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Running Far Afield
Aaron thought nothing would be different in his new town of Ridgton. Instead, nothing is the same. When he meets Chris, he finds not only a fellow baseball player, but a close friend – one who gives him the courage to explore the things about himself he's been hiding. Rating R - 16,400 words - Complete. Mild sexual situations between consenting 16-year-olds.
Available at the gayauthor's: https://gayauthors.org/story/libby-drew/runningfarafield/
Available at the gayauthor's: https://gayauthors.org/story/libby-drew/runningfarafield/
48 pages, ebook
15 people are currently reading
535 people want to read
About the author
Libby Drew
16 books110 followersLibby glimpsed her true calling when her first story, an A.A. Milne /Shakespeare crossover, won the grand prize in her elementary school's fiction contest. Her parents explained that writers were quirky, poor, and often talked to themselves in supermarket checkout lines. They implored her to be practical, a request she took to heart for twenty years, earning two degrees, a white-collar job, and an ulcer, before realizing that practical was absolutely no fun.
Today she lives with her husband and four children in an old, impractical house and writes stories about redemption, the supernatural, and love at first sight, all of which do exist. She happens to know from experience.
Libby’s STATE OF MIND received rave reviews for being fast, clever, and relentless and was nominated for a Bookie Award for Best M/M Novel of 2011. 40 SOULS TO KEEP, Libby’s third novel, has been described as intense and heart-poundingly good and was praised by Publishers Weekly for maintaining a high level of suspense.
An avid supporter of gay rights, Libby donates her time to the Trevor Project and organizations that work to support marriage equality.
Today she lives with her husband and four children in an old, impractical house and writes stories about redemption, the supernatural, and love at first sight, all of which do exist. She happens to know from experience.
Libby’s STATE OF MIND received rave reviews for being fast, clever, and relentless and was nominated for a Bookie Award for Best M/M Novel of 2011. 40 SOULS TO KEEP, Libby’s third novel, has been described as intense and heart-poundingly good and was praised by Publishers Weekly for maintaining a high level of suspense.
An avid supporter of gay rights, Libby donates her time to the Trevor Project and organizations that work to support marriage equality.
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
October 10, 2012
Beautiful short (freebie) story from Libby Drew about two teenagers from different spectrum of life, but find themselves in love on the baseball field. I love how Chris doesn't go all blaming situation or other people (since he's ward of the state). I love how Aaron also stands up from himself when his father forbids him to see Chris again. Different kind of approach regarding teenagers' coming-out story. While short, I'm loving it.
PS: The cover makes it look more like football helmet than baseball bat *grin*
PS: The cover makes it look more like football helmet than baseball bat *grin*
October 10, 2012
HOLY SHIT I LOVED THIS SHORT STORY SO MUCH. It's going straight to my favourites shelf too. It was PERFECT, there is absolutely nothing that I would want to change about it! Oh wait I do! I wish it never ended! No but seriously, it was so great, I highly recommand it to everyone. And it's FREE. Please please please Libby Drew, tell me you're planning on writing a (longer) sequel?
October 8, 2012
This is how I always imagined a budding relationship would unfold. Aaron and Chris are wonderful and real teenage boys. I loved the friendship and sexual tension/frustration between the boys, it goes hand in hand with the pains of growing up. An adorable and cute romance, a great freebie. My only complaint, I wanted so much more.
October 9, 2012
Free short on authors website.
It's a very sweet story about two teenage boys from very different backgrounds, and it also shows that behind closed doors things are not always what they seem.
I would love a longer story about Chris and Aaron and their future.
It's a very sweet story about two teenage boys from very different backgrounds, and it also shows that behind closed doors things are not always what they seem.
I would love a longer story about Chris and Aaron and their future.
September 11, 2013
You can tell if the author loves her characters with the way they interact throughout story. This sweet and adorable tale of two teenage boys is a perfect example.
Libby Drew forms a perfect blend of angst, tenderness and vulnerability to her characters that make them vividly real and quite relate-able.
No explicit scenes here so it's perfect for YA as well. I only wish I got to know more of Aaron's parent's history. I think there's more to why Mr. Kendrick is so obsessed with perception and so controlling of Aaron. His mother was pretty two-dimensional so I would've liked to know why she seemed so unattached as well. Unfortunately, the length of the story wasn't enough to cover it. Still it was a very satisfying read for me.
I'm looking forward to reading a full novel from Libby Drew and equally happy to read her short stories again and again.
October 2, 2013
4.25 stars
I really enjoyed this short story. Aaron and Chris are two boys with opposite upbringings. They meet when Aaron moves to town and spots a group of boys playing/practicing baseball. Aaron, also a ball player, decides to watch from the stand. When Chris catches Aaron staring and confronts him a showdown ensues. Neither backs down but a truce is made.
From their mutual respect for each other's abilities on the field to a friendship and then something more, this is a sweet, touching story you don't want to miss.
I really enjoyed this short story. Aaron and Chris are two boys with opposite upbringings. They meet when Aaron moves to town and spots a group of boys playing/practicing baseball. Aaron, also a ball player, decides to watch from the stand. When Chris catches Aaron staring and confronts him a showdown ensues. Neither backs down but a truce is made.
From their mutual respect for each other's abilities on the field to a friendship and then something more, this is a sweet, touching story you don't want to miss.
October 31, 2012
The author weaves a sweet, short tale, providing the reader with a simple window into the budding romance of two young men. Strangely, it seems rare in the m/m world for a story to effectively capture a realistic but riveting story of budding romance. There's little (but some) angst, drama, or over the top romance, but the story that remains- this core, the pared down essence of a tale. is golden.
October 17, 2012
A very beautiful and well written short story. Aaron and Chris were so cute, I would loved it to have been longer. Oh well this was just perfect just wish it had been longer :)
July 20, 2013
This is the first story that I've read from this author and I really don't know why. I've downloaded samples of her books and the blurbs had me hooked, so no excuses. I read this story yesterday though and absolutely loved it.
You hear and read the term "soul mates" knocked around too much so that it doesn't really mean anything anymore. But, every once in awhile you read a story about two people who are absolutely supposed to be together. They HAVE to be. This is one of those stories. The teenage sexual tension was captured so well and was perfectly appropriate for this story. The two MC's gave each other strength and hope when before there futures weren't hopeless, but they weren't hopeful either.
A well done short that I would highly recommend.
So, no more excuses, off to download more from this author :).
You hear and read the term "soul mates" knocked around too much so that it doesn't really mean anything anymore. But, every once in awhile you read a story about two people who are absolutely supposed to be together. They HAVE to be. This is one of those stories. The teenage sexual tension was captured so well and was perfectly appropriate for this story. The two MC's gave each other strength and hope when before there futures weren't hopeless, but they weren't hopeful either.
A well done short that I would highly recommend.
So, no more excuses, off to download more from this author :).
April 15, 2013
This was a truly treasured read.
I've read this story months ago but once in awhile I go back to it to revisit this wonderful tale again.
The story follows Aaron, a high school baseball player with a detached relationship with his appearance-focused, wealthy parents, had recently moved to Ridgton. There, he meets Chris, a mysterious but charming, juvenile delinquent of sorts, who proves to be equally as skilled at baseball as Aaron. Despite an initial awkward and rocky confrontation of sorts, Chris puts aside their differences and invites Aaron to join their team. Over time, a confusing yet intriguing attraction develops between them. It isn’t long before social norms, self-discovery, and parenthood explode and threaten the friendship they have.
Although the subject matter of this story has been touched upon again and again and again and again, Libby brings both characters to life. At times I even felt sort of guilty reading because it felt like I was spying on a private love between two innocent boys, not staring at text on a screen. The dynamics between Chris and Aaron were were paced with grace and direction, and when the boys finally acted upon their feelings I just about jumped out of my seat in joy.
Read this story. It's a great demonstration of what Libby Drew as a writer is capable of, and you will feel awesome after reading such a feel-good tale.
I've read this story months ago but once in awhile I go back to it to revisit this wonderful tale again.
The story follows Aaron, a high school baseball player with a detached relationship with his appearance-focused, wealthy parents, had recently moved to Ridgton. There, he meets Chris, a mysterious but charming, juvenile delinquent of sorts, who proves to be equally as skilled at baseball as Aaron. Despite an initial awkward and rocky confrontation of sorts, Chris puts aside their differences and invites Aaron to join their team. Over time, a confusing yet intriguing attraction develops between them. It isn’t long before social norms, self-discovery, and parenthood explode and threaten the friendship they have.
Although the subject matter of this story has been touched upon again and again and again and again, Libby brings both characters to life. At times I even felt sort of guilty reading because it felt like I was spying on a private love between two innocent boys, not staring at text on a screen. The dynamics between Chris and Aaron were were paced with grace and direction, and when the boys finally acted upon their feelings I just about jumped out of my seat in joy.
Read this story. It's a great demonstration of what Libby Drew as a writer is capable of, and you will feel awesome after reading such a feel-good tale.
October 2, 2013
Oh such a lovely short story. Thanks Justin for the recommendation, you have great taste.
April 23, 2014
A sweet, and romantic short story. I liked the characters, and their connection. It felt real, and I appreciated that it took time for it to develop which is especially nice in a short story. I really liked Aaron's growth over the course of the story. It was a pleasure to see him gain so much confidence, and backbone. Chris's love helped him, but Chris is no way solved all of Aaron's problems. They both supported each other, and that was wonderful to see.
October 12, 2012
Awwww love it!!!
Short but beautifully written!
Love how Ms. Libby built the story & characters,in a such short story.
October 17, 2012
Great story.
October 17, 2012
Damn Libby, you write really great short stories!!! And that's a FACT. This story is really great and sadly to SHORT! I hope we will see more about this couple.
May 1, 2015
:) :) :) :)
April 24, 2015
This was a great read. I loved the development of the relationship between Aaron and Chris.
December 27, 2021
I wish this had been longer,I would have loved to read more about these guys and their precious love story. Still,I'm quite happy with what we got because what we got was *great*!
June 26, 2017
Loved it.
January 26, 2013
Such a quiet, beautiful story. I remember reading this several years ago and being sucked right into the story. I barely moved as I sat reading from my computer screen. One of the first m/m stories I ever read, and it will always have a special place in my heart.
I do wish we could hear more from these boys, but the characters are rich enough that they'll continue to live on in my head :)
I do wish we could hear more from these boys, but the characters are rich enough that they'll continue to live on in my head :)
April 28, 2013
Excellent free short story about two boys - one affluent, one from the "wrong side of the tracks" - who discover each other and love. Really well written and covers a lot of territory in the short word count.
July 19, 2014
You know a writer is talented when there's a certain atmosphere to their story that colors every mood and thought and scenario in it.
I love this writer's technique and the raw passion shown in this story. Definitely worth the 5 stars!
I love this writer's technique and the raw passion shown in this story. Definitely worth the 5 stars!
November 28, 2014
I loved this short story. Great descriptions and I loved the building tension and romance between the characters. I did wish things hadn't been resolved so neatly with the parents. But hard to do with a shorter story.
December 19, 2012
Really enjoyed this story. Definitely worth the read.
April 21, 2013
Lovely! But way too short.
September 11, 2013
...this ones very good short story, though f gven chance i like it to be longer and more of Chris and Aaron...still have to watch out now for more of Libby's writings...good job author...
September 28, 2014
Wow, this was terrific. More on these two please?
December 2, 2014
SO good!!! Loved it
September 10, 2016
Heavens those two were adorable!!! :)
Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews