What do you think?
Rate this book
Pudding Jones
Award-winning reporter Emmer Richfield is the kind of guy who covers wars, the kind of guy who asks the hard-hitting questions. He is not—and he’s certain about this—the kind of guy who does sappy human-interest stories about homeless people. But his newest assignment is not just any human-interest story, it’s a mandate from the mayor: convince the people of Dodson that Foxton Industries’ plan to build a mall—and oust the homeless population—is a bad idea by way of a feature on a homeless man named Pudding Jones. But Pudding quickly goes from just another story to a man who changes Emmer’s life. The question is, can Emmer return the favor before it’s too late?
- GenresM M RomanceShort Stories
58 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 31, 2013
103 people want to read
About the author
D.C. Juris
62 books55 followersAn out and proud bisexual transgender man, DC Juris moved to New York State in 2001 for a real-life romance. By day he is a mild-mannered office manager, by night a passionate writer of all types of romance. He lives in Upstate New York with his husband, two dogs, four cats, and a menagerie of Halloween props just creepy enough to keep people guessing about his sanity. Which is just the way he likes it. Still hopelessly single when it comes to the woman in his life, DC will gladly entertain offers, or applications for the position.
When he's not writing down what his characters tell him, DC can be found surfing the internet for random research (DC would like to remind everyone that porn *is* research for him!), killing things on his Xbox, reading, or taking pictures of the world around him.
When he's not writing down what his characters tell him, DC can be found surfing the internet for random research (DC would like to remind everyone that porn *is* research for him!), killing things on his Xbox, reading, or taking pictures of the world around him.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
December 6, 2013
A Hearts On Fire Review
FOUR STARS--Bittersweet...100% defines this book. There is no happy ending. So if this would make or break you...don't come down this path. It is a sad one.
So what exactly is a Pudding Jones? He's the local homeless man chosen for a human interest story to stop a company from moving into an abandoned development. Pudding chose reporter Emmer Richfield to interview him and share his story. Why? We never learn. When asked, Pudding would answer back with a question.
The story is told from Emmer's POV. He's a world traveled journalist, not interested in doing a puff piece and could less about Pudding Jones or the homeless. He's seen homeless and war torn countries. He's not jaded but not as invested in the having to do the interview.
When we first meet Pudding, he is not what Emmer expected. He's not what I expected. Pudding has one hell of a story to tell - it's full of pain, past abuse and mental illness. Is his name really Pudding? No and we also do not learn his name.
And it is not necessary. This is the quote from the story that hooked me.
"When your name is called too many times in the wrong situation by the wrong person, you tend to dislike it."
The story is not graphic in the least. The way the author described of Pudding's mental illness, the reason why Pudding Jones is the way he is he...it leaves quite an impression.
"How many times have you looked the other way? How many times has you gut told you something was more than what it seemed, and the first thing that popped into your head was stay out of it, it's not my problem? How many times?"
As Emmer interviews Pudding, Emmer changes some of his habits and ways. He feels guilty for having so many items while the homeless in their small town are without. Emmer starts to donate but not accolades...just because he starts to pay attention and be more aware of those in need.
"Everyone does it. It doesn't mean you're a bad man. It just means you're not as good of one as you should be."
With the spotlight on the homeless and their many tales and sad ending...you can be surprised that there is some romance in this story. And it was sweet...even a sexy time moment.
"Why me?" I fought to bring my breathing back to normal.
"You treat me like a person."
"You are a person," I whispered.
"Can I be your person?"
He looked up at me, tears standing in his eyes. I chuckled softly, turned, and tucked him against me. "I think you already are."
I loved Emmer and Pudding fall for one another. The build was simple and beautiful. I was getting all pink and soft from the romance build. And then ending happened...it does stomp on the heart a smidge. (I did not cry but some readers might ball from the ending. It tugs hard on the heartstrings.)
"Pudding Jones" is a good story with an important message: don't judge those who have less than you.
I do wish there was a happy ending but I still will say kudos to the author for writing the story this way.
*hugs for all*
FOUR STARS--Bittersweet...100% defines this book. There is no happy ending. So if this would make or break you...don't come down this path. It is a sad one.
So what exactly is a Pudding Jones? He's the local homeless man chosen for a human interest story to stop a company from moving into an abandoned development. Pudding chose reporter Emmer Richfield to interview him and share his story. Why? We never learn. When asked, Pudding would answer back with a question.
The story is told from Emmer's POV. He's a world traveled journalist, not interested in doing a puff piece and could less about Pudding Jones or the homeless. He's seen homeless and war torn countries. He's not jaded but not as invested in the having to do the interview.
When we first meet Pudding, he is not what Emmer expected. He's not what I expected. Pudding has one hell of a story to tell - it's full of pain, past abuse and mental illness. Is his name really Pudding? No and we also do not learn his name.
And it is not necessary. This is the quote from the story that hooked me.
"When your name is called too many times in the wrong situation by the wrong person, you tend to dislike it."
The story is not graphic in the least. The way the author described of Pudding's mental illness, the reason why Pudding Jones is the way he is he...it leaves quite an impression.
"How many times have you looked the other way? How many times has you gut told you something was more than what it seemed, and the first thing that popped into your head was stay out of it, it's not my problem? How many times?"
As Emmer interviews Pudding, Emmer changes some of his habits and ways. He feels guilty for having so many items while the homeless in their small town are without. Emmer starts to donate but not accolades...just because he starts to pay attention and be more aware of those in need.
"Everyone does it. It doesn't mean you're a bad man. It just means you're not as good of one as you should be."
With the spotlight on the homeless and their many tales and sad ending...you can be surprised that there is some romance in this story. And it was sweet...even a sexy time moment.
"Why me?" I fought to bring my breathing back to normal.
"You treat me like a person."
"You are a person," I whispered.
"Can I be your person?"
He looked up at me, tears standing in his eyes. I chuckled softly, turned, and tucked him against me. "I think you already are."
I loved Emmer and Pudding fall for one another. The build was simple and beautiful. I was getting all pink and soft from the romance build. And then ending happened...it does stomp on the heart a smidge. (I did not cry but some readers might ball from the ending. It tugs hard on the heartstrings.)
"Pudding Jones" is a good story with an important message: don't judge those who have less than you.
I do wish there was a happy ending but I still will say kudos to the author for writing the story this way.
*hugs for all*
October 29, 2013
Pudding Jones is a young homeless man living in the back of an abandoned hardware store in an abandoned area of town known as the Ghetto Grotto. He has made a makeshift home for himself among the other homeless people in the encampment and considers them his family.
Emmer Richfield is a young reporter who has been tasked to write an op-ed piece about Pudding and the other homeless in order to inform the public about their situation. In fact, Pudding has chosen Emmer to write his story, though we never find out why.
The story is laid out fairly simply-- the bad guys are a large property development company set on razing the Ghetto Grotto, displacing the people living there. Over the course of a few months, Emmer develops feelings for the enigmatic yet charming Pudding. And Pudding likes him back. Emmer comes to see how shallow his own life is as he learns about Pudding and all the mental and physical abuses and hardship he’s suffered. But Pudding is something more… he has a college degree, is physically fit, yet chooses to live this life on the edge.
The novella covers a wide range of topics from homelessness as a choice, to mental illness, to childhood abuse. All of this is encapsulated in one character who at the same time, has the ability to completely win over a well educated, white-collar professional who in the end, wants to take him away from it all. As such, it reads like a darker fairy tale.
We have the beginnings of a romance between Emmer and Pudding but the story’s length is given more to sermonizing the bigger issues between them than in the developing relationship.
“What else could a man ask for in life? Food, a place to sleep, and the companionship of someone they cared for… what value did my television… computer have… What could those things offer me that Pudding and this life couldn’t? I wondered if the cost we paid for those things hadn’t been just a bit too high.”
All very good food for thought… This is written well enough (though there are some edit issues: homophone mixups-- know vs. no, and incorrect vocab usage-- annunciating vs. enunciating; non-pulsed vs. non-plussed) and the message is certainly one to take to heart. But read this more as an interesting short study of a homeless man’s journey than a well-developed gay romance, and be warned that the ending is rather abrupt with no HEA in sight.
For this review, give-aways, author interviews, and much more:
September 30, 2013
4.5 Stars
A "Live Your Life, Buy The Book" Review
You know how sometimes you read a book that breaks your heart but it’s so beautiful you can’t help but be happy you read it? That’s how I felt about this book. I felt a very strong emotional attachment to these characters. Yes, I cried a little but I also got swept up in just how special Pudding Jones was.
Emmer’s assignment to tell the story of a local homeless man takes an unexpected turn. He’s immediately fascinated by the man they call Pudding Jones. Pudding Jones seems to have two distinct personalities. One is funny and confident while the other is more dark and real. Emmer soon learns of Pudding Jones horrific past. Abuse at the hand of his father which I can’t even fathom has stolen bits of his sanity. Sometimes he just can’t keep the memories at bay. Emmer soon realizes his time spent with Pudding is more than just an assignment. He wants to know about the man because he cares. Touch the man because he’s beautiful. Help the man because he needs someone to. Pudding is content where he is and with how he lives his life. That is until he falls for Emmer. Then he struggles with the idea of living a normal life with a man who loves him and hiding on the streets.
I’m going to warn you of the sexual abuse in this story. I fully understand some people just can’t handle it. I’m generally one of those people who can’t seem to let that stuff go but in this instance it honestly sculpted who Pudding Jones the character was. It wasn’t just thrown in the book for dramatic effect. I thought the relationship the MCs developed was beautiful. The chemistry great. It’s not a long story but had such an intense impact on me. It’s truly amazing considering the word count. I’d recommend picking up this book. I’m so happy I finally got around to reading it.
A "Live Your Life, Buy The Book" Review
You know how sometimes you read a book that breaks your heart but it’s so beautiful you can’t help but be happy you read it? That’s how I felt about this book. I felt a very strong emotional attachment to these characters. Yes, I cried a little but I also got swept up in just how special Pudding Jones was.
Emmer’s assignment to tell the story of a local homeless man takes an unexpected turn. He’s immediately fascinated by the man they call Pudding Jones. Pudding Jones seems to have two distinct personalities. One is funny and confident while the other is more dark and real. Emmer soon learns of Pudding Jones horrific past. Abuse at the hand of his father which I can’t even fathom has stolen bits of his sanity. Sometimes he just can’t keep the memories at bay. Emmer soon realizes his time spent with Pudding is more than just an assignment. He wants to know about the man because he cares. Touch the man because he’s beautiful. Help the man because he needs someone to. Pudding is content where he is and with how he lives his life. That is until he falls for Emmer. Then he struggles with the idea of living a normal life with a man who loves him and hiding on the streets.
I’m going to warn you of the sexual abuse in this story. I fully understand some people just can’t handle it. I’m generally one of those people who can’t seem to let that stuff go but in this instance it honestly sculpted who Pudding Jones the character was. It wasn’t just thrown in the book for dramatic effect. I thought the relationship the MCs developed was beautiful. The chemistry great. It’s not a long story but had such an intense impact on me. It’s truly amazing considering the word count. I’d recommend picking up this book. I’m so happy I finally got around to reading it.
December 16, 2013
Full review can be found at On Top Down Under Book Reviews.
This was very difficult to review. It was heartbreaking to read. This book is about real issues and real problems that occur daily in cities all over the world. Pudding Jones may be the main character but this tells the story of many. I ended it with tears running down my face and I know that this is not one I'll be forgetting anytime soon.
A very touching story.
This book was provided by Wilde City Press in exchange for a fair and honest review.
My Favorite Books of 2013 .
This was very difficult to review. It was heartbreaking to read. This book is about real issues and real problems that occur daily in cities all over the world. Pudding Jones may be the main character but this tells the story of many. I ended it with tears running down my face and I know that this is not one I'll be forgetting anytime soon.
A very touching story.
This book was provided by Wilde City Press in exchange for a fair and honest review.
My Favorite Books of 2013 .
October 1, 2013
I saw the great reviews for this and had just finished a longer piece with a homeless MC that I really enjoyed (Sue Brown's The Sky Is Dead) so I scooped this one up.
This is well-written and I liked the MCs. It was interesting to see Pudding's POV on the world and he was a very interesting character. I give it 4 stars instead of 5 because I personally would have preferred a non-tragic ending. Overall it was a bit on the bleak side for me-- I prefer my angst with some balancing upside. But it's short, and I recommend it if you have any interest in the topic or like angst.
This is well-written and I liked the MCs. It was interesting to see Pudding's POV on the world and he was a very interesting character. I give it 4 stars instead of 5 because I personally would have preferred a non-tragic ending. Overall it was a bit on the bleak side for me-- I prefer my angst with some balancing upside. But it's short, and I recommend it if you have any interest in the topic or like angst.
August 1, 2013
There's no review worthy enough to rate this short story. 18,000 words. That's the amount of words that is needed to send someone into a mental breakdown with never ending tears streaming down your face.
Pudding Jones.... Where do I begin? .....there's really nothing I can say about him that would do him justice. It wouldn't be enough. You'll fall in love, you will fall so hard and in the end there won't be anyone there to catch you.
Pudding was an extraordinary human being, one of few
Emmer Richfield, Emerald. If only half of the world's population wuld be like him in the end.
All in all, this is a story you should read! But be warned, it is going to break your heart.
It is the best love story I have read thus far in my life. It is so realistic that you will physically feel it. I cannot find the words to review this story.
For good and worse, it was my undoing.... :)
§§§§ There is mention of child abuse in the worst way and death of an mc §§§§
Pudding Jones.... Where do I begin? .....there's really nothing I can say about him that would do him justice. It wouldn't be enough. You'll fall in love, you will fall so hard and in the end there won't be anyone there to catch you.
Pudding was an extraordinary human being, one of few
Emmer Richfield, Emerald. If only half of the world's population wuld be like him in the end.
All in all, this is a story you should read! But be warned, it is going to break your heart.
It is the best love story I have read thus far in my life. It is so realistic that you will physically feel it. I cannot find the words to review this story.
For good and worse, it was my undoing.... :)
§§§§ There is mention of child abuse in the worst way and death of an mc §§§§
May 11, 2015
I put off reading this book for quite a long time. The blurb made me uneasy and I was very wary of the potential for some sadness. And I'm not going to sugar coat it. This book made me cry.
It's a beautiful and tragic story of Pudding Jones and Emmer, the man who interviews him for a local paper. Pudding is homeless but has a heart of gold, choosing to stay surrounded by his 'family' of fellow homeless people. He teaches Emmer about what it means to be a good person.
However Pudding is more than his homeless circumstance. Pudding is tragically broken by events in his past. His is a story of sexual abuse but also a story of sacrifices made for love.
There is beauty in the wonderful love shared between Emmer and Pudding, a love that overcomes the differences in their upbringings. Pudding opens up to Emmer, trusting him like he has no other, and Emmer finally opens his eyes to what's really important in life. Even time spent traveling the world and visiting war zones hadn't been able to achieve what Pudding did in a few short months.
There is no happy ending but there is something heartwarming about this story. Yes, I wanted the ending to be different but I wouldn't have missed reading this story, even for all the tears.
Thank you to the publisher who provided a copy of this book in return for an honest review.
I publish all my m/m reviews on my blog so if you want to see all my m/m reviews in one place come visit at Because Two Men Are Better Than One!
It's a beautiful and tragic story of Pudding Jones and Emmer, the man who interviews him for a local paper. Pudding is homeless but has a heart of gold, choosing to stay surrounded by his 'family' of fellow homeless people. He teaches Emmer about what it means to be a good person.
However Pudding is more than his homeless circumstance. Pudding is tragically broken by events in his past. His is a story of sexual abuse but also a story of sacrifices made for love.
There is beauty in the wonderful love shared between Emmer and Pudding, a love that overcomes the differences in their upbringings. Pudding opens up to Emmer, trusting him like he has no other, and Emmer finally opens his eyes to what's really important in life. Even time spent traveling the world and visiting war zones hadn't been able to achieve what Pudding did in a few short months.
There is no happy ending but there is something heartwarming about this story. Yes, I wanted the ending to be different but I wouldn't have missed reading this story, even for all the tears.
Thank you to the publisher who provided a copy of this book in return for an honest review.
I publish all my m/m reviews on my blog so if you want to see all my m/m reviews in one place come visit at Because Two Men Are Better Than One!
my-issues-not-yours
November 29, 2014This story will definitely fall into the Me-Not-The-Book category and I refused to give a rating because of it. It doesn’t mean that the book is bad – in fact I would say that this story would make you think about your own attitude when faced with real world problems that might actually stare at you in the eyes.
For a short story, Pudding Jones tackled quite heavy and significant human interest issues: homeless people and child abuse. There was one quote that just struck me to the core of my heart because I probably did the same thing as well…
Unfortunately for me, this story came as a bit too bleak. I am giving a fair warning that there is no Happily Ever After here. And as much as the story has a great quality, as a reader, I need escapism where the ending is painted by rainbow colors and buckets of roses. I still want to believe that everything bad can end in happiness. Because of that, I can’t say I am satisfied with how the book ends.
For a short story, Pudding Jones tackled quite heavy and significant human interest issues: homeless people and child abuse. There was one quote that just struck me to the core of my heart because I probably did the same thing as well…
“How many times has your gut told you something was more than it seemed, and the first thing that popped into your head was stay out of it, it’s not my problem? …. Everyone does it. It doesn’t mean that you’re a bad man. It just means you’re not as good one as you should be.”
Unfortunately for me, this story came as a bit too bleak. I am giving a fair warning that there is no Happily Ever After here. And as much as the story has a great quality, as a reader, I need escapism where the ending is painted by rainbow colors and buckets of roses. I still want to believe that everything bad can end in happiness. Because of that, I can’t say I am satisfied with how the book ends.
September 25, 2013
Good gracious!!!! It would have been 5 stars but I sooo disliked the ending!!!
October 2, 2013
I did a full review in MM Goodbook Reviews, but this story is an excellent one. Takes you to places you never anticipated.
October 24, 2013
This....was not what I was expecting, which is why I gave it 3 stars. It just wasn't my type of story.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews