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Goodbye Paradise

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Goodbye Paradise

By: Sarina Bowen
Narrated by: Teddy Hamilton, Dake Bliss
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About this listen

Most people called it a cult. But for 20 years, Josh and Caleb called it home. In Paradise, there is no television. No fast food. Just long hours of farmwork and prayer on a dusty Wyoming ranch and nights in a crowded bunkhouse. The boys of the Compound are kept far from the sinners' world. But Joshua doesn't need temptation to sin. His whole life he's wanted his best friend, Caleb. By day they work side by side. Only when Josh closes his eyes at night can they be together the way he craves. It can never be. And his survival depends on keeping his terrible desires secret.

Caleb has always protected Josh against the worst of the bullying at the Compound. But he has secrets of his own and a plan to get away - until it all backfires. Josh finds himself homeless in a world that doesn't want him. Can Caleb find him in time? And will they find a place of safety, where he can admit to Josh how he really feels?

Warning: Contains a hot male/male romance, copious instances of taking the Lord's name in vain, and love against the kitchen counter. This book was previously released under the title In Front of God and Everyone.

©2017 Sarina Bowen (P)2017 Blackstone Audio, Inc. Contemporary Contemporary Romance Romance
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Josh and Caleb have endured 20 years in Paradise, WY where they were raised in a polygamous cult. The only bright spot in Josh’s day is the time he spends with his best friend, Caleb, although Josh spends every waking moment worrying his unrequited love for Caleb will be discovered. While Caleb occupies a protected position in the cult, he can see the writing on the wall: the elders are planning to banish Josh and he’ll lose the only person he’s ever loved. Should they both jump before Josh is pushed?

I really felt moved by this religious-escape romance, my heart aches for all those trapped or abandoned in similar circumstances. Despite the heavy topics, this is sweet rather than overly angsty—some hard things happen but they aren’t drawn out. I enjoyed the sense of wonderment as Josh and Caleb slowly embrace the outside world and each other. I also enjoyed the warm support they were given and the focus on family. It was an absolute bonus to hear US voice actors Teddy Hamilton (as Josh) and Dake Bliss (as Caleb) perform the audiobook (currently free on the Audible Plus catalogue)!

This gently tugged at my heart-strings! ❤️‍🩹

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I loved the background of the cult and seeing how it influenced them, it was a point of difference to others books I’ve listened to.
Their escape and journey to happiness was perfect, they were meant for each other. Would definitely recommend.

Happily suprised

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At just 19 years old Joshua was kicked out of the compound, the only family he has ever known with absolutely no where to go. A few hours later, his best friend Caleb was able to escape the same compound but now they just had to figure out what to do now that they were out…
• ———————————————— •

This story was beautiful and how these young men found their way into creating a new life of freedom with the help of Maggie who also escaped the same cult. To see how they grew as individuals and together with Josh being so innocent… just ughh his soul is so pure 😭 As for Caleb, he has always been the more independent out of the two, taking charge and keeping things as calm as he could. Oh my god, Gorge Washington saved those boys from being stranded and looked after them until they were able to make it to Maggie’s…. Then the letters to keep him up to date with their life, my heart😭

I am basing my stars off the story, NOT the audio book as I do NOT recommend it. Dake Bliss who was the narrator for Caleb, literally ruined everything…😬 The man reads as if he is a robot who is bored with life, makes 💦 sound painful (completely ruined their first time having 💦) but mostly, lacks emotion in every aspect and killed my life with every word spoken out loud💀 Teddy Hamilton was the narrator for Joshua and was great and his voice sounds more.. innocent?😉

Audiobook: 🎧🎧 👉🏼 For Teddy onlyyyy
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice: 🌶️🌶️

Life after escaping a cult

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I enjoyed this story of Caleb amd Josh. The narrators did a great job bringing the characters to life.

I enjoyed this book

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I just loved this so much. the voice actors were good but the story was amazing.

amazing

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The story of Josh and Caleb felt honest and authentic without any of the hand wringing and angst of so many. Well written and well narrated.

No angst

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This was a good story line with believable characters that could have been explored in more depth. The numerous sex scenes in the middle seemed like a Bonk-a-thon and wasted opportunities where the characters could have been explored in subtle foreshadows of the final main crisis. After the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th sex scene, I think we got it ... they liked sex. Would have liked to see the controlling theme explored more, so that there was more tension in little things where Mr Fixit, the benevolent controller, unearthed little just-suppressed resentments in his partner rather than total passivity until that final crisis. Acquiescence, reluctant acceptance, usually precedes and builds, prior to a relationship crisis. We've all been there, and we all could have learned about ourselves through these two guys. Bonk don't tell, doesn't replace Show don't Tell. A few exposures to knucle-dragging homophobics could have been thrown in at critical times too. That said, the story was good. I am going to enjoy more of this author. The book's positives far outweigh my critical comments/wishes. Enjoyable.

Started well , good plot, became a Bonk-a-thon

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This was honestly soooo good, theres's romance, there's trauma (which we hate but also who doesn't love a wounded love story) and there's found family oh and its gay what more could you want! Josh is a such a golden retriever boy and Caleb loves his golden retriever boy. Wholesome and sweet <3

Fruity Romance Yes Please

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loved this story. it actually brought me to tears at some points. very easy read and great spice.

Cute boys and Crazy Cults? sign me up

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It’s a very interesting story, well written and with great character depth The audiobook was negatively impacted by Dake Bliss’ narration of Caleb, a 20 year old guy who sounds 40 plus under Bliss’ wooden and boring narration. Such a shame as Teddy Hamilton is brilliant as Josh.

Great story impacted by narration issues

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