Most people called it a cult. But for twenty years, Josh and Caleb called it home. 

In Paradise, there is no television. No fast food. Just long hours of farm work 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? 

Review

4.5 Stars

I love Sabrina Bowen's writing and we get to see her really shine here with the story of Caleb and Josh.

They have always been friends. They live in a polygamist cult. They have been cut off from the wider world though Caleb has more access as he gets to go into town for supplies.

They are in love with each other though Josh is a bit clueless as to the fact the Caleb returns his feelings.

This is a sweet romance and a triumphant one. Josh and Caleb fight hard for happiness. They escape, they adjust, they act on their love, they make a life for themselves. More interesting to me is the working out of rank and power dynamics after leaving those set by the cult.

Caleb, to me, would have a bit more culture shock than he does but it is a small annoyance. I love how we stay with this couple deep into a hard earned HEA. Yea!

Goodbye Paradise - Sarina Bowen,Teddy Ha...

I avoid ON PURPOSE books with organized religion. And even if I pick up the one, because I got tempted by all the excited reviews, it is very often a DNF case for me. It is so faaaar from my views of life!. These books make me not just sad, but mostly angry: I loathe all servants of God who uses religion as an instrument to gain their benefit and for lobotomizing helpless people. [b:Goodbye Paradise|34198964|Goodbye Paradise (Hello Goodbye, #1)|Nealy Wagner|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1486542431s/34198964.jpg|44640142]

Though it is one of a few books with a organized religion topic that I actually enjoyed. Probably because the colony's every day life was not a man focus of the story, but only as a starting point of it.

I am not a fan of a changing POV. To take two different narrators to present the story was a big risk. I can imagine that some listeners could have problems with this audio-book.

but I found it nicely done. And my initial thoughts (WTF?!WHY FGS?!) faded away as the story proceeded.

I don't like kids in my MM romance books. More even I don't like to read about a couple that wants to have babies. To read about a VERY YOUNG couple having this conversation is even more weird.

But it matches the story-line here. And it harmonized with the character of Joshua. It was touching how he could handle a child, he is a natural born child carer. And even if I had some eye-rolls moments on this case, I totally bought it.

I don't enjoy extensive sex scenes. I swear, I did it when I first started to read MM romance. It was so new and fascinating- detail sex, what could be better? An interesting plot of course. This book HAS for my test too many extensive sex description and too many dirty talks for those two sex-newbie.

But thank God, it is also a story here, and though I could forgo erotica aspect here, I can live with it.

Could've been 5 stars but the stunt Caleb pulled at the end really pissed me off!! I enjoyed Josh kicking his ass for it. Caleb was a lucky SOB for Josh forgiving him that soon!

But if I ignore that, this story was still a very sweet love story.

Loved the caring Josh and that idiot Caleb. Just kidding... He was loving enough and learned the lesson he needn't have to be the strongest one all the time!!

"It’s because I always needed to maintain this illusion that I could be in charge of everything. Like, if I let go of the reins for a second, everything would fall apart.”

“I get it now. I can’t always be in charge. There is so much out of my control. And I hate that. But I need to get over myself.”

The secundary characters Maggie, Daniel and Miriam were awesome too.

Joshua & Caleb grew up together in a bit of a cult commune.  Feelings are not allowed.  Especially for a best friend who has never looked at you.

Caleb has many surprises in store for Joshua, if only they can get away safely.  There is danger everywhere.  Can the get to help in time?

Heartwarming and gentle, while being full of surprises!  I was rooting for the leads to get together from the get go.  It is hard not to when this author makes them so lovable.  I wonder what the next book in this Hello Goodbye series will hold?  I give this story a 4/5 Kitty's Paws UP!

***This copy was given in exchange for an honest review.