Rating:  Summary: A book for all ages Review: Finding Faith is a very enjoyable read and suitable for all ages. Barriger's "boy meets boy" story is handled in a humorous and stylish way. The main charcters, Taylor and Tom, steal our hearts, and their circle of friends, family, and acquaintences, are all well developed characterizations. I found myself turning pages to see what was going to happen next. I was so impressed by Finding Faith that I shared it with my daughter. She loved the book and decided to let her 13 year old daughter read it - no age is too young to start teaching tolerance. For her eightieth birthday, I presented my aunt with a copy of Barriger's book. We can teach tolerance to traditional minded older folks too. My aunt, a very well read person but new to the the same-gender genre, enjoyed the story and thought Finding Faith was very well written. Taylor, a successful lawyer, and Tom, a soon-to-be teacher, capture our hearts and become the perfect role models for same-sex pairing. Their story affirms the fact that when two people are attracted to each other, it really doesn't matter if they happen to be the same gender...life can be good, and successful. And, good news, there's a sequel. Be sure to read Finding Peace as the story of Taylor and Tom continues to unfold, with even more complications.
Rating:  Summary: Finding a delightful new writer Review: Finding Faith is about finding love in unexpected places, discovering what real friendships and commitment are about, and having faith in one's values. The plot unfolds in a way that keeps you interested in how Taylor Connolly discovers his own strengths (and weaknesses) in the wake of his break up with his cheating boyfriend. Barriger's ability with dialogue and just plain good storytelling make this a delightful read. The writer never takes himself too seriously, which allows him to entertain while dealing with important events in his characters' lives. You will think about the characters long after you've read the final page. And as with all good books where you come to value the characters, you want the story to continue. I'm looking forward to more from Andrew Barriger--much more. ---Ronald L. Donaghe, author of All Over Him
Rating:  Summary: Highly Recommendable ! Review: Finding Faith is addictive and I finished it in one sitting. It is a "feel-good" book that brightens my day. One easily grows to care about Taylor, Tom and Gen, and even Molly whose change of heart gives the story quietly humorous light moments. Taylor and Tom are immensely likable and their vulnerability and sensitivity as they overcome their internal struggles and doubts to find the faith to love each other is wonderfully written. As I am a sentimental fool, I find myself rereading various parts, Taylor meeting Tom, Tom's poem to Taylor, Tom chasing after Taylor and finally Taylor and Tom finding each other...Finding Faith is just that, finding the faith and courage to love and be true to each other and that monogamy is possible. A marvellous effort from Barriger and I hope there is much more to tell about Taylor and Tom.
Rating:  Summary: Pay attention to the lousy reviews for this book . . . Review: I caution anyone who has been swayed by the glowing reviews of this book to reconsider. I finished this book quickly and then read the sequel, Finding Peace (I had bought both at the same time on the strength of the amazed commentary I had read). Okay . . . I won't say that I won't order the third novel, Finding Hope (?), if and when Mr. Barriger completes it.
With that said, I urge you to understand that every negative thing said in even the worst review of this book . . . is true! There were countless references to that stupid car! We are told many times that Taylor can drive it deftly! We even learn that he can get it in and out of the garage . . . expertly! The Jag is like another character. It IS annoying. The second book is MUCH better than this one. There is MARKED improvement in the description, character development and pretty much everything else. Unfortunately, there is also a little more to reinforce the idea that in every small town, there is a lonely Abercrombie model waiting to be snatched up.
The thing that kept me going through Finding Faith was wondering if Taylor would ever snap out of his own homophobia long enough to understand that there might be a middle-road between living a "private" life in a nameless town and going out every night to the clubs in an anonymous city. I think the idea that you can live a quiet life, being out to your family and pals and then meet your soulmate in a small town bakery is a nice idea. I even think that it might be possible. I also think that if it does happen . . . it won't look quite like Mr. Barriger describes it. Barriger creates nice . . .workable characters . . . they even have at least a little depth . . . but absolutely everything ends up being a little too perfect to feel . . . realistic. Just when you think that it could not get more perfect . . . it does.
And don't get me started on the non-drama that should be stirred up by "outing" someone who isn't in the closet in the first place. What was that all about?
I was also distracted by the fact that the setting of this novel doesn't make any sense. Okay . . . it's a town . . . forty minutes (by Jag!) from a City and forty-five minutes by plane and maybe . . . a half-day car-ride from Manhattan. Where is this place? Glastonbury, Connecticut? Somewhere in southern New Jersey? And then we learn in the next book that it's within a four hour car ride of Columbus, Ohio. So much for the greater Hartford area. Is it Brigadoon?! Maybe that's where all of those gay, lonely former high school football and baseball stars are living.
If you've read this far and you're still on the fence, just buy the damn book already! Is it so bad that you will have completely wasted your fifteen bucks? Naah. Is it the best thing ever written? Heck no! Will you regret having wasted the time it takes to read all three of the books? Probably not. Is there enough going on to hold the interest . . . even if it makes you mad as heck that something like this can not only get published but lead to sequels that are also given GLOWING reviews on Amazon? I say . . . YES.
If you want a great love story with elements of fantasy and some humor . . .try Almost Like Being in Love by Steve Kluger. . . now that was a fun, funny . . . fantastic book. Meanwhile . . . give this . . . series a shot. What have you got to lose?
Rating:  Summary: About a bad as a novel can be Review: I foolishly believed some of the reviews I had read on this site and bought this book. This is dreary stuff from start to finish. The writing is so dull that we get no sense of who these characters are, nor do we care. Vacuous and simple-minded, this is a book entirely without conflict and the characters are evidently modeled on some romance novel cliche. Anyone with a reading level beyond pre-adolescence or who admires intelligent writing should avoid this weak and disappointing effort.
Rating:  Summary: About a bad as a novel can be Review: I have found Finding Faith to be an inspirational journey to finding the courage within yourself to follow your heart. Mr. Barriger has done a great job developing the story and characters and as such he has demonstrated real talent in writing such a wonderfully entertaining novel. This is a real page-turner from start to finish and I look forward to reading future work from Andrew Barriger.
Rating:  Summary: Simply put - this is a great novel Review: I have found Finding Faith to be an inspirational journey to finding the courage within yourself to follow your heart. Mr. Barriger has done a great job developing the story and characters and as such he has demonstrated real talent in writing such a wonderfully entertaining novel. This is a real page-turner from start to finish and I look forward to reading future work from Andrew Barriger.
Rating:  Summary: A Great Book Review: I loved the characters and the story, and it was sooo funny! Easy to read, hard to put down, and sooo funny! Touching, inviting, full of heart and, you guessed it, sooo funny! Definitely one to reread again and again. Thank Mr. Barriger for Finding Faith - for the laughter, the smiles and the warmth.
Rating:  Summary: A Great Book Review: I loved the characters and the story, and it was sooo funny! Easy to read, hard to put down, and sooo funny! Touching, inviting, full of heart and, you guessed it, sooo funny! Definitely one to reread again and again. Thank Mr. Barriger for Finding Faith - for the laughter, the smiles and the warmth.
Rating:  Summary: Very Disappointing Review: I picked up Barriger's novel for a poolside read on a recent vacation, expecting nothing more than a light romantic romp, along the lines of "Big Eden." I was not expecting strong character development, great adventure or insightful social commentary. Barriger's novel, however, is one where nothing in particular happens to characters I was not just indifferent to, but disliked. It seemed almost as if this novel's only purpose was product placement - just about all we learn about the characters is context - their choice of wardrobe, fondness for chocolate, large Victorian homes (built "after the war") and the cars they drive (is there really a community so remote but within commuting distance where the driver of the lowest priced Jaguar sedan is referred to as "the Jag guy" by all of the townspeople?) What little conflict occurs in this novel can be attributed to the total lack of "character" of the characters, however there is not enough emotional context presented to allow the reader any insight into this - the nature of the human condition. "Finding Faith" was not humorous, entertaining or insightful. Thirteen-year-olds, for whom Barriger's book seems to be written, could better spend their time writing a novel of their own rather than reading this one. Ask Barriger how to get it published.
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