Do You Know That I Love You: Boyband (Paperback)

by Mark Roeder (Author)
Key Phrases: toast squares, front lounge, Burger Dude, Corey Thomas, Los Angeles (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Review
"In a series of scenes that bring the two boys together...Roeder keeps you on the edge of your seat." -- Ronald L. Donaghe, author of Common Sons

Product Description
Mark Roeder is quickly establishing himself as the writer for gay and questioning teens. In Do You Know That I Love You, Ralph, a young gay teen living on a farm in Indiana, has an aching crush on a rock star and wants nothing more than to see his idol in concert. Meanwhile, Jordan, the rock star, is lonely and sometimes confused with his success, because all he wants is someone to love him and feels he will never find the love he craves.

In a series of scenes that bring the two boys together, accidentally, Roeder keeps you on the edge of your seat. Will Ralph ever see Jordan, again? Or was this just a one-time meeting that will never be repeated? Roeder writes convincingly and makes the impossible seem plausible. Definitely for the romantic gay teen. This is perhaps Roeder's best book.
-Ronald L. Donaghe, author of Common Sons

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Product Details

• Paperback: 340 pages
• Publisher: IUniverse (June 24, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0595188273
• ISBN-13: 978-0595188277
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 6 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars See all reviews (20 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #713,334 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars There are not enough superlatives!, January 9, 2002

By	Steven Stanley "Steven Stanley" (Alhambra (Los Angeles), CA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

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!

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Review of "Do You Know That I Love You: Boyband" by Cheri, April 7, 2004

By	Cheri Crystal (Eastern United States) - See all my reviews

"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.

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars you GOTTA buy this book, January 25, 2002

By	J. Hertwig "Jim Hertwig" (Plano, TX USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

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".