It isn't easy growing up in the Bible Belt of East Tennessee when you start having same-sex fantasies as a child, especially when your father is a preacher who thinks that homosexuality is a sin. Moments of pleasure and the torment of guilt intersect in this memoir by Jeffrey L. Carrier. Exploring his sexuality and trying to make sense of his feelings, he takes us along on his journey of acceptance. Beginning with his childhood in the 1960s, he introduces us to the people who helped him along the way, including his grandmothers, an aunt with a refreshingly open mind, two strong southern women, and a kind and nurturing professor's wife in Michigan. The joy and pain of loving another man for the first time climaxes with a suicide attempt, and we follow Jeffrey's journey as he leaves the hills of Tennessee for the skyscrapers of Manhattan. There, he finally comes to terms with his sexuality as the AIDS crisis of the 1980s looms large in the background. His life takes another turn when he meets a long-retired actress trying to reclaim her lost fame by penning her memoirs. She introduces him to a life of old-Hollywood glamour. By turns romantic, heart-wrenching and sentimental, the book is a delightful story of love, loss and gay life in modern America. "In "Things I Never Told My Father," Jeffrey L. Carrier offers readers a deeply moving memoir that shines a light on the complexities of growing up gay in a deeply conservative, religious environment. His storytelling is both poignant and courageous, leading us through the trials of navigating sexuality in a world that struggles to understand or accept it. Carrier's writing is honest and vulnerable, painting a vivid picture of the emotional highs and lows he endured, from moments of pure joy to heartbreaking lows. With grace and nuance, Carrier introduces the inspiring figures who influenced his life, from his empathetic aunt to a nurturing mentor in Michigan, providing comfort and encouragement when he needed it most. His journey from the rural hills of Tennessee to the vibrant, challenging streets of Manhattan is compelling, drawing readers into a coming-of-age tale set against the impactful backdrop of the AIDS crisis and gay life in 1980s America. Carrier's memoir is a courageous and tender exploration of love, self-acceptance, and resilience. His openness will resonate with anyone who has struggled to find their true self." -- Literary Titan "Things I Never Told My Father: Growing Up Gay as a Preacher's Son is a work of non-fiction in the memoir, slice-of-life, and LGBTQ+ genres. It is best suited to the mature adult reading audience owing to references to sex and sensitive subject matter including a suicide attempt. Penned by author Jeffrey L. Carrier, this heartfelt memoir chronicles his journey of self-acceptance and coming to terms with his sexuality while growing up in the Bible Belt of East Tennessee. Despite his father being a preacher who views homosexuality as a sin, Carrier grapples with same-sex fantasies from early childhood. Through moments of pleasure and guilt, he navigates his sexuality, finding support from influential figures like his grandmothers, an open-minded aunt, and a nurturing professor's wife. The memoir culminates in his acceptance of his sexuality amidst the backdrop of the AIDS crisis, leading him from Tennessee to Manhattan and eventually to a life intertwined with old Hollywood glamour. Author Jeffrey L. Carrier holds nothing back when crafting this deeply moving and insightful journey into the complexities of sexuality and self-acceptance. There's a candidness and heartfelt quality to the narrative flow of this immersive memoir that offers readers a poignant portrayal of the challenges faced by LGBTQ+ individuals, particularly in conservative religious environments. This message is more resonant now than ever in modern society. Carrier's raw narrative skillfully captures the conflicting emotions of pleasure and guilt, as well as the journey of coming to terms with one's identity despite the voices and influences of others who seek to shame or change people. His depiction of the people who supported him along the way was filled with brilliant characterization and tender exchanges, highlighting the importance of acceptance and love in navigating personal struggles. The memoir's exploration of love, loss, and resilience in the face of societal stigma and personal hardship was both touching and inspiring too. Overall, Things I Never Told My Father is a powerful memoir that I would certainly recommend to one and all." -- K. C. Finn for Readers' Favorite "Jeffrey L. Carrier's memoir is a compelling exploration of what it is like growing up as a gay preacher's son in the conservative South." -- George Buehlman for The Book Commentary "With simple prose and a gentle lilt, Carrier's folksy style captivates from the start. By the last page, Carrier's approach forms a sweeping personal epic with a sum greater than—and elevated by