You Can't Tell by Looking

by Russell J. Sanders

When Gabe Dillon starts the year at a new school, one young man captures and holds all his attention. Kerem Uzun is the senior class president. He’s friendly, popular, the son of doctors, of Turkish descent, and Muslim.

Soon Gabe’s curiosity about Kerem extends to Kerem’s religious practices. He’s fascinated by the culture, philosophy, and rituals of Islam, but one thing worries many practitioners of the religion are outraged by proud gay men like Gabe. Kerem’s cousin, Timur, an orphan who was raised alongside Kerem as a brother, is one of them. And he isn’t the only one standing in the way of their budding relationship.

Gabe knows he can’t choose who he falls in love with, and he’s in love with Kerem. But is Kerem even attracted to men? Will he go against his fundamentalist cousin for a chance to be with Gabe? With so many forces trying hard to tear it down, building a romance will mean a struggle.

200 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 2, 2018

About the author

A teacher, a singer, an actor, a director, a chef, a traveler, a writer...these are all descriptions of native Texas author Russell J. Sanders, now residing in Las Vegas, Nevada. A life spent in Texas led to a relocation adventure, because that's what life is about--embarking on adventures. So he and his husband set out for parts unknown and are loving it! Russell writes young adult novels, and his works are infused with his travel experiences. Thus far, his novels have taken readers to Ft. Worth, Houston, Chicago, Hollywood, and Nova Scotia. Since he has traveled to England, France, Italy, Japan, India, Bali, Jakarta, Toronto, Vancouver, Alaska, and Hawaii, who knows where he may lead his readers next? But one thing is certain, there will likely be a mention of Tex-Mex food in his books, for no matter where he travels, Russell seeks out Mexican food, not searching for the perfect enchilada, but just to experience what the food is like in far away places. It actually was pretty good, he says, in Jakarta, and not so good in Wyoming. Mostly, Russell's goal is to tell the world, through his writing, that we are all put on this earth to love one another, no matter our race, religion, or sexual preference.

Reviews

[Serena Yates · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hypocrisy and bigotry are too often the automatic response to those who are different these days, so a novel that deals with how we react to them is definitely topical. In this specific case, Kerem is a Muslim of Turkish descent, his parents are doctors, he is the senior class president, friendly, and popular. There is no doubt that he fits into American culture – the question this book asks comes from a different angle: how does Gabe, a privileged white boy, react to encountering a different religion when he is attracted to Kerem and how does he deal with his own issues?


Please find my full review on Rainbow Book Reviews.

[Joyfully Jay · Rating 3 out of 5]

A Joyfully Jay review.

3 stars

The blurb sounded very attractive for this book. The issue of diversity—this time, religious with the focus on Islam—was front and center, but juxtaposed against American culture. The author’s notes made it clear Sanders was exploring facets of Islam as well and, I thought, on a mission to contribute positive representation of the religion to the world of writing. If I had to reflect purely on the representation of Islam here, I think Kerem’s family is too cookie-cutter to really expand boundaries or change minds. Kerem and his parents are goody-two-shoes good to the point of being utterly one-dimensional. Kerem barely breaks with this simply by his X-rated thoughts (and occasional on-page deeds) about Gabe. Whatever research might have gone into substantiating such flowerly, hyper polite, and super positive attitudes about everything (save Kerem’s mother’s very restrained exasperation at her daughter’s Bridezilla attitude) does not come through either on page, nor in any footnotes or endnotes.

Read Camille’s review in its entirety here.

[Shima11 · Rating 4 out of 5]

A didactic story relevant to our times. Though the characters did not to my mind achieve full realism, I nevertheless found myself emotionally engaged, following sometimes anxiously, sometimes fondly, the developments of an intercultural high school romance between two very fine young men.

You Can't Tell by Looking is recommended for YA readers as a winsome vehicle for the appreciation of cultural diversity. There is explicit sexual content, appropriate and non-gratuitous.

Lessons of the book? Avoid lazy, socially conditioned prejudgment. Seek to perceive and understand the actual character of a person and situation. Every religion has its darker and brighter expressions. Every religion is embodied somewhat differently in each individual, family, and community. Hold to that which helps. Abandon that which harms.

[Amy Dufera - Amy's MM Romance Reviews · Rating 4 out of 5]

You Can’t Tell by Looking is an extremely thought-provoking and timely romance by Russell J. Sanders.

Gabe, on his first day at his new school, is attracted to and intrigued by fellow student, Kerem. As Kerem’s cousin, Timur, is outraged by his homosexuality, even having a friendship with Karem will be tough for Gabe. Yet they end up embarking upon a romance filled with fear, angry family members, attempted murder, and more.

You Can’t Tell by Looking speaks upon prejudice towards Muslims and the extreme confusion about Muslim in the United States. As Gabe wants to learn more about Kerem’s religion, the reader follows along while being enlightened as well.

The author delves into the similarities and differences between the Muslim religion and Christianity. He also explores the hypocrisy of those Christians who claim to be religious, yet live with hatred and bigotry towards others; an issue that is all too prevalent in today’s American headlines.

I find it heartbreaking that Gabe fears being in a relationship with Kerem, simply because of bias and fear of Muslims. His concerns are realistic and downright tragic, reminding us of the discrimination that people of this faith sometimes face.

There is a lot of talk of Muslim beliefs of murdering in honor of family, which is especially difficult to read, as it’s all too realistic. As well, there is a strong emphasis on the mental state of someone who will kill for their religion.

I had expected more angst in this story, but it ends up with only light angst here and there. In the end, despite some scary scenes, it is a tender journey, full of love and hope, and the strength that is found in honesty.

You Can’t Tell by Looking may not be for everyone. But, Russell J. Sanders gifts us with a realistic view into the lives of Muslim Americans, as well as being a gay Muslim.

[Basmaish]

(unfinished) I couldn’t keep going with this no matter how much I tried. I want to support stories such as this one but the way it was written was confusing and I didn’t jam with it at all.

I might be wrong but the way the characters converse with one another feels very odd and not like something you’d hear teens say. And there’s this odd thing where in between conversations the author would include a section trying to explain something to us the readers and this felt so out of place. The information the author wanted to share about Islam felt so forced! Maybe a younger person reading this wouldn’t feel the same way and I can still the merit of what such a story in the right hands can do... but.. not for me. I’m going through the reviews now hoping someone has written a full length that can tell me how it all ends for all the characters.