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Until the Bitter End
Dear Author,
We met the day I rescued him from the elementary school bully. We became inseparable until a family move put thousands of miles between us. After years of email, phone calls and a handful of visits, we both ended up back in our hometown. Reconnecting led to love and now here we are in our golden years.
We’ve been together for a lifetime and have had plenty of ups and downs. Won’t you tell our story?
Photo Description:
Three pictures of two friends, one black, one white. A cross-generational photo set of the friends from boyhood to their golden years.
This story was written as a part of the M/M Romance Group's "Love’s Landscapes" event. Group members were asked to write a story prompt inspired by a photo of their choice. Authors of the group selected a photo and prompt that spoke to them and wrote a short story.
This story may contain sexually explicit content and is intended for adult readers. It may contain content that is disagreeable or distressing to some readers. The M/M Romance Group strongly recommends that each reader review the General Information section before each story for story tags as well as for content warnings.
We met the day I rescued him from the elementary school bully. We became inseparable until a family move put thousands of miles between us. After years of email, phone calls and a handful of visits, we both ended up back in our hometown. Reconnecting led to love and now here we are in our golden years.
We’ve been together for a lifetime and have had plenty of ups and downs. Won’t you tell our story?
Photo Description:
Three pictures of two friends, one black, one white. A cross-generational photo set of the friends from boyhood to their golden years.
This story was written as a part of the M/M Romance Group's "Love’s Landscapes" event. Group members were asked to write a story prompt inspired by a photo of their choice. Authors of the group selected a photo and prompt that spoke to them and wrote a short story.
This story may contain sexually explicit content and is intended for adult readers. It may contain content that is disagreeable or distressing to some readers. The M/M Romance Group strongly recommends that each reader review the General Information section before each story for story tags as well as for content warnings.
59 pages, ebook
First published September 18, 2014
2 people are currently reading
74 people want to read
About the author
L.L. Bucknor
12 books26 followersBorn and raised on planet Earth, LL Bucknor is a reader first, writer second. She's a work in progress.
Not a huge fan of talking about herself, let's leave it at she likes short walks to the nearest comfortable surface, watching television, drinking coffee and figuring out how to work chocolate into some part of her day.
And she likes reading and writing about men loving men.
And she's caught the Sterek bug: you can catch her stuff here.
The ex-fan fic writer is not so ex anymore.
Not a huge fan of talking about herself, let's leave it at she likes short walks to the nearest comfortable surface, watching television, drinking coffee and figuring out how to work chocolate into some part of her day.
And she likes reading and writing about men loving men.
And she's caught the Sterek bug: you can catch her stuff here.
The ex-fan fic writer is not so ex anymore.
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
November 7, 2014
This was not a story I would normally pick up. Long separations? Not for me. But there wasn't a big misunderstanding, and there was contact, if infrequent, so it didn't bother me as much as I worried it would.
Charles and Victor were wonderful characters. I couldn't believe how much we learned about them from that infrequent contact. Small details, brief moments...they told us so much. I liked how their beautiful friendship turned into a sweet romance.
The only downside...
Charles and Victor were wonderful characters. I couldn't believe how much we learned about them from that infrequent contact. Small details, brief moments...they told us so much. I liked how their beautiful friendship turned into a sweet romance.
"...I’m straight, but not with a period. It’s beginning to end with a question mark.”
The only downside...
November 16, 2014
This was not an easy challenge. Three pics? And such a long span between them? Ha! No need to fret, LL nailed it!
I'm such a sucker for friends to lovers and this gorgeously blossomed from the best of friends to the best of lovers.
The letters were a fabulous addition.
*hip bump*
Nicely done...nicely done.
I'm such a sucker for friends to lovers and this gorgeously blossomed from the best of friends to the best of lovers.
The letters were a fabulous addition.
*hip bump*
Nicely done...nicely done.
September 18, 2014
Firstly, I have to say that this is the last book I was privileged enough to be able to beta for during this LL event. And I do consider it a privilege because I can, hand on my heart, say I have loved every book I've beta'd. It has been an honour to see an author's first thoughts and ideas develop into the amazing stories that have been published.
Secondly, I have to mention the cover. Yep - it's another Natasha Snow design and one I really, really love. Talented designer is talented.
So, thirdly I get to this wonderful story.
Victor and Charles' story. Two characters I defy you not to love. This book follows the relationship of these two from their first bonds of friendship as ten year olds in 1976, through to a well established couple, almost fifty years later in 2031. Although it is most definitely a romance, it is a friendship first and foremost.
I need to give LL Bucknor huge kudos for tackling bnot just homophobia in this novel, but racism as well. Fifty years ago the world was not the same place it is today and, while things are a million miles from perfect now, they were a lot worse back then.
LL has tackled these issues in a way that they are integral to the story, they are in the way the boys live their lives and how the characters around them act, and react, towards them. It is not an in-your-face-angst-fest. It is real. It is the kind of story that makes you pause and think about all those things that you take each day for granted.
I don't want you to be fooled though - it isn't a lecture or a sob-fest or a morbid literary piece. It has humour and joy and the beautiful, beautiful slow romance between Victor and Charles. I make no secret of the fact that friends-to-lovers is my favourite storyline. It is the trope i love and adore above all others and when it's done well it makes me weak at the knees. When it is true friendship that genuinely progresses to romance...my hearts thudding just thinking about it. Books that bill themselves as friends to lovers and are really just an excuse to get some steaming nooky on the page are a real let down. That slow burn of friendship moving forward to love, that gets me in the gut every time. This story did just that.
A note about the writers style. It is so unique. I'm not even sure how to describe it - the voice is definitely LL Bucknor. Much of this story is told in the form of letters - a really hard style to pull off in my opinion. But LL does it smoothly. Through the letters we see the friendship grow, the up and downs and in-betweens. the humour and fun and love and upset between friends. It is so well done.
I hope you all enjoy this book as much as I did. As I said before, I feel hugely honoured to have beta'd this (and several others). I can't wait to see what LL Bucknor writes next. Thank you.
Secondly, I have to mention the cover. Yep - it's another Natasha Snow design and one I really, really love. Talented designer is talented.
So, thirdly I get to this wonderful story.
Victor and Charles' story. Two characters I defy you not to love. This book follows the relationship of these two from their first bonds of friendship as ten year olds in 1976, through to a well established couple, almost fifty years later in 2031. Although it is most definitely a romance, it is a friendship first and foremost.
I need to give LL Bucknor huge kudos for tackling bnot just homophobia in this novel, but racism as well. Fifty years ago the world was not the same place it is today and, while things are a million miles from perfect now, they were a lot worse back then.
LL has tackled these issues in a way that they are integral to the story, they are in the way the boys live their lives and how the characters around them act, and react, towards them. It is not an in-your-face-angst-fest. It is real. It is the kind of story that makes you pause and think about all those things that you take each day for granted.
I don't want you to be fooled though - it isn't a lecture or a sob-fest or a morbid literary piece. It has humour and joy and the beautiful, beautiful slow romance between Victor and Charles. I make no secret of the fact that friends-to-lovers is my favourite storyline. It is the trope i love and adore above all others and when it's done well it makes me weak at the knees. When it is true friendship that genuinely progresses to romance...my hearts thudding just thinking about it. Books that bill themselves as friends to lovers and are really just an excuse to get some steaming nooky on the page are a real let down. That slow burn of friendship moving forward to love, that gets me in the gut every time. This story did just that.
A note about the writers style. It is so unique. I'm not even sure how to describe it - the voice is definitely LL Bucknor. Much of this story is told in the form of letters - a really hard style to pull off in my opinion. But LL does it smoothly. Through the letters we see the friendship grow, the up and downs and in-betweens. the humour and fun and love and upset between friends. It is so well done.
I hope you all enjoy this book as much as I did. As I said before, I feel hugely honoured to have beta'd this (and several others). I can't wait to see what LL Bucknor writes next. Thank you.
Read
November 12, 2014No rating from me.
Just to let you know you can download an eBook version HERE
Thank you. =D
ETA: Wow! This was nominated in MMRG Member's Choice Awards:
Grateful am I.
Just to let you know you can download an eBook version HERE
Thank you. =D
ETA: Wow! This was nominated in MMRG Member's Choice Awards:
Grateful am I.
September 19, 2014
Super sweet story about Charles and Victor, best friends since elementary school, who realize later in life just how important they are to one another. Great short story!
September 18, 2014
So I really, really loved this. Loved the letters over the years, loved the characters (Phillip is such a card LOL) and loved the pictures that went with the story. I think the angle the author went with (a long past and short 'current') was interesting and different and it did work, but I felt a bit...I missed learning about their years together. Maybe a part 2? If we'd gotten more about their time together in a relationship, I would given it a full five stars. When I saw the end drawing near on my scroll bar, I started panicking cause they weren't together yet. That made me realize we wouldn't cover much of the present day and that was not a good feeling. But I absolutely loved this story. Very well written, chock full of emotion, humor and love. Will definitely read more by this author and would DEFINITELY read a full length book about this couple.
Story can be found here
Story can be found here
September 20, 2014
This was a very engaging story. Contemporary is my favorite genre and I love it when a story focuses on the relationship between the couple. I especially loved how Charles and Victor were there for each other to share their life experiences and struggles (especially the other relationships).
There isn't any sex but it wasn't missed. I especially liked that the relationship did not go warp speed after that first kiss. Phillip was a great friend and I know his daughters will give him hell ;-) Very satisfying read!
P.S. Where's Mateo? I was looking for him. LOL
There isn't any sex but it wasn't missed. I especially liked that the relationship did not go warp speed after that first kiss. Phillip was a great friend and I know his daughters will give him hell ;-) Very satisfying read!
P.S. Where's Mateo? I was looking for him. LOL
September 12, 2015
Lovely story with these two. Definitely slow-burn but worth it. Watching them mature and grow into their skin and feelings is quite the experience.
I might have wanted a chapter with them together as a young couple because I (and poor Charles) waited so long for them to be together and I was curious. 30 years is sure a long bumpy road.
I might have wanted a chapter with them together as a young couple because I (and poor Charles) waited so long for them to be together and I was curious. 30 years is sure a long bumpy road.
October 9, 2014
loved seeing the progression of this relationship over time--very interesting to see the changes each mc went through, especially through the letters. recommend!
June 16, 2017
3.5 Stars
May 16, 2020
3.5 stars
This is a slow burn friends to lovers, told in snippets from the time they're 10 in the '70s up to one of them turning 30 in the '90s. The snippets are well-chosen and the letters are engaging, all of them highlighting the development of their friendship, the rocks in the road and their progress to becoming something more. I got this mostly because it's one of the rare M/M stories to include a person of color, and I want to encourage more writers to include POC as an MC in their stories.
I was a little perturbed that Charles struggled to accept his sexuality as long as he did when he so readily accepted Victor's and his uncle's, but I thought that Charles coming into his own was well-done despite being a little dragged out. Charles and Victor realizing what they both knew instinctively from the start - that they're it for each other - was done well too. The side character Phillip was a riot. The epilogue was icing on the cake.
This is low heat/no sex. This didn't bother me but I know others need at least one sex scene, so I'm mentioning it. I did wish the MCs had a little more time together and we'd seen a bit more of their early relationship once they got together, but that's just me being greedy.
This is a slow burn friends to lovers, told in snippets from the time they're 10 in the '70s up to one of them turning 30 in the '90s. The snippets are well-chosen and the letters are engaging, all of them highlighting the development of their friendship, the rocks in the road and their progress to becoming something more. I got this mostly because it's one of the rare M/M stories to include a person of color, and I want to encourage more writers to include POC as an MC in their stories.
I was a little perturbed that Charles struggled to accept his sexuality as long as he did when he so readily accepted Victor's and his uncle's, but I thought that Charles coming into his own was well-done despite being a little dragged out. Charles and Victor realizing what they both knew instinctively from the start - that they're it for each other - was done well too. The side character Phillip was a riot. The epilogue was icing on the cake.
This is low heat/no sex. This didn't bother me but I know others need at least one sex scene, so I'm mentioning it. I did wish the MCs had a little more time together and we'd seen a bit more of their early relationship once they got together, but that's just me being greedy.
Want to read
September 18, 2014Been looking forward to reading this since LL picked up the re-opened prompt. Thank you for giving these guys a story, LL! I can't wait to read it!
September 25, 2014
A lovely, sweet story about a life time of love.
March 13, 2015
3.5 stars
nice friends to lovers story set in the childhood in the late 1970's when they first meet through to the 30th birthday of one in the 1990's. Not together till the end this really shows the pair growing up apart and realisi g they have more than a friendship. An epilogue in 2031 ties it up with a HEA.
nice friends to lovers story set in the childhood in the late 1970's when they first meet through to the 30th birthday of one in the 1990's. Not together till the end this really shows the pair growing up apart and realisi g they have more than a friendship. An epilogue in 2031 ties it up with a HEA.
September 21, 2014
More about the journey than the destination, but worth the read!
March 26, 2022
It was okay. A short story about two best friends who will eventually become lovers. It was easy for me to find feelings between them, even if there was no real passion. Although at times the whole situation was a bit frustrating.
March 4, 2019
Great story, and great mix of letter/email and third-person. Love their friend Phillip -- what a good guy he turns out to be!
January 1, 2016
Cute friends to lovers story with interracial theme. Slowburn over many years, coming out, homophobia. I loved their friendship but their later love relationship was compared too short. I don't mind that there was no sex. But I missed tension and more confusion. I guess it went too smooth for my likings. Still it was a feel-good read I enjoyed spending the first day of 2016 with :)
February 2, 2015
Review soon!
Read
September 18, 2014Ambitious, long-spanning story across racial prejudice and homophobia.
January 4, 2021
Excellent! Epic saga (in very few pages!) of two childhood friends who go through life having separated while still children but maintaining the friendship. Great themes of self awareness, sexual awakening, friendship and love. This is a new to me author and have happily rooted around in her backlist.
event-stories-unread
May 31, 2015[NOTE: I rate most writing event stories (free reads) 4 or 5 stars because of my appreciation of the author's participation and gift.]
September 21, 2014
between 2.5 to 3 stars
November 8, 2014
Review to come
January 17, 2016
2.5 stars
July 11, 2016
3.5 stars
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews