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"I remember the disappointment I had felt about Tennessee and the fear I had experienced worrying about being stung by bugs. I looked at Grace. Who knew I would be bitten so hard?" Serving as a missionary in Thelma's Way, Tennessee, is an unforgettable colorful, and bewildering experience for Trust Williams. (The bugs are the least of his problems.) But as Trust settles in, he begins to love this ratty bunch of misfits. In particular, he's smitten by a mysterious redhead named Grace. His mission mishaps and later courtship will leave readers in stitches. In the end, Trust discovers that despite religion, location, or upbringing, love bites whom it pleases.
464 pages, Paperback
First published May 14, 2008
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322 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 136 reviews
October 19, 2008
After a few paragraphs I realized this book was familiar. I quickly thumbed through it and realized that I had already read this book, but it was two separate books under different titles. Originally they were: All is Swell: Trust in Thelma's Way and Falling for Grace: Trust at the End of the World. There is a third book in the trilogy that is not part of this one, it is:Love's Labors Tossed: Trust and the Final Fling (which was my least favorite of the three). Bitten is supposed to be a condensed version of the first two, so I would recommend reading the Trilogy instead. I really like this series. If you like funny, LDS books, then read this series. There were a few times when I laughed out loud. It's just a silly, fun, light-hearted series that pokes a little fun at the LDS Culture (not the religion).
November 26, 2011
An lds romance novel, which usually I don't read or like, but I was given it to read and I was actually surprised that I
enjoyed the first 250 pages immensely!
It follows a missionary who serves in the backwoods hick town for the majority of te mission and it is hilarious! I just laughed so hard at the people!
You know those books which you read anthat ends all perfect and cute and you just want more? Well that moment was on page 242. And I should have left it at that. maybe even had 5 stars.
But then the rest of the 250 pages I didn't really care for. I felt like once he was back his home ward was a little too crazy on the stereotypes and I was kind of bored and it was predictable. I found my self skipping pages and getting slightly bugged by the representation of members and kept thinking, seriously someone has to be smart or in tune! So that half would have gotten a 1 star.
enjoyed the first 250 pages immensely!
It follows a missionary who serves in the backwoods hick town for the majority of te mission and it is hilarious! I just laughed so hard at the people!
You know those books which you read anthat ends all perfect and cute and you just want more? Well that moment was on page 242. And I should have left it at that. maybe even had 5 stars.
But then the rest of the 250 pages I didn't really care for. I felt like once he was back his home ward was a little too crazy on the stereotypes and I was kind of bored and it was predictable. I found my self skipping pages and getting slightly bugged by the representation of members and kept thinking, seriously someone has to be smart or in tune! So that half would have gotten a 1 star.
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July 22, 2008Okay...so this author dude (whatever his name is) has written a trilogy about some people named Trust and Grace. Little did i know this book "Bitten" are those exact same books combined into one thicker book. It's exaclty the same. I thought that was dumb, why would you want to do that?? I didn't really like those books either. I don't get this guys writing.
January 25, 2011
This was fun! I have read at least one other book by this author and I enjoy his stories a lot. They have the funniest characters and situations and I find myself laughing out loud. A fun escape from reality because there can't really be people like this in real life...right?
July 24, 2011
Very quirky, very Mormon - at least the Mormons I know. The best folks are always quirky.
So many members of the church talk about how the "Utah Mormons" are so different from the rest of the Mormons, and sometgimes I see their point, I have to admit. On the other hand, Ialso see folks who are really trying to be the best they can be. It seems they sometimes fall out of touch with reality. What I mean by that is that when you're surrounded by people just like you, you sometimes lose sight of life's purpose. It becomes about fitting in rather than becoming like our Father in Heaven.
The people of Thelma's Way are marching to their own drummer, and accept the world on its own terms. That acceptance changes the world. I loved that Elder Williams - and his family - were changed by the beauty and humor of Thelma's Way. It was really in learning to love the folks of Thelma's Way, and in allowing those folks to love them, that their hearts were changed.
Great concept, good story.
So many members of the church talk about how the "Utah Mormons" are so different from the rest of the Mormons, and sometgimes I see their point, I have to admit. On the other hand, Ialso see folks who are really trying to be the best they can be. It seems they sometimes fall out of touch with reality. What I mean by that is that when you're surrounded by people just like you, you sometimes lose sight of life's purpose. It becomes about fitting in rather than becoming like our Father in Heaven.
The people of Thelma's Way are marching to their own drummer, and accept the world on its own terms. That acceptance changes the world. I loved that Elder Williams - and his family - were changed by the beauty and humor of Thelma's Way. It was really in learning to love the folks of Thelma's Way, and in allowing those folks to love them, that their hearts were changed.
Great concept, good story.
January 2, 2010
This was a funny book. I got a real kick out of it. While I love getting a lot of pages for my dollar, I think this story would have been better served in two separate books. There was a definite point about half way through the book where the plot completely changed.
The story is about an LDS missionary who is disappointed with his call to serve in Tennessee (instead of a foreign mission). He ends up falling in love with the people he serves, and falling in love with a girl from Tennessee.
The author's perception of LDS culture will make you laugh out loud. One of my favorite passages is when he explains the difference between "bench sitters" and "chair sitters" in the congregation.
If you want a good chuckle, check out this book. It's big, and it gets slow in several places, but it is still a fun and worthwhile read.
The story is about an LDS missionary who is disappointed with his call to serve in Tennessee (instead of a foreign mission). He ends up falling in love with the people he serves, and falling in love with a girl from Tennessee.
The author's perception of LDS culture will make you laugh out loud. One of my favorite passages is when he explains the difference between "bench sitters" and "chair sitters" in the congregation.
If you want a good chuckle, check out this book. It's big, and it gets slow in several places, but it is still a fun and worthwhile read.
August 21, 2008
this is a really good book. it's sweet, and frusterating. one of the characters changed from one half of the book to the other, and the beginning was a bit... boring. but it builds, and you really start to enjoy the characters and the setting. really good road trip read, but if you cant sit for hours at a time, then it will take you a while to read. you just need to get into it. so give it a chance!
May 2, 2019
This was a lovely, light-hearted read that made me laugh aloud a number of times. The author has a fun way of describing things. He comes up with some very apt metaphors that are hilarious and yet perfectly descriptive. And I absolutely loved the two main characters, as well as the zany host of supporting characters.
June 26, 2017
This book really was a "Romantic Comedy." Every page had something quite unusual/funny on it. I even caught myself laughing out loud on occasion!
This book is hard to put down. Get ready to enjoy all the silliness.
This book is hard to put down. Get ready to enjoy all the silliness.
July 14, 2024
1.5. Hey y'all, remember back when I was religious? Ah yes, bad times.
If I remember correctly this is a very slow and tame romance about a guy who meets a girl on his LDS mission. I think I thought it was fine at the time but it's certainly not within my purview anymore.
If I remember correctly this is a very slow and tame romance about a guy who meets a girl on his LDS mission. I think I thought it was fine at the time but it's certainly not within my purview anymore.
August 7, 2011
I really like Robert F. Smith. He's clever. He's clean. He's so funny.
I have waited to read this book for a couple years.
This is my opinion of it: It's long. Too long. I felt like it was almost 2 books in one. I don't know if I would have appreciated it broken up, or in one long book. The first half of the book was during Trust's mission. The second half was a few months after his mission. You can see how it drags out.
Robert F. Smith used his usual wit creating more back woods, crazy people that you end up loving. I often felt like I had read this before, then realized it was very, very similar to Baptist at Our BBQ. Too simliar often.
It was a nice, sweet story. No suprises, no swoonings, just a nice book.
To give credit where it is due, this book backed up something I have been thinking about for a while. The power of words when used for good and bad. There is a charactor, Paul, who has the gift for words and getting people to listen to him. I found this aspect of the book very interesting.
I have waited to read this book for a couple years.
This is my opinion of it: It's long. Too long. I felt like it was almost 2 books in one. I don't know if I would have appreciated it broken up, or in one long book. The first half of the book was during Trust's mission. The second half was a few months after his mission. You can see how it drags out.
Robert F. Smith used his usual wit creating more back woods, crazy people that you end up loving. I often felt like I had read this before, then realized it was very, very similar to Baptist at Our BBQ. Too simliar often.
It was a nice, sweet story. No suprises, no swoonings, just a nice book.
To give credit where it is due, this book backed up something I have been thinking about for a while. The power of words when used for good and bad. There is a charactor, Paul, who has the gift for words and getting people to listen to him. I found this aspect of the book very interesting.
June 18, 2009
Brad's Aunt gave me this book to read, so I decided to read it while I was waiting for some holds at the library. I'm not usually one to enjoy "cheesy" LDS books, but this book was truly HILARIOUS. I was laughing out loud through so much of it. Obviously not very realistic in most parts (if you don't like reading about far-fetched LDS cliches, this book is not for you), but it had an extremely good message and overall feeling to the book. I highly recommend it.
From reading reviews of this book on good reads I discovered that this book is actually a condensed version of the first two novels in the "Trust" series. It is recommended by most people to just read the separate novels in the trilogy (I wish I would have known that before I read this!). The first one is called "All is Swell: Trust in Thelma's Way". Now I need to find the third book because it wasn't included in "Bitten".
From reading reviews of this book on good reads I discovered that this book is actually a condensed version of the first two novels in the "Trust" series. It is recommended by most people to just read the separate novels in the trilogy (I wish I would have known that before I read this!). The first one is called "All is Swell: Trust in Thelma's Way". Now I need to find the third book because it wasn't included in "Bitten".
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August 13, 2025Aug 14, 2025 Review - No Star Rating
So... this is rough. I remember loving this book. It's been on my favorites shelf for years. Frankly, I couldn't remember the plot it's been so long, but I finally was able to have it reread to me. Did about 100 pages of the 500 ish (more than I wanted to on current feelings, but because it had been 5 Stars I was trying to figure out why)... and I'm out. I realize I'm a different person with a different sense of humor than I had 14 years ago. Also, maybe it improves, but it's just a lot of terrible culture, not doctrine, about the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Again maybe it improves but I can't bring myself to do another 400 pages. Nor to leave this as 5 Stars on my profile. I thank it for the impact it obviously had on me in 2011, but it's time to move on.
Dec 27, 2011 Review - 5 Stars
It had witty descriptions and a good storyline. I mucho approve.
So... this is rough. I remember loving this book. It's been on my favorites shelf for years. Frankly, I couldn't remember the plot it's been so long, but I finally was able to have it reread to me. Did about 100 pages of the 500 ish (more than I wanted to on current feelings, but because it had been 5 Stars I was trying to figure out why)... and I'm out. I realize I'm a different person with a different sense of humor than I had 14 years ago. Also, maybe it improves, but it's just a lot of terrible culture, not doctrine, about the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Again maybe it improves but I can't bring myself to do another 400 pages. Nor to leave this as 5 Stars on my profile. I thank it for the impact it obviously had on me in 2011, but it's time to move on.
Dec 27, 2011 Review - 5 Stars
It had witty descriptions and a good storyline. I mucho approve.
December 10, 2012
"Bitten" by Robert Farrell Smith is not about vampires. "Bitten" is about 19 year old Trust Williams and his mission to Thelma's Way, Tennessee. Trust is sent to a small town in the back hills of Tennessee. The town is full of way-ward Mormons who have gone inactive thanks to a local apostate who is blamed for stealing the town Book of Mormon. Trust's job is to reactivate the town all the while the town is preparing for a pageant about how Parly P. Pratt came into town.
This book is absolutely hilarious. I've read it a couple of times. The people in the town are so quirky and strange, it's absolutely amusing. I love Trust's relationship with the town's folks and his struggles with companions that are freakishly normal compared to the inactive members he loves. The story of how Paul, the local apostate, started his own church and finding out who actually stole the Book of Mormon is absurd. I recommend this book. It isn't about vampires. It's hilarious.
This book is absolutely hilarious. I've read it a couple of times. The people in the town are so quirky and strange, it's absolutely amusing. I love Trust's relationship with the town's folks and his struggles with companions that are freakishly normal compared to the inactive members he loves. The story of how Paul, the local apostate, started his own church and finding out who actually stole the Book of Mormon is absurd. I recommend this book. It isn't about vampires. It's hilarious.
August 15, 2011
Meh. The book was longer than it needed to be... it could have been two books: the mission and after the mission. I hated how his girlfriend trusted someone she hardly knew over him for the longest time and flattered herself that the tension between the guys was jealous guy stuff instead of seeing that there might really be a problem. I don't like reading books with that kind of conflict because it stresses me out and bugs me until it is resolved. If they would just talk... if they would just trust... everything would be fine. Instead they act stupid, prideful, and lame. ugh.
Overall, though, an intriguing story line (ish) even if it ends up being fairly simple with fun characters that at times made me laugh out loud.
I don't think I wasted my time, but I would never read it again, either.
Overall, though, an intriguing story line (ish) even if it ends up being fairly simple with fun characters that at times made me laugh out loud.
I don't think I wasted my time, but I would never read it again, either.
October 8, 2011
I love Smith's writing style, and this book was both charming and hilarious. This was an entertaining yarn about a guy named Trust, who gets called on a church mission to the remote town of Thelma's Way, Tennessee. The mix of characters and funny antics of those both in Thelma's Way and Trust's hometown of Southdale, UT had me laughing as I read this book. A giant loaf of bread, a healing Ace bandage, bags of licorice floating by after a flood, and a missing heirloom copy of The Book of Mormon kept me thoroughly entertained. The book got off to a slow start, but the story hooked me in and got better as it went along.
Granted, this book caters to an LDS/Mormon audience, which category I into. It's also 510 pages, but I didn't find the length daunting. I also found out that Smith wrote "Baptists At Our Barbecue, which I saw as a movie, and can't wait to read as a book.
Granted, this book caters to an LDS/Mormon audience, which category I into. It's also 510 pages, but I didn't find the length daunting. I also found out that Smith wrote "Baptists At Our Barbecue, which I saw as a movie, and can't wait to read as a book.
April 11, 2012
Despite the title, this book has nothing to do with vampires. Apparently it's two books, combined into one, which explains why it seemed to take me forever to read it.
It was funny, in a very quirky way. I don't think he describes one person in the whole book that sounds even somewhat normal. Hopefully nobody knows that many weird people. I kind of expected it from the backwoods Tennessee town, but I think his hometown people sounded just as odd.
I was entertained, but in more of a 'shock and awe' over their stupidity way than in a 'this is a fun book' way. You could tell it had to be the same guy that wrote Baptists at our Barbecue because of the similar style. If you liked that, you'll probably like this. If not, skip it.
It was funny, in a very quirky way. I don't think he describes one person in the whole book that sounds even somewhat normal. Hopefully nobody knows that many weird people. I kind of expected it from the backwoods Tennessee town, but I think his hometown people sounded just as odd.
I was entertained, but in more of a 'shock and awe' over their stupidity way than in a 'this is a fun book' way. You could tell it had to be the same guy that wrote Baptists at our Barbecue because of the similar style. If you liked that, you'll probably like this. If not, skip it.
September 29, 2016
I really wanted to love this book. It was okay. It honestly felt like a recap of all of someone's mission stories in one book. Don't get me wrong...I love mission stories...but, I find them more entertaining told every now and again. I liked the characters, but just found that I didn't really care all that much what happened to them. I actually didn't finish the book. I got into the second half of it and put it down and just don't have the desire to pick it up again. I think that the humor in the book was just not my type of humor. My Mom, I think, would have loved this book. It actually reminds me of one of her favorite series..."The Mitford" series. So, if you like those books, pick this one up, you'll probably love it!
December 1, 2008
This is a novel that is written for teens. It's simple but hilarious. I was reading it at work and I was laughing hysterically, my co-workers were questioning my sanity. It was totally worth it. It's a missionary that is called to serve in Tennessee and the back road town that he serves most of his mission in. The silliest people with the most outrageous stories. He falls for a girl in the field and brings her back to his town after her completes his mission. I think my favorite part was when one of his companions has a vision the he (the companion) is supposed to marry the missionary's girlfriend. If the only worked. Definitely a worth while read.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 22, 2009
This was a very unusual book. It was full of a big, long, tall tale about a missionary who serves in a po-dunk town and goes back after his mission to date a girl from there.
I classified this as humorous and a love story. Humorous is to be debated. I didn't really laugh out loud, but the book really is meant to be ridiculously funny. Everyone in the story has over-exaggerated issues that are meant to be humorous.
This was a love story but not the kind that just grips your heart. It is actually pretty sweet.
The book held my attention well enough to finish it, but I wouldn't classify it as gripping.
I classified this as humorous and a love story. Humorous is to be debated. I didn't really laugh out loud, but the book really is meant to be ridiculously funny. Everyone in the story has over-exaggerated issues that are meant to be humorous.
This was a love story but not the kind that just grips your heart. It is actually pretty sweet.
The book held my attention well enough to finish it, but I wouldn't classify it as gripping.
July 18, 2010
This author is the same one who wrote the Leven Thumps series (Obert Skye). I'm giving this book 5 stars not for the stellar writing or thrilling plot because his books don't fall into those categories. I'm giving the book 5 stars because to me it's just so entertaining. I don't laugh a lot with books and when I find one that gets me laughing multiple times I think it's magical. This book is for you if you enjoy the Mormon comedy movies like "RM", "Singles Ward" (although I didn't care for that one). In fact, this author wrote "Baptists at my Barbecue". Such bizarre characters and situations that I just had to laugh and keep laughing.
September 16, 2013
I hate to give poor reviews, but this book was so hard for me to finish. I think the most problem I had with it was the humor, it was hard for me to grasp. Once I kindof caught on to the humor there were some pretty funny parts. The main character goes on a mission for the LDS church to a po-dunk town and becomes entangled with the residence there. Once he was immersed in their world the humor and characters made more sense. Later in the book some of these characters are back in the "real" world and then they don't make any sense at all. I had to finish it to see if it would get better. It just seems like the author tried to put too many stories into one.
November 7, 2009
Once again LDS Fiction.... not a fan. My younger sis-n-law was reading this book about a year back. She told me it was about a missionary who falls in love with a girl on his mission. My first thought was, "what in the heck is this garbage?!" I started to read, and this book is LAUGH OUT LOUD FUNNY! And its not just about a missionary falling in love with a girl. It's about a very very very small town with quirky characters that you can't get enough of. It's an easy read and you will laugh. A lot. Read it.
July 20, 2011
THIS IS NOT A VAMPIRE BOOK like I assumed it would be. This was awesome. :)
I was laughing so hard that I was crying through so much of this book. I kept reading passages aloud to my Hubby. You totally either need to be LDS or know enough about LDS culture to "get" everything. I loved this.
I think the coolest thing about this book is that it makes you realize that there are strange people everywhere, even in our own circle of friends, so you can't really judge others.
I highly recommend this, it is a huge laugh.
I was laughing so hard that I was crying through so much of this book. I kept reading passages aloud to my Hubby. You totally either need to be LDS or know enough about LDS culture to "get" everything. I loved this.
I think the coolest thing about this book is that it makes you realize that there are strange people everywhere, even in our own circle of friends, so you can't really judge others.
I highly recommend this, it is a huge laugh.
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January 8, 2023This book is really two books, the first half, and then the sequel tacked onto it. The first half was awesome! I would definitely read the first half again. The author has a style of writing that left me busting up sometimes, but the events in the first half are often funny in and of themselves.
The second half was mostly drama that I didn't care for as much as the first half. I highly recommend the first half, and if you don't feel like reading the second half, I can always fill you in on the details!
“All is Swell” is the first half.
The second half was mostly drama that I didn't care for as much as the first half. I highly recommend the first half, and if you don't feel like reading the second half, I can always fill you in on the details!
“All is Swell” is the first half.
October 9, 2008
I thought this book was hilarious but also had a good message. It reminded me of when someone asks you why you were late and you tell them and it is so bizzaro that there is no way it could be made up. As I am reading this book I thought, surely there has to be a town just like this, with real people who are exactly like these people and there is someone out there who is going through this exact same thing. Especially in mormon land.
July 12, 2012
My friend lent me this book and I just never got around to sitting down and reading it. Last night I finally started reading it and I'm glad I did! It was funny and the characters were so endearing. I liked how even though Trust had feelings for Grace, he tried to focus on his mission an was upfront with his mission president. I love the people from Thelma's Way, they're adorable! Glad I finally read it!
May 26, 2014
This book was absolutely hilarious. I loved all of the characters in this. Romantic comedies are always my favorite, so this book was perfect for me. It was fun, quirky, romantic, and just great all around. It was interesting, though, how it had multiple plots and climaxes. (it makes sense though, now knowing that it's two books in one.) The only thing was that it was a little hard to keep track of all of the characters and who was who. But overall, this was a great book.
May 28, 2008
I really enjoyed reading this book. I had to tell my husband about some of the stories in it because he served his mission in West Virginia, and I'm pretty sure that he encountered some similar events on his mission. I laughed through most of this book.
October 7, 2008
This was just a fun book to read when you need a diversion. Robert Smith's sense of humor is quite refreshing. the book is over 500 pages but I still found it a quick read. By the way,this is an LDS fiction book.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 136 reviews