Sarina Bowen - In Front of God and Everyone

Most people called it a cult. But for twenty years, Josh and Caleb called it home.
In Paradise, there is no television. No fast food. Just long hours of farm work and prayer on a dusty Wyoming ranch, and nights in a crowded bunkhouse. The boys of the Compound are kept far from the sinners’ world.
But Joshua doesn’t need temptation to sin. His whole life, he’s wanted his best friend, Caleb. By day they work side by side. Only when Josh closes his eyes at night can they be together the way he craves.
It can never be. And his survival depends on keeping his terrible desires secret.
Caleb has always protected Josh against the worst of the bullying at the Compound. But he has secrets of his own, and a plan to get away — until it all backfires.
Josh finds himself homeless in a world that doesn’t want him. Can Caleb find him in time? And will they find a place of safety, where he can admit to Josh how he really feels?

Comment: I had this book in the pile for a while. I had seen it that Sarina Bowen - such a well praised and prolific author - had also written under a pseudonym in the beginning of her career. I suppose this was so mainly because she is mostly known for her m/f books, but the ones I've liked the best (out of the 8 by her I've read so far) are actually m/m, of which this title is too. Therefore, I'm registering this book in my personal notes as being by Sarina Bowen.

In this novel, Josh and Caleb are two young men who have lived in a compound for their whole lives. The religious cult, since it is what it is, forbids a lot and also punishes those who might not fit their ideals. Josh is not the best at any of the tasks the young men have to perform and that means he knows one day he will be expelled. When that day arrives, Caleb warns him and helps him, and later on joins him so they can move on and do something with their lives. Seeking help of a woman who once left as well, they embark on a new journey, but will Josh be able to ignore he has always felt something he shouldn't for Caleb...? What will happen if Caleb turns out to feel the same?

Certain books seem more special somehow, even in the midst of others which might be great too, especially if written by the same author. I have felt this in regards to some books I've read by Sarina Bowen, which is why that, although this one isn't going to be at the top of my favorites, this title it's still a good and angst-free m/m romance I've enjoyed. Only, perhaps it shows this is something from the start of the author's career, as it isn't as layered as others, published later, are.

I was quite interested in the cult setting but this wasn't the main focus of the novel, that is a fact, since the two protagonists leave very early on after the start of the book. Still, I expected that this very obvious detail to play a major part in the guys' choices and feelings but it wasn't so. This is mainly why I say the story lacks some layers, because anything related to how being part of a cult and now leaving would affect the psychology of the guys was not developed. Yes, we often have some hints that Josh in particular feels conflicting emotions and has thoughts about the past, but the goal is clearly not to delve into heavy themes.

I would say this story is more a coming of age type, with a sweet romance to give it some flavor. Now, after having read other books by the author, this one does feel a little inferior in style and it seems it could have gone way further, in many aspects (the characters' emotions, the actual leaving process, the way they dealt with new things, the romance, the forbidden vs freedom notions...) but what the author chose to present is still quite captivating... when it comes to m/m, I think this author has a very distinctive and effective "voice".

Josh is the more vulnerable of the two, he seems to feel inferior, mainly because of how he was treated at the compound and in how this affected him, but Caleb being stronger mentally doesn't stop him from having less than good moments. Despite this, their relationship was mostly a sweet one, even if a bit predictable and without the vibrancy I've felt in other m/m stories the author has written. I was quite happy for them, that's true, and I should say this book was still more appealing than others I've read this year, but not as balanced as others by the author.

After the guys leave the compound, they go to live with Maggie, another "defector", and the older sister of the girl who had a crush on Caleb at the compound. Maggie had promised to help anyone else who left and that is why the guys looked for her. I was supposing the change of scenario and lifestyle would be harder for them to deal with, but the process was surprisingly quicker than what I imagined, and then living with Maggie and her husband added other issues. Maggie has a baby and this starts off certain events, culminating in the big conflict later on, which I've felt was predictable but rushed. Another element that experience might have helped to smooth.

In the end, Caleb and Josh find their HEA and we can believe they will make it, but I think this is more due to the author's skill - despite the flaws - than anything else, because like I said they aren't as layered as such a plot and premise would have demanded. Still, reading about them ease up my mind, so...

I see there's a sequel, featuring a different couple. I might try it at some point too...

Grade: 7/10