Theoretically Straight

Theoretically Straight #1

by Amy Bailey, Alexander C. Eberhart

Theo Briggs is a rule follower. A decent student in his junior year, an appeasing son, and a lifelong Christian, just trying to make it through high school unscathed… and maybe create a viral video in the process.

Caleb Raynard is a romantic. One of the few out-and-proud kids at Specter High School, Caleb’s dating life has been hellish, to say the least—fraught with misread social cues and embarrassing situations—and Caleb is about ready to call the whole thing off.

But when Theo and Caleb meet in the basement of an old Catholic church that’s rumored to be haunted, an instant and electric connection forms between them. The more time Theo spends around Caleb, the more he suspects that something may have followed him home from that haunted church. But was it a ghost… or something else entirely? It can’t be a crush. Theo is straight, right?

As Theo and Caleb find themselves drawn together at every opportunity, the two must overcome their own hesitations and decide if the feelings they have for one another are stronger than the obstacles set in their way.

Genres: Romance, Young Adult, LGBT, Queer, Contemporary, M M Romance, Gay

350 pages, Paperback

Published November 18, 2023

Reviews

[Miranda · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is so CUTE!! This book is too adorable, loved Caleb and Theo’s relationship. This is a YA book so it’s slower than what I’m used to but beautiful regardless ❤️

[Evelyn Bella (there WILL be spoilers) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was really adorable. I've been eager to get my hands on this and I'm so glad I finally succeeded at the start of the year.

I love how open Theo was. I expected a lot more freaking out. And Caleb was so patient, no pressure.

Sienna absolutely deserved what she got. And then some. I'm glad there was no taking the high road for this. This year I want scorching put-downs.

[Noi (in & out) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the story of two young men finding themselves and each other.

We have our dedicated Christian MMC, who is dealing with tense family dynamics, some stresses, and his own identity. He is a people pleaser and always tries not to rock the boat.
On the other side, we have our ride or die friend, call if you need to bury a body (or dig one up).
These two really work and complement each other.

This was cute, not cringy, it was written for YA, and I really appreciated that the content and writing matched that. I (as a not YA) enjoyed I,t and I think many others will as well.

There is a 2nd book, which I guess I can see where the story goes/what is the main thing going to be, but the ending was also relatively satisfying, and I don't think you absolutely have to read on to feel content.
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This was added on Libby, and it looks adorable.

[tyler]

ну какова красота!
очень понравилось, что книга реалистичная. нет сказочного "верующий мальчик влюбился в другого мальчика, и его родители приняли обоих с распростертыми объятиями, все рады и счастливы, поют bible verses or whatever it’s called" неа, изображено все вполне так, как получилось бы в жизни. родители в ахуе, но так мне понравилось, что более принимающий родитель в конце концов реально _пытается_ понять своего ребенка и любит его таким, какой он есть.

очень понравилось описание отношений между сиблингами, оно офигенно прописано. для тех, у кого сиблинги ебаные крысы, будет не жизненно, но если у вас хорошие отношения, кайфанете. у каждого из главных героев есть старшая сестра, а у одного из них еще и младший брат. конфета.

дружбааааааа !!!!!!! жесть, вот в последнее время нравятся книги, в которых хорошо иллюстрированны дружеские отношения, понравилось, что персонажи второго плана хорошо прописаны, у них есть свои истории, увлечения, мотивация !!!! и каждый из них добавляет что-то особенное в сюжет.

сами отношения ваще the sweetest. правда похоже на книжную версию хартстоппера, в которой ник — верующий. такое же количество принятия, серьезных разговоров, выстраивания границ и просто нормальных здоровых отношений.

переломный момент — продолжить читать после того как у них начинаются отношения, потому что янг эдалт обычно хорошо читается вот до этой кульминации, а потом, как написала подружка, 📉📉📉📉. тут, конечно, не исключение, но книга точно заслуживает быть дочитанной после их первого мэйкаута.
было обидно за родителей калеба за то, что не было сцены как он рассказывает им про тео !!!! жесть, вот это дыра в сюжете 😡 единственная, tho
в общем, очень хороший YA роман, мне понравился!

[Jacob Bryce · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was shockingly good... I went into this expecting a quick sweet queer love story that warmed my heart and made me slightly lonely. I got that. What I was not expecting from this story was to relate to the faith struggles that Theo goes through and the loneliness that Caleb was going through. This book is about religious and "growing up gay" trauma as much as it is about a love story. I think I cried like 12 times reading this, six out of sheer gay happiness and the other six out of remembering what it was like to be the lonely gay kid at church. Even if you are not into queer love stories, I think this will hit home for you. The way that the author describes the "electricity" between these two will have anyone (straight, gay, or bi) wanting to experience that feeling. If you're thinking about reading this book, you should. If you aren't thinking about reading this book, you should probably still read it. If you think gay people are gross and that gay love isn't love, you should definitely read this book, I think it will open your eyes to the truth. Alright now someone please set me up on a date. :)

[Hanna · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought this book was so cute. I loved Theo and Caleb. It took me a minute to get into it but after they met, the story got more interesting. They were the sweetest. The overall storyline was done very well and I think it was realistic. I loved that Sienna got her ass chewed out by Theo for what she did.

I think my only compliant is that the TikTok story bit, when you read it you will get it, was just a bit lost on me. It didn't interest me and I thought was oddly written. But overall, such a good book.

[Alexander Eberhart · Rating 5 out of 5]

Theo and Caleb will steal your heart… ❤️

[gracie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Could have given me a toothache with how sweet this was. I liked the characters, the romance, and even the nerdy ghost hunting the book had going on. The teenage feel of it all was really strong!

While I didn't like the forced outing, I think it worked well with the prominent religious themes and guilt the book worked around. I can appreciate that the 3rd act wasn't a break up or miscommunication instead lol. I still would have preferred a bit more of his relationship with his parents in the resolution though.

I love stories about bisexuals, especially young ones figuring themselves out. Even more so with the added pressure of being from a religious family like mine, it tends to hit deep for me. Both Caleb and Theo having strong support systems in their friends and siblings was also an aspect that I loved.

[Chester Bolton · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was optimistic going into this book, but this just did not do it for me. I will start with the positives.
I appreciated the opportunity to see different viewpoints between Caleb and Theo-being able to understand their emotions as the story went on. I liked Caleb in particular: his understanding and support for Theo.
Most of my negatives of this review actually stems from the lack of theological understanding, at least of which was presented. Essentially, the author's arguments were that homosexuality is not sinful, and people interpret the Bible wrong; everyone who doesn't believe this is homophobic.
I can provide more reasoning for their liberal theology surrounding homosexuality in favor of their argument. For example, the term 'homosexual' was not added to the bible until 1946. Essentially, the translation, 'male lie with male' was later translated to 'homosexual' in certain biblical additions (not all). I can provide additional arguments in their favor about the biblical theological texts about Leviticus, Sodom and Gomorra, etc.
The aspect of this book that I did not like was that they failed to truly acknowledge the conservative argument of this book. In short, the Bible explains that marriage is between man and women (Genesis 2:24) and any sexual act outside of marriage is sinful. There have been thousands of years of interpretation, and Christians are not willing to throw out this argument to "satisfy the desires of the flesh," or to contort the interpretation of scriptures to satisfy one's desires. Keep in mind; most Christians do not believe that you're going to go to hell if you're not straight (I'm not) or in a homosexual relationship. Most mainline churches believe that being gay itself is not a sin; rather, pursuing homosexual sex is. However, Christians do not want to live a sinful life. Of course, we are all people; we all sin, but the goal is to live a holy life and honor God in every possible way, even if that hurts oneself.
Overall, this may have not been the intention, but it felt like a jab at traditional Christian beliefs. Had these beliefs been more acknowledged and understood, I would have appreciated it more (although I realize I am reading a gay romance-what can I expect?) The romance was fine, although I did not connect with the characters as much as I had hoped, except Caleb. He was very sweet and understanding. The authors of this book clearly can write, however. Despite the negatives, I continued to read on to see what happens next!

[Sunday · Rating 5 out of 5]

i loved this book so much. exactly what i’ve been looking for. soft characters, always there for each other, no miscommunication and constant drama out of nothing — all the obstacles come from other people and the couple handles it very well. the first 50% of the book is getting together and 50% is sorting those things out — maybe if you prefer the sloowest of the burns, this one may be not the best for you BUT if you are looking for very sweet establishing relationship this one is SO GOOD. theo my brave boy i love you caleb my supportive sunshine AGHH this is such a comfy read <3

[Papie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked the story, the MCs, their friends. But all I could think about through most of the book was how much I hate organized religion.

[Kenna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Officially my new favorite book. OMG, 6 freaking stars. This book hit me so hard in ways I didn't expect. I downloaded it on a whim not expecting much and fell in love almost immediately. I see so much of myself in Theo, from his coming out experience being so similar to mine to his panic attacks to even the way he talks. I also saw a lot of my partner in Caleb, I would catch myself pointing out things Caleb said that my partner says a lot. This book had me giggling like a little girl and sobbing at times. 10 out of 10 recommend. It changed my life and gave me a feeling I will be chasing from now on in books.

[Brianna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow!

I don't even know what to say. This book deserves way more hype. The authors do such an amazing job with detail and character development. Can't wait to read more by them!

[adam · Rating 4 out of 5]

i think "guy has a crush on a guy but hes in denial so he convinces himself he's being haunted by Ghost Orbs" might genuinely be the best fucking concept for a book ive ever seen and im not exaggerating. I've been ranting about this all day to my sister. "It was never the orbs" is the most ridiculous quote ive read since "They're not gay, Dad, they're emo. There /is/ a difference" and everyone who knows me also knows how obsessed i am with that quote.

I think it's really funny how the Christian character is less bothered by being Christian than basically everyone else 😭

the cheesiness is ALL THERE, the usual cringey gay rom-com stuff as well and thats my SHIT

the dialogue though.. very hit-or-miss in my opinion. There would be a funny line and then immediately following would be something that makes me physically cringe - not quite "have to put down the book and pace around my room"-level of cringe, but Kinda bad

So yeah. would recommend if you're into silly, cheesy, cringey gay stuff. I laughed a lot. Maybe sometimes not at the stuff i was supposed to laugh at but still. My throat kinda hurts ngl

AND THEY SAY THE WORD YAOI. All hail

I never wanna say the word "Orbs" ever again

[Kim · Rating 3 out of 5]

Seriously concerned about the health of the POV characters. Almost every single chapter featured them spacing out so hard that someone had to yell at them, snap at them, or throw something at them to get to snap out of it.

[Brianna · Rating 2 out of 5]

I love an LGBTQ+ read but the characters had very little personality and all sounded the same/like therapists. Pacing was off and the dialogue just didn’t seem realistic most of the time.

[Jamie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wasn’t quite in the mood for YA when I read this, but it was the last day of my annual KU trial and I wanted to zip through it quickly to get a feel for how the authors handled the Christianity and coming out stuff.

Verdict: handled really well. Especially the diverging reactions of the parents, the mom who slowly, slowly changes her mind and the father who vehemently doesn’t. It felt realistic in a painful way. Also Theo’s sister swooping in with the extensive theological and historical research (she is me!) and the father just chucking it in the bin. Oof.

Some of the rest was more meh; I didn’t get engrossed in the viral tiktok plot, but that’s me showing my age. Big points for how the ex-girlfriend who outed them was handled though. I like that it didn’t go straight to instant forgiveness and understanding, but really drove home the impact of it.

Three stars because it was very YA when I wasn’t quite in the mood; four stars because it was well done YA. I may be counting down to forty, but part of me still needs to read the books that would have helped a lot at fourteen.

(NGL, after the Alice Oseman kerfuffle, it was great to see praise for BL and yaoi right there in the text.)

[Bethany Hall · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am SO HAPPY I stumbled upon this book. It was the cutest, sweetest thing. It truly encompassed all of the things I love about YA romance: sweet crushes, first kisses, a bi awakening, found family, trust, first love, and standing up for yourself. It had those moments of revelation, the hand holding, the staring in school, being unsure, flirty glances… I could go on but it was a perfect YA book.

As someone who grew up going to a Lutheran school, church and Sunday school every Sunday… this book hit hard and had a healthy dose of religious guilt. Reminds of when I was a teenager making out (ok and maybe a little more) with my friend from church in the back seat of a car. Those first exploratory touches and intense kisses and then feeling so incredibly guilty. Ah, memories. Oh and also feeling guilty about having sexual thoughts or feelings or saying cuss words. Amazing how that works. I talk about this all the time but the amount of queer kids in my class alone from school does not surprise me ONE BIT.

Anyway - I absolutely LOVED and devoured this book. It was narrated beautifully by Mark Sanderlin and Jacob Bell who is a new to me narrator. I had a blast reading this one and cannot wait to grab the second book by these same authors. love love love.

[Kairiana Proctor · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book tore me to shreds. I have made a point to read a good amount of queer books over these last few years and while not every one of them is listed here on goodreads a good few are. This one stands out for a few reasons but the reason that sticks out the most is just how much I relate to Theo. Deeply unsure but aware of the fact that I'm not straight. I cried when he was outed. Not for him. For me. For that younger version of me that had the very same happen. I didn’t get the happy ending because I wasn't willing to fight for my relationship. If you ever need to feel seen and you have religious trauma AND you were outed this book is for you. Thank you for everything

[Cory · Rating 5 out of 5]

Easily one of the cutest books I’ve ever read. As a “Theo” myself growing up, it felt relatable and realistic. The story was also very tender and sweet. Overall, it felt like Simon vs The Homosapien Agenda mixed with Heartstopper.

[Em · Rating 5 out of 5]

i sob how sweet

[Maya Gagliardi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just the cutest and my new fave trope is “is being gay a sin teenage spiral”

[Mark · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's a very classic feel-good warm cozy queer reading that we all want and love from time to time to put a smile on our faces and fantasize about the highschool love story that some of us couldn't have.
Don't expect anything groundbreaking, but it doesn't need it. Absolutely loved it, highly recommended.

[Jayrald · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Theoretically Straight" is a wonderfully sweet and emotional roller coaster that pulls you in right from the start. Theo and Caleb are just perfect together; their chemistry is so genuine and heartwarming that you can't help but smile the whole time you're reading. Watching them navigate their feelings and relationship is a joy, filled with moments that feel incredibly real and relatable.

The characters are well-developed, especially Theo, as he struggles with his identity and seeks acceptance from his family. It’s touching to see the support from his mother, but a bit sad that we don’t get to witness his father’s acceptance. That would have added a nice, full-circle moment to the story.

The writing is engaging, blending humor, tenderness, and some truly poignant scenes that make it hard to put the book down. The romance unfolds at a natural pace, not rushed, which makes it all the more satisfying. Overall, "Theoretically Straight" is a charming read that beautifully captures the ups and downs of love and acceptance.

[Danielle Johnston · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book brought home all the feels. Even though I don't identify as queer, I went through the same rollercoaster of emotions and confusion growing up about my faith and my role in society. I was expected to get married, be submissive, and pop out two kids and go spread that Word. Luckily like Theo, I had a Grace in my life to help me through it.

The great character building throughout the book really let me relate to Theo and his friends. Caleb and Frank very much remind me of some of my own friends! I enjoyed the background plot of haunted churches and trying to get famous on TikTok.

Highly recommend for anyone struggling through young adulthood and even those who have already become adults. There needs to be more literature like this out there for people to read and know they aren't alone.

[Shaq · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a really cute book and a welcome addition to the genre. I think it invites important conversations around sexuality, adolescence, and religion and I'm sure the book's target demographic will appreciate it much more than I did. The romance transpired fairly quickly so if you like a book that cuts to the chase in the first 20% of the book, this one is for you. My biggest gripe with this book, unfortunately, is how boring Theo and Caleb are. For one, it feels like they were written with the same voice in mind, and over time, I stopped paying attention to the changing perspectives and just trudged through the rest of the book. Again, not a fan of a meet-cute x quick romance, I long for tension and pining, and this book didn't really have that. Not the book's fault, though. Guess I didn't really enjoy this one!

[Sam · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF, sorry - you do have to tell a story, not just circle the cliche drain

It’s just not compelling, I’m sorry. I know this will sound mean, but I wish I hadn’t pursued this book, so I’ll share my experience. (Also, we all know authors write to make money and sometimes extend their page counts to get higher pay per book. This feels like that situation.) The first 15% could be approximately two paragraphs. “Hi, I’m Caleb, I have no personality except I’m so desperate at 16 to date another boy that I should be in therapy.” And “Hi, I’m Theo and I’m a straight Christian boy for now, and my sister treats me like a child because I have the emotional maturity of an elementary school kid and I’m desperate to go viral.” Seriously that’s it for the first 10,000+ words.

[Mitchell Cochrane-Hall · Rating 5 out of 5]

so this one was hella cute! these kinds of stories are my bread and butter so it was real easy to get into and the story and characterization was just good! the only thing i didn’t like was when theo made these asides to god in the beginning but i get they are essential to establishing theo’s charater. it was real rewarding however when theo tore sienna a new one after outing him, the whole time it was happening i was like “tear the bitch apart!!!!” 😈 overall great story, 10/10 would recommend

[Nathan Henager · Rating 5 out of 5]

A book that is sweet, heart wrenching, and dramatic from beginning to end. Theo’s story is similar to my own personal experience and I enjoyed reading about a success story when it comes to religious trauma and parents. A great read!

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hello Catholic guilt!

This was such a nice read with some moments of true self-reflection. As a former Catholic School kid, I totally related to Theo as his guilt of just existing. How really anything would make him think that the world was ending, as someone with panic attacks I got it. His whole arch of seeing how he is queer and how it was always there was really great as well. A scene that I particularly loved was when he was able to tell a particular person that he wasn't going to forgive them just because they thought they were doing something right. Having the wrong person always forgiving, especially in a Christian setting, makes me rolls my eyes so I liked that he said 'fuck you' and meant it.

And wow, his coming out scene was really devastating too. I cannot imagine being in that position of having to defend how you are not wrong. How someone makes you happy and to not take that away. It felt realistic to what was set up of his very religious family but still, really rough to read.

Caleb is a beautiful awkward mess that can't read signals for shit and my God, I love him. I think he was very respectful of Theo's deconstruction without giving up on his own needs. Some of the dialogue was a bit much, though did not mind all of the anime references, but they did sound like teens in this age. They had wonderful moments between them as well, just a really sweet couple.

I think where the book shines is both Theo and Caleb's friend groups. I was so worried that Theo wouldn't have any support when he was going though his coming out. So I was so happy to see how nice everyone was, it was awesome to see a friend group that just like one another a lot. Wren was my personal favorite but all were great.

All and all, a really great find!