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All Alone in a Sea of Romance
I’m Jude Parks, writer of gay romances. Even though I’m good at what I do, the irony is that I haven’t exactly been lucky in love. My friend Jeannie says it's because I settle for Mr. Right Now instead of holding out for Mr. Forever. I say I’d rather regret what I have done than what I haven’t. I only came to Romantic Voyages, the biggest romance convention in the country, for business. Yet in no time I got mixed up with a gorgeous cover model, weeping artists, drag queens, and crazy housewives—and became the prime suspect in a murder investigation. Well, they say any press is good press. Maybe I should've stayed home. But then I never would’ve met Tommy Smith, the craziest, most outrageous, silly, sexy man I've ever known—a man who makes me wonder if it may be worth holding out for Mr. Forever. A man who might turn my rotten luck around. But only if we survive the weekend and I clear my name….
316 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 4, 2012
6 people are currently reading
253 people want to read
About the author
B.G. Thomas
77 books239 followersB.G. Thomas lives in Kansas City with his husband for nearly fifteen years and was legally married in 2014. Ehey have a fabulous little dog, Sarah Jane. He sees his wonderful daughter just often enough to miss her when she isn't there! He has a romantic soul and is extraordinarily lucky to have many friends.
He loves science fiction & fantasy, horror, romance and more, has gone to SF&F conventions his entire adult life, and been lucky enough to meet many of his favorite writers. He is a “Star Trek” and Joss Whedon fan from way back!
He has written all his life, it is where he finds his joy. In the 90’s, he wrote for gay magazines, but stopped because they wanted him to cut out story and romance, and write only sex.
Then through a few friends, he discovered the growing market of M/M Romance and was thrilled beyond words. FINALLY, a way to write the stories he always wanted to write. Adventure, romantic comedy, science fiction, and more, but with gay characters. And he wouldn't have to fade to black! People wanted to read the erotic as well. Plot and sex! HURRAY!
B.G. Thomas very much believes in The Law of Attraction and that "thoughts become things." A lot of things all started happening at once. He heard the words, "Leap, and the net will appear," and something re-kindled inside. He sent out a story and was thrilled when it was almost immediately accepted.
He believes that we are divine expressions of the Universe, each and everyone. "It is never too late!,” he states. “Pursue your dreams! They will come true!"
He loves science fiction & fantasy, horror, romance and more, has gone to SF&F conventions his entire adult life, and been lucky enough to meet many of his favorite writers. He is a “Star Trek” and Joss Whedon fan from way back!
He has written all his life, it is where he finds his joy. In the 90’s, he wrote for gay magazines, but stopped because they wanted him to cut out story and romance, and write only sex.
Then through a few friends, he discovered the growing market of M/M Romance and was thrilled beyond words. FINALLY, a way to write the stories he always wanted to write. Adventure, romantic comedy, science fiction, and more, but with gay characters. And he wouldn't have to fade to black! People wanted to read the erotic as well. Plot and sex! HURRAY!
B.G. Thomas very much believes in The Law of Attraction and that "thoughts become things." A lot of things all started happening at once. He heard the words, "Leap, and the net will appear," and something re-kindled inside. He sent out a story and was thrilled when it was almost immediately accepted.
He believes that we are divine expressions of the Universe, each and everyone. "It is never too late!,” he states. “Pursue your dreams! They will come true!"
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 45 reviews
October 24, 2012
I'm not a fan of zany stories or characters. Reading the blurb for this one I was sure I was setting myself up for a DNF because it sounded just that...zany and most likely too quirky for me. I was so wrong.
I don't think I stopped smiling the whole time I was reading this book. I'm not sure if the humour is something that everyone will enjoy but for me it just hit every button and I couldn't put it down. Not to say this is just laugh after laugh, there are quite a few poignant moments here and story touches on friendship and family and that never ending search to find the one person you're meant to be with for the long haul.
Jude Parks is a romance writer and editor for a small M/M press. He and his best friend, one of the other founding members of the press, head to Romantic Voyages, the biggest romance book convention out there in the hopes of selling some books to the masses.
This story is told from Jude's POV. I seriously loved being in this guy's head. He's more than a bit of man slut but he was adorable and funny and so very screwed up. We meet a cast of characters through him: his roommate Lionel, his best friend Jeannie, Dion the gaybarian, and Tommy...the sweet awesome drag queen who stole the show for me. I loved Tommy.
Jude and his man slut ways cause a bit of furor at the con when his one night stand is stabbed and Jude becomes the prime suspect. The story falters a bit here for me:
I'd say the strong point here is just the growing relationship between Jude and Tommy. While I, at points in the book, came to question Jude's philosophy of living sexually regret free I found him charming and nerdy and sweet. I also liked that his friends didn't hesitate to call him on his bullshit because if you're looking for Mr. Right how about you stop screwing every guy that brushes up against you? Although I loved Jeannie's ways and how tough and forthright she was I found that
Tommy? Tommy was perfect. :D
I just found this such a charming and fun read. I adored all the characters and loved the dialogue which was just so witty and amusing for me. I guess it's best described as a romp but one with an underlying sweetness that I really enjoyed. This is the first B.G. Thomas book that I've read, it won't be the last.
I don't think I stopped smiling the whole time I was reading this book. I'm not sure if the humour is something that everyone will enjoy but for me it just hit every button and I couldn't put it down. Not to say this is just laugh after laugh, there are quite a few poignant moments here and story touches on friendship and family and that never ending search to find the one person you're meant to be with for the long haul.
Jude Parks is a romance writer and editor for a small M/M press. He and his best friend, one of the other founding members of the press, head to Romantic Voyages, the biggest romance book convention out there in the hopes of selling some books to the masses.
This story is told from Jude's POV. I seriously loved being in this guy's head. He's more than a bit of man slut but he was adorable and funny and so very screwed up. We meet a cast of characters through him: his roommate Lionel, his best friend Jeannie, Dion the gaybarian, and Tommy...the sweet awesome drag queen who stole the show for me. I loved Tommy.
Jude and his man slut ways cause a bit of furor at the con when his one night stand is stabbed and Jude becomes the prime suspect. The story falters a bit here for me:
I'd say the strong point here is just the growing relationship between Jude and Tommy. While I, at points in the book, came to question Jude's philosophy of living sexually regret free I found him charming and nerdy and sweet. I also liked that his friends didn't hesitate to call him on his bullshit because if you're looking for Mr. Right how about you stop screwing every guy that brushes up against you? Although I loved Jeannie's ways and how tough and forthright she was I found that
Tommy? Tommy was perfect. :D
I just found this such a charming and fun read. I adored all the characters and loved the dialogue which was just so witty and amusing for me. I guess it's best described as a romp but one with an underlying sweetness that I really enjoyed. This is the first B.G. Thomas book that I've read, it won't be the last.
November 14, 2012
Sweet. Funny. Poignant. Those are the main words that come to mind when I try to describe the reading experience afforded me by ALL ALONE IN A SEA OF ROMANCE. Other words that come to mind include universal (who hasn't wondered when, if ever, they would find that one special person to make their happily-ever-after come true?) and suspenseful (there's an undercurrent of murder to this rollicking read, which makes its boy-meets-boy premise just that much more intriguing). Hey, I laughed. I cried. I couldn't race through the pages fast enough. And best of all, these gay men were sharply drawn and I had no problem imagining them in the real world; in fact I'd love to meet them for a cocktail.
November 6, 2014
Jude is a 40 year old M/M romance writer who can't find his own HEA (his longest relationship lasted 9 months) so he has basically spent the last 20 years slutting around from guy to guy. Not that he doesn't want to be in love, there is just always something wrong the men he dates. Before heading out to the Romantic Voyages convention, his male model roommate lets him know in not so many words, he is not as young and in shape as he used to be. Imagine Jude's surprise when hot cover model Dino sets his sights on him that first night there. The night doesn't turn out quite the way Jude had planned, but sets off a weekend full of attempted murder, drag queens and sudden celebrity status.
This book was charming, fun and witty. The mystery aspect was not much as the villain is fairly obvious, but more just a device to get the relationship between Tommy and Jude moving along. Tommy is a lovable character and the secondary characters all added to the story, though I really found Jude's bitchy friend and coworker Jeannie just grated on me.
The focus of the story, told from Jude's POV, is on the building relationship between Jude and Tommy. It was nice to see two men who are not considered to be young, beautiful, perfect specimens. Both had their insecurities and baggage, with Jude initially shying away from Tommy's flamboyant nature. I enjoyed seeing them get to know each other before falling in love and into bed.
This book was charming, fun and witty. The mystery aspect was not much as the villain is fairly obvious, but more just a device to get the relationship between Tommy and Jude moving along. Tommy is a lovable character and the secondary characters all added to the story, though I really found Jude's bitchy friend and coworker Jeannie just grated on me.
The focus of the story, told from Jude's POV, is on the building relationship between Jude and Tommy. It was nice to see two men who are not considered to be young, beautiful, perfect specimens. Both had their insecurities and baggage, with Jude initially shying away from Tommy's flamboyant nature. I enjoyed seeing them get to know each other before falling in love and into bed.
July 9, 2016
All Alone in a Sea of Romance
By B.G. Thomas
Dreamspinner Press, 2012
Cover by Paul Richmond
ISBN: 978-1-62380-005-5
Four stars
I almost gave this five stars. Almost. I read a bunch of reviews of it, and realized that my own reactions, good and less good, were echoed therein. So I decided I need to praise the book for everything that’s good about it. That fifth star—it’s all on me. My issues. The fifth star is rare for me; it’s for books that I embrace without hesitation or any unhappiness. So, it’s me, it’s not him. On the other hand, we are the sum of what we bring to the books we read. There are many NY Times best-sellers I’ve hated, so please know that this is a book I think you should read.
“All Alone in a Sea of Romance” is fast-paced, cleverly written, amusing, and filled with people who jump off the page. This is an insider’s book. It is to the M/M romance world what the TV series “Silicon Valley” is to the computer industry (my husband’s 40-year- career). Both the author and the protagonist, Jude Parks, are m/m romance novelists. The action happens at a huge romance writers’ convention called Romantic Voyages in Kansas City (where the author lives). There, as in real life, the gay romances are a tiny minority, awash in a sea of heterosexual romance.
Jude Parks is 41 and not skinny. His younger, gorgeous, Ambercrombie-model-worthy roomie, Lionel makes that perfectly clear. Although Jude writes about love, he has never found love. Both his roommate, and his best friend Jeannie, tell him that gay men can never really find love because they think with their little heads rather than their hearts or brains.
This is where my discomfort radar began to ping. There is much said in this substantial book about gay men and the joy of sex. It is a message that I heard as soon as I came out—in 1975—and a message that has survived the horror of AIDS and the targeted hated of the world in general. But there is also a lot said here about the idea that monogamy and fidelity are just not possible—or possibly desirable—for gay guys. Indeed Jude, and Lionel, and the wonderfully written and disarmingly complex Tommy Smith, who meets Jude the first afternoon of the convention, all seem to buy into this. I know lots of guys who believe this—particularly the under-40 generation. And yet, this whole mindset goes against my own core beliefs, beliefs have that guided my path through life. Jude says in the prologue: “I would rather regret what I have done over what I haven’t.” It sounds good, but it’s a little pat and, ultimately, an aphorism I can’t quite embrace.
And yet, as the story unfolds, all of these little disquieting pings begin to take on a pattern. It dawned on me that Thomas was deliberately salting his narrative with less-than-positive ideas of what being gay means—ranging from notions of masculinity to body image and the obsession with youth. All of this discomfort I was feeling was coalescing into Jude’s central dilemma: why is a nice, attractive guy who cherishes romance and writes it for a living still alone? Jude, whom I didn’t much like at first, gradually began to appeal to me greatly. He is a gay man struggling to find the happiness that so much of society, including our own subculture (whatever that might mean for any one of us), makes so difficult to find.
So, for a book that has a substantial bit of farce, a strong dash of anti-gay zealotry, and a savory stew of rich, interesting characters, it is also a surprisingly profound study of love and romance for people who are not fantasies, but just people.
By B.G. Thomas
Dreamspinner Press, 2012
Cover by Paul Richmond
ISBN: 978-1-62380-005-5
Four stars
I almost gave this five stars. Almost. I read a bunch of reviews of it, and realized that my own reactions, good and less good, were echoed therein. So I decided I need to praise the book for everything that’s good about it. That fifth star—it’s all on me. My issues. The fifth star is rare for me; it’s for books that I embrace without hesitation or any unhappiness. So, it’s me, it’s not him. On the other hand, we are the sum of what we bring to the books we read. There are many NY Times best-sellers I’ve hated, so please know that this is a book I think you should read.
“All Alone in a Sea of Romance” is fast-paced, cleverly written, amusing, and filled with people who jump off the page. This is an insider’s book. It is to the M/M romance world what the TV series “Silicon Valley” is to the computer industry (my husband’s 40-year- career). Both the author and the protagonist, Jude Parks, are m/m romance novelists. The action happens at a huge romance writers’ convention called Romantic Voyages in Kansas City (where the author lives). There, as in real life, the gay romances are a tiny minority, awash in a sea of heterosexual romance.
Jude Parks is 41 and not skinny. His younger, gorgeous, Ambercrombie-model-worthy roomie, Lionel makes that perfectly clear. Although Jude writes about love, he has never found love. Both his roommate, and his best friend Jeannie, tell him that gay men can never really find love because they think with their little heads rather than their hearts or brains.
This is where my discomfort radar began to ping. There is much said in this substantial book about gay men and the joy of sex. It is a message that I heard as soon as I came out—in 1975—and a message that has survived the horror of AIDS and the targeted hated of the world in general. But there is also a lot said here about the idea that monogamy and fidelity are just not possible—or possibly desirable—for gay guys. Indeed Jude, and Lionel, and the wonderfully written and disarmingly complex Tommy Smith, who meets Jude the first afternoon of the convention, all seem to buy into this. I know lots of guys who believe this—particularly the under-40 generation. And yet, this whole mindset goes against my own core beliefs, beliefs have that guided my path through life. Jude says in the prologue: “I would rather regret what I have done over what I haven’t.” It sounds good, but it’s a little pat and, ultimately, an aphorism I can’t quite embrace.
And yet, as the story unfolds, all of these little disquieting pings begin to take on a pattern. It dawned on me that Thomas was deliberately salting his narrative with less-than-positive ideas of what being gay means—ranging from notions of masculinity to body image and the obsession with youth. All of this discomfort I was feeling was coalescing into Jude’s central dilemma: why is a nice, attractive guy who cherishes romance and writes it for a living still alone? Jude, whom I didn’t much like at first, gradually began to appeal to me greatly. He is a gay man struggling to find the happiness that so much of society, including our own subculture (whatever that might mean for any one of us), makes so difficult to find.
So, for a book that has a substantial bit of farce, a strong dash of anti-gay zealotry, and a savory stew of rich, interesting characters, it is also a surprisingly profound study of love and romance for people who are not fantasies, but just people.
February 9, 2013
This book was sweet, cute, and really funny! If you have ever been to RT or another book con it was strangely closer to real life than I wanted to own up to! Well aside from the......oh sorry can't tell you about that part. I had a lot of laughs and had a good time with Tommy and Jude and their madcap friends.
March 7, 2013
2.5 stars
Review Summary: I didn’t really enjoy it but can see how others would, especially if you enjoy soap operas.
Review: I thought this story had a lot of promise, and I wanted to love it, but it didn’t quite work for me. The reasons it didn’t work for me may not be issues for other readers, or may even be positives.
I liked Tommy a lot, but although we’re often told that Jude finds Tommy (surprisingly) sexy, and it’s clearly important to him that Tommy not think he’s a slut, I just didn’t feel the chemistry. I felt chemistry with Dino, and thought they just needed to spend some time getting to know each other for real magic to happen. So even though the blurb mentioned Tommy, I sort of forgot that and thought Dino would be the love interest.
When I realized it would be Tommy instead, my enthusiasm waned but I soldiered on and trusted that I’d warm up to the idea. I found Tommy and Jude both “real” enough people, with good and bad qualities. I loved that they weren’t typical romance heroes. And I could definitely see them becoming great friends. But lasting lovers? By the end of the book I had warmed up to the idea a bit, but I still wasn’t totally convinced.
Tommy turned out to be my favorite character, I loved him as the “best friend” and wanted to see him find a man and HEA of his own. Except for the little detail that he supposedly just had, with Jude. And I still missed Dino because I thought he and Jude had real potential. So the romantic pairings just never quite worked for me. Actually, it might have worked best for me if Jude had been left out entirely and Tommy and Dino ended up together.
I’m also not a fan of breaking the fourth wall, so the detailed descriptions and real names at the conference – like Amy Lane and her knitting – made me uncomfortable. It seemed like one of the many blog posts I’ve read talking about the GRL experience, but with an added twist like I was reading a newbie author’s fantasy of making it big. Maybe that’s a testament to what well-written fiction it is, but making me cringe and squirm with embarrassment does not make for the most enjoyable reading experience.
I also had lots of little proofreading niggles, like the “isle” in the grocery store. That sent me off on a mental tangent, as it always does, imagining palm trees and fruity umbrella drinks at the market. Totally trivial, but distracting from the story.
So while this book didn’t work for me, I can see how it could work for people who like Tommy as Jude’s love interest. I also think anyone who loved Eighties soap operas might love this, because although I only watched them one long-ago summer, it rather reminded me of them.
This review was originally posted at Reviews by Jessewave, where I received the book for free in exchange for an honest review.
Review Summary: I didn’t really enjoy it but can see how others would, especially if you enjoy soap operas.
Review: I thought this story had a lot of promise, and I wanted to love it, but it didn’t quite work for me. The reasons it didn’t work for me may not be issues for other readers, or may even be positives.
I liked Tommy a lot, but although we’re often told that Jude finds Tommy (surprisingly) sexy, and it’s clearly important to him that Tommy not think he’s a slut, I just didn’t feel the chemistry. I felt chemistry with Dino, and thought they just needed to spend some time getting to know each other for real magic to happen. So even though the blurb mentioned Tommy, I sort of forgot that and thought Dino would be the love interest.
When I realized it would be Tommy instead, my enthusiasm waned but I soldiered on and trusted that I’d warm up to the idea. I found Tommy and Jude both “real” enough people, with good and bad qualities. I loved that they weren’t typical romance heroes. And I could definitely see them becoming great friends. But lasting lovers? By the end of the book I had warmed up to the idea a bit, but I still wasn’t totally convinced.
Tommy turned out to be my favorite character, I loved him as the “best friend” and wanted to see him find a man and HEA of his own. Except for the little detail that he supposedly just had, with Jude. And I still missed Dino because I thought he and Jude had real potential. So the romantic pairings just never quite worked for me. Actually, it might have worked best for me if Jude had been left out entirely and Tommy and Dino ended up together.
I’m also not a fan of breaking the fourth wall, so the detailed descriptions and real names at the conference – like Amy Lane and her knitting – made me uncomfortable. It seemed like one of the many blog posts I’ve read talking about the GRL experience, but with an added twist like I was reading a newbie author’s fantasy of making it big. Maybe that’s a testament to what well-written fiction it is, but making me cringe and squirm with embarrassment does not make for the most enjoyable reading experience.
I also had lots of little proofreading niggles, like the “isle” in the grocery store. That sent me off on a mental tangent, as it always does, imagining palm trees and fruity umbrella drinks at the market. Totally trivial, but distracting from the story.
So while this book didn’t work for me, I can see how it could work for people who like Tommy as Jude’s love interest. I also think anyone who loved Eighties soap operas might love this, because although I only watched them one long-ago summer, it rather reminded me of them.
This review was originally posted at Reviews by Jessewave, where I received the book for free in exchange for an honest review.
January 6, 2014
I'm going to start off by complimenting the author on Jude's fabulous first person storytelling and his hilarious inner monologues. The fact that he rambles and goes off subject a lot made me feel like I was actually sitting there having a conversation with him and it made the reading fun. 'All Alone in a Sea of Romance' by B.G. Thomas turned out to be a very sweet and poignant love story with a lot of laughter mixed in. Exactly what I needed when I read it.
Jude is a forty-one year old gay man, "I was a Kinsey six after all. Or a sixteen.", who has dated every conceivable type of man without finding Mr. Right. So he figures he might as well settle for Mr. Right Now, and I don't blame him after hearing about some of his loser boyfriends. Ten years ago he discovered fanfic and became a bit of a celebrity at those conventions (being a gay man, and all) where he made a great clique of female friends. It's how he ended up with Jeannie as his best friend, and how they both fell into writing gay male on male romances, and starting their own publishing company. Now Jude and Jeannie are in Kansas City for the huge Romantic Voyages romance convention, and considering what I'd already learned about Jude, it stood to reason that everything that could go wrong, would.
As shocking as it seems to Jude, a gorgeous cover model picks him up their first night there. Jude has out of control, crazy sex, I mean a mind-boggling one-night stand. Only to discover the following morning that sometime after Jude left the room, the model was stabbed and is in critical condition. OMG. Of course the police come looking for Jude, but luckily he has Jeannie beside him and Tommy, the adorable little bear/drag queen he met the day before. Jude is terrified when they take him downtown, and it's insane because he can't even kill a spider for crying out loud. Although his interview at the station is pretty funny since when he's scared or nervous he tends to just spew information and ramble. HA! Jude's day doesn't get any better when he is returned to the convention only to discover their books are selling out because "Jude Parks is a stone cold killer". Jude was surprised by the fans' reactions but I sure wasn't. *grins*
The weekend continues in a disturbing manner with another person getting stabbed and the two gay artists booths are vandalized and original paintings destroyed. Jude comes to the rescue however, when the killer tries to go after him and Jude incapacitates her using glittered flippers. If you want to know about those, then you really need to read the book. The finale of Jude's romance convention weekend is to be an incredible night of bliss with Tommy whom he's beginning to have real feelings for. But, even that goes somewhat off plan, and Jude heads for home with a lot to think about.
This is a delightful, sexy, and funny story that I enjoyed immensely. It is an easy read that I can most definitely recommend, with a sweet love story and a happy ever after. Thank you, BG, for a super fun read.
NOTE: This book was provided by Dreamspinner Press for the purpose of a review on Rainbow Book Reviews.
Jude is a forty-one year old gay man, "I was a Kinsey six after all. Or a sixteen.", who has dated every conceivable type of man without finding Mr. Right. So he figures he might as well settle for Mr. Right Now, and I don't blame him after hearing about some of his loser boyfriends. Ten years ago he discovered fanfic and became a bit of a celebrity at those conventions (being a gay man, and all) where he made a great clique of female friends. It's how he ended up with Jeannie as his best friend, and how they both fell into writing gay male on male romances, and starting their own publishing company. Now Jude and Jeannie are in Kansas City for the huge Romantic Voyages romance convention, and considering what I'd already learned about Jude, it stood to reason that everything that could go wrong, would.
As shocking as it seems to Jude, a gorgeous cover model picks him up their first night there. Jude has out of control, crazy sex, I mean a mind-boggling one-night stand. Only to discover the following morning that sometime after Jude left the room, the model was stabbed and is in critical condition. OMG. Of course the police come looking for Jude, but luckily he has Jeannie beside him and Tommy, the adorable little bear/drag queen he met the day before. Jude is terrified when they take him downtown, and it's insane because he can't even kill a spider for crying out loud. Although his interview at the station is pretty funny since when he's scared or nervous he tends to just spew information and ramble. HA! Jude's day doesn't get any better when he is returned to the convention only to discover their books are selling out because "Jude Parks is a stone cold killer". Jude was surprised by the fans' reactions but I sure wasn't. *grins*
The weekend continues in a disturbing manner with another person getting stabbed and the two gay artists booths are vandalized and original paintings destroyed. Jude comes to the rescue however, when the killer tries to go after him and Jude incapacitates her using glittered flippers. If you want to know about those, then you really need to read the book. The finale of Jude's romance convention weekend is to be an incredible night of bliss with Tommy whom he's beginning to have real feelings for. But, even that goes somewhat off plan, and Jude heads for home with a lot to think about.
This is a delightful, sexy, and funny story that I enjoyed immensely. It is an easy read that I can most definitely recommend, with a sweet love story and a happy ever after. Thank you, BG, for a super fun read.
NOTE: This book was provided by Dreamspinner Press for the purpose of a review on Rainbow Book Reviews.
May 6, 2013
This book actually, kind of, sort of pissed me off. I didn't hate it, but I didn't love it either. There was a lot of issues with me and this book. I seem to be the only one though.
July 3, 2013
FUNNY and very entertaining!!!! Who dictates WHO you fall in LOVE with???
Read
July 13, 2016I read it. I'm not going to rate it. It just wasn't for me.
March 31, 2015
** Mild spoilers, I think. **
Conflicted feelings!
First let me say that even when I was so unhappy with this book that I nearly quit reading it, I was aware that it’s well written. The main issue being that the writing’s simply not in a style I like.
Reminds me strongly of a certain, popular author whose stories I sampled via free excerpts and decided to pass on. Chatty and flippant and somewhat mean. Strong first person narrator with an attitude, a personality I am not sure I enjoy, and depressing views on life, romance and sex. All bundled up as “funny”.
Lots of people like this style. It’s not for me. But when I commit to reading a book I tend to stick with it and enjoy it to the best of my ability.
I am happy to say that this book never turns as extreme (aka coarse and overdone and mean-spirited) as those excerpts. However, it maintains this breezy, realistic yet farcical way.
I just about hit my limit (and the ceiling) when someone had just been murdered and the hero was freaking over going to jail and becoming Big Bubba’s wife. Not funny. Jude even points that out, and promptly undermines this by having thoughts filled with more of the same wisecracks. The victim is actually a really nice guy, so I wasn’t in the mood for that kind of levity.
And yes, I know that the brain sometimes comes up with exactly that sort of reaction at the worst moments and I am also familiar with black humour. This wasn’t that, or not to me. Hysterics thrown in for cheap laughs in lieu of what has to be a tense, horrifying situation?
Luckily I read on, beginning to be mollified when Jude broke down crying because, finally, someone was taking something serious.
This thing still played out as a farce, though, and kept meandering along, beginning to impart a truckload of Meanings along the way, while working on the actual romance in the way I actually do associate with this author. Altogether, good stuff now, but it took me a while to start enjoying it. Way past half point, I believe. And even then “enjoying” may not have been the word. But I kept reading and would have protested at being made to stop.
I raised my brows at the depiction of the gay romance author community with all the name-dropping and cameos, but, honestly, out of the versions of this that I’ve read, this may have worked best with the story itself.
Meanwhile, more and more likeable people popped up as well, and our protagonist underwent some significant changes that made me less irritated with him. An ongoing process that only reached completion during the climax, by the way. Which was as emotional and even romantic as one would hope.
As well, the scattered Meanings and Messages were beginning to come together near the end in more than merely observational ways until the story fairly bellowed, “I have Deeper Meanings!”
So that was good too.
I guess my conflicting emotions come down to two facts.
A) When I picked up this book I thought it was a romance. And it took a long detour via farce and slapstick to arrive there.
B) I still don’t feel comfortable with that particular style, nor with that particular realistic take on gay life. It makes me sad and I like my escapism happy (superficial fluffball that I am), even if that makes it less true to life.
Thus I take full responsibility for my reaction to this story. Whatever that is.
There’s still one more thing that gets to me. All of this author’s stories seem to revolve around the same place, a certain gay bar. Would be fine and dandy, except a few short stories take a wild turn into the supernatural with Santa and his wife (of all people) cursing people into magically looking different from one day to the other. How am I supposed to wrestle that into the same universe with a story that feels as real as this one?
Conflicted feelings!
First let me say that even when I was so unhappy with this book that I nearly quit reading it, I was aware that it’s well written. The main issue being that the writing’s simply not in a style I like.
Reminds me strongly of a certain, popular author whose stories I sampled via free excerpts and decided to pass on. Chatty and flippant and somewhat mean. Strong first person narrator with an attitude, a personality I am not sure I enjoy, and depressing views on life, romance and sex. All bundled up as “funny”.
Lots of people like this style. It’s not for me. But when I commit to reading a book I tend to stick with it and enjoy it to the best of my ability.
I am happy to say that this book never turns as extreme (aka coarse and overdone and mean-spirited) as those excerpts. However, it maintains this breezy, realistic yet farcical way.
I just about hit my limit (and the ceiling) when someone had just been murdered and the hero was freaking over going to jail and becoming Big Bubba’s wife. Not funny. Jude even points that out, and promptly undermines this by having thoughts filled with more of the same wisecracks. The victim is actually a really nice guy, so I wasn’t in the mood for that kind of levity.
And yes, I know that the brain sometimes comes up with exactly that sort of reaction at the worst moments and I am also familiar with black humour. This wasn’t that, or not to me. Hysterics thrown in for cheap laughs in lieu of what has to be a tense, horrifying situation?
Luckily I read on, beginning to be mollified when Jude broke down crying because, finally, someone was taking something serious.
This thing still played out as a farce, though, and kept meandering along, beginning to impart a truckload of Meanings along the way, while working on the actual romance in the way I actually do associate with this author. Altogether, good stuff now, but it took me a while to start enjoying it. Way past half point, I believe. And even then “enjoying” may not have been the word. But I kept reading and would have protested at being made to stop.
I raised my brows at the depiction of the gay romance author community with all the name-dropping and cameos, but, honestly, out of the versions of this that I’ve read, this may have worked best with the story itself.
Meanwhile, more and more likeable people popped up as well, and our protagonist underwent some significant changes that made me less irritated with him. An ongoing process that only reached completion during the climax, by the way. Which was as emotional and even romantic as one would hope.
As well, the scattered Meanings and Messages were beginning to come together near the end in more than merely observational ways until the story fairly bellowed, “I have Deeper Meanings!”
So that was good too.
I guess my conflicting emotions come down to two facts.
A) When I picked up this book I thought it was a romance. And it took a long detour via farce and slapstick to arrive there.
B) I still don’t feel comfortable with that particular style, nor with that particular realistic take on gay life. It makes me sad and I like my escapism happy (superficial fluffball that I am), even if that makes it less true to life.
Thus I take full responsibility for my reaction to this story. Whatever that is.
There’s still one more thing that gets to me. All of this author’s stories seem to revolve around the same place, a certain gay bar. Would be fine and dandy, except a few short stories take a wild turn into the supernatural with Santa and his wife (of all people) cursing people into magically looking different from one day to the other. How am I supposed to wrestle that into the same universe with a story that feels as real as this one?
April 9, 2016
This is B.G. Thomas first full fledge novel and what a delightful read it is.We are introduced to Jude Parks a 41 year old gay man who works at a men's clothing store, but whose real passion is writing m/m stories.Jude does this as part-time editor/writer at the publishing company he is one of the founders of called New Visions.At the beginning of this book we find Jude preparing to go to Kansas City (he lives in Chicago) to attend a Romantic Voyage convention.Jude finds himself upset that his handsome young roommate Lionel has decided to pick the time he's out of town to throw a orgy with the anorexic model friends of his that would see Jude as old in gay years and a bear.Jude never considered himself as a bear and this and the fact he hasn't had a steady and real relationship troubles him. Jude leaves for the convention and can't wait to get away from those troubling thoughts and meet up with BFF and gal-pal Jeannie, who Jude thinks looks a lot like Megan Muhulney (Karen from Will&Grace) in looks and voice.Jeannie is a straight shooter and doesn't mind calling Jude on his shit. Jeannie complains that most gay men only think of dick, and Jude is no exception. The two go back and forth, though Jude's track record sexually seems to prove Jeannie's point. We are introduced to two men that will change Jude's life during the several days of the convention.We meet Tommy Smith, exuberant, funny, and intelligent, Tommy is 35 years old who works at an adult store and does Drag part-time.Tommy is out and proud, doesn't mind belting out Lady Ga Ga and given sage advice. Tommy is also a bear and Jude finds himself attracted to him though he hates that he's a Drag Queen.Jude also meets Dino.Dino is young, and muscular and very handsome. Dino is also one of the cover models for the m/m books.Dino is also sweet, honest, and very attracted to Jude.Also we get a deeper look into Jude's early years and past relationships that helped mold him into the man he is today.We understand why Jude has his hostility towards Drag Queens and we applaud when Jude realizes why he has hidden prejudices and decides to do something about them.This book also has a mystery thrown in when someone Jude knows ( don't want to say) is brutally attacked and he becomes a suspect.It's an enjoyable read that shows that you can find love and romance when you least expect it. As Tommy would say,"oh l'amour, l'amour".Enjoy!
June 13, 2015
I loved “All Alone in a Sea of Romance” by B.g. Thomas.
It’s the story of a 40-year-old author, Jude Parks, who writes gay romance. He attends a book convention with his best friend, Jeannie, in hopes of selling his stories. At the convention, he meets Tommy, a flamboyant and charismatic man whom he befriends but is turned off by the fact that Tommy is a drag queen. Situations quickly unfold into a quirky tale involving attempted murder and Jude’s instant celebrity status for being “linked“ to it.
Written from Jude’s point of view, he wonders if he will ever find true love and have a happily ever after. Jude’s internal monologues are funny and witty, but also poignant as he reflects deeply on his own love life and realizes his insecurities. He also has a lot of internal conflicts and becomes aware of his slight prejudice against Tommy for being a drag queen. Tommy has a refreshing and profound view on life and also provides a source of fun and humor for Jude and Jeannie.
The book is long but doesn’t feel that way and I was able to finish it in a couple of days because I was so engaged in it. There’s so much clever dialogue, the budding friendship and romance between Jude and Tommy and the mysterious attempted murderer on the loose during the days of the convention and whether Jude is directly connected to it or not.
The main characters are very well-written and realistic. They do feel like real people with their own full personalities, aspirations, beliefs and flaws. The story was so well-written and charming that I didn’t want it to end and I was very pleased with the happy ending. Excellent and highly recommended!
It’s the story of a 40-year-old author, Jude Parks, who writes gay romance. He attends a book convention with his best friend, Jeannie, in hopes of selling his stories. At the convention, he meets Tommy, a flamboyant and charismatic man whom he befriends but is turned off by the fact that Tommy is a drag queen. Situations quickly unfold into a quirky tale involving attempted murder and Jude’s instant celebrity status for being “linked“ to it.
Written from Jude’s point of view, he wonders if he will ever find true love and have a happily ever after. Jude’s internal monologues are funny and witty, but also poignant as he reflects deeply on his own love life and realizes his insecurities. He also has a lot of internal conflicts and becomes aware of his slight prejudice against Tommy for being a drag queen. Tommy has a refreshing and profound view on life and also provides a source of fun and humor for Jude and Jeannie.
The book is long but doesn’t feel that way and I was able to finish it in a couple of days because I was so engaged in it. There’s so much clever dialogue, the budding friendship and romance between Jude and Tommy and the mysterious attempted murderer on the loose during the days of the convention and whether Jude is directly connected to it or not.
The main characters are very well-written and realistic. They do feel like real people with their own full personalities, aspirations, beliefs and flaws. The story was so well-written and charming that I didn’t want it to end and I was very pleased with the happy ending. Excellent and highly recommended!
May 7, 2017
I really liked this book, but I can see how some people might not enjoy it. Having been in the science fiction convention going AND fanfic slash worlds for many years, the con descriptions, tropes, and people were very familiar. So many scenes were a lot of fun and I loved the people and descriptions, but that insider view might be offputting to other readers.
As in many of the author's later books, we see people loving the family they make, after being rejected by the family they were born into. However, not everyone has a sad family story and for the most part the book is about people having fun at a convention. Except for the (almost) murder mystery. Poor Jude, disaster seems to follow him around a bit at this convention, but so does sweet, flamboyant Tommy. I wanted to bonk Jude over the head a couple times because it seems so obvious that Tommy can be the one who stays, but I guess it only makes sense that Jude isn't going to figure that out in the space of a couple days.
In the end, the mystery is solved, the relationship has a wonderfully satisfying ending and I enjoyed the book a lot.
As in many of the author's later books, we see people loving the family they make, after being rejected by the family they were born into. However, not everyone has a sad family story and for the most part the book is about people having fun at a convention. Except for the (almost) murder mystery. Poor Jude, disaster seems to follow him around a bit at this convention, but so does sweet, flamboyant Tommy. I wanted to bonk Jude over the head a couple times because it seems so obvious that Tommy can be the one who stays, but I guess it only makes sense that Jude isn't going to figure that out in the space of a couple days.
In the end, the mystery is solved, the relationship has a wonderfully satisfying ending and I enjoyed the book a lot.
January 27, 2016
This is my all-time favourite mm romance, so my view is biased :-)
This book has everything I want in a mm romance, quirky but believable characters in Jude and Tommy, outstanding wit in Jude's internal musings, but also introspection. The story is insane, but at the core believable. It is a long book, but worth every page. There are some shortcuts and cliché characters, but it's a mm romance, so this is part and parcel of the genre.
I think what I love most, is the "realness" of Jude and Tommy, both are nicely imperfect in all areas, which makes them not just real, but interesting, I'd really like to talk to them, they are so real. That's what makes this book so good.
This book has everything I want in a mm romance, quirky but believable characters in Jude and Tommy, outstanding wit in Jude's internal musings, but also introspection. The story is insane, but at the core believable. It is a long book, but worth every page. There are some shortcuts and cliché characters, but it's a mm romance, so this is part and parcel of the genre.
I think what I love most, is the "realness" of Jude and Tommy, both are nicely imperfect in all areas, which makes them not just real, but interesting, I'd really like to talk to them, they are so real. That's what makes this book so good.
October 10, 2012
All Alone in a Sea of Romance is an amusing and oftentimes rambling look into the mind of a serial dater dealing with approaching middle age, a not-so-perfect body, and the basic human need to love and be loved. Underneath the layers of wacky humor (and there were many laugh out loud moments) is a poignant story about acceptance, learning how to see beyond the tip of your nose, and appreciating beauty and true love even when it comes in the shape of a campy, sequin loving diva. The romance, when it finally arrived, was worth the long wait. Recommended.
October 9, 2012
I'm all over the place with this book. Up until the 30% point, I was forcing myself to keep reading then the action finally began and it got interesting. It continued this pattern all through the story; the plot meandering all over the place until I was ready to call it a day then there would be a great section that kept me hanging on.
I loved the MCs, couldn't stand the best friend, and found the story a mix of fun, interesting, and sweet.
I loved the MCs, couldn't stand the best friend, and found the story a mix of fun, interesting, and sweet.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 21, 2016
This book is deeper than it appears on the outside. Behind a lighthearted (and funny!) mystery lies intolerance and hatred.
Also the theme of what type of "gay" person constitutes as attractive. So stereotyping is in there as well. Jude is attracted to Tommy but is worried that Tommy is too "gay" for him. Tommy is lovable, flamboyant, and a drag queen, everything Jude has avoided.
I loved both Jude and Tommy. Such a fun story with heart and intelligence.
Also the theme of what type of "gay" person constitutes as attractive. So stereotyping is in there as well. Jude is attracted to Tommy but is worried that Tommy is too "gay" for him. Tommy is lovable, flamboyant, and a drag queen, everything Jude has avoided.
I loved both Jude and Tommy. Such a fun story with heart and intelligence.
dnf
September 16, 2013I'm sorry I didn't get into this, because you just never find a romance hero with a bit of chub on him... c'est la vie.
September 13, 2021
This should be the first of a series set in Kansas City (unless Hound Dog and Bean... but I haven't read that one yet.) The reason I argue for this is that the visiting Jude provides a great description of the city as he discovers it himself; whereas the next two books I feel should be in the series are more prominently encapsulated in the Oscar Wilde apartment building. So, All Alone lays out the whole before you, and so when stuff pops up in the following books, like the Male Box and Tommy/Dixie, you're clapping and eagerly reading, glad that you've have background on this (because Thomas doesn't really repeat the info in these following books) and you're looking forward to seeing these characters again.
Ok. The story. Read it for the characters, their quirks and interactions. Jude is a treat. And, ok, what drives much of the story—the murder and attacks—are Hitchcockian macguffins. Most of you will go "Duh!" way before the police even show up. But the characters (and the Kansas City environment) are a treat and entertaining. A funny, feel good (yes, even with murder and mayhem) story.
So, c'mon Thomas. Gather ye KC's together. Boy and Anything are, to me, a subset. Please?
Ok. The story. Read it for the characters, their quirks and interactions. Jude is a treat. And, ok, what drives much of the story—the murder and attacks—are Hitchcockian macguffins. Most of you will go "Duh!" way before the police even show up. But the characters (and the Kansas City environment) are a treat and entertaining. A funny, feel good (yes, even with murder and mayhem) story.
So, c'mon Thomas. Gather ye KC's together. Boy and Anything are, to me, a subset. Please?
September 6, 2017
Fun and light hearted.
First of all this story did make me feel good. I loved Tommy. Jude was harder to like, but he eventually got there.
There was a little too much about dicks, and I wondered about why on earth Jeannie wrote M/M romance in the first place... I really did not like her at all. I couldn't figure out why she was written the way she was. I was almost surprised she didn't elope with Detective B....
So, it was fun, but not more than that.
First of all this story did make me feel good. I loved Tommy. Jude was harder to like, but he eventually got there.
There was a little too much about dicks, and I wondered about why on earth Jeannie wrote M/M romance in the first place... I really did not like her at all. I couldn't figure out why she was written the way she was. I was almost surprised she didn't elope with Detective B....
So, it was fun, but not more than that.
June 14, 2019
BG Thomas is an automatic buy for me and I was glad I picked this one, because I enjoyed this book a lot! Jude is nice, funny and flawed, normal . So this story also feels, well, normal. Natural. What your best friend might be up to when visiting a romance exhibition. Therefore the road to happy ever after is full of twists and turns and it feels real and that is why I really liked this! And there was drag queens, so BONUS!
June 3, 2018
5 Stars
Gotta Love BG
Gotta Love BG
November 22, 2012
A heart warming romance about a writer of male male romances who is pants at organising his own love life, with a murder to add a little piquancy.
I don't read much pure romance, little contemporary romance, and very very little set in modern day America so I found myself reacting to this partly as a travelogue and partly as a comedy of manners. I didn't 'get' some of the humour in it because I didn't get many of the cultural references and was scared to pause to Google because that would spoil the flow of the story. That said there were plenty of other parts that raised a smile, in particular Jude's jealous diatribes against a rival and his bafflement at being attracted to a man who is something Jude 'knows' he doesn't like. The part where Jude is informed by his skinny self-absorbed flatmate that he is old in "gay years" and fat in "gay pounds" was, for me, one of the funniest, and most poignant, parts of the book.
Though the story is comedic, it is plaintive too. Jude is a victim of his own low self esteem - exemplified in the succession of awful boyfriends he has settled for rather than risk being dumped by a keeper. Jude Parks' exes are legion - each and every one of them a disaster. So much so that I suspect Jude of having commitment issues, despite his assertions that he's desperate for the permanent partner, roses round the door etc. Luckily for him the hothouse environment of a major romance fiction convention is fertile ground for finding Mr Right.
The story boasts a wealth of well rounded secondary characters. Jude's brash straight female BFF, who views the convention as a chance to cheat on her husband and who goes from sweet and supportive to jealous bitch in the blink of an eye when the love interest turns up is particularly memorable. I liked the lady police officer and her rough edged partner. I loved the comedy cover models - or maybe I'm the only reader who found them funny - all Fabio has ever done for me is make me snicker. But I liked the cover model who is the chief recipient of Jude's attentions, beautiful Dino who seems to be trying to make a human connection rather than just being viewed as a commodity. The love interest, Tommy, is a fortright and cheerful soul who has little patience with Jude's angst. I found the humour of his stage act a bit baffling again [the only drag act I've ever seen was Danny La Rue - a very different kettle of exquisitely coiffed fish] but his staightforward good humour and optimism were exactly what Jude needed.
Honestly, the murder mystery isn't much of a mystery but adds some peril and tension beyond just 'will they, won't they' and the story is brought to a satisfying, if not surprising, conclusion with happiness for those who deserve it.
4*
I don't read much pure romance, little contemporary romance, and very very little set in modern day America so I found myself reacting to this partly as a travelogue and partly as a comedy of manners. I didn't 'get' some of the humour in it because I didn't get many of the cultural references and was scared to pause to Google because that would spoil the flow of the story. That said there were plenty of other parts that raised a smile, in particular Jude's jealous diatribes against a rival and his bafflement at being attracted to a man who is something Jude 'knows' he doesn't like. The part where Jude is informed by his skinny self-absorbed flatmate that he is old in "gay years" and fat in "gay pounds" was, for me, one of the funniest, and most poignant, parts of the book.
Though the story is comedic, it is plaintive too. Jude is a victim of his own low self esteem - exemplified in the succession of awful boyfriends he has settled for rather than risk being dumped by a keeper. Jude Parks' exes are legion - each and every one of them a disaster. So much so that I suspect Jude of having commitment issues, despite his assertions that he's desperate for the permanent partner, roses round the door etc. Luckily for him the hothouse environment of a major romance fiction convention is fertile ground for finding Mr Right.
The story boasts a wealth of well rounded secondary characters. Jude's brash straight female BFF, who views the convention as a chance to cheat on her husband and who goes from sweet and supportive to jealous bitch in the blink of an eye when the love interest turns up is particularly memorable. I liked the lady police officer and her rough edged partner. I loved the comedy cover models - or maybe I'm the only reader who found them funny - all Fabio has ever done for me is make me snicker. But I liked the cover model who is the chief recipient of Jude's attentions, beautiful Dino who seems to be trying to make a human connection rather than just being viewed as a commodity. The love interest, Tommy, is a fortright and cheerful soul who has little patience with Jude's angst. I found the humour of his stage act a bit baffling again [the only drag act I've ever seen was Danny La Rue - a very different kettle of exquisitely coiffed fish] but his staightforward good humour and optimism were exactly what Jude needed.
Honestly, the murder mystery isn't much of a mystery but adds some peril and tension beyond just 'will they, won't they' and the story is brought to a satisfying, if not surprising, conclusion with happiness for those who deserve it.
4*
December 29, 2012
I read the excerpt first and it caught my immediate interest. The rest of the story didn't disappoint. This is fun all the way from the first line to the last. The main character is a 41 year old man with a midlife crisis. He is perfectly flawed and prejudiced, with a gray hair on his chest and a couple of kilos too many in his middle. He is incapable of committing himself to a long term relationship, detests drag queens and cats and sees no reason to postpone any sexual activity with a man he finds attractive. Still he longs for something else.
One of my favorite things about this story is the setting; they are at a romance book convention/meeting. The romance and m/m romance as well as the fanfiction genre is dealt with humoristically and if you know just a little bit about the genres you'll be smiling and nodding with recognition at more times than one.
One of my favorite things about this story is the setting; they are at a romance book convention/meeting. The romance and m/m romance as well as the fanfiction genre is dealt with humoristically and if you know just a little bit about the genres you'll be smiling and nodding with recognition at more times than one.
October 26, 2012
I have like the couple of stories/novellas of BG Thomas' that I have read, so I thought I would give this a go. The book is Thomas' first novel and I enjoyed it very much. Very readable. I could hear what I assume to be the author's voice - especially when he talks about writing and publishing. I won't put in any spoilers, though. I was a little bit annoyed at his pop at vegetarians - I don't think I have ever called someone who likes animals but eats meat a hypocrite - I've simply stated that I felt like a hypocrite when I ate meat. I had to remind myself he wasn't talking about me! I like the way Thomas balances points of view - takes a prejudice and describes a character's battle with contradictory evidence. Definitely worth a read.
May 27, 2013
An amusing trip through the life of Jude Parks - ordinary gay guy, not actually 141yrs old despite his flatmate thinking that he is too old for his parties. Jude is going to a romance writiers convention with his friend Jeannie, manning the stall of the publishing house they set up with another friend.
Jeannie's views on Jude's likelyhood of finding Mr Right send him into a panic, topped off by his (predicted by Jeannie) one night stand with Dino the model descending into police interrogation. Who the gay stabber is is fairly clear but that doesnt stop the enjoyment of the tale and Tommy's steadfastness pays off, with them getting their romantic ending.
Whilst I didnt get laugh out loud, I did have a good few chuckles and lots of grins through the book
Jeannie's views on Jude's likelyhood of finding Mr Right send him into a panic, topped off by his (predicted by Jeannie) one night stand with Dino the model descending into police interrogation. Who the gay stabber is is fairly clear but that doesnt stop the enjoyment of the tale and Tommy's steadfastness pays off, with them getting their romantic ending.
Whilst I didnt get laugh out loud, I did have a good few chuckles and lots of grins through the book
September 4, 2014
I've really enjoyed the other books by B.G. Thomas that I've read and I thought this would be a good one as well. Wrong! It felt like a chore reading this. The book was overly long. For such a short time frame a lot of shit happens. Wasn't expecting a mystery. Never a good sign when I figure out who the bad guy is.
I did like the frank talk about gay men and their obsession with sex. I really liked Dino and thought we was really sweet. Other reviewers loved Tommy but he was just okay to me. I guess on paper Tommy and Jude might be ideal but their chemistry wasn't popping. They'd make great best friends. Overall this was a disappointing read for me.
I did like the frank talk about gay men and their obsession with sex. I really liked Dino and thought we was really sweet. Other reviewers loved Tommy but he was just okay to me. I guess on paper Tommy and Jude might be ideal but their chemistry wasn't popping. They'd make great best friends. Overall this was a disappointing read for me.
July 12, 2013
Oh my. Three stars. Okay I won't go into a whole long thing but I have to say there were parts I did not care for at all. (Jeannie's character, use of derogatory words, inconsistency) and there were parts that I adored (TOMMY) I don't regret reading it. I really loved the end. Every single thing about it was great. However, the issues I had with the rest of the book kind of overpowered that for me. I would recommend it. If only for Tommy. He was a great, strong, redeeming character. I thank the author for sharing him with us.
October 9, 2012
I loved this book!!! Its funny, sexy, romantic and Jude and Tommy are very cute together. If you like books about falling in love unexpectedly amid the chaos of a Romance Book Convention, Pink Cosmos, Hot Cover Models, Murder, Stabbings and Vignettes of some of my favorite authors....you'll enjoy All Alone in a Sea of Romance!!!
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