Rating: 
Summary: you GOTTA buy this book
Review: I won't summarize the plot - several other reviewers have done an excellent job of that. But the story is so romantically unbelievable (world famous rock singer meets his biggest fan - they fall in love - YEA RIGHT!!!) that I didn't think I would like it. But as you read it, you get so drawn in that you totally suspend disbelief, and Mark Roeder has you believe that it could happen. I lost a whole night of sleep because I couldn't put this book down. I had to find out how the characters ended up. I loved the revelation of the identity of Jordan and how he ties in to the previous books in the series. Definitely one of my favorite books. And I'm anxiously waiting for Mark's next book, "Keeper of Secrets".
Rating: 
Summary: Sometimes you can judge a book by the cover...
Review: In this case I should have immediately been wary about the insides after a very amatuerish cover. The story was like a bad Harlequin romance - simple, two dimensional characters, the barest attempt at pacing and plot, and an obvious ending. I've heard that this author has fans?! Who would have thought? If you like your reading with meat and measure, I suggest the works of Heim or Grimsley and not Roeder.
Rating:
Summary: Mark... How do you do it!! This left me wanting MORE!!!
Review: Mark Roeder, the author, has an incredible way of merging the 'fantasy/dream' world of young love and the real life struggles and emotions that gay teens go through. Even though I am well out of my teens, I can still remember the criticism and torment that young guys went through when they were tagged 'Gay'. I absolutely love how Mark manages merging characters in his previous novels and creates a 'series'. Each time I pick up his next book in the 'series', I look forward to seeing who he is going to introduce in the novels as well as how they are either related somehow or acquaintances to characters from previous novels. 'Do you know that I love you' falls into this the same. I was almost floored when I found out who Jordan, the talented lead in this book was. Of course you will have to read the book to find out.... This is the 5th (and hopefully not the last), book in the 'Verona, Indiana' series created by Mark Roeder. This installment has to do with Ralph, the Indiana Farm Boy that has a MAJOR crush on Jordan, the lead singer of the Hot Boyband 'Phantom'. Jordan is constantly struggling with his Sexual Orientation while having to keep up appearances for his Career and Fans. Ralph eats, sleeps, and dreams of Jordan. Ralph, is only out to two of his friends, friends that love to tease Ralph about his secret obsession with Jordan. A totally random chance meeting between the two lead both Ralph and Jordan into areas of each others life that no one could ever imagine. I love the way the Author takes each chapter from each of the characters point of view. This allows the reader to fully understand what that character is thinking during different events in the book. Again, I highly recommend reading the previous 4 books of Mark Roeder to get the full background on each of the characters. As previous stated, characters from Ancient Prejudice, Someone is Watching, and A Better Place all come into this book. Although this book stands very well on its own, I would still read the other books first to get the FULL EXPERIENCE!!! You will love this book! Remember, it is mostly written for the young gay teen male, but us 30 something's still can fully enjoy it!!!
Rating:
Summary: There are not enough superlatives!
Review: Of the several hundred gay-themed novels I've read, few have moved me more than this one! It warmed my heart, it brought tears to my eyes (and had me sobbing more than once), and it made me happy (and I don't use that word lightly). I've had problems with two of Roeder's earlier books. Though I loved Someone is Watching, I felt that Ancient Prejudice romanticized teen suicide in a dangerous way and I found the ghosts scenes in Someone is Killing the Gay Boys... quite over the top. But Do I Know That I Love You is perfection! It's a kind of gay Notting Hill (which is the highest praise I can give it), a wish fulfilling tale of a boy who seems ordinary (though in fact he's quite special) meeting the most extraordinary of dream boys (beautiful, famous, desired by millions) and the two of them finding life-long happiness together and influencing the world in the most extraordinary way imagineable. Farfetched? Maybe. But for the time I was reading this novel, I lived in that most amazing of worlds where everything good can come true. And the the surprises at the end of the book made me glad I'd read all Roeder's others, even the ones I had problems with, because everything ties together in the most emotionally satisfying way. It's been decades since I was a teenager, but I was one again while reading this novel. Every gay teen should read this book! It should be in every high school library! It can change lives. It can save lives... I loved it loved it loved it! Bravo Mark Roeder!
Rating:
Summary: There are not enough superlatives!
Review: Of the several hundred gay-themed novels I've read, few have moved me more than this one! It warmed my heart, it brought tears to my eyes (and had me sobbing more than once), and it made me happy (and I don't use that word lightly). I've had problems with two of Roeder's earlier books. Though I loved Someone is Watching, I felt that Ancient Prejudice romanticized teen suicide in a dangerous way and I found the ghosts scenes in Someone is Killing the Gay Boys... quite over the top. But Do I Know That I Love You is perfection! It's a kind of gay Notting Hill (which is the highest praise I can give it), a wish fulfilling tale of a boy who seems ordinary (though in fact he's quite special) meeting the most extraordinary of dream boys (beautiful, famous, desired by millions) and the two of them finding life-long happiness together and influencing the world in the most extraordinary way imagineable. Farfetched? Maybe. But for the time I was reading this novel, I lived in that most amazing of worlds where everything good can come true. And the the surprises at the end of the book made me glad I'd read all Roeder's others, even the ones I had problems with, because everything ties together in the most emotionally satisfying way. It's been decades since I was a teenager, but I was one again while reading this novel. Every gay teen should read this book! It should be in every high school library! It can change lives. It can save lives... I loved it loved it loved it! Bravo Mark Roeder!
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Summary: Who was that sappy guy?
Review: Ooops this author did it again. This author has written several fun, sad, romantic stories about Verona Indiana and the boys living there. This one is somewhat in that vein but mixes in a "when dreams come true" type of story about a young fan who is sort of an outsider who then happens to bump into one of his biggest crushes, a boyband singer, accidentally when he is at a concert. Told from both boys viewpoints it shows the life of the singer, busy but a bit loney, and the boy, and how they are both looking for, could it be? Each other? One thing I love about this author is that when people find out the main characters are gay there are as many good reactions as bad which I think is a bit more realistic. This book fits in well with his collection. And you will close it with a sappy smile on your face
Rating:
Summary: A Lavender Fairy Tale
Review: This book is the third of Roeder's novels that I have read (A BETTER PLACE and SOMEONE IS WATCHING being the other two) and I must confess that I am hooked. These morality plays dressed up as gay teen romances admittedly border on the nauseatingly sweet, but they have the wonderful ability to make one proud to be gay. This, of course, is the primary purpose, and it is commendable how admirably the purpose is served. All of Roeder's books are, to some degree, inter-connected, which only adds to the pleasure when reading them. DO YOU KNOW THAT I LOVE YOU is a fairy tale for teens with a strong message about the need for positive role models for young gay men and women. The world in this novel is an idealistic place that doesn't resemble real life much. Jordan is a lonely closeted rock star desperately searching for love and Ralph is a devoted and loving fan. It doesn't take an Einstein to figure out where this relationship is going, but it is to the extreme credit of the author, that it goes there so plausibly. The pages turn at a quick clip, and before you know it you'll find yourself totally involved in the lives of these two young men. The target audience is teenage gay boys, but if honest sentiment and dream fulfillment don't make you want to gag, than you may find this novel to be a more than welcome diversion from life's deflating realities. If you prefer your edges to be hard, and your reality to be brutal, then this book is not for you. If however, you like your romance served up old fashioned style, and your stories to have a strong sense of right and wrong then do not hesitate to buy this book. To concede that the world of DO YOU KNOW THAT I LOVE YOU is not a realistic one, in no way diminishes the quality of the read nor will it dampen the strong sense of pride the reader will feel. If the real world were one tenth as beautiful as the world of this book, it would be a truly incredible place.
Rating:
Summary: And Yes I Love This Book
Review: This is a fasinating novel about how two boys from very different backgrounds can fall in love. Ralph is from a small town and Jordan is the lead singer of Phantom the biggest boyband to hit the nation since NSync. Ralph has a major crush on Jordan and dreams of one day just getting to see him. A nearby concert makes that dream come true and so much more. Mark, I can't wait to read the next one. Keep it up!!
Rating: 
Summary: A Well Crafted Teen Gay Male Romance
Review: When sensitive, talented, and world-popular Jordan, of the rock band Phantom, literally bumps into Ralph, a gay teen farm boy from Indiana'and someone who loves him beyond measure'both of their worlds are turned upside down. When Jordan sneaks away from his public life to visit Ralph on his farm their love for each other is revealed. Each becomes the other's first boyfriend, then Ralph is thrust into Jordan's concert tour and wildly popular life. Could it be any better than this? Alternating between Ralph's and Jordan's viewpoints, we get a complete view of each character's inner and outer life. You listen to Jordan's continual monolog about how much he loves his public but feels isolated as a gay teen who's not only a virgin, but not out to anyone. Then he had the guts to come out to the entire world, and reveal that Ralph is his boyfriend. The angst and turmoil they both felt knowing life would never be the same for them after that was there as well. The romance built up a bit slowly for my taste, but they finally found just the right time to consummate their relationship. This was a highly charged romance to say the least. I say that because you'll feel their tears at the inevitable miscommunications, the heartache of supposed betrayal, and the separation that kept them apart, all of which was woven throughout this tale. Although this book is targeted to a younger teen gay male audience you don't necessarily need to be a teenager to enjoy it. Mr. Roeder does a good job in contrasting a plain ole boy with this keyboardist and singer from the most popular boyband in the world. You Go, Mark!
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