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Moving Day
Mike Paloso has lost count of the number of times he's helped childhood friend Jay Charles move. Jay's never had much of a home to call his own, content to follow his boyfriends around, but each break-up means a new pad, until the next guy comes along. This time, it's different. There's been no break-up, and no new pad. Instead, there's one hell of a fixer-upper, and not just the house Jay's inherited from his latest, late, beau. This time, Mike has to find a way to repair Jay's broken dreams and mangled heart. With every reno, there comes some demo, but Mike's not sure he's ready to dismantle his life to rebuild Jay's.
62 pages, ebook
First published February 24, 2008
1 person is currently reading
85 people want to read
About the author
Jaime Samms
105 books279 followersJaime Samms is a plaid-hearted Canadian who spends the too-long winters writing stories about love between men and the too-short summers digging in the garden. There are dust bunnies in the corners of her house—which she blames on a husky named Kai. There are dishes on the counter—which is clearly because teenagers! There is hot coffee in the pot and the occasional meal to keep her from starving—because her husband is remarkable and patient.
A multi-published author whose work has been translated into French, Italian, and German, Jaime delights in the intricate dance of words that leads her through tales of the lost and broken hearted men she writes about to the love stories that find and mend them.
And when the muse is being stubborn, she also makes pretty things with yarn and fabric scraps because in her world, no heart is too broken to love, and nothing is too worn or tired it can’t be upcycled into something beautiful. All it takes is determination and the ability to see life a little bit left of center.
A multi-published author whose work has been translated into French, Italian, and German, Jaime delights in the intricate dance of words that leads her through tales of the lost and broken hearted men she writes about to the love stories that find and mend them.
And when the muse is being stubborn, she also makes pretty things with yarn and fabric scraps because in her world, no heart is too broken to love, and nothing is too worn or tired it can’t be upcycled into something beautiful. All it takes is determination and the ability to see life a little bit left of center.
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
August 25, 2010
Moving Day is the first book I’ve ever read by this author and it was a great first read. It’s written in first person from Mike’s POV who’s helping his friend Jay move to a place he and his deceased lover bought. Gradually it becomes clear that Mike and Jay are in love with each other for ages now but never dared to take the step to tell the other guy so. There’s some heavy pull-and-push between them which makes this a very compelling and intense story about fear to commit and to show one’s weak side, mourning, insecurity, new and last chances, friendship and trust. I sometimes felt that everyone (including Mike) thought too easily it was all Mike’s fault that his and Jay’s relationship was tainted with misunderstandings. Jay was imo a wee guilty too, of at least some evasive behavior.
The writing style was pleasant and the author has a way of sucking you into the story. Anything you might want to call into query only shows up after reading the story, not during. The story arc was excellent and the choice for the first person POV has some limitations but it also added some of the tension. I must say that we had to wait pretty long for some smexy scenes, but I actually didn’t miss them until then, thanks to the excellent tension from the start between the guys which was concentrated around their feelings.
In short, a well-written and entertaining story that I rate somewhere between 4 and 4.5 stars.
The writing style was pleasant and the author has a way of sucking you into the story. Anything you might want to call into query only shows up after reading the story, not during. The story arc was excellent and the choice for the first person POV has some limitations but it also added some of the tension. I must say that we had to wait pretty long for some smexy scenes, but I actually didn’t miss them until then, thanks to the excellent tension from the start between the guys which was concentrated around their feelings.
In short, a well-written and entertaining story that I rate somewhere between 4 and 4.5 stars.
April 19, 2016
This was a short, incredibly sweet and angst filled book and I have to say it surprised me with how much I enjoyed it.
Mikey and Jay have moved around each other most of their lives and now Jay's making one last move and Mikey's helping him but if he's not careful it might be the last move he gets to make where Jay's concerned.
This was a short, fast read, filled with well placed details, a solid supply of secondary characters and a plot that left me clutching my pearls with tissue in hand on one page and needing a cold shower on the next.
The only thing about this book that I was not impressed with unfortunately was the cover, I was just not a fan of the cover art and maybe that's why it took me so long to get around to this book, who knows, however, I am definitely a fan of Jamie Samms and this one just tells me that I need to read her books more often.
3.5 stars rounded down for GR.
Mikey and Jay have moved around each other most of their lives and now Jay's making one last move and Mikey's helping him but if he's not careful it might be the last move he gets to make where Jay's concerned.
This was a short, fast read, filled with well placed details, a solid supply of secondary characters and a plot that left me clutching my pearls with tissue in hand on one page and needing a cold shower on the next.
The only thing about this book that I was not impressed with unfortunately was the cover, I was just not a fan of the cover art and maybe that's why it took me so long to get around to this book, who knows, however, I am definitely a fan of Jamie Samms and this one just tells me that I need to read her books more often.
3.5 stars rounded down for GR.
Read
June 5, 2009Apparently this was a "light" book, at least from the blurb if not from the cover (that it's quite "dark"), but after few pages I realized that it was not.
It's a first point of view narration seeing through the eyes of Mike that for the umpteenth time is helping his friend Jay to move; there is even a creepy aspect on it, since Jay is used to move since a) he always chooses men who dump him b) if they don't dump him, they die. It's obvious that Jay chooses men that are not for him, and the reader starts to think that he is a bit of a butterfly and that he is blind to not see that the right man, Mike, is always there for him, near enough to be catch. On the other hand it's not that Mike chooses his partner in a better way: from having relationship with men who aren't even sure to be gay, to flirt with women well knowing that he prefers men. Both of them are in denyal, but not about who they are, but who they love.
But this time things are different, Darren, Jay's lost lover, was not one other desperate case in Jay's path toward self-destruction; Jay is really upset from his death, and Mike for the first time is jealous... and so the reader starts to sense that things are not simple as at first he though. It's not Jay who doesn't want to commit, it's Mike who always pulls back: if Jay chooses the wrong men, Mike is always sure that in the end he will come back to him, and so Mike will always be the real love for Jay, even if he hasn't to commit or speak the L word. Doesn't matter that there is no a physical relationship between Mike and Jay, the only thing Mike needs is the exclusivity on Jay's heart: a proof that Mike doesn't "think" to Jay in that way is that Mike has never realized that Jay is a dominant lover.
Mike always prided himself to be available for Jay when his friend needs him, and he probably thought to be the answer to all his trouble; but this time Mike is not able to help Jay, this time Jay realized that, doesn't matter how many men he tries to love, doesn't matter how many little pieces of their life he retains for himself, doesn't matter how many unfulfilled dreams he makes own, Jay will always miss Mike, and it's now or never with him. And Mike has to finally take that final step.
As I said the book is a little more angst than expected, and at first I was a bit disconcerted to be thrown in the middle of the story, in full play mode, but then I started to collect hints and bits here and there and ended this novella length book having enough details to comprehend the reasons of both men.
http://elisa-rolle.livejournal.com/64...
It's a first point of view narration seeing through the eyes of Mike that for the umpteenth time is helping his friend Jay to move; there is even a creepy aspect on it, since Jay is used to move since a) he always chooses men who dump him b) if they don't dump him, they die. It's obvious that Jay chooses men that are not for him, and the reader starts to think that he is a bit of a butterfly and that he is blind to not see that the right man, Mike, is always there for him, near enough to be catch. On the other hand it's not that Mike chooses his partner in a better way: from having relationship with men who aren't even sure to be gay, to flirt with women well knowing that he prefers men. Both of them are in denyal, but not about who they are, but who they love.
But this time things are different, Darren, Jay's lost lover, was not one other desperate case in Jay's path toward self-destruction; Jay is really upset from his death, and Mike for the first time is jealous... and so the reader starts to sense that things are not simple as at first he though. It's not Jay who doesn't want to commit, it's Mike who always pulls back: if Jay chooses the wrong men, Mike is always sure that in the end he will come back to him, and so Mike will always be the real love for Jay, even if he hasn't to commit or speak the L word. Doesn't matter that there is no a physical relationship between Mike and Jay, the only thing Mike needs is the exclusivity on Jay's heart: a proof that Mike doesn't "think" to Jay in that way is that Mike has never realized that Jay is a dominant lover.
Mike always prided himself to be available for Jay when his friend needs him, and he probably thought to be the answer to all his trouble; but this time Mike is not able to help Jay, this time Jay realized that, doesn't matter how many men he tries to love, doesn't matter how many little pieces of their life he retains for himself, doesn't matter how many unfulfilled dreams he makes own, Jay will always miss Mike, and it's now or never with him. And Mike has to finally take that final step.
As I said the book is a little more angst than expected, and at first I was a bit disconcerted to be thrown in the middle of the story, in full play mode, but then I started to collect hints and bits here and there and ended this novella length book having enough details to comprehend the reasons of both men.
http://elisa-rolle.livejournal.com/64...
October 16, 2009
There were so many hidden nuances in this story that it took me awhile to figure out whose romance the story was about... or maybe it was just that I got so caught up in Mike's thoughts that I was as oblivious as he about his relationship with Jay. Can't believe that I didn't see it... but it made the revelation all the more poignant and definitely powerful.
I must say that Jaime's writing ~ all of it ~ is absolutely wonderful. It flows, but is filled with the most perfect of descriptions; it involves the reader to the point that the story is all; and it resonates long after closing the book.
Mike is obviously not someone given to a lot of deep reflective thinking; he lives in the here and now, except where his friend Jay is concerned. And never does he look beyond the surface. Why? Because he's afraid.
This is very much a romance but, especially for Mike, it is also a journey of self-discovery... with a little ~ sometimes a LOT ~ of help from his friends. And where would he be without Brian or Pat? Lost and alone and never really opening his eyes.
If you're in the mood for an extremely touching and moving story, look no further. You've come to the right place with Jaime Samms Moving Day.
I must say that Jaime's writing ~ all of it ~ is absolutely wonderful. It flows, but is filled with the most perfect of descriptions; it involves the reader to the point that the story is all; and it resonates long after closing the book.
Mike is obviously not someone given to a lot of deep reflective thinking; he lives in the here and now, except where his friend Jay is concerned. And never does he look beyond the surface. Why? Because he's afraid.
This is very much a romance but, especially for Mike, it is also a journey of self-discovery... with a little ~ sometimes a LOT ~ of help from his friends. And where would he be without Brian or Pat? Lost and alone and never really opening his eyes.
If you're in the mood for an extremely touching and moving story, look no further. You've come to the right place with Jaime Samms Moving Day.
June 13, 2010
I just realize that Ms. Samms like to put readers in "a middle" of someone's life and just throw little bits hints, here and there, for us to get the bigger picture. To see what is really happening. The same thing with this story. I get the fact that Mike and Jay have been best friends -- and that Jay has lost his partner and now moving to a house they planned to have. But it took a while to understand what had been going on between them, what stopped them from admitting that they loved one another. It was great story, intense at some points. When it got to the end, I must say that this is one satisfying story. Probably my favorite so far from Ms. Samms.
March 12, 2023
(I've read a second, possibly updated edition of the story, as my ebook page count was double the one shown here.)
From the summary I assumed Mike would be the sad dormaty party in his and Jay's relationship, but I was wrong, Mike was the jackass of this story. Their relationship was incredibly toxic and they both would have benefited from never seeing each other again. I might be exaggerating here but the first 80% of the story made me so mad at Mike's treatment of Jay which for me could not be forgiven with the last 20% of the story where they supposedly work out all their issues with one short conversation after which the proceed to have sex and more sex.
Also Mike had a three bedroom condo, why the hell was Jay sleeping on his sofa?
Themes: single POV, best friends to lovers, under-negotiated kink
From the summary I assumed Mike would be the sad dormaty party in his and Jay's relationship, but I was wrong, Mike was the jackass of this story. Their relationship was incredibly toxic and they both would have benefited from never seeing each other again. I might be exaggerating here but the first 80% of the story made me so mad at Mike's treatment of Jay which for me could not be forgiven with the last 20% of the story where they supposedly work out all their issues with one short conversation after which the proceed to have sex and more sex.
Also Mike had a three bedroom condo, why the hell was Jay sleeping on his sofa?
Themes: single POV, best friends to lovers, under-negotiated kink
September 5, 2021
Mike has been in love with Jay for years and Jay feels the same way. Mike is helping Jay move after he lost his lover. The book is sweet, very emotional, deals with grief & heartache. It takes almost losing Jay because of his jealously, miscommunication, and the help of friends that Mike realizes how much he needs and wants Jay. The book is also very romantic, their sexy times are hot, great characters and the friendships and support that these two will pull your heartstrings. The book will pull you in from start to finish and I enjoyed reading it.
August 25, 2024
Mixed feelings regarding this book, it's a sweet short story, but too much miscommunication for my taste, both characters have been in loved with each other for years!!!! but they have not acted on it, and when they finally do it's not natural.
July 19, 2011
I loved this book.
October 12, 2014
3.5 stars in fact.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews