Yes, Daddy is a propulsive, shocking gothic thriller that pulls no punches. Don’t let the lovely pastel cover fool you – this is not a story of romance and happiness. The book deals with abuse, power, and homophobia in graphic, gut-wrenching terms.

I thought Jonah is a complex character who is not immediately likeable. This is a deliberate choice, because it asks what happens when a victim isn’t perfect? The book highlights the way male sexual abuse victims are seen, especially when they are queer. Jonah was hurt, and he too hurt others. The book reveals his background gradually and we begin to understand why Jonah is the way he is. It’s when trauma is unresolved, and the cycle continues, only the perpetrator changes.

I found it hard to read this book and when I was done, I felt wrung out. While this is fiction, the scenes are familiar enough that you can find similarities to real-life cases of Hollywood sexual abuse. Yet not all of those abusers are punished, and there are no easy answers here either. The book goes into the devastating effects of conversion therapy and religious hypocrisy. It shows how young gay men are forced to take whatever means necessary in order to survive because their own families refuse to accept them. I’m not a fan of the ending which to me feels out of character for Jonah. But I can understanding wanting to close the circle of hurt and find closure. Yes, Daddy is a complicated, unapologetic take on abusive relationships and the complicity of victims. A compelling debut.

CW: graphic descriptions of rape, sexual assault, physical violence, substance abuse, conversion therapy, suicide

“Yes, surely this was God’s work - but was He punishing me or saving me?”

Oof. I have a lot of thoughts about this one.

YES, DADDY is a searing, multilayered queer thriller, in which a story about sex & power shines a harsh light on the beliefs & structures that enable abuse & the effects of nation-wide media attention on survivors.

I wrote a longer description of the story, but honestly, it’s hard to discuss without either further spoiling the plot or mischaracterizing what happens. The novel feels like it has two distinct parts: the first half a tense buildup towards a brutal climax, and the second half a more meditative exploration of the fallout. Though I’m a bit mixed on how well the two parts came together, & the book is a hard read at times because of the content, overall it’s an absolute testament to what the thriller genre can accomplish.

It’s an ominous, mysterious, and gripping novel, while also lending depth and authenticity to its characters that makes the implausible feel possible. Though the setting and scale of what the main character Jonah experiences is less common, Parks-Ramage ties in a multitude of unfortunately very familiar issues that play into abuse - including homophobia, oppressive religious beliefs, family rejection, & class - and shows the reader just how those function to help isolate, shame, & gaslight victims. In particular I could really relate to the mindfuckery of conservative evangelical teachings about sex & queerness and how that plays out in someone’s life, even after they’ve left the church.

The second half powerfully shows us how our rapid-fire internet culture of hot takes & backlash plays out in the mental & emotional life of survivors, and serves as a powerful reminder that those who are harmed can also cause harm. Absolutely gutting.

I have a long string of half-formed further thoughts but I’ll leave it here for now. Overall I found this book to be extremely well-written, with stark & powerful imagery paired with very human emotional complexity. Reading-wise it’s a good book to jump into without much context but please look into the content warnings first.

“They were my father, they were the Father, and I was always, in my mind, the son.”

Content warnings: conversion therapy, family rejection, homophobia, suicidal & homicidal ideation, intimate partner violence, physical & emotional child abuse, sexual harassment, mentions of incest, sex with an underage person, memory loss, recreational drug use, date rape drugs, rape, addiction, financial coercion, completed suicide

Wow, this book was so much different from what I expected it to be and from what the premise makes it look like it'll be!
At first I thought this was just going to be some dark erotic thriller containing the sugar-daddy element and, even though I hoped for an undertone of right representation of sexual harassment, this serious story of a young gay survivor trying to deal with the absolutely heartbreaking consequences of living under continuous sexual abuse, was not at all what I expected!
We follow our protagonist, Jonah, through his attempt to be a successful playwright while he tries to make it financially and tolerate his job as a waiter, as he finds out about the older and wealthy playwright, Richard, and starts an affair with him with the hope of becoming popular in the field and wanting to make the most out of all the luxurious lifestyle Richard has to offer! However, Richard is far from a kind-hearted partner wanting to spoil his young lover with gifts and we slowly unravel his disgusting, abusive, manipulative and violent self through little incidents of molestation at first and then with the heart-breaking, absolutely terrifying turn of events when he promises Jonah a fun getaway at an idyllic house that turns out to be pretty much a summer-house of horrors!
I found the exploration of the feelings going through the mind of such a heavily-abused person to be so needed and the insight of how sexual-abuse survivors are terrified to seek justice and saddened to be left known just as someone's victim through Jonah's experience are interesting subjects to see!
However, I would very much like to point out that this is a far too triggering book when it comes to subjects such as sexual abuse and r*pe and maybe you shouldn't pick it up if you aren't in the right place for it!

The author gives us a glimpse into the dark depths someone will go to out of the absence of unconditional love, and what others will do to remove what they see as a blight on their reputation. Exploring the torment of conversion therapy was one of many aspects utilized in this haunting prose.

A candid look at the abuses younger aspiring creatives may face when taken in by older, richer persons that can make or break their futures. Jonah has a love affair with Richard an older famous playwright. The story has elements of the unbalance of power in a relationship, age gap, social caste differences, #metoo (in the voice of a young gay man which we don't hear as often), abuse, multiple tries.... it's a dark book and the end almost tossed me off the whole riveting book as it felt too.... almost cultish.

It's not a good book in the way most are. It's a good book in how it (mostly) handles a very bad dark and all too real subject matter. I just wish I could've liked our narrator more than "what is his story"

This is an incredibly dark and disturbing story of ambition, rejection and the lengths one will to for love and success. The story is a modern Gothic tale that deals with many critical issues. From the Me Too movement to conversion therapy, heartbreaking events unfold that are emotional and compelling. Thank you NetGalley for my copy.

I was expecting a much much different book. If you’re looking for a twisty fast paced thriller…this isn’t quite it. What this book does well is immerse you in the setting and critique certain aspects of modern society.

What I didn’t like? The prose was dense. Nothing wrong with that but it felt at offs with the urgency the author was aiming for (part of the reason this book felt slow to me). The protagonist is horribly unlikable at the beginning. He grew on me but took me some time to become invested in his story. The ending really fell apart for me. At about 70% I felt like I was all of a sudden reading a different book. Just not cohesive.

I’d probably read this author again but I don’t think I’d come back to this book. Glad I read it, not my favorite.

Like many creatives trying to make it in the big city, Jonah works as a waiter. The hours suck, his manager is a dick, and if the clientele is a little handsy it's worth it for the tips. Anything is worth it if it funds his dream of being a famous playwright.

When Jonah learns about Richard Shriver, a handsome and beguiling Pulitzer Prize winner, he know he has to meet him. Using every penny he has and cashing in every favor owed, he orchestrates an elaborate "meet-cute" that turns into a whirlwind affair.

Jonah is thrust into the world that he wants to be in, with Richard bankrolling. Rent, covered. A new wardrobe, done. Dinner at the best restaurants, yes. So when Richard invites him to a summer of writing at his exclusive creative compound, Jonah packs his bags and leaves New York behind.

But things aren't as they seem at this idyllic getaway, and sometimes the cost of getting what you want is your freedom and your life.

I found this book to be really hard to put down, it really flew, but I definitely struggled a bit with the ending and the later decisions that Jonah made. It just didn't strike me personally as very believable.

Saying that, I definitely will read another book by this author since I still had a lot of fun with it.

3.5 Stars rounded up.

Thank you to NetGalley and Mariner Books for an ARC of this title.

Yes, Daddy is a dark and thrilling debut that left me feeling uncomfortable and sick at times. Parks-Ramage wrote with such grace and rawness about rape, power, and social classes that need to be discussed more often. I wasn't sure of the direction the story was going to take, but I thought the author did a great job crafting a story that left me needing to find out what was going to happen, no matter the outcome.

Content warnings for rape, drug use, alcoholism, assault.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Mariner Books for the ARC of Yes, Daddy by Jonathan Parks-Ramage.

I went into this novel not knowing too much about it, but i heard a lot of positive reviews. I was surprised by my lack of interest in the main character, Jonah, and his lust for fame. It turned me off right away. I have to admit that the story did little to keep my interest once Jonah manipulates a meeting with the powerful Richard. I understand that this plot of power and social class has a voice, but I felt it was a bit frivolous in the context of this particular story.

Wow okay, honestly this book was tough for me to read but also so good. It was one of those weird books where it was so relatable it was almost uncomfortable, but also at the same time gave much needed solace to a reality that is shared by so many. This book was just damn good. I think that this gave another side to the #metoo era that isn't talked about enough. I cannot believe that this is a debut novel it was so good. I do think the first 2/3 were a bit stronger than the last chunk, but all in all I thought it was a solid albeit tough read. I don't want to go into too much detail because it would give too much away but I think the world the author created was tough, gritty, and heartbreakingly honest.

Well this wasn't at all what I was expecting based only on the cover and title. It was much more intense, very hard to read at times and surely not for everyone. I had to pause the reading a few times because it was too intense and raw and this isn't really the kind of books I usually read. I prefer fluffy books with little to no drama, so you see that this was almost the total opposite. The writing style is gripping, the emotions it makes you feel are strong, and you just can't put the book the down. The author is definitely on my radar now. I was charmed by this book, I didn't expect any of what I got and for once I was glad to be caught off guard.

Jonathan Parks-Ramages Yes, Daddy was such a terrific but difficult read. It was heartbreaking and hard to think that this kind of stuff really does happen. I adored Jonah, but I also wanted to smack him. I wanted him to be smarter and see what was going on before everything went crazy. The religious parts were a bit heavy and not my favorite, but I still loved the book. I can’t wait for Jonathan’s next book. Thank you to HMH for my copy in exchange for an honest review.

Unfortunately, I had to put this one down due to personal triggers in the book. Thank you for the opportunity to read it, I hope it finds it's audience!

I received this book for free via Netgalley from Mariner Books publishing. It was nothing like I thought it would be! It's dark and creepy but also really thought provoking. I haven't been able to stop thinking about it since I finished. I will say that Jonah is not a likable character but he does grow on you. The book is perfect for the "Me Too" era as we discover that victims are not always perfect and may be quite complex. Jonah does not act as many think he should in his situation, but none of us really know what we would d if faced with similar obstacles.

The book really slows dow in the last 3rd but overall it is sill compelling. It did also leave me with many questions! But, it's quick read and it definitely a page turner! I hope Jonathan Parks-Ramage continues to write more!

This books was very messy. I loved the silent patient and was so excited for this book. The actual “maidens” plot was merely a red herring and not even a major plot line. This book could have been 50 pages long.

The cover art on this book from Emily Snyder totally pulled me in at first glance and then after reading the synopsis of a younger man, Jonah who dreams of becoming an NYC playwright and falling for an older, successful gentleman, Richard in the entertainment world was super intriguing.

The mysterious and scary circumstances that befall Jonah once he's invited out to Richard's Hamptons compound were frightening, sad, and frustrating. The pace drew me in immediately and I sped through the book in about 2 days. I felt sad for Jonah and how beaten down he was in life and also extremely frustrated with his choices during the book. I definitely can see the cinematic qualities of the story and it painted clear pictures in my head as I read the story. I would recommend it as a dark, fast-paced beach read for sure.

Thank you NetGalley + Houghton Mifflin Harcourt for this ARC. It was great and I went out and purchased the physical copy of it for my bookshelves too. #BookedBySimplyTroy @simplytroy

This is a complex and thought-provoking book, a truly dark and disturbing roller coaster. Jonathan Parks-Ramage’s writing is excellent. I would definitely read more of his work. He has a smart but uncomplicated style that is smooth and flows well that compelled me to keep reading just as much as the story itself did. And it never went where I predicted it would go. Every other chapter was another gut punch. This was a difficult read but extremely well written.

This book definitely has a lot to say about a lot of topics; trauma plays a huge role here, and perhaps more importantly, evangelicalism and sexuality, and how trauma is often born at the intersection of the two. In fact, the book offers quite the damning indictment of evangelical Christianity.

Jonah has been living in survival mode and running from his past for years since his failed conversion therapy as a teen and his pastor father’s subsequent rejection of him. Denial is a coping mechanism for the traumatized, but it’s also an effective parallel for how often evangelicalism forces their followers to not only deny their natural instincts but be ashamed of them, which is where Jonah’s trauma stems. (Denial of reality is one of many recurring themes in the book.) His experience with conversion therapy provided the gaslighting and pretense that continue to cast an enormous shadow over his life. Through this we begin to understand why Jonah feels such self loathing and is drawn to those who inflict cruelty and pain.

This story gives an astute and sickening demonstration of what it’s like to be a survivor of abuse, especially those with stories that are hard for the outsider to understand. The kind where people ask “why didn’t they just leave?” or “why didn’t they just…(fill in the blank)”. This highlights just how impossibly complex certain situations for victims of abuse can be, the indescribable shades of grey where most people can only see black or white.

Considering how the story begins, I was seriously wondering how the narrator would (or even could) be redeemed in the end. I found it extremely difficult to have sympathy for him early on. But as his past is revealed, I began to root for him. I won’t spoil the ending but for a story as filled with hopelessness and despair as this one, it was satisfying to see it end in a somewhat uplifting way but without feeling like everything was wrapped up in a pretty bow or having the book do a convenient 180 on its established stance on the inherent dangers of an oppressive conservative religion.

*ALL the TWs for this book. It is difficult and disturbing material, filled with toxic, abusive behavior. Proceed with caution.

Thanks to NetGalley and Mariner Books for the ARC.

Wow. Now there are many triggers in this book but Yes Daddy did it for me. Almost a coming-of-age confessional, Yes, Daddy is an amazing debut novel. Mostly horrific but equally gripping, it's a must-read.

To start, I am very annoyed that I didn’t get along with this book, but I just don’t think it was for me.

Yes, Daddy follows Jonah, a gay man living in New York, working as a waiter as he tried to kickstart is playwriting career. He meets Richard, a successful writer, and they quickly fall into a relationship, which is where things take a dark turn.

This book was nothing that I was expecting it to be, but I’m not sure whether that made me like it more or less. I felt as though the pacing was very off during some parts; scenes where I wanted further explanation fell short, and scenes that didn’t need it were far too long.

I did like the insight to life as a gay Christian that the book provided, one aspect that I wasn’t aspecting but became one of the central plot points, however some references to it didn’t add much to the story.

Overall, I can completely understand why people loved this, but I quietly quickly got to the point where I was reading it because I had to rather than wanting to, which tells me that I wasn’t the right person for this book.

Thank you to Netgalley and Mariner Books for the ARC of this book.