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Broken Sidewalks
Parker Stevens doesn’t believe there’s a cure for gayness, but he’s willing to try anything to finally feel normal. Except when that help comes in the form of his girlfriend’s very religious and extremely hot older brother. The more time he spends with Matt, the less he wants to be cured. Matt Brennan has never been impressed with his sister’s boyfriends, and this time seems no different. But as he embarks on this crazy scheme to cure Parker of his gay tendencies, he’s faced with temptations he thought he’d overcome long ago.
A family crisis unites them, making it impossible for Parker and Matt to ignore their growing attraction. Matt has to make a choice but listening to his heart comes with a steep price. It could cost him not only his friends and family, but his faith, his God, and possibly his life. Broken Sidewalks is a 90,000 word coming of age mm romance that explores the struggles of being gay and religious in a small Missouri town. Part of the Broken Series, it can be read as a standalone and has a HEA.
A family crisis unites them, making it impossible for Parker and Matt to ignore their growing attraction. Matt has to make a choice but listening to his heart comes with a steep price. It could cost him not only his friends and family, but his faith, his God, and possibly his life. Broken Sidewalks is a 90,000 word coming of age mm romance that explores the struggles of being gay and religious in a small Missouri town. Part of the Broken Series, it can be read as a standalone and has a HEA.
322 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 6, 2015
14 people are currently reading
61 people want to read
About the author
D.K. Sutton
32 books116 followersD.K. SUTTON has a background in social work. In her off time from writing, she enjoys crocheting and spending time with her family. As an introvert, she has always been a little awkward (and a lot geeky). Turns out, those are handy traits for a writer. Her Broken series is M/M fiction, full of love and angst, and it challenges the rhetoric around being gay and religious. Her Trials of Love series and Sloan Brothers series are both M/M romance. She doesn't believe in hate and believes that people have a good side within them.
She enjoys writing about slightly flawed characters in compromising situations. She has a passion for writing LGBTQ+ stories, because the world needs more love and inclusion.
Connect with DK Sutton on Social Media
Facebook @dksuttonwrites
Facebook group facebook.com/groups/dkcafe/
Twitter @debraelq
She enjoys writing about slightly flawed characters in compromising situations. She has a passion for writing LGBTQ+ stories, because the world needs more love and inclusion.
Connect with DK Sutton on Social Media
Facebook @dksuttonwrites
Facebook group facebook.com/groups/dkcafe/
Twitter @debraelq
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Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
November 12, 2023
Easily 100 pages too long.
Let me begin by saying that this story has a very new-adult memoir feel to it that some may like. I, personally, do not read or enjoy many memoirs. While it is clear that the story is meaningful and important to the author, it was a tedious slog for me to read and I should have just quit it at 25%.
The cover isn't an issue, but it isn't eye-catching so it is easily overlooked when seeking your next read. Grammar is, for the most part, good with some noticeable issues toward the end in the form of typos and word-check likely failing to catch the wrong word being used here and there. The religion isn't an issue for me because I've known so many people like Matt, Sarah and their family that it is what it is for me. They do their thing and I'll do mine. The handling of Matt's struggles is neither good or bad. It was a choice. The idea that the college wouldn't notify his parents of the incident when they're close enough to drive to the college to be with Matt was unrealistic to me when that's definitely how it's done where I'm from and I am very much able to relate to much of this because it reads like circumstances I've actually lived through in a small community.
Where this story absolutely tanks and could not recover, in my opinion, is Parker and him being the primary focus. He was ok and I had sympathy for him until Chapter 14. Just 23% in. Once he got a kiss from Matt he became so fixated on wanting and expecting more of a relationship from him despite the fact that Parker was dating Sarah, Matt's sister, and Parker was no more accepting of his own sexuality than Matt was. The one step forward, two steps back repetition of moments happening between the two men then them breaking off because Matt wouldn't commit and Parker never broke up with Sarah or came out himself was so infuriating. There are so many times that Parker had some variation of the thought that he couldn't have Matt so he couldn't stand to have Matt in his life, but he had to keep Sarah because she was his only friend and she meant so much to him, but he didn't seem to grasp that keeping Sarah kept Matt in his life because they were family and Parker needed to sever the connection to both siblings. Through the bulk of this book, I could literally only read a page or 2 a day before screaming at this fictional character. I hate Parker to a degree that I cannot explain without devolving into incoherent rants. Sean is an equally loathed character for having no real need to exist in the story and far too much presence for an unnecessary role. Darrin, I ultimately dislike, but if the story were tightened up, I could like him and find his role more useful or even root for him with Parker instead of Matt.
The length is the root of all wrongs here. While I'm not a fan of memoirs, this could have worked better as something staying in that vein and focusing on one point of view for the whole story, cutting out Sarah's unneeded chapters entirely. I, personally, would have liked it all to be Matt's POV because I feel that his was handled best throughout, but even narrowing in on just Parker would have shaved so much fat from this. The wallowing in angst and doubts also needs drastically cut because it does not work with the lovey dovey sugar sweet end that it rushes to. The journey does not lead there naturally, in my opinion, and I think maybe the author was as sick of this pair's waffling as I was and just rushed a finish on to be done with it. I can see why the second book hasn't come yet and I hope it doesn't, especially when the proposed title "Broken Vows" just hints at more Parker being terrible in a relationship.
Despite my low rating, this story could be saved if the author were willing to give it a brutally unbiased edit, finding and removing all the chapters and scenes that basically repeat throughout. The emotional punches would land so much better in 150-200 pages and the happy ending would fit more if the journey didn't feel so arduous and hopeless to get there. I wouldn't hate Parker as much if he just broke up with Sarah sooner and didn't come across as a sanctimonious hypocrite when constantly pushing Matt to accept his sexuality and live openly gay to be happy when Parker wanted to change and hide that part of himself through much of the book. Left as it is, this story is never going to be as popular as the author wants.
Let me begin by saying that this story has a very new-adult memoir feel to it that some may like. I, personally, do not read or enjoy many memoirs. While it is clear that the story is meaningful and important to the author, it was a tedious slog for me to read and I should have just quit it at 25%.
The cover isn't an issue, but it isn't eye-catching so it is easily overlooked when seeking your next read. Grammar is, for the most part, good with some noticeable issues toward the end in the form of typos and word-check likely failing to catch the wrong word being used here and there. The religion isn't an issue for me because I've known so many people like Matt, Sarah and their family that it is what it is for me. They do their thing and I'll do mine. The handling of Matt's struggles is neither good or bad. It was a choice. The idea that the college wouldn't notify his parents of the incident when they're close enough to drive to the college to be with Matt was unrealistic to me when that's definitely how it's done where I'm from and I am very much able to relate to much of this because it reads like circumstances I've actually lived through in a small community.
Where this story absolutely tanks and could not recover, in my opinion, is Parker and him being the primary focus. He was ok and I had sympathy for him until Chapter 14. Just 23% in. Once he got a kiss from Matt he became so fixated on wanting and expecting more of a relationship from him despite the fact that Parker was dating Sarah, Matt's sister, and Parker was no more accepting of his own sexuality than Matt was. The one step forward, two steps back repetition of moments happening between the two men then them breaking off because Matt wouldn't commit and Parker never broke up with Sarah or came out himself was so infuriating. There are so many times that Parker had some variation of the thought that he couldn't have Matt so he couldn't stand to have Matt in his life, but he had to keep Sarah because she was his only friend and she meant so much to him, but he didn't seem to grasp that keeping Sarah kept Matt in his life because they were family and Parker needed to sever the connection to both siblings. Through the bulk of this book, I could literally only read a page or 2 a day before screaming at this fictional character. I hate Parker to a degree that I cannot explain without devolving into incoherent rants. Sean is an equally loathed character for having no real need to exist in the story and far too much presence for an unnecessary role. Darrin, I ultimately dislike, but if the story were tightened up, I could like him and find his role more useful or even root for him with Parker instead of Matt.
The length is the root of all wrongs here. While I'm not a fan of memoirs, this could have worked better as something staying in that vein and focusing on one point of view for the whole story, cutting out Sarah's unneeded chapters entirely. I, personally, would have liked it all to be Matt's POV because I feel that his was handled best throughout, but even narrowing in on just Parker would have shaved so much fat from this. The wallowing in angst and doubts also needs drastically cut because it does not work with the lovey dovey sugar sweet end that it rushes to. The journey does not lead there naturally, in my opinion, and I think maybe the author was as sick of this pair's waffling as I was and just rushed a finish on to be done with it. I can see why the second book hasn't come yet and I hope it doesn't, especially when the proposed title "Broken Vows" just hints at more Parker being terrible in a relationship.
Despite my low rating, this story could be saved if the author were willing to give it a brutally unbiased edit, finding and removing all the chapters and scenes that basically repeat throughout. The emotional punches would land so much better in 150-200 pages and the happy ending would fit more if the journey didn't feel so arduous and hopeless to get there. I wouldn't hate Parker as much if he just broke up with Sarah sooner and didn't come across as a sanctimonious hypocrite when constantly pushing Matt to accept his sexuality and live openly gay to be happy when Parker wanted to change and hide that part of himself through much of the book. Left as it is, this story is never going to be as popular as the author wants.
August 6, 2025
i *really* wish goodreads did half stars because this wasn't really a two star for me, but it also wasn't a three star. like i didn't necessarily dislike the book but i also just didn't like it? the story intrigued me enough to keep reading, but it wasn't a hate read either. i just didn't connect enough with the characters? idk i liked it enough to keep reading but not enough that i would mark this as a solid three stars. if goodreads did half stars, i'd list this as 2.5
September 26, 2015
This was one of the most beautiful "growing up" books I've ever read. I don't know if people on the coasts realize this, but here in the Midwest, we're about twenty years behind, culturally speaking. It might be hard to imagine that religious condemnation of homosexual love is anything other than a plot device in a novel. If I didn't grow up with this sort of religious fervor, I might think it was portrayed unrealistically and over-the-top for the sake of angst. But I know first hand, it's real. And that reality was perfectly portrayed in this book.
I enjoyed watching Matt and Parker each go their own routes towards accepting who they were. But this was about more than coming out of the closet. It was about finding out you're not who you want to be and then learning to accept the person you really are. Which was what touched me so deeply, and probably will everyone who reads this.
As for the romance, which is my number one motivator for picking up a book...it was fantastic. Bittersweet because of the people they were betraying and the guilt they were feeling. But beautiful and steamy during those stolen moments. It was angsty but not annoying. No ridiculous plot devices, just real, budding first love between two boys both grappling with their sexual identities.
Overall a wonderful read. I look forward to more from this author!
I enjoyed watching Matt and Parker each go their own routes towards accepting who they were. But this was about more than coming out of the closet. It was about finding out you're not who you want to be and then learning to accept the person you really are. Which was what touched me so deeply, and probably will everyone who reads this.
As for the romance, which is my number one motivator for picking up a book...it was fantastic. Bittersweet because of the people they were betraying and the guilt they were feeling. But beautiful and steamy during those stolen moments. It was angsty but not annoying. No ridiculous plot devices, just real, budding first love between two boys both grappling with their sexual identities.
Overall a wonderful read. I look forward to more from this author!
August 26, 2016
From the beginning the reader is treated to Sutton's masterful use of dialogue, character development, and description. What the reader should know is the great amount of research she did on this book. Although fiction, this book reflects how challenging life can be in the Mid-West when dealing with being different. She listened to the many different stories of men who had gone through this ordeal, and she took good notes.
When I read this book I could see those parties where there were always the outsiders, the groups where there were kids who didn't fit in, and as in life, in this book my heart went out to them. This book tells the story of two young men finding themselves and each other, and how that affects their families and their lives.
If you have any interest in how it is for young men to deal with being gay and love, then read this book.
When I read this book I could see those parties where there were always the outsiders, the groups where there were kids who didn't fit in, and as in life, in this book my heart went out to them. This book tells the story of two young men finding themselves and each other, and how that affects their families and their lives.
If you have any interest in how it is for young men to deal with being gay and love, then read this book.
December 2, 2020
Sweet coming of age love story
3.5 stars. The angst as a result of the religious theme of the book was never too much, the plot was well structured and the characters were likable. There were quite a few grammatical issues but not enough to spoil the reading experience. I like my m/m reads to have some sexy times and this has none, but a good read with a HEA despite that.
3.5 stars. The angst as a result of the religious theme of the book was never too much, the plot was well structured and the characters were likable. There were quite a few grammatical issues but not enough to spoil the reading experience. I like my m/m reads to have some sexy times and this has none, but a good read with a HEA despite that.
January 28, 2017
This book is a really solid okay. My least favorite part was the end. The suicide attempt was glossed over VERY quickly. Too quickly. The epilogue was all tell, instead of show. The plot is great until the end.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 30, 2022
Matt & Parker
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews