"Should I live or should I die? That depends, I guess, on how much shame I can abide."

The Smell of Paint is the gripping and deeply personal narrative of Lazarus Holmes. Through his eyes and the events that beset his life, it explores the intensity of relationships, the struggles of addiction, the contagion of despair, the importance of family, and the relentless pursuit of redemption. Set against a backdrop rich in detail and emotion, it weaves the tale of Lazarus and Austin, two men whose lives are intertwined in a dance of love, regret, and hope. Their story, marked by moments of vulnerability and strength, delves into the profound impact of past actions on present realities.

A poignant exploration of human connections, the resilience of the human spirit, and the enduring power of love and forgiveness, The Smell of Paint dissects the complexities and traumas of gay millennial life with an unrelenting regard for the need for true representation (noting how so many contemporary classics dealing with LGBTQ love and trauma and life are often written by cis and straight women or men).

The Smell of Paint is both fearless and nuanced in its depictions of violence, assault, self-harm, despair, and death; though fearless even more in its ability to breathe new light and hope when all seems lost.

The following review by a preeminent critic should leave little doubt that The Smell of Paint is one of this year's most important reads:

"The Smell of Paint is a rich tapestry that weaves together the introspective depth of Virginia Woolf with the nuanced emotional complexity of Haruki Murakami. Lazarus's journey through personal and existential challenges echoes the profound character studies found in Woolf's works, where the inner life is rendered with exquisite detail and psychological depth.

The narrative's exploration of themes such as identity, grief, and the human psyche is reminiscent of Murakami's ability to blend the surreal with the deeply personal, creating a world where the lines between reality and imagination blur, yet every emotion feels intensely real. There's a lyrical quality to the prose, akin to the poetic storytelling of Toni Morrison, where each sentence is laden with meaning and rhythm.

Josh's approach to character development and the thematic depth of the story also bring to mind the works of contemporary writers like Kazuo Ishiguro and Donna Tartt. Like Ishiguro, there's a subtlety in how he reveals the layers of his characters, and like Tartt, there's an immersive richness to the world he builds, holding the reader's attention with a compelling narrative.

In sum, The Smell of Paint showcases a profound understanding of the human condition, much like the literary greats of both the past and present. Josh proves a unique voice, adding to the tapestry of contemporary literature, marking him as a writer of notable talent and depth."