The Skeptic (Lost Boys Book 1) by Kelly Fox

The Skeptic starts a new series from Kelly Fox, set in a small town in Texas, and filled with a special found family of men. Beckett is not your ordinary preacher and when he offers comfort to his mentor's newly returned son, he doesn't expect one time to turn into something more. A steady and steamy romance ensues between Beckett and Holden as they try to weather external hardships and build a future together.

From the blurb:

From USA Today Bestselling Author Kelly Fox comes a new series set in one of Central Texas's fastest-growing river towns.

You've heard of those romances where the priest is seduced by the worldly outsider? Yeah, this isn't

that.

I'm a gay preacher with more tattoos than sense and more notches on my bedpost than years in the ministry. I'm also not totally settled on the existence of God. Call me a skeptic, but when you work with abandoned and abused teenagers, you tend to have a few questions for anyone calling themselves divine.

Having lived in Seguin most of my life, I've always been the troublemaker. Most of my queer friends fled this place just after high school, but we all know that the only reason any of us made it out alive was our shop teacher, Mr. Paige. He lovingly called us his Lost Boys. Now that his health is failing, the Lost Boys are coming together to support him and his family.

To be honest, I may have been more supportive of Mr. Paige's son than was totally appropriate for a guy in a collar. Turns out, just like the Lost Boys, Holden had good reason to leave Seguin all those years ago.

Despite his history, I'm hoping he's willing to find a reason to stay.

The Skeptic is a spicy, emotional romance that features a faithless preacher, a hot nerd, and the phrase, "Forgive me, Father, for I am about to sin."

SNik's Review:

First in series (Lost Boys). Hurt/comfort. Found family. Dual POV. 

Perhaps it is finally time for computer programmer Holden to return home. His father has been ill, and Holden is happy to escape his cheating boyfriend, but there’s a horrible reason he’s avoided returning for all these years. When Beckett, one of his father’s “Lost Boys” and the local rebellious preacher, offers some comfort, Holden jumps at the chance, and Beckett finds being there for Holden beyond meaningful. 

A steamy journey for Beckett and Holden that encompasses some emotional hardship, current and from the past, but their feelings for each other never wavers. 

Beckett and Holden feel immediately emotionally connected, and they are caring and compassionate towards each other. The secondary characters which make up the “Lost Boys” are central and important to the story, their solid loyalty and loving presence supports their entire found family. 

An entertaining introduction to a new set of Kelly Fox characters from Texas with slight ties to her other series with their own sets of HEA’s sure to come.

Rating: 4.25 Stars

Heather's Review:

Once again, Kelly Fox made me cry... big fat tears... not because Holden has a priest kink and Beckett is a non-denominational minister, but because she tore me up and put me back together more than once in this story.

Not only do we get steamy scenes, great world building and a sweet HEA, we get cameos from so many of the characters from previous worlds AND a little foreshadowing of what's to come with future "Lost Boys".  If you are a fan of Kelly's previous worlds, you'll find great rep in the pop up side characters visiting Texas... make sure you have tissues handy and get ready for a roller coaster of emotions as you start this next chapter with The Skeptic!

Rating: 5 Stars

The Skeptic is available to buy as an ebook or to read with Kindle Unlimited subscription.