Love in the Library

by J.M. Snyder

Johnny's job at the campus library isn't as glamorous as it sounds. In fact, when the wheels of the returns cart get stuck in the gap between the floor and the elevator, he's ready to just quit right there. But a stranger's kindness leads to chance encounter that improves Johnny's whole semester.

This short, sweet romance is offered for free from the author's website as a sample of her work. It also is scheduled to appear in the anthology, FOUR SEASONS: AUTUMN 2009, published by eXcessica.

Genres: M M Romance, Contemporary, Romance, Short Stories, Gay, Ebooks, LGBT

22 pages, ebook

First published January 1, 2009

About the author

An author of gay erotic/romantic fiction, J.M. Snyder began in self-publishing and worked with Amber Allure, Aspen Mountain, eXcessica, and Torquere Presses.

Snyder's highly erotic short gay fiction has been published online at Amazon Shorts, Eros Monthly, Ruthie's Club, and Tit-Elation, as well as in anthologies by Alyson Books, Aspen Mountain, Cleis Press, eXcessica Publishing, Lethe Press, and Ravenous Romance.

In 2010, Snyder founded JMS Books LLC, a royalty-paying queer small press that publishes in both electronic and print format. For more information on newest releases and submission guidelines, please visit JMS Books LLC online.

Reviews

[Ralph Gallagher]

For bookworm Johnny, a job in the library sounds like heaven. But after shelving books all night, he realizes it's not what he thought it would be. After the cart he's using gets jammed in the elevator, Adam comes to the rescue and it's lust at first sight.

This is a free read on Snyder's website and thus is pretty short. Normally I don't like short stories like this too much because you don't get to see the romance evolve but I really enjoyed this one. I liked how she had them start dating but didn't try to convince the reader that they fell in love in 22 pages. There weren't any major flaws that I could find - good grammar, spelling, punctuation, and good characters that didn't read like cardboard cut outs.

Snyder did a great job with this story. It's a sweet little romance teaser that leaves the reader wanting a full length novel. I'd love for her to take these two characters and expand on their relationship. The little glimpse into their lives that we get is sweet and romantic. I highly recommend this short read to anyone looking for a romantic read to relax with.

** Warning ** This novel contains sex scenes and may not be appropriate for readers under than age of 18.

Read more of my reviews at: http://dancing-dove.blogspot.com/

[Nik]

This one was a really cute, short story. Johnny and Adam make an adorable couple. I just wished we had more of them so we could see how their relationship progresses outside of the library.

[Amy]

Cute short story. It seems I need to hang out at the library more often :P

[vivi books haven]

Not good

The book could be better but the characters was not reliable. The polt was too fast. Nothing really happend. Just no

[Indie Reviews]

An elevator possessed and a book cart with a will of its own has Johnny cursing the day he took a job re-stacking returned books at the university library. Next semester he’s definitely applying for a job in the computer lab. He literally falls at Adam’s feet as he struggles to free the damn cart and can’t believe his luck when Adam not only comes to his rescue but also comes on to him. Adam is definitely interested and won’t take no for an answer from this bookish cutie.

Love in the Library by J.M. Snyder is a twenty-something page short story that hits the spot if you’re looking for a light-hearted, romantic and fun read but are pressed for time. Johnny’s library antics will have you laughing and his little "should I, shouldn't I?" dance with Adam will have you grinning.

Those familiar with Snyder’s stories will recognize the writing style immediately - well-written, intelligent and witty narration and dialogue with attention to detail. Johnny and Adam have great chemistry and even though the smut factor is relatively low in this story, with only the intimation of sex, their scenes “between the stacks” are arousing and hot. Yes, sometimes less is more.

If you’re in the mood for a thoroughly entertaining, sweet and romantic m/m romp I definitely recommend Love in the Library by J.M. Snyder. And the bonus is, it’s available as a free download. Can’t beat that!

NOTE: This review was originally published at Rainbow Reviews on September 20, 2009.

[France-Andrée]

It was a nice little story about a boy working in a library and meeting someone with whom he connects and start on the adventure of love. This might seem silly to someone not working in the field... but I'm studying in College now to later on work in a library and my hair bristled a little when the story's protagonist started randomly placing books not sticking to his Dewey! What sacrilege!!! Okay, maybe it's just be lol. And normally in a College or University... they used LC (library of Congress) instead of Dewey, but well it is left to every library to take that decision so maybe that's not so far fetched. And if you've read this comment and thought I'm a little crazy; well, sorry I am a little library obsessed.

[Mikko Peralta]

It was a good short read. It starts with a boy with an after school responsibility that ended up in a nice enough relationship.

The theme is nothing new as this is everybody's love story - with just the setting and the circumstance varying in maybe small or huge details. The writing however, was good enough.

I must admit I was touched with Adam's resourceful idea of going to the movies on a Friday night.

I gave it a three for not being long enough. With a few twists and a longer edition, it could have been a 4 or a 5.

[Luta Wolf]

I really want to give this a better rating because the characters were so real. I got the character thought process, I felt with them. However the story couldn't hold me. The chemistery was too fast that I didn't get it and that frustrated me enough that I stopped reading. I'll be looking for another book by this author because I can't see that the writing skill is there, this book just didn't do it for me.

[Kaseka]

3.5 stars.

This is an adorable short story about the blooming romance between two college boys. The story takes place in the first few weeks of a new school year, and is set entirely in the campus library--where they met, and where one of them works. The characters are likable and fun, and the way they manage to see one another despite the librarian's work schedule is cute. Love in the Library is a short, fun read.

[Sandra]

They need to change this cover because it looks like cheesy porn but actually this was a sweet short-story about a budding romance. Adam was cute and funny. Although Johnny, our narrator, didn't have too much of a personality. It would have been nice if Adam had mentioned watching him or some cute story to explain why exactly he was interested.

[Amy]

I really enjoyed this. Though, since I am a librarian, the struggles with the book cart at the beginning was my favorite part. The relationship stuff was decent, but what can you really do in like 10 pages? I liked both the guys and what we got to see of the start of their relationship.

[Kelly (Maybedog)]

M/M in the library? Right up my alley. It was a sweet enough story, even if the guy on the cover turned me off. It's probably not a good sign that I only read it a week or two ago and I can barely remember it.

[L-D]

This was a short story about two college students who meet at the library. There isn't much plot but the characters were sweet.

[Marzena]

Cute and realistic short story. A bit too fast-paced to fully enjoy it.

[Camy]

Sweet but rather fast. If the author had let the tension, plot and relationship develop this would have been a great read.

[Trisha Harrington]

Lovely short story. It was a bit of fun with a nice, sweet ending. Johnny and Adam were cute together. Just wish it had been a tiny bit longer.

[Coty]

This is a very good story. The characters are great and I was really enjoying the story when it ends. This should be a much longer story. I am glad it was free.

[Ann]

Sweet little mini fluff in the library. The dudes went from 0 to 100 pretty quickly, but they were both pretty happy with the acceleration, so good for them.

[Bluebelle-the-Inquisitive (Catherine)]

I touched the strong, sinewy muscles in his arms, ran the tips of my fingers beneath the short sleeves of his shirt, and imagined a tryst right here, right now, the books on the shelves toppling down around us like rain until our entwined bodies were buried between the dusty, heavy pages, just two more characters in someone’s story. — Johnny

Warnings: potential sexual harrassment.

I'm left with mixed feelings from Love in the Library. I'm a librarian so the disrespect shown to the books, the library and the patrons frustrated me. Though that said it does play well to Johnny's characterisation, he's done with his job (after a week), not properly trained and desperate to spend time with a man who pushes his buttons in the best possible ways. That all said it is nice to have a librarian in a story like this that isn't playing on the sexy librarian trope, Adam finds Johnny attractive but not because of how Johnny presents himself or tries to use his body. That is all the negative, it is essentially a personal hang up. I will add a warning here, there are some moments where Adam is treading a fine line, two specific scenes could have easily been sexual harassment. The actions he takes suit his character, the moment and to a degree the relationship he is developing with Johnny but still could be problematic to some readers. I do like Adam and Johnny. They have this dynamic that is fun, flirty and honestly feels like it suits the age bracket they fit in. I enjoyed J.M. Snyder's writing for this story. It made me laugh. This is a bit of fun and an enjoyable very quick read. It is free on Amazon. I recommend it if you want something fast but not if you are a librarian.

“You’re obviously not interested—”
“I am,” I said, a little too quickly. I wasn’t sure if he meant what I meant, but God knew I wanted to find out. “I’m sorry—”
Adam nudged my foot with his.“Stop saying that already,” he told me with a laugh. “You won’t hear me apologize for hitting on you.” — Adam and Johnny

A representative gif:

[Dan]

Johnny is a junior in college. Always a nerdy bookworm, working at the library sounds like the perfect job for him.

While dealing with a very difficult push cart overloaded with books to return to the stacks, Johnny runs into Adam.

Adam flirts hard with Johnny. And of course Johnny is super nervous and super super awkward.

Zero descriptions. Told from Johnny’s point of view, there’s no mention of Adam’s body type whatsoever. Just that Adam is handsome and has nice hair. This does not track; abysmal representation. Not how gay men behave. We assess.

She gives Johnny a very odd tone. Bizarre narrative choices.

Zero build of lust. And no action. When the book literally opens with a warning on how explicit the sex scenes are…and there aren’t any. 💀

Johnny spends more time whingeing about his job and his lot in life, in general, than he does thinking about Adam.

Sort of HFN conclusion. Overall: an extremely irritating read.

[Daniel]

I was going to finish it because it’s so short but nah. 26% was enough. Why? Johnny is struggling like crazy to get a wheel loose that’s preventing him from exiting the elevator. He tries and tries and tries with no luck. Then we find out someone else was in the elevator who didn’t think to offer to help after multiple failures. He just watched and thought it was amusing. Eventually he did help and then there’s instant attention.

I know this is supposed to be some kind of uplifting feel good thing but that last thing I’d want is someone like Adam who finds my difficulties to be funny.

[Christopher]

I really wanted to like this because of Library and gay. It needed to slow down a bit. The plot went too fast. I wish we had seen the two characters on their date more. Saw the connection bloom a little. Had more time to relate tot he MC. I didn't feel like there was enough time given to aspects that would make this actually work. I really know nothing about the love interest from what we see in this short. The flirting was kind of awk but cute I guess. So there is that.

[Sarah]

They were cute, but it feels rushed and I actually felt my jaw clench at the disrespect to the shelving and classification system that Johnny showed. I get that we're here for a good time, not a serious time, but that was just an unnecessary two paragraphs that could have been replaced with character development.

[John E Johnson]

I was okay because it was free.

The author got the world of shelving books in a library correct. Unfortunately the main character has a poor work ethic that takes away from the story.

[Miss]

A satisfying quickie

J.M. Snyder is another author I can rely on for good reads. Long or short, the story is always good. I love the characters & setting for this one.

[Leia Rose]

Cute, short story. The cover doesn’t really match the vibe of the story. The story is more sweet than sexual.

[Marker]

Romance entre libros

[Denise Burris GremoryKohta]

What a sweet read.

This was such a cute sexy short. A great break between intense reads. This author always fits the mood I need.

[Maureen]

A cute short story about Johnny and Adam and the love that grows between them while at the library, short and sweet.

[Karen]

2.5 stars