Crushed

by J.M. Snyder

Once the star of his high school basketball team, Nathan Gayle has played the field for years. Now in his twenties, he's getting tired of one night stands and heated hook-ups with strangers; he wants something more. Was that asking too much? Wes Roberts has had a fierce crush on Nathan since high school. A chance encounter at prom created a memory Wes still cherishes, one perfect moment in time. His current relationship with Roger pales in comparison, but he's been with the man for eight months now and they've settled into a routine that's not exactly comfortable. When Wes and Nathan meet up again years later at a friend's party, the spark between them is rekindled. But there's Roger, who wrestles with anger and drinking problems...Roger, whom Wes is still dating. Though the choice between the two men seems obvious, breaking up with Roger may be easier said than done... Genres: Gay / Romance / Contemporary Romance

Genres: M M Romance, Contemporary, Romance, Gay, LGBT

132 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2007

About the author

An author of gay erotic/romantic fiction, J.M. Snyder began in self-publishing and worked with Amber Allure, Aspen Mountain, eXcessica, and Torquere Presses.

Snyder's highly erotic short gay fiction has been published online at Amazon Shorts, Eros Monthly, Ruthie's Club, and Tit-Elation, as well as in anthologies by Alyson Books, Aspen Mountain, Cleis Press, eXcessica Publishing, Lethe Press, and Ravenous Romance.

In 2010, Snyder founded JMS Books LLC, a royalty-paying queer small press that publishes in both electronic and print format. For more information on newest releases and submission guidelines, please visit JMS Books LLC online.

Reviews

[Silkeeeeeereads · Rating 2 out of 5]

This did absolutely nothing for me. I didn't like the way the story played out at all. I'm not one of those who gives a book a bad rating because there is cheating so no, it's not because of that. There just weren't any good qualities about any of the characters, even the one that was supposed to be sweet and victim-like. There seems to be an epidemic of no chemistry going around and this book caught it. Sorry. I was really wanting to like it.

[Elisa Rolle]

Wes has a crush on Nathan since high school. Too shy to make a move on him he has spent years lusting after the guy, seeing him fools around with other guys. Then the very last night of high school, the prom night, he has the chance to spend one night in the parking lot of the school, making out with his dream. Kisses and caresses, but nothing more and then Wes goes to college and have never seen again Nathan.

Years after Nathan is a clerkman who has grown tired of party and one stand night relationships and when he meets Wes at a friend's party, he sees the chance to continue where they have stopped that night. But Wes is on a relationship with Roger, even if things are not smooth.

Nathan is not of the idea to let this guy go. He is a very selfconsciousness guy, he knows to be handsome and nice and can't imagine a man not accept the chance to have what he so kindly gives. Sincerily, J.M. Snyder has made a very good job to not make him spoilt and nasty, because I, instead, find him beautiful, the teen dream comes true.

Wes is an average guy, gentle and nice. He is swept away by the tornado who is Nathan, but still he cares for Roger, even if later the man has begun to treat him nothing more then a convenient bedmate.

And then there is the third man, Roger. He could be the bad guy, who the reader has to hate. And instead I feel pain for him. Oh no, I don't want that Wes and Nathan don't find a way to be together, but a little part of me hopes that J.M. Snyder will find a way to give also to this man an happily ever after.

The story is all about feelings and interaptions between the three men. Sex is on the background, but it's a plus for the story, J.M. Snyder is a master in build the wait and stop it in the right moment: it has reminded me the heat between two teens who want to have all soon and are interrupted every time on the climax and set them to find soon another moment and another place...

http://www.amazon.com/dp/1602729638/?...

[Sara MacRae · Rating 5 out of 5]

This may be an older book, but I’m thankful I happened across it. To be truthful, too, after reflecting on some of the reviews, I can’t fathom how someone couldn’t – or wouldn’t – rate this book five stars: it’s one of the best written books I’ve read this year. The storyline was entrenching, and it was refreshing to read about one’s struggle to end a negative relationship – something plausible – instead of contrived angst or petty problems. Author J.M. Snyder did a masterful job of characterizing Wes’s vulnerability, internal struggles, and fear, interwoven with his hopefulness that building a relationship and future with the one he’s always longed to love is possible, and willingness to follow his heart by finding internal strength to sever ties with the man he’s been involved with for nearly a year. By facing and cutting out this man’s negative and abusive control of his life, Wes takes control of his destiny, retracting it from the domineering Roger.

The story starts off from Nathan’s perspective, but quickly swings into Wes’s court. Wes is genuine, empathetic almost to a fault, and a bit eccentric/quirky in some of his mannerisms, but I could almost palpably feel his internal anguish/struggle. I also wanted to high-five Nathan for realizing that he wanted to be with Wes after all these years – this was the guy he was meant to be with – and he was willing to pull out all the stops to make it happen. He was supportive, patient, and giving. I typically lean towards wanting the steamy sex scenes, but somehow J.M. Snyder captured and claimed my “don’t-want-to-put-it-down” and “damn, I don’t-want-this-story-to-end” attention. For me, this was such a heartwarming, endearing and satisfying read, and I thoroughly enjoyed it.

(P.S. The only part some readers may “huh” about – though not me – will be the blast to the past with references to landlines and pagers. It wasn’t that long ago, but my how quickly times change!)

[Dana · Rating 4 out of 5]

I got this book for free through Goodreads First Reads Giveaways.

This was a pretty good book. Definitely fluff with a little side of serious. I liked it. The author dealt with an important issue (emotional abuse) without weighing down the overall happy tone of the book. Nathan and Wes were really sweet together. I loved the plot of them meeting after knowing one another in high school. I also enjoyed how the author made Wes resolve his "issue." I won't spoil you but I am impressed by his emotional strength in the end.

I only have two real criticisms. First, the supporting characters were pretty flat and not really like-able (even the ones who were meant to be liked). Second, the ending could have been a bit more detailed. Overall though, I really enjoyed this book. I recommend it to lovers of gay fiction.

[Lexi Ander · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nathan is tired of being set up on blind dates by his best friends girlfriend. "This is the last time" introduces Wes back into Nathan's life. I wasn't sure I was going to like Nathan because it starts out with him complaining about his life and the rut that he is in. Then Wes is introduced and I had to smile at how forward Nathan becomes. He's like a homing beacon. Then there is the kink to the sotry, Roger, who is Wes's boyfriend. Roger developes into this black negative vortex. It's Wes's apprehension that gets you as you read and you start cringing for Wes's when Roger is involved. It does end okay, with out the anticipated violence. I really liked this and would recommend to my firends.

[Hrtnsoul28 · Rating 1 out of 5]

It took forever to finish this. I was bored through the whole thing. I kept finding things to do instead of reading it.
There were many things that could have made it a great book. It was a nice idea to get a couple together after a brief interlude in high school. So many ways to get them together and end the Roger issue.
Just not enough in the book to add up to be good. It was like a puzzle with half the pieces missing.

[Kim · Rating 3 out of 5]

I gave Crushed three stars not for the relationship between Wes and Nathan but because of the relationship between Wes and Roger. I haven't read many m/m books that deal with domestic abuse and it was interesting to read about the physical and mental abuse Wes suffered in his relationship with Roger. Roger's ability to drive Wes into such a panic was downright uncomfortable to read.

[Amneris Cesare · Rating 2 out of 5]

You know, I read this book yesterday and today, when I came to write my review I couldn't remember the story I read. Not the caracters, not the situation and environment, nothing. That speaks volumes about how much I liked this book.
Found it average writing, average story not really enticing nor interesting.
Sorry.

[J.M. · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my book so I'm not going to write a review.

[Elaine · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good story, I liked the characters. I got loss in some places, but a good story.

[GlamLawyer · Rating 1 out of 5]

what did I just read?