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Tony Forest

Byhlesbrown

I thoroughly enjoyed this book! An intriguing story. I had a hard time putting it down as I couldn’t wait to see what happened next. Kept me in suspense for sure. Characters are well developed—appealing and scary and often at the same time. Great surprises in the end too.

Reminds us that religious positions are jobs and professions just like non-religious ones. We are all fallible humans at our core, which makes for good storytelling! Large faiths are an amalgam of light and dark. There is the wholesome good that draws people in as believers and the bad that takes advantage of them at times. We Are Not Saints: The Priest is a book of light and dark that exposes the whole range of human emotion. It is touching and sentimental, carnal, and at times, disturbing. The author captures this story with a fine grasp of staging and wonderfully sculpted characters. It’s a quick and satisfying read and yet makes you wonder what could possibly happen next. The lightness and darkness of this novel play wonderfully with and against each other page after page.

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    Frank G. Dunn

    Byhlesbrown

    Randy, the acolyte, is bright, earnest, honest, talented, and very naive. With a deep sense of vocation to the priesthood, he learns that being gay is just one of many challenges to be met. Bullies, teen suicide, betrayal, family dysfunction, and having to fend for himself bring out his sterling qualities and his shadows as well. But nothing tests him quite so sharply as learning the truth about Michael, his first deep love. This coming-of-age story is Brown at his finest.

  • Ben R.

    Byhlesbrown

    There is something deeply magnetic about We Are Not Saints: The Monk. From the first encounter with Jeff Hensen’s journey, I felt the weight and wonder of a story shaped by struggle, faith, and the fierce search for meaning. The emotional clarity of his inner battle, the stark honesty of his wounds, and the quiet strength of his perseverance create a narrative that feels both raw and luminous. The way the book blends spiritual reflection, moral tension, and human vulnerability gives the story a living pulse that stays with the reader long after the final line.

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    Paul B.

    Byhlesbrown

    This book and series face an intense issue that is common in the Catholic Church. Tackles it head on in fact, and for that the author should be praised. Not always the easiest read, this is still an important one and would recommend to those interested in the inner dynamics of the Catholic Church and its priests.

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    Kirkus Reviews

    Byhlesbrown

    A Well-written, Effective Story A gay Roman Catholic clergyman faces the sharp scrutiny of a homophobic dignitary in Brown’s novel, the fourth in a series. A Well-written, Effective Story A gay Roman Catholic clergyman faces the sharp scrutiny of a homophobic dignitary in Brown’s novel, the fourth in a series.

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    Anthony J. F.

    Byhlesbrown

    Wow! So much more than I expected from book 3. I had a hard time putting this one down. This story has everything, and it’s about a monk! Entertaining, suspenseful, heartfelt, and intelligent including a difficult and disturbing subject matter. Well done. I again look forward to the next book in this series!