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Le Jazz Hot
LGBT Contemporary
Handsome Julian Larson is a talented singer and dancer who performs in drag to make ends meet. So when his best friend needs a burlesque act at the last minute for a fireman's birthday party, he calls Julian. There, Julian dances for the birthday boy, Trent Fitzgerald; a too-good-to-be-true heartthrob who is too nice to keep a woman in his life.
Falling hard for the leggy, blond singer--but believing that she's a woman named Julia--Trent tracks Julian down to his apartment where Julian poses as "Julia's" twin in a desperate, doomed ploy to win over the sexy firefighter. When Trent inevitably uncovers the truth, will it mean the end of Julian's chances or a brand new opportunity?
Publisher's This book contains explicit sexual content, graphic language, and situations that some readers may find male/male sexual practices.
Handsome Julian Larson is a talented singer and dancer who performs in drag to make ends meet. So when his best friend needs a burlesque act at the last minute for a fireman's birthday party, he calls Julian. There, Julian dances for the birthday boy, Trent Fitzgerald; a too-good-to-be-true heartthrob who is too nice to keep a woman in his life.
Falling hard for the leggy, blond singer--but believing that she's a woman named Julia--Trent tracks Julian down to his apartment where Julian poses as "Julia's" twin in a desperate, doomed ploy to win over the sexy firefighter. When Trent inevitably uncovers the truth, will it mean the end of Julian's chances or a brand new opportunity?
Publisher's This book contains explicit sexual content, graphic language, and situations that some readers may find male/male sexual practices.
225 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 17, 2011
6 people are currently reading
182 people want to read
About the author
Clancy Nacht
56 books148 followersClancy Nacht is a bisexual genderqueer person who lives in Austin with a husband, and three feral rescue cats. Clancy has published several ARe bestselling contemporary romantic thriller m/m and m/f stories. Three of her books have been honored with Rainbow Awards; Le Jazz Hot won for #1 Best Bisexual/Transgender Romance & Erotic Romance. In 2013, Black Gold: Double Black was a runner up for a Rainbow Award and in 2015, Gemini won an Honorable Mention for Gay Erotic Romance at the Rainbow Awards. Her books have been nominated for several Goodreads M/M Readers Choice Awards.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews
September 26, 2013
It would seem from the reviews I'm in a minority and I guess looking back you can definitely pick holes in this Victor/Victoria style romance just because of the subject matter alone , but personally I was enjoying it so much that I didn't even think about doing that. I just sat back, went with the flow, read it till I got too tired to keep my eyes open and picked it up first thing this morning to finish it off.
I'm sort of surprised that some of the ratings are low on this because I found it really endearing and I loved the sexual tension between these guys, plus its hot, sexy and really romantic... Far fetched? Of course it is but its fiction - if I wanted realism all the time I'd have my nose stuck in Brittanica Encyclopedia!!
Anyway I loved it and I just adore PL Nunn covers so that adds a star straight away... that cover is definitely Le Jazz Hot Baby!
Read the reviews and make your own mind up if its going to be for you, it might not be if you don't like suspending belief but I'm definitely keeping this and adding it to my reread shelves. Its got a hot ( slightly naive ) fireman, for heavens sake and a beautiful androgynous looking guy who tops! What's not to like about that! ;D
I'm sort of surprised that some of the ratings are low on this because I found it really endearing and I loved the sexual tension between these guys, plus its hot, sexy and really romantic... Far fetched? Of course it is but its fiction - if I wanted realism all the time I'd have my nose stuck in Brittanica Encyclopedia!!
Anyway I loved it and I just adore PL Nunn covers so that adds a star straight away... that cover is definitely Le Jazz Hot Baby!
Read the reviews and make your own mind up if its going to be for you, it might not be if you don't like suspending belief but I'm definitely keeping this and adding it to my reread shelves. Its got a hot ( slightly naive ) fireman, for heavens sake and a beautiful androgynous looking guy who tops! What's not to like about that! ;D
February 27, 2017
This reads like a movie! So fabulous, I love Trent for being a little bit of an odd duck and completely oblivious and I love Julian for being the more practical one who adores Trent to the extent he pretends to be 'Julia' just to have his attention. Both characters are over the top in their own ways and yet, this makes them balance each other out perfectly.
May 20, 2011
I didn't like Le Jazz Hot very much as it had too much drama, too many lies and prevarications for my taste. I ended up skipping pages because it got old after a while. On top of it, Trent's attraction towards Julian didn't feel very organic to me. Insta-gay is bad enough when it's a shifter story but in a regular romance I need a few comprehensible reasons why a formerly straight guy would sudden fall for another man. A pretty cover alone doesn't make a good book.
March 15, 2012
This one started strong but went off the rails fast. Trent seemed sweet, if dumb as a box of hair. His cluelessness eventually devolved to the point where he came off like a special needs kid, desperate to belong, but completely unable to understand his own behavior or the behavior of those around him. It was creepy. This was supposed to be a 33 year old man, and he's running around in his Superman pajamas from high school and talking about how he and Julian are friends, because jerking each other off is the kind of thing that friends do. And Julian went from a guy who got in over his head to completely deranged. Things eventually came back from crazyland, although never quite to the real world. The nonchalance with which the other firefighters accepted Trent and Julian seemed unlikely at best.
This book was unputdownable in the same way that you can't look away from a car wreck. Entertaining for the WTF-factor, but not much else.
This book was unputdownable in the same way that you can't look away from a car wreck. Entertaining for the WTF-factor, but not much else.
May 23, 2011
I don't usually write to many reviews, its just I would not recommend this book, I found the characters in this story to be abit far fetched. Very needy you would think the characters were around the age 13 or something like that.
June 20, 2011
I found Le Jazz Hot to be in line with other offerings from these authors. The writing is ok and fast to read but depends on exaggerated characters, unrealistic situations, and a good deal of suspended disbelief for the story to work. It’s meant as a fantasy, a light hearted story to make readers laugh and enjoy then promptly forget entirely. If you’re looking for an easy fluff story that you’ll forget perhaps even while reading then this may work for you. You can’t take the story seriously though because it’s too ridiculous for that.
The plot starts with singer/actor/dancer/entertainer Julian dressing up as a woman to do a friend a favor. While dressed as a woman, Julian meets firefighter Trent. The attraction is immediate and strong. Yet Trent thinks Julian is a woman and Julian has never had feelings for anyone so he’s suddenly scared of losing Trent. Thus enters the predictable story where Julian pretends to be Julia while Trent is the hapless, easy going guy that thinks he’s good friends with Julian while dating twin Julia.
You have to suspend disbelief to go with the story for starters because it’s exaggerated, as the stories often are from these particular authors. Of course there are numerous clues and obvious signs that there is no Julia and the attraction is between Trent and Julian. There’s no question that only someone severely touched in the head wouldn’t see the huge neon sign pointing to the truth. However, that’s the not the point of the story. If you can accept that premise then the story is about Julian falling in love for the first time. He’s scared, worried, fearful, adoring, and really tries to put Trent’s needs first. Of course Julian is far from perfect and makes a ton of mistakes but that’s part of his charm.
Trent is an exaggerated epitome of naïve kindness. His actions make absolutely no sense from the very beginning. I mean who barges their way into a stranger’s apartment only to undress completely on their couch? Of course no one would do that so you have to accept Trent is a caricature. He’s way too open, spilling his heart to Julian in the guise of some male bonding while cuddling together mere minutes after meeting. Yet the story does a decent job of showing that connection all along was between Trent and Julian. Trent initially needs the guise of a woman as he thinks that’s normal but soon comes to fully accept his desires.
There are other exaggerated and unrealistic parts such as the overwhelming acceptance from other firefighters and friends but really these are a drop in the bucket if you can already get into the story. The writing fits the characters with hyperbole and naïve wonder. The prose is ok and often relies on stereotypes and embellishment. Yet this fits with the story so those that don’t mind that particular style may even like this one. It’s easy to read and ultimately forgettable fluff. Just be sure that’s what you want before you pick this up.
** I did want to say that some people found the characters offensive in this book and honestly I never did. Yes Trent initially thinks gay people must fit stereotypes but he’s only repeating the stereotypes everyone is familiar with and soon grows out of that after knowing Julian. I think the story was making a point why Trent never considered himself gay and wasn’t actually trying to show him as an offensive homophobe. But that’s just my take.
The plot starts with singer/actor/dancer/entertainer Julian dressing up as a woman to do a friend a favor. While dressed as a woman, Julian meets firefighter Trent. The attraction is immediate and strong. Yet Trent thinks Julian is a woman and Julian has never had feelings for anyone so he’s suddenly scared of losing Trent. Thus enters the predictable story where Julian pretends to be Julia while Trent is the hapless, easy going guy that thinks he’s good friends with Julian while dating twin Julia.
You have to suspend disbelief to go with the story for starters because it’s exaggerated, as the stories often are from these particular authors. Of course there are numerous clues and obvious signs that there is no Julia and the attraction is between Trent and Julian. There’s no question that only someone severely touched in the head wouldn’t see the huge neon sign pointing to the truth. However, that’s the not the point of the story. If you can accept that premise then the story is about Julian falling in love for the first time. He’s scared, worried, fearful, adoring, and really tries to put Trent’s needs first. Of course Julian is far from perfect and makes a ton of mistakes but that’s part of his charm.
Trent is an exaggerated epitome of naïve kindness. His actions make absolutely no sense from the very beginning. I mean who barges their way into a stranger’s apartment only to undress completely on their couch? Of course no one would do that so you have to accept Trent is a caricature. He’s way too open, spilling his heart to Julian in the guise of some male bonding while cuddling together mere minutes after meeting. Yet the story does a decent job of showing that connection all along was between Trent and Julian. Trent initially needs the guise of a woman as he thinks that’s normal but soon comes to fully accept his desires.
There are other exaggerated and unrealistic parts such as the overwhelming acceptance from other firefighters and friends but really these are a drop in the bucket if you can already get into the story. The writing fits the characters with hyperbole and naïve wonder. The prose is ok and often relies on stereotypes and embellishment. Yet this fits with the story so those that don’t mind that particular style may even like this one. It’s easy to read and ultimately forgettable fluff. Just be sure that’s what you want before you pick this up.
** I did want to say that some people found the characters offensive in this book and honestly I never did. Yes Trent initially thinks gay people must fit stereotypes but he’s only repeating the stereotypes everyone is familiar with and soon grows out of that after knowing Julian. I think the story was making a point why Trent never considered himself gay and wasn’t actually trying to show him as an offensive homophobe. But that’s just my take.
May 22, 2011
3 stars. This one was hard for me to rate. One one hand, I loved sweet, naive Trent and the other main character, Julian. The smex was hot. Nice, sweet read with minimum angst. (and that cover art is rockin'!)
On the other hand, I thought there would be more anger from Trent when he finds out about Julian's lies. (I was actually kind of looking forward to it and to see how it would play out) And Trent is sometimes too naive that it's painful.
On the other hand, I thought there would be more anger from Trent when he finds out about Julian's lies. (I was actually kind of looking forward to it and to see how it would play out) And Trent is sometimes too naive that it's painful.
June 16, 2016
Little surprised by less than stellar ratings of this one...yeah, the book has its flaws, but I think the characters were quite endearing, if a little strange and OTT at the times. Anyway, this book moved me emotionally which is the most important thing and it was quite enjoyable. Recommend!
October 26, 2015
2012 Rainbow Awards Honorable Mention (5* from at least 1 judge)
August 3, 2021
This was so over the top ridiculous, it had me laughing with Julian’s antics trying to lead a double life when it came to his love for Trent. And Trent, that lovable lug head, is so confused. And then the authors had me sobbing with tears of a broken heart along with Julian and Trent, to just turn right around to have me laughing once again with a wonderful HEA! Loved it!
September 26, 2017
4.5 Stars
May 16, 2020
Uhg, big no no this one. And I love drag queens books
August 11, 2011
Ok, so I know a lot of people hated this book, but I've read two books by these authors, this one on Black Gold. I preferred this one by a fair margin. Like this book was almost a 4 star read but not quite, whereas the other book was more of a 2.5 star read.
The premise is Julien's best friend, Bobby, forgot to hire a blonde female performer for a birthday party for a fireman at his bar, so since Julien is such a convincing woman Bobby asks him to do it. Reluctantly Julien agrees only to start to crush on the birthday boy, so much so that he has to leave out of fear of everyone discovering he has a penis. The firefighter, Trent, can't get the blonde out of his head and goes back to find out who she was. Bobby gives him Julien's real name, Julien Larsen, but Trent hears Julia. So he uses his connections to find where Julien lives and shows up on his door. From there Trent assumes Julien must be Julia's twin sister. Romantic comedy ensues.
Ok, the premise requires you to take a huge leap of faith. First you have to believe that in a room full of men not one can spot a man in drag. Okay.. Second that there is only one Julien Larsen in all of Manhattan, and no actual Julia Larsen. Fine. (Really these two need to do a little research on Manhattan, because they keep calling cabs, which you don't do in Manhattan, you go to the curb and hail one.) Third, the fact that "twins" have 1 cell phone that they share and are never together doesn't set off any alarms for Trent. Hmm..
In Black Gold there was one character that was like sugar sweet and the other that the only good thing about him was that he loved the other. At least here they are less extreme. Sort of. Trent is like the epitome of virtue and just wants to be loved. (He's a little sugary.) Both characters want to be loved for who they are not for anything else. Julien is a pretty ok character, he's mostly lost and makes a lot of mistakes. I think if you suspend your disbelief, the beginning of the book isn't so bad in a romantic comedy kind of way. Trent starts to realize that he's having feelings for the brother of the girl he likes and he keeps trying to make it work with the girl because that's the acceptable thing to happen. I know people took exception with Trent's use of words like "swishy" and "faggy". I can let it go because A- he never uses them out loud and B-he's a man that considered himself straight, for the 33 years, a little mental struggle with all the negative things he's probably ever heard is ok. Actually it's required. I think the easy acceptance from everyone around was a little weird. I think the zero to love was a little much. I think the entire way the story is crafted in the beginning is good, no matter how unbelievable. I think it all falls apart when the guys get together. Like the authors got exited and stopped trying.
Overall, I think if you approach this book like a Romantic Comedy Movie, it's pretty good. If you go in expecting something else you will be very disappointed.
The premise is Julien's best friend, Bobby, forgot to hire a blonde female performer for a birthday party for a fireman at his bar, so since Julien is such a convincing woman Bobby asks him to do it. Reluctantly Julien agrees only to start to crush on the birthday boy, so much so that he has to leave out of fear of everyone discovering he has a penis. The firefighter, Trent, can't get the blonde out of his head and goes back to find out who she was. Bobby gives him Julien's real name, Julien Larsen, but Trent hears Julia. So he uses his connections to find where Julien lives and shows up on his door. From there Trent assumes Julien must be Julia's twin sister. Romantic comedy ensues.
Ok, the premise requires you to take a huge leap of faith. First you have to believe that in a room full of men not one can spot a man in drag. Okay.. Second that there is only one Julien Larsen in all of Manhattan, and no actual Julia Larsen. Fine. (Really these two need to do a little research on Manhattan, because they keep calling cabs, which you don't do in Manhattan, you go to the curb and hail one.) Third, the fact that "twins" have 1 cell phone that they share and are never together doesn't set off any alarms for Trent. Hmm..
In Black Gold there was one character that was like sugar sweet and the other that the only good thing about him was that he loved the other. At least here they are less extreme. Sort of. Trent is like the epitome of virtue and just wants to be loved. (He's a little sugary.) Both characters want to be loved for who they are not for anything else. Julien is a pretty ok character, he's mostly lost and makes a lot of mistakes. I think if you suspend your disbelief, the beginning of the book isn't so bad in a romantic comedy kind of way. Trent starts to realize that he's having feelings for the brother of the girl he likes and he keeps trying to make it work with the girl because that's the acceptable thing to happen. I know people took exception with Trent's use of words like "swishy" and "faggy". I can let it go because A- he never uses them out loud and B-he's a man that considered himself straight, for the 33 years, a little mental struggle with all the negative things he's probably ever heard is ok. Actually it's required. I think the easy acceptance from everyone around was a little weird. I think the zero to love was a little much. I think the entire way the story is crafted in the beginning is good, no matter how unbelievable. I think it all falls apart when the guys get together. Like the authors got exited and stopped trying.
Overall, I think if you approach this book like a Romantic Comedy Movie, it's pretty good. If you go in expecting something else you will be very disappointed.
May 31, 2011
3.5 stars
I think the main reason my rating is different from the general consensus is because I knew exactly what to expect from this story. After reading the previous book by these authors, I went into this one expecting nothing more than a light, cute story, maybe without a lot of substance or reality, and that is exactly what I got.
It definitely wasn't always realistic, but I didn't think it would be, either. In many instances, I simply glossed over the issues I had with it and chalked it up to just being the type of story I knew it would be. I also thought the scheme went on a little too long, and that time could have been used to better establish the gay-for-you (or in this case, coming-out-as-bisexual-for-you, since he had been attracted to guys before) relationship.
Overall, though, this is exactly what I was expecting and wanting, at the time - a cute, fun story with characters I really liked (even though they both did get on my nerves a few times).
I think the main reason my rating is different from the general consensus is because I knew exactly what to expect from this story. After reading the previous book by these authors, I went into this one expecting nothing more than a light, cute story, maybe without a lot of substance or reality, and that is exactly what I got.
It definitely wasn't always realistic, but I didn't think it would be, either. In many instances, I simply glossed over the issues I had with it and chalked it up to just being the type of story I knew it would be. I also thought the scheme went on a little too long, and that time could have been used to better establish the gay-for-you (or in this case, coming-out-as-bisexual-for-you, since he had been attracted to guys before) relationship.
Overall, though, this is exactly what I was expecting and wanting, at the time - a cute, fun story with characters I really liked (even though they both did get on my nerves a few times).
June 3, 2014
This book started out well enough and I was enjoying it. Trent is a firefighter and he's celebrating his 33rd birthday and presented with a burlesque show at a bar where Julian is performing in drag and an attraction is formed. There is some miscommunication and Trent believes that Julian is really Julia, a woman. It was cute at first when Julian pretended to be a woman but then when he kept perpetrating the fraud, the story got old and I started to skim pages.
Trent. How do I describe him? Gullible? Naive? Oblivious? Stupid? Dumb? Unbelievable? How the relationship that develops between Trent and Julian is too far fetched to be believable. This story didn't work as well as I thought it would. It would have been better if it were shorter and the lie didn't go on for so long.
Trent. How do I describe him? Gullible? Naive? Oblivious? Stupid? Dumb? Unbelievable? How the relationship that develops between Trent and Julian is too far fetched to be believable. This story didn't work as well as I thought it would. It would have been better if it were shorter and the lie didn't go on for so long.
June 3, 2011
I think that I am in the minority because I liked this. It's angsty and sweet and idealistic when it comes to acceptance. The "twin sister" did hang around too long but the voicemail messages were so sweet.
September 16, 2012
I do not know the cause the rating of other readers for Le jazz hot because I think that this book is adorable as the protagonists, Trent and Julian...sure some point of story is little realistic but while reading have laughed, cried and sure moved. Comedy, romance,drama all in a book.
October 25, 2022
Ok I'm going to be brutally honest about this one. It was ridiculous but I loved it. It was a messy mess of ridiculousness but I absolutely loved it.
The pace of the plot is ok in the beginning but things quickly get weird? I mean, Trent has absolutely zero ability to put two and two together and a lot of Julian's lies we're not necessary. And I'm not talking your usual web of lies and character obliviousness we're conscious of as outside observers
. But it worked. If I'd known I probably wouldn't have read it ( I'm a very picky reader) but I'm far from unhappy about picking it so 3 stars.
The pace of the plot is ok in the beginning but things quickly get weird? I mean, Trent has absolutely zero ability to put two and two together and a lot of Julian's lies we're not necessary. And I'm not talking your usual web of lies and character obliviousness we're conscious of as outside observers
. But it worked. If I'd known I probably wouldn't have read it ( I'm a very picky reader) but I'm far from unhappy about picking it so 3 stars.
September 21, 2019
3.5 Stars
OK, so Trent is as oblivious as a tree stump and it is a horrifying thought that he has other people's lives in his hands but I did enjoy Julian and his cross-dressing, notwithstanding the prevarication.
And, DAMN, that cover is hot! Gotta love P.L. Nunn's work! Bumped the rating up just for that!
OK, so Trent is as oblivious as a tree stump and it is a horrifying thought that he has other people's lives in his hands but I did enjoy Julian and his cross-dressing, notwithstanding the prevarication.
And, DAMN, that cover is hot! Gotta love P.L. Nunn's work! Bumped the rating up just for that!
May 18, 2020
That was really a fun and sexy read. I love when a gurl has to dress to fool a straight guy..
That was really a fun and sexy read. I love when a girl has to dress to fool a straight guy. The characters had more depth than usual. The outcome was more interesting too. Loving forward to reading more from these authors.
That was really a fun and sexy read. I love when a girl has to dress to fool a straight guy. The characters had more depth than usual. The outcome was more interesting too. Loving forward to reading more from these authors.
June 11, 2020
It was okay, I did not like the way Julian lied to Trent about being Julia, and Trent was extremely naive for a 33 year old firefighter. I had to suspend by disbelief like crazy.
October 9, 2021
Loooooved it!!! Oh, Trent! You sweet you…
March 8, 2014
It's weird because there's a certain element of each side seeming to know more than he rightfully ought to. Also, Trent's rather dense, which is kind of a given, of course, given this character type to further the plot and whatever, but still. He kind of just assumes that this mysterious man is related to the ellusive Julia and doesn't get weirded out when it seems like mystery man knows of him. How could he? What, is he assuming Julia went and told everyone about his "perverted" boner?
Yeah, and then he just kind of invites himself in. But he doesn't know how he ends up there, because I have no idea why, and only after much weirdness does he introduce himself.
Shit's happening out of order. Or in the right order, but not in the right plot. Like the flower shop scene from The Room.
Also, Trent's got issues with personal space. And he seems to assume that he and Julian are instantly best buddies with a long-standing bromance.
Weird.
And then he strips. To make Julian feel more comfortable.
Even weirder.
Man. This goes beyond latent homosexual tendencies and into active-but-idiot's-still-unaware-of-'em homosexual tendencies.
Yeah, don't read it for any sort of logical realism. Read it for teh lulz and the ridiculous floof.
But there's kind of a stupid-ish deus ex machina by way of Big Reveal that I think is kitschy and a total cop-out. Still, I suppose it's technically expedient?
Does weed actually do that to you? Make you all out of it and stuff. Although maybe we can write some of that off to potential smoke inhalation.
If Trent put the fire out, why is the smoke still thickening? Also, shouldn't he be clearing out of the smoky place? Cuz, you know, he's a fireman and all and the hazards of smoke inhalation.
And geez, saying "drug paraphernalia." I was thinking heroin stuff or something.
And yeah, Trent should really be more worried that Julian's so out of it.
Oookay. Apparently he's drunk as well as high. Which we're not told about until after the confusion has set in quite firmly.
And then, of course, after the fact, Trent finally seems preternaturally perceptive.
*sigh
It plays on convenience instead of characterization.
Bloody shame.
The rest of it is a bit of a travesty. The Julian: "I don't bottom" thing seems like trying too hard to subvert stereotypes that it becomes a stereotype in its own right almost. Maybe it was just the timing of the announcement.
Pavel is wtf, but clearly there as a plot device to force Trent into action.
Mike is wtf and clearly a plot device to force Trent into action. Also a sexist jackass.
Basically the entire thing is either supremely sexist or badly phrased social commentary that came off rather prejudiced regardless.
I will grant that it does have rather interesting explorations into gender dynamics and gender relations in relation to Julian's character. Some things made me uncomfortable, but in a thought-provoking way.
The problem with me being in an Ethics class is that I start viewing some things differently, and a lot of stuff in M/M is rather ethically questionable. As is a lot of stuff that tends to generally be considered romantic, now that I think of it.
Anyways, I really don't want to get into it because it would take far too long and I honestly don't care enough in relations to this story to make it a thing, although I will say that the questionable ethics of this thing did bother me. This is all in relation to Trent, although he seemed like he was pretty gay to begin with and just didn't know that.
Yeah, and then he just kind of invites himself in. But he doesn't know how he ends up there, because I have no idea why, and only after much weirdness does he introduce himself.
Shit's happening out of order. Or in the right order, but not in the right plot. Like the flower shop scene from The Room.
Also, Trent's got issues with personal space. And he seems to assume that he and Julian are instantly best buddies with a long-standing bromance.
Weird.
And then he strips. To make Julian feel more comfortable.
Even weirder.
Man. This goes beyond latent homosexual tendencies and into active-but-idiot's-still-unaware-of-'em homosexual tendencies.
Yeah, don't read it for any sort of logical realism. Read it for teh lulz and the ridiculous floof.
But there's kind of a stupid-ish deus ex machina by way of Big Reveal that I think is kitschy and a total cop-out. Still, I suppose it's technically expedient?
Does weed actually do that to you? Make you all out of it and stuff. Although maybe we can write some of that off to potential smoke inhalation.
If Trent put the fire out, why is the smoke still thickening? Also, shouldn't he be clearing out of the smoky place? Cuz, you know, he's a fireman and all and the hazards of smoke inhalation.
And geez, saying "drug paraphernalia." I was thinking heroin stuff or something.
And yeah, Trent should really be more worried that Julian's so out of it.
Oookay. Apparently he's drunk as well as high. Which we're not told about until after the confusion has set in quite firmly.
And then, of course, after the fact, Trent finally seems preternaturally perceptive.
*sigh
It plays on convenience instead of characterization.
Bloody shame.
The rest of it is a bit of a travesty. The Julian: "I don't bottom" thing seems like trying too hard to subvert stereotypes that it becomes a stereotype in its own right almost. Maybe it was just the timing of the announcement.
Pavel is wtf, but clearly there as a plot device to force Trent into action.
Mike is wtf and clearly a plot device to force Trent into action. Also a sexist jackass.
Basically the entire thing is either supremely sexist or badly phrased social commentary that came off rather prejudiced regardless.
I will grant that it does have rather interesting explorations into gender dynamics and gender relations in relation to Julian's character. Some things made me uncomfortable, but in a thought-provoking way.
The problem with me being in an Ethics class is that I start viewing some things differently, and a lot of stuff in M/M is rather ethically questionable. As is a lot of stuff that tends to generally be considered romantic, now that I think of it.
Anyways, I really don't want to get into it because it would take far too long and I honestly don't care enough in relations to this story to make it a thing, although I will say that the questionable ethics of this thing did bother me. This is all in relation to Trent, although he seemed like he was pretty gay to begin with and just didn't know that.
July 31, 2011
Original posted at: http://whippedcream2.blogspot.com/201...
Julian may sometimes dress like a girl but Trent is about to find out Julian is all guy. Actor and singer Julian agrees to dress in drag as a favor to his friend. Little did anyone know that hot firefighter Trent would fall for Julian dressed as Julia. When playboy Julian discovers he may actually have found the perfect man, the love triangle between Trent, Julia, and Julian gets messy. Only Trent’s willingness to understand and accept Julian holds the key to their happiness.
Le Jazz Hot plays on the familiar gender bending comic trope. Julian pretends to be a girl one night and that happens to be the night he meets Trent and there’s an instant connection. The story is a lark from the beginning and instantly over the top. In this day and age there’s no question such a scenario is unlikely to happen so readers have to be willing to suspend some considerable disbelief to get into the story and appreciate it. If you can do that, then the somewhat exaggerated antics aren’t likely to bother you.
The real strength of the story is the characterization. Trent comes across as too good to be true and perfectly naïve. This is a bit of a stretch but the adorable playful banter Julian offers is likely to win over readers. Trent is occasionally offensive in his ignorance but Julian shines as a bit of a mess. He loves women’s clothes but doesn’t want to be a woman. He’s happy as a guy but commits a lot of those first crush mistakes – such as pretending to be interested in the same hobby only to embarrass yourself. It’s a relatable and rather cute comic story that relies on missteps, misunderstandings, and ultimately good sex to come up with a happy ending.
The sex scenes sizzle and the pace is quick so the book reads very fast, and it fits that desire for an easy, uncomplicated and light hearted read. If this sounds like something you want, give it a try.
Julian may sometimes dress like a girl but Trent is about to find out Julian is all guy. Actor and singer Julian agrees to dress in drag as a favor to his friend. Little did anyone know that hot firefighter Trent would fall for Julian dressed as Julia. When playboy Julian discovers he may actually have found the perfect man, the love triangle between Trent, Julia, and Julian gets messy. Only Trent’s willingness to understand and accept Julian holds the key to their happiness.
Le Jazz Hot plays on the familiar gender bending comic trope. Julian pretends to be a girl one night and that happens to be the night he meets Trent and there’s an instant connection. The story is a lark from the beginning and instantly over the top. In this day and age there’s no question such a scenario is unlikely to happen so readers have to be willing to suspend some considerable disbelief to get into the story and appreciate it. If you can do that, then the somewhat exaggerated antics aren’t likely to bother you.
The real strength of the story is the characterization. Trent comes across as too good to be true and perfectly naïve. This is a bit of a stretch but the adorable playful banter Julian offers is likely to win over readers. Trent is occasionally offensive in his ignorance but Julian shines as a bit of a mess. He loves women’s clothes but doesn’t want to be a woman. He’s happy as a guy but commits a lot of those first crush mistakes – such as pretending to be interested in the same hobby only to embarrass yourself. It’s a relatable and rather cute comic story that relies on missteps, misunderstandings, and ultimately good sex to come up with a happy ending.
The sex scenes sizzle and the pace is quick so the book reads very fast, and it fits that desire for an easy, uncomplicated and light hearted read. If this sounds like something you want, give it a try.
October 19, 2011
This was one very hot story about awkward circumstances, assuming a costume, playing a role . . . and then betraying the illusion and ultimately being yourself.
It all begins with a budding Broadway star who moonlights as a cross-dressing burlesque dancer. When he falls in love with the birthday boy, an uber-macho yet sexually naïve fireman, things get awkward and amusing, before they finally get arousing.
I loved the turnabout that occurs in bed, with Julian topping the anal virgin with performance issues. Trent is a very likeable guy, with a personality completely at odds with his appearance, much like Julian himself. Fortunately, there are hints all along as to Trent’s closeted homosexuality, so the relative ease with which he accepts that his girlfriend is really a boyfriend isn’t so hard to accept (even with his seeming attempts at macho homophobia).
It also helps that Julian is such a wonderful character, one who never set out to deceive the other man, but who loves the idea of being in love. He’s a man who loves the frills of femininity, but who is quite happy being a man.
Not the most realistic of romances, even with the cautionary touches, but a hot read that I thoroughly enjoyed.
It all begins with a budding Broadway star who moonlights as a cross-dressing burlesque dancer. When he falls in love with the birthday boy, an uber-macho yet sexually naïve fireman, things get awkward and amusing, before they finally get arousing.
I loved the turnabout that occurs in bed, with Julian topping the anal virgin with performance issues. Trent is a very likeable guy, with a personality completely at odds with his appearance, much like Julian himself. Fortunately, there are hints all along as to Trent’s closeted homosexuality, so the relative ease with which he accepts that his girlfriend is really a boyfriend isn’t so hard to accept (even with his seeming attempts at macho homophobia).
It also helps that Julian is such a wonderful character, one who never set out to deceive the other man, but who loves the idea of being in love. He’s a man who loves the frills of femininity, but who is quite happy being a man.
Not the most realistic of romances, even with the cautionary touches, but a hot read that I thoroughly enjoyed.
March 13, 2013
This was one very hot story about awkward circumstances, assuming a costume, playing a role . . . and then betraying the illusion and ultimately being yourself.
It all begins with a budding Broadway star who moonlights as a cross-dressing burlesque dancer. When he falls in love with the birthday boy, an uber-macho yet sexually naïve fireman, things get awkward and amusing, before they finally get arousing.
I loved the turnabout that occurs in bed, with Julian topping the anal virgin with performance issues. Trent is a very likeable guy, with a personality completely at odds with his appearance, much like Julian himself. Fortunately, there are hints all along as to Trent’s closeted homosexuality, so the relative ease with which he accepts that his girlfriend is really a boyfriend isn’t so hard to accept (even with his seeming attempts at macho homophobia).
It also helps that Julian is such a wonderful character, one who never set out to deceive the other man, but who loves the idea of being in love. He’s a man who loves the frills of femininity, but who is quite happy being a man.
Not the most realistic of romances, even with the cautionary touches, but a hot read that I thoroughly enjoyed.
It all begins with a budding Broadway star who moonlights as a cross-dressing burlesque dancer. When he falls in love with the birthday boy, an uber-macho yet sexually naïve fireman, things get awkward and amusing, before they finally get arousing.
I loved the turnabout that occurs in bed, with Julian topping the anal virgin with performance issues. Trent is a very likeable guy, with a personality completely at odds with his appearance, much like Julian himself. Fortunately, there are hints all along as to Trent’s closeted homosexuality, so the relative ease with which he accepts that his girlfriend is really a boyfriend isn’t so hard to accept (even with his seeming attempts at macho homophobia).
It also helps that Julian is such a wonderful character, one who never set out to deceive the other man, but who loves the idea of being in love. He’s a man who loves the frills of femininity, but who is quite happy being a man.
Not the most realistic of romances, even with the cautionary touches, but a hot read that I thoroughly enjoyed.
May 12, 2012
My first book from these authors. I really wanted to like this book since things like gender bender manga have always interested me.http://www.goodreads.com/search?utf8=...#
I found it to be interesting in the beginning but by the time I got 30% into the book I just kind of wish Julian would just tell Trent the truth. I just didn't feel the emotion/chemistry/love? I wanted to feel from the characters like I do from other stories in this genre.
Also I felt that some of the encounters involving Trent and Julian as Julia was just weird. It didn't feel as if they even had that much time together (which probably was written intentionally as so). When Trent would meet up with Julia, Julia would just have to leave and then Julian and Trent would contact each other. It just felt pointless to draw out that relationship.
I found it to be interesting in the beginning but by the time I got 30% into the book I just kind of wish Julian would just tell Trent the truth. I just didn't feel the emotion/chemistry/love? I wanted to feel from the characters like I do from other stories in this genre.
Also I felt that some of the encounters involving Trent and Julian as Julia was just weird. It didn't feel as if they even had that much time together (which probably was written intentionally as so). When Trent would meet up with Julia, Julia would just have to leave and then Julian and Trent would contact each other. It just felt pointless to draw out that relationship.
March 18, 2013
You just knew that Julian pretending to be Julia was going to end bad no matter how you look at it. I'm just glad that Trent really did love him enough to forgive him. They were too freaking cute together for them to not work out. Loved the scene where Trent went to win Julian back with the fire truck and all his brothers.
June 17, 2011
FINALLY finished that! I liked it well enough but for some reason could not get into it thoroughly. I think had my mood been better it would have rated higher with me. 3.5 right now.. maybe will read again when I am in a great mood! (great moods have alluded me as of late!)
June 18, 2011
2.5 stars. Ultimately, this story didn't work for me, for the same reasons mentioned in the other reviews, but I get what the authors were trying to do. I loved their previous book for being gleefully self-aware of its absurdity, but the same style falls a bit flat here.
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