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3.87 AVERAGE
3.87 AVERAGE
Imagine the discovery of a 'New Revelation' that turns America on its head. Pastor Rick Harris refuses to move with the times and, despite being warned of the consequences to follow, delivers an incendiary homophobic sermon, putting him at odds with the financial backers of his church. Shipped off to Atonement Camp, Rick must face his past and come to terms with himself if he's ever going to understand what love truly means.
Of all the books in all the world, what are the chances of running into this one? If you want something different and daring, if you want something thought-provoking and tender, if you want something that's littered with absolutely hilarious moments on one page while sprinkling utterly heartbreaking moments on the next, you need to give Atonement Camp for Unrepentant Homophobes a chance. It is so, so much more than I thought it would be.
By and large, this is a very funny book, but it also explores challenging, heavy topics. To be clear, Rick is deeply entrenched in internalised homophobia (the reasons for which are explored at the perfect moment in the book, in excruciatingly powerful chapters that left me floored). His sermon at the start of the book is definitely difficult to read, although I doubt it's anywhere near as bad as the contemporary reality. I think the point is that Rick *changes*, and that he has the potential to change throughout the book. He struggles and resists that change, as any well-drawn character should. But it's no spoiler to say Rick is a closeted gay man bearing deep adolescent trauma, and the whole point of the story is that he's on a journey of healing. Even as someone not particularly religious, I resonated with the message at the end of the book about the duty to challenge the hypocrisy of hate in a tradition that claims to be based on love.
This is a book that I would argue is written with a lot of passion and purpose behind it, and that strength of emotion shines through. However, it never loses its charm or sparkle, its joy and message that anyone can find redemption if they can learn to love themselves and challenge the messages of hatred and shame that are drummed into so many throughout their lives, starting in childhood. I'm so happy to be able to read the sequel next!
Of all the books in all the world, what are the chances of running into this one? If you want something different and daring, if you want something thought-provoking and tender, if you want something that's littered with absolutely hilarious moments on one page while sprinkling utterly heartbreaking moments on the next, you need to give Atonement Camp for Unrepentant Homophobes a chance. It is so, so much more than I thought it would be.
By and large, this is a very funny book, but it also explores challenging, heavy topics. To be clear, Rick is deeply entrenched in internalised homophobia (the reasons for which are explored at the perfect moment in the book, in excruciatingly powerful chapters that left me floored). His sermon at the start of the book is definitely difficult to read, although I doubt it's anywhere near as bad as the contemporary reality. I think the point is that Rick *changes*, and that he has the potential to change throughout the book. He struggles and resists that change, as any well-drawn character should. But it's no spoiler to say Rick is a closeted gay man bearing deep adolescent trauma, and the whole point of the story is that he's on a journey of healing. Even as someone not particularly religious, I resonated with the message at the end of the book about the duty to challenge the hypocrisy of hate in a tradition that claims to be based on love.
This is a book that I would argue is written with a lot of passion and purpose behind it, and that strength of emotion shines through. However, it never loses its charm or sparkle, its joy and message that anyone can find redemption if they can learn to love themselves and challenge the messages of hatred and shame that are drummed into so many throughout their lives, starting in childhood. I'm so happy to be able to read the sequel next!
[I have talked with the author themself and they completely understood my sentiment about this already but some people still don’t understand so I’m going to repeat it: I LIKED and AGREE with the way other people reacted to Rick but being in Rick’s mindset, as he is the main character was extremely triggering to me personally. The title being the title is not enough of a warning, BUT I am happy that the author took this in stride and said that they would place trigger warnings in the upcoming publications and the website.
It is not my intention to force a negative perspective on this book but I was triggered for personal reasons and it’s possible that other people might be too.]
tw: main character starts off with a toxic mindset towards religion and the gay community, homophobia, negative depictions on Christianity
DNF @21%
The reason I am dnf-ing this is because I just felt extremely uncomfortable reading about the trigger warnings above. I did not know those going in and I hope anyone who reads this book in the future would be aware of those.
For an overview of the beginning of the story: Rick is a pastor and basically he's homophobic. So his upper ranks decided to send him to this atonement camp that deals with, well, homophobes.
It's really not a bad premise but I personally was just comfortable being in his head, having to deal with those kind of negative and toxic thoughts. Perhaps Rick's mindset will be treated throughout the rest of the book. Rick has a lot of room for character development so that's still interesting, I just can't continue reading the story from the point of view of a character that looks at my own religion in a way that I don't agree with.
Again, this probably gets solved later on but I am just not in a place to read it.
*Thank you to the author for sending me an ARC to review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.*
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It is not my intention to force a negative perspective on this book but I was triggered for personal reasons and it’s possible that other people might be too.]
tw: main character starts off with a toxic mindset towards religion and the gay community, homophobia, negative depictions on Christianity
DNF @21%
The reason I am dnf-ing this is because I just felt extremely uncomfortable reading about the trigger warnings above. I did not know those going in and I hope anyone who reads this book in the future would be aware of those.
For an overview of the beginning of the story: Rick is a pastor and basically he's homophobic. So his upper ranks decided to send him to this atonement camp that deals with, well, homophobes.
It's really not a bad premise but I personally was just comfortable being in his head, having to deal with those kind of negative and toxic thoughts. Perhaps Rick's mindset will be treated throughout the rest of the book. Rick has a lot of room for character development so that's still interesting, I just can't continue reading the story from the point of view of a character that looks at my own religion in a way that I don't agree with.
Again, this probably gets solved later on but I am just not in a place to read it.
*Thank you to the author for sending me an ARC to review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.*
instagram | blog | ko-fi | booksirens
Summary: ‘Most notably, Jesus ministered to a homosexual. Rather than finding sin, he said the man committed no sin, and those who would condemn the man need to atone for their sin to find salvation’
These words are from a newly discovered Bible passage dubbed ‘The New Revelation’ which has been unearthed and adopted by the major Christian faiths.
Five years later, the world has changed, the Pope is out, the USA has elected a lesbian as President and homosexuals are VIPs. Meanwhile in North Carolina, 27 year old bigoted Pastor Rick Harris is struggling to keep his flock faithful. When he gives a fiery anti-gay sermon, the Elders reprimand his homophobic stance. They offer him a choice; refuse and lose his position and jeopardize his means of caring for his ailing Momma or attend a 2 week all-male Atonement Camp for unrepentant homophobes. Rick accepts and while there he meets and subsequently rooms Jimmy. Rick’s insistence on escaping camp is hindered by his budding relationship with Jimmy. His carefully constructed walls as Rick is forced to face the ghosts of his past while getting pedicures and sipping Champagne.
Review:
The premise for this novel is really unique. I thoroughly enjoyed this funny, clever book. The Atonement camp itself was ingenious, think Ru Paul’s Drag Race meets rehab. Rick is a character you root for, as he battles himself and I particularly appreciated the flashback scenes. Those and the tender scenes were probably my favorite. My main critique would be the use of time as a device. The five year timeline is overly ambitious for the changes that took place and the time spent in the Atonement camp could have been longer. I also would’ve like a bit more fleshing out of other characters secondary characters but I know this is ultimately Rick’s redemption story. Some funny plot twists and turns kept my interest throughout. This is a heartwarming, satirical, social commentary that is really enjoyable.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
These words are from a newly discovered Bible passage dubbed ‘The New Revelation’ which has been unearthed and adopted by the major Christian faiths.
Five years later, the world has changed, the Pope is out, the USA has elected a lesbian as President and homosexuals are VIPs. Meanwhile in North Carolina, 27 year old bigoted Pastor Rick Harris is struggling to keep his flock faithful. When he gives a fiery anti-gay sermon, the Elders reprimand his homophobic stance. They offer him a choice; refuse and lose his position and jeopardize his means of caring for his ailing Momma or attend a 2 week all-male Atonement Camp for unrepentant homophobes. Rick accepts and while there he meets and subsequently rooms Jimmy. Rick’s insistence on escaping camp is hindered by his budding relationship with Jimmy. His carefully constructed walls as Rick is forced to face the ghosts of his past while getting pedicures and sipping Champagne.
Review:
The premise for this novel is really unique. I thoroughly enjoyed this funny, clever book. The Atonement camp itself was ingenious, think Ru Paul’s Drag Race meets rehab. Rick is a character you root for, as he battles himself and I particularly appreciated the flashback scenes. Those and the tender scenes were probably my favorite. My main critique would be the use of time as a device. The five year timeline is overly ambitious for the changes that took place and the time spent in the Atonement camp could have been longer. I also would’ve like a bit more fleshing out of other characters secondary characters but I know this is ultimately Rick’s redemption story. Some funny plot twists and turns kept my interest throughout. This is a heartwarming, satirical, social commentary that is really enjoyable.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
dark
emotional
funny
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Thank you so much to the author and Pride Tours for my copy of this book in exchange for participation in the tour!!
Don't let the strange heaviness of the title fool you. This was a fun and very colorful story about acceptance and loving yourself.
Rick Harris is a second-generation pastor. He is a closeted gay man filled with so much hate- hate drilled into him by his father. Now, in a world where being on the lgbtqia+ spectrum is considered a social norm, Rick is grasping onto the old ideals. When a particularly homophobic sermon insults an influential family, he must atone for his bigotry. It’s that or he loses his job.
Rick is sent to an atonement camp run by drag queens, where alcohol runs freely, fun is encouraged and just being yourself is mandatory. Pastor Harris must bunk with a handsome blonde Adonis (another “camper”), be subjected to manis and pedis, and mingle with the pool boy staff and the drag queens that run the place… and is doesn’t quite hate it.
But, there may be more going on behind the scenes at the Atonement Camp for Unrepentant Homophobes. Rick and his fellow cohorts learn of a group of covert individuals who are going to great lengths to bring the world BACK to the old ways. Can they stop this evil plot that involves hate and forged documents?
This was such a different read! It supposes a world where there is a gay female president, black people and lgbt folks get preferential treatment in regard to boarding planes and being queer is accepted in the world, but more importantly- in religion. It was such a light-hearted book that doesn’t take itself too seriously. This was funny and sweet. Pastor Harris is a character to learn to really love. Ultimately, this book is about acceptance. Be yourself and love yourself. Who you love, who you are attracted to should be embraced and not hidden or condemned.
Don't let the strange heaviness of the title fool you. This was a fun and very colorful story about acceptance and loving yourself.
Rick Harris is a second-generation pastor. He is a closeted gay man filled with so much hate- hate drilled into him by his father. Now, in a world where being on the lgbtqia+ spectrum is considered a social norm, Rick is grasping onto the old ideals. When a particularly homophobic sermon insults an influential family, he must atone for his bigotry. It’s that or he loses his job.
Rick is sent to an atonement camp run by drag queens, where alcohol runs freely, fun is encouraged and just being yourself is mandatory. Pastor Harris must bunk with a handsome blonde Adonis (another “camper”), be subjected to manis and pedis, and mingle with the pool boy staff and the drag queens that run the place… and is doesn’t quite hate it.
But, there may be more going on behind the scenes at the Atonement Camp for Unrepentant Homophobes. Rick and his fellow cohorts learn of a group of covert individuals who are going to great lengths to bring the world BACK to the old ways. Can they stop this evil plot that involves hate and forged documents?
This was such a different read! It supposes a world where there is a gay female president, black people and lgbt folks get preferential treatment in regard to boarding planes and being queer is accepted in the world, but more importantly- in religion. It was such a light-hearted book that doesn’t take itself too seriously. This was funny and sweet. Pastor Harris is a character to learn to really love. Ultimately, this book is about acceptance. Be yourself and love yourself. Who you love, who you are attracted to should be embraced and not hidden or condemned.
I was really intrigued by the concept of this book, and it did keep me reading until the end. Unfortunately I felt that it fell prey to a lot of stereotypes (the main character was a bit of a caricature at the beginning, for example), and the plot seemed to get away from itself by the end. The book did raise some interesting questions, but I didn't think that it answered enough of them. That being said, it can just be a fun read in an alternate universe, and there's nothing wrong with that.
Thank you to the author and Pride Tours for sending me an ARC of this book. It was definitely the title that drew me in, and it describes the book perfectly! Rick is a very conservative pastor who speaks out against the new found piece of the bible where Jesus says that LGBT people are blessed amongst men, so he is sent to an atonement camp. These are run by drag queen teachers and involve really fun activities that he fears are meant to lead him into sin. Being in Rick’s perspective is quite disturbing at times but really interesting and unique. I had such a great time reading this book and I was constantly theorising about what could be going on. I do think it was a little simplistic at times but it’s awesome to discover something so different that shakes things up.
Thank you to the author and Pride Book Tours for the ARC of this book!
Atonement Camp for Unrepentant Homophobes is a story about Rick, a pastor who's world is shaken when a new gospel from the bible is uncovered. This new translation says that homosexuals are to be lifted up and anyone who condemns them should atone. As a result, the LGBT community are given the rights they've always fought for and preferential treatment in society.
Pastor Rick has always preached against homosexuality in his church. It's what his daddy did, after all. With the new gospel, he's sent to an atonement camp to learn the errors of his ways, and in doing so learns not just to accept parts of himself he'd kept smothered his entire life, but he also finds out that there are much bigger forces at play in the fight for the new gospel.
This book was an entire journey! It was funny and quirky, and it didn't take itself too seriously, which is so important with a story like this. Rick is absolutely over the top with his preaching, and having grown up in the south, I can tell you it's totally accurate. The supporting cast were all interesting. No one overshadowed the story, but they all had their own tales to tell.
I also really appreciated that the villain is a bit unclear here. I mean, we know who they are. But I love when a villain gives a whole manifesto speech that makes me go...huh. They kind of have a point. I really loved the main villain in this book. I left wanting to know more of their story.
That said, this book is open ended enough for a book 2, and I'm kind of really hoping we get one!
There were a few continuity errors that weren't a huge deal and at one point the excessive preaching started to get to me (this could totally be a me thing...war flashbacks) which is why I gave it four stars. Overall, I thought this book was great and would definitely recommend!
Atonement Camp for Unrepentant Homophobes is a story about Rick, a pastor who's world is shaken when a new gospel from the bible is uncovered. This new translation says that homosexuals are to be lifted up and anyone who condemns them should atone. As a result, the LGBT community are given the rights they've always fought for and preferential treatment in society.
Pastor Rick has always preached against homosexuality in his church. It's what his daddy did, after all. With the new gospel, he's sent to an atonement camp to learn the errors of his ways, and in doing so learns not just to accept parts of himself he'd kept smothered his entire life, but he also finds out that there are much bigger forces at play in the fight for the new gospel.
This book was an entire journey! It was funny and quirky, and it didn't take itself too seriously, which is so important with a story like this. Rick is absolutely over the top with his preaching, and having grown up in the south, I can tell you it's totally accurate. The supporting cast were all interesting. No one overshadowed the story, but they all had their own tales to tell.
I also really appreciated that the villain is a bit unclear here. I mean, we know who they are. But I love when a villain gives a whole manifesto speech that makes me go...huh. They kind of have a point. I really loved the main villain in this book. I left wanting to know more of their story.
That said, this book is open ended enough for a book 2, and I'm kind of really hoping we get one!
There were a few continuity errors that weren't a huge deal and at one point the excessive preaching started to get to me (this could totally be a me thing...war flashbacks) which is why I gave it four stars. Overall, I thought this book was great and would definitely recommend!
Atonement Camp for Unprecedented Homophobes follows Pastor Harris, unrepentant homophobe, when the oldest translation of a gospel is returned to the world. What does this translation say, you may ask?!?! Well that Jesus explicitly condemns bigotry and homophobia and with that the world takes a whole new turn! The US has its first lesbian president, reparations are given, but unrepentant Homophobes like Pastor Rick won’t have it. When one of his sermons goes too far, he’s sent to Atonement Camp run by drag queens for society’s most unrepentant and terminally incurable Homophobes. It’s immersion therapy for Pastor Harris with an open bar with pedicures, glitter and an attractive roommate.
This book was funny and Pastor Harris’s character arc was something I really enjoyed. It’s not my typical read, but I did enjoy it and it had some turns I didn’t see coming. This is about caring about people differences aside and how no one is past redemption...but mostly it’s a satirical and quirky read! It shows homophobia from an angle I’ve never seen and I really enjoyed that as well
If you’re looking for a humorous and quick read? Something different? Something that makes you think a little too? I’d suggest giving this a try. It takes a serious topic and uses humor like Anxious People.
Trigger Warning: At the beginning of the story Pastor Harris’s words and actions could be very triggering to people who have had similar experiences facing people in the church and all kinds of homophobia
This book was funny and Pastor Harris’s character arc was something I really enjoyed. It’s not my typical read, but I did enjoy it and it had some turns I didn’t see coming. This is about caring about people differences aside and how no one is past redemption...but mostly it’s a satirical and quirky read! It shows homophobia from an angle I’ve never seen and I really enjoyed that as well
If you’re looking for a humorous and quick read? Something different? Something that makes you think a little too? I’d suggest giving this a try. It takes a serious topic and uses humor like Anxious People.
Trigger Warning: At the beginning of the story Pastor Harris’s words and actions could be very triggering to people who have had similar experiences facing people in the church and all kinds of homophobia
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
Thank you to @pridebooktours & @atonementbook for a finished copy of Atonement Camp for Unrepentant Homophobes in exchange for an honest review!
Synopsis: Homophobic Pastor Rick is sent to an atonement camp run by drag queens and full of glitter and alcohol. Sent to the camp for his homophobic views, will he atone for his homophobia while surrounded by drag queens, or will he remain steadfast in his views?
Review: When I first heard of this book, which takes a unique spin on conversion camps, I knew I had to read it. It was funny, entertaining, and more than I could have imagined. The writing flowed very well and immediately pulled me into the story. I never lost interest in it, and I laughed so many times.
Even though the book uses humor to tell the story of Pastor Rick, it also touches on a lot of deep topics related to homophobia and christianity. I would recommend looking into the topics discussed before picking up this book if you are in the queer community.
Why you should read this book:
🌈 unapologetic drag queens
🌈 glitter, glitter, and more glitter
🌈 trans* rights, equality for LGBTQ+ people & POC
🌈 a female president and first lady
🌈 a world with universal health care and sex positive sex ed
🌈 homophobes are not tolerated in society
TWs to consider:
death of a parent (off page), toxic christianity, (internalized) homophobia, trump supporter, mention of suicide, transphobia, inappropriate use of pronouns, torture
Synopsis: Homophobic Pastor Rick is sent to an atonement camp run by drag queens and full of glitter and alcohol. Sent to the camp for his homophobic views, will he atone for his homophobia while surrounded by drag queens, or will he remain steadfast in his views?
Review: When I first heard of this book, which takes a unique spin on conversion camps, I knew I had to read it. It was funny, entertaining, and more than I could have imagined. The writing flowed very well and immediately pulled me into the story. I never lost interest in it, and I laughed so many times.
Even though the book uses humor to tell the story of Pastor Rick, it also touches on a lot of deep topics related to homophobia and christianity. I would recommend looking into the topics discussed before picking up this book if you are in the queer community.
Why you should read this book:
🌈 unapologetic drag queens
🌈 glitter, glitter, and more glitter
🌈 trans* rights, equality for LGBTQ+ people & POC
🌈 a female president and first lady
🌈 a world with universal health care and sex positive sex ed
🌈 homophobes are not tolerated in society
TWs to consider:
death of a parent (off page), toxic christianity, (internalized) homophobia, trump supporter, mention of suicide, transphobia, inappropriate use of pronouns, torture
Content Warnings
Moderate: Homophobia, Torture
Minor: Death, Suicide
toxic christianity, inappropriate use of pronouns