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George & Harvey #1
The Secret
1/3 of The George & Harvey Series, the BEST SELLING debut novella series from Ashley John.
When 32 year old married author George Lewis sees 19 year old Harvey Jasper reading one of his books in the local bookstore, he can't help but be drawn to him. After giving Harvey his cellphone number, he soon receives a call from Harvey asking if he can intern under George. Reluctantly, George says yes, and agrees to let Harvey into his home for a whole month.
As they spend more and more time together, Harvey shares his heart-breaking story with George and his eyes are opened up to a whole new world with whole new emotions. George soon discovers something he never thought he'd find in another man...love.
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Word count: 29,000
This is book 1 in the George & Harvey series. Contains a cliffhanger, so cannot be read as a standalone.
----
Warning: This novella is the first part of The George & Harvey Series, and contains a cliffhanger, leading into the 2nd part, The Truth (out now). Contains an age-gap relationship between a 32 year old married man and a 19 year old high school student.
When 32 year old married author George Lewis sees 19 year old Harvey Jasper reading one of his books in the local bookstore, he can't help but be drawn to him. After giving Harvey his cellphone number, he soon receives a call from Harvey asking if he can intern under George. Reluctantly, George says yes, and agrees to let Harvey into his home for a whole month.
As they spend more and more time together, Harvey shares his heart-breaking story with George and his eyes are opened up to a whole new world with whole new emotions. George soon discovers something he never thought he'd find in another man...love.
----
Word count: 29,000
This is book 1 in the George & Harvey series. Contains a cliffhanger, so cannot be read as a standalone.
----
Warning: This novella is the first part of The George & Harvey Series, and contains a cliffhanger, leading into the 2nd part, The Truth (out now). Contains an age-gap relationship between a 32 year old married man and a 19 year old high school student.
Unknown Binding
First published June 8, 2014
12 people are currently reading
272 people want to read
About the author
Ashley John
25 books800 followersAshley John is a gay author of gay/mm romance novels. Living in the north of England with his fiance and two cats, Ashley John spends his days writing down the voices he hears in his head. His books are primarily romance dramas with sprinklings of erotica and he has a knack for making you feel like you're living right beside the characters he creates. Ashley John is also a keen artist and he puts his artistic side to designing all of his own covers.
Find ashley john at ashleyjohn.co.uk
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Find ashley john at ashleyjohn.co.uk
KEEP UP WITH ASHLEY JOHN ON SOCIAL MEDIA:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ashleyjohnart
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/itsashleyjohn
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/ashleyjohn
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 50 reviews
August 2, 2014
First, thank you to Sandra for pointing out a free book. Anything free is fantastic and I really, sincerely appreciate it.
However.
I'm going to ignore the constant POV flip flopping and go right to the heart of the matter:
FADE TO BLACK SEX SCENES.
Harvey grabbed George's face and they kissed wildly as George's hands fumbled with the awkward buttons on Harvey's jeans.You know what happens then? FUCKING NOTHING, THAT'S WHAT .
He ripped them down to Harvey's knees, and pulled down the tight blue underwear Harvey was wearing. Kissing Harvey's neck, he turned him around and pushed him up against the tree as he undid the belt on his own jeans.
How can you describe anything as sizzling when it's all fade to black? Give me a blow job or do something interesting with that belt -- just do something!
I must admit, though, I really enjoyed snarking over this book. I find my sarcastic comments, even when I'm the only one who can hear them, so enjoyable I'm giving the novella an extra star for that alone. Thank you, novella!
Want to Read
August 2, 2014FREE on Amazon 8/1/14
April 19, 2015
There was too much going on in this book that was confusing. George is married and at no moment is it established that he is bi-sexual or gay. If this is a "gay for you" story line, it fails b/c George doesn't seem to be too worked up or confused by his new feelings. It's like "meh. I guess I feel like this now."
But, aside from all that, my primary objection to this story is the lazy trope surrounding the infidelity. Considering that this is an m/m romance featuring a married man, I don't consider it a spoiler to say that, yeah, he cheats on his wife. If you didn't see that just by reading the blurb, sorry. The lazy trope comes in the way the wife is treated. Of course--OF COURSE--she is a horrible person. After all, we must establish that our beloved MC is the good guy and totally forgiven, right?
The book starts almost immediately compiling the laundry list of flaws in Paula. George thinks she is unimaginative and dumb. She doesn't read fiction and accumulates cook books that, apparently, do nothing to help with her horrible cooking. Boom! We have already established that George has little to no respect and/or likING for his wife right form the get go. But it keeps going...
The next chapter shows us that Paula is vain because she wants George to dye his hair...yet his obsession with working out is quickly established to NOT be vain. Oh, no, not at all. He does it because he was chubby as a kid and needs to "stay healthy." Got it. Let's continue once Harvey enters the picture and we see that Paula is also a cruel snob who sees Harvey as a thieving street urchin and has no interest in helping him. Wow. Then finally the icing on the cake; she's frigid. Paula has "neglected" sex with George for months and, boo-hoo, he's so upset over it and considers himself the harmed party. "Why is she so detached?"
The only character in this book who has decent development is George. We see very quickly EXACTLY who he is. He is the man who shares smirking inside jokes with a teenage boy over how terrible his wife's cooking is (right in front of her, at the dinner table). He is the 32 year old guy who gloats and preens about his books and his nice house and his garden to a teenager. He's one of those embarrassing adults who wants a child to like him. And, finally, he's the man who thinks his wife is stupid, neglectful, unimaginative, and mean, but then seems confused as to why she doesn't want to have sex with him anymore. Perhaps Paula can see his opinion of her written on his face every day? Maybe?
I usually don't judge books by their characters' likability. After all, it is ridiculous to expect ever character to be your idea of a perfect person, but George is the absolute opposite of a good MC. He is a bad guy. Helping out a poor, abused kid (whom he also wants to sleep with, btw) does not negate all of his other massive personality flaws. George IS vain, despite what the author tries to tell us in the prose. He is selfish, because he maintains and has been maintaining a marriage with someone that he doesn't seem to like at all. And no amount of bad traits in Paula can counteract this because a) he already knew most of her traits that he didn't like and did nothing to end the relationship, and b) he learns the other things AFTER he has already cheated on her.
But, aside from all that, my primary objection to this story is the lazy trope surrounding the infidelity. Considering that this is an m/m romance featuring a married man, I don't consider it a spoiler to say that, yeah, he cheats on his wife. If you didn't see that just by reading the blurb, sorry. The lazy trope comes in the way the wife is treated. Of course--OF COURSE--she is a horrible person. After all, we must establish that our beloved MC is the good guy and totally forgiven, right?
The book starts almost immediately compiling the laundry list of flaws in Paula. George thinks she is unimaginative and dumb. She doesn't read fiction and accumulates cook books that, apparently, do nothing to help with her horrible cooking. Boom! We have already established that George has little to no respect and/or likING for his wife right form the get go. But it keeps going...
The next chapter shows us that Paula is vain because she wants George to dye his hair...yet his obsession with working out is quickly established to NOT be vain. Oh, no, not at all. He does it because he was chubby as a kid and needs to "stay healthy." Got it. Let's continue once Harvey enters the picture and we see that Paula is also a cruel snob who sees Harvey as a thieving street urchin and has no interest in helping him. Wow. Then finally the icing on the cake; she's frigid. Paula has "neglected" sex with George for months and, boo-hoo, he's so upset over it and considers himself the harmed party. "Why is she so detached?"
The only character in this book who has decent development is George. We see very quickly EXACTLY who he is. He is the man who shares smirking inside jokes with a teenage boy over how terrible his wife's cooking is (right in front of her, at the dinner table). He is the 32 year old guy who gloats and preens about his books and his nice house and his garden to a teenager. He's one of those embarrassing adults who wants a child to like him. And, finally, he's the man who thinks his wife is stupid, neglectful, unimaginative, and mean, but then seems confused as to why she doesn't want to have sex with him anymore. Perhaps Paula can see his opinion of her written on his face every day? Maybe?
I usually don't judge books by their characters' likability. After all, it is ridiculous to expect ever character to be your idea of a perfect person, but George is the absolute opposite of a good MC. He is a bad guy. Helping out a poor, abused kid (whom he also wants to sleep with, btw) does not negate all of his other massive personality flaws. George IS vain, despite what the author tries to tell us in the prose. He is selfish, because he maintains and has been maintaining a marriage with someone that he doesn't seem to like at all. And no amount of bad traits in Paula can counteract this because a) he already knew most of her traits that he didn't like and did nothing to end the relationship, and b) he learns the other things AFTER he has already cheated on her.
September 21, 2014
Revised and rewritten review and tags:
It was not to my liking.
It was not to my liking.
November 14, 2014
First, five stars to the author himself for having the drive and ambition to write this book and see it through publication. I know I've never had that in me.
I also enjoyed the fact it's not so much a stand alone story as much as episode one of a miniseries. I have always enjoyed serialized fiction.
That said, there were a some things that just really got in the way of enjoying this:
- Jumping POV: Within on paragraph, we can bounce into the minds of various characters. It's jolting and hard to follow.
- Little character development: Sort of related to the POV, when we don't really get to know these people, the names become inter-changeable. It took around 2/3rds of the way into the book to remember that George was the writer and Harvey the ingenue.
- Sort of related to character development everyone in this world has stilted mannerisms. Everyone runs his hands through his hair when frustrated/angry/tense. Phrases like "he scratched his six pack abs" aren't really so much about characters doing anything but just a raw description.
- American English: I started the book thinking it was America, then about a third of the way in, thought it had to be England. Then maybe Canada, but a character mentions the current president so it had to be America. Americans don't typically tuck in to meals, do things straight away, fancy things, etc.
- Maybe related to cross-pond issues, the whole premise of a month-long high school internship is unheard of. I could say OK to a very rich high school student doing a month of study abroad maybe. Or a week of visits of a couple hours per day, but still only in a very comprehensive sort of school district. By definition, Harvey is not rich and not in a good part of town, etc, so this whole setup was clunky.
- As noted elsewhere, the fade to black sex scenes were jarring not just in that they were there (I like to read a well-written roll in the sheets (or where ever they are) as much as the next reader but it doesn't have to be a requirement) but also that they set up sort of off-putting sex. There is a scene outdoors which I'll comment on with this metaphor: when your car has no oil, the pistons are going to overheat and scrape the bejeezus out of the cylinders; if there's no oil, there are far better ways to get to where you're going.
Even with that, I may check out the rest of the series to see how the story structure unwinds and how the author's style grows with experience.
I also enjoyed the fact it's not so much a stand alone story as much as episode one of a miniseries. I have always enjoyed serialized fiction.
That said, there were a some things that just really got in the way of enjoying this:
- Jumping POV: Within on paragraph, we can bounce into the minds of various characters. It's jolting and hard to follow.
- Little character development: Sort of related to the POV, when we don't really get to know these people, the names become inter-changeable. It took around 2/3rds of the way into the book to remember that George was the writer and Harvey the ingenue.
- Sort of related to character development everyone in this world has stilted mannerisms. Everyone runs his hands through his hair when frustrated/angry/tense. Phrases like "he scratched his six pack abs" aren't really so much about characters doing anything but just a raw description.
- American English: I started the book thinking it was America, then about a third of the way in, thought it had to be England. Then maybe Canada, but a character mentions the current president so it had to be America. Americans don't typically tuck in to meals, do things straight away, fancy things, etc.
- Maybe related to cross-pond issues, the whole premise of a month-long high school internship is unheard of. I could say OK to a very rich high school student doing a month of study abroad maybe. Or a week of visits of a couple hours per day, but still only in a very comprehensive sort of school district. By definition, Harvey is not rich and not in a good part of town, etc, so this whole setup was clunky.
- As noted elsewhere, the fade to black sex scenes were jarring not just in that they were there (I like to read a well-written roll in the sheets (or where ever they are) as much as the next reader but it doesn't have to be a requirement) but also that they set up sort of off-putting sex. There is a scene outdoors which I'll comment on with this metaphor: when your car has no oil, the pistons are going to overheat and scrape the bejeezus out of the cylinders; if there's no oil, there are far better ways to get to where you're going.
Even with that, I may check out the rest of the series to see how the story structure unwinds and how the author's style grows with experience.
July 28, 2014
4 and half stars from me. Love the premise of the story...older man/young man...author/fan...straight man/gay boy. George "rescues" Harvey, takes him into his home, feeds him, nurtures him and falls in love with him. You can't help but want the best for Harvey who has had a tough few years. I don't think we know enough about George though. Has he ever suspected he was gay or bi? Did he experiment when he was younger? You will really dislike George by the end of this book...he let his wife deal with the death of her mother alone. Didn't even attend the funeral. Does he feel any guilt about his relationship with Harvey other than accepting that Harvey is quite young (although perfectly legal). Safe to say I'm jumping straight in to part 2 of this trilogy. Can George redeem himself? Will Harvey get his truly deserved happy ever after? I'll tell you in a few hours!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 26, 2014
....Love the premise of the story, and the older married guy with the younger 'little boy lost'. Abit predictable, with some minor typos. Wanted to throttle the brother, and then George at the end .... intrigued to know more though.
August 18, 2014
Some of these reviews are so harsh! For a first effort, I really enjoyed it. The characters could have been deeper, but it had me hooked start to finish (which is what I always look for)
April 9, 2015
This was my 2nd time reading this b/c I enjoyed it the first time, also b/c it was re-edited & re-tuned :) Ending still got to me.... Now on to the 2nd book!
December 29, 2014
Complimentary copy provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.
George is a best selling author. He’s thirty-two and seems to be stuck in a loveless marriage. While he and his wife are browsing in a bookstore, George makes the acquaintance of Harvey, a gangly nineteen year old with ill-fitting clothes, sitting on the floor reading George’s latest release. After some small talk and George buying the book for Harvey, George gives Harvey his number. Further discussion about Harvey’s life reveals he needs to work as an intern for a month in order to graduate from school.
When Harvey shows up at George’s front door, his internship begins. He starts with menial activities such as filing, but soon the two are enjoying activities unrelated to Harvey’s internship, such as gardening. When George’s wife, whom is not happy with the internship arrangement, is called out of town to assist her ailing mother, George invites Harvey to live with him temporarily, based on finding out how dire Harvey’s living conditions.
The attraction between the two of them is mutual, however they seem to dance around the subject, instead exchanging knowing glances and loaded conversation. Finally when it becomes too much, they consummate their relationship in George’s bed and things change forever. If you’re expecting a steamy M/M read, this isn’t one for you. There are no explicit scenes; their interactions are more sweet than hardcore. Their relationship is built on a mutual attraction that runs much deeper than just sex and the storyline reflects that.
I’m sure there are many that will have problems not only with the cheating angle, but also with the age difference between the two. These are two major taboo issues and when you bring in outside factors such as Harvey’s abusive brother and George’s aloof wife, matters are complicated all the more.
Personally I think George and Harvey’s story would make a better novel than the serial format in which it was released. Just when the story starts to ramp up, it is over. This one is a solid four stars. I loved the budding relationship between George and Harvey and you could really feel the attraction between the two. The feeling of the budding relationship between the two and the care in which George treats Harvey is endearing. I’m definitely looking forward to the next installment, The Truth, due out the end of July. For a freshman effort, Mr. John is impressive.
George is a best selling author. He’s thirty-two and seems to be stuck in a loveless marriage. While he and his wife are browsing in a bookstore, George makes the acquaintance of Harvey, a gangly nineteen year old with ill-fitting clothes, sitting on the floor reading George’s latest release. After some small talk and George buying the book for Harvey, George gives Harvey his number. Further discussion about Harvey’s life reveals he needs to work as an intern for a month in order to graduate from school.
When Harvey shows up at George’s front door, his internship begins. He starts with menial activities such as filing, but soon the two are enjoying activities unrelated to Harvey’s internship, such as gardening. When George’s wife, whom is not happy with the internship arrangement, is called out of town to assist her ailing mother, George invites Harvey to live with him temporarily, based on finding out how dire Harvey’s living conditions.
The attraction between the two of them is mutual, however they seem to dance around the subject, instead exchanging knowing glances and loaded conversation. Finally when it becomes too much, they consummate their relationship in George’s bed and things change forever. If you’re expecting a steamy M/M read, this isn’t one for you. There are no explicit scenes; their interactions are more sweet than hardcore. Their relationship is built on a mutual attraction that runs much deeper than just sex and the storyline reflects that.
I’m sure there are many that will have problems not only with the cheating angle, but also with the age difference between the two. These are two major taboo issues and when you bring in outside factors such as Harvey’s abusive brother and George’s aloof wife, matters are complicated all the more.
Personally I think George and Harvey’s story would make a better novel than the serial format in which it was released. Just when the story starts to ramp up, it is over. This one is a solid four stars. I loved the budding relationship between George and Harvey and you could really feel the attraction between the two. The feeling of the budding relationship between the two and the care in which George treats Harvey is endearing. I’m definitely looking forward to the next installment, The Truth, due out the end of July. For a freshman effort, Mr. John is impressive.
July 13, 2015
http://bianchianita1971.blogspot.it/2...
Questa storia mi ha stupito. Solitamente non amo i tradimenti nei romanzi che leggo ma, in questo caso non mi ha infastidito particolarmente, l'ho trovato, anzi, quasi inevitabile. George è uno scrittore di successo intrappolato però in un matrimonio arido e in una vita che tutto sommato si ripete routinaria, senza particolari scosse finchè un giorno non incontra Harvey. Harvey è giovanissimo ma sta vivendo una vita molto dura che lo ha fatto maturare in fretta; l'attrazione e lo sviluppo della loro storia è graduale, procede per step, a volte difficili da affrontare e accettare, ma è ciò di cui hanno bisogno entrambi.
Non dico che il romanzo sia perfetto e non dico che la trama sia priva di situazioni che potrebbero apparire difficili da condividere, ma a me è piaciuto! Ora spero che venga pubblicato presto il seguito perchè devo sapere come andrà a finire tra questi due!!!
Questa storia mi ha stupito. Solitamente non amo i tradimenti nei romanzi che leggo ma, in questo caso non mi ha infastidito particolarmente, l'ho trovato, anzi, quasi inevitabile. George è uno scrittore di successo intrappolato però in un matrimonio arido e in una vita che tutto sommato si ripete routinaria, senza particolari scosse finchè un giorno non incontra Harvey. Harvey è giovanissimo ma sta vivendo una vita molto dura che lo ha fatto maturare in fretta; l'attrazione e lo sviluppo della loro storia è graduale, procede per step, a volte difficili da affrontare e accettare, ma è ciò di cui hanno bisogno entrambi.
Non dico che il romanzo sia perfetto e non dico che la trama sia priva di situazioni che potrebbero apparire difficili da condividere, ma a me è piaciuto! Ora spero che venga pubblicato presto il seguito perchè devo sapere come andrà a finire tra questi due!!!
July 31, 2014
I was in need of some mm reading so decided to give this book a go, I found it an enjoyable read.
George is 32 and a successful writer in a rather dull marriage, he spots Harvey in a bookshop and gifts him a signed copy of his book, when harvey calls him his surprised, but agrees to let him help him out in the office for a few weeks.
George is married to a woman, who conveniently has to go away. So George and Harvey get to spend some quality time together.
It's a gentle story of two people finding each other, there isn't lots of sex in it, it's more suggested and kept to your imagination.
Harvey has a brother and George has a wife so we know paradise can't last forever.
I enjoyed reading how there relationship developed, and liked both George and Harvey.
I look forward to seeing what is going to happen next.
3.75 stars
I was gifted a copy of this book by the author
June 30, 2014
Maybe 2.5 stars. This was a quick read. Caught a spelling error (principal is the person; not principle, which is a rule). It was a little rushed at the end I thought. Maybe the entire story could have been incorporated in one book instead of two.
I also would have liked a bit more of the characters thoughts. It's established that Harvey is gay, but what about George? He just had random thoughts about Harvey. What is George's story with being attracted to Harvey? I want to know more about him and his past, which would explain some things about the way he is.
And the thing with George's mother came out of left field. At least to me.
But I still want to read the 2nd book to find out what happens with Leo. And how George is going to handle Paula's return.
I also would have liked a bit more of the characters thoughts. It's established that Harvey is gay, but what about George? He just had random thoughts about Harvey. What is George's story with being attracted to Harvey? I want to know more about him and his past, which would explain some things about the way he is.
And the thing with George's mother came out of left field. At least to me.
But I still want to read the 2nd book to find out what happens with Leo. And how George is going to handle Paula's return.
July 27, 2014
I was given this book from the author for an honest review
This was a great book. I couldn't stop reading it. I felt all kinds on emotions. Some parts tugged at my heart strings and other parts I was like awww, so cute. I love this story and will be reading book 2 and 3 to find out how the George and Harvey story ends.
This was a great book. I couldn't stop reading it. I felt all kinds on emotions. Some parts tugged at my heart strings and other parts I was like awww, so cute. I love this story and will be reading book 2 and 3 to find out how the George and Harvey story ends.
August 5, 2014
Life Is So Hard
Wow!! I didn't see George coming into his feelings for Harvey so fast. I love how he wants to take care of Harvey. Not happy about Harvey's brother and what the hell are they going to do about George's wife.
Wow!! I didn't see George coming into his feelings for Harvey so fast. I love how he wants to take care of Harvey. Not happy about Harvey's brother and what the hell are they going to do about George's wife.
July 27, 2014
Not a bad read so far. A bit vague with George and his sexuality. He's married and then by the end of the book he's in a realtionship with Harvey!! I'm intreged to see how this plays out!
August 18, 2014
Excellent start to the series! I got it during a free day but I loved it so much I went on to buy the rest of the books.
October 10, 2025
3.5 stars
December 1, 2014
I enjoyed this book greatly. The emotions came off the pages and pulled me right into the story. I haven't read the rest of the series yet, but I'm looking forward to finishing this love story.
April 5, 2016
Cute story but hate cliffhangers. On to the next one.
August 28, 2014
I enjoyed this story. Can't wait to read the next book in this series.
April 23, 2018
Un racconto di sessantanove pagine molto carino e in parte intenso.
L’incontro tra George, scrittore affermato, e Harvey, giovane ragazzo diciannovenne, avviene in libreria e appena Harvey scopre il lavoro di George gli si offre come stagista. Per Harvey sarà l’inizio di una vita diversa, forse migliore da quella che gli sta riservando il fratello maggiore, tossico e alcolizzato, mentre per George è la scoperta di poter amare un uomo.
George infatti è sposato con Paula da 10 anni, ma il matrimonio non è felice. Non si sa quali siano i problemi ma lei è fredda e distante. L’uomo metterà quindi in discussione il suo matrimonio, anche se agli occhi di tutti in città è etero. Harvey vivrà un periodo felice, ma poi l’incubo inizia con la minaccia del fratello di riferire a Paula la loro relazione e con il ricatto a George.
Il libro finisce con il dubbio atroce: cederà oppure no? Eh, mi piacerebbe saperlo, e quindi dovrò leggere il secondo libro per avere la risposta, ma a giudicare dal titolo temo che George cederà al ricatto e Harvey finirà con il cuore spezzato.
È un libro molto dolce, incentrato sui sentimenti con scene di sesso appena accennate. Consigliato. E buona lettura!
L’incontro tra George, scrittore affermato, e Harvey, giovane ragazzo diciannovenne, avviene in libreria e appena Harvey scopre il lavoro di George gli si offre come stagista. Per Harvey sarà l’inizio di una vita diversa, forse migliore da quella che gli sta riservando il fratello maggiore, tossico e alcolizzato, mentre per George è la scoperta di poter amare un uomo.
George infatti è sposato con Paula da 10 anni, ma il matrimonio non è felice. Non si sa quali siano i problemi ma lei è fredda e distante. L’uomo metterà quindi in discussione il suo matrimonio, anche se agli occhi di tutti in città è etero. Harvey vivrà un periodo felice, ma poi l’incubo inizia con la minaccia del fratello di riferire a Paula la loro relazione e con il ricatto a George.
Il libro finisce con il dubbio atroce: cederà oppure no? Eh, mi piacerebbe saperlo, e quindi dovrò leggere il secondo libro per avere la risposta, ma a giudicare dal titolo temo che George cederà al ricatto e Harvey finirà con il cuore spezzato.
È un libro molto dolce, incentrato sui sentimenti con scene di sesso appena accennate. Consigliato. E buona lettura!
February 14, 2024
George finds Harvey on the floor of the bookstore reading his most recent novel. He knows that there's something drawing him toward the young man but doesn't understand what. When he gets a call from Harvey asking about an internship for school credit he uncharacteristically agrees. He soon feels very protective of the young man, particularly after seeing his living situation. A chance glimpse of Harvey sets off a far more intimate relationship. When his wife is away George and Harvey become lovers. When Harvey's brother threatens them will George cave to his demands or stand up for the man he's fallen for? With the cliffhanger ending I just wish I could locate the two remaining volumes.
August 18, 2019
a september-april romance between a closeted author with writer`s block and a decaying marriage and a high-school boy who interns with him. Naturally his wife isn´t pleased with this young man lurking around the house, the tension is palpable on each page.
January 31, 2022
Letto grazie a kindle unlimited e devo dire che mi ha incuriosito abbastanza da voler leggere anche i due libri successivi. Non un capolavoro ma comunque una bella storia d'amore che inizia a mettere radici in questa prima parte
March 1, 2019
2.5 stars
May 22, 2023
It was a very interesting and brilliant read
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 19, 2016
a glutton for punishment
phrase of glutton
noun: glutton for punishment
1.
a person who is always eager to undertake hard or unpleasant tasks.
Hi, my name is Tony - and I am a glutton for punishment!
***2.5 stars rounded up to 3***
I hated this story! I hated Harvey. I hated George. I hated Paula and I really fucking hated Leo!
The only character I did like was the waitress/owner of the cafe/diner!
The fact this was one of the author's first books is why I am giving it a 3 star rating. I read a more recent story and actually enjoyed it - but this one? OOOOO...MMMMMM....GGGGGG!
I am the type that once I start reading, I have to keep going! And after reading the first book - I had to continue on in the series. But wow - ok first off
Oh and also
Now let us talk about Paula. I have a hard time with cold, ice queen, bitchy wife characters - and that didn't change for Paula.
Oh and there is also the druggie, alcoholic brother who for some reason has a hold over Harvey and is physically and mentally abusive. His name is Leo and he is an ahole - and his character only gets worse throughout the rest of the series.
I read all 3 books in this series very close together (like I mentioned earlier - I am a glutton for punishment) and not really sure now what happened in each book. I just know that this book was full of insta-love, super fast story line (whiplash inducing), a married gay man who is scared to tell his wife, a druggie/alchie brother who is abusive, a sad history for a dramatic MC.
OH! And I am George's age... and first - the dating a 19 y/o thing. Okay - I can get over that. But the fact he calls him "kid" every other second was very... *shudders* I don't know --- gross? creepy?...very Chester Chester - to me!
phrase of glutton
noun: glutton for punishment
1.
a person who is always eager to undertake hard or unpleasant tasks.
Hi, my name is Tony - and I am a glutton for punishment!
***2.5 stars rounded up to 3***
I hated this story! I hated Harvey. I hated George. I hated Paula and I really fucking hated Leo!
The only character I did like was the waitress/owner of the cafe/diner!
The fact this was one of the author's first books is why I am giving it a 3 star rating. I read a more recent story and actually enjoyed it - but this one? OOOOO...MMMMMM....GGGGGG!
I am the type that once I start reading, I have to keep going! And after reading the first book - I had to continue on in the series. But wow - ok first off
Oh and also
Now let us talk about Paula. I have a hard time with cold, ice queen, bitchy wife characters - and that didn't change for Paula.
Oh and there is also the druggie, alcoholic brother who for some reason has a hold over Harvey and is physically and mentally abusive. His name is Leo and he is an ahole - and his character only gets worse throughout the rest of the series.
I read all 3 books in this series very close together (like I mentioned earlier - I am a glutton for punishment) and not really sure now what happened in each book. I just know that this book was full of insta-love, super fast story line (whiplash inducing), a married gay man who is scared to tell his wife, a druggie/alchie brother who is abusive, a sad history for a dramatic MC.
OH! And I am George's age... and first - the dating a 19 y/o thing. Okay - I can get over that. But the fact he calls him "kid" every other second was very... *shudders* I don't know --- gross? creepy?...very Chester Chester - to me!
November 26, 2016
Recensione di Xania per il blog http://lettriciimpertinenti.blogspot....
Ringrazio vivamente la cara amica che mi ha suggerito di leggere questo romanzo e sappia che cercherò di renderle il favore con tanto di interessi!!!
Fatta questa dedica di apertura inizio a dire che il romanzo non mi è piaciuto. Approssimativo, generico, non mi ha coinvolto nelle vicende dei due protagonisti. La storia dell’uomo più grande, un pezzo d’uomo che farebbe gola a molte donne con il suo fisico asciutto e dall'aspetto piacente che gioca a fare il Salvatore con il giovanotto pieno di problemi non mi ha convinto.
Lo struggimento di George per quello che sta facendo dura un istante eppure con la sua scelta sta mettendo in gioco tutto. Harvey non ha molto da perdere visto che si trova ai margini della sopravvivenza e con un fratello che ha più del delinquente che del fratello maggiore premuroso e preoccupato. I sentimenti tipo la preoccupazione, la rabbia e l’amore sono trattati marginalmente, per questo poco coinvolgenti.
Non parliamo poi della festa per 300 persone circa organizzata senza l’aiuto di nessuno. Un po’ di spesa dal macellaio e George riesce a fare tutto da solo… cuoco, intrattenitore, party organizer.. gradirei sapere come si fa perché veramente mi sa di miracoloso!
E tutto questo succede mentre la moglie di George, con la quale il matrimonio non funziona bene, è lontano per problemi personali. Neanche una telefonata di saluti o per sapere se la casa è andata a fuoco?
Non va bene. La trama è forzata, paradossale in alcuni punti. Mi chiedo: se un uomo si trova a considerare l’idea di essere omosessuale non dovrebbe vivere una specie di rivelazione, non dovrebbe farsi delle domande del tipo… come mai fino ad ora non me ne sono accorto? Basta uno sguardo per capire le proprie inclinazioni?
Ne ho letti di romanzi MM e questo non rientra a pieni voti nella categoria citata. Non sono sicura che leggerò anche le restanti due parti della serie se il metodo di scrittura è lo stesso.
Con l’augurio che Mr. Ashley John trovi dei lettori più compiacenti della sottoscritta.
Dimenticavo. Una cosa bella c’è: la copertina! Basta.
Ringrazio vivamente la cara amica che mi ha suggerito di leggere questo romanzo e sappia che cercherò di renderle il favore con tanto di interessi!!!
Fatta questa dedica di apertura inizio a dire che il romanzo non mi è piaciuto. Approssimativo, generico, non mi ha coinvolto nelle vicende dei due protagonisti. La storia dell’uomo più grande, un pezzo d’uomo che farebbe gola a molte donne con il suo fisico asciutto e dall'aspetto piacente che gioca a fare il Salvatore con il giovanotto pieno di problemi non mi ha convinto.
Lo struggimento di George per quello che sta facendo dura un istante eppure con la sua scelta sta mettendo in gioco tutto. Harvey non ha molto da perdere visto che si trova ai margini della sopravvivenza e con un fratello che ha più del delinquente che del fratello maggiore premuroso e preoccupato. I sentimenti tipo la preoccupazione, la rabbia e l’amore sono trattati marginalmente, per questo poco coinvolgenti.
Non parliamo poi della festa per 300 persone circa organizzata senza l’aiuto di nessuno. Un po’ di spesa dal macellaio e George riesce a fare tutto da solo… cuoco, intrattenitore, party organizer.. gradirei sapere come si fa perché veramente mi sa di miracoloso!
E tutto questo succede mentre la moglie di George, con la quale il matrimonio non funziona bene, è lontano per problemi personali. Neanche una telefonata di saluti o per sapere se la casa è andata a fuoco?
Non va bene. La trama è forzata, paradossale in alcuni punti. Mi chiedo: se un uomo si trova a considerare l’idea di essere omosessuale non dovrebbe vivere una specie di rivelazione, non dovrebbe farsi delle domande del tipo… come mai fino ad ora non me ne sono accorto? Basta uno sguardo per capire le proprie inclinazioni?
Ne ho letti di romanzi MM e questo non rientra a pieni voti nella categoria citata. Non sono sicura che leggerò anche le restanti due parti della serie se il metodo di scrittura è lo stesso.
Con l’augurio che Mr. Ashley John trovi dei lettori più compiacenti della sottoscritta.
Dimenticavo. Una cosa bella c’è: la copertina! Basta.
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