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Bear Among the Books
Forty-eight-year-old Ben Thompson is a librarian, a passionate book lover, and a man who embodies the definition of a bear. He’s also lonely after the loss of his long-term partner. Young ex-gymnast Jason Barnes piques his interest, but Ben quickly realizes there’s more to Jason than his good looks. While Jason visits the library almost every day, he never checks out a book.
With gentle persistence, Ben befriends Jason and learns the nineteen-year-old’s tragic secrets. After years of abuse at his father’s hands, Jason was kicked out of his family home for being gay. And despite his apparent love of books, Jason never learned to read. Ben offers to teach him, and the two men bond over their lessons. Ben can’t deny his attraction to Jason, but he wonders if Jason is too young and too handsome to return his interest. With the help of the close-knit library team and Jason’s growing self-confidence, they move beyond the books and into the bedroom, where their own story is just beginning.
With gentle persistence, Ben befriends Jason and learns the nineteen-year-old’s tragic secrets. After years of abuse at his father’s hands, Jason was kicked out of his family home for being gay. And despite his apparent love of books, Jason never learned to read. Ben offers to teach him, and the two men bond over their lessons. Ben can’t deny his attraction to Jason, but he wonders if Jason is too young and too handsome to return his interest. With the help of the close-knit library team and Jason’s growing self-confidence, they move beyond the books and into the bedroom, where their own story is just beginning.
230 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 2, 2016
2 people are currently reading
145 people want to read
About the author
T.J. Masters
16 books21 followersT.J. Masters is a fifty-six-year-old author and life coach living in Hertfordshire just to the north of London, England. T.J. has shared thirty years of suburban life with his civil partner Ian, and they enjoy the love and support of T.J’s large Irish family who all live nearby. In 2009 T.J. took early retirement from a thirty-three-year school teaching career and decided to follow a new path. After qualifying as a life coach, T.J. found that he was coaching a couple of authors who were going through the process of giving birth to the book which “had always been inside them.” This rekindled T.J’s long-held desire to write and get published.
With a lifelong passion for books, learning, and the sharing of knowledge, T.J. woke up to the realization that he had stories to tell, books to write, and less than half a lifetime left to do it in. As for the kind of books he is writing… well, let’s just say that he decided to channel over thirty years of experience in the gay BDSM lifestyle into a genre where it would be most appreciated!
Alongside this passion for books and writing, T.J. also found an outlet for his inner geek and has become a great advocate for social media in various forms. Blogging has become a great outlet for T.J’s many interests including the writerly ones. The author has a website where he blogs regularly and he loves to interact with his readers and followers at http://www.tjmasters.com.
With a lifelong passion for books, learning, and the sharing of knowledge, T.J. woke up to the realization that he had stories to tell, books to write, and less than half a lifetime left to do it in. As for the kind of books he is writing… well, let’s just say that he decided to channel over thirty years of experience in the gay BDSM lifestyle into a genre where it would be most appreciated!
Alongside this passion for books and writing, T.J. also found an outlet for his inner geek and has become a great advocate for social media in various forms. Blogging has become a great outlet for T.J’s many interests including the writerly ones. The author has a website where he blogs regularly and he loves to interact with his readers and followers at http://www.tjmasters.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 64 reviews
August 7, 2021
Okay, I admit it. I read the blurb for this book and immediately got a bit "judgy" about the age of the two MCs - Ben is 48; Jason is 19. But I'm a sucker for any book with a library setting, and ending up enjoying this book ... but had a few "quibbles." But first, I love how T.J. Masters, a career teacher, refers to the power of the written word:
The relationship between Ben and Jason is slow and sweet and tender and Ben is very much the solid stable figure that Jason needs in his life. Ben had a wonderful life with his partner, Colin, who died of a brain tumor. He's settled and content with who he is, and is fully aware he has been given this wonderful gift of Jason, who hasn't experienced life and is eager to explore every moment with Ben. I admire how Ben comes to terms with their May / December romance: First was that there was no guarantee that it would be me who went first. Although the loss of a partner was not an experience I would wish on anyone, here I was having survived that and now ready to embark on a completely new chapter in my life. I had amazing memories of my time with Colin, and now I had the chance to create a whole new set of experiences and memories with Jason.
The pace of the book is fairly slow, but I thought it fit the kindly community T.J. Masters created with his characters and their lives, and it echoed Jason's slow awakening. I did have a few quibbles, though. As the book is told from Ben's POV, we see him fall in love with Jason. But we don't get much from Jason, other than his statement "Young guys just don’t do it for me." And finally, while the love scenes were well-done and fairly steamy, Ben continually refers to Jason as "my awesome boy" or the lovely lad, poor boy, or "the ever-eager lad then got down on his knees and started to undo my belt."
But on the whole, I enjoyed this sweet, slow and tender May / December romance.
I received an ARC of this book from Dreamspinner Press in exchange for an honest review.
Visit my blog, Sinfully Good Gay Book Reviews
I couldn’t imagine life without the printed word. Every book was a powerhouse of knowledge, ideas, characters, and experiences. I had always felt sorry for people who didn’t read and never experienced the joy of getting lost in a well-written story. Now I had a new concern: what would it be like if you wanted to read but had never learned how to?Bear Among the Books is a gentle, low-angst story centering around the town's library where Ben, a former schoolteacher, is the head librarian and Daisy, Jake and Jess are his coworkers / friends. Ben becomes intrigued by Jason, a lovely athletic lad of 19, and soon learns his heartbreaking story. Jason never learned to read and dropped out of school at 16. Jason was taken in by his loving grandmother Alice and is now her caregiver, although he continues to struggle with low self-esteem and finding his purpose in life.
The relationship between Ben and Jason is slow and sweet and tender and Ben is very much the solid stable figure that Jason needs in his life. Ben had a wonderful life with his partner, Colin, who died of a brain tumor. He's settled and content with who he is, and is fully aware he has been given this wonderful gift of Jason, who hasn't experienced life and is eager to explore every moment with Ben. I admire how Ben comes to terms with their May / December romance: First was that there was no guarantee that it would be me who went first. Although the loss of a partner was not an experience I would wish on anyone, here I was having survived that and now ready to embark on a completely new chapter in my life. I had amazing memories of my time with Colin, and now I had the chance to create a whole new set of experiences and memories with Jason.
The pace of the book is fairly slow, but I thought it fit the kindly community T.J. Masters created with his characters and their lives, and it echoed Jason's slow awakening. I did have a few quibbles, though. As the book is told from Ben's POV, we see him fall in love with Jason. But we don't get much from Jason, other than his statement "Young guys just don’t do it for me." And finally, while the love scenes were well-done and fairly steamy, Ben continually refers to Jason as "my awesome boy" or the lovely lad, poor boy, or "the ever-eager lad then got down on his knees and started to undo my belt."
But on the whole, I enjoyed this sweet, slow and tender May / December romance.
I received an ARC of this book from Dreamspinner Press in exchange for an honest review.
Visit my blog, Sinfully Good Gay Book Reviews
September 29, 2016
3 hearts
One thing this book didn’t lack was an absolute reverence for books. That was wonderful to read about, I’m pretty sure everyone here will appreciate it.
This book surprised me in both good and bad ways. We have Jason, a nineteen year old who has just moved to town to live with his Grandmother after his horrific childhood, which I’ll get to later. Due to his childhood he never did well at school and therefore never learnt how to read, but he has an amazing imagination and loves to explore books even though he can't read them. Here enters Ben. Ben is forty-eight and instantly attracted to Jason but is rather conscious of their age difference so decides to keep things platonic and just help out where he can, in teaching Jason to read and offering him work around the library.
This started really strongly and I was absolutely glued to these two men. I loved the build-up of their friendship and attraction. Both Jason and Ben's insecurities were really well processed and explored. Unfortunately once they got together their relationship development ended and most of the story consisted of changes to the library. The story just lacked any real forward momentum after that and by 60% I found myself skimming through until the end.
I was pleasantly surprised by how soon these two started having sex and the frequency of that sex. Before reading the story I wasn’t sure how their sexual relationship would begin as I thought Ben would be more of a ‘father figure’ to Jason, which didn’t end up being the case. Ben was a stable and constant support for Jason, but there was that underlying attraction from the beginning which made Ben fit the ‘boyfriend’ role better than the ‘father’ role. However the sex name of ‘Big Bear’ was a little weird coming from a nineteen year old… or any age bracket for that matter.
SPOILERS AHEAD.
This was a sweet sweet May/December romance and I would absolutely recommend it if you're looking for something subtle and tender. I think I was left a little disappointed that I didn’t feel more, or that it lacked that ‘comfort’ element that I was expecting with such serious themes.
I couldn’t imagine life without the printed word. Every book was a powerhouse of knowledge, ideas, characters, and experiences. I had always felt sorry for people who didn’t read and never experienced the joy of getting lost in a well-written story.
One thing this book didn’t lack was an absolute reverence for books. That was wonderful to read about, I’m pretty sure everyone here will appreciate it.
This book surprised me in both good and bad ways. We have Jason, a nineteen year old who has just moved to town to live with his Grandmother after his horrific childhood, which I’ll get to later. Due to his childhood he never did well at school and therefore never learnt how to read, but he has an amazing imagination and loves to explore books even though he can't read them. Here enters Ben. Ben is forty-eight and instantly attracted to Jason but is rather conscious of their age difference so decides to keep things platonic and just help out where he can, in teaching Jason to read and offering him work around the library.
This started really strongly and I was absolutely glued to these two men. I loved the build-up of their friendship and attraction. Both Jason and Ben's insecurities were really well processed and explored. Unfortunately once they got together their relationship development ended and most of the story consisted of changes to the library. The story just lacked any real forward momentum after that and by 60% I found myself skimming through until the end.
I was pleasantly surprised by how soon these two started having sex and the frequency of that sex. Before reading the story I wasn’t sure how their sexual relationship would begin as I thought Ben would be more of a ‘father figure’ to Jason, which didn’t end up being the case. Ben was a stable and constant support for Jason, but there was that underlying attraction from the beginning which made Ben fit the ‘boyfriend’ role better than the ‘father’ role. However the sex name of ‘Big Bear’ was a little weird coming from a nineteen year old… or any age bracket for that matter.
SPOILERS AHEAD.
This was a sweet sweet May/December romance and I would absolutely recommend it if you're looking for something subtle and tender. I think I was left a little disappointed that I didn’t feel more, or that it lacked that ‘comfort’ element that I was expecting with such serious themes.
December 6, 2016
2.5 stars. Promises, promises. Full of potential and then it fell flat. I liked the library talk and the gardening talk. The rest, unfortunately, not so much. This includes the budding romance between our two MCs, Ben and Jason. Yikes what a snooze fest! It was sadly, very boring.
Oh, and once and for all, 48 is not 98! Quit writing these men as if they were dottering, old, crusty men. And 19 is not 10, it's 19. Part of the problem with this story is the crotchety old man with the 19-year-old simpleton - these two have nothing in common, so believing the two of them can hook up for longer than a minute is completely implausible. Moving on.
Oh, and once and for all, 48 is not 98! Quit writing these men as if they were dottering, old, crusty men. And 19 is not 10, it's 19. Part of the problem with this story is the crotchety old man with the 19-year-old simpleton - these two have nothing in common, so believing the two of them can hook up for longer than a minute is completely implausible. Moving on.
February 7, 2017
*** Wonderfully written ! *** My first by this author.
Burly, big "bear", Ben, 48, is a Librarian
who had lost his partner of 20 years.
Beautiful Jason, 19, survived a tragic, heart wrenching childhood. He's saved by his Nan, who he now takes care of.
Jason goes to the library often and quite shy.
Ben watches the lovely lad, and finds out Jason can't read, and devotes himself to helping. Other employees are drawn in and help, too. It's quite a nice family of friends.
Ben and Jason become close and the slow burn turns to love and hot sexiness. Ben's amazing feelings are awakened after so long, and he feels unworthy and too old for the young Jason, and vice versa; until they realize their love is really real and each man is worthy.
We get lessons on learning to read, on gardening, and we see the small community that truly appreciates it's Library.
We also learn how Nan gets her affairs in order with legal documents, etc., as it is explained after the event of the stroke.
We are lucky to watch these two men create their loving relationships and expand their world with added friends.
This is a lovely British tale of old/young, of opposites, plus it's a delightful sorting out of feelings, needs and acceptance.
Wonderfully written by T.J. Masters. I'll look for more by this terrific author.
ENJOY !
=========
Burly, big "bear", Ben, 48, is a Librarian
who had lost his partner of 20 years.
Beautiful Jason, 19, survived a tragic, heart wrenching childhood. He's saved by his Nan, who he now takes care of.
Jason goes to the library often and quite shy.
Ben watches the lovely lad, and finds out Jason can't read, and devotes himself to helping. Other employees are drawn in and help, too. It's quite a nice family of friends.
Ben and Jason become close and the slow burn turns to love and hot sexiness. Ben's amazing feelings are awakened after so long, and he feels unworthy and too old for the young Jason, and vice versa; until they realize their love is really real and each man is worthy.
We get lessons on learning to read, on gardening, and we see the small community that truly appreciates it's Library.
We also learn how Nan gets her affairs in order with legal documents, etc., as it is explained after the event of the stroke.
We are lucky to watch these two men create their loving relationships and expand their world with added friends.
This is a lovely British tale of old/young, of opposites, plus it's a delightful sorting out of feelings, needs and acceptance.
Wonderfully written by T.J. Masters. I'll look for more by this terrific author.
ENJOY !
=========
September 12, 2016
4.5 stars rated up
ooh the feels ....
I cannot help it I strongly believe you like this book or you don't , for me it just spoke to me. knowing the voice of the author it felt like he was talking to me and I loved it.
I am not a fan of the may/dec thrope but for some reason it didn't bother me that much because I really felt connected to the characters in this story. I felt the loving caring guiding of Ben and the healing that Jason did because of it
Also the side characters (Nan, Jake etc) deserve a mention they are adorable , awesome and true friends/ family.
And I really want to read Scott ( the nurse) his story despite the mention of also an older bf ;)
Bring it on Mister Masters !
ooh the feels ....
I cannot help it I strongly believe you like this book or you don't , for me it just spoke to me. knowing the voice of the author it felt like he was talking to me and I loved it.
I am not a fan of the may/dec thrope but for some reason it didn't bother me that much because I really felt connected to the characters in this story. I felt the loving caring guiding of Ben and the healing that Jason did because of it
Also the side characters (Nan, Jake etc) deserve a mention they are adorable , awesome and true friends/ family.
And I really want to read Scott ( the nurse) his story despite the mention of also an older bf ;)
Bring it on Mister Masters !
August 19, 2018
3.5 Stars
This is a sweet age gap romance where widower Ben has to take a chance to love again and Jason to work through his low self esteem stemming from terrible abuse as a young teen.
I love these two together when Ben is shy about his attraction and Jason is in pursuit. Ben is very kind and Jason is hard working and filled with intellectual curiosity.
We get a great setting for any bookworm in the library and the cast is really delightful especially Jason's grandmother.
The abuse aspects aren't handled that realistically in terms of the fact that Jason would need therapy and would likely have some issues that interfere with his sexuality more than is shown here but its a gentle and warm romance that is worth reading.
This is a sweet age gap romance where widower Ben has to take a chance to love again and Jason to work through his low self esteem stemming from terrible abuse as a young teen.
I love these two together when Ben is shy about his attraction and Jason is in pursuit. Ben is very kind and Jason is hard working and filled with intellectual curiosity.
We get a great setting for any bookworm in the library and the cast is really delightful especially Jason's grandmother.
The abuse aspects aren't handled that realistically in terms of the fact that Jason would need therapy and would likely have some issues that interfere with his sexuality more than is shown here but its a gentle and warm romance that is worth reading.
September 2, 2016
The book description had me at Ben being a librarian and a passionate book lover, but then there was the riddle of Jason visiting the library almost every day without ever checking out a book – and I was hooked. This is a fantastic story about two amazing men who have a lot to deal with beyond the fact that they are gay. As it turns out, this is not a problem for any of the people in Ben’s life. But the age difference they face is almost thirty years, and Jason has had a traumatic childhood resulting in more issues to overcome than most young men his age. This could have been a book full of angst and drama, but instead Ben and Jason’s story turned out to be a slow-paced, gentle romance that focuses on the growth and changes that happen as they get to know each other.
For all that Ben works well with people, it takes him quite a while to figure out why Jason comes in, takes a huge variety of books off the shelf, leafs through each one, then returns them where he found them without ever checking one out. It’s probably because he never suspects the reason, based on Jason’s behavior, and because he is a little distracted by how good Jason looks. When Ben figures it out, he decides to help Jason learn to read and because Ben used to be a teacher, he has the tools to do it. The process he used - starting with picture books and graphic novels so Jason can focus on the story - was fascinating, and I was with both of them every step of the way.
Jason, even though his point of view is not included as Ben is the sole narrator, came to life for me based on his questions, reactions, and behavior once he has someone who believes in him and supports him. Yes, his grandmother already does that for him since she has taken him into her home, but that is different because she is family and her support is mainly emotional. Something Jason is in dire need of after his stepfather’s cruel abuse and his mother’s cruelty! Ben can help Jason gain self-confidence, give him the reading skills Jason so desperately wants, and become a true partner.
You might think that two men, as far apart as they are in age and experience, will never fit. This story shows that’s not necessarily true. On the other hand, both are lonely with Ben having lost his partner a few years ago and Jason having never had a boyfriend before. Then there is their love of stories and books that unites them as Jason learns to read. But in the end it boils down to the fact that they are attracted to each other, enjoy doing things like cooking meals together, and are simply good for each other. Despite everything they have to overcome and deal with, they are great as a team and as a couple – a pretty sound basis for a long-term relationship if you ask me.
If you like slow-burn romances that become sizzling hot once the partners get going, if an unusual May/December relationship with a few added issues is your thing, and if you’re looking for a gentle love story with a lot of heart, then you will probably love this novel as much as I do. It’s a very special tale filled with warmth and an “everyday feel” that had me entranced without the need for much action or huge plot twists.
NOTE: This book was provided by Dreamspinner Press for the purpose of a review on Rainbow Book Reviews.
For all that Ben works well with people, it takes him quite a while to figure out why Jason comes in, takes a huge variety of books off the shelf, leafs through each one, then returns them where he found them without ever checking one out. It’s probably because he never suspects the reason, based on Jason’s behavior, and because he is a little distracted by how good Jason looks. When Ben figures it out, he decides to help Jason learn to read and because Ben used to be a teacher, he has the tools to do it. The process he used - starting with picture books and graphic novels so Jason can focus on the story - was fascinating, and I was with both of them every step of the way.
Jason, even though his point of view is not included as Ben is the sole narrator, came to life for me based on his questions, reactions, and behavior once he has someone who believes in him and supports him. Yes, his grandmother already does that for him since she has taken him into her home, but that is different because she is family and her support is mainly emotional. Something Jason is in dire need of after his stepfather’s cruel abuse and his mother’s cruelty! Ben can help Jason gain self-confidence, give him the reading skills Jason so desperately wants, and become a true partner.
You might think that two men, as far apart as they are in age and experience, will never fit. This story shows that’s not necessarily true. On the other hand, both are lonely with Ben having lost his partner a few years ago and Jason having never had a boyfriend before. Then there is their love of stories and books that unites them as Jason learns to read. But in the end it boils down to the fact that they are attracted to each other, enjoy doing things like cooking meals together, and are simply good for each other. Despite everything they have to overcome and deal with, they are great as a team and as a couple – a pretty sound basis for a long-term relationship if you ask me.
If you like slow-burn romances that become sizzling hot once the partners get going, if an unusual May/December relationship with a few added issues is your thing, and if you’re looking for a gentle love story with a lot of heart, then you will probably love this novel as much as I do. It’s a very special tale filled with warmth and an “everyday feel” that had me entranced without the need for much action or huge plot twists.
NOTE: This book was provided by Dreamspinner Press for the purpose of a review on Rainbow Book Reviews.
September 8, 2016
Review to follow soon, but it was impossible to not fall head over heels in love with this ode to words and books.
I should probably start this review by mentioning that I am a librarian. For that reason all the details about working in and the running of a library entertained me as much as the romance did. On several occasions I found myself thinking ‘oh yes, that’s how we do it too’ and that invariably brought a smile to my face. Something else that made me grin was the fact that I would probably describe myself as a cross between Debbie and Ben; while I love welcoming new members to the library and love seeing them peruse the shelves, I find it very hard not to frown when they disturb the order on those shelves.
But, this review is supposed to be about the book and not about my day job, and Bear Among the Books touched my heart in many ways. It contains a wonderful romance, it’s a declaration of love towards libraries and, maybe more than anything else it’s an ode to words, books, stories, writing, and reading.
“I had always felt sorry for people who didn’t read and never experienced the joy of getting lost in a well-written story.” – Ben
My heart ached for Jason. To love books so much and not be able to read. Scratch that, just to not be able to read is a nightmare scenario to me. A nightmare that Jason is consciously living, as his words about being/working in a library so beautifully reflect.
“It’s like being inside the biggest, richest treasure chest in the world. It’s like a bank vault for people’s dreams and experiences.”
Of course Jason’s illiteracy wasn’t the only thing about him to break my heart. His back-story is horrendous and brought tears to my eyes on more than one occasion. He’s such a gentle, kind and big-hearted soul despite everything he has endured and his insecurities are as understandable as they are heartbreaking.
Ben was the sort of person I could fall for myself in a heartbeat. Kind, generous, patient, and always putting others first, he is exactly what Jason needs even if everybody else realises that long before Ben is willing to entertain the idea.
Jason’s grandmother was a breath of fresh air and I loved her attitude. The age difference between Ben and Jason is large —28 years to be precise. And while Ben does initially have some understandable concerns about it, I love that it wasn’t turned into a huge belly-ache or an issue for any of the other characters in the story.
“The heart has no wrinkles.” – Alice / Nan
In fact, this is not an angsty read at all. Despite Jason’s past and Ben’s reservations about a relationship, this is mostly a sweet tale about healing and books, about people coming together to do the right thing, and about embracing new opportunities and love when they come your way.
Bear Among the Books is a charming and touching feel good story. Yes, there are one or two moments that will tug at your heartstrings and bring tears to your eyes, but overall, this tale will leave you with a huge smile on your face and a love for the written word that is even stronger than it was before you started reading it.
I should probably start this review by mentioning that I am a librarian. For that reason all the details about working in and the running of a library entertained me as much as the romance did. On several occasions I found myself thinking ‘oh yes, that’s how we do it too’ and that invariably brought a smile to my face. Something else that made me grin was the fact that I would probably describe myself as a cross between Debbie and Ben; while I love welcoming new members to the library and love seeing them peruse the shelves, I find it very hard not to frown when they disturb the order on those shelves.
But, this review is supposed to be about the book and not about my day job, and Bear Among the Books touched my heart in many ways. It contains a wonderful romance, it’s a declaration of love towards libraries and, maybe more than anything else it’s an ode to words, books, stories, writing, and reading.
“I had always felt sorry for people who didn’t read and never experienced the joy of getting lost in a well-written story.” – Ben
My heart ached for Jason. To love books so much and not be able to read. Scratch that, just to not be able to read is a nightmare scenario to me. A nightmare that Jason is consciously living, as his words about being/working in a library so beautifully reflect.
“It’s like being inside the biggest, richest treasure chest in the world. It’s like a bank vault for people’s dreams and experiences.”
Of course Jason’s illiteracy wasn’t the only thing about him to break my heart. His back-story is horrendous and brought tears to my eyes on more than one occasion. He’s such a gentle, kind and big-hearted soul despite everything he has endured and his insecurities are as understandable as they are heartbreaking.
Ben was the sort of person I could fall for myself in a heartbeat. Kind, generous, patient, and always putting others first, he is exactly what Jason needs even if everybody else realises that long before Ben is willing to entertain the idea.
Jason’s grandmother was a breath of fresh air and I loved her attitude. The age difference between Ben and Jason is large —28 years to be precise. And while Ben does initially have some understandable concerns about it, I love that it wasn’t turned into a huge belly-ache or an issue for any of the other characters in the story.
“The heart has no wrinkles.” – Alice / Nan
In fact, this is not an angsty read at all. Despite Jason’s past and Ben’s reservations about a relationship, this is mostly a sweet tale about healing and books, about people coming together to do the right thing, and about embracing new opportunities and love when they come your way.
Bear Among the Books is a charming and touching feel good story. Yes, there are one or two moments that will tug at your heartstrings and bring tears to your eyes, but overall, this tale will leave you with a huge smile on your face and a love for the written word that is even stronger than it was before you started reading it.
February 22, 2019
4,5* Ich mag diese "warm & cozy" Geschichte sehr :-)
Ich weiß heute gar nicht, wie ich anfangen soll. Zum einen wollte ich dieses Buch unbedingt lesen, seit ich den Klappentext überflogen habe, zum anderen hatte ich richtig Schiss davor, damit anzufangen, da englisch … Wieder wurde mir gut zugeredet, ich solle mich doch einfach trauen und tatsächlich, mit der Kindle-App und dem darin integrierten Übersetzungsprogramm, war es auch wirklich gut “machbar” . Zudem schreibt T.J. Masters in einem wirklich leicht verständlichen Englisch, so dass ich die “Unterstützung” gar nicht sooo oft gebraucht habe. Klar geht das Lesen in Englisch langsamer als bei deutschen Büchern. Hier bei diesem Buch würde ich sagen, dass das Verhältnis 1:3 ist. D.h. ist habe ungefähr 3 x so lange für die 230 Seiten gebraucht. Aber … ich habe es gelesen, beendet und jede Seite genossen . Also sollte jemand unsicher sein und einen Wiedereinstieg in die englischen Originale suchen, hier ist man – rein vom Sprachlevel her – sicherlich gut aufgehoben.
Tja, wie soll ich das Buch beschreiben. Es ist ruhig, liebevoll und lehrreich (ich habe wirklich viel über englische Literatur und Gärten erfahren). Das Buch hatte also auch noch einen richtigen Mehrwert für mich. Es gibt keine großen Dramen, obwohl Ben und auch Jason ihr Päckchen zu tragen haben. Manches Mal wurde mir über Jasons “Vergangenheit” etwas zu leicht hinweg gegangen, aber wir haben hier ja auch eine sich schön entwickelnde Romanze und kein Drama vorgelegt bekommen.
Ben ist fast 30 Jahre älter als Jason und die Gedanken, die er sich aufgrund dieses Altersunterschieds macht, kann glaube ich jeder nachvollziehen, der schon einmal mit dem Gedanken gespielt hat “was wäre wenn mir so ein junger Mann über den Weg laufen würde und mir erzählt und zeigt, dass er mich will”.
Bedingt durch seine Vorgeschichte ist Jason aber nicht der typische 19-jährige, sondern doch schon sehr erwachsen. Sein Handicap, nicht lesen zu können, überspielt er gekonnt (der Technik sei dank), so dass dies erst einmal gar niemand merkt, zumal er ja Dauergast in der Bibliothek ist. Als sein Geheimnis dann doch auffliegt, kümmert sich Ben wirklich bewundernswert um den jungen Mann und so kommen sie sich langsam näher.
Als Jason gefragt wird, warum er so oft in der Bibliothek ist und warum er lesen lernen möchte, antwortet er
Ich finde diesen Satz auch jetzt im Nachgang immer noch bemerkenswert und vor allem so wahr.
Dieses aufeinander zugehen, das aneinander wachsen (ja auch Ben muss wieder lernen, dass da jemand ist) und das sich entwickeln einer gemeinsamen Zukunft, wird sehr ruhig und entspannt erzählt. Ich hatte das Gefühl, als stiller Beobachter an diesem Leben teilhaben zu dürfen und habe das sehr genossen. Die Fortschritte, die Jason macht, werden sehr schön und warmherzig erzählt, ich hätte nur gerne ein bisschen mehr Zwischeninfo über die Lernfortschritte von Jason bekommen.
Ben selbst ist ein sehr belesener, intelligenter Mann, der das unglaubliche Potential, das in Jason steckt nicht nur bemerkt, sondern auch aus ihm “herauskitzelt”. Er bringt Jason dazu, nicht mehr (so oft) zurückzublicken, sondern zu sehen, dass es eine wunderbare Zukunft für ihn gibt (manchmal ging mir das fast etwas zu leicht).
Eine fantastische Großmutter, dazu tolle Freunde, die sich im Laufe der Beziehung zwischen Ben und Jason, irgendwie ganz automatisch vermehren, grad so als wären sie schon immer dagewesen, machen die Geschichte rund. Einige von euch werden vielleicht sagen, dass das “Lummerland” ist, das dies alles zu perfekt ist – aber ganz ehrlich, ist es zum einen nicht das, was wir uns alle wünschen und zum anderen, können wir uns nicht mehr vorstellen, dass es sowas wirklich gibt?
Nicht jeder wird diese Art von Geschichte mögen, aber für mich ist und war es ein wunderbares “Sonntagsbuch”. Was ich damit meine? Tja, Sonntag ist für mich der totale Relaxtag. Reinschlüpfen in den Jogginganzug, die dicken Socken anziehen und ab auf Sofa … Genauso müsst ihr euch die Geschichte vorstellen. Ich weiß nicht, wie ich es sonst erklären soll. Frei nach dem Motto “warm and cozy” aka “reinschlüpfen und wohlfühlen”.
Dass diese Geschichte ein Happy End hat, brauche ich in diesem Fall wohl eher nicht mehr erwähnen *g*. Der Schluss ist gut und passt zur Story, aber ich hätte halt gerne noch einen Epilog gehabt, in dem erzählt wird, wie es den beiden nach z.B. einem Jahr oder später geht. Jaja, mein “Luxusproblemchen”, ich weiß .
Aber nun ja, das Leben ist nicht immer perfekt und somit kann ich mit den Gegebenheiten auch gut weiter leben *g*.
Also denn, das nächste englische Buch liegt sicherlich schon in Lauerstellung (vorsichtig zum Reader linse, denn es gibt ja sooo viele) und *mutigaufdenSuBschau*.
Ich weiß heute gar nicht, wie ich anfangen soll. Zum einen wollte ich dieses Buch unbedingt lesen, seit ich den Klappentext überflogen habe, zum anderen hatte ich richtig Schiss davor, damit anzufangen, da englisch … Wieder wurde mir gut zugeredet, ich solle mich doch einfach trauen und tatsächlich, mit der Kindle-App und dem darin integrierten Übersetzungsprogramm, war es auch wirklich gut “machbar” . Zudem schreibt T.J. Masters in einem wirklich leicht verständlichen Englisch, so dass ich die “Unterstützung” gar nicht sooo oft gebraucht habe. Klar geht das Lesen in Englisch langsamer als bei deutschen Büchern. Hier bei diesem Buch würde ich sagen, dass das Verhältnis 1:3 ist. D.h. ist habe ungefähr 3 x so lange für die 230 Seiten gebraucht. Aber … ich habe es gelesen, beendet und jede Seite genossen . Also sollte jemand unsicher sein und einen Wiedereinstieg in die englischen Originale suchen, hier ist man – rein vom Sprachlevel her – sicherlich gut aufgehoben.
Tja, wie soll ich das Buch beschreiben. Es ist ruhig, liebevoll und lehrreich (ich habe wirklich viel über englische Literatur und Gärten erfahren). Das Buch hatte also auch noch einen richtigen Mehrwert für mich. Es gibt keine großen Dramen, obwohl Ben und auch Jason ihr Päckchen zu tragen haben. Manches Mal wurde mir über Jasons “Vergangenheit” etwas zu leicht hinweg gegangen, aber wir haben hier ja auch eine sich schön entwickelnde Romanze und kein Drama vorgelegt bekommen.
Ben ist fast 30 Jahre älter als Jason und die Gedanken, die er sich aufgrund dieses Altersunterschieds macht, kann glaube ich jeder nachvollziehen, der schon einmal mit dem Gedanken gespielt hat “was wäre wenn mir so ein junger Mann über den Weg laufen würde und mir erzählt und zeigt, dass er mich will”.
Bedingt durch seine Vorgeschichte ist Jason aber nicht der typische 19-jährige, sondern doch schon sehr erwachsen. Sein Handicap, nicht lesen zu können, überspielt er gekonnt (der Technik sei dank), so dass dies erst einmal gar niemand merkt, zumal er ja Dauergast in der Bibliothek ist. Als sein Geheimnis dann doch auffliegt, kümmert sich Ben wirklich bewundernswert um den jungen Mann und so kommen sie sich langsam näher.
Als Jason gefragt wird, warum er so oft in der Bibliothek ist und warum er lesen lernen möchte, antwortet er
Ich finde diesen Satz auch jetzt im Nachgang immer noch bemerkenswert und vor allem so wahr.
Dieses aufeinander zugehen, das aneinander wachsen (ja auch Ben muss wieder lernen, dass da jemand ist) und das sich entwickeln einer gemeinsamen Zukunft, wird sehr ruhig und entspannt erzählt. Ich hatte das Gefühl, als stiller Beobachter an diesem Leben teilhaben zu dürfen und habe das sehr genossen. Die Fortschritte, die Jason macht, werden sehr schön und warmherzig erzählt, ich hätte nur gerne ein bisschen mehr Zwischeninfo über die Lernfortschritte von Jason bekommen.
Ben selbst ist ein sehr belesener, intelligenter Mann, der das unglaubliche Potential, das in Jason steckt nicht nur bemerkt, sondern auch aus ihm “herauskitzelt”. Er bringt Jason dazu, nicht mehr (so oft) zurückzublicken, sondern zu sehen, dass es eine wunderbare Zukunft für ihn gibt (manchmal ging mir das fast etwas zu leicht).
Eine fantastische Großmutter, dazu tolle Freunde, die sich im Laufe der Beziehung zwischen Ben und Jason, irgendwie ganz automatisch vermehren, grad so als wären sie schon immer dagewesen, machen die Geschichte rund. Einige von euch werden vielleicht sagen, dass das “Lummerland” ist, das dies alles zu perfekt ist – aber ganz ehrlich, ist es zum einen nicht das, was wir uns alle wünschen und zum anderen, können wir uns nicht mehr vorstellen, dass es sowas wirklich gibt?
Nicht jeder wird diese Art von Geschichte mögen, aber für mich ist und war es ein wunderbares “Sonntagsbuch”. Was ich damit meine? Tja, Sonntag ist für mich der totale Relaxtag. Reinschlüpfen in den Jogginganzug, die dicken Socken anziehen und ab auf Sofa … Genauso müsst ihr euch die Geschichte vorstellen. Ich weiß nicht, wie ich es sonst erklären soll. Frei nach dem Motto “warm and cozy” aka “reinschlüpfen und wohlfühlen”.
Dass diese Geschichte ein Happy End hat, brauche ich in diesem Fall wohl eher nicht mehr erwähnen *g*. Der Schluss ist gut und passt zur Story, aber ich hätte halt gerne noch einen Epilog gehabt, in dem erzählt wird, wie es den beiden nach z.B. einem Jahr oder später geht. Jaja, mein “Luxusproblemchen”, ich weiß .
Aber nun ja, das Leben ist nicht immer perfekt und somit kann ich mit den Gegebenheiten auch gut weiter leben *g*.
Also denn, das nächste englische Buch liegt sicherlich schon in Lauerstellung (vorsichtig zum Reader linse, denn es gibt ja sooo viele) und *mutigaufdenSuBschau*.
December 26, 2016
This is a gay romance novel between an intergenerational couple; a bear and a twunk or twink/hunk. Minus the fur, ass grabbing, and blow jobs, it reads much like a cozy fiction.
It takes place in the suburbs of London. There is a lot of talk about gardening, poetry, and tea time. Almost all of the characters work at a library. There are literally pages dedicated to the glory and marvelous necessity that is the public library.
A whole chapter about a book display on gardening!
And outside of sex scenes, no swearing. The sex is actually pretty vanilla. Plenty of scones but no rim jobs.
It takes place in the suburbs of London. There is a lot of talk about gardening, poetry, and tea time. Almost all of the characters work at a library. There are literally pages dedicated to the glory and marvelous necessity that is the public library.
A whole chapter about a book display on gardening!
And outside of sex scenes, no swearing. The sex is actually pretty vanilla. Plenty of scones but no rim jobs.
October 10, 2019
A slow-moving, low angst, May-December romance. To be honest I had to read it in chunks as it was very pedestrian and pedantic and threatened to send me asleep. I love libraries and books and the author clearly has the same passion which definitely comes through the story. A book to be read when you need something comforting to read.
3.5 stars
3.5 stars
September 2, 2016
*I received this book by the publisher in exchange for an honest review*
Ok.... so this is the first book I've read by this author, I wasn't sure what to expect; but as someone who has recently been introduced to the "bear" trope and loving it; I couldn't wait to jump into it. I mean, have you seen the cover?....point made.
So; here we have Ben, widower since his long-time partner, Colin had passed some years back. He's 48 but in some ways he seemed much older to me, I'm not sure why.... He has lots of friends that works for him and even though Daisy grew on me; I didn't much care for her personality. She was judgey and hateful at times and I didn't like that. I loved Jess and Jake though, they were such good friends to Ben and they welcomed Jason with open arms.
Jason... that boy broke my heart, the things he'd been through at such a young age... sigh... you couldn't help but want to scoop him up and give him a giant hug. He was so sweet.
He came into the library every day and Ben and judgey Daisy noticed him right away; Daisy because she was a judgey cow, but Ben because he thought he was gorgeous, even though too young. After a childrens reading day at the library; Ben found something out about Jason and made it his personal mission to help him; what he didn't count on was Jason stealing his heart.... Cheesey? Yes, but true.
I love how Jake and Jess as well as Daisy who eventually came around, accepted Jason into their small little family. Jason's Nan, Alice, also fit right in and they gave Jason a sense of family and love that he'd never had before but deserved wholeheartedly. He was so genuine and sweet and loveable; I hated so much that his parents got away with the things they done to him. The blurb made it seem like Jason was kicked out because he was gay and that wasn't the case at all; I believe he was kicked out because his step-dad was sick and his mother was jealous. They were the worst kind of people and I cried for this fictional character because you couldn't not....It didn't let it defeat him though. He was still such a sweet boy, a great carer for his Nan and the way he loved Ben was amazing for someone who'd been through as much as he had. I loved seeing them together, I loved the way Ben took care of Jason but also the way Jason took care of everyone he cared about.
Through Ben, Jason got to grow into self-esteem and self-worth. He didn't just teach him to read, he taught him the importance of his own worth and what he had to offer the world. He had talents and wisdom for someone far beyond his age; he could easily do anything he set his mind to and I was not only glad that Ben taught him that, but also that it was Ben who taught him. sigh... I just loved reading about them both. I wouldn't mind another book or two that was just all about them and their extended family of friends... and of course Nan :) she was a spitfire, for sure.
If you like lovable but broken men who get put back together by their endlessly patient, caring, understanding, thoughtful and loving "big bears"... then you'll love this story. I know I sure did.
The only reason at all I couldn't give it a full 5 stars is simply because the mother and step-father got away with the awful things they done and put Jason through. I can't handle someone so evil and awful not getting the karmatic justice they deserve and I didn't feel like I got any closure with that and I needed it and felt like Jason deserved it.....
Other than that, it was an awesome and emotional read and I'm so, so lucky I got the chance to read it.
Definitely one I'll be recommending!
Ok.... so this is the first book I've read by this author, I wasn't sure what to expect; but as someone who has recently been introduced to the "bear" trope and loving it; I couldn't wait to jump into it. I mean, have you seen the cover?....point made.
So; here we have Ben, widower since his long-time partner, Colin had passed some years back. He's 48 but in some ways he seemed much older to me, I'm not sure why.... He has lots of friends that works for him and even though Daisy grew on me; I didn't much care for her personality. She was judgey and hateful at times and I didn't like that. I loved Jess and Jake though, they were such good friends to Ben and they welcomed Jason with open arms.
Jason... that boy broke my heart, the things he'd been through at such a young age... sigh... you couldn't help but want to scoop him up and give him a giant hug. He was so sweet.
He came into the library every day and Ben and judgey Daisy noticed him right away; Daisy because she was a judgey cow, but Ben because he thought he was gorgeous, even though too young. After a childrens reading day at the library; Ben found something out about Jason and made it his personal mission to help him; what he didn't count on was Jason stealing his heart.... Cheesey? Yes, but true.
I love how Jake and Jess as well as Daisy who eventually came around, accepted Jason into their small little family. Jason's Nan, Alice, also fit right in and they gave Jason a sense of family and love that he'd never had before but deserved wholeheartedly. He was so genuine and sweet and loveable; I hated so much that his parents got away with the things they done to him. The blurb made it seem like Jason was kicked out because he was gay and that wasn't the case at all; I believe he was kicked out because his step-dad was sick and his mother was jealous. They were the worst kind of people and I cried for this fictional character because you couldn't not....It didn't let it defeat him though. He was still such a sweet boy, a great carer for his Nan and the way he loved Ben was amazing for someone who'd been through as much as he had. I loved seeing them together, I loved the way Ben took care of Jason but also the way Jason took care of everyone he cared about.
Through Ben, Jason got to grow into self-esteem and self-worth. He didn't just teach him to read, he taught him the importance of his own worth and what he had to offer the world. He had talents and wisdom for someone far beyond his age; he could easily do anything he set his mind to and I was not only glad that Ben taught him that, but also that it was Ben who taught him. sigh... I just loved reading about them both. I wouldn't mind another book or two that was just all about them and their extended family of friends... and of course Nan :) she was a spitfire, for sure.
If you like lovable but broken men who get put back together by their endlessly patient, caring, understanding, thoughtful and loving "big bears"... then you'll love this story. I know I sure did.
The only reason at all I couldn't give it a full 5 stars is simply because the mother and step-father got away with the awful things they done and put Jason through. I can't handle someone so evil and awful not getting the karmatic justice they deserve and I didn't feel like I got any closure with that and I needed it and felt like Jason deserved it.....
Other than that, it was an awesome and emotional read and I'm so, so lucky I got the chance to read it.
Definitely one I'll be recommending!
August 23, 2016
Yeah Angie, that's how I felt. Ummm. My first reaction is that I think the subject of the story had the greatest potential ever!!! Ideally this was a huge Age-Gap. Seriously, it was a 29 year age difference. Like holy f****. This was a big deal, and I didn't know what to think of it. I'm trying to convey my issues with Ben personally. I mean, he's Jason teacher, lover, and employer. It was to fast and too many boundaries being crossed. I'm all for love, and everything but the way the story was written, Jason seems to naive. He's been through A LOT. I don't know why no one mentioned him getting any therapy for his situation, and maybe gardening is his own therapeutic way. But the love seemed so one - sided because Jason is so out of depth on everything.
It's like ALL of Ben's reservations about Jason were coming true. I'm not saying that he couldn't love Jason, but let's be real the trauma that Jason has been through in his life, and his lack of education should have been front and center for me. I would have liked Jason decisions to not have been made on the cusp of him not wanting to be along. He is literally floundering his way around. He has no self-confidence, and no reassurance of his abilities. This was to easy, and I would have preferred the angst and some sort of emotion with this story. It was monotone and everybody was so damn cheery, and nice.
Call me a Grinch, but this would have been the perfect story for uncontrollable crying, and in my head I would have liked after all the ANGST that is possible for them to part ways. I would have liked Jason & Ben to come to terms that they've loved each other for this small amount of time. I would have liked for them to realize that they are better with one another, and Jason goes on to someone else. Ben has given him love, and the tools he needs to survive. I would have liked Ben to realize that Jason needs someone else. I just didn't want them together in the end. This needed some tears, emotions, and mental instability on my part. Hell I might just need to write a story. I would have preferred to feel like this at the end.
Instead I'm left feeling nothing.
September 2, 2016
(Originally reviewed for Love Bytes Reviews with a copy provided by the publisher / author for an honest review. Rated 3.5 out of 5.0 Love Bytes.)
So I’m a little conflicted on this one. I picked it up because of the “bear” librarian. As a guy who helps run a local gay bear group, and leads weekly bear hikes, I’m an avid fan of the bear culture. I thought there would be more bear related stuff in the book, but there really wasn’t.
Ben Thompson is a librarian, who at forty-eight is a widower. He lost his partner to a brain tumor and has been alone ever since. As the story begins, Ben’s assistant librarian, Daisy, points out a “shady” young man in a hoodie. Daisy is convinced that the lad is up to no good and bears watching. Ben is intrigued, and soon the “bear” is indeed watching. But he doesn’t see anything that would justify Daisy’s concern. Once Ben meets the young man, Jason Barnes, he quickly realizes there is more to the boy that meets the eye.
Jason Barnes can’t read. He loves to look at the books in the library, and dreams of one day being able to read them. He knows it will never happen though because he isn’t worthy. His stepfather has forced himself on Jason for years, and after that level of abuse, Jason’s feeling of self-worth is non-existent.
Ben and Jason become friends, and one thing leads to another. They end up in a May/December relationship, which frankly, in my opinion happened awfully damn fast. Jason’s grandmother is instantly on-board, which read a little strange to me, as did Jason’s desire for an older man, after having been molested by an older man for years. I had some stumbling blocks and had trouble getting past the 48/19 ages. Not so much for the age difference, but more so for the trust that Jason just instantly has with Ben. It didn’t read completely believable to me, and I think my read suffered because of it.
I liked the book…I didn’t love it, so I’m capping it at a 3.5 which means on our scale that I liked it and the writing was above average. I think this book would be great for anyone who enjoys a May/December relationship type book. This is my first May/December book, and I personally didn’t enjoy that aspect of it. This was also my first book from this author, so I had nothing else to compare it to. If I’m being honest, the age difference, the brain tumor (personal trigger), and the insta-trust/insta-love things kept me from loving it, but the rest of you might disagree with my hesitation.
So I’m a little conflicted on this one. I picked it up because of the “bear” librarian. As a guy who helps run a local gay bear group, and leads weekly bear hikes, I’m an avid fan of the bear culture. I thought there would be more bear related stuff in the book, but there really wasn’t.
Ben Thompson is a librarian, who at forty-eight is a widower. He lost his partner to a brain tumor and has been alone ever since. As the story begins, Ben’s assistant librarian, Daisy, points out a “shady” young man in a hoodie. Daisy is convinced that the lad is up to no good and bears watching. Ben is intrigued, and soon the “bear” is indeed watching. But he doesn’t see anything that would justify Daisy’s concern. Once Ben meets the young man, Jason Barnes, he quickly realizes there is more to the boy that meets the eye.
Jason Barnes can’t read. He loves to look at the books in the library, and dreams of one day being able to read them. He knows it will never happen though because he isn’t worthy. His stepfather has forced himself on Jason for years, and after that level of abuse, Jason’s feeling of self-worth is non-existent.
Ben and Jason become friends, and one thing leads to another. They end up in a May/December relationship, which frankly, in my opinion happened awfully damn fast. Jason’s grandmother is instantly on-board, which read a little strange to me, as did Jason’s desire for an older man, after having been molested by an older man for years. I had some stumbling blocks and had trouble getting past the 48/19 ages. Not so much for the age difference, but more so for the trust that Jason just instantly has with Ben. It didn’t read completely believable to me, and I think my read suffered because of it.
I liked the book…I didn’t love it, so I’m capping it at a 3.5 which means on our scale that I liked it and the writing was above average. I think this book would be great for anyone who enjoys a May/December relationship type book. This is my first May/December book, and I personally didn’t enjoy that aspect of it. This was also my first book from this author, so I had nothing else to compare it to. If I’m being honest, the age difference, the brain tumor (personal trigger), and the insta-trust/insta-love things kept me from loving it, but the rest of you might disagree with my hesitation.
September 8, 2016
I always enjoy books by this author as I feel like I’ve been educated as well as entertained! It was a very sweet book and the author’s vivid description really brought the story alive in my head. I liked the way it centred entirely on the blossoming relationship between the two main characters and that it was told purely from Ben’s point of view as it allowed me to understand him a lot better. Jason is fairly typical of the characters I am used to reading about but Ben is more intriguing due to his age, circumstance and state of mind. You would think that Jason with all his issues would be the one to focus on, yet for me, Ben was the character I found myself drawn to. His strength is obvious in his intellect and physical being, but his emotional vulnerability makes him thoroughly endearing. I loved the setting of the library and all the references to books and authors peppering the storyline – I would love to have a place like that to go to. The supporting characters were great fun and added to the main storyline without overshadowing Jason and Ben. The sex scenes were relevant and hot! I loved the easy pace and honest writing style and hope this is the first book of a series as I’d love to know more about the 2 other couples that get a brief introduction later on in the story. TJ Masters doesn’t over complicate things – he keeps it real.
September 5, 2016
While I did like Ben and Jason's romance, I didn't feel right for them to fell in love so fast. For me, how they behaved was off and not genuine. Their interaction was to sweet and nice, overall childish. Sure Ben was great character, but Jason's story didn't feel right. Jason was abused for three years, by his father, but no one thought, that maybe what Jason needed the most was a professional help? I sure did!
June 25, 2018
All the emotional trauma that makes a reader care about the characters was more or less simply stated instead of us reading about the discovery. For example the abuse from Jason’s dad, was explained while they ate lunch out, not after a panic attack or anything that would convey the amount of hurt the abuse had caused. So once we read about that and then he and Ben (who’s backstory wasn’t very fleshed out) got together it became ‘and then’ story. And then they ate dinner with his nan, and then they had sex, and then gardened and then they talked about gardening books.
There were some very profound passages as Jason grew more confident and I did appreciate reading about his growth as a person. However, this was not a book for me. It’s a story that was told too subtley, possibly that’s my excuse, but for those who want a very sweet and very low angst story with lots of ‘I love you’ then this your book.
There were some very profound passages as Jason grew more confident and I did appreciate reading about his growth as a person. However, this was not a book for me. It’s a story that was told too subtley, possibly that’s my excuse, but for those who want a very sweet and very low angst story with lots of ‘I love you’ then this your book.
July 2, 2018
Ein nettes Lesevergnügen, eine Romanze zwischen Frühling und Herbst.
Der große Altersunterschied wird durchaus thematisiert aber nicht überstraperziert.
Sehr viel Bibliotheksalltag.
Einiges an Lesetraining.
Gut gefallen hat mir der offene und unbekümmerte Hetero-Kollege.
Gestört hat mich der Umgang mit dem Jugendtrauma, denn ich glaube nicht, dass es reicht, in sicherer Umgebung zu sein, um das zu verarbeiten.
Ansonsten unkompliziert und cosy.
Der große Altersunterschied wird durchaus thematisiert aber nicht überstraperziert.
Sehr viel Bibliotheksalltag.
Einiges an Lesetraining.
Gut gefallen hat mir der offene und unbekümmerte Hetero-Kollege.
Gestört hat mich der Umgang mit dem Jugendtrauma, denn ich glaube nicht, dass es reicht, in sicherer Umgebung zu sein, um das zu verarbeiten.
Ansonsten unkompliziert und cosy.
September 12, 2016
A Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words Review An Alisa Review:
Rating: 4 stars out of 5
This was a very enjoyable story. Ben has been alone since his partner passed away putting all he has into the library he manages, making his own family out of the other employees. He is drawn to Jason when he first sees him and befriends the young man hoping to draw him out of his shell.
Ben is almost thirty years older than Jason and despite his feelings tries to keep their relationship as friends only until his friends and Jason’s grandmother convince him that all that matters is how they feel about each other. Jason has been through so much he deserves to have happiness in his life. Both characters have to open up to the possibility of more than what they currently have in their lives.
This story is told from Ben’s point of view, so we can easily see his emotions and thoughts. It takes a bit to understand some of Jason’s feelings, but he is very open with how he feels. I was so happy for Jason being able to gain friends through the library employees and the love he deserves from Ben. Even though Jason is much younger than Ben he is more mature than his age in many ways, but you can still see his youth come through during the story. I was very happy with how this story ended and am glad they got their happy ending.
Cover art by Alexandria Corza is perfect and I wouldn’t change a thing.
Rating: 4 stars out of 5
This was a very enjoyable story. Ben has been alone since his partner passed away putting all he has into the library he manages, making his own family out of the other employees. He is drawn to Jason when he first sees him and befriends the young man hoping to draw him out of his shell.
Ben is almost thirty years older than Jason and despite his feelings tries to keep their relationship as friends only until his friends and Jason’s grandmother convince him that all that matters is how they feel about each other. Jason has been through so much he deserves to have happiness in his life. Both characters have to open up to the possibility of more than what they currently have in their lives.
This story is told from Ben’s point of view, so we can easily see his emotions and thoughts. It takes a bit to understand some of Jason’s feelings, but he is very open with how he feels. I was so happy for Jason being able to gain friends through the library employees and the love he deserves from Ben. Even though Jason is much younger than Ben he is more mature than his age in many ways, but you can still see his youth come through during the story. I was very happy with how this story ended and am glad they got their happy ending.
Cover art by Alexandria Corza is perfect and I wouldn’t change a thing.
September 2, 2016
~~I received a free copy of this book to read and review for Wicked Reads ~~
This story about a man in his late forties, Ben, who runs a library, and a young man, Jason, whom he befriends, has some really good ideas in it. It is mainly set in a library, which already is in its favour, and deals with some recent political controversies in the UK regarding the closing of local libraries. But Jason has been created with too many issues - and too many talents - and actually so has Ben. These elements make the story messy, as it is trying to keep up with too many strands. Add in a habit of giving us an action by action run through Ben's day, and a strange mix of banal and terribly deep confront the reader. I felt there were some cultural disconnects too - Brits do not call people "jocks", and they really do not go around hugging people, especially at work. There were little gems of scenes, but too much that was unnecessary and slowed the pace. There is an enjoyable story in here, it just needs simplifying a little.
This story about a man in his late forties, Ben, who runs a library, and a young man, Jason, whom he befriends, has some really good ideas in it. It is mainly set in a library, which already is in its favour, and deals with some recent political controversies in the UK regarding the closing of local libraries. But Jason has been created with too many issues - and too many talents - and actually so has Ben. These elements make the story messy, as it is trying to keep up with too many strands. Add in a habit of giving us an action by action run through Ben's day, and a strange mix of banal and terribly deep confront the reader. I felt there were some cultural disconnects too - Brits do not call people "jocks", and they really do not go around hugging people, especially at work. There were little gems of scenes, but too much that was unnecessary and slowed the pace. There is an enjoyable story in here, it just needs simplifying a little.
November 17, 2016
Bear Among the Books is one the purchases I made at the UK Meet, and have just had a chance to read. This is a feel-good, curl up on a sofa when your heart is aching, slurp tea and relax kind of book. It's gentle and kind, and I loved it. Yes, very middle-class England but with all the people that I love reading about. A May to December romance, hurt/comfort but where they help each other in a gentle way, strong and interesting female characters (and TJ, thank you very very much for not doing what I thought you were going to), well-written secondary characters, and above all, a believable relationship between the two of them.
TJ's writing is growing in skill and confidence, and it shines here. If you need a little bit of loving in your world, this is the book to read. A shiny 5 stars for making me feel good when I really needed it.
TJ's writing is growing in skill and confidence, and it shines here. If you need a little bit of loving in your world, this is the book to read. A shiny 5 stars for making me feel good when I really needed it.
September 14, 2016
I enjoyed this book, but there was just something that didn't connect for me. Jason started out being Ben's "project" so it was hard for me to see the romantic connection between them. I also felt like I missed out on Jason's learning to read. There was so much other story told, that the illiteracy felt like it was forgotten, then suddenly he's reading. It was a big part of Jason's character, so it would have been nice to see a bit more focus on his learning to read.
March 15, 2017
All I can say about this book was that is was boring! If you want to know how to garden and the inner working's of a library then this is the book for you! I didn't care about the age of the character's since they were consenting adults but their romance was a snooze fest! It wasn't instant love (not a fan of those type of books unless it's written in a believable manner) but it was slow has heck!
September 5, 2016
2.75 stars
I was excited in the beginning of the book but after a while the story became very boring to me.
I was happy when it ended.
I was excited in the beginning of the book but after a while the story became very boring to me.
I was happy when it ended.
November 25, 2016
It wasn't necessarily bad, but it wasn't good enough either.
& the writing? Wasn't my favorite style of writing... wasn't able to grab all my attention.
& the writing? Wasn't my favorite style of writing... wasn't able to grab all my attention.
March 28, 2023
What a wonderful M/M love story that takes place in one of my favorite places…a library!!! This story is bittersweet because one of the MC is a handsome bear! Not enough M/M books features a bear as a MC! There are few tropes in this particular story…age gap, bear/jock, virgin/seasoned. Throw in a feisty grandmother makes for great conversations!
The story focuses on Ben Thompson, the head librarian who runs a local library where he sees this young guy, Jason Barnes who would come in almost every day and look at books. Jason doesn’t borrow the books. This set Ben on a path to learn more about Jason. It turns out Jason lives with his grandmother and has never learned how to read. But I’m going to stop there and have you pick up the book to read to find out more. I’d definitely give it more than 5 stars. It’s now one of my favorite books to read!
The story focuses on Ben Thompson, the head librarian who runs a local library where he sees this young guy, Jason Barnes who would come in almost every day and look at books. Jason doesn’t borrow the books. This set Ben on a path to learn more about Jason. It turns out Jason lives with his grandmother and has never learned how to read. But I’m going to stop there and have you pick up the book to read to find out more. I’d definitely give it more than 5 stars. It’s now one of my favorite books to read!
March 10, 2023
I wish I had liked this as much as I wanted to. It certainly sounded good: Ben, a bear librarian, takes an illiterate gymnast, Jason, under his wing to tutor him how to read. Then they get together. This is where it kind of lost me-it was about a "week" between first meeting, sleeping together, declaring themselves in a relationship, complete with being in love... The inner cynic within me rolled his eyes.
On the other hand, the author does develop his characters pretty decently and infuse a lot of trivia into the story. This was dialogue-heavy, but unfortunately for me, I often found it awkward. The language didn't quite flow naturally in places.
Two stars.
On the other hand, the author does develop his characters pretty decently and infuse a lot of trivia into the story. This was dialogue-heavy, but unfortunately for me, I often found it awkward. The language didn't quite flow naturally in places.
Two stars.
September 4, 2018
4.5 stars. A very enjoyable May to December romance. Jason doesn't let his past make him bitter. He's unsure of himself and his own value, but he recognizes and returns kindness. Ben is giving to a fault. He's deeply loved by his friends and family. Once he recognizes that Jason needs help, he jumps in without reservation. Ben is sure he's too old to pursue Jason and Jason is sure no one could ever want him. The story is very low angst and the side characters are wonderful. They add a rich texture to the book and enhance Ben and Jason's relationship.
Adult read
Adult read
July 4, 2018
I'm a sucker for bear/twink may/december books, because, well...let's not get into my personal life. The fact that this was a librarian book on top of that just made it all the better.
The read went as expected, mostly, and was quite enjoyable.
The only downside was the jarring, and quite disturbing, sudden change in tone during the one scene that I won't spoil. Be ready for some darkness in this otherwise light and excellent read.
The read went as expected, mostly, and was quite enjoyable.
The only downside was the jarring, and quite disturbing, sudden change in tone during the one scene that I won't spoil. Be ready for some darkness in this otherwise light and excellent read.
July 5, 2022
Jason's past was tragic and traumatic. He was raped by his step-dad when he was only 15 yo and it happened over and over again for 3 years. He just let his step-dad did those horrible thing to him. He said it made his life at home much more easier and maybe that's the reason why he let him did that and Jason was naive young man with no support system.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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