A review by apostrophen
I Do, Two by Bruin Fisher, Lee Rowan, Sophia Deri-Bowen, D.C. Juris, L-J Baker, Deana C. Jamroz, Nigel Puerasch, Neil S. Plakcy, 'Nathan Burgoine, James Buchanan, Kris Jacen, Rob Rosen, JL Merrow, Rick R. Reed, Julia Rios, Alex Beecroft, Michael Gouda, Jamie Freeman, Ruth Sims, Gillian Palmer, Nexis Pas, Lenore Black, Charlie Cochrane, Brian Holliday
5.0
Full disclosure, I'm in this book - but let me further preface a little to chat a bit about the purpose of I DO TWO. Right on the bright cover, it subtitles itself with "An anthology in support of marriage equality." I'm going to say it once again, before I begin - I am truly blessed to live in a country where my husband and I are just that: husbands. In every legal definition thereof.
I loved this collection (I'm stunned at the company I'm keeping), and have to point out my favorites of the anthology:
"The Song Inside," by Nexis Pas
This story is touching on many levels. The main characters are very much a pair of "everyman" types, with a subtlety in their conversation and description that makes them quite lovable. The story - a piece about these two gentle souls looking for a new place to live together - is woven with such a style that you it leaves you positively warmed. Definitely one of my favorites of the anthology.
"Even Guys Cry" by D.C. Juris
Another favorite in the anthology, D.C. Juris tackles a story rarely told - a transgendered romance. This story is romantic, erotic, and thought-provoking all at the same time, and it brought to mind my transgendered friends and their struggles in a sort of "everyman" way, which speaks to how well the story is written. Tenderness breathes throughout the tale.
"Work Experience" by Bruin Fisher
This story was excellent. Told from a young man's point of view, we hear the voice of a gay youth working with his father to help renovate a kitchen, and watch as his awareness of being different and his knowledge of his father's intolerance clash. When the pair work on a gay couple's kitchen, the young man finally has a view of a regular gay couple, something he'd never seen prior, and the realization is nothing short of wonderful. Hat's off to Bruin, as this was definitely one of my favorite stories in the anthology.
"Mallory's Gift" by L-J Baker
Another favorite, this exceptionally moving story is about Gerry, who has a lonely Christmas ahead of her, friends inclined to meddle in her non-existent dating life, and a loss that is holding her a step removed from life. Gerry lived and breathed in the story, with a verisimilitude that was evocative and absolutely real. Beautifully done, and incredibly touching.
"Elephants in Her Tea" by Julia Rios
Having grown up with wild stories about her Great Aunt Hortensia, including the title inspiring tale of how Hortensia took elephants in her tea, Fiona has always assumed her father made up the character as a kind of bedtime story. After his passing, no more mention of Hortensia was ever made, but at the start of this tale, the death notice for Great Aunt Hortensia is slid under Fiona's door, and she learns that perhaps there's more to her family - and more of it wonderful - than she's ever known. This short piece was delightful, and made me smile ear-to-ear.
"Aim Higher" by J.L. Merrow
I loved this story, which is the rarest of things: a funny - nay, hilarious! - tale with a romantic slice cut through it. Poor Simone has a guest, in the form of Eros (yeah, Cupid), who will not leave her alone, and is convincing the rest of the world that she's nuts because he's so annoying she can't stop yelling at him. He's determined to find her a true love, and she's determined to get rid of him. Eros is cute and all, but he's not the brightest, and he really needs to leave her be. I had to put the book down while I read this story, because I was laughing so hard at a few choice passages. Definite favorite.
I loved this collection (I'm stunned at the company I'm keeping), and have to point out my favorites of the anthology:
"The Song Inside," by Nexis Pas
This story is touching on many levels. The main characters are very much a pair of "everyman" types, with a subtlety in their conversation and description that makes them quite lovable. The story - a piece about these two gentle souls looking for a new place to live together - is woven with such a style that you it leaves you positively warmed. Definitely one of my favorites of the anthology.
"Even Guys Cry" by D.C. Juris
Another favorite in the anthology, D.C. Juris tackles a story rarely told - a transgendered romance. This story is romantic, erotic, and thought-provoking all at the same time, and it brought to mind my transgendered friends and their struggles in a sort of "everyman" way, which speaks to how well the story is written. Tenderness breathes throughout the tale.
"Work Experience" by Bruin Fisher
This story was excellent. Told from a young man's point of view, we hear the voice of a gay youth working with his father to help renovate a kitchen, and watch as his awareness of being different and his knowledge of his father's intolerance clash. When the pair work on a gay couple's kitchen, the young man finally has a view of a regular gay couple, something he'd never seen prior, and the realization is nothing short of wonderful. Hat's off to Bruin, as this was definitely one of my favorite stories in the anthology.
"Mallory's Gift" by L-J Baker
Another favorite, this exceptionally moving story is about Gerry, who has a lonely Christmas ahead of her, friends inclined to meddle in her non-existent dating life, and a loss that is holding her a step removed from life. Gerry lived and breathed in the story, with a verisimilitude that was evocative and absolutely real. Beautifully done, and incredibly touching.
"Elephants in Her Tea" by Julia Rios
Having grown up with wild stories about her Great Aunt Hortensia, including the title inspiring tale of how Hortensia took elephants in her tea, Fiona has always assumed her father made up the character as a kind of bedtime story. After his passing, no more mention of Hortensia was ever made, but at the start of this tale, the death notice for Great Aunt Hortensia is slid under Fiona's door, and she learns that perhaps there's more to her family - and more of it wonderful - than she's ever known. This short piece was delightful, and made me smile ear-to-ear.
"Aim Higher" by J.L. Merrow
I loved this story, which is the rarest of things: a funny - nay, hilarious! - tale with a romantic slice cut through it. Poor Simone has a guest, in the form of Eros (yeah, Cupid), who will not leave her alone, and is convincing the rest of the world that she's nuts because he's so annoying she can't stop yelling at him. He's determined to find her a true love, and she's determined to get rid of him. Eros is cute and all, but he's not the brightest, and he really needs to leave her be. I had to put the book down while I read this story, because I was laughing so hard at a few choice passages. Definite favorite.