matthews church, and he sneaks glances at the new boy.
The Bible Boys is a tale about radical fundamentalist beliefs and their effect on those who they see as different. There is a very strong point against the church dogmas and their global relevance, using one of the most influential tools- irony and ridicule. The Bible Boys is also about discovering ones sexuality, and finding love and hope for a better life when you least expect it. The end is open to our imagination, where it needs to work to come up with that HEA on its own.
'Oceans formed, teemed with life, dried into deserts as civilizations rose and died living and loving. Populations grew and moved across the green planet. Cities rose and fell. All the while, behind every door of every house, love touched and changed each and every one of them. Some found forever. Some did not. The landscape changed as love moved from one corner to the next to find new variety. Some tales would be tender and touching. Some would be heroic and filled with courage. Some would dim with tears and tragedy. But what was constant in the history of mankind was that love found a way.'
September 8, 2014
Absolutely , bloody WOW!!
This book is why I love reading!
It is so beautifully written, Dan has a unique and rare way with words, a way that put us, the readers, right IN the pages of the book. You can't, you just simply CAN'T not to connect to the MC's and feel them, feel WITH them!
This book deals with religion, a subject well known to me, and not in a loving way at all, yet, it is the second book in a row about the subject, that goes straight to my "my-all-time-fav" shelf ("Atom Heart John Beloved" is the other book).
I loved Matt and ached for him, he is a beautiful boy that grew up in a very very religious family, the kind of religious environment I never read about (no doors anywhere, because privacy, in a big No No, for example).
He has parents that shows no love (maybe feel no love as well? Yea, I think their kind of love for god left no room for loving A child!) or affection, he has no friends, and basically, he is one of the loneliest character I ever read about.
I could feel his loneliness and depression reach out to the core of my being.
His story ripped my soul to million little pieces.
But then... Then the most wonderful thing happened... The most amazing boy came along!
Caleb... What an amazing timing you had!
Just when I felt Matt was getting close to the darkest place of all, along came salvation.
I can't recommend this book enough! Read it!!
One of my favorite moments?
When the pastors talked about Sodom and Gomorra, preaching the young boys about sinners, while in the barn, while hearing every word of the horrible story, Matt and Caleb have a hot one on one moment!
EPIC!!
Thank you Dan Skinner! Thank you so much!!
Maybe one day I will be courageous enough to read "Memorizing You"?? I hope so!
This book is why I love reading!
It is so beautifully written, Dan has a unique and rare way with words, a way that put us, the readers, right IN the pages of the book. You can't, you just simply CAN'T not to connect to the MC's and feel them, feel WITH them!
This book deals with religion, a subject well known to me, and not in a loving way at all, yet, it is the second book in a row about the subject, that goes straight to my "my-all-time-fav" shelf ("Atom Heart John Beloved" is the other book).
I loved Matt and ached for him, he is a beautiful boy that grew up in a very very religious family, the kind of religious environment I never read about (no doors anywhere, because privacy, in a big No No, for example).
He has parents that shows no love (maybe feel no love as well? Yea, I think their kind of love for god left no room for loving A child!) or affection, he has no friends, and basically, he is one of the loneliest character I ever read about.
I could feel his loneliness and depression reach out to the core of my being.
His story ripped my soul to million little pieces.
But then... Then the most wonderful thing happened... The most amazing boy came along!
Caleb... What an amazing timing you had!
Just when I felt Matt was getting close to the darkest place of all, along came salvation.
I can't recommend this book enough! Read it!!
One of my favorite moments?
When the pastors talked about Sodom and Gomorra, preaching the young boys about sinners, while in the barn, while hearing every word of the horrible story, Matt and Caleb have a hot one on one moment!
EPIC!!
Thank you Dan Skinner! Thank you so much!!
Maybe one day I will be courageous enough to read "Memorizing You"?? I hope so!
October 6, 2024
That was a very well written story. The religious aspect sickened me. I am not a religious person but I don't judge or honestly care about what people believe or don't. Don't judge me and I won't judge you. But that story. I would judge those people. I am not sure what that religion was but I do know it should just be called wrong. My opinion on this has nothing to do with boys loving boys because seriously, that wasn't even really a factor to this story. It was the entire belief system of this church.
I think I would have rated this higher if I didn't feel cheated with the end. I am not sure what is going to happen or how it is even going to happen. This isn't written in our time, it is 1969. Is the Dad going to take a stand against the church? What is going to happen with Matt? I just kind of feel like I was supposed to see a love story full of hope but I don't know if I felt like anything happened or was resolved.
Like I said, it was very well written and I can see the beauty of the story, I think I just needed more.
Buddy Read with Otila!!!
Porn and Bibles. Burn baby burn.
I think I would have rated this higher if I didn't feel cheated with the end. I am not sure what is going to happen or how it is even going to happen. This isn't written in our time, it is 1969. Is the Dad going to take a stand against the church? What is going to happen with Matt? I just kind of feel like I was supposed to see a love story full of hope but I don't know if I felt like anything happened or was resolved.
Like I said, it was very well written and I can see the beauty of the story, I think I just needed more.
Buddy Read with Otila!!!
Porn and Bibles. Burn baby burn.
July 15, 2015
I love Dan's writes. His story telling is just beautiful. I love how he is able to capture the innocence and purity of love. He always evokes so much feels, but never without the sense of hope.
Christmas gift from Momo! Thank you, Mo! :-*
Christmas gift from Momo! Thank you, Mo! :-*
July 1, 2015
Love does not make cowards. It creates heroes.
3.5
Matt has been raised in a very religious and repressive household. His family belongs to an extreme fundamentalist church and Matt is not allowed to socialize with anyone outside it. But the boys at church find him to pretty and too different so they shun him.
Matt keeps to himself and never joins "the bible boys" in their activities until Caleb, the new boy at church, invites him to an outing at his family's farm.
In just two days, Caleb shows Matt how life can be different from everything he's known. He's sees a different way of thinking and he discovers a sense of peace and joy that he has never felt before.
This is a beautiful story about first love. I really liked the writing but it got a little too flowery for me when it came to the sex scenes.
At first the ending seemed too abrupt but the more I thought about it I realized that it's perfect. It leaves you with enough hope for what comes next for these boys.
********************************************************
BR with Jennifer☠Pher☠ on February 6, 2015
I'm looking forward to lots of liquor infused conversations about porn, Jen! And we can talk about the book too, if you want.
3.5
Matt has been raised in a very religious and repressive household. His family belongs to an extreme fundamentalist church and Matt is not allowed to socialize with anyone outside it. But the boys at church find him to pretty and too different so they shun him.
Matt keeps to himself and never joins "the bible boys" in their activities until Caleb, the new boy at church, invites him to an outing at his family's farm.
In just two days, Caleb shows Matt how life can be different from everything he's known. He's sees a different way of thinking and he discovers a sense of peace and joy that he has never felt before.
This is a beautiful story about first love. I really liked the writing but it got a little too flowery for me when it came to the sex scenes.
At first the ending seemed too abrupt but the more I thought about it I realized that it's perfect. It leaves you with enough hope for what comes next for these boys.
********************************************************
BR with Jennifer☠Pher☠ on February 6, 2015
I'm looking forward to lots of liquor infused conversations about porn, Jen! And we can talk about the book too, if you want.
September 14, 2015
Another beautiful story from Dan Skinner.
Matt has been brought up in a cult-like religion. He is isolated from anyone not in the church, his parents are cold, devoted to the church and his father doles out regular beatings for perceived transgressions or infractions the Pastors feel need to be addressed. Even the teen church group the "Bible Boys" shuns him. Caleb's family has recently joined the church and he has made a point of inviting Matt to a Bible Boys outing at his family's farm, making it impossible for Matt to refuse. Caleb's mother is devout, but he and his father have an understanding and neither of them is fooled by what is really going on.
As Caleb and Matt spend time together at the outing, a whole new world begins to open up to Matt and for the first time in a long time he begins to believe that there is hope for love and a life beyond the reach of his parents and the church.
Dan Skinner has such a way with words, I am always completely drawn in to the setting and the characters. I loved watching Matt regain his sense of self-worth and experience the joy of being with someone who understands him. I have a bit of a love-hate relationship with the end of the story though. While I was cheering inside and ultimately satisfied, I really, really wanted to see a bit more.
Matt has been brought up in a cult-like religion. He is isolated from anyone not in the church, his parents are cold, devoted to the church and his father doles out regular beatings for perceived transgressions or infractions the Pastors feel need to be addressed. Even the teen church group the "Bible Boys" shuns him. Caleb's family has recently joined the church and he has made a point of inviting Matt to a Bible Boys outing at his family's farm, making it impossible for Matt to refuse. Caleb's mother is devout, but he and his father have an understanding and neither of them is fooled by what is really going on.
As Caleb and Matt spend time together at the outing, a whole new world begins to open up to Matt and for the first time in a long time he begins to believe that there is hope for love and a life beyond the reach of his parents and the church.
Dan Skinner has such a way with words, I am always completely drawn in to the setting and the characters. I loved watching Matt regain his sense of self-worth and experience the joy of being with someone who understands him. I have a bit of a love-hate relationship with the end of the story though. While I was cheering inside and ultimately satisfied, I really, really wanted to see a bit more.
January 24, 2016
5+++ Poetry pure Poetry
Awesome read which was written with so much compassion for love. Because it is a true love story. Every page was a blessing to read. (Im still in the energy)
The way their exploring were described you only can love them. The living conditions were very heavy especially for Matt. "Love does not make cowards. It creates heroes"
Caleb and Matt choose another, they choose love because Love has chosen them. Thank God for that.
Awesome read which was written with so much compassion for love. Because it is a true love story. Every page was a blessing to read. (Im still in the energy)
The way their exploring were described you only can love them. The living conditions were very heavy especially for Matt. "Love does not make cowards. It creates heroes"
Caleb and Matt choose another, they choose love because Love has chosen them. Thank God for that.
September 9, 2014
Another amazingly beautful story by Dan. I cant tell you enough your writings move me in so many ways. I loved Caleb .And I loved him even more as the story went on. The things he said to Matt and did for Matt were freaking beautiful. And Dan a HUGE thank you for not making me cry. XO Much thanks to Karen for our 1st and not last BR
July 9, 2017
Wow. That was damn good. Second time in a row I've been blown away by Dan Skinner's story telling. After reading Memorizing You, I expected some similarly heartbreaking angst, so I waited for a time I was prepared to cry my eyes out before reading this. But this was a completely different novel in about every way.
First things first, yes, obviously there's a lot of religious content. I get why many people are uncomfortable reading about that, but it's handled beautifully. This book is centered around a particularly cultish sect of Christianity. I expected this to be a big source of angst, denial of sexuality, etc. Matt was withdrawn, but the usual stuff was avoided. Caleb's wisdom on the topic was beautiful. His indignation stirred up the angry atheist in me.
Similarly, the extremist religion and abuse didn't turn into some exploitative thing. Matt could've easily been turned into trage-boy, but nope. Instead, it was something that fueled his resentment of the church and his family. He was resilient and strong as all hell, and it felt good to see him becoming more courageous and defiant.
I typically don't enjoy reading about younger characters as much, but this worked. As I mentioned before, Caleb has this lovely naturalist wisdom to him. He lives and matures on his own terms. His self awareness gives him the ability to help Matt understand himself.
The romance in this book was breathtaking. With younger characters I wasn't prepared to be blown away by it, but again, not what I expected. The first kiss was perfect and gave me butterflies. The sex scenes did the same (to the extent that I may have teared up a little). It was all so damn well-written.
Aside from the romance and lovely emotionality, the only other similarity I noticed between this and Memorizing You was the way this author does endings. They're exactly what I want. One thing that irritates the hell out of me is when the last 20% or so of a book is spent spoon feeding you a happily ever after. When it's wrapped up, rehashed, drilled into your head some more, and oh, wait! An epilogue to reinforce it. Not so here. The plot keeps going until the very end, and he gives the reader just enough for closure. The last words leave you reeling and feeling like cheering. It allows you to use your imagination and think about the characters long after you finish the book.
It's been awhile since I've connected with a book like this. I'd recommend this to anyone who's looking for something with a lot of heart. It's not necessarily a fluffy read, but damn is it beautiful.
First things first, yes, obviously there's a lot of religious content. I get why many people are uncomfortable reading about that, but it's handled beautifully. This book is centered around a particularly cultish sect of Christianity. I expected this to be a big source of angst, denial of sexuality, etc. Matt was withdrawn, but the usual stuff was avoided. Caleb's wisdom on the topic was beautiful. His indignation stirred up the angry atheist in me.
Similarly, the extremist religion and abuse didn't turn into some exploitative thing. Matt could've easily been turned into trage-boy, but nope. Instead, it was something that fueled his resentment of the church and his family. He was resilient and strong as all hell, and it felt good to see him becoming more courageous and defiant.
I typically don't enjoy reading about younger characters as much, but this worked. As I mentioned before, Caleb has this lovely naturalist wisdom to him. He lives and matures on his own terms. His self awareness gives him the ability to help Matt understand himself.
The romance in this book was breathtaking. With younger characters I wasn't prepared to be blown away by it, but again, not what I expected. The first kiss was perfect and gave me butterflies. The sex scenes did the same (to the extent that I may have teared up a little). It was all so damn well-written.
Aside from the romance and lovely emotionality, the only other similarity I noticed between this and Memorizing You was the way this author does endings. They're exactly what I want. One thing that irritates the hell out of me is when the last 20% or so of a book is spent spoon feeding you a happily ever after. When it's wrapped up, rehashed, drilled into your head some more, and oh, wait! An epilogue to reinforce it. Not so here. The plot keeps going until the very end, and he gives the reader just enough for closure. The last words leave you reeling and feeling like cheering. It allows you to use your imagination and think about the characters long after you finish the book.
It's been awhile since I've connected with a book like this. I'd recommend this to anyone who's looking for something with a lot of heart. It's not necessarily a fluffy read, but damn is it beautiful.
July 23, 2017
This was almost a modern day fairytale in its feel - the story of Matt, growing up gay inside a church so fundamentalist and restrictive that even photographs of family are a vanity. Sadly, there are churches like this out there, in America and around the world, warping the lives of those who join them, abusing minds for the power and the money it brings their leaders. Our very human quest for structure and belonging and answers can so easily be twisted against us. Matt's parents have given over control of every inch of their lives, in exchange for never having to really think deeply about anything. And they raise Matt with a deprived harshness prescribed by their church.
Matt has an oddly innocent and open soul, despite that abusive childhood. And one day, when he's fifteen, he sees an interesting new boy in church. Unfortunately, his biggest tormentors among the other boys quickly befriend the new kid, so Matt stays on the sidelines, watching. Until the day three years later when Caleb specially invites him to a Bible Boys retreat on Caleb's horse ranch. Matt can't resist going, and Caleb shows him a whole world that he has been missing.
The sweetness of the rural episode was poignant contrast to all of Matt's prior life. It was a bit of stretch to imagine it working out quite that well, and I was sorry the story stopped where it did, without showing us the aftermath. But as an image- a vision of a heart and mind escaping from the prison of fundamentalism- as a sweet fairytale of a good young man getting more from life than a paddle engraved with a Bible verse, it worked very well. Skinner writes beautiful and lyrical scenes, and the yearning quality of the first part was palpable.
Matt has an oddly innocent and open soul, despite that abusive childhood. And one day, when he's fifteen, he sees an interesting new boy in church. Unfortunately, his biggest tormentors among the other boys quickly befriend the new kid, so Matt stays on the sidelines, watching. Until the day three years later when Caleb specially invites him to a Bible Boys retreat on Caleb's horse ranch. Matt can't resist going, and Caleb shows him a whole world that he has been missing.
The sweetness of the rural episode was poignant contrast to all of Matt's prior life. It was a bit of stretch to imagine it working out quite that well, and I was sorry the story stopped where it did, without showing us the aftermath. But as an image- a vision of a heart and mind escaping from the prison of fundamentalism- as a sweet fairytale of a good young man getting more from life than a paddle engraved with a Bible verse, it worked very well. Skinner writes beautiful and lyrical scenes, and the yearning quality of the first part was palpable.
August 3, 2014
Fascinating... Review to come
“Men have sacrificed so much for their beliefs. Country. Kings. Queens. Political systems. God. Love . It doesn’t seem very noble to simply let something you believe in, someone you love, just walk away. To give up without a fight.”
"Love does not make cowards. It creates heroes."
"You belong here.”
“I know.”
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