Customer Reviews

Do You Know That I Love You

5 star:		(12)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

"Do You Know That I Love You" by Mark A. Roeder is the book for you if you are in the mood for a fast-paced, exciting, love story about an ordinary boy, Ralph, and his obsession for a famous rock star, Jordan. Ralph lives on a farm in Indiana and he is madly, passionately, and deeply in love with the lead singer and keyboardist of the rock group, Phantom. Jordan is a talented rock star who loves his music, cares about his fans and feels blessed that he gets to do what he loves best, writing and performing his music. He is also a lonely boy with a secret. Jordan loves his life but sometimes he wishes he could live a normal life like other boys his age.

Who hasn't fantasized about meeting a favorite star? And what could be better than not only meeting him but getting to spend time with him as well? Not many of us have realized our dreams of meeting our idols, but it is fun to read about and imagine it happening to us. Mark Roeder is so good at putting readers in the character's shoes.

Not only is this book a page turner, as you want to find out what happens to Ralph and Jordan, but it offers an inside look of how a rock band lives while on tour. It is the star's version of traveling from city to city, endless scheduling of press conferences, photo shoots and autograph signing. It is not as glamorous as it seems to the hoards of screaming fans.

Roeder also tells the story through a fan's perspective and takes us along for the ride. It is an exciting ride for those who have had dreams of being famous themselves or of meeting their favorite star. I have had some pretty serious crushes in my life on actors I thought were amazing and I wanted desperately to meet. So when Ralph does meet Jordan after the Phantom concert, I had no trouble knowing exactly how he felt.

This book is much more than a love story; it is a self-help book for members of the gay community who suffer from low self esteem and self doubt because of the negative opinions of much of society.

Roeder hopes to teach our youth to love and accept themselves. He cites excellent examples of famous gays who have contributed greatly to society, so that they may feel better about themselves. The many gay people who have used their fame to make a difference in this world by coming out has significantly helped other gays feel better about themselves.

The time has come for heterosexuals to give homosexuals the credit they deserve and to treat them with the same respect and afford them the same rights as straight people. Roeder said it best when he wrote, "Without the gay population, Western culture would not exist as we know it".

Read "Do You Know That I Love You?" You will be glad you did as Roeder has more than a few surprises for his fans. I have read many books I felt would make a good move but trust me when I say this book would make a great movie. Get me Harvey Weinstien of Miramax on the phone.

Of the several hundred gay-themed novels I've read, few have moved me more than this one! It warmed my heart, it brought tears to my eyes (and had me sobbing more than once), and it made me happy (and I don't use that word lightly). I've had problems with two of Roeder's earlier books. Though I loved Someone is Watching, I felt that Ancient Prejudice romanticized teen suicide in a dangerous way and I found the ghosts scenes in Someone is Killing the Gay Boys... quite over the top. But Do I Know That I Love You is perfection! It's a kind of gay Notting Hill (which is the highest praise I can give it), a wish fulfilling tale of a boy who seems ordinary (though in fact he's quite special) meeting the most extraordinary of dream boys (beautiful, famous, desired by millions) and the two of them finding life-long happiness together and influencing the world in the most extraordinary way imagineable. Farfetched? Maybe. But for the time I was reading this novel, I lived in that most amazing of worlds where everything good can come true. And the the surprises at the end of the book made me glad I'd read all Roeder's others, even the ones I had problems with, because everything ties together in the most emotionally satisfying way. It's been decades since I was a teenager, but I was one again while reading this novel. Every gay teen should read this book! It should be in every high school library! It can change lives. It can save lives... I loved it loved it loved it! Bravo Mark Roeder!

I won't summarize the plot - several other reviewers have done an excellent job of that. But the story is so romantically unbelievable (world famous rock singer meets his biggest fan - they fall in love - YEA RIGHT!!!) that I didn't think I would like it. But as you read it, you get so drawn in that you totally suspend disbelief, and Mark Roeder has you believe that it could happen. I lost a whole night of sleep because I couldn't put this book down. I had to find out how the characters ended up. I loved the revelation of the identity of Jordan and how he ties in to the previous books in the series. Definitely one of my favorite books. And I'm anxiously waiting for Mark's next book, "Keeper of Secrets".

I never once thought I would read a book about "boybands." So the idea that I might one day actually be praising such a book certainly never entered my head. But that was before I finished reading "Do You Know That I Love You."

"Do You Know...," about a teenaged star in a very popular "boyband" and a very special admirer, had me hooked from the beginning. Of all Mr. Roeder's books, it was the one that I felt least drawn to purchase based on the general setting. In fact, I only bought and read it because Mr. Roeder's other books have been so darned good. And I needed a "fix" before "The Soccer Field Is Empty" arrives. I shudder when I think what I would have been missing if I had let my "literary prejudices" prevail.

If, like me, you have any concerns about a story dealing with "boybands," I urge you: Chuck them out the window *now* and read this book! Not only is the subject of "boybands" handled in such a way that even someone as skeptical as I can thoroughly enjoy it, but the characters and situations that develop as the story unfolds are even more engrossing than one usually expects from an entry in The Gay Youth Chronicles. (At least, *I* think they are.) Without giving anything away, there is also a tie-in to the other stories that had me in tears. I was sure there would be some sort of link, but when I found out what it was, I was taken completely by surprise.

So, if anyone has been putting off reading DYK for any silly reason, as I had, please do yourself a huge favour and get the book. You'll be missing a fabulous adventure and one of the best love stories ever if you don't.

Come on, admit it now: don't you sometimes long to dive into a book about being gay where everything just turns out right and everyone's dreams come true? Want to crack the cover on a novel that you can't put down because of the warm feeling you have inside and that leaves a big, goofy grin on your face? Well, Roeder's "Do You Know That I Love You?" is definitely that kind of book.

It's meant to be a total fantasy and "feel good" work. We get to see a relationship develop between two boys that should never have happened at all in "real life". Through an almost miraculous concatenation of circumstances-even freely admitted to as fantastic by the book's characters-boy meets boy, and everything works out in this best of all possible worlds.

Ralph is an isolated gay teen in small-town Indiana who is the number one fan of boyband "Phantom"-and especially its lead singer Jordan, on whom he has a huge adolescent crush. Ralph must certainly be living right, because one thing leads to another and he literally bumps into Jordan following a concert. It just goes on from there...

However, don't just dismiss this book as a piece of fluff. Believe it or not, it deals with some pretty important issues such as gay teens' need for positive role models, the consequences of "coming out" when you're in the public spotlight and the miscommunication and heartache surrounding infidelity. The main characters even come up with some rather wise ways of dealing with these and other problems, but do so convincingly. Roeder manages to sneak in some great chestnuts like "I've heard that when you die, you don't regret the things you did, you regret the things you didn't do" [Ralph, pg. 17]. Some might feel that the two teenage protagonists are sometimes far too mature in their points of view, understanding and even voice, but so what-this is a fantasy, right? Even if you feel that way, you can't help but admit that the characters still develop and act naturally. All that, and they're extremely likeable too.

Since "Do You Know That I Love You" is part of the continuing saga of Verona, Indiana, there are some appearances of characters from previous books in the "Gay Youth Chronicles" series. There are even some interesting "A Ha!" moments and an awesome connection to the past through Jordan. If you're an aficionado of Roeder's series, then you'll love this book. If you're new to his works, this one will certainly stand alone, but you'll get a lot of additional enjoyment if you've read the other four novels leading up to this one.

The complete Gay Youth Chronicles series currently comprises six volumes (The Soccer Field is Empty, Someone is Watching, A Better Place, Someone is Killing the Gay Boys of Verona, Do You Know That I Love You?, and Keeper of Secrets); I would wholeheartedly suggest you purchase and read ALL of them, and in the above order.

My only criticism (and word of caution, if you're particularly anal-retentive) is that like most P.O.D. books, there are many grammatical and typographical errors to be found within these pages. However, if that kind of thing deters you from reading this charming and uplifting book, then you're the one shortchanging yourself. Suspend your proofreader's eye along with your disbelief, sit back and thoroughly enjoy yourself!

This is a fasinating novel about how two boys from very different backgrounds can fall in love. Ralph is from a small town and Jordan is the lead singer of Phantom the biggest boyband to hit the nation since NSync. Ralph has a major crush on Jordan and dreams of one day just getting to see him. A nearby concert makes that dream come true and so much more.

Mark, I can't wait to read the next one. Keep it up!!

This book is the third of Roeder's novels that I have read (A BETTER PLACE and SOMEONE IS WATCHING being the other two) and I must confess that I am hooked. These morality plays dressed up as gay teen romances admittedly border on the nauseatingly sweet, but they have the wonderful ability to make one proud to be gay. This, of course, is the primary purpose, and it is commendable how admirably the purpose is served. All of Roeder's books are, to some degree, inter-connected, which only adds to the pleasure when reading them. DO YOU KNOW THAT I LOVE YOU is a fairy tale for teens with a strong message about the need for positive role models for young gay men and women. The world in this novel is an idealistic place that doesn't resemble real life much. Jordan is a lonely closeted rock star desperately searching for love and Ralph is a devoted and loving fan. It doesn't take an Einstein to figure out where this relationship is going, but it is to the extreme credit of the author, that it goes there so plausibly. The pages turn at a quick clip, and before you know it you'll find yourself totally involved in the lives of these two young men. The target audience is teenage gay boys, but if honest sentiment and dream fulfillment don't make you want to gag, than you may find this novel to be a more than welcome diversion from life's deflating realities. If you prefer your edges to be hard, and your reality to be brutal, then this book is not for you. If however, you like your romance served up old fashioned style, and your stories to have a strong sense of right and wrong then do not hesitate to buy this book. To concede that the world of DO YOU KNOW THAT I LOVE YOU is not a realistic one, in no way diminishes the quality of the read nor will it dampen the strong sense of pride the reader will feel. If the real world were one tenth as beautiful as the world of this book, it would be a truly incredible place.

When sensitive, talented, and world-popular Jordan, of the rock band Phantom, literally bumps into Ralph, a gay teen farm boy from Indiana'and someone who loves him beyond measure'both of their worlds are turned upside down. When Jordan sneaks away from his public life to visit Ralph on his farm their love for each other is revealed. Each becomes the other's first boyfriend, then Ralph is thrust into Jordan's concert tour and wildly popular life. Could it be any better than this?

Alternating between Ralph's and Jordan's viewpoints, we get a complete view of each character's inner and outer life. You listen to Jordan's continual monolog about how much he loves his public but feels isolated as a gay teen who's not only a virgin, but not out to anyone. Then he had the guts to come out to the entire world, and reveal that Ralph is his boyfriend. The angst and turmoil they both felt knowing life would never be the same for them after that was there as well. The romance built up a bit slowly for my taste, but they finally found just the right time to consummate their relationship.

This was a highly charged romance to say the least. I say that because you'll feel their tears at the inevitable miscommunications, the heartache of supposed betrayal, and the separation that kept them apart, all of which was woven throughout this tale. Although this book is targeted to a younger teen gay male audience you don't necessarily need to be a teenager to enjoy it. Mr. Roeder does a good job in contrasting a plain ole boy with this keyboardist and singer from the most popular boyband in the world. You Go, Mark!

Ooops this author did it again.

This author has written several fun, sad, romantic stories about Verona Indiana and the boys living there. This one is somewhat in that vein but mixes in a "when dreams come true" type of story about a young fan who is sort of an outsider who then happens to bump into one of his biggest crushes, a boyband singer, accidentally when he is at a concert. Told from both boys viewpoints it shows the life of the singer, busy but a bit loney, and the boy, and how they are both looking for, could it be? Each other? One thing I love about this author is that when people find out the main characters are gay there are as many good reactions as bad which I think is a bit more realistic. This book fits in well with his collection. And you will close it with a sappy smile on your face

The thing which puts me off about this authors writing is his propensity to name each chapter after the characters voice. It's as if he thinks the reader is incapable of keeping up with the plot line unless he names each voice speaking at the beginning of each chapter. He then starts writing in the first person in the following chapter. I would love to see him write in a universal omniscient voice so that the characters don't have to guide the reader along like a pet dog. In several of his other books I had to run back to the chapter title to see who the heck was speaking and what it had to do with the plot line. It was annoying as all get out. In one of his books in particular he even named the characters with similar names and confused the plot even more. It's not that the plot lines are not interesting it's just annoying as heck to keep up with who's speaking. I realize he writes for a specific age group but does that target age group really think and read like that? If so, then we're all in big trouble! The electronic generation in operation I guess. I didn't see my first TV until I was sixteen and until then my TV was between my ears and came directly from the pages of a book. I have read and written in many styles but I have never used this technique for obvious reasons. Regardless, whatever to you do: READ AND ENJOY! Cheers and happy days!