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Hold That Pose
Suave, well-traveled, and French, the 22 year old Etienne Devaux transferred to RIT for his last two years as a photography major. Even though he had traveled the world with his diplomat father and artist mother, the US is the first place where he feels truly at home. As a junior, he expected a private room, and is none too pleased to be stuck with a jock wrestler of a roommate. John Hart studies business major on a wrestling scholarship, and is groomed to take part in his family's papermill business. The tall, dark, and handsome roommate is an unexpected complication. He hoped for privacy. It's bad enough to get hard while wrestling guys from all that adrenaline - and now he'll have to watch himself even in his own room! Except it's impossible to hate Etienne. In fact, it's impossible not to love him.
202 pages, Paperback
First published October 1, 2016
12 people are currently reading
40 people want to read
About the author
Devyn Morgan
63 books103 followersDevyn Morgan is a contemporary man with a love of contemporary romance! He grew up in several different states due to his parents' careers, which instilled in him a love of travel and seeing new places. After finishing college, he traveled around the globe for two years in search of romance, experiences, and adventures. In that time, he came up with more story ideas than he could ever use, so he started to write gay fiction.
He currently lives in the eastern US with his partner and a dog, but he still considers himself a free spirit.
He currently lives in the eastern US with his partner and a dog, but he still considers himself a free spirit.
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
February 14, 2018
2.5 stars. This book was ok. I liked the Narration for it better than I liked the actual story. I think Narrator Klaus Von Hohenloe did a good job with the voices and Etienne's accent. French Photographer Etienne, and Wrestler John become roommates. Then Friends. Then Boyfriends/Lovers. There relationship develops nicely in this story, but the ending is kind of abrupt, I think a little more could have been added to the ending.
December 28, 2017
3.5 Stars
Predictable-ish story, even if the details were different; having an older, professionally established but very sheltered & spoiled foreign student navigating his way through college life was a nice touch. I must say that I did love the narrator's French accent.
Predictable-ish story, even if the details were different; having an older, professionally established but very sheltered & spoiled foreign student navigating his way through college life was a nice touch. I must say that I did love the narrator's French accent.
January 9, 2018
DNF 55%
This books starts with a French MC speaking shit about Europe , specially France. (stereotyped issues like crowed cities, small houses...) to ADMIRE the large landscapes of US.... bla bla bla
Devyn Morgan, sorry, but is NOT very believable at all some french guy speak like that xD and more a french guy that haven´t any money or social problem in his country. He prefer US for his work, or friends? OK, but don´t make up things.
FRANCE HAS LARGE LANDSCAPES. Also big houses, but of course, not in the big cities!! But that is the same in all big cities of the world!
I really feel so bad about how the author was dispraising about other countries in favor of US :(
Also the plot bored me.
This books starts with a French MC speaking shit about Europe , specially France. (stereotyped issues like crowed cities, small houses...) to ADMIRE the large landscapes of US.... bla bla bla
Devyn Morgan, sorry, but is NOT very believable at all some french guy speak like that xD and more a french guy that haven´t any money or social problem in his country. He prefer US for his work, or friends? OK, but don´t make up things.
FRANCE HAS LARGE LANDSCAPES. Also big houses, but of course, not in the big cities!! But that is the same in all big cities of the world!
I really feel so bad about how the author was dispraising about other countries in favor of US :(
Also the plot bored me.
October 31, 2016
Cute little story with a happy ending and inter-cultural relationship. 4.5 stars. The only thing it's missing is an actually copy of that gorgeous photo!
Of course, it's pretty delicious in my head, so maybe I don't need it.
Using his diplomat father's ties, Etienne has gotten a student visa and is studying photography in Rochester, New York, to further his career. English is difficult, and so are his classes, but overall life is looking good.
Except for one thing: he's sharing a room with John, a hottie from the wrestling team, whom Etienne has a huge crush on.
John, for his part, is a sweet all-American kid in college on a wrestling scholarship. He loves the sport--except for the part where every time he pins a guy, he pops wood. And, after a few weeks with Etienne, the same thing starts happening around his roommate.
Throw in pictures by the lake, nude modeling in an art class, inopportune boners, and a dash of French niceties, and you get a cute little story.
Honestly, I rather loved it. The only things that knocked stars off for me was that it is in desperate need of a proofread, with plenty of typos in odd places, and that the sex scenes were a bit, well. Not purple, but a not the sexiest. I can't put my finger on why, but something about them didn't quite do it for me. Oh, and every time someone came, they "exploded," which just made me picture them literally exploding, which is rather unpleasant.
Hold That Pose was cute and well written, and I will definitely be reading others by this author.
Of course, it's pretty delicious in my head, so maybe I don't need it.
Using his diplomat father's ties, Etienne has gotten a student visa and is studying photography in Rochester, New York, to further his career. English is difficult, and so are his classes, but overall life is looking good.
Except for one thing: he's sharing a room with John, a hottie from the wrestling team, whom Etienne has a huge crush on.
John, for his part, is a sweet all-American kid in college on a wrestling scholarship. He loves the sport--except for the part where every time he pins a guy, he pops wood. And, after a few weeks with Etienne, the same thing starts happening around his roommate.
Throw in pictures by the lake, nude modeling in an art class, inopportune boners, and a dash of French niceties, and you get a cute little story.
Honestly, I rather loved it. The only things that knocked stars off for me was that it is in desperate need of a proofread, with plenty of typos in odd places, and that the sex scenes were a bit, well. Not purple, but a not the sexiest. I can't put my finger on why, but something about them didn't quite do it for me. Oh, and every time someone came, they "exploded," which just made me picture them literally exploding, which is rather unpleasant.
Hold That Pose was cute and well written, and I will definitely be reading others by this author.
October 23, 2016
DNF. I'm honestly surprised at the high rating this book got. The only reason I picked it up was because it's based in RIT and I live in Rochester, and I found this hilarious for some reason. The dialogue was weird, and I wasn't too thrilled about the writing style. Some of the descriptions were very technical, like describing how hot Ettiene was in his room, and that there was no 'heat of evaporation so no joules of energy were lost' or something along those lines. This took me back to high school English class, and I could just picture my teacher grading my essay with that in it and crossing that out as unnecessary. I didn't find the book as a whole awfully interesting
October 17, 2022
A 2.5 rating. A lot of really cute moments and loads of potential in the writing itself. The writing gives the impression that with more practice and a few writing classes the author could develop even stronger and more nuanced stories.
October 15, 2016
“I just couldn’t stop thinking about you…”
I was completely charmed by Etienne and John’s journey from cautious acquaintances to lovers, the slow burn as their craving for each gradually intensified kept me hooked. Having been won over by Etienne from the very beginning, I can admit that my immediate reaction to John was to scoff at the protective bubble he’d constructed to justify his reactions to the men he wrestled against, but his self-consciousness struck me as genuine and it didn’t take long for me to warm up to him. I liked the way their coming out as a couple unfolded, while it wasn’t a non-event, it didn’t turn into a homophobic circus. This novella is a great choice if you’re looking for a sweet and sexy romance that’s relatively low angst.
Please note that I voluntarily reviewed an advance reader’s copy of this book.
I was completely charmed by Etienne and John’s journey from cautious acquaintances to lovers, the slow burn as their craving for each gradually intensified kept me hooked. Having been won over by Etienne from the very beginning, I can admit that my immediate reaction to John was to scoff at the protective bubble he’d constructed to justify his reactions to the men he wrestled against, but his self-consciousness struck me as genuine and it didn’t take long for me to warm up to him. I liked the way their coming out as a couple unfolded, while it wasn’t a non-event, it didn’t turn into a homophobic circus. This novella is a great choice if you’re looking for a sweet and sexy romance that’s relatively low angst.
Please note that I voluntarily reviewed an advance reader’s copy of this book.
November 7, 2016
Cheated! Pages ran out!
Okay I love to read original stories, but I hate when it ends abruptly. They were missing etc. Then the story ended. I need about 100 more pages of a book 2. There was a lot of discussion on where they go from here, but without and ending we can only guess. Please work hard on the rest of this story and if not tell me so I can imagine my own ending. Thanks.
Okay I love to read original stories, but I hate when it ends abruptly. They were missing etc. Then the story ended. I need about 100 more pages of a book 2. There was a lot of discussion on where they go from here, but without and ending we can only guess. Please work hard on the rest of this story and if not tell me so I can imagine my own ending. Thanks.
October 24, 2016
Another sweet tale.
Even though this needs better editing, it's worth your time. I think there should have been another life model pose. The revelation of other French speakers was funny.
Even though this needs better editing, it's worth your time. I think there should have been another life model pose. The revelation of other French speakers was funny.
November 9, 2016
Refreshingly different
Yes, it is about an artist and jock who are still in college. Nice change from the literature I have been reading. It does have a good ending, but leaves room to be explored later.
Yes, it is about an artist and jock who are still in college. Nice change from the literature I have been reading. It does have a good ending, but leaves room to be explored later.
November 11, 2016
This only took me a couple of hours to read and I really enjoyed it. Absolutely no angst. There were a couple of issues with editing but it didn't take away from their sweet story. Worth the read!
November 25, 2016
Picture perfect.
This was a short sensuous love story. The cover picture of the book is a perfect introduction to the visceral beauty that flows between Etienne and John.
A very satisfying quick read.
This was a short sensuous love story. The cover picture of the book is a perfect introduction to the visceral beauty that flows between Etienne and John.
A very satisfying quick read.
January 3, 2017
Very sweet!
Loved the development of the relationship! Etienne & John had a slightly rocky start, but way they were able to admit to their attraction to each other was wonderful, sweet & kinda hot.
Loved the development of the relationship! Etienne & John had a slightly rocky start, but way they were able to admit to their attraction to each other was wonderful, sweet & kinda hot.
October 22, 2016
Lovely!
I loved this book, its first time love and sweetness are perfectly written. This is one definitely worth getting for your collection. A+++ Author!
I loved this book, its first time love and sweetness are perfectly written. This is one definitely worth getting for your collection. A+++ Author!
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews