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By Design
Dear Author,
I came in to get his signature on a couple of documents and there he was in his comfy office chair just staring out the window. I've caught him just lost in his thoughts like this more than once.
He's higher up in the company and I've always admired him. We're not close friends by any stretch of my imagination but when he's just tuned out like this, I can't help but wonder what he's thinking about.
Is there something going on with the company that's caused him to have such a serious look on his face? Or is it someone in his life that he's concerned about?
Can I hope the someone he's thinking about is me? Then again maybe this is just wishful thinking on my part.
But a guy can hope though...right?
Photo Description: Front view of a man in a white dress shirt, matching grey vest and dress pants, and shiny black dress shoes. His legs are spread wide as he leans back in an office chair. His head is turned to the right, his chin resting on his right hand as he stares out of a wall of windows, lost in his thoughts.
This story was written as a part of the M/M Romance Group's "Love is Always Write" event. Group members were asked to write a story prompt inspired by a photo of their choice. Authors of the group selected a photo and prompt that spoke to them and wrote a short story.
Read the story here or find it in Love Is Always Write: Volume 2.
I came in to get his signature on a couple of documents and there he was in his comfy office chair just staring out the window. I've caught him just lost in his thoughts like this more than once.
He's higher up in the company and I've always admired him. We're not close friends by any stretch of my imagination but when he's just tuned out like this, I can't help but wonder what he's thinking about.
Is there something going on with the company that's caused him to have such a serious look on his face? Or is it someone in his life that he's concerned about?
Can I hope the someone he's thinking about is me? Then again maybe this is just wishful thinking on my part.
But a guy can hope though...right?
Photo Description: Front view of a man in a white dress shirt, matching grey vest and dress pants, and shiny black dress shoes. His legs are spread wide as he leans back in an office chair. His head is turned to the right, his chin resting on his right hand as he stares out of a wall of windows, lost in his thoughts.
This story was written as a part of the M/M Romance Group's "Love is Always Write" event. Group members were asked to write a story prompt inspired by a photo of their choice. Authors of the group selected a photo and prompt that spoke to them and wrote a short story.
Read the story here or find it in Love Is Always Write: Volume 2.
25 pages, ebook
First published June 7, 2012
About the author
Kate Islay
7 books30 followersI write and read original m/m romance, after several years of writing fanfiction. In a former life I studied and taught western religious history and culture, but for now my focus has been on writing and working as a freelance writer in Baltimore.
I like power dynamics, historical settings, and nuanced characters and plots. I published my first novel, In Allegiance, as an online serial; it's now available in a significantly revised version. I have more novels and stories in the works, which I'll post about here.
I like power dynamics, historical settings, and nuanced characters and plots. I published my first novel, In Allegiance, as an online serial; it's now available in a significantly revised version. I have more novels and stories in the works, which I'll post about here.
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Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
June 7, 2012
Something about the writing style kept me at a distance. Not sure what but it felt very impersonal.
The characters were so-so I guess. Honestly I didn't see any connection with his boss. The relationship with Lewis the guy he goes on one date with had more of a connection then the whole boss thing.
And it really wasn't developed at all lots of jumping around and then boom they are hooking up in the office the end.
The whole Julian thing was way underdeveloped and left to vague to leave any kind of hea in my opinion. It doesn't even say why or when they broke up but they bought vacation houses together? The way Jillian looks at the mc and says rafe always had good taste makes it sound like rafe probably cheated on him. Lots of stuff that's just like mentioned and never explained or detailed. I read this a few hours ago and can already barely remember it.
The characters were so-so I guess. Honestly I didn't see any connection with his boss. The relationship with Lewis the guy he goes on one date with had more of a connection then the whole boss thing.
And it really wasn't developed at all lots of jumping around and then boom they are hooking up in the office the end.
The whole Julian thing was way underdeveloped and left to vague to leave any kind of hea in my opinion. It doesn't even say why or when they broke up but they bought vacation houses together? The way Jillian looks at the mc and says rafe always had good taste makes it sound like rafe probably cheated on him. Lots of stuff that's just like mentioned and never explained or detailed. I read this a few hours ago and can already barely remember it.
June 9, 2012
There was a lot of potential, and the characters all seemed relatively interesting, but the length coupled with the slightly meandering structure (now Connor goes on a date with a one-off character who doesn't seem to contribute anything to the plot, now Connor goes to visit his family and nothing really happens) meant that it just felt a little empty. What was the significance of Lewis, or Connor's relatives, or Julian? Why focus so much on Connor's soccer injury when it didn't actually play a part in the story? The relationship between Rafe and Connor felt very sudden as well, and their hook-up came out of nowhere for me. I think most of these problems would have been solved if it had been longer and the author had had more space to work with the plot and the interactions between the characters; right now, it feels like nothing more than a brief sketch of something a lot bigger and more complex, which is kind of a shame.
June 10, 2012
This felt more like a set up for some future novel than an actual short story. It felt like there could be something interesting going on but it all ends up being a little vague. It's all about architecture but when Rafe asks Connor to help him out on a project, Connor seems to contribute very little. He doesn't offer any kind of input so you end up wondering why this plot point was introduced.
The same could be said about the soccer storyline, the blind date & the meeting with the family. Things were introduced only to be dropped as disconnected plot points.
Still if the author decides to continue with the story & characters I'd be interested to read it.
The same could be said about the soccer storyline, the blind date & the meeting with the family. Things were introduced only to be dropped as disconnected plot points.
Still if the author decides to continue with the story & characters I'd be interested to read it.
June 10, 2012
Offered for FREE from the M/M Romance Group.
Great picture, and the perfect story to go with it. Loved everything about it and it did end well, but I definitely want some more please! There were definitely a lot of things that were set up but then not developed full (Julian, Conner's soccer injury, etc) so I'm hoping that means Ms. Islay is planning on continuing this story.
June 8, 2012
3.5 stars
As is, seems much like a prequel to a much more indepth future story. As it stands, it could use a bit more development to feel like a self-containted story, but otherwise really solid characters and story. It feels settled, as if the author has really sat with these characters and is invested in them, so I'd be happy to read more if the author continued this with another story or novel. A novel would work quite well because there's a lot set up in this short.
As is, seems much like a prequel to a much more indepth future story. As it stands, it could use a bit more development to feel like a self-containted story, but otherwise really solid characters and story. It feels settled, as if the author has really sat with these characters and is invested in them, so I'd be happy to read more if the author continued this with another story or novel. A novel would work quite well because there's a lot set up in this short.
June 8, 2012
Cute, but I didn't quite see the attraction between the MC's.
Connor was more fleshed out, but I have no clue about Rafe, what he is about or who he is.
The Julian situation was a bit distracting and the ending felt more like a teaser...it was at best a HFN situation for me.
I'm sure I would have liked it better had it been a bit longer and I could see where the relationship was going..or why.
Connor was more fleshed out, but I have no clue about Rafe, what he is about or who he is.
The Julian situation was a bit distracting and the ending felt more like a teaser...it was at best a HFN situation for me.
I'm sure I would have liked it better had it been a bit longer and I could see where the relationship was going..or why.
April 7, 2013
I really liked this story. There was an air of secrecy around the character of Rafe, which I felt was written nicely and kept me intrigued. I would love to know more about these guys and how their relationship progresses and how it affects work (if at all).
February 24, 2026
3.5 stars
June 8, 2012
2.25 stars
I wish the characters and relationship had been more developed. In the end it all seemed a bit rushed, but I wouldn't mind reading more about these characters.
I wish the characters and relationship had been more developed. In the end it all seemed a bit rushed, but I wouldn't mind reading more about these characters.
April 18, 2015
Nice story. Love the interpretation of the photo. Thank you Kate Islay, for donating your story, time and talent.
August 6, 2021
This is kind of a case of too much, but not enough. I love this as the first chapter (or 2?) of a longer work, but as it stands there's too much going on that until it happens, I wasn't entirely sure that who I thought was supposed to be the 2nd MC was actually the 2nd MC.
July 6, 2012
There was a definite air of mystery surrounding Rafe in this story and it stayed that way throughout. Since the story was told from Connor’s point of view, he was a much more open book. The author stated that her goal in writing this story was to “capture that post-college angst wrapped up in a longing for the unattainable, only to find that maybe it isn't after all”. I think she nailed that particular goal! Very nice:)
May 23, 2014
This was entertaining for a short story but I think the author needed more pages to make it really interesting. There was the potential for things to happen but not enough time in the story them to actually happen.
June 7, 2015
This little book has so much potential. The characters are intriguing and I wanted to know so much more about them. This felt like more of an introduction that a complete story, but I enjoyed it all the same.
Adult read
Adult read
June 9, 2012
I like the characters, but the setting of an architectural firm just didn't resonate with me, so I had a difficult time getting into the story. I can tell it's well written, just not my style.
June 8, 2012
I liked how the author able to put many subtle contents and contexts into this short story and make them all blend together.
June 12, 2012
3.5 stars
June 29, 2012
2.5 stars
Nice story but I just couldn't fully connect with it.
Nice story but I just couldn't fully connect with it.
to-read-ebook
March 30, 2016Love is Always Write - Volume 2
August 19, 2014
Really confusing! Like I don't understand how they got together...
August 30, 2014
2.5 stars rounded up becayse I'd like to read more. I was intrigued by the plot and the characters are likeable. But the rushed ending doesn't fit the beginning.
July 31, 2015
Rafe & Connor.
A short story with a voice of its own. A deep journey in the character.
Really liked it!
A short story with a voice of its own. A deep journey in the character.
Really liked it!
August 5, 2015
2.5 stars
It was alright.
The writing was a bit disjointed and seems to meander off in strange directions. There are certainly too many loose ends for me personally but the characters were ok.
It was alright.
The writing was a bit disjointed and seems to meander off in strange directions. There are certainly too many loose ends for me personally but the characters were ok.
August 16, 2015
This is a short story of working out the hook up.
June 11, 2012
3.5 stars
July 4, 2013
Didn't feel that the character were highly develop nor did the ending seem correct.
July 29, 2013
Good story but I kept getting caught up in the writing. Sometimes confusing and choppy.
Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews