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Go Fish #1
Go Fish
Ian and Cal have known each other since they were kids. When Cal offers to let Ian move in with him, Ian doesn't even let the fact that Cal is gay factor in. It's supposed to be a joke when Ian brings home a fish bowl with no fish, but when Cal buys fish and comes into Ian's room to check on them, Ian starts seeing more of Cal than he'd counted on, and liking what he sees. There's really only one logical way for Ian to sort out his feelings for Cal. Buy more fish. Soon, he's a regular hobbyist with an excuse to get Cal in his bedroom several times a day. He has no idea what to do once they're there. Throw in Marcy- the adorable pet store geek who keeps him plied with bait- a bad chili dog, a game of strip Go Fish, and a raging case of food poisoning, and Ian's about to lose his gay virginity the way only he could... ass backward.
83 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 2, 2009
3 people are currently reading
302 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 55 reviews
November 17, 2011
Just what I needed as a pick me up, so hilarious and such a fun read I had to control myself with my outbursts of sudden laughter. I thought Ian and Cal would never get it together every attempt was one disaster after another, the fish were the secret matchmakers in them both finally getting it right. I loved it, this story was cute and entertaining perfect for anyone wanting a sweet and lovely romance!
Thanks Sims for recommending this!
Thanks Sims for recommending this!
September 15, 2013
I'm not a fan of GFY but this one felt right.
The humour is great, I was laughing out loud in the pet shop, and the comedy of errors after kept me chuckling.
Ian and Cal make a great couple. But as always this is a short so don't expect too many details on backgrounds.
A sweet little coming together read with laughs aplenty.
The humour is great, I was laughing out loud in the pet shop, and the comedy of errors after kept me chuckling.
Ian and Cal make a great couple. But as always this is a short so don't expect too many details on backgrounds.
A sweet little coming together read with laughs aplenty.
September 15, 2013
I first read this one in March 2011 but for some reason didn't rate or review it.
Deeze brought it back to my attention with her review and I decided to reread it.
Humor is hard to do, describing physical slapstick like accidents is difficult, at least to make it so I can picture it and think it's cute.
The author managed it with this one though and of course the fish shopping was cute.
Cal and Ian have been best friends forever, we don't really get Cal's thoughts but it's still pretty clear they have been lusting for each other for a while, even if Ian is just now finding out that he is gay, or at least gay for Cal.
They never would have managed on their own, the help of some very influential and manly fish were needed..some even died for true love to find it's way..*sniff* and the help of one sort of geeky pet store employee and glow in the dark stones...
Cute, short and funny, my only issue was sometimes I just wasn't sure who was who during the dialogs..but that could have just been me.
Deeze brought it back to my attention with her review and I decided to reread it.
Humor is hard to do, describing physical slapstick like accidents is difficult, at least to make it so I can picture it and think it's cute.
The author managed it with this one though and of course the fish shopping was cute.
Cal and Ian have been best friends forever, we don't really get Cal's thoughts but it's still pretty clear they have been lusting for each other for a while, even if Ian is just now finding out that he is gay, or at least gay for Cal.
They never would have managed on their own, the help of some very influential and manly fish were needed..some even died for true love to find it's way..*sniff* and the help of one sort of geeky pet store employee and glow in the dark stones...
Cute, short and funny, my only issue was sometimes I just wasn't sure who was who during the dialogs..but that could have just been me.
August 18, 2014
You cannot find this story anywhere now. I've read it thanks to a friend. There are so many crappy stories around that I don't understand why this isn't available anymore.
You've probably read a few friends to lovers stories already, so you know what to expect. Cal and Ian are roommates too. What you probably haven't read about are all kinds of jinxed ways Ian is trying to seduce his best friend. There is nothing pathetic about him. His stubborn persistence combined with bad luck are hilarious.
You've probably read a few friends to lovers stories already, so you know what to expect. Cal and Ian are roommates too. What you probably haven't read about are all kinds of jinxed ways Ian is trying to seduce his best friend. There is nothing pathetic about him. His stubborn persistence combined with bad luck are hilarious.
May 16, 2011
I liked this short story it was so funny but it lacked development in the end the last 20% or so seems to be focused on sex and I would have rather had it focus on how their relationship developed after they had sex instead of focusing on the sex
May 16, 2011
Cute, funny story about two best friends who use fish to bring themselves closer together.
R.I.P. Scrappy I, II, and III
R.I.P. Scrappy I, II, and III
September 15, 2013
Up until the first kiss this book is a big smile of cute goofyness. I loved it. Unfortunately (for me) it went rapidly downhill from there and I ended up skimming to the end.
There's a very chatty feel to the writing that's a bit marmite, and the humour is all physical slapstick which is never my favourite - this could therefore be a case of not-for-me.
I liked the fish, they were cute. A couple of times I couldn't quite figure out what was going on though, it felt like information was missing. A big issue was how young the characters seemed considering they'd presumably be at least mid-twenties, what with married friends and having lived several places; it got irritating. There were also a few references I didn't get - Pedialyte, classic Calgon fashion? (I thought Calgon was a water purifier the context confused me)
A side character Macey goes from the girl at the pet shop to suddenly having their phone number and being privy to personal info - a classic slash-loving fanfic girl, all she needed was a crush on one of them.
It becomes focused on sex, I'd rather have watched the fish! Food poisoning just isn't sexy! But that first bit? That first bit is cute.
There's a very chatty feel to the writing that's a bit marmite, and the humour is all physical slapstick which is never my favourite - this could therefore be a case of not-for-me.
I liked the fish, they were cute. A couple of times I couldn't quite figure out what was going on though, it felt like information was missing. A big issue was how young the characters seemed considering they'd presumably be at least mid-twenties, what with married friends and having lived several places; it got irritating. There were also a few references I didn't get - Pedialyte, classic Calgon fashion? (I thought Calgon was a water purifier the context confused me)
A side character Macey goes from the girl at the pet shop to suddenly having their phone number and being privy to personal info - a classic slash-loving fanfic girl, all she needed was a crush on one of them.
It becomes focused on sex, I'd rather have watched the fish! Food poisoning just isn't sexy! But that first bit? That first bit is cute.
November 25, 2011
All I can say is if you are looking for a book that is light and give you a good laugh, this is the one.
May 14, 2011
Cute and funny Screwball(-driver)-Comedy with matchmaking fish and hot s..!
April 23, 2010
This is a very cute and funny story about two best friends that fall in love. The humorous touches make the light narrative one that is just flat out adorable and fun to read. The narrative style is pretty informal with a lot of internal musing and physical antics which works well in the short length but I would have been annoyed with if the story had gone on longer. If you’re looking for a cute, fun story with a lot of laugh out loud moments, this bit of comic genius is a must read.
The story is basically about two best friends that live together and finally get together. Cal is openly gay while Ian is so far straight but he starts to notice Cal’s body more and more and decides that he wants something more than friendship from his tall, lanky friend. Ian decides that the way to Cal’s heart, well his body anyway, is to buy a lot of fish that Cal has to check up on in Ian’s room. There is of course more to the story as Ian’s thought process of awkward, manly seduction wrapped around fish care affords a lot of great, entertaining dialogue and antics.
Ian reminded me of Jim Carey in some ways as his physical antics are humorous and over the top. These aren’t bad and in the space of a pretty quick novella, they work very well injecting humor, sex, and fumbling between two cute men. If the story had been longer, the non-stop yuk yuk theme would have run stale and overused but it’s quick enough that the entertainment factor remains high. Life isn’t as easy as Ian just deciding he wants Cal as the seduction is offset by food poisoning, inappropriate vibrating cell phones, fish care, and any number of issues that crop up so the two never quite get the chance to seal to the deal.
The writing tries hard to be funny and succeeds most of the time, helped by the sole secondary character of Mercy the geeky pet shop employee. The underlying fun and glee of the story translates and it makes you want to laugh and enjoy the ridiculous and clumsy antics of Ian, who attempts to be a mans-man but never agonizes over his attraction to Cal. I liked that there was no real angst about suddenly being gay for Cal but instead it focused on the stop/start seduction between the two. This could have ended slightly sooner but I have no real complaints.
Overall this is a funny, cute, and thoroughly entertaining story that is perfect for the length. There are some hinges that could become annoying to readers but the very quick pace should keep these to a minimum. If you’re looking for a light comedic romance, try this.
The story is basically about two best friends that live together and finally get together. Cal is openly gay while Ian is so far straight but he starts to notice Cal’s body more and more and decides that he wants something more than friendship from his tall, lanky friend. Ian decides that the way to Cal’s heart, well his body anyway, is to buy a lot of fish that Cal has to check up on in Ian’s room. There is of course more to the story as Ian’s thought process of awkward, manly seduction wrapped around fish care affords a lot of great, entertaining dialogue and antics.
Ian reminded me of Jim Carey in some ways as his physical antics are humorous and over the top. These aren’t bad and in the space of a pretty quick novella, they work very well injecting humor, sex, and fumbling between two cute men. If the story had been longer, the non-stop yuk yuk theme would have run stale and overused but it’s quick enough that the entertainment factor remains high. Life isn’t as easy as Ian just deciding he wants Cal as the seduction is offset by food poisoning, inappropriate vibrating cell phones, fish care, and any number of issues that crop up so the two never quite get the chance to seal to the deal.
The writing tries hard to be funny and succeeds most of the time, helped by the sole secondary character of Mercy the geeky pet shop employee. The underlying fun and glee of the story translates and it makes you want to laugh and enjoy the ridiculous and clumsy antics of Ian, who attempts to be a mans-man but never agonizes over his attraction to Cal. I liked that there was no real angst about suddenly being gay for Cal but instead it focused on the stop/start seduction between the two. This could have ended slightly sooner but I have no real complaints.
Overall this is a funny, cute, and thoroughly entertaining story that is perfect for the length. There are some hinges that could become annoying to readers but the very quick pace should keep these to a minimum. If you’re looking for a light comedic romance, try this.
December 30, 2011
This was a super cute and funny read. Ian and Cal are hilarious. I loved their relationship and how they start to develop something because of Ian's fish. Those poor fish. Marcy was a nice edition to this short and definitely should be given a reward for getting Ian and Cal together. I loved the book but the ending of it seemed abrupt as well as sex filled. Since the book has barely any sex, I was shocked that it ended with an almost nonstop sex scene which put me off a bit. Still, I enjoyed the story and I'm looking forward to reading more of them and hopefully seeing how their relationship develops further.
January 11, 2010
This m/m romance was great fun! I laughed out loud more than a few times at some of the wonderfully clever bits, such as this: “He had no idea why he was thinking with dramatic pauses now. He just was.” Or this: 'He was not pouting. 'Yes, you were.' He was not doing a very good job of keeping his inner thoughts inner, either.'
April 16, 2011
This was a very cute and sweet short story of two long time best friends who finally see each other as more than just BFFs and take the plunge. One is gay while the other is straight, or maybe not as straight as he thought. Through a series of mishaps, and a fishbowl for an excuse, that they finally come together. A really good read!
January 11, 2010
This is a wonderful story written with a hilarious sense of humor that made me laugh even though the situation of Ian, the main character, isn't funny throughout most of the story. Not really.
Ian and Cal have been best friends since grade school and are now roommates. The 'excuse' of the fish that happen to be in Ian's room and 'need' checking by Cal is a great ploy to get the two together. Or make them try to. It takes quite a few mishaps, accidents and Ian falling violently ill for the two men to figure out that they really are more than 'just best friends' - and then actually making it happen turns out not to be that easy either.
A great read when you need cheering up.
Ian and Cal have been best friends since grade school and are now roommates. The 'excuse' of the fish that happen to be in Ian's room and 'need' checking by Cal is a great ploy to get the two together. Or make them try to. It takes quite a few mishaps, accidents and Ian falling violently ill for the two men to figure out that they really are more than 'just best friends' - and then actually making it happen turns out not to be that easy either.
A great read when you need cheering up.
September 21, 2013
I really appreciate the means by which I got to read this. Gigi generously loaned it to me. It's out of print now so I was happy to get it at all.
Unfortunately, it wasn't to my liking. It's very slapstick and I was overdosing on the brand of humour employed here: rambling, double entendres, silly witticisms, self effacing and mocking, overly jocular/never ever serious etc.
Then there was the oxymoronic purpleness of the prose and Spartan action in the sex scenes. So, this book is accomplished if this type of writing suits your fancy, in other words YMV. For me, it was a no-go.
But the biggest issue for me is the utter lack of transition and development that typifies a GFY :-s
Unfortunately, it wasn't to my liking. It's very slapstick and I was overdosing on the brand of humour employed here: rambling, double entendres, silly witticisms, self effacing and mocking, overly jocular/never ever serious etc.
Then there was the oxymoronic purpleness of the prose and Spartan action in the sex scenes. So, this book is accomplished if this type of writing suits your fancy, in other words YMV. For me, it was a no-go.
But the biggest issue for me is the utter lack of transition and development that typifies a GFY :-s
April 11, 2011
Ian realizes he has feelings for his friend Cal. What follows is a hilarous and sometimes embarrassing comedy of errors as he goes about trying to make his feelings known.
This novella definitely hit the spot. I loved the fact that instead of a drama about a straight man falling for his gay friend and coming to terms with his sexuality, it was just a fun and sweet story about a guy falling in love with a dear friend-that this friend was male wasn't even the issue. I totally loved this...Ian was just so much fun and Marcy is the coolest friend ever!
This novella definitely hit the spot. I loved the fact that instead of a drama about a straight man falling for his gay friend and coming to terms with his sexuality, it was just a fun and sweet story about a guy falling in love with a dear friend-that this friend was male wasn't even the issue. I totally loved this...Ian was just so much fun and Marcy is the coolest friend ever!
November 16, 2010
Four and three quarter stars. Yes, I'm knocking off one-quarter of a star because I'm being nit-picky. There were a few editing errors that knocked me out of the story slightly. Other than that (and I know I'm being really being nit-picky but editing errors are a bug bear of mine) I adored this novella. It was light, it was witty (and normally various authors' attempts at witty leave me frowning as I have no sense of humour :) and even though it was short the characters felt real and 3D to me. I will definitely be looking to see what other books this author has written.
October 23, 2011
In fact, maybe it's 2,5 stars. This novel was pretty funny and cute, what was important, I didn't get bored, so why so low rating? In my opinion it was too chaotic, to understand what was really going on. I had an impression that something is missing. Once or twice I felt lost. Perhaps the fault of the fact that English is not my native language, but I don't think so, because I've never had this problem.
September 23, 2010
3.5 stars
Cute, sexy story about best friends, one gay and the other straight, falling in love. I enjoyed the author's writing style and the humor found throughout the story.
Cute, sexy story about best friends, one gay and the other straight, falling in love. I enjoyed the author's writing style and the humor found throughout the story.
August 1, 2010
Laugh out loud funny! Great, quick read.
April 10, 2011
Love it!!!!!
April 3, 2011
I see fish in a whole new light now. I loved the humor in this book and it was just a great, fun read.
August 10, 2011
3.5 stars. Funny story about two friends and one realizes he wants to be more with the other one.
December 13, 2020
Cute, short, no angst.
January 6, 2010
It's short, it's only 46 pages but is one of the funniest 46 pages I've read in a while. It's so funny I was literally laughing out loud (not LOLing in my head) and my daughter thought I was insane. Okay, it was so good I had to read part of it out loud to her. (the non-smexin' part) It was so what I needed Monday. Straight Ian lives with his best friend forever Cal who is gay. Ian notices himself noticing Cal in other ways and he's not completely freaked out about it, but doesn't do anything. He gets a fish bowl to decorate his room and Cal buys him a fish and starts sneaking into his room to check them. To keep Cal coming in they get more fish and more fish and finally kiss but it doesn't seem to go further until Ian enlists the help of the teenage girl at the pet store who as been selling them fish. It was just so funny, they are completely hapless and everything that can go wrong seems to until FINALLY they manage to get it together. Okay, here is the funny paragraph I read to my daughter:
That noise Ian was making? Totally a squeal. It was the love child of a dolphin and a sea monkey. And yes, Ian knew sea monkeys didn't make noise, but he couldn't figure out how a dolphin would get on land and mate with a regular monkey, and therefore, it had to have been a sea monkey. "Eeaagggaaghheee!" That was not a sound human vocal cords evolved to create.
So if you are having a shitty day or just need a laugh (hell, it's January in the northern hemisphere, we could ALL use a smile), I highly recommend this book. Oh, I HAD sea monkeys as a kid. Don't tell me you didn't, or at least didn't try to grow them.
That noise Ian was making? Totally a squeal. It was the love child of a dolphin and a sea monkey. And yes, Ian knew sea monkeys didn't make noise, but he couldn't figure out how a dolphin would get on land and mate with a regular monkey, and therefore, it had to have been a sea monkey. "Eeaagggaaghheee!" That was not a sound human vocal cords evolved to create.
So if you are having a shitty day or just need a laugh (hell, it's January in the northern hemisphere, we could ALL use a smile), I highly recommend this book. Oh, I HAD sea monkeys as a kid. Don't tell me you didn't, or at least didn't try to grow them.
November 5, 2014
3.5 stars, not rounded up (I'm feeling harsh)
This has undeservedly been in the TBR vortex for ages. It's actually a lovely little read, a tad episodic in places and I'll admit I found the job of our protagonist initially vaguely confusing before settling into realisation of what it was - a minor issue so pretty irrelevent. It was pleasingly funny and I certainly enjoy humour, there was no actual angst, more in the awkward attempt to breach the transition from friends to lovers through the acquisition and hobby of exotic fish. Yup, fish.
I'm not rounding up because I'm on one of my "I'm too soft with my ratings" kicks and because it was quite uneven in the execution of the story but it was rather good overall.
This has undeservedly been in the TBR vortex for ages. It's actually a lovely little read, a tad episodic in places and I'll admit I found the job of our protagonist initially vaguely confusing before settling into realisation of what it was - a minor issue so pretty irrelevent. It was pleasingly funny and I certainly enjoy humour, there was no actual angst, more in the awkward attempt to breach the transition from friends to lovers through the acquisition and hobby of exotic fish. Yup, fish.
I'm not rounding up because I'm on one of my "I'm too soft with my ratings" kicks and because it was quite uneven in the execution of the story but it was rather good overall.
June 22, 2013
I’m not sure exactly what I was expecting when I picked this book to read but it certainly wasn’t a laugh out loud cute story! The concept of the fish, the “go fish” game, and getting advice from a nerdy pet store clerk to get these guys together might seem a little corny or too cutesy, but it just worked for me. All of the characters were wonderful and I couldn’t get the smile off my face while reading this one. I will most definitely be checking out the sequel. Loved it!
dnf
May 15, 2011I tried with this one, but could not get through it and it's a Very Short Book. I was overwhelmed by the cuteness. It's probably me--I'm too cynical, too jaded & forgot what it's like to be 12 and in love. Ok, just kidding there as they weren't really 12. I think they were some form of adult. I just couldn't tell from how they acted. If I eventually do finish reading this, and my opinions change I will of course, change the review. For now, cannot rate because I didn't finish.
February 24, 2010
This was a fun and funny look at a couple of guys who can't quite get it together. Everything that can go wrong does go wrong, in entertaining fashion, until finally, it goes right. The ick factor of one of the disasters makes this a four rather than a 5 (4.5 isn't a choice) but it is a sweet light story and I'd definitely read more by this author.
May 30, 2010
How could I resist a romance with a goldfish on the cover? I think that is Scrappy IV in all his glory.
This was a fun read and must have covered all the everyday disasters that can stop two guys getting together -- including a bout of food poisoning. Fortunately for Ian, Cal doesn't give up easily.
When you need a story that'll leave you smiling, this is it.
This was a fun read and must have covered all the everyday disasters that can stop two guys getting together -- including a bout of food poisoning. Fortunately for Ian, Cal doesn't give up easily.
When you need a story that'll leave you smiling, this is it.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 55 reviews