kasperin's review against another edition
3.0
This book is a little hard to rate for me. how do you rate a book you know isn't the best, but that you binge read because you just couldn't let go?
On one side, I have a lot of issues with the writing style, in some scenes the actions and words of the characters didn't make sense, and the insta-love is not my thing (really, in less than a day both guys LOVED each other). So, usually I would give this book 2 stars. BUT there was something really addictive about it that kept me reading nonstop, I finished it in two days and it would have been 1 if I hadn't had work to do, and if my Kindle's battery hadn't died at 3 am. Also, I just discovered there's a sequel with Todd's best friend and a short prequel, and I'll probably read both. Soooo, do I give it 2 stars? 3 or 4? I guess I'll go with a middle ground of 3.
PD: I just remembered another thing! The way of speaking of the characters was so weird at times! they would use "I" instead of "me", or things like "you was". I've never been in United States and english isn't my first language, so it made me really confused! I'm not sure if it's a usual way of speaking in the characters' town, or if the author did that on purpose or not, please some one explain it to me xD
On one side, I have a lot of issues with the writing style, in some scenes the actions and words of the characters didn't make sense, and the insta-love is not my thing (really, in less than a day both guys LOVED each other). So, usually I would give this book 2 stars. BUT there was something really addictive about it that kept me reading nonstop, I finished it in two days and it would have been 1 if I hadn't had work to do, and if my Kindle's battery hadn't died at 3 am. Also, I just discovered there's a sequel with Todd's best friend and a short prequel, and I'll probably read both. Soooo, do I give it 2 stars? 3 or 4? I guess I'll go with a middle ground of 3.
PD: I just remembered another thing! The way of speaking of the characters was so weird at times! they would use "I" instead of "me", or things like "you was". I've never been in United States and english isn't my first language, so it made me really confused! I'm not sure if it's a usual way of speaking in the characters' town, or if the author did that on purpose or not, please some one explain it to me xD
dreamerfreak's review against another edition
4.0
When Todd gets kicked out of his apartment in the middle of a blizzard, Gabe runs into him in the lobby of his apartment building, where he's taking shelter. At first, Gabe thinks that Todd's a hustler, and tries to buy him out of kindness (as odd as that sounds), but when Gabe's apartment manager almost kicks him out again, Todd claims to be Gabe's boyfriend, and so begins their relationship.
Once Gabe relieves Todd of the idea that he's going to have to pay for this hospitality with sex, the two men get along surprisingly well. Gabe, the big, muscled, and openly gay man, and Todd, the young, small-town guy so deep in denial he can't see his way out.
One night on Gabe's couch extends indefinitely, and Todd starts coming to terms with feelings he's been hiding for a while and his step-father's vicious verbal abuse toward "faggots". It's a nice, slow build-up of UST and feelings. Angsty, and sweet, and dreams coming true.
Once Gabe relieves Todd of the idea that he's going to have to pay for this hospitality with sex, the two men get along surprisingly well. Gabe, the big, muscled, and openly gay man, and Todd, the young, small-town guy so deep in denial he can't see his way out.
One night on Gabe's couch extends indefinitely, and Todd starts coming to terms with feelings he's been hiding for a while and his step-father's vicious verbal abuse toward "faggots". It's a nice, slow build-up of UST and feelings. Angsty, and sweet, and dreams coming true.
maya56's review against another edition
4.0
3.75 Stars
A book that captured my interest and held it. I liked the characters and how their stories were slowly revealed in bits and pieces - much like real life. I think I loved those little moments involving secondary characters the best. *sniffle*
I did find there were several instances of repetitiveness... sentences that contained information already given previously which drew me out of the story and made me go back and search. But maybe that's just me!
A book that captured my interest and held it. I liked the characters and how their stories were slowly revealed in bits and pieces - much like real life. I think I loved those little moments involving secondary characters
Spoiler
when Brett and Gabe meet again and mend some very small bridges (with Todd's help)I did find there were several instances of repetitiveness... sentences that contained information already given previously which drew me out of the story and made me go back and search. But maybe that's just me!
11momo's review against another edition
4.0
This was more of a 3.5 but decided to round up. The reason it wasn't 4 stars or more is because the writing style kinda annoyed me. The random derogatory thoughts his stepfather would yell at him interrupted the flow of reading and I found myself skipping some of them.
"“She doesn’t. Not really. She has a show, and I watch it and do what she’s doing, and sometimes it turns out great—” (“What the fuck is this? Can’t you just make a goddamn burger or a friggin' meatloaf? What is this supposed to be?”) “—and sometimes it doesn't. How can you learn by watching on TV? You can’t smell or taste or feel what they’re doing. I need someone to watch over me. I was hoping I could talk her into it. But she threw me out of her restaurant.”"
It was a cute story, not too much angst. A bit insta-lust/love but that was okay. I would have liked to have known what happened to Joan and Austin. But overall a really nice read.
"“She doesn’t. Not really. She has a show, and I watch it and do what she’s doing, and sometimes it turns out great—” (“What the fuck is this? Can’t you just make a goddamn burger or a friggin' meatloaf? What is this supposed to be?”) “—and sometimes it doesn't. How can you learn by watching on TV? You can’t smell or taste or feel what they’re doing. I need someone to watch over me. I was hoping I could talk her into it. But she threw me out of her restaurant.”"
It was a cute story, not too much angst. A bit insta-lust/love but that was okay. I would have liked to have known what happened to Joan and Austin. But overall a really nice read.
mattycakkes28's review against another edition
2.0
Let me just preface this by saying that I love M/M fiction; completely and unabashedly love it. It is an insatiable addiction that I suffer from and I have spent embarrassing amounts of money over the last decade or so indulging it. That being said, I am also aware that often (read: usually) these books are not exactly the most well-crafted or edifying of reads. Loving M/M fiction often means suspending belief and embracing preposterous or silly plots, cheesy clichés, questionable sex scenes, and endings so neatly wrapped up they could have been written for a "very special episode" of Mr. Belvedere. So, you see, I had a pretty good understanding of what I was getting into when I bought this book, and I really wanted (WANTED!) to love it. Unfortunately, however, it just wasn't very good.
To begin with, it takes FOREVER for them to fall in love. Or maybe it just feels like forever because in the preceding time you have to listen to Todd's irritating inner dialogue of-forgive me for paraphrasing- "Am I a fag!" or "Oh my God, can I be gay!" along with awkward mental flashbacks of his stepfather saying things like "What are you? Some kind of queer!". It was okay at first, because it gave you an idea of where Todd was coming from; but after awhile I found myself rolling my eyes and wanting to shout, "Yes, Todd! You're queer! Could we move on already? Jeesh!".
Gabe is far less annoying and, frankly, I'm not sure what he's supposed to like about Todd, who seems not only incredibly naive but just plain stupid. Also, who the hell says, "shitfire!"?
Unfortunately, I think my disdain for Todd managed to limit my ability to embrace what was happening which, in turn, made all the many unlikely scenarios that happen throughout the book seem all the more ridiculous. As I said, I'm willing to suspend a lot of belief, but, when the character I'm supposed to root for is so grating and dumb, I can't be bothered to care that much. Although, (possible SPOILER) nothing on Earth would make me accept that ham-handed scene with the HIV tests at the end,ugh!
To begin with, it takes FOREVER for them to fall in love. Or maybe it just feels like forever because in the preceding time you have to listen to Todd's irritating inner dialogue of-forgive me for paraphrasing- "Am I a fag!" or "Oh my God, can I be gay!" along with awkward mental flashbacks of his stepfather saying things like "What are you? Some kind of queer!". It was okay at first, because it gave you an idea of where Todd was coming from; but after awhile I found myself rolling my eyes and wanting to shout, "Yes, Todd! You're queer! Could we move on already? Jeesh!".
Gabe is far less annoying and, frankly, I'm not sure what he's supposed to like about Todd, who seems not only incredibly naive but just plain stupid. Also, who the hell says, "shitfire!"?
Unfortunately, I think my disdain for Todd managed to limit my ability to embrace what was happening which, in turn, made all the many unlikely scenarios that happen throughout the book seem all the more ridiculous. As I said, I'm willing to suspend a lot of belief, but, when the character I'm supposed to root for is so grating and dumb, I can't be bothered to care that much. Although, (possible SPOILER) nothing on Earth would make me accept that ham-handed scene with the HIV tests at the end,ugh!
coty9816's review against another edition
4.0
Good easy read. Not too much drama and the main characters were easy to like.
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