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Mercury in Retrograde
Almost-thirty-year-old Alex Harrison is a well-known actor with good friends. Sure, he’s a bit emotional at times, but he’s also rich, gorgeous, successful—and, yeah, lonely. When his astrologer tells him to be on the lookout for his soul mate, he’s convinced she means his ex-boyfriend, Jeff, despite the plethora of evidence to the contrary. But he’s not so blind that he doesn’t notice quiet, handsome Ben Anderson.
Ben’s just twenty-five and something of a free spirit. He left his home in Virginia on a whim to be a rafting guide for a wilderness lodge in Oregon, and he’s glad he did, or he’d never have met Alex. Despite the heat flashing between them, somehow their signals keep getting intercepted. Can these star-crossed lovers find their way to the love destiny has planned?
Ben’s just twenty-five and something of a free spirit. He left his home in Virginia on a whim to be a rafting guide for a wilderness lodge in Oregon, and he’s glad he did, or he’d never have met Alex. Despite the heat flashing between them, somehow their signals keep getting intercepted. Can these star-crossed lovers find their way to the love destiny has planned?
102 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 29, 2011
68 people want to read
About the author
CJane Elliott
23 books41 followersAfter years of hearing characters chatting away in her head, CJANE ELLIOTT finally decided to put them on paper and hasn’t looked back since. A psychotherapist by training, CJane enjoys writing sexy, passionate stories that also explore the human psyche. CJane has traveled all over North America for work and her characters are travelers, too, traveling down into their own depths to find what they need to get to the happy ending.
CJane is an ardent supporter of LGBTQ equality and is particularly fond of coming-out stories. In her spare time, CJane can be found dancing, listening to music, or watching old movies. Her husband and son support her writing habit by staying out of the way when they see her hunched over, staring intensely at her laptop.
CJane is the author of the award-winning Serpentine Series, New Adult contemporary novels set at the University of Virginia. Serpentine Walls was a 2014 Rainbow Awards finalist, Aidan’s Journey was a 2015 EPIC Awards finalist, and Sex, Love, and Videogames won first place in the New Adult category in the 2016 Swirl Awards and first place in Contemporary Fiction in the 2017 EPIC eBook Awards.
CJane is an ardent supporter of LGBTQ equality and is particularly fond of coming-out stories. In her spare time, CJane can be found dancing, listening to music, or watching old movies. Her husband and son support her writing habit by staying out of the way when they see her hunched over, staring intensely at her laptop.
CJane is the author of the award-winning Serpentine Series, New Adult contemporary novels set at the University of Virginia. Serpentine Walls was a 2014 Rainbow Awards finalist, Aidan’s Journey was a 2015 EPIC Awards finalist, and Sex, Love, and Videogames won first place in the New Adult category in the 2016 Swirl Awards and first place in Contemporary Fiction in the 2017 EPIC eBook Awards.
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
May 13, 2014
Not particularly well written, or developed. I found Alex almost too stupid to bear. His obsession with his horoscope, and his unfaithful former lover got old really fast. His way of looking at the world, his general attitude, and way of thinking drove me crazy. He acted like he was a very young teenager for most of the book, and that did not endear him to me at all.
I actually liked Ben for the most part, although I have no idea what he saw in Alex. He was even tempered, and free spirited, but I found him a bit too nonchalant about his future. Hard to relate to once you reach a certain age, and you realize how important things like health insurance, and an emergency fund can be. The secondary characters were okay, and I was glad that Jeff, while not exactly a good guy, was not quite the complete ass he first appeared to be. Alex just wants him to be something he can never be, and that isn't fair to either one of them.
The plot was a bit overwrought, and I didn't really find myself connecting to Alex, or his predicament. It's almost sad that he buys into the idea that there isn't a fate worse than being 30, and single. Overall I found it to be trite, and uninspired. An underwhelming read for me.
I actually liked Ben for the most part, although I have no idea what he saw in Alex. He was even tempered, and free spirited, but I found him a bit too nonchalant about his future. Hard to relate to once you reach a certain age, and you realize how important things like health insurance, and an emergency fund can be. The secondary characters were okay, and I was glad that Jeff, while not exactly a good guy, was not quite the complete ass he first appeared to be. Alex just wants him to be something he can never be, and that isn't fair to either one of them.
The plot was a bit overwrought, and I didn't really find myself connecting to Alex, or his predicament. It's almost sad that he buys into the idea that there isn't a fate worse than being 30, and single. Overall I found it to be trite, and uninspired. An underwhelming read for me.
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December 5, 2011
I don't know what I expected, but certainly not this. Frankly, I wanted something sweet and not too long. Something to put a smile on my face. What I got was a story about a clueless guy. And while clueless may not necessarily be a bad thing, somethimes it can be even entertaining, here it was annoying as hell.
Read more only if you don't mind spoilers.
Alex, a famous actor, finds out from his astrologer that he's going to meet his soul mate. Not long after that he crosses paths with his ex, Jeff. Alex gets this idea that Jeff is his soul mate. And how stupid is this? He knew the guy before, it didn't work out between them, and suddenly they are chummy soul mates? Duh. Alex together with Jeff and Alex's brother and their friends go on vacation to Oregon. There Alex meets a cute and sexy guy, Ben Anderson, but since he's with Jeff, there can be nothing between him and the sexy rafting guide. Of course nothing is perfect and Jeff doesn't see his and Alex's relationship as exclusive. And after he refuses to go with Alex and their friends (and Ben) river rafting, he calls his other "friend", so he won't fell so... alone. Alex comes back earlier than expected, catches Jeff in flagrante, and sends him and his fuck buddy back to LA.
Not everything about this book is bad, though. There are sweet moments between Alex and Ben, some are really touching and beautiful. Unfortunately, even after what happened with Jeff and Casey (his fuck buddy), Alex still clings to this idea that they're soul mates and thus meant for each other. He leaves Oregon, gets back with Jeff (for a night), they finally talk and agree they are not soul mates. There's one more guy with whom Alex gets more than friendly. There's a lot of misunderstandings, misconceptions, etc, which brings us to the title of the book. But that's all I'm going to say. I don't want to spoil everything for you, since there's a chance you will want to read the book yourself. I don't know, maybe you are even going to like it. As for me, well, this is not a story I'm going to read again.
My rating: 2.5 stars
Read more only if you don't mind spoilers.
Alex, a famous actor, finds out from his astrologer that he's going to meet his soul mate. Not long after that he crosses paths with his ex, Jeff. Alex gets this idea that Jeff is his soul mate. And how stupid is this? He knew the guy before, it didn't work out between them, and suddenly they are chummy soul mates? Duh. Alex together with Jeff and Alex's brother and their friends go on vacation to Oregon. There Alex meets a cute and sexy guy, Ben Anderson, but since he's with Jeff, there can be nothing between him and the sexy rafting guide. Of course nothing is perfect and Jeff doesn't see his and Alex's relationship as exclusive. And after he refuses to go with Alex and their friends (and Ben) river rafting, he calls his other "friend", so he won't fell so... alone. Alex comes back earlier than expected, catches Jeff in flagrante, and sends him and his fuck buddy back to LA.
Not everything about this book is bad, though. There are sweet moments between Alex and Ben, some are really touching and beautiful. Unfortunately, even after what happened with Jeff and Casey (his fuck buddy), Alex still clings to this idea that they're soul mates and thus meant for each other. He leaves Oregon, gets back with Jeff (for a night), they finally talk and agree they are not soul mates. There's one more guy with whom Alex gets more than friendly. There's a lot of misunderstandings, misconceptions, etc, which brings us to the title of the book. But that's all I'm going to say. I don't want to spoil everything for you, since there's a chance you will want to read the book yourself. I don't know, maybe you are even going to like it. As for me, well, this is not a story I'm going to read again.
My rating: 2.5 stars
May 13, 2014
3.5, rounded down, because not enough for 4 stars. Cute, fluffy romance with a dipshit hero who gets the happy ending he almost doesn't deserve.
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December 17, 2011
Alex is an actor, heading surely and inevitably towards 30, wanting nothing more than to have his soul mate by his side. He has a successful career, money out the yang, houses, travel when he wants, and the promise by his astrologer that he will meet his soul mate within the next few months. When old lover Jeff shows back up in his life, he is sure Jeff is The One.
So Alex, in between movies and in need of a vacation, rents a lodge in Oregon for a week for just him and a few of his closest friends. A week in the woods, no fans, romance in the air, and nothing to do but bond with Jeff is the plan.
Ben is on staff at the lodge. He's the rafting guide, a free spirit who follows his inner voice to Oregon after finishing his degree. He trusts the little voice, whatever it is, to show him what he needs. He is 25, single and loves the outdoors. This life is good for him. For now.
The two men meet, and there is attraction and chemistry, but Alex is convinced Jeff is is soul mate, and Ben is too good a man to poach. Even when Alex gets a rude awakening. The friendship grows between the two, and when the week is over, Alex hopes they can still stay in touch when he returns to LA.
Life has a way of waylaying the best laid plans and intentions. Will a chance encounter in LA reunite these two, or drive them even further apart?
This is a sweet and touching tale of a man who knows what he wants, but is sometimes his own worst enemy in getting it. Alex is every one of us - wanting love, determined to have it but oh-so-blind about the truth in others' hearts. The heart wants what the heart wants, and poor Alex thinks he wants Jeff. Even though it has blown up in his face before, he just wants love to happen so badly he is willing to settle. And when something really good shows up in his face, he is just so blind to it.
CJAne Elliott has shown how even the smartest of us can be dense. How love can make a man blind and yes, dumb. And how good intentions can be so misguided as to almost ruin a very good thing. I alternated between wanting to knock Alex's head off and going, "Awwww". His heart was in the right place, but man, could his head use some work!
And Ben - how could a man not fall in love with him. Romantic, sexy, interesting. Everything Alex wants. Isn't it funny how misunderstandings, pride and sheer stubbornness can keep us from the very things we want?
And when Alex finally surrendered - so nice. So sweet. "He felt held - not literally with the way Ben's strong arms gripped him - but held, caressed, like his soul was being gently rocked, and it was amazing, too much almost, but perfect and terrifying and exhilarating and...right". Sigh.
Very nice story. Read it with your heart, and forgive foolish pride.
Tom
So Alex, in between movies and in need of a vacation, rents a lodge in Oregon for a week for just him and a few of his closest friends. A week in the woods, no fans, romance in the air, and nothing to do but bond with Jeff is the plan.
Ben is on staff at the lodge. He's the rafting guide, a free spirit who follows his inner voice to Oregon after finishing his degree. He trusts the little voice, whatever it is, to show him what he needs. He is 25, single and loves the outdoors. This life is good for him. For now.
The two men meet, and there is attraction and chemistry, but Alex is convinced Jeff is is soul mate, and Ben is too good a man to poach. Even when Alex gets a rude awakening. The friendship grows between the two, and when the week is over, Alex hopes they can still stay in touch when he returns to LA.
Life has a way of waylaying the best laid plans and intentions. Will a chance encounter in LA reunite these two, or drive them even further apart?
This is a sweet and touching tale of a man who knows what he wants, but is sometimes his own worst enemy in getting it. Alex is every one of us - wanting love, determined to have it but oh-so-blind about the truth in others' hearts. The heart wants what the heart wants, and poor Alex thinks he wants Jeff. Even though it has blown up in his face before, he just wants love to happen so badly he is willing to settle. And when something really good shows up in his face, he is just so blind to it.
CJAne Elliott has shown how even the smartest of us can be dense. How love can make a man blind and yes, dumb. And how good intentions can be so misguided as to almost ruin a very good thing. I alternated between wanting to knock Alex's head off and going, "Awwww". His heart was in the right place, but man, could his head use some work!
And Ben - how could a man not fall in love with him. Romantic, sexy, interesting. Everything Alex wants. Isn't it funny how misunderstandings, pride and sheer stubbornness can keep us from the very things we want?
And when Alex finally surrendered - so nice. So sweet. "He felt held - not literally with the way Ben's strong arms gripped him - but held, caressed, like his soul was being gently rocked, and it was amazing, too much almost, but perfect and terrifying and exhilarating and...right". Sigh.
Very nice story. Read it with your heart, and forgive foolish pride.
Tom
December 5, 2011
I would say it is an Ok quality. But I hardly see any redeeming quality of the MC Alex. He seems to be fickle, somewhat immature and not very likable (at least to me). Compare to the easy-going, multi-talents Ben, who seems to be more likable.
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May 31, 2013Free from Dreamspinner Press on 5/31/13 during a TweetAway!
July 22, 2013
So happy this was a freebie
March 14, 2014
2.5 stars The MC ALex was fairly dramatic and at times annoying with his reasoning for his decisions. The ending was sweet though.
December 29, 2014
I'd say this was fairly average. The things I liked and disliked balanced out, and while I probably would not read this again, I wouldn't necessarily warn people away from it either.
I'll start with the things I disliked, so I can end on a good note. The main character, Alex, is one of those guys who can't seem to appreciate what he has, which is a nice home in Lost Angeles, a successful movie career with, apparently, an academy award under his belt before he hits 30, an ability to live an openly gay lifestyle with no negative repercussions, lots of f*ck buddies who are not with him just for his fame or money, a whole lot of good friends and a very accurate astrologer. What he doesn't have is an exclusive life partner, control of his sex drive, or the ability to live without alcohol. (To be fair, the author does not make him an alcoholic, but the man drinks like a fish and if I were his friends or brother I'd suggest he check out an AA meeting). Throughout the story Alex's thoughts seem so convoluted, confused and illogical that it's difficult to feel sorry for him when none of his plans or wishes pan out. Alex is so confused that this story feels a little bit like a response to a DRITC prompt around the phrase "mercury in retrograde", rather than an original story written for a general audience.
Given all that, what are the positives? Well, there are lots. Ben, the other MC, is extremely likable. He's calm and steady and seems to be willing to put up with and overlook Alex's movie star eccentricities. He's almost too good to be true, but that's okay, because I want to believe that there are guys out there who are like this. The "villain" in the story is not really so much a villain as a foil. He may not be prince charming, but he's actually fairly honest and he never sets out to hurt Alex. Alex's other friends also all seem like a bunch of decent people. And for all his flaws, the characterization of Alex actually fits my image of what a real life successful gay actor rapidly exiting his twenties might be like. Actors live in LaLa land, so they're inherently self-absorbed and out of touch with the real world (I'm sure there are exceptions - I'm speaking in theory). Also, I'm not sure what it says about me, but I actually liked So it's actually to Alex's credit that he recognizes Ben's wonderful qualities and (eventually) figures out who he should be with.
Overall this was a bit like bubblegum for the brain - pleasant enough while it lasted, but not likely to merit much afterthought.
I'll start with the things I disliked, so I can end on a good note. The main character, Alex, is one of those guys who can't seem to appreciate what he has, which is a nice home in Lost Angeles, a successful movie career with, apparently, an academy award under his belt before he hits 30, an ability to live an openly gay lifestyle with no negative repercussions, lots of f*ck buddies who are not with him just for his fame or money, a whole lot of good friends and a very accurate astrologer. What he doesn't have is an exclusive life partner, control of his sex drive, or the ability to live without alcohol. (To be fair, the author does not make him an alcoholic, but the man drinks like a fish and if I were his friends or brother I'd suggest he check out an AA meeting). Throughout the story Alex's thoughts seem so convoluted, confused and illogical that it's difficult to feel sorry for him when none of his plans or wishes pan out. Alex is so confused that this story feels a little bit like a response to a DRITC prompt around the phrase "mercury in retrograde", rather than an original story written for a general audience.
Given all that, what are the positives? Well, there are lots. Ben, the other MC, is extremely likable. He's calm and steady and seems to be willing to put up with and overlook Alex's movie star eccentricities. He's almost too good to be true, but that's okay, because I want to believe that there are guys out there who are like this. The "villain" in the story is not really so much a villain as a foil. He may not be prince charming, but he's actually fairly honest and he never sets out to hurt Alex. Alex's other friends also all seem like a bunch of decent people. And for all his flaws, the characterization of Alex actually fits my image of what a real life successful gay actor rapidly exiting his twenties might be like. Actors live in LaLa land, so they're inherently self-absorbed and out of touch with the real world (I'm sure there are exceptions - I'm speaking in theory). Also, I'm not sure what it says about me, but I actually liked So it's actually to Alex's credit that he recognizes Ben's wonderful qualities and (eventually) figures out who he should be with.
Overall this was a bit like bubblegum for the brain - pleasant enough while it lasted, but not likely to merit much afterthought.
January 19, 2012
Alex is ecstatic when his astrologer tells him that he's going to find his true love, just in time for him to not spend his thirtieth birthday single and alone. It's even better that he's just gotten back together with Jeff, an old love. Could the timing be any more perfect? He's still celebrating when a vacation brings him to a lodge in Oregon, where he meets Ben, the lodge's river guide. Ben's cute and a great listener, but Alex's destiny is Jeff... isn't it?
I wasn't sure what to expect with this story, torn between hippy-dippy and Hollywood drama. I'm delighted that it turned out to be neither.
Alex was charming, quite understandably torn between Jeff, with whom he'd been in a steamy relationship before, and Ben, a new acquaintance who just clicked. I could actually see him as a Hollywood star, if a particularly down-to-earth one, but the conveyance of him as such wasn't all that defined his character. His relationship with Jeff (by whom I was also pleasantly surprised in the end) worked as far as believability goes; it was easy to see them as friends in the end.
Ben was a little more difficult for me to get into, especially when he started in on marching orders from God, but I still liked his steadfastedness. The God-demands made him sound a little creepy-stalkerish, but not so terribly for me to be too weirded out to like him.
The chemistry between Alex and Ben was good, sweet and well drawn out. I liked that it took them a while to work up to even a kiss, so that by the time it happened I could believe in what they shared.
This isn't a story about sex; what sex there is takes place primarily off-screen, tastefully implied without providing a blow-by-blow. It's a nice change from stories where the characters fall into bed together ten pages in. It's more about the characters coming to know each other than it is about tab A into slot B, rinse and repeat.
The story itself is the perfect length for its purposes, neither too long nor too short. I might wish for more time spent with the characters, but that would have been padding, and I'd rather the time spent be quality over quantity.
In the end, I really rather liked this little story. It just worked for me, and I'm happy to have spent time in its small corner of the world.
I wasn't sure what to expect with this story, torn between hippy-dippy and Hollywood drama. I'm delighted that it turned out to be neither.
Alex was charming, quite understandably torn between Jeff, with whom he'd been in a steamy relationship before, and Ben, a new acquaintance who just clicked. I could actually see him as a Hollywood star, if a particularly down-to-earth one, but the conveyance of him as such wasn't all that defined his character. His relationship with Jeff (by whom I was also pleasantly surprised in the end) worked as far as believability goes; it was easy to see them as friends in the end.
Ben was a little more difficult for me to get into, especially when he started in on marching orders from God, but I still liked his steadfastedness. The God-demands made him sound a little creepy-stalkerish, but not so terribly for me to be too weirded out to like him.
The chemistry between Alex and Ben was good, sweet and well drawn out. I liked that it took them a while to work up to even a kiss, so that by the time it happened I could believe in what they shared.
This isn't a story about sex; what sex there is takes place primarily off-screen, tastefully implied without providing a blow-by-blow. It's a nice change from stories where the characters fall into bed together ten pages in. It's more about the characters coming to know each other than it is about tab A into slot B, rinse and repeat.
The story itself is the perfect length for its purposes, neither too long nor too short. I might wish for more time spent with the characters, but that would have been padding, and I'd rather the time spent be quality over quantity.
In the end, I really rather liked this little story. It just worked for me, and I'm happy to have spent time in its small corner of the world.
August 16, 2014
Sweet & romantic, with a little adventure thrown in for good measure. A lovely treat for my Friday commute! <3
July 7, 2017
It started out good... had a real nice setting and plot going... and then just ehhh.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews