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Between Friends
Part of the First Time For Everything Daily Dose 2011 collection
Lucas and Julian were childhood friends, but when bachelor party hijinks landed them in bed together, no one was more surprised than Lucas. That one night turned into a full-blown hidden affair—until the openly gay Julian couldn’t stand being Lucas’s dirty little secret anymore. After two years of missing his best friend and lover, Lucas finds himself desperate to convince Julian that his love really does blaze as bright and as proud as the fireworks on the Fourth of July!
Lucas and Julian were childhood friends, but when bachelor party hijinks landed them in bed together, no one was more surprised than Lucas. That one night turned into a full-blown hidden affair—until the openly gay Julian couldn’t stand being Lucas’s dirty little secret anymore. After two years of missing his best friend and lover, Lucas finds himself desperate to convince Julian that his love really does blaze as bright and as proud as the fireworks on the Fourth of July!
40 pages, ebook
First published June 1, 2011
3 people are currently reading
226 people want to read
About the author
Lou Harper
34 books341 followersUnder a prickly, cynical surface Lou Harper is an incorrigible romantic. Her love affair with the written word started at a tender age. There was never a time when stories weren't romping around in her head. She is currently embroiled in a ruinous romance with adjectives. In her free time Lou stalks deviant words and feral narratives.
Lou's favorite animal is the hedgehog. She likes nature, books, movies, photography, and good food. She has a temper and mood swings.
Lou has misspent most of her life in parts of Europe and the US, but is now firmly settled in Los Angeles and worships the sun. However, she thinks the ocean smells funny. Lou is a loner, a misfit, and a happy drunk.
Blog: http://louharper.blogspot.com
Book cove designs: http://lharper.deviantart.com/gallery
Lou's favorite animal is the hedgehog. She likes nature, books, movies, photography, and good food. She has a temper and mood swings.
Lou has misspent most of her life in parts of Europe and the US, but is now firmly settled in Los Angeles and worships the sun. However, she thinks the ocean smells funny. Lou is a loner, a misfit, and a happy drunk.
Blog: http://louharper.blogspot.com
Book cove designs: http://lharper.deviantart.com/gallery
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 53 reviews
February 13, 2013
3.5 stars
Short but cute GFY tale of Lucas and Julian. Lucas, lad about town, Julian is the younger brother of one of Lucas' best friends, out and proud.
Won't be a keeper, but a nice read all the same.
Short but cute GFY tale of Lucas and Julian. Lucas, lad about town, Julian is the younger brother of one of Lucas' best friends, out and proud.
Won't be a keeper, but a nice read all the same.
August 29, 2014
Aww. Cute. What's a gangbang without friends..?
September 1, 2013
This was hot. It was also a bit sweet and really good.
Only a bit too short.
Only a bit too short.
March 9, 2013
3.5 stars -two childhood friends, Julian and Luke, turn into lovers. Julian is openly gay and Luke is in denial. Well written, but the gang bang was ridiculous and unappealing to me. Without the gang bang, it would have gotten a higher rating. I don't know why it was included in this story. The character in denial, Luke and his two straight friends(who are brothers) gang bang Julian and then act like nothing happened. It seemed very dirty to me and was a weird way to start the love affair between Julian and Luke. I think that just Julan and Luke should've been together. But I know I liked this story because even after I read it I found myself wondering what the characters would have been up to. I'm glad that there is a small epilogue written into the story.
Other than that, it was cute, even though the language such as "mum" instead of "mom" suggested the story took place in the UK and then it ended up being in Illinois and Chicago... But Luke's lingo and voice made me believe he was a gruffy guy from the Midwest, so that's ok.
Other than that, it was cute, even though the language such as "mum" instead of "mom" suggested the story took place in the UK and then it ended up being in Illinois and Chicago... But Luke's lingo and voice made me believe he was a gruffy guy from the Midwest, so that's ok.
June 23, 2011
3.5 stars
Just like other reviewers have said, this one is written with Luke (the narrator) "telling" readers his story -- from the night where everything changes between him and Jules, until the time where it goes down to Hell because Luke is in the closet while Jules wants to be out (and he doesn't want to be Luke's dirty little secret anymore), and finally when Luke realizes his feeling, and declares his love to Jules for everyone to know.
This kind of writing makes me feel like listening to a friend. It's a nice way to capture my attention. I also think the story is enganging, and I totally love the part where Luke makes his grand gesture of love.
This kind of story will get 4-stars rating from me EXCEPT, there is one scene that I totally hate. When it comes to romance, I think I'm pretty "traditional" so the scene in the bachelor party doesn't sit well with me. I just cannot let that one go easily; it makes me feel churned-up.
Just like other reviewers have said, this one is written with Luke (the narrator) "telling" readers his story -- from the night where everything changes between him and Jules, until the time where it goes down to Hell because Luke is in the closet while Jules wants to be out (and he doesn't want to be Luke's dirty little secret anymore), and finally when Luke realizes his feeling, and declares his love to Jules for everyone to know.
This kind of writing makes me feel like listening to a friend. It's a nice way to capture my attention. I also think the story is enganging, and I totally love the part where Luke makes his grand gesture of love.
This kind of story will get 4-stars rating from me EXCEPT, there is one scene that I totally hate. When it comes to romance, I think I'm pretty "traditional" so the scene in the bachelor party doesn't sit well with me. I just cannot let that one go easily; it makes me feel churned-up.
June 22, 2011
I really liked the writing style of this story: it made me feel as if I was listening to someone across the table in a bar telling me a story. The humor was great, and even though the storyline was fairly simple, there were a lot of little details that made it very special. It's definitely one of the most fun "friends to lovers"/"gay for you" books I have read so far.
If you like characters who tell it like it is and make you feel as though you're listening to a friend, rather than reading a story, you will probably like this book.
If you like characters who tell it like it is and make you feel as though you're listening to a friend, rather than reading a story, you will probably like this book.
August 17, 2011
I really enjoyed this story with the exception of one scene. Why, why, why would Jules let his brother's three best friends fuck him when he is in love with one of the friends and his brother is passed out in the next room? He wouldn't. It was just so out of character for Jules and for his brother's best friends. I felt like that scene was entirely gratuitous and was completely unnecessary in the developmemt of the story and the MC's relationship.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 23, 2011
I really enjoyed this short in the First Time Anthology. The voice of the narration is nice and honest and tells the story quite well. Also, it's kinky and very, very hot.
August 4, 2014
*** 2.7 stars ***
"...theres no such thing as straight and gay, or even bi, and that were all just sexual creatures with a variety of inclinations..."
...it all started on the night of Kevs bachelor party...
Like I said before, I'm a big GFY fans !
Seeing or reading how a straight or two straight guys start questioning their orientation and slowly realized what exactly what they want and finally faced their own truth....
Well ? Let's say....I enjoying the process ....
It's gave me "that feeling" , you know... *wink*
And, what about this book ?
Overall, I do LIKE the story, but...not with the writing style.
Dunno....just felt there were something missing with the way the author wrote the story.
And yeah...it's just ended as another so-so reading for me...
June 6, 2011
Well written short story about childhood friends becoming lovers, even though one is straight. I want to mention that the story was written in a narrative first person style with the MC speaking directly to the reader. While this writing style can be tricky, I thought it worked well in this case.
June 27, 2011
I loved the writing style and the very distinctive voice that the character brought to the writing. This is the second thing I have read from Lou Harper and I have enjoyed them both immensely. I will definitely be interested in reading future work!
May 18, 2012
I think the awkward and uncomfortable group sex scene turned me off to this book. After that, I just couldn't connect with the main characters and didn't really care if they reconciled or not. I'd actually hoped that Jules had moved and forgot about his "friends" back home.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 20, 2011
This short story didn't speak to me and I'm glad. I didn't like it!
August 20, 2011
I personally dislike reading about casual sex with multiple partners and one such scene, at the beginning, totally put me off the story.
October 3, 2011
This was a nice story.
I don't understand why the bachelor party scene was necessary for the story, but other than that, it was a cute and fun read.
I don't understand why the bachelor party scene was necessary for the story, but other than that, it was a cute and fun read.
September 4, 2013
Short, hot little story about Childhood friends become lovers 1 gay 1 straight .....a separation n a coming out with a bang ....
April 17, 2016
No, just no! Can't recommend.
May 19, 2014
Liked this quick short flowing read especially the point of view.
November 2, 2014
3.5 stars
Enjoyable short story.
Enjoyable short story.
December 1, 2015
Yikes.
June 8, 2014
No way!
That bachelor party??? NO NO NO!!
Sorry, hate to even imagine it! Brrrr....
That bachelor party??? NO NO NO!!
Sorry, hate to even imagine it! Brrrr....
July 4, 2022
⭐️3.5⭐️
October 30, 2015
No, no no.
It was simply stupid. There was NOTHING I liked about this story.
And I don't know if guys really do jerk of in front of each other or if they jerk each other off but ARE YOU SERIOUS?! It started as "we were best/good friends",
I have no words.
as I said: ARE YOU FUCKING SERIOUS????
It was simply stupid. There was NOTHING I liked about this story.
And I don't know if guys really do jerk of in front of each other or if they jerk each other off but ARE YOU SERIOUS?! It started as "we were best/good friends",
I have no words.
as I said: ARE YOU FUCKING SERIOUS????
October 11, 2011
This was really good. I love 1st person POV when it's done correctly. It was here....I usually never read short stories or novellas - they always feel too short, like I never get my $$ worth, like the author cops out and rushes the ending, etc. Not so here at all, this felt satisfying.
While it would be nice to read a sequel because I really liked the MCs as well as the supporting cast, it’s not necessary here at all. This was a pleasant surprise. Nice job to the author.
While it would be nice to read a sequel because I really liked the MCs as well as the supporting cast, it’s not necessary here at all. This was a pleasant surprise. Nice job to the author.
September 15, 2011
3.5 stars
What Chris said. I was glad that Jules stood up for himself. I'm not sure why but until they said college I would have sworn it was set in Britain. Maybe it was just me. However it was an enjoyable read although I wasn't thrilled that the guy with the live-in girlfriend decided that sex with a guy didn't seem to count, or at least everyone acted that way. (neither of the heroes was that guy)
What Chris said. I was glad that Jules stood up for himself. I'm not sure why but until they said college I would have sworn it was set in Britain. Maybe it was just me. However it was an enjoyable read although I wasn't thrilled that the guy with the live-in girlfriend decided that sex with a guy didn't seem to count, or at least everyone acted that way. (neither of the heroes was that guy)
April 20, 2017
Since I read this last year (2011) sometime I had to skim thru it to remember... I totally enjoyed this story In spite of that I found it to be totally cute and would have liked an update on the characters years from that point to see how they were doing
November 18, 2014
This is a beautifully written short story that is direct, romantic and yes oh-so-sexy. The night of the Bachelor Party, I was like "No, they didn't" - that was so freaking hot man!
It's cute how the story was told through Lucas' perspective from his younger years with his buddies until they're all grown men. It seems like everything got covered here and it resulted to an awfully pleasing read!
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
It's cute how the story was told through Lucas' perspective from his younger years with his buddies until they're all grown men. It seems like everything got covered here and it resulted to an awfully pleasing read!
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
October 1, 2012
3.4
A good story with an informal style of narrative .The narrator had a distinctive voice and that made the story enjoyable .
My biggest pet peeve with the story was the ( communal ?! ) lets-fuck-our childhood friend-together scene at the bachelor's party. I found it completely unnecessary and rather disturbing.
A good story with an informal style of narrative .The narrator had a distinctive voice and that made the story enjoyable .
My biggest pet peeve with the story was the ( communal ?! ) lets-fuck-our childhood friend-together scene at the bachelor's party. I found it completely unnecessary and rather disturbing.
May 4, 2015
I love the way the story is told from Luke's POV. The one liners are great. The entire plot is beautiful, sad, stunning and heart-warming. I love everything about it. The relationship is real, well explored and developed and sweet. I think Luke is my favourite character, with Jules a very close second.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 53 reviews