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A Middleton Romance #1
Anything for You
Jason Miller is still in the closet. He's never found a reason to kick the door open, walk into the light of day, and tell the world he's gay. At least that's what he keeps telling himself -- along with a multitude of other solid arguments. As an ad man, he's used to hawking a bill of goods, he just never imagined he'd fall victim to his own hype.
When ex-activist/coming out guru, Chad Wellington came along, he was the one thing Jason never saw coming. Like a moth to a flame these two opposites ignite leaving Jason to decide if he can handle the heat.
When ex-activist/coming out guru, Chad Wellington came along, he was the one thing Jason never saw coming. Like a moth to a flame these two opposites ignite leaving Jason to decide if he can handle the heat.
106 pages, ebook
First published March 13, 2011
6 people are currently reading
521 people want to read
About the author
Ethan Day
22 books745 followersWelcome to Ethan Day's Goodreads Profile. I write mainly contemporary GLBT Romance Novels, but who knows what the future might bring and what other genres I may dive into.
Hopefully, you’ll find my books to be sexy as well as fun. Sex and romance, should be fun! If it isn’t, then perhaps you’re not doing it right.
I hope you love my characters as much as I do. With any luck they’ll inspire you the way they do me.
For a full Bio & more insight into my zany little mind, please visit my website listed above.
- I can also be found on Facebook @
https://www.facebook.com/ethandayonline
Hopefully, you’ll find my books to be sexy as well as fun. Sex and romance, should be fun! If it isn’t, then perhaps you’re not doing it right.
I hope you love my characters as much as I do. With any luck they’ll inspire you the way they do me.
For a full Bio & more insight into my zany little mind, please visit my website listed above.
- I can also be found on Facebook @
https://www.facebook.com/ethandayonline
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 144 reviews
April 22, 2011
VERVE!
Every damn book by Ethan Day just sizzles with this incredible wit and authentic eroticism. Deft comedy on every page, sometimes every paragraph. Snappy dialogue, hilarious digression, and memorable characters. I wish it were three times as long. And these characetrs could easily have supported 200 pages of badinage and complications. Romantic comedy this glossy and fresh is so rare, you have to forgive me if I want seconds. Verve is a rare thing. I LOVED these characters, loved their world. Hell I recognized every single person I met in these pages, and yet they were so distinct and specified that I was meeting them for the first time. Fucking brilliant.
My only criticism for this book is simultaneously minor and massive:
The entire plot hinges on Jason's unwillingness to come out. Unfortunately EVEN JASON admits that there's no logical reason for him to feel anxiety or delay as he has. His family is supportive of his lesbian sister. His coworkers are cool/funny/smart and he essentially lives the life of an out gay man, gorgeous and social, surrounded by out gay friends, participating in out, gay culture. So why is it such a big deal? Moreoever, I suspect that the reason this book couldn't BE 200 pages is that the primary source of conflict is so arbitrary and gossamer-thin that it couldn't spin out to triple its length. Its hook could only hold so much weight. I suspect Ethan Day KNOWS this full well, hence the compressed effervescent cocktail on offer here.
And this is what I mean about massive and minor.
I feel like the arbitrary stupidity of the "Closet" in gay culture is at a point of crisis in the world around us in 2011. As a community, LGBT people in the early 21st century are more visible and expressive than at any other time in modern awareness. This book falls in a funny pocket of the zeitgeist. People are still closeted, even in the face of sweeping changes to cultural acceptance. And yet the Closet has mutated in the past few decades. That's NOT to say that LGBT people don't face abuse and prejudice, but rather that anyone living an LGBT life has options and openness that would have seemed impossible 30 years ago. So it's a quandary.
There's an ironic reflexive quality to closeted gays now: homosexuals who are simultaneously "ashamed" while blithely dating openly (even with swapped pronouns), ordering hardcore porn on their work computers, and spending two weeks vacation in P-town or Fire Island without blinking an eye. There's a dated quality too to that mythical Closet, because younger people handle it differently these days. Only a gay man of a certain age would/could conceive of a Closet as it is understood in the pages of this short novel. The peril of outing has shifted (in many cases) from a physical threat to a personal anxiety, especially for the kind of upper middle class urban hipsters that populate Mr. Day's charming book. Moreover, not for one moment did I doubt that Jason was headed out of his (silly) Closet, which makes it a little flimsy as a plot engine. The solution to all his woes was so obvious (and so overdue) that from page two, the end was in full rainbow-striped sight. It's just that Day is so fucking GOOD at building tension and fleshing out characters that I don't care or notice really.
Chad is a magnificent foil, natch. I'd expect no less from Ethan Day. The tension and chemistry between these men smokes off every page. The raunchy brio of their interactions, and the way they embody the crisis between them without seeming like symbols: gorgeous. They feel so particularized that I think I'd recognize them if I walked past them in a restaurant. Even their sex is an active, compelling part of their evolution as a couple. Day manages to make the fear of outing part of the fear of penetration. (methinks somebody knows their neoFreudians!) Plus there's a subtle maleness to the writing that ins't ashamed to be emotional without being sentimental... which is the magic legerdemain behind a lot of Day's humor. And so... Jason and Chad's "debate" about the issue of the Closet becomes a kind of meditation on something that LGBT community is witnessing and encouraging. It gets better, because it's GOTTEN better. Past perfect!
But all cities, all people are not created equal. Your closet is my laundry basket. Some gorgeous, successful, closeted men ARE surrounded by gay friends, shopping in gay stores, living gay lives at THIRTY and thinking no one notices. RIght? It's just that in many ways it seems silly and stupid. BUT it feels silly and stupid because the Closet IS silly and stupid, not because Ethan Day's book is.
See what I mean?: major/MINOR!
So while I can grok the main character's panic about facing the dragon of Outness, it's ultimately a silly conflict, because Jason is already doing everything BUT coming clean with people who would never be bothered in the least. And the liberal, intelligent friends/family around him are all-but-DEMANDING he just get over it. So the problem is big for him because he SAYS it is (telling not showing) and everything he DOES indicates that it's minor (showing not telling). Chad's position is so obviously right that he's practically a saint in his forebearance and the suspense is almost nil. In lesser authorial hands that could have overbalanced the stakes, and made our dashing love interest seem a self-righteous prig. And yet, the tension between what gay people "should" do and what they ARE doing is a very real one. Which is why I enjoyed this book so much. But I think in ten years, this book will seem almost quaint in the free pass it gives to someone who is essentially a (loveable) coward for reasons that are changing as I type this. Mark my margins!
n.b. I plan to GRILL Ethan about this topic when I can get him alone at GayRomLit. I want more pages! Longer books! Harder fixes! Bigger problems! I want to see this guy sweat! He's a wonderful wonderful writer. Like the best comedy of manners, ANYTHING FOR YOU is essentially a narrative about integrity and community, absolutely more Jane Austen than Jane Eyre. Oddly enough I found myself thinking that it is more of a regency than a lot of "regencies" published by NY publishers in MF. And I think that's something about Day as an author: he is writing Comedy of Manners without seeming mannered or straining-straining-straining for comedy. Rare and precious thing that!
And a superlative rom-com, this! Totally entertaining, and snarky, sweet, and hot, and wise. And, if you're reading closely, also a fascinating snapshot of a moment in LGBT sociology as it evolves.
A must read. 5+ stars.
Every damn book by Ethan Day just sizzles with this incredible wit and authentic eroticism. Deft comedy on every page, sometimes every paragraph. Snappy dialogue, hilarious digression, and memorable characters. I wish it were three times as long. And these characetrs could easily have supported 200 pages of badinage and complications. Romantic comedy this glossy and fresh is so rare, you have to forgive me if I want seconds. Verve is a rare thing. I LOVED these characters, loved their world. Hell I recognized every single person I met in these pages, and yet they were so distinct and specified that I was meeting them for the first time. Fucking brilliant.
My only criticism for this book is simultaneously minor and massive:
The entire plot hinges on Jason's unwillingness to come out. Unfortunately EVEN JASON admits that there's no logical reason for him to feel anxiety or delay as he has. His family is supportive of his lesbian sister. His coworkers are cool/funny/smart and he essentially lives the life of an out gay man, gorgeous and social, surrounded by out gay friends, participating in out, gay culture. So why is it such a big deal? Moreoever, I suspect that the reason this book couldn't BE 200 pages is that the primary source of conflict is so arbitrary and gossamer-thin that it couldn't spin out to triple its length. Its hook could only hold so much weight. I suspect Ethan Day KNOWS this full well, hence the compressed effervescent cocktail on offer here.
And this is what I mean about massive and minor.
I feel like the arbitrary stupidity of the "Closet" in gay culture is at a point of crisis in the world around us in 2011. As a community, LGBT people in the early 21st century are more visible and expressive than at any other time in modern awareness. This book falls in a funny pocket of the zeitgeist. People are still closeted, even in the face of sweeping changes to cultural acceptance. And yet the Closet has mutated in the past few decades. That's NOT to say that LGBT people don't face abuse and prejudice, but rather that anyone living an LGBT life has options and openness that would have seemed impossible 30 years ago. So it's a quandary.
There's an ironic reflexive quality to closeted gays now: homosexuals who are simultaneously "ashamed" while blithely dating openly (even with swapped pronouns), ordering hardcore porn on their work computers, and spending two weeks vacation in P-town or Fire Island without blinking an eye. There's a dated quality too to that mythical Closet, because younger people handle it differently these days. Only a gay man of a certain age would/could conceive of a Closet as it is understood in the pages of this short novel. The peril of outing has shifted (in many cases) from a physical threat to a personal anxiety, especially for the kind of upper middle class urban hipsters that populate Mr. Day's charming book. Moreover, not for one moment did I doubt that Jason was headed out of his (silly) Closet, which makes it a little flimsy as a plot engine. The solution to all his woes was so obvious (and so overdue) that from page two, the end was in full rainbow-striped sight. It's just that Day is so fucking GOOD at building tension and fleshing out characters that I don't care or notice really.
Chad is a magnificent foil, natch. I'd expect no less from Ethan Day. The tension and chemistry between these men smokes off every page. The raunchy brio of their interactions, and the way they embody the crisis between them without seeming like symbols: gorgeous. They feel so particularized that I think I'd recognize them if I walked past them in a restaurant. Even their sex is an active, compelling part of their evolution as a couple. Day manages to make the fear of outing part of the fear of penetration. (methinks somebody knows their neoFreudians!) Plus there's a subtle maleness to the writing that ins't ashamed to be emotional without being sentimental... which is the magic legerdemain behind a lot of Day's humor. And so... Jason and Chad's "debate" about the issue of the Closet becomes a kind of meditation on something that LGBT community is witnessing and encouraging. It gets better, because it's GOTTEN better. Past perfect!
But all cities, all people are not created equal. Your closet is my laundry basket. Some gorgeous, successful, closeted men ARE surrounded by gay friends, shopping in gay stores, living gay lives at THIRTY and thinking no one notices. RIght? It's just that in many ways it seems silly and stupid. BUT it feels silly and stupid because the Closet IS silly and stupid, not because Ethan Day's book is.
See what I mean?: major/MINOR!
So while I can grok the main character's panic about facing the dragon of Outness, it's ultimately a silly conflict, because Jason is already doing everything BUT coming clean with people who would never be bothered in the least. And the liberal, intelligent friends/family around him are all-but-DEMANDING he just get over it. So the problem is big for him because he SAYS it is (telling not showing) and everything he DOES indicates that it's minor (showing not telling). Chad's position is so obviously right that he's practically a saint in his forebearance and the suspense is almost nil. In lesser authorial hands that could have overbalanced the stakes, and made our dashing love interest seem a self-righteous prig. And yet, the tension between what gay people "should" do and what they ARE doing is a very real one. Which is why I enjoyed this book so much. But I think in ten years, this book will seem almost quaint in the free pass it gives to someone who is essentially a (loveable) coward for reasons that are changing as I type this. Mark my margins!
n.b. I plan to GRILL Ethan about this topic when I can get him alone at GayRomLit. I want more pages! Longer books! Harder fixes! Bigger problems! I want to see this guy sweat! He's a wonderful wonderful writer. Like the best comedy of manners, ANYTHING FOR YOU is essentially a narrative about integrity and community, absolutely more Jane Austen than Jane Eyre. Oddly enough I found myself thinking that it is more of a regency than a lot of "regencies" published by NY publishers in MF. And I think that's something about Day as an author: he is writing Comedy of Manners without seeming mannered or straining-straining-straining for comedy. Rare and precious thing that!
And a superlative rom-com, this! Totally entertaining, and snarky, sweet, and hot, and wise. And, if you're reading closely, also a fascinating snapshot of a moment in LGBT sociology as it evolves.
A must read. 5+ stars.
April 11, 2011
Should be a warning about how you may never be able to drink tea after reading this book. So I would like to say good bye to tea and that you were a dear friend for many years but you have been soiled for me. Luckily I still have my coffee and please never ruin my coffee for me Ethan.
Very funny book is Hardcore funny. I said Hardcore because I know Ethan has a special appreciation for the word and things that are hard to the core ;)
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Very funny book is Hardcore funny. I said Hardcore because I know Ethan has a special appreciation for the word and things that are hard to the core ;)
This book is
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May 28, 2015
Sorry. This one just didn't hit that same wonderful note of hilarity that I had with other books from this author. It just missed the mark for me. The MC was just too bitchy and whiny and there was just too much sex for such a short story.
July 23, 2012
Although it had a few hot or humorous moments, over all, this book really frustrated me. I never figured out why I should like or respect any of the characters, and the romance between Chad and Jason felt forced. I didn't like Chad's pushiness any more than I admired Jason's compulsive dishonesty about his sexuality. I also never figured out why staying in the closet was so important to Jason. I get that coming out can be extremely daunting, but with a supportive family, liberal-minded coworkers, and no religious baggage weighing him down, why was it such a huge issue for Jason? I think if there had been a few more obstacles in Jason's way to explain his fear, this would have been a much stronger book. As it was, Jason just came across as kind of pathetic.
March 13, 2011
What can I say, I have a Pavlovian response when you say the name Ethan Day, it makes me grin! I loved Jason and the wicked sense of humor that he has. Him and Chad made me laugh, and always keep the chemistry moving. Another great read!
December 2, 2011
Okay - a lot of my friends raved about this book but I was just ho-hum about it for a couple of reasons and some parts just made me angry.
Jason is in the closet but then meets an activist and the King of coming out of the closet, Chad Wellington, at a mutual friend's house. They hit it off because they are both gorgeous of course, but therein lies my first issue. Why, oh why, would an activist, not just an "out" homosexual, but an honest to goodness activist, want to date someone in the closet? Especially after spinning a tale of his last boyfriend who was a closeted politician that broke his heart? The whole basis of this relationship just simply confounded me.
The next issue I had was, um, why the hell was Jason even IN the closet? His sister is a LESBIAN. Who is OUT. And their parents are SUPPORTIVE. So at the barest minimum, why wouldn't he come out at home? Every time his sister came to visit and Jason became a flurry of activity de-gay-ifying his apartment and throwing everything into the closet - yeah, the closet is metaphorical and physical in this case, I just wanted to roll my eyes. Oh, then you find out that there are colleagues at work that are OUT. And he is REALLY good friends with his boss. Wha-huh? The whole premise behind the book - Jason's whole closeted issue all of a sudden becomes some weak sauce and the conflict feels extremely contrived.
The issue that made me mad was
So overall, while I simply adore Ethan Day, I did not love this book.
Jason is in the closet but then meets an activist and the King of coming out of the closet, Chad Wellington, at a mutual friend's house. They hit it off because they are both gorgeous of course, but therein lies my first issue. Why, oh why, would an activist, not just an "out" homosexual, but an honest to goodness activist, want to date someone in the closet? Especially after spinning a tale of his last boyfriend who was a closeted politician that broke his heart? The whole basis of this relationship just simply confounded me.
The next issue I had was, um, why the hell was Jason even IN the closet? His sister is a LESBIAN. Who is OUT. And their parents are SUPPORTIVE. So at the barest minimum, why wouldn't he come out at home? Every time his sister came to visit and Jason became a flurry of activity de-gay-ifying his apartment and throwing everything into the closet - yeah, the closet is metaphorical and physical in this case, I just wanted to roll my eyes. Oh, then you find out that there are colleagues at work that are OUT. And he is REALLY good friends with his boss. Wha-huh? The whole premise behind the book - Jason's whole closeted issue all of a sudden becomes some weak sauce and the conflict feels extremely contrived.
The issue that made me mad was
So overall, while I simply adore Ethan Day, I did not love this book.
February 28, 2017
1.5* rounded up because there were some genuinely funny moments. Unfortunately I hated all the characters.
The narrator Jason is whiny and bitchy. Which in this case is good because it leads to all the humour, but it doesn't make him likable. He has a lesbian sister, accepting parents, gay friendly workplace and all gay friends but he is still in the closet. He meets and falls in love with Chad, a everyone should be out gay activist. Jason wants to make Chad happy and come out but can not quite suck it up and do so. And this guy is the only one of the characters I would consider taking to dinner with my queer as f*** family.
Chad - he goes into this knowing Jason is in the closet and swears he won't out him.
Brent - Jason's best friend. Allows Jason to be tricked into a weekend with Chad despite this major conflict. Also does not really stick up for Jason when Trent drugs Jason. I would get a new best friend pronto.
Trent - Chad's friend and boyfriend to Brent. Knows Chad won't be keen on being set up and having to share a bed with Chad for the weekend so gives him a martini laced with Valium. Never apologizes. Jason is actually feeling bad about himself for not liking Trent? SMH.
None of the other characters are likable but they aren't really meant to be. Well Jason's boss is seen very briefly and he seems nice and justified in his less than happy response upon finding out Jason is gay. He can come to my house for dinner.
All of the above would have been fine if the story had over come this. Sadly it could not. We never see them falling in love. The entire story is about this coming out conflict. We are simply told they have been together for a while and that Jason does not want Chad to leave him. Given some other 2 star reviewers comments on liking this author I will try another but I hope the characters have a bit more going for them.
The narrator Jason is whiny and bitchy. Which in this case is good because it leads to all the humour, but it doesn't make him likable. He has a lesbian sister, accepting parents, gay friendly workplace and all gay friends but he is still in the closet. He meets and falls in love with Chad, a everyone should be out gay activist. Jason wants to make Chad happy and come out but can not quite suck it up and do so. And this guy is the only one of the characters I would consider taking to dinner with my queer as f*** family.
Chad - he goes into this knowing Jason is in the closet and swears he won't out him.
Brent - Jason's best friend. Allows Jason to be tricked into a weekend with Chad despite this major conflict. Also does not really stick up for Jason when Trent drugs Jason. I would get a new best friend pronto.
Trent - Chad's friend and boyfriend to Brent. Knows Chad won't be keen on being set up and having to share a bed with Chad for the weekend so gives him a martini laced with Valium. Never apologizes. Jason is actually feeling bad about himself for not liking Trent? SMH.
None of the other characters are likable but they aren't really meant to be. Well Jason's boss is seen very briefly and he seems nice and justified in his less than happy response upon finding out Jason is gay. He can come to my house for dinner.
All of the above would have been fine if the story had over come this. Sadly it could not. We never see them falling in love. The entire story is about this coming out conflict. We are simply told they have been together for a while and that Jason does not want Chad to leave him. Given some other 2 star reviewers comments on liking this author I will try another but I hope the characters have a bit more going for them.
April 5, 2011
Well hell! Would you look at the time!
It's testament to just how incredibly amazing this book is...it's 4:55am in my little corner of the world. I could NOT put this down until I had read the very last word.. (both last words!:) Seems "some people" have to have them and some more than one.. :)
Ethan says in his bio: "My fantasy life is now available for public consumption. I'm desperately hoping you're really, really hungry."
Well.... I was when I started this as I ALWAYS eagerly await each and every one of Ethan's books. I am now feeling perfectly content, completely sated and very grateful to Ethan's muses for providing him with a very rich, entertaining and obviously satisfying fantasy life! ;)
Ethan Day is one of the few authors who has the ability to make me laugh, cry and sigh, more often than not all at the same time. I have long since learned to expect the unexpected in terms of wit and turn of phrase. The stories he tells, the places he takes us, the people we meet are always so heartwarmingly,three dimensionally real and so easy to love and become attached to. They are so hard to give up at stories end and therefore remain with me long after their stories are told and they will continue to hold a special place in my heart always. Ethan's gift is his ability to paint very eloquently with mere words, beautiful panoramic landscapes of life and love, bursting with genuine warmth, humor and sincerity.
So as always, I give many special thanks to and for Ethan Day who more than lives up to his motto: "Sharing is caring!" Thank you Ethan for continuing to do so and may you never stop.
This one goes top of the A-list, top of the line on my Keeper shelf!
HIGHLY HIGHLY recommended!
It's testament to just how incredibly amazing this book is...it's 4:55am in my little corner of the world. I could NOT put this down until I had read the very last word.. (both last words!:) Seems "some people" have to have them and some more than one.. :)
Ethan says in his bio: "My fantasy life is now available for public consumption. I'm desperately hoping you're really, really hungry."
Well.... I was when I started this as I ALWAYS eagerly await each and every one of Ethan's books. I am now feeling perfectly content, completely sated and very grateful to Ethan's muses for providing him with a very rich, entertaining and obviously satisfying fantasy life! ;)
Ethan Day is one of the few authors who has the ability to make me laugh, cry and sigh, more often than not all at the same time. I have long since learned to expect the unexpected in terms of wit and turn of phrase. The stories he tells, the places he takes us, the people we meet are always so heartwarmingly,three dimensionally real and so easy to love and become attached to. They are so hard to give up at stories end and therefore remain with me long after their stories are told and they will continue to hold a special place in my heart always. Ethan's gift is his ability to paint very eloquently with mere words, beautiful panoramic landscapes of life and love, bursting with genuine warmth, humor and sincerity.
So as always, I give many special thanks to and for Ethan Day who more than lives up to his motto: "Sharing is caring!" Thank you Ethan for continuing to do so and may you never stop.
This one goes top of the A-list, top of the line on my Keeper shelf!
HIGHLY HIGHLY recommended!
June 23, 2017
This was a short quick read that I liked. Jason Miller is still in the closet he hasn't found a reason to come out until he meets Chad Wellington. These two had lust from the beginning and it was hot. What I didn't like was that Jason was secretly drugged by friends at the couple's initial meeting so he doesn't misbehave. Yet, Jason takes the blame and apologizes to his friends for his drugged behavior. I wouldn't still be friends with any friend that I had who did this to me and they didn't take him to the hospital he could have died. Jason falls for Chad who witnessed his behavior and when Chad outed him in public he again takes the blame for it. To me this was a bit confusing. This was my first time reading this author this book was well written with no errors in grammar or spelling. I am looking forward to reading more of his work.
April 12, 2011
I absolutely loved this story! Poor Jason. Staying in the closet for so many years. Even from his psycho lesbian sister Annie. It was hilarious how every time she came to visit he had to de-gay his entire apartment by hiding all the evidence in an actual closet. And Chad. He was just so perfect for Jason.
Loved the book and immediately moving on to read another Ethan Day novel.
Loved the book and immediately moving on to read another Ethan Day novel.
August 15, 2012
Freaking hilarious, snarky, authentic and sweet, with a cast of hilarious secondary characters and an adorably asinine first person narrator who should NEVER EVER be given an appletini with valium again!
April 3, 2011
Ethan Day is one of my favorite m/m writers. I like his writing and his sense of humor, but his characters are what sets his books apart from all the others - they are flawed, they make mistakes, but they have undeniable inner goodness that makes you love them and cheer for them no matter what. That wasn't the case this time, at least not for me.
I can't say I actually disliked them but I didn't liked them very much either. Jason is a closeted man. This makes his life increasingly difficult, make him envy his friends and behave - as he says himself - like an asshole. I am usually very sympathetic towards closeted characters, but I had trouble understanding why he decided to stay in the closet, especially when he met Chad. I get that fear of coming out is not at all irrational, because there are no guarantees that your life wouldn't be "ripped to shreds before your eyes". However, we weren't given any indication that something like that could happen to Jason. He admits he has an understanding family, his sister is a lesbian, he has great friends and, it seemed to me, very nice colleagues. There were no traumatic events in his past. I just couldn't help thinking, as uncharitable as it was: Will you do it already?!
Chad's beliefs and his previous bad experience made me understand why he was pushing Jason to come out. made my previous sympathies for him vanish completely. It seemed wrong to me that Jason did not make this decision alone - .
I also didn't get why Jason and Chad were so into each other, except for the great sex. We were told they were perfect for each other, but maybe we should have been shown as well.
The other characters did not appeal to me either. Jason's sister was two-dimensional at best, not to mention annoying, and his friends... Well, let's just say , no matter how good your intentions might be.
Like every other Ethan Day's book, this one didn't lack humor. Jason's maniacal cleaning of anything "gay" from his apartment as well as his Valium-induced honesty were hilarious. The story was entertaining enough, but it just didn't resonate as much as Ethan's other works. I will be rereading some of his books for years to come - like Sno Ho series and, especially, At Piper's Point - and I know I will never get bored with them. I just don't know how often I will be returning to this one.
3.5 stars
I can't say I actually disliked them but I didn't liked them very much either. Jason is a closeted man. This makes his life increasingly difficult, make him envy his friends and behave - as he says himself - like an asshole. I am usually very sympathetic towards closeted characters, but I had trouble understanding why he decided to stay in the closet, especially when he met Chad. I get that fear of coming out is not at all irrational, because there are no guarantees that your life wouldn't be "ripped to shreds before your eyes". However, we weren't given any indication that something like that could happen to Jason. He admits he has an understanding family, his sister is a lesbian, he has great friends and, it seemed to me, very nice colleagues. There were no traumatic events in his past. I just couldn't help thinking, as uncharitable as it was: Will you do it already?!
Chad's beliefs and his previous bad experience made me understand why he was pushing Jason to come out. made my previous sympathies for him vanish completely. It seemed wrong to me that Jason did not make this decision alone - .
I also didn't get why Jason and Chad were so into each other, except for the great sex. We were told they were perfect for each other, but maybe we should have been shown as well.
The other characters did not appeal to me either. Jason's sister was two-dimensional at best, not to mention annoying, and his friends... Well, let's just say , no matter how good your intentions might be.
Like every other Ethan Day's book, this one didn't lack humor. Jason's maniacal cleaning of anything "gay" from his apartment as well as his Valium-induced honesty were hilarious. The story was entertaining enough, but it just didn't resonate as much as Ethan's other works. I will be rereading some of his books for years to come - like Sno Ho series and, especially, At Piper's Point - and I know I will never get bored with them. I just don't know how often I will be returning to this one.
3.5 stars
March 13, 2011
Another great book by Ethan Day, I love that he always add humour to his stories and this alone make you fall in love with the characters in his books, I can't wait for his next next book. Keep them coming.
I can't say to much without spoilers but it is a great read. Any story that can make you laugh out loud is worth every cent you paid for.
I can't say to much without spoilers but it is a great read. Any story that can make you laugh out loud is worth every cent you paid for.
March 16, 2011
One of the things I love about Ethan Day's books is the humor. "Anything for You" is no exception. I'm getting use to people looking at me while reading one of his books when I start to giggle and lol at some situation or quotes his characters are famous for. I have no problem recommending this book. Hope to read more!!!!
April 26, 2017
3.5 stars, rounded up bc Goodreads.
One major niggle up front - the way Trent drugged Jason, as unintentional as the consequences were - yeah, super not cool. I was mad!
But I got over it.
Jason is deep in the closet. So deep he's actually almost in Narnia. Not out to anyone except his closest friends, he has a basket by his front door so he can quickly "de-gay" his apartment whenever someone not his closest friends comes over. Such as his sister. Who's a lesbian herself, and who you'd think Jason might feel comfortable opening up to.
But no. Jason is in Narnia.
Then he meets Chad, while under the influence of alcohol and Valium. Chad is a coming-out guru who's recently moved back from D.C. and Jason wants to make like a monkey and climb him. And does. Repeatedly.
Except there's that thing about being in Narnia, and while Chad is patient for a while, eventually Jason needs to make up his mind about what's more important - staying in the closet and losing Chad, or joining the rainbow and keeping the love of his life.
With snappy dialogue, tons of humor, snark, and sarcasm, this is a fun and cute and really quick read. But it's not just a romantic comedy, there's some sadness and some angst too, but it's mixed in relatively sparsely and doesn't overpower the romance or the comedy. Well-developed characters, and a fine supporting cast, especially Jason's sister Annie, make this a great book to read during a long lunch break.
Recommended!
** I received a free copy of this book from the author upon its re-release. A positive review was not promised in return. **
One major niggle up front - the way Trent drugged Jason, as unintentional as the consequences were - yeah, super not cool. I was mad!
But I got over it.
Jason is deep in the closet. So deep he's actually almost in Narnia. Not out to anyone except his closest friends, he has a basket by his front door so he can quickly "de-gay" his apartment whenever someone not his closest friends comes over. Such as his sister. Who's a lesbian herself, and who you'd think Jason might feel comfortable opening up to.
But no. Jason is in Narnia.
Then he meets Chad, while under the influence of alcohol and Valium. Chad is a coming-out guru who's recently moved back from D.C. and Jason wants to make like a monkey and climb him. And does. Repeatedly.
Except there's that thing about being in Narnia, and while Chad is patient for a while, eventually Jason needs to make up his mind about what's more important - staying in the closet and losing Chad, or joining the rainbow and keeping the love of his life.
With snappy dialogue, tons of humor, snark, and sarcasm, this is a fun and cute and really quick read. But it's not just a romantic comedy, there's some sadness and some angst too, but it's mixed in relatively sparsely and doesn't overpower the romance or the comedy. Well-developed characters, and a fine supporting cast, especially Jason's sister Annie, make this a great book to read during a long lunch break.
Recommended!
** I received a free copy of this book from the author upon its re-release. A positive review was not promised in return. **
March 26, 2024
Ethan Day had such a lovely way of crafting a story, I really miss his voice. Anything For You is a sweet coming out story, with plenty of Day humor and interesting characters. Very enjoyable.
May 23, 2011
More of a 4.5 than a true 5, only because I had a big issue with something one of the characters did.
Ethan Day writes some of the best romantic comedy stories out there. I've always adored his characters and they never fail to find themselves in some truly hilarious if unwanted/unwarranted situations. Ethan has such a knack for delivering what should be slapstick with a comedic beat and all without being absurd.
In Anything for You, you are rooting for Jason to come out of the closet, to embrace who he really is, but you cringe for him when things begin happening that seem so out of his control.
This story is full of great lines and scenes. Though I won't quote the 'meet the parents' scene - you just have to read it for yourself! - one of my favorite quotes is part of Jason's opening monologue (and Jason monologues a lot, let me tell you!)
And that, my friends is Jason's life in a nutshell. :)
Ethan Day writes some of the best romantic comedy stories out there. I've always adored his characters and they never fail to find themselves in some truly hilarious if unwanted/unwarranted situations. Ethan has such a knack for delivering what should be slapstick with a comedic beat and all without being absurd.
In Anything for You, you are rooting for Jason to come out of the closet, to embrace who he really is, but you cringe for him when things begin happening that seem so out of his control.
This story is full of great lines and scenes. Though I won't quote the 'meet the parents' scene - you just have to read it for yourself! - one of my favorite quotes is part of Jason's opening monologue (and Jason monologues a lot, let me tell you!)
I cursed them all under my breath for making my life so
difficult. "Poor me," I said to my gay friends later that same
evening, while sitting around the table at one of our favorite
watering holes. "It just isn't fair. Why can't they accept me
for who I am?"
To which my snappish, catty, tell-it-like-it-is best friend—
let's be honest, everybody has at least one—replied, "Listen
Wendy Whiner, how do you expect them to accept the fact
that you're gay if you never tell them?"
And that, my friends is Jason's life in a nutshell. :)
January 16, 2013
~~~
I'm wavering between 2 and 3 stars on this one.
It's me really. First I should know better than to read first person and this was really first person.
The story was very, very cute to the point of cutesy. Maybe it's just not fair of me to have an opinion on something so sugary after reading so many angsty, edgy, dark things lately.
The writing was fine, very fast paced and enjoyable enough but there was much to be desired. There was practically no character development, no relationship development and not much of a back story either. The point of the story was for the MC to come out and although he did it was just pretty anti-climatic. There was some build up that he would have to come out to his parents and that just never even developed.
There was also some build up for the MC to bottom and give himself over to his partner but we only had a glimpse of that and it wasn't very fulfilling.
In the end this just felt like an outline for the complete story yet to come. Again, I sort of take the blame for this one as maybe I just wasn't in the right place for this story at this time. I will take a look at Mr. Day's other books as I think his writing style was agreeable to me unless it's always first person.
My tummy zinger scale = 1. When the "I love you(s)" were spoken that moment really worked for me.
~~~
Take a look at my Male/Male Romance Book Blog:
http://www.attentionisarbitrary.blogspot.com
I'm wavering between 2 and 3 stars on this one.
It's me really. First I should know better than to read first person and this was really first person.
The story was very, very cute to the point of cutesy. Maybe it's just not fair of me to have an opinion on something so sugary after reading so many angsty, edgy, dark things lately.
The writing was fine, very fast paced and enjoyable enough but there was much to be desired. There was practically no character development, no relationship development and not much of a back story either. The point of the story was for the MC to come out and although he did it was just pretty anti-climatic. There was some build up that he would have to come out to his parents and that just never even developed.
There was also some build up for the MC to bottom and give himself over to his partner but we only had a glimpse of that and it wasn't very fulfilling.
In the end this just felt like an outline for the complete story yet to come. Again, I sort of take the blame for this one as maybe I just wasn't in the right place for this story at this time. I will take a look at Mr. Day's other books as I think his writing style was agreeable to me unless it's always first person.
My tummy zinger scale = 1. When the "I love you(s)" were spoken that moment really worked for me.
~~~
Take a look at my Male/Male Romance Book Blog:
http://www.attentionisarbitrary.blogspot.com
January 31, 2015
Well, this is genuine humor Ethan Day style. Having read a couple other books of his, I’m quite familiar with his typical snarky, bitchy, foul-mouthed main characters. This time though, I had issues with this book. I felt there were lots of loopholes in the storyline that made me think as if I’m missing something.
I didn’t like most of the characters. Jason was not a nice man, he’s a flake. He was butch but whiny, and for reasons known only by himself was still in the closet. I also found it rather disbelieving for Chad, an ex-activist – who had hurtful past involvement with closeted figure – would actively and readily solicit an introduction and jump into relationship with another closet case. And Trent, that stunt you did with martini and Valium?? I did not think it’s funny, you're the one who HAD TO apologize afterward! As much as the MC (and his best buddy, Brent) kept thinking he should’ve been nicer to him, I couldn’t find what’s so nice about Trent. Introducing Jason and Chad was the only good thing he did, though I wasn’t sure that was the intent. And the rest… *siggghh*
I don’t know… I guess this book just didn’t work for me. At all.
I didn’t like most of the characters. Jason was not a nice man, he’s a flake. He was butch but whiny, and for reasons known only by himself was still in the closet. I also found it rather disbelieving for Chad, an ex-activist – who had hurtful past involvement with closeted figure – would actively and readily solicit an introduction and jump into relationship with another closet case. And Trent, that stunt you did with martini and Valium?? I did not think it’s funny, you're the one who HAD TO apologize afterward! As much as the MC (and his best buddy, Brent) kept thinking he should’ve been nicer to him, I couldn’t find what’s so nice about Trent. Introducing Jason and Chad was the only good thing he did, though I wasn’t sure that was the intent. And the rest… *siggghh*
I don’t know… I guess this book just didn’t work for me. At all.
October 29, 2014
After having read an excellent book in If It Fornicates this book by Ethan Day suffers because I can see how it was just fluff. There was no character development. There was no chemistry between Jason and Chad. It was laughable when they talked about being in love. The sex was uninspiring, even when Jason is topped in a very long time. I had to re-read the scene it was so glossed over.
Don't even get me started on the plot. What plot? I really didn't like Jason's sister either. There were a couple of chuckles but I think the author was trying too hard. Some jokes just fell flat. And that running bit about the turd in a bottle was fucking disgusting. I was eating breakfast while I was reading that and almost threw up in my mouth. I also hate when the characters are going on and on about a funny event and that shit is not funny to me as the reader. Not cool. I'm so glad this book was short because it sucked ass and not in a good way.
Don't even get me started on the plot. What plot? I really didn't like Jason's sister either. There were a couple of chuckles but I think the author was trying too hard. Some jokes just fell flat. And that running bit about the turd in a bottle was fucking disgusting. I was eating breakfast while I was reading that and almost threw up in my mouth. I also hate when the characters are going on and on about a funny event and that shit is not funny to me as the reader. Not cool. I'm so glad this book was short because it sucked ass and not in a good way.
March 29, 2011
This was another comically brilliant story by Ethan Day. Thirty year old Jason Miller is an in-the-closet advertising exec, with no real intentions of ever coming out to his family or his hetro friends. Thirty-one year old Chad Wellington is the epitome of an out and proud gay man; he even gives coming-out seminars. When the two meet at a common friend's lakeside home for a weekend away, they come together effortlessly. After months of dating though, their relationship still has one tiny hiccup: if Jason wants forever with Chad, he'll have to give up the man everyone believes him to be and become the one he truly is.
As always with Ethan Day books, the banter between the characters had me rolling with laughter and emitting very unladylike snorts of amusement. I loved every page of this one and I can't wait for this author's next book!
As always with Ethan Day books, the banter between the characters had me rolling with laughter and emitting very unladylike snorts of amusement. I loved every page of this one and I can't wait for this author's next book!
August 8, 2011
Ethan Day tries a little (a lot) too hard to be witty and snarky, and it seems like a lot of times he doesn't even make sense. There's a whole scene where two characters are having fond memories of college, when some other guys in their dorm kept a jar of poop in their closet?? This was supposed to be funny. I found it horrifying.
This book is mostly sex and the token "dinner-with-the-disapproving-parents" scene, and then Jason is forced out of the closet. Not much to sink your teeth into unless you like awkward, not-quite-funny humor.
This book is mostly sex and the token "dinner-with-the-disapproving-parents" scene, and then Jason is forced out of the closet. Not much to sink your teeth into unless you like awkward, not-quite-funny humor.
April 21, 2011
What a treat this book was! Just loved it!
This is my first Ethan Day book I've read and can't wait to tackle the next one. The book was just too funny and there were times I was actually laughing out loud. The sister in the book cracks me up, Love Jas but OMG just LOVED Chad!!! Deelish!! I love books that through in the funny mix some romance and have things happen over a period of time and E.Day delivers that in this book.
This is my first Ethan Day book I've read and can't wait to tackle the next one. The book was just too funny and there were times I was actually laughing out loud. The sister in the book cracks me up, Love Jas but OMG just LOVED Chad!!! Deelish!! I love books that through in the funny mix some romance and have things happen over a period of time and E.Day delivers that in this book.
June 13, 2012
A perfect story to read in between those books with lots of angst or when all you’re looking for is a quick pick-me-up!
Ethan Day is a great story teller mixing humor with romance then adding in a tiny bit of serious and ending with my favorite an HEA!
I loved Jason and Chad and the supporting characters in this book it was a fun, light read from an author that hasn’t disappointed me yet!
Ethan Day is a great story teller mixing humor with romance then adding in a tiny bit of serious and ending with my favorite an HEA!
I loved Jason and Chad and the supporting characters in this book it was a fun, light read from an author that hasn’t disappointed me yet!
September 7, 2014
Gosh - Ethan Day is the king of funny self-deprecating snark. I find his writing very amusing. I don’t always love his characters (and honestly I wasn’t a huge fan of Jason) but the story itself was a cute, fun read & quite enjoyable overall.
April 11, 2011
What a Wonderful Coming out book, Was so freaking Funny and I just Loved the Boys!!
March 23, 2014
All right, first and foremost, I have to say I hate Trent.
Now, let's move on to closets. Okay, yes, I am not a gay man. I am a bi female. I have no idea what it's like to be a gay man, but I can tell you that I think closets are...dumb? Yes, I know some people to live in them, but really? You can't come out of your closet because of your job? Well, find a new job. Can't come out because you'll lose your family? Well, make your own family...one that supports you. Family isn't about blood! Can't come out because ____________? Do something about it! Make your life work for YOU. I once read that 'happiness is just on the other side of fear' and I truly believe that. Are you happy living a lie? Are you happy pretending to be someone you aren't? Are you happy knowing you have to constantly watch your tongue or body reactions? I know it's probably easier said than done, rearranging your life, but I couldn't imagine living my life in the closet. I couldn't imagine pretending to be someone I am not.
The thing about Jason is WHY was he in closet to begin with? I didn't understand. He was basically out, just never told anyone except his friends/family. I mean, hell, his own sister is a lesbian. Why couldn't he tell her? Why was it so important that he stay in the closet?
Chad, let's talk about you now. I didn't really like you. You KNEW going into the relationship that Jason was in the closet. Yet, you still CHOSE to be with him. YOU made that choice. But, now you are going to put the pressure on Jason to come out? If you are out and proud then why in the hell would you want to date someone in the closet? Why would do that? I don't get it. So, it's your own damn fault for starting a relationship with a closeted man. Then you had to go and be a dick
So besides the hot sex, why were these two together? I didn't understand their relationship. They were perfect for each other? How?
I have to say that the only person in this book I liked was Jason, even though I didn't understand his reasoning for being in the closet. That's his choice though.
Overall, eh. I am sorry to say due to my hate for Trent and Chad's pushy ways, I have to say this book wasn't for me :(
Now, let's move on to closets. Okay, yes, I am not a gay man. I am a bi female. I have no idea what it's like to be a gay man, but I can tell you that I think closets are...dumb? Yes, I know some people to live in them, but really? You can't come out of your closet because of your job? Well, find a new job. Can't come out because you'll lose your family? Well, make your own family...one that supports you. Family isn't about blood! Can't come out because ____________? Do something about it! Make your life work for YOU. I once read that 'happiness is just on the other side of fear' and I truly believe that. Are you happy living a lie? Are you happy pretending to be someone you aren't? Are you happy knowing you have to constantly watch your tongue or body reactions? I know it's probably easier said than done, rearranging your life, but I couldn't imagine living my life in the closet. I couldn't imagine pretending to be someone I am not.
The thing about Jason is WHY was he in closet to begin with? I didn't understand. He was basically out, just never told anyone except his friends/family. I mean, hell, his own sister is a lesbian. Why couldn't he tell her? Why was it so important that he stay in the closet?
Chad, let's talk about you now. I didn't really like you. You KNEW going into the relationship that Jason was in the closet. Yet, you still CHOSE to be with him. YOU made that choice. But, now you are going to put the pressure on Jason to come out? If you are out and proud then why in the hell would you want to date someone in the closet? Why would do that? I don't get it. So, it's your own damn fault for starting a relationship with a closeted man. Then you had to go and be a dick
So besides the hot sex, why were these two together? I didn't understand their relationship. They were perfect for each other? How?
I have to say that the only person in this book I liked was Jason, even though I didn't understand his reasoning for being in the closet. That's his choice though.
Overall, eh. I am sorry to say due to my hate for Trent and Chad's pushy ways, I have to say this book wasn't for me :(
April 14, 2011
OK, so I allowed myself to get side-tracked from the GB challenge to read another Ethan Day book!
This one didn't have the same "pee your pants" humour in it as Sno Ho or Life in Fusion but I loved it all the same.
Our main character, Jason, is very funny and you can sense his growing awkwardness as he tries to navigate his way through the various barriers and obstacles he has created for himself over the years by staying in the closet (the whole basket by the door idea seemed to sum things up pretty well for me).
Jason doesn't really seem to have that many good reasons for not being fully out. Deep down he knows that his parents, sister, colleagues etc. would be accepting of him - but for some reason he can't seem to bring himself to completely trust this.
......and then along comes Chad, who is just wonderful and refuses to give up on Jason, showing him he what he could lose if doesn't finally accept himself. There were some really touching scenes in this book which showed how vulnerable Chad was by putting his faith in Jason (e.g. with his friends from DC, and his parents) and I am glad that Jason was able to show him in the end that (as the title says) he would do "anything for you".
Warning - there is one really GROSS scene in this where Jason and his best friend Brent recount a story about a turd in a jar (I kid you not!). I will never be able to look at a jar of tea in quite the same way! eeewwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww
This one didn't have the same "pee your pants" humour in it as Sno Ho or Life in Fusion but I loved it all the same.
Our main character, Jason, is very funny and you can sense his growing awkwardness as he tries to navigate his way through the various barriers and obstacles he has created for himself over the years by staying in the closet (the whole basket by the door idea seemed to sum things up pretty well for me).
Jason doesn't really seem to have that many good reasons for not being fully out. Deep down he knows that his parents, sister, colleagues etc. would be accepting of him - but for some reason he can't seem to bring himself to completely trust this.
......and then along comes Chad, who is just wonderful and refuses to give up on Jason, showing him he what he could lose if doesn't finally accept himself. There were some really touching scenes in this book which showed how vulnerable Chad was by putting his faith in Jason (e.g. with his friends from DC, and his parents) and I am glad that Jason was able to show him in the end that (as the title says) he would do "anything for you".
Warning - there is one really GROSS scene in this where Jason and his best friend Brent recount a story about a turd in a jar (I kid you not!). I will never be able to look at a jar of tea in quite the same way! eeewwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww
April 12, 2011
This is really a funny book but at the same time it packs a punch. Jason is deeply closeted and Chad is the living ad for coming out. When they meet, their attraction is almost instantaneous, but they both know that Jason's hiding is going to cause them problems.
Jason is the narrator of the book. He has a great sense of humor, but at the same time you can feel his discomfort at not being able to tell to his co-workers and family that he is gay. He is torn in two, because he knows that the lie he is living is disrespectful of his family and co-workers, because it is like he can't trust them with a part of his life; disrespectful of his lover, because he forces Chad to remain in the shadow; but most of all it's disrespectful of himself, of his aspirations and desires. I think that this last part, the inner torment, is the least of Jason's concerns, but it should come first.
Chad is a wonderful man, he is supportive of Jason and he probably tries to lead him out of the closet through his example. I think that Chad took a great risk at showing how cold and barely tolerant his family was to him, but he was able to bring out the best from Jason, the unexpected.
It's a very entertaining, funny, hot story and I think no one should miss Jason's de-gaying process, it's hilarious.
Jason is the narrator of the book. He has a great sense of humor, but at the same time you can feel his discomfort at not being able to tell to his co-workers and family that he is gay. He is torn in two, because he knows that the lie he is living is disrespectful of his family and co-workers, because it is like he can't trust them with a part of his life; disrespectful of his lover, because he forces Chad to remain in the shadow; but most of all it's disrespectful of himself, of his aspirations and desires. I think that this last part, the inner torment, is the least of Jason's concerns, but it should come first.
Chad is a wonderful man, he is supportive of Jason and he probably tries to lead him out of the closet through his example. I think that Chad took a great risk at showing how cold and barely tolerant his family was to him, but he was able to bring out the best from Jason, the unexpected.
It's a very entertaining, funny, hot story and I think no one should miss Jason's de-gaying process, it's hilarious.
March 20, 2011
I loved Anything for You even though I couldn’t stand either of the characters.
I thought Chad was a conniving and manipulative little bastard who believed that he knew what was good for his partner which is something I absolutely hate in a relationship. Jason reminded me a lot of the boyfriend of one of my roomies in college who lived with his wife and kids during the week and then descended on us during the weekend. He’d tell each and everyone what was wrong with us and our lives when he wasn’t fucking our roomie till he screamed. (
But the book was extremely funny and well-written and Ethan managed to make the motivations, hopes and fears of the characters (no matter how flawed they were) easily understandable so that I couldn’t help but feel sympathetic towards the poor misguided darlings. After all, that’s how people are in real life: torn, imperfect, inconsequent and stumbling through life trying to find happiness.
The most wonderful thing about this book was how it showed us that real love is amazing because it makes us dare to do things we’d never do for ourselves but which we will do for the one we love.
I thought Chad was a conniving and manipulative little bastard who believed that he knew what was good for his partner which is something I absolutely hate in a relationship. Jason reminded me a lot of the boyfriend of one of my roomies in college who lived with his wife and kids during the week and then descended on us during the weekend. He’d tell each and everyone what was wrong with us and our lives when he wasn’t fucking our roomie till he screamed. (
But the book was extremely funny and well-written and Ethan managed to make the motivations, hopes and fears of the characters (no matter how flawed they were) easily understandable so that I couldn’t help but feel sympathetic towards the poor misguided darlings. After all, that’s how people are in real life: torn, imperfect, inconsequent and stumbling through life trying to find happiness.
The most wonderful thing about this book was how it showed us that real love is amazing because it makes us dare to do things we’d never do for ourselves but which we will do for the one we love.
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