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The Lodger, That Summer
It’s a hot summer Down Under and everyone’s got sex on the mind.
Eighteen year-old James has had a tough year. Having lost his mom to cancer and fought through grief to finish high school, he’s now got secret desires to contend with.
It’s Christmas in Sydney, and he’s ready to cast his worries aside for the summer holidays, a time of poolside parties, bush walks and ocean swims. But who is the seductive young man who’s moved into the spare room?
In this steamy coming-of-age novel, James and the men around him discover transformative new desires with the power to up-end lives or, possibly, unlock a brighter future.
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"The Lodger, That Summer is Mr. Huxton’s first published work. While brief in length, it is intellectually challenging and shows great promise for the future." - Rainbow Book Reviews
"Refreshing and beautifully written, while gritty and erotic at the same time." - Reviews by Amos Lassen
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Genre: Gay fiction, Australian fiction, coming-of-age, YA LGBT (16+), New adult, erotica, ownvoices.
Eighteen year-old James has had a tough year. Having lost his mom to cancer and fought through grief to finish high school, he’s now got secret desires to contend with.
It’s Christmas in Sydney, and he’s ready to cast his worries aside for the summer holidays, a time of poolside parties, bush walks and ocean swims. But who is the seductive young man who’s moved into the spare room?
In this steamy coming-of-age novel, James and the men around him discover transformative new desires with the power to up-end lives or, possibly, unlock a brighter future.
---
"The Lodger, That Summer is Mr. Huxton’s first published work. While brief in length, it is intellectually challenging and shows great promise for the future." - Rainbow Book Reviews
"Refreshing and beautifully written, while gritty and erotic at the same time." - Reviews by Amos Lassen
---
Genre: Gay fiction, Australian fiction, coming-of-age, YA LGBT (16+), New adult, erotica, ownvoices.
164 pages, Paperback
First published July 24, 2021
35 people are currently reading
911 people want to read
About the author
Levi Huxton
1 book158 followersLevi Huxton (he/him) is an Australian writer living in Sydney. His debut novel The Lodger, That Summer was a finalist in the 2022 Lambda Literary Awards.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 113 reviews
July 11, 2022
This is far from perfect. In fact, it is quite rough around the edges. The enigmatic Cary ‘winks’ so often at other characters that after a while my eyebrows shot up every time he did so. Plus, there are an annoying number of typos. It always breaks my involvement in a narrative if I am subconsciously editing.
Nevertheless, I dutifully reported these on my Kindle app. (Are there really people at Amazon whose job it is to vet textual errors reported by overzealous readers, or do they just automatically disappear into some black hole when you send them? The typos; hopefully not the readers.)
But there was something about this novella that grabbed my attention; a certain frisson or spark that made me feel it would be something special. It was a finalist in the LGBTQ Erotica category in the 2022 Lambda Literary Awards, where the eventual winner was ‘Big Joe’ by the legendary Samuel R. Delany, one of my favourite writers in any genre. Levi Huxton is in very good company indeed.
In case you’re wondering what constitutes ‘LGBTQ Erotica’, note there is also a ‘Lesbian Romance’ and a ‘Gay Romance’ category. Hence the key differentiator here is stonkingly gratuitous descriptions of sexual encounters. It always fascinates me how writers gauge how ‘sexy’ their sex scenes are. Do they turn themselves on? Or is it literally just a case of making love to a blank page and, er, pouring your everything into it?
I would say the hardest subjects for a writer are being funny and being sexy. Erotica raises the bar even higher in that while the sexual content is explicit as a default setting, at the same time it has to convey a sense of intimacy and pleasure to (yes, of course) arouse the reader. Otherwise, you end up with a damp squib of a clinical description, whereas what you were aiming for was a big bang.
What is so fascinating about ‘The Lodger, That Summer’ is how deftly it explores Freud’s notion of the Eros and Thanatos drives (sex and death) as explained in ‘Civilisation and its Discontents’. But what about grief as a driver of behaviour (and non-conformity)? How can great loss and tragedy unhinge oneself, not to mention its impact on your sense of self-worth, let alone identity?
This novella reminded me of ‘Grief’ by Andrew Holleran (2007), also about 160 pages long, in which the foundations of a professor’s world and being are shaken by the death of his invalid mother. The subject of loss and grief and its impact on a family structure, especially when children are involved, and on top of that a closeted gay teen, seems like a real downer for an erotica novella. But Huxton takes his story in really unexpected (and wonderfully steamy) directions.
The opening section is James’s dismal account of, ironically, being an outsider at a ‘Future You Party’ he attends as a celebration of his pending uni life (and official inauguration into adulthood, and hopefully acceptance of his innate, though to date unexpressed, gay nature).
Huxton immediately complicates this first-person narrative when the next section introduces us to Frank, the father of James and his twin sister Eve, who is in the throes of loss following the lingering death of his wife Sylvia from cancer. An architect who helps out at a community food kitchen, Frank bumps into the amiable Cary one evening. He opens up to this complete stranger about his trauma and subsequent sense of stultified self.
Cary is so easy to talk to that Frank offers him a room at his house while he finds his feet: “… he’d blown into town, originally from South Australia. He was working as a personal trainer and physio at the small-town gym down the road.” At that point, Cary is staying at a youth hostel, so Frank’s generous offer is more than welcome.
And no, this is not that kind of novella. Yes, I must say I did initially have misgivings about Cary being a stalker or a perverted murderer ingratiating himself into the good graces (and open arms) of the family. But he is, in truth, far more of a Mary Poppins figure, making wishes come true, and opening people up to glimpse their true natures (whether good or bad).
It is a delicate balance having such well-defined characters as Frank and his children, contrasted with the tabula rasa that is Cary. Later we meet Frank’s childhood friend, his girlfriend and own son, which complicates the inter-family dynamics even further. Against this messy backdrop of ties, allegiances, and secrets, Cary remains an essential outsider. But he is a catalyst.
There are wonderful descriptions of fauna and flora as the two families embark on a fraught camping trip (Huxton is clearly in love with the natural splendour of Sydney). He intuitively understands Woody Allen’s maxim that 90% of sex takes place in one’s head. Hence an early masturbation scene is set to a Miles Davis trumpet solo. Later we have an intimate family dinner scene featuring lamb stew with couscous. These scenes may seem inconsequential against the larger narrative, but they add an element of lived-in experience and sensuousness that heightens the eroticism.
I loved the complex journey of truth and discovery that Huxton takes his characters on in this short novella. Each sex scene – and there are a fair number – is a stepping stone along that journey. That might sound pretentious in the context of erotica, but Huxton instinctively knows the reader is not going to invest in the Eros drive of his story if he or she does not share something of the character’s own wonder, pleasure, and subsequent growth. Now that is truly sexy.
Nevertheless, I dutifully reported these on my Kindle app. (Are there really people at Amazon whose job it is to vet textual errors reported by overzealous readers, or do they just automatically disappear into some black hole when you send them? The typos; hopefully not the readers.)
But there was something about this novella that grabbed my attention; a certain frisson or spark that made me feel it would be something special. It was a finalist in the LGBTQ Erotica category in the 2022 Lambda Literary Awards, where the eventual winner was ‘Big Joe’ by the legendary Samuel R. Delany, one of my favourite writers in any genre. Levi Huxton is in very good company indeed.
In case you’re wondering what constitutes ‘LGBTQ Erotica’, note there is also a ‘Lesbian Romance’ and a ‘Gay Romance’ category. Hence the key differentiator here is stonkingly gratuitous descriptions of sexual encounters. It always fascinates me how writers gauge how ‘sexy’ their sex scenes are. Do they turn themselves on? Or is it literally just a case of making love to a blank page and, er, pouring your everything into it?
I would say the hardest subjects for a writer are being funny and being sexy. Erotica raises the bar even higher in that while the sexual content is explicit as a default setting, at the same time it has to convey a sense of intimacy and pleasure to (yes, of course) arouse the reader. Otherwise, you end up with a damp squib of a clinical description, whereas what you were aiming for was a big bang.
What is so fascinating about ‘The Lodger, That Summer’ is how deftly it explores Freud’s notion of the Eros and Thanatos drives (sex and death) as explained in ‘Civilisation and its Discontents’. But what about grief as a driver of behaviour (and non-conformity)? How can great loss and tragedy unhinge oneself, not to mention its impact on your sense of self-worth, let alone identity?
This novella reminded me of ‘Grief’ by Andrew Holleran (2007), also about 160 pages long, in which the foundations of a professor’s world and being are shaken by the death of his invalid mother. The subject of loss and grief and its impact on a family structure, especially when children are involved, and on top of that a closeted gay teen, seems like a real downer for an erotica novella. But Huxton takes his story in really unexpected (and wonderfully steamy) directions.
The opening section is James’s dismal account of, ironically, being an outsider at a ‘Future You Party’ he attends as a celebration of his pending uni life (and official inauguration into adulthood, and hopefully acceptance of his innate, though to date unexpressed, gay nature).
Huxton immediately complicates this first-person narrative when the next section introduces us to Frank, the father of James and his twin sister Eve, who is in the throes of loss following the lingering death of his wife Sylvia from cancer. An architect who helps out at a community food kitchen, Frank bumps into the amiable Cary one evening. He opens up to this complete stranger about his trauma and subsequent sense of stultified self.
Cary is so easy to talk to that Frank offers him a room at his house while he finds his feet: “… he’d blown into town, originally from South Australia. He was working as a personal trainer and physio at the small-town gym down the road.” At that point, Cary is staying at a youth hostel, so Frank’s generous offer is more than welcome.
And no, this is not that kind of novella. Yes, I must say I did initially have misgivings about Cary being a stalker or a perverted murderer ingratiating himself into the good graces (and open arms) of the family. But he is, in truth, far more of a Mary Poppins figure, making wishes come true, and opening people up to glimpse their true natures (whether good or bad).
It is a delicate balance having such well-defined characters as Frank and his children, contrasted with the tabula rasa that is Cary. Later we meet Frank’s childhood friend, his girlfriend and own son, which complicates the inter-family dynamics even further. Against this messy backdrop of ties, allegiances, and secrets, Cary remains an essential outsider. But he is a catalyst.
There are wonderful descriptions of fauna and flora as the two families embark on a fraught camping trip (Huxton is clearly in love with the natural splendour of Sydney). He intuitively understands Woody Allen’s maxim that 90% of sex takes place in one’s head. Hence an early masturbation scene is set to a Miles Davis trumpet solo. Later we have an intimate family dinner scene featuring lamb stew with couscous. These scenes may seem inconsequential against the larger narrative, but they add an element of lived-in experience and sensuousness that heightens the eroticism.
I loved the complex journey of truth and discovery that Huxton takes his characters on in this short novella. Each sex scene – and there are a fair number – is a stepping stone along that journey. That might sound pretentious in the context of erotica, but Huxton instinctively knows the reader is not going to invest in the Eros drive of his story if he or she does not share something of the character’s own wonder, pleasure, and subsequent growth. Now that is truly sexy.
June 22, 2024
3.5 stars rounded up
I'm trying to type this review and after a few attempts I just can't find a way to do so. To begin with, I'm always open to try new things when it comes to novels, and this book is particularly one of those cases: this is literally the first erotic, gay novel I have read in my life, and even though I sort of felt out of my element at times(?), I must say I did enjoy this reading experience. Also, and according to my previous-readings list, this happened to be the first Australian novel I have read so far. In the end, it seems like new things are usually a good way to step out of your comfort zone, aren't they?
The Lodger, That Summer is not only an erotic novel, but a coming-of-age story, where in a few pages our protagonist is trying to find out who he really is and what he really wants. James is about to go to college, he recently lost his mother and now he will have to be away from his father and sister, but before the summer is over, he will have a chance to find himself while he is among some old friends, and especially, when he meets the new lodger in his house.
Since I already know what it is to leave your house, your family, your friends and then start a new life far from home because of college, I really understood James' own situation, and I was very glad to see a part of my own life in his, which is something I do love reading and finding when it comes to coming-of-age novels.
That being said, I had preferred to see more about James' own story rather than other characters' stories, since some chapters have nothing to do with James at all (perhaps this is when my lack of experience reading erotica is more than obvious). Unlike James' father story, which was compelling and made me feel curious about the rest of them, Lachy—another character—and his father's stories were not for me, and especially one of them since the character turned out to be a homophobic, straight man, and even when I know there are still people like that in real life, it's something that made me feel uncomfortable while I read it. This fact was not enough to ruin my whole experience though, so in the end I couldn't complain about it.
In a nutshell, not only was the experience of reading this genre for the first time actually good, but I also liked finding such a great main character and a story that brought some memories back to mind. Besides, and because of the compelling prose, I couldn't put the book down and it took me only two afternoons to finish it. Finally, if you knew the amount of vocabulary I learned by reading this book, you would be surprise (for the record, I have no idea Aussies—this was a new one for me—say 'mate' almost all the time, which is curious; I suppose it is like ‘wey’ here in Mexico). I believe it would be a great idea to read books like this one more often; actually, why not?
I know I have said this before in another review, however, I'd like to say it again: I'm a huge fan of classic literature, but if I'm going to read contemporary books, I would like them to be gay—the story, the topics, not the book physically speaking—otherwise I am not really interested. So, after all, I'm pretty sure I wasn't out of my element while reading this novel, I was just living it.
My throat caught in a sob. I thought of mum, who’d gone without getting to know who I really was. The thought had nearly destroyed me. Had she guessed? A mother knows, isn’t that what they say? Or was that just another soothing lie we like to tell ourselves?
I'm trying to type this review and after a few attempts I just can't find a way to do so. To begin with, I'm always open to try new things when it comes to novels, and this book is particularly one of those cases: this is literally the first erotic, gay novel I have read in my life, and even though I sort of felt out of my element at times(?), I must say I did enjoy this reading experience. Also, and according to my previous-readings list, this happened to be the first Australian novel I have read so far. In the end, it seems like new things are usually a good way to step out of your comfort zone, aren't they?
The Lodger, That Summer is not only an erotic novel, but a coming-of-age story, where in a few pages our protagonist is trying to find out who he really is and what he really wants. James is about to go to college, he recently lost his mother and now he will have to be away from his father and sister, but before the summer is over, he will have a chance to find himself while he is among some old friends, and especially, when he meets the new lodger in his house.
Since I already know what it is to leave your house, your family, your friends and then start a new life far from home because of college, I really understood James' own situation, and I was very glad to see a part of my own life in his, which is something I do love reading and finding when it comes to coming-of-age novels.
That being said, I had preferred to see more about James' own story rather than other characters' stories, since some chapters have nothing to do with James at all (perhaps this is when my lack of experience reading erotica is more than obvious). Unlike James' father story, which was compelling and made me feel curious about the rest of them, Lachy—another character—and his father's stories were not for me, and especially one of them since the character turned out to be a homophobic, straight man, and even when I know there are still people like that in real life, it's something that made me feel uncomfortable while I read it. This fact was not enough to ruin my whole experience though, so in the end I couldn't complain about it.
In a nutshell, not only was the experience of reading this genre for the first time actually good, but I also liked finding such a great main character and a story that brought some memories back to mind. Besides, and because of the compelling prose, I couldn't put the book down and it took me only two afternoons to finish it. Finally, if you knew the amount of vocabulary I learned by reading this book, you would be surprise (for the record, I have no idea Aussies—this was a new one for me—say 'mate' almost all the time, which is curious; I suppose it is like ‘wey’ here in Mexico). I believe it would be a great idea to read books like this one more often; actually, why not?
I know I have said this before in another review, however, I'd like to say it again: I'm a huge fan of classic literature, but if I'm going to read contemporary books, I would like them to be gay—the story, the topics, not the book physically speaking—otherwise I am not really interested. So, after all, I'm pretty sure I wasn't out of my element while reading this novel, I was just living it.
My throat caught in a sob. I thought of mum, who’d gone without getting to know who I really was. The thought had nearly destroyed me. Had she guessed? A mother knows, isn’t that what they say? Or was that just another soothing lie we like to tell ourselves?
March 7, 2021
You feel that? It's a breath of fresh air coming through the blinds. Nice. 😈
First things first, this isn't an M/M romance or a romance at all and thus doesn't adhere to the expectations of the genre. There is love, the messy and sometimes jagged one between family and friends. I'm not mad about it. Secondly, I can't believe this is Levi Huxton's first book, very impressive particularly given the length he's working with. In a hundred pages he perfectly sketches out six people, at least five of which, are at a crossroads in their lives, and how a summer (in Australia) of unexpected experiences and connections serves as a reset. In a good way. Thirdly I'd like to thank Pierre for putting this on my radar.
I won't get into the plot because though it's not a mystery there is joy in just discovering what the author is exploring with us. I will say that the epigraphs really set the tone for this novella, furthermore if you happen to know Pasolini's work and Teorema in particular (if you haven't seen it, why not?) you'll have an idea about where the story is going but I promise you Levi Huxton is much nicer, sunnier, and optimistic so read without fear.
First things first, this isn't an M/M romance or a romance at all and thus doesn't adhere to the expectations of the genre. There is love, the messy and sometimes jagged one between family and friends. I'm not mad about it. Secondly, I can't believe this is Levi Huxton's first book, very impressive particularly given the length he's working with. In a hundred pages he perfectly sketches out six people, at least five of which, are at a crossroads in their lives, and how a summer (in Australia) of unexpected experiences and connections serves as a reset. In a good way. Thirdly I'd like to thank Pierre for putting this on my radar.
I won't get into the plot because though it's not a mystery there is joy in just discovering what the author is exploring with us. I will say that the epigraphs really set the tone for this novella, furthermore if you happen to know Pasolini's work and Teorema in particular (if you haven't seen it, why not?) you'll have an idea about where the story is going but I promise you Levi Huxton is much nicer, sunnier, and optimistic so read without fear.
April 18, 2021
This books reads like a dream state, in which you're not quite sure of the order of events and you wake up with flashes of places and blurred faces but with a very specific and strong emotion.
In any other book, that kind of fluid narrative might be frustrating but here, you can't help but get carried away by the beautiful writing, perfectly captured in the book cover; it puts you in a summer holiday mood, where heat and sun and lust and sex puts you in a limbo you're drifting in and out from. Almost like the way the chapters read like scenes from a film - which would make great material for, by the way - each one focusing on the different characters.
Speaking of, I enjoyed the time I spent with the MCs, all very well written and given enough time to have their say; the prose that is at places particularly insightful; and finally the lodger, who brought everyone together and gave the story a plot twist that really surprised me; very fitting to the whole dream state vibe. A lodger whom I really wish I would run into at my local gym!
So here's to Cary, we could all use someone like that in our lives.
In any other book, that kind of fluid narrative might be frustrating but here, you can't help but get carried away by the beautiful writing, perfectly captured in the book cover; it puts you in a summer holiday mood, where heat and sun and lust and sex puts you in a limbo you're drifting in and out from. Almost like the way the chapters read like scenes from a film - which would make great material for, by the way - each one focusing on the different characters.
Speaking of, I enjoyed the time I spent with the MCs, all very well written and given enough time to have their say; the prose that is at places particularly insightful; and finally the lodger, who brought everyone together and gave the story a plot twist that really surprised me; very fitting to the whole dream state vibe. A lodger whom I really wish I would run into at my local gym!
So here's to Cary, we could all use someone like that in our lives.
June 2, 2025
what a random hot and steamy erotic love pentagon of sorts xx
bestie picked this for me in the book store and I went in blind, expecting somewhat of a swimming in the dark vibe. ummm.. thank god I went in blind and had no idea it was going to be THAT hot LOL.
I loved it. it is equal parts intriguing, sexy, confusing, funny, sexy, thought provoking and sexy. And everyone in the book is SEXY!!!
James has lost his mother to cancer. It's the first Christmas without her. A hot stranger has just moved into the spare room. It is a coming of age story, for like 4 different people, all at different stages in their life. It explores the ways different men experience sex, regardless of gender or identity. It's very fluid and weirdly real but also unrealistic.
the ending left me confused and startled!!
You can't do that to me OMG.
A fabulous debut by Levi Huxton. I can't wait to read whatever comes next.
4 stars xox
bestie picked this for me in the book store and I went in blind, expecting somewhat of a swimming in the dark vibe. ummm.. thank god I went in blind and had no idea it was going to be THAT hot LOL.
I loved it. it is equal parts intriguing, sexy, confusing, funny, sexy, thought provoking and sexy. And everyone in the book is SEXY!!!
James has lost his mother to cancer. It's the first Christmas without her. A hot stranger has just moved into the spare room. It is a coming of age story, for like 4 different people, all at different stages in their life. It explores the ways different men experience sex, regardless of gender or identity. It's very fluid and weirdly real but also unrealistic.
the ending left me confused and startled!!
You can't do that to me OMG.
A fabulous debut by Levi Huxton. I can't wait to read whatever comes next.
4 stars xox
February 18, 2021
A VERY, VERY GOOO BOOK (I’m trying not to use tired hyperbolic adjectives here)
I simply can’t believe this is the author’s first book. His mastery of characterization and composition belong to a seasoned writer. There’s not much I can tell you without spoiling the whole experience but I was hooked after page 3. So, just try a sample and if you like it the beginning, I can promise you’ll like it till the end. You know about those books you like so much you can’t stop? This was a book I enjoyed so much I had to stop reading to make it last longer…
The 100-page format can be tricky, being either too long for a short story or too long for a novel. Here, Levi Huxton was able to create full-rounded characters with just enough details to make them alive and interesting.
A word of warning: this book is NOT an MM romance by Walt Disney. If you’re looking for a story with ���love at first sight between two super models who will walk toward the sunshine after overcoming the obstacles of a burdensome past”, this is NOT what you’ll get. If, on the other hand, you want to read about realistic epiphanies (how can these two words even go together?!) and a gay outtake on sex, promiscuity and understanding who you are, you will find it here.
I’d like to go on about all the things I liked in this book but I don’t know how to do that without saying too much. Like the importance of the quote in the epigraph.
Finally, you should know that it’s sexually explicit and even graphic at times but never gratuitous. All erotic scenes (hot as they were) were there for a reason.
To conclude, I will be the first to read Levi Huxton next book.
I simply can’t believe this is the author’s first book. His mastery of characterization and composition belong to a seasoned writer. There’s not much I can tell you without spoiling the whole experience but I was hooked after page 3. So, just try a sample and if you like it the beginning, I can promise you’ll like it till the end. You know about those books you like so much you can’t stop? This was a book I enjoyed so much I had to stop reading to make it last longer…
The 100-page format can be tricky, being either too long for a short story or too long for a novel. Here, Levi Huxton was able to create full-rounded characters with just enough details to make them alive and interesting.
A word of warning: this book is NOT an MM romance by Walt Disney. If you’re looking for a story with ���love at first sight between two super models who will walk toward the sunshine after overcoming the obstacles of a burdensome past”, this is NOT what you’ll get. If, on the other hand, you want to read about realistic epiphanies (how can these two words even go together?!) and a gay outtake on sex, promiscuity and understanding who you are, you will find it here.
I’d like to go on about all the things I liked in this book but I don’t know how to do that without saying too much. Like the importance of the quote in the epigraph.
Finally, you should know that it’s sexually explicit and even graphic at times but never gratuitous. All erotic scenes (hot as they were) were there for a reason.
To conclude, I will be the first to read Levi Huxton next book.
May 3, 2024
A steamy romp through the lives of a family, and the young man —the titular lodger— who the father unexpectedly invites into their home. The lodger is a kind of pansexual trickster, charming, universally appealing, but ultimately unknowable.
Very readable, very enjoyable, and Huxton claims to have written, edited, designed and published the book all by himself — obviously this cannot be true. The book has none of the characteristics of a self-published first novel; it is polished and accomplished.
The novel feels very modern in its preoccupations — all the straight men are bi-curious, for example, and open to anger management. There are some weird scenes here, as well — but so much the better.
If you find yourself pining for the heat of summer, this book will kindle all the flames.
Very readable, very enjoyable, and Huxton claims to have written, edited, designed and published the book all by himself — obviously this cannot be true. The book has none of the characteristics of a self-published first novel; it is polished and accomplished.
The novel feels very modern in its preoccupations — all the straight men are bi-curious, for example, and open to anger management. There are some weird scenes here, as well — but so much the better.
If you find yourself pining for the heat of summer, this book will kindle all the flames.
April 15, 2022
Real Rating: 3.5* of five, rounded up for asking better questions than one could expect.
FINALIST FOR THE 34th LAMMY AWARD—BEST LGBTQ EROTICA! Winners announced 11 June 2022.
Definitely not straight a people safe. We're well and truly into the erotica shelf of the shop, all of it making itself useful despite flinging revolting w-bombs everywhere.
If the Star Trek mantra, "infinite diversity in infinite combinations," is meaningful to you, this story will please and possibly surprise you. There are minor inconsistent details...ages...but honestly it's just not worth getting into a swivet about.
Pleasant diversion. Give it a whirl.
FINALIST FOR THE 34th LAMMY AWARD—BEST LGBTQ EROTICA! Winners announced 11 June 2022.
Definitely not straight a people safe. We're well and truly into the erotica shelf of the shop, all of it making itself useful despite flinging revolting w-bombs everywhere.
If the Star Trek mantra, "infinite diversity in infinite combinations," is meaningful to you, this story will please and possibly surprise you. There are minor inconsistent details...ages...but honestly it's just not worth getting into a swivet about.
Pleasant diversion. Give it a whirl.
February 23, 2021
This was a very enjoyable story. There was something about it that will stick with me for a long time.
This story brought back memories from my childhood. My parents picked up a young man in front of my dad’s dry cleaners. He told us he was going to the University of Tennessee on a basketball scholarship. He lived with us that summer and even went home to get his car. It turned out there was no scholarship and he stole his parent’s car. There was never any sex with him, but Cary made me think of him. We did find out he eventually straightened out his life and served in Vietnam.
This story brought back memories from my childhood. My parents picked up a young man in front of my dad’s dry cleaners. He told us he was going to the University of Tennessee on a basketball scholarship. He lived with us that summer and even went home to get his car. It turned out there was no scholarship and he stole his parent’s car. There was never any sex with him, but Cary made me think of him. We did find out he eventually straightened out his life and served in Vietnam.
May 21, 2022
This steamy book, *The Lodger, That Summer* is more than meets the eye. I don't read erotica (I guess I should say I didn't read erotica before now 😏), but I was impressed not only by how well written the book is (and it is!) but also its scope. It doesn't just aim to titillate (and it does!), but it also seems to say something about masculinity and fluidity and homophobia, while also being a coming-of-age story.
June 30, 2021
Mixed feelings on this book but going with the five star rating.
This book is very cinematic, and I kept imagining I was watching one of those European coming of age/coming out movies that are spare in dialog and scenery yet emotionally filling in a strange, almost Camusian way. Huxton doesn't show us a lot of the characters who populate this book, and the title character is an enigma throughout. The other character who gets most of the book sections, James, is obviously going through the teenaged turmoil of reconciling his burgeoning lust for other males with the expectations of his social group. Yet we don't get a lot of interior thoughts of what he's going through. He comes across as an almost phantom-like figure who weaves in and out of the story, a participant in many scenes, yet a blank slate in many ways.
I don't know whether this spare palette is intentional or not, and that's where I get hung up. I wanted more of what James had going through his head. I wanted more of his thoughts on Lachlan and Mack. What were his initial feelings about his attraction to Cary, or even his earlier lustful stirrings? We never really know much about those things, and it felt we were missing a large part of the story.
But if Huxton intended a fantasy of moving objects shrouded in mystery, then he largely succeeds. This is not a bad thing. I feel like Huxton has a slight Kundera-like quality to his writing. There is fluidity here, and although we go through holidays such as Christmas and New Year's, I was often wondering the exact sequence of events. In the end it really doesn't matter. Huxton examines the cast in a way that probes their particular weaknesses, particularly towards M/M sexual attraction, and that ends up being the main takeaway for me from this book. We are given a few vignettes of four men facing up to new parts of themselves, largely unexamined, yet fairly thrilling in their potential.
As others have mentioned, this is not a romance, yet it's not a Thomas Carver-esque sexfest, either. Huxton writes about sex softly, yet still erotically. I find this is often a difficult thing to do, yet he makes the sexual tension and sexual acts themselves as much a part of the story as anything else. These parts are just lovely, and showcase a writer who cares about the crafting of his work. Earnestness without the titillations.
Very much looking forward to Huxton's next work, and I hope he takes serious consideration about shopping this book (or perhaps a screenplay) to a film studio. I would love to see the poetic gentleness that is often present here depicted on screen. (Paging Noel Alejandro.)
This book is very cinematic, and I kept imagining I was watching one of those European coming of age/coming out movies that are spare in dialog and scenery yet emotionally filling in a strange, almost Camusian way. Huxton doesn't show us a lot of the characters who populate this book, and the title character is an enigma throughout. The other character who gets most of the book sections, James, is obviously going through the teenaged turmoil of reconciling his burgeoning lust for other males with the expectations of his social group. Yet we don't get a lot of interior thoughts of what he's going through. He comes across as an almost phantom-like figure who weaves in and out of the story, a participant in many scenes, yet a blank slate in many ways.
I don't know whether this spare palette is intentional or not, and that's where I get hung up. I wanted more of what James had going through his head. I wanted more of his thoughts on Lachlan and Mack. What were his initial feelings about his attraction to Cary, or even his earlier lustful stirrings? We never really know much about those things, and it felt we were missing a large part of the story.
But if Huxton intended a fantasy of moving objects shrouded in mystery, then he largely succeeds. This is not a bad thing. I feel like Huxton has a slight Kundera-like quality to his writing. There is fluidity here, and although we go through holidays such as Christmas and New Year's, I was often wondering the exact sequence of events. In the end it really doesn't matter. Huxton examines the cast in a way that probes their particular weaknesses, particularly towards M/M sexual attraction, and that ends up being the main takeaway for me from this book. We are given a few vignettes of four men facing up to new parts of themselves, largely unexamined, yet fairly thrilling in their potential.
As others have mentioned, this is not a romance, yet it's not a Thomas Carver-esque sexfest, either. Huxton writes about sex softly, yet still erotically. I find this is often a difficult thing to do, yet he makes the sexual tension and sexual acts themselves as much a part of the story as anything else. These parts are just lovely, and showcase a writer who cares about the crafting of his work. Earnestness without the titillations.
Very much looking forward to Huxton's next work, and I hope he takes serious consideration about shopping this book (or perhaps a screenplay) to a film studio. I would love to see the poetic gentleness that is often present here depicted on screen. (Paging Noel Alejandro.)
July 1, 2021
Erotic and raw and written beautifully.
One of the best reads of 2021.
One of the best reads of 2021.
July 18, 2022
I liked the premise, the writing was good and the plot (in amongst the sex scenes) was okay, although a little predictable.
Still a good read for a morning that's already a little too hot....
Still a good read for a morning that's already a little too hot....
June 14, 2022
I don’t normally read erotic novels. But I came across this book knowing it’s a Lambda Awards nomination, and I’m curious. What will a combination of erotica and literature be like? Turns out it’s a pleasant read - titillating yet poignant and atmospheric. I had a minor book hangover after finishing it, so I’d say it’s quite good.
June 18, 2021
This is a debut by Levi Huxton and I can say that this won’t be the last time I read something by this author. I enjoyed this, more than I thought I would. I had no idea what to expect going into this, and I enjoyed the little bit of escapism it offered me after a long day at work, it was nice to unwind to as you get lulled into the story and the characters that have been crafted by a talented writer. It’s a hot summer down under and everyone has sex on their mind, but it’s so much more than just sex. It’s about family and friendships, it’s about grief and the loss of a loved one, a mother, a wife. It’s about understanding ones self and living authentically and it’s about those people who come into our lives, even for a summer, and have a massive impact on us. I highly recommend this book, you won’t be disappointed.
‘certainty now gave way to a new future of my own making, however ambiguous, I had no right to complain. Having options was a luxury, I reminded myself, even in grief. And deep down, I knew I had options.’
‘certainty now gave way to a new future of my own making, however ambiguous, I had no right to complain. Having options was a luxury, I reminded myself, even in grief. And deep down, I knew I had options.’
November 12, 2021
Discovery of self and life are adventures
Things that you expect do not happen. Things you do not expect do happen. Life is as unpredictable as you are. Your body makes choices just like your brain, but they do not talk about it. Expectations of others or by others can be embarrassing if right or wrong. Actions in response are even worse. It takes the input of an unexpected outsider to fix the world for you, but then they vanish because they are done with you. Reality is hard to figure out. Just go with it. Help others. Nothing much else really matters.
Things that you expect do not happen. Things you do not expect do happen. Life is as unpredictable as you are. Your body makes choices just like your brain, but they do not talk about it. Expectations of others or by others can be embarrassing if right or wrong. Actions in response are even worse. It takes the input of an unexpected outsider to fix the world for you, but then they vanish because they are done with you. Reality is hard to figure out. Just go with it. Help others. Nothing much else really matters.
March 23, 2021
I’m mad at that ending although it made sense and was its own bittersweet kind of perfect. I definitely felt for James and his Dad more than Mack and Lach, although there was something to be said for the latter’s stories too. Really a beautiful book. I would just say it needs better formatting/editing but really, the writing is real and great and the story is melancholy and sweet.
August 11, 2021
I absolutely loved this book. The reading was smooth and quick and left me wanting so much more. "Steamy" is an understatement but it made the book that much more enjoyable. The exploration of sex (particularly sex amongst men) and the profound effects it can have on our lives was beautiful. Please write some more, I'll definitely be waiting!
August 28, 2021
3 1/2 stars. A remarkable first effort from an author I’m looking forward to following.
January 25, 2024
Most heartfelt gay erotica to date. Beautifully imagined, beautifully written. Recommend and can’t wait for Levi’s next work!
August 27, 2022
3,5⭐️
Updated review:
When I bought this, I expected a classic coming-of-age story about an 18 year old discovering he’s into guys and the struggle (or acceptance) of this discovery… what I got was a story about an 18 year old discovering what it means to be gay at such an age… but there’s more… his family and friends play a big part in this story as well… wait, I’m telling this all wrong…
@levihuxton wrote about James, who’s recently lost his mother and he, his twin sister and their father are grieving her death. At the same time, James discovers he’s gay. As any 18 year old, he’s pumped up by hormones but he’s got no way to release these. In comes Cary, the guy his father let into their house. He becomes the lodger and starts to change things up for James and his family. And when James’ father, Frank, invites his best friend Mack and his son Lachlan for the Christmas celebrations, things start to heat up even more in Sydney, Australia!
This was an erotic experience I hadn’t read ever before. I was a bit flabbergasted but I applaud the writer. This was flammable, really. (Beware of bushfires, Levi, with this book!) - apparently I have an earlier copy of this book, so the story of James felt a bit ‘undone’ and lost amidst the many scenes in which many characters were submitted to new experiences (a bit like me) 😉
A good start!! I do wonder what comes next for Mr. Huxton?
Updated review:
When I bought this, I expected a classic coming-of-age story about an 18 year old discovering he’s into guys and the struggle (or acceptance) of this discovery… what I got was a story about an 18 year old discovering what it means to be gay at such an age… but there’s more… his family and friends play a big part in this story as well… wait, I’m telling this all wrong…
@levihuxton wrote about James, who’s recently lost his mother and he, his twin sister and their father are grieving her death. At the same time, James discovers he’s gay. As any 18 year old, he’s pumped up by hormones but he’s got no way to release these. In comes Cary, the guy his father let into their house. He becomes the lodger and starts to change things up for James and his family. And when James’ father, Frank, invites his best friend Mack and his son Lachlan for the Christmas celebrations, things start to heat up even more in Sydney, Australia!
This was an erotic experience I hadn’t read ever before. I was a bit flabbergasted but I applaud the writer. This was flammable, really. (Beware of bushfires, Levi, with this book!) - apparently I have an earlier copy of this book, so the story of James felt a bit ‘undone’ and lost amidst the many scenes in which many characters were submitted to new experiences (a bit like me) 😉
A good start!! I do wonder what comes next for Mr. Huxton?
December 15, 2021
This was not what I was expecting! It wasn't bad, but it wasn't the kind of thing I would read on purpose.
It's a coming-of-age/erotica hybrid, with the 17/18-year-old's POV getting half of the chapters and then his dad, his dad's best friend and the best friend's son each get a section from their POV. Each chunk contains various sexual encounters (MM, MF and MMF), but most of these guys identify as straight and two of them are pretty unlikable. I knew it wasn't going to be a romance, but half of the erotic scenes involve characters who don't even like each other. And not in a hot, hate sex kind of way, but in a less than 100% consent kind of way...
It was definitely different, though :)
It's a coming-of-age/erotica hybrid, with the 17/18-year-old's POV getting half of the chapters and then his dad, his dad's best friend and the best friend's son each get a section from their POV. Each chunk contains various sexual encounters (MM, MF and MMF), but most of these guys identify as straight and two of them are pretty unlikable. I knew it wasn't going to be a romance, but half of the erotic scenes involve characters who don't even like each other. And not in a hot, hate sex kind of way, but in a less than 100% consent kind of way...
It was definitely different, though :)
December 3, 2021
I'd like to preface this review by emphasising that while - taking the story as a whole - I did not personally like this book, that is not to say I thought it was badly-written, or that I think other readers may not enjoy it. I think the blurb sets the story up to be something it isn't, which left me finding some parts of the story quite jarring. I wasn't expecting to encounter m/f or m/m/f pairings through a POV character's eyes, for example. For personal reasons I tend to steer clear of erotica including m/f rep, which I mention to reiterate that my review is simply my own personal response to the story. Furthermore, there were numerous situations where characters experience non-consensual sexual activity, where typically the POV characters do report feeling 'violated' or otherwise unhappy with the experience. Personally I felt these experiences were brushed aside, and not explored in any meaningful way, and given no closure, which made the book as a whole an uncomfortable experience to read. Many of the sexual scenes take place with dubious consent, plus a kind of non-con humiliate/punish scene, which again, I felt unprepared for based on the blurb. From the blurb, I was expecting a coming-of-age m/m story centred around one or two characters, but the story is actually more about what sex means, what it represents, possibly learning more about ourselves and coming to terms with who we are, through the eyes of multiple characters. I thought James' storyline was the strongest, and had the most potential, and I enjoyed reading these chapters very much.
August 13, 2021
While volunteering at a park to feed the homeless just before Christmas, Frank meets Cary, a new fitness trainer in town looking for a place to stay. Frank just lost his wife and is caring for his twins who are almost off to university. He offers Cary a room for a bit, and Cary changes their lives forever. Over the Australian summer holiday, Frank’s best friend, his girlfriend, and his son come to stay with them.
This is a work of gay erotic fiction with a solid story. It’s many things all rolled up into one. It’s a summer story, a Christmas story, a coming-of-age story, and a coming-out story. The writing here is very good and easy to read without a lot of flourish. The story is told from four different points of view some of them retelling the same situation from different perspectives. Different perspectives can often be confusing but the author does a great job managing this.
For those who may be sensitive to sexual violence, you may want to avoid this one, as some of the scenes are very aggressive. I wasn’t bothered by them, but it may be too much for some. Overall, I liked this book a lot and though it was great for a first, independently published novel.▪️
This is a work of gay erotic fiction with a solid story. It’s many things all rolled up into one. It’s a summer story, a Christmas story, a coming-of-age story, and a coming-out story. The writing here is very good and easy to read without a lot of flourish. The story is told from four different points of view some of them retelling the same situation from different perspectives. Different perspectives can often be confusing but the author does a great job managing this.
For those who may be sensitive to sexual violence, you may want to avoid this one, as some of the scenes are very aggressive. I wasn’t bothered by them, but it may be too much for some. Overall, I liked this book a lot and though it was great for a first, independently published novel.▪️
January 24, 2022
One of my favourite Aussie books, set in my hometown. A powerful blend of erotic and poignant, it focuses on a charming, enigmatic stranger who stumbles into the lives of a family and leaves an indelible impression on each one. In a structure reminiscent of Christos Tsiolkas’s "The Slap", we are treated to the point of view of a different character in each section, giving us an intimate account of just how profoundly the lodger in question changes their lives.
If you’re stuck up in the northern hemisphere right now and sick of the cold/snow/sleet/ice, this sizzling summery read may just be the antidote you need. A runaway indie success and deservedly so.
If you’re stuck up in the northern hemisphere right now and sick of the cold/snow/sleet/ice, this sizzling summery read may just be the antidote you need. A runaway indie success and deservedly so.
September 1, 2021
A good effort for a first novel. Some genuinely steamy scenes.
November 27, 2022
A brave, steamy, and erotic coming-of-age and coming-out debut about self-discovering and one-time sexual encounters. Emotions are raw and the ending is perfect. It is a portrait of life as it is without happy-ever-after and fancying things up with false promises. Its constant flow of changes may seem cruel as it brings us both tears and happiness, pushing us into new adventures and challenges with or without those we love and care about. But that’s life, isn’t it?
January 21, 2022
Extremely moving and captivating! I could not stop reading. This well-written novel explores the complex emotional connections between two fathers and two sons via their interactions with a relative stranger. On the surface, it is an erotic examination of the vast spectrum of sexuality and experimentation, showcasing the varied meanings and impacts of sex. On a deeper level, it is a close look at masculinity, desire, and the oft-ignored gray areas between straight and gay men. Ultimately, it leaves the reader with a curious awareness that a single person means something different to every individual with which they interact. I am so impressed that this is the author's first novel and that he is self-published.
Quote for further contemplation:
Quote for further contemplation:
December 27, 2021
It was interesting going through 3 character's lives and they learn a lesson they needed with the help of Cary. Especially James I liked his story the most. Lots of steamy scenes. Cannot wait to see what Levi Huxton creates for his next book.
July 28, 2021
You can read my full review of “The Lodger, That Summer” at my web site.
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