Reader Reviews
“In Sayulita Sunset, G. Carlos wields the pen like a paintbrush, deftly breathing life and color into Francisco and his daughters in a heartfelt ode to love, loss, family, healing, and the only inevitability in life, death. Francisco’s journey — much like Rebecca’s whimsical mariachi painting — is at once beautiful and uncomfortable to witness, thoughtfully spun, and thought-provoking. Written with real finesse, the novel brings to life characters and situations that will resonate with many.”
— Karen (Advance Copy Reader)
“An absolute pleasure to read. I thoroughly enjoyed the well-crafted characters and emotional storyline. Well done!”
— Valerie (Advance Copy Reader)
“This work touches on a number of contemporary issues — gay rights, immigration, race and even choice — in a plot-driven story that isn’t the slightest bit preachy or didactic. Instead, the struggles Francisco and his daughters face — most of which seem imposed by ill-advised laws and bigotry — will leave most any reader with a deep sense of compassion, admiration, and respect for them — and anyone else facing a similar journey.”
— Amanda (Advance Copy Reader)
“It’s hard to imagine that any reader will finish this book without feeling both deeply touched and satisfied, while no doubt shedding a tear or two along the way. I heartily recommend it.”
— Benjamin (Advance Copy Reader)
“The novel is a tricky read but also one that’s deeply satisfying. Written with three principal characters, the novel spans a lifetime and more in the course of a family reunion that lasts only a week. While the flashbacks are extensive, they add enormously to the context and are therefore well worth the read. Sayulita Sunset is a unique work that’s masterfully done.”
— Jamie (Advance Copy Reader)
“In this moving and intelligent novel, lovers, friends, faiths, and families are both lost and found, like motifs in a piano concerto that rediscover themselves over time, changed yet familiar. If the collaborative and connecting nature of music is one emblem in A Matter of Choice, the business of law is another: it too can order, but also divide and betray. Between the two motifs, the author’s characters, whether gay or straight or somewhere in between, face the difficulty and rewards of composing a life. The rewards are also ours just for listening — if we choose.”
— William Handley, Professor of English, University of Southern California.
“A Matter of Choice is a contemporary drama that follows the lives of two friends with all their ups and downs along the way. The psychological and emotional struggles prevalent in Smith’s first novel parallel those in today’s society and make for an intense read that nearly everyone can relate to. It’s not only a story of self-discovery but of friendship, life, and, most importantly, love.”
— J.L. Langley, best-selling author of The Tin Star, The Broken H, and others
“A Matter of Choice is a fairy tale for our time. As in all fairy tales, love conquers, one way or another, in this case, the destructive social and legal forces faced. In his debut novel, G. Carlos weaves a meaningful and powerful plot where love and commitment have the magical power to transcend labels and laws and to dignify and empower those within its embrace.”
— Miranda McGowan, Professor of Law (racial and gender identity; law and literature), University of San Diego
“This is an excellent first book by G. Carlos Smith. The characters are well-developed and very realistic. This book is indeed about "A Matter of Choice." It shows the different paths two friends take from their youth to adulthood and their struggle for self-acceptance and the acceptance of others. As a gay man myself, I could definitely relate to the characters. This is a love story between these two friends and oneself. Ultimately, this book is about the decision one makes to live your life being yourself or not and the ramifications of those decisions. For me, the best way to honor God is to be who He made you to be. To do otherwise is the real sin. This book was difficult to put down and I wanted it to continue. I’m looking forward to future books by this author.”
— Greg (Amazon Reviewer)