Goodbye Phillip

by Summer Devon

Dear Author,
I must have been on a new papa high! Whatever made me think I could prepare a gourmet christening dinner for our new baby girl? I hope he comes back with the christening cake soon--why is he calling me now? it's getting late…hey babe! what do you mean my baby craziness is freaking you out? what do you mean you need some 'me' time?? what do you mean you're at the airport??

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.

Download the story, read it online or find it in Love Is Always Write: Volume 4.
__________
Genre: contemporary
Tags: baby; hot business; adoption; family; a bit of m/m steam
Warnings: none
Word Count: 15,528

Genres: M M Romance, Contemporary, Romance, Short Stories, Gay, LGBT, Childrens

53 pages, ebook

First published June 6, 2012

About the author

Summer Devon is the pen name writer Kate Rothwell often uses. Whether the characters are male or female, human or dragon, her books are always romance.

You can visit her facebook page, where there's a sign up form for a newsletter (she'll only send out newsletters when there's a new Summer Devon or Kate Rothwell release and she will never ever sell your name to anyone).

Her blog is available here.

She also has a blog with Bonnie Dee, a frequent co-author. It's mostly just announcements, but we might do good give-aways on occasion.

Reviews

[Arthur · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars

The initial setting reminds me of Sean Michael's Daddy, Daddy and Me : an established couple breaks up when they get a baby since only one of them wants to have her. The other one drops the relationship like a hot potatoes.

I like that Stefan is depicted as a guy. His behavior, take it or leave it, fits well with my perception about guys in his situation. He accepts Gregg's behavior for a time being, but he is also firm. If Gregg wants to be with them for long term, something has to change.

Gregg is also like guys I know. Wants it both ways. He tries to forestall the time when he needs to make a decision, but he knows the longer he does that the bigger the chance he'd lose all.

It's a charming, sweet but not sugary, story. The use of epilogue to get to important matter, not simply the usual honeymoon period often found in romance, is quite refreshing.

Disclaimer : no female human was killed or harmed during the story to give the gay characters a baby.

[Nikyta · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars

This was an adorable story. One I thought was very nicely done considering it is Ms. Devon's first m/m contemporary.

I really liked that we got to know the characters a bit and that baby Emily wasn't just a prop. She was a real, big part of the story and I really enjoyed that. Stefan was a bit funny and Greg was a bit of an ass but he loosened up eventually.

I wished the story had been longer so we could have been able to see more of them together. Maybe see how Greg actually acts now that he's willing to step out of the closet and what happens with his family. Only reason this isn't getting five stars is because I really would have liked to see those few weeks/months that were glossed over between the time they agreed to a relationship and the end of the story.

Other than that, this was an excellent read. Definitely recommended for something quick and easy that'll put a smile on your face.

[Bubbles Hunty Honest & Direct Opinions · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this story. I was really glad with how it went, the prompt made me a little nervous but I liked it.

I would have given five stars except the time line was jumpy for me. I'd like to know more about the huge gaps the story skipped and stuff

Also like more where Greg isn't being a douche. It seems like he just starts to come around and it's the end.

Still a great free story

[Mandy*reads obsessively* · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5*
Sweet free read.
I wasn't sure I was going to like Greg much, but he managed to turn it around, I just really really wanted more of them together to see the attraction a bit more and see how 'life outside the closet' worked for them.
Stefan was great, no 'woe is me' just move on and does what needs to be done and thank goodness Emily isn't the 'perfect' seen but not heard baby!

[⚣Michaelle⚣ · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 Stars

Cute and relatable.

(I read this last month - I think? - and forgot to review it; I've really got to be more prompt with doing that since I barely remember the story enough to give a rating.)

[Lilli *slowest reader ever* · Rating 3 out of 5]

Usually I give books with babies in it a wide berth because there's too much baby in it for my peace of mind. For this one I made an exception because, well, it's free and it's gotten good reviews.

It was a cute and satisfying read. I even had a few really good laughs but I'm worried that it wasn't supposed to be funny and consequently I will be chased down by the mob for being a heartless cynic or something. Whatever. My favorite part was this one: Greg rearranged Emily so she squirmed and snuggled against his chest, and methodically patted her back. Now why couldn't Stefan trade places with her? It didn't seem like such a bad idea to let the guy hold him, pat his back.

[Penumbra · Rating 3 out of 5]

Goodbye Phillip was written for the M/M Romance Group’s 2012 Love is Always Write prompt event. This is a cute story about Stefan and Greg. The story is told in third person through both MCs eyes.

3.5 Stars


On the day of Stefan’s adopted daughter’s christening, Stefan’s partner Phillip has taken off never to return. Despite being left in the lurch, Stefan carries on setting up the gathering for the people invited to witness his daughter, Emily’s, presentation to their friends. The birth mother shows up and so does her brother Greg, who’s uptight and judgmental towards Stefan.

Stefan was a great character and his personality came across clearly. Greg’s not so much, I would’ve liked to have gotten to know him more. For those worried about a baby being present, Emily didn’t overpower the story, she was used more as a prompt to facilitate Stefan’s and Greg’s budding relationship.

The relationship moved pretty quickly, both men being attracted to each other the day they met. However, Stefan is not a one night stand kind of guy, where Greg is. Stefan wants a steady relationship, Greg, since he helped raise his many siblings, wants just to have fun. But he can’t stop himself from being drawn to Stefan.

I wish the story was longer, instead it skips large segments of time and the resolution is abrupt, but I suppose that’s what happens in a short story.

Overall this is a sweet, angst free read. The characters are pretty detailed for such a short book. I give Goodbye Phillip, 3 Stars.

[Yvonne · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 Stars I really liked this short story. The pacing & flow was nice & smooth with enough content in it without feeling rushed. Of course, due to length some details about the relationship is skimmed over. I also wasn't sure about this at first because of it being a kid fiction but this one avoided being too cutesy sweet. (The title did put me off for a while because I thought maybe it was about someone dying--Not the case at all) Great story & it's free!

[Deeze · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was an OK read especially as it was free, but sadly it didn't really live up to expectations. I was looking forward to a bit of Angst, or at least some drama but instead got an overly simplistically told sugary sweet story. Ideal if that’s what you are in the mood for.

[Ed Davis · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was short, but really sweet. I found it on my kindle while cleaning out books that have sat around a long time.

[Summer Devon]

Hello!

I've loaded a free copy of this story (slightly edited) up at allromanceebooks and smashwords. Plus there is a free PDF version at this dropbox link.

[Karl · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars. A nice sweet free romance from last year's MM Romance group event. The ending/epilogue was a bit rushed and thrown together so it threw me off a little.

[Bronwyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 stars - Okay quick read. A lot of errors like missing words.

[Jenn (not Lily) · Rating 3 out of 5]

A very sweet novella. I liked the fact that we never meet Phillip in person during the story -- I think it made for a little less conflict and stress that way.

[Sandra · Rating 4 out of 5]

[image error]

Offered for FREE from the M/M Romance Group, Love Is Always Write: Volume Four.

This is a really sweet story that starts out with Stefan getting hung up on by his partner of 4 years after they've recently adopted a daughter together. Stefan realizes Phillip never really wanted Emily and he loves her and is fine raising her alone. In walks Greg. I really liked their developing relationship and the different interactions they had. The only reason this is probably a 4 instead of a 5 star for me is that the ending could have been a little smoother. Things had gone at a nice steady pace, not slow exactly but not rushed, and then once they finally decide to be together it just ends. I guess that's the nature of short stories sometimes is that they go for the HFN and sort of end at a point that also feels like a beginning. Which is nice, but I want to see more of them! I want to see how things work out and get the HEA. I want to see the party with Greg's co-workers and him coming out to his family. I want it all! So that's the only thing. Because with the complexity of Greg's character in addition to everything else, this would have been a really good full-length novel. :) Really good though.

[m. ✨ On Hiatus ✨ · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sweet story, but Greg was such a jerk all the time! I really liked Stefan and appreciated his strength and resilience.

[atmatos · Rating 2 out of 5]

ok

[Mirjam · Rating 3 out of 5]

While in the midst of preparing a meal for a number of guest coming over for the celebration on their newly adopted daughter, Emily, Stefan takes a phone-call from his boyfriend Phillip who informs him that he is leaving.



At the celebration is also Emily's uncle, Greg, and the both men feel an attraction towards each other. The men tentatively spend some time together and end up spending the night. But Greg believes he does not want a relationship but can't stop thinking about Stefan and Emily.

This is a nice short story about Stefan not giving in into despair and honestly admitting to actually being relived that Phillip is gone.
While Stefan wants Greg to be a part of their lives he refuses to do that on Greg's demands.
I was pleasantly surprise with the epilogue that does not is the standard love and hearts ending but one that deals with Greg realising what is right in front of him.

[Christopher Daprona · Rating 4 out of 5]

This turned out to be a feel good book for me which I did enjoy. The outcome was what I was hoping for, but I gave 4 stars instead of 5 due to the fact, personally, it as a tentative HEA. I wish the author had gone a bit further in time. Also, it felt unresolved when Greg was said to be keeping his apartment and not wanting to cut ties to the old Greg...meaning he still wanted to retain the ability for senseless, semi-anonymous, one-time hook-ups? That, I felt needed clarification so the reader didn't think there was a possibility of him turning into a cheater after pursuing Stefen so strongly. Also, I don't recall "I love you" being said by either MC, so that would have been a nice addition as well. The world building and situations were realistic and believable.

[Ken Cook · Rating 4 out of 5]

A baby

The titular Phillip exits in the first chapter of this short novella, resurfacing in recollections briefly. Major characters new adoptive father Stefan and uncle Greg find a connection reluctantly. Decent scene setting, good character development, cute plot, handled well in the story's format.

[Lene · Rating 3 out of 5]

Short MM romance.

[Leslie Ann Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very sweet story

I enjoyed reading this book. It was a very short sweet story. Good riddance to that coward Philip. The baby was adorable.

[Nicole · Rating 4 out of 5]

A charming short story about two gay men and a baby.

[Leslie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ahhhh... that was sweet!

You never know what the future holds. Sometimes, at the very moment you think your happily-ever-after has walked away… A new one walks through the door.

[Bettye Kanady · Rating 3 out of 5]

The story was a glimpse into the life of a newly single dad of a little girl named Emily. Phillip left the day of Emily's christening without even stopping by the house to say "Adios!" He called from the airport like a butt and let Stefan figure it out from there. Stefan made all the food and was in the process of fixing the last of the appetizers when he gets this life altering phone call. With only an hour left to go until the ceremony, does Stefan freak out and panic? Nope, he continues on, albeit really pissed off. The first guests arrive, and they are Emily's birth mother and uncle. Here is Stefan's "freak out time" since Emily looks like her Uncle Greg. He's immediately hyper-possessive and doesn't want anyone else to hold the child, just in case they are going to pull off an abduction mission. And, it just so happens that Uncle Greg is also into guys... well, it seems he is now only interested in Stefan; but he's not one for relationships...loves the one-night "wham bam thank you man see you on the flip side" type of encounter. Their journey to get to the end is a little awkward, but both men state that they are not "cowards" and are willing to take a chance.

[Ryoma Gartre · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it, for such a short story it was so well rounded, Every character felt real like the inclusions of people we don't meet, like Greg's brother and Stefan's friend, Stefan was such a great character with self-respect and a mature way, he was aware that now all his choices would affect his daughter (which is something a lot of IRL people don't think about) and Greg was as well, I loved how once he realized something was wrong he stepped up his game, such a lovely and heartwarming story intended to leave you smiling by the last word.

[Wendy❤Ann · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really enjoy a sweet m/m romance featuring kids. The interactions with the baby (Emily) in this story seemed very realistic as were the fears and concerns that Stefan was feeling. Good riddance to Phillip – glad he was already gone from the picture and we didn’t have to waste time with him. On the other hand, I didn’t get an entirely warm & fuzzy read on Greg either. I think I’d have to see things play out more with them (Stefan and Greg) to feel the connection in their relationship because it didn’t feel like things had warmed enough in that direction. Short, but definitely sweet!

[Vanessa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just finished reading this story, and fell in love with Emily. Her adopted Daddy, Stefan, wasn't too bad. Once he got over the first time father jitters. We never even really meet Stefan's ex Phillip, because he's OTD before we even notice, but I hated him. Emily's birth mother Mellady is in the picture, but only a little. Her oldest brother, Greg, on the other hand is not only around, but he helps Stefan get over the new father jitters, and then hangs around occasionally, helping Stefan on the rebound. Well, you get it. I really like HEA stories, don't you?

[GymGuy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was just a really super fun story. Quite short, just a novella, but the characters were quite well developed and the situation was just fun. I'd have given it five stars, but I didn't really get the ending. The epilog didn't seem to fit and it ended a little too abruptly. There are a few editing issues: omitted words and a couple extra. Other than that a totally entertaining read. Wish it had been longer. I could have easily settled in with these guys for a couple more evenings!

[melek · Rating 5 out of 5]

Phillip just left without even knowing him oh well too bad. I dont feel anything for the guy anyway, But left Stefan and their baby girl. They were having a baby party but thats when things went sour phillip left didnt come back. But now he meets uncle of his birth baby and this is either going to work out for all or not read find out what happens but of course we all know what happens in most storys.