Hope: Sequel to SAFE Paperback – February 22, 2016

This was a hit and miss kind of book for me – and the trouble is, the hits were amazing, but the misses were biggies as well. I think if I had fully immersed into the fantasy I would have rated this much higher, but the issues I had with ‘Hope’ were too hard to ignore.Mark Zubro really knows how to write mystery and conspiracy, and paces his reveals expertly. The way he has plotted out the story in ‘Hope’ is true genius. Yes it was mostly predictable, but this is a romance series, so any wild plot twists just wouldn’t have worked in this genre.Characters are fully realised and feel real, with personalities that reflect both motivation and hidden desires. I really enjoyed continuing on the story of our protagonist Roger and his love interest Steve.The religious element introduced in ‘Hope’ has been overdone, but Zubro managed to give it a fresh spin. Thankfully, because I wouldn’t have gotten past the first few chapters otherwise.Things that dragged my rating down included the same issues I had with the debut in this series (‘Safe’): the fact that the narration and situation our high school couple found themselves in was farfetched and a little mature for the setting. I stand by my opinion that this would have been better suited to a University campus with older characters.Also the adults involved in the plot around Roger kept bringing him in the loop and launching into great exposition. That just felt like a convenient storytelling tool. A little lazy. And frankly unrealistic to have such seasoned professionals dragging this youngster around explaining every thought and motive. I’d have liked to have seen Roger get his information more like he did in ‘Safe’ – Veronica Mars style.I think the narrative and pacing suffered a little because of these long expository conversations as well. Though ‘Hope’ is a quick and easy read, I felt like it needed another run past an editor. A lot of the dialogue from different characters used the same phrases.There were some sexy moments I thought a bit risqué, but not offensive. I really liked how Zubro built up Roger and Steve’s relationship based on trust and love. Though the physical side of things did feel a little rushed. But it could also be realistic of how some teen guys to rush into the tactile side of relationships as well, I guess it comes down to the readers personal taste.I really enjoyed ‘Hope,’ ignoring issues I had with the characters being out of context with the setting, it is an intelligent read that offers many layers to grab your interest. Certainly an engaging GLBT read.

Took me a little bit to get into the book, but once I did it was very entertaining. The machinations that others are going through to try and break up Steve & Roger are just hilarious. Very enjoyable.

This sequel to Mark Zubro's Safe very realistically continues the story: things get deadly again, and the consequences have grown. This is a great new novel in the Roger and Steve saga and combines LGBT themes, Mystery, Suspence, and family drama. The author's many strong suits are creating characters that hold our attention, and whom we care about, strong plots and intriguing mysteries, and a fine understanding of how teenagers think and act, as well as realistic depictions of how young people see and work with Adults. It's an important book for young adults, and a great read for us older people. If you enjoyed Safe, you'll love Hope. The antagonists are also sasdly realistic, I've unfortunately known people like them. Makes for great drama! Buy it!

Bookish Steve and jock Roger have continued their adolescent romance but suddenly Steve's evangelical parents find out and throw him out of the house. Then Steve's wacked-out father is murdered and the plot goes haywire.It takes a pro like Mark Zubro to get us to believe what is happening, keep us interested and pulling for Steve and Roger, and eventually bring us to a satisfying, if slightly off-the-wall, conclusion. Sweet romance and vicious power-seekers makes you wonder if he made it all up. Then you watch or listen to or read news events and you realize this is not so off-the-wall after all. This is a worthy follow-up to SAFE.

This book continues the development of the relationship between the main characters. Unfortunately, the author puts them through bizarre and dangerous situations to get at some of his favorite targets, primarily conservative churches. It is worth reading if one liked the first book of the series.

The gay version of Hardy Boys and Nancy Drew (remember those?) but with a more mature twist! The author knew how to make you turn page after page after page. As a gay man I grew up with hetero materials (surprise, surprise) so let's just say it's pay back time! Glad to have stumbled upon these books and this author!

I enjoyed this book because it kept me on the edge of my seat. I really like the chacters. After reading safe it felt like the guys were real.I would suggest this book to any one who likes to read

This book is in a superb class, all by itself, including both mature and young reader type categories! Unique, with milti-level characters and a reviting plot! But it is the writing style that truly sets the book apart. Quite humerous at points and touching to the point of tears in others, it is always compelling. I suggest ordering this book and enjoying it...

Not my first by this author and not my last. But, after 90% of the book it suddenly moves into overdrive and roars to a completely improbably finale.Almost as though the author had had enough and wanted to be finished with it. Cost of a star.