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Character Bleed #2
Stalwart
Cameras, thunderstorms, and love confessions! And a secret or two ...
Jason Mirelli couldn't be happier. Filming's going well, he loves his role, and he and Colby Kent have unexpectedly fallen for each other on screen and off ... and into bed. Everything seems wonderful, but Jason can't help worrying. This is the role that'll save his career, he's sleeping with his co-star, and Colby needs him to take things slow, but Jason's already head over heels in love. It's getting harder and harder to watch Colby pretend to be ill and in pain, even if it's only in character ... and a single on-set accident might make Jason's worst fears come true.
Colby's happier than he's been in a very long time. He's telling a story that he loves, he's playing a character he's always adored, and he wants to share all of himself with Jason, on camera and off. He knows he's falling in love with Jason, but he also knows it's too fast, and he's been hurt before. Besides, he has one final secret he's been afraid to confess. He wants to trust Jason completely, but before he can, an accident on set might threaten every love story they've been creating.
Jason Mirelli couldn't be happier. Filming's going well, he loves his role, and he and Colby Kent have unexpectedly fallen for each other on screen and off ... and into bed. Everything seems wonderful, but Jason can't help worrying. This is the role that'll save his career, he's sleeping with his co-star, and Colby needs him to take things slow, but Jason's already head over heels in love. It's getting harder and harder to watch Colby pretend to be ill and in pain, even if it's only in character ... and a single on-set accident might make Jason's worst fears come true.
Colby's happier than he's been in a very long time. He's telling a story that he loves, he's playing a character he's always adored, and he wants to share all of himself with Jason, on camera and off. He knows he's falling in love with Jason, but he also knows it's too fast, and he's been hurt before. Besides, he has one final secret he's been afraid to confess. He wants to trust Jason completely, but before he can, an accident on set might threaten every love story they've been creating.
318 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 12, 2020
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48 people want to read
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October 28, 2022DNF at 55%, so no star rating. And honestly usually I wouldn't even review a book if I'd given it up at the halfway mark, but reading Stalwart was such a strange experience that I just feel compelled to share with the class. (Here be spoilers.)
I really liked the first book in the series . Although it was very slow and a bit indulgent, it made sense, because so much of it was about establishing the main characters and their budding connection. They each had their own issues - Jason was insecure about being an action movie star on a "serious" production and had water-related trauma because of the death of a close friend, while Colby was recovering from an abusive relationship and generally struggled with self-worth. Even though it formed almost instantly, their connection didn't feel forced, and the supporting characters were all well-realized. In short, while these men did spend 350 pages falling in love and obsessing over each other, they did so while having lives, personalities, and interests outside of each other.
Which brings us to Stalwart.
Now, even in Seaworthy I was like "hmm, Colby does seem a bit precious, doesn't he" - he's this ridiculously wonderful and self-effacing person and he's prone to going on of cutesy tangents and he bakes for the entire set and is just... a ball of fluff. But I was like "eh, whatever." Because sure, Jason and the director and the co-stars were all falling over themselves to do anything they can for Colby, but the book established that these are mostly his friends even outside of work, and that they know he's been through shit. So it just felt like an idealized version of a supportive queer movie set, with Colby being the unwitting center of it all.
And that's also true in Stalwart, only it's kinda,,,,more? Too much?? I genuinely do not understand how that filming is staying on schedule when every day they have to stop while either Colby or Jason have a full-blown breakdown and then they have to cuddle to feel okay again and everyone on the set is like "yaaay guys, you are so cute"??? Genuinely what in the world is going on. And I am in no way demonising people having trauma triggers in random situations or feeling overwhelmed in a work environment or anything. But like??? I guess what I'm trying to articulate is that in the first book, it genuinely felt like two dedicated professionals who just so happened to meet and start a relationship on the set of a movie they both care about a lot. The whole secondary layer of storytelling with the plot of the movie felt interesting in its own right - part of the reason I jumped onto book 2 is I wanted to see if Colby could come up with a new, happy ending for Will and Stephen! But in Stalwart it's just... two dudes being super clingy and codependent, and they just so happen to also be filming this movie.
And all the chivalric, subtly D/s, borderline "weird for you" vibes from the first book? Gone in a cloud of jizz. And god knows I don't usually mind when a romance has a sex scene or twenty but good lord something about the way these ones were written just kinda...squicked me out? I think it comes down to a problem that actually pervades the novel as a whole - zero character work. It was like the author went through the effort to establish the characters and their histories and dynamics in book one and then for the second book just kept two personality traits for each and just kept repeating them?? The number of times I've read Jason wanting to take care of Colby while being a huge muscly man and Colby dropping into subspace at the drop of a hat and rambling about food or wine or rain or glitter in a precious cutesy way in the first 50% of this book alone??? It's too much to bear.
If Seaworthy was fanfic-y as a honorific (a nice slowburn full of YearningTM, team as family, subtle metareflections about queer love stories, angst and fluff), then I'm sorry to say that Stalwart feels fanfic-y but like...in that way people who look down on fic use the term :((
P.S.: I kinda feel like a dick posting such an unflattering review but I'd feel weird about just leaving my glowing review for Seaworthy up. And I still stand by reccing Seaworthy!! But as more of a standalone, I guess.
I really liked the first book in the series . Although it was very slow and a bit indulgent, it made sense, because so much of it was about establishing the main characters and their budding connection. They each had their own issues - Jason was insecure about being an action movie star on a "serious" production and had water-related trauma because of the death of a close friend, while Colby was recovering from an abusive relationship and generally struggled with self-worth. Even though it formed almost instantly, their connection didn't feel forced, and the supporting characters were all well-realized. In short, while these men did spend 350 pages falling in love and obsessing over each other, they did so while having lives, personalities, and interests outside of each other.
Which brings us to Stalwart.
Now, even in Seaworthy I was like "hmm, Colby does seem a bit precious, doesn't he" - he's this ridiculously wonderful and self-effacing person and he's prone to going on of cutesy tangents and he bakes for the entire set and is just... a ball of fluff. But I was like "eh, whatever." Because sure, Jason and the director and the co-stars were all falling over themselves to do anything they can for Colby, but the book established that these are mostly his friends even outside of work, and that they know he's been through shit. So it just felt like an idealized version of a supportive queer movie set, with Colby being the unwitting center of it all.
And that's also true in Stalwart, only it's kinda,,,,more? Too much?? I genuinely do not understand how that filming is staying on schedule when every day they have to stop while either Colby or Jason have a full-blown breakdown and then they have to cuddle to feel okay again and everyone on the set is like "yaaay guys, you are so cute"??? Genuinely what in the world is going on. And I am in no way demonising people having trauma triggers in random situations or feeling overwhelmed in a work environment or anything. But like??? I guess what I'm trying to articulate is that in the first book, it genuinely felt like two dedicated professionals who just so happened to meet and start a relationship on the set of a movie they both care about a lot. The whole secondary layer of storytelling with the plot of the movie felt interesting in its own right - part of the reason I jumped onto book 2 is I wanted to see if Colby could come up with a new, happy ending for Will and Stephen! But in Stalwart it's just... two dudes being super clingy and codependent, and they just so happen to also be filming this movie.
And all the chivalric, subtly D/s, borderline "weird for you" vibes from the first book? Gone in a cloud of jizz. And god knows I don't usually mind when a romance has a sex scene or twenty but good lord something about the way these ones were written just kinda...squicked me out? I think it comes down to a problem that actually pervades the novel as a whole - zero character work. It was like the author went through the effort to establish the characters and their histories and dynamics in book one and then for the second book just kept two personality traits for each and just kept repeating them?? The number of times I've read Jason wanting to take care of Colby while being a huge muscly man and Colby dropping into subspace at the drop of a hat and rambling about food or wine or rain or glitter in a precious cutesy way in the first 50% of this book alone??? It's too much to bear.
If Seaworthy was fanfic-y as a honorific (a nice slowburn full of YearningTM, team as family, subtle metareflections about queer love stories, angst and fluff), then I'm sorry to say that Stalwart feels fanfic-y but like...in that way people who look down on fic use the term :((
P.S.: I kinda feel like a dick posting such an unflattering review but I'd feel weird about just leaving my glowing review for Seaworthy up. And I still stand by reccing Seaworthy!! But as more of a standalone, I guess.
September 10, 2023
2.5 rounded down
OK sequel, though I continue to be unsure on this series. It continues to feel quite slow and self-indulgent, and the pacing in particular really started to drag for me in this one. There's an increased focus on the kinky aspect of their connection here, which is relatively mild and should be right up my alley, but for some reason I'm just kind of lukewarm on it. I think my biggest problem is that the author has really gone all-in on making Colby as a character seem pretty broken and... idk, pathetic isn't the right term, but he's having what feels like near constant break-downs on set and continues to do his self-deprecating manic-pixie-dream-boy schtick and it's really just... not doing it for me. I actually think I enjoyed this one less than book one because it felt like the author leaned harder into the aspects of the story I wasn't enjoying--the OTT movie plot, slow pace, overly indulgent focus on past trauma, infantilization of Colby, etc. Which isn't to say I *didn't* enjoy myself, but it's not quite what I wanted the story to be. I have the final book in the series, and I'm curious enough that I'll read it, but I don't have massively high hopes. BUt this
OK sequel, though I continue to be unsure on this series. It continues to feel quite slow and self-indulgent, and the pacing in particular really started to drag for me in this one. There's an increased focus on the kinky aspect of their connection here, which is relatively mild and should be right up my alley, but for some reason I'm just kind of lukewarm on it. I think my biggest problem is that the author has really gone all-in on making Colby as a character seem pretty broken and... idk, pathetic isn't the right term, but he's having what feels like near constant break-downs on set and continues to do his self-deprecating manic-pixie-dream-boy schtick and it's really just... not doing it for me. I actually think I enjoyed this one less than book one because it felt like the author leaned harder into the aspects of the story I wasn't enjoying--the OTT movie plot, slow pace, overly indulgent focus on past trauma, infantilization of Colby, etc. Which isn't to say I *didn't* enjoy myself, but it's not quite what I wanted the story to be. I have the final book in the series, and I'm curious enough that I'll read it, but I don't have massively high hopes. BUt this
January 14, 2025
I loved book one, so I don’t regret reading this second book. But if you have a low tolerance for sickly sweet, Tal Bauer levels of sap, then you might struggle with this one like I did. I still love the characters but the slight infantilisation (is this a word) of Colby took me by surprise. Everyone in the production treats them with gloves and keeps going “ooh and ahhh” over their newfound romance and I’m just not sure I buy that whole dynamic. These are people in their 30’s and 40’s, ffs.
Someone wrote in another review that Colby is made to be a manic pixie dream boy in this one and I couldn’t agree more.
I do want to see how this story ends so I’ll pick up the next one.
Someone wrote in another review that Colby is made to be a manic pixie dream boy in this one and I couldn’t agree more.
I do want to see how this story ends so I’ll pick up the next one.
September 20, 2022
Giving this one somewhere around 2.3 stars. Because I couldn’t bear another page, to be honest.
The first part of the first book was soooo good. But this was just the most repetitive thing ever, and I had so many issues with it. First, that Colby is never ever treated like an actual human. He’s just this damaged fluffball who Jason has to take care of all the time, and I just needed him to be by himself for a bit so he had chance to breathe without his other half saying ‘you like rain’ and ‘you like cinnamon’ and ‘you like orders’.
Same for Jason. I needed a few scenes of him being a normal person on his own, even just getting dinner alone or something??? Because it’s just a bit creepy when they’re together because the same thing happens, they’re always thinking about sex and the same throwaway lines Colby said a book ago. I needed more to their relationship, but I didn’t get it. They literally just go to work - have weirdly public near-sex with the cast and crew watching on - and go back to the hotel and have sex.
Give me them walking around! Give me them having a shower and thinking about stuff. Give me literally anything other than reams of Colby being damaged and in subspace and Jason thinking I’ll have to take care of him cause he talks to his boots.
I can’t bear to read the last one. This is me giving up.
The first part of the first book was soooo good. But this was just the most repetitive thing ever, and I had so many issues with it. First, that Colby is never ever treated like an actual human. He’s just this damaged fluffball who Jason has to take care of all the time, and I just needed him to be by himself for a bit so he had chance to breathe without his other half saying ‘you like rain’ and ‘you like cinnamon’ and ‘you like orders’.
Same for Jason. I needed a few scenes of him being a normal person on his own, even just getting dinner alone or something??? Because it’s just a bit creepy when they’re together because the same thing happens, they’re always thinking about sex and the same throwaway lines Colby said a book ago. I needed more to their relationship, but I didn’t get it. They literally just go to work - have weirdly public near-sex with the cast and crew watching on - and go back to the hotel and have sex.
Give me them walking around! Give me them having a shower and thinking about stuff. Give me literally anything other than reams of Colby being damaged and in subspace and Jason thinking I’ll have to take care of him cause he talks to his boots.
I can’t bear to read the last one. This is me giving up.
October 21, 2020
A Joyfully Jay review.
4 stars
Stalwart by K.L. Noone is the second book in the Character Bleed series and picks up right where the first book ends. So if you have not read the first story, be aware this book may contain spoilers. As this story begins, Jason and Colby are very much together and, over the course of the novel, become more transparent about their feelings. Colby also grows exponentially in his trust of Jason and their sex life is a true indicator of his belief that Jason will never hurt him as his ex had done, which had made him so reluctant to be intimate initially. We still don’t have a clear picture of all that was done to Colby by his ex, but we do know from this and the previous book that it had much to do with an emotional type of blackmail, as well as forcing sex on Colby that was painful, rough, and at times unwanted. All this succeeded in making Colby a bit of a mess when it came to scenes of intimacy and forceful touching during the movie shoot.
Read Sammy’s review in its entirety here.
4 stars
Stalwart by K.L. Noone is the second book in the Character Bleed series and picks up right where the first book ends. So if you have not read the first story, be aware this book may contain spoilers. As this story begins, Jason and Colby are very much together and, over the course of the novel, become more transparent about their feelings. Colby also grows exponentially in his trust of Jason and their sex life is a true indicator of his belief that Jason will never hurt him as his ex had done, which had made him so reluctant to be intimate initially. We still don’t have a clear picture of all that was done to Colby by his ex, but we do know from this and the previous book that it had much to do with an emotional type of blackmail, as well as forcing sex on Colby that was painful, rough, and at times unwanted. All this succeeded in making Colby a bit of a mess when it came to scenes of intimacy and forceful touching during the movie shoot.
Read Sammy’s review in its entirety here.
January 16, 2025
at this point, these MCs are my new personality. and look, i usually find the found family trope off-puttingly cheesy, but it's really lovely here. genuine friends and/or co-workers who have bonded over mutual respect and affection, who care for each other.
April 25, 2025
The story continues on with Jason and Colby as they film their queer period movie. Their relationship deepens, with both starting to realize that this isn't just the typical movie set romance. They start to understand each other, especially Jason understanding what Colby had been denied in his previous relationships with men.
We get to see both of the guys visiting with their parents via phone conversations, and the contrast between families couldn't be more different. It explains a lot about Colby's lack of confidence in personal relationships. Luckily, Colby has his found family with the secondary characters in the book who understand and are always supportive of him. And of course, now Jason.
The book ends with a number of little ficlets, some of them quite steamy, that don't necessarily follow the timeline between this book and Steadfast, the 3rd book in the series. There is still more to go in the filming of the movie, and I for one love watching that production of the movie's story in these books. I need to know for sure how Will and Stephen's story ends, too
We get to see both of the guys visiting with their parents via phone conversations, and the contrast between families couldn't be more different. It explains a lot about Colby's lack of confidence in personal relationships. Luckily, Colby has his found family with the secondary characters in the book who understand and are always supportive of him. And of course, now Jason.
The book ends with a number of little ficlets, some of them quite steamy, that don't necessarily follow the timeline between this book and Steadfast, the 3rd book in the series. There is still more to go in the filming of the movie, and I for one love watching that production of the movie's story in these books. I need to know for sure how Will and Stephen's story ends, too
November 21, 2024
What I liked: lots of sweet, romantic moments between the 2 MCs and several really hot sex scenes. I enjoyed hearing more about the parallel story of Stephen and Will. In addition, there's a bit of care-focused hurt/comfort here that was lovely, which also gave us an intriguing glimpse of Colby and Jason's respective family lives. The bonus scenes added a bit of extra color as well.
What I didn't like: some story beats felt repetitive. By the end of this book, I felt somewhat done and was surprised there is yet another book.
Summary: I liked seeing the relationship continue to develop. Colby and Jason make me happy. I am not totally sure I want to read more, but I am willing to at least try the 3rd book because I need the happy pick-me-up.
What I didn't like: some story beats felt repetitive. By the end of this book, I felt somewhat done and was surprised there is yet another book.
Summary: I liked seeing the relationship continue to develop. Colby and Jason make me happy. I am not totally sure I want to read more, but I am willing to at least try the 3rd book because I need the happy pick-me-up.
December 14, 2021
I thoroughly enjoyed the developing romance and most of all the trust between Jason and Colby in this second book. The concept of this series is so impressive, with the making of a mainstream film focussing on the historical context for gay romance and stories that demand to be told, shared and celebrated, having been hidden away for so long in less tolerant times.
Colby's desire to give a twist on the original story and gift the historical couple a happy ever after (rather than the tired and conventional sad separation) really sums up the positivity and scope of this series. Bravo, K.L. Noone!
Colby's desire to give a twist on the original story and gift the historical couple a happy ever after (rather than the tired and conventional sad separation) really sums up the positivity and scope of this series. Bravo, K.L. Noone!
September 13, 2023
Still loved this book and the characters that is why I chose to keep the stars so high. I found their idiosyncrasies weird and sweet, talking about food and rain and sunshine. I kind of saw the powerplay coming, I'm usually not a fan as I cannot relate (falling into subspace fex.) at all but it was so light as to not irk me too much in the end. What got me more were the near constant reassurances, nobody is on guard 24/7. Everybody has their own triggers and worries. I get that you are sensitive to certain peoples triggers especially if that person is special to you, but there is a limit to what all you can pay attention to, especially if it collides with a set emotional response from you.
August 30, 2024
I really enjoyed the first book of this series, and was looking forward to reading this one.
I love Noone's writing style, her characters and the slow pace. I thought this worked really well in the first book, when they were dancing around each other. Unfortunately, it didn't work so well in this book. 318 pages of negotiating sex and them saying "I love you" to each other. I was exhausted by the end and nothing had really happened. It could have been condensed to a chapter or two without much loss.
I love Noone's writing style, her characters and the slow pace. I thought this worked really well in the first book, when they were dancing around each other. Unfortunately, it didn't work so well in this book. 318 pages of negotiating sex and them saying "I love you" to each other. I was exhausted by the end and nothing had really happened. It could have been condensed to a chapter or two without much loss.
February 2, 2025
This still retained a lot of the charm from the first book, but was just not quite as good. Possibly because I love first meetings and a sequel will have no first meetings, and possibly because we had a few too many sex scenes for such a short book. That said, some interesting things happen and I do like the way our two leads continue to try to communicate with each other, even if they're not particularly good at it.
March 16, 2021
Book 2 held up!
You know how sometimes the second book in a trilogy can sometimes be lackluster? Wanting, in some way?
Worry not, this is the example that contradicts the rule. It's just as much fun as book 1, ends in a satisfying place, and has TONS of extras at the end. Just you wait.
So much fun!
You know how sometimes the second book in a trilogy can sometimes be lackluster? Wanting, in some way?
Worry not, this is the example that contradicts the rule. It's just as much fun as book 1, ends in a satisfying place, and has TONS of extras at the end. Just you wait.
So much fun!
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May 11, 2021Hurt comfort
Two movie stars in M/M love playing Regency gay lovers.
The part where Colby is injured during filling is perfect. In its own way, the heartless reaction of his self-centered parents is too. Explains his self esteem problems. Enjoyed older master actor but rest sometimes overdone. Took off star for Harlequin romance melodrama.
Two movie stars in M/M love playing Regency gay lovers.
The part where Colby is injured during filling is perfect. In its own way, the heartless reaction of his self-centered parents is too. Explains his self esteem problems. Enjoyed older master actor but rest sometimes overdone. Took off star for Harlequin romance melodrama.
July 5, 2022
Great! Very sweet. If the majority of the last book was slow burn, the majority of this book is definitely… not that haha.
My only concern with this series so far are the workplace liability issues and the way all their coworkers encourage their relationship. Do people like this? That would stress me out!
My only concern with this series so far are the workplace liability issues and the way all their coworkers encourage their relationship. Do people like this? That would stress me out!
July 25, 2023
Still cute, but the tension was missing somewhat (Colby writing is really not a point of conflict), and the whole 'subspace' bit felt weird - like Colby was hypnotised and Jason was about to start bending spoons with his mind.
Also, the Kindle ebook finishes at 80% because of all the extras tagged on the end.
Also, the Kindle ebook finishes at 80% because of all the extras tagged on the end.
April 19, 2025
This one wasn’t perfect but they’re just so cute and make me feel so warm and fuzzy. There’s a few things that would annoy me usually such as instalove, a lot of repetitiveness, maybe being a little too codependent without any pushback, etc. but they’re just too cute so I don’t really care about any of that. Having fun :)
September 27, 2021
great to see these two be happy together. Most of the drama comes from the film story (up0 until about 80% when one dramatic thing happens in real life) but it's ok with me to get to spend time with these two guys.
August 18, 2022
I enjoyed this, and will read the last book in the series; that fifth star is slight dissatisfaction with the plot. But don't let that stop you.
There are several bonus scenes. My favorite by far is 'A Short Scene: Jason and Colby at a Renaissance Faire,' It's rich and evocative and charming.
There are several bonus scenes. My favorite by far is 'A Short Scene: Jason and Colby at a Renaissance Faire,' It's rich and evocative and charming.
February 25, 2022
I loved the first book in the series, but the characters came across as obsessive and clingy this time around. I'm hoping there will be a better balance in the third book.
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September 11, 2024More of the same. Still super sweet characters caring for each other. Feels very much a continuation of the first book.
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