Lisa's Reviews > The Skeptic

This is a wonderful start to a new series! In this story, Beckett is a tattooed, skeptical non-denominational minister who wonders about the existence of God while he's also very committed to serving his community, especially at-risk LGBT+ youth. He exists on occasional hook-ups, only connecting with men fairly far from his own home in Seguin, Texas. He's one of the Lost Boys, a group of queer friends who became close in high school while mentored and protected by gay shop teacher, Mr. Paige. They are now coming back to Seguin to help support Mr. Paige and his husband while Mr. Paige deals with two severe, damaging bouts of pneumonia.

Holden is Mr. Paige's adopted son, who has stayed away from Seguin for years, although his fathers came to visit him periodically. Holden was badly beaten in a homophobic attack while in high school and returning to the place where his attacker still live has been too triggering. Now, however, with his father seriously ill, Holden braves his fears to return while also breaking up with his cheating boyfriend.

Holden and Beckett meet and spend time together. Holden needs some comforting in these difficult times and turns to Beckett for affection and passion. It doesn't hurt that he has a priest kink that Beckett fills perfectly. What begins as a one-time hook-up becomes more. Can these two men overcome the obstacles, danger, and grief they must encounter?

The book lightly introduces members of the Lost Boys who will likely star in upcoming books in the series. There is also a nice tie-in to a few characters from the Wild Heart Ranch and Rebel Sky Ranch series, as they are located in the same general vicinity. The writing has just the right blend of kink, kindness, friendship, passion, danger, and delight. I look forward to reading every book in this series.