3.5 Stars
Ok. I want to give this 4 stars, I really do...
...but to be honest, it is cheesy, cliched and highly stereotyped. It not even remotely believable.
So, honest review. It doesn't deserve 4 stars. It is a solid 3 star book, but you know what? I really don't care.
I first read this book way back when it was originally released under Loose ID publications, and I really enjoyed it then. I re-read the reworked version and really enjoyed it now.
It has a lot of faults, both with the plot and the writing, but I think it acknowledges a lot of them. In today's standards, it isn't an accurate or even exemplary portrayal of gay life. There was an overly pushy male role and a more submissive "female" role that each character fell in to, but with the rewrite, I think it tries to temper that a little. Instead of finding this offensive, or a trigger, I like that this book acknowledges these stereotypes in the story and tries to at least explain them almost. It had a very nostalgic feeling. I have read dozen of asian manga books (again, referenced in the book) that are just like this and you can clearly see where the book drew it's inspiration from.
I don't think it was written with an accurate knowledge of gay men, or gay sex, but it did try hard. In a more modern book, I would be looking for accuracy, believability and a story so well written it feels like these people actually exist...
..in this book, it is a 2-3hr read full of smutty, heart-warming, feel good fun. Like an old, well worn teddy that you can cuddle up with to make you feel happy. Probably more so for me because I did first read this book so many years ago.
I really like the updated version. I think the changes are minor, but added a LOT to the story. I enjoyed seeing a different perspective and a new insight to some of the characters. Also, I think the changes helped smooth it out and add a better overall flow to the story.
All in all, short, smutty, fun and I will absolutely read it again one day. Because I like it.