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.