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Fall Into You
Simon Phillips always hated Thomas.
Ever since his black nail polish high school days, Thomas Schultz has seemed like a carefree, uninhibited wild child, in stark contrast to Simon’s shy, cautious nature. Now, from behind the safety of his hotel bar, Simon must watch, distracted, as Thomas becomes a shirtless rock star for every wedding reception they work. But when Thomas slips him the key to his hotel room, Simon enters a world where the fine line between hate and attraction becomes blurred, and finds more than he ever knew he wanted.
In the social upheaval of the 1980s, love is no picnic. The AIDS epidemic has reshaped the way people think about sex, and the discontent of Generation X drowns out any love songs. Despite the uncertain times, Simon finds himself falling in love. But when Thomas’s band makes it big, the simple act of keeping in touch across the silent miles becomes an obstacle all its own.
Ever since his black nail polish high school days, Thomas Schultz has seemed like a carefree, uninhibited wild child, in stark contrast to Simon’s shy, cautious nature. Now, from behind the safety of his hotel bar, Simon must watch, distracted, as Thomas becomes a shirtless rock star for every wedding reception they work. But when Thomas slips him the key to his hotel room, Simon enters a world where the fine line between hate and attraction becomes blurred, and finds more than he ever knew he wanted.
In the social upheaval of the 1980s, love is no picnic. The AIDS epidemic has reshaped the way people think about sex, and the discontent of Generation X drowns out any love songs. Despite the uncertain times, Simon finds himself falling in love. But when Thomas’s band makes it big, the simple act of keeping in touch across the silent miles becomes an obstacle all its own.
240 pages, Paperback
First published November 5, 2012
6 people are currently reading
310 people want to read
About the author
Posy Roberts
31 books232 followersPosy Roberts started reading romance when she was young, but textbooks eventually replaced the novels, and she somehow existed without reading for fun. When she finally picked up a romance years later, it was like slipping on a soft hoodie . . . that didn’t quite fit right. She wanted something more.
Now she wanted to read about queer people falling in love. She wanted to explore beyond the happily ever after and watch characters navigate the unpredictability of life as they create their happy homes. So Posy sat down at her keyboard to write the books she wanted to read.
Her stories have been USA Today’s “Happily Ever After” Must-Reads and Rainbow Award finalists. When she’s not writing or editing, she’s spending time with loved ones and doing anything possible to get out of grocery shopping and cooking.
Now she wanted to read about queer people falling in love. She wanted to explore beyond the happily ever after and watch characters navigate the unpredictability of life as they create their happy homes. So Posy sat down at her keyboard to write the books she wanted to read.
Her stories have been USA Today’s “Happily Ever After” Must-Reads and Rainbow Award finalists. When she’s not writing or editing, she’s spending time with loved ones and doing anything possible to get out of grocery shopping and cooking.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews
November 28, 2012
Some books just grab you by the neck and pull you in, telling you to shut up and sit still and read. So you do. You read until your eyes bleed. This was one of those books for me.
I loved many things here, but especially the red boots.
There are so many ways you can go wrong with rockstar-falls-in-love-with-normal-kid. Ms Roberts did not fall into any of those pot holes. She steered the story clear of all those obstacles, and only threw in a little bit of angst in the mix, to spice it up.
Setting the story in a period when there were no cellphones, interwebz, low-cost airlines and when interaction was so different from today, was really cool. We have come such a long way since then, so much has changed, it's like it's a different planet. Thank you for reminding me.
The time-setting of this book really took me on a walk down memory lane. Set in the 1990'ies music scene, I could really relate to all of it.
Sweet and sometimes sad, this love story takes a journey to conclusion, and even if the sexing was a bit on the graphic side for me personally, the feeling that was conveyed came across both true and sincere. I love when the protags can be strong in turns.
A sentence that still rings in my ears? This one:
"Thank you for taking me away from that house."
All in all a good read, fast and love-filled. I'm glad I read this, it took me by the hand and showed me places I haven't visited in my head for years. It also made me think of the beautiful men in my life that I have lost to illness. I like remembering them.
***
I was NOT asked to read this book by anyone, I paid for it with my own money, as I do for all the books I read, all the music I listen to and the movies I watch.
I loved many things here, but especially the red boots.
There are so many ways you can go wrong with rockstar-falls-in-love-with-normal-kid. Ms Roberts did not fall into any of those pot holes. She steered the story clear of all those obstacles, and only threw in a little bit of angst in the mix, to spice it up.
Setting the story in a period when there were no cellphones, interwebz, low-cost airlines and when interaction was so different from today, was really cool. We have come such a long way since then, so much has changed, it's like it's a different planet. Thank you for reminding me.
The time-setting of this book really took me on a walk down memory lane. Set in the 1990'ies music scene, I could really relate to all of it.
Sweet and sometimes sad, this love story takes a journey to conclusion, and even if the sexing was a bit on the graphic side for me personally, the feeling that was conveyed came across both true and sincere. I love when the protags can be strong in turns.
A sentence that still rings in my ears? This one:
"Thank you for taking me away from that house."
All in all a good read, fast and love-filled. I'm glad I read this, it took me by the hand and showed me places I haven't visited in my head for years. It also made me think of the beautiful men in my life that I have lost to illness. I like remembering them.
***
I was NOT asked to read this book by anyone, I paid for it with my own money, as I do for all the books I read, all the music I listen to and the movies I watch.
March 14, 2016
What a wonderful story. Sometimes you read a book and connect with a character, something that touches your heart. Fall Into You was one of those books for me. From beginning to end I loved it and while I couldn't read it fast enough at the same time I didn't want the story to end. Posy Roberts tells a story of enduring love that is definitely worth the read.
November 1, 2017
Why did I wait so long to read this??
Because it was long.
Did it feel long? Yes.
Did I mind? No.
Simon & Thomas.
It’s the late 80’s. Life was WAY different.
Communication was WAY different.
Like pay-phones & snail mail.
I had high hopes for the guys.
They had obstacles to overcome.
I was rewarded for my strong belief they would make it.
***spoiler***
They do indeed make it.
And you should read it to find out how!
;)
Because it was long.
Did it feel long? Yes.
Did I mind? No.
Simon & Thomas.
It’s the late 80’s. Life was WAY different.
Communication was WAY different.
Like pay-phones & snail mail.
I had high hopes for the guys.
They had obstacles to overcome.
I was rewarded for my strong belief they would make it.
***spoiler***
They do indeed make it.
And you should read it to find out how!
;)
November 24, 2013
This book has a couple of components which give it personal appeal for me. It's set in the 1980s which was my college era too, and I actually spent a year at the University of Washington in Seattle, where part of the book is set. So it has a significant nostalgic resonance. (And a great cover!)
Simon, the narrator, is a genuinely nice guy, intuitive, intelligent, and realistic in his capabilities and desires. The book begins as a fairly typical M/M romance - he lusts after unknown guy (Thomas, a singer), then manages one sensually-described encounter with unknown guy, following which they don't meet again for some time. Then when they do, sparks fly. But as the story unfolds, their relationship develops its own unique path.
There were a few moments where my heart ached for Simon, and the completely-justified pain he felt dealing with the mercurial singer that he loved. Those were the highlights of the book - I love a story that can make me feel for the characters. Thomas was also interesting, a good guy, under stress and doing his best, despite the times I wanted to smack him.
Part of the appeal of a story set in the eighties also contributed to its slower moments, though. Thomas tours with his band, and for extended periods, in this pre-cellphone, pre-Skype, pre-email era, they have no contact with each other and no conversations. This sets the rhythm of relationship difficulties for these two men, but also results in long expository stretches. At those times there is a distance to the story that contrasts with its more appealing and engrossing moments. The book picks up significantly in its second half, but still occasionally fills in too much time in one extended stretch.
The guys' relationship has two main obstacles. The first is due to the realities of a musician on long tours. The second is more unique to this story, and in my opinion handled well. Not extreme, not angsty, yet not underplayed either. The author found what felt like a realistic route through the difficult times in these guys' lives, and not the most obvious one. This is mainly a slow, sweet unfolding of a relationship, with a little unique twist.
Simon, the narrator, is a genuinely nice guy, intuitive, intelligent, and realistic in his capabilities and desires. The book begins as a fairly typical M/M romance - he lusts after unknown guy (Thomas, a singer), then manages one sensually-described encounter with unknown guy, following which they don't meet again for some time. Then when they do, sparks fly. But as the story unfolds, their relationship develops its own unique path.
There were a few moments where my heart ached for Simon, and the completely-justified pain he felt dealing with the mercurial singer that he loved. Those were the highlights of the book - I love a story that can make me feel for the characters. Thomas was also interesting, a good guy, under stress and doing his best, despite the times I wanted to smack him.
Part of the appeal of a story set in the eighties also contributed to its slower moments, though. Thomas tours with his band, and for extended periods, in this pre-cellphone, pre-Skype, pre-email era, they have no contact with each other and no conversations. This sets the rhythm of relationship difficulties for these two men, but also results in long expository stretches. At those times there is a distance to the story that contrasts with its more appealing and engrossing moments. The book picks up significantly in its second half, but still occasionally fills in too much time in one extended stretch.
The guys' relationship has two main obstacles. The first is due to the realities of a musician on long tours. The second is more unique to this story, and in my opinion handled well. Not extreme, not angsty, yet not underplayed either. The author found what felt like a realistic route through the difficult times in these guys' lives, and not the most obvious one. This is mainly a slow, sweet unfolding of a relationship, with a little unique twist.
March 11, 2014
Fall Into You introduced me to these two perfectly young, perfectly flawed humans and took me along for the journey. In fact, wow. I've been struggling since I finished reading to describe what it felt like, and now I've got it...reading this book was like getting on a Greyhound bus on one coast and taking a meandering route to the opposite coast and, like, growing up along the way. What a journey!
Simon is this young bartender working his way through community college. He’s known Thomas, this sexy, Doc Martin-wearing, kohl eyeliner-wearing rocker (YES), for several years. When Thomas invites Simon to his room one night after a gig, there’s an instant, sizzling, hot connection.
Annnnnd the bus pulls out of the station.
For so much of Fall Into You, I wasn't sure where the bus was headed. Since it’s told from Simon’s POV, and more than 20 years in the past, I was preparing myself for, well, a crash. Thomas has secrets, issues. There are problems along the way, sure, but I never doubted the love Simon and Thomas shared. So all along, I’m getting to know these men, getting attached, loving them together and separately, and waiting for the fall...the intensity, the build was that perfect.
So what happens to Simon and Thomas? It’s a journey; you’ll have to buy your bus ticket to find out! No tears, though, I promise, unless you’re prone to crying when you arrive home. ;-)
Because she packs so much feeling and love and complexity into her stories, I don’t know if Posy Roberts is for everyone, but she’s officially on my auto-buy list. Give ANY of her books a chance if you like a sweeping story filled with warmth, sexiness, loss, redemption and just really, really beautiful growth in every. single. character. she creates.
Simon is this young bartender working his way through community college. He’s known Thomas, this sexy, Doc Martin-wearing, kohl eyeliner-wearing rocker (YES), for several years. When Thomas invites Simon to his room one night after a gig, there’s an instant, sizzling, hot connection.
Annnnnd the bus pulls out of the station.
For so much of Fall Into You, I wasn't sure where the bus was headed. Since it’s told from Simon’s POV, and more than 20 years in the past, I was preparing myself for, well, a crash. Thomas has secrets, issues. There are problems along the way, sure, but I never doubted the love Simon and Thomas shared. So all along, I’m getting to know these men, getting attached, loving them together and separately, and waiting for the fall...the intensity, the build was that perfect.
So what happens to Simon and Thomas? It’s a journey; you’ll have to buy your bus ticket to find out! No tears, though, I promise, unless you’re prone to crying when you arrive home. ;-)
Because she packs so much feeling and love and complexity into her stories, I don’t know if Posy Roberts is for everyone, but she’s officially on my auto-buy list. Give ANY of her books a chance if you like a sweeping story filled with warmth, sexiness, loss, redemption and just really, really beautiful growth in every. single. character. she creates.
December 22, 2012
The time period was my own youth, and I lived in the Seattle area in the mid-nineties, so much of the story took me down memory lane. In fact, in 1990 I dated a guy who regularly wore red Docs (though I remember his as "oxblood" rather than "cherry" red), so I could share Simon's thrill about how hot a man can look in them. *Drifts off in happy memories for a moment*
Because of that, I expected to really enjoy it. And I did, but I'd have enjoyed it more with less telling and more showing. I felt like I was kept at a distance much of the time, watching the characters rather than living it with them. During the "showing" moments, I was fully engaged and turning pages frantically to find out what happened next.
Even when I felt distanced, I still cared about the characters. It just would have been nice to have stayed connected with the characters for the majority of the story, as they were interesting people whose company I enjoyed. I'll definitely look for more by this author.
Because of that, I expected to really enjoy it. And I did, but I'd have enjoyed it more with less telling and more showing. I felt like I was kept at a distance much of the time, watching the characters rather than living it with them. During the "showing" moments, I was fully engaged and turning pages frantically to find out what happened next.
Even when I felt distanced, I still cared about the characters. It just would have been nice to have stayed connected with the characters for the majority of the story, as they were interesting people whose company I enjoyed. I'll definitely look for more by this author.
June 10, 2016
Fall Into You was a different take on the rock star book - unlike many others, the focus was not on the performer experience, per se. Thomas and Simon evolved from boys to men over the course of several years (I guess everyone does, really, so that's not a terribly clever bit of reviewing) and this book trails along with them as they grow, slip, stumble and catch each other.
I am trying to put my finger on why I liked, but did not love this book. I think maybe there was too much telling and not showing - too many pauses, silences, unexplored trails throughout most of the story. The chemistry was fabulous and I loved Thomas' evolution and Simon's devoted patience.
3.5 stars.
I am trying to put my finger on why I liked, but did not love this book. I think maybe there was too much telling and not showing - too many pauses, silences, unexplored trails throughout most of the story. The chemistry was fabulous and I loved Thomas' evolution and Simon's devoted patience.
3.5 stars.
July 6, 2014
Simon meets Thomas when he is a bartender and Thomas is a singer with a band playing at wedding receptions.
After one reception, Thomas gives Simon the key to his hotel room. It could be the beginning of a relationship.
However, events conspire to keep the 2 of them apart and over the period of several years, whilst Simon studies to become a doctor and Thomas is on the road with his band and his subsequent diagnosis of epilepsy, they eventually find their way back and to their HEA.
After one reception, Thomas gives Simon the key to his hotel room. It could be the beginning of a relationship.
However, events conspire to keep the 2 of them apart and over the period of several years, whilst Simon studies to become a doctor and Thomas is on the road with his band and his subsequent diagnosis of epilepsy, they eventually find their way back and to their HEA.
March 18, 2013
I'm giving this book 4,5 stars, rounded up to 5.
This is the story of Simon and Thomas, who went to the same high school, but didn't know each other then. A few years later they frequently work at the same wedding venue, Simon as a bartender and Thomas with his band on stage. This is where the story starts, the year is 1989 and Thomas slips Simon his room key since he's noticed the way Simon has been looking at him...
I'm about the same age as the MCs and I expected there to be many more cultural references that I could relate to, but apparently Sweden and USA were very different places in those days. It's not like today when we have a more global culture, due to the Internet, probably. The only thing that I did really recognize, as far as culture went, was all the hassle it was to stay in touch before we had cell phones! Nowdays I hardly even remember that.
However, I was surprised to find how many other things I had in common with the MCs, stuff that didn't get mentioned in the blurb or the other reviews that I read before I chose to read this book!
First of all, I was at the time (and still am) with my boyfriend, with whom I went to high school, but we didn't know each other that well in high school. Secondly, I was at University studying very hard for a LL.M., Thirdly, in 1991 my boyfriend had just gotten accepted to the Police Academy, something he had worked very hard for, when he was forced to resign due to being diagnosed with epilepsy, something that changed his life, just like it did Thomas' in the book.
However, my boyfriend didn't like Thomas did, he reacted in a very different way. Since my best friend also has epilepsy, and has dealt with it in yet another way, I was intrigued to read about how Thomas reacted. I'm sure that Ms Roberts has done a lot of research into this and I thought that Thomas' reaction rang true, even though at first I thought it strange.
Which brings us to another thing that I actually did remember from those days, but only as I was already a bit into the book. That is how it felt to be in your early 20's and being in love. At first I thought that the two MCs were stupid and immature, but then I remembered that that's the way most people in their early 20's are! And all the communication failures... That's also like it was then.
Thank God I'm not 23 anymore!!!
Well, Thomas' bands career takes off and he has to go on several tours throughout the book. Since Simon chooses to go back to University they can't be together nearly as much as they'd want. During and after the first tour I was really annoyed with Thomas and how he dealt with them being apart, but then I remembered that he was so young. and he does really grow up during the book. The main part of the book takes part in the years 1989-1994, with kind of an epilogue in 2001.
The story is told in first person narrative from Simon's POV. I usually don't like first person narrative, but in this particular book it worked very well and I didn't miss getting Thomas' POV. It was more like reading Simon's diary.
What pulled this story down a bit for me was that Simon's voice sometimes got too rambling and I actually found myself thinking about what to eat for dinner while I was reading and having to read a few pages again because they hadn't registred when I read them the first time...
I also has a slight problem with that although they were in love, told each other that, and had sex, Simon only refered to penetrative sex as "making love". I would personally call the other loving, caring and emotionally charged sexual acts they indulged in "making love" as well. That might have been Simon's voice, not the author's, but it kind of bugged me a bit.
All in all, this was a nice, sweet read with quite a lot of angst. I personally much prefer "real life" angst to stories about the FBI or werewolves since I find "real life" angst easier to get into. I liked that there's a HEA, that no matter how many issues they both had, they worked through them! Isn't that what True Love is really about? To communicate and resolve all problems and come through with a stronger relationship.
This is the story of Simon and Thomas, who went to the same high school, but didn't know each other then. A few years later they frequently work at the same wedding venue, Simon as a bartender and Thomas with his band on stage. This is where the story starts, the year is 1989 and Thomas slips Simon his room key since he's noticed the way Simon has been looking at him...
I'm about the same age as the MCs and I expected there to be many more cultural references that I could relate to, but apparently Sweden and USA were very different places in those days. It's not like today when we have a more global culture, due to the Internet, probably. The only thing that I did really recognize, as far as culture went, was all the hassle it was to stay in touch before we had cell phones! Nowdays I hardly even remember that.
However, I was surprised to find how many other things I had in common with the MCs, stuff that didn't get mentioned in the blurb or the other reviews that I read before I chose to read this book!
First of all, I was at the time (and still am) with my boyfriend, with whom I went to high school, but we didn't know each other that well in high school. Secondly, I was at University studying very hard for a LL.M., Thirdly, in 1991 my boyfriend had just gotten accepted to the Police Academy, something he had worked very hard for, when he was forced to resign due to being diagnosed with epilepsy, something that changed his life, just like it did Thomas' in the book.
However, my boyfriend didn't like Thomas did, he reacted in a very different way. Since my best friend also has epilepsy, and has dealt with it in yet another way, I was intrigued to read about how Thomas reacted. I'm sure that Ms Roberts has done a lot of research into this and I thought that Thomas' reaction rang true, even though at first I thought it strange.
Which brings us to another thing that I actually did remember from those days, but only as I was already a bit into the book. That is how it felt to be in your early 20's and being in love. At first I thought that the two MCs were stupid and immature, but then I remembered that that's the way most people in their early 20's are! And all the communication failures... That's also like it was then.
Thank God I'm not 23 anymore!!!
Well, Thomas' bands career takes off and he has to go on several tours throughout the book. Since Simon chooses to go back to University they can't be together nearly as much as they'd want. During and after the first tour I was really annoyed with Thomas and how he dealt with them being apart, but then I remembered that he was so young. and he does really grow up during the book. The main part of the book takes part in the years 1989-1994, with kind of an epilogue in 2001.
The story is told in first person narrative from Simon's POV. I usually don't like first person narrative, but in this particular book it worked very well and I didn't miss getting Thomas' POV. It was more like reading Simon's diary.
What pulled this story down a bit for me was that Simon's voice sometimes got too rambling and I actually found myself thinking about what to eat for dinner while I was reading and having to read a few pages again because they hadn't registred when I read them the first time...
I also has a slight problem with that although they were in love, told each other that, and had sex, Simon only refered to penetrative sex as "making love". I would personally call the other loving, caring and emotionally charged sexual acts they indulged in "making love" as well. That might have been Simon's voice, not the author's, but it kind of bugged me a bit.
All in all, this was a nice, sweet read with quite a lot of angst. I personally much prefer "real life" angst to stories about the FBI or werewolves since I find "real life" angst easier to get into. I liked that there's a HEA, that no matter how many issues they both had, they worked through them! Isn't that what True Love is really about? To communicate and resolve all problems and come through with a stronger relationship.
December 12, 2012
4.25 Kisses
I definitely took a trip down memory lane as I read Fall Into You by Posy Roberts. As a teenager of the eighties, it was refreshing to remember some of the things from yester-year and I thoroughly enjoyed it.
The blurb does an excellent job at describing the book. What it doesn’t tell you is that this book spans several years of the relationship between the two heroes, Simon and Thomas. Although they went to high school together, both men had their own crowds they hung out with. When they meet again a couple of years later, sparks fly between them and they immediately form a deep connection together. But they both have many responisibilites and their own ambitions that often pull the couple apart. What I liked about this book was how each man really had to have faith and trust in each other to keep their relationship from dying.
I enjoyed the realistic way Ms. Roberts wrote about the ups and downs of this couple. No relationship is ever easy and we all know it takes a lot of work and determination for a love to stay strong and to stay together. I thought Ms. Roberts did an excellent job with this and enjoyed watching these two men really fight to keep their love alive. I also experienced a range of emotions when I read this book. Between the bittersweet and sad moments there were also plenty of lighthearted, sexy ones to balance the story out nicely.
This book is told in first person through Simon’s eyes. I liked Simon and enjoyed seeing his thoughts and witnessing his determination to be with Thomas first-hand. Both men were likeable, interesting men who I enjoyed reading about and I enjoyed their story. I do wish I could have experienced what Thomas was thinking at times too, but Ms. Roberts did a pretty good job at keeping him sexy and unique, so I definitely could see why Simon loved him so much.
Fall into you is a beautifully told romance filled with the many ups and downs of keeping a relationship together once the newness has worn off. I really enjoyed every minute of this book, and recommend it to those who love a realistically written read.
Reviewed By: Gabbi
I definitely took a trip down memory lane as I read Fall Into You by Posy Roberts. As a teenager of the eighties, it was refreshing to remember some of the things from yester-year and I thoroughly enjoyed it.
The blurb does an excellent job at describing the book. What it doesn’t tell you is that this book spans several years of the relationship between the two heroes, Simon and Thomas. Although they went to high school together, both men had their own crowds they hung out with. When they meet again a couple of years later, sparks fly between them and they immediately form a deep connection together. But they both have many responisibilites and their own ambitions that often pull the couple apart. What I liked about this book was how each man really had to have faith and trust in each other to keep their relationship from dying.
I enjoyed the realistic way Ms. Roberts wrote about the ups and downs of this couple. No relationship is ever easy and we all know it takes a lot of work and determination for a love to stay strong and to stay together. I thought Ms. Roberts did an excellent job with this and enjoyed watching these two men really fight to keep their love alive. I also experienced a range of emotions when I read this book. Between the bittersweet and sad moments there were also plenty of lighthearted, sexy ones to balance the story out nicely.
This book is told in first person through Simon’s eyes. I liked Simon and enjoyed seeing his thoughts and witnessing his determination to be with Thomas first-hand. Both men were likeable, interesting men who I enjoyed reading about and I enjoyed their story. I do wish I could have experienced what Thomas was thinking at times too, but Ms. Roberts did a pretty good job at keeping him sexy and unique, so I definitely could see why Simon loved him so much.
Fall into you is a beautifully told romance filled with the many ups and downs of keeping a relationship together once the newness has worn off. I really enjoyed every minute of this book, and recommend it to those who love a realistically written read.
Reviewed By: Gabbi
April 30, 2015
The title says it all, for this is a very sedate falling-into-love for Simon and Thomas. Two twenty-somethings who are trying to find their way to each other through life’s ups and downs. I liked this slow falling, the reality of how life can get in the way of desire is believable.
What didn’t work so much was the formality of the voice… and the dialogue, these are two very articulate, well-spoken young men (rocker and bartender) and I found that a little hard to justify with their age (young twenties) and status. And especially with Thomas’ alternative life choices (he’s portrayed as a nail polish wearing, wild child gender-bender). Also, all the character voices were the same… Thomas, Simon, Thomas mother, their friends… they all had the same formal voice.
There’s a level of hesitancy about the intimacy between Thomas and Simon that was hard to understand after a while— it made me curious as to why. Thomas has some deep-seeded anxiety about sex that makes you wonder about its origin. Sure, back in the ’80s the fear of getting AIDS was very high, but Thomas takes it to extremes— both he and Simon had been tested and were monogamous at the start.
The story blurb is misleading— there wasn’t anything adversarial about these two, they were friends. They do spend a lot of time apart which dilutes the sizzle, but, apart from the inevitable spats, they seemed quite sympatico to me. Also, some of the historical facts in the story are just plain wrong— I’m pretty sure there was no email service in 1992, at least not for the general public.
While this more of an ‘average’ read, I did like the guys for all their earnestness. (love Thomas’ lace-up, cherry-red, knee-high boots!)
December 24, 2012
Brilliant with a capital B! That's a lame way to describe this book but I can't put into words how much I loved it.
Simon has the patience of a fucking saint! I know that feeling, I waited a lot of years on someone who turned out to be someone who wasn't worth it. I"m so glad that in the end, Thomas manned up and became the person that Simon deserved.
This book is about meeting someone you instantly feel a sense of rightness with but due to circumstances and life, you can't build the life you want with them. It's about being patient and waiting for the time to be right until life throws another curveball at you and dealing with that too.
It's obvious from the start that Thomas and Simon are meant for a love that's bigger than the both of them can understand and I believe that's why Simon waited, even when it was really hard. Thomas seemed a bit selfish in some aspects at first but then it's all revealed and you understand why, he had to grow up so fast and never had time to just be a young man.
The angst and the heartfail were killer in this book and anyone who follows my reviews or knows me, knows that I fucking crave heartfail in my books. I cried so much during this book and there were times my heart felt like a vice was squeezing it and it was breaking for Simon and even Thomas at times. Fucking brilliant!
Ms. Roberts is a fantastic author and I can't wait for more from her because she is destined for big things, I can feel it!
Simon has the patience of a fucking saint! I know that feeling, I waited a lot of years on someone who turned out to be someone who wasn't worth it. I"m so glad that in the end, Thomas manned up and became the person that Simon deserved.
This book is about meeting someone you instantly feel a sense of rightness with but due to circumstances and life, you can't build the life you want with them. It's about being patient and waiting for the time to be right until life throws another curveball at you and dealing with that too.
It's obvious from the start that Thomas and Simon are meant for a love that's bigger than the both of them can understand and I believe that's why Simon waited, even when it was really hard. Thomas seemed a bit selfish in some aspects at first but then it's all revealed and you understand why, he had to grow up so fast and never had time to just be a young man.
The angst and the heartfail were killer in this book and anyone who follows my reviews or knows me, knows that I fucking crave heartfail in my books. I cried so much during this book and there were times my heart felt like a vice was squeezing it and it was breaking for Simon and even Thomas at times. Fucking brilliant!
Ms. Roberts is a fantastic author and I can't wait for more from her because she is destined for big things, I can feel it!
November 18, 2013
3.5 stars
Simon is a bartender at weddings in a local hotel in his small town. Thomas is the hot drummer for the band that frequently plays those weddings. The story is told from Simon's POV and maybe because he's so clinical I just never felt that drawn into the story here. I didn't quite understand all of Thomas' fears about sex and it just wasn't totally realistic to me. I like it, but I didn't love it.
Simon is a bartender at weddings in a local hotel in his small town. Thomas is the hot drummer for the band that frequently plays those weddings. The story is told from Simon's POV and maybe because he's so clinical I just never felt that drawn into the story here. I didn't quite understand all of Thomas' fears about sex and it just wasn't totally realistic to me. I like it, but I didn't love it.
November 12, 2012
A little angsty, a little sweet, and made me feel nostalgic for grunge music. The story spans several years in the lives of the main characters, so we get to see their good times and their troubled times too. I liked it very much.
February 7, 2019
This was well written, thoroughly researched, and quite entertaining. My feelings went up and down, like a rollercoaster with this one and need to be read by more people.
Highly recommend.
Highly recommend.
September 7, 2014
4.5 stars
This is a well written and really enjoyable love story. It's not an easy story but a very satisfying one. It's written in a first person POV and I really love romances that are well done with that sort of narrative. It does take a well written story to do it right though. When I can feel what both characters are going through even with only one telling the story I think the author has done a fabulous job.
I tend to have love/hate relationships with books about rock stars and the strife and drama their careers bring into a relationship. I have read a lot of books about gay rockers who can't risk coming out leading to the heartbreak of their beloved so I was prepared for that, but this one offered so much more and that really was a pleasant surprise. The fact that it's set in the 1990's is interesting too and it added some nostalgia that made it even more fun for me to read.
This is a well written and really enjoyable love story. It's not an easy story but a very satisfying one. It's written in a first person POV and I really love romances that are well done with that sort of narrative. It does take a well written story to do it right though. When I can feel what both characters are going through even with only one telling the story I think the author has done a fabulous job.
I tend to have love/hate relationships with books about rock stars and the strife and drama their careers bring into a relationship. I have read a lot of books about gay rockers who can't risk coming out leading to the heartbreak of their beloved so I was prepared for that, but this one offered so much more and that really was a pleasant surprise. The fact that it's set in the 1990's is interesting too and it added some nostalgia that made it even more fun for me to read.
June 4, 2013
I loved this. It was a bit odd, though, because I graduated high school around the same time the MC's did. LOL.
The story has a dream-like quality to it, and a slow build-up of the relationship between the two men that is both realistic and crazily romantic. The MC's came alive for me and they were written with such depth that it was like living a memory, light where it needed to be and serious when called for. There's not an overload of angst, hardly any, actually, which is amazing considering the story's events.
I could wish for the same richness in the secondary characters, but the snapshots provided leave a lot of room for the reader's imagination. I could easily see these two together and while there wasn't one great build-up to climax and conclusion, I didn't miss it.
This goes into the folder on my kindle to must read again.
The story has a dream-like quality to it, and a slow build-up of the relationship between the two men that is both realistic and crazily romantic. The MC's came alive for me and they were written with such depth that it was like living a memory, light where it needed to be and serious when called for. There's not an overload of angst, hardly any, actually, which is amazing considering the story's events.
I could wish for the same richness in the secondary characters, but the snapshots provided leave a lot of room for the reader's imagination. I could easily see these two together and while there wasn't one great build-up to climax and conclusion, I didn't miss it.
This goes into the folder on my kindle to must read again.
February 23, 2016
What did I just read? Or attempt to. I DNF at less than 20% but then forced myself to skim through the rest. Basically a million pages later (that's how it felt), the main point of the book was Thomas losing his butt virginity???
Imagine every sort of trope combined into one Full House episode and written down. It read like a 14 year old's first novel. Everyone loved everyone and supported everyone, the conflicts were varied (and tropey) and all resolved quickly and easily before moving on to the next. It tried for angst but everything was so over the top that I was incredulous reading it. And the characters were flat and boring with unrealistic reactions to things. All in all probably one of the worst M/M novels I have tried to read.
Imagine every sort of trope combined into one Full House episode and written down. It read like a 14 year old's first novel. Everyone loved everyone and supported everyone, the conflicts were varied (and tropey) and all resolved quickly and easily before moving on to the next. It tried for angst but everything was so over the top that I was incredulous reading it. And the characters were flat and boring with unrealistic reactions to things. All in all probably one of the worst M/M novels I have tried to read.
February 22, 2015
As the former owner of a pair of cherry red docs who went to university in 1992 and came out around the same time, this story had a lot to live up to in terms of my memories of the time.. and it did (with a few minor niggles I am putting down to me being in the UK). In general though I liked this story of two men growing up and dealing with what life throws at them while one is in the spotlight.
February 16, 2016
I really hope this book lives up to the cover and the excerpt. And I hope there aren't too many anachronisms. Mojitos didn't become common drinks in mainland US until the 2000s.
2.5 stars. The beginning was great but it just petered into a snooze feast. What happened to that energy? Lots narrating. Zzzzzz.
2.5 stars. The beginning was great but it just petered into a snooze feast. What happened to that energy? Lots narrating. Zzzzzz.
November 5, 2012
A little disappointing and anti climactic.
November 14, 2012
Very Sweet and sincere book. I love Posy's writing.
August 23, 2017
Loved this love story. Great characters, interesting times, wonderful story.
dnf
January 25, 2021Dnf at 22%
Nothing interesting happening
Nothing interesting happening
June 3, 2018
4 Stars
December 10, 2012
Originally published at: http://joyfullyjay.com/2013/01/review...
The 1980s serve as a backdrop for this story of rocker Thomas Schultz and his rise to fame with his band, Sparklebottom. Before he makes it big, his band plays for weddings, entertaining the audience but mostly bartender Simon Phillips, who finds himself simultaneously annoyed and turned on by the sexy singer. One night after a gig, Thomas slips his room key in Simon’s back pocket, and they have one night of sizzling passion before they both go their separate ways. They cross paths once again months later, and Simon finds out that Thomas doesn’t have the easy go-lucky life that he imagined. Thomas’ parents had died in an accident the previous year, and Simon invites Thomas and his sister to join his family for the holidays. They make a connection and develop a strong relationship before Thomas sets off on the road with his band.
Simon and Thomas manage to maintain contact for a couple of months, but then Thomas becomes distant and eventually stops writing Simon altogether. (This was back in the pre-text message, pre-Internet days, so writing and calling was all they had.) They both move on with their lives. Thomas invests his time into the band and becomes a success. Simon works his way through school and meets another guy he really likes. When Simon literally runs into Thomas at the university library a while later, it’s time for them to assess their feelings and their future. It is not smooth sailing. Thomas deals with the stress of his rising success, as well as being a closeted rock star. Simon is keeping the hours of a busy medical student. Their relationship needs to stay strong to weather the storm.
I really enjoyed the first half of this book. I liked both Thomas and Simon, and have always enjoyed the rising rock star trope. Even though they got together fairly quickly, there was a good amount of tension as they tried to decide whether this was something they both wanted for the long term. Their sexual chemistry was good, even though I didn’t quite understand Thomas’ strong, seemingly unmerited reservations about sex. And that red boot on the cover? It plays a quite prominent role in this book, and it is just as hot as it would seem.
While I found this book to be perfectly pleasant, it just never pulled me in. This may be due, in part, to the 1st person POV. In this case, the 1st person POV, combined with the fact that the book takes place over many years, made it end up sounding a lot like a list of events, with periods of months occurring in a paragraph or two. There was a lot of telling us what to see, think, and feel, rather than presenting a story and allowing the readers to have their own experience. I thought being in the head of Simon was also very limiting. Thomas came off as a bit of a jerk, and it was hard to feel any empathy or understanding for him and his circumstances (even when they became quite serious), because we were unable to connect with him on an emotional level, instead seeing everything from the outside looking in.
I do think there will be people who will be able to connect with this novel based upon their own life experiences, especially when Thomas is dealing with some serious health issues. I think his devastating, self-destructive reaction to the news of his health would make more sense to someone who has actually experienced it. I saw it as selfish, and once again wondered why Simon continued to stand by his side. Thomas does redeem himself, however, and the epilogue wraps up their story in a beautiful way. It’s also fun to revisit the 80s, when MTV was big, and being a rising musician was a much different experience than it is now.
I had a bit of a mixed reaction to this novel the entire time I was reading it, but I do think that it was more a matter of personal taste. It is solidly written and has some really strong moments, and I would recommend you give it a try. I think this author has real promise.
The 1980s serve as a backdrop for this story of rocker Thomas Schultz and his rise to fame with his band, Sparklebottom. Before he makes it big, his band plays for weddings, entertaining the audience but mostly bartender Simon Phillips, who finds himself simultaneously annoyed and turned on by the sexy singer. One night after a gig, Thomas slips his room key in Simon’s back pocket, and they have one night of sizzling passion before they both go their separate ways. They cross paths once again months later, and Simon finds out that Thomas doesn’t have the easy go-lucky life that he imagined. Thomas’ parents had died in an accident the previous year, and Simon invites Thomas and his sister to join his family for the holidays. They make a connection and develop a strong relationship before Thomas sets off on the road with his band.
Simon and Thomas manage to maintain contact for a couple of months, but then Thomas becomes distant and eventually stops writing Simon altogether. (This was back in the pre-text message, pre-Internet days, so writing and calling was all they had.) They both move on with their lives. Thomas invests his time into the band and becomes a success. Simon works his way through school and meets another guy he really likes. When Simon literally runs into Thomas at the university library a while later, it’s time for them to assess their feelings and their future. It is not smooth sailing. Thomas deals with the stress of his rising success, as well as being a closeted rock star. Simon is keeping the hours of a busy medical student. Their relationship needs to stay strong to weather the storm.
I really enjoyed the first half of this book. I liked both Thomas and Simon, and have always enjoyed the rising rock star trope. Even though they got together fairly quickly, there was a good amount of tension as they tried to decide whether this was something they both wanted for the long term. Their sexual chemistry was good, even though I didn’t quite understand Thomas’ strong, seemingly unmerited reservations about sex. And that red boot on the cover? It plays a quite prominent role in this book, and it is just as hot as it would seem.
While I found this book to be perfectly pleasant, it just never pulled me in. This may be due, in part, to the 1st person POV. In this case, the 1st person POV, combined with the fact that the book takes place over many years, made it end up sounding a lot like a list of events, with periods of months occurring in a paragraph or two. There was a lot of telling us what to see, think, and feel, rather than presenting a story and allowing the readers to have their own experience. I thought being in the head of Simon was also very limiting. Thomas came off as a bit of a jerk, and it was hard to feel any empathy or understanding for him and his circumstances (even when they became quite serious), because we were unable to connect with him on an emotional level, instead seeing everything from the outside looking in.
I do think there will be people who will be able to connect with this novel based upon their own life experiences, especially when Thomas is dealing with some serious health issues. I think his devastating, self-destructive reaction to the news of his health would make more sense to someone who has actually experienced it. I saw it as selfish, and once again wondered why Simon continued to stand by his side. Thomas does redeem himself, however, and the epilogue wraps up their story in a beautiful way. It’s also fun to revisit the 80s, when MTV was big, and being a rising musician was a much different experience than it is now.
I had a bit of a mixed reaction to this novel the entire time I was reading it, but I do think that it was more a matter of personal taste. It is solidly written and has some really strong moments, and I would recommend you give it a try. I think this author has real promise.
February 14, 2013
4 Stars for serious, well written content
Ever since his black nail polish high school days, Thomas Schultz has seemed like a carefree, uninhibited wild child, in stark contrast to Simon’s shy, cautious nature. Now, from behind the safety of his hotel bar, Simon must watch, distracted, as Thomas becomes a shirtless rock star for every wedding reception they work. But when Thomas slips him the key to his hotel room, Simon enters a world where the fine line between hate and attraction becomes blurred, and finds more than he ever knew he wanted.
In the social upheaval of the 1980s, love is no picnic. The AIDS epidemic has reshaped the way people think about sex, and the discontent of Generation X drowns out any love songs. Despite the uncertain times, Simon finds himself falling in love. But when Thomas’s band makes it big, the simple act of keeping in touch across the silent miles becomes an obstacle all its own.
Timeline 1989 - 2001
This story was written in first-person narrative so it came across very dry. It felt like the MC was reading a story rather than sharing his experiences at first. I usually have a difficult time relating to the characters as I cannot get into their head. I was even tempted not to finish because it was so dry
I didn't care for Simon at first. He was a broody and immature and seemed to be only interested in a hook-ups. I DO NOT like reading about promiscuity in books. But as Simon began to reveal himself, I realized that I was wrong. He was only 23 years old, but sounded like he was much older. He was relatively a kid and sounded ancient. I just wanted him to be (feel) young.
Thomas started out as the aloof musician turned rockstar (yay Rock stars). He was a talented, charismatic young man who was committed to taking care of his younger sister, to finding out he had epilepsy and sinking into a deep depression. It was heart wrenching for me as it didn't feel like he was going to come out of it.
Simon was completely dedicated to Thomas and wanted to take care of him no matter what. He turned out to be the kind of partner that anyone would be fortunate to have. It was wonderful and bittersweet.
I got my HEA although it was brutal getting there. Well Done!
Ever since his black nail polish high school days, Thomas Schultz has seemed like a carefree, uninhibited wild child, in stark contrast to Simon’s shy, cautious nature. Now, from behind the safety of his hotel bar, Simon must watch, distracted, as Thomas becomes a shirtless rock star for every wedding reception they work. But when Thomas slips him the key to his hotel room, Simon enters a world where the fine line between hate and attraction becomes blurred, and finds more than he ever knew he wanted.
In the social upheaval of the 1980s, love is no picnic. The AIDS epidemic has reshaped the way people think about sex, and the discontent of Generation X drowns out any love songs. Despite the uncertain times, Simon finds himself falling in love. But when Thomas’s band makes it big, the simple act of keeping in touch across the silent miles becomes an obstacle all its own.
Timeline 1989 - 2001
This story was written in first-person narrative so it came across very dry. It felt like the MC was reading a story rather than sharing his experiences at first. I usually have a difficult time relating to the characters as I cannot get into their head. I was even tempted not to finish because it was so dry
I didn't care for Simon at first. He was a broody and immature and seemed to be only interested in a hook-ups. I DO NOT like reading about promiscuity in books. But as Simon began to reveal himself, I realized that I was wrong. He was only 23 years old, but sounded like he was much older. He was relatively a kid and sounded ancient. I just wanted him to be (feel) young.
Thomas started out as the aloof musician turned rockstar (yay Rock stars). He was a talented, charismatic young man who was committed to taking care of his younger sister, to finding out he had epilepsy and sinking into a deep depression. It was heart wrenching for me as it didn't feel like he was going to come out of it.
Simon was completely dedicated to Thomas and wanted to take care of him no matter what. He turned out to be the kind of partner that anyone would be fortunate to have. It was wonderful and bittersweet.
I got my HEA although it was brutal getting there. Well Done!
January 15, 2018
I beta'd this book and loved it!
I will provide a better review when I re-read Fall into You, hopefully soon for a BINGO challenge.
This is my first reading post-publication of Fall Into You.
Posy's elegant use of imagery is what had me instantly fall in love with her writing a few years ago. I was lucky enough to become her beta and luckier still to become her friend.
While I consider myself a fairly easy reader to please, it doesn't mean that I don't appreciate artistry especially when it is painted all over an intense plot. This story is truly about a relationship. It isn't about the beginning part, the part where love starts, the part where two people fall in love and live happily ever after. This book is about what happens after connecting, after loving, after surviving the problems. This story is about the ever after that has a lot of happy along with some not-so-happy and down-right-miserable but eventually/always makes it's way back to happy.
What is amazing is seeing characters who have and deal with real problems that could and do happen to anyone. These men love and screw up and apologize and grow. There are no big misunderstandings (TM) and no grand gestures. This is the way life is and how it works.
I could not be more pleased to have been a small part of this book and look forward to reading (and if I'm lucky working on) many more stories from Posy.
This is my first reading post-publication of Fall Into You.
Posy's elegant use of imagery is what had me instantly fall in love with her writing a few years ago. I was lucky enough to become her beta and luckier still to become her friend.
While I consider myself a fairly easy reader to please, it doesn't mean that I don't appreciate artistry especially when it is painted all over an intense plot. This story is truly about a relationship. It isn't about the beginning part, the part where love starts, the part where two people fall in love and live happily ever after. This book is about what happens after connecting, after loving, after surviving the problems. This story is about the ever after that has a lot of happy along with some not-so-happy and down-right-miserable but eventually/always makes it's way back to happy.
What is amazing is seeing characters who have and deal with real problems that could and do happen to anyone. These men love and screw up and apologize and grow. There are no big misunderstandings (TM) and no grand gestures. This is the way life is and how it works.
I could not be more pleased to have been a small part of this book and look forward to reading (and if I'm lucky working on) many more stories from Posy.
November 12, 2012
3.5 stars
This story was quite different than I thought it would be. There wasn't the hate/love thing I expected from reading the blurb. Simon actually falls in love with Thomas and viceversa early on. The story is not so much about Simon falling for Thomas but it's more about how Simon and Thomas manage to keep their love and relationship alive and working in spite of the obstacles put on their way by Thomas' music career and most of all by Thomas' fears. This difference between what I expected and what I got wasn't bad though. On the contrary, I liked the road the book took. I especially liked the fact Thomas had a lot more depth than what I thought from reading the blurb. He has several issues that are at the core of the problems he and Simon encounter on their way to happiness.
The only problem I really had with the story is that sometimes it felt like there was too much telling. It's told in Simon's first person point of view, there's a lot of prose and not so much dialogue and above all we are told many things, many events, even some very important ones, after they have happened instead of while they are happening. That made the book lose some strenght and some ability to make me really "feel" for the characters and what they were going through. But overall, I did like the story and I'll keep an eye out for upcoming books by this new author.
This story was quite different than I thought it would be. There wasn't the hate/love thing I expected from reading the blurb. Simon actually falls in love with Thomas and viceversa early on. The story is not so much about Simon falling for Thomas but it's more about how Simon and Thomas manage to keep their love and relationship alive and working in spite of the obstacles put on their way by Thomas' music career and most of all by Thomas' fears. This difference between what I expected and what I got wasn't bad though. On the contrary, I liked the road the book took. I especially liked the fact Thomas had a lot more depth than what I thought from reading the blurb. He has several issues that are at the core of the problems he and Simon encounter on their way to happiness.
The only problem I really had with the story is that sometimes it felt like there was too much telling. It's told in Simon's first person point of view, there's a lot of prose and not so much dialogue and above all we are told many things, many events, even some very important ones, after they have happened instead of while they are happening. That made the book lose some strenght and some ability to make me really "feel" for the characters and what they were going through. But overall, I did like the story and I'll keep an eye out for upcoming books by this new author.
May 11, 2016
This story falls somewhere between 3.5/4* for me - parts were truly engrossing, most was very entertaining and some were a bit of a non entity for me.
The story covers the burgeoning romance between Simon and Thomas, starting from working local events together. The story is from Simon's perspective and whilst his life is fairly stable, he does have to help Thomas navigate more trouble in his. Thomas has more trauma - losing his parents, having to parent his sister, breaking into some success as a band, dealing with chronic illness, dealing with mental illness. Though strangely I didn't feel for him as much as I did for Simon.
The parts delaing with both men handling Thomas' epilepsy and depression were very well done, not over the top but moving all the same.
The writing style definitely drew me into the story more than the content, though I did enjoy the adjustments they made. I think for me only seeing Simon's side put me off of their actual relationship.
Though I just love the cover - and the boots do become a theme in the book too!
The story covers the burgeoning romance between Simon and Thomas, starting from working local events together. The story is from Simon's perspective and whilst his life is fairly stable, he does have to help Thomas navigate more trouble in his. Thomas has more trauma - losing his parents, having to parent his sister, breaking into some success as a band, dealing with chronic illness, dealing with mental illness. Though strangely I didn't feel for him as much as I did for Simon.
The parts delaing with both men handling Thomas' epilepsy and depression were very well done, not over the top but moving all the same.
The writing style definitely drew me into the story more than the content, though I did enjoy the adjustments they made. I think for me only seeing Simon's side put me off of their actual relationship.
Though I just love the cover - and the boots do become a theme in the book too!
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