well written and narrated

I really enjoyed this story, especially the way it got you into the heads and emotions and thoughts of the two lead characters.
A downside is there is a lot of Mormon religion within the story, which may be too much for some people and to be honest, I usually don't like it. However, the majority of it was included by way of one character explaining reasoning and concepts and thinking to another which I actually found very informative and felt, on this occasion it didn't detract from the story.
The erotic/sex elements were kept to a reasonable amount and weren't too graphic. personally I prefer more raunchy but still enjoyed this emensly.
I think I went through the full range of my emotions whilst reading this, which to me means it deserves 5*'s
This is the first book I have 'read' from this author but will definitely look for more.
Thoroughly enjoyed it and highly recommend.

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Thought provoking, yet light

At its heart "Between Sinners and Saints" is a a sweet tender romance,and the issues of both men are treated with the sophistication and care that they dully deserve. Marie Sexton manages to walk the fine line between understanding curtain religious beliefs and the need for freedom to express ones sexuality. I loved the family meetings as a plot device for getting to know the family and discussing the issues without the story sounding preachy hehe. John Solo was faultless and the which is amazing considering how many characters there are. I did feel though, at times the book was a bit judgmental over aspects of the single gay lifestyle. Some of character developments was rushed or to my atheists mind, hard to comprehend such as Levi's complete life overhaul but over all a thought provoking read.

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Enjoyable audiobook

This was a good and interesting story that made you think about familial and personal obligations all wrapped up with religion, but was never preachy or dismissive. Well narrated, this works well both as a print and audio book.

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Fantastic!

Would you listen to Between Sinners and Saints again? Why?

I was in a bit of an audio book slump, couldn't find a narrator I liked, couldn't find a book that hooked me, and then I bought this! Had I known there would be so many religious discussions I probably would have passed but whether it's because it was LDS or the skill of the writing I didn't mind it. The comparison between Levi who's family are constantly trying to get him to "give up the gay" and Jamie who was abused as a child is outstanding, the two characters grow into each other and even Levi's family redeem themselves. Eventually. This is definitely a book I will listen to again.

What does John Solo bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you had only read the book?

I loved the narration for this, I hadn't listened to any of John Solo's work before but I am looking to by more, he has a lovely tone of voice. Initially I thought the voice he was using for Jamie was too ..... simperery? .... but actually it fitted the character very well. And Max, a work mate of Levi's was great!

Did you have an emotional reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

Book was angsty in places which is not my thing but not overly so, and yes I did laugh a few times

Any additional comments?

As I mentioned I'm not big on religion, I get very cross with the whole "gay is a sin" thing, yet the Mormanism as described in this book was very interesting, yes they are still anti gay but large parts of the religion was vary interesting so I felt educated! Of course as in all good romances it all came good in the end.

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Amazing story. Loved it.

My favourite story of the year. I loved Jamie and Levi's developing friendship and their slow-build romance. My heart went out to poor Levi in those family meetings.
Wonderful narration by John Solo. Just loved his voice for the main characters. Perfect.

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2 people found this helpful

All kinds of NOPE!

Anyone who has experience of working in Massage Therapy knows that they can find themselves in vulnerable positions and they need to stay safe. Working intimately with someone else's body in a therapeutic context can make some clients feel like the touch is sexual. Massage therapists have VERY strict boundaries. If a client starts to hit on them or touches them, they stop and leave the room. The client/therapist relationship is severed.

Massage Therapists are holistic professionals, not masseurs who offer happy endings! The observations of the therapeutic process in this story outraged me from the get-go.

Levi is a thirty-year-old. He is not just a promiscuous gay man with a pain in his back who decides to hit on his much younger massage therapist- he is a sexual predator.

I was disgusted that he tried to hit on his therapist from the start of their professional relationship and every time Jamie said NO Levi kept going. Levi is a disgusting character and I just wanted to slap him. He is exactly what the #metoo movement is all about- men not knowing- or caring about boundaries and abusing power so they can get off.

Jamie was a victim of childhood sexual abuse and this made the fact that Levi kept hitting on him in a therapeutic situation- and ignoring the rejection of his advances even worse. This was not a realistic, well-observed scenario, and I was appalled at Levi's behavior. I had to stop listening after an hour or so. I did not want to hear how these two got together because I would not want to know about how a promiscuous sexual predator seduced a young man recovering from sexual abuse.

I had to DNF.

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Bog standard and regurgitated story

Cliche story, nothing greatly different from other gay stories-excessive sex,mental hang ups ,over confident man slut , shallowness,hard to get -blah blah,blah.
This also contains details of child molestation and rape , which was disgusting

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Well narrated, but the story was not for me

What could have made this a 4 or 5-star listening experience for you?

A different story with sympathetic mcs

What could Marie Sexton have done to make this a more enjoyable book for you?

I love Marie Sexton, 'Promises' is one of my all time favourites, but I didn't like this book. I so strongly disliked Levi that I couldn't finish this, but John Solo did a good job with the part I listened to.

What about John Solo’s performance did you like?

He distinguished the characters and put feeling in the book

What character would you cut from Between Sinners and Saints?

I despised both Levi and his entire family, but as a main character he would be hard to cut, so Levi's colleague, Max, because I didn't like him either.

Any additional comments?

Two damaged characters, but Levi just couldn't grow up and get over himself. This is not romance, so if you're looking for sweet and fluffy, don't bother.

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1 person found this helpful