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O’Shaughnessys #1
When Irish Eyes Are Smiling
118 pages, ebook
Published January 1, 2006
1 person is currently reading
186 people want to read
About the author
Tom Collins
2 books22 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name. See this thread for more information.
(2)gay romance
(2)gay romance
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
September 10, 2011
Very good free m/m romance about two guys who live in the same building, each surreptitiously eying the other for the past several months. It was refreshing to watch a relationship develop and to see them working through issues in what felt like a realistic fashion.
March 6, 2013
For most of the book I was planning to give this a straight 2 star rating. The rapid-fire POV shifts were unsettling, the prose sounded like classic Letters to Penthouse, and the dialog was often stilted and artificial. AND we got casual bareback sex when the guys only knew each other for a coupla days -- which continued even when one MC suspected that the other MC was cheating. Oh, and multiple very weird tense fluctuations, especially at the beginning. Bah.
But then....but then....well, I really liked the sentiment in the last third or quarter of the book. Although the writing could've used lots of improvement, I started to really appreciate the **emotions** behind the writing. I especially liked the development of Devlin's character. He started out as the Macho Man of the pair, but he grew and matured throughout the book. I liked the way Devlin was willing to adapt and learn to make himself vulnerable; I liked the way he learned to recognize and own up to his past screwups; and I liked the way he was willing to do **anything** -- even -- just to make Joel happy. I also liked the way that *both* guys really blew it in their Big Misunderstanding, and how they both got over it.
Two random examples of passages I liked --
A great line, when both MCs are being idiots and not communicating -- "She shoved back her chair, took up her coffee and eyed me with disgust. "If you and Joel had been lesbians, this would have never happened!""
Also -- I always like subversions of expectations, even minor ones. In this quote Devlin -- who has learned to bottom for the very first time for Joel -- is narrating. Joel is topping, but instead of Joel doing the macho "mineminemine" bit, Joel is essentially telling Devlin "yoursyoursyours" while this happens. As Devlin says -- "He was giving himself to me, surrendering utterly and completely even as he pinned and claimed me." It makes better sense if you read the whole passage, but in any case I thought it was very nice.
So anyway -- significant problems, but the emotional development of the last third or so dragged the book out of the 2 star gutter for me. 3 stars, and I'm gonna see how much this author improves with the sequel When Irish Eyes Are Sparkling.
But then....but then....well, I really liked the sentiment in the last third or quarter of the book. Although the writing could've used lots of improvement, I started to really appreciate the **emotions** behind the writing. I especially liked the development of Devlin's character. He started out as the Macho Man of the pair, but he grew and matured throughout the book. I liked the way Devlin was willing to adapt and learn to make himself vulnerable; I liked the way he learned to recognize and own up to his past screwups; and I liked the way he was willing to do **anything** -- even -- just to make Joel happy. I also liked the way that *both* guys really blew it in their Big Misunderstanding, and how they both got over it.
Two random examples of passages I liked --
A great line, when both MCs are being idiots and not communicating -- "She shoved back her chair, took up her coffee and eyed me with disgust. "If you and Joel had been lesbians, this would have never happened!""
Also -- I always like subversions of expectations, even minor ones. In this quote Devlin -- who has learned to bottom for the very first time for Joel -- is narrating. Joel is topping, but instead of Joel doing the macho "mineminemine" bit, Joel is essentially telling Devlin "yoursyoursyours" while this happens. As Devlin says -- "He was giving himself to me, surrendering utterly and completely even as he pinned and claimed me." It makes better sense if you read the whole passage, but in any case I thought it was very nice.
So anyway -- significant problems, but the emotional development of the last third or so dragged the book out of the 2 star gutter for me. 3 stars, and I'm gonna see how much this author improves with the sequel When Irish Eyes Are Sparkling.
June 21, 2011
It was an enjoyable read. I suppose I should have read this first, then move on to When Irish Eyes Are Sparkling but in the end it was better to read it backwards.
I understood why there was such a definite line and evident separation in the storytelling of each character. Because they were written by two people. No wonder it was so easy to discern one from the other and have such opposite reactions and feelings conveyed so distinctly.
Maybe because I read the sequel first, this story seemed a bit less convincing. The feelings and actions were there but I could also sense a bit too much physical intimacy and not enough time for the emotions to develop. The story came off as being a bit of love at first sight (which is not something I can easily imagine). But both Joel and Devlin made for compelling characters, with flaws and doubts, making mistakes from wrong assumptions. And it was these evidence of human nature that made me like them even more.
I usually enjoy plenty of sex in the story but somehow, it seemed a bit over the top here. Or perhaps because I knew bits and pieces of the Joel's family, I was hoping they would get more attention. I wanted to know how they were together as much as I wanted to know how they as a couple interacted and blended with family and friends.
Overall however, I liked the story! I'm hoping there will be a third installment, bringing back Joel and Devlin, Liam and Oliver.
I understood why there was such a definite line and evident separation in the storytelling of each character. Because they were written by two people. No wonder it was so easy to discern one from the other and have such opposite reactions and feelings conveyed so distinctly.
Maybe because I read the sequel first, this story seemed a bit less convincing. The feelings and actions were there but I could also sense a bit too much physical intimacy and not enough time for the emotions to develop. The story came off as being a bit of love at first sight (which is not something I can easily imagine). But both Joel and Devlin made for compelling characters, with flaws and doubts, making mistakes from wrong assumptions. And it was these evidence of human nature that made me like them even more.
I usually enjoy plenty of sex in the story but somehow, it seemed a bit over the top here. Or perhaps because I knew bits and pieces of the Joel's family, I was hoping they would get more attention. I wanted to know how they were together as much as I wanted to know how they as a couple interacted and blended with family and friends.
Overall however, I liked the story! I'm hoping there will be a third installment, bringing back Joel and Devlin, Liam and Oliver.
March 25, 2023
I enjoyed Lena and her family. The problems they had were real for the time. The portrayal of the Berger family set up an interesting conflict that made the plot intriguing.
November 28, 2011
I have to say I was very confused by this book. The first half the writing seemed very disjointed, nothing happened but them having sex for like 30 pages at a time and the first person POV was highly frustrating. Then, about halfway through, it seemed it started being written by a completely different person...the POV was no longer choppy, sex seemed more reasonable and there appeared to be an actual plot. I know that one of the writers stayed the same throughout (Joel's POV) and one writer changed halfway through (Dev's POV) so I thought that might be it but both POVs seemed to change voice...maybe just a difference in how the authors worked together. I have to say if this had not been a challenge book, going just from the first 60 pages or so I would have put it in my dnf pile but, because it was a challenge book, I stuck it through and ended up enjoying the second half of the book. I am glad I read this tho because I was curious about Joel and Dev's story after reading When Irish Eyes Are Sparkling. Whatever my reservations about this book, I think the writer worked out his kinks and grew a bit because none of the writing issues I had here still existed in the second book (yes I read them out of order). So, 2.5 stars rounded up to 3 stars.
September 26, 2011
When I started this book I wasn't sure I was liking it. As I kept reading however, the story of Devlin and Joel kept me intrigued. It ended with a great HEA and I will definitely read the next one.
I had some issues with the the graphic sex and there being no mention of protection. I would have been ok with that if it was just the author leaving it out, and the reader assuming it was used. Unfortunately, the result of not using it was enjoyed by the M/C. This may not be an issue for others who just want a romance and can suspend belief. I can't. It bothers me.
I wish there had been fewer sex scenes because I really enjoyed the story when it wasn't about that. This needed editing, but it was a free read so I overlooked it.
Overall it was a good story and Joel and Devlin grew on me. 3.5 stars
I had some issues with the the graphic sex and there being no mention of protection. I would have been ok with that if it was just the author leaving it out, and the reader assuming it was used. Unfortunately, the result of not using it was enjoyed by the M/C. This may not be an issue for others who just want a romance and can suspend belief. I can't. It bothers me.
I wish there had been fewer sex scenes because I really enjoyed the story when it wasn't about that. This needed editing, but it was a free read so I overlooked it.
Overall it was a good story and Joel and Devlin grew on me. 3.5 stars
February 19, 2012
I really liked this book. I enjoyed getting to know Joel and Devlin through their first person storytelling; they had such varying perspectives of the same situations. There isn't too much angst (thank God). Joel is a little wary of a new relationship, having come off a bad break-up with his last boyfriend. And Devlin is adjusting to this new relationship with a man--he is bi and his previous relationship was with a woman. There are several sex scenes (yea), but they never got boring because as their relationship progressed, their sexual encounters evolved. This was a great read and it was FREE!
September 20, 2011
A fun, sexy contemporary romance. Both main characters have issues to over come, although Devlin's journey is greater and gets more focus. My only real problem is that both sides are told in first person, and it was easy to get confused about who was who. Otherwise, a satisfying (and free!) story.
November 1, 2016
Loved it great characters wonderful story and writing. Wish I could find book 2 somewhere. The publisher it was with is out of business. Wish this author had more stories published that I could find.
August 27, 2011
sort of a prequel to When Irish Eyes are Sparkling, in that it's about the same family, so there are multiple cross-over characters. fun story
October 4, 2011
It had good relationship plot with tinge of angst, but to me, it seemd to have way too much sex scenes that did not advance the story.
December 30, 2013
3.5 stars. Liked the second one better, but enjoyed the early look at this family.
November 30, 2011
Lovely free read which I would have happily paid for. Loved the relationship stuff, the way they worked things out and everything. Really good.
February 20, 2015
I love this Irish family. They are hilarious. I wish there were more scenes with them. This was a hot read, but I wanted more story. I read it online and I'm bummed I can't have it in my library.
September 17, 2013
well its nice that the right man can really make you stronger. Make you settle for what you really deserve and not less.
October 13, 2013
Erotic free m/m story. A bit repetitive, since frequently scenes are told from both POVs. Loved the secondary characters like Deb and Gabe.
October 3, 2014
Loved it!
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews