Rating: 5 stars
Buy Link: Amazon | iBooks | Amazon UK
Length: Novel
When we were asked to find books for Diverse Books Week in our 2018 Reading Challenge Month, I knew that pairing a bisexual, half Jewish boy with a devout LDS Mormon boy could not get much better in the diversity area. Plus, I had heard such good things about author Christina Lauren’s novel, Autoboyography, that I just had to dive in and I can say unequivocally that I am thrilled that I did.
Tanner Scott is the son of a former Mormon mother and a Jewish father—both of whom went against their family in order to marry, but who could not be more supportive of their bisexual son. To understand the impact of a Mormon son or daughter going against their family and the church is to grasp what it must be like to be shunned completely and irrevocably—losing all contact from one’s loved ones and considered to never be able to gain the heaven that awaits the devout. This granite belief is the basis for the story that the author unfolds in painstaking clarity and remarkable compassion.
Tanner would love to be attracted to his best friend Autumn, but the spark is not there, even though she not so secretly loves him beyond their close friendship. When she encourages him to take The Seminar in their last semester of high school—a writing course that dictates one have a finished novel by the end of the semester–Tanner almost jokingly rises to the challenge. When the teacher surprises the class with a former student who has successfully published his novel from the prior year and is about to go on a book tour to launch said book, Tanner is gobsmacked.
Aspiring novelist and devout Mormon, Sebastian Brother, is helping out as a TA in order to give back to the teacher who helped him launch his own writing career. Sebastian’s life path is set: assist in class, go on his book tour, and then on his two year mission trip demanded by the church he loves. During that time he will remain chaste, have little communication with family or friends, and spread the Mormon faith one convert at a time. Everything is settled and Sebastian is ready—until he meets Tanner. The two young men dance around the feelings they have for each other for a bit until they realize that theirs is an attraction that cannot be denied. But while Tanner knows who he is, his mother’s fear of being in a predominately Mormon town has her and the entire Scott family hiding Tanner’s bisexuality—even Tanner’s best friend Autumn doesn’t know. So when Tanner’s parents see their son falling for a devoutly religious boy, they warn him that little but grief can come from this hidden relationship. However, feelings cannot be denied—unless you are Sebastian Brother who refuses to label himself or think about any future with Tanner beyond this moment—a moment that leaves both men breathless and falling in love.
This novel was simply outstanding—I was bowled over by the author’s ability to get inside the head of both Tanner and Sebastian and watched with my fist in my mouth as their lives unraveled. It was such a simple thing—this attraction both boys felt. But the devastating effects it might have on both of them hung over everything they did and it was like watching a train wreck you knew had to come. Interspersed with this light layer of angst were some of the sweetest moments—coming of age and coming out combined to make the journey for these two read so beautifully. That’s not to say that their journey was easy. There was a lot of pain in this story, but it was balanced by such joyous moments of self discovery that it offset the swift sense of loss and despair both Seb and Tanner would experience.
Their lives were so very different—Tanner’s home being a bastion of acceptance and unconditional love and Sebastian’s being one of rigid control and happiness predicated on devout service to the church and God. In some ways, even though their lives were so diverse, both boys experienced feelings of repression and doubt. For Tanner, having parents who had imposed a cone of silence about the fact that he was bisexual due to their living in a town that would never accept him and potentially make his life a living hell meant that Tanner lived a lie—a secret, furtive kind of half-life. For poor Sebastian, who could not even bring himself to admit he was gay, but refused to label how he felt about Tanner and define who he really was in terms of his sexuality, he lived a full on lie before his church and parents, but not before his god to whom he prayed and felt acceptance from. In the end, breaking away from those lies would both set them free and nearly destroy their fragile hearts.
Autoboyography is more than just a love story, but also an exploration of what it means to break free of the burden of hiding who you are and how you feel. It is a passionate plea for just being allowed to live your life in truth—despite how hurtful that may be to those who love you. It is strong, painful, liberating, and realistic to a fault. I highly recommend this novel to you—don’t let the Young Adult title prevent you from delving into this gorgeous journey of love and redemption.
This review is part of our Reading Challenge Month for Diverse Books Week! Leave a relevant comment below and you will be entered to win one of our amazing diverse books prize packs. Commenters will also be entered to win our amazing grand prize sponsored by Dreamspinner Press (a Kindle Fire filled with Dreamspun Desires/Beyond books, plus a 3-month subscription!). You can get more information on our Challenge Month here, and more details on Diverse Books Week here, including a list of all the books in this week’s prize.
I adored this book when I read it for the challenge last year!
I loved this book! One of the authors grew up non-LDS in Utah (or lives there now?) so the religion stuff is supposed to be pretty accurate, and I found it very interesting. But the relationship between the MCs was amazing. I think I stayed up into the wee hours to finish it.
This sounds wonderful, so thanks for sharing your enthusiasm, Sammy. Autoboyography is going on my list. (I’m reminded of another story I read and enjoyed — And It Came to Pass by Laura Stone — which featured two LDS missionaries.)
I have not read any books where religion played such a huge role in the story. It sounds great! I look forward to reading it!
Thank you so much for your review and bringing this story/authors to my attention.
This sounds like a really interesting story! I’ve been seeing the cover all over bookstagram, but I had no idea what it was about.
thank you so much for the review, Sammy. This book sounds amazing. I’ve just added it to my must read pile!
Sounds amazing, but I’m so not used to more traditionally published books anymore. I’ll have to wait and see if the price drops.
I read an ecopy on the OverDrive/Libby library platform, and it may be available on some other systems…
Thanks for the review. The book sounds great interesting read.
I have been eyeing this book for a while now. Because my friends seem to love it too. So I’ve been thinking about it even if YA is NOT my favorite genre.
I have one question… does this book have any sex scenes?? I prefer not having any, of if there, should be fade to black. I need to know how “steamy” or “sexy” this one is.
Ami, there is no sex. There is a hint that mutual masturbation occurred but it is completely off page and mentioned in a sentence only once—and not directly. I believe he says something about Seb’s look of awe as he held the warm weight in his hand. Other than a very few kissing scenes, which are also mild, the story relies on a strong narrative story and lots of fast paced life moments for both young men. It’s a great book!
Okay, thank you. That helps a lot!!
This one was so great that it set off a bit of a Mormon kick I went on. Sadly none of the other books I had were up to the challenge. I ended up DNF’ing two of them and the other was just an okay read. I think the lesson there for me was: when you find something great, don’t go looking right away for something similar because it probably won’t match up and just wait for later when it can be its own good book.
I haven’t read anything else by the two authors who make up Christina Lauren, but again, I’m kind of afraid to try for awhile since it might pale in comparison for me.
Have you tried And It Came to Pass by Laura Stone , Carolyn? It features two young men on their missions.
Oh yes, I have heard good things about this one!
I did. It was one of the ones I had already but hadn’t read yet, but sadly it was also one of the DNFs I mentioned. I absolutely adored her Bitter Springs, but sadly this one of hers didn’t work for me. Again, I really think some of it has to do with reading it right after Autoboyography. Although they both feature Mormon characters, it really is a different world from being in school and the characters going on their mission. I think any other time I might have finished it, but I also think it would have just turned out to be an okay read as opposed to a great one (for me). But thank you for checking in with me about it, Kareni!
I wanted to read this one for the challenge but I didn’t have a spare $10.00…but I am in line to get it from the library. After reading your review it’s going to be hard to wait. 🙂
Sounds like quite the read. Just thinking of two people from different religious backgrounds coming together sounds messy but so good.
Thank you for this great review. I want to read this so badly!
I love the title of this book and i enjoyed reading your review. I must admit this sounds like a great read but sadly it is almost $13.00 at Amazon.com and i don’t mind paying a good price for a book but i find $13.00 just to much for a kindle ebook especially when you can get the paperback for the same price. I’ve put it on my wishlist and hopefully it will have a price drop in the near future 😉 or maybe i will just buy the paperback 🙂 Thank you for your review and for bringing this book to my attention.
That sounds amazing. I don’t read many YA books, but this sounds right up my alley because I love books that show the psychology of the characters.
I’ve heard so much about this book, I finally looked and my library does have it, so I’m on the wait list now
I read this last year and absolutely LOVED it. It stayed on my mind for quite a while. Such lovely writing!