What do you think?
Rate this book
Hanging Loose
When you fall in love, it can't all just be hanging loose...
After graduating from art school Nate left the Midwest for sunny Southern California, not quite sure what he hoped to find. It was almost certainly not falling in love with another man. His whole world and assumptions about himself begin to slowly turn upside down on one hot summer day. Seeking respite from the heat and his loneliness at Venice Beach he has a chance encounter with a handsome blond surfer.
Jez is friendly, easygoing, and just a little bit mysterious. Openly gay, Jez offers Nate a place to stay, and the two men become fast friends. Nate makes new friends, adjusts to his new life, but his unbidden attraction to Jez keeps growing. In their moments of closeness Nate realizes that he wants Jez more than just a friend, but it might be too late. To make Jez his, Nate has to face not only his own fears and insecurities, but his mysterious mate has secrets of his own.
Warning: Al fresco man-love, a scene-stealing old coot, and a relentless California sun.
After graduating from art school Nate left the Midwest for sunny Southern California, not quite sure what he hoped to find. It was almost certainly not falling in love with another man. His whole world and assumptions about himself begin to slowly turn upside down on one hot summer day. Seeking respite from the heat and his loneliness at Venice Beach he has a chance encounter with a handsome blond surfer.
Jez is friendly, easygoing, and just a little bit mysterious. Openly gay, Jez offers Nate a place to stay, and the two men become fast friends. Nate makes new friends, adjusts to his new life, but his unbidden attraction to Jez keeps growing. In their moments of closeness Nate realizes that he wants Jez more than just a friend, but it might be too late. To make Jez his, Nate has to face not only his own fears and insecurities, but his mysterious mate has secrets of his own.
Warning: Al fresco man-love, a scene-stealing old coot, and a relentless California sun.
152 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 7, 2011
7 people are currently reading
490 people want to read
About the author
Lou Harper
34 books341 followersUnder a prickly, cynical surface Lou Harper is an incorrigible romantic. Her love affair with the written word started at a tender age. There was never a time when stories weren't romping around in her head. She is currently embroiled in a ruinous romance with adjectives. In her free time Lou stalks deviant words and feral narratives.
Lou's favorite animal is the hedgehog. She likes nature, books, movies, photography, and good food. She has a temper and mood swings.
Lou has misspent most of her life in parts of Europe and the US, but is now firmly settled in Los Angeles and worships the sun. However, she thinks the ocean smells funny. Lou is a loner, a misfit, and a happy drunk.
Blog: http://louharper.blogspot.com
Book cove designs: http://lharper.deviantart.com/gallery
Lou's favorite animal is the hedgehog. She likes nature, books, movies, photography, and good food. She has a temper and mood swings.
Lou has misspent most of her life in parts of Europe and the US, but is now firmly settled in Los Angeles and worships the sun. However, she thinks the ocean smells funny. Lou is a loner, a misfit, and a happy drunk.
Blog: http://louharper.blogspot.com
Book cove designs: http://lharper.deviantart.com/gallery
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 108 reviews
October 28, 2016
I was really enjoying this sweet ‘n slow tale about a mid-western boy falling for a sun-kissed Cali surfer. Until it just…ended.
I flipped back and forth and even gave my kindle a harsh shake.
Where is the ending? It was just over??
I was grumpy and was thinking maybe 3 stars.
Then I slept on it and realized I DID really like it despite the abrupt conclusion.
Nate graduated from college and doesn’t know what he wants to do, but knows for sure he won’t find it in Indiana. He bravely packs up and heads west to California. He has lived his entire life according to other’s expectations and he’s over it. He’s ready to start fresh and is hopeful California has what he is searching for.
When a sexy stranger rescues him from a cold night of sleeping in the sand, he feels a secluded part of himself awaken. He’s shy, awkward and most comfortable with his sketch pad in his hands. Jez is just the opposite but they easily fall into a friendship and fit together seamlessly. Maybe even more than Nate initially envisioned. His eyes and heart begin to open but will he lose his chance before it’s too late?
What's to like: The pace is relaxed but not boring. The characters are charming but not perfect. The story is predictable but surprising. It contained small bits of drama to keep the flow steady and has a lovely array of secondary characters. Overall, it was great.
What's to love: I adored the authenticity of the sexual discovery. It seems to me we have had a surge of sexual revelations in the newer books being released lately. With many of the stories coming across as forced sexual identifying inclusions, I found this earlier released story refreshing. Two guys become friends, Jez is openly gay and Nate is openly straight. Nate finds himself slipping free from his rigid boundaries set by his family, society and himself. When his guard is down (which is code for buzzed) he can’t hide his attraction to Jez. Jez is patient and allows Nate the time he needs to break through his walls. It was sweet, tender and sexy.
Beware of: Hasty exit. I’m still frustrated that it didn’t have a solid ending. The pace was gradual and calm until the final chapter. It wasn’t rushed it was simply over!
This book is for: Anyone looking for an angst free yet alluring short story about a young man setting his concealed sexuality free, while falling in love.
*3.5/4 stars*
Book UNfunk
I flipped back and forth and even gave my kindle a harsh shake.
Where is the ending? It was just over??
I was grumpy and was thinking maybe 3 stars.
Then I slept on it and realized I DID really like it despite the abrupt conclusion.
Nate graduated from college and doesn’t know what he wants to do, but knows for sure he won’t find it in Indiana. He bravely packs up and heads west to California. He has lived his entire life according to other’s expectations and he’s over it. He’s ready to start fresh and is hopeful California has what he is searching for.
When a sexy stranger rescues him from a cold night of sleeping in the sand, he feels a secluded part of himself awaken. He’s shy, awkward and most comfortable with his sketch pad in his hands. Jez is just the opposite but they easily fall into a friendship and fit together seamlessly. Maybe even more than Nate initially envisioned. His eyes and heart begin to open but will he lose his chance before it’s too late?
What's to like: The pace is relaxed but not boring. The characters are charming but not perfect. The story is predictable but surprising. It contained small bits of drama to keep the flow steady and has a lovely array of secondary characters. Overall, it was great.
What's to love: I adored the authenticity of the sexual discovery. It seems to me we have had a surge of sexual revelations in the newer books being released lately. With many of the stories coming across as forced sexual identifying inclusions, I found this earlier released story refreshing. Two guys become friends, Jez is openly gay and Nate is openly straight. Nate finds himself slipping free from his rigid boundaries set by his family, society and himself. When his guard is down (which is code for buzzed) he can’t hide his attraction to Jez. Jez is patient and allows Nate the time he needs to break through his walls. It was sweet, tender and sexy.
Beware of: Hasty exit. I’m still frustrated that it didn’t have a solid ending. The pace was gradual and calm until the final chapter. It wasn’t rushed it was simply over!
This book is for: Anyone looking for an angst free yet alluring short story about a young man setting his concealed sexuality free, while falling in love.
*3.5/4 stars*
Book UNfunk
December 13, 2013
3.5 stars
Midwestern boy meets laidback surfer on Venice Beach. Midwestern boy, Nate, is naive and innocent, a little lost and unfocused, working as a server with a graphic arts degree under his belt. Surfer dude, Jesse (Jez), is a beach bum and so much more. Jez is straight, but Nate is...well, Nate doesn't really know or think about it much. I'd classify this as a OFY story. Once Nate is in, he's ALL in.
This wasn't the sexiest book I've ever read, since the love scenes are short and a bit abstract, but it was plenty sweet. If you're looking for angst, look elsewhere. Harper paints a coming-of-age and first-love story for Nate. The secondary characters here, especially the elderly neighbor Arthur, really come alive. I liked the juxtaposition of old Hollywood and modern frantic showbiz.
I wish the book had been just a little longer so the guys' feelings could have been further explored. There was no Insta Love here, and they are young, so no long talks about issues are required, but I wanted more development and romance, perhaps more aftermath when Nate realizes he's gay, which is entirely glossed over. There's also a side story with an up-and-coming actor who thinks of Nate as his good-luck charm that didn't quite work for me. I wasn't sure what to think of Jez's "job." This is an important issue, but, again, the development here was slightly off, and it didn't work as a mystery device.
Confession: I spent years living in Santa Monica, and I hate L.A. with every molecule of my body, but this book still managed to make me feel a whiff of nostalgia for the place; mind you, just a whiff, but even that is quite an accomplishment.
Midwestern boy meets laidback surfer on Venice Beach. Midwestern boy, Nate, is naive and innocent, a little lost and unfocused, working as a server with a graphic arts degree under his belt. Surfer dude, Jesse (Jez), is a beach bum and so much more. Jez is straight, but Nate is...well, Nate doesn't really know or think about it much. I'd classify this as a OFY story. Once Nate is in, he's ALL in.
This wasn't the sexiest book I've ever read, since the love scenes are short and a bit abstract, but it was plenty sweet. If you're looking for angst, look elsewhere. Harper paints a coming-of-age and first-love story for Nate. The secondary characters here, especially the elderly neighbor Arthur, really come alive. I liked the juxtaposition of old Hollywood and modern frantic showbiz.
I wish the book had been just a little longer so the guys' feelings could have been further explored. There was no Insta Love here, and they are young, so no long talks about issues are required, but I wanted more development and romance, perhaps more aftermath when Nate realizes he's gay, which is entirely glossed over. There's also a side story with an up-and-coming actor who thinks of Nate as his good-luck charm that didn't quite work for me. I wasn't sure what to think of Jez's "job." This is an important issue, but, again, the development here was slightly off, and it didn't work as a mystery device.
Confession: I spent years living in Santa Monica, and I hate L.A. with every molecule of my body, but this book still managed to make me feel a whiff of nostalgia for the place; mind you, just a whiff, but even that is quite an accomplishment.
January 26, 2012
3.5 stars
The story moves in a steady pace (almost flat-like) with no over the top angst or drama; and the only time the pulse increases is when Nate confronts Jez because Jez thinks that Nate is leaving him. It's still a nice story though, reading day-to-day life of Nate, a 23-year-old young man from Indiana, who moves to L.A. to find a more fulfilling life, and ends up making friends with a beach-surfer-loving Jez. Nate thinks he is straight but after living with Jez, amidst the classic movie watching, helping Jez to take care of the old neighbor, Nate notices his own attraction to his roommate. It feels natural and quite nicely done.
The story moves in a steady pace (almost flat-like) with no over the top angst or drama; and the only time the pulse increases is when Nate confronts Jez because Jez thinks that Nate is leaving him. It's still a nice story though, reading day-to-day life of Nate, a 23-year-old young man from Indiana, who moves to L.A. to find a more fulfilling life, and ends up making friends with a beach-surfer-loving Jez. Nate thinks he is straight but after living with Jez, amidst the classic movie watching, helping Jez to take care of the old neighbor, Nate notices his own attraction to his roommate. It feels natural and quite nicely done.
July 16, 2016
Super mellow.
This was quietly complicated. There was no screaming or wild shenanigans, but there was a intensity in the quiescence. Loved Arthur and the stories, and how things change but don't. Jez was quintessential Southern Californian beach, laid back, easy going and open-minded without the glitter. Nate and he wander from friendship to more and it is so organic and believable that it's all good. Very enjoyable.
Favorite quotes:
This was quietly complicated. There was no screaming or wild shenanigans, but there was a intensity in the quiescence. Loved Arthur and the stories, and how things change but don't. Jez was quintessential Southern Californian beach, laid back, easy going and open-minded without the glitter. Nate and he wander from friendship to more and it is so organic and believable that it's all good. Very enjoyable.
Favorite quotes:
If you leave yourself open to possibilities, a lot might happen that you couldn’t have planned for.
We were making sinfully lubricious noises.
August 28, 2018
An average m/m that turns into propaganda for medical marijuana halfway through. All right, over all, but could've been a little less "hit you over the head" with the politics.
August 19, 2012
3.5 stars
A smooth, sweet, non-angsty read with a few poignant moments and some depth that doesn't beat you over the head. Goes down easy but still has some potency. Like sipping on pina colada...a pleasure.
A smooth, sweet, non-angsty read with a few poignant moments and some depth that doesn't beat you over the head. Goes down easy but still has some potency. Like sipping on pina colada...a pleasure.
Want to read
December 10, 2013YAY! Kindle freebie 12/10/13!!
December 28, 2012
So there I was, happily reading along and then bam! The book ended. That was waaay too short. It's a lovely, beachy, summer read. Just exactly the kind of chilled, angst-free romance I was looking for. Nothing really happens in this book, it's just a teeny bit bland. I would've liked a bit more tension (or something), but it suited my present mood so well that I'll forgive it's brevity.
June 14, 2014
Gentle easy-breezy flow of words in a down-to-earth story.
And can I just take a moment in appreciation and thank fuck! for the additional below (left) cover versus the (right) original shit cover! Because I'm just that f'ing shallow.
And can I just take a moment in appreciation and thank fuck! for the additional below (left) cover versus the (right) original shit cover! Because I'm just that f'ing shallow.
June 10, 2011
First things first, Lou is a good friend and I beta read this story, so all claims to objectivity should be defenestrated. However, I adore this quirky novella and I want to share the love, so here goes my thoroughly biased “review”.
Hanging Loose is an original and beautifully written novella with a great cast of characters, narrated by Nate, a young man with a off-beat way of looking at the world. Even reading through the story for the umpteenth time, I was still charmed by his way with words, especially when drunk (Nate that is, not me!). Indeed, it is when under the influence that Nate begins to acknowledge his true feelings for Jez, so these scenes are of vital importance. It might sound like a classic gay for you story, but although it should please readers who enjoy that trope, Nate is most definitely bisexual – he’s just been in denial. Watching him slowly come to realise this is both touching and entertaining, and I loved his tendency to compare Jez to foodstuffs, even before admitting to himself he was attracted to his roommate.
One thing that really impressed me on rereading is how we get a very clear visual on Nate, despite his modest assumption that he is plain and uninteresting. Lou has a great handle on descriptive detail, giving enough to make the setting and characters come alive without it ever getting too much. Indeed, there’s a perfect balance of description and dialogue, with some steamy sex scenes thrown in for good measure, so it should please even the most fussy m/m readers!
The setting of LA is used to great effect, from the bizarre Venice Beach packed with street performers, via the glamour of movie industry parties on Mulholland Drive, to the hippy house in the hills where Jez’s old family friends live. The city feels like a character all of its own, a melting pot of cultures where the influence of Hollywood can be felt throughout. Nate and Jez are both fans of classic Hollywood movies, and their friend, the aging Arthur, was involved in the industry himself. Nate has many happy conversations with him, enjoying his tales of a bygone age (complete with plenty of scandalous tales of his encounters with famous actors – the “dirty old coot”!)
The secondary characters are all well crafted, and while I especially loved Arthur, the spiky Ginny and smooth actor Mark were two other favourites. The Arthur subplot gives the otherwise fairly angst-free story great depth, and I was moved to tears when reading it’s resolution. The themes of taking care of the sick and elderly, and of being trapped by others’ expectations as Jez is, ensure that this otherwise light-hearted story will stick around in your memory long after finishing reading. It’s hard to explain this aspect without giving major spoilers, but Jez’s reason for seeming to just drift through life is unexpected and a moral dilemma I’ve never encountered in an m/m romance before.
In short, highly recommended to anyone who enjoys characterful narrators, a good dose of quirky humour, and a truly original plot. A perfect summer read, in which you can almost taste the sunshine!
Hanging Loose is an original and beautifully written novella with a great cast of characters, narrated by Nate, a young man with a off-beat way of looking at the world. Even reading through the story for the umpteenth time, I was still charmed by his way with words, especially when drunk (Nate that is, not me!). Indeed, it is when under the influence that Nate begins to acknowledge his true feelings for Jez, so these scenes are of vital importance. It might sound like a classic gay for you story, but although it should please readers who enjoy that trope, Nate is most definitely bisexual – he’s just been in denial. Watching him slowly come to realise this is both touching and entertaining, and I loved his tendency to compare Jez to foodstuffs, even before admitting to himself he was attracted to his roommate.
One thing that really impressed me on rereading is how we get a very clear visual on Nate, despite his modest assumption that he is plain and uninteresting. Lou has a great handle on descriptive detail, giving enough to make the setting and characters come alive without it ever getting too much. Indeed, there’s a perfect balance of description and dialogue, with some steamy sex scenes thrown in for good measure, so it should please even the most fussy m/m readers!
The setting of LA is used to great effect, from the bizarre Venice Beach packed with street performers, via the glamour of movie industry parties on Mulholland Drive, to the hippy house in the hills where Jez’s old family friends live. The city feels like a character all of its own, a melting pot of cultures where the influence of Hollywood can be felt throughout. Nate and Jez are both fans of classic Hollywood movies, and their friend, the aging Arthur, was involved in the industry himself. Nate has many happy conversations with him, enjoying his tales of a bygone age (complete with plenty of scandalous tales of his encounters with famous actors – the “dirty old coot”!)
The secondary characters are all well crafted, and while I especially loved Arthur, the spiky Ginny and smooth actor Mark were two other favourites. The Arthur subplot gives the otherwise fairly angst-free story great depth, and I was moved to tears when reading it’s resolution. The themes of taking care of the sick and elderly, and of being trapped by others’ expectations as Jez is, ensure that this otherwise light-hearted story will stick around in your memory long after finishing reading. It’s hard to explain this aspect without giving major spoilers, but Jez’s reason for seeming to just drift through life is unexpected and a moral dilemma I’ve never encountered in an m/m romance before.
In short, highly recommended to anyone who enjoys characterful narrators, a good dose of quirky humour, and a truly original plot. A perfect summer read, in which you can almost taste the sunshine!
September 2, 2011
Quick Rundown: Nate has recently moved from the Midwest to sunny L.A. and is currently waiting tables at a local restaurant with no future plans. After a day trip to Venice Beach, Nate is stranded in the California heat and has a chance encounter with a friendly surfer guy, Jez, who offers Nate his couch for the night. The following day, Jez asks Nate to be his roommate. Nate accepts the offer and in doing so has to quickly face his growing attraction to Jez and how it will affect his future.
First Impression: The author’s well descriptive characters, both main and secondary, were authentic, charming and provided a nice flavor to a story of everyday living.
The Hero: Nate is a funny, quirky guy that questions himself and his feelings on a regular basis. After meeting and becoming roommates with Jez, what starts out as a great friendship leads to Nate facing feelings of attraction and desire that he has never experienced with another man.
The Other Hero: Jez is the typical hot surfer dude. He is attracted to Nate from the first time they meet and naturally wants to get to know him. Jez opens his home for Nate to become his roommate and they form an instant friendship. Although Jez initially comes across as the carefree surfer, as the story progresses you see the genuine care and concern he has not only for his dear friend Arthur (who is dying of cancer), but for humanity in general.
What worked: The authenticity of Nate and Jez’s developing relationship while dealing with everyday problems and responsibilities. In addition, the secondary characters provided their own humor and nostalgia to the hero’s lives. Two favorites were Arthur who reminisced in telling his life stories of the old Hollywood Era and Mark who literally viewed Nate as his “lucky charm” for acting gigs after their first kiss at an L.A. party.
What didn’t work: There’s not really anything that didn’t work. While the story was not overly intense or dramatic, it was genuine and created an overall “feel good” read.
Final Conclusion: I believe Ms. Harper penned a charming and original portrayal of friends to lovers and the emotional issues they face in everyday life. With the California setting, it makes for a nice, short summer read for any m/m romance reader.
Favorite Quote: “I figured I could follow the example of Blanche DuBois and depend on the kindness of strangers for once. I conveniently forgot how much it didn’t work out for her. It was the Casablanca fridge magnet that sealed the deal; nobody who liked Casablanca could be a psychopathic serial killer, right?”
Originally posted at http://www.fictionvixen.com/2011/08/s...
3.5/5 stars
August 10, 2015
This was really sweet and I liked it a lot. Just the right mix of sweet, sexy, and a tiny bit of angst that felt realistic but was easily resolved with some communication. I loved the Arthur side plot and even the little Mark bit at the end
The sex was hot and not fade to black or anything, although it didn't go into too much graphic detail (I wouldn't have minded a little more but it was the right amount that will keep all happy). My one complaint with that is not a huge deal.
Lent to Lisa as part of June 2015 Free-For-All in Bookie Nookie's Erotic Lending Group
The sex was hot and not fade to black or anything, although it didn't go into too much graphic detail (I wouldn't have minded a little more but it was the right amount that will keep all happy). My one complaint with that is not a huge deal.
Lent to Lisa as part of June 2015 Free-For-All in Bookie Nookie's Erotic Lending Group
August 21, 2011
There's a laid back drifting quality to the romance between Nate, a midwesterner who ends up in Venice Beach & Jez with the hippie style background. Nate doesn't so much make decisions as he let things happen to him, so when a stranger he just meets, Jez offers him a place to live he impulsively agrees to it. The depiction of Jez & Nate's transition from friends to lovers makes for a very enjoyable read. It's not quite a GFY story & more the fact that Nate has hidden that aspect of himself from himself for a long time.
The Venice beach atmosphere is captured well & you can almost feel the waves (although there is no actual surfing in this story). Old Hollywood is also a constant character in the story as Jez & Nate are old movie buffs. There are some interesting side characters like Arthur & Mark that provided the subplots in the story. I'd recommend this for someone looking for a fairly angst free book about two regular guys falling in love
The Venice beach atmosphere is captured well & you can almost feel the waves (although there is no actual surfing in this story). Old Hollywood is also a constant character in the story as Jez & Nate are old movie buffs. There are some interesting side characters like Arthur & Mark that provided the subplots in the story. I'd recommend this for someone looking for a fairly angst free book about two regular guys falling in love
December 24, 2013
This isn't at all what i expected, and what it turned out to be was lovely.
I went into this book with a guarded hope that it would be sweet and fun and not too cliched. It was sweet, and it was fun, but it was also poignant and a little bittersweet, and the writing was lovely. Gorgeous figurative language but not so imagery-heavy that you feel beat about the head with the metaphor stick.
I loved it.
I went into this book with a guarded hope that it would be sweet and fun and not too cliched. It was sweet, and it was fun, but it was also poignant and a little bittersweet, and the writing was lovely. Gorgeous figurative language but not so imagery-heavy that you feel beat about the head with the metaphor stick.
I loved it.
May 21, 2015
4.5 stars
Loved it! Just what I was in the mood for too....HOT guys, some UST, a small amount of angst to keep it interesting and believable ROMANCE! I also liked the secondary characters, especially Arthur.
Thanks for adding this Amy. When I read the blurb it spoke to me and I knew it would be my next book to read.
Loved it! Just what I was in the mood for too....HOT guys, some UST, a small amount of angst to keep it interesting and believable ROMANCE! I also liked the secondary characters, especially Arthur.
Thanks for adding this Amy. When I read the blurb it spoke to me and I knew it would be my next book to read.
May 24, 2015
I read this ages ago and I'm pretty sure I'd marked it as read a long time ago, along with a few other books by this author, so I'm weirded out to find them not included in my Read books. Does that happen if it's a new edition with a different cover?
June 28, 2013
Review posted for Lou Harper week at The Armchair Reader.
Though this was Lou Harper's first published book and the first one I ever bought of hers, it lingered in my vast online library for just under two years before I decided to start reading her backlist. You could say I caught the bug to read all of her books after reading and falling in love with Harvey and Gabe (and Denton too) in Spirit Sanguine, and that unexpected review of such a wonderful book is what made me decide to go back and read this one. It didn't hurt, of course, that I'd only heard good things about it.
What I found when I read it (and this was the first one I went back and read), was not only that Lou had started out with some pretty good characterization under her belt but that I really liked her style. I get really upset when I so often read books that end preemptively, just when things are getting good. The best ones are where the couple plods along and you don't just get to see the honeymoon phase but what their lives are like as an actual couple and how they deal with that. That's what makes a real romance in my opinion, and I've found that the more romance I read over the years that I really need that in a contemporary romance where the central plot is the romance. That's what I really liked about this book -- it didn't seem to follow a typical romance plot structure, which meant that it kept me on my toes.
Hanging Loose starts with Nate, a new transplant to LA. He's unfamiliar with the way the city runs, the weather, navigating public transit, which leaves him on Venice Beach and night without a jacket and miserable. He's approached by Jez, and while initially wary, agrees to his invitation to stay at his home. The two get to know each other and eventually come to a roommate agreement. What follows is is a pretty standard GFY, or maybe more accurately OFY story (more on that in a bit). Nate is straight and Jez is openly gay. They become pretty good friends as Nate settles in and they come up with a routine. Nate starts to make friends, one of which is the old man Jez bakes for and spends time watching over. But Jez is mysterious in a few ways. One is the attraction between the two, which Nate takes a while to understand and Jez is of course, wary of, being that Nate has until now apparently not been attracted to men. The rest is Jez's romantic history and his family history and the tales of Old Hollywood passed down from his grandmother Adelle.
Lou mentioned in her interview with me earlier this week about the reason she first wanted to write and publish this story:
That's always been a problem for me as well, that a GFY story done right needs a depth of character study to keep the realism instead of knocking me out of the story. But I didn't know her feelings yet when I started reading Hanging Loose, so I wasn't sure what to expect. What I found was a really interesting dynamic between Jez and Nate as they first get to know one another. Right away, just in the first few pages when Nate meets Jez, he feels a little tingle of connection between them:
That dynamic made it more plausible later for Nate's sexuality to be more fluid than originally expected and I liked how Lou made that issue ultimately intersect with Jez and his history and his own secrets that he's keeping from Nate, who in a way becomes the aggressor the future into the book you read.
This is really a "Loved It" book for me -- I was with it and totally engaged through the whole read -- so I don't have any criticism at all. For a novice writer this book was simply wonderful. There's a lot more that I really loved about this book, but in effort not to spoiler you about some pretty significant pieces of the book, I'll mostly leave those alone to say that I thought the last 35% or so of the book was where the characters really shined… when everything is finally out in the open. One of the relationships I love the most in the book is Nate's friendship with Arthur, which was ultimately what tipped this book up in the 5 star rating for me. I thought it was portrayed beautifully and aligned well with Nate's development.
So, by all means do I recommend this one. Going back and reading this book wasn't just something that I had always wanted to do but really it cemented Lou's talent in my mind and made her forever an author that I'll cheer on and get excited about.
Though this was Lou Harper's first published book and the first one I ever bought of hers, it lingered in my vast online library for just under two years before I decided to start reading her backlist. You could say I caught the bug to read all of her books after reading and falling in love with Harvey and Gabe (and Denton too) in Spirit Sanguine, and that unexpected review of such a wonderful book is what made me decide to go back and read this one. It didn't hurt, of course, that I'd only heard good things about it.
What I found when I read it (and this was the first one I went back and read), was not only that Lou had started out with some pretty good characterization under her belt but that I really liked her style. I get really upset when I so often read books that end preemptively, just when things are getting good. The best ones are where the couple plods along and you don't just get to see the honeymoon phase but what their lives are like as an actual couple and how they deal with that. That's what makes a real romance in my opinion, and I've found that the more romance I read over the years that I really need that in a contemporary romance where the central plot is the romance. That's what I really liked about this book -- it didn't seem to follow a typical romance plot structure, which meant that it kept me on my toes.
Hanging Loose starts with Nate, a new transplant to LA. He's unfamiliar with the way the city runs, the weather, navigating public transit, which leaves him on Venice Beach and night without a jacket and miserable. He's approached by Jez, and while initially wary, agrees to his invitation to stay at his home. The two get to know each other and eventually come to a roommate agreement. What follows is is a pretty standard GFY, or maybe more accurately OFY story (more on that in a bit). Nate is straight and Jez is openly gay. They become pretty good friends as Nate settles in and they come up with a routine. Nate starts to make friends, one of which is the old man Jez bakes for and spends time watching over. But Jez is mysterious in a few ways. One is the attraction between the two, which Nate takes a while to understand and Jez is of course, wary of, being that Nate has until now apparently not been attracted to men. The rest is Jez's romantic history and his family history and the tales of Old Hollywood passed down from his grandmother Adelle.
Lou mentioned in her interview with me earlier this week about the reason she first wanted to write and publish this story:
I started writing Hanging Loose after reading a GFY story I didn’t find convincing. To me, the core of the story is that sexuality is complex and there are many shades between straight and gay. Following the character’s journey coming to terms with his own nature and desires was what I wanted to explore.
That's always been a problem for me as well, that a GFY story done right needs a depth of character study to keep the realism instead of knocking me out of the story. But I didn't know her feelings yet when I started reading Hanging Loose, so I wasn't sure what to expect. What I found was a really interesting dynamic between Jez and Nate as they first get to know one another. Right away, just in the first few pages when Nate meets Jez, he feels a little tingle of connection between them:
“I’m straight,” I blurted out at last. There was a tiny voice deep down telling me I was full of shit. I gagged it. I felt myself blushing in embarrassment as soon as the words left my lips. I didn’t even know why I just assumed he was gay…
“I won’t hold it against you,” he said, smiling…
That dynamic made it more plausible later for Nate's sexuality to be more fluid than originally expected and I liked how Lou made that issue ultimately intersect with Jez and his history and his own secrets that he's keeping from Nate, who in a way becomes the aggressor the future into the book you read.
This is really a "Loved It" book for me -- I was with it and totally engaged through the whole read -- so I don't have any criticism at all. For a novice writer this book was simply wonderful. There's a lot more that I really loved about this book, but in effort not to spoiler you about some pretty significant pieces of the book, I'll mostly leave those alone to say that I thought the last 35% or so of the book was where the characters really shined… when everything is finally out in the open. One of the relationships I love the most in the book is Nate's friendship with Arthur, which was ultimately what tipped this book up in the 5 star rating for me. I thought it was portrayed beautifully and aligned well with Nate's development.
So, by all means do I recommend this one. Going back and reading this book wasn't just something that I had always wanted to do but really it cemented Lou's talent in my mind and made her forever an author that I'll cheer on and get excited about.
January 29, 2019
So... I finished this a couple of days ago, and have put off rating or reviewing it because I wasn't quite sure which way to go with the rating. I enjoyed this leisurely story of a midwestern transplant and his surfer love interest. The "gay for you" aspect was handled in a way that didn't make me angry, and I liked both the MCs and their elderly neighbor. Though, to be honest it's not up to the level of Dead in L.A.. There was the occasional sentence which I'll describe as "lumpy", the placement of some of the sex scenes seemed rather arbitrary to me, and there were too many of them in my opinion. I can't comment on the sex scenes beyond that because I skipped most of them. :P
I would describe this as a rather serene story, without a lot of angst or tension. The kind of thing which goes down well when one's in the mood to just lay back and relax with a couple of likable characters.
The fact that the writing itself doesn't seem as skilled as the other stuff I've read by the author is not a bad thing. If I'm correct in understanding this was her first novel, (publication information on GR is somewhat less than reliable), it's clear evidence that the author is improving book to book, and in my experience that indicates readers can look forward to a lot of good reads to come.
So this is in that 3.5 zone for me, rounded up because I'm feeling randomly nice today. :)
I would describe this as a rather serene story, without a lot of angst or tension. The kind of thing which goes down well when one's in the mood to just lay back and relax with a couple of likable characters.
The fact that the writing itself doesn't seem as skilled as the other stuff I've read by the author is not a bad thing. If I'm correct in understanding this was her first novel, (publication information on GR is somewhat less than reliable), it's clear evidence that the author is improving book to book, and in my experience that indicates readers can look forward to a lot of good reads to come.
So this is in that 3.5 zone for me, rounded up because I'm feeling randomly nice today. :)
September 17, 2011
A slowly building GFY relationship between a surfer and an artist/ waiter. In the beginning, both MC's are mostly drifters. As their relationship grows, so do their lives, either slowly moving towards stability to a believable and nice HEA.
Both heroes were likeable, they had good chemistry and they made sense together. The GFY trope led to one of them going into the relationship as a quasi-virgin which led to some tender and sweet sex scenes; the premise was also prone to lead to some misunderstandings and insecurieties on both heroes' parts which in my opinion were nicely dealt with.
This book had a colorful and secondary cast. Adelle the eccentric grandmother in particular was, even deceased, a palpable presence throughout the story. Her memory and elderly Arthur's fate added some depth to the story.
For those who expected something along the lines of "Shelter", there isn't much actual surfing in this book - just saying.
All in all this was an enjoyable summer read, entertaining and satisfying.
Both heroes were likeable, they had good chemistry and they made sense together. The GFY trope led to one of them going into the relationship as a quasi-virgin which led to some tender and sweet sex scenes; the premise was also prone to lead to some misunderstandings and insecurieties on both heroes' parts which in my opinion were nicely dealt with.
This book had a colorful and secondary cast. Adelle the eccentric grandmother in particular was, even deceased, a palpable presence throughout the story. Her memory and elderly Arthur's fate added some depth to the story.
For those who expected something along the lines of "Shelter", there isn't much actual surfing in this book - just saying.
All in all this was an enjoyable summer read, entertaining and satisfying.
March 29, 2014
I really liked the laid back vibe of this story. I like that Jez and Nate were friends first and didn't immediately start in on each other. This is how I like my "gay for you" stories. I like that the guys didn't immediately jump to the intercourse. There are others things you can do when your same-sex sexuality is awakened.
I really enjoyed Arthur and his stories. He was a dirty old coot. I hope he finds his beloved in heaven. The story felt a bit heavy
I really enjoyed this story. I'll have to check out Tomfoolery now.
I really enjoyed Arthur and his stories. He was a dirty old coot. I hope he finds his beloved in heaven. The story felt a bit heavy
I really enjoyed this story. I'll have to check out Tomfoolery now.
April 13, 2013
This is a pleasant but unexceptional novella, with several potential conflicts that peter out rather than developing into anything particularly interesting. There's never any real doubt that the MCs will be together, and the erstwhile straight MC doesn't do a lot of soul-searching over his "conversion" to the gay side. The whole book, in fact, reflects the spirit of the title -- Hanging Loose. Don't worry, be happy -- it's all good, dude -- and so on. This makes for a nice relaxing read, but don't expect to find much to sink your teeth into.
December 13, 2012
There is quite a slow-paced romance between Nate and Jez. They start off as friends and roommates, until Nate admits to himself that he has feelings for Jez. I found myself a little frustrated at times because, although, the MCs talked to each other about a lot of important and difficult times in their lives, they seemed to find it impossible to talk to each other about their relationship. The book was sweet and funny by parts, too, and I would never have guessed Jez's secret at all.
April 8, 2019
This was such a great book! Although it's different from the other books I have read by this author, I loved it so much that I want to read it all over again. There was less wit than I have come to expect from Lou Harper, but I was enchanted by the mellow flowing of the story and was impressed by how well she portrayed the characters, especially Nate and Jez. Their relationship is a perfect example of friendship that blossoms into love. Highly recommended!
August 21, 2011
Sweet story and a fun read!
June 6, 2011
I do believe this is Lou Harper’s first longer story, having read a few of her short stories before. Hanging Loose is a wonderful little novella that explores some uncharted characterizations and plot points. In short, when a book that surprises even jaded old me, it is one you should buy.
We start off in first person POV with Nate. Having missed his bus back to his house in the Valley, he decides to crash on the beach, when he runs into hunky surfer Jesse (Jez) and Jez offers him his couch for the night. The next morning, Jez asks Nate to be his roommate and from there the relationship develops from friendship to love. Throw in some well-written secondary characters like Jez’s elderly gay neighbor Arthur and Nate’s actress friend Sandy and you have a memorable cast of characters. In fact, Nate’s relationship with Arthur is beautiful. Get your hankies ready! But the best one is Mark, who Nate meets at an industry party Sandy drags him to as her “date.” Nate has his first gay kiss with Mark. Marks then dubs him his ‘lucky charm,’ as everytime Mark kisses Nate he gets an acting job. So most of the book Mark is chasing Nate around trying to kiss him for luck — even after Nate and Jez get together. This is vastly amusing.
There are no vampires, werewolves, cowboys or pirates in Hanging Loose. Just normal people living their everyday lives trying to make a living and survive in Los Angeles. I liked that fact as Nate seemed very down-to-Earth and compassionate while Jez was more of a free spirit whose Golden Age Hollywood actress-grandmother left him this wonderful beach house when she died. The grandmother is referenced quite a bit in the book and even though she is dead, her presence is felt by Jez (and the reader.) Jez, on the other hand, seems like the character in the book who is drifting through his life, trying to find a purpose. You really don’t find out why he’s so lost until late in the book and wow, I never would have guessed that. (No, it is nothing bad, but just a very original plot point). It is then you realize his characterization is a little more complex than you originally thought and this laid-back surfer has a lot more depth to him.
The relationship between Jez and Nate evolves naturally and feels organic, like the tide coming in. They fit. There is no screaming fights or tempestuous banter, rather these two work hard at keeping their relationship going – like every normal couple. They love and care for one another and it shows in everyday details rather than big showy events. Personally I enjoyed their relatively drama-free love affair having read a lot of books lately that had some over-the-top couples in them. Their relationship fit extremely well into the overall atmosphere of the story.
My only real complaint about Hanging Loose is that while we hear about Jez being a surfer, we really don’t see that. From the blurb I was hoping to get Shaun from Shelter, but there really isn’t much actual surfing in the novella. As a former surfer myself, I would have loved to see that sub-culture brought into the book and explored as I think that would have added one more layer to Jez’s characterization.
There is no good way to describe Hanging Loose because the plot is not your typical m/m romance. Yes, there is a love story and our protagonists get their HEA, but this book doesn’t really fit into any category boxes I know about. It is fresh, original and quirky. If I could compare it to a movie that would be My Beautiful Launderette, which also had those same elements. Basically it cannot be pigeon-holed — and that is a good thing. I like it when a book surprises and delights me in a new way. So, if you are a risk taker and like something a little different than bonding werewolves or cowboys in love, then try Hanging Loose, it doesn’t disappoint. Recommended. (BTW, I happen to adore bonding werewolves and hot cowboys in love, I was just giving an example. :smile: )
We start off in first person POV with Nate. Having missed his bus back to his house in the Valley, he decides to crash on the beach, when he runs into hunky surfer Jesse (Jez) and Jez offers him his couch for the night. The next morning, Jez asks Nate to be his roommate and from there the relationship develops from friendship to love. Throw in some well-written secondary characters like Jez’s elderly gay neighbor Arthur and Nate’s actress friend Sandy and you have a memorable cast of characters. In fact, Nate’s relationship with Arthur is beautiful. Get your hankies ready! But the best one is Mark, who Nate meets at an industry party Sandy drags him to as her “date.” Nate has his first gay kiss with Mark. Marks then dubs him his ‘lucky charm,’ as everytime Mark kisses Nate he gets an acting job. So most of the book Mark is chasing Nate around trying to kiss him for luck — even after Nate and Jez get together. This is vastly amusing.
There are no vampires, werewolves, cowboys or pirates in Hanging Loose. Just normal people living their everyday lives trying to make a living and survive in Los Angeles. I liked that fact as Nate seemed very down-to-Earth and compassionate while Jez was more of a free spirit whose Golden Age Hollywood actress-grandmother left him this wonderful beach house when she died. The grandmother is referenced quite a bit in the book and even though she is dead, her presence is felt by Jez (and the reader.) Jez, on the other hand, seems like the character in the book who is drifting through his life, trying to find a purpose. You really don’t find out why he’s so lost until late in the book and wow, I never would have guessed that. (No, it is nothing bad, but just a very original plot point). It is then you realize his characterization is a little more complex than you originally thought and this laid-back surfer has a lot more depth to him.
The relationship between Jez and Nate evolves naturally and feels organic, like the tide coming in. They fit. There is no screaming fights or tempestuous banter, rather these two work hard at keeping their relationship going – like every normal couple. They love and care for one another and it shows in everyday details rather than big showy events. Personally I enjoyed their relatively drama-free love affair having read a lot of books lately that had some over-the-top couples in them. Their relationship fit extremely well into the overall atmosphere of the story.
My only real complaint about Hanging Loose is that while we hear about Jez being a surfer, we really don’t see that. From the blurb I was hoping to get Shaun from Shelter, but there really isn’t much actual surfing in the novella. As a former surfer myself, I would have loved to see that sub-culture brought into the book and explored as I think that would have added one more layer to Jez’s characterization.
There is no good way to describe Hanging Loose because the plot is not your typical m/m romance. Yes, there is a love story and our protagonists get their HEA, but this book doesn’t really fit into any category boxes I know about. It is fresh, original and quirky. If I could compare it to a movie that would be My Beautiful Launderette, which also had those same elements. Basically it cannot be pigeon-holed — and that is a good thing. I like it when a book surprises and delights me in a new way. So, if you are a risk taker and like something a little different than bonding werewolves or cowboys in love, then try Hanging Loose, it doesn’t disappoint. Recommended. (BTW, I happen to adore bonding werewolves and hot cowboys in love, I was just giving an example. :smile: )
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 13, 2013
I love Harper's love of easy-going men who get along alright, seemingly without ambition or need for material success.
Nate is brave to trek to LA with nothing but his sketchbook and a desire to get away. Meeting Jez is both random and convenient (sooo conveninet), and their friends-to-lovers story is not all that predictable and certainly not boring.
Jez is a mystery, but a surf sex god, so who's going to pass that up? Not Nate. It just takes him a while (& a death) to accept his attraction. When they get into bed, it's hot and also tender. There's love here, right from the start (mostly coz it was there before too).
And then there's Arthur, and stories of Adele, and the reason behind the mystery that is Jez, so Harper packs a lot into this lazy-yet-not, narrative.
I really enjoyed it.
Nate is brave to trek to LA with nothing but his sketchbook and a desire to get away. Meeting Jez is both random and convenient (sooo conveninet), and their friends-to-lovers story is not all that predictable and certainly not boring.
Jez is a mystery, but a surf sex god, so who's going to pass that up? Not Nate. It just takes him a while (& a death) to accept his attraction. When they get into bed, it's hot and also tender. There's love here, right from the start (mostly coz it was there before too).
And then there's Arthur, and stories of Adele, and the reason behind the mystery that is Jez, so Harper packs a lot into this lazy-yet-not, narrative.
I really enjoyed it.
July 6, 2014
4 stars. I really enjoyed this story. It was my first Lou Harper, but won't be my last. The characters were very enjoyable, and it was a well-written story.
I had a few issues with it
I also could have done without the drama portion around 63%, but the issue should have been...idk...maybe more of an issue, maybe more discussion, less insecure argument that is brushed over after. idk.
Overall, super cute, quick read.
Would recommend it.
I had a few issues with it
I also could have done without the drama portion around 63%, but the issue should have been...idk...maybe more of an issue, maybe more discussion, less insecure argument that is brushed over after. idk.
Overall, super cute, quick read.
Would recommend it.
June 13, 2011
It was great to read about two ordinary guys for a change. I'm not saying the book was boring, what I mean is there wasn't any unnecessary drama or Big Misunderstanding, just, like another reviwer said, "regular, everyday human life". It's written in Nate's 1st person POV and I really liked his "voice". I loved the banter between Nate and Jez at the end. It was one of the funniest endings I've ever read. :)
April 1, 2014
I really wanted to love this. Many many things to recommend it. Great exposition of a young man repressing his gay urges. Having convinced himself he is straight. Well done with the aging Hollywood characters, who I really felt for at the end if their lives.
January 9, 2013
I really enjoyed this book - it felt very 'real life' to me. Nothing was perfect and the MCs had to work their careers and relationship along with helping others to achieve their final happiness. I loved the fact there was a glimpse of 'old' hollywood - it's not a subject that would have interested me, but the as a backdrop, it worked.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 108 reviews