What do you think?
Rate this book
The Crossfire Trilogy #3
Taking the Stand
There’s a time for justice. Then there’s a time for action. And Jonathan Cooper knows exactly what time it is.
It is time to lie. To his parents, who think he’s on a ski trip with Pete Mitchell when he’s really gone to Madison to search for one person willing to testify for his boyfriend, Ian McGuire, who is facing the charge of assault and battery. To Ian’s parents, who have erased him from their lives. Even to himself. Because admitting his feelings for Mason Kellerman isn’t an option.
It is also time to face the truth. That Jonathan may have lied for nothing. That he may be powerless to save Ian from a guilty verdict. That whether he likes it or not, it is time for taking the stand.
It is time to lie. To his parents, who think he’s on a ski trip with Pete Mitchell when he’s really gone to Madison to search for one person willing to testify for his boyfriend, Ian McGuire, who is facing the charge of assault and battery. To Ian’s parents, who have erased him from their lives. Even to himself. Because admitting his feelings for Mason Kellerman isn’t an option.
It is also time to face the truth. That Jonathan may have lied for nothing. That he may be powerless to save Ian from a guilty verdict. That whether he likes it or not, it is time for taking the stand.
264 pages, Paperback
First published April 20, 2015
1 person is currently reading
60 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
June 11, 2015
"The Lord is my Shepherd and he knows I'm gay." - Troy Perry, Metropolitan Community Church founder
after that fateful night at the homecoming dance, Jonathan Cooper faces another set of challenges. Ian McGuire has been charged with assault and battery by the state. Jonathan's dad is back from Afghanistan. his mom looks stressed out and unwilling to discuss Jonathan's "identity crisis." his relationship with Simon, his former camp counselor, is strained. moreover, Jonathan is still keeping mum about what happened at the dance. his biggest concern though is how to get Ian out of jail. if he breaks his silence, would things get better or just get worse for him and Ian?
this is the last book in the Crossfire Trilogy and it is a fitting conclusion to the romance and drama that started in Caught in the Crossfire followed by Searching for Grace.
everything comes full circle and nowhere has been Jonathan's faith in himself, his family, friends and in God more tested. author Juliann Rich weaves real-life scenarios to address this and takes the reader, along with Jonathan, Ian and the other characters, on an unforgettable and emotional rollercoaster ride.
just like in the previous books, the writing flows smoothly. every word, phrase or sentence is in place. nothing is overlooked. as much as i wanted to rush through the pages to find out what happened next, i had to hold my horses. i admit that it was not always a pleasant journey but it was worth the trip.
i caution readers to brace themselves with this third book. there are some big surprises in store and it would be prudent to keep a box of tissues handy - just in case.
Jonathan Cooper was caught in a crossfire. he knew what he was and what he wanted. because of his religious convictions, he continuously asked and searched for grace even when in doubt. in order to save himself and others, he had to take a final stand. only in doing so could he be at peace with himself, with society and with his God.
*received a copy for review from the publisher via NetGalley
after that fateful night at the homecoming dance, Jonathan Cooper faces another set of challenges. Ian McGuire has been charged with assault and battery by the state. Jonathan's dad is back from Afghanistan. his mom looks stressed out and unwilling to discuss Jonathan's "identity crisis." his relationship with Simon, his former camp counselor, is strained. moreover, Jonathan is still keeping mum about what happened at the dance. his biggest concern though is how to get Ian out of jail. if he breaks his silence, would things get better or just get worse for him and Ian?
this is the last book in the Crossfire Trilogy and it is a fitting conclusion to the romance and drama that started in Caught in the Crossfire followed by Searching for Grace.
everything comes full circle and nowhere has been Jonathan's faith in himself, his family, friends and in God more tested. author Juliann Rich weaves real-life scenarios to address this and takes the reader, along with Jonathan, Ian and the other characters, on an unforgettable and emotional rollercoaster ride.
just like in the previous books, the writing flows smoothly. every word, phrase or sentence is in place. nothing is overlooked. as much as i wanted to rush through the pages to find out what happened next, i had to hold my horses. i admit that it was not always a pleasant journey but it was worth the trip.
i caution readers to brace themselves with this third book. there are some big surprises in store and it would be prudent to keep a box of tissues handy - just in case.
Jonathan Cooper was caught in a crossfire. he knew what he was and what he wanted. because of his religious convictions, he continuously asked and searched for grace even when in doubt. in order to save himself and others, he had to take a final stand. only in doing so could he be at peace with himself, with society and with his God.
*received a copy for review from the publisher via NetGalley
April 14, 2016
First things first I need to say a huge thank you to Bold Strokes Books for allowing me to view this title on NetGalley, and to NetGalley for the service that they provide.
Full disclosure, I did not realise that 'Taking The Stand' was the third and final book in a trilogy until I started reading it. Normally, if I have a book for review that is a late installment in a series, I'll purchase the previous installments and marathon the series ready for my review, but that wasn't financially feasible at this time of the month, so I just decided to go ahead and read 'Taking The Stand' without any prior knowledge and see how I got on.
Surprisingly, I rather enjoyed this book! If you are already a reader of this series you'll know the general premise, but for anyone who is as new to the series as I was, this will catch you up. Our protagonist, Jonathan Cooper, is a newly out teenager living in a Christian family, attending East Bay Christian High School, meaning that he's pretty much surrounded by adversity on all sides.
Read the rest of my review here!
Full disclosure, I did not realise that 'Taking The Stand' was the third and final book in a trilogy until I started reading it. Normally, if I have a book for review that is a late installment in a series, I'll purchase the previous installments and marathon the series ready for my review, but that wasn't financially feasible at this time of the month, so I just decided to go ahead and read 'Taking The Stand' without any prior knowledge and see how I got on.
Surprisingly, I rather enjoyed this book! If you are already a reader of this series you'll know the general premise, but for anyone who is as new to the series as I was, this will catch you up. Our protagonist, Jonathan Cooper, is a newly out teenager living in a Christian family, attending East Bay Christian High School, meaning that he's pretty much surrounded by adversity on all sides.
Read the rest of my review here!
April 7, 2015
Less a romance and more a coming-of-age conclusion to the story of Jonathan Cooper, a devout Christian who has recently recognized that he's gay. His summer camp love, Ian McGuire, has been arrested for attacking Jonathan during a school dance (see events in book #2), and Jonathan, with the help of his non-gender-conforming friends Mason and Sketch, set out to prevent Ian's conviction. The subplot about establishing a gay/straight alliance continues from book 2, as well. The trilogy's conclusion is bittersweet, with , but hope abounds that Jonathan can find peace and acceptance of all aspects of his identity among a community of friends and co-religionists.
April 4, 2015
The finale of the Crossfire trilogy finds Jonathan searching for someone to provide a positive character reference for Ian at the upcoming trial. At the same time Jonathan, Sketch and Mason continue to battle East Bay Christian for inclusion of the Gay Straight Alliance as an on campus club. But the trial and Jonathan's struggles are the main focus of the novel. Jonathan knows he doesn't want Ian to go to jail for the assault but he isn't quite sure of his feelings for Ian or Mason. Taking the Stand is a good ending to the trilogy but readers need to read the first to in the series first to understand the action in this novel.
October 12, 2015
What an amazing wrap-up to the Caught in the Crossfire Trilogy! Juliann Rich continues to blow me away with her spot-on writing and relatable characters. It has been a pleasure to follow Jonathan on his journey from a shy boy trying to figure himself out, to an outspoken young man who understands what he wants and isn't afraid to take risks. Rich does a great job wrapping up all the loose ends, even if those loose ends aren't tied in a pretty bow. I appreciate this author's portrayals of reality, and the way her build-up of tension entices me to continue reading. I look forward to reading all of her future books.
October 19, 2016
Ooh, ouch, but oh so, so good. As with her first two books Juliann Rich delivers…but not what you would expect. I was all poised for the happily ever after. I even thought that's what I wanted. Until I finished Taking the Stand an realized this series has never been a traditional romance. It's been about one kid learning to love himself despite all odds.
And isn't that what every kid needs and deserves to hear?
Brava, Ms. Rich. Brava. I look forward to reading whatever you write in the future.
And isn't that what every kid needs and deserves to hear?
Brava, Ms. Rich. Brava. I look forward to reading whatever you write in the future.
April 11, 2015
I thoroughly enjoyed this final novel in The Crossfire Trilogy. Warning though - this is not a romance that delivers the HEA or HFN and THAT IS EXACTLY WHAT WAS NEEDED. Instead Rich gives us an honest and realistic and yes, even bittersweet, ending that also delivers a hefty dose of hope. It's okay if the first love doesn't work out as planned. It served to reveal more about one's true identity and that knowledge is what this series has always been about - falling in love with oneself.
I have enjoyed every book of this series but none as much as TAKING THE STAND.
I have enjoyed every book of this series but none as much as TAKING THE STAND.
April 28, 2015
3.5 stars
In my opinion this is the weakest of the three books although it has some really strong moments. Other parts were rather boring.
In my opinion this is the weakest of the three books although it has some really strong moments. Other parts were rather boring.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews