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We Burn Beautiful Kindle Edition

by Lance Lansdale (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.5 out of 5 stars 254 ratings
We went into this knowing we'd get burned. And God, we burned so beautifully.

Kent Fox is not okay. Thanks to a botched selfie swap, thousands of his colleagues have borne witness to a photo of his sock-covered crotch. Branded a professional pariah, he's had to move home with his mother, and the only job the larger-than-life, 38-year-old former executive can land is stocking shelves at a grocery store. To make matters worse, his new boss is none other than his ex-gay ex-boyfriend.

To everyone else, Gray Collins is the perfect Christian. He manages the local Pick-n-Save, attends West Clark Apostolic Church four times a week, and he's just bought a ring for the woman who has agreed to help him hide his homosexuality. To Kent, however, Gray is the same coward he was twenty years ago. The boy with a list of seventeen reasons why he deserved Kent’s heart. The man who did nothing as his brother ripped Kent from his arms and out of his life for two decades.

Forced together, Kent and Gray will have to confront the trauma that tore them apart, and all the old feelings that never truly died. Kent may not have a list of seventeen reasons for Gray, but he has three words that are just as true as they've ever been.

We Burn Beautiful is a single-POV, second chance slow burn romance about two slightly immature childhood boyfriends who never had the chance to shine. There's pining, there's passion, and there's a group of 80-year-old, over-the-top, Apostolic debutantes ready to help Kent Fox find his forever.
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  1. Book 1 of 1
    We Burn Beautiful
  2. Print length
    286 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Publication date
    December 15, 2023
  5. File size
    1.0 MB
  6. Page Flip
    Enabled
  7. Word Wise
    Enabled
  8. Enhanced typesetting
    Enabled
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Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0CKD3S6FC
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Self Published on Amazon KDP (Independently Published) (December 15, 2023)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ December 15, 2023
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 1.0 MB
  • Simultaneous device usage ‏ : ‎ Unlimited
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 286 pages
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.5 out of 5 stars 254 ratings

About the author

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Lance Lansdale

Lance Lansdale

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Customer reviews

4.5 out of 5 stars
254 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find the book heartbreakingly emotional, with one review noting how it mixes real-life experiences and tackles sensitive subjects. Moreover, the writing receives praise for its humor, with one customer highlighting the spectacular banter, while others appreciate the well-developed characters. Additionally, the book consistently makes readers laugh out loud, and customers are impressed by the story.

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12 customers mention "Humor"12 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the humor in the book, finding it funny and well-written, with one customer specifically praising the spectacular banter.

"...(Dottie, Ken’s mother, Gray’s father) and then there is the well needed comedic relief (Rhonda and Kate)...." Read more

"4.5 stars. This book was a great start to my 2024 reading. Kent was hilarious. I haven’t laughed that much from a book in a while...." Read more

"...Absolutely beautiful writing (still cannot believe it's a debut) and while the story is absolutely heartbreaking, it still manages to be SO funny,..." Read more

"...courage these characters even the side characters brought so much beautiful banter, laughter, love, and unconditional support...." Read more

9 customers mention "Heartbreaking story"9 positive0 negative

Customers find the book heartbreaking, with one customer noting how it mixes real life emotions and situations, while another mentions how it tackles sensitive subjects.

"...This book is so touching because it highlights the real life experiences many people in the LGBT+ community face, especially in small towns whose..." Read more

"...it still manages to be SO funny, with spectacular banter and SO much heart...." Read more

"Omg it was an emotional read.. I don’t think I’ve ever cried so much over characters in a book.. This is such a beautiful book.. Prepare to cry and..." Read more

"...He mixes so many real life emotions and situations. I found myself reflecting on my own awakening, demons and love...." Read more

6 customers mention "Laughter rate"6 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the book's humor, with several mentioning it made them laugh out loud, and one noting it had them cracking up multiple times.

"...The guy is hilarious and had me cracking up multiple times...." Read more

"...characters even the side characters brought so much beautiful banter, laughter, love, and unconditional support...." Read more

"...I laughed, I cried and I fell in love. Once again I was hooked from start to finish and I wasn't able to put the book down!..." Read more

"...Kent and Grey are incredible. This story mixes lighthearted, laugh out loud, humor with heart squeezing angst and then throws in some stomach..." Read more

6 customers mention "Story quality"6 positive0 negative

Customers are impressed by the story of the book.

"We Burn Beautiful is a wonderful story about becoming your true self while living in a community full of people who would not hesitate to cast you..." Read more

"...Oh yeah, and Rhonda. I love you, girl! I was very impressed by the story and its characters...." Read more

"...Kent and Grey are incredible. This story mixes lighthearted, laugh out loud, humor with heart squeezing angst and then throws in some stomach..." Read more

"...Lol! Some of the story hit close to home and made me wish for closure with my first love that I wasn't allowed to have merely because we are..." Read more

4 customers mention "Character development"4 positive0 negative

Customers praise the character development in the book, with one mentioning the best kind of unreliable narrator.

"...chance slow burn romance with the MCs, the secondary characters in this book are SPECTACULAR...." Read more

"...amount of wit and sassy humor, hilarious situations, and zany characters that’ll have you laughing out loud...." Read more

"...he’s the best kind of unreliable narrator. gray is like… he goes through so much. we love character development!..." Read more

"...The writing is beautifully crafted. The characters are developed to perfection and the story had me WEEPING chapter after chapter...." Read more

3 customers mention "Burn rate"3 positive0 negative

Customers like the burn rate of the book.

"We Burn Beautiful is a wonderful story about becoming your true self while living in a community full of people who would not hesitate to cast you..." Read more

"...Gray and Kent burn bright and they definitely burn beautiful. Just need a little follow up epilogue about Trevor and Kyle getting their due." Read more

"We Burn Brightly...." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

  • Samantha
    5.0 out of 5 stars Kent and Gray
    Reviewed in the United States on December 14, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    We Burn Beautiful is a wonderful story about becoming your true self while living in a community full of people who would not hesitate to cast you out, and at times cause you physical harm simply for the act of loving who you love. While reading this book you will meet Kent and Gray who are who are both dealing with their shared past and navigating the obstacles to secure their happy ending.

    After losing his job in the most embarrassing way, Kent returns to the home he has not been too in 20 years to stay with his mother. In a town that has not always been good to him, he is given a job stocking shelves at the local Pick-n-Save. The problem with this new job is that he did not realize that the person inn charge is his ex-gay ex-bestfriend/boyfriend Gray. Gray is shaken to his core when he comes face to face with Kent, the same person that he presented a list of 17 reasons of why Kent should love him only to have him ripped away from him one violent night by his brother. While Kent refuses to hide who he is, Gray is afraid to be true not only to himself, but to the others around him. However, feelings cannot be hidden for long and when the flames of their past reignite it comes as no surprise that they will burn beautifully.

    This book is so touching because it highlights the real life experiences many people in the LGBT+ community face, especially in small towns whose identity is highly religious. While Kent and Gray are fictional characters, they are true representatives of millions. There is so much more than just a simple love story. It’s a story of taking back a life that you were robbed of. Outside of Kent and Gray there are side characters that also add more depth to the story (Dottie, Ken’s mother, Gray’s father) and then there is the well needed comedic relief (Rhonda and Kate). Honestly I feel like we all need a Rhonda and a Kate in our lives, people who are unapologetically themselves and have no trouble standing up for others. This is a book that I would recommend everyone to read, especially if you are in a situation familiar to the MC’s and need something to help you feel seen and less alone.
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  • Traci
    4.0 out of 5 stars Second chance romance
    Reviewed in the United States on January 8, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    4.5 stars. This book was a great start to my 2024 reading. Kent was hilarious. I haven’t laughed that much from a book in a while. I I loved Kent and his snarky humor. I Adored Gray. Well maybe not so much in the beginning but I get why he was in denial. I do feel their story was a bit rushed. I don’t really care for when books go past and present tense but I do feel this would have added to more of Kent and Gray’s story. Great start for a new author though.
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  • Jordan
    5.0 out of 5 stars One of my favorite books of the year, an INCREDIBLE debut
    Reviewed in the United States on November 14, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    THIS. BOOK. Y'all 😱😱. I decided to read We Burn Beautiful by @lancetastik on a whim, and oh my freaking stars, it is INCREDIBLE. Absolutely beautiful writing (still cannot believe it's a debut) and while the story is absolutely heartbreaking, it still manages to be SO funny, with spectacular banter and SO much heart. I was in the middle of reading this during the election, and while that basically resulted in me SOBBING over parts of the story, I think that it also made some of the themes of the book hit especially hard. The book is set in small town Texas and centers around some pretty serious religious trauma, and it makes me ill that this is the reality for so many queer people in the US today. HIGHLY recommend reading, ESPECIALLY right now (though be sure to check TW/CW, as it is definitely tough to get through at times).

    OMG I'm obsessed with Kent. He has BEEN THROGH IT, but he still maintains his humor despite his life falling apart. The guy is hilarious and had me cracking up multiple times. Though he denies it for a while, it's so obvious that the flame he carries for Gray will never go away. The PINING y'all - it's SO GOOD. I spent a good bit of this book pretty mad at Gray to be honest. Though a lot of his issues with Kent aren’t entirely his fault, he still hurt Kent badly, and I had a much harder time forgiving him than Kent did. Despite that, their backstory together and his list of reasons he loved him eventually won me over - and I ended up ugly crying over the end 😭😭.

    In addition to the masterful second chance slow burn romance with the MCs, the secondary characters in this book are SPECTACULAR. From the "denim debutantes" to Kent and Gray's grocery store coworkers, this book is full of small town shenanigans that I just adored. And y'all, the way I'd drop everything to read a book about Christian? PLEASE LANCE?!

    Anyways, this book is going on my top reads of the year list. One of the most amazing debut novels I have ever read, I'm going to be recommending it all over the place. Get this on your TBR immediately.
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  • Kindle Customer
    5.0 out of 5 stars This book!!!
    Reviewed in the United States on February 15, 2025
    Verified Purchase
    Omg it was an emotional read.. I don’t think I’ve ever cried so much over characters in a book.. This is such a beautiful book.. Prepare to cry and have a box of tissues ready
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Top reviews from other countries

  • Ebony
    3.0 out of 5 stars Kent and grey
    Reviewed in Australia on November 7, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    This book this book this book.

    I did enjoy this story. The story of Gray and Kent find themselves again.

    You have
    - small town
    - religious town
    - second chances
    - best friends to lovers
    - Found family

    I did struggle a little with the sassy humour mixed in with some really Angsty, heartbreaking moments. I also found that Gray was a little selfish when he came to wanting things from Kent and expecting. And I get he was scared but I dunno 🤷🏻‍♀️ it upset me!
    But in saying all that I couldn’t put it down! I had moments of laughing and of my heart breaking. But they definitely deserved their happy ending
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  • Booktravert
    5.0 out of 5 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
    Reviewed in Canada on December 16, 2023
    Verified Purchase
    This is unbelievably a debut novel! This story of two beautifully real characters is filled with emotion. I laughed, I cried, I got incredibly angry at some characters and my heart also warmed with others. This story sadly has too many real elements to it but as Dottie in the books days 'The world is moving in the right direction.' Fantastic read.
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  • SAMUEL KEIR
    5.0 out of 5 stars Perfection
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on March 14, 2025
    Verified Purchase
    This came highly recommended and it delivered on those promises. All the emotions and a great cast of characters. Lots to think about in the current climate and a book I'll be recommending to others.
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  • Maureen Crothall
    3.0 out of 5 stars A Difficult, Angsty Read
    Reviewed in Canada on January 19, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    Well, I don't know, I'm truly torn with this one, there seems to be a love/not so love thing running through the reviews. This tale can give one a stomach ulcer, there is sooo much pain, loss, hate and angst running all through the pages. Mix that in with a bunch of oddball ladies (sorry ladies) and a slightly crazy but very religious town. I admit to a little skimming a couple of times but in the end love was the main focus, Kent and Gray's story is a tough one, very tough, I don't regret reading but it has left me a little frustrated.
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  • Caroline Tilbury
    5.0 out of 5 stars A Gorgeous Debut Novel - One to Watch
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on March 19, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    We Burn Beautiful by Lance Lansdale

    I’m always eager to read gay romance written by (presumably) gay men. I tend to anticipate a more authentic and rounded love story and I’m rarely disappointed. This was no exception, as Lance Lansdale has produced a moving and memorable debut novel.

    We Burn Beautiful is the story of two lost souls finding their way back to each other after years of yearning and loneliness. From the cover and the blurb, I was expecting a tear-jerker akin to You’re My Home by Katie Moore or the recently released To Catch a Firefly by Emmy Sanders. To some extent, my prediction was correct; this book will tear you apart and break your heart before building you back up and piecing it back together. However, this book isn’t simply a tragic love story with a hard won happy ever avert -it’s that and a lot more.

    One thing I didn’t expect when reading this book was to laugh as much as I did. For every moment of stomach-wrenching sadness, there was a moment of ridiculous comedy, often featuring the colourful cast of uproarious and almost unbelievable supporting characters.

    All the folk in this novel are fully fleshed out individuals, and that truly makes it shine. Lansdale presents two very different main characters in the form of Kent Fox and Grayson Collins. Having grown up together as best friends, and horrifically torn from each other at age eighteen, the book takes place twenty years later with Kent returning to his ultra-religious home town. Kent is gorgeous, hilarious and a complete disaster. Gray on the other hand appears put together, but is just as broken as Kent underneath his calm exterior. I don’t want to spoil the story, so I won’t go into detail about their past, present or future, (but know that they are intrinsically linked) as the reveal and development of the main characters is the driving force of the plot.

    Building the narrative around the changes in the relationship between the main characters really works in this novel. The story doesn’t feel empty, despite relatively few major plot events. What the reader cares about is what’s going to happen between Fox and Gray, and how they can possibly repair something so broken. The Christian community of West Clark Texas is represented by a cast of hilarious side-characters which includes the God-fearing and denim-clad elders who fully support Kent, albeit in their own, unique ways. Terrifying waitresses, adorable stoners and fiercely protective parents are among the eccentrics present in this Texas town. This mixed bag offers both comic relief and emotional poignancy through their own side plots. Lansdale also appears to be setting up a character for a future novel, but this is done subtly, and not obtrusively so it doesn’t feel incongruous or like a marketing ploy. What I really liked about the way the conservative city is written is that the community isn’t homogenous, and Kent is neither welcomed back nor rejected unanimously. Lansdale presents individuals who range in the way they react from unerring acceptance, to violent repulsion via misplaced concern.

    We Burn Beautiful is written in the first person, but from only the perspective of Kent Fox. In my experience, single POV (point of view) is unusual in contemporary romance, but I thought it was pulled off successfully in this case.

    Lansdale is a new author, with this being his only release at the time of writing. However, his next novel “The Househusband’s Guide to Domestic Bliss” is due for release on the 3rd of April, and I look forward to reading what looks like an entirely different novel from We Burn Beautiful, but no less fascinating. From the pre-release blurb it looks like a delightful sci fi love story with shades of Bicentennial Man, I, Robot and The Stepford Wives, but you know, happy and gay.
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