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Here & Now
Jaxon Hawke is content with his solitary life, successfully staying sober and coping with being HIV positive. He operates his own business with his best friend, Donna, and spends his free time volunteering at a local homeless shelter. But his carefully crafted routine is shaken when he meets Cyrus Carson, and Jaxon isn’t sure he can adjust. Life is about risk—Jaxon knows better than most—but if he doesn’t overcome his fears, he’ll lose the man he has come to love.
112 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 31, 2010
1 person is currently reading
99 people want to read
About the author
Lisa Marie Davis
22 books71 followersBorn and raised in Florida, Lisa spends her time writing and babysitting her nearly three-year-old nephew, Zach. A night owl, most of her writing gets done well after one in the morning when the rest of the world is happily sleeping.
Visit her blog at http://lisamariedavis.livejournal.com/.
Visit her blog at http://lisamariedavis.livejournal.com/.
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
April 30, 2010
I'm at a crossroads after reading this book. I loved the premise of the storyline. A young man with HIV finds the strength to overcome his horrible past and now must live with a disease that's always hanging over his head. He meets a man who admires his strength and determination not to be a victim from the poor choices he's made in his life and wants to start a life with him. I really loved that and had a high expectation when I started it.
Maybe that was my problem.
There was something about it that just didn't gel well with me. I don't know if it was the chemistry between the two heroes or that this book had so much angst in it that it ruined it for me. Jaxon's constant second guessing himself after a while drove me crazy. Yes, granted the poor man had a right to be worried and closed off, but after awhile it just got to be too much for me.
I did like this book, but I didn't love it. I don't know if I'll ever read it again, but I do love many of Lisa's other books, so of course I'm looking forward to reading more from this author.
2.5 stars but I'll round it up to 3.
Maybe that was my problem.
There was something about it that just didn't gel well with me. I don't know if it was the chemistry between the two heroes or that this book had so much angst in it that it ruined it for me. Jaxon's constant second guessing himself after a while drove me crazy. Yes, granted the poor man had a right to be worried and closed off, but after awhile it just got to be too much for me.
I did like this book, but I didn't love it. I don't know if I'll ever read it again, but I do love many of Lisa's other books, so of course I'm looking forward to reading more from this author.
2.5 stars but I'll round it up to 3.
April 23, 2010
3.5 out of 5
Jaxon Hawke is a young man who's gone through a lot in his life. He was abandoned at an early age by his mother and left in the care of his abusive father who threw him out of the house at the age of sixteen. Living on the streets with no one to help him Jaxon ends up selling his body and drinking to mask the pain. He finally sobers up and gets off the streets only to be told eighteen months later that he is HIV positive.
He is lucky though and with the help and support of his AA sponsor and friend, Donna, he takes charge of his life and decides to make the most of it. Going to school and working hard he eventually becomes co-owner of a bakery with Donna and now leads a quiet, happy yet lonely life. That is until he meets businessman Cyrus Carson. Although Jaxon has always believed that a relationship wouldn't work because of his status Cyrus is determined to change his mind. Slowly the two men explore a friendship that leads to more and Jaxon finally realizes that he can have a loving relationship. But by the time he figures out that the risk of letting someone in is worth it, it may be too late.
Aside from Donna there is one other secondary character that is important in this story and that is Amanda, a sixteen year old girl that at six months pregnant is thrown out of her home. Coming into the shelter at which Jaxon helps out she serves as a catalyst for him to see Cyrus as something more than just a rich man trying to get him into bed. As he sees Cyrus interact with Amanda and do everything at his disposal to help her Jaxon begins to see the real man behind the public image.
Jaxon and Cyrus are likable characters and the development of their relationship as they go from friends to lovers was well written. The issue of Jaxon's HIV and how it could affect their lives was handled well as Jaxon makes every effort to be as informed as possible and finally shares his concerns with Cyrus.
Overall this nicely written story is sweet although it does have some angst-filled moments. It's an easy read with an ending that is perhaps too perfect but is satisfying nevertheless. The subject matter of living with HIV is one that is not often found in M/M romance books and I felt it was well presented in this story.
Jaxon Hawke is a young man who's gone through a lot in his life. He was abandoned at an early age by his mother and left in the care of his abusive father who threw him out of the house at the age of sixteen. Living on the streets with no one to help him Jaxon ends up selling his body and drinking to mask the pain. He finally sobers up and gets off the streets only to be told eighteen months later that he is HIV positive.
He is lucky though and with the help and support of his AA sponsor and friend, Donna, he takes charge of his life and decides to make the most of it. Going to school and working hard he eventually becomes co-owner of a bakery with Donna and now leads a quiet, happy yet lonely life. That is until he meets businessman Cyrus Carson. Although Jaxon has always believed that a relationship wouldn't work because of his status Cyrus is determined to change his mind. Slowly the two men explore a friendship that leads to more and Jaxon finally realizes that he can have a loving relationship. But by the time he figures out that the risk of letting someone in is worth it, it may be too late.
Aside from Donna there is one other secondary character that is important in this story and that is Amanda, a sixteen year old girl that at six months pregnant is thrown out of her home. Coming into the shelter at which Jaxon helps out she serves as a catalyst for him to see Cyrus as something more than just a rich man trying to get him into bed. As he sees Cyrus interact with Amanda and do everything at his disposal to help her Jaxon begins to see the real man behind the public image.
Jaxon and Cyrus are likable characters and the development of their relationship as they go from friends to lovers was well written. The issue of Jaxon's HIV and how it could affect their lives was handled well as Jaxon makes every effort to be as informed as possible and finally shares his concerns with Cyrus.
Overall this nicely written story is sweet although it does have some angst-filled moments. It's an easy read with an ending that is perhaps too perfect but is satisfying nevertheless. The subject matter of living with HIV is one that is not often found in M/M romance books and I felt it was well presented in this story.
July 16, 2011
Can you imagine, 21 years old and being told you are HIV positive. It's bad enough when someone is older, but knowing at that age, your whole life will be changed forever. The saddness, despair and everything else that goes along with it? The truth is, I can't imagine it, nor do I want to. But, that is what Jaxon is have to face in this book. Jaxson did what he had to in order to survive, he wasn't a bad person, just a kid who was on his own because his father beat him. He thought he had left this all behind when he got clean, but it came back to haunt him. But then, Cyrus walked into his life. Jaxon tried to walk away, push Cyrus away because he was afraid. But it didn't work. Cyrus loved him, even thugh he felt unworthy of that love, it was still there.
To everyone who is diagnosed with HIV, please know, it is not like it once was. Yes, your life will change, but it is not over.
This is a great book, a love story. It is also informative. I suggest it to everyone.
To everyone who is diagnosed with HIV, please know, it is not like it once was. Yes, your life will change, but it is not over.
This is a great book, a love story. It is also informative. I suggest it to everyone.
March 25, 2015
This book was quite a light read considering the subject matter. We join the story some years after Jaxon has been diagnosed as HIV positive but is still struggling to accept the fact that it is possible for him to have a future which involves love. Cyrus has the patience of a saint but I did find both men slightly frustrating at times and wanted them to be a bit more passionate in their fight for a life together. Jaxon seemed like a yo-yo. He was constantly changing his mind about what he should do and what Cyrus deserved. The ending was quite quick and sweet although I wasn't convinced Jaxon wouldn't be having any more yo-yo moments!
September 30, 2011
I read three of Lisa Marie Davis' novellas in one day, and this one might have been my favorite. However, this too, like the others, gets only 3 stars.
Something wasn't right about the story. Maybe the constant understanding the immature, selfish Jaxon got from the people in his life was something that rubbed me the wrong way, I don't know.
The important thing is, that I wished this book had been as good as the premise was.
Nicely written but I just couldn't get to it. Also, the ending was a bit too insta-solution for me.
March 27, 2015
It was okay, but Jaxon's 'woe is me' attitude got seriously on my nerves.
June 28, 2017
I'd have to agrees with the opinion that while this story had potential, it didn't work.
Not to mention that when Cyrus first came on to Jaxon and was turned down, somewhat venomously, but then still proceeded to show up at his place of work and the shelter he volunteered at was more stalker-ish than persistent. Cyrus' behaviour could just as easily be seen as harassment as it was wooing; in my opinion, even more so. Even he wasn't set up to be the knight in shining armour, he could just as easily been written as the sleazy creep who can't take the hint that that they aren't interested.
Not to mention that when Cyrus first came on to Jaxon and was turned down, somewhat venomously, but then still proceeded to show up at his place of work and the shelter he volunteered at was more stalker-ish than persistent. Cyrus' behaviour could just as easily be seen as harassment as it was wooing; in my opinion, even more so. Even he wasn't set up to be the knight in shining armour, he could just as easily been written as the sleazy creep who can't take the hint that that they aren't interested.
March 26, 2022
I enjoyed this one far more than I expected.
Jaxon kind of drove me nuts with his doubts, but hey, I've been guilty of overthinking some things too.
Jaxon kind of drove me nuts with his doubts, but hey, I've been guilty of overthinking some things too.
March 20, 2011
3.5 stars
With such a weighty issue as HIV and adding in life lessons and a chance at romance this book should have been more of an emotional experience than I encountered.
I liked both Jaxon and Cyrus and wanted them to find a happy outcome. Even though we know that it’s going to be a rocky road for them as they move down their path.
This is a “tell you about it” type story. Pages would go by where we heard only the internal story and dialogue in Jaxon’s head. Characters rarely talked to each other in real time. It happened, but not too often considering. Jaxon spent most of the story inside his head and related his life to us through this technique. This type of book tends to leave me a little dissatisfied because it’s harder to understand the motivation of Cyrus.
I admire Jaxon’s resolve to pull himself out of the young alcoholic haze he found himself in to cope with teenage homelessness and prostitution, in fact, he was almost too good to believe. We move through 5+ years of his life fairly quickly in the first chapter. With the help of Donna, his sponsor, once he stopped drinking, other than the HIV nothing seems to have gone wrong in his life and I wonder at that.
Cyrus, another driven go-getter sees something in Jaxon right off the bat but it’s very hard to get to know him through Jaxon’s view of the world. All of his contemplation of Cyrus comes to us filtered through his self pity and emotional baggage.
I would have liked to have lived with Jaxon through the book instead of hearing about his life. I might have felt more connected to him.
With such a weighty issue as HIV and adding in life lessons and a chance at romance this book should have been more of an emotional experience than I encountered.
I liked both Jaxon and Cyrus and wanted them to find a happy outcome. Even though we know that it’s going to be a rocky road for them as they move down their path.
This is a “tell you about it” type story. Pages would go by where we heard only the internal story and dialogue in Jaxon’s head. Characters rarely talked to each other in real time. It happened, but not too often considering. Jaxon spent most of the story inside his head and related his life to us through this technique. This type of book tends to leave me a little dissatisfied because it’s harder to understand the motivation of Cyrus.
I admire Jaxon’s resolve to pull himself out of the young alcoholic haze he found himself in to cope with teenage homelessness and prostitution, in fact, he was almost too good to believe. We move through 5+ years of his life fairly quickly in the first chapter. With the help of Donna, his sponsor, once he stopped drinking, other than the HIV nothing seems to have gone wrong in his life and I wonder at that.
Cyrus, another driven go-getter sees something in Jaxon right off the bat but it’s very hard to get to know him through Jaxon’s view of the world. All of his contemplation of Cyrus comes to us filtered through his self pity and emotional baggage.
I would have liked to have lived with Jaxon through the book instead of hearing about his life. I might have felt more connected to him.
December 2, 2012
I hovered between a 3 and 4 star rating on this one. I loved the premise of the story. I also loved the confidence with which Cyrus knew what he wanted (Jaxon) and pursued it. I loved Jaxon and hated all the horrible things that happened to him, but could appreciate how they shaped the man and made him stronger. If I could change it, I wished Jaxon’s fatalistic attitude could have disappeared more quickly. I empathized with his concerns, but was frustrated by his willingness to paint himself one foot in the grave already vs. appreciating every single day and grasping everything good that life offered with both hands. Despite this, I enjoyed it!
April 7, 2010
It feels like a Hallmark movie :). Yes, one man who is an HIV positive, who builds his life after being an alcoholic and lived on the street, meet a man who is determined enough to show that they are worth it. I sort of think that there is lack of intensity between the two, like there is something missing, like the deep connection. Most of the time, I think Jaxon seems to be too detached from Cyrus. HOWEVER, I must lift my hat off to Lisa Marie, for writing a story about someone who's HIV positive. I don't find that a lot in M/M romances that I have read. So kudos!
October 9, 2015
I really loved the theme of the story: A former street kid learns he is HIV+ and still manages to build a life that ultimately leads him to finding love and founding a rainbow family.
On the downside, Jaxon's paranoia was unnerving, Cyrus was a tad too perfect and understanding and most of the story was one long flow or narration (way too much telling when showing would have been more interesting).
All in all a nice short read. It's great to have m/m romance stories that involve HIV, as it is still a sad reality for many people.
3,5 stars
On the downside, Jaxon's paranoia was unnerving, Cyrus was a tad too perfect and understanding and most of the story was one long flow or narration (way too much telling when showing would have been more interesting).
All in all a nice short read. It's great to have m/m romance stories that involve HIV, as it is still a sad reality for many people.
3,5 stars
October 21, 2010
Ok m/m romance about an HIV-positive guy who's turned his life around after living on the streets. He's prepared to live his life on his own... and then he meets a guy who pushes him (gently) and challenges his beliefs about himself. I had this huge niggle with this book - when he was diagnosed as HIV-positive and went on a drug regimen... he was in a situation in which he would not have had health insurance. At that point, this went straight to fairytale land for me.
August 6, 2012
Not my kind of book. Don't get me wrong it was sweet and touching and oh so lovey-dovey but I think it was Jaxon's stubbornness which ruined it. The book it is short but I was surprised of how long it took me to read it, I did enjoy some parts but between Jaxon and Cyrus' pushing personality I had a really hard time. The end was sweet and full hope, so kind of a happy ending.
March 10, 2014
Jaxon didnt have a happy life in the streets for years then one day just when he thought he saved his life at 21 he finds out he has HIV. He is devastated but with the help of his friend donna he find that life is not over.
Now years past his coping and then walks cyrus man of his dreams, But he knows he cant be with But cyrus is determined. Will jaxon give in.
Now years past his coping and then walks cyrus man of his dreams, But he knows he cant be with But cyrus is determined. Will jaxon give in.
April 6, 2010
This is a compassionate romance about a man who is HIV positive. I was very touched by Lisa Marie Davis's sensitive writing.
March 15, 2011
a story about a man with HIV trying to come over his fears and to believe in love.
March 21, 2012
The MC have absolutly no chemistry
It could have been a great story
disappointing
It could have been a great story
disappointing
April 12, 2017
In a word: Read the thing. I was initially interested in reading this one because it was the first romance I’d ever come across where one of the leads was living with HIV (and it wasn’t a tragedy). I will say that I don’t think this story lived up to my expectations, but it still wasn’t a bad story. We don’t really get much detail of Jaxon’s struggles with HIV (outside of his fear of potentially passing it on to a partner), but it’s not glossed over and it’s a definite real part of Jaxon’s life. It was nice to read a romance involving an HIV-positive lead where no one died. There was a nice, if a bit predictable, little plot and the writing was okay. One of my biggest problems was with Cyrus, Jaxon’s love interest. His behavior when he first showed up made me dislike him and when he suddenly changed his tune it never really felt genuine to me and I never warmed up to him. I liked Jaxon and Cyrus’ relationship after Cyrus’ personality change, but it almost felt as if Cyrus became a different person after he finally got close to Jaxon. I mostly put that down to poor transitioning. Cyrus annoyed me less when he wasn’t acting like a smug prick and insisting on running the show, and I did get invested in his and Jaxon’s relationship eventually.
[read the full post at In A Word]
[read the full post at In A Word]
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews