What do you think?
Rate this book
The Long Return
Dear Author,
We’ve been best friends for so long. He knows my pains, fears and the little things that bring me delight. One day, I caught him, staring at me, with that look on his face. The very next day, he was gone.
It’s been fifteen years, and now he’s back. Self-made and self-assured.
Why did he take off all those years ago? What could he want from me?
Photo Description:
A stunning African American man in a stylish suit looks over his shoulder at us. He has an oval face with high, chiseled cheekbones, hooded eyes, and full lips. His hair is cropped close to his head. He is frowning slightly and in the depths of his liquid eyes is an expression that could be lust, longing, or reproach.
This story was written as a part of the M/M Romance Group's "Love Has No Boundaries" event. Group members were asked to write a story prompt inspired by a photo of their choice. Authors of the group selected a photo and prompt that spoke to them and wrote a short story.
We’ve been best friends for so long. He knows my pains, fears and the little things that bring me delight. One day, I caught him, staring at me, with that look on his face. The very next day, he was gone.
It’s been fifteen years, and now he’s back. Self-made and self-assured.
Why did he take off all those years ago? What could he want from me?
Photo Description:
A stunning African American man in a stylish suit looks over his shoulder at us. He has an oval face with high, chiseled cheekbones, hooded eyes, and full lips. His hair is cropped close to his head. He is frowning slightly and in the depths of his liquid eyes is an expression that could be lust, longing, or reproach.
This story was written as a part of the M/M Romance Group's "Love Has No Boundaries" event. Group members were asked to write a story prompt inspired by a photo of their choice. Authors of the group selected a photo and prompt that spoke to them and wrote a short story.
44 pages, ebook
First published August 8, 2013
About the author
Jessica Freely
34 books110 followersJessica Freely can't resist a wounded hero. As a reader and a writer, her favorite stories are of soul mates finding redemption in each other's arms. Married to the love of her life in a beautiful relationship based on mutual goofiness, Jessica also warps minds as an instructor in Seton Hill University's Writing Popular Fiction MFA program. Her dog, Ruthie, doesn't seem to care that Jessica's an award-winning and best-selling author in multiple genres. She just wants to play tug of war with Jessica's pages.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
February 13, 2016
Another lost-love/reunion story in the Love Has No Boundaries Anthology: Volume 4 anthology.
Trevor and Shane were best friends and lovers. Then the night they graduated, Shane ran out on Trev without a word. It was fifteen years ago, and Trevor never saw or heard of him since then. But now Shane is back.
I understand Trev’s bitter anger and distrust in Shane. What Shane reveals is shocking and heartbreaking.
“And exactly why was staying away so goddamned important?”
“I was ashamed of myself. I wanted to wait until I had more to offer than an apology.”
Goddamn Shane’s pride.
Great, enjoyable story.
August 9, 2013
I have to say, what a gorgeous and mesmerizing picture.
I was staring at this young man's face for a long time, his expression is so riveting, I had trouble looking away.
3.65*
I might have mentioned that this is a great picture and another sweet contribution to the LHNB event.
Trevor and Shane were friends and lovers, but Shane being young and wanting the best for Trevor leaves him.
No goodbye no anything, now years later he's back. Why? Where has he been? Why did he leave? Where do they go from here?
I enjoyed the tie-in to the LGBT youth center but I would have loved to have seen the time before Shane left, the boys they were, I really wish I could have seen the years they were apart, what was Shane thinking? How was he keeping tabs on Trevor? The feelings they each had and suffered though alone...and of course a little more after the ending...I'm just greedy that way.
I was staring at this young man's face for a long time, his expression is so riveting, I had trouble looking away.
3.65*
I might have mentioned that this is a great picture and another sweet contribution to the LHNB event.
Trevor and Shane were friends and lovers, but Shane being young and wanting the best for Trevor leaves him.
No goodbye no anything, now years later he's back. Why? Where has he been? Why did he leave? Where do they go from here?
I enjoyed the tie-in to the LGBT youth center but I would have loved to have seen the time before Shane left, the boys they were, I really wish I could have seen the years they were apart, what was Shane thinking? How was he keeping tabs on Trevor? The feelings they each had and suffered though alone...and of course a little more after the ending...I'm just greedy that way.
March 21, 2025
2.5 stars
Too short and too rushed for the makeup.
I read this way back in my early days of M/M, and since then I've come to realize that I really need specific things for second-chance romances to work for me. And 15 years of no contact, where neither guy had any other romantic relationships because they were so hung up on each other, then get back together after a single conversation, just don't really do it for me.
And I got to be honest, I largely skipped the last 20% or so because it was all one long sex scene that didn't mean anything to me. The only thing that partially saved this for me was that Shane's reason for leaving when he did made sense. The fact that Shane was very convenient, but hey, why not? Plenty of other people have done the same.
Too short and too rushed for the makeup.
I read this way back in my early days of M/M, and since then I've come to realize that I really need specific things for second-chance romances to work for me. And 15 years of no contact, where neither guy had any other romantic relationships because they were so hung up on each other, then get back together after a single conversation, just don't really do it for me.
And I got to be honest, I largely skipped the last 20% or so because it was all one long sex scene that didn't mean anything to me. The only thing that partially saved this for me was that Shane's reason for leaving when he did made sense. The fact that Shane was very convenient, but hey, why not? Plenty of other people have done the same.
August 8, 2013
LHNB Story released 8.8.13
Just reaching 3.5 stars
Trev runs a shelter for LGBT homeless teens, alongside his assistant Carlotta. They are dependent on donations to survive, but each year get a payment from a mysterious untraceable benefactor. For Trev the shelter is his life, he's never got over the fact that at his graduation party 15 years before, Shane, his neighbour, friend and lover had disappeared suddenly from his life. The story revolves around the future of the shelter, Shane's reappearance and the fact that the pair feel the same now as they did at 17. The story itself is enjoyable, but I found the tone when introducing the shelter somewhat preachy which grated.
Just reaching 3.5 stars
Trev runs a shelter for LGBT homeless teens, alongside his assistant Carlotta. They are dependent on donations to survive, but each year get a payment from a mysterious untraceable benefactor. For Trev the shelter is his life, he's never got over the fact that at his graduation party 15 years before, Shane, his neighbour, friend and lover had disappeared suddenly from his life. The story revolves around the future of the shelter, Shane's reappearance and the fact that the pair feel the same now as they did at 17. The story itself is enjoyable, but I found the tone when introducing the shelter somewhat preachy which grated.
April 6, 2014
Offered for FREE from the M/M Romance Group's Love Has No Boundaries Anthology: Volume 4. Thank you too all the amazing authors who participated!
3.5 stars This was a sweet little story. I thought Trev's reactions were authentic and he went through all the emotions that you would in this circumstance. The big reveal was a good one, it was hard to figure out what the F would make him disappear for 15 years, but they did a pretty good job with the explanation.
Just a side note of something that stood out to me... It seemed like a really bad stereotype to have the young black man drinking a 40. I mean I know he doesn't make a lot of money but, c'mon. We drank Olde English in college cuz you'd get 40 ounces for $2.50 and could play "Edward 40 Hands" and duct tape one to each hand and you couldn't get them off until you drank them both... but really? So that jolted me out of the story a bit because it seemed like an odd place for the black-people-like-malt-liquor stereotype.
November 15, 2013
I had some trouble with this. Part of it is me. I absolutely HATE when characters spend YEARS apart because of one's chronic Stupid Boy Syndrome.
Big fairy tale ending though which is always nice for me.
[NOTE: I rate most writing event stories (free reads) 4 or 5 stars because of my appreciation of the author's participation.]
Big fairy tale ending though which is always nice for me.
[NOTE: I rate most writing event stories (free reads) 4 or 5 stars because of my appreciation of the author's participation.]
August 14, 2013
Sweet, detailed and romantic. I was happy to go along for the ride, for the most part. There was one awkward moment which jolted me from the story, but then they did get down to it, and I forgave all.
March 28, 2025
Short and sweet second chance tale about Trevor and Shane who met as kids and became lovers at 15. During Trev's high school graduation, Shane disappears with no word. Fast forward 15 years, Trev is running an LGBTQ center for young people. Who walks in one day - Shane. I liked this very short but well done story. Nice amount of emotion, angst and feeling. Very believable with relatable characters. Just love those lovely bits of freebie stories from the MM GR group. Nice little palate cleansers.
January 31, 2020
This was an enjoyable Story. However, it felt a little holey, and also I think it bagatelizes Prostitution.
January 6, 2015
Trev and Shane grew up together, and they were lovers (but still in the closet). But on Trev's high school graduation Shane walked out on him.
Now, Trev's running a LGBT Youth Center, but he's never really gotten over Shane.
Then Shane comes back into his life,
The issue was resolved to quickly, Trev just forgave him like that. And I had some issues with the writing.
Now, Trev's running a LGBT Youth Center, but he's never really gotten over Shane.
Then Shane comes back into his life,
The issue was resolved to quickly, Trev just forgave him like that. And I had some issues with the writing.
August 20, 2013
This is a short emotionally dramatic, well written romance. Trevor's emotions of hurt, sadness and anger were realistic, I liked it. Shane's explanations why he acted the way he did, was acceptable. Their HEA made me happy.
April 18, 2015
3.5 - Short and sweet reunion story. Nice interpretation of the photo and the story letter. Thank you Jessica Freely for donating your story, your time and your talent.
August 13, 2013
The excuse for leaving was pretty weak, but there was nice chemistry between the MCs and it was a cute story overall.
August 13, 2013
I really loved this! I love reunion stories and I really enjoyed your characters. Thanks for a great story!
September 16, 2013
Nice, a bit predictable story.
October 4, 2014
A really sweet short about two friends and their first love.
August 8, 2013
3.5 stars
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews