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Last Romance
Garrett spent his life preparing for "one day." One day he'd meet the man of his dreams. One day he'd have a family. One day he'd travel to all the places he's dreamed of seeing. Then came the one day he hadn't prepared for. The day he was told his "one days" were about to run out. Will that be enough to make Garrett stop dreaming and finally start living?
Last Romance is a moving look at 48 year old Garrett Gilmore who is grappling with the reality of falling in love with 29 year old actor Justin Dixon, who has agreed to be his companion through the final months of his life. Is the feeling mutual or is the younger man just acting the part out of kindness? Enter David Wong, a muscular, take-charge cruise director who makes no bones about his carnal interest in Garrett.
A plethora of colorful characters, challenging situations, and existential realities round out this passionate, raw, and at times sexually charged, tale of humanity, and the lesson that it is never too late to find chosen family and true love.
Last Romance is a moving look at 48 year old Garrett Gilmore who is grappling with the reality of falling in love with 29 year old actor Justin Dixon, who has agreed to be his companion through the final months of his life. Is the feeling mutual or is the younger man just acting the part out of kindness? Enter David Wong, a muscular, take-charge cruise director who makes no bones about his carnal interest in Garrett.
A plethora of colorful characters, challenging situations, and existential realities round out this passionate, raw, and at times sexually charged, tale of humanity, and the lesson that it is never too late to find chosen family and true love.
- GenresGayContemporary
363 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 1, 2021
7 people are currently reading
33 people want to read
About the author
Matt Burlingame
11 books49 followersMatt Burlingame is an award-winning journalist and playwright, living in Northern California. After 20 years of working for various LGBT newspapers, websites, and even co-hosting a late-night radio show, he has retired from his aspirations of being the gay Murphy Brown to pursue his love of fiction writing. His first book, the self-published dark comedy Sorry Charley, was released in 2012. He has written and co-written over ten critically acclaimed plays, including Recovery Mode, Poughkeepsie Porn Co., Countess Dracula, and the controversial Paperclip Messiah. His plays have been produced nationally, most notably in New York and St. Louis. He has been a well-known LGBT podcaster for over ten years and produced and co-hosted shows focused on writing, comedy, theater, gay sex education and positive body image. With the support and encouragement of his gay cat, and lifelong friend Nephi, he has now immersed himself into the wonderful world of M/M romance.
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
August 17, 2021
I think that reading Love Story in the early 70s made me an avid three hankie reader. I recall following it with Thursday’s Child and Death Be Not Proud and a host of others but over the years I somewhat lost my taste for pathos. But since this book came up for review as I was approaching Medicaid age, I decided it was time to revisit the genre, hopefully this time with a gay bent.
Ever read a story about a dying man which wasn’t a tear-jerker? This one has its sad spots, but its much more about learning to live. It’s even laugh out loud funny in spots; but that was partly my fault… When Justin comes into the bedroom wearing Dr. Who inspired blue Tardis lounge pants I just HAD to know if they were bigger on the inside than on the outside.
Garret Gilmore was born poor and concentrated on making money, slowly losing more and more of his basic humanity as he grew older. But beneath it all, Garrett is still a good man who’s terminal diagnosis provides him the wake-up call he needs to reclaim his humanity of his joy of life, even as the life remaining to him draws shorter and shorter.
Determined to not die alone, he decides to “hire” some company. His first foray into that leaves him sexually sated, but it’s with “replacement date” Justin that the romance part of this terminal M/M romance begins. While their interaction is something of a “business arrangement,” it neither begins nor ends that way.
Garrett learns to live, laugh, and even love in the time remaining to him; and that is perhaps a happy ending of sorts, and well worth reading about. After all, we’re all living with a terminal diagnosis of sorts. Some of us just have longer than others. This book does remind us that “the life in our days is more important than the number of days in our lives.”
There are parts where Garret is feeling the onset of his cancer where I was reminded of the Theodore Roethke quote “How body from spirit slowly does unwind, until we are pure spirit at the end.” It seems that the closer he gets to death the more he learns and loves his life.
This book does have a happy ending of sorts; but it’s still bittersweet, and tear-inducing. I hope I make as good an ending, (hopefully many years from now.) This book is a reminder to live now, because there won’t always be a tomorrow.
Ever read a story about a dying man which wasn’t a tear-jerker? This one has its sad spots, but its much more about learning to live. It’s even laugh out loud funny in spots; but that was partly my fault… When Justin comes into the bedroom wearing Dr. Who inspired blue Tardis lounge pants I just HAD to know if they were bigger on the inside than on the outside.
Garret Gilmore was born poor and concentrated on making money, slowly losing more and more of his basic humanity as he grew older. But beneath it all, Garrett is still a good man who’s terminal diagnosis provides him the wake-up call he needs to reclaim his humanity of his joy of life, even as the life remaining to him draws shorter and shorter.
Determined to not die alone, he decides to “hire” some company. His first foray into that leaves him sexually sated, but it’s with “replacement date” Justin that the romance part of this terminal M/M romance begins. While their interaction is something of a “business arrangement,” it neither begins nor ends that way.
Garrett learns to live, laugh, and even love in the time remaining to him; and that is perhaps a happy ending of sorts, and well worth reading about. After all, we’re all living with a terminal diagnosis of sorts. Some of us just have longer than others. This book does remind us that “the life in our days is more important than the number of days in our lives.”
There are parts where Garret is feeling the onset of his cancer where I was reminded of the Theodore Roethke quote “How body from spirit slowly does unwind, until we are pure spirit at the end.” It seems that the closer he gets to death the more he learns and loves his life.
This book does have a happy ending of sorts; but it’s still bittersweet, and tear-inducing. I hope I make as good an ending, (hopefully many years from now.) This book is a reminder to live now, because there won’t always be a tomorrow.
August 26, 2023
My god! Have a box of tissues ready!
I haven't read a tear jerker like this in a long time. I suppose it resonated with me so much because it mirrors my life as a man who never allowed himself to break out of the mold and always tried to maintain the status quo until much later in life. Also, I could relate to being both a caretaker of someone I loved in their final months of life (Justin), and now as the patient soon to be requiring that same care (Garrett). The descriptions of shock, frustration, anger, fear, and acceptance are all so authentic. The body's failings near the end of life were also described realistically. This was a beautifully told story and one I will remember for a very long time.
I haven't read a tear jerker like this in a long time. I suppose it resonated with me so much because it mirrors my life as a man who never allowed himself to break out of the mold and always tried to maintain the status quo until much later in life. Also, I could relate to being both a caretaker of someone I loved in their final months of life (Justin), and now as the patient soon to be requiring that same care (Garrett). The descriptions of shock, frustration, anger, fear, and acceptance are all so authentic. The body's failings near the end of life were also described realistically. This was a beautifully told story and one I will remember for a very long time.
July 1, 2021
Garett Gilmore, forty-eight, wasn’t born into wealth. His family was poor but he went to school, continued his education and worked hard to make his money. In his teenage years, he watched his father die and he became responsible for his younger sister, Charlene, while his mother worked. Nothing was ever handed to Garrett or his sister. As time went on, he found himself a position at Candor East Insurance. Even though he became wealthy, the job itself was unforgiving. Garrett was not only an asset to the job but loyal to the point he gave up his life. Now, he faces his own personal crisis and has faced the reality, that he’s boring, has no social life, no friends, and not even a successful relationship. He very much has isolated himself, all for the job and he’s lost touch with his sister.
As he faces the inevitable, he makes major decisions. A chain reaction starts to occur when he meets Lance aka Harold. His first official morning home, he meets Alejandra his housekeeper. She opens Garretts eyes to some interesting things and gives him a sound piece of advice, “to do some living”. It also brings twenty-nine year old, Justin Dixon into his life. Garrett presents Justin with a proposition, that really benefits, not just Justin but Garrett too. Justin has a sparkling personality, always seems to look on the bright side, thoughtful of others and he builds a plan that will hopefully help Garrett to see a whole new life. But for Garrett he’s often confused with all his new feelings and at times is judgmental of Justin.
Garrett is a kind man and has always made his charitable donations. One of them is the Second Chance Animal Shelter and he decides to become a volunteer. He meets Marlene and the staff of the shelter and all the wonderful critters, especially Spike.
As Garrett tries to live in such a short time, he also has to deal with his sister Charlene. She has become controlling and interfering, and he knows she is not the person he used to know.
Matt Burlingame’s perspective is very clear in this well written, heart tugging, wonderful, novel. Some may think this will be sad and depressing, but it really isn’t. Now, most of us don’t have the money to do all that Garrett get’s to do, but it’s not about the money it’s about the memories that are left to others. It’s really a look at a man who get’s a second chance to change his life in a very short time. He begins to see the things that were right in front of him for years and learns how to turn his life around and make changes. The sad part is Garrett still makes mistakes along the way and he has to do his best to make amends in this short span of time.
From Lance to Justin, David, Alejandra, Carlos, Marina, Marlene, Fred, Howard, Charles, Penelope, Xavier and especially Spike, they all brought something to Garretts life and made an abundance of memories and friendships.
Death is a tough subject to think about but it’s inevitable. It’s all in what you do while you are still alive.
“Last Romance” is a first time read for me by Matt Burlingame. It’s a really amazing story with so many of life’s little lessons!
As he faces the inevitable, he makes major decisions. A chain reaction starts to occur when he meets Lance aka Harold. His first official morning home, he meets Alejandra his housekeeper. She opens Garretts eyes to some interesting things and gives him a sound piece of advice, “to do some living”. It also brings twenty-nine year old, Justin Dixon into his life. Garrett presents Justin with a proposition, that really benefits, not just Justin but Garrett too. Justin has a sparkling personality, always seems to look on the bright side, thoughtful of others and he builds a plan that will hopefully help Garrett to see a whole new life. But for Garrett he’s often confused with all his new feelings and at times is judgmental of Justin.
Garrett is a kind man and has always made his charitable donations. One of them is the Second Chance Animal Shelter and he decides to become a volunteer. He meets Marlene and the staff of the shelter and all the wonderful critters, especially Spike.
As Garrett tries to live in such a short time, he also has to deal with his sister Charlene. She has become controlling and interfering, and he knows she is not the person he used to know.
Matt Burlingame’s perspective is very clear in this well written, heart tugging, wonderful, novel. Some may think this will be sad and depressing, but it really isn’t. Now, most of us don’t have the money to do all that Garrett get’s to do, but it’s not about the money it’s about the memories that are left to others. It’s really a look at a man who get’s a second chance to change his life in a very short time. He begins to see the things that were right in front of him for years and learns how to turn his life around and make changes. The sad part is Garrett still makes mistakes along the way and he has to do his best to make amends in this short span of time.
From Lance to Justin, David, Alejandra, Carlos, Marina, Marlene, Fred, Howard, Charles, Penelope, Xavier and especially Spike, they all brought something to Garretts life and made an abundance of memories and friendships.
Death is a tough subject to think about but it’s inevitable. It’s all in what you do while you are still alive.
“Last Romance” is a first time read for me by Matt Burlingame. It’s a really amazing story with so many of life’s little lessons!
July 6, 2021
This is my first book by this author and I absolutely LOVED it. Parts of it made me cry but I was bawling my eyes out towards the end. Garrett spent his life preparing for the day he met the man of his dreams and to do all the things he wanted to see and do. Justin decides to become the companion of Garrett to help him through the final months of his life. Justin starts to really fall in love for Garrett as does Garrett for Justin, Justin decides to book them a cruise and to make the final months for Garrett memorable. Wow even trying to write my review this story brings tears to my eyes. This is definitely a MUST read just how tissues handy. I received an ARC of this book for my honest review.
July 2, 2021
I loved this book the author did a wonderful job writting the end of someone life as Garrett finds out in this book he also finds out how his sister really is when she finds out that he only has so much time to live but he gets the most help when he meets the man that will give him the best days of his life to the end ,it is so sad when someone so young is told you only have so much time to live what can you do ,,,,,i read this book for this author for my honest opinion
July 4, 2021
I have no words to describe this.
What to say about this book except absolutely heart wrenching. I don't think I've ever cried so much during a book. Amazingly written, stayed up until 6.30 in the morning just to read this in one sitting. I didn't want to to end. Very emotional read.
What to say about this book except absolutely heart wrenching. I don't think I've ever cried so much during a book. Amazingly written, stayed up until 6.30 in the morning just to read this in one sitting. I didn't want to to end. Very emotional read.
September 8, 2021
Very, very sad....I wished I hadn't completed the book once I realized the subject and predictable outcome...my oldest son(49 years old) has glioblastoma stage 4 (same brain tumor as John McCain and Beau Biden)..
I reality check I wasn't prepared to experience.
I reality check I wasn't prepared to experience.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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February 18, 2022
Whilst a heart wrenching subject matter - knowledge of imminent death - this story had a hopefulness as well as a dose of reality.
Garrett gets the dire news - cancer, 3-6 months. Aftet a bit of wallowing and a reality check that his life has been wasted pursuing the corporate dollar, he makes some life changes.
Some (Justin, Ally, the guys from the cruise) are good for him, others not so much. Even his dalliance with David does give him something even if he is confused by all his emotions - I suppose having suppressed emotions for years, they have to come out somehow.
Garrett does deteriorate quickly and we see some of the warts and all of cancer.
Whilst he and Justin do end up with their HFN, it doesn’t last long and I am glad there was no miracle cure/misdiagnosis. And I’m glad we didn’t get an epilogue.
Emotional, funny, sad, heartwarming all at once
Garrett gets the dire news - cancer, 3-6 months. Aftet a bit of wallowing and a reality check that his life has been wasted pursuing the corporate dollar, he makes some life changes.
Some (Justin, Ally, the guys from the cruise) are good for him, others not so much. Even his dalliance with David does give him something even if he is confused by all his emotions - I suppose having suppressed emotions for years, they have to come out somehow.
Garrett does deteriorate quickly and we see some of the warts and all of cancer.
Whilst he and Justin do end up with their HFN, it doesn’t last long and I am glad there was no miracle cure/misdiagnosis. And I’m glad we didn’t get an epilogue.
Emotional, funny, sad, heartwarming all at once
February 6, 2023
Wow. As I started this book, and it became clear that the MC had no hope of recovery from his cancer diagnosis,. I wondered if I should kee going. Garrett had many regrets looking back on his life. He saw that many things he thought were important turned out not to be.
He could spend last few months of his life wallowing in self pity, or try and find some meaning and closure. Far from a smooth ride, Garrett’s journey brought him the happiness and meaning he had been searching for.
He could spend last few months of his life wallowing in self pity, or try and find some meaning and closure. Far from a smooth ride, Garrett’s journey brought him the happiness and meaning he had been searching for.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 15, 2021
So good so sad so much love
Such a great read, as much as I wanted him to, I’m glad the author didn’t give a Hallmark Holiday ending. I love it when an author writes intelligently to his readers, as though he were witnessing the story with them.
Such a great read, as much as I wanted him to, I’m glad the author didn’t give a Hallmark Holiday ending. I love it when an author writes intelligently to his readers, as though he were witnessing the story with them.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews