What do you think?
Rate this book
The Way We Almost Were
Allan Nottingham has a huge secret and it has nothing to do with the fact that he's gay. Though he wants to become a respected political journalist, he actually makes an excellent living by performing idiotic stunts on a trashy but popular TV show called The Naughty Boiz. He'll do anything from skateboarding into a huge vat of mustard to being a human sling shot, wearing nothing but a skimpy leopard thong and a black ski mask to conceal his true identity.
Allan's handsome, hunky boss, Mikey Phoenix, the outrageous producer of The Naughty Boiz and Allan's best friend, is always there to watch out for him. It's an unusual friendship between a gay man and a straight man, because Mikey is always full of surprises.
But Mikey's wonderful friendship isn't enough for Allan, and when Allan accidentally runs into his first lover from college, Jacob Steinman, all of the old feelings of love he thought he'd laid to rest come rushing back. And Allan embarks on a full fledged campaign to win Jacob's love, going to lengths he'd never do for another man, in spite of all the differences that kept them apart in the first place.
It doesn't take long for Allan to see that Jacob hasn't changed. Though Jacob is the most talented man Allan has ever known, Jacob is still only interested in having fun and ignoring all the political and social issues that are important to Allan. And even though Allan works hard to ignore Jacob's political apathy, not the mention the fact that Jacob is unwilling to announce to the world that he's openly gay because it might hurt his high profile career, all this eventually takes its toll on their relationship.
Is the love and romance between Allan and Jacob will be enough to sustain them? As these exciting characters grow and begin to embrace their true passions, discovering the things in life that matter to them the most, what ultimately happens clearly defines the way they almost were.
Allan's handsome, hunky boss, Mikey Phoenix, the outrageous producer of The Naughty Boiz and Allan's best friend, is always there to watch out for him. It's an unusual friendship between a gay man and a straight man, because Mikey is always full of surprises.
But Mikey's wonderful friendship isn't enough for Allan, and when Allan accidentally runs into his first lover from college, Jacob Steinman, all of the old feelings of love he thought he'd laid to rest come rushing back. And Allan embarks on a full fledged campaign to win Jacob's love, going to lengths he'd never do for another man, in spite of all the differences that kept them apart in the first place.
It doesn't take long for Allan to see that Jacob hasn't changed. Though Jacob is the most talented man Allan has ever known, Jacob is still only interested in having fun and ignoring all the political and social issues that are important to Allan. And even though Allan works hard to ignore Jacob's political apathy, not the mention the fact that Jacob is unwilling to announce to the world that he's openly gay because it might hurt his high profile career, all this eventually takes its toll on their relationship.
Is the love and romance between Allan and Jacob will be enough to sustain them? As these exciting characters grow and begin to embrace their true passions, discovering the things in life that matter to them the most, what ultimately happens clearly defines the way they almost were.
- GenresM M RomanceRomance
200 pages, ebook
First published January 1, 2010
54 people want to read
About the author
Ryan Field
180 books216 followersRyan @ryanfield Hybrid author of over 100 published modern romance novels and stories, including AN OFFICER AND HIS GENTLEMAN, FANGSTERS, and THE RAINBOW DETECTIVE AGENCY. He is a Lambda Award-winner with a short story and he's always more than thankful for reader reviews. In fact, he cherishes reviews from real readers, and that means good or bad reviews.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
February 4, 2011
This story was as bland as oatmeal. The characters were one dimensional and lacked any kind of spark to make them either likable or unlikable. Allan had a passion for LGBT rights but it was only brought out to cause problems for him. This could have been a pretty good story if the author had put some heart into it.
January 25, 2020
Weird book.
Very unnatural counterintuitive characters.
It's like the book is written by three different authors.
To me the story has a hard time flowing.
Bad ... no
Good ... no
Very unnatural counterintuitive characters.
It's like the book is written by three different authors.
To me the story has a hard time flowing.
Bad ... no
Good ... no
August 5, 2014
Field, Ryan. “The Way We Almost Were”, Ravenous Romance, 2010.
Looking Again at Two Men in Love
Amos Lassen
Have you ever wondered what would happen if you ran into your first lover again and still felt something for him? This is exactly what this book is about. Allan Nottingham and Jacob Steinman (a good Jewish boy) were lovers in college and then went their separate ways. Allan aspires to become a political journalist but at the present he is making a living by playing a fool on a really sad TV show, “The Naughty Boiz”. He has to do stupid tricks but the pay is good. His boss, Mikey Phoenix is Allan’s best friend and he watches out for him. Mikey is straight but he and Allan have a special bond. However, Allan feels that his life needs love and when he accidentally (on purpose) meets Jacob, his lover from university days, he realizes that he still feels for Jacob and he decides that he will do what he has to win Jacob’s heart. (How many times have you read this story?—probably as many as I have but I doubt the other versions were as bland as this one). Jacob has not changed and is really only interested in having a good time and shows no interest in the things that Allan likes. Allan tries hard to ignore Jacob’s indifference, hence the title “The Way We Almost Were”. Either one of these guys would have made me feel totally indifferent.
Personally I would love to see how Field builds characters. Many authors use themselves as models for their characters and it that is the case with Ryan Field then we can see how one-sided these characters are and that they have nothing going for them. They actually seem to be the kind of people that no one would want around. The plot is very simple but it is the characters and the writing that really let me down. Field mixes romance, social and political issues and sensuality but they just do not come together in this story. I am now in the process of reading everything that Field has written and I keep finding the same situations—poorly written, no plot development and half-drawn unlikeable characters. I am not alone in my opinion---here is what Dan Bradshaw had to say about this story”
“Don Bradshaw rated it 1 of 5 stars
This story was as bland as oatmeal. The characters were one dimensional and lacked any kind of spark to make them either likable or unlikable. Allan had a passion for LGBT rights but it was only brought out to cause problems for him. This could have been a pretty good story if the author had put some heart into it”.
Looking Again at Two Men in Love
Amos Lassen
Have you ever wondered what would happen if you ran into your first lover again and still felt something for him? This is exactly what this book is about. Allan Nottingham and Jacob Steinman (a good Jewish boy) were lovers in college and then went their separate ways. Allan aspires to become a political journalist but at the present he is making a living by playing a fool on a really sad TV show, “The Naughty Boiz”. He has to do stupid tricks but the pay is good. His boss, Mikey Phoenix is Allan’s best friend and he watches out for him. Mikey is straight but he and Allan have a special bond. However, Allan feels that his life needs love and when he accidentally (on purpose) meets Jacob, his lover from university days, he realizes that he still feels for Jacob and he decides that he will do what he has to win Jacob’s heart. (How many times have you read this story?—probably as many as I have but I doubt the other versions were as bland as this one). Jacob has not changed and is really only interested in having a good time and shows no interest in the things that Allan likes. Allan tries hard to ignore Jacob’s indifference, hence the title “The Way We Almost Were”. Either one of these guys would have made me feel totally indifferent.
Personally I would love to see how Field builds characters. Many authors use themselves as models for their characters and it that is the case with Ryan Field then we can see how one-sided these characters are and that they have nothing going for them. They actually seem to be the kind of people that no one would want around. The plot is very simple but it is the characters and the writing that really let me down. Field mixes romance, social and political issues and sensuality but they just do not come together in this story. I am now in the process of reading everything that Field has written and I keep finding the same situations—poorly written, no plot development and half-drawn unlikeable characters. I am not alone in my opinion---here is what Dan Bradshaw had to say about this story”
“Don Bradshaw rated it 1 of 5 stars
This story was as bland as oatmeal. The characters were one dimensional and lacked any kind of spark to make them either likable or unlikable. Allan had a passion for LGBT rights but it was only brought out to cause problems for him. This could have been a pretty good story if the author had put some heart into it”.
July 27, 2010
This book was not what I was expecting. I think I possibly misread the original blurb or it was on list on GR that was incorrect. Either way, I was surprised.
Allan Nottingham, is gay and very political and he won't apologize for it. His first love is Jacob Steinman. Jacob and Allan meet in college and Allen is surprised that Jacob is gay. They start a relationship in their senior year knowing that after graduation they are going their separate ways. Ten years later, Jacob and Allan meet again in a bar in NYC. Jacob is an underpaid political writer, that never wants to give his opinions. Allan has made a ton of money on a "jackass"-type reality show. He has carefully remained hidden so that it would not negatively impact his political writing. Allan does the show with his best friend Mikey Phoenix, A straight man who would do anything to protect his best friend.
This book is told from the POV of Allan. It is about the way each relationship grows (or doesn't) and changes. It is about these 3 men and the choices they make. It made me cry and it made my heart hurt and reminded me of all things I like about people. Allan is a real person and you just want to be on his side. You watch him make cringe-worthy decisions, but not in that TSTL way, but in that way that we make them every day. The decisions you look back on a wonder why you made them. I love that being true to himself is what made him happiest in the end.
My complaints would be that we never quite find out what the deal is with Jacob when we first re-meet him in NYC. I kept waiting for him to explain why he was being so shifty. Also, I wish that someone had called Jacob & Mikey about calling Allan extreme and that someone- preferably his best friend- had called Allen on trying to change himself for anyone.
But really, these thing are minor and the book itself is great.
Allan Nottingham, is gay and very political and he won't apologize for it. His first love is Jacob Steinman. Jacob and Allan meet in college and Allen is surprised that Jacob is gay. They start a relationship in their senior year knowing that after graduation they are going their separate ways. Ten years later, Jacob and Allan meet again in a bar in NYC. Jacob is an underpaid political writer, that never wants to give his opinions. Allan has made a ton of money on a "jackass"-type reality show. He has carefully remained hidden so that it would not negatively impact his political writing. Allan does the show with his best friend Mikey Phoenix, A straight man who would do anything to protect his best friend.
This book is told from the POV of Allan. It is about the way each relationship grows (or doesn't) and changes. It is about these 3 men and the choices they make. It made me cry and it made my heart hurt and reminded me of all things I like about people. Allan is a real person and you just want to be on his side. You watch him make cringe-worthy decisions, but not in that TSTL way, but in that way that we make them every day. The decisions you look back on a wonder why you made them. I love that being true to himself is what made him happiest in the end.
My complaints would be that we never quite find out what the deal is with Jacob when we first re-meet him in NYC. I kept waiting for him to explain why he was being so shifty. Also, I wish that someone had called Jacob & Mikey about calling Allan extreme and that someone- preferably his best friend- had called Allen on trying to change himself for anyone.
But really, these thing are minor and the book itself is great.
November 13, 2010
I thought this was a sweet book. It didnt really get me all worked up, but I loved Allan..
I had a weak moment where I really wanted Allan and Micky to end up together.. I mean, how sweet was the moment they had at the end?
I really didnt like Jacob all that much, and kinda hated him for walking out on Allan all the time. Whats up with not staying to fight for your relationship, dude? And Allan even kept saying that Jacob had a power over him. So I didnt really want them to end up together.
But after walking out on Allan, yet again, he comes back after a year, when Allans life is finally going somewhere, and proposes to him out of the blue.. And of course, with the power Jacob has over him, Allan says yes.. Hmmmm....
It did sound like Jacob had finally come out, so to speak, and was ready for an 'open' life with Allan, being the "extreme" person he is, but still.. I dont really know.. I still kinda wish Micky would wake up gay one day, and sweep Allan of his feet like he derserves..
But I guess Jacob did that with a big diamant ring at the end... ?
I had a weak moment where I really wanted Allan and Micky to end up together.. I mean, how sweet was the moment they had at the end?
I really didnt like Jacob all that much, and kinda hated him for walking out on Allan all the time. Whats up with not staying to fight for your relationship, dude? And Allan even kept saying that Jacob had a power over him. So I didnt really want them to end up together.
But after walking out on Allan, yet again, he comes back after a year, when Allans life is finally going somewhere, and proposes to him out of the blue.. And of course, with the power Jacob has over him, Allan says yes.. Hmmmm....
It did sound like Jacob had finally come out, so to speak, and was ready for an 'open' life with Allan, being the "extreme" person he is, but still.. I dont really know.. I still kinda wish Micky would wake up gay one day, and sweep Allan of his feet like he derserves..
But I guess Jacob did that with a big diamant ring at the end... ?
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 2, 2013
hehe, the leopard thong and skateboarding just reminded me of jackals. This book was really awesome, I didn't know what was going to happen. When the end came I was so shock.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews