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His Boy
A Gay Romantic Comedy
Charlie Stone has problems.
He’s just found his boyfriend and his new BFF in bed together, and that’s only because he failed to show up for his fortnightly back, crack and sack wax. Furious, he speeds away from the gates of his luxury home and life into the unknown. When he finds himself stranded on the side of the road in a remote village, his future looking bleak, his dreams wasted on a fairy tale that turned out to be a nightmare, he doesn’t expect the handsome but shaggy-looking bookshop owner, Nathan Marshall, to come to his rescue. A Divine Intervention if Charlie ever saw one.
But the village is foreign land to glamour puss Charlie, who’s more at home in the bustling city, shopping for the latest trends. getting his hair coiffed and his nails buffed by his best friends, glamour girls Trinny, Kylie and Sasha than he is trekking through muddy hills in jeans and wellies. And Nathan’s never even seen the inside of a beauty salon, let alone considered having that tumbleweed on his chest waxed. How on earth can a queen even begin to craft himself into something fabulous in such dire circumstances?
Hope seems lost until Charlie discovers that an amateur dramatics group are looking for budding stars to fill in two of their starring roles at the last minute. Could the village offer more than babbling streams, scenic moorland and the smell of horse manure? Could it offer a chance for Charlie to claim back the dreams he thought he’d lost? And, more importantly, could an unlikely romance be brewing on the horizon, even when the dark characters from this unlikely pairing’s pasts come back to make matters worse for them?
A darkly comic look at love, death, dysfunctional family, emotional trauma and finding yourself, with a huge cast of characters. More than a romance. A story of self discovery. Gay romance. Gay romantic comedy.
Charlie Stone has problems.
He’s just found his boyfriend and his new BFF in bed together, and that’s only because he failed to show up for his fortnightly back, crack and sack wax. Furious, he speeds away from the gates of his luxury home and life into the unknown. When he finds himself stranded on the side of the road in a remote village, his future looking bleak, his dreams wasted on a fairy tale that turned out to be a nightmare, he doesn’t expect the handsome but shaggy-looking bookshop owner, Nathan Marshall, to come to his rescue. A Divine Intervention if Charlie ever saw one.
But the village is foreign land to glamour puss Charlie, who’s more at home in the bustling city, shopping for the latest trends. getting his hair coiffed and his nails buffed by his best friends, glamour girls Trinny, Kylie and Sasha than he is trekking through muddy hills in jeans and wellies. And Nathan’s never even seen the inside of a beauty salon, let alone considered having that tumbleweed on his chest waxed. How on earth can a queen even begin to craft himself into something fabulous in such dire circumstances?
Hope seems lost until Charlie discovers that an amateur dramatics group are looking for budding stars to fill in two of their starring roles at the last minute. Could the village offer more than babbling streams, scenic moorland and the smell of horse manure? Could it offer a chance for Charlie to claim back the dreams he thought he’d lost? And, more importantly, could an unlikely romance be brewing on the horizon, even when the dark characters from this unlikely pairing’s pasts come back to make matters worse for them?
A darkly comic look at love, death, dysfunctional family, emotional trauma and finding yourself, with a huge cast of characters. More than a romance. A story of self discovery. Gay romance. Gay romantic comedy.
278 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 6, 2018
55 people are currently reading
490 people want to read
About the author
Dean Cole
5 books171 followersJust a weird little wordsmith from the United Kingdom. I write funny stuff that's sometimes dark, which is sort of how I look at life.
Capturing Magick (The Quentin Strange Mysteries #2) out now!
Capturing Magick (The Quentin Strange Mysteries #2) out now!
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 65 reviews
June 20, 2020
5 Sensational Stars
Consider me bemused and bewitched! "His Boy," is one of those stories that will stay with me for a long time to come. Told in 1st person POV, it chronicles the life-changing journey of MC Charlie, who discovers his inner strength, gains self-acceptance, and learns what it means to be part of a loving relationship.
Charlie has sass and snark in spades, and his early actions are painfully self-focused and defensive; but his heart is big and vulnerable, and as he finds his place in the world, Charlie blossoms into a more confident and optimistic version of himself. I adored his interactions with love interest, Nathan. Their time together is so sweet, lovely (and occasionally giggle-worthy—that delightful dance with the rose!!). Nathan is sincere, gentle, kind, and *swoon* owns a bookshop. He is such a wonderful counterpart for Charlie, and I was cheering them on (even as things got a bit dicey toward the end).
Some of the loveliest aspects of the story for me were the moments of quiet and calm: camping out under the stars, exploring a charming small town, sitting at a hospital bedside, sharing a cup of hot chocolate. Cole is adept at emphasizing those quiet moments and making them feel deeply emotional, real and relatable. As many times as this story made me smile, it also made me feel melancholic and thoughtfully pensive; it was, by turns, heartfelt and heartbreaking.
Also, I can’t thank the author enough for offering a positive representation of vegetarianism/veganism. I have read numerous stories that use plant based eating as a source for ridicule, and it was refreshing to see it portrayed in a positive light!
This is my first Dean Cole novel, but it definitely won’t be my last. I look forward to following this author and cheering him on with his future endeavors.
Highly recommend!
This story reminds me of an inspirational quote that is perfect for Charlie:
"You matter. People love you for who you are. You are different. You are unique. You are magic. You are worthy and deserving of love and respect...Because you breathe. Shine your light. Share your gifts. You are here for a reason. Your story matters. You make the world more beautiful. Know that you are loved and the world needs you." -- The Happy Project https://society6.com/product/you-matt...
Consider me bemused and bewitched! "His Boy," is one of those stories that will stay with me for a long time to come. Told in 1st person POV, it chronicles the life-changing journey of MC Charlie, who discovers his inner strength, gains self-acceptance, and learns what it means to be part of a loving relationship.
Charlie has sass and snark in spades, and his early actions are painfully self-focused and defensive; but his heart is big and vulnerable, and as he finds his place in the world, Charlie blossoms into a more confident and optimistic version of himself. I adored his interactions with love interest, Nathan. Their time together is so sweet, lovely (and occasionally giggle-worthy—that delightful dance with the rose!!). Nathan is sincere, gentle, kind, and *swoon* owns a bookshop. He is such a wonderful counterpart for Charlie, and I was cheering them on (even as things got a bit dicey toward the end).
Some of the loveliest aspects of the story for me were the moments of quiet and calm: camping out under the stars, exploring a charming small town, sitting at a hospital bedside, sharing a cup of hot chocolate. Cole is adept at emphasizing those quiet moments and making them feel deeply emotional, real and relatable. As many times as this story made me smile, it also made me feel melancholic and thoughtfully pensive; it was, by turns, heartfelt and heartbreaking.
Also, I can’t thank the author enough for offering a positive representation of vegetarianism/veganism. I have read numerous stories that use plant based eating as a source for ridicule, and it was refreshing to see it portrayed in a positive light!
This is my first Dean Cole novel, but it definitely won’t be my last. I look forward to following this author and cheering him on with his future endeavors.
Highly recommend!
This story reminds me of an inspirational quote that is perfect for Charlie:
"You matter. People love you for who you are. You are different. You are unique. You are magic. You are worthy and deserving of love and respect...Because you breathe. Shine your light. Share your gifts. You are here for a reason. Your story matters. You make the world more beautiful. Know that you are loved and the world needs you." -- The Happy Project https://society6.com/product/you-matt...
December 11, 2018
4 Stars
Oh wow, that was over-the-top dramatic! Half the time I spent reading this I was annoyed to death by everything Charlie did or said; the other half I was glued to the Kindle anxious to see what happened next. Either way, I read it in one sitting.
And yes, it was funny. But IMHO it was more the tragically funny kind of humor. And I am in no way an expert on anything British...but the whole thing really felt quintessentially British (as only an American could describe it). I can absolutely see this dramatized and playing on the BBC. (I'd totally watch it as well.)
Were half of the situations ridiculous? Yes. Did I want to strangle Charlie and absolutely not feel sorry for the things he got himself caught up it. Yes. Did I hate how he seemed to float from one circumstance to another, and seemed to live in a dream world where he was much more fabulous and amazing than he actually was? YES. But you see, when you get that kind of character...well, the only thing you can hope for is some sort of epiphany, development and progress toward change. Did that happen. Absolutely. And it's what made the book an interesting read.
I'm also not a thespian, and I'm thinking the whole "reveal" there in the play was meant for dramatic interpretation and the opportunity to let Charlie be the star IRL...but, um, according to the story detailed (for the plot of the play) the Princess Cora seemed to be more than just some gimmick in the 3rd act/magic reveal. So...who played that part in the first 2 acts? Was she IN the play? If not...well, that's just stupid because it makes no sense given the (again, DETAILED) story presented to the reader. I dunno. Seemed ridiculous to stage it how it was, but then that's kinda this book, too.
And while I appreciated the epilogue, the heavy dose of sap was a bit much. Still, it was nice to see him settled, happy and in touch with what he did best...those delusions of grandeur set aside for reality. A perfectly normal and yet romantic reality.
(I do wish there'd been a mention as to how the dress-theft was dealt with, though! It was a bit funny, but also terribly mean and selfish.)
Bonus points for Hyacinth v 2.0. I think that little conversation she had with Charlie near the end was insightful...and exactly what he needed to hear so he wouldn't become just like her.
Oh wow, that was over-the-top dramatic! Half the time I spent reading this I was annoyed to death by everything Charlie did or said; the other half I was glued to the Kindle anxious to see what happened next. Either way, I read it in one sitting.
And yes, it was funny. But IMHO it was more the tragically funny kind of humor. And I am in no way an expert on anything British...but the whole thing really felt quintessentially British (as only an American could describe it). I can absolutely see this dramatized and playing on the BBC. (I'd totally watch it as well.)
Were half of the situations ridiculous? Yes. Did I want to strangle Charlie and absolutely not feel sorry for the things he got himself caught up it. Yes. Did I hate how he seemed to float from one circumstance to another, and seemed to live in a dream world where he was much more fabulous and amazing than he actually was? YES. But you see, when you get that kind of character...well, the only thing you can hope for is some sort of epiphany, development and progress toward change. Did that happen. Absolutely. And it's what made the book an interesting read.
I'm also not a thespian, and I'm thinking the whole "reveal" there in the play was meant for dramatic interpretation and the opportunity to let Charlie be the star IRL...but, um, according to the story detailed (for the plot of the play) the Princess Cora seemed to be more than just some gimmick in the 3rd act/magic reveal. So...who played that part in the first 2 acts? Was she IN the play? If not...well, that's just stupid because it makes no sense given the (again, DETAILED) story presented to the reader. I dunno. Seemed ridiculous to stage it how it was, but then that's kinda this book, too.
And while I appreciated the epilogue, the heavy dose of sap was a bit much. Still, it was nice to see him settled, happy and in touch with what he did best...those delusions of grandeur set aside for reality. A perfectly normal and yet romantic reality.
(I do wish there'd been a mention as to how the dress-theft was dealt with, though! It was a bit funny, but also terribly mean and selfish.)
Bonus points for Hyacinth v 2.0. I think that little conversation she had with Charlie near the end was insightful...and exactly what he needed to hear so he wouldn't become just like her.
April 13, 2018
Book – His Boy
Author – Dean Cole
Star rating - ★★★★★
Cover – Cute!
POV – 1st person, present tense, one character
Would I read it again – Yes!
Genre – LGBT, Contemporary, Romance, Comedy
Content Warning – domestic abuse, suicidal thoughts, cheating, mental health, stalking
Yes, this is a romantic comedy, but it's also so much more than that. It's a journey of self discovery, of self reflection, and, as Nathan puts it, an awakening.
I'm still feeling pretty speechless, having just finished it, with a tension headache from wanting to cry but not being able to, so forgive me if I prattle on and don't make any sense.
I loved the main character of Charlie. He's flamboyant, femme, over-dramatic and adorable. Vulnerable at the core, he's someone who has been seeking validation his entire life but has never found it outside of a credit card before. He constantly underestimates himself, undervalues himself, and got sucked into the belief that material things could make him happy.
The story starts with Charlie escaping just after finding his boyfriend and best friend in bed together. He runs out, without his wallet, steals his boyfriend's temperamental car, in his bunny slippers, and a phone with a dead battery. Then gets stranded in the rain when he tries to avoid killing a bunny that surprises him on the road in the middle of nowhere. All this happens in the first few pages, but already we learn so much about who Charlie is, what his personality is like. That is so difficult to do with a 1st person narrative, and it's one of the reasons that I've never been a big fan of them. Sometimes it can take chapters before a character is organically named, described, or explored personality wise, in a 1st person narrative. Dean Cole avoids all of this, because the entire narrative is 1st person present tense, which means we're basically inside Charlie's mind the entire time, so he thinks through his choices, contemplates mistakes and opportunities, all as we follow his journey.
Then in walks Nathan, the saviour. A bookshop owner – yay, for the small town business man! – and someone with a heart big enough to take Charlie in on a thundering, raining night, but who isn't all that and then some. He's lifted off his feet by the evil cheating boyfriend, Richard, at one point, doesn't fight back, isn't in perfect condition, and that's awesome! Nathan is real, in a way that Richard is superficially everything that a man of forty-nine should be in a romance novel. Only, instead of Richard being the one who gets the guy in the end, it's Nathan. Breaking stereotypes and book tropes all in one.
Right from the start, I loved how Charlie was written, that he had that snarky, bitchy sense of human that I love so much, but can be quite over-the-top in the wrong set-up. He didn't have a great childhood, with a homophobic father, an absent/disinterested mother, but he fought hard to get away from all of that, even if it did take him down the wrong road. In a way, Nathan had a similar upbringing, except that he lost his parents to an accident, they died when he was young and he was raised by his grandfather. They both grew up alone, isolated from other kids their age, without parents who were there to help them grow. And I love that they discuss their pasts openly, when it feels natural. And they had great chemistry together, especially before anything bedroom-related happened. Which, when it did, was entirely off page and only known from Charlie telling his bestie Sasha about it.
I loved that there was a lot of soul searching going on in Charlie, right from page one. He knew that he'd been complicit in certain behaviours, that he'd allowed certain things to happen right in front of his eyes, and that things needed to change. And, despite the temper tantrums, the feisty moments, the times when his mood swings and depression got the best of him, Charlie tried his hardest to make it work. To find a way to change his fate, his luck, and his life, to something that was positive.
There's also a really diverse character set. I mean, it isn't often that I find someone even close to resembling me in a book, but there was Penny – a woman in a wheelchair, who had a positive outlook on life, and wasn't woe-is-me, but who wanted to get on with living her life to the full. Sasha and the girls were a riot of hard working, bubbly, exciteable girls who had Charlie's back no matter what. Hyacinth exists in just about every small town there is – a woman who had a dream, but gave that up for marriage/babies or some other demand that made it impossible to have both, who could never get over that loss, who thought themselves a failure and took it out on everyone else. And Richard, the self obsessed businessman with more money than sense, a temper that drifts into the controlling and violent, and a manipulative nature that is unrivaled. There are disabled characters, old biddies looking for a shot at stardom in community theatre, smart bookstore owners with a dream they're afraid to pursue, the flamboyant gay hag with no dress sense and no class, and the ordinary, every day people who make up a little village like my home, and the one in this book, who balance out the craziness of those who shine a little too brightly.
It addressed serious issues – like parental abandonment/loss, domestic abuse, financial independence, and anxiety/panic attacks – while still being the right kind of funny, the right kind of sweet and romantic. It wasn't overly cute or bubbly. The chemistry between Charlie and Nathan stood up to scrutiny and longevity, despite it being a case of somewhat insta-attraction. I won't say insta-love, because it wasn't, but everything did happen in a pretty short timeline, about a week or two. Yet it still managed to feel organisc, natural, and totally believable.
Honestly, I felt Charlie's pain. I didn't have a lonely childhood, bad parents, a dream I can't pursue, or anything that he had. I wasn't poor, I don't have to depend on others for money or the luxuries in life, and I don't have all that bottled up emotion he has. But I felt it. Since about 40% of the way into the book I was constantly on the verge of tears because I could feel how messed up and emotional and desperate this poor kid was, and how much he just needed to be loved. I ended the book with a tension headache, because every time I had the chance to cry, there was something funny or sweet or distracting to take my mind off it and I never got that release. But I don't care. I have that same feeling after finishing this book that I've had with the worst ugly-cry book I've ever read. And that is...essentially...satisfaction. Because, it was everything I wanted it to be.
~
Overall, this was a plot based romantic comedy that hits the feels with a sledgehammer.
~
Favourite Quotes
“I blow Richard a kiss then give him the finger. His face drops like he's just seen a ghost. Well, he has. The ghost of the old Charlie Stone. Something has shifted inside me. Something that tells me I'm never going to be the same again.”
“I'm a survivor. I mean, look at me. I've survived what were basically white water rapids on the way up here, I've eaten nothing but things that grow out of the ground and I've evaded an army of blood-thirsty witches. I'm practically Tarzan.”
Author – Dean Cole
Star rating - ★★★★★
Cover – Cute!
POV – 1st person, present tense, one character
Would I read it again – Yes!
Genre – LGBT, Contemporary, Romance, Comedy
Content Warning – domestic abuse, suicidal thoughts, cheating, mental health, stalking
Yes, this is a romantic comedy, but it's also so much more than that. It's a journey of self discovery, of self reflection, and, as Nathan puts it, an awakening.
I'm still feeling pretty speechless, having just finished it, with a tension headache from wanting to cry but not being able to, so forgive me if I prattle on and don't make any sense.
I loved the main character of Charlie. He's flamboyant, femme, over-dramatic and adorable. Vulnerable at the core, he's someone who has been seeking validation his entire life but has never found it outside of a credit card before. He constantly underestimates himself, undervalues himself, and got sucked into the belief that material things could make him happy.
The story starts with Charlie escaping just after finding his boyfriend and best friend in bed together. He runs out, without his wallet, steals his boyfriend's temperamental car, in his bunny slippers, and a phone with a dead battery. Then gets stranded in the rain when he tries to avoid killing a bunny that surprises him on the road in the middle of nowhere. All this happens in the first few pages, but already we learn so much about who Charlie is, what his personality is like. That is so difficult to do with a 1st person narrative, and it's one of the reasons that I've never been a big fan of them. Sometimes it can take chapters before a character is organically named, described, or explored personality wise, in a 1st person narrative. Dean Cole avoids all of this, because the entire narrative is 1st person present tense, which means we're basically inside Charlie's mind the entire time, so he thinks through his choices, contemplates mistakes and opportunities, all as we follow his journey.
Then in walks Nathan, the saviour. A bookshop owner – yay, for the small town business man! – and someone with a heart big enough to take Charlie in on a thundering, raining night, but who isn't all that and then some. He's lifted off his feet by the evil cheating boyfriend, Richard, at one point, doesn't fight back, isn't in perfect condition, and that's awesome! Nathan is real, in a way that Richard is superficially everything that a man of forty-nine should be in a romance novel. Only, instead of Richard being the one who gets the guy in the end, it's Nathan. Breaking stereotypes and book tropes all in one.
Right from the start, I loved how Charlie was written, that he had that snarky, bitchy sense of human that I love so much, but can be quite over-the-top in the wrong set-up. He didn't have a great childhood, with a homophobic father, an absent/disinterested mother, but he fought hard to get away from all of that, even if it did take him down the wrong road. In a way, Nathan had a similar upbringing, except that he lost his parents to an accident, they died when he was young and he was raised by his grandfather. They both grew up alone, isolated from other kids their age, without parents who were there to help them grow. And I love that they discuss their pasts openly, when it feels natural. And they had great chemistry together, especially before anything bedroom-related happened. Which, when it did, was entirely off page and only known from Charlie telling his bestie Sasha about it.
I loved that there was a lot of soul searching going on in Charlie, right from page one. He knew that he'd been complicit in certain behaviours, that he'd allowed certain things to happen right in front of his eyes, and that things needed to change. And, despite the temper tantrums, the feisty moments, the times when his mood swings and depression got the best of him, Charlie tried his hardest to make it work. To find a way to change his fate, his luck, and his life, to something that was positive.
There's also a really diverse character set. I mean, it isn't often that I find someone even close to resembling me in a book, but there was Penny – a woman in a wheelchair, who had a positive outlook on life, and wasn't woe-is-me, but who wanted to get on with living her life to the full. Sasha and the girls were a riot of hard working, bubbly, exciteable girls who had Charlie's back no matter what. Hyacinth exists in just about every small town there is – a woman who had a dream, but gave that up for marriage/babies or some other demand that made it impossible to have both, who could never get over that loss, who thought themselves a failure and took it out on everyone else. And Richard, the self obsessed businessman with more money than sense, a temper that drifts into the controlling and violent, and a manipulative nature that is unrivaled. There are disabled characters, old biddies looking for a shot at stardom in community theatre, smart bookstore owners with a dream they're afraid to pursue, the flamboyant gay hag with no dress sense and no class, and the ordinary, every day people who make up a little village like my home, and the one in this book, who balance out the craziness of those who shine a little too brightly.
It addressed serious issues – like parental abandonment/loss, domestic abuse, financial independence, and anxiety/panic attacks – while still being the right kind of funny, the right kind of sweet and romantic. It wasn't overly cute or bubbly. The chemistry between Charlie and Nathan stood up to scrutiny and longevity, despite it being a case of somewhat insta-attraction. I won't say insta-love, because it wasn't, but everything did happen in a pretty short timeline, about a week or two. Yet it still managed to feel organisc, natural, and totally believable.
Honestly, I felt Charlie's pain. I didn't have a lonely childhood, bad parents, a dream I can't pursue, or anything that he had. I wasn't poor, I don't have to depend on others for money or the luxuries in life, and I don't have all that bottled up emotion he has. But I felt it. Since about 40% of the way into the book I was constantly on the verge of tears because I could feel how messed up and emotional and desperate this poor kid was, and how much he just needed to be loved. I ended the book with a tension headache, because every time I had the chance to cry, there was something funny or sweet or distracting to take my mind off it and I never got that release. But I don't care. I have that same feeling after finishing this book that I've had with the worst ugly-cry book I've ever read. And that is...essentially...satisfaction. Because, it was everything I wanted it to be.
~
Overall, this was a plot based romantic comedy that hits the feels with a sledgehammer.
~
Favourite Quotes
“I blow Richard a kiss then give him the finger. His face drops like he's just seen a ghost. Well, he has. The ghost of the old Charlie Stone. Something has shifted inside me. Something that tells me I'm never going to be the same again.”
“I'm a survivor. I mean, look at me. I've survived what were basically white water rapids on the way up here, I've eaten nothing but things that grow out of the ground and I've evaded an army of blood-thirsty witches. I'm practically Tarzan.”
January 11, 2020
Wow this book was something else! I really enjoyed the uniqueness of this story, even if Charlie got on my nerves so many times. He was frustrating!
It's a romantic comedy, most of the situations Charlie got himself into were ridiculous and hilarious. At times it felt pretty crazy, but I kept reading. It kept my interest. I was SO curious! The writing felt pretty poetic and I was mesmerized by the descriptions.
Charlie grew up in a toxic household, he made bad choices in the past, he was such a drama queen and he cried too easily, while Nathan was a sweetie. Somehow they worked.
I especially enjoyed the epilogue, because we see a different Charlie, he's finally happy and acting like a grownup 😁
It's a romantic comedy, most of the situations Charlie got himself into were ridiculous and hilarious. At times it felt pretty crazy, but I kept reading. It kept my interest. I was SO curious! The writing felt pretty poetic and I was mesmerized by the descriptions.
Charlie grew up in a toxic household, he made bad choices in the past, he was such a drama queen and he cried too easily, while Nathan was a sweetie. Somehow they worked.
I especially enjoyed the epilogue, because we see a different Charlie, he's finally happy and acting like a grownup 😁
June 11, 2018
This is a sweet, gay romance novel about loss, transformation and finding yourself. I totally recommend reading this book. Low heat.
May 14, 2019
2nd read 5/14/19 **5 of 5 stars**
As I've mentioned before, I don't usually re-read books. I don't know why -- maybe because there are still so many that I haven't read? I think in the last 5 years, I've re-read maybe 5 books. However, since I read this book last month, I've thought about it quite often. For that fact alone I'm changing the rating from 4.5 stars to 5 stars. This book has been placed on my favorites shelf as well.
There are parts of this story that directly relate to something that is going on in my personal life. The story impacted more that I was aware of when I read it for the first time. SO... I just decided to just read it again.
The original review I did for this book still stands -- I just tweaked a few things here and there (you can find it right below this one). There are only a couple of new things I wanted to mention.
First of all, I really love the imagery the author uses in each scene -- it really brings the book to life, and you can easily feel like you are actually present in the story.
The second thing that really struck me upon reading the book for the second time -- how well the emotions are described. To clarify, the writing is so well done I could effortlessly feel the same emotions Charlie did -- whether he was happy, sad or somewhere in between.
Words quite often fail me when I try to describe my love for a book. Just know that I definitely recommend this one. Just do yourself a favor and read it.
1st read 4/11/19 **4.5 stars**
Just thought I'd mention before I begin-- For this particular book, I did not read any other reviews before I started reading it. I didn't want to be influenced in any way as to whether or not I would (or should) like it.
Anyway, whenever I read a 'new to me author', I start reading the book almost holding my breath. I (obviously) always hope to really like a book. Not only for my benefit, but also because I really despise giving bad feedback. I guess that's just the people pleaser in me. :) I have never read Dean Cole's work before and didn't know what to expect. I have to say I was pleasantly surprised... in every good way.
(One thing at the beginning of this review I'd like to point out is this: This book is described as a gay romantic comedy. Even though there were a lot of parts that were very funny, I don't know if I would exactly classify this as a comedy. But I'll touch more on that later.)
I started off really liking the book. Then about halfway through, I started to really love it. Here are some of the reasons why:
**I love everything British. I have always--and will always--love England. I have a slight obsession with it. So the book already started with a point in its favor as far as I'm concerned. (This didn't really factor into my final rating, I just wanted to mention it.)
**It was incredibly easy to get into the story. There was a lot of clever phrasing-- which at times was incredibly amusing. There was also some great attention to detail--which always helps to add depth to a story.
**One small thing that I liked-- I actually had to look up the meaning of some of the words in the book. Maybe it just means I'm a 'word nerd', but I really enjoyed that.
**I started off reading the book thinking it was going to be a lighthearted comedy, but as I got into the story, I realized there was actually quite a bit of depth to it. Taken completely off guard, I legit cried at one point. Along with a lot of laughs, there are some really touching scenes that took the book from just a comedy (imho) to something much more.
**I also appreciated that there was no 'insta-love' between Charlie and Nathan. It would have been extremely unrealistic, to me anyway, because the story is told within just a couple of weeks time.
**There really is no sex in this book...it's alluded to and you know it has happened at one point but that's about it. So this is not the book for you if you are looking for smut. Just to clarify, there isn't anything wrong with reading about sexy times, but I just don't think this book needed that. At all. It was actually a little refreshing in a way that the focus was on something other than sex.
**This story is told from a single POV, and while I usually prefer a dual POV, I don't think that would have worked for this book. The story is definitely about Charlie...the struggles he has to overcome, as well as how he sees the world.
OK, so I have to admit that I didn't really love Charlie (the main MC) in the beginning of the book. He's beautiful and he knows it...he's just waiting for everyone to realize how amazing he already knows he is. He's a fabulous and sassy (not to mention spoiled) gay man who has every little thing he could possibly desire available to him.
I found myself in a constant battle of trying to like him and then just really not. I cringed a lot at things he said, as well as decisions he made. I really wanted to like him, though, and as you go through the story you start to learn why Charlie is the way he is-- It doesn't really excuse his behavior, but it does give you a better understanding of his character.
THEN---all of a sudden--- I came to the realization that it didn't really matter if I liked Charlie or not. What was important (imo) was being able to understand the message of the book as a whole. This message became clearer to me the further I got into the story.
I believe this story is really about someone whose world has been completely upended. Charlie is forced to find his footing when every single thing in his life has been jerked away from him. And as a result he is forced to find his 'true self' in the process. I can relate to this more than I can get into here, but on this level I felt a deep connection to the book. It's really easy to judge someone (Charlie in this situation). But unless you have gone through the same thing, you don't know how you would really react unless you are put into that particular situation. Another thing--this book is also about learning how to forgive yourself as well as others (whether they deserve forgiveness or not).
So just to wrap this up, I really loved this book! It really clicked with me personally. Like I mentioned before, I was surprised at how emotional I became while reading the story. I found myself laughing out loud one moment and then crying the next. It was a very funny, and yet at the same time, a very thought provoking book. This author definitely has a way with words and is obviously a very talented writer. I would definitely recommend you read this book.
OTHERWISE, how can you ever learn what Gayfdar is?
One last thing. I was left with one burning question...is there such a thing as a gay dog?
I certainly hope so, anyway.
As I've mentioned before, I don't usually re-read books. I don't know why -- maybe because there are still so many that I haven't read? I think in the last 5 years, I've re-read maybe 5 books. However, since I read this book last month, I've thought about it quite often. For that fact alone I'm changing the rating from 4.5 stars to 5 stars. This book has been placed on my favorites shelf as well.
There are parts of this story that directly relate to something that is going on in my personal life. The story impacted more that I was aware of when I read it for the first time. SO... I just decided to just read it again.
The original review I did for this book still stands -- I just tweaked a few things here and there (you can find it right below this one). There are only a couple of new things I wanted to mention.
First of all, I really love the imagery the author uses in each scene -- it really brings the book to life, and you can easily feel like you are actually present in the story.
The second thing that really struck me upon reading the book for the second time -- how well the emotions are described. To clarify, the writing is so well done I could effortlessly feel the same emotions Charlie did -- whether he was happy, sad or somewhere in between.
Words quite often fail me when I try to describe my love for a book. Just know that I definitely recommend this one. Just do yourself a favor and read it.
1st read 4/11/19 **4.5 stars**
Just thought I'd mention before I begin-- For this particular book, I did not read any other reviews before I started reading it. I didn't want to be influenced in any way as to whether or not I would (or should) like it.
Anyway, whenever I read a 'new to me author', I start reading the book almost holding my breath. I (obviously) always hope to really like a book. Not only for my benefit, but also because I really despise giving bad feedback. I guess that's just the people pleaser in me. :) I have never read Dean Cole's work before and didn't know what to expect. I have to say I was pleasantly surprised... in every good way.
(One thing at the beginning of this review I'd like to point out is this: This book is described as a gay romantic comedy. Even though there were a lot of parts that were very funny, I don't know if I would exactly classify this as a comedy. But I'll touch more on that later.)
I started off really liking the book. Then about halfway through, I started to really love it. Here are some of the reasons why:
**I love everything British. I have always--and will always--love England. I have a slight obsession with it. So the book already started with a point in its favor as far as I'm concerned. (This didn't really factor into my final rating, I just wanted to mention it.)
**It was incredibly easy to get into the story. There was a lot of clever phrasing-- which at times was incredibly amusing. There was also some great attention to detail--which always helps to add depth to a story.
**One small thing that I liked-- I actually had to look up the meaning of some of the words in the book. Maybe it just means I'm a 'word nerd', but I really enjoyed that.
**I started off reading the book thinking it was going to be a lighthearted comedy, but as I got into the story, I realized there was actually quite a bit of depth to it. Taken completely off guard, I legit cried at one point. Along with a lot of laughs, there are some really touching scenes that took the book from just a comedy (imho) to something much more.
**I also appreciated that there was no 'insta-love' between Charlie and Nathan. It would have been extremely unrealistic, to me anyway, because the story is told within just a couple of weeks time.
**There really is no sex in this book...it's alluded to and you know it has happened at one point but that's about it. So this is not the book for you if you are looking for smut. Just to clarify, there isn't anything wrong with reading about sexy times, but I just don't think this book needed that. At all. It was actually a little refreshing in a way that the focus was on something other than sex.
**This story is told from a single POV, and while I usually prefer a dual POV, I don't think that would have worked for this book. The story is definitely about Charlie...the struggles he has to overcome, as well as how he sees the world.
OK, so I have to admit that I didn't really love Charlie (the main MC) in the beginning of the book. He's beautiful and he knows it...he's just waiting for everyone to realize how amazing he already knows he is. He's a fabulous and sassy (not to mention spoiled) gay man who has every little thing he could possibly desire available to him.
I found myself in a constant battle of trying to like him and then just really not. I cringed a lot at things he said, as well as decisions he made. I really wanted to like him, though, and as you go through the story you start to learn why Charlie is the way he is-- It doesn't really excuse his behavior, but it does give you a better understanding of his character.
THEN---all of a sudden--- I came to the realization that it didn't really matter if I liked Charlie or not. What was important (imo) was being able to understand the message of the book as a whole. This message became clearer to me the further I got into the story.
I believe this story is really about someone whose world has been completely upended. Charlie is forced to find his footing when every single thing in his life has been jerked away from him. And as a result he is forced to find his 'true self' in the process. I can relate to this more than I can get into here, but on this level I felt a deep connection to the book. It's really easy to judge someone (Charlie in this situation). But unless you have gone through the same thing, you don't know how you would really react unless you are put into that particular situation. Another thing--this book is also about learning how to forgive yourself as well as others (whether they deserve forgiveness or not).
So just to wrap this up, I really loved this book! It really clicked with me personally. Like I mentioned before, I was surprised at how emotional I became while reading the story. I found myself laughing out loud one moment and then crying the next. It was a very funny, and yet at the same time, a very thought provoking book. This author definitely has a way with words and is obviously a very talented writer. I would definitely recommend you read this book.
OTHERWISE, how can you ever learn what Gayfdar is?
One last thing. I was left with one burning question...is there such a thing as a gay dog?
I certainly hope so, anyway.
August 29, 2018
This is book is simply lovely. If you're looking for wall to wall sex and throbbing members, you won't find any here. What you will find is a fabulously written love story with hugely likeable characters. The book is not the worse for the lack of descriptive sex. Its alluded to which is all you need, right?
Charlie Stone is hysterically funny. His one liners will have you in stitches. He is self-centered but with a heart of gold. His self-discovery to who he is and wants to be is lovely to witness. Nathan is a simple soul but his strength and stability is something that Charlie never knew he needed.
I think this is Dean Coles first novel (not sure about that) and I cannot wait for the next one.
5 stars from me!!
Charlie Stone is hysterically funny. His one liners will have you in stitches. He is self-centered but with a heart of gold. His self-discovery to who he is and wants to be is lovely to witness. Nathan is a simple soul but his strength and stability is something that Charlie never knew he needed.
I think this is Dean Coles first novel (not sure about that) and I cannot wait for the next one.
5 stars from me!!
May 18, 2018
Loved this story!
I’ve never heard of this author before, and I’m so glad I saw this book advertised somewhere in my FB newsfeed.
His Boy is a romantic comedy written by British author, Dean Cole. The main character, Charlie Stone, is an over-the-top drama queen, who has left his cheating boyfriend and a life of pampered luxury which came along with it.
Charlie storms out of his house (in his bunny slippers) and into one of Richard’s (the cheater) uber-expensive sports cars. Unfortunately, he took nothing else with him. No skin or hair products, no credit cards—not even a pair of $400 shoes! What’s a boy to do!
The car has some kind of malfunction and winds up on the side of the road in some sleepy little countryside town—that’s when Charlie realizes just how helpless he is.
Enter Nathan. He takes Charlie under his wing, shelters him, feeds him, and for the remainder of the story, tries to keep him grounded.
The town in which Nathan lives is so full of colorful characters, each one is as important and quirky as the next, adding so much to this storyline.
As much as this book is funny, it’s also a bit sad as Charlie has an awakening and learns a lot about himself. Things are never as they seem, and Charlie’s tendencies are to find out the hard way. Yes, he’s sort of bratty, spoiled, and self-centered, but don’t be dissuaded from reading His Boy because it’s so worth it. It’s actually part of Charlie’s charm.
The storyline is well-written. The descriptions of EVERYTHING are perfectly detailed, and Charlie Stone is a HOOT!!! Fabulous read. I highly recommend this one.
I’ve never heard of this author before, and I’m so glad I saw this book advertised somewhere in my FB newsfeed.
His Boy is a romantic comedy written by British author, Dean Cole. The main character, Charlie Stone, is an over-the-top drama queen, who has left his cheating boyfriend and a life of pampered luxury which came along with it.
Charlie storms out of his house (in his bunny slippers) and into one of Richard’s (the cheater) uber-expensive sports cars. Unfortunately, he took nothing else with him. No skin or hair products, no credit cards—not even a pair of $400 shoes! What’s a boy to do!
The car has some kind of malfunction and winds up on the side of the road in some sleepy little countryside town—that’s when Charlie realizes just how helpless he is.
Enter Nathan. He takes Charlie under his wing, shelters him, feeds him, and for the remainder of the story, tries to keep him grounded.
The town in which Nathan lives is so full of colorful characters, each one is as important and quirky as the next, adding so much to this storyline.
As much as this book is funny, it’s also a bit sad as Charlie has an awakening and learns a lot about himself. Things are never as they seem, and Charlie’s tendencies are to find out the hard way. Yes, he’s sort of bratty, spoiled, and self-centered, but don’t be dissuaded from reading His Boy because it’s so worth it. It’s actually part of Charlie’s charm.
The storyline is well-written. The descriptions of EVERYTHING are perfectly detailed, and Charlie Stone is a HOOT!!! Fabulous read. I highly recommend this one.
January 24, 2019
This book features an ofttimes breathless pace in first person, present tense, which is perfect for the rush of thoughts and actions of the protagonist, Charlie Stone. Without getting into spoilers, Charlie grows from a "fabulous" self-absorbed 20-something young gay man through a series of mishaps caused as much by his shooting-himself-in-the foot egotistical perspective as from the admittedly screwed up situations he finds himself in.
Charlie is someone you might not like in real life (at first), but being carried on an often whirlwind ride inside his head - and living out his frantic attempts at self-justification - actually makes you sympathize with him as you realize it is all a coping mechanism for a deeply wounded childhood. Experiencing Charlie's "fabulousness" as it is nurtured into authenticity from within his sometimes befuddled perspective is quite a ride. It is a tribute to the author that you come to really root for this flawed character on his oft-hilarious, sometimes bitter, sometimes bittersweet journey to self-discovery.
Redemption comes in many forms in this story and for many of the characters as well as Charlie, but it's Charlie's happy ending that you take to heart as he achieves an unexpected level of maturity, perspective, and (of course) wonderful gay love. I quite enjoyed it.
Charlie is someone you might not like in real life (at first), but being carried on an often whirlwind ride inside his head - and living out his frantic attempts at self-justification - actually makes you sympathize with him as you realize it is all a coping mechanism for a deeply wounded childhood. Experiencing Charlie's "fabulousness" as it is nurtured into authenticity from within his sometimes befuddled perspective is quite a ride. It is a tribute to the author that you come to really root for this flawed character on his oft-hilarious, sometimes bitter, sometimes bittersweet journey to self-discovery.
Redemption comes in many forms in this story and for many of the characters as well as Charlie, but it's Charlie's happy ending that you take to heart as he achieves an unexpected level of maturity, perspective, and (of course) wonderful gay love. I quite enjoyed it.
May 4, 2019
When I downloaded His Boy: A Gay Romantic Comedy by Dean Cole into my Kindle, I thought it would be a cute comedic romance. Its narrator is quite hilarious, and there is a romance, but His Boy is so much more than a simple love story—it’s the tumultuous journey of a young man’s search for success, self-empowerment, and happiness. The key phrase that spawned the title is not what my dirty little mind expected; it comes from a place I think many people will find powerful and relatable.
Twenty-five year old Charlie tells us his story in his own words. Warning: if you read this book in public, be prepared to laugh out loud at some of this guy’s observations and antics. He’s a bit on the prissy side, humorously vain, and always strives to look his best. (From his designer threads to his intimate wax job.) He has been the kept man of a wealthy cheater since he was twenty-two and is used to a posh lifestyle. He wants to break free of his faithless boyfriend once and for all, but that’s easier said than done when one is afraid of being homeless. It’s even harder when said boyfriend is a controlling, manipulative hypocrite.
In his quest for freedom, Charlie leaves the big city for a humble English village. He encounters a rugged, scruffy, instantly likable bookstore owner named Nathan. If you don’t fall in love with this character, something is seriously wrong with you, and I hope our paths never cross.
In the quaint village, Charlie meets a cavalcade of interesting locals, some endearing, some I wanted to throttle. All of the supporting characters, from Charlie’s beauty shop bestie and her gay dog, to an absolutely horrid director, are well drawn. I felt like I’ve met some of these people before in real life.
Readers who aren’t writers probably don’t realize how difficult it is to craft detailed descriptions in first person point of view—where the main character tells his own story. Cole makes this difficult task seem effortless. Readers who aren’t writers might not appreciate this feat, but they’ll definitely appreciate the vivid images Cole paints with words. The places and people Charlie encounters can be imagined clearly—and those images are often delightfully funny. The way Cole describes Charlie’s fur babies shows he has spent a considerable amount of time observing cats, and like the rest of the imagery, it’s spot on.
If you’re looking for a truly entertaining story about the struggles of gay man told in a style that will push all of your emotional buttons, you must read His Boy: A Gay Romantic Comedy.
Twenty-five year old Charlie tells us his story in his own words. Warning: if you read this book in public, be prepared to laugh out loud at some of this guy’s observations and antics. He’s a bit on the prissy side, humorously vain, and always strives to look his best. (From his designer threads to his intimate wax job.) He has been the kept man of a wealthy cheater since he was twenty-two and is used to a posh lifestyle. He wants to break free of his faithless boyfriend once and for all, but that’s easier said than done when one is afraid of being homeless. It’s even harder when said boyfriend is a controlling, manipulative hypocrite.
In his quest for freedom, Charlie leaves the big city for a humble English village. He encounters a rugged, scruffy, instantly likable bookstore owner named Nathan. If you don’t fall in love with this character, something is seriously wrong with you, and I hope our paths never cross.
In the quaint village, Charlie meets a cavalcade of interesting locals, some endearing, some I wanted to throttle. All of the supporting characters, from Charlie’s beauty shop bestie and her gay dog, to an absolutely horrid director, are well drawn. I felt like I’ve met some of these people before in real life.
Readers who aren’t writers probably don’t realize how difficult it is to craft detailed descriptions in first person point of view—where the main character tells his own story. Cole makes this difficult task seem effortless. Readers who aren’t writers might not appreciate this feat, but they’ll definitely appreciate the vivid images Cole paints with words. The places and people Charlie encounters can be imagined clearly—and those images are often delightfully funny. The way Cole describes Charlie’s fur babies shows he has spent a considerable amount of time observing cats, and like the rest of the imagery, it’s spot on.
If you’re looking for a truly entertaining story about the struggles of gay man told in a style that will push all of your emotional buttons, you must read His Boy: A Gay Romantic Comedy.
April 21, 2018
Loved this book 🌱. It was a sweet story in some ways, but real and complex enough to keep me reading. I’ll be looking out for more by this author.
February 24, 2019
A sweet romance... about finally finding your happy place ❤️
May 19, 2019
Very interesting story
I was going to stop when I read the chapter. It didn’t sound like something I would have enjoyed. But...... wait till I got deeper into the story, I started to realise the story is very different from what I have read before. If you want something to lighten your heart, try this book!
I was going to stop when I read the chapter. It didn’t sound like something I would have enjoyed. But...... wait till I got deeper into the story, I started to realise the story is very different from what I have read before. If you want something to lighten your heart, try this book!
April 16, 2018
Charlie is absolutely hilarious and adorable. He felt very genuine and real. Not likeable and very angry at first, but once you see his past and the family he comes from, as well as how his life has been over the last few years, you understand why he has to be so tough. He has unlikable qualities but a good heart underneath and will stand up for those more vulnerable than him and isn't scared to battle with his enemies. His story was amazing and the ending was such a clever turnaround, it felt satisfying, something a good story should do.
I liked the other characters too. Nathan is not a perfect match for Charlie, but as you get further into the story you realise they're a lot more alike then you first think. There is quite a large cast of characters that come in, around eleven or so, people like Hyacinth, Louis, Richard, Sasha, Kylie, Penny and three other main ones that shall remain unnamed to avoid spoilers, and they compliment the story with a lot of humor and conflict. And I like how each one gets their own ending. The book felt much shorter than it is (around 270 pages) because it is very fast moving with short chapters that it is easy to take a break from.
This book really made me laugh. I normally don't like first person present tense, if it's a boring narrator it can get annoying being inside their head, but this book nails it and manages to keep you interested throughout with a great protagonist and a clever plot that keeps developing and guessing what's going to happen next.
I liked the other characters too. Nathan is not a perfect match for Charlie, but as you get further into the story you realise they're a lot more alike then you first think. There is quite a large cast of characters that come in, around eleven or so, people like Hyacinth, Louis, Richard, Sasha, Kylie, Penny and three other main ones that shall remain unnamed to avoid spoilers, and they compliment the story with a lot of humor and conflict. And I like how each one gets their own ending. The book felt much shorter than it is (around 270 pages) because it is very fast moving with short chapters that it is easy to take a break from.
This book really made me laugh. I normally don't like first person present tense, if it's a boring narrator it can get annoying being inside their head, but this book nails it and manages to keep you interested throughout with a great protagonist and a clever plot that keeps developing and guessing what's going to happen next.
December 11, 2018
While this does have a few funny moments, I would never say that it's a romantic comedy. It's a drama pure and simple. A well written drama that deals with many real life experiences. I must admit that if I'd known that it is a drama I wouldn't have chosen to read it when I did because at that moment I really needed a lighthearted rom-com. However, I did give it a four star and would recommend it to anyone who's in the mood for an overly dramatic MC dealing with many real life problems.
July 22, 2020
Fun, sexy and 2 wonderfully entertaining sexy MC's. A look into life in a small village in England. Opposites do attract and these 2 make it work, after a lot of work!
March 21, 2019
Hilarious
May 10, 2018
I'm sat here a little dazed, not really knowing how to review this book....
Charlie is a diva, pretty and fabulous (and he tells you this often), self absorbed drama llama. He annoyed the living daylights out of me for most of the book - but like a car crash, I had to see it through to the end....
Charlie runs away from home in his bunny slippers when he finds his boyfriend and BFF in a compromising position. When the car breaks down near a small sleepy village, he is rescued by the local bookshop owner - Nathan.
And then begins this tragi-comic journey of self discovery and reinvention of Charlie Stone. There were many funny moments, sharp wit and banter, but there was also pages of dialogue of self doubt, self analysis and patchy will-they-won't-they and side character red-herrings. I wanted Charlie to get off his arse and just be a grown-up!! Charlie's ex, Richard is a complete headcase and control freak and I was expecting some sort of dire retribution but was quietly glad he was all show and bluster at the end. Nathan needed some more "oomph" about him, he was just too gentle and quiet (maybe one too many of the self-help books?) and Charlie just walked all over him or was waiting to be rescued by him. And as for the Village Play? I'm not so sure what that was all about? And what were the consequences around the stolen dress??
A lot of this book was ridiculously over the top and maybe that was the point - the girls in the Salon, especially Sasha (with Jude Law Jnr) did raise a grin on more than one occasion. But, Charlie's seemingly endless floating from one crisis to another was wearing, even his light-bulb/epiphany moment didn't seem to have to "bang" I was expecting, although his time with his Father was quite poignant and a tad heartbreaking.
It finished on a strong HFN with an epilogue 12-months down the line, it was an overload of sugar and did make my teeth ache a little. Overall, I don't know whether the story was trying too hard to be several things at once or I needed a little more "reality" and less of the "hardy-ha-ha"?
Charlie is a diva, pretty and fabulous (and he tells you this often), self absorbed drama llama. He annoyed the living daylights out of me for most of the book - but like a car crash, I had to see it through to the end....
Charlie runs away from home in his bunny slippers when he finds his boyfriend and BFF in a compromising position. When the car breaks down near a small sleepy village, he is rescued by the local bookshop owner - Nathan.
And then begins this tragi-comic journey of self discovery and reinvention of Charlie Stone. There were many funny moments, sharp wit and banter, but there was also pages of dialogue of self doubt, self analysis and patchy will-they-won't-they and side character red-herrings. I wanted Charlie to get off his arse and just be a grown-up!! Charlie's ex, Richard is a complete headcase and control freak and I was expecting some sort of dire retribution but was quietly glad he was all show and bluster at the end. Nathan needed some more "oomph" about him, he was just too gentle and quiet (maybe one too many of the self-help books?) and Charlie just walked all over him or was waiting to be rescued by him. And as for the Village Play? I'm not so sure what that was all about? And what were the consequences around the stolen dress??
A lot of this book was ridiculously over the top and maybe that was the point - the girls in the Salon, especially Sasha (with Jude Law Jnr) did raise a grin on more than one occasion. But, Charlie's seemingly endless floating from one crisis to another was wearing, even his light-bulb/epiphany moment didn't seem to have to "bang" I was expecting, although his time with his Father was quite poignant and a tad heartbreaking.
It finished on a strong HFN with an epilogue 12-months down the line, it was an overload of sugar and did make my teeth ache a little. Overall, I don't know whether the story was trying too hard to be several things at once or I needed a little more "reality" and less of the "hardy-ha-ha"?
May 17, 2019
This was a very nice surprise. It started as a comedy, but like every comedy it carries a very important message.
It is a story about Charlie, spoiled brat on his way of re-imagining himself. However, it goes so much deeper than that. What Charlie goes through literally anyone can relate to. It is a story of life teaching you what really matters, what's really important. On the surface it seems like a light read, and you can certainly treat it that way if you want to. But, if you look closely, you'll find a well of life lessons. This is a book about friendships that do and don't last. About family, lost and found. And about love in the most unexpected places and time.
At the beginning of the book you're probably want to smack Charlie, but by the end you'll want to take him home. I enjoyed this book very much, and I'm really looking forward to *sternly looking at you Dean* next work by this author.
I highly recommend this book. It's going straight to my favorites shelf.
It is a story about Charlie, spoiled brat on his way of re-imagining himself. However, it goes so much deeper than that. What Charlie goes through literally anyone can relate to. It is a story of life teaching you what really matters, what's really important. On the surface it seems like a light read, and you can certainly treat it that way if you want to. But, if you look closely, you'll find a well of life lessons. This is a book about friendships that do and don't last. About family, lost and found. And about love in the most unexpected places and time.
At the beginning of the book you're probably want to smack Charlie, but by the end you'll want to take him home. I enjoyed this book very much, and I'm really looking forward to *sternly looking at you Dean* next work by this author.
I highly recommend this book. It's going straight to my favorites shelf.
April 22, 2019
His Boy has everything I love about British Rom-coms (and British storytelling in general tbf). Who doesn’t love a dramatic city kid dropped into a village? For a romance there’s also a depth to the plot I really appreciated. It tackles everything from family dynamics to where people find their happiness. The characters all had their own things and the closure was excellent.
It’s also made me appreciate present tense so much more. Charlie’s narrative voice was hilarious and getting to go through the story with him really heightened the enjoyability factor for me. Finally His Boy is going on my list of books where the title stomps all over your heart when you see it in context (in the best possible way).
I’m excited to see what Dean Cole comes up with next!
It’s also made me appreciate present tense so much more. Charlie’s narrative voice was hilarious and getting to go through the story with him really heightened the enjoyability factor for me. Finally His Boy is going on my list of books where the title stomps all over your heart when you see it in context (in the best possible way).
I’m excited to see what Dean Cole comes up with next!
August 25, 2019
I loved this story!
The author has a unique style of writing that was almost stream of consciousness, but not quite. It just really worked for the MC and his sassy-ness.
There was so much involved in this story: finding out who you are, letting go of the past, forgiving others, facing your fears, putting yourself out there and so much more.
I loved the MC's, the writing style, the dog named Jude Law Jr and the Nathan's stepladder scene.
It was a pleasure to read and I'd absolutely recommend this light-hearted, fun story with a lot of snark and a perfect HEA.
The author has a unique style of writing that was almost stream of consciousness, but not quite. It just really worked for the MC and his sassy-ness.
There was so much involved in this story: finding out who you are, letting go of the past, forgiving others, facing your fears, putting yourself out there and so much more.
I loved the MC's, the writing style, the dog named Jude Law Jr and the Nathan's stepladder scene.
It was a pleasure to read and I'd absolutely recommend this light-hearted, fun story with a lot of snark and a perfect HEA.
February 1, 2019
A brilliant and well written comedy with a flawed but lovable character. Credit to the author for pulling this off. Very fast paced and excellent use of first person voice and language. The ending is everything I wanted and more.
February 1, 2019
A well plotted, fast paced, very funny and entertaining story about love, loss and finding yourself. Very well written and clever use of words and humour. Great work.
February 12, 2019
2 stars! 🙄 This was a disappointment; especially since many of my GR friends gave it rave reviews.. I think it must be me.. not the book 😟.. because although I liked the premise and the humor in the beginning of the story, the MC Charlie, was such an annoying, narcissistic and immature man-child that you couldn't care less about him. As I have mentioned in my reading updates, this book reads like an autobiography of Charlie where he pretty much blames everyone else for his troubles and he whines and cries so much that you feel sorry for Nathan who deserves someone better than self-serving Charlie. The story was a pointless exercise of Charlie's "me, me, me existence" There was little romance and no steam at all.. not even in the end. The epilogue salvaged it a little bit where you finally see Charlie become assertive and find his calling.. but the journey is so pitiful and full of gay cliches (best friend is a salon owner who is a sassy women, rescued by a stranger who just happens to be gay and available and on and on) that I was rolling my eyes through-out the book when I was not skipping ahead.. 🙄😱. Maybe it's me but I would like a little romance and passion in an M/M romance.. 😳. So a heads-up to all readers.. 😬
April 14, 2019
2 stars. I am glad I’m a proficient skimmer.
May 1, 2018
Thank you Gary for recommending this - I really enjoyed it!
April 26, 2019
What a fun piece of silliness. A great surprise.
c.t.h.
c.t.h.
October 13, 2019
I may be a little prejudiced in my review because this book is so exactly my kind of thing. Love a sweet romance with the spicy stuff taking place offstage, fun and interesting characters, and a blend of humor with just enough real life drama to make you care about what happens to everybody. I can see how Charlie could be a polarizing character as he seems to be so cluelessly narcissistic but I think the author does a perfect job of slowly revealing Charlie's insecurities that lead him to act the way he does, and for me, his self-absorption contributes to some of the funniest scenes in the book while we also get the payoff of watching him become more self-aware of how his behavior affects others and what he truly wants from life to be happy. All in all, a fun romantic romp with some serious undertones and a book that I thoroughly enjoyed. Look forward to seeing more from this author.
February 1, 2020
Charlie and Nathan's story was adorable and I loved Charlie's character development.
The story was funny, heartwarming and a short, easy read.
The story was funny, heartwarming and a short, easy read.
March 8, 2021
This was a fizzy and fun romp! I read this expecting a rom-com but found it was more the story of a young man finding himself; a young man who runs away instead of confronting heartache, only to be finally forced to deal with those who've hurt him in the past. It's over the top with stereotypes in places, which you can either embrace or not, but I think most readers would find Charlie Stone pretty endearing. Is he egocentric? Yes! But he's egocentric as a defense mechanism; a costume he wraps around himself. I did find this a bit light on the romance side, and I was waiting for some scenes that never happened, yearning for some more heat and/or palpable connection between the characters.
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