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Without Sin
Sixteen-year-old Jacob Smithson has a temper. He's picked on because he likes boys, and fighting gets him kicked out of public school. As a last resort, his parents place him in St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Boarding School for Boys.
At his first mass at St. Thomas he sees Avery Dendritch, a senior who serves as altar boy during the service. When they meet, the attraction between them is hard to deny. The two become fast friends, and as the school year progresses, their friendship deepens until Jacob feels he's found a place where he belongs.
But the other students gossip about their growing relationship. Avery can ignore them; Jacob can't. As the rumors and slurs start up again, can he curb his temper, or will his fighting get him expelled from St. Thomas, too?
At his first mass at St. Thomas he sees Avery Dendritch, a senior who serves as altar boy during the service. When they meet, the attraction between them is hard to deny. The two become fast friends, and as the school year progresses, their friendship deepens until Jacob feels he's found a place where he belongs.
But the other students gossip about their growing relationship. Avery can ignore them; Jacob can't. As the rumors and slurs start up again, can he curb his temper, or will his fighting get him expelled from St. Thomas, too?
240 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2008
5 people are currently reading
360 people want to read
About the author
J. Tomas
18 books36 followersJ. Tomas writes gay YA romance and currently lives in Richmond, VA.
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
August 14, 2009
Although Without Sin by J. Tomas is marketed as a Young Adult romance, there is nothing immature or even amateur about this story. The protagonists are teenagers, but the depth of their relationship is explored and described with adult-level precision, understanding, and compassion. The book is a compelling read, one that is so utterly raw and honest in its portrayal of first-love, that it is literaly breath-taking.
Jacob and Avery are respective sophomore and senior high school students at an all-boys Catholic boarding school. Both are gay, and they immediately find themselves attracted to one another when they meet for the first time at an all-school mass.
Jacob is the younger of the two, and at age 16 he's very much aware of his attraction to boys, yet his experience is limited. He has struggled in school due to his hot-temper and defensiveness. He's been picked on and ridiculed by his peers, and he fights back with his fists. Nobody has bothered to try finding out the reason for his violent outbursts, though. Instead his parents simply opt to send their son to a strictly-operated Catholic boarding school, hoping this will cure his rebellious nature.
Avery is a model student. He has also suffered the ridicule and bullying by his judgmental classmates, but his coping mechanism has been to ignore the insults and devote all of his energy upon his academics. He is 17, and he's had two previous boyfriends, both of whom have broken his sensitive heart. Jacob is his first love interest who is younger than he, and he easily slips into the role of mentor as he guides the impressionable, love-starved sophomore into a budding romantic relationship.
The manner in which the author leads the reader into the minds of these two intriguing yet innocent teens, is remarkable. Their fears, doubts, passions, desires, and cravings are all exposed. It is a stark reminder of the simplisticly primal urgency of male hormones that tend to motivate and control the mind of a sixteen year old boy. It is also an emotional rollercoaster as you experience the growth of their pure and romantic infatuation with one another.
One of the most compelling and memorable scenes within the story is the tender moment after the young couple first make love when Jacob feels emotional and cries in his lover's arms. He feels saddened by his loss of innocence, for this was his very first time, yet he also has no regrets. His partner Avery holds him and they cuddle together romantically. It is described in a manner that is so tender and believable that it creates a vivid reality for the reader which will undoubtedly remain long after they finish this magnificent read.
Without Sin is beautiful. It is innocent, fresh, and pure. It is an honest and uplifting story about first-love. Gay love. Teen love. Love. It is perhaps one of the most romantic and touching stories I have ever read, worthy of far more than five-stars.
Jacob and Avery are respective sophomore and senior high school students at an all-boys Catholic boarding school. Both are gay, and they immediately find themselves attracted to one another when they meet for the first time at an all-school mass.
Jacob is the younger of the two, and at age 16 he's very much aware of his attraction to boys, yet his experience is limited. He has struggled in school due to his hot-temper and defensiveness. He's been picked on and ridiculed by his peers, and he fights back with his fists. Nobody has bothered to try finding out the reason for his violent outbursts, though. Instead his parents simply opt to send their son to a strictly-operated Catholic boarding school, hoping this will cure his rebellious nature.
Avery is a model student. He has also suffered the ridicule and bullying by his judgmental classmates, but his coping mechanism has been to ignore the insults and devote all of his energy upon his academics. He is 17, and he's had two previous boyfriends, both of whom have broken his sensitive heart. Jacob is his first love interest who is younger than he, and he easily slips into the role of mentor as he guides the impressionable, love-starved sophomore into a budding romantic relationship.
The manner in which the author leads the reader into the minds of these two intriguing yet innocent teens, is remarkable. Their fears, doubts, passions, desires, and cravings are all exposed. It is a stark reminder of the simplisticly primal urgency of male hormones that tend to motivate and control the mind of a sixteen year old boy. It is also an emotional rollercoaster as you experience the growth of their pure and romantic infatuation with one another.
One of the most compelling and memorable scenes within the story is the tender moment after the young couple first make love when Jacob feels emotional and cries in his lover's arms. He feels saddened by his loss of innocence, for this was his very first time, yet he also has no regrets. His partner Avery holds him and they cuddle together romantically. It is described in a manner that is so tender and believable that it creates a vivid reality for the reader which will undoubtedly remain long after they finish this magnificent read.
Without Sin is beautiful. It is innocent, fresh, and pure. It is an honest and uplifting story about first-love. Gay love. Teen love. Love. It is perhaps one of the most romantic and touching stories I have ever read, worthy of far more than five-stars.
October 10, 2012
I loved this book so much, the relationship was started very soon in the book but I am glad it was. I just loved both characters and the fact that their relationship survived was brilliant. I would have loved if the ending had been a couple of years later but that's a small thing :)
November 21, 2013
2.5 stars
too much "sex". I liked these boys and if they weren't being controlled by their hormones every second I would have enjoyed this more. my favorite parts were probably around thr end. johnny was down right adorable and i even liked that Matt ended up being a good guy
too much "sex". I liked these boys and if they weren't being controlled by their hormones every second I would have enjoyed this more. my favorite parts were probably around thr end. johnny was down right adorable and i even liked that Matt ended up being a good guy
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June 5, 2009The bad boy and the angel girl, all church and home... It's quite a classical plot, only that here, the angel girl is an angel boy, better the altar boy, and bad boy Jacob sees him the first day at the boarding school where he was sent due to one fight more in public school. Jacob is 16 years old and he wouldn't be a bad student if not for the fact that he picks up too more fight, above all when someone call him names since he likes boys. Jacob has not a problem with liking boys, he is well beyond the phase when it was a doubt, now for him it is a sure thing, but Jacob is like a lot of other teenager, he is easily inflammable.
Avery instead is apparently a saint; but the truth is that he has mastered the skill to not listen to who he is around him. Avery has still one year left in boarding school and then he will be out at college. He made the mistake to have a thing with his roommate, someone who was not at all discreet and who left at the end of the previous year, leaving Avery to live with the consequences of his big mouth. Avery is only waiting for this year to pass, he is not for sure searching for another story inside the boarding school. But then he sees Jacob, and it's love at first sight. Even if Avery is older than an year and with more experience (he had sex 3 times...), he always falls in love: two times before he had a boyfriend, and two times he was in love and he was the first to say the L word. He swore to not do the same error again and then here he is, falling for the new guy since day one.
Jacob is for sure temperamental, but he is also very insecure; it's not that he hasn't a supportive family, they are not happy for him to be gay, but they are not even fiercely against the idea. When his father found out, when he was 14 years old, he beat him, and his mother cried, but then, they reached an unspoken agreement, a family don't ask, don't tell. I believe that most of the rage Jacob feels inside, is only a way for repressed feelings to come out, he has no one to speak to, and the only way he can "communicate" is through his fist. Jacob attacks the boys who call him names only since he still isn't at comfort with whom he is and with who he likes. And when he meets Avery, his balance, Jacob will manage to dissipate a bit of that repressed feelings.
On the other hand, Avery faces better the same situation, since he, first has the support of his mother, and second his a bit older than Jacob, and at that age one year is very important. Avery suffers from the jokes against him not since he is insecure, but since he is lonely; and when he meets Jacob, a soul mate and not before long, also a boyfriend, he fill that loneliness and he is content, he has enough to go through the last year in boarding school. Oh, he loves Jacob, no doubt, the boy is not only a convenience, but Avery knows that they are only teenagers, and what they feel now is only heightened by the feeling to be two alone against the world. When they will be out, when they will have the chance to meet someone else, what will happen then? But I have faith in Avery and Jacob and in their love, their story is so tender and sweet, that I can really believe that they will be happy together ever after.
Without Sin is a really romantic story, very suitable for young gay adult in love, but with that bit of romance with a much more adult feeling in it that can satisfy also an older reader. And then me, an older reader, I have always had a certain thing for young boys in uniform...
http://www.amazon.com/dp/1603706844/?...
Avery instead is apparently a saint; but the truth is that he has mastered the skill to not listen to who he is around him. Avery has still one year left in boarding school and then he will be out at college. He made the mistake to have a thing with his roommate, someone who was not at all discreet and who left at the end of the previous year, leaving Avery to live with the consequences of his big mouth. Avery is only waiting for this year to pass, he is not for sure searching for another story inside the boarding school. But then he sees Jacob, and it's love at first sight. Even if Avery is older than an year and with more experience (he had sex 3 times...), he always falls in love: two times before he had a boyfriend, and two times he was in love and he was the first to say the L word. He swore to not do the same error again and then here he is, falling for the new guy since day one.
Jacob is for sure temperamental, but he is also very insecure; it's not that he hasn't a supportive family, they are not happy for him to be gay, but they are not even fiercely against the idea. When his father found out, when he was 14 years old, he beat him, and his mother cried, but then, they reached an unspoken agreement, a family don't ask, don't tell. I believe that most of the rage Jacob feels inside, is only a way for repressed feelings to come out, he has no one to speak to, and the only way he can "communicate" is through his fist. Jacob attacks the boys who call him names only since he still isn't at comfort with whom he is and with who he likes. And when he meets Avery, his balance, Jacob will manage to dissipate a bit of that repressed feelings.
On the other hand, Avery faces better the same situation, since he, first has the support of his mother, and second his a bit older than Jacob, and at that age one year is very important. Avery suffers from the jokes against him not since he is insecure, but since he is lonely; and when he meets Jacob, a soul mate and not before long, also a boyfriend, he fill that loneliness and he is content, he has enough to go through the last year in boarding school. Oh, he loves Jacob, no doubt, the boy is not only a convenience, but Avery knows that they are only teenagers, and what they feel now is only heightened by the feeling to be two alone against the world. When they will be out, when they will have the chance to meet someone else, what will happen then? But I have faith in Avery and Jacob and in their love, their story is so tender and sweet, that I can really believe that they will be happy together ever after.
Without Sin is a really romantic story, very suitable for young gay adult in love, but with that bit of romance with a much more adult feeling in it that can satisfy also an older reader. And then me, an older reader, I have always had a certain thing for young boys in uniform...
http://www.amazon.com/dp/1603706844/?...
April 8, 2010
The Review:
Honesty from the outset~
It is true. The good reading fairies have been gracing me recently.
First things first~
When I found out that J M Snyder had started to write YA under the pseudonym J Tomas I immediately put up my hand for the book. I was even more intrigued when realised the book was being released by what is quickly becoming one of my favourite publishers, Prizm Books.
Do you remember about a week ago I wrote : "Jen, who I think we all acknowledge as the more eloquent :), has said that this author writes well and has a fluent prose. Me, I just say she always gives a good read. ;)" Well, I'm even more convinced after reading Without Sin. In fact, I would say this is probably the best work I've ever read by this author.
Before I launch into some of the whys I liked it, let me tell you a bit about Without Sin first.
Jacob Smithson is sent to a Catholic boarding school by his parents in the hopes the environment will help curb his hot temper and his fighting, which has seen him expelled from public school. When he sees fellow student Avery Dendritch he is immediately captivated and it soon becomes obvious that the feeling is mutual. Infatuated with each other and their deepening relationship, the two young men become inseparable. A fact which makes them fodder for homophobic teasing and bullying and in turn sparks Jacob's temper with some disastrous results.
I think Without Sin is a book which will remind all those who read it about how falling in love for the first time feels: the fascination; the intoxication; the lust; the un/certainty; the hopefulness; and, the euphoria. I felt a certain amount of nostalgia reliving these highs and lows through Jacob and Avery. This, however, did not make Without Sin sugar sweet - far from it. For me, what it meant was the author had very successfully conveyed the churning emotions and the sheer intensity teenagers feel when they are attracted to one another and entering into their first 'real' relationship.
I thought there were a couple of things that also helped to contribute to this experience. The first of these was the situation in which the main characters find themselves. This being a conservative school with little privacy and where neither their sexuality nor their relationship could be discovered. It made the story as well as Jacob's and Avery's reactions even more convincing.
The second was the format of the book itself. Here, the author has told the first part of the story from Jacob's perspective and the second, which continues from the first, from Avery's. This allowed the reader to experience all of Jacob's bravado and nervousness as well as Avery's more temperate, but no less deeply passionate emotions. Great stuff. :)
A couple of issues/warnings~
Given the main themes of this book, it is important to bear in mind that the protags are only 16 and 18 years old so of course they may come across as immature and overly-enamored at times. This portrayal of Jacob's and Avery's feelings is absolutely integral to this story about first love. Relevance to context is everything!
My recommendation~
I would highly recommend this book to anyone who wants a very fine read. I'll say again - I think this is the best work I've read by this author to date.
Honesty from the outset~
It is true. The good reading fairies have been gracing me recently.
First things first~
When I found out that J M Snyder had started to write YA under the pseudonym J Tomas I immediately put up my hand for the book. I was even more intrigued when realised the book was being released by what is quickly becoming one of my favourite publishers, Prizm Books.
Do you remember about a week ago I wrote : "Jen, who I think we all acknowledge as the more eloquent :), has said that this author writes well and has a fluent prose. Me, I just say she always gives a good read. ;)" Well, I'm even more convinced after reading Without Sin. In fact, I would say this is probably the best work I've ever read by this author.
Before I launch into some of the whys I liked it, let me tell you a bit about Without Sin first.
Jacob Smithson is sent to a Catholic boarding school by his parents in the hopes the environment will help curb his hot temper and his fighting, which has seen him expelled from public school. When he sees fellow student Avery Dendritch he is immediately captivated and it soon becomes obvious that the feeling is mutual. Infatuated with each other and their deepening relationship, the two young men become inseparable. A fact which makes them fodder for homophobic teasing and bullying and in turn sparks Jacob's temper with some disastrous results.
I think Without Sin is a book which will remind all those who read it about how falling in love for the first time feels: the fascination; the intoxication; the lust; the un/certainty; the hopefulness; and, the euphoria. I felt a certain amount of nostalgia reliving these highs and lows through Jacob and Avery. This, however, did not make Without Sin sugar sweet - far from it. For me, what it meant was the author had very successfully conveyed the churning emotions and the sheer intensity teenagers feel when they are attracted to one another and entering into their first 'real' relationship.
I thought there were a couple of things that also helped to contribute to this experience. The first of these was the situation in which the main characters find themselves. This being a conservative school with little privacy and where neither their sexuality nor their relationship could be discovered. It made the story as well as Jacob's and Avery's reactions even more convincing.
The second was the format of the book itself. Here, the author has told the first part of the story from Jacob's perspective and the second, which continues from the first, from Avery's. This allowed the reader to experience all of Jacob's bravado and nervousness as well as Avery's more temperate, but no less deeply passionate emotions. Great stuff. :)
A couple of issues/warnings~
Given the main themes of this book, it is important to bear in mind that the protags are only 16 and 18 years old so of course they may come across as immature and overly-enamored at times. This portrayal of Jacob's and Avery's feelings is absolutely integral to this story about first love. Relevance to context is everything!
My recommendation~
I would highly recommend this book to anyone who wants a very fine read. I'll say again - I think this is the best work I've read by this author to date.
March 4, 2016
Reviewed for Hearts on Fire
Without Sin is a story of two high school boys who meet while attending a Catholic all boys boarding school. This story is told in alternating points of view of the two main characters. Avery, the older of the two boys, is a senior at St. Thomas Aquinas. Jacob is a new student who is starting his sophomore year as a result of being expelled from the public schools due t o fighting. Jacob has anger issues and settles any perceived slights with his fists. During his first Mass at the school he is instantly attracted to the altar boy – Avery. Jacob boldly appraises Avery and Avery clearly notices Jacob. Mike, Jacob’s new roommate tells Jacob what he knows of Avery. Jacob becomes a bit obsessed with Avery at this point.
Unfortunately at lunch later that day, Mike’s friends make a comment about Avery, intimating that he is gay. Even though Jacob doesn’t know Avery, he responds with violence and is immediately sent to see the Monsignor. Avery stops by as he is waiting and introduces himself to Jacob and their relationship blossoms from there.
They go to a party off-campus the first weekend and end up in the same bed and there is lots of making out. Jacob has never had a boyfriend before even though he has “messed around” with other boys. His family has not taken it well that Jacob might be gay. Avery on the other hand has had a few boyfriends and has had sex with his last boyfriend who graduated the previous year.
As the semester goes on, Avery and Jacob spend all of their non-classroom time together supposedly “studying” but of course what they are studying is each other. Given the rumors about Avery and his close association with Jacob, both are subjected to insults and slurs. Avery tries to help Jacob keep his anger under control since he’s already been labeled as a troublemaker. However, a further incident occurs after Jacob and Avery have spent the weekend together that results in additional violence that threatens Jacob’s continuing at St. Thomas. Parents are called in and Avery and Jacob deal with the aftermath.
What I liked best about this story was the urgency of young obsessive love that is clearly portrayed in the voices of the boys. Jacob is desperate for someone to love and to love him. His anger is largely the result of his being harassed because he is gay – including an incidence of violence in his own home. He cannot be himself anywhere except when he is off campus or alone with Avery. While Avery is subject to some harassment, he has had longer to deal with it and he also has a mother who is accepting and loving. The loneliness of these boys until they find each other is also sensitively written. While this book isn’t necessarily an easy light read, it is a very good portrayal of young love. Warning: While labeled a Young Adult story, there is consensual sex between the 16 and 17 year old boys that is not very graphic.
Without Sin is a story of two high school boys who meet while attending a Catholic all boys boarding school. This story is told in alternating points of view of the two main characters. Avery, the older of the two boys, is a senior at St. Thomas Aquinas. Jacob is a new student who is starting his sophomore year as a result of being expelled from the public schools due t o fighting. Jacob has anger issues and settles any perceived slights with his fists. During his first Mass at the school he is instantly attracted to the altar boy – Avery. Jacob boldly appraises Avery and Avery clearly notices Jacob. Mike, Jacob’s new roommate tells Jacob what he knows of Avery. Jacob becomes a bit obsessed with Avery at this point.
Unfortunately at lunch later that day, Mike’s friends make a comment about Avery, intimating that he is gay. Even though Jacob doesn’t know Avery, he responds with violence and is immediately sent to see the Monsignor. Avery stops by as he is waiting and introduces himself to Jacob and their relationship blossoms from there.
They go to a party off-campus the first weekend and end up in the same bed and there is lots of making out. Jacob has never had a boyfriend before even though he has “messed around” with other boys. His family has not taken it well that Jacob might be gay. Avery on the other hand has had a few boyfriends and has had sex with his last boyfriend who graduated the previous year.
As the semester goes on, Avery and Jacob spend all of their non-classroom time together supposedly “studying” but of course what they are studying is each other. Given the rumors about Avery and his close association with Jacob, both are subjected to insults and slurs. Avery tries to help Jacob keep his anger under control since he’s already been labeled as a troublemaker. However, a further incident occurs after Jacob and Avery have spent the weekend together that results in additional violence that threatens Jacob’s continuing at St. Thomas. Parents are called in and Avery and Jacob deal with the aftermath.
What I liked best about this story was the urgency of young obsessive love that is clearly portrayed in the voices of the boys. Jacob is desperate for someone to love and to love him. His anger is largely the result of his being harassed because he is gay – including an incidence of violence in his own home. He cannot be himself anywhere except when he is off campus or alone with Avery. While Avery is subject to some harassment, he has had longer to deal with it and he also has a mother who is accepting and loving. The loneliness of these boys until they find each other is also sensitively written. While this book isn’t necessarily an easy light read, it is a very good portrayal of young love. Warning: While labeled a Young Adult story, there is consensual sex between the 16 and 17 year old boys that is not very graphic.
March 19, 2010
I read this book as my 'out of my comfort zone' read for Kris' M/M Rut Challenge. I haven't been interested in reading YA since I was young but I must admit I really liked this story.
Jacob and Avery are young guys attending Catholic boarding school and the development of their relationship from friends to boyfriends and then to lovers was very nicely written. The story flows well and although there is not a lot of character development in this story I liked the guys. They are pretty typical teens; moody, restless, a bit irresponsible at times and with the usual 'I am the center of the Universe' feeling that a lot of kids that age exhibit. At the same time they are tender and loving towards each other and once they are ready for actual sex they do behave responsibly.
Overall this was an enjoyable story. I liked Jacob and Avery and was engaged in their story as they form a friendship which turns to love. The ending leaves a lot unanswered but that's actually a good thing. There is a feeling that they may have some kind of future together but at the same time Jacob and Avery are young and a HEA ending really wouldn't feel real.
J. Tomas is a pseudonym for J.M. Snyder and this book reminded me very much of her book Power Play which I also liked. Whether you're a fan of YA or like me, this isn't your normal genre to read in, I recommend this nice, easy to read, well written emotional story of first love.
Jacob and Avery are young guys attending Catholic boarding school and the development of their relationship from friends to boyfriends and then to lovers was very nicely written. The story flows well and although there is not a lot of character development in this story I liked the guys. They are pretty typical teens; moody, restless, a bit irresponsible at times and with the usual 'I am the center of the Universe' feeling that a lot of kids that age exhibit. At the same time they are tender and loving towards each other and once they are ready for actual sex they do behave responsibly.
Overall this was an enjoyable story. I liked Jacob and Avery and was engaged in their story as they form a friendship which turns to love. The ending leaves a lot unanswered but that's actually a good thing. There is a feeling that they may have some kind of future together but at the same time Jacob and Avery are young and a HEA ending really wouldn't feel real.
J. Tomas is a pseudonym for J.M. Snyder and this book reminded me very much of her book Power Play which I also liked. Whether you're a fan of YA or like me, this isn't your normal genre to read in, I recommend this nice, easy to read, well written emotional story of first love.
August 6, 2015
Pretty good. It's written in the present tense, for those who mind such things
September 9, 2021
I usually don't do reviews for books that I read, mostly because what I find problematic, or my main issue with a book, has already been pointed out by someone else. However, this book didn't live up to my expectations because it lacked the one thing that is fundamental to any work of fiction: a central conflict. Sure, one of the protagonists has issues with his classmates and their homophobic attitudes, but it isn't a conflict that permeates the book. Instead, that conflict is only brought up in two key scenes and then fades. The entire middle section of the book is largely conflict and angst-free, lacking in any type of tension or suspense, leaving the reader to wonder what exactly is at stake or hanging in the balance for the two protagonists. In addition, there is no character growth in any way through the novel with Jacob and Avery being the same people they were at the end of the novel as they were at the beginning.
January 20, 2020
The swift progress of the protagonists meeting and getting together and later on saying they love each other is too unrealistic. A very achromatic and straightforward story (but what else would you expect from YA)
December 11, 2009
Without Sin is a tightly written and beautifully told story about young love and the hardships of being different. With a well crafted premise and three dimensional characters, the story delivers a lovely romance that easily reminds of the difficulties of high school and the promise of first love. The romance fittingly ends on a hopeful and positive note, but still within the theme and character of the book. The author does a fabulous job of depicting realistic young adults as they struggle with school, classmates, and the near obsession with physical desire. Absorbing and flawed, these characters will draw you into their story early on and carry you through on an emotional journey that unfortunately has to end.
Jacob is a great character as a surly teenager, struggling with his sexuality and the problems that arise in school when other boys decide to tease and taunt him. With the impetuous of youth, Jacob tries to stop the innuendos and name calling by fighting each one he can. While he’s comfortable with his sexuality and knows he’s gay, he is enraged by the petty, malicious comments and actions that teenagers are so adept at. But with each fight, he finds himself suspended and eventually kicked out of school.
As a last ditch effort, his parents send him to a Catholic boarding school ~ putting their gay son in an all boys school, ahh the choices parents in denial make. Jacob struggles with his self imposed isolation from other students, his jealousy over his roommate, and his fascination with Avery. While his fascination with the older boy does lead him to neglect his schooling, the very honest and real voice the author has given Jacob imbues a genuine aspect to his flawed personality.
Avery is an older boy, who is astonishingly openly gay within the boarding school. By this, it means he doesn’t try to hide his sexuality but neither does he flaunt it. This kind of bravery and self-awareness was refreshing and frightening at the same time. Avery’s instinctual understanding of other people gives him unique insight into Jacob, understanding the younger boy’s angst and problems even as they eclipse his own struggles. His clear maturity helps develop the relationship into something with substance rather than the weak, pseudo relationships so many young adults indulge in.
Although Avery admits he easily falls in love and has the honesty to accept he’s fallen in love with each person he’s desired, his feelings for Jacob are more complex than simple lust. Their acceptance of each other and understanding of their flaws and more so of the fragile nature of young love depict a couple that is easy to believe in.
Unfortunately neither boy is very well developed outside of the context of their relationship, which does leave something to be desired. While the relationship is the focus of the story, and wonderfully so, both characters would have benefited from an introduction and progression before they met. The obsessive nature of their relationship was at times overwhelming, I’d be shocked if Jacob ever studied rather than focusing on when they could have sex next, but this plays to the strengths of the writing and the true nature of teenagers. The teasing, slow building passion of their relationship combined with the occasional awkward scene as they fumble and discover what works and what doesn’t, gave an authentic and sincere tone to the story. Although both boys are flawed, as is their relationship, their ultimate intuition and strength shine clearly through making them likable and relatable.
The writing thankfully was tight, clear, and refreshing. The author effortlessly gave a voice to young adults with wit and intelligence without additional artifact. Descriptive phrasing set a vivid backdrop, apparent especially amongst the closed confessionals scene depicted in part here:
Jacob grins back. “This is cool.” His voice echoes as he steps inside.
Avery enters behind him. It’s crowded with the two of them in the booth, and Avery feels Jacob’s butt press against his crotch, but they fit. His libido flares to life again at the brief contact. Jacob throws open the tiny window that separates their booth from the priest’s. “You talk into here?” he asks in a low whisper. He presses his lips to the screen. “I’d like fries with my salvation, please.”
Another fantastic element was the wonderfully drawn secondary characters, from the boys’ mothers and teachers to the other students. Each had a perceptive intelligence and convincing authority that took me back to Catholic school, albeit unwilling at times. Although young adult books tend not to be my favorite of genres, without a doubt this story delivers from the standpoint of romance, love, and young adults. The issues presented are timeless and applicable and although it’s questionable if love this young and fragile will actually survive the test of time and maturity, these boys understand that concept far too well. Just as you want them to forget the future, they pledge undying love with the clear hope it may actually come true. I can easily recommend this book to romance and young adult fans alike.
Jacob is a great character as a surly teenager, struggling with his sexuality and the problems that arise in school when other boys decide to tease and taunt him. With the impetuous of youth, Jacob tries to stop the innuendos and name calling by fighting each one he can. While he’s comfortable with his sexuality and knows he’s gay, he is enraged by the petty, malicious comments and actions that teenagers are so adept at. But with each fight, he finds himself suspended and eventually kicked out of school.
As a last ditch effort, his parents send him to a Catholic boarding school ~ putting their gay son in an all boys school, ahh the choices parents in denial make. Jacob struggles with his self imposed isolation from other students, his jealousy over his roommate, and his fascination with Avery. While his fascination with the older boy does lead him to neglect his schooling, the very honest and real voice the author has given Jacob imbues a genuine aspect to his flawed personality.
Avery is an older boy, who is astonishingly openly gay within the boarding school. By this, it means he doesn’t try to hide his sexuality but neither does he flaunt it. This kind of bravery and self-awareness was refreshing and frightening at the same time. Avery’s instinctual understanding of other people gives him unique insight into Jacob, understanding the younger boy’s angst and problems even as they eclipse his own struggles. His clear maturity helps develop the relationship into something with substance rather than the weak, pseudo relationships so many young adults indulge in.
Although Avery admits he easily falls in love and has the honesty to accept he’s fallen in love with each person he’s desired, his feelings for Jacob are more complex than simple lust. Their acceptance of each other and understanding of their flaws and more so of the fragile nature of young love depict a couple that is easy to believe in.
Unfortunately neither boy is very well developed outside of the context of their relationship, which does leave something to be desired. While the relationship is the focus of the story, and wonderfully so, both characters would have benefited from an introduction and progression before they met. The obsessive nature of their relationship was at times overwhelming, I’d be shocked if Jacob ever studied rather than focusing on when they could have sex next, but this plays to the strengths of the writing and the true nature of teenagers. The teasing, slow building passion of their relationship combined with the occasional awkward scene as they fumble and discover what works and what doesn’t, gave an authentic and sincere tone to the story. Although both boys are flawed, as is their relationship, their ultimate intuition and strength shine clearly through making them likable and relatable.
The writing thankfully was tight, clear, and refreshing. The author effortlessly gave a voice to young adults with wit and intelligence without additional artifact. Descriptive phrasing set a vivid backdrop, apparent especially amongst the closed confessionals scene depicted in part here:
Jacob grins back. “This is cool.” His voice echoes as he steps inside.
Avery enters behind him. It’s crowded with the two of them in the booth, and Avery feels Jacob’s butt press against his crotch, but they fit. His libido flares to life again at the brief contact. Jacob throws open the tiny window that separates their booth from the priest’s. “You talk into here?” he asks in a low whisper. He presses his lips to the screen. “I’d like fries with my salvation, please.”
Another fantastic element was the wonderfully drawn secondary characters, from the boys’ mothers and teachers to the other students. Each had a perceptive intelligence and convincing authority that took me back to Catholic school, albeit unwilling at times. Although young adult books tend not to be my favorite of genres, without a doubt this story delivers from the standpoint of romance, love, and young adults. The issues presented are timeless and applicable and although it’s questionable if love this young and fragile will actually survive the test of time and maturity, these boys understand that concept far too well. Just as you want them to forget the future, they pledge undying love with the clear hope it may actually come true. I can easily recommend this book to romance and young adult fans alike.
August 12, 2019
I read this book years ago and I still think about it. I love this book so much.
June 17, 2010
"Without Sin" is first and foremost and story of truly falling in love with the one, that person that completes and makes you whole, and you can already see a happy lifetime of forever. Sounds like your typical teen romance novel, right? Well it is for all intents and purposes, but our two lovestruck teens are gay. So you say, what does it matter if they're gay? Sad to say that homophobia still persists in this new century, and that our modern day children are still prone to hateful and cruel words and acts, lashing out at peers they cannot comprehend.
SPOILER ALERT!!!
Jacob is a brand new sophomore at a Catholic boarding school, and is on his last chance of receiving a high school education seeing as he has been expelled by several public schools before. You understand from the get-go that Jacob is always struggling with the internal pain of public humiliation for being gay, and literally strikes out at anyone who dares to say such dreadful things to his face. You feel how tired he is from being angry, from getting involved in violent scuffles, but Jacob doesn't know any other way to react to those who choose to embarrass and hurt him. That is until he meets Avery.
Avery is a senior at the boarding school, and Jacob spies him at his first Mass where Avery is an altar boy. Needless to say, it's love at first sight for both boys, and like any teen novel, you are eager to follow this love story to its end, hoping that they get their happily ever after. Of course, that's not how it works out, but Avery attempts to teach Jacob to turn the other cheek and ignore the taunts, stares and put downs by their fellow classmates, encouraging Jacob to focus on their blossoming friendship that could be so much more.
What was wonderful about this book was the realistic feelings about intimacy and sex that Jacob and Avery had. Although Avery has had several years of experience of dating and being sexually active, he is no closer to a mature and monogamous relationship he craves because the few guys he has been involved with have been tremendous disappointments, dumping him unceremoniously, making him feel very alone. In Jacob's case, he is a virgin who has fooled around but has never been on a real date or has had a real boyfriend. When Avery and Jacob meet, it's as if the past has been scrubbed away and they have each been given a chance to fall in love and be loved, as they have always longed for.
Neither are looking for one night stands or looking for temporary hook ups. Both are in this relationship for keeps, and although they share plenty of sexual moments, actual sex is saved for much later when Avery feels Jacob is ready. Avery plays the part of the older teen, choosing not to pressure Jacob into sex, and not caving into to Jacob's plea to finally have sex. Up to and after they make love for the first time, it's the cuddling, holding and talking that they want more than anything else, a more tender reinforcement of how they feel about each other. Jacob's feelings after his first time is realistic too, as he didn't think the act itself was all that great, and found it painful, and he cried as he crossed into that threshold of adulthood. Avery's understanding of Jacob's jumbled emotions was spot-on too, and his words were soothing and real. Again, this books plays out all the major elements of a typical teen romance novel, but with a quality narrative that rings true.
My only concern was Jacob's growing violent tendencies that were simmering at the surface. As a parent, I wanted to embrace this child and tell him everything was going to be okay. But Jacob's answer near the end of this book was to beat the holy crap out of two jerky boys who couldn't keep their mouths shut. How do you deal with a child that deals with his problems with his fists? What do you do with homophobic children who viciously taunt and tease, provoking an outcome of extreme violence, except the bullies are on the receiving end of that beating? I wished the author had explored those issues, otherwise you get the feeling that Jacob and Avery might be doomed to failure until Jacob seeks counseling for his angry and violent outbursts. Suspension is one thing when you're a teenager, but when you become an adult, it's the police and jail time.
I wholeheartedly recommend this book to teenage readers and up looking for an underdog romance that you can't help but hope will prevail.
SPOILER ALERT!!!
Jacob is a brand new sophomore at a Catholic boarding school, and is on his last chance of receiving a high school education seeing as he has been expelled by several public schools before. You understand from the get-go that Jacob is always struggling with the internal pain of public humiliation for being gay, and literally strikes out at anyone who dares to say such dreadful things to his face. You feel how tired he is from being angry, from getting involved in violent scuffles, but Jacob doesn't know any other way to react to those who choose to embarrass and hurt him. That is until he meets Avery.
Avery is a senior at the boarding school, and Jacob spies him at his first Mass where Avery is an altar boy. Needless to say, it's love at first sight for both boys, and like any teen novel, you are eager to follow this love story to its end, hoping that they get their happily ever after. Of course, that's not how it works out, but Avery attempts to teach Jacob to turn the other cheek and ignore the taunts, stares and put downs by their fellow classmates, encouraging Jacob to focus on their blossoming friendship that could be so much more.
What was wonderful about this book was the realistic feelings about intimacy and sex that Jacob and Avery had. Although Avery has had several years of experience of dating and being sexually active, he is no closer to a mature and monogamous relationship he craves because the few guys he has been involved with have been tremendous disappointments, dumping him unceremoniously, making him feel very alone. In Jacob's case, he is a virgin who has fooled around but has never been on a real date or has had a real boyfriend. When Avery and Jacob meet, it's as if the past has been scrubbed away and they have each been given a chance to fall in love and be loved, as they have always longed for.
Neither are looking for one night stands or looking for temporary hook ups. Both are in this relationship for keeps, and although they share plenty of sexual moments, actual sex is saved for much later when Avery feels Jacob is ready. Avery plays the part of the older teen, choosing not to pressure Jacob into sex, and not caving into to Jacob's plea to finally have sex. Up to and after they make love for the first time, it's the cuddling, holding and talking that they want more than anything else, a more tender reinforcement of how they feel about each other. Jacob's feelings after his first time is realistic too, as he didn't think the act itself was all that great, and found it painful, and he cried as he crossed into that threshold of adulthood. Avery's understanding of Jacob's jumbled emotions was spot-on too, and his words were soothing and real. Again, this books plays out all the major elements of a typical teen romance novel, but with a quality narrative that rings true.
My only concern was Jacob's growing violent tendencies that were simmering at the surface. As a parent, I wanted to embrace this child and tell him everything was going to be okay. But Jacob's answer near the end of this book was to beat the holy crap out of two jerky boys who couldn't keep their mouths shut. How do you deal with a child that deals with his problems with his fists? What do you do with homophobic children who viciously taunt and tease, provoking an outcome of extreme violence, except the bullies are on the receiving end of that beating? I wished the author had explored those issues, otherwise you get the feeling that Jacob and Avery might be doomed to failure until Jacob seeks counseling for his angry and violent outbursts. Suspension is one thing when you're a teenager, but when you become an adult, it's the police and jail time.
I wholeheartedly recommend this book to teenage readers and up looking for an underdog romance that you can't help but hope will prevail.
September 11, 2010
I can’t make up my mind whether or not I liked this book. I read it a few days ago and I’ve been weighing up the pros and cons ever since. I think it’s probably safest to say that I’m sitting on the fence with this one. If you want to know my reasons, continue reading.
Con: Although Without Sin is narrated by two characters (something which I normally love), I couldn’t bring myself to feel any kind of attachment to either Jacob or Avery. Their “voices” were too similar for any real distinction to be made. They both seemed kind of shallow and I felt like they fell in “love” too fast. For me, their relationship was based on physical attraction only, and this is something I can never relate to.
Pro: This novel wasn’t censored in any way. So many young adult novels portray teen characters as all too innocent, something which I feel is a misrepresentation of many youth today. Without Sin does not do this, and it explores teenage sexual desires well. I felt this aspect of this novel was truthful and dealt with appropriately.
Con: Although I was impressed by the lack of censorship, the issue of sex seemed to be all it was about. There was very little plot, except one huge build up to the point where the two boys finally have sex. Because of this, it didn’t hold my attention that well and I found I had to force myself to keep reading.
Pro: I liked the ending. While I’m not going to tell you what it is, I found the ending to be quite realistic. It’s refreshing to find a novel where everything isn’t wrapped up in a fairy tale ending. Readers are given closure, but it’s not all happily ever after, if you know what I mean. Snaps to J Tomas for pulling this off so well.
Every time I think I make up my mind about this one, it changes right back again. So I’m not going to provide a summary opinion. You’ll just have to read it and decide for yourself this time.
Con: Although Without Sin is narrated by two characters (something which I normally love), I couldn’t bring myself to feel any kind of attachment to either Jacob or Avery. Their “voices” were too similar for any real distinction to be made. They both seemed kind of shallow and I felt like they fell in “love” too fast. For me, their relationship was based on physical attraction only, and this is something I can never relate to.
Pro: This novel wasn’t censored in any way. So many young adult novels portray teen characters as all too innocent, something which I feel is a misrepresentation of many youth today. Without Sin does not do this, and it explores teenage sexual desires well. I felt this aspect of this novel was truthful and dealt with appropriately.
Con: Although I was impressed by the lack of censorship, the issue of sex seemed to be all it was about. There was very little plot, except one huge build up to the point where the two boys finally have sex. Because of this, it didn’t hold my attention that well and I found I had to force myself to keep reading.
Pro: I liked the ending. While I’m not going to tell you what it is, I found the ending to be quite realistic. It’s refreshing to find a novel where everything isn’t wrapped up in a fairy tale ending. Readers are given closure, but it’s not all happily ever after, if you know what I mean. Snaps to J Tomas for pulling this off so well.
Every time I think I make up my mind about this one, it changes right back again. So I’m not going to provide a summary opinion. You’ll just have to read it and decide for yourself this time.
July 18, 2012
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Without Sin by J. Tomas is very touchy Young Adult romance novel that is very well written and beautifully told. The story revolves around Jacob Smithson and Avery Dendritch. Jacob is a rebellious boy that whenever he is teased or provoked, he fights back with fists in the air. His parents, instead of finding what’s wrong with their son, decide to send him to an all boy Catholic school. (I wish my parents would have done the same.) Avery is the oldest and a senior at their high school. He is the type of guy that is comfortable with his sexuality, but does not go around flaunting it to everyone. It is evident that being himself gets him bullied around by his classmates. As soon as these two meet at an early school mass, parks fly and their journey takes off. Without giving the story away, it starts off as a beautiful friendship and soon blossoms into tender romance and love.
These two go through a lot during their time in St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Boarding School. I completely fell in love with the two lead characters and found myself loving every page of this book. The way their love story was told, kept me jumping from page to page and gave us insight into their minds. Their hardship, love, insecurities, and fears are told in ways that keeps you reading and wanting more.
I would recommend this story to anyone who wants an easy read or wants to read a very well written coming-of-age novel where the hardships that the characters endure are real, captivating and exciting.
May 26, 2009
Without Sin is a young adult gay romance by J. M. Snyder writing as J. Thomas. It's a short, fast paced novel that covers the tumultuous first semester at an all boys boarding school.
Jacob is a tough kid who's been through a number of schools for his fighting. The best way to describe him is a young, hot headed and naive "Squash" Bernstein. As Squash explains in Victor Victoria: "...if you didn't want the guys to call you queer, you became a rough tough sonofabitchin' football player." Avery, the boy of his dreams, is older, more discrete and more in control of his emotions. Somehow in the confines of the St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Boarding School for Boys, these two will become a couple.
The novel is written in the present tense, first from Jacob's point of view and later from Avery's. As this is a romance and one with teens, the focus is almost exclusively on lust, angst and foreplay. Eventually there is sex but it's presented responsibly with thoughts of consequences. What is missing as the review on Rainbow Reviews points out is character development. Jacob and Avery's relationship is really one of convenience and while both profess their deeper commitment to each other and to their parents, there's not enough substance to back them up.
Jacob is a tough kid who's been through a number of schools for his fighting. The best way to describe him is a young, hot headed and naive "Squash" Bernstein. As Squash explains in Victor Victoria: "...if you didn't want the guys to call you queer, you became a rough tough sonofabitchin' football player." Avery, the boy of his dreams, is older, more discrete and more in control of his emotions. Somehow in the confines of the St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Boarding School for Boys, these two will become a couple.
The novel is written in the present tense, first from Jacob's point of view and later from Avery's. As this is a romance and one with teens, the focus is almost exclusively on lust, angst and foreplay. Eventually there is sex but it's presented responsibly with thoughts of consequences. What is missing as the review on Rainbow Reviews points out is character development. Jacob and Avery's relationship is really one of convenience and while both profess their deeper commitment to each other and to their parents, there's not enough substance to back them up.
April 5, 2016
Good YA read. Good voice for the MC ages, although sometimes hard to differentiate between the two. Written in third person present, which isn't a personal favorite, always seems to hold me at a slight distance instead of fully submersing, but that's a personal thing. Very physical relationship focused in a mental sense, if that makes sense (both boys spent a lot of time thinking of how the other made them feel and obsessing about being with the other in all the ways), which again fit well for the story and ages and situation of the characters. Thought the ending was a little stretchy for the severity of the incident, but at least no one got off clean and clear, which helped with the realism. Also would have liked to see Jacob's anger issues address more directly. Such a big part of the story but then never resolved, really. Seems like a sixteen year old with his history of violence and anger management failings should get some help or at least the issue mentioned in passing.
April 7, 2010
Oh my... This book was recommanded by a friend of mine, thus I had some expectations of it. Unfortunately I was disappointed and at times annoyed.
Almost all the sentences are made in the present tense, which give the effect of citing facts rather than telling a story.
So far the characters were superficially described. And Jacob deeply annoyed me: driven by lust (about 9/10 of what I read of the book) and responding by violence systematically with the sole (and repeated) justification of his cleverness and boredom.
To tell the truth, I have not finished the book because after growing disappointed, I just became uninterested.
Almost all the sentences are made in the present tense, which give the effect of citing facts rather than telling a story.
So far the characters were superficially described. And Jacob deeply annoyed me: driven by lust (about 9/10 of what I read of the book) and responding by violence systematically with the sole (and repeated) justification of his cleverness and boredom.
To tell the truth, I have not finished the book because after growing disappointed, I just became uninterested.
June 13, 2010
I'm having a hard time rating this book. I loved it and hated it at the same time. The writing style made me insane. The short sentences in present tense were grating and at times Jacob got on my nerves to the point of wanting to slap him. At the same time, though, the love story is sweet and endearing, the book is sexy without being overly erotic (not that I mind overly erotic in general) and several of the characters lovable.
I guess the pros outweigh the cons for me, so, despite my mixed feelings all the way through, I'm going with 4 stars on this one.
I guess the pros outweigh the cons for me, so, despite my mixed feelings all the way through, I'm going with 4 stars on this one.
June 24, 2009
This is my book, written under a pseudonym, so I'm not going to write a review.
March 24, 2012
I would have given a 5 but some of the middle was distracting/boring. I loss interest for awhile... at least the floor got mopped.
February 24, 2013
The pace just isn't for me, and though it's not a bad plot, I find the writing style disappointing.
Read
March 21, 2016A trouble-making teen is sent to Catholic school, where he meets a guy.
Did not hold my attention long enough to finish the book.
Did not hold my attention long enough to finish the book.
May 25, 2012
30% finished. Did not like the MC at all.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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