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Just-You Eyes
Elliot didn’t know that offering to help his sister get over her broken love affair would mean attending a speed-dating evening at the local hotel in their quaint English town. Obviously, as a gay man, he’s not the target group, and there’s nothing for him there except cheap wine and uncomfortable chairs. But when hotel manager Alexsy sits down opposite him and offers an evening of a very different kind than Elliot expected, Elliot’s tempted to try something for the very first time in his life—the tantalizing adventure of a one-night stand.
60 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 1, 2011
4 people are currently reading
87 people want to read
About the author
Clare London
148 books434 followersClare took the pen name London from the city where she lives, loves, and writes. A lone, brave female in a frenetic, testosterone-fuelled family home, she juggles her writing with her other day job as an accountant. She’s written in many genres and across many settings, with award-winning novels and short stories published both online and in print. She says she likes variety in her writing while friends say she’s just fickle, but as long as both theories spawn good fiction, she’s happy. Most of her work features male/male romance and drama with a healthy serving of physical passion, as she enjoys both reading and writing about strong, sympathetic and sexy characters.
Clare currently has several novels sulking at that tricky chapter 3 stage and plenty of other projects in mind . . . she just has to find out where she left them in that frenetic, testosterone-fuelled family home.
All the details and free fiction are available at her website. Visit her today and say hello!
Clare also writes as Stella Shaw and launched a new series of rent boy romances in 2021.
Clare currently has several novels sulking at that tricky chapter 3 stage and plenty of other projects in mind . . . she just has to find out where she left them in that frenetic, testosterone-fuelled family home.
All the details and free fiction are available at her website. Visit her today and say hello!
Clare also writes as Stella Shaw and launched a new series of rent boy romances in 2021.
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
November 12, 2019
Wow! This was awesome! I am not in the least bit ashamed that the author made me cry like a baby by the end of this story. It blows me away how a really good author can managed to evoke so much emotion in so few pages. Just truly awesome!
June 18, 2011
Full review published at Reviews by Jessewave.
Dragged with apathy by his sister Effie to the local inn for this month’s speed-dating night, Elliot doesn’t expect much more than a few friendly conversations with locals he’s known all his life and a drink or two. Not much ever happens in the West Country, and though his sister is excited about the night out to meet someone new after her recent break-up, Elliot is just tagging along to support his sister and her fear that not enough men will show up for the event to proceed. Apparently being gay doesn’t matter to the women showing up to the heterosexual event — they’d just like someone new to talk to. Yet, when Effie’s ex-boyfriend shows up and she ditches the event to cry all night in the restroom, Elliot is left at the table by himself. He is soon joined, however, by another man, a beautiful man in a crisp suit with a slight Eastern European accent. His name is Alexsy and he works for the hotel chain. At first, Elliot only sees the differences between them, though he is immediately attracted to Alexsy. The more they talk however, at the table and then later over coffee and brandy, Elliot sees their similarities as well as the attraction between them.
Just-You Eyes is one of the novellas of the First Time Anthology — the premise being set around the first time a character does something. Here, we see Elliot, emotionally stunted from his last relationship (a bastard named Bernie), almost socially awkward in his conversation with Alexsy, who is apparently well skilled in one-night stands, which he freely admits to Elliot. Elliot has never had a one-night stand, though the more he gets to know Alexsy, he can see the attraction. The whole story is set around one night, which like slowly peeling the layers of an orange, is one long seduction scene.
Seen through the POV of Eliott, we only see Alexsy the way Eliott sees him, which is prehaps more suave and self-assured than he really is. In Elliot’s eyes, Alexsy lives a carefree life — living in London, partying hard, having many different lovers. Alesxy is his ideal in many ways, and Clare shows us with this story how much and how little we can see about a person when we first meet them. The Alexsy of the beginning of the story isn’t the same as the man at the end. And though he might have changed some, the way that Eliott sees him has changed as well, after feeling desired for the first time in several years and maybe a little more sure of himself. I really enjoyed Elliot and Alexsy and was happy that we got to know so much about them in the short length of the story, though what we do know about them is less from what they say to one another and more how they say it. Like many a first date, or an awkward one-night encounter, the meaning behind their conversation says more about them than the dance they do around the actual words and gestures.
Lastly, I liked how the title showed the special connection between the two men. “Just-You Eyes” refers to the gaze of someone who is really listening to what you have to say. Alexsy has this quality as Eliott speaks, which is the impetus for their encounter to move forward. If Elliot didn’t have that reassurance, I doubt that they would have ever been able to make more than a passing acquaintance.
I really enjoyed this story, mostly for Elliot who just needs a good cuddle and friend. The strongest parts of the story were in the dialogue, the slowly peeling layers of seduction and truth. This is a sweet story and reminds me what I like about reading Clare London’s stories — the characters and the connection that grows between them. Recommended.
Dragged with apathy by his sister Effie to the local inn for this month’s speed-dating night, Elliot doesn’t expect much more than a few friendly conversations with locals he’s known all his life and a drink or two. Not much ever happens in the West Country, and though his sister is excited about the night out to meet someone new after her recent break-up, Elliot is just tagging along to support his sister and her fear that not enough men will show up for the event to proceed. Apparently being gay doesn’t matter to the women showing up to the heterosexual event — they’d just like someone new to talk to. Yet, when Effie’s ex-boyfriend shows up and she ditches the event to cry all night in the restroom, Elliot is left at the table by himself. He is soon joined, however, by another man, a beautiful man in a crisp suit with a slight Eastern European accent. His name is Alexsy and he works for the hotel chain. At first, Elliot only sees the differences between them, though he is immediately attracted to Alexsy. The more they talk however, at the table and then later over coffee and brandy, Elliot sees their similarities as well as the attraction between them.
Just-You Eyes is one of the novellas of the First Time Anthology — the premise being set around the first time a character does something. Here, we see Elliot, emotionally stunted from his last relationship (a bastard named Bernie), almost socially awkward in his conversation with Alexsy, who is apparently well skilled in one-night stands, which he freely admits to Elliot. Elliot has never had a one-night stand, though the more he gets to know Alexsy, he can see the attraction. The whole story is set around one night, which like slowly peeling the layers of an orange, is one long seduction scene.
Seen through the POV of Eliott, we only see Alexsy the way Eliott sees him, which is prehaps more suave and self-assured than he really is. In Elliot’s eyes, Alexsy lives a carefree life — living in London, partying hard, having many different lovers. Alesxy is his ideal in many ways, and Clare shows us with this story how much and how little we can see about a person when we first meet them. The Alexsy of the beginning of the story isn’t the same as the man at the end. And though he might have changed some, the way that Eliott sees him has changed as well, after feeling desired for the first time in several years and maybe a little more sure of himself. I really enjoyed Elliot and Alexsy and was happy that we got to know so much about them in the short length of the story, though what we do know about them is less from what they say to one another and more how they say it. Like many a first date, or an awkward one-night encounter, the meaning behind their conversation says more about them than the dance they do around the actual words and gestures.
Lastly, I liked how the title showed the special connection between the two men. “Just-You Eyes” refers to the gaze of someone who is really listening to what you have to say. Alexsy has this quality as Eliott speaks, which is the impetus for their encounter to move forward. If Elliot didn’t have that reassurance, I doubt that they would have ever been able to make more than a passing acquaintance.
I really enjoyed this story, mostly for Elliot who just needs a good cuddle and friend. The strongest parts of the story were in the dialogue, the slowly peeling layers of seduction and truth. This is a sweet story and reminds me what I like about reading Clare London’s stories — the characters and the connection that grows between them. Recommended.
October 5, 2015
Elliot is helping his sister out by attending a speed dating night even though he’s gay. Not to worry, most people in attendance are aware of that fact so no hard feelings. But there is a guy there, the manager of the hotel where the speed dating takes place is new and very interested in Elliot.
After everyone leaves, Elliot and the manager, Alexsy, talk. Elliot is all about relationships and Alexsy has never had one. They decide after some brandy to explore things between them. When the night is over Elliot isn’t really sure one night stands are his thing, and Alexsy isn’t so sure avoiding relationships is his thing – anymore.
**
This is a short story, so a lot gets done in a little time. There is some laborious “get to know you” conversation followed by a very hot sex scene and then a wee bit of angst while the dust settles.
I liked the result, it felt very sweet and romantic, though we aren’t given much to work with, I have hopes for a HEA. The imagery of the “just you eyes” was lovely.
Sometimes the writing left me a little confused and I had to read and re-read passages to know who was speaking and what was going on. The “heat factor” was excellent, and I appreciated the awkwardness that was revealed as feeling authentic for a pair of new lovers.
Though I appreciated that Alexsky could turn on a dime for the right guy, I wasn’t sure what about Elliot turned him and even in a short story I think we could have had a bit more understanding of that part of his character’s development.
This is a new author to me, and I would definitely read something from her again.
3.5 of 5 stars
After everyone leaves, Elliot and the manager, Alexsy, talk. Elliot is all about relationships and Alexsy has never had one. They decide after some brandy to explore things between them. When the night is over Elliot isn’t really sure one night stands are his thing, and Alexsy isn’t so sure avoiding relationships is his thing – anymore.
**
This is a short story, so a lot gets done in a little time. There is some laborious “get to know you” conversation followed by a very hot sex scene and then a wee bit of angst while the dust settles.
I liked the result, it felt very sweet and romantic, though we aren’t given much to work with, I have hopes for a HEA. The imagery of the “just you eyes” was lovely.
Sometimes the writing left me a little confused and I had to read and re-read passages to know who was speaking and what was going on. The “heat factor” was excellent, and I appreciated the awkwardness that was revealed as feeling authentic for a pair of new lovers.
Though I appreciated that Alexsky could turn on a dime for the right guy, I wasn’t sure what about Elliot turned him and even in a short story I think we could have had a bit more understanding of that part of his character’s development.
This is a new author to me, and I would definitely read something from her again.
3.5 of 5 stars
July 4, 2011
I liked this story about two men who have a one-night stand - which turns out to be unusual for each of them, though for very different reasons.
Elliot is shy and somewhat inexperienced, a little withdrawn and settled in his ways. The unexpected adventure of meeting Alexsy shakes him up and he decides to go for a one-night stand - something he has never done before. Alexsy approaches the night from the opposite end of the spectrum: he has only had one-night stands so far. What he finds is just as surprising. I liked the careful way both of them approached their 'sexual adventure' and the conclusions each drew.
If you like your stories to have some depth and to make you smile, you will probably like this one.
Elliot is shy and somewhat inexperienced, a little withdrawn and settled in his ways. The unexpected adventure of meeting Alexsy shakes him up and he decides to go for a one-night stand - something he has never done before. Alexsy approaches the night from the opposite end of the spectrum: he has only had one-night stands so far. What he finds is just as surprising. I liked the careful way both of them approached their 'sexual adventure' and the conclusions each drew.
If you like your stories to have some depth and to make you smile, you will probably like this one.
December 9, 2019
4 Stars
Clare London has a deft way with short stories. She packs emotion, humor, character development and a surprising amount of story into a few short pages. This was a lovely, warm, romantic read.
The blurb does a great job of explaining the plot, so I won't rehash it, but I loved the title/phrase “Just-You Eyes," referring to the intent gaze of someone who is genuinely listening and giving "just you" their full attention.
The two MCs are sweetly tender and caring with each other. This is definitely a swoony and romantic read. Plus, there is even a small secondary romance that is sweet and charming.
This author has several stories available via KU, and thanks to this charming story, I am inspired to glom them all!
Recommend.
Clare London has a deft way with short stories. She packs emotion, humor, character development and a surprising amount of story into a few short pages. This was a lovely, warm, romantic read.
The blurb does a great job of explaining the plot, so I won't rehash it, but I loved the title/phrase “Just-You Eyes," referring to the intent gaze of someone who is genuinely listening and giving "just you" their full attention.
The two MCs are sweetly tender and caring with each other. This is definitely a swoony and romantic read. Plus, there is even a small secondary romance that is sweet and charming.
This author has several stories available via KU, and thanks to this charming story, I am inspired to glom them all!
Recommend.
July 15, 2011
This is one of the longer stories in the Dreamspinner Daily Dose series, and begins with a rather disheartening scene at a speed dating event where Elliot, an openly gay man, is fumbling through a number of experiences with women who know he’s gay, as his sister did not want to attend on her own. After a couple of folks drop out, he’s left alone and begins chatting with a manager sent from HQ in London to oversee things. After a crisis with her sister and her ex, he agrees to have a drink with Alexsy. I thought the desperation and/or discomfort of the whole speed dating experience came through well.
Part of the appeal, and perhaps the frustration for me, was Elliot himself. He’s not very socially smooth, to say the least at first. He’s also never had a one night stand, and comes across as rather disdainful of those who do. Of course Alexsy has had one, or a few dozen. Although there are some rough spots, Alexsy convinces Elliot that it doesn’t have to be all bad, that it can be fun and an adventure. Elliot decides to go for it and it is pleasantly surprised, even if he finds it a bit harder to forget in the days following.
I think readers will either love Elliot, and his life in the small town he grew up in, where everyone knows everyone and their business, or like me you’ll start to get an itch in between your shoulder blades, and an urge to escape as quickly as possible. I liked that his experience with Alexsy caused Elliot to re-exaine his life a bit, even if the changes he considered aren’t life-changing. It was nice to see a “first” actually have an effect on someone. While the story is only told from Elliot’s POV, you discover that it caused Alexsy to reconsider his life as well.
The sexual chemistry between the two was smoking hot and the anticipation, along with the sex itself was very steamy. It was also kind of fun that it wasn’t perfect. There were clunked heads, and no amazing simultaneous orgasms. On the whole a very nice story in the author’s usual engaging style, about a first that changed two men’s lives, hopefully for the better.
Part of the appeal, and perhaps the frustration for me, was Elliot himself. He’s not very socially smooth, to say the least at first. He’s also never had a one night stand, and comes across as rather disdainful of those who do. Of course Alexsy has had one, or a few dozen. Although there are some rough spots, Alexsy convinces Elliot that it doesn’t have to be all bad, that it can be fun and an adventure. Elliot decides to go for it and it is pleasantly surprised, even if he finds it a bit harder to forget in the days following.
I think readers will either love Elliot, and his life in the small town he grew up in, where everyone knows everyone and their business, or like me you’ll start to get an itch in between your shoulder blades, and an urge to escape as quickly as possible. I liked that his experience with Alexsy caused Elliot to re-exaine his life a bit, even if the changes he considered aren’t life-changing. It was nice to see a “first” actually have an effect on someone. While the story is only told from Elliot’s POV, you discover that it caused Alexsy to reconsider his life as well.
The sexual chemistry between the two was smoking hot and the anticipation, along with the sex itself was very steamy. It was also kind of fun that it wasn’t perfect. There were clunked heads, and no amazing simultaneous orgasms. On the whole a very nice story in the author’s usual engaging style, about a first that changed two men’s lives, hopefully for the better.
June 16, 2011
Great characters in a realistic set-up that plays out to a very satisfying ending. It's difficult to tackle a short story from the beginning of the relationship without resorting to insta-love, but this pulls it off beautifully. The peripheral characters are engaging, too, but the main characters are what will make you want to re-read.
December 17, 2011
I had a hard time connecting with the characters. I enjoyed the realness of it though.
June 15, 2011
Elliot agrees to a Date Night at a hotel in the small town he lives in. The town is so small, most people know he’s gay and that going to a het dating night for him means more of a social thing than the actual dating aspect. He went because someone dropped out and the male numbers needed to be even. Elliot was bored, wanted to be anywhere but there, and if he looked at his watch one more time someone might notice and think him rude. The bell going off, signalling the end of each round, couldn’t come quick enough for him—until a man sat opposite him and began to talk.
Alexsy has an air about him that intrigues Elliot, but Elliot isn’t too hot on the dating thing, is out of his depth, so some of his responses come out abrasive, a bit sharp. I loved watching him in my mind’s eye as he tried to combat nerves, feeling as though he would put his foot in it at any minute, and generally defending his small town and his life when he thought he was being attacked. He wasn’t used to such direct conversation, so Alexsy’s blunt approach had Elliot off-kilter.
Later, when the two men have coffee together, and then alcohol, Elliot loosens up. He discusses one-night stands with Alexsy, who admits he’s had several, doesn’t see the harm in them if both parties know the score—ships passing in the night (loved that bit)—and there is the start of Elliot discovering new things about the world, life, and how other people see things. Elliot has never had a one-snight stand—he’s more of a permanent relationship kind of guy—so when he agrees to give a one-night stand a try with Alexsy, he finds himself on an exciting journey, one where he questions whether this is the right thing to do. Whether it is or not, he goes for it, knowing that when it’s all over and Alexsy has returned to London, at least he’ll have memories to keep him company.
Best Bits: …walking across the room like Quasimodo…
…probably smelled of mothballs to someone more hip.
…so long as I didn’t scare the horses.
I felt something warm up and soften inside me like honey itself…
“No, I fucking well don’t!”
“Summer Breeze” maniac.
“Really, Annie, you shouldn’t watch C.S.I. every night.”
Her eyes were shining in that four glasses of wine way she had.
“No, Elliot, he’s actually the relief manager here…”
Verdict: A brilliant tale that comes across in the most natural way. The words flow, there are nuances of reality in there that give you the feeling this is really happening, and all those Brit words and ways made it a super read for me. I loved it. Lots.
Alexsy has an air about him that intrigues Elliot, but Elliot isn’t too hot on the dating thing, is out of his depth, so some of his responses come out abrasive, a bit sharp. I loved watching him in my mind’s eye as he tried to combat nerves, feeling as though he would put his foot in it at any minute, and generally defending his small town and his life when he thought he was being attacked. He wasn’t used to such direct conversation, so Alexsy’s blunt approach had Elliot off-kilter.
Later, when the two men have coffee together, and then alcohol, Elliot loosens up. He discusses one-night stands with Alexsy, who admits he’s had several, doesn’t see the harm in them if both parties know the score—ships passing in the night (loved that bit)—and there is the start of Elliot discovering new things about the world, life, and how other people see things. Elliot has never had a one-snight stand—he’s more of a permanent relationship kind of guy—so when he agrees to give a one-night stand a try with Alexsy, he finds himself on an exciting journey, one where he questions whether this is the right thing to do. Whether it is or not, he goes for it, knowing that when it’s all over and Alexsy has returned to London, at least he’ll have memories to keep him company.
Best Bits: …walking across the room like Quasimodo…
…probably smelled of mothballs to someone more hip.
…so long as I didn’t scare the horses.
I felt something warm up and soften inside me like honey itself…
“No, I fucking well don’t!”
“Summer Breeze” maniac.
“Really, Annie, you shouldn’t watch C.S.I. every night.”
Her eyes were shining in that four glasses of wine way she had.
“No, Elliot, he’s actually the relief manager here…”
Verdict: A brilliant tale that comes across in the most natural way. The words flow, there are nuances of reality in there that give you the feeling this is really happening, and all those Brit words and ways made it a super read for me. I loved it. Lots.
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August 12, 2013This was part of a “First Time for Everything” package at Dreamspinner Press, a compilation of daily doses, those short stories/novellas you can easily read in one day, maybe right before bed, like I did. Just-You Eyes is actually a long novella, that is good, moreover considering it spans only 1 day (and half a day of recap) in the life of the two men, Elliot and Aleksy; that means there is plenty of building up and chatting between the two men before they end in be (but they WILL end in bed, do not worry). It’s also a many first-times, for both of them: first time Elliot joins the local Speed Dating night, first time he lets himself consider a one-night stands, first time he will not consider the consequences and enjoy the moment. First time for Aleksy, once he leaves the morning after, he has regrets, not of having slept with Elliot, but that he will not have the chance to meet him again.
The story is all Elliot and Aleksy, two boats meeting at night in the dark sea, they flash each other and then everyone to their own path, sailing away for a faraway harbor, London city, that by miles could be just half a day by car, but to experience is right another world. Elliot is like a country flower, those small, apparently fragile flowers, but that can resist the worst winter, he cannot leave in the city, he would be stomped over; but here in the country, he can flourish, and with the right hand, he can open his petals (no pun intended) and be beautiful. Aleksy has only to understand it.
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B005EYRDKW/?...
The story is all Elliot and Aleksy, two boats meeting at night in the dark sea, they flash each other and then everyone to their own path, sailing away for a faraway harbor, London city, that by miles could be just half a day by car, but to experience is right another world. Elliot is like a country flower, those small, apparently fragile flowers, but that can resist the worst winter, he cannot leave in the city, he would be stomped over; but here in the country, he can flourish, and with the right hand, he can open his petals (no pun intended) and be beautiful. Aleksy has only to understand it.
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B005EYRDKW/?...
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November 4, 2011This a beautifully slow burning story, with Elliot and Alexsy getting to know each other over the course of an evening. Most of the novella consists of their conversation and Elliot's wry observations about small town life when observing the dramas of a speed dating event. I particularly loved this aspect, as I think Clare captured perfectly the way us small town, rural types can feel when faced with those from the city - somewhat gauche, yet fiercely defensive of the culture and diversity in our own little communities.
Much of the joy in reading this novella is to be found in seeing the two men transform their ideas about each other, reaching rare levels of honesty in their stolen night together.
Much of the joy in reading this novella is to be found in seeing the two men transform their ideas about each other, reaching rare levels of honesty in their stolen night together.
July 19, 2011
I usually enjoy Clare London's stories, but this time I couldn't connect to either protagonist - Elliot was just too awkward and Alexsy too much of a player for my taste. Their conversation before they end up in bed together frustrated me to no end. I get why this was done, but it simply couldn't hold my attention and I drifted away too many times. In the end, I was glad that their one-night stand affected both men and changed their perspectives - motivated Elliot to look for different experiences and Alexsy to stop long enough to consider the other person and possibility of connection. I would like to see what the future holds for these two.
June 5, 2011
Very good m/m romance about a guy, accompanying his sister to a heterosexual speed dating night to even out the numbers of men and women, who meets a hotel employee and has an uncharacteristic one-night stand.
August 1, 2011
I liked Elliot and Alexsy a lot. Things were pretty awkward between them, which is probably more realistic than most romances. But by the end of the story there was a real hope for a future between them.
December 3, 2011
Truly romantic well developed short novella about one-night stand with great HEA outcome. Elliot and Alexsy were interesting characters and their one-night stand was beautifully written. I really enjoyed this short story and wouldn't mind reading more about this couple!
June 7, 2021
I always enjoy reading Clare London's books and Just-You Eyes was an interesting one-night stand story with a HFN. Elliott and Alexsy meet at a speed dating event and quickly hit it off. They have an easy rapport that just feels comfortable despite a few bumpy starts. I love some of the HFN endings that this author writes which always leaves me satisfied. Whenever I need a quick and low-angst read, I drift to Clare London's novellas. I'm always satisfied and happy :)
June 15, 2024
When a brother has to escort his heartbroken sister to a speed dating event and ends up filling in a spot who knows what can happen! The plot idea was great but somehow, for me anyway, this fell flat. An awful lot of sitting talking and not much action, I found it rather dreary I'm afraid.
August 11, 2011
I usually love Clare London's but this one was just....ugh. I couldn't get into it all, much less care about either of the MCs, Elliot and Alexsy. It started off good, but then the scene just dragged on. The conversations between the MCs were frustrating to me because they were so awkward. I couldn't understand why certain lines ticked off one or the other MC and then I just got bored. I soldiered on, though because Clare London is a brilliant writer, but I found myself skimming through to the end. Disappointing.
September 25, 2011
About loneliness and longing. The awkwardness was very real and endearing to me.
August 8, 2014
Just could not get into. Nice story but didn't click
July 11, 2012
Didn't really connect with either MC. Nice story but no fireworks for me.
July 19, 2015
3.5 stars
July 20, 2012
3.5 stars - A lovely novella.
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October 24, 2016A story of loneliness and longing.
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews