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You're the One
Intimidated by the clubs and cabarets of 1970s Chicago, shy English teacher Graham Thomas needs a miracle just to be able to talk to a man. When help arrives from a Robert Redford look-alike wizard, Graham brushes him off—he’s obviously certifiable. Or so Graham thinks until he tries out a popular song title as a come-on line and everything changes. Given the power to make others fall in love with him, Graham begins to enjoy the nightlife. But when he misuses his gift, he finds himself with accidental and unwanted suitors, including the senior dean at his school, a ticket-mad cop, and a rich young banker. Then Graham meets Mark Matthews and finally faces the moral issue of whether it’s fair to use magic to make someone fall in love. It would be so easy….
210 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 18, 2013
38 people want to read
About the author
Gene Taylor
6 books4 followersGENE TAYLOR was born about fifty miles south of Dallas in Corsicana, Texas, and he actually got to see what the city looked like twenty-six years later when he visited it briefly for the first time. He grew up in a different part of the state and thus knew very little about his birthplace. He had heard that there was a bakery there that sold wonderful fruitcakes online for Christmas presents, however!
He graduated from a large university in Texas with a double major in English and history, a few years later earning a master’s degree at the same school. Since then he has lived in California, Arizona, Illinois, and Texas while teaching in high schools and selling antiques and collectibles in various shops. Currently, he has a booth in an antiques mall called As Time Goes By, but he usually spends his time writing novels and short stories. In addition, he often allots some time to playing records on his restored 1947 Rock-Ola jukebox and on his 1961 Wurlitzer 2500 jukebox!
A few years ago, he was greatly surprised to learn on a genealogy website that he is a direct descendant of Geoffrey Chaucer (his nineteenth great grandfather on his father’s side). He wishes he had known that when he was teaching The Canterbury Tales in British literature classes.
At the moment he is single, but he never gives up hope of finding someone to share his interests in reading, writing, antiquing, and playing slot machines and roulette in Las Vegas!
You can write to him at genetaylor957@yahoo.com.
He graduated from a large university in Texas with a double major in English and history, a few years later earning a master’s degree at the same school. Since then he has lived in California, Arizona, Illinois, and Texas while teaching in high schools and selling antiques and collectibles in various shops. Currently, he has a booth in an antiques mall called As Time Goes By, but he usually spends his time writing novels and short stories. In addition, he often allots some time to playing records on his restored 1947 Rock-Ola jukebox and on his 1961 Wurlitzer 2500 jukebox!
A few years ago, he was greatly surprised to learn on a genealogy website that he is a direct descendant of Geoffrey Chaucer (his nineteenth great grandfather on his father’s side). He wishes he had known that when he was teaching The Canterbury Tales in British literature classes.
At the moment he is single, but he never gives up hope of finding someone to share his interests in reading, writing, antiquing, and playing slot machines and roulette in Las Vegas!
You can write to him at genetaylor957@yahoo.com.
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
July 25, 2013
The non-consensual elements of this made me uncomfortable. It's one thing to make someone think they're in love with you, it's a whole other story when you repeatedly take advantage of them sexually when they're in that state. It's like having sex with someone out of their mind on drugs or booze - they aren't in the right mind to be able to consent.
Apart from that issue, the whole paranormal element wasn't very well explained and I didn't really buy the last minute relationship between the MCs.
Apart from that issue, the whole paranormal element wasn't very well explained and I didn't really buy the last minute relationship between the MCs.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 25, 2013
Graham Taylor is fresh out of university and teaching at his first post in a high school outside Chicago. While never adverse to hooking up or having casual sex, Graham is looking for something more. Some would say that he is a bit of a dreamer, but for Graham he is merely a man who wants to meet a boy, fall in love and live happily ever after. Being shy makes that very difficult, but Graham decides to make his way to Chicago and do the gay bar scene in the hops that he will fine “the one”.
So begins You’re The One by Gene Taylor. A romantic comedy that had its fair share of moments that made me smile and, at times, shake my head in confusion. You see, once Graham decides the bar scene is the way to go, he meets a mysterious man after a disastrous one hour hookup that led him from the bar to a guy’s apartment and a less than fulfilling encounter. Upon returning, he meets a man who looks amazingly like Robert Redford and is told that the man has a gift for him. Without realizing what is happening, the stranger touches Graham’s finger and gives him the ability to make anyone fall instantly in love with him. All he need do is point at them and say, “you’re the one”.
As fantastical as this sounds this was the first inkling that I was reading a paranormal story, and, frankly, it confused me. There was virtually no set-up, no idea that the possibility that paranormals even existed. Now Graham had this power, but no idea how it really worked and, to make matters worse, “Robert” had disappeared as quickly as he had materialized.
I pushed on in this story and unfortunately found myself liking it and Graham less and less. He was a study in contradictions. Constantly wanting to find someone who would love him and be a lasting relationship, the gift he is given slowly devolves into him using it in order to avoid arrest and exposure as a gay man, and then for sex, but not because he loves these men. It becomes a way to, in essence, keep him from being lonely. While I understand that reasoning, the rest of this novel paints Graham as this guy who is all about truth in relationships and finding lasting love. You see the two sides of this character just did not mesh.
I found myself disliking the lead character more and more as the story went on. I felt he was a bit of a user—only looking out for himself. And the resolution to the story? The big reveal as to who “Robert” really was and what powers he actually held? I felt it was just too quick, underdeveloped and lacking in real emotion. In fact, this was the main problem with the novel as a whole. I never felt real emotion from any of the characters. Problems arose and were resolved rather handily. Not one of the lovers that Graham had tricked ever got angry with him. All was taken in stride—even the unraveling of the mysterious “Robert” at the novel’s end.
You’re the One was a story whose characters remained fairly one-dimensional. The dialogue became predictable and the story lines, while at times a bit humorous, became more of the same, either a way to avoid the inadvertent love interest Graham had created or an opportunity for sex. The fact that some of the characters were straight and “made gay” by the magic spell was just a bit too creepy and made me think that Graham was really an uncaring and shallow person. Overall, I was disappointed with this story which could have been a sweet romantic comedy that explored one man’s desire to move beyond one night stands to real love.
So begins You’re The One by Gene Taylor. A romantic comedy that had its fair share of moments that made me smile and, at times, shake my head in confusion. You see, once Graham decides the bar scene is the way to go, he meets a mysterious man after a disastrous one hour hookup that led him from the bar to a guy’s apartment and a less than fulfilling encounter. Upon returning, he meets a man who looks amazingly like Robert Redford and is told that the man has a gift for him. Without realizing what is happening, the stranger touches Graham’s finger and gives him the ability to make anyone fall instantly in love with him. All he need do is point at them and say, “you’re the one”.
As fantastical as this sounds this was the first inkling that I was reading a paranormal story, and, frankly, it confused me. There was virtually no set-up, no idea that the possibility that paranormals even existed. Now Graham had this power, but no idea how it really worked and, to make matters worse, “Robert” had disappeared as quickly as he had materialized.
I pushed on in this story and unfortunately found myself liking it and Graham less and less. He was a study in contradictions. Constantly wanting to find someone who would love him and be a lasting relationship, the gift he is given slowly devolves into him using it in order to avoid arrest and exposure as a gay man, and then for sex, but not because he loves these men. It becomes a way to, in essence, keep him from being lonely. While I understand that reasoning, the rest of this novel paints Graham as this guy who is all about truth in relationships and finding lasting love. You see the two sides of this character just did not mesh.
I found myself disliking the lead character more and more as the story went on. I felt he was a bit of a user—only looking out for himself. And the resolution to the story? The big reveal as to who “Robert” really was and what powers he actually held? I felt it was just too quick, underdeveloped and lacking in real emotion. In fact, this was the main problem with the novel as a whole. I never felt real emotion from any of the characters. Problems arose and were resolved rather handily. Not one of the lovers that Graham had tricked ever got angry with him. All was taken in stride—even the unraveling of the mysterious “Robert” at the novel’s end.
You’re the One was a story whose characters remained fairly one-dimensional. The dialogue became predictable and the story lines, while at times a bit humorous, became more of the same, either a way to avoid the inadvertent love interest Graham had created or an opportunity for sex. The fact that some of the characters were straight and “made gay” by the magic spell was just a bit too creepy and made me think that Graham was really an uncaring and shallow person. Overall, I was disappointed with this story which could have been a sweet romantic comedy that explored one man’s desire to move beyond one night stands to real love.
July 26, 2013
You're the One is a rather sweet story about a young man who begins working as a high school teacher in the early 1970s. Graham is gay, but unlike all the other gay guys he knows, he is seeking something more than just a one night stand. He wants a long term relationship with a boyfriend who loves him.
While at the gay bar one night, he encounters a mysterious stranger who bestows upon him an amazing, magical gift. He then must figure out how to wisely use this new talent as he sets out to find true, everlasting love.
This story was an enjoyable and entertaining read which I'd describe as cute and sweet. I had a few minor niggles, include a dialogue which seemed overly formal to me and sex scenes which were a tad too rushed. I guess it wasn't the sex that felt rushed but more the foreplay. In almost every instance, the romantic partners stripped off all their clothes and then went at it.
What I liked most about the story was the authenticity of the main character. Graham was transparent and unpretentious, a down-to-earth kind of guy. He was a character who was easy to root for. The happy ending was also nice, and it felt almost as if the author was hinting at the possibility of a sequel.
Overall an endearing and uplifting story that was quite entertaining.
While at the gay bar one night, he encounters a mysterious stranger who bestows upon him an amazing, magical gift. He then must figure out how to wisely use this new talent as he sets out to find true, everlasting love.
This story was an enjoyable and entertaining read which I'd describe as cute and sweet. I had a few minor niggles, include a dialogue which seemed overly formal to me and sex scenes which were a tad too rushed. I guess it wasn't the sex that felt rushed but more the foreplay. In almost every instance, the romantic partners stripped off all their clothes and then went at it.
What I liked most about the story was the authenticity of the main character. Graham was transparent and unpretentious, a down-to-earth kind of guy. He was a character who was easy to root for. The happy ending was also nice, and it felt almost as if the author was hinting at the possibility of a sequel.
Overall an endearing and uplifting story that was quite entertaining.
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August 25, 2015A cute idea, but fell kinda flat for me. Had a hard time liking the main MC, as he seemed pretty shallow.
It is a humorous, authentic-feeling reproduction of the 70's, and I could very well visualize the MCs in that time period, but the school environment, with gay teachers, and the whole idea of being out and not even concerned whatsoever, as well as the guy that pops in and out at the various clubs were a bit over the top, even for me - LOL.
A light read, if you don' mind somewhat shallow characters. I guess I feel the other MC deserved a bit more than what he got in the end.
It is a humorous, authentic-feeling reproduction of the 70's, and I could very well visualize the MCs in that time period, but the school environment, with gay teachers, and the whole idea of being out and not even concerned whatsoever, as well as the guy that pops in and out at the various clubs were a bit over the top, even for me - LOL.
A light read, if you don' mind somewhat shallow characters. I guess I feel the other MC deserved a bit more than what he got in the end.
October 20, 2013
More told than shown. While the story sounded sweet and funny and it was to a degree, I had a hard time getting into the book. For one I thought Graham was first not very interesting and then he behaved out of character. For one he was initially searching for love and after the plot got its magical element, the only magical element, namely a guy who gave Graham the ability to make people fall in love with him, Graham searched more for lovers. By lovers I mean people to sleep with so he would not feel lonely, that doesn't sound like the awkward and shy teacher that was introduced at the beginning, who was looking for a partner. Let’s remember that this is a historical book and the 1970s were still not a gay friendly time, at least not to go about searching for sex like Graham did, in this he reminded me more of a character from the 21st century.
Also he was more or less making the guys fall in love with him, by magical means so it felt a bit like a dub-con story. The guys he enchanted then slept with, well that was really a moral gray zone for me, since they hardly could say no to the encounter and again that didn't endear Graham to me. A part that was really well done was the description of Chicago in that specific historical period; you could practically feel the city come to live. Sadly I couldn't say the same for the characters, since I had a hard time liking Graham or to form any emotional connection with him. While this is not a bad story, I thought it was missing a spark or a hook, sometimes characters can be this spark but here the plot was a bit too descriptive and the characters failed to charm me.
Should You Read It? If you like historicals and don't mind the paranormal element, you might want to give this a try. The historical aspect of the story was interesting, the paranormal was surprising.
Also he was more or less making the guys fall in love with him, by magical means so it felt a bit like a dub-con story. The guys he enchanted then slept with, well that was really a moral gray zone for me, since they hardly could say no to the encounter and again that didn't endear Graham to me. A part that was really well done was the description of Chicago in that specific historical period; you could practically feel the city come to live. Sadly I couldn't say the same for the characters, since I had a hard time liking Graham or to form any emotional connection with him. While this is not a bad story, I thought it was missing a spark or a hook, sometimes characters can be this spark but here the plot was a bit too descriptive and the characters failed to charm me.
Should You Read It? If you like historicals and don't mind the paranormal element, you might want to give this a try. The historical aspect of the story was interesting, the paranormal was surprising.
July 28, 2013
written for http://mmgoodbookreviews.wordpress.com/
: Graham is a gay English teacher that is looking for true love. After some pretty tough experiences, he meets a strange man that gives him a power to make others fall in love with him.
After a couple accidents and a couple mistakes he realizes he doesn't want this power. If he is going to have s lover he wants it to be real and not magic. Does he find real love? You should read it and see.
I was pleasantly surprised by this story. It's really cute, yet funny, and the paranormal twist was unique and interesting. All the characters were interesting, charming or outright funny, but I can't say much else without giving the story away. The story got a bit cheesy at times with some of the clichés and puns, but that added to the humor of it. I loved how Graham knew what he wanted and how each relationship unfolded. This is such a fun, sweet, funny and pretty hot story.
Recommendations: if you like stories of searching for Mr. Right, coming out, old music, hot sex, and oh yeah... Magic... this is definitely for you.
: Graham is a gay English teacher that is looking for true love. After some pretty tough experiences, he meets a strange man that gives him a power to make others fall in love with him.
After a couple accidents and a couple mistakes he realizes he doesn't want this power. If he is going to have s lover he wants it to be real and not magic. Does he find real love? You should read it and see.
I was pleasantly surprised by this story. It's really cute, yet funny, and the paranormal twist was unique and interesting. All the characters were interesting, charming or outright funny, but I can't say much else without giving the story away. The story got a bit cheesy at times with some of the clichés and puns, but that added to the humor of it. I loved how Graham knew what he wanted and how each relationship unfolded. This is such a fun, sweet, funny and pretty hot story.
Recommendations: if you like stories of searching for Mr. Right, coming out, old music, hot sex, and oh yeah... Magic... this is definitely for you.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews