What a great read this was! I was a bit hesitant at first, because I was worried that this could be angsty, preachy or maudlin. But at the end of the day it wasn't any of those things. What it was, was a deep, beautifully written, story about two men who are struggling with the contradictions between their faith and their feelings. And this was all done in an extremely thoughtful and sincere way.

Faron, an Amish man has struggled with being gay since he had "urges". He cannot come out, because that would mean being shunned and have repercussions in the community for his family as well. Greg was a novice in a monastery who finally came to the realisation that maybe this life was not for him and he needed to come to terms with his sexuality. Together these two men built a relationship that was beautiful to be a part of.

This whole story was handled with a grace that is breathtaking. The religion (and philosophy) wasn't jarring, but adds to the whole. There was no gratuitous sex scenes thrown in to please anyone. No the story was left to unfold like it was meant to: step by step without rushing. ( )

I know I choose this author a lot, but she can always be relied upon to give us a complex story centered on endearing but troubled characters, and to serve it up in gorgeously clear and vivid prose. This book gives us all that and more with its unusual and compelling theme of gay men in search of a life that will nurture their spiritual, as well as physical, needs.

In most gay fiction, either religion is conspicuously absent or seen as an oppressing force that allows no compromise with one’s gay sexual orientation. This novel gives us a young Amish man whose extensive experience with gay sex drives him to keep secrets from the close-knit community whose ties he fears to lose. His love interest is a sexually inexperienced man a few years older who has recently decided not to take final vows as a Catholic monk.

One of my favorite things about this book is that these two men, who could have been overshadowed by their religious and cultural “types,” come across with such vivid, realistic personalities, especially the Amish boy. Told in alternating third-person, their love story is intense and emotionally moving.

The story begins with Greg (the “almost” Catholic monk) in a bar in Wisconsin where he encounters the hopelessly drunk Faron, who is on his rumspringa. This is an Amish tradition in which their young people explore the secular world for a short time before deciding whether to commit their adult lives to the Amish community. The two tentatively strike up a friendship, which leads to Faron becoming his housemate. Even when each man realizes the other is gay, both of them seem too different to come together as a couple.

Faron is impulsive, emotional, and sexually experienced. Greg is reserved, thoughtful, and cautious. To add to their problems, Faron is trying to ditch a selfish ex-boyfriend. But their deeper issues center on forging a connection with each other, and managing to find a sense of spiritual support that isn’t incompatible with their identities as gay men. This is an emotionally satisfying read about two very appealing lovers.

Val for AReCafe ( )

Interesting tale of self-acceptance. Found the premise quite unique. Recommend. ( )

3.5 stars. Read for m/m team bingo challenge. My short review is here.

Read for m/m team bingo challenge. My short review is here. ( )