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Mikey and the Chickadee
Every day, the same city bus. Every day, the same stunning man, riding alongside you. He seems to notice you. You could swear something's there--it almost feels as if he's reaching out... Then, one fine day, you're given the chance of a lifetime: a opportunity to finally strike up a conversation. Do you take it?
Wyatt does. And he's thrust into a more beautiful, violent, emotionally-charged journey than he ever could have expected. Only time will tell if his new bond with this beautiful boy can weather the tumult and confusion that accompany early adulthood...
“Mikey said things in a way that invoked visions of us spending time together in the future. I considered this while I watched the sun set out my window. Beyond houses, buildings and occasional fields, all of it racing by, I caught flickers of open water and the far-off levee holding it at bay. The next few miles were peppered with conversation borne, still, out of an inscrutable dose of caution and unfamiliarity. How does one coax something from a void? What kind of enigmatic force conjures a friendship between strangers? How fragile those first times together must be, yet with so much depending on them. For one covert second, I swelled with sadness, not just because a continued relationship with this beautifully unchained boy was so improbable, but for the tragedy of all friendships that died in infancy.”
Wyatt does. And he's thrust into a more beautiful, violent, emotionally-charged journey than he ever could have expected. Only time will tell if his new bond with this beautiful boy can weather the tumult and confusion that accompany early adulthood...
“Mikey said things in a way that invoked visions of us spending time together in the future. I considered this while I watched the sun set out my window. Beyond houses, buildings and occasional fields, all of it racing by, I caught flickers of open water and the far-off levee holding it at bay. The next few miles were peppered with conversation borne, still, out of an inscrutable dose of caution and unfamiliarity. How does one coax something from a void? What kind of enigmatic force conjures a friendship between strangers? How fragile those first times together must be, yet with so much depending on them. For one covert second, I swelled with sadness, not just because a continued relationship with this beautifully unchained boy was so improbable, but for the tragedy of all friendships that died in infancy.”
304 pages, Paperback
First published February 8, 2016
9 people are currently reading
879 people want to read
About the author
Kid Boise
2 books68 followersKid Boise was born and raised in Boise, Idaho and now lives with his partner in Vancouver, British Columbia. He earned a B.A. in Creative Writing from the University of Idaho in 2012.
Don't be shy about friending me! oh also on instagram: http://instagram.com/kid8oise
Don't be shy about friending me! oh also on instagram: http://instagram.com/kid8oise
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Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
April 1, 2024
A slice-of-life/self discovery story that although not bad it didn’t do too much for me,to be honest. Written in first person and from a single POV (Wyatt’s) I found it to be a bit dry and clinical. I liked the representation and I liked their friendship though. Also, I enjoyed being in Wyatt’s head, there was a rich world in there, yet what came out in his dialogues and interactions with Mikey were boring platitudes. Mikey talked and Wyatt approved. Mikey proposed and Wyatt agreed. Add some cringey (and painful) sex and we have a rather unimpressive love story. I was also very bothered by Mikey’s “I want just sex with men, I save the romance and falling in love for women”. Yeah yeah, homophobic strict dad and all but if you’re willing to fuck a guy but refuse the idea of feelings you’re just a disrespectful homophobic douche. I don’t understand why a gay guy would give these ppl the time of day.
The third act break up was also kind of unnecessary but at least it wasn’t months or God forbid,years.
The writing was ok although I really don’t think a 22 years old guy would talk like that, pretentious and formal. I think it would have been more suited to a third person speech .
“[……] not wake up until close to noon. Marie had left already to satisfy a prior obligation.”
or
“Mikey lay still in dormancy next to me.”
So yeah, the book was …ok I guess . It was pretty realistic and different from the usual passionate and OTT romances we know .
The third act break up was also kind of unnecessary but at least it wasn’t months or God forbid,years.
The writing was ok although I really don’t think a 22 years old guy would talk like that, pretentious and formal. I think it would have been more suited to a third person speech .
“[……] not wake up until close to noon. Marie had left already to satisfy a prior obligation.”
or
“Mikey lay still in dormancy next to me.”
So yeah, the book was …ok I guess . It was pretty realistic and different from the usual passionate and OTT romances we know .
December 5, 2016
Mikey and the Chickadee
By Kid Boise
Boise Urban Publishing Company, 2016
Cover by Jessalynn Tran
ISBN: 9780692629765
Four stars
This is a first novel by a young writer who describes himself as not having “settled down yet,” and whose pen name is more descriptive than anything. I hope he’ll use his real name someday, because there’s something here.
Wyatt is a blonde boy who grew up in a predominantly Asian neighborhood in Vancouver. Right out of university, and after his one summer of European travel with his two best friends, he’s settled into a job at an accounting firm in the city. It’s not exciting, but it feels like the right thing to do.
Then Wyatt spots a handsome Asian man on the bus to work one day, and after months of watching him, contrives to sit with him and start a conversation. Mikey, it turns out, is Thai, Vancouver-born, and grew up in the same suburban area that Wyatt did. There is instant rapport, and instant attraction. The one problem is that Mikey is apparently straight.
Being gay and coming out to his family were never a problem for Wyatt; figuring out how he wants to live his life has been the challenge. Mikey, on the other hand, has a sort of reverse problem: he’s found the ideal way to live his life, but is as confused about his sexuality as Wyatt is about his career.
This could be another of those eye-rolling “gay for you” fantasies that plenty of m/m writers and readers love. But Kid Boise does something quite different with it. Ultimately, “Mikey and the Chickadee” is story about why people make choices in their lives, and how sometimes their choices are made without really thinking about what would actually make them happy. It is not just Mikey and Wyatt; Mikey’s cousin Sophie, Wyatt’s family, and his friends Sloan and Marie, are all part of this complexly-woven plot in important ways. But it is Wyatt (who is the Chickadee of the title for adorable reasons) who is the centerpiece of the story, and it is his quest for a real self that drives the narrative. The oddly fragmented dance between Mikey and the Chickadee is the main narrative line, but it is everything else going on around their relationship that, in the end, matters the most.
Kid Boise has a fascinatingly stilted, almost nerdy writing style. It is mostly quite engaging and seems to fit Wyatt’s personality very well. There are many moments of beauty, lovely turns of phrase that give the reader a vivid sense of place and atmosphere. But there are also strangely constructed sentences that seem to be overthought to the point of confusion: “His voice had come stormlessly forth, convincing me that the small details truly did escape the outer limits of his headspace.” I’m still not entirely sure what that means. But even these flights of awkward fancy seem to suit Wyatt’s personality. He is over-analytical and cautious in ways that contrast strongly with his fun-loving nature when he’s with his family and friends. Like many of us, Wyatt is pulled in opposite directions by his heart and his head.
Keep writing, Kid Boise. I see you have a second novel on the way, and I look forward to it.
By Kid Boise
Boise Urban Publishing Company, 2016
Cover by Jessalynn Tran
ISBN: 9780692629765
Four stars
This is a first novel by a young writer who describes himself as not having “settled down yet,” and whose pen name is more descriptive than anything. I hope he’ll use his real name someday, because there’s something here.
Wyatt is a blonde boy who grew up in a predominantly Asian neighborhood in Vancouver. Right out of university, and after his one summer of European travel with his two best friends, he’s settled into a job at an accounting firm in the city. It’s not exciting, but it feels like the right thing to do.
Then Wyatt spots a handsome Asian man on the bus to work one day, and after months of watching him, contrives to sit with him and start a conversation. Mikey, it turns out, is Thai, Vancouver-born, and grew up in the same suburban area that Wyatt did. There is instant rapport, and instant attraction. The one problem is that Mikey is apparently straight.
Being gay and coming out to his family were never a problem for Wyatt; figuring out how he wants to live his life has been the challenge. Mikey, on the other hand, has a sort of reverse problem: he’s found the ideal way to live his life, but is as confused about his sexuality as Wyatt is about his career.
This could be another of those eye-rolling “gay for you” fantasies that plenty of m/m writers and readers love. But Kid Boise does something quite different with it. Ultimately, “Mikey and the Chickadee” is story about why people make choices in their lives, and how sometimes their choices are made without really thinking about what would actually make them happy. It is not just Mikey and Wyatt; Mikey’s cousin Sophie, Wyatt’s family, and his friends Sloan and Marie, are all part of this complexly-woven plot in important ways. But it is Wyatt (who is the Chickadee of the title for adorable reasons) who is the centerpiece of the story, and it is his quest for a real self that drives the narrative. The oddly fragmented dance between Mikey and the Chickadee is the main narrative line, but it is everything else going on around their relationship that, in the end, matters the most.
Kid Boise has a fascinatingly stilted, almost nerdy writing style. It is mostly quite engaging and seems to fit Wyatt’s personality very well. There are many moments of beauty, lovely turns of phrase that give the reader a vivid sense of place and atmosphere. But there are also strangely constructed sentences that seem to be overthought to the point of confusion: “His voice had come stormlessly forth, convincing me that the small details truly did escape the outer limits of his headspace.” I’m still not entirely sure what that means. But even these flights of awkward fancy seem to suit Wyatt’s personality. He is over-analytical and cautious in ways that contrast strongly with his fun-loving nature when he’s with his family and friends. Like many of us, Wyatt is pulled in opposite directions by his heart and his head.
Keep writing, Kid Boise. I see you have a second novel on the way, and I look forward to it.
March 31, 2016
so like where the hell do i find this book?
UPDATE:
bought it on kindle. read it. new kind of genre to me. like it.
EDIT:
i feel like i should give a proper review. firstly because i almost broke my laptop trying to find this book (i want a paperback but as a poor poor student i cant find a reason to spend so much money on a physical copy (yet) plus i didnt think i can wait for a few days for the book to arrive so i chose to buy the kindle edition and then my internet connection was freaking slow on that day that it took like half an hour to download the kindle app on my phone yeah i know like wtf right? but thats what happen when you live in a house with 5 other people and 2 of them happened to have the obsession of maxing up the wifi quota by downloading every korean drama available oh well i'll live). so yeah i almost want to threw my laptop away because damn if its not so frustrating. and secondly, i have to write this review as a way to make sure my beloved friend (bell is her name) will read this book soon. she promised me that she will read A Little Life like a month ago but she hasnt started yet as far as i'm concerned so maybe if the book is a bit thinner she will start (maybe).
anyway, done rambling, now to the review.
i think i find a kind of writing that suits my soul. earlier this month, i wept reading A Little Life and i want every book to be like it, and one thing that come into my mind about that book is how quiet it is. i dont know how to explain it but surely you would understand? like, sometimes, i watch a movie and theres like no background music its just the characters talking and it was so quiet (like maybe, The Hurt Locker idk i dont even watch that much of a movie) and its not uncomfortable at all and i so welcome it. just like that depressing book (a little life), it was quiet and this book i find very quiet too. and i like it. like it in the way that i dont mind reading more and more and more till the quietness kills me (not soon).
and then! i found the author's (mr Kid Boise )youtube channel (how you might ask? its just the way my mind work in which if i read a book that i want to know more about i have to do some research, and yada yada i found out he has a youtube channel and all so i watched some of his videos (hey mr. author, i like your veda series you should post more) and i find that he's kinda quiet. i mean, his videos (that i've watched) are entertaining, and his recent videos wherein he talks about his book and life, the way he talks is idk how to put it, but soothing (maybe) or monotonous (?) but in a good way. for me, at least because maybe i have this affinity for this kind of thing. anyway, yeah he writes like he talks is what i'm trying to say with this torrents of words and it is very interesting to note is all.)
back to the review, so yeah i like his style of writing, and i like it that the book is titled the way it is. at first it kinda bugs me that i feel more for mikey instead of wyatt which is supposed to be the main character (i mean, both of them are but this book is told in wyatt's pov so) but then i kinda get it because the book is titled mikey and the chickadee after all so like it makes sense for me to feel more for mikey (or maybe i only read this book once, so i dont feel much connected to wyatt as i am to mikey maybe i will edit this review if i happen to re-read this in the future).
the plot is fun (?) i guess. ahaha not really the word i would use. the story itself is intriguing, i havent really read anything truly romance genre in like forever (seriously, bell, when was the last time i read anything romance thingy?) so i dont find it cliche even though i can totally see if people say it is. i am really interested in the way wyatt describes everything in the days leading up to his big decision, it feels like time slows down and i would say its the right thing to feel during those times, and it makes me almost (!) cry because i can really feel the personal conflict he's going through (like damn i'm currently in india and i very much want to return to malaysia right now if i can coz i miss my family so freaking much *cries* )
i kinda expect the ending to be like that so nothing to say to that except that i think the ending is written in a very abrupt (?) way. i feel like it can be written in a more elegant manner or maybe it just me wanting the book to not end. and oh one more thing to say is that i find that the side characters are not as developed as much as i want them to be and i thinl it would be a very very great book if they are all as developed as the main characters ( can you see i really want the author to keep on expanding this book).
so like, thats my opinion. i spent quite a time writing this. because the author replied to my comment on youtube saying how kind i was to write a review on goodreads but then i only wrote like 15 words sooooo
disclaimer: i am aware of my excessive usage of the question mark (sometimes i dont think the word means what i want them to mean but i am not a native speaker so pardon my laziness to look up a better word) as well as the words "find" (tbh i do find a lot of thing in this book) and "like" (im just too basic right now).
UPDATE:
bought it on kindle. read it. new kind of genre to me. like it.
EDIT:
i feel like i should give a proper review. firstly because i almost broke my laptop trying to find this book (i want a paperback but as a poor poor student i cant find a reason to spend so much money on a physical copy (yet) plus i didnt think i can wait for a few days for the book to arrive so i chose to buy the kindle edition and then my internet connection was freaking slow on that day that it took like half an hour to download the kindle app on my phone yeah i know like wtf right? but thats what happen when you live in a house with 5 other people and 2 of them happened to have the obsession of maxing up the wifi quota by downloading every korean drama available oh well i'll live). so yeah i almost want to threw my laptop away because damn if its not so frustrating. and secondly, i have to write this review as a way to make sure my beloved friend (bell is her name) will read this book soon. she promised me that she will read A Little Life like a month ago but she hasnt started yet as far as i'm concerned so maybe if the book is a bit thinner she will start (maybe).
anyway, done rambling, now to the review.
i think i find a kind of writing that suits my soul. earlier this month, i wept reading A Little Life and i want every book to be like it, and one thing that come into my mind about that book is how quiet it is. i dont know how to explain it but surely you would understand? like, sometimes, i watch a movie and theres like no background music its just the characters talking and it was so quiet (like maybe, The Hurt Locker idk i dont even watch that much of a movie) and its not uncomfortable at all and i so welcome it. just like that depressing book (a little life), it was quiet and this book i find very quiet too. and i like it. like it in the way that i dont mind reading more and more and more till the quietness kills me (not soon).
and then! i found the author's (mr Kid Boise )youtube channel (how you might ask? its just the way my mind work in which if i read a book that i want to know more about i have to do some research, and yada yada i found out he has a youtube channel and all so i watched some of his videos (hey mr. author, i like your veda series you should post more) and i find that he's kinda quiet. i mean, his videos (that i've watched) are entertaining, and his recent videos wherein he talks about his book and life, the way he talks is idk how to put it, but soothing (maybe) or monotonous (?) but in a good way. for me, at least because maybe i have this affinity for this kind of thing. anyway, yeah he writes like he talks is what i'm trying to say with this torrents of words and it is very interesting to note is all.)
back to the review, so yeah i like his style of writing, and i like it that the book is titled the way it is. at first it kinda bugs me that i feel more for mikey instead of wyatt which is supposed to be the main character (i mean, both of them are but this book is told in wyatt's pov so) but then i kinda get it because the book is titled mikey and the chickadee after all so like it makes sense for me to feel more for mikey (or maybe i only read this book once, so i dont feel much connected to wyatt as i am to mikey maybe i will edit this review if i happen to re-read this in the future).
the plot is fun (?) i guess. ahaha not really the word i would use. the story itself is intriguing, i havent really read anything truly romance genre in like forever (seriously, bell, when was the last time i read anything romance thingy?) so i dont find it cliche even though i can totally see if people say it is. i am really interested in the way wyatt describes everything in the days leading up to his big decision, it feels like time slows down and i would say its the right thing to feel during those times, and it makes me almost (!) cry because i can really feel the personal conflict he's going through (like damn i'm currently in india and i very much want to return to malaysia right now if i can coz i miss my family so freaking much *cries* )
i kinda expect the ending to be like that so nothing to say to that except that i think the ending is written in a very abrupt (?) way. i feel like it can be written in a more elegant manner or maybe it just me wanting the book to not end. and oh one more thing to say is that i find that the side characters are not as developed as much as i want them to be and i thinl it would be a very very great book if they are all as developed as the main characters ( can you see i really want the author to keep on expanding this book).
so like, thats my opinion. i spent quite a time writing this. because the author replied to my comment on youtube saying how kind i was to write a review on goodreads but then i only wrote like 15 words sooooo
disclaimer: i am aware of my excessive usage of the question mark (sometimes i dont think the word means what i want them to mean but i am not a native speaker so pardon my laziness to look up a better word) as well as the words "find" (tbh i do find a lot of thing in this book) and "like" (im just too basic right now).
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April 7, 2018
Suspend reality and you'll probably like this book. Get yourself in the correct headspace and this book would be outstanding. However I live in the Real World and was frustrated & irritated as Hell.
This author goes along telling his story then slips in a sentence that is great in the college entrance exams but, for me, it just stopped the flow of words. ("I marveled at the dissonance between his displays of clarion confidence and these fresh moments of uncertainty.") WHAT?!!
I've an aversion to using a dictionary while I read, ok? I start thinking of homework, essays and I'm past that crap! I would've preferred a warning label: "Will Cause Feelings of Stupidity" would have been nice. "Use of Pretension and Feelings of Grandeur contained Herein".
I'd like to read something written later by Kid Boise. Was it me? His writing?
This author goes along telling his story then slips in a sentence that is great in the college entrance exams but, for me, it just stopped the flow of words. ("I marveled at the dissonance between his displays of clarion confidence and these fresh moments of uncertainty.") WHAT?!!
I've an aversion to using a dictionary while I read, ok? I start thinking of homework, essays and I'm past that crap! I would've preferred a warning label: "Will Cause Feelings of Stupidity" would have been nice. "Use of Pretension and Feelings of Grandeur contained Herein".
I'd like to read something written later by Kid Boise. Was it me? His writing?
April 11, 2021
Finally a normal, health, mature MM romance novel written by a real gay man! (How did women writers come to dominate this market?) I read gay literature, if fact lately its the only thing I read. I longed for a good true MM romance novel written a a real gay man – which in fact are hard to come by. Kid Boise has written a great novel. In fact, I was so caught up in the story I read it in less than 24 hours. Chickadee/Wyatt is a mature well adjusted gay man in his young 20's. There is no scaring from growing up as a gay man. As his father says “ I resent the idea that a person's unchangeable qualities would make anyone feel uncomfortable. That's just not fair and I hate it.” To me, that is the voice of the next generation of gay writers who have moved beyond the stories of the gay man who has been scarred from judgmental parents, hypocritical religious bigots, or the pain of knowing that sex may lead to a killer disease. Kid Boise is laying down a new experience of what it means to be normal, well adjusted, sexually-healthy a young gay man. How refreshing.
There is no self doubt as to who Wyatt is. His self-esteem as a gay man is in tact and well developed. Yes, he is young, confused at times to his direction in life, but confident as a young gay man. His sexuality has developed normally as it should have in life. As a 50 yr old gay man reading this, I would have killed for a book like this growing up. This book is a health depiction of what finding love for a young gay man looks like. Not a lot of baggage, not a lot of self-doubt, not a lot of worrying about how I will fit in, its just a normal, healthily description of finding love. What a breath of fresh air.
A lot of gay fiction and gay novels deal with the scaring of being kicked out of one's home, dis-owned by parents, thrown out of the church, unprotected and promiscuous sex, AIDS, drugs, etc – which are all OK. That is part of the gay experience as well and interesting to read about in a gay novel. I have read some great novels that deal with these subject matters. However, this book offers something different – and in my opinion a welcomed one. Thank you Mr. Boise for showing what a normal and healthy love relationship can look like for a young gay man. Sometimes love does not always work out. Sometimes love is filled with pain and heartache. That goes with the territory. But sometimes, just some times, you want to read a story where love wins in the end. I was ready to accept whatever way the book turned out, but boy was I moved to tears of joy in the end.
There is no self doubt as to who Wyatt is. His self-esteem as a gay man is in tact and well developed. Yes, he is young, confused at times to his direction in life, but confident as a young gay man. His sexuality has developed normally as it should have in life. As a 50 yr old gay man reading this, I would have killed for a book like this growing up. This book is a health depiction of what finding love for a young gay man looks like. Not a lot of baggage, not a lot of self-doubt, not a lot of worrying about how I will fit in, its just a normal, healthily description of finding love. What a breath of fresh air.
A lot of gay fiction and gay novels deal with the scaring of being kicked out of one's home, dis-owned by parents, thrown out of the church, unprotected and promiscuous sex, AIDS, drugs, etc – which are all OK. That is part of the gay experience as well and interesting to read about in a gay novel. I have read some great novels that deal with these subject matters. However, this book offers something different – and in my opinion a welcomed one. Thank you Mr. Boise for showing what a normal and healthy love relationship can look like for a young gay man. Sometimes love does not always work out. Sometimes love is filled with pain and heartache. That goes with the territory. But sometimes, just some times, you want to read a story where love wins in the end. I was ready to accept whatever way the book turned out, but boy was I moved to tears of joy in the end.
June 20, 2016
Although I had some serious issues with this book, overall I came to enjoy the characters and their story.
I found it difficult to really get into this. The language is stilted and confusing at times. I decided to push through until at least the half-way mark and then decide if I wanted to keep reading it. It was at about exactly half-way through that I finally found myself engaged with Wyatt and Mikey's story. I think in part the writing style improved, but I think it was more that my interest in the story got me through it. The overall feeling I get is that the author is trying too hard. The writing just doesn't flow, and some of the imagery is a bit odd.
There are definitely some good moments in this story. Wyatt and Mikey are charming and fun characters. The awkwardness in their relationship is somewhat endearing. Wyatt's personal struggles really bring depth to his character.
*I received an unedited copy, and my review assumes that the errors will be corrected prior to publication. I received a free copy of this book to read for Inked Rainbow Reads in exchange for an honest review.*
I found it difficult to really get into this. The language is stilted and confusing at times. I decided to push through until at least the half-way mark and then decide if I wanted to keep reading it. It was at about exactly half-way through that I finally found myself engaged with Wyatt and Mikey's story. I think in part the writing style improved, but I think it was more that my interest in the story got me through it. The overall feeling I get is that the author is trying too hard. The writing just doesn't flow, and some of the imagery is a bit odd.
There are definitely some good moments in this story. Wyatt and Mikey are charming and fun characters. The awkwardness in their relationship is somewhat endearing. Wyatt's personal struggles really bring depth to his character.
*I received an unedited copy, and my review assumes that the errors will be corrected prior to publication. I received a free copy of this book to read for Inked Rainbow Reads in exchange for an honest review.*
August 29, 2016
I got this book from Goodreads giveaway a while back.
Mikey and the Chickadee is the first MM-book that I read and finished. I enjoyed reading it more than I though. Mikey and Wyatt seem like a real person in my head. And then how their story grows is slow but sure. It's not just about romance, it's about accepting yourself -whatever you are. It's about letting your heart lead your way.
Mikey and the Chickadee is the first MM-book that I read and finished. I enjoyed reading it more than I though. Mikey and Wyatt seem like a real person in my head. And then how their story grows is slow but sure. It's not just about romance, it's about accepting yourself -whatever you are. It's about letting your heart lead your way.
November 22, 2018
As I finished this book, I realized that I had been in a faulty mindset the entirely reading it. This book is not an LGBT Romance at all. This book is lih-trah-choor. The prose is not purple, it is carefully crafted wordsmithing. And this book is a big part of why I read LGBT Romance...
I guess what I'm saying is that the book isn't bad, it's just so damn AWARE of what it's been set up to be. I wish I could have gotten to know Wyatt as a normal person. He's definitely gone into the wrong field, because if this guy thinks this way to himself, he's never been happy for one second being an accountant. I think I need to go read some K.J. Charles to get Wyatt's voice out of my head.
I guess what I'm saying is that the book isn't bad, it's just so damn AWARE of what it's been set up to be. I wish I could have gotten to know Wyatt as a normal person. He's definitely gone into the wrong field, because if this guy thinks this way to himself, he's never been happy for one second being an accountant. I think I need to go read some K.J. Charles to get Wyatt's voice out of my head.
October 2, 2025
wow I really loved this book, and finished it on the bus which felt quite fitting :,)
I had no idea how it would end down to the last few pages. I’m so shocked this book is not more talked about, it deserves such high praise.
It was mature, sexy, and vulnerable all tied up with a little bow.
We need more MM books like this.
I had no idea how it would end down to the last few pages. I’m so shocked this book is not more talked about, it deserves such high praise.
It was mature, sexy, and vulnerable all tied up with a little bow.
We need more MM books like this.
August 10, 2016
I received a free copy via Inked Rainbow Reads in exchange for an honest review.
I didn't know what to expect from this novel. The blurb really says very little about the plot, so I went in without a whole lot of context. That ended up being perfectly fine. This is not a book with a whole lot of action or tension. It's a slow-bloom strangers-to-friends-to-lovers that quietly contemplates the process of falling in love.
This is not a traditional romance--it's almost analytical. Wyatt, the first-person narrator, thinks deeply about each new step in his complicated-yet-not relationship with Mikey. I say complicated because the line between them keeps moving as they get to know each other. Uncomplicated because their communication is open the whole time. They're not leading each other on or hiding or lying; there are no big, horrible secrets they're keeping from each other. Wyatt and Mikey are honest right from the start.
I'll admit I was worried this would turn into a gay-for-you or an "anything but bisexual identity" story. To an extent, it is a bit of the latter, but it works for this context. Mikey is still a work in progress, so it's reasonable he hasn't made any conclusions. What I loved is that Wyatt absolutely, unquestioningly accepts Mikey exactly as he is. He never pushes, never pressures, never presumes. He isn't put off by Mikey's uncertainty and in fact seems to welcome it with open arms.
As much as I liked Mikey--and I did like him a lot--it was Wyatt who made me fall in love with falling in love. Wyatt is such a gentle and generous soul. It would be easy for that to be a bit much and for him to come across as too perfect. Yet somehow, he doesn't.
Some readers might not like that the sex often feels a bit clinical rather than emotional or romantic. I found it refreshing, and I loved the way each time they were together we saw a slightly different angle on how they processed it. Mikey is trying to figure himself out, and Wyatt is trying to figure out how to aid him. So it's not terribly surprising that their physical intimacy also has a vaguely analytical tone to it. I loved all Mikey's odd little vocalizations--he always seems so surprised at how everything feels.
The end both surprised me and didn't. I think I was prepared for any one of several endings because of small tidbits dropped here and there throughout. I think I would have felt satisfied no matter what, though a few of the possibilities running through my mind were terribly sad and I'm glad none of those came about.
This is one of those rare books I feel the need to read again in case I missed some small detail, some important thing that might change my life if I noticed it on a second pass. I could probably talk about it for a long time. For anyone who loves highly intellectual love stories, this is one to add to the list.
I didn't know what to expect from this novel. The blurb really says very little about the plot, so I went in without a whole lot of context. That ended up being perfectly fine. This is not a book with a whole lot of action or tension. It's a slow-bloom strangers-to-friends-to-lovers that quietly contemplates the process of falling in love.
This is not a traditional romance--it's almost analytical. Wyatt, the first-person narrator, thinks deeply about each new step in his complicated-yet-not relationship with Mikey. I say complicated because the line between them keeps moving as they get to know each other. Uncomplicated because their communication is open the whole time. They're not leading each other on or hiding or lying; there are no big, horrible secrets they're keeping from each other. Wyatt and Mikey are honest right from the start.
I'll admit I was worried this would turn into a gay-for-you or an "anything but bisexual identity" story. To an extent, it is a bit of the latter, but it works for this context. Mikey is still a work in progress, so it's reasonable he hasn't made any conclusions. What I loved is that Wyatt absolutely, unquestioningly accepts Mikey exactly as he is. He never pushes, never pressures, never presumes. He isn't put off by Mikey's uncertainty and in fact seems to welcome it with open arms.
As much as I liked Mikey--and I did like him a lot--it was Wyatt who made me fall in love with falling in love. Wyatt is such a gentle and generous soul. It would be easy for that to be a bit much and for him to come across as too perfect. Yet somehow, he doesn't.
Some readers might not like that the sex often feels a bit clinical rather than emotional or romantic. I found it refreshing, and I loved the way each time they were together we saw a slightly different angle on how they processed it. Mikey is trying to figure himself out, and Wyatt is trying to figure out how to aid him. So it's not terribly surprising that their physical intimacy also has a vaguely analytical tone to it. I loved all Mikey's odd little vocalizations--he always seems so surprised at how everything feels.
The end both surprised me and didn't. I think I was prepared for any one of several endings because of small tidbits dropped here and there throughout. I think I would have felt satisfied no matter what, though a few of the possibilities running through my mind were terribly sad and I'm glad none of those came about.
This is one of those rare books I feel the need to read again in case I missed some small detail, some important thing that might change my life if I noticed it on a second pass. I could probably talk about it for a long time. For anyone who loves highly intellectual love stories, this is one to add to the list.
August 6, 2016
This book was quite different from other I read... In a way it was very clinical and the tone a bit stern or prosaic.. But I wouldn't say the book was bad, on the contrary, it was an interesting book with themes I really fell connected with (e.g. the job thing...)
Also I was well entertained by Mikey and Wyatt. A note for other readers: it's a bit weird that the title is "Mikey and the Chickadee" when the main character's name Wyatt is and the person who narrates is called Mikey.
I really liked the cultural diversity it was fresh and different.
Though, I liked the book but I wasn't totally hooked so I give
4 out of 5 stars.
Also I was well entertained by Mikey and Wyatt. A note for other readers: it's a bit weird that the title is "Mikey and the Chickadee" when the main character's name Wyatt is and the person who narrates is called Mikey.
I really liked the cultural diversity it was fresh and different.
Though, I liked the book but I wasn't totally hooked so I give
4 out of 5 stars.
September 10, 2020
This was recommended to me by a friend who said that it's "light and refreshing". I can't say quite that it failed to live up to that blurb. Although overall, I was mostly underwhelmed by the story.
My first and the biggest concern is with how the characters interact with each other. The dialogues are extremely formal and quite unlike how normal people talk with each other. More than once I was left doubting myself whether this is something common to Canadians, in which case I acknowledge that my argument does not hold.
Secondly, the glaring lack of character flaws. I don't mean to say that a story won't work without flawed characters; but at least in my opinion it helps a great deal to connect with the characters if we can see them as people in everyday life rather than some ideal versions of humans. To me, both the main characters showed their "human" natures only once when they argued near the very end of the book, and that was pretty much the only instance I can genuinely say I was moved by any of them.
Then there's the lukewarm plot that is nothing but obvious. It's very hard to argue that any reader who is 50 pages into the book would not see that Chickadee will call off the move and the two characters will fall in love and end up together. That is the most predictable ending and the book does not fail to deliver. I am not proposing that this novel should have had a complex plot or some kind of a plot twist or even a sad ending. My argument is, if you're taking the reader on a 300 page journey to a predictable ending, at least make it worth the while. Which was not the case with this book.
Finally I am a bit angry with how the "Mikey" character was written. (First of all I cannot for the life of me imagine how someone would be called "Mikey" when the name "Mike" is literally there; but that's just me and my OCD) At first Mikey is apparently bi curious judging by the hug and the boner incident, but somehow he declares he does not want to be labeled but still would like to have sex with Chickadee. This is fine but for the staggering pace at which "Mikey" develops from "I will only top" to "kissing a guy is the line for me", all the way to "guess what! I'm okay with bottoming". One can argue that it just takes the right person or whatever, but to me--a guy who's been gay his whole life--"Mikey" will always be a poorly written character.
To end on a positive note, I have to admire the author's efforts to write a diverse book with good representation.
My first and the biggest concern is with how the characters interact with each other. The dialogues are extremely formal and quite unlike how normal people talk with each other. More than once I was left doubting myself whether this is something common to Canadians, in which case I acknowledge that my argument does not hold.
Secondly, the glaring lack of character flaws. I don't mean to say that a story won't work without flawed characters; but at least in my opinion it helps a great deal to connect with the characters if we can see them as people in everyday life rather than some ideal versions of humans. To me, both the main characters showed their "human" natures only once when they argued near the very end of the book, and that was pretty much the only instance I can genuinely say I was moved by any of them.
Then there's the lukewarm plot that is nothing but obvious. It's very hard to argue that any reader who is 50 pages into the book would not see that Chickadee will call off the move and the two characters will fall in love and end up together. That is the most predictable ending and the book does not fail to deliver. I am not proposing that this novel should have had a complex plot or some kind of a plot twist or even a sad ending. My argument is, if you're taking the reader on a 300 page journey to a predictable ending, at least make it worth the while. Which was not the case with this book.
Finally I am a bit angry with how the "Mikey" character was written. (First of all I cannot for the life of me imagine how someone would be called "Mikey" when the name "Mike" is literally there; but that's just me and my OCD) At first Mikey is apparently bi curious judging by the hug and the boner incident, but somehow he declares he does not want to be labeled but still would like to have sex with Chickadee. This is fine but for the staggering pace at which "Mikey" develops from "I will only top" to "kissing a guy is the line for me", all the way to "guess what! I'm okay with bottoming". One can argue that it just takes the right person or whatever, but to me--a guy who's been gay his whole life--"Mikey" will always be a poorly written character.
To end on a positive note, I have to admire the author's efforts to write a diverse book with good representation.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 15, 2023
The writing was absolutely beautiful, the vocabulary so broad and well used I- It was so great to read it. A lot of my marks were made for the simple way of how this author has written it. The vocabulary and writing voice, style, is exactly how I want to read it.
The slow build-up, the angst, the good moments, the way the characters are built… magnificent. The creativity in deciding what they would be doing together to become so close! How I could really deeply feel myself into these characters, despite not being so similar to them. The 'showdown'!! When everything crashed. My heart still hurts. But oh, the way they made up- melts my heart back together. The big reveal, second showdown, of confessing their love finally into each others faces, of finally deciding to stay and then even taking a trip! And of course, the small moments describing seemingly unnecessary things like a cherry blossom or cracks in the pavement, and and and.
It all is just… Honestly, best book I’ve read so far. Best one yet. The cutest, too, but especially the one written the best. 10/10. This book will forever be in my heart.
The slow build-up, the angst, the good moments, the way the characters are built… magnificent. The creativity in deciding what they would be doing together to become so close! How I could really deeply feel myself into these characters, despite not being so similar to them. The 'showdown'!! When everything crashed. My heart still hurts. But oh, the way they made up- melts my heart back together. The big reveal, second showdown, of confessing their love finally into each others faces, of finally deciding to stay and then even taking a trip! And of course, the small moments describing seemingly unnecessary things like a cherry blossom or cracks in the pavement, and and and.
It all is just… Honestly, best book I’ve read so far. Best one yet. The cutest, too, but especially the one written the best. 10/10. This book will forever be in my heart.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 26, 2018
Wyatt or Chickadee, as affectionately called by Mikey is an accountant who is getting transferred soon to another branch few hours away. Mikey is a software specialist, owns his startup company. This story is their journey about knowing each other, coming out and career decisions.
Its very descriptive and the romance progresses very slowly. I marvel at the patience of Wyatt in his acceptance of Mikey's confusion and willingness to wait for him.
A style of writing not often seen in m/m genre! The descriptions of the city and the scenery were beautiful. Disappointed to see only 1 book from this author. He should be writing more and more
Its very descriptive and the romance progresses very slowly. I marvel at the patience of Wyatt in his acceptance of Mikey's confusion and willingness to wait for him.
A style of writing not often seen in m/m genre! The descriptions of the city and the scenery were beautiful. Disappointed to see only 1 book from this author. He should be writing more and more
August 9, 2018
A nice, happy little book from a genre I usually avoid. The writing was a bit messy at times and I felt like the book was trying to be too many things at once. But the main characters were entertaining and it was fun to join them on their journey.
August 21, 2017
Beautiful story, clichéd at last, but I really really don't mind. Loved it.
June 14, 2016
Thought I would bother to write a quick review for this, since I saw a couple lukewarm ones show up. I never write reviews but feel pretty strongly about it. Was very moved by this book, and I don't want people to get a bad impression of it from one or two off-reviews, because it is truly so good in my opinion. I feel like I've been waiting a long time for a kind of intense, analytical work of gay fiction like this to show up, that is still a traditional romance.
Strong characterization and just all around believable moments are so lacking in this genre. This is what Mikey and the Chickadee does so well. I know it's a cliche to say that I believe these characters are really alive somewhere, but with Wyatt and Mikey, I honestly want so badly to believe it. That's just how real the story felt. It's like I want to cry when I remember that it's only fiction. The novel makes me grateful to have known them, even just within the small window of their lives that it presents.
It's funny because one of the only big criticisms of this book I've read is that it sounds like the author is "trying too hard." Honestly, I've read a couple other gay romance stories, and could say that some of those authors weren't trying hard enough. I much prefer this. Yes, the language is elevated, and maybe that aspect is a little overdone at points, but it's incredibly smart and makes for a work that is truly thought provoking and immersive, and belies how simple the plot is.
There's just so much I love about this book. I can't recommend it enough. Check it out immediately if you love a really intelligent m/m love story.
Strong characterization and just all around believable moments are so lacking in this genre. This is what Mikey and the Chickadee does so well. I know it's a cliche to say that I believe these characters are really alive somewhere, but with Wyatt and Mikey, I honestly want so badly to believe it. That's just how real the story felt. It's like I want to cry when I remember that it's only fiction. The novel makes me grateful to have known them, even just within the small window of their lives that it presents.
It's funny because one of the only big criticisms of this book I've read is that it sounds like the author is "trying too hard." Honestly, I've read a couple other gay romance stories, and could say that some of those authors weren't trying hard enough. I much prefer this. Yes, the language is elevated, and maybe that aspect is a little overdone at points, but it's incredibly smart and makes for a work that is truly thought provoking and immersive, and belies how simple the plot is.
There's just so much I love about this book. I can't recommend it enough. Check it out immediately if you love a really intelligent m/m love story.
October 17, 2016
I fell in love with this book just from reading 3 pages. By page 7, I totally knew that I was head over heels with the way the author picked the words, wove them and construct the stories. The prose is beautiful, and I just couldn't stop reading it and though I was afraid about the ending (yeah, I'm not a fans of an open ending) in the end, I sighed and told myself "Why this book has to end? Can I have another 300 pages of it?" Oh, and a book mentioning Katharine Hepburn, Bette Davis, plus Belle & Sebastian's Write About Love IS definitely something I appreciate. A LOT.
Seriously, this book is different. To categorize it simply as MM Romance is understatement. This book should just be labeled ROMANCE, period. I love Wyatt, I love Mickey even more. He's the 'star' of the book. I wasn't sure about the dialogue, though. It seemed like Wyatt didn't like to talk or I just found the dialogue felt a bit flat compared to the rich narration. I wasn't sold by the dialogue, though, I was sold by the narration and the prose. Simply beautiful!
Seriously, this book is different. To categorize it simply as MM Romance is understatement. This book should just be labeled ROMANCE, period. I love Wyatt, I love Mickey even more. He's the 'star' of the book. I wasn't sure about the dialogue, though. It seemed like Wyatt didn't like to talk or I just found the dialogue felt a bit flat compared to the rich narration. I wasn't sold by the dialogue, though, I was sold by the narration and the prose. Simply beautiful!
September 7, 2016
So romantic....the self-doubt Wyatt experiences is captured perfectly. I just finished the book. I really didn't want to read the last chapter because didn't want it to end. I also feared Wyatt and Mikey would go their separate ways. It was so nice to read a gay novel with a happy ending as well as characters who weren't super funny or campy or over the top flamboyant. I really appreciated the subtlety of both characters and their slow development through the story. I cannot wait to read his next book!
December 22, 2016
This was a really nice read! I particularly enjoyed the very realistic slice-of-life aspect to it as well as how much communication was emphasized as mandatory for a healthy relationship of any kind. It did however feel to me like most of the middle part of the book dragged on for too long, while the dénouement was crammed in the couple chapters at the end, which made the pacing a little awkward.
August 6, 2016
I liked it a lot. It's different, it feels very real, Mikey and Wyatt are very nice young people. Also I like how there's nothing to add to the story, it's complete and the ending made me smile. A kind of book without much drama to read on a rainy day to feel good about people in general.
May 25, 2016
Very much enjoyed this story of self-discovery. At some point I'll come back and write a thorough review, but for now I enjoyed it, and I'd happily read other stuff from this author.
January 19, 2023
A really cute book
April 4, 2017
The writing felt a bit uneven. Sometimes the spare prose and the turns of phrase were really lovely, but other times it fell flat. And none of this was helped by the fact that I didn't like Wyatt, partly because he's a little disingenuous, and partly because I have strong personal feelings about following through on your obligations.
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