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Going Up
Every dreary day, Zach Driscoll takes the elevator from the penthouse apartment of his father's building to his coldly charmed life where being a union lawyer instead of a corporate lawyer is an act of rebellion. Every day, that is, until the day the elevator breaks and Sean Mallory practically runs into his arms.
Substitute teacher Sean Mallory is everything Zach is not—poor, happy, and goofily charming. With a disarming smile and a penchant for drama, Sean laughs his way into Zach's heart one elevator ride at a time. Zach would love to get to know Sean better, but first he needs the courage to leave his ivory tower and face a relationship that doesn't end at the "Ding!"
Substitute teacher Sean Mallory is everything Zach is not—poor, happy, and goofily charming. With a disarming smile and a penchant for drama, Sean laughs his way into Zach's heart one elevator ride at a time. Zach would love to get to know Sean better, but first he needs the courage to leave his ivory tower and face a relationship that doesn't end at the "Ding!"
94 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 24, 2013
13 people are currently reading
836 people want to read
About the author
Amy Lane
252 books3,482 followersAmy Lane dodges an EDJ, mothers four children, and writes the occasional book. She, her brood, and her beloved mate, Mack, live in a crumbling mortgage in Citrus Heights, California, which is riddled with spiders, cats, and more than its share of fancy and weirdness. Feel free to visit her at www.greenshill.com orwww.writerslane.blogspot.com, where she will ride the buzz of receiving your e-mail until her head swells and she can no longer leave the house.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 321 reviews
June 29, 2021
Going Up by Amy Lane
Contemporary M-M holiday romance novella. New adult.
Zack admits to his dull and lonely regimented life. Home to office and back. Until he runs into Sean in the elevator and his whole life changes.
Poor Zack. A bad experience has isolated and stalled his life until Sean helps wake him and gives Zack the courage to come out to his family.
The good thing is that Zack makes friends and gains the respect of his employees. The bad is that I think Sean was unnecessarily thoughtless in his comments to Zack after their bedroom experience. Yes, Sean clarifies so all is resolved for the HEA ending.
Contemporary M-M holiday romance novella. New adult.
Zack admits to his dull and lonely regimented life. Home to office and back. Until he runs into Sean in the elevator and his whole life changes.
Poor Zack. A bad experience has isolated and stalled his life until Sean helps wake him and gives Zack the courage to come out to his family.
The good thing is that Zack makes friends and gains the respect of his employees. The bad is that I think Sean was unnecessarily thoughtless in his comments to Zack after their bedroom experience. Yes, Sean clarifies so all is resolved for the HEA ending.
August 11, 2016
Even though it is Amy Lane-lite (sounds like a salad dressing), I still had feels for this book. I want to hug it and pet it and tell it will never be alone again.
FOUR & A HALF HEARTS--I'll let you onto a little secret. One of the saddest fairy tales I have ever read was Rapunzel. Talk about isolation and loneliness. I know, I know you could probably say Sleeping Beauty or Snow White but forget about those broads because they were never conscious during their sleepy times. They were awake and BOOM they are knocked out. And then BOOM some twerp in a leotard comes and makes their day. *rolls eyes* Whatever. But Rapunzel was trapped in a tower for years, living a daily life trapped in a tower with no friends, with nothing to do but growing that ridiculous amount of hair. Could you imagine being trapped in a tower for days on end, years with no companionship? (And no the crotchety mean witch does not count.)
I felt so sad for Rapunzel because she was raised in captivity and alone.
Why in the world am I discussing my sads about Rapunzel when I could be talking about Amy Lane and "Going Up!"? I'm getting to it, gimme a sec. It's going to tie in together.
If you are new to Amy Lane, she can write her ass off. It's been proven. She wears a writer goddess crown made of knitting needles and hot naked men writhing all over each other. (She doesn't? Well she does in my book) And she can deliver the goods, make you feel for her characters. She writes some angst ridden stories that will make you curl up in the fetal position begging for hugs like they were cotton candy. That's not "Going Up!". It is Amy Lane light, promise. Your innards are safe to read this. I actually ration my Amy Lane reads due to the fact she can death grip me by my ovaries with a few choice words.
In less than 100 pages, we are taken to the lonely worlds of union lawyer Zach Driscoll. He's rich, has a great job, lives in a posh penthouse in San Francisco with a killer view, has no friends, has to schedule appointments just to meet with his parents and pays for companionship of the rent boy/escort variety. And he is most certainly living inside a trapped closet. His Republican father with political aspirations would not approve of his son being gay. So he hides his true self, a walking, barely breathing ice sculpture, living high up in Driscoll Towers (yep his Daddy owns it too) with no real friends until a chance encounter in an elevator.
Enter Sean Mallory, sweet, plucky substitute teacher who is a world full of color to Zach's dull and colorless world. The court during their brief elevator encounters for months...do not expect any insta-love here. Oh no! these two and their cute interactions chip away at the ice that surrounds Zach Driscoll. Sometimes the most damaged are the ones without visible scars. They are carriers of damaged souls. I loved seeing the world through Zach's reopened eyes.
I like that Zach aka my 2013 version of Rapunzel (without the dreadful hair) gets a sweet HEA without gingerbread men lurking at each corner waiting to drown you in Christmas icing. The holiday is just background Muzak, if you will, to the important tale of Sean and Zach's relationship. The story is told from Zach's point of view. A POV switch from Sean would have been sprinkles to the "Going Up!" cookie, not totally necessary but it would have been cool.
Sean was zany without being cloying. He was the perfect knight/ prince for Zach. And for the solitary detailed sex scene? It was totally worth the long courtship. Loved, loved, loved the secondary character that is Leah. She's the best and not a meddlesome annoyance. This is a great short story with a satisfying ending. and while it is lighter in tone, it still leaves a deep impact. Well, it did for me. Maybe for you?
Fans of contemporary, fairy tale-esque stories should give this a try.
FOUR & A HALF HEARTS--I'll let you onto a little secret. One of the saddest fairy tales I have ever read was Rapunzel. Talk about isolation and loneliness. I know, I know you could probably say Sleeping Beauty or Snow White but forget about those broads because they were never conscious during their sleepy times. They were awake and BOOM they are knocked out. And then BOOM some twerp in a leotard comes and makes their day. *rolls eyes* Whatever. But Rapunzel was trapped in a tower for years, living a daily life trapped in a tower with no friends, with nothing to do but growing that ridiculous amount of hair. Could you imagine being trapped in a tower for days on end, years with no companionship? (And no the crotchety mean witch does not count.)
I felt so sad for Rapunzel because she was raised in captivity and alone.
Why in the world am I discussing my sads about Rapunzel when I could be talking about Amy Lane and "Going Up!"? I'm getting to it, gimme a sec. It's going to tie in together.
If you are new to Amy Lane, she can write her ass off. It's been proven. She wears a writer goddess crown made of knitting needles and hot naked men writhing all over each other. (She doesn't? Well she does in my book) And she can deliver the goods, make you feel for her characters. She writes some angst ridden stories that will make you curl up in the fetal position begging for hugs like they were cotton candy. That's not "Going Up!". It is Amy Lane light, promise. Your innards are safe to read this. I actually ration my Amy Lane reads due to the fact she can death grip me by my ovaries with a few choice words.
In less than 100 pages, we are taken to the lonely worlds of union lawyer Zach Driscoll. He's rich, has a great job, lives in a posh penthouse in San Francisco with a killer view, has no friends, has to schedule appointments just to meet with his parents and pays for companionship of the rent boy/escort variety. And he is most certainly living inside a trapped closet. His Republican father with political aspirations would not approve of his son being gay. So he hides his true self, a walking, barely breathing ice sculpture, living high up in Driscoll Towers (yep his Daddy owns it too) with no real friends until a chance encounter in an elevator.
Enter Sean Mallory, sweet, plucky substitute teacher who is a world full of color to Zach's dull and colorless world. The court during their brief elevator encounters for months...do not expect any insta-love here. Oh no! these two and their cute interactions chip away at the ice that surrounds Zach Driscoll. Sometimes the most damaged are the ones without visible scars. They are carriers of damaged souls. I loved seeing the world through Zach's reopened eyes.
"He felt something unfamiliar stretch his cheeks, but it wasn't until the wind hit his teeth that he remembered what it was."
I like that Zach aka my 2013 version of Rapunzel (without the dreadful hair) gets a sweet HEA without gingerbread men lurking at each corner waiting to drown you in Christmas icing. The holiday is just background Muzak, if you will, to the important tale of Sean and Zach's relationship. The story is told from Zach's point of view. A POV switch from Sean would have been sprinkles to the "Going Up!" cookie, not totally necessary but it would have been cool.
Sean was zany without being cloying. He was the perfect knight/ prince for Zach. And for the solitary detailed sex scene? It was totally worth the long courtship. Loved, loved, loved the secondary character that is Leah. She's the best and not a meddlesome annoyance. This is a great short story with a satisfying ending. and while it is lighter in tone, it still leaves a deep impact. Well, it did for me. Maybe for you?
Fans of contemporary, fairy tale-esque stories should give this a try.
December 5, 2014
Amy Lane has been on a role for me recently! Between this book and Christmas Kitsch, I am one happy camper!
This is Amy Lane low-angst, for those of you who don't like her heavy stuff. It is a sweet story about a lonely, shy rich guy who has never been bold enough to find a real relationship and, instead, hides deep in the closet to appease his parents. It certainly has a modern fairytale type of feel to it, which I enjoyed.
The relationship between Zach and Sean develops slowly over the course of months during the short span that they ride the elevator together. The little conversations and timid smiles between them were adorable, and I loved the slow burn of their romance.
Something about the ending felt rushed to me, but this story is a lovely read that had me smiling the whole time. Another great read by the dependable Amy Lane.
**Copy provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review**
This is Amy Lane low-angst, for those of you who don't like her heavy stuff. It is a sweet story about a lonely, shy rich guy who has never been bold enough to find a real relationship and, instead, hides deep in the closet to appease his parents. It certainly has a modern fairytale type of feel to it, which I enjoyed.
The relationship between Zach and Sean develops slowly over the course of months during the short span that they ride the elevator together. The little conversations and timid smiles between them were adorable, and I loved the slow burn of their romance.
Something about the ending felt rushed to me, but this story is a lovely read that had me smiling the whole time. Another great read by the dependable Amy Lane.
**Copy provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review**
December 27, 2013
3.5 stars
I'm always hesitant to read an Amy Lane book...to be honest, I haven't read many because, well, I like my heart as it is. The thought of having it wrung out and stomped on doesn't appeal to me. And, Ms. Lane is known for quite possibly taking pleasure in this through her books.
But, I have been so immersed in grabby-hands'ing all the holiday reads out there I just found myself ordering this Christmas day release and jumping right in! And it was a blast.
The format and writing style and story didn't feel like a typical contemporary book. It felt more like a modern-day fairy tale...(the blurb kinda alludes to this) and it was charming and sweet, sometimes a bit sad, slow-building, and romantic.
Zach's loneliness and his sheltered "penthouse" life was just waiting to be toppled over and reinvented. His encounters with the struggling, eccentric, and outgoing Sean were destined to make that happen. Having a relationship build via brief elevator rides from floor 14 to the lobby was a bit excruciating but I could feel the layers stacking one on top of another in my heart excited for the big "hook up" to finally happen.
When the two did finally get together, I couldn't stop smiling and every page from that point forward was just icing on the cake.
I really enjoyed this...worth checking out!
Ding!
October 25, 2015
Quite different from Lane's other books. Going Up is a light and funny story full of sweet moments that will make you say, "Awwwwe!" throughout the entire book. Zach's character will definitely grow on you as you read on and his chemistry with Sean was just off the roof. 4 endearing stars for this one.
December 25, 2013
4.35*
I'll admit I'm a hearts and cupcakes, fluff and sweets kinda girl, so I choose my Amy Lane books carefully. Her If I Must and Bewitched by Bella's Brother and not to forget Truth in the Dark are some of my favorite books ever. ( we all know she can do angst like no other and I avoid those like the plague)
So I saw this one on DSP site, read the blurb, loved the cover and pre-ordered at a scarily fast speed.
When I woke on Christmas morning before my entire family at 6 am I downloaded and read it.
Loved it. It's poignant and touching, funny and sweet, cute and ridiculous, happy and hopeful. Perfect!
Zach, the epitome of poor little rich kid, so unassuming and kind, vulnerable and lonley. The highlight of his day is the few minutes he shares an elevator with Sean.
“From floor fourteen to floor one, he had a relationship with someone funny, quirky, kind, smart, and surprising.
It was almost a perfect relationship, really.”
Zach, poor baby, you'd think looking at him he has it all, but really, what does he have ?
“He didn’t have any real friends. He had coworkers and cocktail-party friends and his father’s political friends—but not one person in his entire life had ever actually asked him who he’d want to really take to a party.”
Slowly that all starts to change, those few minutes every morning with Sean in the elevator actually change him, he makes friends, he goes out his comfort zone a bit and his world gets brighter.
“I wish a prince would rescue me, he thought, half in whimsy and half in despair. Silly wish, right? His parents were rich, and he was a lawyer. Wasn’t he the prince? Okay, then. I wish a knight would rescue the prince in the tower.”“Do you have any idea what you mean to me? How important you are? How much I need to touch someone who’s real?”
I loved watching their 'more' slowly and I do mean slowly develop between Sean and Zach. A coffee delivered in the morning, a kissing lesson in the evening...and jeeze, some lines that made me melt.
“That… that is my smile,” he said breathlessly. “Promise, you won’t smile like that for anyone but me.”
*sigh*
“Do you have any idea what you mean to me? How important you are? How much I need to touch someone who’s real?”
I LOVE fairlytales and this one was a modern day Lawyer/ Teacher fairytale and an absolute perfect way to start my Christmas morning!
I'll admit I'm a hearts and cupcakes, fluff and sweets kinda girl, so I choose my Amy Lane books carefully. Her If I Must and Bewitched by Bella's Brother and not to forget Truth in the Dark are some of my favorite books ever. ( we all know she can do angst like no other and I avoid those like the plague)
So I saw this one on DSP site, read the blurb, loved the cover and pre-ordered at a scarily fast speed.
When I woke on Christmas morning before my entire family at 6 am I downloaded and read it.
Loved it. It's poignant and touching, funny and sweet, cute and ridiculous, happy and hopeful. Perfect!
Zach, the epitome of poor little rich kid, so unassuming and kind, vulnerable and lonley. The highlight of his day is the few minutes he shares an elevator with Sean.
“From floor fourteen to floor one, he had a relationship with someone funny, quirky, kind, smart, and surprising.
It was almost a perfect relationship, really.”
Zach, poor baby, you'd think looking at him he has it all, but really, what does he have ?
“He didn’t have any real friends. He had coworkers and cocktail-party friends and his father’s political friends—but not one person in his entire life had ever actually asked him who he’d want to really take to a party.”
Slowly that all starts to change, those few minutes every morning with Sean in the elevator actually change him, he makes friends, he goes out his comfort zone a bit and his world gets brighter.
“I wish a prince would rescue me, he thought, half in whimsy and half in despair. Silly wish, right? His parents were rich, and he was a lawyer. Wasn’t he the prince? Okay, then. I wish a knight would rescue the prince in the tower.”“Do you have any idea what you mean to me? How important you are? How much I need to touch someone who’s real?”
I loved watching their 'more' slowly and I do mean slowly develop between Sean and Zach. A coffee delivered in the morning, a kissing lesson in the evening...and jeeze, some lines that made me melt.
“That… that is my smile,” he said breathlessly. “Promise, you won’t smile like that for anyone but me.”
*sigh*
“Do you have any idea what you mean to me? How important you are? How much I need to touch someone who’s real?”
I LOVE fairlytales and this one was a modern day Lawyer/ Teacher fairytale and an absolute perfect way to start my Christmas morning!
December 27, 2013
3.5 stars
Very sweet and angst-free, this modern-day fairy tale set in San Francisco is a one-bite wonder. Lonely Zach, dependent on his parents' wealth, works as a union lawyer. He has no friends and lives in the penthouse of the apartment building his father owns.
One day, on his way down in the regular elevator (by stroke of luck, the express penthouse elevator fizzles out that morning), Zach meets scattered, happy, go-lucky Sean, a junior high school teacher/theater lover who wears crazy costumes, lives with five roommates in a tiny apartment, and is always running late. The two begin a tentative conversation, leading to friendship and, of course, love (although not the instant variety).
I'm not sure I entirely bought the "I can't come out to my rich, conservative parents" bit. After all, Zach WAS 32, a successful lawyer, and lived in San Gay Mecca Cisco. It also took a very long time for the two guys to get together (we only get Zach's POV, so we have no idea what Sean may even be thinking). Even after the guys kiss and talk about liking each other, they don't exchange phone numbers and don't interact outside of the elevator and lobby and hallway. This was odd...and not entirely believable, even as naive as Zach was.
Still, this is Amy Lane after all. I didn't expect a lot of steam, because it's not why I read Amy Lame. The one bedroom scene was romantic, and just barely on this side of cheesy; Sean tastes like unicorns and magic, and the caressing is compared to poetry. It was...just...ok, it was damn sweet, but you have to be in the mood.
Very sweet and angst-free, this modern-day fairy tale set in San Francisco is a one-bite wonder. Lonely Zach, dependent on his parents' wealth, works as a union lawyer. He has no friends and lives in the penthouse of the apartment building his father owns.
One day, on his way down in the regular elevator (by stroke of luck, the express penthouse elevator fizzles out that morning), Zach meets scattered, happy, go-lucky Sean, a junior high school teacher/theater lover who wears crazy costumes, lives with five roommates in a tiny apartment, and is always running late. The two begin a tentative conversation, leading to friendship and, of course, love (although not the instant variety).
I'm not sure I entirely bought the "I can't come out to my rich, conservative parents" bit. After all, Zach WAS 32, a successful lawyer, and lived in San Gay Mecca Cisco. It also took a very long time for the two guys to get together (we only get Zach's POV, so we have no idea what Sean may even be thinking). Even after the guys kiss and talk about liking each other, they don't exchange phone numbers and don't interact outside of the elevator and lobby and hallway. This was odd...and not entirely believable, even as naive as Zach was.
Still, this is Amy Lane after all. I didn't expect a lot of steam, because it's not why I read Amy Lame. The one bedroom scene was romantic, and just barely on this side of cheesy; Sean tastes like unicorns and magic, and the caressing is compared to poetry. It was...just...ok, it was damn sweet, but you have to be in the mood.
November 29, 2015
Written September 4, 2014
3 1/2 Stars - a sweet fluff shorty who nevertheless have a nice message
I havn't read that much by Amy Lane, a praised author loved by sommany readers. This felt like a sweet audiobook novella about loneliness and flirty meetings in a elevator.
Just two and a half hours long (95 pages) and Going Up is nothing I will remember forever, or place in my favorite shelf, but still well done and entertaining. Perfect for this lady, on a sunny autumn day - during a bike ride, at a lunch in our beautiful City Park and finally when I enjoyed a large ice cream cone sitting on a bench down at the harbor promenade.
***********************************************************
Zach Driscoll is the rich boy, now a very lonely man, who always have done was his parents wanted. Every day he takes the elevator from the penthouse apartment of his father's building to go to his office (in another building own by his father). To just be an union lawyer, instead of a corporate lawyer, is an act of rebellion for Zach. ...Yes, really!!
One day when the elevator breaks, practically runs the goofily charming substitute teacher Sean Mallory into Zach arms. Sean is fun and full of life and in tiny steps he charms his way into Zach's heart one elevator ride at a time. Zach would love to get to know Sean much better, but first he needs the courage to leave his safe ivory tower.
The lonenly 'Prince' in the tower need a brave 'Knight' to rescue him for kisses and a HEA life...
***********************************************************
Great narrated by Paul Woodson. He made me smile and feel for these guys. I'll look for more books narrated by him.
***********************************************************
Cute about courage, loneliness and at the end an elevator obsession. A feel-good!
I LIKE - an elevator flirtation is always nice
3 1/2 Stars - a sweet fluff shorty who nevertheless have a nice message
I havn't read that much by Amy Lane, a praised author loved by sommany readers. This felt like a sweet audiobook novella about loneliness and flirty meetings in a elevator.
Just two and a half hours long (95 pages) and Going Up is nothing I will remember forever, or place in my favorite shelf, but still well done and entertaining. Perfect for this lady, on a sunny autumn day - during a bike ride, at a lunch in our beautiful City Park and finally when I enjoyed a large ice cream cone sitting on a bench down at the harbor promenade.
***********************************************************
Zach Driscoll is the rich boy, now a very lonely man, who always have done was his parents wanted. Every day he takes the elevator from the penthouse apartment of his father's building to go to his office (in another building own by his father). To just be an union lawyer, instead of a corporate lawyer, is an act of rebellion for Zach. ...Yes, really!!
One day when the elevator breaks, practically runs the goofily charming substitute teacher Sean Mallory into Zach arms. Sean is fun and full of life and in tiny steps he charms his way into Zach's heart one elevator ride at a time. Zach would love to get to know Sean much better, but first he needs the courage to leave his safe ivory tower.
The lonenly 'Prince' in the tower need a brave 'Knight' to rescue him for kisses and a HEA life...
“A kiss is good. I think kisses are where all good things start.”
***********************************************************
Great narrated by Paul Woodson. He made me smile and feel for these guys. I'll look for more books narrated by him.
***********************************************************
Cute about courage, loneliness and at the end an elevator obsession. A feel-good!
I LIKE - an elevator flirtation is always nice
August 7, 2024
reread 08/2024
Liked it even more this time: 4,5 stars.
--------
read 10/2023
4,25 stars.
Sweet novella, no miscommunication, no drama or angst, a unique storyline, loveable characters and side characters.
Liked it even more this time: 4,5 stars.
--------
read 10/2023
4,25 stars.
Sweet novella, no miscommunication, no drama or angst, a unique storyline, loveable characters and side characters.
December 28, 2013
This is a modern fairytale of a story, with characters who are archetypes of a kind - the untouched prince in the tower (okay, he's paid for rent boys, but he's still pretty untouched.) The evil king and queen (or at least distant and uncaring and self-centered king and queen.) The magic lamp (or elevator.) The good friend (and I do love her.) And the peasant boy with the heart of gold (and the costumes of awesomeness.)
It's a sweeter lighter Amy Lane, with characters you care about enough to feel a pang for, but shorter and skating a bit more over the surface, so it doesn't make your chest hurt the way Christmas Kitsch does. A nice little warm read, for holiday cheer.
It's a sweeter lighter Amy Lane, with characters you care about enough to feel a pang for, but shorter and skating a bit more over the surface, so it doesn't make your chest hurt the way Christmas Kitsch does. A nice little warm read, for holiday cheer.
November 29, 2014
3.75 stars rounded up
I don't read Amy Lane anymore -- I used to in my early years of reading MM until I found other others I enjoyed more. Having said that, I must say the cover for this really pulled me in. I didn't know why. Maybe the color of the cover, or the fact that from afar, that blonde guy looked like TinTin?
. But still, I decided to wait. Until Mandy reviewed this, and I saw the words "cute and ridiculous, happy and hopeful". That was a good endorsement :)
Guess what, this was fluffy and fairy-tale-like and I really, REALLY enjoyed it. Really! While the story was taken mainly from Zach's perspective and we never really knew what was going on in Sean's mind, I had no trouble enjoying it. Zach's was the prince on the tower -- the Rapunzel -- and in all those fairy tales, we didn't really care about the savior, did we? Well, except for the movie "Tangled", since the hero there was amusing (and he wasn't a prince). I liked the idea of Sean being goofy and so different than Zach .. a knight in so many delightful costume!
I thought the "love in the elevator" storyline was quite refreshing -- it definitely had a unique flair to it. It could happen ... if you watch "Grey's Anatomy" early years, that elevator was a witness of so many kisses and relationship issues *lol*.
It took awhile for them before getting together -- I started to dislike that Ding! by the way -- but it was worth it. The part where Zach was slightly drunk was adorable. I wasn't too happy with how the story progressed afterwards though, it was fast-forwarded, a month turned into another month and another ... I guess I was greedy and wanted more scenes of Zach and Sean after they were being together.
All in all, a story that satisfied me. Although they didn't exchange cellular phone number in this day and age? Seriously? Considering that Zach is a lawyer, and come on, what lawyer doesn't rely on cellular phone??!
I don't read Amy Lane anymore -- I used to in my early years of reading MM until I found other others I enjoyed more. Having said that, I must say the cover for this really pulled me in. I didn't know why. Maybe the color of the cover, or the fact that from afar, that blonde guy looked like TinTin?
. But still, I decided to wait. Until Mandy reviewed this, and I saw the words "cute and ridiculous, happy and hopeful". That was a good endorsement :)Guess what, this was fluffy and fairy-tale-like and I really, REALLY enjoyed it. Really! While the story was taken mainly from Zach's perspective and we never really knew what was going on in Sean's mind, I had no trouble enjoying it. Zach's was the prince on the tower -- the Rapunzel -- and in all those fairy tales, we didn't really care about the savior, did we? Well, except for the movie "Tangled", since the hero there was amusing (and he wasn't a prince). I liked the idea of Sean being goofy and so different than Zach .. a knight in so many delightful costume!
I thought the "love in the elevator" storyline was quite refreshing -- it definitely had a unique flair to it. It could happen ... if you watch "Grey's Anatomy" early years, that elevator was a witness of so many kisses and relationship issues *lol*.
It took awhile for them before getting together -- I started to dislike that Ding! by the way -- but it was worth it. The part where Zach was slightly drunk was adorable. I wasn't too happy with how the story progressed afterwards though, it was fast-forwarded, a month turned into another month and another ... I guess I was greedy and wanted more scenes of Zach and Sean after they were being together.
All in all, a story that satisfied me. Although they didn't exchange cellular phone number in this day and age? Seriously? Considering that Zach is a lawyer, and come on, what lawyer doesn't rely on cellular phone??!
Read
December 11, 2019
(Replace south side with dark side and that gif is more relevant to me.)
If leaving the dark side means I have to read more annoying crap like this, I think I'll stay where I am, thank you very muchly.
December 25, 2013
My Christmas morning read. Loverly, sweet, yum. Thanks, Amy!
July 18, 2022
Cute and stupid
June 9, 2015
Very little of the lawyery business and very much of the cuteness! :) *hugs self*
Previous review:
Previous review:
November 24, 2014
This was sweet and cute and I really, really enjoyed it. There were some really adorable moments between Sean and Zach and Sean and it was easy to really like the story.
The best part for me, though? Jace and Quent! OMG. I was so happy when I realized they were in this.
Would I recommend it? Sure. But if you don't like sweet, you might want to give this a miss because I could see it being too much for some.
The best part for me, though? Jace and Quent! OMG. I was so happy when I realized they were in this.
Would I recommend it? Sure. But if you don't like sweet, you might want to give this a miss because I could see it being too much for some.
December 31, 2013
I loved this, it was sweet, tender and had just the right amount of drama to pull the heartstrings. Topped off with a lovely ending I was in Amy Lane heaven. My last, finished read of 2013... Couldn't end the year better. ** happy sigh**
December 31, 2013
I should confess right off the top here that I have a huge soft spot and love for elevators. And not just in the fun, kinky kind of way either. ;) Elevators hold the power to make my stomach drop and flip! I love the anticipation and excitement. Anything can happen in an elevator. Anyone can get on…
”Ding!”
Going Up by Amy Lane tells the story of Zach and Sean meeting again and again in the elevator. Sweet little pockets of time filled with smiles, sweetness, and snippets of conversation. So adorable! Their time between the open and closing of the doors felt so real to me. Not flirty really—hell, there wasn’t time for that. Their time together felt honest and intimate. So warm and wonderful. But can Sean and Zach take that magic and create something real and lasting outside of the elevator?
Such a sweet and simple story that warmed my cold heart. A story packed with emotion—from brutal loneliness to that crush-swoon flutter in your belly! I loved watching Zach come alive. His courage and heart inspired and dazzled me! Both Sean and Zach are strong, likeable characters you can’t help but root for from the first “ding” to the last.
A lovely read. I’m still giddy from the ride. :)
Extra bits and pieces….
One small hiccup:
Just one of my favorite lines:
”Sean chuckled and it was such a warm sound, Zach wanted to just pull it over his head and around his toes and huddle in it.”
November 25, 2019
3.5 stars
This was kind of adorable.
Zach lives in the penthouse of one of his father’s buildings. His father, who is the Republican candidate for state assembly. Zach himself is a union lawyer, even though his parents do not approve of this.
But even though he chose his career while he knew his parents would not approve, he hasn’t come out to them as gay. He doesn’t see the point when he has no one to date and doesn’t actually have a personal life to speak of.
That is until he meets colorful teacher Sean in the elevator of his building one day. The two form a kind of elevator friendship where they see each other every day. Zach even times his departures so he knows he will run into Sean…
Zach was just adorable. He was kind of shy, even though his father owned the building and he was expected to live up to his family's standards. He was also so lonely. My heart hurt for him.
And Sean, he was just perfect for Zach. I loved it when he had to dress up in different outfits when he was doing the singing telegram as an in-between job. He really cheered up Zach’s day.
This was just lovely.
This was kind of adorable.
Zach lives in the penthouse of one of his father’s buildings. His father, who is the Republican candidate for state assembly. Zach himself is a union lawyer, even though his parents do not approve of this.
But even though he chose his career while he knew his parents would not approve, he hasn’t come out to them as gay. He doesn’t see the point when he has no one to date and doesn’t actually have a personal life to speak of.
That is until he meets colorful teacher Sean in the elevator of his building one day. The two form a kind of elevator friendship where they see each other every day. Zach even times his departures so he knows he will run into Sean…
Zach was just adorable. He was kind of shy, even though his father owned the building and he was expected to live up to his family's standards. He was also so lonely. My heart hurt for him.
And Sean, he was just perfect for Zach. I loved it when he had to dress up in different outfits when he was doing the singing telegram as an in-between job. He really cheered up Zach’s day.
This was just lovely.
January 3, 2014
Well that was redundant.
Also, award attained: worst allegory during a sex scene.
I was bored, not charmed, and reminded of why, apart from just a couple exceptions, I do not like Amy Lane's work.
And, as usual, I have issues with her portrayal of characters of colour.
Also, award attained: worst allegory during a sex scene.
I was bored, not charmed, and reminded of why, apart from just a couple exceptions, I do not like Amy Lane's work.
And, as usual, I have issues with her portrayal of characters of colour.
December 31, 2013
Another Amy Lane success for me **Ding**. 4 stars and a huge...
Shortie review. Loved that Jace and Quent from Gambling Men appeared in the book
, that's one of my all time faves of hers, Zach and Sean were really cute as a couple when they eventually got it together 
, yes there had to be some angst but it was hardly noticeable, so we can thank God Zach's parents didn't appear that often 
. Really enjoyed it, many thanks Amy.
January 24, 2014
Well, aren’t you just the most cutest, fluffy ball of fluff that ever was.
*totally not annoying mommy voice* Yes you are. Yes you are
4 Stars
*totally not annoying mommy voice* Yes you are. Yes you are
4 Stars
November 11, 2019
Well...I tried a third Amy Lane. I think it’s safe to say she’s not for me. I tried. Maybe in the very distant future I would try another. This feels mean but her writing is really weird and awkward to me. Very strange dialogue and odd descriptions. And she totally lost me when the one guy nicknamed the other Teacher Baby in his head. Because he was a teacher and looked young. Eew.
December 30, 2013
A very sweet love story. I loved the fairy tales touches. They added to the story to me without feeling like they took over. The characters were well drawn, and I loved seeing their connection develop. It felt natural, and not like instant love. A perfect story for a cold winter morning.
September 1, 2016
This book, god. Okay, so sometimes everyone is talking about a book and you go into it expecting one thing, and you come out on the other side, eyes wet and heart thumping away madly in your chest and you realize you maybe took something of yourself into those pages, and now that something is different because you read this.
Yeah, it's Amy Lane, and there's a lot of talk about Lane-lite and Angst-free, and I can see where that talk comes from...but this is a book about a very, very lonely man, and Amy Lane makes you feel every bit of his loneliness. And, because of that, when he's found his HEA, you feel every bit of his joy.
Yeah, i cried.
Expectation is this horrible weight we put on ourselves, on our family members. This promise that if we just meet some expectation, everything will be perfect. But it doesn't work that way because expectation ignores the person in pursuit of the goal. This book is kind of about that. And about what happens when you get to meet someone without any expectation at all. Instead of a goal...possibility.
I'm babbling, and you should read this.
Audiobook review, added 4/14/14 (hey, the date is a palindrome)
I was not quite as emotional this time. The audio narration is very good, although at times, the narrator used a southern accent for certain words, which was a puzzling choice.
I did find it much hotter in audio format. So there's that. *waggles eyebrows*
February 9, 2014
2.5★'s - I have wanted to read this one for sooooo long. Luckily I got a promo code and got it half off...luckily. I don't know if I liked it. I know I felt proud at a certain time and thought that was going to turn the book around, it didn't. It just kept being like 10 second meetings with months of nothing in between. For a shorty I wanted more. I really liked, say, the last 20% or so but the rest, not so much. It was choppy, I had to re-read to understand parts and I don't know, at this moment it just didn't work for me. I can see how it could of and I reached for what I could see right along the edge but just couldn't get my hands on it. Thank God for promo codes and short but not so good for me books. Not good for me, nothing personal there against the author just my personal feeling.
November 27, 2014
I like the first part of the story, their encounters in the elevator. I like how they started communicating, Sean's friends, and how competent Zach is. The 'dings' were placed really well so they had enough time to realize what they want and need and at the same time not to have enough tome to do something about it right away,
I did not like how clingy Zach turns out to be later. It is really weird to see him acting the way he does later after you saw his passion when it comes to work.
I did not like how clingy Zach turns out to be later. It is really weird to see him acting the way he does later after you saw his passion when it comes to work.
January 6, 2014
Just right. Short and sweet and the characters are just lovely. No one makes me smile like Amy. And OMG Quentin and Jace!! <3
February 18, 2015
Am I the only one who thought this was a weird story? Looks around at friend reviews... ok I guess it's just me.
September 22, 2017
I'm not a huge Amy Lane fan. She's a good writer but her stuff is too angsty for me. Not that I don't like angsty, just not that kind of angsty, I guess. But this was super cute!
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