What do you think?
Rate this book
Fate
One man, four lovers, and just ten years to choose one set the Hollywood stage in this hilarious coming of age tale of family, friendship, and fate.
Eddie is in love. The problem is, Eddie's in love with four men... four men simultaneously, that is. But who does Eddie love more? And can the heart feel for that many men equally? Ah, but it does have four chambers, so four seems the most logical choice... at least, of course, to Eddie.
Paula is Eddie's famous mom. One by one, each of his lovers comes to work for her, their lives so connected that if one of them itches, another one scratches. But who will wind up with whom in this comedic tale of life and love and friendship? In the end, it's up to fate to decide what none of them could possibly have seen coming.
Eddie is in love. The problem is, Eddie's in love with four men... four men simultaneously, that is. But who does Eddie love more? And can the heart feel for that many men equally? Ah, but it does have four chambers, so four seems the most logical choice... at least, of course, to Eddie.
Paula is Eddie's famous mom. One by one, each of his lovers comes to work for her, their lives so connected that if one of them itches, another one scratches. But who will wind up with whom in this comedic tale of life and love and friendship? In the end, it's up to fate to decide what none of them could possibly have seen coming.
- GenresComedyM M RomanceGay
ebook
First published November 18, 2015
178 people want to read
About the author
Rob Rosen
205 books166 followersMulti-award-winning and best-selling author/editor/anthologist Rob Rosen is the author of Sparkle: The Queerest Book You'll Ever Love, Divas Las Vegas, Hot Lava, Southern Fried, Queerwolf, Vamp, Queens of the Apocalypse, Creature Comfort, Fate, Midlife Crisis, Fierce, And God Belched, Mary, Queen of Scotch, Ted of the d'Urbervilles, Sort of Dead, Genie in a Vodka Bottle, Bobby Ray Breaks the Universe, and D.B. and Me. His short stories have appeared in more than 200 anthologies. You can read some of his best ones in Short Spurts, Short Spurts 2, and Short Spurts 3. He is also the editor of Lust in Time: Erotic Romance Through the Ages, Men of the Manor, Best Gay Erotica 2015 and Best Gay Erotica of the Year, Volumes 1, 2, 3 and 4.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
February 29, 2016
‘Fate’, or rather its author, Rob Rosen, takes most of the key elements and conventions of gay romance and turns them all on their head while providing me with a hilarious tale that is firmly tongue-in cheek at all times. This novel showcases humor at its best in the form of a great coming of age romp where the journey is more important than the end goal. And what a journey it is! It practically starts with Eddie’s birth, at least the way he tells it, and lasts all the way through his teenage years and college. Expect to be surprised, possibly shocked or taken aback, but always make sure you’re ready to laugh. I mean it – no drinks while you’re reading this book. It’s good training for your abs and a great workout for your sense of humor.
Eddie tells this story in first person, and it sounds as though he is talking to a friend of his. His best friend Brian is with him almost from birth, but they get separated at age seven after one very memorable kiss good-bye. The brief meeting at age sixteen is more than awkward – including the kiss, but then, everything is slightly weird at that age. As Eddie begins to realize he is gay and believes he may be in love with Brian, other boys start appearing in his life. His college roommate, Curtis, who is gay but of the opinion they need to be friends only because he doesn’t want to risk needing to find a different roommate. Then there is Aaron, Curtis’s eventual boyfriend whom Eddie doesn’t like initially, but then falls in love with. When Brian (who isn’t gay but loves Eddie) comes for a short visit he brings Trevor, who wants to date Eddie; then Eddie falls for him too. And, of course, there is Brian all along.
Chaos ensues. Cheating left right and center, except is it cheating when everyone knows what everyone else is doing? This part is like a soap opera version of gay college, and if I had tried to take it seriously I’d have hated the book. Seeing as I took it to be a parody – it really was too over the top to be serious – I leaned back and enjoyed myself. Eddie is in a quandary about whom he should really love, what with a grand total of four men to chose from. But as often happens, eventually a solution presents itself, and no, I am not telling. Suffice it to say, it was a surprise, to both Eddie and me, and though a little less funny than the rest of the book, there was still lots of humor with Eddie’s “final lover”. It is just that kind of a story.
If you like Rob Rosen’s sense of humor, if you’re ready to forget everything you ever learned about the “rules of gay romance”, and if you’re looking for a read that is as hilariously funny as it is totally over the top, then you will probably enjoy this novel.
NOTE: This book was provided by the author for the purpose of a review on Rainbow Book Reviews.
Eddie tells this story in first person, and it sounds as though he is talking to a friend of his. His best friend Brian is with him almost from birth, but they get separated at age seven after one very memorable kiss good-bye. The brief meeting at age sixteen is more than awkward – including the kiss, but then, everything is slightly weird at that age. As Eddie begins to realize he is gay and believes he may be in love with Brian, other boys start appearing in his life. His college roommate, Curtis, who is gay but of the opinion they need to be friends only because he doesn’t want to risk needing to find a different roommate. Then there is Aaron, Curtis’s eventual boyfriend whom Eddie doesn’t like initially, but then falls in love with. When Brian (who isn’t gay but loves Eddie) comes for a short visit he brings Trevor, who wants to date Eddie; then Eddie falls for him too. And, of course, there is Brian all along.
Chaos ensues. Cheating left right and center, except is it cheating when everyone knows what everyone else is doing? This part is like a soap opera version of gay college, and if I had tried to take it seriously I’d have hated the book. Seeing as I took it to be a parody – it really was too over the top to be serious – I leaned back and enjoyed myself. Eddie is in a quandary about whom he should really love, what with a grand total of four men to chose from. But as often happens, eventually a solution presents itself, and no, I am not telling. Suffice it to say, it was a surprise, to both Eddie and me, and though a little less funny than the rest of the book, there was still lots of humor with Eddie’s “final lover”. It is just that kind of a story.
If you like Rob Rosen’s sense of humor, if you’re ready to forget everything you ever learned about the “rules of gay romance”, and if you’re looking for a read that is as hilariously funny as it is totally over the top, then you will probably enjoy this novel.
NOTE: This book was provided by the author for the purpose of a review on Rainbow Book Reviews.
November 20, 2015
"All the perfect kisses, love and laughter, sex and happily-ever-afters of a great romance novel, times four." -- Martha Davis, author of Dirty
"Fate asks provocative questions about the nature, and capacity, of love. A thought-provoking, tears-and-laughter gem that deserves a look!" -- Rick R. Reed, award-winning author of Dinner at Home and Blink
"Don't even try to resist diving head first into Rob Rosen's latest novel, a witty, wonderful ride through the chaos of friendship and family. 'Gayer than Oprah,' as his protagonist quips, Fate is ripe with fearless joy as only Rosen can write it." -- Salome Wilde, editor of Shakespearotica: Queering the Bard
"Sensitive, touching and often uproariously funny, with a style that makes it feel like an American Notting Hill, Fate keeps you guessing and introduces a fresh, quirky set of characters." -- Riley Shepherd, author of The Last Paltry Drops and The Boy He Left Behind
"As fate would have it, Rob Rosen has written another screamingly funny novel exploring the foibles of gay romance." -- Jonathan Asche, author of Kept Men and Other Stories
"Fate asks provocative questions about the nature, and capacity, of love. A thought-provoking, tears-and-laughter gem that deserves a look!" -- Rick R. Reed, award-winning author of Dinner at Home and Blink
"Don't even try to resist diving head first into Rob Rosen's latest novel, a witty, wonderful ride through the chaos of friendship and family. 'Gayer than Oprah,' as his protagonist quips, Fate is ripe with fearless joy as only Rosen can write it." -- Salome Wilde, editor of Shakespearotica: Queering the Bard
"Sensitive, touching and often uproariously funny, with a style that makes it feel like an American Notting Hill, Fate keeps you guessing and introduces a fresh, quirky set of characters." -- Riley Shepherd, author of The Last Paltry Drops and The Boy He Left Behind
"As fate would have it, Rob Rosen has written another screamingly funny novel exploring the foibles of gay romance." -- Jonathan Asche, author of Kept Men and Other Stories
January 18, 2016
Rating: 4.5 stars
BLURB
One man, four lovers, and just ten years to choose one set the Hollywood stage in this hilarious coming of age tale of family, friendship, and fate. Eddie is in love. The problem is, Eddie’s in love with four men… four men simultaneously, that is. But who does Eddie love more? And can the heart feel for that many men equally? Ah, but it does have four chambers, so four seems the most logical choice… at least, of course, to Eddie. Paula is Eddie’s famous mom. One by one, each of his lovers comes to work for her, their lives so connected that if one of them itches, another one scratches. But who will wind up with whom in this comedic tale of life and love and friendship? In the end, it’s up to fate to decide what none of them could possibly have seen coming.
Personal Tags: Coming of Age; Really funny; Comedy; Self-Awareness; GFY; Bisexual; Hot Angst; Show Business
FAte:
My good friend Lisa and I were going over new releases and she mentioned FAte to me. Well, with my being in the entertainment industry my whole life, this book called right out to me. What I didn’t expect was what turned out to be an extremely funny, riveting read that took me back to my own young, innocent (OK, maybe not quite so innocent) college days and our very tight circle of friends in an updated, 21st Century way. In a fashion, I do envy the Millenials and their amazing sense of self awareness.
THE CHARACTERS
Eddie Jackson, ‘Eddie’:
Eddie is the brown haired, brown eyed son of aspiring comedian Paula and her husband Sam Jackson. I was born in the wagon of a travelling show. Um, yeah, I know that statement fairly—okay, exactly—resembles a certain song refrain from a certain timeless diva—Cher!—but, honest to God, I was born in a wagon, albeit a station wagon, and that travelling show was my mom’s standup act. Dad was driving her on the weekends during her last trimester, while Mom cussed for money. Me, well, I was just a fetus at the time, but I was told I showed great potential even then. As to being born in the family car, which, by the way, became mine when I turned eighteen, dents and all—“all” being one hundred and thirty thousand miles and a temperamental radiator that hissed when the temperature outside got to anywhere near eighty—well, the story goes that my mom booked the gig just after I was conceived, forgot about it until it was too late to cancel—the show must go on, even in a maternity muumuu!— and I cried my way into the world along Highway 5 just after midnight, halfway between Los Angeles and San Francisco. The stains are still there to prove it, though they could just as easily be from a spilled Slushie.
In fact, if I hadn’t been born there, if my mom’s water hadn’t gushed like the Suez Canal springing a leak, as she likes to put it, along that certain stretch of highway, then Brian and I never would have met—at least not the first time around.
Brian:
Blond, blue eyed Brian is the son of Ted and Lisa and was born six minutes before Eddie in the same hospital in San Luis Obispo that Paula, ‘Ma’, ended up going to and sharing a room with Lisa. Paula, ‘Ma’, and Lisa hit it off in the hospital and despite such disparate life experiences became steadfast friends. One and one didn’t even come close to two when it came to the pair of them: lustrous blonde vs. mousy brown, rich vs. poor, quiet vs. my mom. The only thing they had in common, of course, was us, me and Brian, and we, as it’s told, also got along famously, side by side in our cribs, staring at each other through the slats.
Even though the two families lived twenty miles apart, which apparently might as well be light years in California standards, the two families stayed extremely close and Eddie and Brian became best friends, attached at the hip until, at age seven, Brian’s dad got a job in Pittsburg, PA, all the way cross country. This began the first, years long separation between Eddie and Brian.
John - ‘Curtis’:
As the years go on and Eddie starts college, in walks Curtis, Eddie’s college roommate: “Howdy,” he said as he tentatively walked in, jolting me out of my reverie. I nodded, smiled, waved. “Howdy,” I replied, which, if memory serves, was the first time I’d ever used that word. Did anyone outside of Texas use it? I rose from the bed and held out my hand. “Eddie,” I said, his hand in mine, a spark of something akin to electricity riding up my spine as his eyes locked with mine. His were a sea of green with specks of grey, all filling my line of vision. He was my height, maybe an inch taller, with jet black hair, a hint of fuzz poking out from his collar, hairy arms, and lips the color of vine-ripened tomatoes. Which sounded gay, gay, gay, if not wholly accurate. “John,” he said. “But my friends call me Curtis.”
What transpires between Curtis and Eddie is nothing short of the quintessential coming of age experience that we all go through. The first awakenings of true adulthood and the cementing of a life-long relationship that transcends the age-old ‘friends with benefits’ routine.
Aaron:
Aaron. Fucking Aaron. Fucking ginger haired Aaron with the stunning eyes of blue and the dimple in his chin and that spark of something naughty in his smirk.
College is such a wonderful time. A time of discoveries and adventures and life-long friendships forged, and as often is the case Curtis meets Aaron, thereby changing the whole dynamics of Eddie and Curtis’ friendship/relationship. I don’t do spoilers, but suffice it to say this is a pivotal moment in this book, exquisitely carried through.
“It isn’t what you think,” he said as I closed the door behind me and plopped down on my own bed. “You’re dating Aaron.” He frowned. “Then, yes, it’s exactly what you think.”
Trevor:
Trevor had curly brown hair, very seventies looking, except shorter and more styled. He had brown eyes leaning toward hazel, an aquiline nose, stubbled cheeks, a soul patch beneath his bottom lip, and a cleft in his chin. He was cuter more than handsome, and, no, the binoculars hadn’t done him justice. He was also shorter than me by an inch or so, though broader, more muscular looking, his clothes tight around his frame, a second skin of sorts. He had a warm smile and a sure handshake.
Trevor comes into Eddie’s life via Brian. Remember Brian from Eddie’s childhood? Well, Brian is now one awesomely good looking man that’s taken a couple of years off to go explore Europe where he meets Trevor at a youth hostel. After wondering around Europe for a couple of years Brian comes back to finally start college and ends up moving in with his friend he made in Europe.
The four characters are now firmly in place! Let the games continue! I say continue as I am not one for spoilers. I know, you’ve heard that before.
THE STORY
Wow, what a great story! I really wasn’t expecting what I got, and as I was reading Eddie’s journey through the first third of his life I kept laughing and giggling. My poor husband was all like “is it really that funny?” Why, yes. Yes, it is.
This is Eddie’s journey, as told by Eddie. Since the beginning Eddie is trying to not acknowledge fate, however Ms. Fate has other plans. Intertwined in Eddie’s story is Brian’s, Curtis’, Aaron’s, and Trevor’s stories, all told in the same witty, funny, at times a bit sarcastic style. With Paula, ‘Ma’, as the backdrop/puppeteer in this Male Romance Comedy the whole story arc flows seamlessly and flawlessly towards its inevitable, wonderful end.
Eddie and his four loves are the central focus around which most of the story revolves, however I haven’t let you in on some of the other great characters that Mr. Rosen brings forth, what would be the fun in that? And, most importantly, there’s those final, few, delicious chapters. Enjoy!
THE WRITING
This is my first book by Rob Rosen and boy am I ever glad I was afforded this opportunity! The comedic timing and delivery flows so smoothly throughout this book that it was hard to put it down and go to sleep, or put it down and do work. I relished this read like a fine piece of Belgian chocolate. So nice and rich and delicious.
The characters are vibrant and alive, like an old Technicolor movie, drawn and developed in exquisite fashion into the tapestry of the story that I was taken back in time to my youth, my college days and 20’s. A time of wonderful discoveries, close friends, fantastic fun, incredible insecurities trying to figure things out. Somehow the innocence and expectancy of those years shines through in this book.
The editing is well done, albeit a couple of typos. Note to editors and beta/proof readers: check on spellcheck, please. In a few places one of the main character’s names: Brian, came through as Brain. Not quite the same thing.
All in all, a solid 4.5 stars and well worth the time. Bravo!
THE DISCLAIMER
I would like to thank Will Parkinson, Pride Promotions, and Man Love Romance Press, LLC,
for providing Attention Is Arbitrary with a review copy in exchange for an honest review.
Reviewed for - Attention Is Arbitrary Male/Male Romance Book Blog:
http://www.attentionisarbitrary.com
BLURB
One man, four lovers, and just ten years to choose one set the Hollywood stage in this hilarious coming of age tale of family, friendship, and fate. Eddie is in love. The problem is, Eddie’s in love with four men… four men simultaneously, that is. But who does Eddie love more? And can the heart feel for that many men equally? Ah, but it does have four chambers, so four seems the most logical choice… at least, of course, to Eddie. Paula is Eddie’s famous mom. One by one, each of his lovers comes to work for her, their lives so connected that if one of them itches, another one scratches. But who will wind up with whom in this comedic tale of life and love and friendship? In the end, it’s up to fate to decide what none of them could possibly have seen coming.
Personal Tags: Coming of Age; Really funny; Comedy; Self-Awareness; GFY; Bisexual; Hot Angst; Show Business
FAte:
My good friend Lisa and I were going over new releases and she mentioned FAte to me. Well, with my being in the entertainment industry my whole life, this book called right out to me. What I didn’t expect was what turned out to be an extremely funny, riveting read that took me back to my own young, innocent (OK, maybe not quite so innocent) college days and our very tight circle of friends in an updated, 21st Century way. In a fashion, I do envy the Millenials and their amazing sense of self awareness.
THE CHARACTERS
Eddie Jackson, ‘Eddie’:
Eddie is the brown haired, brown eyed son of aspiring comedian Paula and her husband Sam Jackson. I was born in the wagon of a travelling show. Um, yeah, I know that statement fairly—okay, exactly—resembles a certain song refrain from a certain timeless diva—Cher!—but, honest to God, I was born in a wagon, albeit a station wagon, and that travelling show was my mom’s standup act. Dad was driving her on the weekends during her last trimester, while Mom cussed for money. Me, well, I was just a fetus at the time, but I was told I showed great potential even then. As to being born in the family car, which, by the way, became mine when I turned eighteen, dents and all—“all” being one hundred and thirty thousand miles and a temperamental radiator that hissed when the temperature outside got to anywhere near eighty—well, the story goes that my mom booked the gig just after I was conceived, forgot about it until it was too late to cancel—the show must go on, even in a maternity muumuu!— and I cried my way into the world along Highway 5 just after midnight, halfway between Los Angeles and San Francisco. The stains are still there to prove it, though they could just as easily be from a spilled Slushie.
In fact, if I hadn’t been born there, if my mom’s water hadn’t gushed like the Suez Canal springing a leak, as she likes to put it, along that certain stretch of highway, then Brian and I never would have met—at least not the first time around.
Brian:
Blond, blue eyed Brian is the son of Ted and Lisa and was born six minutes before Eddie in the same hospital in San Luis Obispo that Paula, ‘Ma’, ended up going to and sharing a room with Lisa. Paula, ‘Ma’, and Lisa hit it off in the hospital and despite such disparate life experiences became steadfast friends. One and one didn’t even come close to two when it came to the pair of them: lustrous blonde vs. mousy brown, rich vs. poor, quiet vs. my mom. The only thing they had in common, of course, was us, me and Brian, and we, as it’s told, also got along famously, side by side in our cribs, staring at each other through the slats.
Even though the two families lived twenty miles apart, which apparently might as well be light years in California standards, the two families stayed extremely close and Eddie and Brian became best friends, attached at the hip until, at age seven, Brian’s dad got a job in Pittsburg, PA, all the way cross country. This began the first, years long separation between Eddie and Brian.
John - ‘Curtis’:
As the years go on and Eddie starts college, in walks Curtis, Eddie’s college roommate: “Howdy,” he said as he tentatively walked in, jolting me out of my reverie. I nodded, smiled, waved. “Howdy,” I replied, which, if memory serves, was the first time I’d ever used that word. Did anyone outside of Texas use it? I rose from the bed and held out my hand. “Eddie,” I said, his hand in mine, a spark of something akin to electricity riding up my spine as his eyes locked with mine. His were a sea of green with specks of grey, all filling my line of vision. He was my height, maybe an inch taller, with jet black hair, a hint of fuzz poking out from his collar, hairy arms, and lips the color of vine-ripened tomatoes. Which sounded gay, gay, gay, if not wholly accurate. “John,” he said. “But my friends call me Curtis.”
What transpires between Curtis and Eddie is nothing short of the quintessential coming of age experience that we all go through. The first awakenings of true adulthood and the cementing of a life-long relationship that transcends the age-old ‘friends with benefits’ routine.
Aaron:
Aaron. Fucking Aaron. Fucking ginger haired Aaron with the stunning eyes of blue and the dimple in his chin and that spark of something naughty in his smirk.
College is such a wonderful time. A time of discoveries and adventures and life-long friendships forged, and as often is the case Curtis meets Aaron, thereby changing the whole dynamics of Eddie and Curtis’ friendship/relationship. I don’t do spoilers, but suffice it to say this is a pivotal moment in this book, exquisitely carried through.
“It isn’t what you think,” he said as I closed the door behind me and plopped down on my own bed. “You’re dating Aaron.” He frowned. “Then, yes, it’s exactly what you think.”
Trevor:
Trevor had curly brown hair, very seventies looking, except shorter and more styled. He had brown eyes leaning toward hazel, an aquiline nose, stubbled cheeks, a soul patch beneath his bottom lip, and a cleft in his chin. He was cuter more than handsome, and, no, the binoculars hadn’t done him justice. He was also shorter than me by an inch or so, though broader, more muscular looking, his clothes tight around his frame, a second skin of sorts. He had a warm smile and a sure handshake.
Trevor comes into Eddie’s life via Brian. Remember Brian from Eddie’s childhood? Well, Brian is now one awesomely good looking man that’s taken a couple of years off to go explore Europe where he meets Trevor at a youth hostel. After wondering around Europe for a couple of years Brian comes back to finally start college and ends up moving in with his friend he made in Europe.
The four characters are now firmly in place! Let the games continue! I say continue as I am not one for spoilers. I know, you’ve heard that before.
THE STORY
Wow, what a great story! I really wasn’t expecting what I got, and as I was reading Eddie’s journey through the first third of his life I kept laughing and giggling. My poor husband was all like “is it really that funny?” Why, yes. Yes, it is.
This is Eddie’s journey, as told by Eddie. Since the beginning Eddie is trying to not acknowledge fate, however Ms. Fate has other plans. Intertwined in Eddie’s story is Brian’s, Curtis’, Aaron’s, and Trevor’s stories, all told in the same witty, funny, at times a bit sarcastic style. With Paula, ‘Ma’, as the backdrop/puppeteer in this Male Romance Comedy the whole story arc flows seamlessly and flawlessly towards its inevitable, wonderful end.
Eddie and his four loves are the central focus around which most of the story revolves, however I haven’t let you in on some of the other great characters that Mr. Rosen brings forth, what would be the fun in that? And, most importantly, there’s those final, few, delicious chapters. Enjoy!
THE WRITING
This is my first book by Rob Rosen and boy am I ever glad I was afforded this opportunity! The comedic timing and delivery flows so smoothly throughout this book that it was hard to put it down and go to sleep, or put it down and do work. I relished this read like a fine piece of Belgian chocolate. So nice and rich and delicious.
The characters are vibrant and alive, like an old Technicolor movie, drawn and developed in exquisite fashion into the tapestry of the story that I was taken back in time to my youth, my college days and 20’s. A time of wonderful discoveries, close friends, fantastic fun, incredible insecurities trying to figure things out. Somehow the innocence and expectancy of those years shines through in this book.
The editing is well done, albeit a couple of typos. Note to editors and beta/proof readers: check on spellcheck, please. In a few places one of the main character’s names: Brian, came through as Brain. Not quite the same thing.
All in all, a solid 4.5 stars and well worth the time. Bravo!
THE DISCLAIMER
I would like to thank Will Parkinson, Pride Promotions, and Man Love Romance Press, LLC,
for providing Attention Is Arbitrary with a review copy in exchange for an honest review.
Reviewed for - Attention Is Arbitrary Male/Male Romance Book Blog:
http://www.attentionisarbitrary.com
January 12, 2016
3.5 Stars Let me begin this review by saying that I am a Rob Rosen fan. His work is always sharp, intelligent and witty. While his humor is not for everyone, I find it to be refreshing and his stories to often be laugh out loud funny. Perhaps the best praise I can extend this author would be by remarking on his ability to write stories that are inclusive—allowing for quirky people who may not always fit the mould that we often find in contemporary gay fiction. In short, I enjoy this author’s writing immensely, so I was a bit surprised that his latest work, Fate, did not resonate with me as most of his work had prior to this.
Fate follows the coming of age story, and subsequent college years, of one Eddie Jackson. Having grown up literally following his mother to many of her one night only comedy show gigs, Eddie is amazingly well adjusted, except when it comes to being gay. Closeted, naïve, and horny as all get out, Eddie enters college having had only two encounters with a boy—one as a seven year old getting his first kiss from the boy he had literally grown up with, Brian, who was moving away to the east coast; and the other, also with Brian, several years later. This was when Brian accompanies his parents on a business trip to the west coast. This would be the Brian who, by the way, is seemingly straight, or maybe bisexual, possibly. In other words, the thing with Brian is confusing at best.
Off to college Eddie goes, and happily lands with a roommate who is also gay but refuses to be boyfriends, despite the heated attraction, because if they ever split he would lose a perfect roommate and best friend—or so was the line of thinking Curtis had to offer Eddie. From there, things get really shaky. Curtis is admittedly in love with Eddie, and vice versa, but begins dating Aaron, whom Eddie cannot stand—at first. Oh boy! Finally Brian reenters Eddie’s life when he is visiting the west coast and bunking in with Trevor—who is also gay and wants to date Eddie the moment they meet. So recapping: Eddie loves Curtis and Trevor and eventually Aaron, after he breaks up with Curtis. He has always loved Brian, who loves him but is not gay—at least not for anyone but Eddie. Phew! While that may sound confusing, believe it or not the genius that is Rob Rosen keeps every entanglement fluid and easily understood in the context of the story.
Eddie is really in a bind—fate does very unkind and yet oddly wonderful things to him. First it gives him four undeniably attractive and sweet guys to fall in love with, and, at the same time, it gives him…well, four guys whom he cannot seem to make a hard decision about. Whom should he choose? How can he choose, when each provides him with a wonderful sense of love and well-being?
As the story progresses, his mother ends up hitting the big time by using—you guessed it—her son’s being gay and closeted as fodder for her jokes—in other words she outs him on national television. That tidbit in the plotline gave me a bit of pause. While Paula, Eddie’s mom, was a wonder to behold and funny as all get out, I struggled with her being so seemingly callous about making her son’s sexuality the basis for her comedy act. However, that ended up being the least of my concerns.
You see, Eddie never really officially “dated” any of the boys he professed to love separately, except for Trevor. Yet, by his own admission, it really wasn’t sex with all of the guys—he genuinely loved them. In fact, it gets a bit stranger when you factor in that while Curtis was dating Aaron, he and Eddie were still having sex. Later, as summer break arrived and Curtis and Aaron broke up, Eddie was still dating Trevor long distance and yet he and Aaron hooked up during the summer months. Meanwhile every time Brian happened to drop back into Eddie’s life they fell into bed on a whim—yet Brian was not gay—he always seemed to sidetrack exactly what his sexuality was.
So, was there cheating? Yes, tons of it. Some of it uncomfortable—like the sex that was going on right up till one of the guys got engaged to be married and even then Eddie still wanted that guy—while finally dating someone who was outside the foursome who was actually pretty awesome. And please don’t get me started about Brian—wow—if that was not a real gobsmack of a resolution! But…the way in which Rob Rosen created the character of Eddie (whom I really did like) allowed for the idea that the cheating was never smarmy or hurtful. I must add a caveat here and say I do think that the one storyline that ran full tilt till Aaron got engaged was a bit too much and, for me, crossed a line, as did the Brian thing. However, while these four boys were in college, I hardly doubt any of them would have honestly cared who was sleeping with whom. Therefore, the cheating thing was not the big deal it could have been in a different type of m/m romance. Instead, it was part and parcel of coming of age and growing into one’s sexuality. In many ways, it made the story more realistic and definitely, at times, more fun to read.
Unfortunately, I found the whole “foursome” love angle wearying after a while. I wanted Eddie to get on with his life and when he finally did, it was done so quickly and so sparingly that I felt cheated. After all that angst and turmoil of who to love and feeling as though he had lost his chance with four great guys, when Eddie finally did find the one, Benji was given so little page time I felt that the story took a curve into a dead end. The story was done and I felt there should have been more time spent discovering the love of his life and less time having sex with the boys along the way.
All in all, Fate lacked the energy and humor that I so often associate with this author. It was a good story—but not his usual outstanding fare.
Reviewed by Sammy for The Novel Approach
http://www.thenovelapproachreviews.co...
Fate follows the coming of age story, and subsequent college years, of one Eddie Jackson. Having grown up literally following his mother to many of her one night only comedy show gigs, Eddie is amazingly well adjusted, except when it comes to being gay. Closeted, naïve, and horny as all get out, Eddie enters college having had only two encounters with a boy—one as a seven year old getting his first kiss from the boy he had literally grown up with, Brian, who was moving away to the east coast; and the other, also with Brian, several years later. This was when Brian accompanies his parents on a business trip to the west coast. This would be the Brian who, by the way, is seemingly straight, or maybe bisexual, possibly. In other words, the thing with Brian is confusing at best.
Off to college Eddie goes, and happily lands with a roommate who is also gay but refuses to be boyfriends, despite the heated attraction, because if they ever split he would lose a perfect roommate and best friend—or so was the line of thinking Curtis had to offer Eddie. From there, things get really shaky. Curtis is admittedly in love with Eddie, and vice versa, but begins dating Aaron, whom Eddie cannot stand—at first. Oh boy! Finally Brian reenters Eddie’s life when he is visiting the west coast and bunking in with Trevor—who is also gay and wants to date Eddie the moment they meet. So recapping: Eddie loves Curtis and Trevor and eventually Aaron, after he breaks up with Curtis. He has always loved Brian, who loves him but is not gay—at least not for anyone but Eddie. Phew! While that may sound confusing, believe it or not the genius that is Rob Rosen keeps every entanglement fluid and easily understood in the context of the story.
Eddie is really in a bind—fate does very unkind and yet oddly wonderful things to him. First it gives him four undeniably attractive and sweet guys to fall in love with, and, at the same time, it gives him…well, four guys whom he cannot seem to make a hard decision about. Whom should he choose? How can he choose, when each provides him with a wonderful sense of love and well-being?
As the story progresses, his mother ends up hitting the big time by using—you guessed it—her son’s being gay and closeted as fodder for her jokes—in other words she outs him on national television. That tidbit in the plotline gave me a bit of pause. While Paula, Eddie’s mom, was a wonder to behold and funny as all get out, I struggled with her being so seemingly callous about making her son’s sexuality the basis for her comedy act. However, that ended up being the least of my concerns.
You see, Eddie never really officially “dated” any of the boys he professed to love separately, except for Trevor. Yet, by his own admission, it really wasn’t sex with all of the guys—he genuinely loved them. In fact, it gets a bit stranger when you factor in that while Curtis was dating Aaron, he and Eddie were still having sex. Later, as summer break arrived and Curtis and Aaron broke up, Eddie was still dating Trevor long distance and yet he and Aaron hooked up during the summer months. Meanwhile every time Brian happened to drop back into Eddie’s life they fell into bed on a whim—yet Brian was not gay—he always seemed to sidetrack exactly what his sexuality was.
So, was there cheating? Yes, tons of it. Some of it uncomfortable—like the sex that was going on right up till one of the guys got engaged to be married and even then Eddie still wanted that guy—while finally dating someone who was outside the foursome who was actually pretty awesome. And please don’t get me started about Brian—wow—if that was not a real gobsmack of a resolution! But…the way in which Rob Rosen created the character of Eddie (whom I really did like) allowed for the idea that the cheating was never smarmy or hurtful. I must add a caveat here and say I do think that the one storyline that ran full tilt till Aaron got engaged was a bit too much and, for me, crossed a line, as did the Brian thing. However, while these four boys were in college, I hardly doubt any of them would have honestly cared who was sleeping with whom. Therefore, the cheating thing was not the big deal it could have been in a different type of m/m romance. Instead, it was part and parcel of coming of age and growing into one’s sexuality. In many ways, it made the story more realistic and definitely, at times, more fun to read.
Unfortunately, I found the whole “foursome” love angle wearying after a while. I wanted Eddie to get on with his life and when he finally did, it was done so quickly and so sparingly that I felt cheated. After all that angst and turmoil of who to love and feeling as though he had lost his chance with four great guys, when Eddie finally did find the one, Benji was given so little page time I felt that the story took a curve into a dead end. The story was done and I felt there should have been more time spent discovering the love of his life and less time having sex with the boys along the way.
All in all, Fate lacked the energy and humor that I so often associate with this author. It was a good story—but not his usual outstanding fare.
Reviewed by Sammy for The Novel Approach
http://www.thenovelapproachreviews.co...
June 26, 2022
You'll find a full review of “Fate” at my web site.
November 21, 2015
"All the perfect kisses, love and laughter, sex and happily-ever-afters of a great romance novel, times four." -- Martha Davis, author of Dirty
"Fate asks provocative questions about the nature, and capacity, of love. A thought-provoking, tears-and-laughter gem that deserves a look!" -- Rick R. Reed, award-winning author of Dinner at Home and Blink
"Don't even try to resist diving head first into Rob Rosen's latest novel, a witty, wonderful ride through the chaos of friendship and family. 'Gayer than Oprah,' as his protagonist quips, Fate is ripe with fearless joy as only Rosen can write it." -- Salome Wilde, editor of Shakespearotica: Queering the Bard
"Sensitive, touching and often uproariously funny, with a style that makes it feel like an American Notting Hill, Fate keeps you guessing and introduces a fresh, quirky set of characters." -- Riley Shepherd, author of The Last Paltry Drops and The Boy He Left Behind
"As fate would have it, Rob Rosen has written another screamingly funny novel exploring the foibles of gay romance." -- Jonathan Asche, author of Kept Men and Other Stories
"Fate asks provocative questions about the nature, and capacity, of love. A thought-provoking, tears-and-laughter gem that deserves a look!" -- Rick R. Reed, award-winning author of Dinner at Home and Blink
"Don't even try to resist diving head first into Rob Rosen's latest novel, a witty, wonderful ride through the chaos of friendship and family. 'Gayer than Oprah,' as his protagonist quips, Fate is ripe with fearless joy as only Rosen can write it." -- Salome Wilde, editor of Shakespearotica: Queering the Bard
"Sensitive, touching and often uproariously funny, with a style that makes it feel like an American Notting Hill, Fate keeps you guessing and introduces a fresh, quirky set of characters." -- Riley Shepherd, author of The Last Paltry Drops and The Boy He Left Behind
"As fate would have it, Rob Rosen has written another screamingly funny novel exploring the foibles of gay romance." -- Jonathan Asche, author of Kept Men and Other Stories
September 23, 2017
An absolute over the top laugh out loud fun read by one of my favorite authors. You've got to love Ma and her gang.
Read
January 1, 2022review to follow
December 15, 2015
3 Heart Review by Kat
I was in need of a light, easy read. I was concerned, when I read the blurb, that this was some kind of orgy book or something. This was my first book by Rob Rosen and he provided just what I needed, a quirky, fun read.
Sex and sexuality is confusing and challenging for youth. Add in the extra factor of realizing that not only are you gay, but you are attracted to your best friend since birth. And from birth is exactly the proper terminology for this since their mom’s literally shared a maternity ward room.
This coming-of-age romp was funny and light hearted. Going off to college did present some rather interesting situations for Eddie. Not only is his new college roommate gay but wants to become friends with benefits. And that is exactly how life went through out his college experience. Sex seemed to appear on a silver plate, as does his Mom’s sudden rise to fame after her struggling as a stand-up comedian his entire life. Does juggling four lovers present problems? Not as many as I would have thought. Then again, it is college in California. I have to say, being “outed” on stage by your mom was a bit unsettling. I can’t imagine that any mom would do this without, at the minimum, a discussion with her son first. I was please with how supportive that she was as a parent of a gay teen. Let’s face it though, Paula would never win Parent of the Year for her mothering skills, but she did love and support Eddie. I still am not sure how I feel about Brian. Him traipsing in and out of Eddie’s life and his questionable sexuality. I liked both Curtis and Trevor. They were fun friends and lovers. I can’t believe how much I fell for Aaron. I never really connected with the “perfect” William Tell. I was really nervous and scared about Benji. I was content with how things worked out. My only complaint with the ending was that it felt rushed and abrupt. Mr. Rosen spent a considerable amount of time on character and plot development and then the last 10% of the book seemed like he was tired of the story and just tacked on the ending.
As for the sex, like I said in the beginning, I was fearful of a sex fest or orgy, based on the blurb, but surprisingly the sex was either referenced to or pretty low key. Definitely not erotica. That is why I believe that the story worked. It was characters, how they interacted and not just sex, sex and more sex. All in all, a pretty fun story just disappointed in the cut off ending.
This book was provided free in exchange for a fair and honest review for Love Bytes. Go there to check out other reviews, author interviews, and all those awesome giveaways. Click below.
I was in need of a light, easy read. I was concerned, when I read the blurb, that this was some kind of orgy book or something. This was my first book by Rob Rosen and he provided just what I needed, a quirky, fun read.
Sex and sexuality is confusing and challenging for youth. Add in the extra factor of realizing that not only are you gay, but you are attracted to your best friend since birth. And from birth is exactly the proper terminology for this since their mom’s literally shared a maternity ward room.
This coming-of-age romp was funny and light hearted. Going off to college did present some rather interesting situations for Eddie. Not only is his new college roommate gay but wants to become friends with benefits. And that is exactly how life went through out his college experience. Sex seemed to appear on a silver plate, as does his Mom’s sudden rise to fame after her struggling as a stand-up comedian his entire life. Does juggling four lovers present problems? Not as many as I would have thought. Then again, it is college in California. I have to say, being “outed” on stage by your mom was a bit unsettling. I can’t imagine that any mom would do this without, at the minimum, a discussion with her son first. I was please with how supportive that she was as a parent of a gay teen. Let’s face it though, Paula would never win Parent of the Year for her mothering skills, but she did love and support Eddie. I still am not sure how I feel about Brian. Him traipsing in and out of Eddie’s life and his questionable sexuality. I liked both Curtis and Trevor. They were fun friends and lovers. I can’t believe how much I fell for Aaron. I never really connected with the “perfect” William Tell. I was really nervous and scared about Benji. I was content with how things worked out. My only complaint with the ending was that it felt rushed and abrupt. Mr. Rosen spent a considerable amount of time on character and plot development and then the last 10% of the book seemed like he was tired of the story and just tacked on the ending.
As for the sex, like I said in the beginning, I was fearful of a sex fest or orgy, based on the blurb, but surprisingly the sex was either referenced to or pretty low key. Definitely not erotica. That is why I believe that the story worked. It was characters, how they interacted and not just sex, sex and more sex. All in all, a pretty fun story just disappointed in the cut off ending.
This book was provided free in exchange for a fair and honest review for Love Bytes. Go there to check out other reviews, author interviews, and all those awesome giveaways. Click below.
September 27, 2016
3.5 stars. This is far from a typical romance. There's one protagonist--and four guys he loves over the years (plus one later on). The past is prologue sucks for a book beginning. Hated it here because it slowed the whole start of the story down. Plus, it was more telling than showing. Thankfully, the boring bits don't last long. Though they do make a horrible reappearance toward the end. The relationships Eddie forms as the years go by feel natural, their development organic. In other words, realistic. With an ample touch of humor to lighten the mood. Rosen shows us the growing-up process of a gay boy into a teenager, young adult, and finally into an adult. This reads with ease, a nice pacing and smooth flow to the plot. The characters feel different and unique, even though we don't get their POVs. But there was stuff I hated too: One, the main character's sister ending up with one of the four guys even though she knows her brother loves him. Yeah, that's a huge no-no. Practically incest. Hated it! The "love is tricky" explanation just doesn't cut it. Two, the story's a bit... pointless. It's basically a series of random encounters, discussions, and sex spread out over a good number of years. It's like life, without a discernible beginning, middle, or ending. In life that's to be expected and fine; in a book... not so much. So for me this was average.
November 17, 2015
Trust me, you'll love this book. For those who have not read anything by this author, Rob has a unique voice - a style of writing that is at once stream of consciousness and deliberate. There's a rhythm to it that sort of sucks you in and carries you. All through the book I kept thinking of the title of that Sandra Loh book of essays, Depth Takes a Holiday. But what's interesting about the main character, Eddie, is that he has that unique person-in-the-entertainment-biz ability to wallow in the SHALLOW end, but at the same time make incredibly astute observations about people (thank me for not saying the human condition, Eddie wouldn't approve.) Ditto events. It reminded me of so many people I have known in the advertising business - whose interests seem superficial but who have remarkable powers of observation and loads of IQ points they keep hidden away in blind trust. I liked Eddie and all, but my favorite character is his Mom. Who has a Mom core but trapped inside 17 layers of NY Post headlines. Ultimately, after all the laugh-out-louds, Fate leaves you with a sweet feeling, and something real to think about.
December 29, 2015
This book is a little light reading from Rob Rosen. Eddie has four lovers but manages, mostly, not to be a jerk or too shallow about it. He’s an affable guy. His heart is eventually in the right place. His mom’s a stand-up comedian, which adds a nice rags-to-riches storyline, and also, who doesn’t have a mother to deal with?
Fate is pretty long and there’s a lot of set-up, but I definitely liked the ending. It’s worth reading on a beach somewhere. There’s not a lot of explicit sex. It’s more the fun, frivolous tumble of boys in the sheets. A lot of our enjoyment is at Eddie’s expense, so join in!
Four Stars
- C. E. Case
I was provided this book in exchange for an honest review. I was not compensated, coerced, or flattered into an opinion.
Fate is pretty long and there’s a lot of set-up, but I definitely liked the ending. It’s worth reading on a beach somewhere. There’s not a lot of explicit sex. It’s more the fun, frivolous tumble of boys in the sheets. A lot of our enjoyment is at Eddie’s expense, so join in!
Four Stars
- C. E. Case
I was provided this book in exchange for an honest review. I was not compensated, coerced, or flattered into an opinion.
January 28, 2023
Every book by Rob Rosen is funnier and sexier, really fexier, than the last. He knows how to make you laugh out loud, and not the "LOL" one, the real belly, uncontainable, one - even when you're in public and people then think you're crazy... But more than that, this story makes you sad, in that wistful way, because you fall in love with the characters. And their hurts become your hurts. And then you laugh again - through the tears. What can be better than that?
Loved this story - read one of the other summaries for the details, if you need them, but I know to just always read anything written by Rob, because it will be great!
Loved this story - read one of the other summaries for the details, if you need them, but I know to just always read anything written by Rob, because it will be great!
December 4, 2015
I've always been a fan of this author, but this book has to be his best to date. It's at turns hysterically funny and then poignant and heart-breaking. Which meant that I laughed, I cried and then I laughed again. The characters draw you in and keep you drawn, especially since so many years of their lives are covered. I don't think I've ever read a book with this exact plotline before, especially since there are really two plotlines intricately woven together as one. Wow, is all I can say. Pick up a copy. You won't be disappointed!
December 4, 2015
I can honestly say that I've never read a book like Fate before. Eddie, the narrator, is a revelation. I was rooting for him from page one as his life took its many unexpected twists and turns. Then, of course, I was also rooting for his mom, Paula, as her life also took it's twists and turns, all while fate had its field day with the both of them. It made me think about my own life and loves as I laughed my way through to the satisfying end, wondering all the while who exactly Eddie would wind up with.
September 27, 2016
2016 Rainbow Awards Honorable Mention: Fate by Rob Rosen
This is far from a typical romance. There's one protagonist--and four guys he loves over the years (plus one later on). The relationships Eddie forms as the years go by feel natural, their development organic. In other words, realistic. With an ample touch of humor to lighten the mood. Rosen shows us the growing-up process of a gay boy into a teenager, young adult, and finally into an adult. This reads with ease, a nice pacing and smooth flow to the plot. The characters feel different and unique, even though we don't get their POVs.
This is far from a typical romance. There's one protagonist--and four guys he loves over the years (plus one later on). The relationships Eddie forms as the years go by feel natural, their development organic. In other words, realistic. With an ample touch of humor to lighten the mood. Rosen shows us the growing-up process of a gay boy into a teenager, young adult, and finally into an adult. This reads with ease, a nice pacing and smooth flow to the plot. The characters feel different and unique, even though we don't get their POVs.
December 4, 2015
Eddie is in love with four men. Eddie's mom, Paula, is working the comedy clubs, seeking fame. Two stories expertly weave together over several decades as their lives unfold. Will Eddie eventually find love? Will his mom become famous? Well, you'll just have to read this wonderful book and find out. I laughed my ass off with this one. Couldn't put it down! Fans of Rosen won't be disappointed.
April 23, 2017
3.5 stars
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews