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Wallflowers
Ryan Coulter is a sports science graduate, who's deep in the closet. Returning to his college town to be in a frat buddy's wedding, he discovers he still has feelings for his old college lover, Daniel James Delout. Too bad he's still in the closet and DJ most definitely is not, the main reason why they broke up in the first place. To complicate matters further, DJ is now blind, and is, somehow, almost maddeningly Zen about the blindness, Ryan, everything.
Can Ryan ignore his stronger-than-ever attraction to DJ and just get through the wedding rehearsal, ceremony, and reception? Does he even want to? And what happens if he and DJ do reconnect? After all, he’s still in the closet...right?
Can Ryan ignore his stronger-than-ever attraction to DJ and just get through the wedding rehearsal, ceremony, and reception? Does he even want to? And what happens if he and DJ do reconnect? After all, he’s still in the closet...right?
72 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 16, 2012
About the author
Sean Michael
663 books1,212 followersOften referred to as "Space Cowboy" and "Gangsta of Love" while still striving for the moniker of "Maurice," Sean Michael spends his days surfing, smutting, organizing his immense gourd collection and fantasizing about one day retiring on a small secluded island peopled entirely by horseshoe crabs. While collecting vast amounts of vintage gay pulp novels and mood rings, Sean whiles away the hours between dropping the f-bomb and persuing the kama sutra by channeling the long lost spirit of John Wayne and singing along with the soundtrack to "Chicago."
A long-time writer of complicated haiku, currently Sean is attempting to learn the advanced arts of plate spinning and soap carving sex toys.
Barring any of that? He'll stick with writing his stories, thanks, and rubbing pretty bodies together to see if they spark.
A long-time writer of complicated haiku, currently Sean is attempting to learn the advanced arts of plate spinning and soap carving sex toys.
Barring any of that? He'll stick with writing his stories, thanks, and rubbing pretty bodies together to see if they spark.
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
August 9, 2018
What if your fear of coming out has cost you your happiness? What if your cowardice has caused you to give up any chance at true happiness? And what if you suddenly have to face the man you left behind years ago – only to find out you are still as much in love with him as ever? That is the dilemma Ryan faces when he runs into DJ at a friend's wedding. This story is full of emotion, dealing with regrets and rekindling of old passion. And yet, despite all the between-the-sheets activities, 'Wallflowers' is a very fitting title for this book.
Ryan may be successful professionally, but he is deeply unhappy on a personal level. Not just because he is gay and too scared to come out, but because his refusal to do so has cost him the man he loved in college, and, deep down, still loves seven years later. Not that he will admit that! So, in a way, he has become a wallflower to his own life: not able to participate emotionally, because a huge chunk of his heart is missing.
DJ has gone through a lot since Ryan left him. A genetic disease has caused him to lose his eyesight, but he is a fighter. He has learned how to deal with being blind, leads an independent life, and believes he is happy. Until running into Ryan rekindles his love for the man and he realizes he has been an emotional wallflower to his own life.
The passion between Ryan and DJ are explosive, feelings run high and their happiness is at stake. If you like stories with lots of physical activity that serves to bring out the best in the main characters –eventually, if you enjoy reading about old lovers reunited and figuring out what to do with their second chance, and if you're looking for a hot, yet emotionally fulfilling read, you will probably like this book.
NOTE: This book was provided by Amber Allure for the purpose of a review on Rainbow Book Reviews.
Ryan may be successful professionally, but he is deeply unhappy on a personal level. Not just because he is gay and too scared to come out, but because his refusal to do so has cost him the man he loved in college, and, deep down, still loves seven years later. Not that he will admit that! So, in a way, he has become a wallflower to his own life: not able to participate emotionally, because a huge chunk of his heart is missing.
DJ has gone through a lot since Ryan left him. A genetic disease has caused him to lose his eyesight, but he is a fighter. He has learned how to deal with being blind, leads an independent life, and believes he is happy. Until running into Ryan rekindles his love for the man and he realizes he has been an emotional wallflower to his own life.
The passion between Ryan and DJ are explosive, feelings run high and their happiness is at stake. If you like stories with lots of physical activity that serves to bring out the best in the main characters –eventually, if you enjoy reading about old lovers reunited and figuring out what to do with their second chance, and if you're looking for a hot, yet emotionally fulfilling read, you will probably like this book.
NOTE: This book was provided by Amber Allure for the purpose of a review on Rainbow Book Reviews.
January 20, 2013
A Hearts On Fire Review
TWO & A HALF STARS--Would you like to read about sex, heavy on smut and light on plot? This is the read for you! This is my second Sean Michael read. And I think I can see what his strong points are...great sex scenes. The build up to them, eh not as much as the actual act.
Reunited lovers that live in the same Vancouver town but haven't seen each other for seven years find each other again at a college friends wedding where they serve as groomsmen. Closeted Ryan sees his lover who he would not come out of the closet for and a major change has happened to his love interest D.J., he's blind due to a genetic disease.
Maybe you wonder, why is she not rating this one higher, seems pretty solid to me. Yeah, so I thought too. But there was low angst when I expected some more angst (yes the quiet anger on D.J's part of Ryan just resuming things the way they were as casual fuck buddies who act as just friends to the rest of the world was noticeable) But...D.J. was too busy spreading his legs to Ryan for it to be fully believable.
Ryan didn't really get to spend any time in the doghouse with D.J. because he was more worried about being 'Zen'. It's okay to turn down an ex-lover's attention to make sure he is not confusing sex with love.
And I am a major fan of sex in stories but these two? They doth boink too much! These two go at it so much that not enough details were given to Ryan, what he actually does, what type of dog was the service animal...some parts were too vague (I like knowing how the characters look)
And I would have rated this three stars but then the epilogue happened and I couldn't take the level of cheese that went with the sugar.
I still will read more from this author in the future. But this one had more minuses that pluses for me.
TWO & A HALF STARS--Would you like to read about sex, heavy on smut and light on plot? This is the read for you! This is my second Sean Michael read. And I think I can see what his strong points are...great sex scenes. The build up to them, eh not as much as the actual act.
Reunited lovers that live in the same Vancouver town but haven't seen each other for seven years find each other again at a college friends wedding where they serve as groomsmen. Closeted Ryan sees his lover who he would not come out of the closet for and a major change has happened to his love interest D.J., he's blind due to a genetic disease.
Maybe you wonder, why is she not rating this one higher, seems pretty solid to me. Yeah, so I thought too. But there was low angst when I expected some more angst (yes the quiet anger on D.J's part of Ryan just resuming things the way they were as casual fuck buddies who act as just friends to the rest of the world was noticeable) But...D.J. was too busy spreading his legs to Ryan for it to be fully believable.
Ryan didn't really get to spend any time in the doghouse with D.J. because he was more worried about being 'Zen'. It's okay to turn down an ex-lover's attention to make sure he is not confusing sex with love.
And I am a major fan of sex in stories but these two? They doth boink too much! These two go at it so much that not enough details were given to Ryan, what he actually does, what type of dog was the service animal...some parts were too vague (I like knowing how the characters look)
And I would have rated this three stars but then the epilogue happened and I couldn't take the level of cheese that went with the sugar.
I still will read more from this author in the future. But this one had more minuses that pluses for me.
Read
December 31, 2012Sometime I’m interested in seeing how an author deals with disability in a romance, and so I picked this novella by Sean Michael about a relationship between a young blind man and his former college boyfriend with particular focus. I liked that the author didn’t downplayed the quiet anger DJ was mounting: afflicted by a progressive blindness, DJ was sighted until college and then he slowly but steadily became totally blind. DJ projects a “zen” attitude on the outside, but you can feel he is angry with the life, with his fate and yes, also with Ryan.
Ryan and DJ had an affair in college, but Ryan was not ready to come out and when the college ended so did their relationship. I’m not sure Ryan would have ever considered to search for DJ if not for the chance they have to meet at the marriage party of their common frat buddy. Ryan didn’t know about DJ’s blindness, but that is not the reason why he has trouble in rekindling their relationship. Having sex and enjoying a no strings attached flirt is one thing, coming out to their friends, and then to his colleagues is completely another matter.
The romance is warm and comfortable, the sex good and healthy. As I said, I liked that DJ felt real, able to be open with his feelings, if they were good but also bad. Ryan hadn’t to wonder what was DJ’s problem, because the man was ready to tell him, to ask for respect to him and to their relationship. If Ryan wanted him, then he had to claim him totally and completely.
http://elisa-rolle.livejournal.com/18...
Ryan and DJ had an affair in college, but Ryan was not ready to come out and when the college ended so did their relationship. I’m not sure Ryan would have ever considered to search for DJ if not for the chance they have to meet at the marriage party of their common frat buddy. Ryan didn’t know about DJ’s blindness, but that is not the reason why he has trouble in rekindling their relationship. Having sex and enjoying a no strings attached flirt is one thing, coming out to their friends, and then to his colleagues is completely another matter.
The romance is warm and comfortable, the sex good and healthy. As I said, I liked that DJ felt real, able to be open with his feelings, if they were good but also bad. Ryan hadn’t to wonder what was DJ’s problem, because the man was ready to tell him, to ask for respect to him and to their relationship. If Ryan wanted him, then he had to claim him totally and completely.
http://elisa-rolle.livejournal.com/18...
December 28, 2012
Ryan secretly had a relationship with DJ in college. They broke up when DJ wanted more and Ryan refused to be seen as gay. Now, seven years later, they met in their friend's wedding. Ryan was so surprise to see DJ had been blind for a couple of years. The sparks were still there. But, so was Ryan's hesitant to take things further than one night together...
It's a really nice story. It's complete romance, even though it's a novella. It's interesting that DJ doesn't complain much when Ryan tries to help him locate things. Perhaps because his blindness was gradual, he doesn't suffer from overly needs to be independent.
Part of SM's plot-intensive line, not his sex-a-lot book. Of course there are sexes, but they're not the main ingredients in the book.
It's a really nice story. It's complete romance, even though it's a novella. It's interesting that DJ doesn't complain much when Ryan tries to help him locate things. Perhaps because his blindness was gradual, he doesn't suffer from overly needs to be independent.
Part of SM's plot-intensive line, not his sex-a-lot book. Of course there are sexes, but they're not the main ingredients in the book.
January 1, 2015
*** 2.5 stars ***
Ryan curled up around him, nuzzled and kept touching. It made him feel…safe, special. Whole. For the first time in years, he felt whole.
Hmmm....
It's sweet but way to so-so I think....
December 26, 2012
2.5 stars
March 27, 2013
They ate, they had sex. Rinse and repeat.
February 1, 2021
3.8 stars
November 28, 2015
Reviewed by Lori
Book provided by the publisher for review
Review originally posted at Romancing the Book
This was such a beautiful story. It was beautifully written and the story and the way the characters develop, it was just beautiful. I love m/m books where one character is in the closet and the other character is out and not afraid of what people think about who he chooses to love. I like these kinds of stories because they reflect what goes on in reality and it shines a light onto what people, whether a man or a woman go through when they decide to “go against the grain” and follow their heart and love someone of the same gender. Some people are accepting, and some people (for example family members), are not and are incredibly narrow minded.
Ryan is so in the closet he can’t find his way out. I felt sorry for him because of the fear of coming out. It could possibly hurt his career and the friendships that he’s made over the years. It’s a big deal for him. He’s lived so long in fear and doesn’t realize how freeing it could be by just coming out. He still has very strong feelings for DJ and he’s not sure how being with him could be a possibility due to not wanting to come out.
Daniel James Delout, or DJ as I shall refer to him, is a man that has had to accept a lot of things in his life that he didn’t choose to have happen to him. He had to accept that being gay is who he is. He had to accept that the man that he loves can’t be open about his lifestyle and so he can’t be open and affectionate with him in public, and he had to accept that he is now blind and dependent upon others to help him. He appears to be zen about a lot of things, but inside, he is vulnerable emotionally. He has to depend on someone else to help him live his life so he doesn’t walk out of the house in mismatched socks. He needs someone to attend to putting his personal items away in the exact same spot so that he knows where they are. It’s a lot to accept and deal with. It’s a big deal for him. I felt sorry for him as well due to all of his losses in his life.
These two characters really touched my heart and emotions and I felt that they both became better because they came back into each others lives and forced each other to reevaluate what they had before and what they could have together.
Book provided by the publisher for review
Review originally posted at Romancing the Book
This was such a beautiful story. It was beautifully written and the story and the way the characters develop, it was just beautiful. I love m/m books where one character is in the closet and the other character is out and not afraid of what people think about who he chooses to love. I like these kinds of stories because they reflect what goes on in reality and it shines a light onto what people, whether a man or a woman go through when they decide to “go against the grain” and follow their heart and love someone of the same gender. Some people are accepting, and some people (for example family members), are not and are incredibly narrow minded.
Ryan is so in the closet he can’t find his way out. I felt sorry for him because of the fear of coming out. It could possibly hurt his career and the friendships that he’s made over the years. It’s a big deal for him. He’s lived so long in fear and doesn’t realize how freeing it could be by just coming out. He still has very strong feelings for DJ and he’s not sure how being with him could be a possibility due to not wanting to come out.
Daniel James Delout, or DJ as I shall refer to him, is a man that has had to accept a lot of things in his life that he didn’t choose to have happen to him. He had to accept that being gay is who he is. He had to accept that the man that he loves can’t be open about his lifestyle and so he can’t be open and affectionate with him in public, and he had to accept that he is now blind and dependent upon others to help him. He appears to be zen about a lot of things, but inside, he is vulnerable emotionally. He has to depend on someone else to help him live his life so he doesn’t walk out of the house in mismatched socks. He needs someone to attend to putting his personal items away in the exact same spot so that he knows where they are. It’s a lot to accept and deal with. It’s a big deal for him. I felt sorry for him as well due to all of his losses in his life.
These two characters really touched my heart and emotions and I felt that they both became better because they came back into each others lives and forced each other to reevaluate what they had before and what they could have together.
January 6, 2013
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4.5 Kisses!!
Seven years ago, Ryan walked away from his lover DJ. Ryan allowed his fear of coming out of the closet keep him from being with the man he loved. Now, he’s attending a frat brother’s wedding, and once he sees DJ, Ryan realizes he mistakenly thought that time would heal old wounds and make him forget DJ and the love they shared together. To Ryan’s surprise, DJ has changed…a lot. He’s sexy, confident and…blind. But even though DJ isn’t exactly the same person Ryan once loved, he still finds himself totally enamored with his past lover. So much so, it’s almost as if they’ve never been separated. But, time has not healed Ryan’s fear of admitting his homosexuality and his feeling towards DJ. Will these fears break the two men apart forever?
I loved this book! Both Ryan and DJ are well-written, likeable men. I understood Ryan’s fears, but really hoped he’d be able to overcome them so he could have a happy life with DJ. Something else I really liked about Ryan was his easy acceptance of DJ’s blindness. Even though he was stunned by DJ’s condition at first, Ryan quickly adapted to it. I liked how even though it was a very different thing both men had to deal with, they didn’t allow it to be the focus of their reunion.
I also liked how DJ came across as a strong, confident character. Yes, because of his blindness, he has to have help with some things, but he’s not allowed it from keeping him from achieving his own goals in life. This made him a very sexy hero to me. I also appreciated how DJ also had a vulnerable side to him. Even though he loves Ryan, he’s still determined to live the life he wants to live and not hide in the closet because of Ryan’s insecurities.
Wallflowers is a charmingly romantic love story that lived with me long after I finished the story. I loved watching these two men rekindle their love for each other and truly start their relationship back onto a firm solid ground. Wallflowers is a very sexy and well-written romance that left me with a smile on my face and warmth in my heart. Highly Recommended!
4.5 Kisses!!
Seven years ago, Ryan walked away from his lover DJ. Ryan allowed his fear of coming out of the closet keep him from being with the man he loved. Now, he’s attending a frat brother’s wedding, and once he sees DJ, Ryan realizes he mistakenly thought that time would heal old wounds and make him forget DJ and the love they shared together. To Ryan’s surprise, DJ has changed…a lot. He’s sexy, confident and…blind. But even though DJ isn’t exactly the same person Ryan once loved, he still finds himself totally enamored with his past lover. So much so, it’s almost as if they’ve never been separated. But, time has not healed Ryan’s fear of admitting his homosexuality and his feeling towards DJ. Will these fears break the two men apart forever?
I loved this book! Both Ryan and DJ are well-written, likeable men. I understood Ryan’s fears, but really hoped he’d be able to overcome them so he could have a happy life with DJ. Something else I really liked about Ryan was his easy acceptance of DJ’s blindness. Even though he was stunned by DJ’s condition at first, Ryan quickly adapted to it. I liked how even though it was a very different thing both men had to deal with, they didn’t allow it to be the focus of their reunion.
I also liked how DJ came across as a strong, confident character. Yes, because of his blindness, he has to have help with some things, but he’s not allowed it from keeping him from achieving his own goals in life. This made him a very sexy hero to me. I also appreciated how DJ also had a vulnerable side to him. Even though he loves Ryan, he’s still determined to live the life he wants to live and not hide in the closet because of Ryan’s insecurities.
Wallflowers is a charmingly romantic love story that lived with me long after I finished the story. I loved watching these two men rekindle their love for each other and truly start their relationship back onto a firm solid ground. Wallflowers is a very sexy and well-written romance that left me with a smile on my face and warmth in my heart. Highly Recommended!
January 8, 2013
DJ and Ryan had a passionate relationship in college, but parted on bad terms when Ryan refused to come out of the closet. Seven years later, the men are reunited at the wedding of a frat brother where old feelings resurface. Will Ryan finally come out for the man he loves or will they be doomed to repeat history?
I thought this was a sweet story. Both of the MCs are relatable and likable and I was really drawn in to the story. DJ was a delight and took his blindness in stride when he could have ended up bitter and angry. He obviously missed his sight, but realized that life must go on and he had to live.
My only complaint was the somewhat choppy and disjointed writing style. A few times I had to go back and re-read passages to make sure I understood what was happening. Also, the overuse of "man" and "dude" to address characters grated my nerves after a while.
All in all, this was a very sweet story about rediscovering what matters in life.
I thought this was a sweet story. Both of the MCs are relatable and likable and I was really drawn in to the story. DJ was a delight and took his blindness in stride when he could have ended up bitter and angry. He obviously missed his sight, but realized that life must go on and he had to live.
My only complaint was the somewhat choppy and disjointed writing style. A few times I had to go back and re-read passages to make sure I understood what was happening. Also, the overuse of "man" and "dude" to address characters grated my nerves after a while.
All in all, this was a very sweet story about rediscovering what matters in life.
January 4, 2013
I really enjoyed reading this one. Sean Michael tells a great story of how fear can split up even the strongest relationship and how love can overcome the strongest fear. If you're looking for a great way to spend a hour or so, then check it out.
Please see Trish's complete review on January 25, 2013 at http://mrsconditreadsbooks.com/index....
Please see Trish's complete review on January 25, 2013 at http://mrsconditreadsbooks.com/index....
February 17, 2013
Ryan is really deep in the closet and its a shock to run into his old friend DJ at a friends wedding. But more of shock is that DJ is now blind. They reconnect instantly but Ryan has a lot of fear to overcome if they are going to be able to move forward.
January 7, 2013
Rating 3.5
January 5, 2013
3 stars
This was a really nice story.
This was a really nice story.
December 31, 2012
3.5 stars. Very sweet, short story.
December 21, 2013
Boring. And where's the plot? =w=
March 23, 2014
3.5 this was sweet
August 17, 2014
I enjoyed this book so much! I really wish it would have been longer. Definitely one of my favorites!!!
February 18, 2015
3,5 stars
April 28, 2013
3.5* short, good and sexy.
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