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Something Beautiful
This edition is out of print.
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In this follow up to Jenna Jones' popular novel Chiaroscuro, Dune Bellamy and Micah Ferguson have become best friends. Between Micah's string of boyfriends and Dune's lovers, they have plenty to talk about, especially when a trip to Europe leaves Micah alone, while back home, Dune's first love turns up again. After a brief fling in Paris, Micah returns home to an unhappy Dune, who's trying to fend off his ex's attentions. When Micah steps in, Dune starts to see his friend as something more, which creates a whole new set of problems. Dune's not sure he wants to ruin their friendship, but he and Micah agree to give it a try. Micah has family problems to deal with, Dune has his ex stalking him, and the pressure soon comes between them, driving Dune back into the arms of the dangerous Gavin, who wants to control his every move. Can Micah deal with his sisters, and find a way to convince Dune that they deserve another chance? Something Beautiful is all about the family we chose, as well as the one we're born with, and if they're lucky, something beautiful will come of it for Micah and Dune.
---------
In this follow up to Jenna Jones' popular novel Chiaroscuro, Dune Bellamy and Micah Ferguson have become best friends. Between Micah's string of boyfriends and Dune's lovers, they have plenty to talk about, especially when a trip to Europe leaves Micah alone, while back home, Dune's first love turns up again. After a brief fling in Paris, Micah returns home to an unhappy Dune, who's trying to fend off his ex's attentions. When Micah steps in, Dune starts to see his friend as something more, which creates a whole new set of problems. Dune's not sure he wants to ruin their friendship, but he and Micah agree to give it a try. Micah has family problems to deal with, Dune has his ex stalking him, and the pressure soon comes between them, driving Dune back into the arms of the dangerous Gavin, who wants to control his every move. Can Micah deal with his sisters, and find a way to convince Dune that they deserve another chance? Something Beautiful is all about the family we chose, as well as the one we're born with, and if they're lucky, something beautiful will come of it for Micah and Dune.
308 pages, Paperback
Published July 10, 2008
1 person is currently reading
91 people want to read
About the author
Jenna Jones
6 booksLibrarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name.
This is Jenna^^Jones, where ^=space.
Also writes as: Jenna Lynn Brown
This is Jenna^^Jones, where ^=space.
Also writes as: Jenna Lynn Brown
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
January 24, 2014
Not badly written, but not my cup of tea
Warning: This review might contain what some people consider SPOILERS.
Rating: 5/10
PROS:
- I grow impatient sometimes when I read “friends to lovers” stories in which it takes a really long time for the men to admit that they’re into each other. That’s not the case here: Micah admits about a third of the way in that he’s interested in dating Dune, and I found that refreshing.
- I appreciated that the story shows the two main guys going through trials together and always finding their way back to each other.
- The large number of secondary characters provides a nice support system for the main characters. There’s a lot of conversation to be had with a variety of people, and they all create a sense of family and well-being when everyone’s together, even if they’re sometimes bickering with one another. (see cons below also)
CONS:
- (Possible SPOILER here) There is foreshadowing in the story that something negative will happen with one of the protagonists, and although I hoped against hope that it would NOT happen, it does, near the end. And in spite of my recognition that it’s not *entirely* his fault, I resented him for it, and it ruined the entire story for me.
- I had pretty high hopes early on with this story because the conflict between Micah’s homosexuality and his Christian faith is something that comes out in the very first scene, and I expected the book to explore that in a bit of depth since Micah’s father is a minister. It doesn’t, though. At all. In fact, the issue of acceptance with his family is a major theme of the story, but the issue of faith rarely comes up at all.
- There are a lot of characters in the book, and their relationships and histories are complex and intertwined. This does provide for a nice sense of family and community, but it also makes for some confusing scenes in which too many people are appearing in too-quick succession.
Overall comments: This was on the slow side for me: I kept wanting Micah to grow up a bit faster than he does and to stop allowing his family to dictate his life, and then later, I wanted for Dune to man up and grow a pair rather than falling back into the rut of life he’s fallen victim to before. And then when the story took the negative turn toward the end (although rest assured, things do turn out all right), I was so turned off of one of the characters that I almost couldn’t finish the story.
Warning: This review might contain what some people consider SPOILERS.
Rating: 5/10
PROS:
- I grow impatient sometimes when I read “friends to lovers” stories in which it takes a really long time for the men to admit that they’re into each other. That’s not the case here: Micah admits about a third of the way in that he’s interested in dating Dune, and I found that refreshing.
- I appreciated that the story shows the two main guys going through trials together and always finding their way back to each other.
- The large number of secondary characters provides a nice support system for the main characters. There’s a lot of conversation to be had with a variety of people, and they all create a sense of family and well-being when everyone’s together, even if they’re sometimes bickering with one another. (see cons below also)
CONS:
- (Possible SPOILER here) There is foreshadowing in the story that something negative will happen with one of the protagonists, and although I hoped against hope that it would NOT happen, it does, near the end. And in spite of my recognition that it’s not *entirely* his fault, I resented him for it, and it ruined the entire story for me.
- I had pretty high hopes early on with this story because the conflict between Micah’s homosexuality and his Christian faith is something that comes out in the very first scene, and I expected the book to explore that in a bit of depth since Micah’s father is a minister. It doesn’t, though. At all. In fact, the issue of acceptance with his family is a major theme of the story, but the issue of faith rarely comes up at all.
- There are a lot of characters in the book, and their relationships and histories are complex and intertwined. This does provide for a nice sense of family and community, but it also makes for some confusing scenes in which too many people are appearing in too-quick succession.
Overall comments: This was on the slow side for me: I kept wanting Micah to grow up a bit faster than he does and to stop allowing his family to dictate his life, and then later, I wanted for Dune to man up and grow a pair rather than falling back into the rut of life he’s fallen victim to before. And then when the story took the negative turn toward the end (although rest assured, things do turn out all right), I was so turned off of one of the characters that I almost couldn’t finish the story.
March 2, 2010
The continuing saga of the boys from the Bay continues with this beautifully-crafted sequel. Everyone deserves love even those who've sworn off it, right?
What I liked about this book: I think I actually squeed loudly when I realized that there was a sequel. I bought the book without even reading the summary. I didn't care whose story we were going to explore this time, I just wanted more of this story and started reading immediately after finishing the first in the City By the Bay series. I was completely surprised to find that the story was Micah's... and Dune! Dune? Really? After picking my jaw up off the floor, I dove into the story and didn't come up for air until it was done.
I have to say, I didn't like Micah in the first book. I liked the character but I didn't like the personality of this "kid" then I realized why I didn't like him... I wasn't meant to like him as much as I liked Jamie and Ben in the first book since the story in that book was THEIR journey. In this book, we take our journey with Micah and Dune and we get to understand how love is not just different for everyone but how it affects each of individual when it arrives.
This book also deals with two big issues: Abuse and self-denial. Micah's still highly closeted to his family and Dune, while seeming rather strong and able... the knight in shining armor... is really frail and insecure. The twist in this book will leave you pumping your fists in the air with triumph and shaking the book wishing you could knock some sense into the character's minds at the same time. :)
Summary: In this follow up to Jenna Jones' popular novel Chiaroscuro, Dune Bellamy and Micah Ferguson have become best friends. Between Micah's string of boyfriends and Dune's lovers, they have plenty to talk about, especially when a trip to Europe leaves Micah alone, while back home, Dune's first love turns up again. After a brief fling in Paris, Micah returns home to an unhappy Dune, who's trying to fend off his ex's attentions. When Micah steps in, Dune starts to see his friend as something more, which creates a whole new set of problems. Dune's not sure he wants to ruin their friendship, but he and Micah agree to give it a try. Micah has family problems to deal with, Dune has his ex stalking him, and the pressure soon comes between them, driving Dune back into the arms of the dangerous Gavin, who wants to control his every move. Can Micah deal with his sisters, and find a way to convince Dune that they deserve another chance? Something Beautiful is all about the family we chose, as well as the one we're born with, and if they're lucky, something beautiful will come of it for Micah and Dune.
What I liked about this book: I think I actually squeed loudly when I realized that there was a sequel. I bought the book without even reading the summary. I didn't care whose story we were going to explore this time, I just wanted more of this story and started reading immediately after finishing the first in the City By the Bay series. I was completely surprised to find that the story was Micah's... and Dune! Dune? Really? After picking my jaw up off the floor, I dove into the story and didn't come up for air until it was done.
I have to say, I didn't like Micah in the first book. I liked the character but I didn't like the personality of this "kid" then I realized why I didn't like him... I wasn't meant to like him as much as I liked Jamie and Ben in the first book since the story in that book was THEIR journey. In this book, we take our journey with Micah and Dune and we get to understand how love is not just different for everyone but how it affects each of individual when it arrives.
This book also deals with two big issues: Abuse and self-denial. Micah's still highly closeted to his family and Dune, while seeming rather strong and able... the knight in shining armor... is really frail and insecure. The twist in this book will leave you pumping your fists in the air with triumph and shaking the book wishing you could knock some sense into the character's minds at the same time. :)
Excerpt: They were taking off their coats and kissing as soon as Dune unlocked and opened the door. Micah watched his fingers move over Dune's golden skin, watched Dune watch himself be touched. He raised his eyes to Micah's with a sly smile, and then kissed Micahwith a fierce sort of passion that took Micah's breath away. He scooped Micah up into his arms and Micah's legs went around his waist, and he carried Micah through the loft to the kitchen. Dune put Micah down on a counter and kissed down his chest and stomach as Micah eased flat onto his back.
Dune undid Micah's jeans and laughed at the sight of his bright purple boxer shorts. "Is it laundry day?"
"I like them -- they're cheerful." He kicked off his shoes and wiggled out of his jeans.
"I see your point." Dune stepped back and dropped his own trousers -- he was naked beneath them, and grinned at Micah. "So there we are."
"Yep," Micah whispered, and licked his lips. He shoved off his boxer shorts and pulled Dune back to him. Micah wanted to laugh with pleasure as they kissed -- he was with Dune -- naked with Dune! -- and Dune was kissing him and touching him and he tasted delicious and his skin was so warm. Micah ran both hands up and down Dune's arms, over his shoulders and chest, down his back.
"Don't move," Dune whispered to him, and left the kitchen. Dune returned with a handful of condoms and a bottle of lubricant, and gave Micah an innocent smile when Micah raised his eyebrows.
"You're very optimistic."
"We're young and horny." Dune kissed Micah again and dabbled down Micah's body with his tongue to Micah's thighs. He slid his lips along Micah's cock until Micah gasped, and then took Micah's cock slowly into his mouth.
Micah arched his body, groaning. The sight of Dune's mouth around his cock was almost too much to bear -- he thought he might come just from the sight of it, if not from the feel of Dune moaning around his cock and those hands gripping his thighs. He watched for as long as he could keep his eyes open, panting harder and harder, until finally his head fell
back and the world went white.
Dune moaned and dug his fingers into Micah's skin until Micah's shivering stopped. He licked up the length of Micah's cock as he lifted his head and then smiled slowly, licked his lips. He leaned up to kiss Micah, and Micah held his face and kissed him back as Micah slid off the counter. Dune turned him around to face the counter and bent him over it, kissed down his spine, and tore open one of the condom wrappers. Micah gasped again as Dune lubricated him, and he arched up and groaned a soft, "Oh, yes," as Dune pressed into him, at the sweet burn of it.
Dune moaned behind him, kissed Micah's back and hummed into his ear, "Feels so good, baby."
Micah could only grunt in response, gripping the edges of the counter to keep his balance as he arched and thrust his hips. His skin was slick with perspiration, and Dune's hands slid over his hips, his chest slid against Micah's back. Dune kissed Micah's neck and moaned his name.
Micah let his head fall to the counter, rocking his hips to Dune's rhythm and trying to keep his legs from collapsing. Dune's body slammed into his, and Micah glanced over his shoulder to look at him -- Dune’s head was thrown back, his teeth were bared, his neck was arched -- he looked so good Micah shuddered and let his head fall onto the counter again, overwhelmed.
Dune cried out more loudly as his fingers dug into Micah's hips. "Micah," he said, "Micah -- oh, you beautiful thing --" and his body slammed hard into Micah's and slowed to a stop. He fell onto Micah's back, breathing heavily, his hands flat on the counter top.
Micah moved his hand over to Dune's and twined their fingers together. After a moment Dune's hand turned up to grip his. Dune kissed the back of Micah's neck and pulled out of him carefully. "Are you okay?" He kissed Micah's shoulder blade.
Micah straightened himself up cautiously, legs rubbery and a red streak across his stomach where he'd been pressed against the counter. "I'm okay." He turned and stretched, watching Dune tie off the condom and drop it into the garbage pail. He pushed his glasses up his nose and said, "And you? Still feeling optimistic?"
Dune gave him a mysterious smile. "The night is young, my friend." He kissed Micah slowly, and Micah grabbed his waist and pulled him close, blatantly rubbing their cocks together. Dune broke off the kiss with a gasp and a muttered, "Christ, Micah."
Read
April 27, 2009Once I read a book; it was one of that old savage romance, an heroine falls deeply in love with a proud knight, but he dies in battle and she, pregnant with a child and without money, agrees to marry an old family friend, a good man, who is a good husband for her and a good father for her son. She arrives to care for him but she really doesn't love him and when her first husband, surprisingly alive and again at home, claims her back, she gladly waltzs out of her second husbands life... For which man you are? For the first one, her truly first love, or for the second one, the good but maybe too granted second husband? 99 women out 100 will answer: you can never forget your first love... And I'm one of those 99 women, but still, the poor second husband...
While this long introduction? Maybe to explain that love is not always simple as it looks, and that you need to see the whole story and not judge someone decision only with your parameters. And when together with the love you put also a young man that has not yet had the chance to figure himself, things can happen that he will regret, but they serve him to grew.
Micah is Jamie's former boyfriend. For Micah Jamie was also the first man, but really Micah was not in love with him. He was happy to be noticed and proud to have a so handsome boyfriend, but he didn't ache for Jamie. And in fact he cheated on Jamie, and this is how Jamie ended up with Ben in Chiaroscuro. During the previous novel, Jamie's bestfriend, Dune, noticed how Micah needs a older figure to refer, someone who told him how to behave and to show him what it is right and wrong in a relationship; Micah is not out with his family and he can't relate to them for these matters. And so Dune became a bit of a guardian angel.
Now Micah has another boyfriend, the second after Jamie, and he is travelling Europe with him. But when his boyfriend asks him for commitment, Micah knows that he can't do it without coming out with his family and he is not ready to do it. And so he is dumped and alone in Europe, he finds shelter in Stuart's home, a former lover of Jamie. And not only shelter, Stuart is also his rebounding man.
When he is again at home, Micah is another man, more adult but still not all grown up. And so when he pushes for a relationship with Dune, maybe Dune is not convinced of Micah's true interest, he still sees Micah as a young man fighting to find his way on the world. Even if their relationship is pretty good, both seem to believe that it is not something that will last. Plus Gavin, an ex boyfriend of Dune is coming back in town, and he still wants Dune. Even if his was a ill love, maybe Dune imagines that it's more real than Micah's one...
Like in Chiaroscuro, there is a carousel of characters, some directly involved with the main couple, some only supporting characters, but maybe with their own story. Reading this book, and also Chiaroscuro, I feel like watching one of these old tv fiction, with a family full of brothers and sisters, everyone with a story which get intertwined with the story of the others, every scene adding a little point to a huge tapestry. At the end of the all that, you will have full image, made by little pics one near each other: look for example as the little details of remember of someone like to have his coffee will be the sign that someone else his really in love…
http://www.amazon.com/dp/1603704116/?...
While this long introduction? Maybe to explain that love is not always simple as it looks, and that you need to see the whole story and not judge someone decision only with your parameters. And when together with the love you put also a young man that has not yet had the chance to figure himself, things can happen that he will regret, but they serve him to grew.
Micah is Jamie's former boyfriend. For Micah Jamie was also the first man, but really Micah was not in love with him. He was happy to be noticed and proud to have a so handsome boyfriend, but he didn't ache for Jamie. And in fact he cheated on Jamie, and this is how Jamie ended up with Ben in Chiaroscuro. During the previous novel, Jamie's bestfriend, Dune, noticed how Micah needs a older figure to refer, someone who told him how to behave and to show him what it is right and wrong in a relationship; Micah is not out with his family and he can't relate to them for these matters. And so Dune became a bit of a guardian angel.
Now Micah has another boyfriend, the second after Jamie, and he is travelling Europe with him. But when his boyfriend asks him for commitment, Micah knows that he can't do it without coming out with his family and he is not ready to do it. And so he is dumped and alone in Europe, he finds shelter in Stuart's home, a former lover of Jamie. And not only shelter, Stuart is also his rebounding man.
When he is again at home, Micah is another man, more adult but still not all grown up. And so when he pushes for a relationship with Dune, maybe Dune is not convinced of Micah's true interest, he still sees Micah as a young man fighting to find his way on the world. Even if their relationship is pretty good, both seem to believe that it is not something that will last. Plus Gavin, an ex boyfriend of Dune is coming back in town, and he still wants Dune. Even if his was a ill love, maybe Dune imagines that it's more real than Micah's one...
Like in Chiaroscuro, there is a carousel of characters, some directly involved with the main couple, some only supporting characters, but maybe with their own story. Reading this book, and also Chiaroscuro, I feel like watching one of these old tv fiction, with a family full of brothers and sisters, everyone with a story which get intertwined with the story of the others, every scene adding a little point to a huge tapestry. At the end of the all that, you will have full image, made by little pics one near each other: look for example as the little details of remember of someone like to have his coffee will be the sign that someone else his really in love…
http://www.amazon.com/dp/1603704116/?...
April 23, 2016
1. Micah is 23 years old but acts like a tween girl.
2. He's always giggling. Why can't he ever just laugh, chuckle, or chortle? No, Micah giggles, even during sex.
3. Micah insists he's a grown-up. His proof? He has a job AND an apartment. However...
4. Whenever someone brings up something he did wrong, Micah doesn't want to talk about it. It's all avoid, avoid, avoid!
5. Micah doesn't see how much his cheating on Jamie in the previous book hurt Jamie because Micah is a self-absorbed brat. Jamie has to explain it to him. Really?
6. Micah asks Dune to make his bed for him because he doesn't want his parents to "scold" him when they see his unmade bed in his own apartment.
7. Micah lets his parents run his life, including allowing them to insist he eat when his not hungry.
8. Micah is repeatedly referred to as "the toddler," "wee Micah," and "Micah-child." Ugh!!
9. Micah and Dune do a complete role reversal towards the end. It seems like the author is trying to put Micah and Dune on more even footing by suddenly making Micah the protective, supportive one while Dune becomes depressed and isolated due to his abusive boyfriend.
10. I'm unclear as to why Dune got back together with Gavin when he, at first, he didn't want anything to do with Gavin. His renewed relationship with Gavin is esp. weird since his past relationship with Gavin was BAD.
11. Why does Dune have problem with Adam cheating and Leo and Stuart cheating on Jamie, but no problem with Micah cheating on Jamie? Given, Leo is Dune's father, but still! Cheating is cheating.
12. Micah and Dune are always calling each other "Doof" and "Dork" etc. Is this how grown men talk to each other? None of the men I know do.
Anyway, the list goes on and on... The only reason I was able to finish is because I plan to read Leo's story next, and I didn't want to miss out on any developments by skipping this book.
2. He's always giggling. Why can't he ever just laugh, chuckle, or chortle? No, Micah giggles, even during sex.
3. Micah insists he's a grown-up. His proof? He has a job AND an apartment. However...
4. Whenever someone brings up something he did wrong, Micah doesn't want to talk about it. It's all avoid, avoid, avoid!
5. Micah doesn't see how much his cheating on Jamie in the previous book hurt Jamie because Micah is a self-absorbed brat. Jamie has to explain it to him. Really?
6. Micah asks Dune to make his bed for him because he doesn't want his parents to "scold" him when they see his unmade bed in his own apartment.
7. Micah lets his parents run his life, including allowing them to insist he eat when his not hungry.
8. Micah is repeatedly referred to as "the toddler," "wee Micah," and "Micah-child." Ugh!!
9. Micah and Dune do a complete role reversal towards the end. It seems like the author is trying to put Micah and Dune on more even footing by suddenly making Micah the protective, supportive one while Dune becomes depressed and isolated due to his abusive boyfriend.
10. I'm unclear as to why Dune got back together with Gavin when he, at first, he didn't want anything to do with Gavin. His renewed relationship with Gavin is esp. weird since his past relationship with Gavin was BAD.
11. Why does Dune have problem with Adam cheating and Leo and Stuart cheating on Jamie, but no problem with Micah cheating on Jamie? Given, Leo is Dune's father, but still! Cheating is cheating.
12. Micah and Dune are always calling each other "Doof" and "Dork" etc. Is this how grown men talk to each other? None of the men I know do.
Anyway, the list goes on and on... The only reason I was able to finish is because I plan to read Leo's story next, and I didn't want to miss out on any developments by skipping this book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 17, 2012
1. Micah is 23 years old but acts like a tween girl.
2. He's always giggling. Why can't he ever just laugh, chuckle, or chortle? No, Micah giggles, even during sex.
3. Micah insists he's a grown-up. His proof? He has a job AND an apartment. However...
4. Whenever someone brings up something he did wrong, Micah doesn't want to talk about it. It's all avoid, avoid, avoid!
5. Micah doesn't see how much his cheating on Jamie in the previous book hurt Jamie because Micah is a self-absorbed brat. Jamie has to explain it to him. Really?
6. Micah asks Dune to make his bed for him because he doesn't want his parents to "scold" him when they see his unmade bed in his own apartment.
7. Micah lets his parents run his life, including allowing them to insist he eat when his not hungry.
8. Micah is repeatedly referred to as "the toddler," "wee Micah," and "Micah-child." Ugh!!
9. Micah and Dune do a complete role reversal towards the end. It seems like the author is trying to put Micah and Dune on more even footing by suddenly making Micah the protective, supportive one while Dune becomes depressed and isolated due to his abusive boyfriend.
10. I'm unclear as to why Dune got back together with Gavin when he, at first, he didn't want anything to do with Gavin. His renewed relationship with Gavin is esp. weird since his past relationship with Gavin was BAD.
11. Why does Dune have problem with Adam cheating and Leo and Stuart cheating on Jamie, but no problem with Micah cheating on Jamie? Given, Leo is Dune's father, but still! Cheating is cheating.
12. Micah and Dune are always calling each other "Doof" and "Dork" etc. Is this how grown men talk to each other? None of the men I know do.
Anyway, the list goes on and on... The only reason I was able to finish is because I plan to read Leo's story next, and I didn't want to miss out on any developments by skipping this book.
2. He's always giggling. Why can't he ever just laugh, chuckle, or chortle? No, Micah giggles, even during sex.
3. Micah insists he's a grown-up. His proof? He has a job AND an apartment. However...
4. Whenever someone brings up something he did wrong, Micah doesn't want to talk about it. It's all avoid, avoid, avoid!
5. Micah doesn't see how much his cheating on Jamie in the previous book hurt Jamie because Micah is a self-absorbed brat. Jamie has to explain it to him. Really?
6. Micah asks Dune to make his bed for him because he doesn't want his parents to "scold" him when they see his unmade bed in his own apartment.
7. Micah lets his parents run his life, including allowing them to insist he eat when his not hungry.
8. Micah is repeatedly referred to as "the toddler," "wee Micah," and "Micah-child." Ugh!!
9. Micah and Dune do a complete role reversal towards the end. It seems like the author is trying to put Micah and Dune on more even footing by suddenly making Micah the protective, supportive one while Dune becomes depressed and isolated due to his abusive boyfriend.
10. I'm unclear as to why Dune got back together with Gavin when he, at first, he didn't want anything to do with Gavin. His renewed relationship with Gavin is esp. weird since his past relationship with Gavin was BAD.
11. Why does Dune have problem with Adam cheating and Leo and Stuart cheating on Jamie, but no problem with Micah cheating on Jamie? Given, Leo is Dune's father, but still! Cheating is cheating.
12. Micah and Dune are always calling each other "Doof" and "Dork" etc. Is this how grown men talk to each other? None of the men I know do.
Anyway, the list goes on and on... The only reason I was able to finish is because I plan to read Leo's story next, and I didn't want to miss out on any developments by skipping this book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 1, 2012
Chiaroscuro set a very high bar, and this book came close but didn't quite meet it. As others have said, Dune's sudden collapse didn't seem to fit his character. Even taking into consideration various past events and emotions, it just didn't make sense that someone as well-balanced as he seemed to be would fall apart so quickly and completely.
I was also disconcerted on a few geographic points. I've lived in San Francisco, in Berkeley, in Oakland, San Jose, Concord, Alameda...and there were a couple of times I found myself saying "Huh?" as some geographic thing or another didn't fit the reality I know. It was distracting. One example: Micah returns from Europe at 3am and plans to take BART. Really? BART stops running at midnight every day, except on rare occasions like New Years Eve and Halloween.
Also, Micah's trip from Europe to SFO took 30 hours...WTF, did he go by way of Japan? I've flown between San Francisco and Europe many times and various locations, and it's never taken more than 16 hours or so - even with multi-hour layovers. And, flying from SFO, I arrived in Bangkok 'only' 24 hours later. So what happened that it took him so long to get home? And how could he have any idea whether anyone was there to pick him up or not until he got to Baggage Claim? Presumably he's smart enough to know that anyone without a ticket couldn't meet him any sooner than that, and so wouldn't even start looking until he got there; instead, he'd given up looking by the time he got there. Huh?
I realize I'm focusing on the negative, and it really was a great book. But I figure it might help others to be forewarned about these things before you read it, then you might not find them so distracting. It is a book well worth reading, and I'm looking forward to the next one.
I was also disconcerted on a few geographic points. I've lived in San Francisco, in Berkeley, in Oakland, San Jose, Concord, Alameda...and there were a couple of times I found myself saying "Huh?" as some geographic thing or another didn't fit the reality I know. It was distracting. One example: Micah returns from Europe at 3am and plans to take BART. Really? BART stops running at midnight every day, except on rare occasions like New Years Eve and Halloween.
Also, Micah's trip from Europe to SFO took 30 hours...WTF, did he go by way of Japan? I've flown between San Francisco and Europe many times and various locations, and it's never taken more than 16 hours or so - even with multi-hour layovers. And, flying from SFO, I arrived in Bangkok 'only' 24 hours later. So what happened that it took him so long to get home? And how could he have any idea whether anyone was there to pick him up or not until he got to Baggage Claim? Presumably he's smart enough to know that anyone without a ticket couldn't meet him any sooner than that, and so wouldn't even start looking until he got there; instead, he'd given up looking by the time he got there. Huh?
I realize I'm focusing on the negative, and it really was a great book. But I figure it might help others to be forewarned about these things before you read it, then you might not find them so distracting. It is a book well worth reading, and I'm looking forward to the next one.
January 17, 2012
I noticed a lot of people didn't like it as much as the first or didn't find the characters' relationship believable after the first story. I didn't have those problems, I think because it's been about a year since I've readChiaroscuro. I remembered Micah's mistakes in the first one, but since it's been so long, I had no problem believing that he has grown and changed since then.
I really loved this story of growth for each of the MCs. I'll admit that I laughed and cried through this one. I absolutely loved the interaction between Micah and Dune; they really were adorable together.
I really loved this story of growth for each of the MCs. I'll admit that I laughed and cried through this one. I absolutely loved the interaction between Micah and Dune; they really were adorable together.
May 10, 2011
More like a 4.5, but lets round it up since I love this book so much.
Having read it twice now, my favourite aspect of the book is its characters. Or more accurately, a certain character, Micha. In this book, he went through a great transformation from the kid who couldn't sustain a relationship to a guy who would stand up for what he believe in, as well as a great support system for Dune.
Where did the -0.5 come from? The rather abrupt change in Dune's character near the end as it was somewhat implied that something similar have happened with Gavin before. To me it is strange that none of Dune's family and friends would know nothing about it.
Still, it is one of those books that made you feel sadder and sadder, the closer you come to the end. Not because of how the story unfolded, but simply because of how reluctant you became to part with the characters.
Definitely one of my favourite novels of its genre.
Having read it twice now, my favourite aspect of the book is its characters. Or more accurately, a certain character, Micha. In this book, he went through a great transformation from the kid who couldn't sustain a relationship to a guy who would stand up for what he believe in, as well as a great support system for Dune.
Where did the -0.5 come from? The rather abrupt change in Dune's character near the end as it was somewhat implied that something similar have happened with Gavin before. To me it is strange that none of Dune's family and friends would know nothing about it.
Still, it is one of those books that made you feel sadder and sadder, the closer you come to the end. Not because of how the story unfolded, but simply because of how reluctant you became to part with the characters.
Definitely one of my favourite novels of its genre.
September 12, 2009
This is a sequel of Chiaroscuro -- I started reading right after I finished Chiaroscuro because I did not want to part with characters so soon. This book focuses on Micah and Dune (Dune is Jamie's best friend). I admit, I was a bit surprised when the story implies that Dune had become friends with Young Micah. But it is believable because Dune is kind to Micah in the first book. When Micah returns from Europe after breaking up with his latest boyfriend, he turns to Dune for some comfort. Then the two of them starts to see each other in a different light. The book flows as smooth as the first one. However, I don't really see Micah and Dune as the happy ever after couple (unlike Jamie and Ben, whom I think has a very strong basis as couple, Jamie the sunshine and Ben the dependable bear), even if they are good friends. Still, a good story too. More like 3.5 stars
July 26, 2011
This is a sequel to Chiaroscuro, about a very interesting secondary character in that story, Dune.
Though it promised to be a very good story, because Dune was very intriguing in the first book, for some reason it turned out to not make a lot of sense. The relationship between Dune and Micah feels kind of forced. Not to mention Dune getting back with his abusive first boyfriend. Laird and Tristan not knowing what kind of person Gavin was? And Adam's behavior with Leo?
It was a 'WTF?' read all around. That's not to say it didn't have it's good moments, but overall, not what I expected. The first was much, much better.
Though it promised to be a very good story, because Dune was very intriguing in the first book, for some reason it turned out to not make a lot of sense. The relationship between Dune and Micah feels kind of forced. Not to mention Dune getting back with his abusive first boyfriend. Laird and Tristan not knowing what kind of person Gavin was? And Adam's behavior with Leo?
It was a 'WTF?' read all around. That's not to say it didn't have it's good moments, but overall, not what I expected. The first was much, much better.
November 24, 2011
I enjoyed this one almost as much as Chiaroscuro. Great group of guys in these. Some new characters. Gavin is one you love to hate. The overall plot reminded me of the TV series Queer as Folk. Not in a bad way. I loved the series, and I love Dune and Micah. Micah grows into a caring, sensitive, and fierce gay man.
It was heartbreaking when he told his very proper fundamentalist parents that he was gay. I'm really hoping that Ms. Jones continues with these characters. I want to know if his parents see the harm their inflexibility is causing their family.
I also want to know Leo's story. I'm sure it is there.....maybe with Stuart? And what about when Dune's Moms move to Florida? There has to be a story there too.
It was heartbreaking when he told his very proper fundamentalist parents that he was gay. I'm really hoping that Ms. Jones continues with these characters. I want to know if his parents see the harm their inflexibility is causing their family.
I also want to know Leo's story. I'm sure it is there.....maybe with Stuart? And what about when Dune's Moms move to Florida? There has to be a story there too.
May 4, 2011
A lovely, tender story about the family you are born into and the family of friends and loved-ones who adopt you and all your craziness. I was instatly drawn to the main characters, Micah and Dune, even though I haven't yet read Chiaroscuro, which precedes Something Beautiful and introduces the characters. The writing was tight and sweet and introspective in the way I like. I loved being in these characters' heads and I laughed and hurt and rejoiced right along with them as each they find out for themselves what relationship, committment, and love means.
March 29, 2010
sweet story about best friends who give a romantic relationship a try, have it fall apart and come back together. kind of glossy (not in the harlequin paperback sense, but in a skimming-to-the-interesting-stuff way, although given that the book isnt that long and covers 2 years or so, that's kind of to be expected...). both main characters are likable, although imagining either one of them in a steady, monogamous relationship was kind of a stretch. well-written & fun read.
November 5, 2011
3.5 stars.
December 16, 2018
3.5 stars
March 10, 2014
Just as good as the first in the series!
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