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By the Way, I Love You
A New Year's Eve Story.
Evan Ruiz is a straight college student hiding a life-changing secret: against all odds, he has fallen desperately in love with his gay roommate and best friend, Tom.
Evan has only ever dated women, but Tom stumbled into his life with everything he ever wanted in a partner: he is sweet, caring, and beautiful like an Old Master’s painting. After a period of denial and confusion, Evan finally accepts an unexpected reality: he is in love with his best friend, and cannot run anymore. But how can he tell Tom in a way that won’t complicate their friendship beyond repair?
That’s when he hatches a plan that backfires spectacularly.
Desperate for advice, Evan writes an anonymous love confession and plea for help on Reddit that starts getting shared – and then goes viral. Since the piece holds more than enough identifying characteristics to reveal the truth, Evan knows he must either confess his love to Tom or risk him finding out via social media, which could ruin everything.
Backed against a wall, Evan decides that when Tom returns from his family’s annual holiday trip on New Year’s Eve, he will sit down and profess his love and tell his story, starting from the first day onward. And as the clock strikes closer to midnight, Evan learns Tom is hiding a secret of his own, too…
But will their New Year’s Eve be remembered as a messy goodbye, or a sparkly new beginning?
Evan Ruiz is a straight college student hiding a life-changing secret: against all odds, he has fallen desperately in love with his gay roommate and best friend, Tom.
Evan has only ever dated women, but Tom stumbled into his life with everything he ever wanted in a partner: he is sweet, caring, and beautiful like an Old Master’s painting. After a period of denial and confusion, Evan finally accepts an unexpected reality: he is in love with his best friend, and cannot run anymore. But how can he tell Tom in a way that won’t complicate their friendship beyond repair?
That’s when he hatches a plan that backfires spectacularly.
Desperate for advice, Evan writes an anonymous love confession and plea for help on Reddit that starts getting shared – and then goes viral. Since the piece holds more than enough identifying characteristics to reveal the truth, Evan knows he must either confess his love to Tom or risk him finding out via social media, which could ruin everything.
Backed against a wall, Evan decides that when Tom returns from his family’s annual holiday trip on New Year’s Eve, he will sit down and profess his love and tell his story, starting from the first day onward. And as the clock strikes closer to midnight, Evan learns Tom is hiding a secret of his own, too…
But will their New Year’s Eve be remembered as a messy goodbye, or a sparkly new beginning?
60 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 29, 2018
10 people are currently reading
40 people want to read
About the author
Seth King
53 books1,869 followersSeth King is a twenty-eight-year-old American author.
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
December 31, 2018
Sweet short
This was a sweet, simple short that used a "GFY" trope in a nice way. The characters were likable and it was pretty low angst but felt like a complete story. Definitely a nice way to spend my afternoon.
This was a sweet, simple short that used a "GFY" trope in a nice way. The characters were likable and it was pretty low angst but felt like a complete story. Definitely a nice way to spend my afternoon.
Read
October 13, 2019Oh dear. This did not work for me at all.
April 20, 2019
Very predictable and poor novelette of the formulaic type, whose low literary standards are pretty much conspicuous since the very beginning, viz. the Reddit post by the alpha protagonist (a cliché galore not convincing in the least nor in character, given the appallingly shallow, chick flick fashion in which is is written), and which neither improves nor even picks up speed as the story unfolds given the excessive reliance on all the tropes inherent to the best-buddies-in-love theme without one iota of originality. One certainly is entitled to expect from Mr King, as someone who has (self-?)published more than thirty books, the ability to breathe minimum life into his characters and to be savvy enough to show us what he is putting his heroes through instead of telling us what the rough edges of the action sound like; sadly, it is not the case, for Evan and Tom move through the story with the sleepy clumsiness of a somnambulist while the entire sequence of events never ever showcases any cinematographic-like quality between those covers. Gossamer-thin characters weakly making hand gestures and smacking their lips while dancing around each other in a fashion not remotely romantic does not amount to a decent tale; especially when it comes from a so-called author who does not even have the knowhow to convingly evoke the easiest happenings. A lot in this novelette is made of the supposed viral quality of the Reddit post; yet here is the, entirely anticlimactic and incompetent, way Mr King in which writes the whole thing: "I expected a few responses, maybe ten or twelve. A few came in as I lay in bed, wracked with tension, but I was too nervous to read them. When I did glance at the page here or there, most people seemed supportive, with a few giving me tips on how I could come clean to Tom while still maintaining the friendship. I fell asleep sometime after twelve and then woke up unusually late. And when I checked my phone, the battery had died overnight because of the amount of messages and notifications that were suddenly pouring in. I couldn’t believe it – my post exploded, literally overnight. When I woke up, forty-four people had shared it, and three hundred had commented. And then it grew from there. And when Buzzfeed linked to the post with a headline that said This Heartfelt Confession of Secret Gay Love Will Melt Your Heart, I knew things had jumped the shark and gotten out of control". When faced with such babbling, it is not unfair to advice its creator to leave literature to literate people and betake himself to any honest trade for which he is less unfit.
December 31, 2018
By The Way, I Love You is a cute, feel-good book that I fell in love with before I even read it. I loved the premise. I’m a sucker for best friends to lovers. By the time I was finished with the introduction I was head over heels for this book.
Evan writes an anonymous post that ends up going viral. All he wants is to open himself up to the fact that he’s in love with his best friend and roommate, and get some advice on what he should do and it takes off from there. Now he’s faced with the issue that Tom might find out about his feelings online. Even though the post was anonymous he included enough facts about them that Tom would be able to figure it out. Poor Evan. Even though he wanted to tell Tom he didn’t want to tell him like that.
When Evan and Tom try to figure out where they stand now that the truth’s out I have to admire the way Seth King writes bisexuality. Seth King has opened a world in which people are exploring who they are and what they like and showing his readers that it’s perfectly okay to be who they are and it’s okay to love who they love. I hope he continues that because this world needs it.
While this is technically a novella, it is still a complete love story. It’s low angst, it didn’t make me cry , it’s about two people who find that person who loves them. Tom is worried that Evan won’t be able to love him for who he is. Evan is worried about loving Tom the way he deserves, especially when he’s being opened to a whole new world. I saw their friendship peek out as they talked about their feelings. The ease they had together, the way they were in tune with another. It’s everything a person could hope for when finding love. I’m the least romantic person ever, but it kind of made me envious.
Cute, low angst doesn’t sound like a Seth King book, does it? But I can assure you that it is. It has his flowy, poetic writing and it burrowed into my heart during the first page. Best friends to lovers, newly discovered bisexuality, and love. Read it if you’re looking for something to make you feel all the good things.
Evan writes an anonymous post that ends up going viral. All he wants is to open himself up to the fact that he’s in love with his best friend and roommate, and get some advice on what he should do and it takes off from there. Now he’s faced with the issue that Tom might find out about his feelings online. Even though the post was anonymous he included enough facts about them that Tom would be able to figure it out. Poor Evan. Even though he wanted to tell Tom he didn’t want to tell him like that.
When Evan and Tom try to figure out where they stand now that the truth’s out I have to admire the way Seth King writes bisexuality. Seth King has opened a world in which people are exploring who they are and what they like and showing his readers that it’s perfectly okay to be who they are and it’s okay to love who they love. I hope he continues that because this world needs it.
While this is technically a novella, it is still a complete love story. It’s low angst, it didn’t make me cry , it’s about two people who find that person who loves them. Tom is worried that Evan won’t be able to love him for who he is. Evan is worried about loving Tom the way he deserves, especially when he’s being opened to a whole new world. I saw their friendship peek out as they talked about their feelings. The ease they had together, the way they were in tune with another. It’s everything a person could hope for when finding love. I’m the least romantic person ever, but it kind of made me envious.
Cute, low angst doesn’t sound like a Seth King book, does it? But I can assure you that it is. It has his flowy, poetic writing and it burrowed into my heart during the first page. Best friends to lovers, newly discovered bisexuality, and love. Read it if you’re looking for something to make you feel all the good things.
December 31, 2018
Yikes
I think this story line had so much potential. But it was super rushed and super cheesy. I enjoy a good fluff read. I'm a sap but this was a little painful. The dialogue was a bit repetitive and stagnant. I didn't fall in love with either of the MCs and I've read plenty of short stories where the character building was still strong. This just lacked way too much for me. This was my first book by this author and I can't say I'm overly impressed.
I think this story line had so much potential. But it was super rushed and super cheesy. I enjoy a good fluff read. I'm a sap but this was a little painful. The dialogue was a bit repetitive and stagnant. I didn't fall in love with either of the MCs and I've read plenty of short stories where the character building was still strong. This just lacked way too much for me. This was my first book by this author and I can't say I'm overly impressed.
January 3, 2019
When Soulmates Collide
“Love is never a choice.” That is the realization that both Evan and Tom come to, but not after some confusion, angst and missteps on both their parts. This is a short story about how a clutzy fall down the stairs evolved into something they couldn’t live without. You may not get to choose who you love, but what you do with that knowledge makes all the difference and that choice is ALL up to you. Definitely check out this story!
“Love is never a choice.” That is the realization that both Evan and Tom come to, but not after some confusion, angst and missteps on both their parts. This is a short story about how a clutzy fall down the stairs evolved into something they couldn’t live without. You may not get to choose who you love, but what you do with that knowledge makes all the difference and that choice is ALL up to you. Definitely check out this story!
January 2, 2019
Short and sweet read
By The Way, I Love You by Seth King is a love story about a "straight" guy Evan who falls in love with his gay roommate Tom. I love the two main characters together. It is a quick but sweet read that had me feeling all the feels. Definitely a satisfying and recommended read.
By The Way, I Love You by Seth King is a love story about a "straight" guy Evan who falls in love with his gay roommate Tom. I love the two main characters together. It is a quick but sweet read that had me feeling all the feels. Definitely a satisfying and recommended read.
January 2, 2019
Read the book
Why read this book.....Because it is the truth of it all..... It is hard to know what love is and knowing who is worth that love...This book is scary because giving someone your love and not getting it back is scary and hurtful...oh but what hoy when it's returned...So yes read this book and discover scary and wonderful love
Why read this book.....Because it is the truth of it all..... It is hard to know what love is and knowing who is worth that love...This book is scary because giving someone your love and not getting it back is scary and hurtful...oh but what hoy when it's returned...So yes read this book and discover scary and wonderful love
April 13, 2021
2.5 stars, rounding up - This was clearly based on a real Reddit post and sort of just paraphrased/expanded (I know there have been a couple of novellas like this and I think I even remember the particular post this is based on) It was . . . cute. Despite being occasionally overwrought, there is something charming about King’s fairy tale endings, but it was just okay.
January 9, 2019
What a sweet read.
I love friends to lovers. Throw in a confused straight guy and I'm even more happy. The thing that I loved most though, Tom was Evan's best friend exactly as he is. Even if these two just stayed friends, that right there is priceless and rare.
I love friends to lovers. Throw in a confused straight guy and I'm even more happy. The thing that I loved most though, Tom was Evan's best friend exactly as he is. Even if these two just stayed friends, that right there is priceless and rare.
January 18, 2021
Had high hopes ...but either author ran out of time or lost interest in characters.. just so much that these two could have gone thru separately and/or together. The ...ok let’s be happy .. just seems a little shallow or lazy on authors part
December 31, 2018
Great story
I just love this author My favorite line in this book is. Hearts didn’t decide gay love was bad. Humans did. Such a great story
I just love this author My favorite line in this book is. Hearts didn’t decide gay love was bad. Humans did. Such a great story
December 31, 2018
There's more sex of the MCs with others than with themselves. That's why I avoid college romance, completely unnecessary and spoiled the good parts of the book.
December 31, 2018
Sweet and quick
Evan has always identified as straight. When his new roommate Tom moves in he questions his new feelings.
Super sweet quick read. Heartwarming and sweet.
Evan has always identified as straight. When his new roommate Tom moves in he questions his new feelings.
Super sweet quick read. Heartwarming and sweet.
January 1, 2019
Loved it
Sweet and beautiful. Real and realitable. I loved both characters and would absolutely reccomend this book to someone else. Fabulous
Sweet and beautiful. Real and realitable. I loved both characters and would absolutely reccomend this book to someone else. Fabulous
January 3, 2019
Super fluff!
All the makings of a sappy story, but it touched me. I felt the agony, the fear, the love, the anxiety. All of it. And in such a short, sweet story. For that, I gave 4 stars.
All the makings of a sappy story, but it touched me. I felt the agony, the fear, the love, the anxiety. All of it. And in such a short, sweet story. For that, I gave 4 stars.
January 3, 2019
Short and sweet .A feel good story of a man discovering new things about his sexuality and learning to love. Great story!
January 3, 2019
This was great. Not as sexy as I was hoping for but very sweet and short. I've been collecting Seth King for a while but this was the first one I've had a chance to read. Can't wait to read more.
January 5, 2019
Short, sweet, cute
January 7, 2019
By the Way, I love you is a really beautiful and heartfelt short story. I really fell in love with Evan and Tom. Their story is beautiful! Definitely another amazing book by Seth King.
March 9, 2019
This was the first book of a new to me author that I've read. All I can say is such a sweet, lovely amazing read. A book that has made me want to read more by Seth King.
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews