Rhymes with Metaphor

by Alden B. Atmore

Twenty-four-year-old Welsh Canadian poet Reg is struggling to finish his MFA while in the grips of writer’s block. His best friend, Martin, attempting to get him out of his head and needing a wingman, convinces him to come to his crush’s party. What Reg doesn’t anticipate is meeting the crush’s eighteen-year-old brother, Joel, a first-year premed student whose perfect self-possession gets right up Reg’s nose.

But, like sand in an oyster, Joel’s irritating presence has a productive effect on Reg, and suddenly, he’s writing poetry again (still irritated, but writing). Joel’s self-assurance, however, is an act; the pressure of school and family expectation have rendered him so tightly wound he’s about to snap, and when Joel finally comes apart, there’s no one to help put him back together. Except Reg.

If Reg were any further up himself, he’d disappear, but he finds that he can’t stand by and watch his muse suffer. And he discovers that this more vulnerable Joel opens his heart.

But this new relationship threatens Reg’s friendship with Martin, as Martin’s crush (now girlfriend) believes Reg is taking advantage of her baby brother.

Reg must Give up Joel or lose Martin, his best and only friend.

363 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 1, 2025

Reviews

[Lady Macbeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars
I'm having a real hard time rating this book, my thoughts are all confused because this story pulled me towards different directions.

I adored Joel, how he matured becoming more and more self confident and sure of his path, how he was always honest and demanded honesty back, how he was hesitant about physical intimacy at first, but also very brave and determined to find out what he liked, embracing his journey through self discovery. How he loved without holding back.

Reg, instead, was easy to love at first but, as the story progressed I just wanted to smack him in the head. I adored how he was easygoing but not a doormat, how he could be indulgent (with Martin and Flip, for example) but how he was also able to draw a hard line when needed. I liked his decadent way of live, a contemporary maudit poet, with his constant disorganisation and lack of attention for mundane things and overwhelming spurts of inspiration.
I loved how he paid attention to Joel, how he helped him blossom without being condescending or patronising.
But Reg is also the biggest foul! How could he dismiss Joel's emotions? Why didn't he give him the reassurance the young man craved? How could he kept telling him he didn't knew what he was feeling? Reg always made a point to tell Juliet (Joel's sister) that she never listened to her brother and then he just did the same. Not about college or jobs or new school or career, but about his feelings, his love, his devotion for Reg.

Honestly, I was grateful for the third act break up because, while it was undeniably painful for both of them, it also allowed for Reg to clear things in his head and his life. I was so proud of Joel standing up for himself and not taking any bullshit from his lover: it could have been easier for him to just forget and keep going, letting Reg set the pace of their relationship. But Joel loved himself enough to not accept scraps from anyone.

Unfortunately, there are several things left unsaid in this story that left me a little uneasy and the HFN was not very satisfying. I loved the parallelism between two important moments in Joel life and the fact that he sought Reg's support in both of them, but that wasn't enough.
What happened with Martin and Juliet? When did Martin become so heartless? What about New York?

I liked very much this author's writing: despite using the third person pov, the reader is completely immersed in Reg's life and it's almost impossible to put the book down. I'd love very much to read more from them, but I believe Alden Atmore is actually a pen name that hides a seasoned author. We'll see if they're going to release another book under this alias.

I received an ARC of this book from Gay Romance Reviews and this is my honest review.

[Mal · Rating 5 out of 5]

I feel lucky to have read this story! The author writes with such an unbelievably skilful hand, crafting a tale that held my hand through a myriad of emotions I felt alongside Reg. The prose is sublime, telling a tale in 3rd person but loosing none of the intimacy or the wholeness I would expect of a true love story.

The first few chapters had me laughing out loud with how cheeky and witty Reg’s internal dialogue was, I liked how flexible, how almost indolent as a character he is. The author writes with a light touch, no heavy foreshadowing so when the tone shifts into hedonistic delight from the initial friction between him and Joel it’s seamless. The story is explicit without being graphic so the romance is suoerceeding everything at this stage of the story. It allows for the reader to just flow with the swooning crush of the runaway unbridled lust and love and discovery of the connection they are exploring. Travelling offshore gives it this surreal quality for some reason that lends itself so well. The moments are organic and natural and just absolutely lovely.

There is also loneliness threaded through when the parting between Martin and Reg comes without any closure but honestly I am so glad the author took this where they did - I can’t stand Martin, and I’m not a huge fan of Juliet either.

I loved the journey Joel goes on discovering himself and what he wants and I loved the role Reg plays here just giving him space and resources.

I loved the romance of it all, even beyond the relationship between Reg and Joel. The setting the situations the life being lived. The story has this richness and comforting quality even when I had a lump in my throat, honestly couldn’t tell how it was going to end.

This is a book I recommend you take your time with, live with the characters for a while, take a pause with it, it’s highly transportive. I would gladly read anything this author chooses to put out. I loved reading this book and I’m so sad it ended.

[NitaBee · Rating 4 out of 5]

“I am dead. Dead inside. Yet, here I am. What if ‘used to be a poet’ is my entire identity now?”

Meet Reg. Dramatic, suffering writers block and in need of a muse.

His best friend Martinis trying to date Juliette. Juliette has a little brother , 18 year old Joel.

Joel inspires Reg.

So far it’s Martin trying to impress Juliette, Joel always ending up around Reg or coming to Reg and Reg being all about Reg.

Joel doesn’t get a good score in his exams to be a doctor.

Or maybe he does ? His score apparently could get him into Harvard . I’m very confused why Joel was upset with his grade then.

Martin begs Reg to keep Joel at his for the summer so he can have Juliette to himself.

‘Joel had been treated as an inconvenience for so long he apparently couldn’t fathom anyone wanting his company. The truth was that Reg didn’t want to spend the rest of the summer without Joel, but he could hardly say so without sounding weird. Or having to come to terms with it.’

Ok so reg can be tender with Joel.

Joel is feeling sexually confused after Reg gives him an orgasm.

They explore each other’s bodies. They grow closer.

Reg wants Joel to move in with him.

At an event where Reg, Joel , Martin and Juliette are attending , it’s announced Reg’s thesis has been nominated for Most Outstanding Thesis in this year’s MFA Creative Writing Program and the Terry Umstoud Award for Poetry.

“Thank you for that introduction. It is a great fortune for a poet to find his muse, and even better to find one as agreeable and passionate as mine.” Reg looked at Joel. “My poems will be read by him.”

Martin finds out about Reg and Joel and lectures him about seducing a teenager. He tells Reg to end it or their friendship is over.

I can’t tell if Martin and Reg ever had a thing together. There’s a weird vibe.

Ohhh

‘When they were 16… Reg had been in love with Martin for years, but he’d never let on until that night, when Reg had looked at Martin and, overwhelmed with longing, he’d given Martin a kiss so sloppy, he’d missed his mouth by a mile.’

Joel’s family doesn’t take his life decisions well and blame Reg.

They’ve been together 7 months but haven’t gone the whole way sexually. Joel asks Reg to marry him, they have a fight. Then Joel finds out Reg is in love with Martin 😭

“Only because he didn’t want to, not because you didn’t want him. You’re still in love with him. You’re only with me because he’s with my sister, and you’re jealous, and you thought being with me might make him jealous. And you’re not coming to New York with me, because he’s here, and you don’t want to leave him.” Reg felt cold all over. “It was him you loved all along,” said Joel. “Him. I was your second choice.”

Reg goes to India so he’s not reminded of Joel. You love Joel you idiot, why didn’t you fight for him?? ARGHHHHH

It’s been months since their breakup.

Reg and Martin catch up and he has the AUDACITY to ask for Reg’s mother’s ring to propose to Juliette. Oh and it was Reg’s birthday ,although they both had forgotten. Reg is 25?!

Well that friendship is over.

Reg writes a love letter to Joel.

It has been a year since Reg and Joel first met.

Joel is waiting for Reg. He has gotten into Juilliard. Reg gives him his mother’s ring.

The End

[Emily Pennington · Rating 3 out of 5]

Reg’s Writer’s Block . . .

Martin had left messages for his poet friend Reg Fieldfare who has writer’s block and is wasting away in his apartment, not even aware of what day or time it is. When Martin couldn’t contact him after leaving numerous messages, he drove over, insisted Reg take a shower since he smelled like a corpse, and then drove them to Juliet’s birthday party. Juliet Pettifer is his latest girlfriend. Everyone was being quiet since someone else was studying, so Reg accepted his “instant coffee” and went out to the porch since he didn’t know anyone inside. When he went back into the kitchen, someone else was looking in the freezer. He looked too young for this party, so Reg took the glass with the yellow liquid out of his hands, saying he was too young to drink that… but it was only ginger ale. The younger guy turned out to be Juliet’s brother, Joel, 18 years old and first year in pre-med… and he lives with his sister. When creative words filled Reg’s mind, he had nothing to write them down on! He raced to the kitchen, then upstairs, looking for pen and paper, desperate enough to write on toilet paper! But the eyebrow pencil tore the toilet paper as he searched for something else to write with. The lipstick was a problem too, and the words were leaving his mind. Joel interrupted to point to the “guest” bathroom downstairs. Trying to explain, he said he was blocked, which prompted Joel to ask about his fiber intake.

Although Joel was irritating, he seemed to inspire Reg to write poetry. But Reg is also under pressure and about to burst. Is Reg willing to help him? And how far will it go? And will any kind of relationship with Joel cause Reg to lose his best friend when Joel’s sister believes he is taking advantage of her brother?

I know that humor was interspersed in the story, but some of the words were unfamiliar even in context which spoiled the effect somewhat. Reg meeting Flat Mary (an odd musician), was awkward even when Reg and Martin listened to his music and discussed how weird it was. It just wasn’t pulling me into the story at all.

[Alicia · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm struggling to know how to describe/review this story. There was a lot I liked about it, but I kept feeling that something wasn't working for me. I suppose, for starters, I didn't buy the whole concept that this poet can't possibly keep a writing implement and paper handy, and I found the various scenes where he raced about trying to find some random item to write with more disturbing than convincing. I also didn't understand why the age difference was treated as SUCH a big deal. Yes, there's a world of lived experience between 18 and 24, but it doesn't seem to me an insurmountable chasm. Finally, I didn't feel the reason for the big breakup (the reason the POV character was holding himself back) was supported by the text. Oh, and if I can have one more past "finally," I thought the recovery from illness was treated far too cavalierly. I don't believe that someone still getting over mono could even try to play a game of tennis (much less against a Grand Slam–level pro), and the idea that the POV character would encourage that to happen struck me as horribly reckless.

After all those complaints... I mostly enjoyed the book? I really did like reading it; I just thought maybe the author needed to push harder on some of the motivations and make them more believable.

My thanks to the publisher/NetGalley for an advance copy.

[Nina Diab · Rating 4 out of 5]

'A door opened inside Reg, and words that had been evading him for months came flooding out. Words that were decidedly not sh-. They were, in fact, brilliant.'

I really enjoyed this book. It was such a fun romance and certain characters were very quirky. I liked both Reg and Joel. These two clashed and their first meeting was far from cute. Joel had been in pajamas and Reg thought he was an underage kid drinking and took the glass from him. He was eighteen and had been drinking ginger ale lol But the more they interacted and affected each other, the chemistry slowly built between them. And Reg was there when Joel needed him. Their romance was a bumpy journey and they were cute together.

I didn't like the tension that came up between Reg and Martin. Best friends and they knew each other so well. They were pretty funny together at times. But there was more history there than initially realized. But it's the way of some relationships at times, so it felt realistic.

I think there should have been more than the way it ended. It needed elaboration- especially considering the way things were at that point. An epilogue to really solidify everything. 4 stars

[Jack Harkness · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cold Crash, mono, QDOG or MCAT?, lump of coal, Maxibon, malaria, naked croquet, the letter, Xmas cake, 3 broken matches

This book is written very well. The humor is what kept me reading. I kept reading even once the story turned serious. I didn't much care for the abrupt ending. It isn't satisfying. The imagery is spectacularly marvelous. You're taken from Canada to England, Wales, and India. The pace of the story moves fluidly.

The book is told from Reg's POV. By the way it's written, you'd think there is a huge age gap between him and Joel. There's only 5 or 6 years separating them.

When we meet Reg, he's stuck at writing his master's thesis in poetry because he's lost his muse. Joel is a buttoned-up, nerdy pre-med student studying for the MCAT. They meet at his sister's birthday party. When he and Reg finally warm up to each other it seems like Reg is corrupting Joel. It's just Reg doing and being all of Joel's firsts together.

I greatly enjoyed reading this book. I was drawn in from the get-go. And it never let me go. I enthusiastically recommend it.

[Lina · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book is well written with an interesting story and interesting characters. This book is written from the perspective of one person, Reg. Sometimes I felt as though I missed out because of not knowing what Joel thought, especially since a big part of the story was the focus on Joel. I loved reading about Joel finding himself.
I would have liked the characters to show more feelings or to get to know Reg’s more. I didn’t like Martin much he wasn’t very nice to Reg. it was kind of hard to understand their relationship in the beginning. But it was also part of what kept me reading.
The ending was a bit cut short for me. Reg finally showed some feelings but I wish there had been a more emotional dilemma for him somehow or a more deep emotions described. I also wish there had been a bit more about Joel’s relationship with his family in the end.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[L H · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reg is dealing with writer's block when he meets Joel and at first does not care for him but he finds him a muse and the association brings production for Reg. When Joel's life hits a snag it is Reg that sees and attends to him. It is the start of a slow side towards love for this pair. Joel is a little younger but not a whole lot. About a half dozen years and their obstacle comes from Joel's protective sister who thinks a man in his mid 20s is taking advantage. For Reg this causes friction in his friendship with his bestie who is dating Joel's sister and that is unfortunate. That angle of the story needed closure but the rest was good.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Emma Collins · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rhymes with Metaphor is a beautifully written, emotionally layered story about creativity, friendship, and unexpected love. Reg’s struggle with writer’s block feels so real, and Joel’s confident exterior cracking under pressure is heartbreaking and honest.

The slow burn between Reg and Joel is full of witty banter and subtle tension, but it’s the emotional depth that really got me. Watching Reg balance his loyalty to Martin with his growing feelings for Joel adds a compelling layer of conflict that kept me hooked.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Traci S · Rating 2 out of 5]

Thank you for the book, here is my honest opinion:
This started out with a pretty interesting premise, but sorry to say I had trouble getting through Reg and Joel’s story. I don’t think I liked any of the characters, nobody in the story speaks normally, making it hard to connect or care about them. Reg was infuriating, Joel was written in a way that made him feel quite juvenile, and Juliet and Martin are quite unpleasant (the bit about Reg’s mother’s ring was utterly ridiculous). There is of course a third act break up, where Joel rightfully stands up for himself and a reunion made no sense and then it ends feeling wildly unfinished.

[Kate · Rating 4 out of 5]

NetGalley ARC. Quietly engaging romance between a poet and a pre-med student questioning his future career. Strong characters and dialogue, lots of growth. Joel reads as younger as he is and Reg reads as older, so if you like age difference you'll probably be into this one. That's not usually my thing, but the story and writing are strong enough that I still really enjoyed it! Read it straight through without stopping.

[Ida Umphers · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved watching Reg and Joel initially get under each other's skin, but having been in academia for the last 40+ years, I thought the author did a wonderful job of showing the pressure getting to Joel and how Reg is there to help him. I also liked the way the changes in Martin's and Reg's friendship were shown. It seemed more realistic than in many stories. A new author for me and one I'll definitely be looking for more from.

[Tanya · Rating 5 out of 5]

He has writer block so when he is dragged along to a party where his crush will be, he is not expecting much. He will meet their younger brother and it sets his writing off again. They are barely keeping it together with all the pressure and when it all blows up only he can help. See how it will all go
I received an advance copy from hidden gems and a lovely tale

[Zach · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was good but a bit predictable. It's also a messy m/m romance, while trying to be a serious novel, but then falling back on many of the tropes of that genre, like someone has money so no matter how far things fall off the rails there's a safety net. There's a six-year age gap that is made to seem generational but then becomes less important.

I wished I liked it more.

[Mogi B · Rating 3 out of 5]

Trying to build new relationships can be difficult. But it takes time and patience to build trust within a relationship. Hopefully this book can be helpful for somebody who may need it.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[John A. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Must read.

I was not expecting this book and I’m so so glad I bought it and read it. I loved this story and these characters.

The hedonism portrayed by Reg and sincerity by Joel are perfect counterparts, inevitably making them better together.

[Logan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great age gap romance, Reg helps younger Joel learn to live for himself. And through helping him they both find love. And Joel helps bring order to Reg’s chaotic life and also teaches him he has the right to want things for himself. This is an emotional ride worth going on.

[Kenneth Cameron · Rating 5 out of 5]

Extremely relatable. Addictive. I could not put this book down and read the entire story in one sitting.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[devil · Rating 4 out of 5]

Overall, it's a well-written story about Reg, a twenty-something poet who finds his muse. I thought there was good chemistry between Reg and Joel, and I liked how their journey played out.

[Amanda Grange · Rating 4 out of 5]

Joel and Reg are like oil and water. They clash epically. I love these characters (even though Reg is a touch neurotic).

[Christina Horton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Life is tough especially when you have to choose between your best and only friend and his girlfriend’s little brother.

The story is compelling, sad, laugh out loud, and spicy.

[MacTíre · Rating 5 out of 5]

My personal "The best book of the year 2025".