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We Danced
For six years, Rex Payton has focused on two things: keeping his late father's small-town Kentucky bar afloat and raising his nephew, Tyler. After the tragic loss of his parents and sister, Rex has no interest in romance. He's respected in his community and regarded as one of Carlisle's most eligible bachelors, but he's accepted that his life isn't conducive to a romantic relationship, especially as a closeted gay man.
Enter Josh Billings, a veterinary student who's serving an internship in town. Josh's deepest passion is helping animals. Romance is the furthest thing from his mind... until the night he meets taciturn, handsome Rex Payton. Chance and an after-hours dance conspire to forge an intimate connection neither man looked for-one neither man can ignore after the dance leads to a kiss. Suddenly romance isn't so insignificant, but it's also not without complications. For this relationship to work, Josh has to decide if he can cope with dating a single dad, Rex has to open his heart, and Ty has to learn to share his dad's affection.
Enter Josh Billings, a veterinary student who's serving an internship in town. Josh's deepest passion is helping animals. Romance is the furthest thing from his mind... until the night he meets taciturn, handsome Rex Payton. Chance and an after-hours dance conspire to forge an intimate connection neither man looked for-one neither man can ignore after the dance leads to a kiss. Suddenly romance isn't so insignificant, but it's also not without complications. For this relationship to work, Josh has to decide if he can cope with dating a single dad, Rex has to open his heart, and Ty has to learn to share his dad's affection.
210 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 1, 2012
14 people are currently reading
525 people want to read
About the author
Jeff Erno
71 books641 followersJeff Erno currently lives in southern Michigan. He holds a bachelor's degree in business management and human resources. Jeff began writing stories in the late 1990's and initially posted them to a free online amateur website. The positive feedback he received from readers encouraged him to continue, and this eventually led to the publication of his first novel, Dumb Jock. Erno has subsequently published several other novels.
His greatest passion in life is writing, and he hopes to be able to continue sharing his work with readers worldwide.
His greatest passion in life is writing, and he hopes to be able to continue sharing his work with readers worldwide.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 95 reviews
June 6, 2012
First 26(!) pages introduction of the characters including their families, jobs, past, ex-lovers et cetera...
Insta love at first whiff, a kid out of a cereal commercial, an evil (of course deeply religious) aunt accusing the guys of child abuse, child welfare that scares little kids to death - putting the kid in the care of dubious foster parents based on a single accusation without any evidence, a gay friendly judge, getting the kid back, HEA, and they danced...
I couldn`t connect with the characters.
22 year old Josh came across as über-possessive and demanding - rushing to Rex` house the day after they first met and shared one single kiss to confront him after finding out that Rex lives with a guy named Ty who he thinks is his current boyfriend. Cheating? Not with Josh....
A few days later Josh told single-Uncle, multitasking 28 year old Rex how to run his life and how he could have managed it better! (Seriously, my Mom warned me off of men like Josh...)
Overbearing Josh made the supposed to be so strong Rex look like a doormat...sorry!
No tension in this story.
Ty - cutest 6 year old ever welcomed his new Uncle Josh with wide open arms and readily accepted the gay relationship between his two Uncles.
Idyllic small town atmosphere, understanding friends and colleagues, supporting family (with the exception of Aunt Evil) this felt like watching an episode of The Waltons - equally old-fashioned and very sweet...
The dropping shoe - accusation of child abuse - was too overdone and unbelievable to bring some much needed excitement into the story.
The writing was smooth but felt dispassionate and unemotional and as in the other two books I`ve read by this author I got a heavy dose of getting preached at...
The story was a fast, (too) easy and ultimately forgettable read.
Insta love at first whiff, a kid out of a cereal commercial, an evil (of course deeply religious) aunt accusing the guys of child abuse, child welfare that scares little kids to death - putting the kid in the care of dubious foster parents based on a single accusation without any evidence, a gay friendly judge, getting the kid back, HEA, and they danced...
I couldn`t connect with the characters.
22 year old Josh came across as über-possessive and demanding - rushing to Rex` house the day after they first met and shared one single kiss to confront him after finding out that Rex lives with a guy named Ty who he thinks is his current boyfriend. Cheating? Not with Josh....
A few days later Josh told single-Uncle, multitasking 28 year old Rex how to run his life and how he could have managed it better! (Seriously, my Mom warned me off of men like Josh...)
Overbearing Josh made the supposed to be so strong Rex look like a doormat...sorry!
No tension in this story.
Ty - cutest 6 year old ever welcomed his new Uncle Josh with wide open arms and readily accepted the gay relationship between his two Uncles.
Idyllic small town atmosphere, understanding friends and colleagues, supporting family (with the exception of Aunt Evil) this felt like watching an episode of The Waltons - equally old-fashioned and very sweet...
The dropping shoe - accusation of child abuse - was too overdone and unbelievable to bring some much needed excitement into the story.
The writing was smooth but felt dispassionate and unemotional and as in the other two books I`ve read by this author I got a heavy dose of getting preached at...
The story was a fast, (too) easy and ultimately forgettable read.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 12, 2020
Farfalle. Era uno di quei momenti in cui non sembrava esserci niente di appropriato da dire. Qualsiasi cosa fosse uscita dalla sua bocca, sarebbe risultata stupida. Si limitò a fare un cenno col capo.
Avvolti nella musica, iniziarono a dondolare dolcemente e, dopo pochi istanti, stavano ballando lentamente. Mentre la musica continuava a suonare, erano sempre più vicini e niente sulla terra sembrava avere importanza. Rex respirava il suo profumo e la sua mano scorreva lentamente lungo la schiena del giovane.
Josh Billings è uno studente di veterinaria, a un passo dal dottorato, che si trasferisce a casa dei suoi zii a Carlisle per l’estate. Per un caso fortuito si ritrova nel bar di Rex Payton: durante la chiusura si scambiano due battute e poi immersi in quel silenzio che vale molto più di mille parole si abbracciano e ballano un dolcissimo lento.
"Rex non smise un momento di sorridere mentre tornava a casa. Non poteva farci nulla. Era una cosa stupida, se ne rendeva conto. Non aveva idea di come quel bacio fosse arrivato. Quel ragazzo era un perfetto sconosciuto, eppure erano legati l'un l'altro da un'attrazione quasi magnetica. Un attimo prima erano uno di fronte all'altro a guardarsi, un attimo dopo erano improvvisamente abbracciati e ondeggiavano seguendo la musica."
I due si lasciano senza scambiarsi neanche i propri nomi, ma qualcosa è scattato nei loro cuori e, in una piccola cittadina come Carlisle, Josh trova presto la possibilità di rivedere Rex. Scopre, infatti, che l’uomo con cui Rex vive non è un fidanzato ma suo nipote, rimasto orfano di madre dopo un grave incidente in cui ha perso anche la nonna.
Il loro è un rapporto che nasce e cresce velocemente, presi dalla passione e dalla voglia di conoscersi e viversi. Josh e Ty diventano presto amici e Rex, che pensava di rimanere scapolo a vita, sa di aver trovato una persona molto importante con cui potrebbe costruire una famiglia.
Non aveva nemmeno mai sognato di trovare una persona come Josh. Dopo Andrew, Rex si era di fatto rassegnato all’essere un padre single e aveva accettato che gli appuntamenti e l’amore non avrebbero fatto parte della sua vita. Josh aveva completamente stravolto la sua prospettiva.
Con uno stile semplice e scorrevole e la narrazione in terza persona, Jeff Erno ha scritto un romanzo davvero valido.
Rex e Josh sono due uomini molto riservati: Rex non nasconde la sua omosessualità ma non la ostenta neanche; Josh non lo ha ancora confessato alla sua famiglia, ha fatto le sue esperienze ma il suo unico obbiettivo è sempre stato lo studio, fino all’incontro con Rex.
Josh pensava che una storia d’amore lo avrebbe distratto, privato di energie e tempo per raggiungere il dottorato ma, dopo aver conosciuto Rex e Ty, capisce che l’amore è qualcosa di più di una semplice distrazione, è un sentimento che ti avvolge, ti far star bene e ti rende ancora più vivo. Affronterà anche i suoi genitori, che accoglieranno la notizia molto meglio di quanto si aspettasse; un po’ meno suo zio, pastore della Chiesa Battista, e sua moglie che provocheranno non pochi impedimenti e problemi.
Sono rimasta davvero colpita da questa lettura, è un libro molto bello nella sua semplicità, dolce, passionale al punto giusto e dimostra come a volte non sia importante da chi la famiglia è composta, ma che i loro componenti si amino e si rispettino.
Lo consiglio a tutte le amanti del genere!
“Chi è credente pensa che la vita significhi fare il più possibile per ottenere il Paradiso. Per loro, questa vita è un mezzo – una forma di esistenza temporanea – ma il loro vero obbiettivo è l’eternità. Io non voglio vivere la mia vita così. Non voglio pensare al tempo che passo con Ty come qualcosa che devo sopportare finchè non navigherò verso qualcosa di meglio. Se c’è qualcosa che assomigli vagamente al Paradiso, io credo che sia qui, adesso. Quando si alza al mattino, strofinandosi gli occhi con le sue manine, quello per me è il Paradiso. Quando si siede sulle mie ginocchia e si addormenta, quando mi sussurra all’orecchio ‘ti voglio bene, papà’, quello è il Paradiso. Forse mamma, papà e Mel sono davvero in Paradiso. O forse c’è una altro posto, ma anche in questo caso non voglio che sia il mio obbiettivo. Voglio apprezzare e vivere al meglio ciò che ho qui, adesso, ogni secondo.”
Avvolti nella musica, iniziarono a dondolare dolcemente e, dopo pochi istanti, stavano ballando lentamente. Mentre la musica continuava a suonare, erano sempre più vicini e niente sulla terra sembrava avere importanza. Rex respirava il suo profumo e la sua mano scorreva lentamente lungo la schiena del giovane.
Josh Billings è uno studente di veterinaria, a un passo dal dottorato, che si trasferisce a casa dei suoi zii a Carlisle per l’estate. Per un caso fortuito si ritrova nel bar di Rex Payton: durante la chiusura si scambiano due battute e poi immersi in quel silenzio che vale molto più di mille parole si abbracciano e ballano un dolcissimo lento.
"Rex non smise un momento di sorridere mentre tornava a casa. Non poteva farci nulla. Era una cosa stupida, se ne rendeva conto. Non aveva idea di come quel bacio fosse arrivato. Quel ragazzo era un perfetto sconosciuto, eppure erano legati l'un l'altro da un'attrazione quasi magnetica. Un attimo prima erano uno di fronte all'altro a guardarsi, un attimo dopo erano improvvisamente abbracciati e ondeggiavano seguendo la musica."
I due si lasciano senza scambiarsi neanche i propri nomi, ma qualcosa è scattato nei loro cuori e, in una piccola cittadina come Carlisle, Josh trova presto la possibilità di rivedere Rex. Scopre, infatti, che l’uomo con cui Rex vive non è un fidanzato ma suo nipote, rimasto orfano di madre dopo un grave incidente in cui ha perso anche la nonna.
Il loro è un rapporto che nasce e cresce velocemente, presi dalla passione e dalla voglia di conoscersi e viversi. Josh e Ty diventano presto amici e Rex, che pensava di rimanere scapolo a vita, sa di aver trovato una persona molto importante con cui potrebbe costruire una famiglia.
Non aveva nemmeno mai sognato di trovare una persona come Josh. Dopo Andrew, Rex si era di fatto rassegnato all’essere un padre single e aveva accettato che gli appuntamenti e l’amore non avrebbero fatto parte della sua vita. Josh aveva completamente stravolto la sua prospettiva.
Con uno stile semplice e scorrevole e la narrazione in terza persona, Jeff Erno ha scritto un romanzo davvero valido.
Rex e Josh sono due uomini molto riservati: Rex non nasconde la sua omosessualità ma non la ostenta neanche; Josh non lo ha ancora confessato alla sua famiglia, ha fatto le sue esperienze ma il suo unico obbiettivo è sempre stato lo studio, fino all’incontro con Rex.
Josh pensava che una storia d’amore lo avrebbe distratto, privato di energie e tempo per raggiungere il dottorato ma, dopo aver conosciuto Rex e Ty, capisce che l’amore è qualcosa di più di una semplice distrazione, è un sentimento che ti avvolge, ti far star bene e ti rende ancora più vivo. Affronterà anche i suoi genitori, che accoglieranno la notizia molto meglio di quanto si aspettasse; un po’ meno suo zio, pastore della Chiesa Battista, e sua moglie che provocheranno non pochi impedimenti e problemi.
Sono rimasta davvero colpita da questa lettura, è un libro molto bello nella sua semplicità, dolce, passionale al punto giusto e dimostra come a volte non sia importante da chi la famiglia è composta, ma che i loro componenti si amino e si rispettino.
Lo consiglio a tutte le amanti del genere!
“Chi è credente pensa che la vita significhi fare il più possibile per ottenere il Paradiso. Per loro, questa vita è un mezzo – una forma di esistenza temporanea – ma il loro vero obbiettivo è l’eternità. Io non voglio vivere la mia vita così. Non voglio pensare al tempo che passo con Ty come qualcosa che devo sopportare finchè non navigherò verso qualcosa di meglio. Se c’è qualcosa che assomigli vagamente al Paradiso, io credo che sia qui, adesso. Quando si alza al mattino, strofinandosi gli occhi con le sue manine, quello per me è il Paradiso. Quando si siede sulle mie ginocchia e si addormenta, quando mi sussurra all’orecchio ‘ti voglio bene, papà’, quello è il Paradiso. Forse mamma, papà e Mel sono davvero in Paradiso. O forse c’è una altro posto, ma anche in questo caso non voglio che sia il mio obbiettivo. Voglio apprezzare e vivere al meglio ciò che ho qui, adesso, ogni secondo.”
January 17, 2014
We Danced is an excellent book. I am yet to read a Book by this author that I don't love. Rex and Josh were great role models for Ty. The stuff that happened to them was so unfair, and I was hoping that Uncle Howard was going to step up and put an end to his wife's bitchism. She was a shrew who should have been locked up for telling lies. This is a great story of family and love. 10 stars. ...
October 16, 2015
3.5 stars This review is a little late because I stayed up late in order to finish this book and didn't have a chance to write a review initially. The bump down from 4 stars to 3.5 stars is due to the unnecessary (IMHO) drama near the end . Maybe it's a compliment to say that the drama had me so anxious that I actually skimmed the last few chapters because I just couldn't stand the not knowing. I didn't care about all the bullshit details, I just needed it resolved, STAT! So I read the dialogue but pretty much ignored the rest.
So that overshadowed the rest somewhat, because it's the last thing I remember and the strongest emotion. However, up until that point I had been enjoying a light love story with some sweet kid feelz thrown in. The way they start is kind of ridiculous, but fine. After that I really liked the relationship progression, even though it was fast. And I really believed their feelings for each other, even if the I-love-you's were too quick.
The kid was present, as he is a huge part of Rex's life, but he doesn't take over the whole story. He's cute and spunky and fun, but seemed age-appropriate with regards to behavior and intelligence. Which was a nice change from a lot of these overly-mature kids we read in romances.
Overall a very nice romance, with some small bumps along the way. Just be warned about the ending drama, and breathe easy knowing that it will all be okay.
Received from the publisher as part of Jeff Erno's Greatest Hits in exchange for an honest review, reviewed for Hearts On Fire
So that overshadowed the rest somewhat, because it's the last thing I remember and the strongest emotion. However, up until that point I had been enjoying a light love story with some sweet kid feelz thrown in. The way they start is kind of ridiculous, but fine. After that I really liked the relationship progression, even though it was fast. And I really believed their feelings for each other, even if the I-love-you's were too quick.
The kid was present, as he is a huge part of Rex's life, but he doesn't take over the whole story. He's cute and spunky and fun, but seemed age-appropriate with regards to behavior and intelligence. Which was a nice change from a lot of these overly-mature kids we read in romances.
Overall a very nice romance, with some small bumps along the way. Just be warned about the ending drama, and breathe easy knowing that it will all be okay.
Received from the publisher as part of Jeff Erno's Greatest Hits in exchange for an honest review, reviewed for Hearts On Fire
May 4, 2012
Little Ty was absolutely adorable and so darn funny! There must be a real-life Ty somewhere in Jeff Erno's life, because this little guy was so completely believable. His phrasing and the way he'd blurt things out, uncensored, was so realistic (“Sometimes I let them out of the cage, but Uncle Rex doesn’t like it. He gets mad when they poop on the curtains.”). I refuse to believe this little guy is merely a fictional character. That's how vividly he came to life for me. There were many laugh-out-loud moments for me throughout the book thanks to Ty.
But Ty was just one part of this soon-to-be family unit. The budding romance between Ty's adopted dad, Rex, and newcomer Josh was very sweet. Neither looking for love but unable to deny their instant chemistry and strong mutual attraction. Both of these characters were engaging and multi-dimensional. We get to see how certain events in their pasts have shaped their current paths in life, and we get to follow them on their journey to overcome the obstacles that threaten to prevent them from achieving their hopes and dreams.
Any child would be lucky to have parents as wonderful and loving as these two. :-)
But Ty was just one part of this soon-to-be family unit. The budding romance between Ty's adopted dad, Rex, and newcomer Josh was very sweet. Neither looking for love but unable to deny their instant chemistry and strong mutual attraction. Both of these characters were engaging and multi-dimensional. We get to see how certain events in their pasts have shaped their current paths in life, and we get to follow them on their journey to overcome the obstacles that threaten to prevent them from achieving their hopes and dreams.
Any child would be lucky to have parents as wonderful and loving as these two. :-)
March 19, 2014
This book once again brought to light the things people do and the lack of care of whomever they hurt under the name of religious beliefs. It brings extreme anger when they are hurting two adults that love each other, but when they hurt children in the process, it brings rage. At least in my case it's rage. Sweet love story, lovely characters and of course there is rage. The one small problem I found was the ending seemed rushed.
April 1, 2017
I listened to this on a long car trip. It's really hard to drive when happy tears are rolling down your cheeks. This book hit a lot of buttons for me, and I loved it to pieces. Finn Sterling does a very good job with the narration. Cover models: Rex...perfect. Tyler...yes! Josh...not even close to how I pictured him. Eh, you can't have everything!
March 13, 2015
2.5* Insta-love + Predictable plot + phrases like "Red Hot Poker", "Javelin", and "Volcano Erupting" and you have a head shaker. At least it was useful for a number of reading challenges.
July 16, 2012
Okay…confession time. I was itching for this book since it popped onto Dreamspinner’s Coming Soon page. The little boy on the cover was absolutely adorable and I couldn’t wait to read his story. But, when I got We Danced in my hot little hands and started to read I almost didn’t make it through chapter one.
No. It wasn’t that the writing was that terrible. Jeff Erno is a fabulous storyteller. I had no trouble picturing a tired barkeep cleaning up at the end of the night. The smell of Pine-sol, the music playing in the background, the timid knock on the door, all set a wonderful mood that sucked me in. Then we came to the dance. I may have mentioned in the past that I strongly disapprove of instalove unless werekin are involved. So for two sober, absolute strangers to slow dance in an empty bar almost had me running for the hills. Then Mr. Erno nicely let Josh have the perfect reaction and I was hooked. No way was I putting this book down, until I reached The End.
Turns out, rather than the sappy mess I feared, We Danced is one of those books that I will go back and re-read again and again. It was absolutely brilliant. Neither Josh nor Rex was looking for a love match. Hell, they weren’t even looking for a hook-up. And Josh is a bit leery of getting involved with a single dad. Their romance unfolds ever so nicely. It’s sexy, it’s funny and Ty is a little angel. I loved that despite their apprehensions, they were both so honest and supportive of each other. Rex and Ty show Josh that there is room in his life for more than just his academic dreams. And Josh helps Rex remember, he had dreams of his own, before his life was tragically altered and Ty became his sole purpose for being. Did I mention the hot,steamy sex…;-) And there is enough blood pressure raising drama to justify me taking extra dose or two, while I read. *smdh* Family…too bad you can’t hand pick them.
I have one more confession…this was my first Jeff Erno read. I know you are probably shaking your head and wondering how I could own a M/M review site and failed to read one of the biggies in the biz…I have no excuse. But, now that I have been introduced properly to this fabulous writer, you can bet, I’ll be begging for his entire backlist.
I am recommending this book to readers who love seeing single dads find love, little boys who are wise beyond their years and sexy young men who have sense enough to alter their dreams to include falling in love.
No. It wasn’t that the writing was that terrible. Jeff Erno is a fabulous storyteller. I had no trouble picturing a tired barkeep cleaning up at the end of the night. The smell of Pine-sol, the music playing in the background, the timid knock on the door, all set a wonderful mood that sucked me in. Then we came to the dance. I may have mentioned in the past that I strongly disapprove of instalove unless werekin are involved. So for two sober, absolute strangers to slow dance in an empty bar almost had me running for the hills. Then Mr. Erno nicely let Josh have the perfect reaction and I was hooked. No way was I putting this book down, until I reached The End.
Turns out, rather than the sappy mess I feared, We Danced is one of those books that I will go back and re-read again and again. It was absolutely brilliant. Neither Josh nor Rex was looking for a love match. Hell, they weren’t even looking for a hook-up. And Josh is a bit leery of getting involved with a single dad. Their romance unfolds ever so nicely. It’s sexy, it’s funny and Ty is a little angel. I loved that despite their apprehensions, they were both so honest and supportive of each other. Rex and Ty show Josh that there is room in his life for more than just his academic dreams. And Josh helps Rex remember, he had dreams of his own, before his life was tragically altered and Ty became his sole purpose for being. Did I mention the hot,steamy sex…;-) And there is enough blood pressure raising drama to justify me taking extra dose or two, while I read. *smdh* Family…too bad you can’t hand pick them.
I have one more confession…this was my first Jeff Erno read. I know you are probably shaking your head and wondering how I could own a M/M review site and failed to read one of the biggies in the biz…I have no excuse. But, now that I have been introduced properly to this fabulous writer, you can bet, I’ll be begging for his entire backlist.
I am recommending this book to readers who love seeing single dads find love, little boys who are wise beyond their years and sexy young men who have sense enough to alter their dreams to include falling in love.
October 7, 2015
As a result of a tragic traffic accident Rex Payton loses a mother and a kid sister in one fateful afternoon. He also loses his future plans for happiness as he becomes the caregiver for his sister's infant son Tyler. This instant responsibility also loses him his boyfriend and within the year, his father who basically dies of a broken heart.
As Tyler grows up Rex realizes all the joy that the boy has brought into his life but he still feels a bit isolated in the small Kentucky town where he now runs the family's tavern.
That is until young Josh Billings comes to town to intern with the local vet. He and Rex meet and soon Rex and Ty and Josh are forming their own version of a nuclear family. That is interrupted when some small minded homophobic inhabitants of the town feel it's their religious prerogative to intervene and report the couple for sexual abuse of a child. (because the couple were observed kissing in public) Will Rex and Josh regain custody of Ty? Best read it to find out!
This a story that pits small town religious zealots against our MC's and touches on many of the prejudices that are still all to prevalent in rural America. As with other things that I've read by Jeff Erno, heart and sweetness go a long way toward making for an enjoyable tale and pretty much compensate for any lack of masterful prose. Sure, at times some of the "villains" seemed a bit too one dimensional but the legal hearing aspects of the story actually seemed very realistic. It may only be a personal thing but the level of graphic detail about the men's relationship felt a bit weird in a book with a youngster so near at hand.
I listened to this in the audio-book format rather than reading it. It was narrated by Finn Sterling who was good without being great. The southern accents and Ty's "child voice" were well handled but the women's voices were a bit too grating for my taste. Also Chapter 7 had some volume level changes like I'd never encountered in an audio-book before. Given the graphic nature of that particular chapter it's getting unexpectedly LOUD made for a couple of interesting moments...
*** Note: I received a copy of this audio-book for free from the publisher in exchange for an honest and impartial review ***
As Tyler grows up Rex realizes all the joy that the boy has brought into his life but he still feels a bit isolated in the small Kentucky town where he now runs the family's tavern.
That is until young Josh Billings comes to town to intern with the local vet. He and Rex meet and soon Rex and Ty and Josh are forming their own version of a nuclear family. That is interrupted when some small minded homophobic inhabitants of the town feel it's their religious prerogative to intervene and report the couple for sexual abuse of a child. (because the couple were observed kissing in public) Will Rex and Josh regain custody of Ty? Best read it to find out!
This a story that pits small town religious zealots against our MC's and touches on many of the prejudices that are still all to prevalent in rural America. As with other things that I've read by Jeff Erno, heart and sweetness go a long way toward making for an enjoyable tale and pretty much compensate for any lack of masterful prose. Sure, at times some of the "villains" seemed a bit too one dimensional but the legal hearing aspects of the story actually seemed very realistic. It may only be a personal thing but the level of graphic detail about the men's relationship felt a bit weird in a book with a youngster so near at hand.
I listened to this in the audio-book format rather than reading it. It was narrated by Finn Sterling who was good without being great. The southern accents and Ty's "child voice" were well handled but the women's voices were a bit too grating for my taste. Also Chapter 7 had some volume level changes like I'd never encountered in an audio-book before. Given the graphic nature of that particular chapter it's getting unexpectedly LOUD made for a couple of interesting moments...
*** Note: I received a copy of this audio-book for free from the publisher in exchange for an honest and impartial review ***
June 14, 2012
I am such a sucker for books with kids in them. This one definitely did not disappoint. Tyler is perfect. He is a typical almost 7-year old. He is being raised by his uncle, Rex, who gained custody of him when he was a few months old. Rex meets Josh by chance one night and the story begins.
There were a lot of things I really liked about this book but there are a couple of things I didn't. What I did like was how the relationship between Rex and Josh developed. It started out sweet (seriously... one of the sweetest meetings I've read in a book) and then the relationship, while it developed quickly, had it's share of obstacles thrown in the way. There is very little as far as drama between the two mains. Any drama in the book is as a result of outside forces. I enjoyed watching Josh as he became part of the lives of Rex and Tyler. There is very little about the actual relationship (between all 3) that I did not like. The three of them form the perfect family dynamic in my opinion.
This is set in a small town. Josh lives temporarily with his Baptist preacher uncle and his wife. The aunt is a nasty and mean homophobe. I personally grew up in a very religious home (more strict than Baptist) and I have witnessed what is in this book. I also live in a southern town. I kind of felt like I was being preached to a bit while reading this. It wasn't enough to turn me off from the overall story but it was enough to make me pause a couple of times. Thankfully not all of us who grew up the way I did are as described in this book. You can still be a spiritual person (as I am) and still know that love is love regardless of the genders of those involved.
Overall a very good story. I believe this is only my 2nd by this author. I will definitely be reading more.
There were a lot of things I really liked about this book but there are a couple of things I didn't. What I did like was how the relationship between Rex and Josh developed. It started out sweet (seriously... one of the sweetest meetings I've read in a book) and then the relationship, while it developed quickly, had it's share of obstacles thrown in the way. There is very little as far as drama between the two mains. Any drama in the book is as a result of outside forces. I enjoyed watching Josh as he became part of the lives of Rex and Tyler. There is very little about the actual relationship (between all 3) that I did not like. The three of them form the perfect family dynamic in my opinion.
This is set in a small town. Josh lives temporarily with his Baptist preacher uncle and his wife. The aunt is a nasty and mean homophobe. I personally grew up in a very religious home (more strict than Baptist) and I have witnessed what is in this book. I also live in a southern town. I kind of felt like I was being preached to a bit while reading this. It wasn't enough to turn me off from the overall story but it was enough to make me pause a couple of times. Thankfully not all of us who grew up the way I did are as described in this book. You can still be a spiritual person (as I am) and still know that love is love regardless of the genders of those involved.
Overall a very good story. I believe this is only my 2nd by this author. I will definitely be reading more.
May 23, 2014
Che bellissimo romanzo!
Ho iniziato a leggere questo libro mentre ero in viaggio... Perché ovviamente mi annoio a morte in un volo lungo ho cercato tra quello che avevo nel mio iPad... Volevo un romanzo dolce, ma non esageratamente zuccheroso, e anche leggero, ma non fuori della realtà... Questo libro è esattamente così. Rex e Josh romanzo è leggero e bello, ma anche dentro una realtà (società ultra religiosa che non accetta omosessuali). Questo realismo purtroppo è anche triste, perché se è difficile accettare due uomini insieme, accettare uno di loro che ha un bambino da crescere è ancora peggio!
Ty, il bambino di quasi 7 anni è dolcissimo... Rex è il suo zio, suo padre, sua unica famiglia. Sì, è pertanto un libro pieno di momenti teneri, perché magari fossimo tutti come Ty... Che vede loro come la più perfetta famiglia al mondo!
Piccola osservazione: devo ammettere un mio problema personale... Continuavo a pensare che Rex era un nome troppo canino per un personaggio di libro
:D
Sì... Lo so... È il suo nome, ovviamente normale negli Stati Uniti, ma per me... Beh... È più un nome da cane!
:D
Ho iniziato a leggere questo libro mentre ero in viaggio... Perché ovviamente mi annoio a morte in un volo lungo ho cercato tra quello che avevo nel mio iPad... Volevo un romanzo dolce, ma non esageratamente zuccheroso, e anche leggero, ma non fuori della realtà... Questo libro è esattamente così. Rex e Josh romanzo è leggero e bello, ma anche dentro una realtà (società ultra religiosa che non accetta omosessuali). Questo realismo purtroppo è anche triste, perché se è difficile accettare due uomini insieme, accettare uno di loro che ha un bambino da crescere è ancora peggio!
Ty, il bambino di quasi 7 anni è dolcissimo... Rex è il suo zio, suo padre, sua unica famiglia. Sì, è pertanto un libro pieno di momenti teneri, perché magari fossimo tutti come Ty... Che vede loro come la più perfetta famiglia al mondo!
Piccola osservazione: devo ammettere un mio problema personale... Continuavo a pensare che Rex era un nome troppo canino per un personaggio di libro
:D
Sì... Lo so... È il suo nome, ovviamente normale negli Stati Uniti, ma per me... Beh... È più un nome da cane!
:D
June 10, 2012
He did it again...
After that lovely story for the LIAW event, I really looked forward for this new one and the wait was worth it. Even though the beginning seemed a bit rushed to me the whole story got better and better.
My most favourite character in this one is definitely little Tyler. Throughout the story I imagined having a son like him around me and my partner.
At the time the CPS lady showed up it almost felt like she was taking little Tyler away from me, leaving me with a mixture of feelings I've never experienced before. When it turned out, that this was all on behalf of Aunt Kathy (I didn't like her from the start), I was just about to Google me a trip to Carlisle, Kentucky and slap that power greedy and self-righteous bitch in the face myself.
After that lovely story for the LIAW event, I really looked forward for this new one and the wait was worth it. Even though the beginning seemed a bit rushed to me the whole story got better and better.
My most favourite character in this one is definitely little Tyler. Throughout the story I imagined having a son like him around me and my partner.
At the time the CPS lady showed up it almost felt like she was taking little Tyler away from me, leaving me with a mixture of feelings I've never experienced before. When it turned out, that this was all on behalf of Aunt Kathy (I didn't like her from the start), I was just about to Google me a trip to Carlisle, Kentucky and slap that power greedy and self-righteous bitch in the face myself.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 12, 2012
Josh is the prefect student on his way to being the perfect vet and falls in love at first sight with Rex, the perfect uncle/ father, business owner, of Ty, the perfect nephew/son who is smarter than all get out. I love Jeff Erno's other works that I have read, this one was just a little too perfect. The major life threatening moment did keep me up reading and all quite plausible. Yet everything was tied up at the end in a shinny bow. Not quite like the real life I know and live. Books are fantasies that take us out of our normal existence and this one does that.
May 7, 2012
We Danced is the love at first sight story of Rex, a bartender who has given up his dreams to look after his nephew and the family business, and Josh a student of veterinary medicine. The story is well written and the characters are well developed, particularly Ty the nephew. I feel sure that all fans of the mm genre will enjoy this. I might make a trip to Kentucky to find myself a Rex or Josh to bring back to Europe.
September 1, 2012
I absolutely loved that story!! It made me want to bitch slap someone though...Not you Jeff..LOL
June 27, 2017
I loved just about everything about this book!
It starts with a kiss and dance! Great story about falling in love in a small southern town. Rex and Josh have such great chemistry together. And Ty is a typical 6/7 year old boy. Had a couple of laughs with him. I do wish that Uncle Harold would have acknowledged what Aunt Kathy did. Great story!
July 30, 2025
Scadente. Compiacente. Pregiudizievole.
September 4, 2016
Tams gives this one 5 Stars...
"It stared with a dance..."
What made the experience of listening to We Danced the most enjoyable?
Sterling's recreation of the characters Erno initially created with words on a page, truly bringing them to life.
Who was your favorite character and why?
Rex. Good lord, yum, wow, I want one, hot! But so tender and caring as well. Really the total package.
What does Finn Sterling bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?
He brings the characters to life.
If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?
It stared with a dance...
Tams Review...
It started with a dance -
From the moment Rex Payton and Josh Billings meet, the attraction is mutual and the energy is combustible. Neither of them really knows what hit them, and they both go from trying to convince themselves they don't want to other to finally accepting they can't stay away from each other... they can't keep their hands off each other. Both men have their own reasons for not wanting to pursue anything further than some pretty goddamn amazing sex. Rex is basically the father figure to his young nephew, has been the only father the young boy has ever known. He has to concentrate on keeping Tyler safe and happy. Josh is in town for only a year while he does his residency at the local Veterinarian office, something required while he is finishing his degree to become a Vet.
Small town Kentucky is far from accepting, and when a local "Christian Woman" gets it in her head that simply because Rex and Josh are gay they "must" be doing something to Tyler, the shit really hits the fan. Josh is the man Rex has been waiting for these past six years. The man that can see past the pain Rex holds so dear over the loss of his mother, sister and father. The man that will love him and Tyler unconditionally. The same goes for Josh. The furthest thing from his mind when coming to Kentucky was finding love. But he found it, none the less, and now that they've found each other they are determined to hold on tight. But at what cost?
Let me tell you just how much I loved this book. Not five minutes into the book I could feel the electricity converging between these two. And it was a steady flow from there. All these two men want is to live a happy life, have a family, a man to love, and they find that in each other. Finn Sterling took Erno's words and characters and really brought everything to life. I absolutely loved the way he voiced Rex, I want to marry that voice and have baby's with it! The voice truly fit the character... laid back, easy going, everything he does and says comes from the heart. Sterling has a knack for packing a single word with so much emotion, and that shines through most of all with Josh. Rex is the protector and Josh is voice of reason almost, and that comes across clearly in the audio.
I highly recommend this audiobook, I'll probably que it up and listen to it again. And thank you from the bottom of my heart Jeff Erno for that office sex scene. I do love it when a man knocks everything off the desk, picks his guy up and lays his naked body out on the desk and then pounds him into oblivion. Yeah, I had to turn the air down a couple of notches while listening to this one.
It ended with a dance...
"It stared with a dance..."
What made the experience of listening to We Danced the most enjoyable?
Sterling's recreation of the characters Erno initially created with words on a page, truly bringing them to life.
Who was your favorite character and why?
Rex. Good lord, yum, wow, I want one, hot! But so tender and caring as well. Really the total package.
What does Finn Sterling bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?
He brings the characters to life.
If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?
It stared with a dance...
Tams Review...
It started with a dance -
From the moment Rex Payton and Josh Billings meet, the attraction is mutual and the energy is combustible. Neither of them really knows what hit them, and they both go from trying to convince themselves they don't want to other to finally accepting they can't stay away from each other... they can't keep their hands off each other. Both men have their own reasons for not wanting to pursue anything further than some pretty goddamn amazing sex. Rex is basically the father figure to his young nephew, has been the only father the young boy has ever known. He has to concentrate on keeping Tyler safe and happy. Josh is in town for only a year while he does his residency at the local Veterinarian office, something required while he is finishing his degree to become a Vet.
Small town Kentucky is far from accepting, and when a local "Christian Woman" gets it in her head that simply because Rex and Josh are gay they "must" be doing something to Tyler, the shit really hits the fan. Josh is the man Rex has been waiting for these past six years. The man that can see past the pain Rex holds so dear over the loss of his mother, sister and father. The man that will love him and Tyler unconditionally. The same goes for Josh. The furthest thing from his mind when coming to Kentucky was finding love. But he found it, none the less, and now that they've found each other they are determined to hold on tight. But at what cost?
Let me tell you just how much I loved this book. Not five minutes into the book I could feel the electricity converging between these two. And it was a steady flow from there. All these two men want is to live a happy life, have a family, a man to love, and they find that in each other. Finn Sterling took Erno's words and characters and really brought everything to life. I absolutely loved the way he voiced Rex, I want to marry that voice and have baby's with it! The voice truly fit the character... laid back, easy going, everything he does and says comes from the heart. Sterling has a knack for packing a single word with so much emotion, and that shines through most of all with Josh. Rex is the protector and Josh is voice of reason almost, and that comes across clearly in the audio.
I highly recommend this audiobook, I'll probably que it up and listen to it again. And thank you from the bottom of my heart Jeff Erno for that office sex scene. I do love it when a man knocks everything off the desk, picks his guy up and lays his naked body out on the desk and then pounds him into oblivion. Yeah, I had to turn the air down a couple of notches while listening to this one.
It ended with a dance...
August 3, 2013
Where to begin…
“He had finally decided that is was time to start living his life by seizing every day…”
Rex was busy…busy living his life for the memory of his departed father…busy living his life for the boy who was his nephew—and by adoption, now his son…busy forgetting a broken relationship that left him alone and lonely. So busy running that he barely understood what happened the night that Josh left his cell phone behind at Rex’s bar and came by to retrieve it and they, somehow, miraculously, began…to dance.
Their dance would lead them through a rapidly developing love for each other, for the little boy, Tyler, left in Rex’s care after the death of his mother and sister, and subsequently, his father, and then to the near disastrous threat of losing each other and little Tyler. They would lead this amazingly lovely pas de deux with no thought as to the dangers inherent in living in a backwoods little town that harbored in its midst a preacher’s wife whose bitter and hard heart would nearly end up being the cause of breaking their own.
And all the while, we, the reader, would watch as these two lonely men who had each, in their own way, been left behind by a former love, find each other and develop a love that would reach beyond the pain and the longing and allow them to find their home…their safe harbor in each other.
We Danced by Jeff Erno is an impossibly gorgeous love story. In it’s down home feel and its simplicity, it weaves such a loving tale that you are near breathless at it’s conclusion. Drawn into the lives of Rex and Josh, you find yourself wishing you lived right next door to them. You find yourself dealing with the anger that a bigoted preacher’s wife and a lax and lacking grandmother provoke within you during their heartless, grasping attempt to tear this little family apart.
You watch as friends rally around these two men and support them through trials that make your skin crawl and have you shaking your head at a social welfare system that is so corrupt and slipshod you want to cry out for reform. And your heart breaks as you watch a little boy’s tears of fear and sadness when he is forced to leave the one constant in his life—his one comfort—his father.
I could say many things about this novel. I could speak of the richly drawn characters, the simple yet effective plot line and its gut-wrenching twist, the impact of a new love and the hot heat of sexual tension that spills off the page and leaves you gasping. I could tell you that I’ve never enjoyed a story as much as I did this one and I would be simply telling you the unequivocal truth.
We danced is a story about redemption, fresh beginnings, and love in its purest form.
I knew a couple…they met, fell in love, and married in six weeks—just in time for him to be shipped overseas. When he returned, they made their home and lived their lives with the other person always at the center of their universe. Insta-love it is called—six weeks—married over 54 years as of last July.
Jeff Erno is no dreamer—he is a realist…a hope-filled writer who believes in the power of love that sometimes—in an amazingly rare moment—happens at first sight.
We Danced is his homage to a love just like that…immediate, pure, fierce, lasting a lifetime.
“He had finally decided that is was time to start living his life by seizing every day…”
Rex was busy…busy living his life for the memory of his departed father…busy living his life for the boy who was his nephew—and by adoption, now his son…busy forgetting a broken relationship that left him alone and lonely. So busy running that he barely understood what happened the night that Josh left his cell phone behind at Rex’s bar and came by to retrieve it and they, somehow, miraculously, began…to dance.
Their dance would lead them through a rapidly developing love for each other, for the little boy, Tyler, left in Rex’s care after the death of his mother and sister, and subsequently, his father, and then to the near disastrous threat of losing each other and little Tyler. They would lead this amazingly lovely pas de deux with no thought as to the dangers inherent in living in a backwoods little town that harbored in its midst a preacher’s wife whose bitter and hard heart would nearly end up being the cause of breaking their own.
And all the while, we, the reader, would watch as these two lonely men who had each, in their own way, been left behind by a former love, find each other and develop a love that would reach beyond the pain and the longing and allow them to find their home…their safe harbor in each other.
We Danced by Jeff Erno is an impossibly gorgeous love story. In it’s down home feel and its simplicity, it weaves such a loving tale that you are near breathless at it’s conclusion. Drawn into the lives of Rex and Josh, you find yourself wishing you lived right next door to them. You find yourself dealing with the anger that a bigoted preacher’s wife and a lax and lacking grandmother provoke within you during their heartless, grasping attempt to tear this little family apart.
You watch as friends rally around these two men and support them through trials that make your skin crawl and have you shaking your head at a social welfare system that is so corrupt and slipshod you want to cry out for reform. And your heart breaks as you watch a little boy’s tears of fear and sadness when he is forced to leave the one constant in his life—his one comfort—his father.
I could say many things about this novel. I could speak of the richly drawn characters, the simple yet effective plot line and its gut-wrenching twist, the impact of a new love and the hot heat of sexual tension that spills off the page and leaves you gasping. I could tell you that I’ve never enjoyed a story as much as I did this one and I would be simply telling you the unequivocal truth.
We danced is a story about redemption, fresh beginnings, and love in its purest form.
I knew a couple…they met, fell in love, and married in six weeks—just in time for him to be shipped overseas. When he returned, they made their home and lived their lives with the other person always at the center of their universe. Insta-love it is called—six weeks—married over 54 years as of last July.
Jeff Erno is no dreamer—he is a realist…a hope-filled writer who believes in the power of love that sometimes—in an amazingly rare moment—happens at first sight.
We Danced is his homage to a love just like that…immediate, pure, fierce, lasting a lifetime.
July 6, 2012
3.5 I admit, I was a little nervous to read something by Jeff Erno, as I only knew of him through the Puppy Love series, which isn't for me. I needn’t have worried, because as it turns out Mr. Erno can write a sweet, aggravating love story. Rex is a lovely responsible man who lost his sister and mother in car accident, and his father due a broken heart. He has put his dreams aside in order to keep his father’s bar going, and to care for his last surviving relative, his nephew Tyler. He was burned big time by someone he thought loved him, Andrew, who couldn’t handle the chaos that comes with losing your family and gaining a baby, plus the added pressure that Rex’s father didn’t like him. It makes it so difficult to trust anyone after that, and Rex does have issues.
Josh is gay, but has never come out to his family, hiding behind his focus of becoming a veterinarian. It’s all he’s wanted since he was a child, so no one is really surprised that he doesn’t bring girls around or date. When he comes to town to do an internship at the local vet clinic, he is staying with his uncle Harold, a minister, and his absolute bitch of a wife, Kathy. If I had a complaint about the book, it would be that the female here is just so vile. She is, unfortunately, too close to some real life people. Kathy hides behind a false veil of Christianity in order to get her hatefulness out there. As the story progresses, you can tell whatever bad thing happens, she’s going to be behind it.
Rex’s nephew Tyler is just adorable, at an age where nearly everything is new and wonderful. He takes to Josh immediately (well, so does Rex, it’s pretty much a case of insta-love here) and he is unabashed in how much he wants Josh around. When the upheaval happens, Tyler is pretty adult in his responses (when Yvonne doesn’t know what green eggs and ham are, you know she just isn’t meant for that boy!)
This is a sweet story, with everything rolled up at the end. I wanted Rex, Josh and Tyler to get their perfect ending, and they did. I wanted Kathy to get evaporated into the stratosphere, alas that doesn’t happen. Recommended for sweet fans, and those who like children in their stories. Be warned of the homophobia, which happens way too often in real life.
Josh is gay, but has never come out to his family, hiding behind his focus of becoming a veterinarian. It’s all he’s wanted since he was a child, so no one is really surprised that he doesn’t bring girls around or date. When he comes to town to do an internship at the local vet clinic, he is staying with his uncle Harold, a minister, and his absolute bitch of a wife, Kathy. If I had a complaint about the book, it would be that the female here is just so vile. She is, unfortunately, too close to some real life people. Kathy hides behind a false veil of Christianity in order to get her hatefulness out there. As the story progresses, you can tell whatever bad thing happens, she’s going to be behind it.
Rex’s nephew Tyler is just adorable, at an age where nearly everything is new and wonderful. He takes to Josh immediately (well, so does Rex, it’s pretty much a case of insta-love here) and he is unabashed in how much he wants Josh around. When the upheaval happens, Tyler is pretty adult in his responses (when Yvonne doesn’t know what green eggs and ham are, you know she just isn’t meant for that boy!)
This is a sweet story, with everything rolled up at the end. I wanted Rex, Josh and Tyler to get their perfect ending, and they did. I wanted Kathy to get evaporated into the stratosphere, alas that doesn’t happen. Recommended for sweet fans, and those who like children in their stories. Be warned of the homophobia, which happens way too often in real life.
October 2, 2012
3.5/5
Josh and Rex are an interesting combination for a romance book. They both know and accept that they’re gay, but have never seen the need to proclaim it to the world. They’ve been working with such single minded focus toward their goals that they haven’t even entertained the possibility of a romantic relationship. Their responsibilities take precedence in their lives and romance isn’t even on their radar. When they suddenly meet, neither one of them understood how they could end up dancing and sharing a kiss with a total stranger. The whole encounter between them was odd. The characters were taken aback and so was I. It was a wonderful introduction and a great set up for their story.
We Danced is a book I would describe as comfortable. It feels familiar and is fairly predictable but sometimes that’s exactly what I’m looking for. The characters were easy to relate to and I quickly fell into their rhythm and started to care about them. I even liked Rex’s nephew, Tyler. So many authors include children that feel more like miniature adults, but this author didn’t fall into that trap. Tyler had the vocabulary, exuberance and immaturity I would expect in a six year old boy. I have one of my own, so I’m pretty confident in saying that the author got it right :) Back to the adults, the chemistry, romance and passion between Josh and Rex was good. It wasn’t deeply moving, but I was definitely enjoying it. Although, in the back of my mind I had an overwhelming feeling that something bad was coming for them.
I had been right, something bad was on its way. When it hit, the level of hate and intolerance was almost too much. I wish I had experienced an emotional reaction and felt the horror the situation called for. Instead, I was surprised by the actions of hateful people that felt overly villainous rather than genuine. Thankfully, that part of the story was short lived and didn’t have the chance to pull me too far out of the story.
We Danced is a good book with good characters and a sweet romance. It did go a bit over the top during the crisis but the author managed to pull it back together at the end. This isn't the type of book I normally go for, but it left me feeling happy and content which was exactly what I was looking for.
Josh and Rex are an interesting combination for a romance book. They both know and accept that they’re gay, but have never seen the need to proclaim it to the world. They’ve been working with such single minded focus toward their goals that they haven’t even entertained the possibility of a romantic relationship. Their responsibilities take precedence in their lives and romance isn’t even on their radar. When they suddenly meet, neither one of them understood how they could end up dancing and sharing a kiss with a total stranger. The whole encounter between them was odd. The characters were taken aback and so was I. It was a wonderful introduction and a great set up for their story.
We Danced is a book I would describe as comfortable. It feels familiar and is fairly predictable but sometimes that’s exactly what I’m looking for. The characters were easy to relate to and I quickly fell into their rhythm and started to care about them. I even liked Rex’s nephew, Tyler. So many authors include children that feel more like miniature adults, but this author didn’t fall into that trap. Tyler had the vocabulary, exuberance and immaturity I would expect in a six year old boy. I have one of my own, so I’m pretty confident in saying that the author got it right :) Back to the adults, the chemistry, romance and passion between Josh and Rex was good. It wasn’t deeply moving, but I was definitely enjoying it. Although, in the back of my mind I had an overwhelming feeling that something bad was coming for them.
I had been right, something bad was on its way. When it hit, the level of hate and intolerance was almost too much. I wish I had experienced an emotional reaction and felt the horror the situation called for. Instead, I was surprised by the actions of hateful people that felt overly villainous rather than genuine. Thankfully, that part of the story was short lived and didn’t have the chance to pull me too far out of the story.
We Danced is a good book with good characters and a sweet romance. It did go a bit over the top during the crisis but the author managed to pull it back together at the end. This isn't the type of book I normally go for, but it left me feeling happy and content which was exactly what I was looking for.
May 31, 2013
This starts as a promising novel about the love among an unconventional family, but it quickly devolves into a melodrama that the worst TV show would not have accepted as a script.
Rex is a gay man who ends up being the adoptive parent to his nephew, Tyler, after the rest of his family dies tragically. Rex takes over running the family business, a local tavern, in a town called Carlisle, Kentucky. Josh is almost done with his studies to be a veterinarian, and he is doing an internship with a local vet in Carlisle. Well, the two men meet, and it is love at first sight.
Then Josh is introduced to Rex's nephew, Tyler, and there is an immediate family bond created. Everything seems to be going well,until a false claim of sexual abuse is filed by members of the church that is ministered by Josh's uncle. There is an incredibly unbelievable Child Protective Service intervention (when they take Tyler away from his uncle). I am ashamed as a government lawyer (who deals with CPS referrals on a near daily basis) how poorly the author handled the transaction. Ashamed, ashamed, ashamed. The author made it read like a cheap TV show that showed almost no depth of research. If CPS behaved the way this author projected, they would get themselves individually and the county that they represent sued for Civil Rights violations. (That is how bad this part if the story is.).
After resolution of the false CPS abuse report, the author appears to have no way to end the story. So, he throws together three pages in an attempt to create a happily ever after ending. Not good, not good.
The story has a good basic premise, and about 50% of the book is enjoyable, but the balance of the book is really awful. Two stars is my overly generous review for this story.
Rex is a gay man who ends up being the adoptive parent to his nephew, Tyler, after the rest of his family dies tragically. Rex takes over running the family business, a local tavern, in a town called Carlisle, Kentucky. Josh is almost done with his studies to be a veterinarian, and he is doing an internship with a local vet in Carlisle. Well, the two men meet, and it is love at first sight.
Then Josh is introduced to Rex's nephew, Tyler, and there is an immediate family bond created. Everything seems to be going well,until a false claim of sexual abuse is filed by members of the church that is ministered by Josh's uncle. There is an incredibly unbelievable Child Protective Service intervention (when they take Tyler away from his uncle). I am ashamed as a government lawyer (who deals with CPS referrals on a near daily basis) how poorly the author handled the transaction. Ashamed, ashamed, ashamed. The author made it read like a cheap TV show that showed almost no depth of research. If CPS behaved the way this author projected, they would get themselves individually and the county that they represent sued for Civil Rights violations. (That is how bad this part if the story is.).
After resolution of the false CPS abuse report, the author appears to have no way to end the story. So, he throws together three pages in an attempt to create a happily ever after ending. Not good, not good.
The story has a good basic premise, and about 50% of the book is enjoyable, but the balance of the book is really awful. Two stars is my overly generous review for this story.
March 19, 2017
Recensione pubblicata su Cronache di Betelgeuse
Il libro dovrebbe riuscire a convincere che l’amore a prima vista è possibile e si può farlo conciliare con la vita di tutti i giorni. La storia narrata però si sviluppa troppo velocemente per rendere credibile l’evoluzione dei sentimenti dei protagonisti.
I due protagonisti sono due uomini molto diversi tra loro, colmandosi a vicenda le rispettive differenze di carattere. In questo modo la coppia si sostiene a vicenda nei momenti di difficoltà, riuscendo ad avere un grande affiatamento. La cosa strana però è la facilità con cui si lasciano trascinare dai loro sentimenti, considerando che per entrambi è ribadito più volte il loro carattere riservato. Sono due persone indipendenti, che riescono ad adattarsi a una vita di coppia in pochissimo tempo, senza trovare alcun difetto nel compagno.
Sinceramente la situazione sembra fin troppo irreale, in cui ovviamente all’amore dei due protagonisti si oppongono solo due persone. A ciò si aggiunge che le motivazioni usate per aggredire i due protagonisti sono spiegate in modo superficiale e poco chiaro, come se non fossero neanche importanti. La tensione che si voleva creare per questo scontro è così sminuita, perde mordente e non ci si sente in ansia per la sorte dei due protagonisti.
Lo stile di scrittura è fluido e durante la lettura ci si imbatte in alcune scenette divertenti. Il personaggio più simpatico è il piccolo Tyler, che con il suo entusiasmo di bambino riesce a creare dialoghi alquanto strani con gli adulti, facendoli riflettere spesso anche sulle loro azioni più insignificanti. Non basta però a colmare le lacune nella trama, che nelle ultime pagine si fanno sempre più evidenti.
Il libro dovrebbe riuscire a convincere che l’amore a prima vista è possibile e si può farlo conciliare con la vita di tutti i giorni. La storia narrata però si sviluppa troppo velocemente per rendere credibile l’evoluzione dei sentimenti dei protagonisti.
I due protagonisti sono due uomini molto diversi tra loro, colmandosi a vicenda le rispettive differenze di carattere. In questo modo la coppia si sostiene a vicenda nei momenti di difficoltà, riuscendo ad avere un grande affiatamento. La cosa strana però è la facilità con cui si lasciano trascinare dai loro sentimenti, considerando che per entrambi è ribadito più volte il loro carattere riservato. Sono due persone indipendenti, che riescono ad adattarsi a una vita di coppia in pochissimo tempo, senza trovare alcun difetto nel compagno.
Sinceramente la situazione sembra fin troppo irreale, in cui ovviamente all’amore dei due protagonisti si oppongono solo due persone. A ciò si aggiunge che le motivazioni usate per aggredire i due protagonisti sono spiegate in modo superficiale e poco chiaro, come se non fossero neanche importanti. La tensione che si voleva creare per questo scontro è così sminuita, perde mordente e non ci si sente in ansia per la sorte dei due protagonisti.
Lo stile di scrittura è fluido e durante la lettura ci si imbatte in alcune scenette divertenti. Il personaggio più simpatico è il piccolo Tyler, che con il suo entusiasmo di bambino riesce a creare dialoghi alquanto strani con gli adulti, facendoli riflettere spesso anche sulle loro azioni più insignificanti. Non basta però a colmare le lacune nella trama, che nelle ultime pagine si fanno sempre più evidenti.
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June 23, 2012Quite a departure from the previous books I read by this author, We Danced is a mostly sweet and romantic story about young vet student Josh, who falls in love for single dad Rex. Now no, don’t get me wrong, Rex is not bisexual, he is actually the uncle of little Tyler, and he found himself the only relative of the kids almost soon after he was born. At the time Rex was only 22 years old, and now 8 years later he is all focused on Tyler and his personal life is no existent. It’s no surprise so, when he meets Josh, he falls in love hard and fast.
Josh maybe is a little too young to commit to a relationship which includes also a kid, but from what we learn, he is well balanced, and with a planned future ahead of him; he will be a veterinarian, he will have his own practice, and Rex and Tyler are no bumps on his road.
Jeff Erno has used us to a lot of sex in his previous novels, and I’m not saying there is no sex here, but I had the feeling it was less graphic, and not so centered. True, Rex and Josh don’t last long before falling in bed, but they are as much as committed in building a family than in developing his relationship.
The character of the kid, Tyler, is very important; truth be told, I’m not a fun of children, so sometime I found him to be a little bit intrusive, Josh and Rex had trouble to find a way to stay together far from the kid’s eyes. But in the end, he is probably the reason why Josh and Red are good together, Tyler likes Josh, and that is very important for Rex.
http://www.amazon.com/dp/1613725302/?...
Josh maybe is a little too young to commit to a relationship which includes also a kid, but from what we learn, he is well balanced, and with a planned future ahead of him; he will be a veterinarian, he will have his own practice, and Rex and Tyler are no bumps on his road.
Jeff Erno has used us to a lot of sex in his previous novels, and I’m not saying there is no sex here, but I had the feeling it was less graphic, and not so centered. True, Rex and Josh don’t last long before falling in bed, but they are as much as committed in building a family than in developing his relationship.
The character of the kid, Tyler, is very important; truth be told, I’m not a fun of children, so sometime I found him to be a little bit intrusive, Josh and Rex had trouble to find a way to stay together far from the kid’s eyes. But in the end, he is probably the reason why Josh and Red are good together, Tyler likes Josh, and that is very important for Rex.
http://www.amazon.com/dp/1613725302/?...
June 13, 2012
I really enjoyed this one. Rex and Josh made such a beautiful couple and were perfect for each other. They were also pretty hot together (particularly in Rex's office at the bar). It felt like they were destined to be together, not only because of that initial spark of attraction, but because of how compatible they were. And refreshingly there were no communication problems here. You gotta love two guys who can actually express their feelings in order to move forward and build a life together. A life which included adorable little Tyler (not to mention all of their animal children too). I liked how their relationship never faltered even when others tried to tear their little family apart (which I have to say added some nice angst). The ending felt a little rushed though because I would have loved reading more in depth about everything that happened over the two years that were only briefly touched upon in the last chapter. A short follow-up story would be great. Yes, all that tenderness and love just warmed my heart. But I still think Aunt Kathy should burn in hell.
October 16, 2014
Un libro muy lindo, una historia real y conmovedora. Cuando lo acabé me dije ¿ya está, se terminó? Eso habla de una autor que sabe enganchar al lector, llevándolo con él en el viaje que ha querido crear, adentrándose en la trama y queriendo a los personajes. Es una de las pocas veces en las que leo un libro con niños y ¡parecen de su propia edad! Temía que Tyler fuera un "genio" con diálogos de adulto, peor no lo fue y eso me encantó.
Si bien la lectura es amena, el lenguaje sencillo y tentador, algunos aspectos de la trama se podrían haber desarrollado más, como por ejemplo la participación del tío de Josh en todo el asunto relacionado con su esposa.
Me encantan los personajes reales, que pueden ser cualquier hijo de vecino, donde los sentimientos y sus pensamientos no son estereotipados. Bueno, el aspecto si es algo que el autor ha destacado como de muy buen ver, pero he sentido a Rex y Josh muy humanos y esa parte superficial se esfumó y no me concentré en ese punto.
Una lectura recomendable para leerse de una sentada porque de seguro no querrás soltarlo hasta acabarlo.
Si bien la lectura es amena, el lenguaje sencillo y tentador, algunos aspectos de la trama se podrían haber desarrollado más, como por ejemplo la participación del tío de Josh en todo el asunto relacionado con su esposa.
Me encantan los personajes reales, que pueden ser cualquier hijo de vecino, donde los sentimientos y sus pensamientos no son estereotipados. Bueno, el aspecto si es algo que el autor ha destacado como de muy buen ver, pero he sentido a Rex y Josh muy humanos y esa parte superficial se esfumó y no me concentré en ese punto.
Una lectura recomendable para leerse de una sentada porque de seguro no querrás soltarlo hasta acabarlo.
November 28, 2014
Rex and Josh's first meeting could qualify as insta-love, but the way their story played out it didn't bother me a bit. Nine year old Ty added tension in the story as bible-wielding busy-bodies accuse Rex of sexually abusing the boy. Of course homosexuals are always sexual perverts and someone must save the boy from abuse. Right? There is no excuse for this kind of ignorance in today's world.
I enjoyed listening to this on audio. Really nice listen!
I enjoyed listening to this on audio. Really nice listen!
July 11, 2012
Romantic and entertaining. I really like Jeff Erno but this one was too... sweet? tame? too something lol even if I can't pinpoint it. Very well written though so if romance is your thing go for it! :D
June 3, 2012
Another great read by Mr.Erno!! I loved all three of these boys, maybe we'll see a follow up later. Great ending, reminded me of a country song.
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