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Taste Test
Taste Test: Chrome
How much trouble is a shiny Fiat worth? Quite a bit, if you're into Chrome. Three stories follow one hot car through its life, from Nicholas and John who celebrate their newly solvent status by buying a car, and enjoying the reclining seats, to Evan, who inherits the car from his dad, and shares the benefits with his best friend.
Finally, the now-vintage Fiat ends up with Tanner, who hopes to impress fellow car show enthusiast Billy. All of these boys have one thing in common. They love the glow, gleam and glitter of Chrome.
Finally, the now-vintage Fiat ends up with Tanner, who hopes to impress fellow car show enthusiast Billy. All of these boys have one thing in common. They love the glow, gleam and glitter of Chrome.
- GenresGay
27 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 15, 2009
13 people want to read
About the author
Tory Temple
40 books66 followersI live in southern California, the land of no seasons. (Is wind a season?) I live with three dogs, two cats, and some tortoises. I'm married to a firefighter, which is great in the sense that some nights I get the TV all to myself, but not so great in the sense that some nights I have to figure out what to do when the washer starts leaking. (Or when there's a bat in the house, which is a thing that happened when he was working.)
Most of my books are centered around the firehouse. When you spend a lot of time around firemen, you write what you know! And what's hotter than a fireman?
Two firemen.
Enjoy!
Most of my books are centered around the firehouse. When you spend a lot of time around firemen, you write what you know! And what's hotter than a fireman?
Two firemen.
Enjoy!
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
June 15, 2009
I didn't find any of these short stories fulfilling
March 22, 2017
A 1977 Fiat Spider, bright orange with chrome detail. This car ties three unique and quaint stories together. As time passes, the car changes ownership and the chrome goes from gleaming to glowing to glimmering. Each tale is the story of the new owner who is helped along the path to love by the car. That isn't to say that these are paranormal stories reminiscent of Herbie the Love Bug. The Fiat is a prop, a token that brings three different couples together at a single point in their lives.
In "Gleam," the Fiat is purchased brand new by couple Nicholas and John. Although John is initially hesitant to own such a bright car, he grows to love it and the freedom and spontaneity owning it adds to their lives. But when Nick loses his job and finances are tight, the men have to make a difficult decision.
Eighteen years later, "Glow" finds the Fiat being passed down from father to son. Evan has graduated from high school and will leave for Stanford in the fall, and his graduation present is his father's beloved automobile. Evan's best friend Leo can't believe Evan's luck, and the two begin the summer by traveling down to the South end of the pier, where the gay crowd hang out. What begins is a new direction for their friendship.
Another twelve years pass, and in "Glimmer" the now thirty-year-old Fiat is purchased by Tanner from a woman who has no idea what treasure she possesses. Tanner has been looking for this specific model for over a year, with one purpose in mind: to grab Billy Davis' attention. When Tanner and Billy run into one another at the grocery store, they go for a drive and share their admiration of Tanner's new car.
These three stories are sweetly romantic and what a unique interlacing to see a car owned by different men over the years. The characters do not overlap between the stories, and each stands on its own. The stories were all enjoyable, each a unique snapshot of a different point in the characters' lives. This so easily could have become a rehashing of the same story multiple times, and thankfully Temple doesn't fall into that trap. Chrome is a fun and light read that is quite satisfying and will leave a smile on your face.
In "Gleam," the Fiat is purchased brand new by couple Nicholas and John. Although John is initially hesitant to own such a bright car, he grows to love it and the freedom and spontaneity owning it adds to their lives. But when Nick loses his job and finances are tight, the men have to make a difficult decision.
Eighteen years later, "Glow" finds the Fiat being passed down from father to son. Evan has graduated from high school and will leave for Stanford in the fall, and his graduation present is his father's beloved automobile. Evan's best friend Leo can't believe Evan's luck, and the two begin the summer by traveling down to the South end of the pier, where the gay crowd hang out. What begins is a new direction for their friendship.
Another twelve years pass, and in "Glimmer" the now thirty-year-old Fiat is purchased by Tanner from a woman who has no idea what treasure she possesses. Tanner has been looking for this specific model for over a year, with one purpose in mind: to grab Billy Davis' attention. When Tanner and Billy run into one another at the grocery store, they go for a drive and share their admiration of Tanner's new car.
These three stories are sweetly romantic and what a unique interlacing to see a car owned by different men over the years. The characters do not overlap between the stories, and each stands on its own. The stories were all enjoyable, each a unique snapshot of a different point in the characters' lives. This so easily could have become a rehashing of the same story multiple times, and thankfully Temple doesn't fall into that trap. Chrome is a fun and light read that is quite satisfying and will leave a smile on your face.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews