Whence He Came

by Jodi Payne

When Elliot Cohen left his small town for college in the big city, he was expecting to do big things. He wanted to pull his feet out of the quicksand he called home and go where everything was bigger, brighter, and just moved faster. He planned to claim a little fame, a lot of money, and a high-powered, influential lover.


Well he found fame, he found money, and he even found a famous lover, but nothing turned out quite as he’d planned. And all the while, no matter how hard he tried, he never forgot Tony, the sweet, closeted boyfriend he left behind. He could even remember Tony's scent seven years later. So when the illusion that was his perfect life unravels and fame slips through his fingers, he knows just where he needs to go. Home.


But he's going to have to untangle the complicated and embarrassing web of lies he's woven and seek forgiveness if he has any hope of winning Tony back.

Genres: Gay, M M Romance

45 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2007

About the author

JODI spent too many years in New York and San Francisco stage managing classical plays, edgy fringe work, and the occasional musical. She, therefore, is overdramatic, takes herself way too seriously, and has been known to randomly break out in song. Her men are imperfect but genuine, stubborn but likable, often kinky, and frequently their own worst enemies. They are characters you can’t help but fall in love with while they stumble along the path to their happily ever after.

For those looking to get on her good side, Jodi’s addictions include nonfat lattes, Malbec and tequila however you pour it. She’s also obsessed with Shakespeare and Broadway musicals. She can be found wearing sock monkey gloves while typing when it’s cold, and on the beach enjoying the sun and the ocean when it’s hot. When she’s not writing and/or vacuuming sand out of her laptop, Jodi mentors queer youth and will drop everything for live music. Jodi lives near New York City with her beautiful wife, and together they are mothers of dragons (cleverly disguised as children) and slaves to an enormous polydactyl cat.

Reviews

[Arthur · Rating 4 out of 5]

Often, in mm romance, a separated couple who 'broke up' not in good terms get into bed the minute they reunited. Not in this story.

Elliot and Tony were best friends and lovers in high school. When Elliot left their small town for college, he promised Tony that he'd be back once he finished his school. Not only he renegaded his promise, Elliot even didn't write his best friend and lover for years. He became famous, his pictures were every where whenever they had new development in the region. Things, however, were not as good as it seemed. So, one day Elliot went back home. He found Tony, but instead of warm welcome, Tony made him wait. Elliot, of course, realized that he was not in the position of demanding anything. After all, he was at fault here. Would Tony finally embraced his former lover?

[Ro · Rating 3 out of 5]

Actually probably a 2.5. I truly disliked Elliot. He left his best friend and lover, Tony, to go away to college, promising to return. For seven years, he doesn't. He is the boy toy of a real estate mogul, VIctor, a kept boy who lies to his friends and family, letting them think he is the wheeler dealer. When Victor decides Elliot is too old, he gets a new boy toy and ditches Elliot. Only then does Elliot claim to have never stopped loving Tony, and goes home. I didn't buy it. Tony is lovely, but I wish he had held out against Elliots advances. Elliot just barges into his bedroom and is shocked when Tony doesn't jump on it, but SEVEN YEARS!

[Van · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 stars

[Aeren · Rating 1 out of 5]

En dos palabras: completo despropósito.

[Fancy]

felt off-balance, too much on set up, then too-fast forgiveness and reunion. great heat.

[Emily · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars