Rating: ![5 stars](http://www.reviewfocus.com/images/stars-5-0.gif) Summary: Great writing Review: If you've seen the film that the book is based on you'll love the book. If you haven't seen the film yet you'll still love the book. The book follows the film beautifully and evokes the memory of many wonderful scenes, but it adds to the story by giving us some extra thoughts and feelings that the film left out. This is the best kind of love story that follows the tried and true path of boy meets boy, boy gets boy, boy loses boy, boy gets boy back and does it with a lot of heart. By the time you reach the final page you too will be in love with Christian and Aaron. I was reminded at times-humor-wise-of Jackson McCrae (think Children's Corner) and even David Sedaris with his humor yet underlying side of darkness. Overall, an excellent book.
Rating: ![2 stars](http://www.reviewfocus.com/images/stars-2-0.gif) Summary: OK, but ... Review: It's not bad, but it certainly doesn't merit the enthusiasm shown by some reviewers. It's basically a conventional romance plot, with characters whose motivations are completely unbelievable (it's never explained why either of these guys has the slightest interest in the other except that "they just fell in love" and are drippingly hottalicious). If this were a heterosexual romance it would be completely unremarkable and hardly anyone would pay attention to it. I fail to understand how changing one character's sex makes anything special out of what would otherwise be a tired potboiler. People should demand something more interesting, and more inventive, from fiction.
Rating: ![3 stars](http://www.reviewfocus.com/images/stars-3-0.gif) Summary: Good...at least better than the movie Review: Let me start by saying that I really feel there is a good story here somewhere just dieing to be told. Unfortunately, I don't think this book quite hits the mark. I remember seeing the movie and being sorely disappointed in its execution. I was hoping this story would get a better treatment through the book and was only somewhat disappointed. Having grown up with a strong Mormon influence and having had several Mormon friends, I will say that the missionary characters seemed believable, Aaron in particular. Christian, the other lead character, was equally as well developed and credible. The details of the plot just seem to get a little lost as they are thrown together in the end. I found myself really wanting to feel more of the emotion in the end but just couldn't fully buy into it. The dialogue is quite humorous at times albeit short lived. The romance between the characters feels real and--well--I too love a happy ending.
Rating: ![3 stars](http://www.reviewfocus.com/images/stars-3-0.gif) Summary: Good...at least better than the movie Review: Let me start by saying that I really feel there is a good story here somewhere just dieing to be told. Unfortunately, I don't think this book quite hits the mark. I remember seeing the movie and being sorely disappointed in its execution. I was hoping this story would get a better treatment through the book and was only somewhat disappointed. Having grown up with a strong Mormon influence and having had several Mormon friends, I will say that the missionary characters seemed believable, Aaron in particular. Christian, the other lead character, was equally as well developed and credible. The details of the plot just seem to get a little lost as they are thrown together in the end. I found myself really wanting to feel more of the emotion in the end but just couldn't fully buy into it. The dialogue is quite humorous at times albeit short lived. The romance between the characters feels real and--well--I too love a happy ending.
Rating: ![5 stars](http://www.reviewfocus.com/images/stars-5-0.gif) Summary: Predictable and I loved it Review: Predictability is not always a bad thing. The book followed the exact path that most romantic comedies do, yet the way that Fabris and Cox wrote it absolutely pulled at my heartstrings. I found myself caring for the characters, especially Lila, and ended up tearing about what happened to another. I laughed, I cried, I blushed, and still knew that the plot was the same as it ever was. Sometimes a story so beautifully written can take you to a place where knowing the ending leaves you satisfied. And I, a self-proclaimed jaded cynic, found myself satisfied.
Rating: ![5 stars](http://www.reviewfocus.com/images/stars-5-0.gif) Summary: Great story, fun characters, fine writing Review: Some German exchange student in my high school class (oh yes, years ago) was obsessively reading the literary adaptation of the film "Fatal Attraction", as well as other adaptations. I was flirting, so I feigned interest in borrowing the books...all of them. And, much like the guy, I found them to be a real snoozefest. Writers generally let a script sloppily carry them through writing a literary adaptation. It's usually a pasteurized view of what happens in the movie. It usually sucks. But T. Fabris really pulled one off, here. Fabris gives layers to the characters. Fabris unveils things with subtlety and grace. And while the purpose of this literary adaptation may have been to garner attention for the film it was based on, I have much more interest in the future works of T. Fabris than I have in seeing the film version of "Latter Days". It might just ruin it for me.
Rating: ![5 stars](http://www.reviewfocus.com/images/stars-5-0.gif) Summary: A Page Turner Review: The story is touching. Once I started reading, I couldn't put the book down. The book was well-written, and there were times when I really felt the emotions of the characters. I also found myself worked up with my own strong feelings in certain situations. Throughout the reading I also learned a great deal about the Morman culture, and their views on different issues. This was a great book and I strongly reccommend reading it.
Rating: ![5 stars](http://www.reviewfocus.com/images/stars-5-0.gif) Summary: Satisfying Review: This book was extremely satisfying--like good sex that only comes along once in a blue moon. So few books actually "go" somewhere, but this one does. The writing style and brilliant execution are on the same level as McCrae's "Bark of the Dogwood" (though the two books have nothing in common plot-wise) and some of the steamy scenes in this novel will set you twitching (think, some plots in lesser gay novels that are unabashed in their desire to please), but the overall effect is worth it. It's obvious that the author is a writer of movie scripts (uh, this is actually a compliment here . . .) because he certainly knows how to weave a story that will keep you interested. Highly recommended.
Rating: ![5 stars](http://www.reviewfocus.com/images/stars-5-0.gif) Summary: Deeper insights into the characters Review: This book will appeal mostly to those who have seen the film and are interested in finding more information out about the characters. Hopefully, however, people around the world who can't see this film or can't wait for the DVD release will take a chance and read this faithful novelization that provides more backstory to some of the characters. The novelization is solidly written with the same great depth that screenwriter C. Jay Cox gave his characters. Those of you who read this book will find it enjoyable and an outstanding companion to the film. If you haven't seen the movie yet, the book gives an overall better feel for the time that passes between beginning and end.You will fall for these characters. You'll laugh, cry and cheer. I recommend this book HIGHLY and hope it's message of love is heard around the world, just as I hope the film gets the rewards (and awards) it so rightly deserves.
Rating: ![5 stars](http://www.reviewfocus.com/images/stars-5-0.gif) Summary: A delicious slice of a young male's acceptance of reality! Review: This is a wonderfully easy, stimulating, and captivating read for a beach goer, Palm Springs sun worshipper, airline passenger, or any other gay male willing to delve into others' realities and be captivated by a smoothly-flowing writing style which, via cool, consistent plot development, concludes with an emotional wallop that had me tearing. I've not seen the movie, but the book has stimulated a very strong desire to see it on my home surround system with my same-sex mate with whom I bonded in 1977 and have maintained an outstanding monogamous relationship since then. Bravo to Cox!!!
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