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The Race for Second
For college sophomore Ethan West, the upcoming fall semester will be the start of a year abroad in Germany that he’s always dreamed of. Having broken up with his boyfriend the day before his flight, he’s ready to face Europe with no attachments… and no desire for any.
But as Ethan gets to know Daniel — one of his three German roommates — his resolve starts to soften. Though Daniel is initially standoffish, unpleasant, and sometimes downright hostile, the two are undeniably drawn to one another. Even Ethan’s conviction that Daniel is actually straight begins to erode as they grow closer, gradually revealing a buried part of Daniel’s past that will threaten to tear them apart.
Not to be outdone, the town of Freiburg guards its own secret, a thread of forgotten history unraveling into something far greater than Ethan is prepared for.
The Race for Second is a coming of age story that delves into the depths of the young heart and its search for intimacy and acceptance. Charmingly woven into the German university town of Freiburg, Ethan’s story is one of finding the courage to pursue what we truly desire, even at the risk of losing everything.
But as Ethan gets to know Daniel — one of his three German roommates — his resolve starts to soften. Though Daniel is initially standoffish, unpleasant, and sometimes downright hostile, the two are undeniably drawn to one another. Even Ethan’s conviction that Daniel is actually straight begins to erode as they grow closer, gradually revealing a buried part of Daniel’s past that will threaten to tear them apart.
Not to be outdone, the town of Freiburg guards its own secret, a thread of forgotten history unraveling into something far greater than Ethan is prepared for.
The Race for Second is a coming of age story that delves into the depths of the young heart and its search for intimacy and acceptance. Charmingly woven into the German university town of Freiburg, Ethan’s story is one of finding the courage to pursue what we truly desire, even at the risk of losing everything.
250 pages, Paperback
First published May 1, 2014
13 people are currently reading
512 people want to read
About the author
Chase Potter
7 books205 followersChase Potter is a young author from St. Paul, Minnesota. Having enjoyed writing from a young age, Chase sharpened his skills during college and a year abroad in Germany, culminating in his first novel, The Race for Second.
Chase lives with his husband Mitchell and their dog Alex in an aging duplex they're slowly working to rehabilitate. During the day he works in import logistics, but writing is his true passion that he continues to pursue.
Chase lives with his husband Mitchell and their dog Alex in an aging duplex they're slowly working to rehabilitate. During the day he works in import logistics, but writing is his true passion that he continues to pursue.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 94 reviews
December 19, 2015
this book is not mm.
know what else it isn't? any fun.
because the MC is a goddamned asshole.
if i had to summarize my unhappiness, i wouldn't say "there's no goddamned romance!"
even though there isn't.
i wouldn't say "this book is depressing!"
even though it is.
no, if you asked—and you haven't, but i'm gonna go ahead and interpret your eyeballs on this sentence as a Formal Enquiry—i would have to answer that i detested this book because the writing is clumsy as fuck.
you can ask mostlydelores. i spent three hours this morning torturing her with bad quotes, and now she isn't speaking to me.
clumsy. as. fuck.
micro-level: the wrong word at the wrong time, sending my mind skittering off on tangents with unintended connotations.
macro-level: a character who makes choices so abhorrent, and whose thinking is so selfish and entitled...
...i mean, i could happily see him killed in the face.
which is not an emotion one wants to foster towards one's protagonist without an excellent reason.
certainly not by accident, as it appears is the case here.
the boy is a douchebag. start to finish. in ways great and small. to everyone from the mother who sent him to germany in the first place to the love interest he is too self-absorbed to treat with anything but soulless, happiness-eating cruelty and mercilessly judgy-judgement, like he's not king bob of the fuckups his own damned self.
i fekkin hated him, and wished every pestilence upon his house, and i rue the day i thought i could identify with any creature of so puerile and stupid an intellect as to permit him to dismissively characterize the span of history dominated by nazi germany as people making matters physical to get what they want.
hate. ed. that. boy.
and the ending sucks, too.
because while it strives to complete some butthurt pean to self-determination, what it really does is unsatisfactorily conclude an aggravating story full of useless melodrama with yet more melodrama.
so. yeah.
one more time, for the nogoodniks in the back row who are mesmerized by that jay bell endorsement and wondering what in the hell kinda crack i been smokin':
the book is frustrating, because the writing is clumsy, and the narrator can go die in a fire.
he cares only for himself.
which is lucky, because i can't fuckin' stand the guy.
know what else it isn't? any fun.
because the MC is a goddamned asshole.
if i had to summarize my unhappiness, i wouldn't say "there's no goddamned romance!"
even though there isn't.
i wouldn't say "this book is depressing!"
even though it is.
no, if you asked—and you haven't, but i'm gonna go ahead and interpret your eyeballs on this sentence as a Formal Enquiry—i would have to answer that i detested this book because the writing is clumsy as fuck.
you can ask mostlydelores. i spent three hours this morning torturing her with bad quotes, and now she isn't speaking to me.
clumsy. as. fuck.
micro-level: the wrong word at the wrong time, sending my mind skittering off on tangents with unintended connotations.
macro-level: a character who makes choices so abhorrent, and whose thinking is so selfish and entitled...
...i mean, i could happily see him killed in the face.
which is not an emotion one wants to foster towards one's protagonist without an excellent reason.
certainly not by accident, as it appears is the case here.
the boy is a douchebag. start to finish. in ways great and small. to everyone from the mother who sent him to germany in the first place to the love interest he is too self-absorbed to treat with anything but soulless, happiness-eating cruelty and mercilessly judgy-judgement, like he's not king bob of the fuckups his own damned self.
i fekkin hated him, and wished every pestilence upon his house, and i rue the day i thought i could identify with any creature of so puerile and stupid an intellect as to permit him to dismissively characterize the span of history dominated by nazi germany as people making matters physical to get what they want.
hate. ed. that. boy.
and the ending sucks, too.
because while it strives to complete some butthurt pean to self-determination, what it really does is unsatisfactorily conclude an aggravating story full of useless melodrama with yet more melodrama.
so. yeah.
one more time, for the nogoodniks in the back row who are mesmerized by that jay bell endorsement and wondering what in the hell kinda crack i been smokin':
the book is frustrating, because the writing is clumsy, and the narrator can go die in a fire.
he cares only for himself.
which is lucky, because i can't fuckin' stand the guy.
June 27, 2014
I've got a lot to say about this book, but most of it would be spoilerish, so I will keep it brief.
I liked this book. A Lot. I'm glad I liked it because I was really afraid I wouldn't. The author is someone I have chatted with and I put off reading the book because I was worried that I'd end up having to give him a bad review and my little codependent heart would not have stood up under the strain.
So, the story concerns Ethan, an American spending a year studying in Germany. Ethan falls dick-first into an infatuation with his housemate and then... spoilers the rest of the way. Sorry!
The story is told in first-person present, which I consider a bit risky. It can be very annoying (almost as annoying as having the narrator directly address the reader, but I digress.) Chase Potter manages the voice very well, though. After the first chapter, I forgot the nontraditional flow and just fell into the story.
Germany itself is a character in this book. I loved this. The book is about 1/4 travelogue and you may feel a need to visit the country after reading this book. The descriptions are lush and evocative, but not overdone.
The human characters are incredibly well-developed, shockingly so for a first book (see my middle finger, Chase? That's for you, buddy.) They are so well-developed that they can be infuriating at times. I think this is a good thing. 'Nuff on that.
There are a few little mysteries in this book. One is historical, the other involves the relationship between the MCs. All was resolved tidily by the end.
I would recommend this to anyone who is looking for a well written change of pace from typical m/m that still has a gay protagonist.
I liked this book. A Lot. I'm glad I liked it because I was really afraid I wouldn't. The author is someone I have chatted with and I put off reading the book because I was worried that I'd end up having to give him a bad review and my little codependent heart would not have stood up under the strain.
So, the story concerns Ethan, an American spending a year studying in Germany. Ethan falls dick-first into an infatuation with his housemate and then... spoilers the rest of the way. Sorry!
The story is told in first-person present, which I consider a bit risky. It can be very annoying (almost as annoying as having the narrator directly address the reader, but I digress.) Chase Potter manages the voice very well, though. After the first chapter, I forgot the nontraditional flow and just fell into the story.
Germany itself is a character in this book. I loved this. The book is about 1/4 travelogue and you may feel a need to visit the country after reading this book. The descriptions are lush and evocative, but not overdone.
The human characters are incredibly well-developed, shockingly so for a first book (see my middle finger, Chase? That's for you, buddy.) They are so well-developed that they can be infuriating at times. I think this is a good thing. 'Nuff on that.
There are a few little mysteries in this book. One is historical, the other involves the relationship between the MCs. All was resolved tidily by the end.
I would recommend this to anyone who is looking for a well written change of pace from typical m/m that still has a gay protagonist.
June 7, 2014
The Race for Second is Chase Potter’s debut novel, but you would never guess that from reading it. Had you discovered this book as a beat-up old paperback sitting on a park bench, and had you started turning the pages right then and there, you’d likely believe these are the words of a seasoned professional. The prose is elegant and efficient, and the steering of the plot is handled with discipline. I’m almost suspicious that Chase has stacks of unpublished manuscripts littering his home, and this is in actuality his twentieth effort.
So what’s it all about? Ethan West is an American college student arriving in Germany to begin a year of studying abroad. He throws himself into the culture and is having a grand ol’ time, except when it comes to Daniel, one of his roommates. Daniel is just as standoffish as he is handsome, and despite Ethan’s best efforts, they don’t see eye to eye. Sound familiar? Probably, since in the romance genre, many relationships start out this way. It always bugs me too, because generally, you don’t dislike someone strongly as a first impression and later fall in love with them. That’s simply not realistic. Thankfully, Chase Potter delivers very good reasons for this rough start, believable reasons which are very much grounded in reality. I noticed a similar trend while reading, where I would worry the plot was about to take too lofty a turn, but now I know I should’ve had faith in Mr. Potter. The way the relationship between Ethan and Daniel plays out rings refreshingly true. I absolutely refuse to spoil any further details of it, since the suspense was absolutely wonderful.
When not exploring this relationship, the book focuses quite a bit on what it’s like to arrive in Germany and the struggles of trying to integrate. Much of this is at the beginning of the book, which did make the start feel a little slow to me, but probably because I’m an expat and much of what Ethan discovers is part of my everyday existence. That having been said, I did learn a few things, and anyone even remotely interested in Germany or travelling abroad will have much to soak in, but never overbearingly so. Chase Potter does a wonderful job of presenting Germany as it is rarely portrayed—a country populated by denizens from surrounding nations, as well as natives who are just as friendly and emotional as any American… at least once the ice is broken.
So clearly The Race for Second has much to offer. The characters are flawed and nuanced, which I always appreciate. While I solved many of the book’s mysteries long before Ethan did, what really kept me reading was my complete bewilderment of how such a story could end both realistically and in a manner satisfactory to the reader. I’m happy to report that I turned the last page with an intense feeling of contentment in my chest. And maybe a few manly tears on my cheeks. So please, give this book a try and watch out for Chase Potter. If he can pull more books like this out of his hat, I have a feeling we’ll be hearing his name quite a bit more in the future.
So what’s it all about? Ethan West is an American college student arriving in Germany to begin a year of studying abroad. He throws himself into the culture and is having a grand ol’ time, except when it comes to Daniel, one of his roommates. Daniel is just as standoffish as he is handsome, and despite Ethan’s best efforts, they don’t see eye to eye. Sound familiar? Probably, since in the romance genre, many relationships start out this way. It always bugs me too, because generally, you don’t dislike someone strongly as a first impression and later fall in love with them. That’s simply not realistic. Thankfully, Chase Potter delivers very good reasons for this rough start, believable reasons which are very much grounded in reality. I noticed a similar trend while reading, where I would worry the plot was about to take too lofty a turn, but now I know I should’ve had faith in Mr. Potter. The way the relationship between Ethan and Daniel plays out rings refreshingly true. I absolutely refuse to spoil any further details of it, since the suspense was absolutely wonderful.
When not exploring this relationship, the book focuses quite a bit on what it’s like to arrive in Germany and the struggles of trying to integrate. Much of this is at the beginning of the book, which did make the start feel a little slow to me, but probably because I’m an expat and much of what Ethan discovers is part of my everyday existence. That having been said, I did learn a few things, and anyone even remotely interested in Germany or travelling abroad will have much to soak in, but never overbearingly so. Chase Potter does a wonderful job of presenting Germany as it is rarely portrayed—a country populated by denizens from surrounding nations, as well as natives who are just as friendly and emotional as any American… at least once the ice is broken.
So clearly The Race for Second has much to offer. The characters are flawed and nuanced, which I always appreciate. While I solved many of the book’s mysteries long before Ethan did, what really kept me reading was my complete bewilderment of how such a story could end both realistically and in a manner satisfactory to the reader. I’m happy to report that I turned the last page with an intense feeling of contentment in my chest. And maybe a few manly tears on my cheeks. So please, give this book a try and watch out for Chase Potter. If he can pull more books like this out of his hat, I have a feeling we’ll be hearing his name quite a bit more in the future.
June 13, 2014
I hate it when I finish a review and do something stupid deleting it so that I cannot get it back. Here goes again. It was probably better the first time. :-)
I love it when a story takes me where I do not want to go to an ending that is perfect for the story. Chase Potter is an exceptional writer. Is this really his first book? He writes with a maturity and skill many long time authors would kill for. (Dangling preposition I know.)
Ethan sees life with a naivety that belies his harsh and frugal life. I love seeing Germany through his eyes. I can feel his loneliness and the depth of his longings. He wants friends. He wants love. He wants acceptance.
Daniel's materialistically rich and entitled life belies his deep sadness and disappointment with life. Emotional he has an empty life. He is lost.
Ethan and Daniel find something in the other that awakens their spirit but Daniel has a secret that still tears at his heart. They have different needs they expect the other to provide.
Nico is a delightful character with a big heart. He deserves his own story. HINT!
This story touched my heart. It is one of those books that will remain with me, haunting me - in a good way. A wonderful read.
I love it when a story takes me where I do not want to go to an ending that is perfect for the story. Chase Potter is an exceptional writer. Is this really his first book? He writes with a maturity and skill many long time authors would kill for. (Dangling preposition I know.)
Ethan sees life with a naivety that belies his harsh and frugal life. I love seeing Germany through his eyes. I can feel his loneliness and the depth of his longings. He wants friends. He wants love. He wants acceptance.
Daniel's materialistically rich and entitled life belies his deep sadness and disappointment with life. Emotional he has an empty life. He is lost.
Ethan and Daniel find something in the other that awakens their spirit but Daniel has a secret that still tears at his heart. They have different needs they expect the other to provide.
Nico is a delightful character with a big heart. He deserves his own story. HINT!
This story touched my heart. It is one of those books that will remain with me, haunting me - in a good way. A wonderful read.
May 10, 2014
For a debut novel, this book is quite well done. I think what I connected with the most was the situation that Ethan, the main character, finds himself in. I'll be kind and not reveal what that is in this review, because it would definitely be a spoiler.
Beyond Ethan, I found myself entertained by the rest of the cast of characters in The Race for Second, with Niko being my favorite. His confidence, his willingness to help, and his dependable friendship, even when Ethan (repeatedly) pushed him away, really endeared his character to me.
There was one reason why I didn't give this book a full five stars, and it's not even close to being a fatal flaw: I thought that the Freiberg mystery could have been woven into the plot sooner than it was. It was a fascinating part of the overall story, and I think it would have added an element of suspense earlier in the book.
All in all, this one is certainly worth a read, and I'm looking forward to Potter's next novel!
Beyond Ethan, I found myself entertained by the rest of the cast of characters in The Race for Second, with Niko being my favorite. His confidence, his willingness to help, and his dependable friendship, even when Ethan (repeatedly) pushed him away, really endeared his character to me.
There was one reason why I didn't give this book a full five stars, and it's not even close to being a fatal flaw: I thought that the Freiberg mystery could have been woven into the plot sooner than it was. It was a fascinating part of the overall story, and I think it would have added an element of suspense earlier in the book.
All in all, this one is certainly worth a read, and I'm looking forward to Potter's next novel!
June 11, 2014
Now....I wouldn't say this is a romance. Just to make that clear in the beginning
This is mostly a "growing up" story, beautifully located in the charming city of Freiburg (I agree with Marco here, I wanted to jump into my car and visit it again).
I've been to Freiburg only once but I still remember a lot, I also experienced student life through my later hubby, not in Freiburg but another charming city. So I think this story really nailed it, I mean the author really nailed it. This doesn't read like a fictional story but reality and it is with such a profound understanding and appreciation, even in German behaviour, that I'm still floored.
Additionally to that he shows a great knowledge in creating a believable, genuine character.
So this was really well done and while I hoped and wished...well, I also felt and came to the same conclusions as Ethan.
*sigh* Now I'm going to dry my tears and refrain from adding my three little niggles....(yes, picky German found something...as always...but it's so minor, it doesn't count). But I'm not going to add them to the review because this really was soooooo good, I don't want to say anything that blemishs this high I'm on...
This is mostly a "growing up" story, beautifully located in the charming city of Freiburg (I agree with Marco here, I wanted to jump into my car and visit it again).
I've been to Freiburg only once but I still remember a lot, I also experienced student life through my later hubby, not in Freiburg but another charming city. So I think this story really nailed it, I mean the author really nailed it. This doesn't read like a fictional story but reality and it is with such a profound understanding and appreciation, even in German behaviour, that I'm still floored.
Additionally to that he shows a great knowledge in creating a believable, genuine character.
So this was really well done and while I hoped and wished...well, I also felt and came to the same conclusions as Ethan.
*sigh* Now I'm going to dry my tears and refrain from adding my three little niggles....(yes, picky German found something...as always...but it's so minor, it doesn't count). But I'm not going to add them to the review because this really was soooooo good, I don't want to say anything that blemishs this high I'm on...
January 1, 2016
Awesome book!!!
I'm not going to give a summary of the book because several of the other reviews have done such a great job doing that.
Because someone highly recommended this book to me I decided to try Chase Potter's debut novel out for myself.
I am so glad I did!
I ABSOLUTELY loved this book.
Chase Potter's writing style was beautiful. The characters are well developed with each having their own story to tell.
Once I picked up the book I read straight through it. I can't believe this is his first novel.
The story just kept building and building always adding little pieces of the puzzle til the final end. it was an emotional journey to say the least. I wanted the story to not end. There MUST be a sequel to this story soon! There's so much more of this story to tell.
Great book Mr. Potter. It's obvious you put a lot of work into writing the novel. I hope everyone picks up a copy and give it a shot. It definitely is a Must Read book!
I'm not going to give a summary of the book because several of the other reviews have done such a great job doing that.
Because someone highly recommended this book to me I decided to try Chase Potter's debut novel out for myself.
I am so glad I did!
I ABSOLUTELY loved this book.
Chase Potter's writing style was beautiful. The characters are well developed with each having their own story to tell.
Once I picked up the book I read straight through it. I can't believe this is his first novel.
The story just kept building and building always adding little pieces of the puzzle til the final end. it was an emotional journey to say the least. I wanted the story to not end. There MUST be a sequel to this story soon! There's so much more of this story to tell.
Great book Mr. Potter. It's obvious you put a lot of work into writing the novel. I hope everyone picks up a copy and give it a shot. It definitely is a Must Read book!
June 2, 2014
A very interesting debut novel written by a young writer.
Ethan, a 19 year old college sophomore spends his Austauschjahr (exchange year) in Freiburg, Germany. One of his three roommates is Daniel: though Daniel is initially unfriendly, their relationship slowly evolves in something deeper and complex. Even though this is not a proper MM romance, there’s a strong sexual tension lying underneath.
I loved the European setting and the author’s perspective; he did a very good job depicting the hardships of adapting to another culture.
While there were some parts I found disappointing and although the fact this story is told in the first person, present tense, style which I detest, overall I enjoyed this book and I’ll certainly look forward to Chase Potter’s next works.
Ethan, a 19 year old college sophomore spends his Austauschjahr (exchange year) in Freiburg, Germany. One of his three roommates is Daniel: though Daniel is initially unfriendly, their relationship slowly evolves in something deeper and complex. Even though this is not a proper MM romance, there’s a strong sexual tension lying underneath.
I loved the European setting and the author’s perspective; he did a very good job depicting the hardships of adapting to another culture.
While there were some parts I found disappointing and although the fact this story is told in the first person, present tense, style which I detest, overall I enjoyed this book and I’ll certainly look forward to Chase Potter’s next works.
July 29, 2014
I wanted to like this book. I really did. I mean Freiburg? Cool – that’s just around the corner from where I live. Nice to read a book set in a place I actually know.
But – no. This was just…. sad. I just finished it and I am…. sad.
I was fine with the writing and I liked the characters most of the time. But the story was not for me. Some people will probably argue that this was a beautiful story. But not me. I don’t really like…. sad. Sorry.
But – no. This was just…. sad. I just finished it and I am…. sad.
I was fine with the writing and I liked the characters most of the time. But the story was not for me. Some people will probably argue that this was a beautiful story. But not me. I don’t really like…. sad. Sorry.
July 2, 2014
Yeah...
What Julio said...*sigh* https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
It's left an ugly feeling in its wake that makes we wish I hadn't read it. I did not like.
What Julio said...*sigh* https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
It's left an ugly feeling in its wake that makes we wish I hadn't read it. I did not like.
May 21, 2014
I noticed this novel on Amazon because I am also a writer and I saw that customers who bought The Race for Second had also bought Awesome Justice. When I read the summary and saw that Ethan's story involved being an exchange student in Germany, I knew I had to read his story. I've been living in France this last year and, even though I am a middle-aged straight woman, I felt such a connection with Ethan's struggle to adapt to a different culture despite how he so eagerly anticipated the experience. I get that! Chase Potter's descriptions of Frieburg were vivid enough to help me picture the city, yet not overdone. And I loved the description of Colmar and his comments about France. I was laughing out loud as I read those scenes. What surprised me about this novel is how the story is not a straight-forward romance. I really enjoyed how Ethan's story is so much more than one of coming out or coming of age. His is a story for anyone who's lived abroad. On a deeper level, because he is gay and not fully out to his college friends and not fully accepted by his mother, Ethan is a foreigner in his own country. I hope this novel gets the wider attention it deserves.
Want to read
October 25, 2014Kindle freebie 10/25/14!
July 8, 2014
"Chase Potter!" I yell. Frustration make my voice gruff.
"What the hell? Who's that?" Tim asks. He looks up from the book he reads next to me.
"Ugh," I say. "He's the author of this book. His characters, this story, it's... Daniel, he won't, ugh, well, so far he hasn't..." I try a different angle. "Ethan, the main character, he isn't able to..." I shake my head. There's nothing I can say that wouldn't be a spoiler of some form. "You'll just have to read this book next," I say.
Tim blinks and goes back to his book. "Okaaay." he says.
Oh my five stars! Chase Potter's début novel, The Race for Second, is:
*****Wonderful - it's an original story immersed in real-life situations that is effortlessly mixed with fiction, drama, and the human experience.
*****Emotionally provocative - I quickly connected with, Ethan, the main character. As I learned more about the secondary character, Daniel, I felt a different set of emotions responding to him. My emotional response was surprisingly strong.
*****Exasperating - I continuously demanded the story move along the way I wanted it to, but it refused to comply.
Let's dive a little deeper, shall we?
Wonderful
I am in awe over Chase's ability to create and maintain realistic characters that develop with the story and make you fall in love with them and cheer them on. As you follow Ethan through his year abroad in Germany, you can't help but empathize with the feelings and situations he encounters. His love interest, Daniel, brings a unique tension to the story. Daniel's stoic and mysterious presence in Ethan's life drives the story forward. I absolutely love how I was rooting for Ethan as the story went along, and pulling my hair out in exasperation at other moments in the story.
Emotionally Provocative
As the story moved along, I found my empathy growing for Ethan. At times he was overwhelmed and I felt bad for him, and other times he was just a dick. I wanted to slap him and tell him to get over himself and move on. And Daniel, what a jerk! At least, he was at first. Even though he softened as the story progressed, he seemed to revert back to this awkward place. I responded very differently to both characters for different reasons. This is key element I want to remember as I write book(s).
Here's a non-spoiler example: After Ethan and Daniel's brief kiss on the Schlossberg, I hard a time falling asleep because my brain was arguing with itself about what just happened and what would happen next. I wanted to pick up my Kindle and keep reading, but I needed sleep.
Exasperating
And finally, the plot. One of the things that irks me about movies and stories is that one magical point when my brain, all on its own, calculates the ending of the movie. I'm usually right, and it's a let-down when the movie doesn't deviate. I read somewhere that there are only 8 basic plots that all stories and movies start from. I have no idea if that's true or not.
Just as with a movie, at one point in the story my brain calculated the ending and I was not happy. Oh my gosh, I thought, is he really going to do that? That is not how I wanted the story to end. As the story moved on, my exasperation grew (pleasantly!). I did not want the story to progress along my calculated path. But it had sucked me in, and I had to keep reading. Thank you, Chase, for doing that. It was great!
If you haven't figured it out yet, The Race for Second is a fun and engaging story that I highly recommend.
"What the hell? Who's that?" Tim asks. He looks up from the book he reads next to me.
"Ugh," I say. "He's the author of this book. His characters, this story, it's... Daniel, he won't, ugh, well, so far he hasn't..." I try a different angle. "Ethan, the main character, he isn't able to..." I shake my head. There's nothing I can say that wouldn't be a spoiler of some form. "You'll just have to read this book next," I say.
Tim blinks and goes back to his book. "Okaaay." he says.
Oh my five stars! Chase Potter's début novel, The Race for Second, is:
*****Wonderful - it's an original story immersed in real-life situations that is effortlessly mixed with fiction, drama, and the human experience.
*****Emotionally provocative - I quickly connected with, Ethan, the main character. As I learned more about the secondary character, Daniel, I felt a different set of emotions responding to him. My emotional response was surprisingly strong.
*****Exasperating - I continuously demanded the story move along the way I wanted it to, but it refused to comply.
Let's dive a little deeper, shall we?
Wonderful
I am in awe over Chase's ability to create and maintain realistic characters that develop with the story and make you fall in love with them and cheer them on. As you follow Ethan through his year abroad in Germany, you can't help but empathize with the feelings and situations he encounters. His love interest, Daniel, brings a unique tension to the story. Daniel's stoic and mysterious presence in Ethan's life drives the story forward. I absolutely love how I was rooting for Ethan as the story went along, and pulling my hair out in exasperation at other moments in the story.
Emotionally Provocative
As the story moved along, I found my empathy growing for Ethan. At times he was overwhelmed and I felt bad for him, and other times he was just a dick. I wanted to slap him and tell him to get over himself and move on. And Daniel, what a jerk! At least, he was at first. Even though he softened as the story progressed, he seemed to revert back to this awkward place. I responded very differently to both characters for different reasons. This is key element I want to remember as I write book(s).
Here's a non-spoiler example: After Ethan and Daniel's brief kiss on the Schlossberg, I hard a time falling asleep because my brain was arguing with itself about what just happened and what would happen next. I wanted to pick up my Kindle and keep reading, but I needed sleep.
Exasperating
And finally, the plot. One of the things that irks me about movies and stories is that one magical point when my brain, all on its own, calculates the ending of the movie. I'm usually right, and it's a let-down when the movie doesn't deviate. I read somewhere that there are only 8 basic plots that all stories and movies start from. I have no idea if that's true or not.
Just as with a movie, at one point in the story my brain calculated the ending and I was not happy. Oh my gosh, I thought, is he really going to do that? That is not how I wanted the story to end. As the story moved on, my exasperation grew (pleasantly!). I did not want the story to progress along my calculated path. But it had sucked me in, and I had to keep reading. Thank you, Chase, for doing that. It was great!
If you haven't figured it out yet, The Race for Second is a fun and engaging story that I highly recommend.
June 12, 2014
I saw some great reviews of this book and I didn't really know what I was getting myself into.
This isn't a romance. This isn't your typical m/m romance. This is more like a coming of age story about a young guy moving to another country. He knows he's gay, had admitted it to himself and his mother so sexuality is not an issue here.
The story is written in first person narrative and done with beauty and ease. Whilst Germany isn't a country I'm all that interested in the author wrote it with such amazing detail I came to love the area.
Ethan's pain is so hard to read in this book, as is Daniel's and his life. The end made my heart hurt. This isn't an easy book to read. The boy in the end doesn't get what he thought he wanted. It hurts like hell. Like hell.
It's not a book I could ever go back and re read. I wouldn't need to. It'll always stay with me.
(The reason why it's not a complete knock out? I felt it waffled a bit a times)
This isn't a romance. This isn't your typical m/m romance. This is more like a coming of age story about a young guy moving to another country. He knows he's gay, had admitted it to himself and his mother so sexuality is not an issue here.
The story is written in first person narrative and done with beauty and ease. Whilst Germany isn't a country I'm all that interested in the author wrote it with such amazing detail I came to love the area.
Ethan's pain is so hard to read in this book, as is Daniel's and his life. The end made my heart hurt. This isn't an easy book to read. The boy in the end doesn't get what he thought he wanted. It hurts like hell. Like hell.
It's not a book I could ever go back and re read. I wouldn't need to. It'll always stay with me.
(The reason why it's not a complete knock out? I felt it waffled a bit a times)
June 19, 2014
3.5 stars.
Beautifully written novel about a young man's journey to Germany. Very emotional, lots of interesting facts and history. The one issue I had was...
Beautifully written novel about a young man's journey to Germany. Very emotional, lots of interesting facts and history. The one issue I had was...
June 12, 2014
This was so beautiful and sad... and beautiful
November 23, 2018
Ethan discovers the beauty and richness of a year studying abroad, as well as the pains of mysteries and unrest which leave shim forever changed.
Ethan goes to Germany and instead of adventure, funds studies, boredom, and loneliness. This book does a fantastic job of making you feel the loneliness. Then he meets Daniel, a German student, and falls in love. Only Daniel is straight and carries the pain of mystery. Finding out his secrets is a huge part of the emotional side of the story.
Their friendship is touching. The other mystery of the White Rose rebellion hidden in a journal in the spine of a bible is very Indiana Jones and exactly what anyone would want to find. It is touching and related to the sacrifices each will need to make to get to the other side of this story. I wish it were more woven into the story throughout. I kind of wish something bigger happened with it, which is the danger of doing a WWII side story in another story, it threatens to take over. We also get hammered with unprotected sex, suicide, emotionally distant people all around, civil unrest, rioting, police brutality, assault, and deportation. There’s a lot in there, and it mostly works.
What I liked most, is how it stays literary in nature and never goes romance fiction on us. It reads more like Bart Yates or Jandy Nelson than MM. This means an Adam Silvera ending, and I like that.
Ethan goes to Germany and instead of adventure, funds studies, boredom, and loneliness. This book does a fantastic job of making you feel the loneliness. Then he meets Daniel, a German student, and falls in love. Only Daniel is straight and carries the pain of mystery. Finding out his secrets is a huge part of the emotional side of the story.
Their friendship is touching. The other mystery of the White Rose rebellion hidden in a journal in the spine of a bible is very Indiana Jones and exactly what anyone would want to find. It is touching and related to the sacrifices each will need to make to get to the other side of this story. I wish it were more woven into the story throughout. I kind of wish something bigger happened with it, which is the danger of doing a WWII side story in another story, it threatens to take over. We also get hammered with unprotected sex, suicide, emotionally distant people all around, civil unrest, rioting, police brutality, assault, and deportation. There’s a lot in there, and it mostly works.
What I liked most, is how it stays literary in nature and never goes romance fiction on us. It reads more like Bart Yates or Jandy Nelson than MM. This means an Adam Silvera ending, and I like that.
August 9, 2019
I don't know what the author aimed for when writing this book. The story is told in a monotonous prose about Ethan West's year abroad in German university. Ethan is not only very selfish and uninteresting he's also a very confused guy. Within a few months he managed to land himself in all sorts of troubles - Injured his foot, got lost, fell in love with a straight guy, had unprotected sex, got arrested during protest and ended up being deported. And the lame ending rendered the whole book pointless. A complete waste of time.
May 6, 2014
Becky Recommends The Race for Second by Chase Potter
http://www.mrsconditreadsbooks.com/?p...
REVIEW: The Race for Second is a story wrapped within a story, containing a story. The main plot, that of 19 year old college sophomore Ethan spending a year abroad, is relatively straightforward, if pulled out and told on its own.
Ethan was raised by his mother after his father left them when Ethan was three. They have scrimped and saved to provide this experience for Ethan to supplement the scholarship he won to cover tuition and books. He has studied German in high school and his freshman year of college but wants to become fluent in the language as he studies European history, culture, and politics close to the sources. Just before leaving his home of Minnesota, Ethan breaks it off with the only boyfriend he has ever had. He also wants to cut the apron strings that tie him to his mother. I cringed at some of their Skype conversations when it seemed Ethan was unnecessarily cruel to his mother, who worries about her only child so far from home, but he was simply trying to make her realize he is no longer her child and is willing to make mistakes and suffer the consequences on his own.
Ethan has three housemates in Germany, and one of them, Daniel, is for some reason openly hostile to Ethan from the moment they meet. No one is able to explain why Daniel behaves so badly and Ethan finally gives up trying to become friends. However, when Ethan is injured it is Daniel who steps forward to help him and the breech begins to mend. Ethan is attracted to Daniel, who is straight, leading to unrequited love. However, Daniel cares deeply for Ethan but is unable to return the passion and sexual desire. Interestingly, we never meet any women that Daniel is interested in. Is he really straight? This is not a romance but oh, how this reader wanted it to become one. Something else is going on with Daniel and this is the story within a story. Hints are dropped along the way and the careful reader is able to put them together and solve the puzzle before it is finally revealed with crushing intensity.
The third story within the story is an historical drama played out in a hidden WWII diary of a young woman who is involved in the resistance movement and a love story of her own. The effect of her tragic story on both Ethan and Daniel becomes part of Ethan and Daniel’s lives in the present.
Ethan is gay and was raised in America without luxuries. Daniel is straight and was raised in privileged circumstances in Germany. However, there are so many bonds between them beyond their friendship. Mr. Potter uses cars, money, family, love, food, drinking, American holiday traditions, German culture and politics, a Bible, and a watch as brilliant metaphors. Nothing, and I mean nothing, that happens in this book is accidental or simply there as a story modifier or angst builder, so pay attention while reading.
The Race for Second is one of the best books I’ve ever read. The fact that it is a debut novel by a young writer makes that no less remarkable. It broke my heart in so many ways and the characters have remained with me as though they are real people that I care about and want to know answers to the ultimate question at the end of a really good book: What happens next? Mr. Potter is working on a sequel and I await his genius of that story with eager anticipation. I loved the dedication so don’t skip that. I’m sure I have not done justice to his work with this little review so let me encourage you to get the book and read it for yourself.
http://www.mrsconditreadsbooks.com/?p...
REVIEW: The Race for Second is a story wrapped within a story, containing a story. The main plot, that of 19 year old college sophomore Ethan spending a year abroad, is relatively straightforward, if pulled out and told on its own.
Ethan was raised by his mother after his father left them when Ethan was three. They have scrimped and saved to provide this experience for Ethan to supplement the scholarship he won to cover tuition and books. He has studied German in high school and his freshman year of college but wants to become fluent in the language as he studies European history, culture, and politics close to the sources. Just before leaving his home of Minnesota, Ethan breaks it off with the only boyfriend he has ever had. He also wants to cut the apron strings that tie him to his mother. I cringed at some of their Skype conversations when it seemed Ethan was unnecessarily cruel to his mother, who worries about her only child so far from home, but he was simply trying to make her realize he is no longer her child and is willing to make mistakes and suffer the consequences on his own.
Ethan has three housemates in Germany, and one of them, Daniel, is for some reason openly hostile to Ethan from the moment they meet. No one is able to explain why Daniel behaves so badly and Ethan finally gives up trying to become friends. However, when Ethan is injured it is Daniel who steps forward to help him and the breech begins to mend. Ethan is attracted to Daniel, who is straight, leading to unrequited love. However, Daniel cares deeply for Ethan but is unable to return the passion and sexual desire. Interestingly, we never meet any women that Daniel is interested in. Is he really straight? This is not a romance but oh, how this reader wanted it to become one. Something else is going on with Daniel and this is the story within a story. Hints are dropped along the way and the careful reader is able to put them together and solve the puzzle before it is finally revealed with crushing intensity.
The third story within the story is an historical drama played out in a hidden WWII diary of a young woman who is involved in the resistance movement and a love story of her own. The effect of her tragic story on both Ethan and Daniel becomes part of Ethan and Daniel’s lives in the present.
Ethan is gay and was raised in America without luxuries. Daniel is straight and was raised in privileged circumstances in Germany. However, there are so many bonds between them beyond their friendship. Mr. Potter uses cars, money, family, love, food, drinking, American holiday traditions, German culture and politics, a Bible, and a watch as brilliant metaphors. Nothing, and I mean nothing, that happens in this book is accidental or simply there as a story modifier or angst builder, so pay attention while reading.
The Race for Second is one of the best books I’ve ever read. The fact that it is a debut novel by a young writer makes that no less remarkable. It broke my heart in so many ways and the characters have remained with me as though they are real people that I care about and want to know answers to the ultimate question at the end of a really good book: What happens next? Mr. Potter is working on a sequel and I await his genius of that story with eager anticipation. I loved the dedication so don’t skip that. I’m sure I have not done justice to his work with this little review so let me encourage you to get the book and read it for yourself.
January 4, 2016
I flat out adore this book...
There are two requirements I have in order to give a book five stars. First, it has to evoke strong emotions, whether good or bad, I have to feel it. Secondly, it has to leave me with a book hangover. You know what I am talking about, right? When you finish a book and say “Wow! Now, what do I do with myself?” Yep, that is what I am talking about right there. I know you have felt it a time or to. If you have not you are not reading the right books (pick up The Race for Second, you will be book hungover in no time). So what about the book in question? In short, I loved it. I couldn’t put it down.
Ethan burrowed right into my heart. You start out thinking he may be a bit of a prick, but then you realize that he is just trying to find his way in the world like everyone else. His path takes him across the ocean to Germany and into the line of his new roommate’s ire. Daniel has some ghosts in his past, but his aloof nature puzzles Ethan and their other roommates alike. Until everything changes.
Find the Full review at Prism Book Alliance http://www.prismbookalliance.com/?pos...
There are two requirements I have in order to give a book five stars. First, it has to evoke strong emotions, whether good or bad, I have to feel it. Secondly, it has to leave me with a book hangover. You know what I am talking about, right? When you finish a book and say “Wow! Now, what do I do with myself?” Yep, that is what I am talking about right there. I know you have felt it a time or to. If you have not you are not reading the right books (pick up The Race for Second, you will be book hungover in no time). So what about the book in question? In short, I loved it. I couldn’t put it down.
Ethan burrowed right into my heart. You start out thinking he may be a bit of a prick, but then you realize that he is just trying to find his way in the world like everyone else. His path takes him across the ocean to Germany and into the line of his new roommate’s ire. Daniel has some ghosts in his past, but his aloof nature puzzles Ethan and their other roommates alike. Until everything changes.
Find the Full review at Prism Book Alliance http://www.prismbookalliance.com/?pos...
May 2, 2014
Rating: 4.75 stars out of 5, rounded up to 5
For the full review, visit http://wp.me/p220KL-2jh
The Race for Second is a beautifully told coming of age and coming out story by Chase Potter. Set in Frieburg, Germany, where Ethan has gone to study for his sophomore year in college abroad, Potter takes us through this momentous year in Ethan's life, creating an emotional landscape where Ethan is challenged on every front, his confidence in himself, first loves, perceptions of others, everything is thrown out of balance. Through Ethan, we explore life in a foreign country, college age angst and the pain of a misplaced first love.
This is a book you should miss out on.
For an interview with the author, go here http://wp.me/p220KL-2iC
For more of my reviews, author guest posts, and such, visit http://ScatteredThoughtsandRogueWords...
For the full review, visit http://wp.me/p220KL-2jh
The Race for Second is a beautifully told coming of age and coming out story by Chase Potter. Set in Frieburg, Germany, where Ethan has gone to study for his sophomore year in college abroad, Potter takes us through this momentous year in Ethan's life, creating an emotional landscape where Ethan is challenged on every front, his confidence in himself, first loves, perceptions of others, everything is thrown out of balance. Through Ethan, we explore life in a foreign country, college age angst and the pain of a misplaced first love.
This is a book you should miss out on.
For an interview with the author, go here http://wp.me/p220KL-2iC
For more of my reviews, author guest posts, and such, visit http://ScatteredThoughtsandRogueWords...
June 18, 2014
I really enjoyed this one more than I thought I was going to. I thought I had read about every coming-of-age sort of story and figured this one was going to be another in that same vein. Happily, it wasn't. The characters are fresh and original, and the world the story takes place in is wonderfully rich. The plot goes exactly no where I thought it was going to which was really refreshing. I can't wait for his next novel!
April 4, 2015
Wow !! Nothing else can seem to cover how this made me feel.
February 7, 2023
I would actually rate it 4.5 stars because it didn't reach my expectations of the romance part of it.
I liked the book it was good as a forbidden love story but not a regular love story. One reason why is that the main characters don't fall in love as implied in the description. the ending is sad but happy at the same time because in the last few chapters, a lot of emotions are displayed.
I liked the book it was good as a forbidden love story but not a regular love story. One reason why is that the main characters don't fall in love as implied in the description. the ending is sad but happy at the same time because in the last few chapters, a lot of emotions are displayed.
Read
July 18, 2014I got bored, so I dnf'd this one. Sorry Mr. Potter. But I'm not going to rate it either since I didn't finish it. I'll try again on down the road, maybe I'll be in the right frame of mind for this one.
August 22, 2014
Sorry, but this was not for me. It was not really a romance. And it was actually quite depressing. The story takes place in current day Germany. I was afraid at first that maybe I just was being intellectual enough for the book, but really what's the point if it just makes me want to snooze.
January 24, 2023
Heartbreaking!
I’m giving this 3.75 stars and rounding up to 4. There were definite slow parts in this book. It easily could have been 50-75 pages shorter and told the same story. It was Mr. Potter’s first novel, and he definitely improved! All his other books were 5 star reads! I won’t give out spoilers, but the ending was nice… but I would have been happier with a bit more closure!
I’m giving this 3.75 stars and rounding up to 4. There were definite slow parts in this book. It easily could have been 50-75 pages shorter and told the same story. It was Mr. Potter’s first novel, and he definitely improved! All his other books were 5 star reads! I won’t give out spoilers, but the ending was nice… but I would have been happier with a bit more closure!
January 24, 2023
When I started Chase Potter's The Race for Second, I did not have high hopes. I figured that I'd embarked on a quick read, a slight love story. What pulled me in is the fact that the story is set in Germany: an American college student has come to Germany to spend a year of foreign study. He finds three suite mates awaiting him when he arrives. One of them instantly dislikes him. Immediately, a reader thinks, "Okay, this is the guy with whom he falls in love." Not that simple. What seems like a simple boy meets boy story is layered with angst and unrequited love and a sort of mistaken identity. The story--about a third of the way through--becomes so compelling that you, the reader, race to the end. Throw in a lot of German culture and language and a tiny subplot involving Nazis, and author Potter has you hooked. The entire novel is satisfying from beginning to end. And hey, how wonderful it is to read a story that not only entertains but instructs, with all the German stuff to learn here. A slight negative (for me anyway): I'm a card-carrying member of the Grammar Police. Potter uses the word "all right" over and over (perhaps a bit too much, but that's not my complaint.) He spells it, as far too many do, incorrectly as "alright." "Already" is all one word, but "all right" is two. Look it up! But when you have a novel this good, something so slight can be overlooked, and since most readers are not GP card-carriers, they probably wouldn't even notice. You will because I told you about it. Thank you for learning. And thank you, Chase Potter, for writing such a good book!
Update: since writing this, an accepted alternate spelling of all right has surfaced. Dictionaries now approve alright. Alas, I must accept this. I don't like it, but I accept it
Update: since writing this, an accepted alternate spelling of all right has surfaced. Dictionaries now approve alright. Alas, I must accept this. I don't like it, but I accept it
August 30, 2014
Other people have stated it - this is not a romance (which is perfectly fine, I just know that some people can't live without a HEA and there is none). I would classify it as YA with a gay protagonist. If I read it with those glasses on, I can forgive some of the moping and self-centeredness of the narrator and the less than polished style of writing. I really, really do have a problem with first person present narration - if it's done well, it can lend a certain sense of urgency to the story but I think it is not a wise choice for a coming-of-age story, which this quite obviously is. Actually, it just makes the narrator sound more bratty. It's not that I can't remember 19-year-old self-centered, bratty me. I do. Very well, actually. Doesn't mean I like her, though, and quite frankly I didn't like the protagonist. But then again, I'm just some middle-aged woman and actually I'm probably not the target audience.
Here is what I really liked: I'm German, I've been to Freiburg and I liked seeing this town and Germany through the narrators eyes. It is pretty much spot on. Though, the (implicit) comparison of the student protests against the tuition fees and the White Rose is... Sorry, no, no, no, no, no. Just no. Seriously.
This is my letter to the author: "Dear Chase Potter, if you can do any marketing, label it as YA for gay boys. They will like it."
Here is what I really liked: I'm German, I've been to Freiburg and I liked seeing this town and Germany through the narrators eyes. It is pretty much spot on. Though, the (implicit) comparison of the student protests against the tuition fees and the White Rose is... Sorry, no, no, no, no, no. Just no. Seriously.
This is my letter to the author: "Dear Chase Potter, if you can do any marketing, label it as YA for gay boys. They will like it."
September 23, 2017
I got a similar pull from Chase Potter's The Race for Second that I experienced while reading Ben Monopoli's The Cranberry Hush: A Novel. Both books left me with a tightness in the chest that I relish, partly because they reminded me of my own gay-straight love affair in college, but partly because I'm reminded of how improbable and real the human heart can beat for another human heart.
The ending scene at the airport in Chase Potter's story is nuanced, masterful writing. It takes a skilled writer to pull off such a satisfying end to a love shared but not mutual.
The ending scene at the airport in Chase Potter's story is nuanced, masterful writing. It takes a skilled writer to pull off such a satisfying end to a love shared but not mutual.
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