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No matter how much Kellan is drawn to JD, his co-star in the umpteenth revival of the musical Grease, he knows he can’t act on the attraction. Since the first day of rehearsal, JD has been flirting outrageously, but Kellan keeps holding him off. JD is too appealing, too sexy, and Kellan has to put the play first. In fact, he has a hundred reasons why getting together would be a bad idea….
16 pages, ebook
First published November 9, 2011
40 people want to read
About the author
Theo Fenraven
32 books75 followersTheo Fenraven happily lives in south Florida, where it is hot and sunny much of the year.
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
November 10, 2011
This short story is cute for one reason -- the "reasons" that Kellan throws to JD whenever JD asks why they're not good together. See, when Kellan tells JD that there are a hundred of reasons why, JD throws some of the numbers randomly. Like this for example
“Number eighty-eight.”
“Your forehead is too high.”
Of course, the most beautiful answer is when JD asks reason #1. Love that part. It's just fun to read and makes me chuckle a couple of times. Pretty enjoyable for a short story.
“Number eighty-eight.”
“Your forehead is too high.”
Of course, the most beautiful answer is when JD asks reason #1. Love that part. It's just fun to read and makes me chuckle a couple of times. Pretty enjoyable for a short story.
December 7, 2011
This was a very humorous - without being too much - story of two actors flirting as they work together, one putting the other off by coming up with the 100 reasons why they can't date, some outrageously funny, some more serious. Very well done little story that is a great way to spend a few minutes.
November 13, 2011
I'm really glad I checked out the chat with Theo Fenraven and won a copy of this book; otherwise, I would've passed on this short story because in general I don't read them that much.
This was filled with playful and witty banter and was funny and cute at the same time. Despite the short length, the main characters felt really appealing to me and weren't cookie-cutter at all. A secondary character, T-Bird, was probably present for five paragraphs but I felt like he was given some sort of personality. Great job on characterization.
The reasons Kellan gives are sometimes outrageous and so random but I think it just adds to the overall charm of the book. The incident with the paper plane was funny and will probably stay with me for a long time.
Really entertaining for a short story.
This was filled with playful and witty banter and was funny and cute at the same time. Despite the short length, the main characters felt really appealing to me and weren't cookie-cutter at all. A secondary character, T-Bird, was probably present for five paragraphs but I felt like he was given some sort of personality. Great job on characterization.
The reasons Kellan gives are sometimes outrageous and so random but I think it just adds to the overall charm of the book. The incident with the paper plane was funny and will probably stay with me for a long time.
Really entertaining for a short story.
April 5, 2013
I LOVED this! Every time I read something else by Theo Fenraven I love it more than the last. This is very short but it is hysterical and heart-warming with a touch of hot!
JD and Kel are fantastic! I would love to know them, they are the kind of people you'd want to hang out with because you know you'd have so much fun with them. I love when a story makes me want the characters to be my neighbors, not many do, but when it happens I know I've found something I will read again and again.
Whenever I feel the need to smile and end up with a happy warm feeling I will read this story, it is perfect for that.
JD and Kel are fantastic! I would love to know them, they are the kind of people you'd want to hang out with because you know you'd have so much fun with them. I love when a story makes me want the characters to be my neighbors, not many do, but when it happens I know I've found something I will read again and again.
Whenever I feel the need to smile and end up with a happy warm feeling I will read this story, it is perfect for that.
January 25, 2012
What fun! What an absolutely lovely, leaves-you-with-a-good-feeling quick read. Fenraven's writing flowed beautifully for me. Within the first paragraphs I was well-invested in the main characters. The story is only 12 pages long, and it is a perfect little read. Just enough conflict, just enough tension, and love at just the right moment. Entertaining and sweet. Highly recommended.
December 13, 2014
Very cute short story with some great banter between the MC's. Made me chuckle a few times and was just very sweet. I enjoyed this. Wish it were longer, beyond the numbers bit, to get more of the characters and see where their story goes.
December 11, 2011
Very good, very short m/m romance about two guys who are acting together in the musical Grease and dancing around each other offstage.
December 12, 2011
Rating: A
Review originally posted at Brief Encounters Reviews
This is one of the shortest stories I’ve reviewed yet for Brief Encounters – only a scant twelve pages of actual story, but it was a real joy from start to finish. Theo Fenraven is a new-to-me writer and only appears to have published a few short stories so far, but he’s definitely a writer I’ll be keeping an eye on.
The story revolves around JD and Kellan killing time backstage over the first week of their revival of Grease. JD plays Kenickie to Kellan’s Danny Zuko, and the two clearly have great chemistry together, as evidenced by their witty banter.
JD keeps flirting, but Kellan is reluctant to get involved and risk jeopardising their working relationship. After Kellan jokingly tells JD he’s made a list of a hundred reasons they shouldn’t get together, JD keeps hitting him with requests for the various numbers. Some of Kellan’s answers are serious, but most are frivolous and made me chuckle:
This excerpt gives a good example of Fenraven’s economy of words. Nothing is wasted or extraneous – the scenes are pared down to the absolute minimum. What’s even more surprising is that given this, and a real lack of background information on JD and Kellan, they still managed to leap off the page and enchant me. Their banter is incredibly engaging, and they felt like people I’d really enjoy spending time with.
The second half of the story consists of a late night phone call between JD and Kellan, where Kellan finally gives his number one reason why they shouldn’t be together. This was a beautiful, touching moment. I couldn’t help but wish it had happened face to face rather than over the phone, but I loved the way Fenraven handled the remainder of their phone call. It was sexy and a real sense of their connection came across, despite them not being in the same room.
It’s hard to say more about a story that is so short without giving the whole plot away, but I can’t remember the last time I read something this brief that delighted me so much. Witty and cute, romantic and sexy, this is a story that will linger in my mind for a long while, and one I’ll look forward to reading again whenever I need my mood lifting.
Review originally posted at Brief Encounters Reviews
This is one of the shortest stories I’ve reviewed yet for Brief Encounters – only a scant twelve pages of actual story, but it was a real joy from start to finish. Theo Fenraven is a new-to-me writer and only appears to have published a few short stories so far, but he’s definitely a writer I’ll be keeping an eye on.
The story revolves around JD and Kellan killing time backstage over the first week of their revival of Grease. JD plays Kenickie to Kellan’s Danny Zuko, and the two clearly have great chemistry together, as evidenced by their witty banter.
JD keeps flirting, but Kellan is reluctant to get involved and risk jeopardising their working relationship. After Kellan jokingly tells JD he’s made a list of a hundred reasons they shouldn’t get together, JD keeps hitting him with requests for the various numbers. Some of Kellan’s answers are serious, but most are frivolous and made me chuckle:
A second plane hit me a minute later. Inside was written #69, damn it!
Laughing to myself, I borrowed a pen from a stagehand and wrote You dribble when you eat. What the hell can this mean if you’re giving head?
I folded it up and flew it back. He opened it, read and burst into laughter even as his cheeks flamed red.
This excerpt gives a good example of Fenraven’s economy of words. Nothing is wasted or extraneous – the scenes are pared down to the absolute minimum. What’s even more surprising is that given this, and a real lack of background information on JD and Kellan, they still managed to leap off the page and enchant me. Their banter is incredibly engaging, and they felt like people I’d really enjoy spending time with.
The second half of the story consists of a late night phone call between JD and Kellan, where Kellan finally gives his number one reason why they shouldn’t be together. This was a beautiful, touching moment. I couldn’t help but wish it had happened face to face rather than over the phone, but I loved the way Fenraven handled the remainder of their phone call. It was sexy and a real sense of their connection came across, despite them not being in the same room.
It’s hard to say more about a story that is so short without giving the whole plot away, but I can’t remember the last time I read something this brief that delighted me so much. Witty and cute, romantic and sexy, this is a story that will linger in my mind for a long while, and one I’ll look forward to reading again whenever I need my mood lifting.
November 13, 2011
This is a funny, cute short stories about two stage actors who are in the production of Grease the Musical. JD asks Kellan to go out, but Kellan is steady in saying no. When asked, he said there are at least 100 reasons for them not supposed to be together. The story then continues with the witty banters between the two, with JD throws a random number and Kellan provides the reason.
I would have given this 5 stars if we get a bit of character development. We don't know that Kellan considered JD straight until almost the end. Neither do we know their characters: Is JD a player? Is Kellan?
The best part of the book, IMO, is Kellan's answer when JD asked about the #1 reason.
I would have given this 5 stars if we get a bit of character development. We don't know that Kellan considered JD straight until almost the end. Neither do we know their characters: Is JD a player? Is Kellan?
The best part of the book, IMO, is Kellan's answer when JD asked about the #1 reason.
November 26, 2011
Absolutely loved this story. I love the interaction between the two characters, the way it's so obvious and inevitable but they still have to do the dance. There's such movement here, fed by the witty dialogue. I smiled through the whole story and turned off my Kindle with a happy sigh. Thank you Theo.
October 5, 2014
Very well written. Sexy and cute, but also in some way Fenraven creates an immediate sense of character and setting. It is a pleasure to read this and will be a pleasure to reread it again and again when I need a lift and a smile.
May 18, 2012
This is a really well-written short story about two actors in a Grease revival. The interplay and banter between the characters are so engaging! Honestly, I just wanted more! This is the first story I've read by this author, but I'll be looking for me.
November 11, 2011
100 reasons why they can't be together includes snoring, pissing with the door open, etc. But the #1 reason was just so sweet and loved it.
November 12, 2011
Very fun, the witty banter and simmering passion beneath the surface was a blast to read. Highly entertaining.
February 19, 2012
A short refreshingly sweet story. I loved that the characters didn't just get together but had to dance around to eventually get where they were.
April 4, 2012
My Rating 3.5 stars
June 22, 2012
Adorable short story!
December 10, 2012
Delightfully funny read!
July 22, 2014
This was a really cute short story of a guy trying his best not to be interested in or flirt with someone and failing miserably, but having fun while doing it.
Kellan makes a list of 100 reasons why he and JD shouldn't hook up. Much of the story is JD making Kellan laugh in the wings of their stage play while asking Kellan to give him random reason #X, until JD finally works up to asking what #1 is.
Obviously not a long, drawn out plot here. Short, fun read.
Kellan makes a list of 100 reasons why he and JD shouldn't hook up. Much of the story is JD making Kellan laugh in the wings of their stage play while asking Kellan to give him random reason #X, until JD finally works up to asking what #1 is.
Obviously not a long, drawn out plot here. Short, fun read.
March 8, 2012
Reviewed by Amber: I'll start with saying this short did nothing to entertain me. I didn't feel any spark between the characters and the story rambled along making me wonder what the point of it was. However, if angst is your thing rolled into a short, this one might appeal to you.
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December 2, 2014
Kind of cute. Should have been longer and at least a tad more developed IMO. I was expecting more humor from having read some reviews. Also, it was barely 12 pages with 1.5 spacing between lines and big font, not 16 pages.
Worth $1.49? Uh, no.
Oh well, you win some, you lose some.
Worth $1.49? Uh, no.
Oh well, you win some, you lose some.
November 27, 2018
3.5 stars
July 20, 2012
Nothing really wrong with it, it was a sweet story. But it startedoff more clever than it ended. It just didn't leave a big impact with me.
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews