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Pulling Away #2
Pulling Apart
Noah Riggins thought his troubles were over and he’d live happily ever after with Charlie Banks, but lately their domestic bliss has been anything but blissful. Charlie’s shutting down and shutting Noah out, refusing to even consider getting help.
When Charlie suggests a separation, Is this really the end?
When Charlie suggests a separation, Is this really the end?
37 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 5, 2011
About the author
Shawn Lane
133 books310 followersShawn Lane writes erotic gay romances and believes love and passion know no boundaries. Happily Ever After is for everyone.
In the past she has written heterosexual romances (see her backlist) but is now concentrating on gay romances.
Shawn lives in California and holds down a boring day job in a legal department of a giant corporation dreaming of the nights and weekends when she can create new stories.
Shawn loves to hear from readers, is happy to answer any questions, and has been known to send free books to fans just because.
In the past she has written heterosexual romances (see her backlist) but is now concentrating on gay romances.
Shawn lives in California and holds down a boring day job in a legal department of a giant corporation dreaming of the nights and weekends when she can create new stories.
Shawn loves to hear from readers, is happy to answer any questions, and has been known to send free books to fans just because.
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
January 9, 2011
Pulling Apart by Shawn Lane is a lot of story for just under 45 pages. As usual, Shawn’s amazing storytelling ability enables her to write a heartfelt, somewhat bittersweet story and still wrap it up with a very sweet and happy ending.
Noah and Charlie have been with one another for some time now. Once, they were happy and excited to be around each other, but now things are starting to change. Even though both men still love each other desperately, Charlie has begun to become withdrawn and is closing himself off Noah. Even though Noah knows that Charlie is pulling away from him, he’s helpless to stop it. When Charlie suggests that they spend some time apart, Noah is not only hurt by Charlie’s suggestion, he starts to question the feelings they have for each other.
One reason I loved this book is because Noah and Charlie are one of my favorite couples. In Pulling Away, Noah fought for Charlie’s love and his determination to keep it in Pulling Apart makes him one of my favorite heroes. Also, Charlie’s state of mind throughout the book was written very well. I thought his behavior was portrayed very realistically. Another thing I LOVED about the book is that we got a few scenes with Kevin and Michael, and since most of you know that Kevin is one of my All Time Favorite heroes, it was a pleasure to see how well he and his partner Michael are doing.
Pulling Apart is the second book about Noah and Charlie. I really think to understand the dynamics between all of these amazing characters it is necessary to read Pulling Away first. I don’t know if Shawn will ever continue writing more of these wonderful characters. I can’t help but hope that she’ll continue to write more about them. She also introduced another sexy man named Carl, and I’m keeping my fingers crossed that he’ll get his own story, too. It’s always a pleasure to see how her characters are doing and where they are in their lives
Noah and Charlie have been with one another for some time now. Once, they were happy and excited to be around each other, but now things are starting to change. Even though both men still love each other desperately, Charlie has begun to become withdrawn and is closing himself off Noah. Even though Noah knows that Charlie is pulling away from him, he’s helpless to stop it. When Charlie suggests that they spend some time apart, Noah is not only hurt by Charlie’s suggestion, he starts to question the feelings they have for each other.
One reason I loved this book is because Noah and Charlie are one of my favorite couples. In Pulling Away, Noah fought for Charlie’s love and his determination to keep it in Pulling Apart makes him one of my favorite heroes. Also, Charlie’s state of mind throughout the book was written very well. I thought his behavior was portrayed very realistically. Another thing I LOVED about the book is that we got a few scenes with Kevin and Michael, and since most of you know that Kevin is one of my All Time Favorite heroes, it was a pleasure to see how well he and his partner Michael are doing.
Pulling Apart is the second book about Noah and Charlie. I really think to understand the dynamics between all of these amazing characters it is necessary to read Pulling Away first. I don’t know if Shawn will ever continue writing more of these wonderful characters. I can’t help but hope that she’ll continue to write more about them. She also introduced another sexy man named Carl, and I’m keeping my fingers crossed that he’ll get his own story, too. It’s always a pleasure to see how her characters are doing and where they are in their lives
January 14, 2011
In this sequel to Pulling Away, we meet Noel and Charlie a length of time on from their first novella. Shawn again manages to impart a great amount of information and detail within a short space of time, but in such a way that as a reader, I never felt overwhelmed, but rather just aware of the characters and their immediate locales.
Noel and Charlie are living together now, and Shawn wastes no time, making you instantly aware in the very first line that things are not perfect; they are, in fact, far from it. Dialogue makes the story flow and I felt informed without losing interest in either the characters or the plot line.
The multi-faceted characters of Noel and Charlie are similar to those we see in Pulling Away; however Charlie has lost his positive outlook and has once again sunk into depression. Throughout this novella, we see the characters separate and the re-introduction of Kevin as a more solid character. Kevin, along with husband Michael, supports Noel throughout the separation. Kevin is still as edgy and unique as he appears in his brief introduction in Pulling Away, however, in Pulling Apart, we get to see the heart and depth of feeling within, making us more aware of why he and Noel connect as friends.
A well written novella, this story can be read on its own, but more enjoyment will be found by reading its prequel, Pulling Away, first. I would recommend this for anyone who enjoys a bit of drama, written in a contemporary style. Nx
Note: Reviewed for Queer Magazine Online
Noel and Charlie are living together now, and Shawn wastes no time, making you instantly aware in the very first line that things are not perfect; they are, in fact, far from it. Dialogue makes the story flow and I felt informed without losing interest in either the characters or the plot line.
The multi-faceted characters of Noel and Charlie are similar to those we see in Pulling Away; however Charlie has lost his positive outlook and has once again sunk into depression. Throughout this novella, we see the characters separate and the re-introduction of Kevin as a more solid character. Kevin, along with husband Michael, supports Noel throughout the separation. Kevin is still as edgy and unique as he appears in his brief introduction in Pulling Away, however, in Pulling Apart, we get to see the heart and depth of feeling within, making us more aware of why he and Noel connect as friends.
A well written novella, this story can be read on its own, but more enjoyment will be found by reading its prequel, Pulling Away, first. I would recommend this for anyone who enjoys a bit of drama, written in a contemporary style. Nx
Note: Reviewed for Queer Magazine Online
January 27, 2012
Good God! Just dump Charlie and let him wallow in his own misery. He has put Noah thru enough pain. For there to be a second book? C'mon! Noah deserves better than that train wreck self pitying loser Charlie has become. You can't appreciate a good guy? GO TO HELL!!!
June 18, 2012
It was nice to meet up with Noah and Charlie again. I felt more sympathy with Charlie this time, although that didn’t stop me from wanting to slap him, hard.
Noah was still the good guy, even when given the oportunity to be bad.
A really sweet true love story.
Noah was still the good guy, even when given the oportunity to be bad.
A really sweet true love story.
January 3, 2011
3.5 stars. Good short m/m romance continuing the story of Noah and Charlie as Charlie pulls away and Noah has no idea what's wrong or how to help.
January 9, 2011
In a reread to be honest I wanted Noah to just leave Charlie unless he gets help. Even at the end, he has the card but will he use it?
November 3, 2023
Nice to have found a continuation of Charlie and Noah's story that began in Pulling Away. Though they are now together, Charlie's issues with grief and depression have arisen again. They are both struggling with what to do. Very lovely ending, believable approach to deal with the issues. Love Kevin - what a great friend.
August 31, 2023
It's like the author has forgotten by page 6 of the first book that Charlie was supposed to be taller. It was an interesting if heartbreaking slice of life but everything was happening a little too fast for my liking.
December 25, 2025
Being a Psychology graduate, I loved the Depression aspect. I wish that area of the story was delved into. I just could not get into this story. It could have been due to the length (45 pages). I was left disappointed by Shawn Lane on this one.
Read
July 2, 2012Interesting approach to the concept of “what happens after the happily ever after?” We left Charlie and Noah as a loving and committed couple, but not they are having trouble. Charlie didn’t treat in the right way his depression and not the monster is back, huger than ever. Noah is unable to reach his lover, who is fallen in an apathetic stage that is very worrisome. I really feared he was thinking to do something stupid, but the author decided not to play that tragic card. In any case Charlie is not well, and he is pulling apart Noah, forcing him to leave their shared home. At first Noah is worried for Charlie, but then he is also angry, so angry that he is thinking to do something in spite of Charlie’s refusal to be help.
As I said, I liked the idea of letting the reading beyond the happily ever after of the previous story; it’s not that Charlie and Noah are suddenly no more good together or in love, but an happily ever after is not easy to manage, especially when you neglected something serious like depression. And I liked that Noah is not playing the martyr, and that, even if not till the end, he searched in a way to come free of the situation Charlie put him.
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B004I43LKU/?...
As I said, I liked the idea of letting the reading beyond the happily ever after of the previous story; it’s not that Charlie and Noah are suddenly no more good together or in love, but an happily ever after is not easy to manage, especially when you neglected something serious like depression. And I liked that Noah is not playing the martyr, and that, even if not till the end, he searched in a way to come free of the situation Charlie put him.
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B004I43LKU/?...
December 12, 2011
Follow up to Pulling Away, this is another companion piece to the Car Wash series. Noah and Charlie are now living together. But Charlie is definitely in a depression and won't talk to Noah. They haven't had sex in a while and Charlie is completely shut down. Then he tells Noah they need time apart. Noah is devastated. He moves in with Kevin and Michael temporarily. In the meantime, Carl, a new guy at work shows an interest in Noah which Noah deflects.
After a couple of weeks, Noah finally gives in and calls Charlie, only to have some other guy answer the phone. He decides that night to have lunch with Carl and then they make plans to go to Buddy's, the gay club that Noah used to go to with Kevin. Carl has made no secret he's interested in Noah. But does Noah really want to give up on Charlie??
You'll have to read it to find out! Come on - it's only 31 pages.
After a couple of weeks, Noah finally gives in and calls Charlie, only to have some other guy answer the phone. He decides that night to have lunch with Carl and then they make plans to go to Buddy's, the gay club that Noah used to go to with Kevin. Carl has made no secret he's interested in Noah. But does Noah really want to give up on Charlie??
You'll have to read it to find out! Come on - it's only 31 pages.
February 15, 2011
MxM, Read in 2011
February 16, 2011
Short, but it's full of emotions and that's what I love about books.
February 21, 2011
nice, but not much to it
March 24, 2011
Depression is a very difficult subject to deal with, and Shawn Lane does so nicely.
March 27, 2011
Good and mindless diversion when you just need to not think too hard.
June 19, 2011
This book did nothing to make me like Charlie more, Noah was gold & I loved his office friend, hope to read about him in the future!, it was good to see the carwash guys again.
April 7, 2013
just because it's so short
May 3, 2013
emotions run high still..
February 20, 2015
2.5/5
A short quick PWP. Unlike the first one, this barely have a "plot". It's just another episode of Charlie showing us how much of a pathetic asshole he can be. *dry laugh*
A short quick PWP. Unlike the first one, this barely have a "plot". It's just another episode of Charlie showing us how much of a pathetic asshole he can be. *dry laugh*
March 1, 2016
I honestly did not understand the point of this sequel. Plus I am kinda getting tired of reading pointless sex scenes.
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews