Life Class

by Scarlet Blackwell

No longer available

- - -
"Opportunity knocks once in a lifetime "

Harley Hayes is always looking for a new challenge to stretch his artistic vision. The subject of his first foray into nudes is a vision, indeed: Ryan Morgan. With each sitting, Harley finds it harder to ignore the fact he s falling head over heels for the straight-arrow model.

Their first kiss confirms that Ryan feels the heat, too for about five seconds. Then he pushes Harley away and bolts.

Ryan is less than proud of some of the things he s done to survive his hand-to-mouth existence. Including model for a gay magazine and accept money from his female clients in exchange for extra favors . The memory of Harley s kiss still rattles the foundation of his sexuality even now, six months later.

When they run into each other at a gallery opening, nothing has changed. The sparks flare brighter than ever, driving Harley to make an offer he desperately hopes Ryan won t refuse. And Ryan is just desperate enough to say yes

Warning: Contains scenes of m/m intimacy; hot sex on a kitchen table and a man with a body to die for. "

Genres: M M Romance, Contemporary, Romance, Gay For You, Novella, Gay, LGBT

129 pages, Kindle Edition

First published February 6, 2010

Reviews

[Karen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ryan is an incredibly beautiful young man to look at but inside he's filled with anger and confusion resulting in some bad choices and circumstances that lead him to doing whatever is necessary to get by. He does what he has too, but it doesn't mean he likes it. Ryan says he's straight.

Harley is an artist who sees not only Ryan's outer beauty but the potential that is hidden within him as well. Harley says he's bi but in a queer phase at the moment.

Together they are an explosion waiting to happen. These two men tear away at each other until finally something's got to give. But will it be Ryan's defences or Harley's desires.

I really enjoyed this story and the heat between these two men was intense. My biggest issue was that for me the ending was just a bit to abrupt. I would have liked a little more follow through. Maybe one day there will be more to their story.

[Betryal · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well that was... explosive! Talk about in denial. Or it could have been fear? Maybe just enjoyed being a jackass all his life and with all the angst having built up to a climaxing peak, didn't know where it once began and where it would end. With that thought in mind I'm speaking opening about Ryan. That was until Harley walked into his life. Another GR reader/reviewer, Lisa as a matter of fact (hope she didn't mind my mentioning her. :snickering:) wrote a review that was impressive enough that I couldn't resist and it appeased to my never ending appetite and I decided to check it out. Curious mind like mine tends to wonder what all the hooplah is about and being in the right mood and frame of mind I picked it up instead of pushing it into my To Buy folder. A cat needs its cream to be satisfied and I have no regrets for scooping it up.

But back to Ryan who I still think is a complete fawktard who doesn't deserve Harley, but as luck would have he gets him and it sticks. Kinda cool; kinda not. Get my drift? Some might think they're good for each other, some not after having read this one. I'm still in reserve mode on the latter. For the love of gods... you read it and be the judge and jury. I'm rambling like a cock in heat... The story is one wild ride on the nutmobile, interesting to say the least, and holds its own clout.

I'm done here. Just read it!

[Ami · Rating 4 out of 5]

Six months ago, Ryan Morgan -- a down on his luck life-class model, posed for Harley Hayes. And they had a kiss. A hot one. Except that Ryan was straight -- and he had his experience of being paid for sex as well and he didn't need this complication. So he opted to walk out. Until they meet again at a gallery opening and like nothing changed. The heat is still there: Harley still wants Ryan and Ryan, this time, thinks that maybe he should just give in.

WOW ... this one is so messy and complicated that I can't help to LOVE it. I love messy and complicated relationships on books. They portrayed better drama and intensity compared to the all goodie-goodies sugary sweet ones, where people meet fall in love and live happily ever after.

It is explosive, in a way that sometimes it's hot, sometimes it's painful. Both men end up hurting each other with words and actions. Ryan denies his feeling for Harley (even if he likes the painter). Since he has made choices in life where he ended up being paid for sex it makes him doubting Harley's attraction almost every time. Harley, on the other hand, falling hard for Ryan, that he doesn't really know what to do with it, and sometimes think that offering money -- if necessary -- is the way to get what he wants. Even in the end, it's not truly an HEA, there is still a long way to work on their relationship. Some people probably even think it's dysfunctional -- but I think they can make it work.

PS: There is one hot action happened at a kitchen table :)

~ I so need more stories like this!

[Kassa · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked reading this even if I think it ends a bit abruptly. The characters are flawed, complicated, hurtful, scared, and all over the place. On the one hand I think this novella could have really developed into something great but it still fits its length rather well. The ending just comes about kind of abruptly and suddenly. But this is a good story that shows how a scared character can redeem rather crappy behavior.

Ryan Morgan is struggling to make ends meet. After leaving home, he’s been living hand to mouth, often forgoing the mouth portion to keep a roof over his head. When he starts to make money as an artist’s model, he’s wary but hungry. When a group of older women start to offer extra money for sex, he’s ashamed but feels he has no choice. Whenever he struggles to get away from that side work, it seems to suck him in again. When gay artist Harley asks to paint Ryan, he’s certain Harley will want more. When Harley shows Ryan kindness and acts like a friend, Ryan is even more scared by the kiss Harley offers one night. Running scared from his feelings and his life, Ryan can’t seem to run away from Harley and what he offers.

The story is really a study in Ryan’s growth as a character and young man. Struggling in his life and doing things he’s not proud of, Ryan is often his own worst enemy. His explosive temper and angry attitude hide the terrified and proud young man underneath. Ryan simply can’t help ruining just about every opportunity he’s presented. He even treats Harley like utter crap for 95% of the story. Part of this is redeemed since Harley understands the scared man behind the mask and ultimately Ryan can eventually express himself, but Ryan’s not an easy character to like. Too often Harley simply excuses Ryan’s behavior because he’s in love with the man.

However the author and story do a great job in humanizing Ryan and showing the catalyst for his actions. He genuinely hates himself for how he treats Harley but can’t seem to stop lashing out. He says and does incredibly angry, hurtful things which eventually are simply forgiven and dropped. Here is where the story stutters some for me. Given Ryan’s rough past, his actions are somewhat understandable. However, he never really faces the consequences of his lashing out and instead is met with Harley’s unwavering love. This works since nothing else would get through to Ryan but he also needs to let go of the fear and anger he clings so tightly to. This is where I think if the story had been longer, it could show Ryan growing and changing while with Harley. That would have convinced me more of his change than the abrupt ending. However I do recognize this is a personal preference.

The solid writing and interesting story makes this engaging to read. The construction is somewhat clunky with an awkward flashback at the beginning mixed in with current action. The previous action between Ryan and Harley could have been started the book and then the time frame move ahead six months. This would have been less awkward and choppy but didn’t kill the enjoyment of reading it. Harley is less well developed, since this is about Ryan finding acceptance and love, so he comes across more wooden and less interesting. He is in love with Ryan, for reasons we’re not really told, and he works hard to get Ryan to accept that despite pretty shoddy behavior from his love interest. Again, if the story were longer Harley could have been afforded more development and depth.

Overall this is a decent story that isn’t afraid to show messy characters and complicated relationships. It’s not an easy romance and the angst ridden struggle will be something some readers just adore. You have to appreciate angst, drama, and turmoil in closed off, angry young men but he does have a happy ending.

[Charly · Rating 3 out of 5]

Angsty story with good buildup but a disappointing conclusion

Warning: This review might contain what some people consider SPOILERS.

Rating: 6/10

PROS:
- The tentative back-and-forth nature of the men’s relationship when they first start seeing each other is tender and a nice change from the all-or-nothing seduction often portrayed in m/m romances.
- Harley struggles mightily with his desire for Ryan, and I loved that Harley makes himself suffer for so long before doing anything about it. I like reading about characters who have some sexual restraint.
- Once the guys start a physical relationship, there are several bedroom scenes, and most of them are of the angry variety. Blackwell captures the tone of such episodes very well. One minute the men are snarling and shoving each other, and the next they’re snarling and kissing.

CONS:
- The two guys are constantly saying hurtful and/or offensive things to each other. In several instances, in fact, I found one guy or the other simply despicable.
- Ryan’s constant wavering about his feelings for Harley is enough to induce whiplash (and I do mean CONSTANT, as in he hates and desires and pities and admires Harley one after another, all within the span of a single scene).
- The transition from “Ryan hates Harley and is cruel to him” to “Ryan loves Harley and wants to live with him” is incredibly abrupt. In fact, there’s not much of a transition at all. He just changes, literally overnight.
- The descriptions throughout the story are a little flowery and over-the-top for me. Here’s an example: “His face was exquisite, like an angel in human form. His lips were full and pink, his nose small and button-like. A pair of startling, amber-colored eyes fringed with lush lashes…” And so on.

Overall comments: There’s a good story here, and it’s actually one of the more convincing Gay for You stories I’ve read, but I didn’t find it very enjoyable overall. The angst level is high, what with Harley’s unrequited feelings, Ryan’s sexual confusion, and both men’s near-constant anger at each other. Each time I thought they’d moved past the hostile/cruel stage, they ended up saying or doing something hurtful again in the next scene.

[kimberly_rose · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ridiculous is the word that comes to mind.

I am absolutely unconvinced of Harley's love for Ryan. There are barely any scenes of them getting to know each other as individuals rather than sex objects.

I AM completely convinced they are secretly both immature teenaged boys with extremely out-of-control libidos for each other.

Despite the MAJOR unresolved issues Ryan has, the end was trite and dismissive, as if the author just shrugged her shoulders and said, "Meh, I'm sure they'll make it."

It could have been an outstanding story with the bones of it, but it was put together in such a flim flam, undeveloped way.

But, holy sugar ass, that was some hot angry sex. Even if the characters made me laugh at how outrageously immature they were, repeating the same fight over and over. Ha. Ridiculous. And flamethrower hot. But ultimately disappointing.

[Romanticamente Fantasy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Recensione in ANTEPRIMA

Harley fece del suo meglio per fare conversazione in modo educato durante la loro colazione, anche se non aveva una gran voglia di parlare. Sarebbe stato felice di stare seduto in silenzio, godendosi la presenza di Ryan al suo fianco. «Allora, hai mai lavorato come modello, Ryan? A parte che per gli artisti, dico.»
Ryan spostò lo sguardo su di lui in modo brusco, con sua sorpresa, e poi lo distolse. «No.»
«Oh.» Harley si chiese se avesse toccato un tasto dolente. «Perché conosco diversi fotografi. Potrei organizzarti un incontro per farti un portfolio, se vuoi. Con il tuo viso e il tuo fisico, troveresti di certo del lavoro se lo mandassi agli agenti giusti.»
Ryan lo guardava, i suoi occhi blu duri e ostili. «Perché faresti una cosa del genere per me?» Harley aveva fatto quell’ offerta per pura generosità, semplicemente perché un uomo con gli attributi di Ryan avrebbe dovuti sfruttarli al meglio. Non c’era bisogno di lottare per sbarcare il lunario quando si aveva un volto come il suo, ma quello sguardo arrabbiato lo fece sentire in colpa, come se i suoi motivi non fossero stati puri, quando invece quella volta lo erano stati davvero.

Harley Hayes è un artista quotato e ricco che fino a poco tempo prima ha sempre dipinto paesaggi, ma ora, ha deciso di provare qualcosa di nuovo cimentandosi con un nudo, dopo aver notato un ragazzo che lo ha molto colpito, e che sa, aver posato spesso per altri artisti anche se sempre di genere femminile. Ryan Morgan è bellissimo, giovane e dal corpo mozzafiato, oltre che a posare come modello è conosciuto nell’ambiente per essere solito attardarsi con l’artista di turno anche a seduta finita. Questo, però, non gli arreca particolare gioia, gli permette solo di poter pagare le bollette. Essere richiesto come modello da un uomo, all’inizio lo rende sospettoso, ma ben presto, il modo di fare amichevole di Harley lo mette a suo agio, per di più l’artista lo invita spessa a pranzo, e date le sue finanze non floride per Ryan questo è un ulteriore bonus. Per Harley ad ogni nuova seduta diventa sempre più difficile nascondere l’attrazione che prova per il suo modello, ma nonostante questo, pur di non perderlo, dipinge il quadro con grande lentezza. Quando poi si accorge di quanto sia in ristrettezze il giovane, Harley tenta anche di fargli dei regali che vengono accolti da Ryan molto male, così come la possibilità di essere presentato a dei fotografi; nessuno ha mai fatto niente per lui senza volere qualcosa in cambio. Fra i due, nonostante le incomprensioni che costellano il loro rapporto, comincia a crescere una tenue amicizia, ma durante una seduta di posa, Harley, sempre più innamorato non resiste e lo bacia, e Ryan pur ricambiando se ne va senza mai tornare. Si rincontreranno solo dopo sei mesi, mentre viene esposto il quadro per cui Ryan ha posato, ma quello che li ha divisi non è cambiato.

Harley sa bene cosa Ryan è stato costretto a fare per sopravvivere, eppure nonostante questo, non può fare a meno di provare profondi sentimenti per questo ragazzo chiuso e orgoglioso, che dopo essere stato cacciato di casa provvede a se stesso come può. Desidera aiutarlo, essere suo amico, ma Ryan vede ogni suo tentativo come un mezzo per poterlo possedere e controllare, e inoltre è davvero convinto di essere etero, nonostante qualcosa di Harley smuova sensazioni che non vuole esaminare. L’essere continuamente rifiutato e l’esasperazione di un sentimento che non riesce a dimenticare, porta Harley a fare una proposta che lo pone davvero alla stessa stregua delle donne che hanno visto in Ryan un oggetto sessuale con cui passare qualche ora. Ma quello che dovrebbe essere un incontro di sesso come un altro, fa capire a Ryan cose di se stesso che non aveva mai immaginato, anche se ancora una volta si rifiuta di arrendersi all’evidenza. Harley è troppo dolce, troppo innamorato per arrendersi e la sua costanza riesce a fare breccia in un cuore che il disprezzo di se stesso e l’orgoglio ha blindato, e per Ryan sarà davvero difficile arrivare a capire che anche lui merita qualcosa di più, e che è degno di essere amato.

Una narrazione che ci porta avanti e indietro nel tempo di sei mesi, permettendoci di assistere a tutte le fasi di una relazione davvero complicata. Si rimane deliziati da Harley, dal suo amore così profondo e tenace, nonostante le tante volte in cui il rifiuto e l’ostinazione di Ryan lo farà soffrire. Avremo modo di capire anche come Ryan veda se stesso, come qualcosa che ha valore solo per la sua bellezza, timoroso che la mancanza di cibo possa distruggerla, una cosa che le persone possono comprare, eppure nonostante questo, pieno di un grande orgoglio che non gli permette di chiedere aiuto. E per tutta la narrazione continuerete a sperare fino alla fine che quel zuccone di Ryan rinsavisca e si renda conto di ciò che sta per buttare via.

Un amore sofferto, inseguito, conquistato, che fa penare il lettore fino all’ultima pagina. Due personaggi splendidamente tratteggiati, che compensano una trama con pochi colpi di scena, e che ci regalano bollenti scene di sesso intriganti e piene di passione, e credetemi quando sarete nella vostra cucina vedrete l’ambiente con altri occhi. Una scrittura bella e scorrevole, e una traduzione impeccabile rende questo libro un bel modo di passare qualche ora, mentre pagina dopo pagina attenderete un lieto fine che si fa davvero desiderare a lungo.
.
Lucia63 - per RFS

[Sandra · Rating 3 out of 5]

ottimo spunto per un romanzo,protagonisti interessanti ma il risultato non è al meglio delle mie aspettative.
piacevole

[L-D · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ryan Morgan is down on his luck. With his gorgeous looks and physique, Ryan has worked as an artist's model in the past, but when that turned into selling himself for some cash on the side, he had enough. But now that his rent is past due and he has been skipping meals, an offer by artist Harley Hayes to model comes at the perfect time. He knows that Harley is straight, but unlike the other female "artists" he's modeled for that are more hobbyists, Harley is the real deal. Harley is admittedly attracted to Ryan and Ryan is giving Harley mixed signals. I really liked Harley and found it interesting how Harley's attraction to Ryan caused him to push his moral boundaries a bit.

I really didn't like Ryan. He was a bit of an asshat to Harley for no reason except his own insecurities. Harley is nothing but kind and generous and Ryan keeps looking his gift horse in the mouth. I thought Harley could do a lot better. But I did like the way the author developed Ryan over time and while I never really liked him, I could see his growth. One of the better Scarlet Blackwell books I've read so far.

[Alina]

Sadly I didn't like this book.

The six months ago part was good, but the present time part became a hot mess, imo. Ryan became an unrepentant asshole and I couldn't care for him, despite all his financial plight and I just didn't get why Harley would still want him, while all Ryan's been doing was walking all over him repeatedly, so I stopped liking Harley as well. Oh and I became real pissed with how Harley acted towards Nathan, his manager and lover for that six months. First he cheated on him with Ryan and second when Nathan confronted Ryan and Ryan told him all about this night and beat the shit out of him, Harley left humiliated Nathan and run after Ryan. And later he just explained that 'sorry I love him'. Asshole move if you ask me. And later on it was just sex and sex and sex and while hot I couldn't enjoy it, since both characters pissed me off. The ending seemed okay, but overall I didn't like the story.

[Shannon · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book had the potential to be great. It was still very good, but there was enough of a backstory to be a much longer, more detailed novel. Ryan was a total douche, but I still felt for him. I just wish there was more. More background, more about what Ryan was going to do, more of how they were going to work. Just more. On the plus side, the sex was fabulous! Definately worth the short amount of time it takes to read it.

[Raff Duk * The Goddess · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75

[Elisa Rolle]

The cover is really good, and indeed, if the one character on it is Ryan, it has also some meaning, since this is the story of a young man whose only livelihood is his body. But Ryan has not the meek behaviour of someone who is aware of his limits, on the contrary, he has a lively character, inflammable, and he is often ready to burst, even when it means that he will not eat or pay the rent for the following month.

Ryan’s story is quite typical, an average intelligent boy who always associated with the wrong people, and he arrived to the edge between youth and adulthood without having learned his lessons. He spent all his twenty years doing spare time jobs usually for students or teenager and obviously they didn’t allow him to build a solid future. His lucky, and damnation, is his good looks: he thought to use his good exterior working as life model for drawing classes, but the step between being a model for a class of students, to being a model for desperate housewives, and then something else, is very short. Without really being willing, or consciously take the decision, Ryan becomes a whore, but unfortunately for him, not an high paid one: Ryan is too irascible and proud to being a good one, he more time than not, refuses to concede his body if the person on the other side of the bargain inadvertently pushes his wrong buttons.

Harley is one of the artists who hire Ryan. And the only man so far. Through, Harley is really a painter, and he really wants to do a male nude, and Ryan is the perfect model, but it’s also true that Harley heard of Ryan’s reputation, and he is wondering if maybe, Ryan will be willing with a man as he was for women. Harley is not a desperate lonely man who has to pay for sex, on the contrary he is pretty cute, wealthy and with a lot of admirers, but he is fascinated by Ryan. For of all he was by Ryan’s stunning body, but then also by the complex man inside that beautiful container. Not that Ryan proves to have a clever mind, but behind his irascible behaviour there is a little boy who wants to be protected and cuddled.

The strange thing is that, Harley, other than being very wealth, doesn’t resemble at all the Prince Charming that usually swept away the Pretty Woman. Harley himself is someone who inspires protection, and that is probably the only reason why Ryan allows him to hire his services: the good man behind the hard exterior that Ryan presents to the world doesn’t want to hurt Harley, Ryan is not able to be firm and strong, and to refuse Harley; mainly since he can’t allow himself to do that, but also since Harley is too fragile and clueless to bounce back Ryan’s blows (material and immaterial).

In the end, I’m not really sure if Ryan really loves Harley, or if instead, he is accepting the unavoidable: Harley is a safe haven, he is kind and gentle, and Ryan can love him… this doesn’t mean that he loves him.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0037BS2IQ/?...

[Lynette · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ryan earns his living by posing as an artist for models and often doing “extra” things on the side for the woman who hire him. So he’s relieved when his next commission comes from a male artist. What he doesn’t expect is the chemistry that ignites between him and Harley, a successful artist. When Harley kisses him he explodes and leaves Harley’s studio. Contact between the two ends until Ryan sees Harley at an art gallery where Ryan’s portrait is the highlight of the show.

Now that Harley and Ryan are back in each other’s orbit, no matter how hard they try to fight it, they can’t deny the chemistry between them. Things come to a head when Harley asks Ryan for one night. However, for Ryan, one night might not be enough.

I closed LIFE CLASS with a sense of satisfaction and the slight disappointment that it was over. That hasn’t happened to me in a long time. My only qualm with LIFE CLASS was that it has a slow start. LIFE CLASS starts off in the present then spends a lot of time rehashing something that happened between Harley and Ryan six months before LIFE CLASS starts. While I appreciated seeing the back story, for me it dragged and took away from the here and now. I wished that LIFE CLASS started at the moment Harley asked Ryan to sit for him, went through that quickly, and then went to where they were reunited. Of course, when they were reunited that’s when the story really shined.

LIFE CLASS is a flipping story. By that I mean when a gay hero falls in love with a straight man. It was beautifully written. I loved how Ryan (the straight hero) was portrayed. His anger and conflict was very realistic. And umm . . . the sexual tension between Ryan and Harley was very hot and alpha. Two strong men arguing and following in love and umm getting it on . . . big turn on.

Another thing that I didn’t like about LIFE CLASS was how Ryan’s poverty was explained. Sorry, but for a single man without any obligations, I couldn’t see how he couldn’t just suck up and get a job to pay the bills so he wouldn’t lose his apartment. For him to sabotage decent jobs like that, I just didn’t get it.

These problems were minor, because I really loved LIFE CLASS.

[xbmbgrl · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoy the way Scarlet Blackwell writes a book. This is the second one I have picked up and both books have had compelling and complicated characters that rang true. I can feel her characters and get emotionally attached to them. They aren’t perfect. They don’t make the right decisions all the time. In this book Ryan, a straight painter’s model/gigolo struggles so hard to understand himself without really trying to understand himself. I know so many men and boys that try to shortcut their emotions like this. It was easy to grasp where Ryan was and why he wanted yet feared to move toward what the future held for him on his current path.

Harley on the other hand, a bisexual artist, was a little harder to grasp. He seems straight forward. He has much less soul searching in this book but he needed some to help us understand his severe pull toward Ryan. I know that he finds Ryan attractive but the interaction between the two did not seem as conducive to the nearly obsessive feelings Harley harbors for Ryan. Ryan is difficult to get to know, taciturn, closed off, resentful and at times mean both physically and mentally toward Harley. Ryan also has many positive qualities but they are harder to come by while Ryan struggles upstream against his attraction for Harley. What Ryan sees in Harley is easy to understand. He doesn’t have a lot of softness, kindness or tenderness in his life. Why Harley continues to reach out and try to seduce him is harder to understand. While we get a ton of introspection from Ryan we don’t get enough from Harley.

That said, I still know that Harley does love Ryan. I don’t understand it, but the writing was done well enough that I still knew it. I am impressed that it came off that well without more insight into Harley.

All in all, for a somewhat short read (75 pages or so) I fell for Ryan right along with Harley even if I am not sure why I fell for Ryan either.

[Cat · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm kinda surprised that I liked that a lot, for two reasons: it was too melodramatic for my taste, and one of the main characters was not very likeable. Still, as someone who knows what it's like not to know how you're going to pay the next month's rent and preserve your dignity and sanity as a person at the same time, I could empathise with Ryan to some level. Having money might not make a person happy, but the lack of it definitely makes them unhappy and bitter, just like what's happened with Ryan. Fighting for survival is rough and can turn people suspicious and untrusting. However, Ryan had a violent side I couldn't excuse with his monetary situation - hitting first Harley and then Nathan (?) so hard they bled was unexcusable.

I quite liked Harley. I would have loved to find out more about his childhood and youth, because he seemed to read Ryan surprisingly well for someone who has plenty of money. The author mentioned that Harley has worked hard for it, though, which makes me think that Harley probably knows what it's like to be poor. The sexual tension between the characters was built well, and the sex scenes were really hot - something I appreciate, because that's more the exception than the rule.

The ending was a bit abrupt, but satisfying nonetheless, because it was the most realistic one for a couple with their issues.

[Deb · Rating 2 out of 5]

Two and half stars. The writing style is somewhat awkward with a detached tone at odds with what is essentially an erotic novella. There are lots of typos. The actual page count is around 80. Neither of the main characters is likable. Ryan, the straight model can't hold a regular job due to anger issues and has been forced to prostitute himself under the guise of modeling. Harley the successful, bisexual artist is smitten with Ryan and will do anything to get him into bed including offer him large sums of money. Ryan at least was somewhat sympathetic given his financial predicament but Harley comes off as a sleaze from start to finish. There were several scenes where we were supposed to think Ryan was the one behaving poorly but Harley came across far worse. No foundation is laid for the relationship and it seemed entirely physical until feelings emerged out of thin air. The sex scenes were hot, though.

I was somewhat offended by the author's notion that figure class is just an excuse for the students to get their jollies from ogling the model and that a private seating is just a euphemism for selling oneself for sex. Having both taken figure drawing class and done a fair bit of modeling, I can assure you that it is nothing of the sort and that neither I nor any model I knew of has ever been propositioned by an artist.

[kasjo_peja · Rating 3 out of 5]

    The book started as 5-stars read. I liked 'straight' guy and gay guy scenario, their mutual chemistry and how they tried to resist it, and last but not least, fair amount of angst and guilt. The story was well paced and the flashes from the past worked really well.
    However when it came to the present day and how the relationship would proceed from here, I got tired of the protagonists endlessly hurting each other and then making out. Sex seemed like their only way of communication. [The book demoted there to 4-star read].
    There was also a huge disproportion in space dedicated to recollection of the past and the present day action (in favor of the former). In the last third of the book the pace became rapid and everything was resolved in a matter of days. Or I should rather write 'unresolved', because Ryan and Harley didn't work out enough understanding even for Happy-for-now outcome. [The book lost another star for the abrupt end.]

[Natalija · Rating 2 out of 5]

I had a really hard time reading this book. First of all, the GFY trope lacked credibility. Apart from Harley's good looks, there was nothing else that really stood out about him. The following quote from the first chapter only confirmed my opinion.

"Harley knew it had been said that more than one straight man had turned gay on first sight of him. He couldn’t walk into a room without every person there staring at him."

Is that enough to turn someone gay? In my opinion, no. Therefore I really can't see why someone like Ryan would go gay for him. All I saw between the two of them was a mutually beneficial relationship, but no connection on a deeper level.

Second, nothing kills romance like violent confrontation between the main characters. Sorry, but it's a big no-no.

Bottom line, I was disappointed with this book and would not recommend it to a friend.

[RJ · Rating 3 out of 5]

I admired the slight complexity the characters have brought into the plot. It wasn’t a typical artist who lusted over his nude model. The conflict of the model being ‘straight’ and a ‘semi-rent boy’ who feels sorry for himself and an artist with a compassionate heart, and thinks there is more to the model than what he lets on, then that conflict ultimately destroying what relationship they've got at the moment, kinda made me kept reading. I mean, being it a romance novel, I know I’m supposed to expect the fact that they’d find their way again and explore a relationship, but I sure as hell was curious as to how would that happen and why should they end up together. And turns out it wasn't easy.

[UnusualChild{beppy} · Rating 1 out of 5]

synopsis: ryan is down to his last few dollars when he sees harley again. ryan has posed for artists and taken money for providing "extra services" to those artists. when he posed for harley a few months ago, they kissed and ryan ran away, because he's definitely straight. but he was friends with harley, so when harley asks him to come over again, on the understanding that ryan will be having sex with him, ryan agrees. he does the deed and runs away again.

what i liked: the premise. and the precis; the precis was interesting.

what i didn't like: the execution. neither ryan nor harley were believable characters, and the fact that ryan had such strong convictions that were overrun at the first hint of trouble was...annoying.

[Natalie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good, but with a disappointing ending. I'm generally a big fan of Scarlet Blackwell's writing, even though her authorial voice is so very British (not a problem when a story is actually set in Britain, but it's a little jarring when it's supposed to be the U.S.). She's not afraid to write characters that behave in unlikeable ways, though, which is so refreshing. The tension between Ryan and Harley in this story is delicious, but the ending is way too abrupt. Given the hurt and violence between the main characters, I'm not so sure I believe the HEA.

[Monica Vidal · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'd give it 3.5 actually. It could have made to a 4 but the abrupt ending kinda disappointed me. I felt like there should have been more.

Aside from that, I liked it. It started a little meh, but then it picked up and I couldn't put it down. I feel like Scarlet has a gift for writing asshole characters, because omg. Ryan had a few asshole moments that I wanted to stab him. Jesus fuck. Sighs. But there's also something Scarlet is very good at: SEX SCENES! You guys, seriously. Hot stuff, I am telling you.

All in all, it was a nice book to read.

[Erika Tamburini · Rating 2 out of 5]

Dunque, in pochi giorni un nuovo libro e una nuova recensione. Il titolo e la copertina mi avevano incuriosito tantissimo; si prospettava una storia interessante, la sinossi è decisamente accattivante però, non so bene come mai, dopo i primi capitoli ha perso mordente.
Il modo in cui è impostato questo romanzo è decisamente interessante: l’inizio è al tempo presente, i due protagonisti che non si vedono da quasi sei mesi si incontrano per puro caso a una mostra d’arte in cui uno dei due, ritratto dall’altro, si rivede in un nudo artistico appeso alle pareti della galleria. Da qui inizia la storia, un alternarsi di capitoli al presente e salti temporali che raccontano il momento in cui i protagonisti si sono incontrati, la loro storia, man mano l’amicizia che nasce e forse anche altro.
Per un verso è un libro interessante, ha una buona evoluzione introspettiva dei due protagonisti: Harley Hayes è un artista bisex la cui introspezione è basata sulla sua attrazione e man mano l’innamoramento verso l’altro protagonista, Ryan.
Harley ha mille complessi, desidera iniziare a dedicarsi ai nudi artistici e con questa scusa chiede a Ryan di posare per lui. Da quel momento l’attrazione per l’altro uomo non fa altro che aumentare, tanto da fargli perdere la testa per lui.
Ryan, da parte sua, è un uomo sull'orlo del baratro, con gravi problemi economici, costretto a fare di tutto pur di riuscire a mantenersi un tetto sulla testa. Posare per Harley sembra quasi una fortuna: non deve fare molto, solo spogliarsi e lasciare che l’altro uomo lo ritragga, sperando che non gli faccia nessun'altra richiesta extra, come hanno fatto molte donne. Ryan con le donne non ha avuto problemi, si è concesso, ma non è gay e con un uomo non saprebbe cosa fare.
Anche la parte di introspezione e di caratterizzazione di Ryan non è affatto male: mi piace il modo in cui è descritto sia fisicamente che caratterialmente, ma soprattutto la sua evoluzione, il suo fuggire e allo stesso tempo soffermarsi a riflettere sui suoi sentimenti, su quello che prova per Harley.
Il problema del libro è la trama: inizialmente è interessante, cattura il lettore, ma andando avanti perde di mordente, ma soprattutto perde di credibilità la storia. Il rapporto tra i due, a un certo punto, diventa assurdo. Come ho detto perde di credibilità ma non solo: finalmente si dichiarano, finiscono a letto assieme, ma il finale diventa troppo veloce e non si capisce come termina il libro. Sì, ha un lieto fine, ma è proprio il cambiamento di carattere e comportamento di Ryan che mi ha lasciato confusa: io comprendo il suo rimuginare sui suoi sentimenti, su quello che prova, sulla sua attrazione verso Harley, ma allo stesso tempo cambia repentinamente nel momento in cui vede Harley con un altro. Sembra perdere completamente la testa.
Il finale mi ha lasciato un tantino perplessa, visto che, oltre alla storia dei due, non si capisce quale sarà il futuro di Ryan: alla fine continua a non avere un lavoro e una casa e da come termina nel racconto sembra che diventi un mantenuto.
Io capisco le storie d’amore, il rapporto ben descritto dell’innamoramento, ma in questo caso la storia si è basata molto bene sull’introspezione, ha anche delle bellissime scene erotiche, ma poi man mano tutto questo prende il sopravvento per scemare in nulla.
Decisamente un vero peccato che il libro si vada perdendo sul finale. Avrei cercato un obiettivo per Ryan, tipo fargli prendere una decisione per il suo futuro, in questo modo invece è come se la storia rimanesse in sospeso. Come ho detto, mi ha fatto pensare tanto a un mantenuto.
Sorvolando sulla trama e sui miei dubbi, lo stile dell’autrice mi piace: è scorrevole, frizzante, descrive bene luoghi e ambientazioni e inserisce in maniera delicata e per nulla volgare le scene erotiche. Come ho detto però ne sono rimasta un pochino delusa per il finale, per alcuni punti rimasti in sospeso.
Questa volta non mi hanno convinto.

[Feel The Book · Rating 4 out of 5]

Recensione a cura di Cat per Feel the Book

Facciamo una prima considerazione: questo libro appartiene al genere erotico. Per definizione questo vuol dire che i temi principali per questo tipo di narrazione sono la sessualità e l’amore fisico. Detto questo, direi che l’autrice ha centrato in pieno l’obiettivo.
Perché, nonostante una trama semplice e poco originale, la narrazione risulta comunque coinvolgente ed emozionante.
Entrambi i personaggi hanno un loro spessore e risultano credibili nei rispettivi ruoli.
Ray è un uomo provato dalla vita. Ha sempre dovuto tirare avanti con poco o quasi nulla. Ritrovandosi spesso nella situazione di non poter far fronte alle spese quotidiane, dal pagare l’affitto a non aver quasi nulla da mangiare, si è ritrovato, suo malgrado, a sfruttare la migliore risorsa di cui dispone: “un corpo fatto per peccare”.
Per sopravvivere, ha dovuto mettere da parte dignità e orgoglio. Questo lo ha reso un uomo pieno di rancore, rabbia e diffidenza, con un carattere schivo e irascibile, spesso brutale.
Harley è esattamente l’opposto. La sua arte, che gli ha permesso di raggiungere un buon tenore di vita, è l’espressione della sua dolcezza e determinazione.
Dolore, rabbia e disperazione da una parte. Dolcezza, consapevolezza e determinazione dall’altra.
Non sarà facile superare le barriere emotive che circondano Ray, e che più volte feriranno il cuore innamorato di Harley.
La carica sensuale di questa storia è elevata, nascondendo desiderio e passione dietro la non accettazione di se stessi e il dolore nell’essere feriti.
La narrazione a POV alternati dei protagonisti contribuisce a coinvolgere il lettore, che seguendo un ritmo incalzante delle dinamiche emotive si ritrova a vivere sentimenti altalenanti come quelli dei personaggi.
Assolutamente consigliato.

Voto: 4.5 stelle

Editing della recensione a cura di Lilith per Feel the Book

[Emozioni fra le pagine · Rating 2 out of 5]

Questa recensione è presente sul blog Emozioni fra le pagine.
https://emozionifralepagine.wordpress...

Mony - 2 stelle 1/2

Mio malgrado, gli ultimi titoli tradotti (non leggo in lingua) in italiano di Scarlet Blackwell mi sono piaciuti poco (incluso questo).

Vi chiedete: “perchè hai deciso di leggerlo?”

Ho intrapreso la lettura di “Lezioni di disegno dal vivo” in memoria del primo fantastico libro che ho letto dell’autrice, avevo bisogno di cambiare aria e la trama mi piaceva. Però i due personaggi principali non sono approfonditi perfettamente a causa della lunghezza del volume, perfino Ryan, il protagonista più complesso.

Ne consegue che non mi sono sentita “vicino” a loro individualmente e come coppia. In più mi aspettavo più sensualità, mentre è al livello giusto solo sul finale. Inoltre non mi sembra che Harley abbia detto durante la creazione che non avrebbe pubblicato la sua opera.

[Babette Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

(Teresa Siciliano)

Sesso, sempre sesso, fortissimamente sesso * * * * *

Si tratta di un curioso romanzo breve: pieno di sesso, ma, mi pare, ben raccontato. E anche, per quanto non sembri all’inizio, pieno di sentimento. Se Harley è dichiaratamente gay e si innamora quasi subito di Ryan, questi invece ha sempre pensato di essere solo etero. Come tale si è occasionalmente prestato a servizi di escort con delle donne, ma lo ha fatto solo per fame (letteralmente) e per bisogno, quando non ha trovato abbastanza lavoro per sopravvivere. Per lui sarà difficile accettare la propria ambiguità sessuale e l’amore che Harley prova per lui e che gli pare di non meritare.
Nell’insieme originale e godibile.
Un po’ inappropriato il titolo italiano.

[Tomiri · Rating 2 out of 5]

Credo che questo libro sia molto fumo e poco arrosto. I personaggi non hanno un particolare spessore e sinceramente tutto il tira e molla non l'ho capito proprio del tutto. In più compaiono personaggi totalmente randomici che non erano mai stati nominati prima e fanno cose e il lettore è lì chi si domanda se si sia perso qualche pezzo.
Inoltre non è nemmeno scritto troppo bene, i registri si alternano a casaccio e alcuni nomi o aggettivi (usati palesemente per evitare ripetizioni) sono francamente degni solo di una fanfiction. Solo che questo è un libro pubblicato.
Direi che non valeva la pena di essere messo nella mia tbr, ma la trama, dalla sinossi, sembrava interessante e un potenziale poteva anche avercelo. Ma non è stato così. Peccato.

[Ellie Thomas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Scarlet Blackwell is in typically dark and edgy form in this terrific novella about the relationship between an artist and his damaged, sexually confused muse. Full of jagged emotions and passion, this was a hot and compelling read.

[Libri_e_recensioni · Rating 3 out of 5]

Storia carina ma carente in alcuni punti