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Timeless
Out since he was a freshman in high school, Nate meets Andy, who is gorgeous and unfortunately straight. They're best friends through thick and thin until a practical joke leads Nate to a surprise revelation: If I had known just how thoroughly it would turn my world upside down, I would never have kissed Andy in that damned banquet room. I would have kissed him a hell of a lot sooner.
A Dreamspinner Press 2009 To Have and To Hold story
Kindle Edition
First published June 1, 2009
142 people want to read
About the author
Patric Michael
7 books22 followersOh, the dreaded bio...
Let's see. I was born during one of the largest fires in L.A. history, survived childhood, sort of, and worked a variety of jobs.
Time passed, and here I am!
More than that, and you gotta email me. If you're brave and have the stomach for it, follow me on Twitter. :)
And above all, thank you for visiting!
Let's see. I was born during one of the largest fires in L.A. history, survived childhood, sort of, and worked a variety of jobs.
Time passed, and here I am!
More than that, and you gotta email me. If you're brave and have the stomach for it, follow me on Twitter. :)
And above all, thank you for visiting!
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
July 2, 2010
Over a year ago, I bought and read Timeless after chatting to Patric Michael in Bethwylde's Yahoo Group. At the time, I'd never heard of him or "Timeless" before, so I was curious to see what it would be like.
The story starts with what could, for some, be a Spoiler but which the author told me later he sees more as a "hook". We learn straight up that Nate and Andy kiss.
Given that the next few pages were devoted to showing that Andy is straight, I was flumoxed by why the author would start the story that way. Once I got past this reaction, I started to see "Timeless" for what it was, a tale of two men, one who had acknowledged his homosexuality from an early age and another who went to great pains to prove he was straight.
They have ups and downs in their professional lives, each has lovers of varying degrees of closeness, but all the time they circle around each other as if connected by a long piece of string.
Timeless is a tale of friendship as much as it a tale of love. Andy and Nate might not have been lovers during all those years before they kissed, but they were still there for each other when it counted.
I also found it hard to believe that Nate wouldn't have sensed Andy's homosexuality, so I contacted the author and posed some of these questions to see just how realistic these scenarios would be, and he assured me he'd seen or experienced similar. Apparently guys are very capable of hiding their nature away if they fear recognition.
In which case, this story steps up above the rank of the usual m/m romance and actually becomes a study of human relationships. Of how people's needs and urges change over time. How difficult it was and possibly still is for some men to acknowledge their sexuality.
These concepts aren't belaboured, on the contrary, I found their inclusion made "Timeless" different from the majority of the m/m romances on the market and they made up for the little niggle I had with the opening spoiler.
"Timeless" is worth reading for the insight it gives into male bonding and male relationships as well as for the sweet romance it portrays.
Postscript: Now that more people have read this book, I'm interested to see that some of the younger males who read it, didn't like it because (I suspect) they didn't agree with the lifestyle choices the characters made. One reviewer going so far as to express dissatisfaction with slutty behavior. Now, note by "lifestyle" I'm not referring to whether or not they are gay, but the type of life they lead. I feel this behavior reflects the era of the man writing the story. When he "came out" / grew up, homosexuality was not as accepted as it was today.
This tended to create a different attitude to sex and monogamy. The latter was unheard of between gay males, or if couples did exist, they were the exception rather than the rule. Men, therefore, being treated as outcasts often went that one step further, pushing the boundaries and being hedonistic, because you were damned if you did and damned if you didn't.
Hopefully, gay men when reading books by writers who lived in the generations before theirs, won't judge behavior on today's standards. Instead they should take the opportunity to learn what it was like and be thankful that times have changed.
So, while the behavior of the protagonists may not be "Timeless" their hopes and desires are.
The story starts with what could, for some, be a Spoiler but which the author told me later he sees more as a "hook". We learn straight up that Nate and Andy kiss.
Given that the next few pages were devoted to showing that Andy is straight, I was flumoxed by why the author would start the story that way. Once I got past this reaction, I started to see "Timeless" for what it was, a tale of two men, one who had acknowledged his homosexuality from an early age and another who went to great pains to prove he was straight.
They have ups and downs in their professional lives, each has lovers of varying degrees of closeness, but all the time they circle around each other as if connected by a long piece of string.
Timeless is a tale of friendship as much as it a tale of love. Andy and Nate might not have been lovers during all those years before they kissed, but they were still there for each other when it counted.
"Played. Was that it? Was I just tired of the casual dates that punctuated my social life to that point? I wasn't sure, but it felt right. I suddenly wished for Andy. Longed for him with an intensity that made my stomach cramp from the sheer weight of it. Andy would tease me, make me laugh, keep me from thinking. I wanted to wrap his vitality around me like a blanket and simply hide beneath the cover of our long friendship.", [Patric Michael, Timeless:]It was a story about real life, real characters. If I was Nate, I'm not sure I could have excused Andy when he finally came out of the closet after wasting so many years when he'd been seemingly hopelessly in love with him, but obviously life's like that and there's a lesson to be learned there.
I also found it hard to believe that Nate wouldn't have sensed Andy's homosexuality, so I contacted the author and posed some of these questions to see just how realistic these scenarios would be, and he assured me he'd seen or experienced similar. Apparently guys are very capable of hiding their nature away if they fear recognition.
In which case, this story steps up above the rank of the usual m/m romance and actually becomes a study of human relationships. Of how people's needs and urges change over time. How difficult it was and possibly still is for some men to acknowledge their sexuality.
These concepts aren't belaboured, on the contrary, I found their inclusion made "Timeless" different from the majority of the m/m romances on the market and they made up for the little niggle I had with the opening spoiler.
"Timeless" is worth reading for the insight it gives into male bonding and male relationships as well as for the sweet romance it portrays.
Postscript: Now that more people have read this book, I'm interested to see that some of the younger males who read it, didn't like it because (I suspect) they didn't agree with the lifestyle choices the characters made. One reviewer going so far as to express dissatisfaction with slutty behavior. Now, note by "lifestyle" I'm not referring to whether or not they are gay, but the type of life they lead. I feel this behavior reflects the era of the man writing the story. When he "came out" / grew up, homosexuality was not as accepted as it was today.
This tended to create a different attitude to sex and monogamy. The latter was unheard of between gay males, or if couples did exist, they were the exception rather than the rule. Men, therefore, being treated as outcasts often went that one step further, pushing the boundaries and being hedonistic, because you were damned if you did and damned if you didn't.
Hopefully, gay men when reading books by writers who lived in the generations before theirs, won't judge behavior on today's standards. Instead they should take the opportunity to learn what it was like and be thankful that times have changed.
So, while the behavior of the protagonists may not be "Timeless" their hopes and desires are.
August 25, 2009
This is a sweet best friends turned lovers themed novella. Unfortunately I had a hard time connecting with the characters or understanding their reasoning. Some will undoubtedly enjoy the theme and happy ending, but I felt cheated to be honest. The first half of the book sets up the characters and their relationship. Andy and Nate meet in high school when Nate tutors the other man in English. They become fast friends and stick close to each other through high school and college. Their sexuality is never an issue, Nate is gay and Andy is straight, as the two behave like young men in their own dating pools - which is to say each is a relative slut but they’re still close friends.
The story continues giving a brief synopsis as the years pass until Andy invites Nate to a wedding of a family member. Here Andy suddenly decides to admit to Nate he’s had feelings for him all along and Nate must decide what that means for him. Unfortunately the two men don’t really talk at all. There is no explanation for why, suddenly after more than a decade, Andy admits his feelings. Why Andy chose then is almost not justified and Andy does so spectacularly. He throws himself into his first gay sexual experience with vigor, never doubting himself even once. Andy displays surprising confidence with his choices and never questions whether Nate may not feel the same. He even goes so far as to express anger and annoyance that Nate isn’t instantly receptive.
Although Nate caves pretty quickly, the real test is the next day when Andy shows his first case of nerves. It’s clear he does not identify as gay or does not want to acknowledge that publically. As this is supposed to be an emotional journey, it happens quickly and without the benefit of seeing Andy’s struggle so all the reader is left with is Nate’s feelings of awkward rejection. Furthermore, Nate’s willingness to crawl back into the closet seemed to go against the character. Nate is a proud, confident, and seemingly content man who didn’t dwell on his lingering feelings for Andy. I got the feeling Nate could get over Andy (and vice versa) with a little pain but there wasn’t a lasting deep love outside of their friendship.
The narrative is first person from Nate’s point of view and thus Andy is very much a mystery for the book. His motivations, feelings, and choices are never explained or developed beyond their impact on Andy. Although the two are friends, they drift in and out of closeness over years so again the sudden shift from friends to lovers just seemed jarring and unexpected. There wasn’t a feeling of continuity that usually accompanies this theme. That’s not to say it’s bad per se but the choice to use first person narrowed the scope of the characters’ development – almost entirely to only Nate.
The writing is decent and evocative, engaging enough that the pace is quick and moves the story along. It had moments of sweetness and a definite enjoyable masculine feel to the characters and dialogue but ultimately the connection didn’t work for me and didn’t make me believe in their romance. Perhaps others will feel differently.
The story continues giving a brief synopsis as the years pass until Andy invites Nate to a wedding of a family member. Here Andy suddenly decides to admit to Nate he’s had feelings for him all along and Nate must decide what that means for him. Unfortunately the two men don’t really talk at all. There is no explanation for why, suddenly after more than a decade, Andy admits his feelings. Why Andy chose then is almost not justified and Andy does so spectacularly. He throws himself into his first gay sexual experience with vigor, never doubting himself even once. Andy displays surprising confidence with his choices and never questions whether Nate may not feel the same. He even goes so far as to express anger and annoyance that Nate isn’t instantly receptive.
Although Nate caves pretty quickly, the real test is the next day when Andy shows his first case of nerves. It’s clear he does not identify as gay or does not want to acknowledge that publically. As this is supposed to be an emotional journey, it happens quickly and without the benefit of seeing Andy’s struggle so all the reader is left with is Nate’s feelings of awkward rejection. Furthermore, Nate’s willingness to crawl back into the closet seemed to go against the character. Nate is a proud, confident, and seemingly content man who didn’t dwell on his lingering feelings for Andy. I got the feeling Nate could get over Andy (and vice versa) with a little pain but there wasn’t a lasting deep love outside of their friendship.
The narrative is first person from Nate’s point of view and thus Andy is very much a mystery for the book. His motivations, feelings, and choices are never explained or developed beyond their impact on Andy. Although the two are friends, they drift in and out of closeness over years so again the sudden shift from friends to lovers just seemed jarring and unexpected. There wasn’t a feeling of continuity that usually accompanies this theme. That’s not to say it’s bad per se but the choice to use first person narrowed the scope of the characters’ development – almost entirely to only Nate.
The writing is decent and evocative, engaging enough that the pace is quick and moves the story along. It had moments of sweetness and a definite enjoyable masculine feel to the characters and dialogue but ultimately the connection didn’t work for me and didn’t make me believe in their romance. Perhaps others will feel differently.
October 6, 2011
i don't feel like writing a review but what annoyed me the most was the unknown time gaps... years would just be passed over and the only one with a mention of time said 4 years later so that annoyed me but what annoyed me most was how after every gap they were still the same, no character growth or development. years later and they are still just getting drunk and high and all thats changed is who they are having sex with.
That also annoyed me since they were both being sluts until the MC met Tony who we saw lots of sex between them but never any information to like where they met or how series they got. Then during one time jump there simply was no more Tony never said when or why they broke up just that they did
the over all narration also annoyed me. I probably would have liked it more if the flashback had been shorter and had no sex or even just less sex and more character details, after 70 pages i feel like i know nothing about these guys besides they get drunk and stoned a lot
That also annoyed me since they were both being sluts until the MC met Tony who we saw lots of sex between them but never any information to like where they met or how series they got. Then during one time jump there simply was no more Tony never said when or why they broke up just that they did
the over all narration also annoyed me. I probably would have liked it more if the flashback had been shorter and had no sex or even just less sex and more character details, after 70 pages i feel like i know nothing about these guys besides they get drunk and stoned a lot
January 22, 2013
Ok so I didn't like this story at all. So below are my complaints. Since I would advise you NOT to waste your time or money by reading this piece, maybe you want to read what I wrote... My thoughts aren't spoilers really, just critiques.. (There is a spoiler below, but it's hidden.)
The events in this story are told and not shown. I didn't really buy into the main characters' friendship to begin with. It just says they are best friends... Their friendship doesn't unfold or show anything about why they are friends. It just says that they met in high school and became best friends. And they went to the same college and stayed friends. And then graduated and were friends... Okay, how about the book showing how they are friends...not just repeating the fact that they are friends.... This story doesn't tell about teenage or college escapades... Just that these characters went to school, graduated, got jobs, and stayed friends. So if you are looking for the slightest bit of plot or character depth here, you won't find it...
In addition, the dialogue is strange in this book and seems unnatural throughout. Additionally, it seems really unnatural once the main characters consummate their relationship... Very unappealing bedroom talk!... Like "that's my baby," "You should get a reward for being a good boy" and "you were a very good boy." eeew! yuck!
Moreover... The title is "Timeless" well good choice because I couldn't tell the time span... How old are these characters? They briefly start as teenagers... And then when they get together I cannot tell if they are in their 30s or 40s or maybe even 50s? Okay i was seriously picturing them in the mid 40s or older, when it is implied that they are only 30 at the end of the book. Umm ok..
Also What do they look like (other than one character having blonde hair)? Where are they from? Why are they friends? Oh yeah, I already asked that one.. Hmm these all seem like basic questions to me... It made the reading so much more confusing and frustrating since I could not even vaguely picture the characters...
Also I would not read this book because of:
So yeah, this review may seem a bit whiny, but I just didn't buy it... I didn't buy into any of it... (but i did actually buy it from Amazon.com. Ouch!) I almost didn't read this work because it didnt have a very good rating on goodreads, but on rare occasions I find that excellent stories are under-valued. (And sometimes bad stories are over-valued) hmm.. But anyways, from now on I think I am only going to mostly stick to reads that are rated 3.75 stars or above...It's for a reason. M/m fans know their stuff.
The events in this story are told and not shown. I didn't really buy into the main characters' friendship to begin with. It just says they are best friends... Their friendship doesn't unfold or show anything about why they are friends. It just says that they met in high school and became best friends. And they went to the same college and stayed friends. And then graduated and were friends... Okay, how about the book showing how they are friends...not just repeating the fact that they are friends.... This story doesn't tell about teenage or college escapades... Just that these characters went to school, graduated, got jobs, and stayed friends. So if you are looking for the slightest bit of plot or character depth here, you won't find it...
In addition, the dialogue is strange in this book and seems unnatural throughout. Additionally, it seems really unnatural once the main characters consummate their relationship... Very unappealing bedroom talk!... Like "that's my baby," "You should get a reward for being a good boy" and "you were a very good boy." eeew! yuck!
Moreover... The title is "Timeless" well good choice because I couldn't tell the time span... How old are these characters? They briefly start as teenagers... And then when they get together I cannot tell if they are in their 30s or 40s or maybe even 50s? Okay i was seriously picturing them in the mid 40s or older, when it is implied that they are only 30 at the end of the book. Umm ok..
Also What do they look like (other than one character having blonde hair)? Where are they from? Why are they friends? Oh yeah, I already asked that one.. Hmm these all seem like basic questions to me... It made the reading so much more confusing and frustrating since I could not even vaguely picture the characters...
Also I would not read this book because of:
So yeah, this review may seem a bit whiny, but I just didn't buy it... I didn't buy into any of it... (but i did actually buy it from Amazon.com. Ouch!) I almost didn't read this work because it didnt have a very good rating on goodreads, but on rare occasions I find that excellent stories are under-valued. (And sometimes bad stories are over-valued) hmm.. But anyways, from now on I think I am only going to mostly stick to reads that are rated 3.75 stars or above...It's for a reason. M/m fans know their stuff.
December 8, 2010
This was such a sweet read. The whole idea that you can be loved your whole life and not realize what a prize you have would be hard to swallow if Patric's characters weren't so very real. People overlook the obvious all the time, and this story is about opening your eyes to the possibilities of what you have, right there in your hand, and believing you really can have the dream.
March 13, 2010
I loved thsi same premise in the Santa Mug where the two main characters, for completely credible, rational reasons have not gotten together. Friendship that becomes love is one of my favorite things and if you feel the same you should NOT miss this book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 8, 2010
2.5 Nice, sweet story. Pretty slow, though it's not long (it skips over many years of interaction between the characters, describing just the ones that are important to the romance development).
Not giving it more stars because I wasn't, personally, that taken with the story or the characters.
Not giving it more stars because I wasn't, personally, that taken with the story or the characters.
June 26, 2010
Short and almost too sweet. A light-hearted, gay-for-you story about two friends finding each other. Michael does a wonderful job of character development and interactions, the level of realism is eloquently fashioned. An easy read, thanks to clean, well-crafted prose.
October 25, 2011
Nate met Andy his senior year of high school when Andy needed an English tutor. They clicked almost immediately and over the course of the year became best friends. The most important thing for Nate, who has been out of the closet since his freshman year, was that Andy accepted his sexuality without question. Andy became a true friend, always there for Nate, even defending him when a girlfriend made disparaging remarks. Over the years, Nate accepted his attraction to his best friend, and the fact that his friend was undeniably straight and nothing would change that. Until Nate kisses Andy to escape the attention of a young girl at a wedding...and Andy kisses back.
This is a nice story about best friends who love one another but take some time to find their way to each other. Over the course of twelve years, both Nate and Andy have their own relationships but nothing ever becomes long term for either of them. In learning their story, there are small interjections, hints of what is to come that are fun and quite telling. There is a good base of friendship between these two men, and it makes the shift of their relationship believable. What I liked most is that things don't happen immediately, and in fact Nate struggles to understand how Andy's feelings have shifted. It's well handled and makes the eventual pairing that much more realistic. There is a bit of angst for these two so it's not a perfectly smooth road but it's an enjoyable story about the path that these men are on.
http://emily83176.livejournal.com/847...
This is a nice story about best friends who love one another but take some time to find their way to each other. Over the course of twelve years, both Nate and Andy have their own relationships but nothing ever becomes long term for either of them. In learning their story, there are small interjections, hints of what is to come that are fun and quite telling. There is a good base of friendship between these two men, and it makes the shift of their relationship believable. What I liked most is that things don't happen immediately, and in fact Nate struggles to understand how Andy's feelings have shifted. It's well handled and makes the eventual pairing that much more realistic. There is a bit of angst for these two so it's not a perfectly smooth road but it's an enjoyable story about the path that these men are on.
http://emily83176.livejournal.com/847...
September 30, 2009
Wow... this story has it all, and then some! Patric Michael is a new-to-me author whose books have just jumped onto my favourite and auto-buy list. His character delineations are superb, his conversation and descriptions witty, concise and very effective at carrying the story through to its conclusion. I was entranced and very entertained; I was also very caught up in Nate's story and his connection with Andy over the years. A good, good read with the requisite and very satisfying romance. What a treat!
December 22, 2009
Really enjoyed the characterizations. It was very easy to follow their friendship and their way through life. The narration painted a flawless picture. The quintessential development of a relationship felt like a natural development that at no time came surprising or felt forced on the reader. I also appreciated the reactions and fears that were brought on by the emotional entanglements.
Someone recommended the book to me, and told me it's her favorite of the genre, and I do have to agree, that it is certainly an excellent find.
Someone recommended the book to me, and told me it's her favorite of the genre, and I do have to agree, that it is certainly an excellent find.
July 20, 2009
This is a sweet story about a love that's, for lack of a better word, timeless. The main characters are well-developed and lovable, and I found myself feeling their emotions right along with them. However, don't think this is merely a sweet romance. There's hot, graphic sex in it as well (a good thing, in my book).
Highly recommended if you're looking for an erotic romance that's going to make you say "Aww" as well as turn you on. :D
Highly recommended if you're looking for an erotic romance that's going to make you say "Aww" as well as turn you on. :D
July 25, 2016
★★★½ - Good, worth a reread.
July 6, 2023
I liked the story all right, but I didn't like the fact that there were too many unexplained gaps in the timeline without any bridges. I also find it confusing at times with the sudden shifts on the storyline. I'm not sure if it's done for style or something but the outcome for me is not as enjoyable as I expected the story to be. As I read the story, I often had the feeling that this could've been much better with a different writing style.
July 31, 2010
I liked this one, though the sex scene seemed out of character for both boys. I realize it's a short work, so there wasn't a lot of time to deal with Andy's coming out angst, but perhaps more of the back story could have been condensed. Or maybe I just need more angst than most? Either way, it's an enjoyable little read.
September 10, 2011
I LOVE IT so much!
I never expect that I will love this book. In the beginning, I feel this book will be a cliche "friend become lover" love story thing. But, then I was amazed by Patrick when he twists the story and hold my breath all the time because Patrick force the characters to find their true love after many sexual-thing happen.
I never expect that I will love this book. In the beginning, I feel this book will be a cliche "friend become lover" love story thing. But, then I was amazed by Patrick when he twists the story and hold my breath all the time because Patrick force the characters to find their true love after many sexual-thing happen.
March 10, 2010
3.5 stars
May 1, 2011
A "Gay for You" kind of novel, but oh so much more than that. Nothing about it is trite or cliched. Couldn't ask for a better read... unless it was to wish it were longer.
May 5, 2011
A quick, sweet, no angst love story
August 30, 2012
loved the story the end had me in tears
September 12, 2012
Very sweet and romantic.
November 20, 2013
best friends years later andy admits his love for his best friend nate.
February 12, 2014
1.5 Stars
Things moved too fast at the end and I just couldn't wrap my head around their whole relationship. It just didn't feel very natural to me.
Things moved too fast at the end and I just couldn't wrap my head around their whole relationship. It just didn't feel very natural to me.
December 29, 2019
I was annoyed by Andy. First not accepting that he was gay, then not telling Nathan, and finally not wanting to be a couple.
June 26, 2012
Just okay. Pretty forgettable.
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews