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Between Sinners and Saints

by Marie Sexton (Goodreads Author)

4.22 of 5 stars 4.22 · rating details · 1,980 ratings · 255 reviews

Levi Binder is a Miami bartender who cares about only two things: sex and surfing. Ostracized by his Mormon family for his homosexuality, Levi is determined to live his life his own way, but everything changes when he meets massage therapist Jaime Marshall.

Jaime is used to being alone. Haunted by the horrors of his past, his only friend is his faithful dog, Dolly. He has n...more

ebook, 377 pages

Published May 29th 2011 by Amber Allure Press (first published May 21st 2011)

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Between Sinners and Saints by Marie Sexton

Best M/M Romance Published in 2011

4th out of 399 books — 858 voters

Best Gay Romance with Abused/Traumatized Characters

1st out of 202 books — 241 voters

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Community Reviews

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Jan 04, 2012 Heidi Cullinan rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: absolute-favorites, best-of-2011, m-m

I have a Thing about books revolving around abuse. In theory I like to read them, but they're so often poorly done, and a poorly done abuse book is a terrible, terrible thing. The balance is as delicate as a spider's web. It can't be too angsty, but it can't be too glib. Most authors think the way to deal with abuse is for the character to wallow directly, which I have to tell you, I've never seen a real abuse victim do in real life. The stories are also often so heavy you can't stand to read th...more

22 likes · like · see review

Jun 02, 2011 Amy Lane rated it 5 of 5 stars

I grew up in a Mormon town and watched painfully as one of my best friends dealt with both the wonderful support and the painful doctrine after her parents divorced. Her struggle to choose the interpretation of her faith that felt right in her heart always struck me as poignant and real--and when reading this book, I saw Levi go through the exact same struggle. I loved that Marie Sexton didn't treat this lightly--I loved that she found both the good and painful in Levi's family dynamic. I loved...more

27 likes · like · see review

Jun 04, 2011 Eyre rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: romance, gay-glbt-mm-mmf

I picked up this book with a little trepidation because I knew one of the themes would be about religion,which can be a touchy subject for me. There have been times when I've read books that made it seem like all Christians are closed-minded, and that bothers me because we're not all like that. However, I also understand that the most visible "Christians"--I use quotation marks because I don't feel these people truly are Christians--seem to be the ones who are ranting and shouting their hatred.

L...more

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May 31, 2011 Cole Riann rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: m-m, m-m-contemporary, m-m-family-kids, m-m-hurt-comfort

4.5 stars

I really enjoyed this book. I like reading slow and sweet love stories, and this definitely fit the bill, due to Jaime's history. Even more (though they often infuriated me), I enjoyed Levi's family. I think it was very smart of Marie Sexton to let this story run the course it did. Now that I think back on it, there isn't one book I remember reading right now in this genre that doesn't offer a complete resolution for coming out (even though Levi is already out) that isn't either complet...more

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view all 5 comments

Cole Riann Lauraadriana wrote: "Cole wrote: "Lauraadriana wrote: "This was good little story wasn't it? I loved Levi."

I loved Levi too and I really sympathized w...more
Jun 01, 2011 01:09am

Lauraadriana Cole wrote: "Lauraadriana wrote: "Cole wrote: "Lauraadriana wrote: "This was good little story wasn't it? I loved Levi."

I loved Levi too and I really...more
Jun 01, 2011 01:25am

May 27, 2011 Wave rated it 5 of 5 stars

I didn’t think that Marie Sexton could top One More Soldier, a book I love and have re-read many times, but Between Sinners and Saints showed me a different side of her writing and proved once again what an incredible writer she is. The plot and characters moved me so much that I couldn’t put this novel down.

The protagonists will grab on to your heart especially Jaime who was vulnerable and scarred from his past experience. He was a complex character who was so fragile it seemed as if he would...more I didn’t think that Marie Sexton could top One More Soldier, a book I love and have re-read many times, but Between Sinners and Saints showed me a different side of her writing and proved once again what an incredible writer she is. The plot and characters moved me so much that I couldn’t put this novel down.

The protagonists will grab on to your heart especially Jaime who was vulnerable and scarred from his past experience. He was a complex character who was so fragile it seemed as if he would break at any moment, but he was by no means weak and he proved to be the catalyst throughout the story. Levi’s family fell for him despite his being gay which went against everything they believed in, and he showed them at last what a wonderful person Levi was and how he had changed his life for the better. Levi’s love for Jaime was unselfish, and he was so tender with him you will fall for him too. Both characters grew exponentially throughout the course of the book and the development of the plot to its conclusion was well crafted. This plot could have become a quagmire because of the themes of faith, homosexuality, rape, and a family in crisis, but the author wove them into a tapestry for a wonderful and moving story that will make you admire the way it unfolded and how the family conflicts were resolved without taking the easy way out.

The characters were all flawed, including Levi’s parents who wore blinders and initially could not see any viewpoint but their own, but Jaime opened their eyes and hearts to another path and showed them that if you truly loved someone you would accept them unconditionally. This story is by no means a quick fix for religious prejudices and hate, and at times it was hard for me to understand why for 10 years Levi was treated like a pariah even though his family did acknowledge reluctantly that homosexuality was not a choice.

The author integrated a lot of information about the Mormon religion into the plot without making me feel that it was an info dump. The doubts each member of Levi’s family experienced about the path they had chosen, and the impact their decision had on Levi seemed realistic as they tried to balance their love for him against their faith. To her credit Marie Sexton didn’t demonize the Mormons or make Levi’s family into selfish unfeeling people, instead they were portrayed as sincere believers whose lives were governed by strict religious principles. But faith can be a two edged sword and this was a thread that was woven throughout the story in a non-judgmental way.

Between Sinners and Saints could have been a downer because of the emphasis on religion and how people’s faith and beliefs affect their lives, but it was actually fun. Jaime’s dark sense of humour emerged and some of the supporting characters rationalized their own departure from the strict teachings of their faith while still hoping to enjoy the benefits of a heavenly afterlife. The characters were all fully fleshed out and the family dynamics were complicated as expected, but there was also a lot of love and friendship.

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Aug 16, 2011 Heather C rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: contemporary-romance, ebook, dubcon-rape, friends-to-lovers, m-m, lots-of-tension, read-2011, pdoc, autographed

Such a sad, heartbreaking story with a HEA

I've been putting this off since the release because I was freaked out by the religion, abused MC, and the slutty MC. So yesterday I finally started it because I wanted to read something where I could really connect with and feel for the characters. And this was exactly what I was looking for.

First, there is Jamie, who spends his days healing people with his touch and his nights locking himself away and hiding from his inner monsters. He was abused as a...more Such a sad, heartbreaking story with a HEA

I've been putting this off since the release because I was freaked out by the religion, abused MC, and the slutty MC. So yesterday I finally started it because I wanted to read something where I could really connect with and feel for the characters. And this was exactly what I was looking for.

First, there is Jamie, who spends his days healing people with his touch and his nights locking himself away and hiding from his inner monsters. He was abused as a child and suffers from severe PTSD. Then there is Levi. He spends is life fucking "no-names" in the back storage room of the club he bartends. Their relationship starts off as only friends and continues as friends for the majority of the book. Jamie is so "scarred" he is unable to trust anyone and soon Levi wants to be the person to take care of Jamie. But Levi has his own demons mostly stemming from being rejected for his homosexuality by his own family and their Mormon faith. He spends the first 50% of the book having sex with other people. I think these were the hardest scenes of the book for me to read. Even harder than Jamie's abuse flashbacks. I was going to post a spoiler and go into detail of what all Levi did, but right now I really don't want to think about it agian. I'm just going to say that some of Levi's activities pushed the boundries of my "accepting" zone and I would have to stop, take a few deep breaths and a few sips of water to recover. Most people may not see it as that bad, but it was hard for me. Once Levi finally reached his breaking point, I was a lot more comfortable with the story.

"Dear Heavenly Father, I know you may not approve of me or of the way I've lived these past several years. And I'm not asking you to forgive me for that because I'm not sure I'm sorry. But I am sorry for what happened on Saturday. I think you led me to Jaime for a reason, and I've screwed it up. I don't like what I've let myself become. I don't mean being gay, and if that's something you don't like, I can't change it. But there are other things I can change. And I think maybe I should. So I'm going to do what I can, and if you really did send me to Jaime for a reason, then I'm asking you please to let me try it again. Because I know I've failed at a lot of things, but I don't want to fail with him. Amen." ~ Levi

There is also a lot of religion in this book. Usually I hate that in my books and it made me uncomfortable in the beginning, but its such a huge part of the story I just had to accept it. I hated Levi's family in the beginning, but by the end I was able to understand them somewhat. They really only wanted Levi safe and happy.

I really loved this story especially,I think, because I was in the mood for it. This is really not something I would usually prefer to read. Also, one of the things I love about Marie's writing is that the romance is never rushed. It takes the entire book to see Jamie and Levi's love for each other develop and grow. I'm so happy for their HEA!!

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Jun 01, 2011 Lauraadriana rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: loved-it, m-m, love-conquers-all, cried-like-a-baby, fave-authors

4.5 mayyyybe 4.75

Love is selfless, patient, open and forgiving. I think this story was about that more than anything for me. Levi comes from the LDS church he left his family years ago to live in Miami where he could be free to live how he chose, and he did he surfed, tended bar, had a lot of sex...That was life. After having pain in his back he goes to massage therapist Jamie Marshall for some help. Jamie is attractive, but closed off and shy and looks almost scared all the time he does not lik...more

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Jun 01, 2011 Andi rated it 5 of 5 stars

Villains are easy. Demonizing a character, or a group of characters, is far easier for a writer than getting under the skin of a character or group and giving them a legitimate perspective and realistic motivations. To create characters, a whole family of them, who are members of a religious organization that is traditionally perceived as being extremely homophobic and make them a family of human beings like any other who love each other, are different from one another, want the best for each, m...more Villains are easy. Demonizing a character, or a group of characters, is far easier for a writer than getting under the skin of a character or group and giving them a legitimate perspective and realistic motivations. To create characters, a whole family of them, who are members of a religious organization that is traditionally perceived as being extremely homophobic and make them a family of human beings like any other who love each other, are different from one another, want the best for each, misunderstand each other, and make awful mistakes with each other, is at the heart of the art of writing. In this novel, not only has the author succeeded beautifully at that task, she has done it in the context of a beautiful love story between the oddest-man-out of that family and a man whose own family experiences make him the perfect catalyst for change for them all, himself included.

One thing I deeply appreciated about this novel was that the slow growth and self-realization of the two main characters felt perfectly paced. Levi had been living on the wild side for some years, but there were subtle indications that he was beginning to recognize the emptiness of his life. It was inevitable that he would start off in the wrong direction with Jaime, but it was entirely believable that he would gradually recognize that fact and try to fix it. At the same time, Jaime--damaged and fearful, but not without his own inner strengths--needed the family that Levi struggled with, and in reaching out to them began to build a bridge between them and their son.

I also loved the wonderful, terrible, frustrating, and very telling family meetings in Levi's home. Each one was a very powerful scene depicting the way people who care about each other can listen to but not hear one another. And although some of the characters gradually experienced some shifts in their thinking, never was there one of those Hollywood perfect moments or a speech that brought a mass epiphany. These were real people, a real family, and real life doesn't work that way.

So, no grand and sweeping changes of heart to be found here--but a slow and steady growth that was ultimately much more real, touching and satisfying.

Marie Sexton has created something very special in these two men and in the family surrounding them. I dare anyone to read this book and not come away from the experience profoundly affected and finding things within that resonate in their own lives. (less)

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May 29, 2011 Lisa rated it 5 of 5 stars

Recommended to Lisa by: top2bottomreviews.wordpress.com

Shelves: contemporary-romance, m-m-romance, abuse

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. Is there anything quite as divisive and at the same time as unifying as religion? Maybe politics. But it’s not politics that provide for the conflict between Levi Binder and his family in Marie Sexton’s Between Sinners and Saints. Rather, it’s the religious directives of the Binders’ faith that have both divided and united Levi’s family, a difference of ideals that has threatened to isolate him from them—possibly for all eternity.

Love is supposed to be unconditional: Patient and kind, it is not...more Is there anything quite as divisive and at the same time as unifying as religion? Maybe politics. But it’s not politics that provide for the conflict between Levi Binder and his family in Marie Sexton’s Between Sinners and Saints. Rather, it’s the religious directives of the Binders’ faith that have both divided and united Levi’s family, a difference of ideals that has threatened to isolate him from them—possibly for all eternity.

Love is supposed to be unconditional: Patient and kind, it is not arrogant, nor does it act unbecomingly. Love rejoices in the truth, bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails. But sometimes it doesn’t work that way. It’s only in the hands of we mortal beings that love can be used to manipulate and to judge, even though our hearts may be in the right place while we’re doing it.

Though they love Levi immensely and have only the best of intentions for him and his immortal soul, it’s the Binder family’s inability to love him unconditionally that proves to be their undoing. The more the Binder’s push Levi to give up his homosexual lifestyle, the more Levi pushes back, working at a gay bar while night after night, he makes anonymous hook-ups in the back room, knowing those are the very things he can use to hurt them as much as they’ve hurt him by not accepting him for who he is. The more they try to gather him back into the family fold, asking him to repent and deny his sexuality, the more they push him away in a repetitive cycle of anger and pain.

But where love has the power to hurt, it also has the power to heal. It has the power to heal even those who didn’t know they needed healing to begin with. It has the power to heal those who are broken by the lasting damage of a past that has left its share of visible and invisible scars. But while Jaime Marshall may be broken, he is not damaged beyond all hope.

A nagging muscle injury leaves Levi in need of a massage therapist, which places him directly into the very capable and elusive hands of Jaime Marshall, a man whose fear and anxiety manifests itself in regimented behaviors and his inability to tolerate being touched. How does a man who cannot stand to be touched by anyone, ever, endure touching others for a living? Control—something that had been stolen from him as a child, something that eludes him in his nightmares. It’s his unconquerable and often overwhelming fear that threatens to steal his control on a daily basis. And it’s that fear that creates an irrevocable bond between the two men, as Levi fulfills a need in Jaime, the way Jaime fulfills a need in Levi; the need to connect and to belong to someone else. Jaime’s pain and fear become Levi’s pain and fear, a burden he willingly accepts in an effort to ease Jaime’s affliction.

Trust, friendship, family—those are all things Jaime has been lacking in his life, the very things he wants and needs, the very things Levi can provide for him, but first Levi must prove himself to be trustworthy. It’s a long and arduous journey, as the two men travel together through the building of a friendship that will cement a lifelong bond. Through the power of touch, something that Jaime has only been able to give but never to accept, Levi gives Jaime a safe place to fall, gives him a family, and gives him unconditional support and love.

Faith and love cannot remain at odds if a family is to survive. It’s a hard-fought conflict for the Binder’s, and one that love, with all its influence, overcomes in the end.

Between Sinners and Saints is, simply put, a brilliant and beautiful story of recovery and redemption. It’s a story that explores the eternal conflict between spiritual beliefs and the temptations and trials of the secular world, without ever crossing the line into sermonizing.

How can love between two consenting adults, the sort of love that is entirely pure and unselfish, patient and kind, possibly be considered sinful? It’s a theme that is conveyed through a group of characters who are each genuinely portrayed with real personalities and emotions.

It is a question that shouldn’t need to be addressed at all. But if it’s going to be, it should always be addressed this well.(less)

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Nov 21, 2012 Breann ♡♥Believes In Love♥♡ rated it 5 of 5 stars

Recommended to Breann ♡♥Believes In Love♥♡ by: Paisley

Shelves: contemporary-romance, favorite-couples, favorites, favorite-2012, gang-bang-read, m-m, on-calibre, want-to-reread, so-good-so-good-so-good

Levi meets Jamie, his massage therapist, at a time in his life when all he cares about is his next conquest. So what does he do? Hit on Jamie, naturally. We learn pretty early on that Jamie has a deeply troubled past and still has emotional scars that causes him to have fear of being touched. When Levi comes on too strong Jamie is completely put off and wants nothing to do with the other man. Levi is able to finagle his way back into Jamie’s life but with a very strict ‘no touchy, no feely’ rule...more

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Jun 05, 2011 Sylvie rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: m-m

3.5 stars rounded down

Let me start by saying I love Marie Sexton - she's a must-read, auto-buy author for me. As much as I love her brand of m/m, there are certain themes and elements in the story that bothered me. I thought the religion aspect was way too overblown, to the extent that I felt like I was reading a sermon and joined in on a recruitment camp. Sexton might have done it altruistically, with no intent to push the religion. Perhaps she wanted to expound on the misconceptions others hav...more

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Jun 09, 2011 Nichole (Dirty H) rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2011, m-m

This book deals with some heavy stuff but handles it really well. I liked but didn't love the characters, but the way Marie handled the heavy stuff, particularly the religious angle, was so good it bumped a 4 star book up to 5.

Having never experienced sexual abuse I can't speak to that aspect, really, but having grown up Mormon I can say that this is by far the most complete, the most accurate and the most compassionate portrayal of the Mormon faith I have ever come across in gay fiction. Not th...more This book deals with some heavy stuff but handles it really well. I liked but didn't love the characters, but the way Marie handled the heavy stuff, particularly the religious angle, was so good it bumped a 4 star book up to 5.

Having never experienced sexual abuse I can't speak to that aspect, really, but having grown up Mormon I can say that this is by far the most complete, the most accurate and the most compassionate portrayal of the Mormon faith I have ever come across in gay fiction. Not that I've come across it that often - a handful of books, and of course, the movie Latter Days. But they almost always have at least one cringe-worthy moment. (I will say that Pepper Espinoza is one that does it right, too. The times that she's addressed Mormonism in her books either on her own or with Vivien Dean haven't been as intense or emotional or complete as this, but it's accurate and worth reading.)

If you don't know much about the Mormon church or weren't raised in that religion and are curious about it, I highly recommend this book. If you're like me and you did grow up Mormon and really struggle to reconcile a religion and a community of people you love with that same community's extremely frustrating views on gay rights, I recommend it even more. This book put words to so many issues I've been struggling with and it did so beautifully. It made me cry, and I don't cry.

What I liked best was the way Marie used all the different members of Levi's family to show all the different types of Mormons there are and the differences in their beliefs and attitudes. She shows the whole range, without needing to vilify anyone. She highlighted the Mormon faith's emphasis on family. And she shows a resolution that was realistic and wasn't too easy or convenient. She didn't take any shortcuts.

The "Mormon thing" is the primary theme of the book. Or maybe it just seemed that way to me because it was what resonated. But the secondary theme (or possible co-primary theme) is the way Levi and Jaime work to help get Jaime over his past and the way it affects his present. Because I don't have any personal experience with this, I can't speak to its accuracy but I do think it was handled carefully and with dignity. I did think that maybe Levi handled it a little too well, I don't know how realistic that part was, but I still liked it.

Bottom line - this book is very religious and if that isn't your thing then you probably won't like this. There's a lot of prayer and that might make some people uncomfortable (though I actually really loved those parts). But if you have any interest in the Mormon religion and how it relates to gay issues, you will not find a better portrayal. Forget what you saw in Latter Days because that was offensive. Read this instead.
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Mar 10, 2013 Shelley rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: a-2013-favorite, i-fell-inlove, m-m-romance, memorable, scarred-hero, whoa-steamy

Overall, I’d say Between Sinner’s and Saints is warm and tender; often light and fluffy with the added intensity of an age old argument. A token of sinful sex and just enough of the saintly kind to get the heart rate going, all mixed together to create a surprisingly enjoyable read.

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After reading a rather noxious and amateurish m/f romance, this book was a balm for my ~~temper~~ head, heart and soul. The writing flows, there are no dubious characterisations, everything adds up, it’s believable and...more

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Jun 26, 2011 Kate added it

Sexton took on a tricky subject here and I think she handled it well. Her two protagonists are both lonely and damaged men, Levi because he is at outs with his religious Mormon family and Jaime because of childhood abuse. But Levi's family is also wounded by his homosexuality, and it is the sympathetic portrayal of them that made this book more than a simple hurt/comfort read and bumped it up a star for me.

Mormonism is at its heart a religion of family and at the same time it is intolerant of h...more

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Jun 07, 2011 Kassa rated it 3 of 5 stars

3.5 stars

Between Saints and Sinners shines in many ways; the skillful handling of abuse and PTSD, the inclusion of a very sticky subject in religion and theology, difficult and absentee families, and a complicated relationship. This book could have gone horribly wrong but Sexton is a great writer and kept the subjects complicated yet not overwhelming. None of the characters are perfect or evil but show various shades of grey. They have intolerance yet also an ability to learn and change. Althou...more 3.5 stars

Between Saints and Sinners shines in many ways; the skillful handling of abuse and PTSD, the inclusion of a very sticky subject in religion and theology, difficult and absentee families, and a complicated relationship. This book could have gone horribly wrong but Sexton is a great writer and kept the subjects complicated yet not overwhelming. None of the characters are perfect or evil but show various shades of grey. They have intolerance yet also an ability to learn and change. Although not wholly successful for me, I think the story is an excellent example of complex issues and characters that never verge into extremes yet remain fascinating.

The plot begins with bartender Levi Binder avoiding his Mormon family to go surfing. Levi’s life consists of surfing, bartending, random hookups and the occasional guilt ridden phone call from his very religious family. So when he meets massage therapist Jaime, Levi’s predictable actions are to come on too strong and try to seduce Jaime. Unfortunately for Levi, Jaime was abused as a small child and has severe PTSD from his experience. Slowly Levi comes to understand Jaime’s past but more importantly, falls in love with the person Jaime is. Together they heal each other and find happiness.

First of all the characters of Levi and Jaime are wonderful. Both are scared and hurt in various ways but find what they need in each other. Never one for relationships and preferring anonymous sex, Levi turns into a man that puts Jaime’s needs first and doesn’t obsess about sex. Jaime in turn learns to control his fear and not let the things that scare him control him. Both men are compelling and interesting on their own but it’s their interaction together, the gentle love and obvious affection that really charms. There’s a scene with Levi’s family when Jaime is slightly anxious about the kind of Sprite Levi is buying and it shows not only how well they know each other but how well Levi handles Jaime’s neurosis. It’s lovely and romantic and shows the real connection between the two men.

The story unfortunately does stumble in a few areas. The first is religion. On the one hand the writing does a really masterful job in presenting the reality of the Mormon Church. It’s not all Big Love so it’s nice to see a much more intelligent example of a loving and caring family. The politics and religion presented are pretty close to the religion and its beliefs as well as the rhetoric also shown. Unfortunately, there is a lot of it in the book. This is important since Levi’s family is a major secondary character but at the same there is a lot of God, religion, and theology in this story. So much that some readers may be turned off by it. I walked the line where sometimes I really appreciated the inclusion and other times I got sick of reading about it. I think the final scene with Levi’s father is very nice and important yet way too much religion by then. But each reader will vary on how much religion and discussion they want in their romance.

On the flip side though the story simply shines with it’s portrayal of Jaime’s abuse and aftermath. Jaime is fragile yet incredibly brave and strong. Jaime initially lets his fear and abuse control his life but meeting Levi changes things. While both Levi and Jaime are great characters on their own with Levi’s need to rebel and Jaime’s desperate need for safety, this is a case where the sum of the men are greater than their parts. Together the couple is wonderful, charming, romantic, and lovely while apart they feel tragic. There’s no great question of the two getting together although Jaime remains a little too naïve and clueless, drawing out the happy ending.

Overall this is an excellent story with heart warming characters that will definitely appeal to readers. The religion aspect may be a sticking point for some as tastes vary. I find it’s not wholly successful yet it does offer a very realistic and honest portrayal of the religion. However the real stars are the wonderfully complicated protagonists. You can’t help but adore them and root for their much deserved happy ending.

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Aug 23, 2011 ~♡♥Ang ♥♡~ rated it 5 of 5 stars

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. "I kind of like how you blush every time you look at me.",Which,of course,only made Jamie blush more.

I Adored this book,I can not find the right words to explain how much i cared deeply for these two characters! Jamie is such a beautiful sweetest soul there has to be,after all he went threw he deserves his HEA! Levi at the start i was a little disturbed but i came around and i loved him, he was perfect for Jamie! I had tears in a few different place threw out this story and i love that, along wi...more

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Jun 17, 2011 Tara rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: m-m, read-in-2011, romance-contemporary, tearjerker, won-it

So, Marie Sexton is an auto-buy author for me, and I barely read the blurb before I started this book, so I really didn't know what it was about. I actually discovered recently that I like not reading the blurbs because often they either make promises they can't keep or give away too much. Anyway, in this book, only her second departure from the Coda boys, and the first full length, we meet Levi and Jamie. Levi comes from a big, devout Mormon family. His family has been struggling for years with...more So, Marie Sexton is an auto-buy author for me, and I barely read the blurb before I started this book, so I really didn't know what it was about. I actually discovered recently that I like not reading the blurbs because often they either make promises they can't keep or give away too much. Anyway, in this book, only her second departure from the Coda boys, and the first full length, we meet Levi and Jamie. Levi comes from a big, devout Mormon family. His family has been struggling for years with his homosexuality and it has caused a strain between them. Although he loves them, he feels shut out by them. He has been living his life in a way to prove that he won't conform to their beliefs. Jamie comes from a family that he'd rather forget. He spends a lot of his life living in fear of everything. Routine and solitude are his defense. When these two men meet, together they start to influence each other's lives for the better and start healing old wounds.

This book is great. We get to see things from both characters POV. We get to read about each of their struggles as they get to know each other and get to know themselves as well. Their journeys are not easy. They each struggle and they each have set backs and nothing is instantly fixed. (view spoiler) I also liked that each man is an integral part of the healing in the other man's life. Without Levi's patience, Jamie might never have trusted anyone again. And without Jamie's encouragement, Levi might have turned his back on his family.

There is religion and history of abuse. I'm not Mormon, but I can relate to the religious aspects of this book, because it's a universal struggle for a lot of religious people, fitting their faith around their personal beliefs. The abuse is discussed briefly but it's not in depth or current. It's just a part one man's history. I think neither of these things is worth skipping the book over, unless you are really opposed to organized religions. I however found it to be a very interesting look into a faith I know very little about. And all of the subject matter is handled with delicacy and respect.

Well done. Another great book by Marie Sexton. (less)

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Aug 27, 2011 A.B. Gayle rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: glbt-romance

Over the last twelve months I got to know two guys online. One was abused as a young child and one has been scarred by his upbringing in the Mormon religion.

Marie has woven these two types of backgrounds skilfully together into a believable romance.

I just wish the men I met had a similar successful outcome. Unfortunately in both their cases, they're still having problems dealing with the aftermath decades later.

Marie particularly captured that feeling of shame, victims of sexual abuse have to li...more

5 likes · like · see review

Jun 10, 2011 Karen K rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: ebook-owned, gay-drama, gay-first-time, gay-hurt-comfort, gay-romance, gay-tear-jerkers, gay-faves

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

2 likes · like · see review

Jun 18, 2011 Yvonne rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: june-cat-challenge, m-m, loaned-book

This is probably more like a 4.5 Star for me. Levi is a man who is somewhat estranged from his religious Mormon family, who works as a bartender and engages in frequent fairly anonymous sex. Jaime is a massage therapist who due to his past is living a fear filled life. Both characters are very likable & the romance is built up very nicely & slowly between the two of them as they start off as friends. You end up really rooting for both of these guys & it's nice to see their growth o...more This is probably more like a 4.5 Star for me. Levi is a man who is somewhat estranged from his religious Mormon family, who works as a bartender and engages in frequent fairly anonymous sex. Jaime is a massage therapist who due to his past is living a fear filled life. Both characters are very likable & the romance is built up very nicely & slowly between the two of them as they start off as friends. You end up really rooting for both of these guys & it's nice to see their growth over the course of the book.

There are several issues addressed in the book from Jamie's PTSD to Levi trying to reconcile his religious beliefs with his lifestyle & of course trying to reconcile with his family. I believe that there was a real attempt to balance all this without having it overwhelm the story. Was there too much religion in it--It all depends. For some the mere mention of God outside of the context of certain biblical acts, is one mention too many. Religion is a hot button issue for many & this could be a deal breaker. I found that it wasn't too much for me & I got to learn a little about a faith I was fairly unfamiliar with.

The other issue, and the one that really keeps this from being a 5 star book for me is Levi's family. Even though there was a careful effort made to not paint anyone as a villain, their attitude towards Levi, their little family pow wow & votes & their 'conditional' love just made them totally unlikable to me--all of them, even the sister who deigned to talk to him.

(view spoiler)

It's the ending though that really threw me in this book as we get to see the family at their most sanctimonious as they decided that Levi was finally up to their standards as he's moving away from being a sinner by quitting his evil bartender job & no longer engaging in casual sex (how they knew about his sex life I could never figure out.) And instead of Levi stating that's what he needed to do to get to the place he ended up at & what a lot of young people do in their 20's, he seems to buy into this characterization & ties himself into a pretzel trying to prove he's a reformed sinner. His love for Jamie is not enough to get his family's acceptance.

(view spoiler)

The ending was a let down for this story, which is too bad because the majority of the story is all out wonderful. I do like the fact that Marie Sexton took on a difficult topic & attempted to push the boundaries for m/m romance. It was a worthwhile albeit somewhat flawed effort.

(less)

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Mar 14, 2013 Cindi rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: reading-challenge, 2013, m-m, on-blog

4.5 stars

Two men who consider themselves to be damaged must fight the trauma of past sexual abuse, religion, overbearing family members and other major issues to come together in a beautiful and touching story.

This book was chosen for me by "Shanna" in a pick-it-for-me challenge in a group that I participate in on here. I was hesitant because it is so long and I have a hit or miss relationship with this author's work for reasons mentioned in my full review. I am glad I read it because it turned...more

2 likes · like · see review

Jul 07, 2011 Lily rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: ebook, m-m, shelf-a-thon-2011-to-12, what-i-read-in-2011, loved-it, challenge-books-2011

Despite the fact that I dislike reading stories dealing with the overly religious and their anti-gay feelings I totally loved this story. Once again Marie has delivered a wonderfully written love story featuring interesting and very likable men. I loved the slow pace of their relationship and the touch of angst (on both of their parts) was just right. Despite their attitudes I also liked Levi's family. Overall a great read from beginning to end!

2 likes · like · see review

May 31, 2011 Mandi Schreiner rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: m-m

I liked this one. A little too much religion in it for me - Levi's family just became too overbearing for me to enjoy towards the end. I would have liked less of them in the story. The heavier storyline with Levi's non-accepting family and the abuse suffered by Jaimie otherwise worked pretty well for me. I also liked how their relationship progressed.

2 likes · like · see review

Jun 03, 2011 Mandi rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: romance-mm

This was just plain awesome. Very hard to put down (I hate when real life gets in the way of my reading! *snickers*) and I just loved the main characters. (and even Levi's family!)

Not much to say that hasn't already been said. Go. Buy. Read. (you'll thank me for it)

2 likes · like · see review

May 29, 2011 Enny rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: favorites

Right now I'm too overcome with emotions to give a review because I just finished reading the book but I wanted to say how much I loved this book. This is definitely the best book I've read in 2011 so far and one of the best I've ever read.

3 likes · like · see review

Oct 18, 2011 L-D rated it 4 of 5 stars

Recommended to L-D by: Alex

Shelves: m-m, recommended-to-me, romance, multiple-reads-would-read-again, bars-bartenders-clubs

This book came highly recommended by GoodReads friends and I'm very happy that I moved it to the top of my TBR list. Levi Binder is a Miami bartender that was raised in a very close, loving, Mormon family. The problem is, when Levi tells his family that he's gay, they work very hard at trying to save his soul and guide him down the righteous path. Levi, pressured by his family to give up his homosexual lifestyle, spends the next 10 years doing everything he can to live up to the expectations of...more This book came highly recommended by GoodReads friends and I'm very happy that I moved it to the top of my TBR list. Levi Binder is a Miami bartender that was raised in a very close, loving, Mormon family. The problem is, when Levi tells his family that he's gay, they work very hard at trying to save his soul and guide him down the righteous path. Levi, pressured by his family to give up his homosexual lifestyle, spends the next 10 years doing everything he can to live up to the expectations of his life of sin and sleeping with as many men as possible. He thinks that he is happy being a bartender and taking different men to the storage room every night, but when he meets Jaime Marshall, a quiet physical therapist, he discovers that everything he thinks he knows about life and happiness need to be re-evaluated.

Jaime Marshall is a very shy and gentle soul. With a dark past and history of abuse, Jaime does not get close to anyone with the exception of his beloved dog, Dolly, and suffers from night terrors and panic attacks. When Levi searches for a physical therapist to help him with some knee and leg pain and finds Jaime, their two vastly different worlds come together. Although they are both attracted to each other, Jaime resists Levi's aggressive come-ons, knowing that Levi is only interested in one thing - sex. When Levi finally realizes that he might want more from Jaime than just a one night stand, he tries something he's never done before - becoming friends.

The friendship that slowly builds between Levi and Jaime is really sweet to watch unfold. It was extremely interesting to see the dramatic change that occurs in both men. Levi transforming from a cold one-night only trick, to someone who learns to care about someone else's needs over his own, and Jaime blossoming from a traumatized and frightened introvert to someone who can finally accept love from another.

Levi's family was also a very interesting addition to the story. I felt the contrast between the love that was obvious within the Binder family, and their inability to accept Levi's sinful lifestyle created an extremely interesting dynamic. I typically am not interested in reading too much about religion and religious views, but I think that in this case it was well done. The Binder family is also forced to make life-altering decisions when faced with the possibility that maybe the world is not black and white and you don't always have two choices, being a "sinner or a saint". just maybe, we're all something else. Maybe we're all something in between."

I enjoyed reading this book very much. I felt that the characters were wonderfully developed, the issues that arise were addressed well, and the growth of all of the characters was profound but also very plausible. A great read from Marie Sexton.(less)

3 likes · like · see review

Aug 13, 2011 Fangtasia rated it 5 of 5 stars

Marie Sexton handles two very difficult topics in her usual masterful way. I won't go into a synopsis, the book blurb does a good job of that. Excellent example of character development and progression that remains fully believable and hooks the reader from the start. You know why these guys are hurting, you know the way to healing is going to be very painful, yet you want their HEA in a visceral way. And not just the main characters, but each and every one mentioned in the book gets enough page...more

2 likes · like · see review

Sep 06, 2011 Ronna rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: adult-romance, m-m

In Between Sinners and Saints, we meet Levi, a good-souled Mormon, who has lost his way when his family doesn't accept he is gay. He surfs, tends bar and sleeps around. He thinks he is happy, but knows something is missing and mourns the family life he had before he told them he was gay. Then there's Jaime, a sweet but broken man due to sexual abuse he faced at the hands of an uncle when he was a boy. They meet by chance when Levi goes to see Jaime for a therapeutic massage. Opposites attract as...more

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Sep 05, 2011 Karen rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: fiction, lgbt-issues, spirituality, m-m, romance

I probably wouldn't have discovered this book, except that a Goodreads friend (that's you, Skar!) gave it a good rating. Some may not like the religiosity (Mormonism) inherent in the plot, but the two main characters are well drawn and engaging, and the subplots of previous childhood abuse and of the challenges of Mormon dogma are well handled. The author treats both her gay protagonists and the large Mormon family with respect.

There are a few instances of "info dump" about the Mormon religion,...more

1 like · like · see review

Jun 02, 2011 Top 2 Bottom Reviews Interviews and More rated it 5 of 5 stars

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. Is there anything quite as divisive and at the same time as unifying as religion? Maybe politics. But it’s not politics that provide for the conflict between Levi Binder and his family in Marie Sexton’s Between Sinners and Saints. Rather, it’s the religious directives of the Binders’ faith that have both divided and united Levi’s family, a difference of ideals that has threatened to isolate him from them—possibly for all eternity.

Love is supposed to be unconditional: Patient and kind, it is not...more Is there anything quite as divisive and at the same time as unifying as religion? Maybe politics. But it’s not politics that provide for the conflict between Levi Binder and his family in Marie Sexton’s Between Sinners and Saints. Rather, it’s the religious directives of the Binders’ faith that have both divided and united Levi’s family, a difference of ideals that has threatened to isolate him from them—possibly for all eternity.

Love is supposed to be unconditional: Patient and kind, it is not arrogant, nor does it act unbecomingly. Love rejoices in the truth, bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails. But sometimes it doesn’t work that way. It’s only in the hands of we mortal beings that love can be used to manipulate and to judge, even though our hearts may be in the right place while we’re doing it.

Though they love Levi immensely and have only the best of intentions for him and his immortal soul, it’s the Binder family’s inability to love him unconditionally that proves to be their undoing. The more the Binder’s push Levi to give up his homosexual lifestyle, the more Levi pushes back, working at a gay bar while night after night, he makes anonymous hook-ups in the back room, knowing those are the very things he can use to hurt them as much as they’ve hurt him by not accepting him for who he is. The more they try to gather him back into the family fold, asking him to repent and deny his sexuality, the more they push him away in a repetitive cycle of anger and pain.

But where love has the power to hurt, it also has the power to heal. It has the power to heal even those who didn’t know they needed healing to begin with. It has the power to heal those who are broken by the lasting damage of a past that has left its share of visible and invisible scars. But while Jaime Marshall may be broken, he is not damaged beyond all hope.

A nagging muscle injury leaves Levi in need of a massage therapist, which places him directly into the very capable and elusive hands of Jaime Marshall, a man whose fear and anxiety manifests itself in regimented behaviors and his inability to tolerate being touched. How does a man who cannot stand to be touched by anyone, ever, endure touching others for a living? Control—something that had been stolen from him as a child, something that eludes him in his nightmares. It’s his unconquerable and often overwhelming fear that threatens to steal his control on a daily basis. And it’s that fear that creates an irrevocable bond between the two men, as Levi fulfills a need in Jaime, the way Jaime fulfills a need in Levi; the need to connect and to belong to someone else. Jaime’s pain and fear become Levi’s pain and fear, a burden he willingly accepts in an effort to ease Jaime’s affliction.

Trust, friendship, family—those are all things Jaime has been lacking in his life, the very things he wants and needs, the very things Levi can provide for him, but first Levi must prove himself to be trustworthy. It’s a long and arduous journey, as the two men travel together through the building of a friendship that will cement a lifelong bond. Through the power of touch, something that Jaime has only been able to give but never to accept, Levi gives Jaime a safe place to fall, gives him a family, and gives him unconditional support and love.

Faith and love cannot remain at odds if a family is to survive. It’s a hard-fought conflict for the Binder’s, and one that love, with all its influence, overcomes in the end.

Between Sinners and Saints is, simply put, a brilliant and beautiful story of recovery and redemption. It’s a story that explores the eternal conflict between spiritual beliefs and the temptations and trials of the secular world, without ever crossing the line into sermonizing.

How can love between two consenting adults, the sort of love that is entirely pure and unselfish, patient and kind, possibly be considered sinful? It’s a theme that is conveyed through a group of characters who are each genuinely portrayed with real personalities and emotions.

It is a question that shouldn’t need to be addressed at all. But if it’s going to be, it should always be addressed this well.(less)

1 like · like · see review

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About Marie Sexton

Marie Sexton lives in Colorado. She’s a fan of just about anything that involves muscular young men piling on top of each other. In particular, she loves the Denver Broncos and enjoys going to the games with her husband. Her imaginary friends often tag along. Marie has one daughter, two cats, and one dog, all of whom seem bent on destroying what remains of her sanity. She loves them anyway.

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“Church doctrine has no place in secular law. You can't take away people's rights to meet your own religious criteria.” — 4 people liked it

“I think you want very much to make this black and white--to make us all out to be sinners or saints. But it's just not that simple. I think what you need to accept is that, just maybe, we're all something else. Maybe we're all something in between.” — 3 people liked it

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