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M4M #1-3
M4M
Three great stories. One great love.
VGL Male Seeks Same
Poor Ethan Schwartz. It seems like he will never find that special someone. At age forty-two, he's still alone, his bed still empty, and his 42-inch HDTV overworked. He's tried the bars and other places where gay men are supposed to find one another, but for Ethan, it never works out. He wonders if it ever will. Should he get a cat?
But all of that is about to change…
NEG UB2
Poor Ethan Schwartz. He's just had the most shocking news a gay man can get—he's been diagnosed HIV positive. Up until today, he thought his life was on a perfect course. He had a job he loved and something else he thought he'd never have: Brian, a new man, one whom Ethan thought of as “the one.” The one who would complete him, who would take his life from a lonely existence to a place filled with laughter, hot sex, and romance.
But along with the fateful diagnosis comes another shock—is Brian who he thinks he is?
STATUS UPDATES
Ethan finds himself alone once more and wonders if life is worth living, even one with a cat. Via a Facebook friend request, an old nemesis appears, wanting to be friends. Ethan is suspicious but intrigued because it seems this old acquaintance has turned his life around…and the changes just might hold the key to Ethan getting a new lease on life…and love.
VGL Male Seeks Same
Poor Ethan Schwartz. It seems like he will never find that special someone. At age forty-two, he's still alone, his bed still empty, and his 42-inch HDTV overworked. He's tried the bars and other places where gay men are supposed to find one another, but for Ethan, it never works out. He wonders if it ever will. Should he get a cat?
But all of that is about to change…
NEG UB2
Poor Ethan Schwartz. He's just had the most shocking news a gay man can get—he's been diagnosed HIV positive. Up until today, he thought his life was on a perfect course. He had a job he loved and something else he thought he'd never have: Brian, a new man, one whom Ethan thought of as “the one.” The one who would complete him, who would take his life from a lonely existence to a place filled with laughter, hot sex, and romance.
But along with the fateful diagnosis comes another shock—is Brian who he thinks he is?
STATUS UPDATES
Ethan finds himself alone once more and wonders if life is worth living, even one with a cat. Via a Facebook friend request, an old nemesis appears, wanting to be friends. Ethan is suspicious but intrigued because it seems this old acquaintance has turned his life around…and the changes just might hold the key to Ethan getting a new lease on life…and love.
ebook
First published July 10, 2017
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About the author
Rick R. Reed
95 books1,048 followersReal Men. True Love.
Rick R. Reed is an award-winning and bestselling author of more than sixty works of published fiction, spanning genres such as horror, psychological suspense and love stories. He is a Lambda Literary Award finalist and a multiple Rainbow Award winner.
Entertainment Weekly has described his work as “heartrending and sensitive.” Lambda Literary has called him: “A writer that doesn’t disappoint…”
Find him at www.rickrreedreality.blogspot.com. Rick lives in Palm Springs, CA, with his two rescue dogs, Kodi and Joaquin.
Rick R. Reed is an award-winning and bestselling author of more than sixty works of published fiction, spanning genres such as horror, psychological suspense and love stories. He is a Lambda Literary Award finalist and a multiple Rainbow Award winner.
Entertainment Weekly has described his work as “heartrending and sensitive.” Lambda Literary has called him: “A writer that doesn’t disappoint…”
Find him at www.rickrreedreality.blogspot.com. Rick lives in Palm Springs, CA, with his two rescue dogs, Kodi and Joaquin.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews
July 10, 2017
Ethan and his life....
He was good with musing...Ethan was lonely and wanted company.
A dating site.....that was something from this time....Ethan in his early forties thinks of himself as common, plain, nothing special.
Maybe a makeover would help. Not in real but online....
And so he meets Brian and they have a click....even a real life click...
Then Ethan went to the doctor to get the news HIV and his world is tumbling down...
Blaming Brain for 'things' he wants to end his relationship. Trying to coop with his world upside down he starts to write a blog. Just for himself....to write the whole misery down....
Life takes a better turn for him and there is love again and happiness....and life.....
The journey starts in 2008 then goes further in 2009 and the last part in 2017.
I can't go into the story without spoiling so I wont.
To look in Ethan's head was an experience. He was real....sometimes balanced and sometimes so not, mature and immature. He had a lot of inner struggles and questions about life and why things are as they are.
He is a sweet man with a sweet mind. Something his thoughts take a run but he always goes back to center himself. When life takes him hard by the balls you could feel the hurt and the reality.
I cried with him because that was the only thing I could do.
It feels he has a compact and simple life and you could think he has. Because there are no big heroic things, before you there is an ordinary man with an at first eye ordinary life. But it grabbed me by my heart because for me this was a story about an (extra)ordinary man with an extraordinary journey.
The way it was written was thoughtful, in a considered ambience, nothing excessive.
I loved this story even with a few occasions where I missed the source of it. But the content was the journey itself, and that was excellent done, so it is forgiven!
Kindly received an ARC through Divine Magazine given by Dreamspinner Press
He was good with musing...Ethan was lonely and wanted company.
A dating site.....that was something from this time....Ethan in his early forties thinks of himself as common, plain, nothing special.
Maybe a makeover would help. Not in real but online....
And so he meets Brian and they have a click....even a real life click...
Then Ethan went to the doctor to get the news HIV and his world is tumbling down...
Blaming Brain for 'things' he wants to end his relationship. Trying to coop with his world upside down he starts to write a blog. Just for himself....to write the whole misery down....
Life takes a better turn for him and there is love again and happiness....and life.....
The journey starts in 2008 then goes further in 2009 and the last part in 2017.
I can't go into the story without spoiling so I wont.
To look in Ethan's head was an experience. He was real....sometimes balanced and sometimes so not, mature and immature. He had a lot of inner struggles and questions about life and why things are as they are.
He is a sweet man with a sweet mind. Something his thoughts take a run but he always goes back to center himself. When life takes him hard by the balls you could feel the hurt and the reality.
I cried with him because that was the only thing I could do.
It feels he has a compact and simple life and you could think he has. Because there are no big heroic things, before you there is an ordinary man with an at first eye ordinary life. But it grabbed me by my heart because for me this was a story about an (extra)ordinary man with an extraordinary journey.
The way it was written was thoughtful, in a considered ambience, nothing excessive.
I loved this story even with a few occasions where I missed the source of it. But the content was the journey itself, and that was excellent done, so it is forgiven!
Kindly received an ARC through Divine Magazine given by Dreamspinner Press
June 25, 2017
I received a copy of this title to read and review for Wicked Reads
4 Emotional Stars
I'm not entirely sure how to review M4M, as I don't want to ruin another reader's enjoyment by giving away too much. However, one could deduce what occurs from the blurb.
M4M is told in 3 parts, spanning a decade. During 2/3 of the book, Ethan is in his early forties, down on himself and the romance game. He decides to try internet dating, going to a site that wasn't for hookups but for relationships. But, while there, he sees the same immaturity and vapidness infecting the interactions. With his actual face, he gets no hits. On a whim, as an experiment, Ethan only changes his profile image, but nothing on his profile, to see if that changes things.
Just as Hannah and I didn't get along during Hungry for love (yet another catfish), Ethan and I didn't mesh, and this did have me struggling a bit. However, Ethan was written authentically, realistically, with a personality that is very human. Flawed. Lacking any self-reflection or self-awareness, judgmental of others yet self-deprecating, jealous- these are all negative personality traits, but each and every single one of us has some of them. It's the human condition.
So, while Ethan and I would have never gotten along IRL, I appreciated his point-of-view, no matter how narrow and self-focused it may have been. Ethan was incapable of seeing life through the different lens of another's perception. I'm generally the voice of reason, so the unethical practice of catfishing really, really rubbed me the wrong way. I was trying to root for Ethan, he was the novel's hero after all, but he needed a wake-up call, big time.
What I appreciated the most was the author using a demographic that is usually ignored in most genres. People over forty as the main love interests, both of them. Also, added on top of that, neither were fit, silver foxes that had younger men drooling for their attention. Ethan and Brian were everyday middle-aged men, and it made the story more authentic.
With that being said, I felt Ethan was very immature for his age, his mental signature- the catty thoughts, the way he didn't take responsibility for his own actions, didn't see how his actions/reactions had an impact on Brian (during part 2). Mad props, as the author maintained the characterization. But, as I said, it was a personality type I couldn't relate to, nor handle in real life. I'm a walking mirror, reflecting back at people, and people don't appreciate that. Ethan needed such a person in his life.
When it came to part three, I enjoyed the more subdued, mature, wise Ethan. He's in his early fifties now, and living with HIV, having found and lost love, that has given him the tools to self-reflect, even while deep in grief. I adored wise Ethan, even as I empathized and cried for him. But, true to his characterization, he was still catty and judgmental, especially with Ben. Inner-monologue-ing about Bubbles.
I'd been waiting for Bubbles to resurface, knowing after the beginning there was more to come. Ben's words of wisdom struck a chord, both with me (the reader) and obviously with Ethan. In a way, I wish this part was expanded more, but I have an active imagination and can fill in the blanks. Ben was an interesting character.
Parts One & Two, while I was intrigued, wanting to know more, Ethan's attitude, his inability to see outside of himself, made it difficult for me to connect with both him as a character and with the story. I appreciated the HIV blog- the entries and comments, creating a highly authentic read. Part Three was my favorite part of the story, even with grief riding shotgun.
4 Emotional Stars
I'm not entirely sure how to review M4M, as I don't want to ruin another reader's enjoyment by giving away too much. However, one could deduce what occurs from the blurb.
M4M is told in 3 parts, spanning a decade. During 2/3 of the book, Ethan is in his early forties, down on himself and the romance game. He decides to try internet dating, going to a site that wasn't for hookups but for relationships. But, while there, he sees the same immaturity and vapidness infecting the interactions. With his actual face, he gets no hits. On a whim, as an experiment, Ethan only changes his profile image, but nothing on his profile, to see if that changes things.
Just as Hannah and I didn't get along during Hungry for love (yet another catfish), Ethan and I didn't mesh, and this did have me struggling a bit. However, Ethan was written authentically, realistically, with a personality that is very human. Flawed. Lacking any self-reflection or self-awareness, judgmental of others yet self-deprecating, jealous- these are all negative personality traits, but each and every single one of us has some of them. It's the human condition.
So, while Ethan and I would have never gotten along IRL, I appreciated his point-of-view, no matter how narrow and self-focused it may have been. Ethan was incapable of seeing life through the different lens of another's perception. I'm generally the voice of reason, so the unethical practice of catfishing really, really rubbed me the wrong way. I was trying to root for Ethan, he was the novel's hero after all, but he needed a wake-up call, big time.
What I appreciated the most was the author using a demographic that is usually ignored in most genres. People over forty as the main love interests, both of them. Also, added on top of that, neither were fit, silver foxes that had younger men drooling for their attention. Ethan and Brian were everyday middle-aged men, and it made the story more authentic.
With that being said, I felt Ethan was very immature for his age, his mental signature- the catty thoughts, the way he didn't take responsibility for his own actions, didn't see how his actions/reactions had an impact on Brian (during part 2). Mad props, as the author maintained the characterization. But, as I said, it was a personality type I couldn't relate to, nor handle in real life. I'm a walking mirror, reflecting back at people, and people don't appreciate that. Ethan needed such a person in his life.
When it came to part three, I enjoyed the more subdued, mature, wise Ethan. He's in his early fifties now, and living with HIV, having found and lost love, that has given him the tools to self-reflect, even while deep in grief. I adored wise Ethan, even as I empathized and cried for him. But, true to his characterization, he was still catty and judgmental, especially with Ben. Inner-monologue-ing about Bubbles.
I'd been waiting for Bubbles to resurface, knowing after the beginning there was more to come. Ben's words of wisdom struck a chord, both with me (the reader) and obviously with Ethan. In a way, I wish this part was expanded more, but I have an active imagination and can fill in the blanks. Ben was an interesting character.
Parts One & Two, while I was intrigued, wanting to know more, Ethan's attitude, his inability to see outside of himself, made it difficult for me to connect with both him as a character and with the story. I appreciated the HIV blog- the entries and comments, creating a highly authentic read. Part Three was my favorite part of the story, even with grief riding shotgun.
July 9, 2017
The three novellas that comprise M4M introduce us to Ethan as he wonders if life has passed him by at the ripe old age of 42.
NEG UB2 picks up Ethan and Brian's story about 6 months later, as Ethan gets the news he is HIV positive. Ethan very quickly leaps into betrayal mode believing that Brian has knowingly infected him, and rather than communicating in any meaningful way with Brian, Ethan pushes him away and starts a blog "Off to see The Wizard of Poz." While the story is well-written and I liked the blog entries and the introduction of Jan Most, I was extremely frustrated by the lack of communication and trust. 2.5 stars for NEG UB2.
STATUS UPDATE is set 8 years after NEG UB2 and tragically Ethan once again finds himself alone. Ethan reconnects with a former coworker (who he hated when they worked together) and finds himself on a path toward acceptance of his grief, forgiveness, and wholeness.
Overall, my rating for M4M is 4 stars. I would have loved Brian's POV as he remains somewhat vague throughout the novellas, but Ethan's discovery - and rediscovery - of love is wonderful to read and the lessons from Status Update will stay with me for quite some time.
I received an ARC from Dreamspinner Press in exchange for an honest review.
Review also posted at Gay Book Reviews - check it out!
Somewhere there had to be a companion for him, just waiting. His dream man wasn’t in all the places he had fruitlessly checked, like the bars, backstage, and in his office. But he was out there, and like Ethan, he too was pulling the covers up by himself and thinking the answer to the riddle of how to escape a solitary existence was just within reach.In VGL Male Seeks Same, Ethan signs up for a dating site and adds a recent picture to his profile ... and waits and waits for responses. But when Ethan replaces his profile picture with that of a gorgeous silver fox, those emails start rolling in. The story has a lot to say about perceptions and expectations and "what it feels like to be loved for oneself, warts and all." I really enjoyed this story, giving it 4 stars.
NEG UB2 picks up Ethan and Brian's story about 6 months later, as Ethan gets the news he is HIV positive. Ethan very quickly leaps into betrayal mode believing that Brian has knowingly infected him, and rather than communicating in any meaningful way with Brian, Ethan pushes him away and starts a blog "Off to see The Wizard of Poz." While the story is well-written and I liked the blog entries and the introduction of Jan Most, I was extremely frustrated by the lack of communication and trust. 2.5 stars for NEG UB2.
STATUS UPDATE is set 8 years after NEG UB2 and tragically Ethan once again finds himself alone. Ethan reconnects with a former coworker (who he hated when they worked together) and finds himself on a path toward acceptance of his grief, forgiveness, and wholeness.
All of us are wounded creatures. Each and every one of us is, in some way, broken. Yet how many of us see that wound or that brokenness as a gift instead of a liability?While at first Status Update seems an unlikely fit with the other two stories, it brings completeness to Ethan's story, and is not an end but a new beginning to his search for love. It is beautifully written and I give it 5 stars.
Overall, my rating for M4M is 4 stars. I would have loved Brian's POV as he remains somewhat vague throughout the novellas, but Ethan's discovery - and rediscovery - of love is wonderful to read and the lessons from Status Update will stay with me for quite some time.
... love, real love, was never about what was on the surface, but the heart and kindness lying beneath the façade.
I received an ARC from Dreamspinner Press in exchange for an honest review.
Review also posted at Gay Book Reviews - check it out!
May 8, 2024
Gah, tug on my heartstrings a bit more why don't you Rick R. Reed? M4M is a collection of three novellas: VGL Male Seeks Same, NEG UB2, and STATUS UPDATES.
The books follow Ethan's jorney, a single man in his 40's, through finding love, his diagnosis of being HIV positive, and the ultimate game changer of losing the love of his life.
An incredibly compelling story, there are some extremely emotional moments in M4M, but OH HOW IT IS WORTH IT! Simply lovely.
The audio version of M4M is beautifully narrated by Wesley Landry. Landry delivers a marvelous performance in this powerful novel.
an audiobook copy of M4M was provided for the purpose of my honest review, all opinions are my own
The books follow Ethan's jorney, a single man in his 40's, through finding love, his diagnosis of being HIV positive, and the ultimate game changer of losing the love of his life.
An incredibly compelling story, there are some extremely emotional moments in M4M, but OH HOW IT IS WORTH IT! Simply lovely.
The audio version of M4M is beautifully narrated by Wesley Landry. Landry delivers a marvelous performance in this powerful novel.
an audiobook copy of M4M was provided for the purpose of my honest review, all opinions are my own
August 6, 2017
Note: This book was provided to me by the publisher through Hearts on Fire Reviews in exchange for an impartial review.
This story is divided into three segments, two were formerly released as short books, and the third is new. I’ll review each and then summarize the whole. And I’m keeping this as spoiler-free as possible.
VGL Male Seeks Same:
This segment was really terrific. The self-deprecating humor of MC Ethan was outstanding. In fact, there were so many times when I found it outright hilarious I laughed so hard I couldn’t catch my breath, and that’s just not something I normally do. In general, I have a good sense of humor, but I’m pretty reserved and rarely laugh out loud. Specifically, the first date scene outside the coffee shop when Ethan tipped the table over and then got carried away cleaning Brian up and then fell again—onto one knee—totally cracked me up. Talk about a suave first impression. Not!
The fact that both men were able to overcome their fabrications and accept each other for who they were made for an enjoyable story, and as the scene faded at the end of the first segment, it appeared the men would find a firm foundation.
NEG UB2:
Ethan receives heartbreaking news as this segment opens. He’s so upset, in fact, he can’t even pay attention to his doctor and has to go home to absorb the shock. He’s diagnosed as HIV positive, and though his heart wants to deny it, his head tells him it had to be Brian who infected him. Most of the story revolves around the internal and external clash that occurs because of this conflict, and the ending was a surprise. A happy one, but a surprise nevertheless.
STATUS UPDATE:
At fifty-one, lonely Ethan can’t seem to cope with life—not day to day at home and not day to day at work. As those with a lot of time on their hands often do, Ethan turns to Facebook for his entertainment and socializing. There he’s surprised by a friend request from a former receptionist who we met in the first segment of the book. Ethan used to call him Bubbles since he was a flighty, snarky, and flamboyant young gay man who seemed to spend most of his time gossiping—often about Ethan.
But as it turns out, this “new” Ben is not the same at all, and remarkably, it turns out this new Ben may hold the key to Ethan’s future happiness—once Ethan accepts that people can change.
SUMMARY:
I really enjoyed this book! Tremendously funny, and yet heartbreakingly painful at times, the author takes us through an emotional journey that ends with a beautiful four letter word: HOPE.
Highly recommended!
This story is divided into three segments, two were formerly released as short books, and the third is new. I’ll review each and then summarize the whole. And I’m keeping this as spoiler-free as possible.
VGL Male Seeks Same:
This segment was really terrific. The self-deprecating humor of MC Ethan was outstanding. In fact, there were so many times when I found it outright hilarious I laughed so hard I couldn’t catch my breath, and that’s just not something I normally do. In general, I have a good sense of humor, but I’m pretty reserved and rarely laugh out loud. Specifically, the first date scene outside the coffee shop when Ethan tipped the table over and then got carried away cleaning Brian up and then fell again—onto one knee—totally cracked me up. Talk about a suave first impression. Not!
The fact that both men were able to overcome their fabrications and accept each other for who they were made for an enjoyable story, and as the scene faded at the end of the first segment, it appeared the men would find a firm foundation.
NEG UB2:
Ethan receives heartbreaking news as this segment opens. He’s so upset, in fact, he can’t even pay attention to his doctor and has to go home to absorb the shock. He’s diagnosed as HIV positive, and though his heart wants to deny it, his head tells him it had to be Brian who infected him. Most of the story revolves around the internal and external clash that occurs because of this conflict, and the ending was a surprise. A happy one, but a surprise nevertheless.
STATUS UPDATE:
At fifty-one, lonely Ethan can’t seem to cope with life—not day to day at home and not day to day at work. As those with a lot of time on their hands often do, Ethan turns to Facebook for his entertainment and socializing. There he’s surprised by a friend request from a former receptionist who we met in the first segment of the book. Ethan used to call him Bubbles since he was a flighty, snarky, and flamboyant young gay man who seemed to spend most of his time gossiping—often about Ethan.
But as it turns out, this “new” Ben is not the same at all, and remarkably, it turns out this new Ben may hold the key to Ethan’s future happiness—once Ethan accepts that people can change.
SUMMARY:
I really enjoyed this book! Tremendously funny, and yet heartbreakingly painful at times, the author takes us through an emotional journey that ends with a beautiful four letter word: HOPE.
Highly recommended!
September 1, 2020
Dating and finding the right partner can be tough, and whoever thinks it’s easier in the computer age - what with all the blogs, dating sites, and chat rooms now available is wrong. The basic problem is still human nature, all the individual idiosyncrasies and quirks we have, and if you’re an “older” gay male (i.e. above forty), the task becomes almost impossible. The three novellas in this collection accurately, sometimes humorously, describe Ethan’s path to happiness, and I loved every single one of them They are all true to life, made me feel every obstacle right alongside Ethan, and gave me an in-depth look at the ups and downs, the disappointments and hope of a man who desperately wants to find a guy to settle down with.
Please find my full review of the second edition on Rainbow Book Reviews.
Please find my full review of the second edition on Rainbow Book Reviews.
September 1, 2020
Dating and finding the right partner can be tough, and whoever thinks it’s easier in the computer age - what with all the blogs, dating sites, and chat rooms now available is wrong. The basic problem is still human nature, all the individual idiosyncrasies and quirks we have, and if you’re an “older” gay male (i.e. above forty), the task becomes almost impossible. The three novellas in this collection accurately, sometimes humorously, describe Ethan’s path to happiness, and I loved every single one of them They are all true to life, made me feel every obstacle right alongside Ethan, and gave me an in-depth look at the ups and downs, the disappointments and hope of a man who desperately wants to find a guy to settle down with.
Please find my full review on Rainbow Book Reviews.
Please find my full review on Rainbow Book Reviews.
May 15, 2024
Arc review
Overall story = 3.75 stars
Narration = 5 stars
TW: main character has HIV and there are some self deprecation language that might rub some readers the wrong way.
Novella 1 features Ethan in 2008 at age 41, desperately single and feeling insecure. He had been conversing with someone online and really hitting it off, but gives in to his insecurities and makes himself into a false version of himself that he thinks people would prefer. This book is a great example of how 2 people whom really hit it off can miss out on love out of shallowness and insecurities. How very true for the real world. The characters were well written and I enjoyed the plot and the HFN ending. 4 stars.
Novella 2 picks up a year later in 2009 where Ethan is diagnosed with HIV and he goes down a path of self loathing, doom and blames Brian. In the one hand I felt sympathy for Ethan but on the other I felt like he mishandled everything. It was hard to like him despite his troubles. As for Brian, everything he did was super sweet but this novella left me with doubts about him and felt like it left me unresolved. 2 stars.
Novella 3 picks up 8 years later. Ethan lost Brian tragically and suddenly and slowly learns to carry on. This is a very heartwarming story with great characters. 5 stars.
The narrator did a great job. He had a pleasant reading voice. He expressed all the emotions wonderfully and brought the story to life. It was a pleasure to listen to. He gave the characters distinct voices, side characters as well, that suited each of them perfectly, making the story easy to follow.
Overall story = 3.75 stars
Narration = 5 stars
TW: main character has HIV and there are some self deprecation language that might rub some readers the wrong way.
Novella 1 features Ethan in 2008 at age 41, desperately single and feeling insecure. He had been conversing with someone online and really hitting it off, but gives in to his insecurities and makes himself into a false version of himself that he thinks people would prefer. This book is a great example of how 2 people whom really hit it off can miss out on love out of shallowness and insecurities. How very true for the real world. The characters were well written and I enjoyed the plot and the HFN ending. 4 stars.
Novella 2 picks up a year later in 2009 where Ethan is diagnosed with HIV and he goes down a path of self loathing, doom and blames Brian. In the one hand I felt sympathy for Ethan but on the other I felt like he mishandled everything. It was hard to like him despite his troubles. As for Brian, everything he did was super sweet but this novella left me with doubts about him and felt like it left me unresolved. 2 stars.
Novella 3 picks up 8 years later. Ethan lost Brian tragically and suddenly and slowly learns to carry on. This is a very heartwarming story with great characters. 5 stars.
The narrator did a great job. He had a pleasant reading voice. He expressed all the emotions wonderfully and brought the story to life. It was a pleasure to listen to. He gave the characters distinct voices, side characters as well, that suited each of them perfectly, making the story easy to follow.
July 13, 2017
Review originally published at Joyfully Jay Reviews
M4M is a novel made up of three parts — VGL Male Seeks Same, NEG uB2, and Status Updates (the first two were previously released as separate stories). For me, reading M4M as a whole is perfect, taking the reader from the beginning of Ethan’s foray into online dating and his meeting with Brian in VGL Male Seeks Same, to the moment he is diagnosed as being HIV positive and begins writing a blog in NEG UB2, and finally, Status Updates in which Ethan deals with his grief at losing the love of his life, while a Facebook friend request challenges Ethan and brings possibilities.
As I expect with any book written by Rick R. Reed, M4M is thoughtful, sensitive, and relevant. Each section of the novel is based on the growing popularity of different forms of social media and Reed is constantly able to make stimulating comments about the way in which modern society relies upon technology.
As someone who has recently had her own experiences with online dating, I felt particularly connected to Ethan in VGL Male Seeks Same. I could relate to Ethan’s feelings of disappointment and low self-esteem after receiving no messages on wingpeople.com and I like how Reed does not ignore the issue of ‘catfishing’ that is so prevalent in real-life. Yet, I was also drawn into the romance — the deliveries of bouquets and shared emails — and though for the most part of this section, Ethan and Brian do not meet, Reed still gives his reader that sense of anticipation.
However, the tone of Reed’s writing shifts completely in NEG uB2. The reader is present when Ethan receives his crushing diagnosis and I shared his disbelief. Reed effectively communicates Ethan’s confusion and I love the fact that Ethan’s introspection is channeled into a blog, brilliantly titled “Off to see the Wizard of Poz.” Apart from these blog entries, Reed’s narration in M4M is third person and though this works in terms of the story, I also think the first person blog posts allow the reader an insight into Ethan’s jumble of thoughts and emotions, and this is an astute choice by Reed.
I honestly have never personally received a diagnosis of this magnitude, but it appeared to me that Ethan’s blog posts were carefully thought out by Reed and I think the fact that he recognizes there are still people being diagnosed as HIV positive is important, though he also addresses the use of drugs to control the disease.
In Status Updates the reader sees a different Ethan again and it is this part of M4M that frequently brought tears to my eyes. This time, Reed uses Facebook to help his story develop, or as Ethan refers to it: “the world’s great time waster.” Every reader of M4M will probably recognize Ethan’s feelings at receiving a friend request from someone he hasn’t seen for years, though when we realize who this person is, there is a sense of familiarity. It has been difficult in NEG UB2 and Status Updates, watching the protagonist in pain and feeling helpless, but with this new development, the reader snatches at the hope Reed hands us. M4M does not end on a concrete HEA, but I found myself unable to shake thoughts of Ethan and his story, many hours after I had finished it.
I was not at all disappointed by M4M but when I saw “erotic” in the description I did expect something else. There is one sex scene that I can recall in VGL Male Seeks Same and yes, this could be said to have mild themes of BDSM and is explicit to a degree, but M4M is much more than an “erotic” novel. M4M deals with being a 40-something-year-old man in the modern world, faced with uncertainty and issues beyond his control. As always, Reed combines story-telling with the human experience and I would highly recommend M4M.
A review copy of this book was provided by Dreamspinner Press.
M4M is a novel made up of three parts — VGL Male Seeks Same, NEG uB2, and Status Updates (the first two were previously released as separate stories). For me, reading M4M as a whole is perfect, taking the reader from the beginning of Ethan’s foray into online dating and his meeting with Brian in VGL Male Seeks Same, to the moment he is diagnosed as being HIV positive and begins writing a blog in NEG UB2, and finally, Status Updates in which Ethan deals with his grief at losing the love of his life, while a Facebook friend request challenges Ethan and brings possibilities.
As I expect with any book written by Rick R. Reed, M4M is thoughtful, sensitive, and relevant. Each section of the novel is based on the growing popularity of different forms of social media and Reed is constantly able to make stimulating comments about the way in which modern society relies upon technology.
As someone who has recently had her own experiences with online dating, I felt particularly connected to Ethan in VGL Male Seeks Same. I could relate to Ethan’s feelings of disappointment and low self-esteem after receiving no messages on wingpeople.com and I like how Reed does not ignore the issue of ‘catfishing’ that is so prevalent in real-life. Yet, I was also drawn into the romance — the deliveries of bouquets and shared emails — and though for the most part of this section, Ethan and Brian do not meet, Reed still gives his reader that sense of anticipation.
However, the tone of Reed’s writing shifts completely in NEG uB2. The reader is present when Ethan receives his crushing diagnosis and I shared his disbelief. Reed effectively communicates Ethan’s confusion and I love the fact that Ethan’s introspection is channeled into a blog, brilliantly titled “Off to see the Wizard of Poz.” Apart from these blog entries, Reed’s narration in M4M is third person and though this works in terms of the story, I also think the first person blog posts allow the reader an insight into Ethan’s jumble of thoughts and emotions, and this is an astute choice by Reed.
I honestly have never personally received a diagnosis of this magnitude, but it appeared to me that Ethan’s blog posts were carefully thought out by Reed and I think the fact that he recognizes there are still people being diagnosed as HIV positive is important, though he also addresses the use of drugs to control the disease.
In Status Updates the reader sees a different Ethan again and it is this part of M4M that frequently brought tears to my eyes. This time, Reed uses Facebook to help his story develop, or as Ethan refers to it: “the world’s great time waster.” Every reader of M4M will probably recognize Ethan’s feelings at receiving a friend request from someone he hasn’t seen for years, though when we realize who this person is, there is a sense of familiarity. It has been difficult in NEG UB2 and Status Updates, watching the protagonist in pain and feeling helpless, but with this new development, the reader snatches at the hope Reed hands us. M4M does not end on a concrete HEA, but I found myself unable to shake thoughts of Ethan and his story, many hours after I had finished it.
I was not at all disappointed by M4M but when I saw “erotic” in the description I did expect something else. There is one sex scene that I can recall in VGL Male Seeks Same and yes, this could be said to have mild themes of BDSM and is explicit to a degree, but M4M is much more than an “erotic” novel. M4M deals with being a 40-something-year-old man in the modern world, faced with uncertainty and issues beyond his control. As always, Reed combines story-telling with the human experience and I would highly recommend M4M.
A review copy of this book was provided by Dreamspinner Press.
July 10, 2017
A Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words Review
Rating: 4.75 stars out of 5
For the full review, visit http://wp.me/p220KL-b18
From that review: "I truly can't imagine reading M4M by Rick R. Reed as anything except one deeply moving story...to me it doesn't even register as three separate tales. Rather three stages in one man's life, two so heartrending that the tissues seemed inadequate at times to stop the amount of tears that flowed. Even now just thinking about Ethan and his journey, I start to choke up which is funny because I wasn't sure I was even going to connect with Ethan at the beginning. Or even like him..."
For all our reviews, author interviews and such, visit us at http://scatteredthoughtsandroguewords...
Rating: 4.75 stars out of 5
For the full review, visit http://wp.me/p220KL-b18
From that review: "I truly can't imagine reading M4M by Rick R. Reed as anything except one deeply moving story...to me it doesn't even register as three separate tales. Rather three stages in one man's life, two so heartrending that the tissues seemed inadequate at times to stop the amount of tears that flowed. Even now just thinking about Ethan and his journey, I start to choke up which is funny because I wasn't sure I was even going to connect with Ethan at the beginning. Or even like him..."
For all our reviews, author interviews and such, visit us at http://scatteredthoughtsandroguewords...
June 17, 2024
An emotional journey, I struggled a little with the first two parts. The third is beautiful, and brings a message of hope.
July 22, 2017
Another thought-provoking romance from Mr. Reed that will stay with readers long after they finish the book.
July 10, 2017
Full review at: https://optimummblog.wordpress.com/20...
M4M was previously published and released as two separate short stories. It has now been put together in one book, with a third part added to bring a conclusion to the story and tie it all together.
Ethan Schwartz is a publicist for theater companies in Chicago. He’s had enough of being single and hates how mundane his life has become. Ethan wants more than just a hook-up. He’s done with the pretty party boys and the bar/club pick-up’s, where he never really felt like he fitted in. Ethan wants someone who he can be himself with, who shares his interests, someone he can snuggle on the couch with watching movies from the 1930/40’s. Someone to love. But he thinks that he’ll never find a person like that in the world he’s living in, because everyone he’s met so far, only wants one thing, and that’s sex.
When Ethan hears a colleague talking about a dating website, he decides that since he can’t find what he’s looking for in a guy by going out on the town, he may as well see if he can find it across the internet. So Ethan signs up to the website and creates a profile. This is where he meets Brian who’s an attorney and lives quite close to Ethan. Ethan can’t believe how much they have in common and is sure that Brian can’t be real because he feels that all of the similarities between them is just too good to be true, and surely, he can’t be that lucky to find his perfect guy online? But the two men form a connection to each other and quickly fall in love. Ethan is sure his life can’t get any better, but then one day he’s given the devastating news that he’s HIV positive. He can’t believe what he’s being told, and immediately comes to the conclusion that the only way that he could have contracted it was from Brian. His now perfect life and relationship have suddenly fallen apart in the blink of an eye. Ethan learns that even when you are at your happiest, sometimes life just throws you a little test, to see how strong a person you really are.
This book has me conflicted. I’m struggling to decide how I really felt about the story overall. There were parts that I didn’t particularly like, then there were parts that I really loved. I found it quite slow and hard to get into at the beginning and really couldn’t connect with the main character at all. But then as I worked my way through the book and got towards the end of part two and into the new story, I found myself becoming very emotional and teary, but I think that was more to do with the author’s writing and storytelling than the feelings I had for Ethan. I loved Ethan’s blog that he started about being HIV positive. The author did an amazing job of portraying the feelings and emotions involved in receiving the news and coming to terms with the diagnosis and then learning to live with it. I just wish we actually had a little more in-depth detail about this part of the story because I feel like that was never fully concluded or resolved and it left me with a lot of questions. The third part of the book was by far the best, and I think that this really saved the whole book. The writing was exceptional, and I was really choked up trying to get through each paragraph. It was something I definitely didn’t expect considering I felt practically no emotion reading the first two parts. So I’m glad I stuck it out even when I didn’t really feel like it.
***The ARC was provided by Dreamspinner Press. My review is an honest opinion of the book***
M4M was previously published and released as two separate short stories. It has now been put together in one book, with a third part added to bring a conclusion to the story and tie it all together.
Ethan Schwartz is a publicist for theater companies in Chicago. He’s had enough of being single and hates how mundane his life has become. Ethan wants more than just a hook-up. He’s done with the pretty party boys and the bar/club pick-up’s, where he never really felt like he fitted in. Ethan wants someone who he can be himself with, who shares his interests, someone he can snuggle on the couch with watching movies from the 1930/40’s. Someone to love. But he thinks that he’ll never find a person like that in the world he’s living in, because everyone he’s met so far, only wants one thing, and that’s sex.
When Ethan hears a colleague talking about a dating website, he decides that since he can’t find what he’s looking for in a guy by going out on the town, he may as well see if he can find it across the internet. So Ethan signs up to the website and creates a profile. This is where he meets Brian who’s an attorney and lives quite close to Ethan. Ethan can’t believe how much they have in common and is sure that Brian can’t be real because he feels that all of the similarities between them is just too good to be true, and surely, he can’t be that lucky to find his perfect guy online? But the two men form a connection to each other and quickly fall in love. Ethan is sure his life can’t get any better, but then one day he’s given the devastating news that he’s HIV positive. He can’t believe what he’s being told, and immediately comes to the conclusion that the only way that he could have contracted it was from Brian. His now perfect life and relationship have suddenly fallen apart in the blink of an eye. Ethan learns that even when you are at your happiest, sometimes life just throws you a little test, to see how strong a person you really are.
This book has me conflicted. I’m struggling to decide how I really felt about the story overall. There were parts that I didn’t particularly like, then there were parts that I really loved. I found it quite slow and hard to get into at the beginning and really couldn’t connect with the main character at all. But then as I worked my way through the book and got towards the end of part two and into the new story, I found myself becoming very emotional and teary, but I think that was more to do with the author’s writing and storytelling than the feelings I had for Ethan. I loved Ethan’s blog that he started about being HIV positive. The author did an amazing job of portraying the feelings and emotions involved in receiving the news and coming to terms with the diagnosis and then learning to live with it. I just wish we actually had a little more in-depth detail about this part of the story because I feel like that was never fully concluded or resolved and it left me with a lot of questions. The third part of the book was by far the best, and I think that this really saved the whole book. The writing was exceptional, and I was really choked up trying to get through each paragraph. It was something I definitely didn’t expect considering I felt practically no emotion reading the first two parts. So I’m glad I stuck it out even when I didn’t really feel like it.
***The ARC was provided by Dreamspinner Press. My review is an honest opinion of the book***
July 13, 2017
This book is told in three parts/novellas and span about 10 years of Ethan's life.
We start off with VGL Male Seeks Same, in which Ethan, in his early 40s, has lost hope of ever finding someone to build a life with. He's tired of the bar scene and his empty bed. When he overhears a younger colleague at his job talking about a website to meet other men, he's intrigued and signs up. At first, he doesn't get any bites, but when he changes his profile picture to that of a fabulous hunky silver fox, his profile gets a ton of responses. Including one from a hot guy named Brian.
This story really drove home the point that looks can and do fade and what matters are the personalities and compatibility of two people in a relationship, as well as the fact that many people on dating sites will focus more on looks and less so on the actual person behind the profile. And that lies have a way of catching up with you.
I quite liked this - 4 stars.
In NEGUB2, Ethan goes for a routine HIV test and is told that it came back positive. Knowing he hasn't had sex with anyone but Brian recently, Ethan is immediately convinced that Brian has to have infected him. He stops responding to emails and texts and avoids his boyfriend while he grapples with his new reality. Needing an outlet, Ethan starts a blog "Off To See The Wizard Of Poz", in which he shares his fears and muses on what the future will hold. I really liked the blogposts that were included for this, but I hated Ethan for jumping to conclusions and the utter lack of trust he displays in Brian. It frustrated me that he would immediately suspect Brian of infecting him, and it took the advice of a co-worker for Ethan to pull his head out of his ass and talk to Brian. Still, considering that this novella kept me glued to the pages, I give it 4 stars also.
In the third novella, Status Updates, we catch up with Ethan 8 years later. And the moment I found out what had to happen for this novella to take shape, I was mad. I understood why the author did what he did, but I hated it nonetheless. Sure, it brings Ethan's story full circle, and it was beautifully written and really brought out the author's ability to write realistic emotions, which is why it's getting the 5 stars it deserves, but I was so upset at Ethan being alone again that I actually cried. Ethan's grief was heartbreaking.
I thought that the entire trilogy was very realistically written. The character of Ethan was beautifully done, and while I didn't always agree with his actions and reactions, he did feel real to me. He could be that guy I saw the other day at the grocery story, looking a little sad, while filling his basket with groceries for one.
It's not a grand romance, but there is love inside, real love, and loss, too. And it begs the question - is it better to have loved and lost than to never have loved at all?
** I received a free copy of this book from its publisher. A positive review was not promised in return. **
We start off with VGL Male Seeks Same, in which Ethan, in his early 40s, has lost hope of ever finding someone to build a life with. He's tired of the bar scene and his empty bed. When he overhears a younger colleague at his job talking about a website to meet other men, he's intrigued and signs up. At first, he doesn't get any bites, but when he changes his profile picture to that of a fabulous hunky silver fox, his profile gets a ton of responses. Including one from a hot guy named Brian.
This story really drove home the point that looks can and do fade and what matters are the personalities and compatibility of two people in a relationship, as well as the fact that many people on dating sites will focus more on looks and less so on the actual person behind the profile. And that lies have a way of catching up with you.
I quite liked this - 4 stars.
In NEGUB2, Ethan goes for a routine HIV test and is told that it came back positive. Knowing he hasn't had sex with anyone but Brian recently, Ethan is immediately convinced that Brian has to have infected him. He stops responding to emails and texts and avoids his boyfriend while he grapples with his new reality. Needing an outlet, Ethan starts a blog "Off To See The Wizard Of Poz", in which he shares his fears and muses on what the future will hold. I really liked the blogposts that were included for this, but I hated Ethan for jumping to conclusions and the utter lack of trust he displays in Brian. It frustrated me that he would immediately suspect Brian of infecting him, and it took the advice of a co-worker for Ethan to pull his head out of his ass and talk to Brian. Still, considering that this novella kept me glued to the pages, I give it 4 stars also.
In the third novella, Status Updates, we catch up with Ethan 8 years later. And the moment I found out what had to happen for this novella to take shape, I was mad. I understood why the author did what he did, but I hated it nonetheless. Sure, it brings Ethan's story full circle, and it was beautifully written and really brought out the author's ability to write realistic emotions, which is why it's getting the 5 stars it deserves, but I was so upset at Ethan being alone again that I actually cried. Ethan's grief was heartbreaking.
I thought that the entire trilogy was very realistically written. The character of Ethan was beautifully done, and while I didn't always agree with his actions and reactions, he did feel real to me. He could be that guy I saw the other day at the grocery story, looking a little sad, while filling his basket with groceries for one.
It's not a grand romance, but there is love inside, real love, and loss, too. And it begs the question - is it better to have loved and lost than to never have loved at all?
** I received a free copy of this book from its publisher. A positive review was not promised in return. **
November 7, 2017
***2.75 stars (rounded-up)***
Part One - 2008
Well, to put it bluntly it sucked. The first part is a lot of his inner dialogue that drove me up the wall. There is very little exchange between him and his coworkers, he doesn't have any friends outside of work so yeah it was boring. I really wanted to give him a happy pill. It wasn't until he met Brian for the first time that it started to get a bit better. I never knew I craved so much interaction until I read this story lol.
Part Two - 2009
Starts off six months later with Ethan receiving really bad news. He is abrupt, which is understandable, and pushes Brian away, again I understand, to work how his life will change. So, he ends up creating a blog: Off to see the Wizard of Poz, which I have to say was my favorite part of the book. While again there is too much inner musings, I did enjoy his blog. How he uses it as a medium to help express his fears to others out there and how they in turn reach out and react to him. It was beautiful.
Part Three - 2017
Fast forward eight years later and again with the bad news. Without giving too much away this last book brings Ethan's life of sorts, full circle. In the end however, there is hope where there was none. Reconnecting with a person from his past, he starts to realize that he is not alone.
Overall thoughts :
I do wish we could have known how Ethan contracted HIV, and how he was doing on the meds he was initially prescribed. Also, did he still keep with his Blog: Off to see the Wizard of Poz. I wondered if he continued with it because I am sure the community he built would help him through his tough time.
I am one of many reviewers at Gay Book Reviews and can be found here: http://gaybook.reviews/author/steph/
I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Part One - 2008
Well, to put it bluntly it sucked. The first part is a lot of his inner dialogue that drove me up the wall. There is very little exchange between him and his coworkers, he doesn't have any friends outside of work so yeah it was boring. I really wanted to give him a happy pill. It wasn't until he met Brian for the first time that it started to get a bit better. I never knew I craved so much interaction until I read this story lol.
Part Two - 2009
Starts off six months later with Ethan receiving really bad news. He is abrupt, which is understandable, and pushes Brian away, again I understand, to work how his life will change. So, he ends up creating a blog: Off to see the Wizard of Poz, which I have to say was my favorite part of the book. While again there is too much inner musings, I did enjoy his blog. How he uses it as a medium to help express his fears to others out there and how they in turn reach out and react to him. It was beautiful.
Part Three - 2017
Fast forward eight years later and again with the bad news. Without giving too much away this last book brings Ethan's life of sorts, full circle. In the end however, there is hope where there was none. Reconnecting with a person from his past, he starts to realize that he is not alone.
Overall thoughts :
I do wish we could have known how Ethan contracted HIV, and how he was doing on the meds he was initially prescribed. Also, did he still keep with his Blog: Off to see the Wizard of Poz. I wondered if he continued with it because I am sure the community he built would help him through his tough time.
I am one of many reviewers at Gay Book Reviews and can be found here: http://gaybook.reviews/author/steph/
I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
May 12, 2024
Not what I expected (an audio review)
Okay, I’ve said I enjoy Rick R. Reed audios – I’ve listened to almost all of them. I never read the blurb because I want to be surprised. From the cover, I knew this was a romance and not a romantic suspense. I love both, so I was happy to dive in and curious to see what I’d get.
I’m going to be honest here – I didn’t like Ethan. Like, at all. I could TOTALLY relate to being in my forties and being alone. I had a cat, but that was it. So I understood Ethan’s desire to have someone special in his life. But his tactics left a lot to be desired and his acerbic – and sometimes cruel – way of seeing people grated. Now, I’m not saying I’m any better. I judge people based on looks and their perceived attitude. I just try to not let it color my interactions with them. Ethan, despite being forty-two, hasn’t mastered that skill. Then he meets Brian and I thought, okay…he gets it. And they’re going to live happily ever after and what are the next four hours going to be about?
Holy lord, I didn’t see the rest of the story unfolding the way it did. There are hints in the blurb, but nothing could’ve prepared me for the emotional wallop I took as I made my way through the last part of the audio. For someone like me, it was good I had tissue on hand. Not all listeners will actually cry…but I did. I got hit hard by it. So a good, ugly, cathartic cry. And an ending I didn’t see coming but kind of loved.
Wesley Landry narrated this book and, as always, he did a great job. He and Rick work really well together. Anyway, I definitely recommend this book. And if you find Ethan as a jerk in the beginning, don’t worry, you’re not alone. But it’s worth sticking around to see how it all works out.
Okay, I’ve said I enjoy Rick R. Reed audios – I’ve listened to almost all of them. I never read the blurb because I want to be surprised. From the cover, I knew this was a romance and not a romantic suspense. I love both, so I was happy to dive in and curious to see what I’d get.
I’m going to be honest here – I didn’t like Ethan. Like, at all. I could TOTALLY relate to being in my forties and being alone. I had a cat, but that was it. So I understood Ethan’s desire to have someone special in his life. But his tactics left a lot to be desired and his acerbic – and sometimes cruel – way of seeing people grated. Now, I’m not saying I’m any better. I judge people based on looks and their perceived attitude. I just try to not let it color my interactions with them. Ethan, despite being forty-two, hasn’t mastered that skill. Then he meets Brian and I thought, okay…he gets it. And they’re going to live happily ever after and what are the next four hours going to be about?
Holy lord, I didn’t see the rest of the story unfolding the way it did. There are hints in the blurb, but nothing could’ve prepared me for the emotional wallop I took as I made my way through the last part of the audio. For someone like me, it was good I had tissue on hand. Not all listeners will actually cry…but I did. I got hit hard by it. So a good, ugly, cathartic cry. And an ending I didn’t see coming but kind of loved.
Wesley Landry narrated this book and, as always, he did a great job. He and Rick work really well together. Anyway, I definitely recommend this book. And if you find Ethan as a jerk in the beginning, don’t worry, you’re not alone. But it’s worth sticking around to see how it all works out.
August 28, 2020
Lonely and middle-aged Ethan longs for love: full of emotion👬
4-4.5🌟stars
I found this trio of stories about Ethan and Brian an interesting construction. Author Rick R. Reed is anything but formulaic about the stories he writes.
I love that when I open a new book by Reed I never know what to expect (though I have always found the writing excellent and the emotional content powerful).
Ethan is the central figure who unites the three segments which all take place in Chicago from 2008 to 2017. Each segment zones in on a different issue Ethan faces in his emotional journey through middle age. All tug at the heartstrings, but the first two segments were my favorites.
Issue one: how to find someone when you are no longer young and you've past your physical peak. I loved the real obstacles Ethan negotiates to find his man Brian.
Issue two: dealing with a life-changing diagnosis and its threat to a budding relationship. Once again, Ethan's emotions and reactions felt real and, in this segment, so raw.
Issue three: surviving the end of a loving relationship. This section lost me a few times as it delved into spirituality, but the memories are so poignant and the struggle to cope with loss so sadly true.
It's not a hearts and flowers HEA romance by any means, but for me this collection hit a satisfying note as it dealt frankly with the joys and sorrows of life.
Thanks to publisher NineStar Press and NetGalley for providing an advance copy of the book; this is my voluntary and honest review.
4-4.5🌟stars
I found this trio of stories about Ethan and Brian an interesting construction. Author Rick R. Reed is anything but formulaic about the stories he writes.
I love that when I open a new book by Reed I never know what to expect (though I have always found the writing excellent and the emotional content powerful).
Ethan is the central figure who unites the three segments which all take place in Chicago from 2008 to 2017. Each segment zones in on a different issue Ethan faces in his emotional journey through middle age. All tug at the heartstrings, but the first two segments were my favorites.
Issue one: how to find someone when you are no longer young and you've past your physical peak. I loved the real obstacles Ethan negotiates to find his man Brian.
Issue two: dealing with a life-changing diagnosis and its threat to a budding relationship. Once again, Ethan's emotions and reactions felt real and, in this segment, so raw.
Issue three: surviving the end of a loving relationship. This section lost me a few times as it delved into spirituality, but the memories are so poignant and the struggle to cope with loss so sadly true.
It's not a hearts and flowers HEA romance by any means, but for me this collection hit a satisfying note as it dealt frankly with the joys and sorrows of life.
Thanks to publisher NineStar Press and NetGalley for providing an advance copy of the book; this is my voluntary and honest review.
August 29, 2020
M4M contains three stories in one volume. BUT for me, reading it for the first time, it worked as one complete work. I'm not sure how I would rate this if I had read it in 'pieces'. I chose this based on the art, title, and author-- expecting a romance with complicated characters- based of previous work (I've read) by Reed. I loved this-- but I don't consider it a M/M Romance. It's a full-fledged novel.
Gay men are often portrayed as shallow, haunted, sex-obsessed creatures. Here, Ethan (as well as Brian and Ben) become human. I mean that in the all the best ways. Take the frivolity of many gay romance characters, sometimes angst driven characters as well-- Take us on a journey that doesn't just involve sex or just finding a boyfriend; doesn't just focus on transforming self (and societal) hate in acceptance... Ethan, after years of going through the motions of life-- becomes, well, more than a man-- he becomes human.
Expecting a light romantic read, I was soon surprised by where Reed decided to go. Any doubt I had (early on) about finishing it transformed into a truly meaningful, reading experience. There's some heavy topics here: loneliness, HIV, grief. And Reed doesn't shy away from difficult subjects. What he does here, better than pretty much anyone-- is give us hope.
This is a book that may force you to think, it might make you feel, and it might touch your life. This one is going to stick with me.
I received a copy from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Gay men are often portrayed as shallow, haunted, sex-obsessed creatures. Here, Ethan (as well as Brian and Ben) become human. I mean that in the all the best ways. Take the frivolity of many gay romance characters, sometimes angst driven characters as well-- Take us on a journey that doesn't just involve sex or just finding a boyfriend; doesn't just focus on transforming self (and societal) hate in acceptance... Ethan, after years of going through the motions of life-- becomes, well, more than a man-- he becomes human.
Expecting a light romantic read, I was soon surprised by where Reed decided to go. Any doubt I had (early on) about finishing it transformed into a truly meaningful, reading experience. There's some heavy topics here: loneliness, HIV, grief. And Reed doesn't shy away from difficult subjects. What he does here, better than pretty much anyone-- is give us hope.
This is a book that may force you to think, it might make you feel, and it might touch your life. This one is going to stick with me.
I received a copy from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
October 10, 2020
Back in 2012, I read VGL Male Seeks Same where Ethan, a 42 year old gay man was looking for love in all the wrong places when he decides to give online dating a chance. That's where he meets Brian, who sounds utterly perfect for him and soon Ethan feels like he's found the love of his life and his own happily ever after.
In NEG UB2 Ethan gets some news that turns his word upside down and and we find ourselves accompanying Ethan in this journey as he battles doubt, hurt and a huge sense of betrayal at the news he has found. Soon he finds himself writing a blog as he struggles to make sense of his new reality and his relationship with Brian.
Apparently, after reading the two previous stories, I completely missed Status Updates which is why when I saw this book in NetGalley I decided to request it.
In this installment, we find Ethan trying once again to come to grips with his new reality and failing. It isn't until he receives a friend request from the annoying little brat he used to work with that Ethan seems to finally come to life again. But this is Ethan, so of course we get to enjoy his journey as he questions and analyzes every little conversation, sentiment and thought.
I enjoyed re-reading the first 2 installments and getting to visit Ethan again but I enjoyed the last installment even more because it finally granted Ethan with that elusive HEA he'd been searching for. And that he found it in the most unlikely of places brings his journey full circle, at least it seems that way to me.
In NEG UB2 Ethan gets some news that turns his word upside down and and we find ourselves accompanying Ethan in this journey as he battles doubt, hurt and a huge sense of betrayal at the news he has found. Soon he finds himself writing a blog as he struggles to make sense of his new reality and his relationship with Brian.
Apparently, after reading the two previous stories, I completely missed Status Updates which is why when I saw this book in NetGalley I decided to request it.
In this installment, we find Ethan trying once again to come to grips with his new reality and failing. It isn't until he receives a friend request from the annoying little brat he used to work with that Ethan seems to finally come to life again. But this is Ethan, so of course we get to enjoy his journey as he questions and analyzes every little conversation, sentiment and thought.
I enjoyed re-reading the first 2 installments and getting to visit Ethan again but I enjoyed the last installment even more because it finally granted Ethan with that elusive HEA he'd been searching for. And that he found it in the most unlikely of places brings his journey full circle, at least it seems that way to me.
August 30, 2020
Thank you Netgalley for letting me read this book in return for an honest review.
M4M has three stories in it all featuring Ethan.
The first book is where Ethan is lonely and tries to find someone using the internet (it is also set in 2008).
The second book is where Ethan finds out he is HIV positive and he is wondering if his boyfriend (who he met in the first book) was the one who infected him.
The third book finds Ethan all alone and when an old nemesis contacts him on Facebook, he may find another chance at love.
The three stories together sounded like a good and potentially sad premise but I couldn't get past how the relationship with Brian in book one literally started off with Ethan using another mans face on his dating profile. Brian is the one who reached out to Ethan on the site, being fooled by the fake picture and by the sounds of it, he is completely smitten (to the point it is an obsession) with the picture of Ethan.
A relationship built on lies is not a relationship I want to read about and I didn't like Ethan at all as he felt quite immature and so judgemental. Brian also felt quite over the top to me with how he treated the relationship (screenshotting and printing all the conversations they had for example.)
Rating
1⭐
Would I read it again:
Nope
Would I recommend it:
Not really, however, I understand that if a book isn't for me that doesn't mean others won't like it.
M4M has three stories in it all featuring Ethan.
The first book is where Ethan is lonely and tries to find someone using the internet (it is also set in 2008).
The second book is where Ethan finds out he is HIV positive and he is wondering if his boyfriend (who he met in the first book) was the one who infected him.
The third book finds Ethan all alone and when an old nemesis contacts him on Facebook, he may find another chance at love.
The three stories together sounded like a good and potentially sad premise but I couldn't get past how the relationship with Brian in book one literally started off with Ethan using another mans face on his dating profile. Brian is the one who reached out to Ethan on the site, being fooled by the fake picture and by the sounds of it, he is completely smitten (to the point it is an obsession) with the picture of Ethan.
A relationship built on lies is not a relationship I want to read about and I didn't like Ethan at all as he felt quite immature and so judgemental. Brian also felt quite over the top to me with how he treated the relationship (screenshotting and printing all the conversations they had for example.)
Rating
1⭐
Would I read it again:
Nope
Would I recommend it:
Not really, however, I understand that if a book isn't for me that doesn't mean others won't like it.
May 7, 2024
I’m reviewing the audio edition.
There is so much to this story. It follows Ethan’s life from when he decides to take steps to find a relationship somewhere other than the bar scene. He decides to take to the internet but how successful is that? How honest are the whole interactions online? When Ethan and Brian interact I felt it was really funny how both wanted an honest relationship but both didn’t succeed when being honest. The relationship goes through quite a major issue and there are many questions. When tragedy happens Ethan has to face a questionable life. He gets an unexpected person in Bubbles that changes how he sees things. This is such a high level overview when there is so much more to this story. It is a very emotional story. I don’t know how others felt but I really was sad though most of this story. I feel it is a good emotional read and insightful about what possibly a guy might have to live through. I feel Wesley Landry did a great job with the narration.
There is so much to this story. It follows Ethan’s life from when he decides to take steps to find a relationship somewhere other than the bar scene. He decides to take to the internet but how successful is that? How honest are the whole interactions online? When Ethan and Brian interact I felt it was really funny how both wanted an honest relationship but both didn’t succeed when being honest. The relationship goes through quite a major issue and there are many questions. When tragedy happens Ethan has to face a questionable life. He gets an unexpected person in Bubbles that changes how he sees things. This is such a high level overview when there is so much more to this story. It is a very emotional story. I don’t know how others felt but I really was sad though most of this story. I feel it is a good emotional read and insightful about what possibly a guy might have to live through. I feel Wesley Landry did a great job with the narration.
May 12, 2024
Audiobook Review
This was a unique listening experience, I thought the narrator did quite a good job giving voice to Ethan’s story. This feels like a very modern tale and I liked how it is told in kind of vignettes of different points in Ethan’s life. Ethan’s loneliness at the start is clear and the author shows how hard it can be navigating relationships in the modern world. But things turn promising for Ethan when he meets Brian but life has a way of shaking you up when you least expect. So, it was pretty devastating when Ethan get his diagnosis, he’s HIV positive. The narrator is especially strong during this section, you really feel his shock which results in his lashing out against Brian. The middle section is quite sad, and I would have loved a bit more for Brian. I liked the time jump and picking up Ethan’s story almost ten years later, lonely again but I loved that we end Ethan’s story in a positive way, when he takes a chance on a name from his past, with Ben.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.
This was a unique listening experience, I thought the narrator did quite a good job giving voice to Ethan’s story. This feels like a very modern tale and I liked how it is told in kind of vignettes of different points in Ethan’s life. Ethan’s loneliness at the start is clear and the author shows how hard it can be navigating relationships in the modern world. But things turn promising for Ethan when he meets Brian but life has a way of shaking you up when you least expect. So, it was pretty devastating when Ethan get his diagnosis, he’s HIV positive. The narrator is especially strong during this section, you really feel his shock which results in his lashing out against Brian. The middle section is quite sad, and I would have loved a bit more for Brian. I liked the time jump and picking up Ethan’s story almost ten years later, lonely again but I loved that we end Ethan’s story in a positive way, when he takes a chance on a name from his past, with Ben.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.
May 1, 2024
Audiobook Review:
Overall – 5
Performance – 5
Story – 5
A Touching and poignant story.
This a beautiful love story but I wouldn't exactly call it a romance. My eyes leaked more than once while listening to it and I loved that it touched me deeply. Wesley Landry did a wonderful job performing this story. He conveyed all of the different emotions the characters were experiencing and had me feeling them while I listened.
The blurb does a very good job of describing the three stories. I'm afraid to say anything more because I don't want to give any spoilers.
I’ve now listened to several books by Rick R. Reed. I’m realizing how well he writes all different kinds of love stories and I’ve enjoyed every one of them. M4M is one that will stick with me for a while.
A complimentary copy of this audiobook was provided to me at my request; my review was voluntary and not influenced by the author and/or narrator.
Overall – 5
Performance – 5
Story – 5
A Touching and poignant story.
This a beautiful love story but I wouldn't exactly call it a romance. My eyes leaked more than once while listening to it and I loved that it touched me deeply. Wesley Landry did a wonderful job performing this story. He conveyed all of the different emotions the characters were experiencing and had me feeling them while I listened.
The blurb does a very good job of describing the three stories. I'm afraid to say anything more because I don't want to give any spoilers.
I’ve now listened to several books by Rick R. Reed. I’m realizing how well he writes all different kinds of love stories and I’ve enjoyed every one of them. M4M is one that will stick with me for a while.
A complimentary copy of this audiobook was provided to me at my request; my review was voluntary and not influenced by the author and/or narrator.
May 2, 2024
MM- beautiful tear-jerker
It's a well-written book, but I now expect this of this author.
We meet Ethan and follow his strikingly realistic life and significant ups and downs through love and loss. He writes about a very powerful subject of HIV and its negativity.
I did not expect the outcome that we had. I won't ruin it with plot spoilers.
I loved Wesley Landry's narration. It was easy to listen to. I speeded up the narration to 1.2 on Audible, which is usual for me.
M4M
By: Rick R. Reed
Narrated by: Wesley Landry
Length: 6 hrs and 43 mins
❤❤❤❤❤ Overall
🎧🎧🎧🎧🎧 Narration
📚📚📚📚📚 Story
Read at 1.20 speed on Audible
I received this audiobook for free from GRR at my request. My review is my opinion and an honest review - neither the author nor GRR influenced my opinion.
It's a well-written book, but I now expect this of this author.
We meet Ethan and follow his strikingly realistic life and significant ups and downs through love and loss. He writes about a very powerful subject of HIV and its negativity.
I did not expect the outcome that we had. I won't ruin it with plot spoilers.
I loved Wesley Landry's narration. It was easy to listen to. I speeded up the narration to 1.2 on Audible, which is usual for me.
M4M
By: Rick R. Reed
Narrated by: Wesley Landry
Length: 6 hrs and 43 mins
❤❤❤❤❤ Overall
🎧🎧🎧🎧🎧 Narration
📚📚📚📚📚 Story
Read at 1.20 speed on Audible
I received this audiobook for free from GRR at my request. My review is my opinion and an honest review - neither the author nor GRR influenced my opinion.
September 2, 2020
I know this is a good book.
I know the writing is fantastic.
But...
This one just isn't for me.
I struggled from the start with the cover. The cover models in no way what so ever represents the men in the story. The cover models are in their 20's probably, while the men in the story are in their 40's. With the older cover, I wouldn't have had this issue. But, damn, I couldn't get passed this.
And then ...
I find the story to be very authentic, but it turned me off. I felt bad for the men feeling they needed to deceive one another with their photos, but I just couldn't read past them meeting. I just didn't like the deception.
But - for anyone else, these things might not bother them.
I know the writing is fantastic.
But...
This one just isn't for me.
I struggled from the start with the cover. The cover models in no way what so ever represents the men in the story. The cover models are in their 20's probably, while the men in the story are in their 40's. With the older cover, I wouldn't have had this issue. But, damn, I couldn't get passed this.
And then ...
I find the story to be very authentic, but it turned me off. I felt bad for the men feeling they needed to deceive one another with their photos, but I just couldn't read past them meeting. I just didn't like the deception.
But - for anyone else, these things might not bother them.
May 14, 2024
So this book is a bit different from others by this author. We are basically following Ethan through his journey in life. I really liked that this book is told entirely from his perspective and we get to know him and his feelings well. The story is poignant, very real and relatable, and there is romance for Ethan. I also really like that most of the characters are a little older. It makes for a nice change.
November 4, 2020
This will be a short review as words don't do this book justice. Simply put, M4M is absolutely stunning. It's also incredibly emotional. I confess at one point I nearly gave up on it as it wasn't grabbing me. I am so glad I didn't because I'd have missed a beauty.
Thanks to NetGalley and Publishers for my ARC of this book.
Thanks to NetGalley and Publishers for my ARC of this book.
May 5, 2024
Interesting Collection of Novellas
*Audiobook Review*
This is an interesting story made up of a collection of novellas. There were a few parts that didn't work well for me but I did appreciate the overall story and I really enjoyed the narration by Wesley Landry.
I received an ARC and this is my unbiased opinion
*Audiobook Review*
This is an interesting story made up of a collection of novellas. There were a few parts that didn't work well for me but I did appreciate the overall story and I really enjoyed the narration by Wesley Landry.
I received an ARC and this is my unbiased opinion
September 3, 2020
It took me a moment to get used to the style the author chose to narrate the story, but overall, I liked it. The theme of story is very contemporary and important, the approach interesting and well realised.
I liked the characters and it's a stron 4 stars for me.
I liked the characters and it's a stron 4 stars for me.
January 5, 2025
This was a series of three novellas, following the journey for love Ethan goes on. I liked the first and third story but the second was frustrating because lack of communication was in essence the entire plot. Averaged around 3.5 for me.
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