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Bittersweet
A small collection of short stories that deals with love and loss. This collection includes: End of a Dream, Seasons, Misplaced Love, and One More Night.
Excerpt:
Just before you proposed, you told me about a dream you once had.
We were back in high school, being goofy, lovestruck teens. We were walking in one of the local parks. There was a lake near us, and you figured it’d be a good idea to push me in. Fortunately, I caught the sleeve of your shirt, and took you down with me. We spent the rest of that dream kissing in that lake, until evening fell and we had to go back.
As I looked down at you in that hospital bed, I kept remembering that dream, your voice still ringing in my ears. Before I knew it, I leaned down, and kissed your forehead.
“I love you,” I whispered, just as the nurses rushed in, just as I was ushered to the side, they couldn’t do anything to revive you.
“I love you,” I said again, “so fucking much.”
Excerpt:
Just before you proposed, you told me about a dream you once had.
We were back in high school, being goofy, lovestruck teens. We were walking in one of the local parks. There was a lake near us, and you figured it’d be a good idea to push me in. Fortunately, I caught the sleeve of your shirt, and took you down with me. We spent the rest of that dream kissing in that lake, until evening fell and we had to go back.
As I looked down at you in that hospital bed, I kept remembering that dream, your voice still ringing in my ears. Before I knew it, I leaned down, and kissed your forehead.
“I love you,” I whispered, just as the nurses rushed in, just as I was ushered to the side, they couldn’t do anything to revive you.
“I love you,” I said again, “so fucking much.”
45 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 29, 2018
3 people are currently reading
4 people want to read
About the author
Laurel Black
65 books12 followersI enjoy reading, writing, and crocheting. I have a weakness for paranormal romance and dark fantasy books, as well as Gothic fairy tale re-tellings. My favorite games so far are Nier and Nier Automata, and I like making fun of my family and boyfriend in the acknowledgement section of my books.
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Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
April 23, 2024
Overall: ★ 3.0 stars
I likes the vibe of the first two stories. For most of it. Then we went down hill. This stated super sweet and heartbreaking but then? Why? Was every? Single? Male? Gay(?)? Character? Since story 2? Either cheating on his female partner/fiancé with a (in 2/3 cases) younger man? Or was in a relationship with someone who did? What? Dealing with love an loss? More like dealing with cheaters and toxic lifestyles/relationships? At least they partly turned away from it.
"Detailed" Story reviews:
End of a Dream: ★ 4.5 stars
I don't know what it was about this short story. Maybe it was the way mc was first so annoyed by his lover and then they fell. Maybe it was the way they adopted dogs. Maybe it was the feeling of them against the world. But I cried over this. 6 pages. And I cried.
Season: ★ 3.0 stars
This was very soft an cozy in atmosphere which was great.
It was also a little ... Confusing though? And not fully resolved? Which gives you some stuff to think and theorise about ... but I would've liked to have a few more answers.
In general though it was a pleasant read.
Misplaced love: ★ 3.5 stars
It gives you what the title promises.
This is a studentXprofessor story. But that's not even the truely misplaced part. The true problem with Michael is how messed up everything about him seems to be. And it gets worse the more you get to know. And yet he has that charismatic pull towards him. People like this unfortunately exist.
Is it bad that I kinda hope they didn't get back together after the ending?
One More Night: ★ 2.0 stars
Okay I'm sorry but the first chapter of this might've been somewhat good. Turning away from a clearly toxic relationship. Why was the second chapter there? Yes the ass had feelings and reasons too but am I supposed to feel bad for him? Cause? No? What the hell?
I likes the vibe of the first two stories. For most of it. Then we went down hill. This stated super sweet and heartbreaking but then? Why? Was every? Single? Male? Gay(?)? Character? Since story 2? Either cheating on his female partner/fiancé with a (in 2/3 cases) younger man? Or was in a relationship with someone who did? What? Dealing with love an loss? More like dealing with cheaters and toxic lifestyles/relationships? At least they partly turned away from it.
"Detailed" Story reviews:
End of a Dream: ★ 4.5 stars
I don't know what it was about this short story. Maybe it was the way mc was first so annoyed by his lover and then they fell. Maybe it was the way they adopted dogs. Maybe it was the feeling of them against the world. But I cried over this. 6 pages. And I cried.
Season: ★ 3.0 stars
This was very soft an cozy in atmosphere which was great.
It was also a little ... Confusing though? And not fully resolved? Which gives you some stuff to think and theorise about ... but I would've liked to have a few more answers.
In general though it was a pleasant read.
Misplaced love: ★ 3.5 stars
It gives you what the title promises.
This is a studentXprofessor story. But that's not even the truely misplaced part. The true problem with Michael is how messed up everything about him seems to be. And it gets worse the more you get to know. And yet he has that charismatic pull towards him. People like this unfortunately exist.
Is it bad that I kinda hope they didn't get back together after the ending?
One More Night: ★ 2.0 stars
Okay I'm sorry but the first chapter of this might've been somewhat good. Turning away from a clearly toxic relationship. Why was the second chapter there? Yes the ass had feelings and reasons too but am I supposed to feel bad for him? Cause? No? What the hell?
January 17, 2019
Deeply emotional
Even after reading the write-up I wasn’t really sure what to expect when I purchased this book. The book is very short and contains four very short stories. Each story is unique yet similar, they each deal with homosexuality and the way society looks at them as well as their own emotions. The stories are all quite dark as they deal with a lot of pain and negativity, yet there is a small slither of light and hope. After reading these stories I feel calm, quiet and the need to reflect on life and how relationships affect people and how truly delicate relationships are.
Even after reading the write-up I wasn’t really sure what to expect when I purchased this book. The book is very short and contains four very short stories. Each story is unique yet similar, they each deal with homosexuality and the way society looks at them as well as their own emotions. The stories are all quite dark as they deal with a lot of pain and negativity, yet there is a small slither of light and hope. After reading these stories I feel calm, quiet and the need to reflect on life and how relationships affect people and how truly delicate relationships are.
April 13, 2019
Bittersweet
The title of the book is the best description one could come up with of its contents. When I finished, I had the odd feeling that I had read the same relationship story again and again, wth different protagonists and circumstances, but the same essence: bittersweet. The fifth star would be there with better editing/ copyreading.
The title of the book is the best description one could come up with of its contents. When I finished, I had the odd feeling that I had read the same relationship story again and again, wth different protagonists and circumstances, but the same essence: bittersweet. The fifth star would be there with better editing/ copyreading.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews