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CYOA #2
Campus Life
All books in this series are stand alone.
A choose your own adventure for adults!
Welcome to Mentis University, your name is Joseph Smith and you've been unremarkable all your life. No - really, you've been absolutely, unequivocally, insert-smart-word-here mundane since the day the doctor slapped your ass and you let out a sigh. HOWEVER, you did manage to achieve one thing this year - you transferred to a better college. Bravo! (Mentis University has been rated number 2 on Top 10 worst colleges to attend for the last seven years... Guess where you were before this)
Since no one else from your hometown of - insert rural American town here - managed to claw their way out of mediocrity, you decided there was no point in hiding anymore. And thus, at an energetic twenty-one years old, you're now an openly gay man. Congratulations.
Of course, there's not much point in being openly gay if there are no gays to be in your opening. So, after spending a few days getting accustomed to your new life, you flopped onto your single bed, closed your eyes, and prayed to the lord... (And you're still waiting for the day Cher tweets you back)
"Please," you begged. "Guide me to a man who will treat me right... or pound me like a piece of veal."
Luckily for you, someone was listening...
Dear Reader
You will assume the role of Joe Smith (first-person, present tense) and guide him through his final year of college. Don't worry, you won't be expected to do anything as absurd as learn mathematics, but you will, on occasion, be provided with choices that will impact the outcome of the story.
412 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 22, 2018
13 people are currently reading
24 people want to read
About the author
T.C. Orton
16 books67 followersBorn January 6th 1993, T. C. resides in the United Kingdom, living with his partner Peter Jones and their dog, Drake.
T. C. has had a passion for supernatural stories from a young age, often scribbling down his latest ideas instead of focusing on whatever task was at hand during the long school days. At the age of twelve, he penned his first romance story featuring himself and the boy he had feelings for set in a fantastical land full of werewolves and wizards. Ever since that day, T. C. has made it his mission to entwine his leading gay protagonists with epic paranormal adventures.
Like his books? Join the discussion -
https://www.facebook.com/groups/tcort...
T. C. has had a passion for supernatural stories from a young age, often scribbling down his latest ideas instead of focusing on whatever task was at hand during the long school days. At the age of twelve, he penned his first romance story featuring himself and the boy he had feelings for set in a fantastical land full of werewolves and wizards. Ever since that day, T. C. has made it his mission to entwine his leading gay protagonists with epic paranormal adventures.
Like his books? Join the discussion -
https://www.facebook.com/groups/tcort...
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
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July 1, 2020I took this in the spirit I believe it was offered: mindless fun requiring no emotional investment. Porn with plot -- or porn with many plots, given that it was a choose-your-own-adventure story.
I needed something lightweight to read at a time when I couldn't summon any deep thoughts, and this provided some mild amusement. As usual, I found that porn without an emotional connection to the characters doesn't do anything for me. But I knew that going in, so I'm not going to ding the book for it. Although I only ran through two scenarios, it looks like there are many alternative outcomes available for anyone who wants to spend more time with it than I did.
There were a handful of typos, including an egregious misuse of apostrophes. Since this was a KU loaner I didn't pitch a fit over it, but given the lack of copy-editing I wouldn't recommend spending money on it. Unless CYOA is your thing and you can't find enough of it -- in which case, go for it.
(Also: I have no idea how to rate this. If it had been a novel, I'd probably give it 2 stars. But it's not -- it's more like a cross between a novel and a game. So the novelty factor probably earns it an extra star. But I'm not comfortable giving it 3 stars -- so I'm admitting I'm stumped, and leaving it without a star rating.)
I needed something lightweight to read at a time when I couldn't summon any deep thoughts, and this provided some mild amusement. As usual, I found that porn without an emotional connection to the characters doesn't do anything for me. But I knew that going in, so I'm not going to ding the book for it. Although I only ran through two scenarios, it looks like there are many alternative outcomes available for anyone who wants to spend more time with it than I did.
There were a handful of typos, including an egregious misuse of apostrophes. Since this was a KU loaner I didn't pitch a fit over it, but given the lack of copy-editing I wouldn't recommend spending money on it. Unless CYOA is your thing and you can't find enough of it -- in which case, go for it.
(Also: I have no idea how to rate this. If it had been a novel, I'd probably give it 2 stars. But it's not -- it's more like a cross between a novel and a game. So the novelty factor probably earns it an extra star. But I'm not comfortable giving it 3 stars -- so I'm admitting I'm stumped, and leaving it without a star rating.)
March 30, 2018
One of my first Choose Your Own Adventure books was The Citadel of Chaos by Ian Livingstone and Steve Jackson waaaay back in the 1980s and it, alongside The Warlock of Firetop Mountain gave me hours of reading joy as a teenager.
The idea that you could 'replay' the storyline was genius and the Fighting Fantasy series turned into one of my all time favourites.
TC Orton's version has a lot less monsters and a whole lot more sex but it's still just as much fun and still just as clever.
This isn't your traditional MM story but it's absolutely worth reading!
#ARC kindly provided by the author in return for an honest and unbiased review.
The idea that you could 'replay' the storyline was genius and the Fighting Fantasy series turned into one of my all time favourites.
TC Orton's version has a lot less monsters and a whole lot more sex but it's still just as much fun and still just as clever.
This isn't your traditional MM story but it's absolutely worth reading!
#ARC kindly provided by the author in return for an honest and unbiased review.
June 29, 2018
A Joyfully Jay review.
4.25 stars
So, this is a choose your own adventure story. I admire Orton’s chutzpah in going this route with a romance novel. There are basically four potential romantic outcomes, but what’s interesting is that there are varying levels of “happily ever after” for each romantic partner. For example, you can end up with a casual “acquaintances with benefits” with Guy 1, but you might also end up in a committed, marriage-bound relationship with Guy 1 depending on what choices you make. I didn’t read absolutely every permutation (that would be like solving a logic puzzle), but I got at least two different endings for each of the four love interests.
Read Camille’s review in its entirety here.
4.25 stars
So, this is a choose your own adventure story. I admire Orton’s chutzpah in going this route with a romance novel. There are basically four potential romantic outcomes, but what’s interesting is that there are varying levels of “happily ever after” for each romantic partner. For example, you can end up with a casual “acquaintances with benefits” with Guy 1, but you might also end up in a committed, marriage-bound relationship with Guy 1 depending on what choices you make. I didn’t read absolutely every permutation (that would be like solving a logic puzzle), but I got at least two different endings for each of the four love interests.
Read Camille’s review in its entirety here.
April 17, 2018
I remember as a kid, so so many years ago lol, reading my first CYOA. (Choose your own adventure). I couldn't not tell you the name of that book now to save my life, but I do remember it was a sci-fi book. I was so enthralled at being able to pick the way the story ended instead of someone telling you how it had to end. So when I heard T.C. Orton was writing these types of books, I thought that it was really cool. Because you don't see that much of them anymore. Or at least I don't. And they are so fun. This one definitely is but it is also definitely ADULTS ONLY. When he says young, dumb and full of….he's not kidding. Lol. I also loved this book, because if you follow T.C. on social media, (when he's not eating chicken, gaming, writing, or playing with Drake and/or Pete), you know he is quirky, sassy, sexy, smart-assy and a barrel of laughs. He does have a serious side but when he's playful, it's so fun to watch him. And there is so much of him in this book. I absolutely adore it. The chicken comments, the author cracks. It was so funny. And it’s all erotic.
Ok. So assume the position. Oh wait. *Cough* ahem *cough* Assume the role. You are Joe Smith. And you are in college about to have the time of your life. Or so you hope. You have backed up blue balls, classes to take, and gorgeous men to stare at. Including your roommate. You have your pick of men to choose from and what to do with them. Including nothing at all. And each choice will lead you to an ending you may or may not want. You could end up with the man of your dreams, just friends, single, etc. Make sure you make it good. No one wants to see Joe with constant blue balls and no outlet for his pain. So choose wisely.
I had to giggle, I swear my kid thinks I'm nuts at the way I giggle at these books. But I had to giggle at a couple of the comments. One talking about how all this men were massive built hunks that were hung like gods. Another saying it was a typical gay erotica book. This is the type of snarky that cracked me up and is so T.C. His love of chicken makes appearances too. Lol. This book, though, is like every college porn fantasy come to life. Fantasizing about the professor, or your straight roommate. Who's possibly not quite so straight. You can either be the bottom or in one scenario be the top. All your wishes for a gay man to happen at your fingerstips. You can even fall in love. Each adventure takes you to some very fun times, a few not so fun times, (because there has to be some drama, right?), and a way for Joe to have all he's dreamed of in the bedroom.
I recommend this book. Again, it's funny, snarky, sexy, cum filled ;) , and just a fun way to spend a day. It's a different kind of read. If you're in a book funk, this will get you out of it. I hope you guys get as many giggles and more out of this like I did. Happy reading!
http://lovebytesreviews.com
Ok. So assume the position. Oh wait. *Cough* ahem *cough* Assume the role. You are Joe Smith. And you are in college about to have the time of your life. Or so you hope. You have backed up blue balls, classes to take, and gorgeous men to stare at. Including your roommate. You have your pick of men to choose from and what to do with them. Including nothing at all. And each choice will lead you to an ending you may or may not want. You could end up with the man of your dreams, just friends, single, etc. Make sure you make it good. No one wants to see Joe with constant blue balls and no outlet for his pain. So choose wisely.
I had to giggle, I swear my kid thinks I'm nuts at the way I giggle at these books. But I had to giggle at a couple of the comments. One talking about how all this men were massive built hunks that were hung like gods. Another saying it was a typical gay erotica book. This is the type of snarky that cracked me up and is so T.C. His love of chicken makes appearances too. Lol. This book, though, is like every college porn fantasy come to life. Fantasizing about the professor, or your straight roommate. Who's possibly not quite so straight. You can either be the bottom or in one scenario be the top. All your wishes for a gay man to happen at your fingerstips. You can even fall in love. Each adventure takes you to some very fun times, a few not so fun times, (because there has to be some drama, right?), and a way for Joe to have all he's dreamed of in the bedroom.
I recommend this book. Again, it's funny, snarky, sexy, cum filled ;) , and just a fun way to spend a day. It's a different kind of read. If you're in a book funk, this will get you out of it. I hope you guys get as many giggles and more out of this like I did. Happy reading!
http://lovebytesreviews.com
April 14, 2018
Interactive fun book! The inner dialogue was funny and a little bit awkward which I liked. It goes fairly quickly... well the first options I chose, so of course I went back and chose different options ot get different results. This is obviously not your typical gay romance but it was hot, fun and definitely worth the read!
June 20, 2018
I had so much fun with this book. I've read it in-between other books. It's helped me get through some tremendous book-hangovers and I still have yet to navigate all the paths.
You can see my full review here: Christinas-Bookshelf
You can see my full review here: Christinas-Bookshelf
July 20, 2021
A fun choose-your-own-adventure type book. I've gone through all the different endings (and probably all the paths too - but it's hard to tell as some of them a very similar) and most storylines provide an interesting reading experience, though I definitely have my favourites. Maybe I'll pull this book back out in a few months and see what happens :)
April 10, 2018
4-1/2 stars
I absolutely loved Choose Your Own Adventure books when I was a kid. I won't lie, I can't tell you a single book title of the ones I read way back when but I can still remember the countless hours I spent "writing" my own story with those choices at the bottom of the pages. Campus Life is only the second Choose Your Own Adventure story I've read as an adult, each from a different author and I loved them both so much that I look forward to finding more. I'll admit unfortunately I was lacking in time to read TC Orton's first book in his CYOA series, Iudicium, but I will definitely be finding time in the future.
As for Campus Life, well there's not a whole lot I can say about the plot because the reader chooses the storylines' direction which means the plots change. I will say that I didn't have the opportunity to read all the possible paths right now but where I went was absolutely wonderful. Lots of heat, lots of humor, and simply put lots and lots of fun. No matter what journey you put Joe on you will find yourself well and truly entertained.
Campus Life is my first TC Orton book and though its not your typical adult book, it was more than enough to intrigue me and I am already looking forward to checking out TC's backlist and keeping my eye out for future reads. Even though there is no dragons, pirates, good guys vs bad guys in this book, I adored the level of nostalgia that surfaced every time I found a choice at the bottom of the page and for that alone this book is lovely so the story and characters being so well structured took Campus Life from "lovely" to "awesome".
I absolutely loved Choose Your Own Adventure books when I was a kid. I won't lie, I can't tell you a single book title of the ones I read way back when but I can still remember the countless hours I spent "writing" my own story with those choices at the bottom of the pages. Campus Life is only the second Choose Your Own Adventure story I've read as an adult, each from a different author and I loved them both so much that I look forward to finding more. I'll admit unfortunately I was lacking in time to read TC Orton's first book in his CYOA series, Iudicium, but I will definitely be finding time in the future.
As for Campus Life, well there's not a whole lot I can say about the plot because the reader chooses the storylines' direction which means the plots change. I will say that I didn't have the opportunity to read all the possible paths right now but where I went was absolutely wonderful. Lots of heat, lots of humor, and simply put lots and lots of fun. No matter what journey you put Joe on you will find yourself well and truly entertained.
Campus Life is my first TC Orton book and though its not your typical adult book, it was more than enough to intrigue me and I am already looking forward to checking out TC's backlist and keeping my eye out for future reads. Even though there is no dragons, pirates, good guys vs bad guys in this book, I adored the level of nostalgia that surfaced every time I found a choice at the bottom of the page and for that alone this book is lovely so the story and characters being so well structured took Campus Life from "lovely" to "awesome".
March 28, 2020
Hot and steamy
I read book one and really loved it but book 2 fell a little short for me. It just wasn’t as interesting as the first book but overall it was still good to read. This book had more different endings than the first book.
You kind of don’t know who you want joe to end up with or if he even ends up with anyone at all.
In this book I was rooting for joe to end up with zack. Zack is most likely bisexual and though he does the whole bromance thing with joe there is something there about his possessiveness to want only joe to himself. Zack can’t stand the thought of joe being with someone other than him but he has a hard time coming to terms with his feelings.
In another scenario you can end up with Keenan the doctor. He grew up in a close minded society so he has a hard time coming to terms being gay. He’s very dominant with joe and is also a doctor so he doesn’t have a social life. His endings could be sweet or even harsh.
In another scenario joe ends up with jaylen his Philosophy teacher. The endings aren’t that great I didn’t even like jaylen to begin with. He’s looking for a boy to train not to love and his endings ends up with joe just being one of his many trained boys.
In another scenario you can end up with Kai the sweet twink. He’s more like a boy you would want to end up with. If it wasn’t zack I didn’t mind Kai either. But wish there were more traits to Kai besides being a gamer. But who doesn’t want to bring Kai home and marry him?
The worst scenario was joe ending up Sam, Daniel, James, and Olly in a gang bang sort of ending which wasn’t too long but that was just about it.
I read book one and really loved it but book 2 fell a little short for me. It just wasn’t as interesting as the first book but overall it was still good to read. This book had more different endings than the first book.
You kind of don’t know who you want joe to end up with or if he even ends up with anyone at all.
In this book I was rooting for joe to end up with zack. Zack is most likely bisexual and though he does the whole bromance thing with joe there is something there about his possessiveness to want only joe to himself. Zack can’t stand the thought of joe being with someone other than him but he has a hard time coming to terms with his feelings.
In another scenario you can end up with Keenan the doctor. He grew up in a close minded society so he has a hard time coming to terms being gay. He’s very dominant with joe and is also a doctor so he doesn’t have a social life. His endings could be sweet or even harsh.
In another scenario joe ends up with jaylen his Philosophy teacher. The endings aren’t that great I didn’t even like jaylen to begin with. He’s looking for a boy to train not to love and his endings ends up with joe just being one of his many trained boys.
In another scenario you can end up with Kai the sweet twink. He’s more like a boy you would want to end up with. If it wasn’t zack I didn’t mind Kai either. But wish there were more traits to Kai besides being a gamer. But who doesn’t want to bring Kai home and marry him?
The worst scenario was joe ending up Sam, Daniel, James, and Olly in a gang bang sort of ending which wasn’t too long but that was just about it.
May 6, 2018
I had a lot of fun reading this book. Is not a book I would generally read, but I’d read some other books from the author and I liked them so I try this one.
It was really fun. It was very interesting to see where the decisions I made would take me. It was so different from what I’m used to read but it made me had such a great time. I did had an issue with the plot, obviously I can’t say what plot because for everyone will be different but I feel like it lack character development and it wasn’t too romantic either. I guess it was made that way but for the things I didn’t liked, I did have a great amount of fun. I loved the author’s sense of humor and I was laughing a lot.
Overall it was an entertaining story that I enjoy to read. I loved the unusual way to tell it making the reader participate in decisions and the outcome of it.
It was really fun. It was very interesting to see where the decisions I made would take me. It was so different from what I’m used to read but it made me had such a great time. I did had an issue with the plot, obviously I can’t say what plot because for everyone will be different but I feel like it lack character development and it wasn’t too romantic either. I guess it was made that way but for the things I didn’t liked, I did have a great amount of fun. I loved the author’s sense of humor and I was laughing a lot.
Overall it was an entertaining story that I enjoy to read. I loved the unusual way to tell it making the reader participate in decisions and the outcome of it.
April 7, 2018
So much fun to read
You're a college student, more than slightly horned up, and surrounded by men: a jock, a doctor, a bartender, etc. It's a veritable cornucopia of men. Who do you choose? What will you do? The possibilities are endless.
I would say TC Orton's choose your own adventure books takes me back to my childhood, but that would be a blatant lie. His CYOAs are full of hot men, hysterical plot twists, and all sorts of naughty shenanigans. Weaving dozens of individual twists and turns into multiple storylines is incredibly difficult. But Orton pulled it off. I'm looking forward to what he does next. There's no clue, but I'm sure I'll enjoy it as much as he enjoys KFC. 5 stars
You're a college student, more than slightly horned up, and surrounded by men: a jock, a doctor, a bartender, etc. It's a veritable cornucopia of men. Who do you choose? What will you do? The possibilities are endless.
I would say TC Orton's choose your own adventure books takes me back to my childhood, but that would be a blatant lie. His CYOAs are full of hot men, hysterical plot twists, and all sorts of naughty shenanigans. Weaving dozens of individual twists and turns into multiple storylines is incredibly difficult. But Orton pulled it off. I'm looking forward to what he does next. There's no clue, but I'm sure I'll enjoy it as much as he enjoys KFC. 5 stars
March 27, 2018
Awesome that this is a CYOA!
3.5 stars but I want to give it more. It has to be super hard to write one of these cyoa stories. I wanted it to be longer but I suppose I can go back and re-read but make different choices. It was super funny and I found it hard to not always want to choose the dirtiest option.
My story ended up with the nerd but I see potential options for turning the straight guy or hooking up with a professor. Something for everyone!
I'll re-read and make other choices to see what happens.
3.5 stars but I want to give it more. It has to be super hard to write one of these cyoa stories. I wanted it to be longer but I suppose I can go back and re-read but make different choices. It was super funny and I found it hard to not always want to choose the dirtiest option.
My story ended up with the nerd but I see potential options for turning the straight guy or hooking up with a professor. Something for everyone!
I'll re-read and make other choices to see what happens.
April 30, 2018
What a fun book! Interactive, funny, sexy, Funny! (It's capitalized now, so you know it's true.) The potential to hook up with four different sexy men, or wallow in the pit of single's despair. The links to new chapters on occasion were a little squirrely, but I blame the Kindle reader for that. Read ever single possibility. There was some overlap where some of the same text was used for a different character branches which was a little disappointing since TCO is so funny, would have loved for it all to be individual story lines, hence only four stars. However, highly recommended!
April 2, 2018
Whoa...so much trouble for this woman to get into. Choose your own adventure? I would be running down every single rabbit hole and then doing a u-turn and trying another! These stories are so much fun and I still have a few more to try out...well, hello, professor! So clever and a fun way to be entertained. I definitely will be reading more of these.
April 9, 2018
this was so much fun.. its like reading a million stories in one and i enjoyed it. lol. plus it was fun.. entertaining and sexy :) very good story
i loved all the different endings you could decide.. i loved that i could reread and find new things.. plus it was so funny.. TC makes you laugh and feel good as you read. amazing!
i loved all the different endings you could decide.. i loved that i could reread and find new things.. plus it was so funny.. TC makes you laugh and feel good as you read. amazing!
April 8, 2018
I actually liked this book very much.
I only read two versions of Joe’s life but it was fun.
I know I can go back anytime to read another story and I think it’s pretty cool to be able to read a book multiple times with it ending differently every time.
I only read two versions of Joe’s life but it was fun.
I know I can go back anytime to read another story and I think it’s pretty cool to be able to read a book multiple times with it ending differently every time.
June 25, 2019
I followed two plots and will probably go back and do a few others. I did the "gay-for-you" roommate one and the snarky doctor one. There's also a hot professor and one other I think. Entertaining fluff I may return to.
April 2, 2018
Cute idea!
I read it four times with different outcomes lol. Very entertaining and interesting. Not a fan of the professor, love the roommate.
I read it four times with different outcomes lol. Very entertaining and interesting. Not a fan of the professor, love the roommate.
November 6, 2018
I had a lot of fun reading through the fifty zillion (not really that many, but more than 2) story arcs in this book.
I came to three conclusions.
1 - I really missed choose your own adventure style books
2 - The author may or may not have a thing for 6’2”+ men
3 - Joe is thirsty as fuck.
I’m not sure Joe came across a male he didn’t want to bend over for. Which worked out well for this multi arc erotica (and me).
I’m not even going to tell you all the ways Joe bends over because those are spoilers and I think you should just read the book for yourself.
I didn’t manage to read all the endings (there are a lot) but I got through what I believe are the main story arcs and also flipped through a few alternate endings because that’s the type of person I am.
I could probably go another round or three just because it was fun the first zillion times. I never got bored. I liked the author’s voice and some bits made me laugh out loud (in real life!).
A few things squicked me out, and there was some content that was over fetishised for my taste. Some problematic content in one of the arcs did not bring me joy.
Each story line is pretty short so you could get through most of it in a day. There isn’t a high amount of character building but what is there works well.
In this style I would definitely read more from this author and if you need something really light, high in erotic content, and good for some giggles, this is the book for you.
If you choose right, you may even get a HEA ;)
A review copy was provided for an honest opinion
I came to three conclusions.
1 - I really missed choose your own adventure style books
2 - The author may or may not have a thing for 6’2”+ men
3 - Joe is thirsty as fuck.
I’m not sure Joe came across a male he didn’t want to bend over for. Which worked out well for this multi arc erotica (and me).
I’m not even going to tell you all the ways Joe bends over because those are spoilers and I think you should just read the book for yourself.
I didn’t manage to read all the endings (there are a lot) but I got through what I believe are the main story arcs and also flipped through a few alternate endings because that’s the type of person I am.
I could probably go another round or three just because it was fun the first zillion times. I never got bored. I liked the author’s voice and some bits made me laugh out loud (in real life!).
A few things squicked me out, and there was some content that was over fetishised for my taste. Some problematic content in one of the arcs did not bring me joy.
Each story line is pretty short so you could get through most of it in a day. There isn’t a high amount of character building but what is there works well.
In this style I would definitely read more from this author and if you need something really light, high in erotic content, and good for some giggles, this is the book for you.
If you choose right, you may even get a HEA ;)
A review copy was provided for an honest opinion
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews