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Louder Than Sirens, Louder Than Bells
Dear Author,
When I first crossed paths with him at the library on campus, I didn't know what to think. Lip gloss, eyeliner, eye shadow, nail polish? Back in the small town where I grew up, a boy would have never dared to dress like him. When an assignment to create a video news segment from one of our professors places us both in the same group, personalities clash, and what started as fascination on my part turns into instant dislike, which he seems to immediately return.
He's smart, quick-thinking, creative…but also snarky, moody, defensive, and basically the complete physical opposite of every guy I've ever been attracted to. And yet, despite the fact that I think he needs an attitude adjustment, and he thinks I'm just a backward country hick, I've quickly come to realize that sometimes the line between love and hate really is paper thin.
P.S. An HEA would definitely be preferred to an HFN ending.
Photo Description: Two young men stare at each other through a chain-link fence. They are holding hands through it; one has nail polish and lip gloss.
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 it online or find it in Love Is Always Write: Volume 11 - Bonus Volume.
__________
Genre: contemporary
Tags: first love; college; coming out; gay-for-you; enemies to lovers
Warnings: none
Word Count: 68,123
When I first crossed paths with him at the library on campus, I didn't know what to think. Lip gloss, eyeliner, eye shadow, nail polish? Back in the small town where I grew up, a boy would have never dared to dress like him. When an assignment to create a video news segment from one of our professors places us both in the same group, personalities clash, and what started as fascination on my part turns into instant dislike, which he seems to immediately return.
He's smart, quick-thinking, creative…but also snarky, moody, defensive, and basically the complete physical opposite of every guy I've ever been attracted to. And yet, despite the fact that I think he needs an attitude adjustment, and he thinks I'm just a backward country hick, I've quickly come to realize that sometimes the line between love and hate really is paper thin.
P.S. An HEA would definitely be preferred to an HFN ending.
Photo Description: Two young men stare at each other through a chain-link fence. They are holding hands through it; one has nail polish and lip gloss.
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 it online or find it in Love Is Always Write: Volume 11 - Bonus Volume.
__________
Genre: contemporary
Tags: first love; college; coming out; gay-for-you; enemies to lovers
Warnings: none
Word Count: 68,123
188 pages, ebook
First published June 3, 2012
29 people are currently reading
1218 people want to read
About the author
K.D. Sarge
20 books121 followersKD Sarge writes for joy and hope, and works for a living. She has tried her hand at many endeavors, including Governess of the Children, Grand Director of the Drive-Through, and Dispatcher of the Tow Trucks. Currently KD labors appreciated but underpaid in the public school system.
Past accomplishments include surviving eight one-year-olds for eight hours alone (she lasted about ten months), driving a twenty-foot truck from Ohio to Arizona by way of *shudder* Oklahoma, and making a six-pack of tacos in twenty-three seconds.
Writing achievements include the Weightiest First Draft Ever (this title is in contention), as well as nine other, much lighter, completed novels. She has five universes under construction, writes science fiction, fantasy, steampunk, smut (in many genres), and means to one day undertake a cosy mystery. She is an active participant on two writing forums. KD has won NaNoWriMo five times and NaNoEdMo once. A widow, KD lives in Arizona with three children, two of them furred and all of them demanding.
Past accomplishments include surviving eight one-year-olds for eight hours alone (she lasted about ten months), driving a twenty-foot truck from Ohio to Arizona by way of *shudder* Oklahoma, and making a six-pack of tacos in twenty-three seconds.
Writing achievements include the Weightiest First Draft Ever (this title is in contention), as well as nine other, much lighter, completed novels. She has five universes under construction, writes science fiction, fantasy, steampunk, smut (in many genres), and means to one day undertake a cosy mystery. She is an active participant on two writing forums. KD has won NaNoWriMo five times and NaNoEdMo once. A widow, KD lives in Arizona with three children, two of them furred and all of them demanding.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 246 reviews
June 8, 2014
Nothing says "I love You" like being compared to a rescue dog.
I found much of this to be aggressively unpleasant.
The tedium of meticulously catalogued information (like what everyone was wearing and on what day and what they had for lunch that afternoon) was hardcore boredom-warfare—but what really drove me bananas was the politically-correct disavowal of every single MM-no-no I'd ever heard of—from sleep-fondling to magic peen syndrome—each one methodically ticked off what must have been a checklist three pages long in single-spaced, 10-pt courier, which list the author (in my hateful imagination) must have kept spooled by the computer for handy reference, and which no doubt was as grueling to compile as it was for me to read.
Because the POV belonged to a goody-goody so oppressively wholesome I found myself wincing guiltily after laying a fart in my own bed.
Yet I persevered.
Mostly because my editor loved this, but also because I felt there was a decent chance the payoff would be worth all my richly layered antipathy for the characters.
Final verdict on that bit: sorta. The author is skilled, and clever, and there's much in the way of inspired detail sadly overshadowed by the staggering miscalculation that led to building a romance around Our Lord And Savior and a defensive, ill-tempered theater queen I wanted to cunt-punt from page one.
On the bright side, the ending (as absurd as it was) felt earned—no insta-love: check!—which I can claim with complete confidence on account of the comprehensively detailed diary of daily minutia faithfully related in what felt like real-time for the first two thirds of the story.
I found much of this to be aggressively unpleasant.
The tedium of meticulously catalogued information (like what everyone was wearing and on what day and what they had for lunch that afternoon) was hardcore boredom-warfare—but what really drove me bananas was the politically-correct disavowal of every single MM-no-no I'd ever heard of—from sleep-fondling to magic peen syndrome—each one methodically ticked off what must have been a checklist three pages long in single-spaced, 10-pt courier, which list the author (in my hateful imagination) must have kept spooled by the computer for handy reference, and which no doubt was as grueling to compile as it was for me to read.
Because the POV belonged to a goody-goody so oppressively wholesome I found myself wincing guiltily after laying a fart in my own bed.
Yet I persevered.
Mostly because my editor loved this, but also because I felt there was a decent chance the payoff would be worth all my richly layered antipathy for the characters.
Final verdict on that bit: sorta. The author is skilled, and clever, and there's much in the way of inspired detail sadly overshadowed by the staggering miscalculation that led to building a romance around Our Lord And Savior and a defensive, ill-tempered theater queen I wanted to cunt-punt from page one.
On the bright side, the ending (as absurd as it was) felt earned—no insta-love: check!—which I can claim with complete confidence on account of the comprehensively detailed diary of daily minutia faithfully related in what felt like real-time for the first two thirds of the story.
August 14, 2022
Since Goodreads is hiding info about free books now, you can (temporarily I'm sure) still download a free copy of this book here: https://www.goodreads.com/ebooks/down...
I wasn't going to rate any of the LiAW stories, after blogging about the issue, but I had to make an exception for this one. A lovely, slowly-building story about a dependable, controlled and focused college guy and the out-and-flaming gay boy who turns his world upside down. I loved both MCs and the secondary characters, in their wonderful variety. Lukas is the boyfriend I'd like to find for some of the young gay guys I encounter on our YA group, and Alan is a heartbreak and a joy. Looked at in cold blood, some of the ending might seem overdramatic, but within the story it works beautifully and I was fully invested in seeing it move through to the conclusion, with laughter and a hint of tears. I wouldn't have changed a thing. Thank you, K.D.
I wasn't going to rate any of the LiAW stories, after blogging about the issue, but I had to make an exception for this one. A lovely, slowly-building story about a dependable, controlled and focused college guy and the out-and-flaming gay boy who turns his world upside down. I loved both MCs and the secondary characters, in their wonderful variety. Lukas is the boyfriend I'd like to find for some of the young gay guys I encounter on our YA group, and Alan is a heartbreak and a joy. Looked at in cold blood, some of the ending might seem overdramatic, but within the story it works beautifully and I was fully invested in seeing it move through to the conclusion, with laughter and a hint of tears. I wouldn't have changed a thing. Thank you, K.D.
June 7, 2012
Let me list the ways I loved this BEAUTIFUL story!
♦ I loved the contrast between the two MCs: Lukas the manly man often wearing ugly flannel shirts and Alan always with the crazy hair colors, eye makeup, sparkly lip gloss and nail polish.
♦ It was enemies-to-friends-to-lovers and gay-for-you.
♦ It was adorable and sweet...even when the MCs were being total assholes.
♦ Excellent imagery. I could totally visualize every scene.
♦Great supporting characters:
Mallory the fag hag and best BFF in the world
Twiggy the rescued greyhound
Lilia awesome snickerdoodle baker
♦ It is filled with smoldering sexual tension without a lot of explicit sex, but it does have one of the best sex quotes ever!!!
♦ It was a little sad at parts and I didn't cry, but I was totally thinking that I should be crying.
♦The ending was crazy-outrageous and I never saw that happening.
My only complaint is that I really wanted an epilogue... But even so, I'm still not touching my rating.
I will admit that I'm musically stunted and had to google the title to figure out what it meant, but wow the lyrics of the song fit perfectly for the story.
For some crazy reason this story is FREE! WTF?! Take advantage of it!
♦ I loved the contrast between the two MCs: Lukas the manly man often wearing ugly flannel shirts and Alan always with the crazy hair colors, eye makeup, sparkly lip gloss and nail polish.
♦ It was enemies-to-friends-to-lovers and gay-for-you.
♦ It was adorable and sweet...even when the MCs were being total assholes.
♦ Excellent imagery. I could totally visualize every scene.
♦Great supporting characters:
Mallory the fag hag and best BFF in the world
Twiggy the rescued greyhound
Lilia awesome snickerdoodle baker
♦ It is filled with smoldering sexual tension without a lot of explicit sex, but it does have one of the best sex quotes ever!!!
♦ It was a little sad at parts and I didn't cry, but I was totally thinking that I should be crying.
♦The ending was crazy-outrageous and I never saw that happening.
My only complaint is that I really wanted an epilogue... But even so, I'm still not touching my rating.
I will admit that I'm musically stunted and had to google the title to figure out what it meant, but wow the lyrics of the song fit perfectly for the story.
Louder than sirens
Louder than bells
Sweeter than heaven
And hotter than hell
As I move my feet towards your body
I can hear this beat it fills my head up
And gets louder and louder
It fills my head up and gets louder and louder
For some crazy reason this story is FREE! WTF?! Take advantage of it!
February 21, 2018
4 Stars
Louder Than Sirens, Louder Than Bells is probably one of the most memorable college-themed M/M romances I’ve read in my time, which is saying something because it’s a sub-genre I read quite a lot of and generally enjoy.
The story centres on film students Lukas and Alan, as they get to know one another – somewhat begrudgingly to begin with – when they are placed in the same group for a semester long film project.
This was a bit of an enemies-to-friends-to-lovers romance, with a dash of GFY and a lovely slow-burn. It’s a story of first love (which becomes only and forever love), with plenty of snarky banter (provided by Alan) and lots of sweet romantic proclamations (provided by Lukas). There is also a strong HEA ending that may have seemed too fast in its timing, but which left me feeling elated and extremely satisfied nonetheless.
"You have your whole fucking life planned. You'll hate me for fucking it up."
"You are my plan now. Cherishing you is the plan."
There is a solid amount of angst here, too, touching on issues such as clinical depression and the negative effects of dealing with an unaccepting family. Having said that, the story doesn’t get bogged down in the heavy stuff; it’s just serious enough to give the story and its characters a bit of weight and complexity, which I much appreciated.
I truly enjoyed reading Lukas and Alan’s love story and would recommend it to anyone who enjoys a good college-themed romance.
Plus, it’s FREE!!!
Louder Than Sirens, Louder Than Bells is probably one of the most memorable college-themed M/M romances I’ve read in my time, which is saying something because it’s a sub-genre I read quite a lot of and generally enjoy.
The story centres on film students Lukas and Alan, as they get to know one another – somewhat begrudgingly to begin with – when they are placed in the same group for a semester long film project.
This was a bit of an enemies-to-friends-to-lovers romance, with a dash of GFY and a lovely slow-burn. It’s a story of first love (which becomes only and forever love), with plenty of snarky banter (provided by Alan) and lots of sweet romantic proclamations (provided by Lukas). There is also a strong HEA ending that may have seemed too fast in its timing, but which left me feeling elated and extremely satisfied nonetheless.
"You have your whole fucking life planned. You'll hate me for fucking it up."
"You are my plan now. Cherishing you is the plan."
There is a solid amount of angst here, too, touching on issues such as clinical depression and the negative effects of dealing with an unaccepting family. Having said that, the story doesn’t get bogged down in the heavy stuff; it’s just serious enough to give the story and its characters a bit of weight and complexity, which I much appreciated.
I truly enjoyed reading Lukas and Alan’s love story and would recommend it to anyone who enjoys a good college-themed romance.
Plus, it’s FREE!!!
April 9, 2020
It is wonderful how much effort K.D. Sarge put into this free novella for Love is Always Write. I applaud her for her work- she really created something special. This was a sweet coming-of-age M/M story with young, angsty college students. I thought the characters that she created were really wonderful and unique, and, to be frank, pretty brave. The more feminine gay characters don't often make it into books- instead most people (especially female readers) prefer two macho men getting it on (like in "Hot Head" and "Cut and Run"). It was refreshing to see another type of character get his day in the sun.
My complaints are that I felt the rock climbing scene was out of place and disjointed, and that I wanted more nice-ness from Alan. For freaking sakes, Alan, Lukas was so sweet, you could have given him a little break. I also think the school project storyline just fell to the wayside once the romance aspect of the project started up. The plot could have used some work to make it feel more real. However, for a free novella that the author did really out of the kindness of her own heart, I give it a whole-hearted 4 bright shiny stars!
My complaints are that I felt the rock climbing scene was out of place and disjointed, and that I wanted more nice-ness from Alan. For freaking sakes, Alan, Lukas was so sweet, you could have given him a little break. I also think the school project storyline just fell to the wayside once the romance aspect of the project started up. The plot could have used some work to make it feel more real. However, for a free novella that the author did really out of the kindness of her own heart, I give it a whole-hearted 4 bright shiny stars!
June 5, 2014
4.5 stars.
I am not comfortable with lipstick, eye makeup and other normally female genre elements on men. I can enjoy a drag show, but I am not attracted to men who wear makeup, especially goth. So when this short popped up on my radar, I was extremely dubious that it would remotely interest me. Actually I thought of it as a challenge--start it and see if it dragged me in.
Well I'm pleased to say it did. Loved the MCs and the secondarys too! Mr. Jock (Lukas) and his perfectly ordered life, always being the protector and always doing the right thing. I have actually known some guys like this so it was not that far fetched.
As for our flaming gay guy (Alan), everything about him fits but the climbing. Most boys I have known that were into makeup were not into anything more daredevil than modern dance. But I can kind of see it. I have only painted my nails once (black)--dressing in an ice blue, skin tight jump suit for a 70's Ziggy Stardust party. I couldn't wait to get that polish off the next day. I have worn makeup on stage as an actor and dancer, but never on the street. I saw Rocky Horror Picture Show when it first came out! I would have loved to dress as Frankenfurter for a party. But everyday, at school?
Men with eyeliner do nothing for me.
So why did I love this story? Becuase it caused me to think about the shallowness of what I like and don't like. What is important to me and how I am different yet similar to other men. Most straight men love women, who happen to wear makeup. I don't know if they like the taste of lipstick, but I know they are attracted to "made up" women. Why should I get hung up on a gay guy getting turned on by a man with makeup? It was a BGotO--"blinding glimpse of the obvious" to me. Once over this hang up I quite enjoyed the story.
The begining was kind of long but for a straight dude to fall for a flamboyant guy dude, it's got to take time to get past the superficial. Then there was the romance which was great and then the ending was a bit over the top. Marriage immediately? Amazon sister? Mother who welcomed her new "son" instantly? Yes over the top, but I did love it. Young boys falling for each other and making a commitment will get me every time. And I speak from experience having made that commitment at age 22 and 23 respectively for my hubby and me.
I am not comfortable with lipstick, eye makeup and other normally female genre elements on men. I can enjoy a drag show, but I am not attracted to men who wear makeup, especially goth. So when this short popped up on my radar, I was extremely dubious that it would remotely interest me. Actually I thought of it as a challenge--start it and see if it dragged me in.
Well I'm pleased to say it did. Loved the MCs and the secondarys too! Mr. Jock (Lukas) and his perfectly ordered life, always being the protector and always doing the right thing. I have actually known some guys like this so it was not that far fetched.
As for our flaming gay guy (Alan), everything about him fits but the climbing. Most boys I have known that were into makeup were not into anything more daredevil than modern dance. But I can kind of see it. I have only painted my nails once (black)--dressing in an ice blue, skin tight jump suit for a 70's Ziggy Stardust party. I couldn't wait to get that polish off the next day. I have worn makeup on stage as an actor and dancer, but never on the street. I saw Rocky Horror Picture Show when it first came out! I would have loved to dress as Frankenfurter for a party. But everyday, at school?
Men with eyeliner do nothing for me.
So why did I love this story? Becuase it caused me to think about the shallowness of what I like and don't like. What is important to me and how I am different yet similar to other men. Most straight men love women, who happen to wear makeup. I don't know if they like the taste of lipstick, but I know they are attracted to "made up" women. Why should I get hung up on a gay guy getting turned on by a man with makeup? It was a BGotO--"blinding glimpse of the obvious" to me. Once over this hang up I quite enjoyed the story.
The begining was kind of long but for a straight dude to fall for a flamboyant guy dude, it's got to take time to get past the superficial. Then there was the romance which was great and then the ending was a bit over the top. Marriage immediately? Amazon sister? Mother who welcomed her new "son" instantly? Yes over the top, but I did love it. Young boys falling for each other and making a commitment will get me every time. And I speak from experience having made that commitment at age 22 and 23 respectively for my hubby and me.
June 10, 2012
Tired.
That's the first thing that comes to my mind when I finish it. Not the 'good' kind either. I know that I'm going to be part of the minority since all those glowing reviews are the ones pushing me to continue reading this in the first place. I'm stretching my ratings to 3-stars since the truth is this is more on the 2 or 2.5 stars rating (hey, it's free, at least that's a fact). My issue with this comes in several parts:
1) With only around 233 pages on my Kindle (yes, Calibre allows you to make that page-count in .mobi files), it feels loooooooooooooooongg. Even longer than actual books that have 400-500 pages. And most of it is boring. It starts with such long talks about college project -- which, after I finish it, I realize, how about their film, and what the heck happened to the missing two members, Matt and Darren??! Then it goes on and on and on, that I keep wondering, where is this story going?
2) While I admit that in several scenes, the characters show such endearing traits (Alan keeps pushing people because he's such a screwed-up gay, and Lukas being a rock to Alan) but several times, I find them irritating. Like when Alan keeps jumping into conclusion or Lukas keeps saying that, "I'm not gay. My boyfriend is" ... It's one of those things that I dislike in a story. I don't mind a character being a bi-sexual -- sexuality is fluid anyway -- but stating it like that feels like Lukas is not ready to embrace his being in love with a man.
3) And oh, the ending. I mean, really?!? The whole story fails to make me believe in the sincerity of their love ... and that ending is supposed to be what? Romantic? Uhm, yeah, NOT working for yours truly.
4) The writing style doesn't connect with me. I struggle to get into it. I think I have only been able to completely focus after around 20% of the story. Though I also lose it in the middle and coming to the end.
But there are good moments (albeit cliché) ... so I cannot say that I am completely disliking it. But to say that this is amazing, will be completely a lie for my part. It's not my cup of tea for all the elements involved. I'm sure that it's brilliant for other readers -- as shown from other reviews.
So there. I'm finished. But I'm tired. I'm just going to go find some short stories this time. Or maybe novellas.
That's the first thing that comes to my mind when I finish it. Not the 'good' kind either. I know that I'm going to be part of the minority since all those glowing reviews are the ones pushing me to continue reading this in the first place. I'm stretching my ratings to 3-stars since the truth is this is more on the 2 or 2.5 stars rating (hey, it's free, at least that's a fact). My issue with this comes in several parts:
1) With only around 233 pages on my Kindle (yes, Calibre allows you to make that page-count in .mobi files), it feels loooooooooooooooongg. Even longer than actual books that have 400-500 pages. And most of it is boring. It starts with such long talks about college project -- which, after I finish it, I realize, how about their film, and what the heck happened to the missing two members, Matt and Darren??! Then it goes on and on and on, that I keep wondering, where is this story going?
2) While I admit that in several scenes, the characters show such endearing traits (Alan keeps pushing people because he's such a screwed-up gay, and Lukas being a rock to Alan) but several times, I find them irritating. Like when Alan keeps jumping into conclusion or Lukas keeps saying that, "I'm not gay. My boyfriend is" ... It's one of those things that I dislike in a story. I don't mind a character being a bi-sexual -- sexuality is fluid anyway -- but stating it like that feels like Lukas is not ready to embrace his being in love with a man.
3) And oh, the ending. I mean, really?!? The whole story fails to make me believe in the sincerity of their love ... and that ending is supposed to be what? Romantic? Uhm, yeah, NOT working for yours truly.
4) The writing style doesn't connect with me. I struggle to get into it. I think I have only been able to completely focus after around 20% of the story. Though I also lose it in the middle and coming to the end.
But there are good moments (albeit cliché) ... so I cannot say that I am completely disliking it. But to say that this is amazing, will be completely a lie for my part. It's not my cup of tea for all the elements involved. I'm sure that it's brilliant for other readers -- as shown from other reviews.
So there. I'm finished. But I'm tired. I'm just going to go find some short stories this time. Or maybe novellas.
June 4, 2012
This was beautiful and fun and funny and intelligent and a hard won HEA and so cannot believe we get to read it for free!
I am not doing this story justice, so just trust me and read it!
I am not doing this story justice, so just trust me and read it!
December 25, 2015
Louder Than Sirens, Louder Than Bells is an opposites attract story about two college boys paired up in one group for a film project.
While Alan is openly gay - he is fearing make-up, lip gloss and nail polish along with very fashionable cloths and is changing his hair color on a daily basis - Lukas is in the closet and still seems to be figuring out his own sexuality. During the film project, they get to know each other a bit better - always in a very teasing kind of way. I loved the way they interacted and how certain secrets were revealed. But unfortunately, I started to lose interest at the 60 % mark ... due to several reasons:
The main problem for me was that the author constantly gave hints to important things that happened in Alan and Lukas life, but never gave enough background information to really explain the characters reactions and emotions. I felt left in the dark and not in a good-suspense kind of way. I have a ton of unanswered questions left and I really would have loved to know the characters better, because actually they were quite interesting.
This story really has potential, but there were just to many aspects not working out. The pace was odd ... we spend a lot of time to get to know the boys and the film project they were working on and suddenly we got to a point were their getting together moved incredibly fast and it wasn't credible at all. I don't have to mention that we never got to know about how the film project that was so prominent at the beginning of the story turned out. I liked the secondary characters, but once again the author made me understand that there was a lot to know about them, kept feeding me small bites, but never got into detail.
I can only rate this story with 2.5 rounded up to 3 stars.
While Alan is openly gay - he is fearing make-up, lip gloss and nail polish along with very fashionable cloths and is changing his hair color on a daily basis - Lukas is in the closet and still seems to be figuring out his own sexuality. During the film project, they get to know each other a bit better - always in a very teasing kind of way. I loved the way they interacted and how certain secrets were revealed. But unfortunately, I started to lose interest at the 60 % mark ... due to several reasons:
The main problem for me was that the author constantly gave hints to important things that happened in Alan and Lukas life, but never gave enough background information to really explain the characters reactions and emotions. I felt left in the dark and not in a good-suspense kind of way. I have a ton of unanswered questions left and I really would have loved to know the characters better, because actually they were quite interesting.
This story really has potential, but there were just to many aspects not working out. The pace was odd ... we spend a lot of time to get to know the boys and the film project they were working on and suddenly we got to a point were their getting together moved incredibly fast and it wasn't credible at all. I don't have to mention that we never got to know about how the film project that was so prominent at the beginning of the story turned out. I liked the secondary characters, but once again the author made me understand that there was a lot to know about them, kept feeding me small bites, but never got into detail.
I can only rate this story with 2.5 rounded up to 3 stars.
April 22, 2020
One of the few books that kept me engaged during these troubled times. Enemies to lovers. Recommended!
June 4, 2012
4.5 stars!
We just got spoiled with this brilliant story and we are so lucky because its free a bonus and even better a fabulous long read and one I couldn't put down. What an unexpected treat lots to love, it's clever, funny, sad and touching a few tears because there's a hard road to happiness. I cant recommend it enough K.D Sarge is a very talented author and has produced a beautiful piece of work. So good and it's a definite re-read for me!
We just got spoiled with this brilliant story and we are so lucky because its free a bonus and even better a fabulous long read and one I couldn't put down. What an unexpected treat lots to love, it's clever, funny, sad and touching a few tears because there's a hard road to happiness. I cant recommend it enough K.D Sarge is a very talented author and has produced a beautiful piece of work. So good and it's a definite re-read for me!
June 8, 2012
Let me start of by saying Fuckity Fuck This Was AMAZING!!
I have not read any thing by K.D.Sarge before and I totally am now!!
I cant write the best reviews but these are my own thoughts!
This has been my Fave LIAW story so far, Lukas and Alan are perfect for each other this is about Falling in love and coming out for the first time! Its Just so much Fun to read. You no that silly smile you get when reading something totally AWESOME??? THIS IS IT!!!
Loved all the secondary characters!!
From the aunt with her baking and her army of dogs to Mallory "the fag hag" She was FANTASTIC!! Even Tania she was a hoot!!
When we get the the end i was wanting so much more i was loving it so much!
♥"He's wearing Flannel!" Alan Yelped."He's shoving his straight in my face!"
From that moment I was having a Love/Hate relationship with Alan from the beginning I was thinking oh my what an Ass But by the end I was Head over hells in love with him!!
♥Lukas he was everything I loved in a MC just so wonderful!!
I have so many fave moments,From Alan climbing Lukas cos he was scared of Aunt Lilia dogs, To When they were txting each other,omg to where they pulled over on the side of the road and the police officer tapped on the window..lol Just every thing was AWESOME!!
♥On Thursday he sent me a picture of a tabby cat lying in a sunbeam.(I want this career.Where so i sign up for the sleeping in the sun and occasionally licking my balls in front of visitors?)
And Then when we finally got to the kissing and the sex.. I was air fisting "YES" Finally
♥I Kissed him.I don't know what i thought it would prove that jerking him off hadnt.but i kissed him and he kissed back and it was sweet and hot and wet. *sigh*
It got soo good!!
♥Grab the lube cause you are so going for the fucking god button.
Love Love Loved Reading About these guys!
♥SOHCAHTO= Some Old Hippy Caught Another Hippy Trippin On Acid
♥His girlfriend hissed at me.When her eyes glowed red and her head started spinning i ran away waving my arms and screaming like a small child
♥♥Louder than sirens louder than bells sweeter than heaven and hotter than hell!!
5+☆☆☆☆☆☆
Every one should go and read this!!Go get you free copy now!!
I have not read any thing by K.D.Sarge before and I totally am now!!
I cant write the best reviews but these are my own thoughts!
This has been my Fave LIAW story so far, Lukas and Alan are perfect for each other this is about Falling in love and coming out for the first time! Its Just so much Fun to read. You no that silly smile you get when reading something totally AWESOME??? THIS IS IT!!!
Loved all the secondary characters!!
From the aunt with her baking and her army of dogs to Mallory "the fag hag" She was FANTASTIC!! Even Tania she was a hoot!!
When we get the the end i was wanting so much more i was loving it so much!
♥"He's wearing Flannel!" Alan Yelped."He's shoving his straight in my face!"
From that moment I was having a Love/Hate relationship with Alan from the beginning I was thinking oh my what an Ass But by the end I was Head over hells in love with him!!
♥Lukas he was everything I loved in a MC just so wonderful!!
I have so many fave moments,From Alan climbing Lukas cos he was scared of Aunt Lilia dogs, To When they were txting each other,omg to where they pulled over on the side of the road and the police officer tapped on the window..lol Just every thing was AWESOME!!
♥On Thursday he sent me a picture of a tabby cat lying in a sunbeam.(I want this career.Where so i sign up for the sleeping in the sun and occasionally licking my balls in front of visitors?)
And Then when we finally got to the kissing and the sex.. I was air fisting "YES" Finally
♥I Kissed him.I don't know what i thought it would prove that jerking him off hadnt.but i kissed him and he kissed back and it was sweet and hot and wet. *sigh*
It got soo good!!
♥Grab the lube cause you are so going for the fucking god button.
Love Love Loved Reading About these guys!
♥SOHCAHTO= Some Old Hippy Caught Another Hippy Trippin On Acid
♥His girlfriend hissed at me.When her eyes glowed red and her head started spinning i ran away waving my arms and screaming like a small child
♥♥Louder than sirens louder than bells sweeter than heaven and hotter than hell!!
5+☆☆☆☆☆☆
Every one should go and read this!!Go get you free copy now!!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 23, 2013
So the author had 45 days to write this and for that, I give her credit for the end product. That being said, I had numerous problems with this.
Lukas is the too-perfect hero and Alan is the desperate, effeminate counter that, seems to me, needs saving. It didn't read like love at times, but more like dependency. It read like Alan thought that Lukas was what he needed to reach some level of normalcy in his mind, and that Lukas was intrigued by someone so completely opposite of him. But for the majority of the book, I did not like Alan and did not like the way Lukas' attraction to Alan read.
The author tried to do too much within this story so it often felt like I was reading 6 different books. It made me want to skim, which I normally never do. I didn't feel like the story came full circle either because what happened with the school project or the two guys that never showed up to work? That plot point was dropped and the story veered into some very heavy topics that again felt out of place in conjunction with the rest.
The texting parts were wonderful, but the dialogue between the two main characters never lived up to the texts. I loved those special moments within the book that I found often enough, but I had to trudge through too many other unnecessary elements to find them.
Also, this is not a stream of conscious journal. I don't need to read: On Monday this happened, Tuesday night we did this, Friday Alan called. It took me out of the book every time.
The ending and that huge life decision was just too much. I didn't find it even remotely sweet because it felt trite in comparison to where they were at in their lives and their relationship.
I did like them together at times, but their interactions and chemistry needed to be fleshed out more. Overall, I liked it and I would love to see what could be become of their journey given more time to flesh the overall arc out.
Lukas is the too-perfect hero and Alan is the desperate, effeminate counter that, seems to me, needs saving. It didn't read like love at times, but more like dependency. It read like Alan thought that Lukas was what he needed to reach some level of normalcy in his mind, and that Lukas was intrigued by someone so completely opposite of him. But for the majority of the book, I did not like Alan and did not like the way Lukas' attraction to Alan read.
The author tried to do too much within this story so it often felt like I was reading 6 different books. It made me want to skim, which I normally never do. I didn't feel like the story came full circle either because what happened with the school project or the two guys that never showed up to work? That plot point was dropped and the story veered into some very heavy topics that again felt out of place in conjunction with the rest.
The texting parts were wonderful, but the dialogue between the two main characters never lived up to the texts. I loved those special moments within the book that I found often enough, but I had to trudge through too many other unnecessary elements to find them.
Also, this is not a stream of conscious journal. I don't need to read: On Monday this happened, Tuesday night we did this, Friday Alan called. It took me out of the book every time.
The ending and that huge life decision was just too much. I didn't find it even remotely sweet because it felt trite in comparison to where they were at in their lives and their relationship.
I did like them together at times, but their interactions and chemistry needed to be fleshed out more. Overall, I liked it and I would love to see what could be become of their journey given more time to flesh the overall arc out.
July 18, 2012
A 3 for the story, with an extra star for being free. I'm a bit torn over this, actually, because there's nothing in there that's bad, it's fine: it's just more of what I've already read a ton of. Maybe that makes me an unreasonable reviewer?
I think the newer you are to the m/m genre the more you'll like this.
I'm not sure if the ending is ludicrous or lovely sappiness.
I think the newer you are to the m/m genre the more you'll like this.
I'm not sure if the ending is ludicrous or lovely sappiness.
June 4, 2012
This story was absolutely fantastic. The characters, including the secondaries and tertiaries, are stunning in their realism--their flaws and their struggles. I loved the setting and the setup, the miscommunications and misguided actions. It just went together so seamlessly. It was an amazing read. I wish I could put it into words and describe it better.
June 20, 2012
Finding stories like this one is why I read, why I spend hundreds of dollars a month and every second of my spare time on books, why I endure books that aren't so good... because every once in a while, I get to read a story like this one. This was incredible and beautiful and powerful and just felt so REAL.
Lukas and Alan are both captivating, and I loved every second of watching them get to know and hate each other, and then be friends, and then be brave enough to try for more. I LOVED (ugh, I use that word to much, and it's not strong enough! grr!) I adored, I was was awed by the rock climbing and how Ms. Sarge was able to use Lukas and Alan's experience climbing together as the most beautiful metaphor for the rest of the book.
The setting was fascinating and the descriptions were delightfully vivid, but I thought it was perfect, given that we're in Lukas's head, that the most vivid image I'm left with is of Alan. Of all of the beautiful scenery, interesting people, houses, couches, dogs, cookies, and everything else that went into making this story come to vivid and believable life, Alan was always the most vivid, the most beautiful.
Every Alan out there should get to have a Lukas.
But then, the thing that makes this story even more amazing is that it wasn't just Alan that benefited from the relationship, as was put across beautifully with the rock climbing metaphor. Lukas was able to be braver and do more because of Alan than he would have been able to do if it weren't for him.
There were so many things I adored about this story!
This story is glorious. Without question one of the best M/M stories I've read... ever. I'm off to find out what else this author has written and buy it all!
Lukas and Alan are both captivating, and I loved every second of watching them get to know and hate each other, and then be friends, and then be brave enough to try for more. I LOVED (ugh, I use that word to much, and it's not strong enough! grr!) I adored, I was was awed by the rock climbing and how Ms. Sarge was able to use Lukas and Alan's experience climbing together as the most beautiful metaphor for the rest of the book.
The setting was fascinating and the descriptions were delightfully vivid, but I thought it was perfect, given that we're in Lukas's head, that the most vivid image I'm left with is of Alan. Of all of the beautiful scenery, interesting people, houses, couches, dogs, cookies, and everything else that went into making this story come to vivid and believable life, Alan was always the most vivid, the most beautiful.
Every Alan out there should get to have a Lukas.
But then, the thing that makes this story even more amazing is that it wasn't just Alan that benefited from the relationship, as was put across beautifully with the rock climbing metaphor. Lukas was able to be braver and do more because of Alan than he would have been able to do if it weren't for him.
There were so many things I adored about this story!
This story is glorious. Without question one of the best M/M stories I've read... ever. I'm off to find out what else this author has written and buy it all!
February 6, 2017
The truth is I actually enjoyed reading it. Or enjoyed it for about 80%. The writing was so pleasant, I don't know, there was some cadence in it that worked for me very well. And think how many colledge m/m stories there are where an epitome of masculinity meets a flamboyant gay guy, and they fall in love... and yet this one read somehow fresh. Not boring at all.
And Lukas - he was a star :) Good as gold, and there was no way I could resist his charms :) I liked secondary characters, too, they all were very bright and memorable: Lilia, Mallory, dogs... I also enjoyed everything about the film project they were working on, I was so interested to find out what they created eventually.
Only we never got to find out it. Because about 20% to the end the story suddenly turned into... can I say exactly what I think? The story turned into sh*t. IMHO, of course.
I blame Alan for it. Alan was everything that was wrong with this book. He was... all right, he was unlikable since the beginning and throughout the whole story. I'm sorry, it is not enough for a character to have dyed hair and wear eyeliner for me to "ooh" and "aah" over him. And I don't think that being gay entitles a character to being a shitty person. Alan was a prejudiced, narrow-minded, self-centered prick since the beginning of the book. I hoped it'd get better. It didn't.
Yeah, I understand Alan had a lot of problems. But everything was so one-sided. It was always Lukas doing things for Alan, giving to Alan - and Alan was taking and taking and never grateful, never content. There was NOT A SINGLE moment when Lukas needed something and Alan was there for him.
I'm sorry, I just hate leeches like this. And his last schtick... I just have no words. It went waaaay beyond anything I could tolerate. At the moment the book just died for me. I barely could keep reading. And what I had to be reading wasn't worth it anyway. Really, ? It was so stupid and sappy and illogical and unbelievable. I was pissed off and then I stopped caring and that was it.
In short: a good beginning and a disastrous ending. At least for me it was so.
And Lukas - he was a star :) Good as gold, and there was no way I could resist his charms :) I liked secondary characters, too, they all were very bright and memorable: Lilia, Mallory, dogs... I also enjoyed everything about the film project they were working on, I was so interested to find out what they created eventually.
Only we never got to find out it. Because about 20% to the end the story suddenly turned into... can I say exactly what I think? The story turned into sh*t. IMHO, of course.
I blame Alan for it. Alan was everything that was wrong with this book. He was... all right, he was unlikable since the beginning and throughout the whole story. I'm sorry, it is not enough for a character to have dyed hair and wear eyeliner for me to "ooh" and "aah" over him. And I don't think that being gay entitles a character to being a shitty person. Alan was a prejudiced, narrow-minded, self-centered prick since the beginning of the book. I hoped it'd get better. It didn't.
Yeah, I understand Alan had a lot of problems. But everything was so one-sided. It was always Lukas doing things for Alan, giving to Alan - and Alan was taking and taking and never grateful, never content. There was NOT A SINGLE moment when Lukas needed something and Alan was there for him.
I'm sorry, I just hate leeches like this. And his last schtick... I just have no words. It went waaaay beyond anything I could tolerate. At the moment the book just died for me. I barely could keep reading. And what I had to be reading wasn't worth it anyway. Really, ? It was so stupid and sappy and illogical and unbelievable. I was pissed off and then I stopped caring and that was it.
In short: a good beginning and a disastrous ending. At least for me it was so.
June 9, 2012
Three stars is a bit generous for this but I'm being lenient because it's a LiAW story.
The main problem is that I did not like Alan. Actually, I did like him. He was sparkly and snarky and I like those kinds of characters. But he was so needlessly dickish to Lukas, I couldn't understand that attraction. I've met plenty of hot guys in my lifetime that became ugly because they were such asses. I don't understand why Lukas stayed interested. And I really don't understand why his aunt Lilia pretty much adopted Alan and spoiled him so much. It kind of felt like Lukas was getting the shaft.
I struggled to feel the chemistry between these characters because Alan was so grating. There were also a few of those conversations where I couldn't follow the logic leaps. You know when you're reading a book and one character says something, and the other character reacts and you're like "Wait, what? How did you get that out of that?" You know what I'm talking about.
The ending was cute, but somewhat frustrating when taken in context with the rest of the book.
Basically, this book felt like trying to fit two puzzles pieces together that look like they should fit. The shapes match, and the colors fit together to look like the picture, but they just don't quite click into place so you stare at them and say "Those go together, right?" but you're not sure and it just leaves you feeling unsettled... ultimately those pieces probably don't go together and you're not going to feel right until you pull them apart and put them where they belong. But I can't do that with this book.
I changed my mind. I'm giving it two stars. But it's decent for a free story. With a good editor, I would read more of this author's work.
The main problem is that I did not like Alan. Actually, I did like him. He was sparkly and snarky and I like those kinds of characters. But he was so needlessly dickish to Lukas, I couldn't understand that attraction. I've met plenty of hot guys in my lifetime that became ugly because they were such asses. I don't understand why Lukas stayed interested. And I really don't understand why his aunt Lilia pretty much adopted Alan and spoiled him so much. It kind of felt like Lukas was getting the shaft.
I struggled to feel the chemistry between these characters because Alan was so grating. There were also a few of those conversations where I couldn't follow the logic leaps. You know when you're reading a book and one character says something, and the other character reacts and you're like "Wait, what? How did you get that out of that?" You know what I'm talking about.
The ending was cute, but somewhat frustrating when taken in context with the rest of the book.
Basically, this book felt like trying to fit two puzzles pieces together that look like they should fit. The shapes match, and the colors fit together to look like the picture, but they just don't quite click into place so you stare at them and say "Those go together, right?" but you're not sure and it just leaves you feeling unsettled... ultimately those pieces probably don't go together and you're not going to feel right until you pull them apart and put them where they belong. But I can't do that with this book.
I changed my mind. I'm giving it two stars. But it's decent for a free story. With a good editor, I would read more of this author's work.
June 4, 2012
2.5*
Full of cliche and the first part is boring. It's very long compared to other stories in the collection, so you need time to read it.
It's just not my cup of tea, perhaps. But I had a feeling that I was reading one of those series on nifty that has 69 chapters and the author just make up the story along the way.
But then, it's free, so I'm good.
Full of cliche and the first part is boring. It's very long compared to other stories in the collection, so you need time to read it.
It's just not my cup of tea, perhaps. But I had a feeling that I was reading one of those series on nifty that has 69 chapters and the author just make up the story along the way.
But then, it's free, so I'm good.
June 4, 2012
I absolutely LOVED this story! It was one of my favourite pictures and prompts from the Love is Always Write event so I'd been excited to read it since I'd first laid eyes on that wonderful photo. Once I started reading, I couldn't stop until I had finished. Alan and Lukas were just wonderful. I loved Alan so much - he was so beautiful and insecure and I just wanted to hug him and never let go. This story was simply perfect. I can see myself reading it again and again in the future. Fantastic work, KD!
August 24, 2012
This did not do it for me. In fact, I rather believe I simply did not like this, but I am according it two stars because it was written well enough, technically that is. I felt, though, that the author strove for too much. Too much climbing jargon and detail that nobody but rock climbers would give a damn about and that was too much for purposes of simple allegorisation anyway. Then Alan was too snarky, too effeminately gay, too dramatic, too bogged down with issues...too poster child and cliche.
Added to which, the main characters and their respective families were too polarised. For someone who makes a point about informing the reader that sexual orientation exists on a spectrum, the author's casting was so conspicuously diametrically opposed. There is the over zealous Christians parents pitted against the liberal, and herself gay, guardian.
It's just all so formulaic. Too much so.
Then, because the counter opposites don't stop there, to Alan's all round fucked-up-ness we have Lukas, the hero (aptly named) who is saviour to his love, his family and his friends; a virtual Christ-like figure whose perfection made me gag. It's like King Lear's Cordelia in all her corny martyrdom, on Lifetime Television for women, at Easter time. Just way over the goddamn top.
I never felt that I was reading a story, just beaten into the ground tropes, stock characters (token rich blonde chick and angry Black woman included), and try-too-hard attempts at violin plucking sentimentality. The whole thing was so forced.
Moreover, this is not my idea of love. Needing someone to keep you from derailing is dependency. Not love. Damsel in distress syndrome is never sexy, not in chick lit shit and not in m/m romance. I love stories where people go through real life issues and find themselves and love in real world fashion but that is not the case here. While partners should complement one another, they should not supplement the other's ability to cope. Lukas had to save Alan. He signed up a life of saving him from himself and the obstacles in his way. Lukas has to continue to save Alan, as he readily admits. How is this sexy?
And that's only one of the reasons I didn't believe their chemistry. Nor did I believe in Alan's reciprocity of Lukas' love. Hell, I didn't believe in Lukas' love at all. He had a saviour complex; one his mother helped establish by her emotional reliance on him since a preteen. So at 21 years old, he hasn't outgrown this conditioning and won't since he saddles himself with another depressed basket case to make him feel needed.
I can go on. But I shan't.
The book was free. Nonetheless, as I said, it really didn't do it for me.
Added to which, the main characters and their respective families were too polarised. For someone who makes a point about informing the reader that sexual orientation exists on a spectrum, the author's casting was so conspicuously diametrically opposed. There is the over zealous Christians parents pitted against the liberal, and herself gay, guardian.
It's just all so formulaic. Too much so.
Then, because the counter opposites don't stop there, to Alan's all round fucked-up-ness we have Lukas, the hero (aptly named) who is saviour to his love, his family and his friends; a virtual Christ-like figure whose perfection made me gag. It's like King Lear's Cordelia in all her corny martyrdom, on Lifetime Television for women, at Easter time. Just way over the goddamn top.
I never felt that I was reading a story, just beaten into the ground tropes, stock characters (token rich blonde chick and angry Black woman included), and try-too-hard attempts at violin plucking sentimentality. The whole thing was so forced.
Moreover, this is not my idea of love. Needing someone to keep you from derailing is dependency. Not love. Damsel in distress syndrome is never sexy, not in chick lit shit and not in m/m romance. I love stories where people go through real life issues and find themselves and love in real world fashion but that is not the case here. While partners should complement one another, they should not supplement the other's ability to cope. Lukas had to save Alan. He signed up a life of saving him from himself and the obstacles in his way. Lukas has to continue to save Alan, as he readily admits. How is this sexy?
And that's only one of the reasons I didn't believe their chemistry. Nor did I believe in Alan's reciprocity of Lukas' love. Hell, I didn't believe in Lukas' love at all. He had a saviour complex; one his mother helped establish by her emotional reliance on him since a preteen. So at 21 years old, he hasn't outgrown this conditioning and won't since he saddles himself with another depressed basket case to make him feel needed.
I can go on. But I shan't.
The book was free. Nonetheless, as I said, it really didn't do it for me.
October 24, 2014
Offered for FREE from the M/M Romance Group, Love Is Always Write: Volume Eleven - Bonus Volume.
Oh my god, wow. My heart is a-flutter. This was just so sweet, and good. I was worried the little twist at the end was too sudden, and it would have been if they had just tried to end there on a HEA, but the wrap up was perfect and just had me grinning.
There's a drumming noise inside my head
That starts when you're around
I swear that you could hear it
It makes such an almighty sound
There's a drumming noise inside my head
That throws me to the ground
I swear that you could hear it
It makes such an almighty sound
Louder than sirens
Louder than bells
Sweeter than heaven
And hotter than hell
Florence + The Machine lyrics for story title <3
August 13, 2012
I felt like a diamond miner while reading this story. Literally. Because I had to dig through piles of plain earth to find a gem. But when I found it? Man. It was some precious stone!
That's why I kept reading. And, despite the effort, the gems I collected were worth it in the end.
So.
I didn't like Alan the drama queen or Lukas the door mat. And I didn't like Alan the stubborn know-it-all or Lukas the super-hero. But I did like the funny, snarky Alan and the level-headed Lukas. And I did like them together.
I liked the text messages they exchanged. I didn't like that they were better at it than at actual dialogue.
I liked the intimate scenes. I didn't like that the characters made life-altering decisions based only on their limited experience.
I liked the funny parts. I didn't like all the drama.
And, by the way, when you're telling a story, you don't have to say "on Monday, this happened," "on Tuesday that happened," "on Wednesday that thing happened," and so forth. It's a story not a written relay of facts.
But still. I hadn't heard of K.D. Sarge before this story but I'll keep an eye out for her work from now on. I want more of her little gems for my collection.
That's why I kept reading. And, despite the effort, the gems I collected were worth it in the end.
So.
I didn't like Alan the drama queen or Lukas the door mat. And I didn't like Alan the stubborn know-it-all or Lukas the super-hero. But I did like the funny, snarky Alan and the level-headed Lukas. And I did like them together.
I liked the text messages they exchanged. I didn't like that they were better at it than at actual dialogue.
I liked the intimate scenes. I didn't like that the characters made life-altering decisions based only on their limited experience.
I liked the funny parts. I didn't like all the drama.
And, by the way, when you're telling a story, you don't have to say "on Monday, this happened," "on Tuesday that happened," "on Wednesday that thing happened," and so forth. It's a story not a written relay of facts.
But still. I hadn't heard of K.D. Sarge before this story but I'll keep an eye out for her work from now on. I want more of her little gems for my collection.
June 9, 2012
Completely joining the bandwagon, so good, just couldn't stop reading. I still can't believe I read this wonderful story for free, I would definately have paid good money for the pleasure of reading this book.
Loved Lukas and Alan, they encapulated so many of my favorite things about characters (strong, protective, full of life, creative...). I loved the emotional depth that was captured within this story and I never felt like anything was forced. The secondary characters also just made this story richer (even the dogs)! I would love to read more from this author and can't wait to get my hands on another book.
Loved Lukas and Alan, they encapulated so many of my favorite things about characters (strong, protective, full of life, creative...). I loved the emotional depth that was captured within this story and I never felt like anything was forced. The secondary characters also just made this story richer (even the dogs)! I would love to read more from this author and can't wait to get my hands on another book.
June 5, 2012
This story was the best. Everyone should read it:).
Read
April 22, 2020This was an excellent novel, and a terrible romance.
Sarge is a great writer. The characterization is perfect, and the entire situation took me back to my college years, especially the intense (but often crappy) friendships and inexperience with adulting and subsequent poor decisions.
However, I never liked Alan, which is a huge problem in rooting for a romantic pairing. I felt sorry for him, with his terrible parents and mental health issues, but he was still a jerk, and rude, and selfish, and judgmental. He was awful to Lukas (who was almost too-good-to-be-true) from the get go, for literally no reason. Once they got together, he was still awful to him.
The thing that really made this not work as a romance is that I've known Alans. I've seen this relationship. I've even been in this relationship. Although I didn't get Lukas's initial attraction to Alan, as they spent time together I totally believed Lukas as someone really nice, and hard-working, and generous trying to fix this broken black hole of a boy with more attention, more cookies, more love, more support. Suddenly this perfect student is missing classes and skipping work and wasting money he can't afford and exhausted from lack of sleep and Alan's drama never decreases, because that's how that works. (Sarge never suggests that love would cure clinical depression, that's what meds are for: kudos for that.)
Love does not conquer all unless both parties are giving it their all.
It can't work with one person doing all the heavy-lifting.
It doesn't matter if one person is really talented, or pretty, or troubled: they still have to work at the relationship.
And because I'm an adult now and not a college kid, I feel like I need to close with some relationship cautionary advice:
--If you tell a person you are interested in them and they demand , don't. Especially if you're .
--Don't offer to
--If someone always eats all the cookies and never shares them, they are not The One.
You may have noted that I say on my profile that I only review books I liked, so I want to reiterate that I did actually enjoy this, as a story about college experience. It was emotionally gripping and well-written. I just couldn't buy that this was a healthy relationship or going to work out in the long run. I'm definitely planning to read more by this author.
Sarge is a great writer. The characterization is perfect, and the entire situation took me back to my college years, especially the intense (but often crappy) friendships and inexperience with adulting and subsequent poor decisions.
However, I never liked Alan, which is a huge problem in rooting for a romantic pairing. I felt sorry for him, with his terrible parents and mental health issues, but he was still a jerk, and rude, and selfish, and judgmental. He was awful to Lukas (who was almost too-good-to-be-true) from the get go, for literally no reason. Once they got together, he was still awful to him.
The thing that really made this not work as a romance is that I've known Alans. I've seen this relationship. I've even been in this relationship. Although I didn't get Lukas's initial attraction to Alan, as they spent time together I totally believed Lukas as someone really nice, and hard-working, and generous trying to fix this broken black hole of a boy with more attention, more cookies, more love, more support. Suddenly this perfect student is missing classes and skipping work and wasting money he can't afford and exhausted from lack of sleep and Alan's drama never decreases, because that's how that works. (Sarge never suggests that love would cure clinical depression, that's what meds are for: kudos for that.)
Love does not conquer all unless both parties are giving it their all.
It can't work with one person doing all the heavy-lifting.
It doesn't matter if one person is really talented, or pretty, or troubled: they still have to work at the relationship.
And because I'm an adult now and not a college kid, I feel like I need to close with some relationship cautionary advice:
--If you tell a person you are interested in them and they demand , don't. Especially if you're .
--Don't offer to
--If someone always eats all the cookies and never shares them, they are not The One.
You may have noted that I say on my profile that I only review books I liked, so I want to reiterate that I did actually enjoy this, as a story about college experience. It was emotionally gripping and well-written. I just couldn't buy that this was a healthy relationship or going to work out in the long run. I'm definitely planning to read more by this author.
March 23, 2013
Well, this story just wasn't for me. If it hadn't been a Winning Category-book in the Bingo Challenge I would have DNFed it. This one was just so sloooow and booooring. Not to mention annoying.
This is the story of Lukas and Alan, who meet in their college junior year film class when their professor assigns them (and 4 others) to the same group project. The first two thirds or so of this book is taken up by boring details of this film project as well as a very boring and far too long account of Lukas and Alan going rock climbing – against their will. (Their film professor makes them because they ”need to bond”.)
It's first person narrative from Lukas POV. He's a ”good boy” who's always done what's expected of him and done it well and with a smile. He's always thought of himself as hetrosexual – that is untill he meets Alan. When Lukas realizes he's got the hots for Alan, that doesn't seem to bother him at all. He just happily accepts that he's bisexual, which is the term he choses to use about himself, no real process of coming to terms with not being who he thought he was, just contented acceptance.
Alan is, and I'm going to use a term here that I don't really like – a total drama queen. He's extremely insecure, rude, snarky, even more rude and just an all round totally unlikeable guy. Why Lukas falls in almost insta-love with him is a huge mystery to me. Lusting after him, okay, but to fall in love with someone who goes out of his way to be rude to you? Is Lukas some kind of closet masochist?
Alan is a total jerk to Lukas for the first half of the book. Then he, who in this day and age didn't previously own a cell phone, gets one - and then he for no apparent reason start texting Lukas in a fairly friendly way. Why does he do that? He's made it clear that he doesn't like Lukas, so why suddenly start texting him when he can hardly be civil to him in real life?
Well, from these texts they start getting closer. I'm not saying that they fall in love, because I don't think that's what they're doing. They just need each other. Lukas seems to me to be the kind of guy who needs to be needed, and Alan sure needs to be taken care of!
When one or both of the MCs are young, like under 25, I uasually give them some leeway when it comes to not always acting in an adult way, but Alan doesn't act like an immature 20-21-year-old (he turns 21 about halfway into the book), he acts more like a 13-14-year-old! Yes, we get some background to his life and behaviour, and yes, we get to know that , but those factors are not enough to allow him to act the way he does.
And the ending...
This is the story of Lukas and Alan, who meet in their college junior year film class when their professor assigns them (and 4 others) to the same group project. The first two thirds or so of this book is taken up by boring details of this film project as well as a very boring and far too long account of Lukas and Alan going rock climbing – against their will. (Their film professor makes them because they ”need to bond”.)
It's first person narrative from Lukas POV. He's a ”good boy” who's always done what's expected of him and done it well and with a smile. He's always thought of himself as hetrosexual – that is untill he meets Alan. When Lukas realizes he's got the hots for Alan, that doesn't seem to bother him at all. He just happily accepts that he's bisexual, which is the term he choses to use about himself, no real process of coming to terms with not being who he thought he was, just contented acceptance.
Alan is, and I'm going to use a term here that I don't really like – a total drama queen. He's extremely insecure, rude, snarky, even more rude and just an all round totally unlikeable guy. Why Lukas falls in almost insta-love with him is a huge mystery to me. Lusting after him, okay, but to fall in love with someone who goes out of his way to be rude to you? Is Lukas some kind of closet masochist?
Alan is a total jerk to Lukas for the first half of the book. Then he, who in this day and age didn't previously own a cell phone, gets one - and then he for no apparent reason start texting Lukas in a fairly friendly way. Why does he do that? He's made it clear that he doesn't like Lukas, so why suddenly start texting him when he can hardly be civil to him in real life?
Well, from these texts they start getting closer. I'm not saying that they fall in love, because I don't think that's what they're doing. They just need each other. Lukas seems to me to be the kind of guy who needs to be needed, and Alan sure needs to be taken care of!
When one or both of the MCs are young, like under 25, I uasually give them some leeway when it comes to not always acting in an adult way, but Alan doesn't act like an immature 20-21-year-old (he turns 21 about halfway into the book), he acts more like a 13-14-year-old! Yes, we get some background to his life and behaviour, and yes, we get to know that , but those factors are not enough to allow him to act the way he does.
And the ending...
February 24, 2015
This book was sweet and definitely kept me hooked enough to read it in one sitting. Lukas is a sweetie, so cool, calm and collected, he was such a nice contrast to Alan's crazy drama and energy. Although i want a special note here to say that Alan and his story made me feel things other's have not been able to, maybe because he was so vulnerable and had to work through so much to be where and who he is.
Honestly this book wasn't as good as i'd thought it would be, but i put that down to my mood and not the writing. I thought it dragged a little through places, while i was waiting for something positive to happen between the two. It did take a long time for them to get together and then they did and there was drama and then a HEA all within a very short space of time. i was also after more sexy times. But i do want to point out that their first sex scene was sooo funny, and felt ooddly realistic to how virgins might be at their first time (minus the lack of pain or discomfort).
Very cute couple, fun side characters and a very smushy HEA!
Honestly this book wasn't as good as i'd thought it would be, but i put that down to my mood and not the writing. I thought it dragged a little through places, while i was waiting for something positive to happen between the two. It did take a long time for them to get together and then they did and there was drama and then a HEA all within a very short space of time. i was also after more sexy times. But i do want to point out that their first sex scene was sooo funny, and felt ooddly realistic to how virgins might be at their first time (minus the lack of pain or discomfort).
Very cute couple, fun side characters and a very smushy HEA!
June 17, 2012
3.5 stars.
I was a bit torn about how to rate this novel-length submission to the Love is Always Write event. The story had numerous flaws - too much boring filler about the college kids' class project, excessive use of hackneyed m/m tropes, and a writing style that was occasionally confusing - but it still held my interest until the very end.
This story's greatest strength was that the characters were just so damn endearing. I loved Lukas and Alan, and I really liked the secondary characters (including the canine characters), too. The dialog and texting between Lukas and Alan felt fresh, natural, and often hilarious. Some of the other dialog - specifically between Lukas and his family members - felt a bit forced, but that was a minor issue.
I loved the references to "Into the Woods," which is one of my favorite musicals. I also like the title (I'm a huge Florence + The Machine fan), but I don't quite understand its connection to the story.
I was a bit torn about how to rate this novel-length submission to the Love is Always Write event. The story had numerous flaws - too much boring filler about the college kids' class project, excessive use of hackneyed m/m tropes, and a writing style that was occasionally confusing - but it still held my interest until the very end.
This story's greatest strength was that the characters were just so damn endearing. I loved Lukas and Alan, and I really liked the secondary characters (including the canine characters), too. The dialog and texting between Lukas and Alan felt fresh, natural, and often hilarious. Some of the other dialog - specifically between Lukas and his family members - felt a bit forced, but that was a minor issue.
I loved the references to "Into the Woods," which is one of my favorite musicals. I also like the title (I'm a huge Florence + The Machine fan), but I don't quite understand its connection to the story.
June 8, 2014
Yay! I ended up loving this one!!! :D
The first 60-70% were just okay for me. I'm not fond of the MCs. I didn't really liked Alan and Lukas was just okay for me. I think Lukas needs more character build-up. The book didn't tell how he really looked like and I didn't find out more about his personality. I just knew he was protective and a planner.
And then goes the scene in that bus stop (where the picture was used in the setting). Oh my God...that scene was so brilliant! It was milked to the very last drop! I cried and I felt really really sappy. It was really a great scene.
I'll have to point out their (only) sex scene. It was so cute!!! One of the cutest love scenes ever... XD
This is a great FREE read. I think it might be better than those that are priced. You have to check this out.
A RECOMMENDED READ!
The first 60-70% were just okay for me. I'm not fond of the MCs. I didn't really liked Alan and Lukas was just okay for me. I think Lukas needs more character build-up. The book didn't tell how he really looked like and I didn't find out more about his personality. I just knew he was protective and a planner.
And then goes the scene in that bus stop (where the picture was used in the setting). Oh my God...that scene was so brilliant! It was milked to the very last drop! I cried and I felt really really sappy. It was really a great scene.
I'll have to point out their (only) sex scene. It was so cute!!! One of the cutest love scenes ever... XD
This is a great FREE read. I think it might be better than those that are priced. You have to check this out.
A RECOMMENDED READ!
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