The plot, the characters, and the settings are well coordinated. There are many surprises as ‘the plot thickens.” The main character, Jeff Hansen, has many important decisions as to what to do with his life.
We are taken from his days as a paralegal in his uncle’s firm to his days in a Trappist monastery. What will be his final choice? This question is what keeps one reading until the end.
A very enjoyable story.
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.
I have four friends that want to read it. I’m not much of a reader guy, but I can’t put this book down!!! I’m extremely impressed with all of it. I cannot wait to read The Acolyte.
In this religious fiction sequel, a gay teen tries to navigate faith, tumultuous family secrets, and first love. Fifteen-year-old Randy Carter lives in Las Vegas and loves skateboarding barefoot, spending time with his best friend, Keisha, and being an acolyte to his caring priest and mentor, Father Sean. In many ways, Randy would seem to be the typical, self-proclaimed “skater boy,” but two things set him apart: He hopes to one day become a priest, and he is gay. Just as Father Sean is helping Randy to understand how his religion and his sexuality do not have to be contradictions,…
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.
This is a must to read. I have read it many times and bought it to share with others. Having not been raised Catholic but had friends who did I was always curious and felt that Priests were put on a pedestal but in time learned they are human. This would be a great movie.
Sycamore Boy was reviewed by Kirkus Indie in October 2026. Selected excerpts: “An exhilarating genre hybrid.” “Brown excels at contrasting Tony’s ruthless biological kin … with the protective chosen family he gathers along the way.” “Much of the narrative is grounded in late 20th-century LGBTQ+ history and the shadow of the AIDS epidemic.” “The protagonist’s arc of self-determination propels the book forward with a contagious kinetic power.” — Kirkus Reviews (verdict: Get It) Read the full review at Kirkus Reviews