Actually

by Mia Watts

Law student, Aaron Hedlund, is on the cusp of a new career with a cute boyfriend. Life is easy and perfect, until he gets a call that shatters his plans.

When Ian Mitchell discovers that his sexy former student, Aaron, is back in town, he’s relieved to know that someone will help Aaron’s little brother recover from the death of their parents. But as Aaron struggles to keep the family together, Ian finds that getting close enough to help may be more temptation than he can handle.

And the biggest challenge of all is showing Aaron that fixing shattered plans can become a blessing, actually.

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

108 pages, Kindle Edition

First published August 8, 2012

About the author

I SUCK at remembering to log in and approve friends. I'm so sorry I've made some of you wait. Please forgive my apparent chill, I swear it's not intended. Come hug me!

Reviews

[Arthur · Rating 2 out of 5]

Ian was a high school teacher. Many years ago, he taught Aaron who since had graduated, went to college, and now was in law school. Aaron's younger brother, Mike, was still in high school and was in Ian's class. Ian had always paid attention to the brothers, for a different reason. He had crush on the older brother and enjoyed seeing the younger one blossomed to a popular athletic star. When the brothers' parents died in a car accident, Aaron had to come home and took care of Mike. Things, however, were not good for them. Aaron had to work so he could take care of the mortgage, etc but he saw their family finance deteriorating, and Mike changed from a popular student to a dark, reclusive boy. Was there anything that the young history teacher could do to help these two young men that he cared very much?

Actually, this book was about to get at least 4 stars from me. Until almost the end, when Aaron gave ultimatum to Ian. Come out immediately or stop coming to their house. This is only a couple of weeks (the story started in November, this scene was before Thanksgiving so it couldn't be more than 2-3 weeks) they were together. After what Ian did to the brothers, Aaron basically told Ian, "Mike and I are stronger now, we don't need you anymore." Ian plead to have some time for adjustment,but Aaron declined, arguing "If I kiss you in front of my own house, will you try to see if someone might see you? "

Decision to come out is deeply personal. It also might affect someone more than others. One cannot just switch his comfort level of certain action on a whim. Ian was a high school teacher who lived in the closet. It won't be easy on him, regardless his love to Aaron.

Hhhm... I've never felt comfortable when a gay character forces the other to immediately come out or else. Note I highlight immediately. Gay movement and m/m book stories are based on individual life choice and tolerance. Forcing an individual to come out immediately without giving him any time to adapt his life, to me, is an act of fundamentalism and group conformity (every gay has to conform to a set of 'gay norms'), only of different ideology from what we usually think of.

"It's my way or no way at all."

Sound familiar?

[Anke · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars
I liked this story very much. The way the brothers dealt with their grief was very believable, the development of the relationship between Aaron and Ian was at a good pace and I'm especially glad that the author managed to avoid the evil-woman-plot. The set-up was there, but then the story was turned around. Thanks for that!

[Serena Yates · Rating 4 out of 5]

'Actually' is a story about grief and hardship, about the courage to keep it together and keep going, and of hope and finding the love you need to be able to learn how to enjoy living again. The issues are portrayed with sensitivity and a realistic look at human nature when grief hits – the desperate need to keep going and the guilt of having survived.

Aaron has a lot to deal with. He loses his parents just after his second your in college. He returns home to take care of his younger brother Mike, but lives with the constant threat of Child Protective Services taking him away and destroying what is left of their family. Not only does he have to deal with his own grief (which he refuses to do because he just cannot handle it), he is suddenly responsible for raising a sibling. He has to make money and isn’t ready to give up his dream of becoming a lawyer, so he continues his studies. Something is going to have to give. When it does, it isn’t what he (or I) expected, and it only makes things worse for a while.

Ian is Mike's history teacher and one of those men who care about the kids they teach beyond the classroom. He was also Aaron's history teacher, and has a never admitted crush on Aaron. To complicate matters, one of the female English teachers is after him, yet he is not out at school for fear of reprisals. Ian's situation is clearly very volatile. While he has the best of intentions and can honestly say that he can and does keep the personal separate from the professional, it may not look like that from the outside. For Ian, it is all about being honest with himself and learning how to wear that honesty proudly.

This is a story about loss, and about finding new direction and redefining what 'family' means. About love despite everything that happened. It is also about balance and figuring out how to do the right thing without letting appearances get in the way. Lastly, it is about finding the courage to do what you know is right – never mind the consequences. If you like stories that deal with real-life issues, if you're looking for an interesting character study as well as a moving love story, and if you believe that standing up for yourself and being honest with the world is important, then you will probably like this book as much as I did.




NOTE: This book was provided by Resplendence Publishing for the purpose of a review on Rainbow Book Reviews.

[Emeziel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Had I been in place of Ian and even if I had come out, I would not have gone back to Aaron. He deserved better than a selfish, self centered brat when he himself was so considerate and caring. But that's how love is blind.

[Julesmarie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Possibly 4.5, I keep going back and forth.

I was surprised by how much I liked this one. I'm a teacher, so I tend to be a little leery of stories about teachers, since the fictionalized details pull me out of the story more than they do with other professions. This one managed not to do that, and my relief may have heightened my enjoyment of the story. The only few things that did bother me--and not even very much--were that Ian felt the need to reassure us at least three times that he wasn't perving on Aaron while he was a student. I appreciated the explanation the first time it was given, but having it repeated that many times made it seem like he was protesting a little too much....

The other thing was that Aaron was able to get into the school and just wander around the way he did. Perhaps it's different in high schools, but in my elementary school all visitors have to check in at the office and if they're not there for a specific purpose, they're not allowed in. That's the sort of thing I meant about fictionalized details pulling me out of the story. It kind of made the whole rest of that scene unbelievable for me. But that's just my overreacting quirk, I think.

I thought the brothers' grief was handled beautifully. It was believable and honest and the way they were dealing with it was paced perfectly within the framework of the story.

My favorite thing about this story was that Aaron stood up to Ian and wouldn't let him hide them. I love reading about characters who have enough self respect to not accept being hidden. I also loved the way he did it, that he was so kind and respectful and that it didn't come across as an ultimatum but just how things had to be.

And I have to appreciate a story that can make me both cry and cheer and then leaves me with a smile.

[MARQUETTA · Rating 2 out of 5]

ok story. My main issue is Aaron having hot sex with his sc history teacher while his angry teenager brother is around. it seemed a little neglectful and selfish. I wasn't buying the romance 100%. would have liked a little more...something. I just felt like something was missing from this story that prevented me from liking it as much as I wanted to.

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars. I am never disappointed with Mia's stories so I knew I would enjoy this but it really surprised me and was better than her usual books. I really liked the story along with all the characters.

[Janie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought Ian was exactly what Aaron needed in his life. I'm so glad that he stepped up to the plate and chose Aaron. I'm glad that everything worked out for Mike. That poor kid left me so heartbroken when he told Aaron about the accident. Great book. Mia Watts is a fantastic author.

[Rachwithheadinabook · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good read

Aaron and Mike are brothers who are struggling after the death of their parents, Mike is skipping school so teacher Ian step up to help the brothers. A sweet story about grief and love and redefining family no matter the size.

[jules0623 · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nice, quick read. Despite the premise, there wasn't a lot of emotional depth to the MCs but it was alright.

[Allie · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5

[Rachel Emily · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was not my favorite thing I have read from this author. I didn't like the whole "come out of the closet to be with me" thing as others have said in their reviews.

[Lauren at Live Read and Breathe Reviews · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked this story. It was cute and heart wrenching. The chemistry was good between Ian and Aaron.

[Nikko · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a great read but i just can't put it inside my Favourites shelf..

[Buda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyable but quick read.

[Christopher · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good story..could have been a bit more developed

[Shelley · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75 stars