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Carry the One
Carry the One
Tobias knows what it means to get kicked around. One bank took his home, the other, his car. After two hard years of barely hanging on, jobless, the former math teacher lives on Spring Street in downtown Los Angeles in a roomy tent fully outfitted with as many comforts as his last paycheck would provide. When Tobias encounters Arthur getting robbed and beaten by three thugs in Grand Park, he can't help but come to the rescue, especially since Arthur seems newly homeless and dangerously clueless.
Arthur sees that night through a lens of drunkenness and can't remember much of it. He is surprised the next morning when he awakens in the cozy tent of Tobias and learns Tobias saved him from a violent mugging and possibly a stint in County Jail for vagrancy. When Arthur, a lonely man who has longed for a real human connection for fifteen years, realizes that Tobias believes he has nowhere to go, Arthur continues the charade to be near Tobias. His clever scheme works, and Tobias allows Arthur to come closer than anyone ever has.
But Arthur harbors more than one secret, and after finding a clever way to remain in Tobias's life, he digs a far deeper hole of deception without meaning to. Worse, he knows that if Tobias learns the truth, Arthur will lose all access to the man with whom he has fallen deeply in love. Can he keep the mystery hidden long enough to make Tobias love him, no matter what? Or will what started as innocent duplicity destroy the only love Arthur--and Tobias--have ever known?
City of Angels Romances are meant to be enjoyed as standalone reading experiences and can be read in any order. Read one or read them all!
225 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 9, 2019
66 people are currently reading
82 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
May 10, 2019
I'm gonna be very honest here. This was a very weird book in a very non-weird way. I read Sailor's short story The Ugly Post and I was looking forward to another book by her because I believe she's got a mature voice. And you know what, it kind delivered? Throughout the book (or the first 60% which I read avidly), the writing was very introspective and wise-like which was a good change I was looking for.
But this is the case of a good writing brought down by a really really bad setting. From the first moment I realised where this was going, it just didn't sit right with me. Sometimes, authors go to lengths to make unusual pairings in MM romance which I quite honestly dig. But this one, boy where do I start? It's not even truly a rich guy meets a poor guy trope because of all the constant hiding that he's rich. Then there's the logistics of it! I hate it when writing gets so critically descriptive of every moment in their lives, "he's crossing this street", "this is visible to him so he will see me", "I have to take this spot cos it's good for hiding" but they loose the bigger picture?
Ummm, if they'd been living together for four months in a shack, why hadn't Tobias ever questioned that Arthur refer him to his temp agency for a job? They didn't share numbers because they were saving money on calling and people don't talk on temp jobs? Seriously??? Then there is living together for so long, and what do they even talk about when Arthur is literally hiding his whole past from Tobias?
You know those books, where it literally says "They talk and talk for hours" and "And then they fall in love", yeah this happened here. Literally at 30% of the book. I was surprised that a writer would take that risk without even giving that much dynamic development between the characters up until that point and just straight up, "Oh, I love you and you're the one", and when the whole story boiled down to that ending, I just wasn't buying this shit. So yeah, with this book you'll find yourself in a place if you're willing to do the whole make-believe thing. I still think the writing is strong in some parts where they introspect on their power dynamic and I loved some bits but bitch, the constant nagging of how it was all possible just wasn't going away!!!
But this is the case of a good writing brought down by a really really bad setting. From the first moment I realised where this was going, it just didn't sit right with me. Sometimes, authors go to lengths to make unusual pairings in MM romance which I quite honestly dig. But this one, boy where do I start? It's not even truly a rich guy meets a poor guy trope because of all the constant hiding that he's rich. Then there's the logistics of it! I hate it when writing gets so critically descriptive of every moment in their lives, "he's crossing this street", "this is visible to him so he will see me", "I have to take this spot cos it's good for hiding" but they loose the bigger picture?
Ummm, if they'd been living together for four months in a shack, why hadn't Tobias ever questioned that Arthur refer him to his temp agency for a job? They didn't share numbers because they were saving money on calling and people don't talk on temp jobs? Seriously??? Then there is living together for so long, and what do they even talk about when Arthur is literally hiding his whole past from Tobias?
You know those books, where it literally says "They talk and talk for hours" and "And then they fall in love", yeah this happened here. Literally at 30% of the book. I was surprised that a writer would take that risk without even giving that much dynamic development between the characters up until that point and just straight up, "Oh, I love you and you're the one", and when the whole story boiled down to that ending, I just wasn't buying this shit. So yeah, with this book you'll find yourself in a place if you're willing to do the whole make-believe thing. I still think the writing is strong in some parts where they introspect on their power dynamic and I loved some bits but bitch, the constant nagging of how it was all possible just wasn't going away!!!
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December 24, 2019
Forget the other Rich boy x Poor boy stories and read this one! "Carry the One" is a beautiful story that explores the destitution of both ends of the wealth spectrum in detailed and heart-wrenching realism. A homeless man and a billionaire come together in the most charming happenstance to fully realize the bittersweet truth that money does not buy happiness. Will their love be enough to see past each other's flaws and deception and truly understand each other's heart? I found myself gushing happily and even crying reading this story. It's wonderfully written with perfectly developed characters and atmosphere with a powerful plot.
February 29, 2020
Edge of your seat romance
I truly enjoyed this book, more than I expected. By the midpoint I was really wondering if and how things would work out. The last few pages I felt were unnecessary, but don’t want to spoil what happens. I though perhaps it going to be a setup for an additional book, but it wasn’t.
Being from LA I understood what the author was conveying when it came to the homeless population and how they are treated. It made wish that Arthur was a real person who could save the day.
I recommend reading this story if you enjoy slow budding romances. I plan on continuing to read this writer’s other books.
I truly enjoyed this book, more than I expected. By the midpoint I was really wondering if and how things would work out. The last few pages I felt were unnecessary, but don’t want to spoil what happens. I though perhaps it going to be a setup for an additional book, but it wasn’t.
Being from LA I understood what the author was conveying when it came to the homeless population and how they are treated. It made wish that Arthur was a real person who could save the day.
I recommend reading this story if you enjoy slow budding romances. I plan on continuing to read this writer’s other books.
June 11, 2019
It's not like I don't like it at all. The author is really good at explaining the emotions and the logic that characters have. However, sometimes they just...talk too much. It disturbs my pace on reading and wears out my patience piece by piece. Maybe I am the type of enjoying less-talk-more-action kinda book.
Besides, after finishing it, its general story isn't as attractive as the setting of characters and conflicts at the beginning looks like.
The only plot where I have real emotional jump, is the sudden shot at the end, which is really out of the blue.
Besides, after finishing it, its general story isn't as attractive as the setting of characters and conflicts at the beginning looks like.
The only plot where I have real emotional jump, is the sudden shot at the end, which is really out of the blue.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 5, 2019
Amazing--believabe love story
At first the is story sad, then as a boring woe is me story. But surprisingly you are drawn deeper into the storyline to discover who you really are and if you are lucky enough & strong enough to hold onto what you discover just may show you the light of love. A MUST READ.
At first the is story sad, then as a boring woe is me story. But surprisingly you are drawn deeper into the storyline to discover who you really are and if you are lucky enough & strong enough to hold onto what you discover just may show you the light of love. A MUST READ.
August 22, 2019
What a beautiful story!
The writing is so wonderfully evocative and empathetic. I could see the tent, Tobias and Arthur, the city. With depth of characterization and beauty of language, Penniman has created a story to be treasured.
The writing is so wonderfully evocative and empathetic. I could see the tent, Tobias and Arthur, the city. With depth of characterization and beauty of language, Penniman has created a story to be treasured.
March 1, 2020
A gritty, fascinating look at homelessness in LA and how the divide between rich and poor often defines relationships. This story definitely makes you think and appreciate all you have more than most romances. I’m glad I read it.
September 22, 2023
captivating Beautiful
I can' t say enough good things about this story and it's author. For those who enjoy a truly beautiful, romantic and emotional ride this is one of the best I have read.
I can' t say enough good things about this story and it's author. For those who enjoy a truly beautiful, romantic and emotional ride this is one of the best I have read.
May 16, 2019
Great love
Great book,,as the saying goes money doesn’t buy happiness,,,,it does help but true love for oneself..the author did a great job.
Great book,,as the saying goes money doesn’t buy happiness,,,,it does help but true love for oneself..the author did a great job.
June 9, 2019
Spellbinding
The level of realism in the characters' interpersonal relationships is outstanding. The feelings they share were deep, credible and beautifully protrayed.
The level of realism in the characters' interpersonal relationships is outstanding. The feelings they share were deep, credible and beautifully protrayed.
August 5, 2021
BEAUTIFULLY POWERFUL!
September 30, 2023
Just... wow
What an incredible book. Sailor Penniman brought these characters to life. Their souls were bared. I can't recommend this enough.
What an incredible book. Sailor Penniman brought these characters to life. Their souls were bared. I can't recommend this enough.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews