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Class Distinctions

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Kyle and Jonathan were perfect for each other, the two halves that, once together, made a whole. And then one snowy night just before Parents' Weekend on the campus of Hamilton University, Kyle drops a he's breaking up with Jonathan.


Class Distinctions follows the couple through the stormy (in more ways than one) night that ensues. Why has Kyle suddenly decided to throw away something so precious and good?


The answers lie in their backgrounds, and will gradually come to light as a winter blizzard rages around the young couple.


Their tortured paths bring them to the covered bridge where their love had come to life on a hot summer day. But will the warmth of that memory and the heat of the love they once shared be enough to outclass the storm, and more importantly, bring them back together?


Gay / Contemporary

54 pages, Kindle Edition

First published May 8, 2011

74 people want to read

About the author

Rick R. Reed

124 books1,044 followers
Real Men. True Love.

Rick R. Reed is an award-winning and bestselling author of more than sixty works of published fiction, spanning genres such as horror, psychological suspense and love stories. He is a Lambda Literary Award finalist and a multiple Rainbow Award winner.

Entertainment Weekly has described his work as “heartrending and sensitive.” Lambda Literary has called him: “A writer that doesn’t disappoint…”

Find him at www.rickrreedreality.blogspot.com. Rick lives in Palm Springs, CA, with his two rescue dogs, Kodi and Joaquin.

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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
Profile Image for Pianka *call me PIU*.
410 reviews
February 26, 2017
2.5 stars

‘Class Distinctions’ is a novella by Rick R. Reed. I previously have not read any of his books so I was looking forward to it. I am very sad to say that I did not enjoy this novella that much.

The novella is about two college sweethearts and their pseudo-breakup for one night on the base of insecurities of one MC. The main problem I thought about this book was the dire lack of page-time between the actual MCs. They break up at the start and throughout the entire novella they spend contemplating the why’s. At the end they do make up but it was not too effective in closing off the story with a satisfying ending.

The reasons behind 'The Decision' were understandable to some degree but I would have liked it more if they talked it out rather than keeping it a secret and then suddenly going separate ways. It was a legit situation but it did not work as the sole focus of the novella. I mean it’s very short and who would want to read a novella where the MCs are separated for 95% of the book???

Apart from the obvious lack of romance, the other emotions especially the bond between a mother and a son is very nicely written. I would have loved if the actual meeting between the parents happened and they got along inspite of their 'class distinctions' on page.

I have yet to try out other works by this author and hopefully I will love them.

*This review has been cross posted at GayBookReviews*
Profile Image for CrabbyPatty.
1,709 reviews195 followers
February 12, 2017

This brief novella takes place one cold February night in the months-old relationship between Jonathan and Kyle, both students at Hamilton University. Jonathan's plan for a weekend together are shattered when Kyle abruptly breaks up with him. We get alternating POVs throughout as each young man deals with their heartbreak, until they find themselves drawn to the old covered bridge where they shared their first kiss on a bright August day.

There are no explicit sex scenes, but there is longing and young love and the feeling that each is at the beginning of something important:
Kyle stared down at him, with hope, with hunger, with ineffable need, but mixed in with all that was kindness and gratitude.
And love.
Jonathan hadn’t realized until that very moment how hungry he had been for this connection.
Reed writes beautifully of the relationship each young man has with his mother and I would have loved to have them meet one another. My only niggle about the story is the pacing which dwells on the breakup a bit too leisurely IMHO while the ending very quickly introduces the reason for the breakup and then concludes fairly quickly. 3.5 stars for Class Distinctions.

I received an ARC from JMS Books LLC in exchange for an honest review.
Review also posted at Gay Book Reviews - check it out!
Profile Image for Tam.
Author 21 books101 followers
May 30, 2011
4.5 Stars

This sweet but, also bittersweet at times, short begins with Jonathan, very excited over having three days together with his boyfriend Kyle, since Jonathan’s roommate is out of town for the holiday weekend. He’s got wine, strawberries, porn and lots of lube. However when Kyle arrives, it all goes downhill, inexplicably Kyle breaks up with him, claiming they are “too different”. My heart broke for Jonathan, I may have sniffled a bit. The question is, can they work out whatever “it” is that Kyle believes is too different for them to overcome.

The story is told from both Kyle and Jonathan’s point of views, so you know how both boys are feeling, and you discover why Kyle made the decision he did. I don’t want to give away the why, but it’s something probably many “older” folk like myself would find nearly trivial and certainly not worth breaking up with the love of your life over, but the author really had a grasp of the mentality of youth, and I remember at that age I probably would have reacted the same way, foolish but youth can be so often.

The relationship both boys have with their families is sweet, and I was especially touched by Kyle’s relationship with his mother. It could so easily have been done differently, but I have to say both boys were the kind that would make any parent proud, and yes, young people like that do exist.

My only complaint if I had one, was that I wanted to see “the problem” confronted, just to see a totally HEA for the whole situation, but I suppose Jonathan’s statement that it didn’t really matter what happened, as long as they had each other was true. For those looking for a steamy romance, this is not the one for you. There is one brief description of oral sex through memories, but the strength here is the depiction of the highs and lows of young love, and the emotions rolled off the page for me. I highly recommend this one.
Profile Image for Charles.
94 reviews5 followers
September 19, 2020
Class Distinctions was an extremely fast-paced short story. I very quickly got attached the Kyle and Johnathan. I was able to picture their relationship and their struggles quickly, which was good since this was a short story.

The short story follows what happened when Kyle and Jonathan broke up. Kyle out of the blue decided to brake up with Jonathan. But it was more of an internal struggle. He was hoping that he was doing the right thing. Which was crazy, in my opinion.

But a call from Jonathan's mother came at just the right time. It changed everything and it shows that yes sometimes you really do need to listen to your parent's advice. But it seemed like Jonathan's relationship with his parents is something special that not a lot of people get to experience.

The resolution for me was rather lacking. But the build-up to the resolution is what makes up the most of the story. I was able to finish Class Distinctions in just a few hours, of course with distractions from the outside world. If you are looking for a quick read and enjoy LGBTQ+ short stories, then this one is for you.

This review was originally posted on Charles Reads
Profile Image for Faye Errington.
215 reviews18 followers
February 25, 2017
Class Distinctions is a novella length story about Jonathan and Kyle

Normally I hate books of this length, I don't mind a short story but not this short... I feel we don't get enough pages to get to really know the characters and form a connection with them. I prefer a longer book where we really get to know the characters.

It was the blurb that got me to take a chance on this book, it sounded really interesting and I wanted to know if and how the author could fit a great read on very little pages... so I thought I would give it a shot.

I was surprised by how much I actually enjoyed Class Distinctions.. I felt the author wrote it well enough that I could feel the emotions of Jonathan and Kyle, I really connected with them even though we don't get a lot of back story or info about them.

Overall its a good little read and pretty emotional
I have given Class Distinctions 3.5 stars for the writing and the story

I wish the book had been longer, I would of loved to read more about these great characters
I feel like there is still so much more I want to know about the guys and their story

If we had gotten more pages this would of probably been a 5 star book.. but for a novella it was the best I've ever read

Class Distinctions packs so much emotion is so little pages
I love Jonathan and Kyle... I really want more of these guys (hint, hint)
Profile Image for Becca.
3,181 reviews44 followers
July 7, 2017
As I lie in bed thinking of what to say about this book, a thought crossed my mind to try to think of one word to describe it. I can't do it. It was beautifully written and I cried through the whole book. First tears of sadness, then tears of happiness.

Kyle and Jonathan were so perfect for each other, or at least that is what Jonathan thought. Until Kyle dropped the bomb on a holiday weekend…he didn't love him anymore. My heart dropped with this bomb. Jonathan had been so excited to see his man and set up their love nest for the weekend and that is the news he gets. Bless his heart, he holds it together for as long as he can, but when Kyle leaves, he weeps.

As the book goes on, we follow Jonathan and Kyle both in flashbacks of their lives from the time they met, the first time they kissed, and where that important meeting was located. We also find out the real reason Kyle has wanted to end things and it breaks your heart. Kyle is so sweet and so in love but he thinks he doesn't measure up. And that's all I can say on that. Jonathan is just lost because he feels like half of his soul is now gone. But a phone call from Jonathan's mom sets him on a path to find out what really happened.

As you read this book, you cannot help but cry. Unless you're made of stone. The feelings these boys have for each other is so sweet and tender and you want to jump in the book and fix whatever needs to be fixed to make things all better. It's a new love but powerful. It's a perfect fit for them. So why did Kyle want to end things? Read and find out. Bring a box of tissues with you when you read 😉. Another book I will definitely put away to read again
Profile Image for JoAnna G.
677 reviews9 followers
July 18, 2017
I have to say this book I liked this book. It was quick and easy and we got to see into the mind of both men. It is told through both Jonathan and Kyle. I loved the summary so I thought I would give it a go even this is a short novella.

Class Distinction is my first read by Rick R. Reed. I really enjoyed it and I was a bit sad that I didn’t get more. It starts out with Jonathan preparing for a long three day weekend with Kyle. He's excited about their new relationship of a couple of months and spending this uninterrupted time together. Kyle comes over and by the look on his face, Jonathan can tell something is wrong. He can sense it. Jonathan knows they can be good together. He states it just shy of begging, but it falls on deaf ears. Kyle has some growing to do.

I enjoyed reading about both of their mothers. You can tell they are very important to them both.

I liked them. They were good guys and fun to read. We get a glimpse of their first kiss and some passionate times for them. Nothing too graphic. The writing was good and I got a good feel for winter in the book. I needed it since where I am it is over 100 degrees outside. I would love to read this extended and get more of them.
Profile Image for Joyfully Jay.
8,966 reviews513 followers
March 9, 2017
A Joyfully Jay review.

4.25 stars


The title of Rick R. Reed’s short story, Class Distinctions, perfectly explains Kyle’s reasons for ending his relationship with Jonathan. Their parents are due to meet soon and Kyle is convinced that Jonathan’s mother and father, who are both professionals and live in a six-bedroom house, will disapprove of his diner-working mother, who has raised him single-handedly in a one-bedroom apartment.

Obviously, the influence of both families is significant in this story and I really liked how Reed includes Kyle and Jonathan’s mothers in phone conversations with their respective sons. These short exchanges not only give the reader clues as to the similarities between the two women, but Kyle and Jonathan themselves.

It appears that both young men hold their mothers in high regard, with Jonathan referring to his as “tormentor, savior, nurturer . . . chief confidant.” Kyle’s thoughts about his mother are initially harsher, but they quickly soften and with them, I felt my detachment towards him fading.

Short stories are never going to be my favorite thing to read, but Reed is quickly becoming one of my must-buy authors, to the extent that I would probably buy an instruction manual on how to make toast if he wrote one! There were small aspects of Class Distinctions that I felt fell short of Reed’s normal brilliance, such as Jonathan’s declaration that going out in the snow was “suicidal” and “playing out some little ‘Match Girl’ fantasy.” I am sure it was not Reed’s intention, but Jonathan’s drama-queen tendencies just made me laugh!

Read Kirsty’s review in its entirety here.

3,125 reviews3 followers
March 29, 2021
good. wish it were more, though.
Profile Image for Sandra .
1,966 reviews347 followers
February 23, 2017
A quick glimpse into the relationship and almost break-up of two college kids who are young, dumb, and in love.

Kyle and Jonathan, both freshmen at university, are madly in love. Except Kyle is ashamed of his humble background and believes that Jonathan and his rich parents will look down on Kyle's poor mother when they'll meet at the upcoming Parents' Weekend.

So, clearly, it's easier to just break Jonathan's heart, and his own. Right? Wrong!

In actuality, this book is simply too short. We don't get a full picture of their relationship, so it's difficult (not impossible) for the reader to put herself into the shoes of these young and dumb kids.

I would applaud Jonathan for not giving up on Kyle (after the initial shock wears off), and going after what he wants, demanding an explanation for that which is to him inexplicable. He does listen and learns something new about his boyfriend.

Kyle too learns that maybe he should have not assumed and instead be a grown-up and talk about his fears. Pulling the crap he pulled didn't win him any favors with me, even if I could to some extent understand his fears. Shame wasn't a good look on him, and while I felt sorry for him during his pain, he did bring this on himself.

The author does a really good job exploring the relationship each boy has with his mother, and that's where this book really worked. I also liked that we got a dual POV, as both Jonathan and Kyle deal with their equally broken hearts. There was a lot of emotion that really came across well in those lines.

I also liked that they both felt drawn to the special place where they shared their first kiss, and thus got a chance to find their way back to each other.

Still... not my favorite by this author. I think this story might have worked a little better if we had been given a bit of a lead-up to their almost break-up, and thus seen why they were so devastated, instead of simply being told they were.


** I received a free copy of this book from Signal Boost promotions as part of the re-release of this story. A positive review was not promised in return. **
Profile Image for Natosha Wilson.
1,274 reviews15 followers
February 23, 2017
This was a farely decent read. I have to be completely honest when I say it is not one of
My favorites by Rick Reed but it was not horrible either.

Jonathan has an amazing weekend planned for him and his boyfriend Kyle. They have his dorm groom to theirselves since his roommate went home for the three day holiday weekend. But to say that Kyle has a bigger surprise for Jonathan is an understatement.

When Kyle shows up, Jonathan knows that something is definitely wrong with him. He has never seen Kyle seem so sad and distraught. The bond that he drops on Jonathan leaves him worse for wear.

This was like I said a decent read. I can understand to some point Kyle's point of view on wantinbbto end things between him and Jonathan. But at the same time I love the advice that Jonathan's mom gave him about the two of them needing to communicate. That is definitely safe advice.

Kyle definitely had some worries that was weighing on him and he also had some misconceptions about how Jonathan and his family would react.

I think this would have been a better book if there would have been a more in depth finish to it. I think that may where I found it lacking. But as I stated this may not have been my favorite by Rick Reed but it was so a decent read that I did find interesting. I look forward to more books by Rick Reed in the future.

Was given this galley copy for free for an open and honest review
Profile Image for Love Africa Book Club.
450 reviews23 followers
February 23, 2017
Class Distinctions is a quick novella that captures a stormy night in two young students’ lives. Kyle and Jonathan are both in the same college and are lovers. Well, that’s until Kyle turns up one night and tells Jonathan that he’s breaking things off with him. This comes as a shock to Jonathan who had planned a long weekend together with his boyfriend. But the devastation goes both ways because although Kyle is the one who broke it off, he still loves Jonathan. But there seems no way to get over the problem facing their relationship—their class distinctions—or is there?
I enjoyed this story with put the reader right in the middle of the relationship break-up right from the start. We get to feel the tumult of emotions from both characters and I’m glad it didn’t get overly angsty. We get to see them interact with their parents and understand their motivations better. And of course with a little parental advice, they are nudged in the right direction. I’m also glad that their conflict didn’t drag out for long because all it really needed was a conversation and it was resolved.
Overall, this is a lovely story, well-written and with characters I was happy to cheer on. There is brief mention of a love scene from the past but it is more sensual than graphic, and fitted the story and characters. This is an enjoyable read and I’m happy to recommend it.
46 reviews
October 2, 2011
I've read a few amber allure novels and I just can't find them as satisfying as some of the other titles from other publishers of this genre.
Profile Image for Shee Reader.
225 reviews8 followers
April 12, 2017
Turning the Page by Andrew Grey (Audio) Narrated by Jeff Gelder

Review by Shee Reader for Boy Meets Boy Reviews

Rating 4 Hearts

Find us on the web at www.boymeetsboyreviews.com

Malcolm is grieving the loss of his partner of over 20 years to cancer, and has buried himself in his job as a tax attorney. He is the epitome of steady, solid, quiet man who isn’t looking for romance despite the well meaning interference of devoted assistant and his meddling brother.

Hans is an adventure writer with a lifestyle to match who finds himself on the wrong side of the IRS and in need of a good attorney. Hans sits himself across the desk from handsome Malcolm and there is instant attraction, but there is business that must be attended to first. Once that is concluded, and after a chance meeting, Hans leaps at the chance to get to know Malcolm.

Malcolm is interested in Hans, despite the guilt at moving on, but worries he is too old and set in his ways to keep up with Hans, or maintain Hans’ interest for long.

What follows is a lovely rolling story including adventures, drama, self doubt, bad guys and health threats. I rooted for the guys from the outset and loved the cast of supporting characters. The premise of having to start again past the first flush of youth resonates throughout the story, and is meaningfully done.

The narration is super, with such a yummy nordic accent for Hans, that I actually listened to the book twice over!

The ending is happy, but it isn’t a perfectly smooth path. I really enjoyed it.

I was given a free copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews

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