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The Story of Jax and Dylan
Dylan and Jax were typical best friends, until Dylan fell for Jax and kissed him the night before senior prom. Dylan had to move away before they could talk about it, so he has spent ten years thinking Jax hated him for that kiss.
Reconnecting on Facebook allows them to meet again, and they quickly become as close as ever, spending most of their free time together. Dylan falls for Jax a second time, even though Jax has a girlfriend and appears to be straight.
Important secrets about Jax may lie hidden in the books he's written, but Jax has asked Dylan not to read them, and Dylan refuses to break his promise. When the truth finally surfaces, their lives will never be the same.
Reconnecting on Facebook allows them to meet again, and they quickly become as close as ever, spending most of their free time together. Dylan falls for Jax a second time, even though Jax has a girlfriend and appears to be straight.
Important secrets about Jax may lie hidden in the books he's written, but Jax has asked Dylan not to read them, and Dylan refuses to break his promise. When the truth finally surfaces, their lives will never be the same.
149 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 8, 2015
48 people want to read
About the author
Jamie Dean
15 books9 followersJamie Dean lives in the southeastern US with his dog, cat and a host of imaginary friends.
For Jamie, writing is an addiction and a way of life. He finds inspiration everywhere and sometimes can't sleep for all the ideas fighting for his attention.
His first male-male romance, The Story of Jax and Dylan, was followed by The Art of Survival, and then what he considers his best novel, Not Just Passing Through. is fourth book, The 12 Loves of Christmas, is a collection of a dozen holiday-themed m/m short stories.
He is currently working on the sequel to TSOJAD.
For Jamie, writing is an addiction and a way of life. He finds inspiration everywhere and sometimes can't sleep for all the ideas fighting for his attention.
His first male-male romance, The Story of Jax and Dylan, was followed by The Art of Survival, and then what he considers his best novel, Not Just Passing Through. is fourth book, The 12 Loves of Christmas, is a collection of a dozen holiday-themed m/m short stories.
He is currently working on the sequel to TSOJAD.
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
June 30, 2015
This book was from a new male author Jamie Dean and it actually has a lot of potentials because the premise was brimming with plot opportunities. I also thought that it was very current and the characters were quite likable. What I didn’t like very much which I thought dragged down the story was the whole reminiscing thing from both MCs. You see, back-stories are wonderful because we get to feel more from where the character/s is coming from. I guess what irks me were the constant flashbacks in it – I feel like the MCs did nothing but reminisce their high school life. I’m like – okay, get on with the program already boys. It was like an endless loop that goes on and on. In all fairness with the author, he was able to finish the story in a solid note – albeit a predictable one but like I’m always referring to some plot lines – it was a good predictable.
Congratulations Mr. Dean for this debut!
Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars
Congratulations Mr. Dean for this debut!
Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars
June 9, 2016
Me encantan los libros de antiguos amigos/ amantes que tras un tiempo se reencuentran, y esta novela no ha estado nada mal, aunque por momentos hubiese repartido collejas a dos manos. El único problema que le encontré es que se pasan el libro o cocinando o comiendo, mi dieta en peligro!!!
April 13, 2015
A Joyfully Jay review.
4 stars
This book is big on delayed gratification and the entire conflict is based on misconception, so it’s hard to discuss it too much without revealing the whole plot. It is told completely from Dylan’s POV, which was a smart move because it kept the suspense factor going strong. Jax has a close female friend, Poppy, whom Dylan assumes to be Jax’s girlfriend. It takes a good long time to reveal the truth of that relationship.
Jax is an author, but he won’t tell Dylan his pseudonym, and repeatedly remarks how he doesn’t want his writing life and his real life to meet—some people find his books too risqué and treat him differently, is his reason. Dylan vows to never read the books, even when he figures out which are Jax’s, out of respect for Jax’s wishes. Which, again, keeps the tension rolling. See, Jax’s first book is semi-autobiographical, and Dylan would have learned pretty quickly a whole lot about his best friend.
When Jax and Dylan finally sort out the truth about each other’s sexuality it should be smooth sailing, but it isn’t. Again, misconception is at play. Jax assumes Dylan rejects him, Dylan thinks Jax doesn’t want him. Jax finally takes the initiative to voice his desires and, well, it turns out to be the first right move either of these guys take. I’m pretty sure that was about 90% in.
Read Veronica’s review in its entirety here.
4 stars
This book is big on delayed gratification and the entire conflict is based on misconception, so it’s hard to discuss it too much without revealing the whole plot. It is told completely from Dylan’s POV, which was a smart move because it kept the suspense factor going strong. Jax has a close female friend, Poppy, whom Dylan assumes to be Jax’s girlfriend. It takes a good long time to reveal the truth of that relationship.
Jax is an author, but he won’t tell Dylan his pseudonym, and repeatedly remarks how he doesn’t want his writing life and his real life to meet—some people find his books too risqué and treat him differently, is his reason. Dylan vows to never read the books, even when he figures out which are Jax’s, out of respect for Jax’s wishes. Which, again, keeps the tension rolling. See, Jax’s first book is semi-autobiographical, and Dylan would have learned pretty quickly a whole lot about his best friend.
When Jax and Dylan finally sort out the truth about each other’s sexuality it should be smooth sailing, but it isn’t. Again, misconception is at play. Jax assumes Dylan rejects him, Dylan thinks Jax doesn’t want him. Jax finally takes the initiative to voice his desires and, well, it turns out to be the first right move either of these guys take. I’m pretty sure that was about 90% in.
Read Veronica’s review in its entirety here.
January 10, 2016
Reviewed for Prism Book Alliance®
I will be honest, I was not expecting to like this story. Yes, it is a second chance romance and friends to lovers, two of my favorite tropes, but I am getting a bit jaded by new authors and less than quality work. However, I still picked it up. At about the half-way mark, I considered putting it down. I was frustrated.
April 14, 2015
This review was written for Joyfully Jay Reviews. Book provided by the publisher.
Dylan Holt is a divorced man trying to rebuild his social life. He gets on Facebook and sets up a profile where he tracks down his long-lost high school best friend, Jaxon Luther. In high school, both Dylan and Jax dated girls. Still, Dylan had the biggest secret crush on Jax for all of senior year. They were so close. Inseparable. And, after Dylan planted a drunken kiss on Jax, they had a blowout. Two weeks later, before they could resolve the conflict, Dylan and his family moved away.
It’s been ten years, and Jax just accepted his friend request.
As these men reconnect, they find their friendship to be as easy as it was way back when. They agree to leave the past in the past. For Dylan little has changed in his mind regarding Jax. He’s incredibly attracted to him, but keeps it well hidden, afraid to drive Jax away. He admits being bisexual, but Jax is dating a woman. Or, is he?
This book is big on delayed gratification and the entire conflict is based on misconception, so it’s hard to discuss it too much without revealing the whole plot. It is told completely from Dylan’s POV, which was a smart move because it kept the suspense factor going strong. Jax has a close female friend, Poppy, whom Dylan assumes to be Jax’s girlfriend. It takes a good long time to reveal the truth of that relationship.
Jax is an author, but he won’t tell Dylan his pseudonym, and repeatedly remarks how he doesn’t want his writing life and his real life to meet—some people find his books too risqué and treat him differently, is his reason. Dylan vows to never read the books, even when he figures out which are Jax’s, out of respect for Jax’s wishes. Which, again, keeps the tension rolling. See, Jax’s first book is semi-autobiographical, and Dylan would have learned pretty quickly a whole lot about his best friend.
When Jax and Dylan finally sort out the truth about each other’s sexuality it should be smooth sailing, but it isn’t. Again, misconception is at play. Jax assumes Dylan rejects him, Dylan thinks Jax doesn’t want him. Jax finally takes the initiative to voice his desires and, well, it turns out to be the first right move either of these guys take. I’m pretty sure that was about 90% in.
The book ends with a solid HEA. I have a feeling some readers might become exasperated by the slow build, and Dylan’s refusal to either voice his attraction or read Jax’s book. There are several side characters who hint to the content, including Dylan’s brother Tom, but he is resolute. I think I kind of admired Dylan’s determination to honor Jax’s request not to read the book that would have revealed so much.
Dylan Holt is a divorced man trying to rebuild his social life. He gets on Facebook and sets up a profile where he tracks down his long-lost high school best friend, Jaxon Luther. In high school, both Dylan and Jax dated girls. Still, Dylan had the biggest secret crush on Jax for all of senior year. They were so close. Inseparable. And, after Dylan planted a drunken kiss on Jax, they had a blowout. Two weeks later, before they could resolve the conflict, Dylan and his family moved away.
It’s been ten years, and Jax just accepted his friend request.
As these men reconnect, they find their friendship to be as easy as it was way back when. They agree to leave the past in the past. For Dylan little has changed in his mind regarding Jax. He’s incredibly attracted to him, but keeps it well hidden, afraid to drive Jax away. He admits being bisexual, but Jax is dating a woman. Or, is he?
This book is big on delayed gratification and the entire conflict is based on misconception, so it’s hard to discuss it too much without revealing the whole plot. It is told completely from Dylan’s POV, which was a smart move because it kept the suspense factor going strong. Jax has a close female friend, Poppy, whom Dylan assumes to be Jax’s girlfriend. It takes a good long time to reveal the truth of that relationship.
Jax is an author, but he won’t tell Dylan his pseudonym, and repeatedly remarks how he doesn’t want his writing life and his real life to meet—some people find his books too risqué and treat him differently, is his reason. Dylan vows to never read the books, even when he figures out which are Jax’s, out of respect for Jax’s wishes. Which, again, keeps the tension rolling. See, Jax’s first book is semi-autobiographical, and Dylan would have learned pretty quickly a whole lot about his best friend.
When Jax and Dylan finally sort out the truth about each other’s sexuality it should be smooth sailing, but it isn’t. Again, misconception is at play. Jax assumes Dylan rejects him, Dylan thinks Jax doesn’t want him. Jax finally takes the initiative to voice his desires and, well, it turns out to be the first right move either of these guys take. I’m pretty sure that was about 90% in.
The book ends with a solid HEA. I have a feeling some readers might become exasperated by the slow build, and Dylan’s refusal to either voice his attraction or read Jax’s book. There are several side characters who hint to the content, including Dylan’s brother Tom, but he is resolute. I think I kind of admired Dylan’s determination to honor Jax’s request not to read the book that would have revealed so much.
May 6, 2015
When Dylan is heading into the big open world of Facebook, he’s not really sure of what he’s doing. He’s being led through the maze by his brother, Thomas, (who I loved) who now lives a few states away and assures Dylan this is a great way to keep in touch. While he’ on there, Dylan starts looking up old friends. This includes his old best friend, Jax. Jax and Dylan ended their friendship ten years ago on less than ideal terms but Dylan has always wanted a chance to apologize. When Jax accepts the Facebook request, it’s a chance for both of them to put the past behind them and maybe be friends again.
Jax and Dylan pick up as friends and I liked how they fell back into easy companionship. Dylan doesn’t get along with Jax’ girl friend, Poppy, but then she is sort of a witch so who would?
I am usually not a fan of the “big misunderstanding” but the case of Jax’ book was, to me, completely believable. I could see it happening just as it did and how neither would bring it up, not realizing what was happening. Cryptic, that sounds, but I don’t want to spoiler it! The only thing I questioned was why Thomas didn’t say anything after he read the book. He’s so out there with everything most of the time, you’d think he would have.
There isn’t a lot of angst in this story, despite several misconceptions (even the original falling out wasn’t what either of them thought it was). The characters are interesting on their own, with Poppy adding some needed snark to the whole thing. I enjoyed seeing Jax and Dylan try to find their way back to being friends and then navigate the elephant in the room. I’d like to know what happens with Mike!
Jax and Dylan pick up as friends and I liked how they fell back into easy companionship. Dylan doesn’t get along with Jax’ girl friend, Poppy, but then she is sort of a witch so who would?
I am usually not a fan of the “big misunderstanding” but the case of Jax’ book was, to me, completely believable. I could see it happening just as it did and how neither would bring it up, not realizing what was happening. Cryptic, that sounds, but I don’t want to spoiler it! The only thing I questioned was why Thomas didn’t say anything after he read the book. He’s so out there with everything most of the time, you’d think he would have.
There isn’t a lot of angst in this story, despite several misconceptions (even the original falling out wasn’t what either of them thought it was). The characters are interesting on their own, with Poppy adding some needed snark to the whole thing. I enjoyed seeing Jax and Dylan try to find their way back to being friends and then navigate the elephant in the room. I’d like to know what happens with Mike!
April 9, 2015
This one was just okay for me.
What I liked:
Both Jax and Dylan are very likable
They have great chemistry
What bugged me:
The blurb really does sum up the book. There are no surprises.
Drags on a bit. With no other plot twists than are mentioned in the blurb, the story really should have been a novella.
Underdeveloped characters
There were a lot of missed opportunities to make this more interesting. When Poppy (Jax's bff), was introduced, I really though she was going to have a bigger role in the story. She seemed funny and interesting. But then her character fizzled out of the story. Same thing with Mikey. I think they could have added some humor to the book.
April 29, 2015
It was a very nice book / story. Liked all the characters Dylan, Jax, and also Dylan's brother Tom. What bothered me the most, was that Dylan's to defer of finding the truth longer than necessary . His brother was the most normal reacting in this story. He immediately read the book, and why he don't told nothing of it to his brother, was also a mystery to me. Somehow a bit exaggerated, the length of the story, until dissolved. Would have been more nicer to read a bit of the two as a couple. But all in all well written and nice to read.
October 5, 2015
This was a good story.
It was a shame how so much time passed with both having the wrong information about each other but who knows how each of their lives might have turned out if life didn't go t he way it did.
It was a shame how so much time passed with both having the wrong information about each other but who knows how each of their lives might have turned out if life didn't go t he way it did.
May 10, 2015
Simplistic story but a decent, quick read.
January 5, 2016
3.5 stars
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews