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Flames
Alex always thought love was enough to keep him and Gio together. Why did they need wedding rings or legal certificates? But now, with Gio lost in a coma after a fire has destroyed their home, his partner’s mother banishes Alex from his side.
Locked in a gray limbo inside his head, memories are all Gio has left, and the urge to let go is getting stronger.
Nothing can keep Alex from Gio's side, even if he has to break the rules. In their stolen moments alone together, Alex fights to reach Gio, one memory at a time.
What if Alex’s voice is the only thing that can bring Gio back?
Locked in a gray limbo inside his head, memories are all Gio has left, and the urge to let go is getting stronger.
Nothing can keep Alex from Gio's side, even if he has to break the rules. In their stolen moments alone together, Alex fights to reach Gio, one memory at a time.
What if Alex’s voice is the only thing that can bring Gio back?
120 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 10, 2021
2 people are currently reading
14 people want to read
About the author
J. Scott Coatsworth
90 books188 followersScott lives with his husband in a leafy Sacramento, California suburb, in a cute yellow house with a pair of pink flamingoes in the front yard.
He has always been in the place between the here and now and the what could be. He started reading science fiction and fantasy at the tender age of nine, encouraged by his mother. But as he read the golden age classics and more modern works too, he started to wonder where all the queer people were.
When Scott came out at 23, he decided he wanted to create the kinds of stories he couldn't find at the bookstore. If there weren't gay characters in his favorite genres, he would reimagine them, filling them with a diverse universe of characters. He'd remake them to his own ends, and if he was lucky enough, someone would even want to read them.
Scott's brain works a little differently from most folks - he sees connections where others don't. Born an introvert, he learned how to reach outside himself and connect with other queer folks.
Scott's fiction defies expectations, transforming traditional science fiction, fantasy, and contemporary worlds into something fresh and surprising. He also created both Queer Sci Fi and QueeRomance Ink with his husband Mark, and is an associate member of the Science Fiction Writer's Association (SFWA).
His writing, both romance and genre fiction, brings a queer energy to his work, infusing them with love, beauty and strength and making them fly. He imagines how the world could be, and maybe changes the world that is, just a little.
Scott was recognized as one of the top new gay authors in the 2017 Rainbow Awards, and his debut novel "Skythane" received two awards and an honorable mention.
He has always been in the place between the here and now and the what could be. He started reading science fiction and fantasy at the tender age of nine, encouraged by his mother. But as he read the golden age classics and more modern works too, he started to wonder where all the queer people were.
When Scott came out at 23, he decided he wanted to create the kinds of stories he couldn't find at the bookstore. If there weren't gay characters in his favorite genres, he would reimagine them, filling them with a diverse universe of characters. He'd remake them to his own ends, and if he was lucky enough, someone would even want to read them.
Scott's brain works a little differently from most folks - he sees connections where others don't. Born an introvert, he learned how to reach outside himself and connect with other queer folks.
Scott's fiction defies expectations, transforming traditional science fiction, fantasy, and contemporary worlds into something fresh and surprising. He also created both Queer Sci Fi and QueeRomance Ink with his husband Mark, and is an associate member of the Science Fiction Writer's Association (SFWA).
His writing, both romance and genre fiction, brings a queer energy to his work, infusing them with love, beauty and strength and making them fly. He imagines how the world could be, and maybe changes the world that is, just a little.
Scott was recognized as one of the top new gay authors in the 2017 Rainbow Awards, and his debut novel "Skythane" received two awards and an honorable mention.
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
June 10, 2021
Flames is something a bit darker from Scott. A love story with a kernel of darkness. It is about the consequences of letting anger blind you to the love of those around you. Alex returns home from work seething with anger resulting from a bad day of work. The anger is mostly internalised but it does not stop him ruining more than just the wonderful meal Gio has prepared for him.
Alex has a journey of discovery and self-realization ahead of him as he attempts to rebuild the bridges burnt down, not all of them by him, cue the wicked mother-in-law. Alex makes a bad mistake but you just know this was an atypical day for him as he and Gio are surrounded by lots of people who love them. No-one points the finger of blame at Alex. Everyone supports him from the beginning to the end and they help him make the right choices along the way.
Gio has a different journey to make, one signposted by happy memories and purchases he and Alex made when making their home together. Like Alex he has a choice to make but his options are between life and death. He is going to need some persuading to take the track back into life when he comes to that fork in the road.
One of the messages here, if there is a message, is that people can change and Alex is one of those met here who manages to take those first steps into light. The touch is light here and there is no preaching. What you get is a sweet love story with a moment of darkness that is swept away by the finish.
Oh, yeah, just in case you didn’t get it, I loved this story. It took me awhile to forgive Alex but forgive him I did. :)
Alex has a journey of discovery and self-realization ahead of him as he attempts to rebuild the bridges burnt down, not all of them by him, cue the wicked mother-in-law. Alex makes a bad mistake but you just know this was an atypical day for him as he and Gio are surrounded by lots of people who love them. No-one points the finger of blame at Alex. Everyone supports him from the beginning to the end and they help him make the right choices along the way.
Gio has a different journey to make, one signposted by happy memories and purchases he and Alex made when making their home together. Like Alex he has a choice to make but his options are between life and death. He is going to need some persuading to take the track back into life when he comes to that fork in the road.
One of the messages here, if there is a message, is that people can change and Alex is one of those met here who manages to take those first steps into light. The touch is light here and there is no preaching. What you get is a sweet love story with a moment of darkness that is swept away by the finish.
Oh, yeah, just in case you didn’t get it, I loved this story. It took me awhile to forgive Alex but forgive him I did. :)
April 6, 2025
Flames
By J. Scott Coatsworth
Published by the author, 2016
No matter how bad a day you’ve had, never take it out on the one you love.
Is there such a thing as a cautionary romance? Well, this fully-packed novella would fit that description. It is a love story with a sharp edge of fear. It is a story about commitment. I don’t always love short-format books, but Scott Coatsworth really knows how to give the shorter format high narrative and emotional power. It’s a rich story that had tears in my eyes (both the good kind and the bad kind).
Alex Gutierrez loves Gio Montanari. Sometimes, love isn’t really enough, and Fate needs to step in and, um., turn up the heat.
Honestly, I think Alex is sort of a dick. At least at the beginning. Gio is an angel, and I wish we got to know him even better; but the circumstances are unusual. Although the tale is told from both young men’s perspectives, Alex’s viewpoint is sharper and more powerful. That’s not a criticism, since there’s a reason for this that is in itself rather a powerful narrative gambit.
I’m trying to be discreet.
Look, when my husband and I had been together ten years—long before marriage was even a dream—the ONLY thing that tied us together was our mortgage. Young and dumb as we were, we saw the situation clearly and took steps to make sure our commitment to each other mattered. This story gave me the chills, but only because it could have happened to us.
Read it. You’ll see.
By J. Scott Coatsworth
Published by the author, 2016
No matter how bad a day you’ve had, never take it out on the one you love.
Is there such a thing as a cautionary romance? Well, this fully-packed novella would fit that description. It is a love story with a sharp edge of fear. It is a story about commitment. I don’t always love short-format books, but Scott Coatsworth really knows how to give the shorter format high narrative and emotional power. It’s a rich story that had tears in my eyes (both the good kind and the bad kind).
Alex Gutierrez loves Gio Montanari. Sometimes, love isn’t really enough, and Fate needs to step in and, um., turn up the heat.
Honestly, I think Alex is sort of a dick. At least at the beginning. Gio is an angel, and I wish we got to know him even better; but the circumstances are unusual. Although the tale is told from both young men’s perspectives, Alex’s viewpoint is sharper and more powerful. That’s not a criticism, since there’s a reason for this that is in itself rather a powerful narrative gambit.
I’m trying to be discreet.
Look, when my husband and I had been together ten years—long before marriage was even a dream—the ONLY thing that tied us together was our mortgage. Young and dumb as we were, we saw the situation clearly and took steps to make sure our commitment to each other mattered. This story gave me the chills, but only because it could have happened to us.
Read it. You’ll see.
August 10, 2021
Alex and Gio belong together. They have lived in the same house, they love each other deeply, and even though they have the occasional fight - or maybe because they have the occasional fight - they are a couple. Then Fate interferes, and suddenly they are about to lose everything.
Please find my full review on Rainbow Book Reviews.
Please find my full review on Rainbow Book Reviews.
October 17, 2021
This book is is good! The book, for me, is about the power of love. Gil is in the hospital because he was burned in a fire that destroyed his and his partner’s, Alex, home. Alex stormed out after a rough day and out his frustration on Gio. Now Alex is wondering if Gio will be okay. On top that Gio’s mom does not like Alex and is sure to cause issues when she arrives. Will their love be enough?
August 19, 2022
This is a painfully sad read. Aside from the slightly lame cover, sorry, this is a beautiful, touching story of love, loss, and family grudges. Alex and Gio have been happily together for many years, one thing spoils their joy, Gio wants them to get married but Alex keeps resisting, and then it all goes hugely wrong and Alex's world tilts. My first with this author, will not be my last, this is a lovely but sad story, beautifully written.
July 11, 2023
Too short, but thoroughly enjoyable. I love this author’s writing, whether M/M romance or fantasy/sci-fi. The characters become so real I feel like I know them. This one was no different. I wasn’t liking Alex too much, until he pulled his head out of his ass and finally saw what he had with Gio. Gio was quite likable and I really liked how Mr. Coatsworth handled the alternating POV with Gio in a coma. And of course, there had to be a heartwarming happy ending!
October 12, 2021
I liked this story.
I think I would have enjoyed it much more if the copy I had was not full of missing letters.
Trying to read when at least 20% of the t, h, f, i and r’s are missing is a struggle to say the least.
I will read other books from this author as I enjoyed how he told the story.
I think I would have enjoyed it much more if the copy I had was not full of missing letters.
Trying to read when at least 20% of the t, h, f, i and r’s are missing is a struggle to say the least.
I will read other books from this author as I enjoyed how he told the story.
September 17, 2024
On Kobo (EPub 3, Adobe DRM) 1230004830474; 106 pages.
An engaging story - short but packs in a lot about family and relationships.
Four short anecdotes about Ragazzi - a new but failing Italian restaurant - seem to be part of a longer work.
An engaging story - short but packs in a lot about family and relationships.
Four short anecdotes about Ragazzi - a new but failing Italian restaurant - seem to be part of a longer work.
July 11, 2021
Flames is the very first book I've read by this author and I must say, I am impressed. The story of Alex and Gio's love and the devastating accident that almost destroyed it was so riveting, I couldn't put it down. When Alex arrives home from a crappy day and work and finds Gio has prepared a romantic meal, he loses it. He isn't in the mood and storms out staying at a nearby motel for the night. Next morning he wakes to his worst nightmare. There was a fire at the house. Everything is gone and Gio is in a coma in hospital. The events that follow only make Alex feel worst and for a long time he doesn't even know if Gio will come back. Days turn into weeks and still there's no change in Gio's condition.
This story has to be read. It is emotional, strong, full of self recrimination on Alex's part and then the eureka moment when Alex realizes that Gio is the only thing in life he needs. He just has to get through to him so he will wake up.
I will definitely be looking for more books by Scott. and highly recommend this one.
This story has to be read. It is emotional, strong, full of self recrimination on Alex's part and then the eureka moment when Alex realizes that Gio is the only thing in life he needs. He just has to get through to him so he will wake up.
I will definitely be looking for more books by Scott. and highly recommend this one.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews