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Jump First

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For Heath, the star highlight of every week is attending his writers’ group meeting. The leader, Marguerite May, writes romance novels, and not just any The dude/dude kind that are so freakin hot, Heath gets embarrassed to critique them. But don't tell He secretly adores her books and buys them all. With a fake ID.

Marguerite’s son, Ryan, just happens to be the most beautiful guy in the universe. Confident, athletic, and with such a cool mom, Ryan’s got everything a high school senior could want—which is everything Heath lacks. Too bad Ryan is straight. But thanks to a flaky computer and an unexpected request, Heath will get to know his idols better, and he’ll discover that nothing he believes about them is true.

104 pages, Kindle Edition

First published May 3, 2011

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Charles Edward

75 books43 followers

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5 stars
32 (11%)
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123 (43%)
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 53 reviews
Profile Image for Jade Archer.
Author 24 books174 followers
May 12, 2011
Okay dokey...they say confession is good for the soul, so here goes...In the spirit of full disclosure I want to say up front that I consider Charles Edward my friend and I did critique part of this story before publication. Having said that, I'm not in the habit of recommending books to others I don't enjoy, and I can honestly say I thoroughly enjoyed this story!

A Brief Overview : Take one young, gifted writer (Heath), mix with a cast of writers and authors from all walks of life and one opinionated published mother/author with a bitch setting up waaayyy high. Place in a writing critique group, and add one shy and somewhat aloof love interest (Ryan). Watch the sparks fly when Ryan is finally brave enough to ask for Heath's help with a little project.

Both main characters in this novella are in their late teens and Mr Edward does a wonderful job IMO of capturing that energy and crazy roller-a-coaster ride of awkwardness and hormone overload. The sex scenes were certainly smokin' hot between these two guys!!!! (Yes, I thought that required more than one exclaimation mark too!) But at the same time the characters and story manages to be about more than just sex and lust. It's about being brave and honest, and in the end forgiving. I really liked that about this plot. Written in the first person, from Heath's POV, not only was it technically a very well written story, but the humour and depth of connection I felt to Heath made this one a truly great read.

In short, highly recommended for anyone looking for a young love/first crush-made-good story about two slightly geeky, awkward guys that are finally brave enough to jump and end up burning up the sheets! Thank you Charles, I loved finding out how this one ended. :)

And just for the record...I didn't wonder. :)

Profile Image for Ami.
6,209 reviews489 followers
May 5, 2011
3.5 stars
What amuses me most about Jump First is the writing group scenes. I can imagine it so easily in my head, how these want-to-be-published writers meet and try to make each other's stories better. I also enjoy the voice of the narrator, Stuart (the story is written in 1st person view); his monologue/thoughts can be downright funny as hell.

Like this, for example ...

And then he took me in deep.
Oh!
That last “Oh”? Pretend it was followed by about thirty exclamation points. Real writers don‟t do that, and I understand, but right now I think it‟s a stupid rule

However, I'm not very much into his love interest, Ryan. I don't know why ... probably because this is a short novella, and since it is written in 1st person, I don't feel that I have enough time to "get" him or like him emotionally. Though I can detect a seed of being submissive in bed ... Oh, and Ryan's mother can be so bitchy :).

But other than that, it's quite enjoyable story.
Profile Image for ♥Laddie♥ (Lee Lee).
353 reviews127 followers
May 6, 2011
3.5

Were there little things about this book that threw me off? Yeah, there were but the story's cute factor was high, making me push aside every little thing that bothered me.

I was in the mood for something sweet. Heath and Ryan were just what I needed.

I imagine that one of the hardest things about writing characters in their late teens is trying to catch the essence of that teen mentality. A lot of authors strip their 18 and 19 year old characters of that last bit of the bumbling innocence that many people in their late teens have. Charles Edward managed to avoid that trap.

The story is in first person and our narrator is high school senior Heath. Heath is an aspiring writer who's part of a critique group. The host of the group is his favorite M/M romance author, Marguerite. Heath just happens to have the hugest crush on Marguerite's son Ryan.

The way the two young men find their way to each other was absolutely adorable. Somehow, these two characters managed to have that small taste of innocence without coming off too young. That kept the steamier scenes from being uncomfortable for me. Heath and Ryan were also nice characters. No nasty teen angst. Instead the author brought them to life by giving them that awkward self-conciousness I remember having as a teen.

The best thing about this story? I feel like Charles Edward set out to write a sugary but intelligent story and that's exactly what he did. He didn't go off track with hardcore angst, have the characters hurt each other or hit the reader with a big misunderstanding. The author avoided all of that and the story was still engaging. I can't explain how much I appreciated that.

This story hit many of the right notes and I'm eager to read this author's work in the future.
Profile Image for Isabella.
159 reviews
August 10, 2011
Absolutely beautiful!!!

MJ suggested to people to read your latest release and I went and got this story to see what it was all about. I loved it, which in my world means you just got yourself another fan who loves your writing.

The story was too endearing for words. A little bit of misdirection, a surprised mom, mild BDSM and a beautiful love story. Basically all the ingredients of a kick ass book.
Profile Image for Sarah.
190 reviews9 followers
May 31, 2011
Holy awesome snark! The entire book is basically a caricature of writing groups, which makes it both incredibly funny and vaguely offensive. I liked the definite teenage boy feel of everything. The romance in this is just perfectly paced, to the extent that I want to wag my finger at some other authors. I did feel that they should have been a little slower jumping into bed together, but this is a novella, and there's only so much time for such things to happen in.

Some problems-

These people aren't just bad with technology. They are honest-to-gawd tech-stupid, which doesn't fit with my own knowledge of what writers are like. The people in this book act like it's the advice of the gods when a file crashes and they suggest such things as changing the font and checking the sent mail folder for another copy-- and our main character didn't know what this was beforehand. The tech stupidity is sort of covered by Heath saying he doesn't know much about computers, but in my world and the world of those born in the late 80s/early 90s, that kind of thing is basic knowledge. Also, everyone seems kind of tech-stupid, not just Heath. Most writers I know, at least, understand the sent mail folder.

Also, the word "passé" was used several times to refer to verb tenses; this is only used in French. What should be used is "past." It drove me nuts, since it was half-French and half-English. At the very least, the editor should have caught that.

That being said, these are such minor things. Overall, a really good novella.
Profile Image for A.B. Gayle.
Author 20 books192 followers
June 10, 2011
First up, I should mention that I helped Charles edit this book. However, I don't think that precludes me from rating it as really the book was there before I started.

Sure I helped him tweak a few paragraphs around and got him to expand a couple of sections, but my input was minor.

What I really liked about this book was that he got the voice, thoughts, insecurities and motivations of a young man just right.

It wasn't an easy job writing a book where the background is the scene of the genre it's set in. Charles manages to tread a fine line between enjoying the people that write in the genre without satirising them. I think he succeeded in doing that simply because he likes and respects his peers.

Guys the age of his protagonists don't see the subtleties of a person's nature, so keeping his secondary characters simple (and in some respects cartoonish) worked for me. Sure, Marquerite, might make some people squirm, because she does things we all hope we don't do. But her personality needs to be like that for the plot to work.

As a first published story, I think "Jump First" is a brilliant start, and no doubt Charles will soon be helping me like I helped him. That's what critique partners do.

The book succeeds in being exactly what the writer wanted it to be, a whimsical exploration of coming out, first love and two people sharing a love of writing.

I enjoyed helping Charles add those last little finishing touches.
Profile Image for Anna May.
Author 11 books29 followers
May 9, 2011
The story line was good, had a lot of humour in it. But I couldn't warm up to any of the characters. I thought Heath was acting silly at times and while I could understand Ryan's motivation, I still fail to find any shred of sympathy for Margarite.

Overall I have to say the book didn't hold my interest even though it had some good points going for it. The writing was descriptive but the characters simply weren't likeable to me.

It would seem I am in a minority with his, having read the other opinions but I guess this book wasn't for me. I would urge everyone then to buy it and make up his or her own mind... :)
Profile Image for Kathleen.
Author 21 books105 followers
December 14, 2011
Initially, I steered clear of this book because I was not attracted to the cover (yes I occasionally judge a book by its cover...so sue me). But I heard good things about it so I decided to give it a shot. I am very glad that I did!!! This was a fun story about a high school senior realizing the boy he has crushed on for ages likes him too but it is also so much more. =) Throw in a little self deprecating humor, horny swimming and two adorable MCs and you get this wonderful book. If you have ever read my blog, you know that I love and minorly obsess over first kisses and let me just say...this one gave me shivers and tingles. So Jump First gets my first kiss seal of approval and 4 stars!
Profile Image for Katharina.
630 reviews24 followers
December 23, 2013
3.75

A very sweet, short read, with two charming high school boys as the main characters. There were several elements here that I really enjoyed - the writing group scenes, for example, and Heath, the protagonist: he's the perfect kind of geeky, nice, but not a push-over in the least.

I didn't like Ryan's mother that much - I know that this is intended, but even as a character she seemed too flat to me, too easily categorised.

Still, this story was very enjoyable to read. I'm not that much into Young Adult literature, so this was a positive surprise for me!
Profile Image for Roger Kean.
Author 32 books85 followers
June 19, 2011
Will high-schooler Heath ever write something worthwhile? Will Ryan, the most gorgeous guy in the universe, come across for him? Will Ry's successful author-mother ever see the error of her ways? Neat characters, a lesson in how to plot and write a book, a central mystery solved, and…very hot M/M sex. What more could you want in a novella?
Profile Image for Carly.
359 reviews4 followers
August 13, 2011
Ryan's final line is one of the cutest declarations I have ever heard or read. And the whole story is such a wonderful mess of fear and bravery and hotness and writing fiction. Love Heath's voice. Love Tippy.
Profile Image for Alec.
43 reviews1 follower
March 28, 2012
This was a very sweet first love story with an interesting inside scoop to the writing process as well as the specifics of writing M/M.
Profile Image for Elisa Rolle.
Author 109 books236 followers
Read
August 6, 2012
I think Jump First was intended to be a light coming of age story, but I read a touch of bitterness that made it not so light to my eyes. First of all, while the author tried to make Marguerite a nice character to the reader’s eyes, at least at the beginning, I had an instinctively aversion on her regards. She seemed to me fake, and I tried to understand if the author was referencing to someone real, or if he was simply directing a group. In any case my first reaction to her was in the end the right one, even if she is trying to make amend when the story closes.

Aside for this side of the story, the rest of the plot is about two teenagers falling in love; Heath and his high school mate Ryan have a lot in common, but they are also desperately shy. It will be not the easy “jump” of the title for them to realize they have feeling for each other, but once they do, there is really no drama for them. They are young, they are trouble-free, and the future is bright for them. They have also probably a career ready in front of them, and I can see them becoming an upper class suburban couple, maybe even with a kid or two, or maybe a dog (or two!).

I wondered a little on the author, if this was a story taken by his own experience. If I have to trust the bio at the end of the book, he is a married man in a same-sex couple… maybe this is explaining a little his attitude towards the character of Marguerite, but it’s also explaining Heath and Ryan’s relationship: if you are part of an happy and steady couple, you are probably able to instill this positive attitude in your teenager characters, if you have it, why not prospect it to your own characters?

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B004Z9A91W/?...
Profile Image for AJ.
Author 81 books186 followers
June 16, 2011
Heath is a shy teenager who is thrilled to be invited to join his favorite author, Marguerite May’s, critique group. The bonus to this weekly meeting is seeing her son Ryan. Little does Heath know he was asked to join the group for alterative motives. Ryan and his mother are keeping a secret from the group and the world at large.

Ryan is harboring deep feelings for Heath but unsure if Heath shares the same attraction. Ryan uses Heath’s love of storytelling and writing to get to know him on a more personal level. He uses the excuse that he needs help developing a story he’s been wanting to write knowing that Heath wouldn’t refuse. Spending hour upon hour alone together sooner or later something has got to give.

When Ryan and his mother’s secret comes outs it’s up to Heath to take a leap of faith. Leave Ryan for him being dishonest with him? Or jump first without asking any questions to be with the man he has become to care for?

I really liked how the author brought these two men together in a slow manner so you get to see how their relationship grows. The chemistry between the two men is evident but being young they are unsure how to express their needs and wants sexually. The author wrote two very believable characters as they muddle through the struggles of finding their first love.

Jump First is told from first person point of view and loaded with very good descriptions. As the reader you feel a part of this story. I really respected the author for not throwing these two men into an extreme sexual situation being as their only teenagers still in high school. This was an excellent read that I would recommend to all readers.


701 reviews6 followers
May 31, 2011
Charles Edward’s Jump First is a quirky little tale about high school senior Heath who is a member of a writer’s critiquing group. Heath goes because he wants help writing his sci-fi novel and he likes drooling over the group’s leader’s son, Ryan. Told from Heath’s first person POV, the novella is an amusing insight into a teenage boy’s mind and has some very funny passages that made me adore Heath and root for him to get his man, uh, boy.

The only issue I had with the book was the characterization of Marguerite, Ryan’s mother. Supposedly she is the adult and in charge of the writer’s group, but unfortunately she comes off as immature, shrewish and involved in a totally inappropriate relationship with her son – not sexually – but in other ways. (I don’t want to explain more fully as that would give away a key piece of the plot). Suffice to say, I did not like Marguerite and her interaction with both Heath and Ryan took the book down from off-beat coming-of-age story to soap opera drama territory. Thankfully she wasn’t in the book very much or it would have completely ruined it.

That was the only problem I had with the novella. But there is an easy solution to this: skip Marguerite’s scenes and revel in Heath and Ryan’s burgeoning love story – as together they are cuter than rainbows, puppy dogs and kittens. Plus the scenes with the aspiring writers in the group – all fall down funny. Truly, a delightful and original tale.

Dark Divas Reviews
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for ManOhMan.
269 reviews
August 15, 2011
Reviewed by Jamie: What a delight this story was! I devoured it very quickly and know I will read it again.

The plot features Heath, a sweet and shy high school senior who desperately wants to write so visits a writer's group every week, chaired by a published author who writes saucy male/male romance. Heath doesn't let the other writers in the group know that he adores reading the male/male themes in secret, as he's too shy to come out, especially to the author's own handsome son, Ryan, who just happens to go high school with Heath.

This story is rather unique, I haven't read another like it and it was a breath of fresh air. It is told by Heath, and while does start off shy and self-depreciating, in a very amusing way, please do keep reading as the story really picks up pace and surprised me with really clever twists and turns.

I adored the characters, I was laughing quite a lot which I hadn't expected, but it didn't detract from the sweet story of finding love. Another point was that I loved the front cover and was pleased that it matched the story perfectly! I would really recommend this book.


A+
Profile Image for Amy.
659 reviews1 follower
December 3, 2011
As I am in a critique group as well (and subject some of them to my tame glbtq stories), I just HAD to read this. As far as the romance goes, I was very pleased by it. The boys were sweet together and the story had very hot romance without being PWP (plot? What plot?).

What I didn't think worked so well, was the mother. She went from one extreme to the other. I loved being able to hate her, but then she was all better and understanding by the next chapter. Maybe we just didn't get to see the transition because she was the mother of the non-POV character? Maybe it was because the book was too short to be able to get the full character arc? Either way, forgivable enough to only lose the rating one star.
Profile Image for Stacey Jo.
633 reviews203 followers
August 5, 2012
What an awesome book! It's going on my favorites shelf and I'd happily dish out a sixth star if I could. It was so well written.

I love how Heath really seems to come into his own by the end. He seems so quiet and timid at first. And I thought it was really sweet how Ryan tested him out to see if he was interested. By the end, Heath really knows what he wants :o) There's a twist that's pretty cool too. I disliked Marguerite from the start and never did grow to like her much even though she seemed to show that she was starting to come around by the end.

My only complaint is that it was too short! I'd love to see another book featuring Heath and Ryan. Maybe in their college years. What happens next?
Profile Image for Kira.
187 reviews
May 15, 2011

I just finished reading this, and I have to say I haven't read such a funny, light, cute and sexy little story in a while.

For one,it perfectly conveys some of the emotions everyone goes through with their first, more or less unrequited crush. That was excellently told. I loved all the inner musings of Heath and all the humor in this little story.

It was wonderful, quite realistic and as a writer and a not-straight person, I could totally identify with the characters.

Very nice writing, perfect length (for once I wasn't thinking "OMG this needs to be longer!!") and certainly something I could recommend to someone who hasn't read any M/M before.

Very good indeed. :)
Profile Image for Becky.
462 reviews57 followers
August 13, 2011
I liked this one quite a bit. Heath and Ryan were sweet, and their attraction completely believable. The twist revealed in the second half of the story was implausible at best, and I found it highly unlikely that they'd be so aware of their own desires and sexually in sync right off the bat (they are after all teenagers, and all though it's never explicitly stated, the suggestion is that neither have any experience). But I was willing to go along with the fantasy for the sake of a fun story.
Profile Image for Brandon Fox.
Author 7 books40 followers
May 8, 2011
This story has all the right elements: engaging characters, humor, drama, polished writing and a plot that moves right along. The dialogue is extremely well done and the sexy parts are entertaining. Another thing that stands out is the adept use of descriptions to make the story feel very realistic. Hopefully we'll see a lot more of this author's work.
Profile Image for Lily.
Author 14 books18 followers
September 6, 2011
I thought this book depicted a very realistic situation between two guys who are pussy footing around with their relationship. Heath is part of a book critique group and Ryan is the son of the woman who runs the group.

Sparks fly between them but they are both reluctant to go further. I loved the pacing and how these two men finally get it together.

Profile Image for Jess Candela.
624 reviews37 followers
September 28, 2011
Sweet story, I really enjoyed it. The writing group scenes were an utter delight. The teenagers really seemed like teenagers to me, teetering on that cusp between childhood and adulthood. And the mother was, I thought, realistically portrayed through teenage eyes. Especially through disillusioned teenage eyes in major lust with her son.
Profile Image for Jennifer Wardrip.
Author 5 books516 followers
November 9, 2012
Part coming-of-age tale, part teen m/m romance, part hilarious parody of a writer's critique group. I enjoyed the writing style, and the plot wasn't bad, but I have to admit that I enjoyed the subplot of the writer's group (and Marguerite May) than the actual main plot of the two teenage boys growing into their sexuality.
Profile Image for Dena.
2,761 reviews
October 17, 2013
3.5* Really cute story--I did think the love scenes were a little advanced for two boys, even though they were very familiar with m/m romance books. I would have liked an apology from the Mom for her extreme rudeness to, well, pretty much everybody. Still I enjoyed it and will read more from this author.
Profile Image for Ana.
1,247 reviews35 followers
March 26, 2014
Slightly childish and angst-ridden but also incredibly cute. First-time lovers and all. I'm such a sap. Besides I liked them both. I was just sorry it was all so rushed and brief. I'd have liked more time to get to know them and everything. Oh well. It was still enjoyable. Good ending. Non-assuming but happy nevertheless.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Mary.
490 reviews106 followers
May 13, 2011
I really liked this; Ryan and Heath's feelings for each other are so pure at times. The scenes of them together held this really erotic yet sweet touch. As for Marguerite-Ryan's mom-she made me want to smack her...really, really hard.
Profile Image for Ivka_s_knihou.
1,796 reviews36 followers
May 10, 2011
That was absolutely amazing piece of work from new author. The book is very well written. Plot is interesting with their writing group. Heath is really funny guy with his thoughts. Ryan is nice inteligent man. And their scenes together are hot as hell. :)
Profile Image for Nene.
268 reviews7 followers
May 7, 2011
This is one of those stories that has you grinning from ear to ear. You just really *like* Heath and want good things for him, and you get what he's going through!! So stinking sweet! I will admit that the last bit threw me for a loop, but not really in a bad way. Just surprised me.

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