Refuge

WINNER FOR BEST LGBTQ FICTION FOR THE 2024 INDIE READERS DISCOVERY AWARDS

A BookLife Editor's Choice. "VanPatten makes it easy for readers to feel the often-conflicting emotions that come with complicated families . . .Through VanPatten's rich characterization and assured storytelling, readers will be moved by these convincing, relatable characters and how they handle everything thrown their way-and still live to love".-BookLife



". . . a timely saga of finding family and overcoming prejudice. VanPatten delivers a tale of harrowing suspense that will keep readers hoping that human kindness, love, and justice will win in the end." -BlueInk Review

"An earnest and positive novel that explores heavy topics."-Kirkus Reviews



". . .a powerful testament to the resilience of the human spirit and the enduring power of love in the face of adversity. With its rich tapestry of emotion and thought-provoking themes, VanPatten's latest novel is a stirring call to action for readers everywhere. This is a book that demands to be read, its message echoing long after the final page is turned."--BookTrib



"a rewarding, affecting, disturbing, and memorable work with significant social commentary." -IndieReader 4.5 stars.



Jesse Pérez's fifteen-year-old pregnant niece from Texas shows up on his doorstep in Central California seeking help. Still grieving from the death of his husband while raising their ten-year-old son alone, Jesse is plunged into the politics and legal issues of post-Roe America. Violent forces threaten the peaceful life he has built with his son-putting him on the path to a showdown with his estranged evangelical family in Lubbock, Texas.