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2.42 AVERAGE
2.42 AVERAGE
Same love is a story that has a lot of potential, but unfortunately not quite enough of an engaging writing style to really back it up. Adam is sent a way to christian camp after he is caught clothes shopping with a very out gay friend. Unsurprisingly,
*I received a free copy via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.*
I really wanted to like this book, I did. The plot seemed like it would make for an interesting read, but unfortunately it fell extremely flat for me. The characters seemed underdeveloped, as well as the plot. Correia's writing style also did not agree with me, as I felt like details and specifics were completely left out of the book.
I really wanted to like this book, I did. The plot seemed like it would make for an interesting read, but unfortunately it fell extremely flat for me. The characters seemed underdeveloped, as well as the plot. Correia's writing style also did not agree with me, as I felt like details and specifics were completely left out of the book.
I loved this story! Adam and Paul are so sweet and brave. I wanted to throat punch Adam's parents and the people running the camp. This story is so relevant. This is a point of view that needs to be told. Great job!
emotional
reflective
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Upon finding out their son is gay, Adam's parents ship him off to a Christian camp and warn him they won't tolerate having a gay son. But while there, he falls for Paul and both teens must reconcile their faith with love in order to find happiness.
First off I gotta say, I'm Pagan and even I wish there were nicer Christians in this. From the parents to Randall, they're almost cartoonishly evil. Boys can't go shopping together? That means they're gay? How do you get clothes then?
Anyway, this is a quick story; which makes sense considering it takes place over a short period of time. It has the innocence and charm of a summer camp story without it feeling too much like a typical coming of age plot. I empathize with Paul's struggle and it's portrayed in a realistic way that doesn't overstay it's welcome. Despite being brief, the story does feel complete instead of rushed like some short stories can be. I can see a teen reading this and liking it and for me, it's a nice change from the quickie smut. 3 out of 5.
First off I gotta say, I'm Pagan and even I wish there were nicer Christians in this. From the parents to Randall, they're almost cartoonishly evil. Boys can't go shopping together? That means they're gay? How do you get clothes then?
Anyway, this is a quick story; which makes sense considering it takes place over a short period of time. It has the innocence and charm of a summer camp story without it feeling too much like a typical coming of age plot. I empathize with Paul's struggle and it's portrayed in a realistic way that doesn't overstay it's welcome. Despite being brief, the story does feel complete instead of rushed like some short stories can be. I can see a teen reading this and liking it and for me, it's a nice change from the quickie smut. 3 out of 5.
Disclaimer: I received an eARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
I feel like I should start this review off by saying that I was hoping I would like this book. I was hoping to love it, even, and it hurts my heart a bit that I didn't.
The premise of this book is great, it was just executed very poorly. Besides the bland characters, the lack of backstories, and the random gay racist, the story just happened TOO FAST. I feel like the plot, or lack thereof, wasn't fully fleshed out like it could have been. So many characters, and not one of them I connected with, not even the narrator.
Adam is a 17-year-old boy who wants to be a graphic novelist and is understandably struggling with his sexuality, for fear of his parents finding out. The story opens with him in the mall with a high school friend who's flamboyantly gay, and they get "found out" by some nosy Christian neighbor and her daughter who act like they caught the two boys humping among the racks in The Gap when they were only looking at clothes (because apparently two boys can't go shopping together and remain straight). Adam's nightmare about his parents comes to life, and they send him off to this camp for teen sinners (homosexuality, premarital sex, and more).
For me, it's at this "camp" where this story begins to fall apart. I didn't feel the chemistry between Paul and Adam; I don't know why there's an attraction there besides both think that the other is good looking. There's a definite insta-love to the perceived "happy couple" (who can't even date because of where they are) that I disliked, too. I don't know why one character had to be not only gay but a blatant racist, as well. I'm pretty sure I understand what the author was trying to accomplish with this tale, but it came off as a bash toward Christianity and religion instead of the open dialogue that this could have been. Now, maybe that's being optimistic, but this book fell flat in its execution.
I feel like I should start this review off by saying that I was hoping I would like this book. I was hoping to love it, even, and it hurts my heart a bit that I didn't.
The premise of this book is great, it was just executed very poorly. Besides the bland characters, the lack of backstories, and the random gay racist, the story just happened TOO FAST. I feel like the plot, or lack thereof, wasn't fully fleshed out like it could have been. So many characters, and not one of them I connected with, not even the narrator.
Adam is a 17-year-old boy who wants to be a graphic novelist and is understandably struggling with his sexuality, for fear of his parents finding out. The story opens with him in the mall with a high school friend who's flamboyantly gay, and they get "found out" by some nosy Christian neighbor and her daughter who act like they caught the two boys humping among the racks in The Gap when they were only looking at clothes (because apparently two boys can't go shopping together and remain straight). Adam's nightmare about his parents comes to life, and they send him off to this camp for teen sinners (homosexuality, premarital sex, and more).
For me, it's at this "camp" where this story begins to fall apart. I didn't feel the chemistry between Paul and Adam; I don't know why there's an attraction there besides both think that the other is good looking. There's a definite insta-love to the perceived "happy couple" (who can't even date because of where they are) that I disliked, too. I don't know why one character had to be not only gay but a blatant racist, as well. I'm pretty sure I understand what the author was trying to accomplish with this tale, but it came off as a bash toward Christianity and religion instead of the open dialogue that this could have been. Now, maybe that's being optimistic, but this book fell flat in its execution.
To see more reviews check out MI Book Reviews.
I got an ARC in return for an honest review on NetGalley.
At first I thought this was going to be a piece similar to The God Box (not a bad thing at all). I was glad that it went a bit beyond that book. It allowed different views on religion to sprout and expand. There was a focus on not just the issue that many religious people have with being gay, but also the issues with premarital sex and hypocrisy. This was a fantastic first look at major issues with organized religion (not religion itself as loving God and having a relationship with Him or other gods and goddess is not inherently bad). This book will save lives.
The pace is very quick. I read the book in two or three hours. I would have read it in one sitting, but I took my lunch at about half way through the book. It did not dwell on any issues for a long period of time, which was both good and bad. I felt there should have been more discussion on one of the major events towards the end of the book or at least some resources for teens going through the issues that the book raises. This book covers a lot of hard ground, I think adding the resources would help.
I am having a hard time describing how much I love this book without spoiling major points. The book is very much needed. It focused on spirituality and different ways of viewing Christianity. It also allowed by the end two gay characters to have a relationship that fit into those religious views (no sex before marriage, which is drastically not the norm when it comes to books about relationships especially about gay men).
I do have one note to the author: Thank you. This book is very important and I am beyond thankful for your work to provide it for teens (and adults) that need it. If I had this book as a teenager, I might have had an easier time with coming to terms with my religion and spirituality especially when I had issues based around faith when it came to my family. You have earned a very loud fan that will be promoting this book to people that can get this book into the hands of teens where it can be helpful.
I got an ARC in return for an honest review on NetGalley.
At first I thought this was going to be a piece similar to The God Box (not a bad thing at all). I was glad that it went a bit beyond that book. It allowed different views on religion to sprout and expand. There was a focus on not just the issue that many religious people have with being gay, but also the issues with premarital sex and hypocrisy. This was a fantastic first look at major issues with organized religion (not religion itself as loving God and having a relationship with Him or other gods and goddess is not inherently bad). This book will save lives.
The pace is very quick. I read the book in two or three hours. I would have read it in one sitting, but I took my lunch at about half way through the book. It did not dwell on any issues for a long period of time, which was both good and bad. I felt there should have been more discussion on one of the major events towards the end of the book or at least some resources for teens going through the issues that the book raises. This book covers a lot of hard ground, I think adding the resources would help.
I am having a hard time describing how much I love this book without spoiling major points. The book is very much needed. It focused on spirituality and different ways of viewing Christianity. It also allowed by the end two gay characters to have a relationship that fit into those religious views (no sex before marriage, which is drastically not the norm when it comes to books about relationships especially about gay men).
I do have one note to the author: Thank you. This book is very important and I am beyond thankful for your work to provide it for teens (and adults) that need it. If I had this book as a teenager, I might have had an easier time with coming to terms with my religion and spirituality especially when I had issues based around faith when it came to my family. You have earned a very loud fan that will be promoting this book to people that can get this book into the hands of teens where it can be helpful.
*Thanks to Netgalley for providing an arc for me! This does not have an impact on how I will be reviewing.*
2.25 stars
I was going to add a review in much earlier than right now but *shrugs* at least I'm doing it now.
There will be some minor spoilers below. Read with caution.
I want to start off by saying that I am not religious, so someone who is may have a different opinion of this book than I have. I went into this book apprehensive because it explicitly said in the synopsis that there were going to be religious aspects. I, of course, read the synopsis but decided to give it a go since there were LGBT characters. I have never read a book that wasn't nonfiction that was this much involved in religion (especially with an LGBT aspect to it).
Anyway.
These are just my thoughts.
I started out kind of skeptical, and I still kind of am, but I kind of liked it. There was a lot of potential for a book that handles the issues that it did, but it just didn't really do it for me. It felt like a very rough draft. Now, maybe the final edition is a little more rounded. But from what I read, I kind of doubt it.
Characters
Thinking back to the characters and how they all spoke and acted around each other makes me want to sigh. So I'll just start naming off some of the things I really had issues with character wise.
-The MC called a girl 'hussy' within the first page or two. And without a real reason?
-The MC's boyfriend(?), Mike, was labeled a 'flamboyant gay' very, very early on. It doesn't sit with me well that the author had to stereotype one of his characters as such rather than giving him a personality. Because, obviously, being a 'flamboyant gay' tells the reader all they need to know.
-Again, very early on, a girl that MC knows was JUST introduced and he calls her a 'bitch'. And that's all the reader needs to know about her, obviously. I quickly tire of the names that MC places on everyone without the reader even knowing who they are.
-MC's dad is sexist. Don't know if it was meant to make him seem more of a villain or???
-*Sigh* The casual use of the word 'slut'. Not necessary???
-I didn't care about any of the characters. There wasn't any real emotional connection.
-The MC's name is Adam. In case you were wondering. I just found it in my notes.
-One of Mc's bunk mates was so racist and generally awful. I'm wondering if the author intentionally tried to handle multiple issues in this one book. Sadly, it didn't work. Assuming that he had been. If not, I can't even begin to tell if this is all intentional or if it's just so MC would have a harder time at this camp.
-
-It got really tiring how MC's parents kept blaming him for being gay. Again, I understand that this is the point of the novel. But it was brought up again and again. We know. The readers haven't forgotten that he's done this 'ultimate sin'. But like I said, I am not religious so someone else can probably vouch for this book more than I have been.
-I liked some of the things that a character named Rhonda had said. "I'm tired of being taught to hate myself for who I am."
Writing
The low rating has to do with both the writing style and how the author chose to execute some of the plot.
-There were a loooooooooot of these huge blocks of dialog. Which, I don't think is necessarily a bad thing. Except there were no "he said" or "she said" or actions in between. It got pretty tiring to read and hard to keep track who was speaking. Maybe this was fixed in the final publication. I don't know. I only read the arc some months ago.
-There were a lot of homophobic slurs. Like. A lot. I get that that's the whole point of this book but it made me uncomfortable after a certain point.
-Everything started to escalate very quickly in the beginning. You went from reading MC at the mall with his kind-of-boyfriend to him being shipped off very quickly. I didn't see the need for how quickly everything sped through. But I feel that way about a lot of books. So maybe the pacing didn't mind some other readers of this book.
-I didn't really feel like this book was entirely necessary. Okay, that sounds really mean. Considering how much work the author probably put into this book. It just feels so outdated how his parents are freaking out and their pastor helps them decide to send him to, basically, "camp sinner". I guess it could be kind of realistic too? I have a friend who has parents that are very, very religious and don't approve of her orientation. In 2017. Anyway, maybe if this was published in earlier part of the 2000s that it could be labeled 'revolutionary'. We've come far in the LGBT rights as of now to publish something like this. That's just my opinion though.
-The writing reads like something like that of a fanfiction. Just kind of oddly paced and sloppy. Poor character development. The pacing is really jumpy and doesn't flow nicely.
-Sometimes the dialogue was really ridiculous and could have gone without.
-There weren't a lot of descriptors. Like, when they sang karaoke. It was basically "we sang, Rhonda booed, the song ended". And not much in between. It was just kind of disappointing.
-I didn't care about the romance. It was tiring to follow.
-There wasn't really a plot. Just a kind stuck at a church camp told he can't be gay
Overall
While I somewhat liked this book, I had a lot of problems with how the majority of the characters were portrayed and how they spoke to each other. I also felt that there were large blocks of dialog and not very much describing in between the dialog, which made it feel rushed. This is the first fiction book that I've read with much religion in it, and as someone who is not religious, it was kind of strange. I think it would be interesting to hear what someone who is religious would have to say about this book. Overall, after I got into the writing style, I enjoyed the story. And when it ended.
2.25 stars
I was going to add a review in much earlier than right now but *shrugs* at least I'm doing it now.
There will be some minor spoilers below. Read with caution.
I want to start off by saying that I am not religious, so someone who is may have a different opinion of this book than I have. I went into this book apprehensive because it explicitly said in the synopsis that there were going to be religious aspects. I, of course, read the synopsis but decided to give it a go since there were LGBT characters. I have never read a book that wasn't nonfiction that was this much involved in religion (especially with an LGBT aspect to it).
Anyway.
These are just my thoughts.
I started out kind of skeptical, and I still kind of am, but I kind of liked it. There was a lot of potential for a book that handles the issues that it did, but it just didn't really do it for me. It felt like a very rough draft. Now, maybe the final edition is a little more rounded. But from what I read, I kind of doubt it.
Characters
Thinking back to the characters and how they all spoke and acted around each other makes me want to sigh. So I'll just start naming off some of the things I really had issues with character wise.
-The MC called a girl 'hussy' within the first page or two. And without a real reason?
-The MC's boyfriend(?), Mike, was labeled a 'flamboyant gay' very, very early on. It doesn't sit with me well that the author had to stereotype one of his characters as such rather than giving him a personality. Because, obviously, being a 'flamboyant gay' tells the reader all they need to know.
-Again, very early on, a girl that MC knows was JUST introduced and he calls her a 'bitch'. And that's all the reader needs to know about her, obviously. I quickly tire of the names that MC places on everyone without the reader even knowing who they are.
-MC's dad is sexist. Don't know if it was meant to make him seem more of a villain or???
-*Sigh* The casual use of the word 'slut'. Not necessary???
-I didn't care about any of the characters. There wasn't any real emotional connection.
Spoiler
The only character I actually felt for was Martin.-The MC's name is Adam. In case you were wondering. I just found it in my notes.
-One of Mc's bunk mates was so racist and generally awful.
Spoiler
And another character suffered from a mental illness.-
Spoiler
So, MC had this original boyfriend which was the reason he was sent to this camp. What ever happened to him??? His only purpose was to send him to camp.-It got really tiring how MC's parents kept blaming him for being gay. Again, I understand that this is the point of the novel. But it was brought up again and again. We know. The readers haven't forgotten that he's done this 'ultimate sin'. But like I said, I am not religious so someone else can probably vouch for this book more than I have been.
-I liked some of the things that a character named Rhonda had said. "I'm tired of being taught to hate myself for who I am."
Writing
The low rating has to do with both the writing style and how the author chose to execute some of the plot.
-There were a loooooooooot of these huge blocks of dialog. Which, I don't think is necessarily a bad thing. Except there were no "he said" or "she said" or actions in between. It got pretty tiring to read and hard to keep track who was speaking. Maybe this was fixed in the final publication. I don't know. I only read the arc some months ago.
-There were a lot of homophobic slurs. Like. A lot. I get that that's the whole point of this book but it made me uncomfortable after a certain point.
-Everything started to escalate very quickly in the beginning. You went from reading MC at the mall with his kind-of-boyfriend to him being shipped off very quickly. I didn't see the need for how quickly everything sped through. But I feel that way about a lot of books. So maybe the pacing didn't mind some other readers of this book.
-I didn't really feel like this book was entirely necessary. Okay, that sounds really mean. Considering how much work the author probably put into this book. It just feels so outdated how his parents are freaking out and their pastor helps them decide to send him to, basically, "camp sinner". I guess it could be kind of realistic too? I have a friend who has parents that are very, very religious and don't approve of her orientation. In 2017. Anyway, maybe if this was published in earlier part of the 2000s that it could be labeled 'revolutionary'. We've come far in the LGBT rights as of now to publish something like this. That's just my opinion though.
-The writing reads like something like that of a fanfiction. Just kind of oddly paced and sloppy. Poor character development. The pacing is really jumpy and doesn't flow nicely.
-Sometimes the dialogue was really ridiculous and could have gone without.
-There weren't a lot of descriptors. Like, when they sang karaoke. It was basically "we sang, Rhonda booed, the song ended". And not much in between. It was just kind of disappointing.
-I didn't care about the romance. It was tiring to follow.
-There wasn't really a plot. Just a kind stuck at a church camp told he can't be gay
Overall
While I somewhat liked this book, I had a lot of problems with how the majority of the characters were portrayed and how they spoke to each other. I also felt that there were large blocks of dialog and not very much describing in between the dialog, which made it feel rushed. This is the first fiction book that I've read with much religion in it, and as someone who is not religious, it was kind of strange. I think it would be interesting to hear what someone who is religious would have to say about this book. Overall, after I got into the writing style, I enjoyed the story. And when it ended.
I was provided a free copy via Netgalley.
Same Love is a book with a massive storyline that could have so much potential if implemented properly. As an author myself, I know how much work goes into writing a novel and getting it published. It's no easy feat and it breaks my heart to rate this at two stars.
This book is about a guy named Adam who is gay, but he comes from a highly religious family. After coming out to his parents, he gets sent to a Christian summer camp. As someone who already doesn't believe in organized religion, this didn't give a good argument for it, even though I felt like I should have ended the book with seeing both sides.
We have a book that deals with homosexuality, religion, and attempted suicide. Highly controversial topics that I didn't think were taken as seriously as they should have been. They were danced over. Every time something massive would happen, all of a sudden the subject changed or the scene changed.
It's a dialogue heavy book, which isn't the worst thing, if executed properly. There was a lot of telling me how I should feel about the character's and very little showing.
Adam falls for a boy named Paul at this summer camp and while you are supposed to be rooting for them together, the relationship falls short. You have character's telling you as a reader how wonderful Adam and Paul are together, yet haven't seen proof of this at all. I wanted to love Adam and Paul together. I wanted a heart-wrenching story about religion and homosexuality. The lesson the character's learn in it is a momental one that could have broken barriers.
I wanted this book to be a blatantly honest, shove-in-your-face, novel. A novel that stood on it's own, made the readers question their own beliefs, and came out with the same moral story. But it wasn't, unfortunately.
Same Love is a book with a massive storyline that could have so much potential if implemented properly. As an author myself, I know how much work goes into writing a novel and getting it published. It's no easy feat and it breaks my heart to rate this at two stars.
This book is about a guy named Adam who is gay, but he comes from a highly religious family. After coming out to his parents, he gets sent to a Christian summer camp. As someone who already doesn't believe in organized religion, this didn't give a good argument for it, even though I felt like I should have ended the book with seeing both sides.
We have a book that deals with homosexuality, religion, and attempted suicide. Highly controversial topics that I didn't think were taken as seriously as they should have been. They were danced over. Every time something massive would happen, all of a sudden the subject changed or the scene changed.
It's a dialogue heavy book, which isn't the worst thing, if executed properly. There was a lot of telling me how I should feel about the character's and very little showing.
Adam falls for a boy named Paul at this summer camp and while you are supposed to be rooting for them together, the relationship falls short. You have character's telling you as a reader how wonderful Adam and Paul are together, yet haven't seen proof of this at all. I wanted to love Adam and Paul together. I wanted a heart-wrenching story about religion and homosexuality. The lesson the character's learn in it is a momental one that could have broken barriers.
I wanted this book to be a blatantly honest, shove-in-your-face, novel. A novel that stood on it's own, made the readers question their own beliefs, and came out with the same moral story. But it wasn't, unfortunately.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC.
I thought reading some lgbt+ books during pride month would be great. Not that I don't read any during the rest of the year. I do and most of these stories are so good and I love this genre. Anyway, it seems like I picked some bad ones. At least, this book was short. I read it in an afternoon. I liked the main characters Adam and Paul and I absolutely loved Rhonda. She is a badass girl and I loved her attitude about everything. Everyone else is just a giant stereotypical bad Christian. All the people at the camp, Adam's mom and dad, the "friends" of his mom, and especially, Randall, he is the biggest jerk but at the end you find out why but it doesn't change him being a jerk.
Some notes I wrote while reading this:
-Early on in the book Adam's mom's friend and her daughter see Adam with his friend shopping for clothes. They immediately think they are gay and are boyfriends. Why is it bad and a sin for two boys to shop together. I didn't realize shopping was a gateway event to sinful things.
-"God helps those who help themselves". First that is not in the Bible and, imo, it seems like God is always about coming to Him for help because we are weak and He is strong.
-Adam is talking to the head of the camp and he, Bishop something or other, says that masturbation is a sin. ? Do people really believe that still?
-Later on in the book, Rhonda runs away and is brought back to the camp. The Bishop decides that she should be, wait a minute let me quote this right, "Bishop wants to send a message to Rhonda that we care for her." And how do they do that? By shaming her? Everyone is told to not look at her and not talk to her. Wow, very Christian of them.
And this is the problem with this book. I think the author is trying to show how bad some people can be as racists, gay-shaming, and any thing that goes against what they believe haters, that he goes overboard. I'm sure there are people who have to deal with people like this and that's so terrible and wrong. I just wanted this story to be believable. This book is only 184 pages and the development of characters and story are just bad. I finished it so I could see if it improved but it didn't. So depressing it might make some suicidal but, wait, that was in here too.
I thought reading some lgbt+ books during pride month would be great. Not that I don't read any during the rest of the year. I do and most of these stories are so good and I love this genre. Anyway, it seems like I picked some bad ones. At least, this book was short. I read it in an afternoon. I liked the main characters Adam and Paul and I absolutely loved Rhonda. She is a badass girl and I loved her attitude about everything. Everyone else is just a giant stereotypical bad Christian. All the people at the camp, Adam's mom and dad, the "friends" of his mom, and especially, Randall, he is the biggest jerk but at the end you find out why but it doesn't change him being a jerk.
Some notes I wrote while reading this:
-Early on in the book Adam's mom's friend and her daughter see Adam with his friend shopping for clothes. They immediately think they are gay and are boyfriends. Why is it bad and a sin for two boys to shop together. I didn't realize shopping was a gateway event to sinful things.
-"God helps those who help themselves". First that is not in the Bible and, imo, it seems like God is always about coming to Him for help because we are weak and He is strong.
-Adam is talking to the head of the camp and he, Bishop something or other, says that masturbation is a sin. ? Do people really believe that still?
-Later on in the book, Rhonda runs away and is brought back to the camp. The Bishop decides that she should be, wait a minute let me quote this right, "Bishop wants to send a message to Rhonda that we care for her." And how do they do that? By shaming her? Everyone is told to not look at her and not talk to her. Wow, very Christian of them.
And this is the problem with this book. I think the author is trying to show how bad some people can be as racists, gay-shaming, and any thing that goes against what they believe haters, that he goes overboard. I'm sure there are people who have to deal with people like this and that's so terrible and wrong. I just wanted this story to be believable. This book is only 184 pages and the development of characters and story are just bad. I finished it so I could see if it improved but it didn't. So depressing it might make some suicidal but, wait, that was in here too.