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Pinky Swear #1
Pinky Swear
Lane and Matt have been best friends since they were ten years old. They’ve been through everything together—childhood adventures in their New Orleans uptown neighborhood, Lane’s stuttering, Matt’s alcoholic father, high school angst, and "coming out" in college. All through the years, they’d shared secrets and, using the powerful pinky swear, vowed to keep every one of them. But neither Lane nor Matt ever told each other his biggest secret—that they were in love with each other.
For Lane, Matt was everything he wasn’t—gorgeous, sexy and outgoing. He had a different boyfriend every week, and Lane couldn’t get a date, let alone the man of his dreams. For Matt, he could never measure up to Lane, never be good enough for the man who set his heart on fire. Neither wanted to risk the deep friendship they shared to find out if the other felt more. Yet after one night of incredible drunken passion, Lane woke up to find Matt gone and a note saying he was sorry and not much more.
Four years later and half a country separated, one fateful storm, Hurricane Katrina, brings the old friends together again. But four years is a long time, and Lane’s grown up, matured, more sure of himself than ever. When Matt rushes home from the West Coast to find the friend he loved and fled, he discovers not just the man he left behind, but a man who knows what he wants—a best friend and a lover who won’t run, who’ll stay forever.
Now, it’s up to Matt to make the pinky swear...
Gay / Contemporary
113 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 11, 2010
2 people are currently reading
218 people want to read
About the author
Lynn Lorenz
68 books316 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name.
(1)gay romance
I’m from New Orleans, that’s N’awlins for those of you who speak the language. I grew up in the Riverbend, or Carrollton, for the old timers, but was a Quarter rat from the age of 11, taking 3 buses to go to art class on Burgundy Street at the Cabrini Doll Museum and NORD center. I attended University of New Orleans and have a BA in Fine Art. My mother worked at Tulane University, six blocks from our house and when we were kids my brother and I parked cars in our driveway for the Saints games at Tulane Stadium. We could get six cars down the drive, two on the front lawn, and two on the street and we only charged $2 a car. We made enough to buy a coupla roast beef po’boys at Comeaux’s on Hickory St. and a snowball over at Williams Snow Ball Stand. We lived 1/2 a block from a cemetery, but doesn’t everyone in N’awlins? We used to watch jazz funerals from our front porch.
Now, my family lives in Katy, Texas. I have a “real” job, a truly supportive and understanding husband, two incredible kids, and a slightly neurotic dog. We used to have a guinea pig, but the dog killed it. Did I say slightly?
My son is 15 and has Asperger’s Syndrome (high functioning Autism) and Crohn’s Disease, and is a constant lesson in patience, acceptance and managing expectations. He’s super smart, loves video games, fencing, movies, building with legos, and hanging around the house. Like me, he believes that it’s all about him. Sometimes, I wonder if I don’t have Asperger’s, too. Oh, and he’s very handsome.
My daughter, 13, is so creative it’s scary- she loves to paint, draw manga and anima, build dioramas with any box she can get her hands on, create worlds with legos and then make movies with them, sculpt people, animals and objects with those little twist ties from the grocery store, does pottery, and wants to be a lifeguard. And she’s smart, too. And
beautiful, inside and out.
I write for a few hours in the evenings and on weekends as much as I can, without neglecting my family. (That laughter you hear is my husband) I attend a critique group, and do whatever the kids are into at the time.
(1)gay romance
I’m from New Orleans, that’s N’awlins for those of you who speak the language. I grew up in the Riverbend, or Carrollton, for the old timers, but was a Quarter rat from the age of 11, taking 3 buses to go to art class on Burgundy Street at the Cabrini Doll Museum and NORD center. I attended University of New Orleans and have a BA in Fine Art. My mother worked at Tulane University, six blocks from our house and when we were kids my brother and I parked cars in our driveway for the Saints games at Tulane Stadium. We could get six cars down the drive, two on the front lawn, and two on the street and we only charged $2 a car. We made enough to buy a coupla roast beef po’boys at Comeaux’s on Hickory St. and a snowball over at Williams Snow Ball Stand. We lived 1/2 a block from a cemetery, but doesn’t everyone in N’awlins? We used to watch jazz funerals from our front porch.
Now, my family lives in Katy, Texas. I have a “real” job, a truly supportive and understanding husband, two incredible kids, and a slightly neurotic dog. We used to have a guinea pig, but the dog killed it. Did I say slightly?
My son is 15 and has Asperger’s Syndrome (high functioning Autism) and Crohn’s Disease, and is a constant lesson in patience, acceptance and managing expectations. He’s super smart, loves video games, fencing, movies, building with legos, and hanging around the house. Like me, he believes that it’s all about him. Sometimes, I wonder if I don’t have Asperger’s, too. Oh, and he’s very handsome.
My daughter, 13, is so creative it’s scary- she loves to paint, draw manga and anima, build dioramas with any box she can get her hands on, create worlds with legos and then make movies with them, sculpt people, animals and objects with those little twist ties from the grocery store, does pottery, and wants to be a lifeguard. And she’s smart, too. And
beautiful, inside and out.
I write for a few hours in the evenings and on weekends as much as I can, without neglecting my family. (That laughter you hear is my husband) I attend a critique group, and do whatever the kids are into at the time.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews
August 12, 2016
I really enjoyed this book. I did not expect to shed any tears reading this one but I was caught off guard. I spent the first 27 years of my life in South Louisiana. Hurricane Katrina and it's aftermath destroyed the lives of many family members and friends who still lived in the area. While trying to get to Lane, Matt seeing the devastation in his old hometown brought back the emotions I felt going home (my parent's home) the first time after Katrina. Ms Lorenz did an amazing job with the hurricane aspect of this story!
This was a good childhood-friends-become-adult-lovers book. It took many, many years for Matt and Lane to realize they belonged together but their journey to get to that realization is worth reading.
This was a good childhood-friends-become-adult-lovers book. It took many, many years for Matt and Lane to realize they belonged together but their journey to get to that realization is worth reading.
April 17, 2010
This book is very interesting. It spins off with 2 young boys and bringing into the story a human bone. I found it to be a hilarious start to a great amusing, charming and interesting story that in part I hoped wouldn't end, but alas as all books do they come to an end eventually. Some might not find the beginning tickles them, but it did for me. Maybe it's my morbid sense of humor coming into play. But who cares?
So much goes on between them as they go from puberty as best friends to schooling together, becoming grown men, still best friends to lovers and it's a journey worth taking and traveling with both characters as they find themselves in the oddest place to find each other again. All the while they carry on their pinky swear antics.
I pinky swear that Lynn always seems to amaze me with her stories and she rocked the house for me with this one as well. I can never get enough of her books.
So much goes on between them as they go from puberty as best friends to schooling together, becoming grown men, still best friends to lovers and it's a journey worth taking and traveling with both characters as they find themselves in the oddest place to find each other again. All the while they carry on their pinky swear antics.
I pinky swear that Lynn always seems to amaze me with her stories and she rocked the house for me with this one as well. I can never get enough of her books.
May 11, 2010
Pinky Swear is a cute best friends turned lovers story that stays light and easy, even when it’s attempting to be more serious and intense. The writing is pretty typical of the author, although not one of her best. It’s a decent, lightening quick read that has some likable characters and set in New Orleans. Despite some heavy issues, none of these ever felt intense or demanding but instead stayed easy and mostly glossed over pretty fast. As a short read, its fun with some colorful dialogue and a fabulous older gay mentor at the end but nothing particularly memorable or one to keep unfortunately.
The summary is pretty in depth and lengthy given the novella is only 25k words long and it actually gives more background than some of the scenes themselves. The story jumps in time frequently as it starts with a truly inspired scene between a young stuttering Lane and his best friend, Matt. Matt has stolen a leg bone from the cemetery and Lane is worried about getting bone germs. The cute, funny, and charming scene sets up the tone for the two boys with Matt as the more outgoing one of the duo with Lane happily following. After that, the story jumps ahead several years to Matt coming out and getting kicked out of his abusive fathers’ home only to be taken in by Lane parents. Then it jumps again to college and a fateful night and finally another jump to years later during Hurricane Katrina.
Told mostly from Lane’s third person perspective, the narrative is decent with some humorous and touching scenes but all the leaps in time leave some obvious holes. The timeline feels a little fuzzy with the dates and ages afforded to the boys, not always matching up and some issues are dropped entirely. For example Lane has a stutter all through college but then in the final time leap, this is missing with no mention of it. I assume he grew out of it but the stutter is so prominent for most of the book, the omission is somewhat awkward. Additionally Lane comments that his parents think Matt is too common and he’s not allowed to be friends with him as a boy, which makes their later acceptance of Matt as a family member and son odd. There is no mention about how the parents went from disapproving of Matt to taking him in, putting him through college, and accepting him as a son. I can assume most of this is due to Matt being kicked out of an abusive home but it’d be nice if the story had mentioned why rather than leave it as a guess.
Also the story does touch on Matt and Lane’s coming out but both of these and in fact Matt’s abusive background seem to go by incredibly quick. The story summarizes these events with a comment or two and moves on, which is the basis for most of the issues in the novella. While this lets the story fly by quickly, it also mutes any sort of intense or emotional impact. These issues brought up are weighty but treated somewhat too easily. Abuse, neglect, and even Matt’s betrayal of Lane are all dealt with somewhat easily and offhand. This isn’t bad but it keeps the story a lot lighter than you’d expect. The end resolution between Matt and Lane is equally as light, without any real angst as the two instantly forgive and life happily ever after.
The city of New Orleans is a nice addition and one that is always wonderful to see included, especially during the time of Katrina. The writing lacks some descriptive nature and tends to tell rather than show so the real flavor, taste, texture, and unique atmosphere that is New Orleans never really comes across. There are a few comments about the situation but the real fear and worry of the time is also muted and very subdued. It’s again handled easily and lightly with a few mentions here and there. The pace and writing kept me off balance since a lot of the situations and issues brought up would seem to be intense and involved yet the light tone glossed over them quickly each time, so I could never really get into the tone of the story.
Some of the dialogue is really funny with great touches and the older man, Sebastian, is simply fabulous. From his wardrobe to his past to great advice, he’s a character I wish had been included more. The novella as a whole felt like it could have been fleshed out at several spots and made into a pretty effective, memorable story but instead remains a bit empty and light. Again that’s not bad if it’s what you’re looking for and fans of the author are likely to enjoy it regardless, but it failed to really hit the perfect note for me. As always since this is just my opinion, check it out and see for yourself.
The summary is pretty in depth and lengthy given the novella is only 25k words long and it actually gives more background than some of the scenes themselves. The story jumps in time frequently as it starts with a truly inspired scene between a young stuttering Lane and his best friend, Matt. Matt has stolen a leg bone from the cemetery and Lane is worried about getting bone germs. The cute, funny, and charming scene sets up the tone for the two boys with Matt as the more outgoing one of the duo with Lane happily following. After that, the story jumps ahead several years to Matt coming out and getting kicked out of his abusive fathers’ home only to be taken in by Lane parents. Then it jumps again to college and a fateful night and finally another jump to years later during Hurricane Katrina.
Told mostly from Lane’s third person perspective, the narrative is decent with some humorous and touching scenes but all the leaps in time leave some obvious holes. The timeline feels a little fuzzy with the dates and ages afforded to the boys, not always matching up and some issues are dropped entirely. For example Lane has a stutter all through college but then in the final time leap, this is missing with no mention of it. I assume he grew out of it but the stutter is so prominent for most of the book, the omission is somewhat awkward. Additionally Lane comments that his parents think Matt is too common and he’s not allowed to be friends with him as a boy, which makes their later acceptance of Matt as a family member and son odd. There is no mention about how the parents went from disapproving of Matt to taking him in, putting him through college, and accepting him as a son. I can assume most of this is due to Matt being kicked out of an abusive home but it’d be nice if the story had mentioned why rather than leave it as a guess.
Also the story does touch on Matt and Lane’s coming out but both of these and in fact Matt’s abusive background seem to go by incredibly quick. The story summarizes these events with a comment or two and moves on, which is the basis for most of the issues in the novella. While this lets the story fly by quickly, it also mutes any sort of intense or emotional impact. These issues brought up are weighty but treated somewhat too easily. Abuse, neglect, and even Matt’s betrayal of Lane are all dealt with somewhat easily and offhand. This isn’t bad but it keeps the story a lot lighter than you’d expect. The end resolution between Matt and Lane is equally as light, without any real angst as the two instantly forgive and life happily ever after.
The city of New Orleans is a nice addition and one that is always wonderful to see included, especially during the time of Katrina. The writing lacks some descriptive nature and tends to tell rather than show so the real flavor, taste, texture, and unique atmosphere that is New Orleans never really comes across. There are a few comments about the situation but the real fear and worry of the time is also muted and very subdued. It’s again handled easily and lightly with a few mentions here and there. The pace and writing kept me off balance since a lot of the situations and issues brought up would seem to be intense and involved yet the light tone glossed over them quickly each time, so I could never really get into the tone of the story.
Some of the dialogue is really funny with great touches and the older man, Sebastian, is simply fabulous. From his wardrobe to his past to great advice, he’s a character I wish had been included more. The novella as a whole felt like it could have been fleshed out at several spots and made into a pretty effective, memorable story but instead remains a bit empty and light. Again that’s not bad if it’s what you’re looking for and fans of the author are likely to enjoy it regardless, but it failed to really hit the perfect note for me. As always since this is just my opinion, check it out and see for yourself.
January 3, 2011
This was a very sweet story and a great example of why you should talk to the person you care about to avoid misunderstandings.
The only thing I would have liked a bit better was if the time between reunion to forgiveness to hopping into bed was a bit longer - the ending felt a bit rushed, like they needed their HEA but there were only so many words left that the author could use. Other than that - LOVED it! Don't know what took me so long to pick it up, but I'm glad I finally did.
The only thing I would have liked a bit better was if the time between reunion to forgiveness to hopping into bed was a bit longer - the ending felt a bit rushed, like they needed their HEA but there were only so many words left that the author could use. Other than that - LOVED it! Don't know what took me so long to pick it up, but I'm glad I finally did.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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August 4, 2010Even if from the blurb this novella seems about two grown men who have to come to pact with their common youth, it’s really all about those two boys growing up together and gay, with only each other as referent role model.
Lane is the good boy, studious and diligent, always ready to share the little he has with his best friend Matt; Lane is not from a wealthy family, but his parents replace the lack of material things with plenty of love, and Lane knows that, despite everything in the future waiting for him, he will always have a family to come back home. Matt is not so lucky, he has only a drunken father who for sure is not willing, or able to understand Matt.
When Matt comes out to Lane when they are 15 years old, to Lane is a big surprise: he never imagined that perfect Matt, since Matt to his eyes is all he thinks to be beautiful and desirable, other than sharing a friendship with him, shared also his forbidden desires for other guys. But even if Lane has a good life and loving parents, he is irremediably shy, and he can’t see what other guys can find in him; and probably he is right, since no one has ever spent enough time near him to see the kind and wonderful soul he has. Only Matt, and Matt thinks at Lane as someone pure and untouchable, someone who will never come down enough to be at his same level.
Matt and Lane dance around each other for all their young years, to finally arrive to a night when their unrequited feelings for each other are too much and burst out in a rush. But again, they leave their bodies talk, but words are still locked inside their hearts. It will be years, and an imminent danger to push them to finally open the safes that are their heart, and obviously everything is easier in that way.
This is a very sweet, romantic, and even sexy tale. Other than the two main characters, Lane and Matt, there are other nice supporting role, like Lane’s parents and Sebastian, the 80 years old fairy godmother (and the fairy definition was never more suitable than in this case): they represent the solid basis on which both Lane and Matt are able to fond their life to become good men. An example to follow and always ready to give good advices; and at time, even the voice of your conscience to remind that you can be better than what you think.
http://www.amazon.com/dp/1602727856/?...
Lane is the good boy, studious and diligent, always ready to share the little he has with his best friend Matt; Lane is not from a wealthy family, but his parents replace the lack of material things with plenty of love, and Lane knows that, despite everything in the future waiting for him, he will always have a family to come back home. Matt is not so lucky, he has only a drunken father who for sure is not willing, or able to understand Matt.
When Matt comes out to Lane when they are 15 years old, to Lane is a big surprise: he never imagined that perfect Matt, since Matt to his eyes is all he thinks to be beautiful and desirable, other than sharing a friendship with him, shared also his forbidden desires for other guys. But even if Lane has a good life and loving parents, he is irremediably shy, and he can’t see what other guys can find in him; and probably he is right, since no one has ever spent enough time near him to see the kind and wonderful soul he has. Only Matt, and Matt thinks at Lane as someone pure and untouchable, someone who will never come down enough to be at his same level.
Matt and Lane dance around each other for all their young years, to finally arrive to a night when their unrequited feelings for each other are too much and burst out in a rush. But again, they leave their bodies talk, but words are still locked inside their hearts. It will be years, and an imminent danger to push them to finally open the safes that are their heart, and obviously everything is easier in that way.
This is a very sweet, romantic, and even sexy tale. Other than the two main characters, Lane and Matt, there are other nice supporting role, like Lane’s parents and Sebastian, the 80 years old fairy godmother (and the fairy definition was never more suitable than in this case): they represent the solid basis on which both Lane and Matt are able to fond their life to become good men. An example to follow and always ready to give good advices; and at time, even the voice of your conscience to remind that you can be better than what you think.
http://www.amazon.com/dp/1602727856/?...
October 28, 2010
This is just a superb piece of writing. In just 66 pages Lynn Lorenz transported me once again to New Orleans. Her spare prose works so wonderfully in this tale of abused Matt and his often burdensome friendship with "good boy" Lane.
Matt's abuse at the hands of his father resonates and the friendship between the two teens feels utterly real. This is no "meet cute start fucking by page three romance". Lorenz deftly weaves her tale so that we care about both characters from page 1. By the time they become lovers, we are fully invested. Once again the author depicts her torn town in a haunting, loving way. This story won't leave me for a long, long time.
I pinky swear.
Matt's abuse at the hands of his father resonates and the friendship between the two teens feels utterly real. This is no "meet cute start fucking by page three romance". Lorenz deftly weaves her tale so that we care about both characters from page 1. By the time they become lovers, we are fully invested. Once again the author depicts her torn town in a haunting, loving way. This story won't leave me for a long, long time.
I pinky swear.
March 21, 2011
I love this book. I read it in one sitting and have read it again since. Lynn's characters are wonderfully written and through them Lynn managed to break my heart and mend it again all in the space of a few hours. You are transported to New Orleans and get a real sense of the devastation and loss that occurred when Hurricane Katrina hit.
Matt and Lane are extremely poignant characters and the very definition of the term ‘soul mates’. You root for their happy ending from the beginning. I cannot recommend this book enough. Brilliant.
Matt and Lane are extremely poignant characters and the very definition of the term ‘soul mates’. You root for their happy ending from the beginning. I cannot recommend this book enough. Brilliant.
May 26, 2010
I started this book early this morning and finished it quickly, I couldn’t put it down! Maybe it’s the sap in me that loves best friend romance novels, but it really did it for me. Once again Lynn Lorenz rocks in the wonderful world of m/m romance.
April 24, 2013
This was a nice story but it really needed to be longer. Most of the book deals with their past and so for me the quick reconciliation after being apart for so long didn't feel right.
July 22, 2011
For a short story, I was surprised at how easily I was able to connect and love Matt and Lane. This was such a sweet, wonderful story that ended too quickly. Great read!
July 28, 2023
Throughly Entertaining
I loved this "growing up" kinda play on this book... It was a great easy read... With the beauty of best friends and the ugliness of assumptions... Not communicating what was in their hearts... The fear of loss... It was just overall enjoyable... While highlighting a major disaster in today's history...
I loved this "growing up" kinda play on this book... It was a great easy read... With the beauty of best friends and the ugliness of assumptions... Not communicating what was in their hearts... The fear of loss... It was just overall enjoyable... While highlighting a major disaster in today's history...
May 31, 2010
Lane and Matt are ten year old boys, best friends growing up together in New Orleans. They share a fort together in Lane’s backyard, and often exchange secrets with one another. When Matt finds a human leg bone that had been washed up from a shallow grave in the cemetery, he brings it back to their fort. Lane “pinky swears” to his best friend that he will keep the bone a secret and never tell where it came from. When the family dog finds the bone a few days later in the fort and drags it into the yard, Lane’s parents are beside themselves. Lane demonstrates his integrity, though, and doesn’t tell on his friend. Instead he takes the blame…and the punishment.
A few years later Lane steps into the fort to find his best friend Matt with an adult magazine. He’s masturbating to photos of naked men. When Matt reveals to Lane that he thinks he’s gay, Lane again vows secrecy in the form of a pinky swear.
Lane has a secret of his own, though. He is deeply in love with Matt and always has been. But Matt is so much more attractive than Lane. He’s muscular and self-confident, and he’s everything that Lane would like to be himself. He cannot tell Matt his true feelings—not now or ever. He just could not bear to face rejection from the one he loves so intensely.
As the years pass, Lane and Matt remain close. Matt is thrown out of his home as a teenager when his drunken father discovers the boy’s sexual orientation. Before kicking him out, though, his father beats Matt nearly to a bloody pulp. Matt has nowhere to go, and Lane’s family takes him in. Lane’s parents become Matt’s guardians and are like Mom and Dad to him.
When the boys go away to college, it is together, and they share a dorm room. Lane is shy and reserved while Matt is outgoing. Lane continues to harbor his secret crush while Matt seems oblivious. Then one night everything changes when Matt finally kisses Lane for the first time. It appears to be the answer to Lane’s prayers, but when he wakes up the following morning he discovers that Matt is gone.
Pinky Swear is a novella which contains literally everything I love about m/m fiction. It is a beautifully written story which chronicles the lives of two soul mates. Matt and Lane are meant for each other, and it is obvious from the first paragraph of the book that what they share is remarkable. Instantly I fell in love with Lane, and my heart broke for him as he struggled with both his identity as well as his unrequited feelings toward his best friend. His sensitivity and vulnerability were palpable, and I wanted more than anything to reach into that novel and hug him. His self-effacing personality was so utterly genuine that it often moved me to tears.
The character Matt was equally as poignant. The abuse he endured at the hands of his homophobic father was heartbreaking, and yet he just seemed to exude strength and confidence. I loved the manner in which he was so fiercely protective of his smaller friend, ready to beat the brains out of anyone who may even try to hurt Lane. Ironically, it is Matt himself who hurts Lane most.
The first half of the book is written exclusively from Lane’s point of view, and I applaud the author for choosing to present the story in this way. It is perfect timing when we first see into the mind of Matt; all of the feelings and yearnings he’s had for Lane over the years are finally revealed.
The love scenes in the story are tender and gripping. This is not to say that they are not also intensely erotic. It does not have a cheap feel to it, though—not in any way pornographic. It is quite beautiful. Their love is beautiful, and thus also their lovemaking.
I couldn’t stop reading this story after picking up the book. I read it in one sitting. It is a fantastic, emotional read, and I couldn’t possibly recommend it any more than I do. Pinky Swear is a must read!
A few years later Lane steps into the fort to find his best friend Matt with an adult magazine. He’s masturbating to photos of naked men. When Matt reveals to Lane that he thinks he’s gay, Lane again vows secrecy in the form of a pinky swear.
Lane has a secret of his own, though. He is deeply in love with Matt and always has been. But Matt is so much more attractive than Lane. He’s muscular and self-confident, and he’s everything that Lane would like to be himself. He cannot tell Matt his true feelings—not now or ever. He just could not bear to face rejection from the one he loves so intensely.
As the years pass, Lane and Matt remain close. Matt is thrown out of his home as a teenager when his drunken father discovers the boy’s sexual orientation. Before kicking him out, though, his father beats Matt nearly to a bloody pulp. Matt has nowhere to go, and Lane’s family takes him in. Lane’s parents become Matt’s guardians and are like Mom and Dad to him.
When the boys go away to college, it is together, and they share a dorm room. Lane is shy and reserved while Matt is outgoing. Lane continues to harbor his secret crush while Matt seems oblivious. Then one night everything changes when Matt finally kisses Lane for the first time. It appears to be the answer to Lane’s prayers, but when he wakes up the following morning he discovers that Matt is gone.
Pinky Swear is a novella which contains literally everything I love about m/m fiction. It is a beautifully written story which chronicles the lives of two soul mates. Matt and Lane are meant for each other, and it is obvious from the first paragraph of the book that what they share is remarkable. Instantly I fell in love with Lane, and my heart broke for him as he struggled with both his identity as well as his unrequited feelings toward his best friend. His sensitivity and vulnerability were palpable, and I wanted more than anything to reach into that novel and hug him. His self-effacing personality was so utterly genuine that it often moved me to tears.
The character Matt was equally as poignant. The abuse he endured at the hands of his homophobic father was heartbreaking, and yet he just seemed to exude strength and confidence. I loved the manner in which he was so fiercely protective of his smaller friend, ready to beat the brains out of anyone who may even try to hurt Lane. Ironically, it is Matt himself who hurts Lane most.
The first half of the book is written exclusively from Lane’s point of view, and I applaud the author for choosing to present the story in this way. It is perfect timing when we first see into the mind of Matt; all of the feelings and yearnings he’s had for Lane over the years are finally revealed.
The love scenes in the story are tender and gripping. This is not to say that they are not also intensely erotic. It does not have a cheap feel to it, though—not in any way pornographic. It is quite beautiful. Their love is beautiful, and thus also their lovemaking.
I couldn’t stop reading this story after picking up the book. I read it in one sitting. It is a fantastic, emotional read, and I couldn’t possibly recommend it any more than I do. Pinky Swear is a must read!
February 20, 2022
thankfully it was short because it was hard to read through how overwrought it was written.
June 26, 2013
I got 86% of the way through and had to stop. I like misunderstandings in a book, but this just became idiotic. The two MCs were so dense that I wanted to just shake them. Lane's mom was a devout woman of faith, and then it all of a sudden just stopped coming up in the book (maybe it came into play later, but I didn't see the point at all, even when I was almost done reading). The fact that Matt called Lane's parents mom and dad was just corny. The entire book had entirely too much time-jumping, and not enough explanation in between the years. I was left wanting more and more.
As far as I could tell, there was really no plot to speak of. In a romance, where the plot is lacking, I need a sweet and hot relationship to make up for it. But the sex scenes were only so-so, and there was no loving and tender relationship building scenes.
This was how the book went:
And at about that time I couldn't hack anymore.
As far as I could tell, there was really no plot to speak of. In a romance, where the plot is lacking, I need a sweet and hot relationship to make up for it. But the sex scenes were only so-so, and there was no loving and tender relationship building scenes.
This was how the book went:
And at about that time I couldn't hack anymore.
April 28, 2010
Lane and Matt have been best friends forever, always swearing allegiance with pinky swear. Eventually Matt’s dad beats him up yet again and kicks him out for being gay, Lane’s family takes him in and raises him. Although Lane knows Matt is gay he doesn’t tell him until at university and never reveals he’s in love. At university they are room mates where Matt is a total slut, which kills Lane but finally 3 days before Matt is leaving for California for a job, he gets drunk and they have sex. He wakes up to find Matt gone and feels used and dumped like one of the myriad of men that passed through their apartment. Lane moves to New Orleans and 5 years later it’s Katrina time. His elderly landlord refuses to leave so he stays with him. In the aftermath, Lane’s newspaper sends him to NO to cover the story and he tries to find Lane and get him supplies. After Lane punches him (yay Lane) they talk and Lane finds out why Matt ran. Anytime someone makes another person feel like a cheap piece of crap it breaks my heart. I’ll admit I shed a little tear for how badly Lane felt when Matt ran. You figured out why, but I still felt badly. Lane’s landlord, an old queen was a riot and offered some good insight to Lane, I liked him a lot and I liked Matt too and you’re happy they got their HEA, but I was also happy he got punched in the face. LOL Sometimes a guy just needs a punch in the head. I liked how the story followed their friendship from about age 12, showing how the relationship changed and the descriptions of NO post-Katrina were vivid and heart wrenching. All in all another great read from Lynn. Oh I won this, two Lynn Lorenz in a row. Hope she has another one coming soon, I’m on a roll.
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July 20, 2010I saw this by Tam’s place awhile ago and I loved her round up of it and as I have never read a Lorenz book before, I started with this one.
The blurb does give away quite a bit of the content of the book – and it really read like any other boy boy scenario where one goes away and years later whether through guilt, family loyalty or some catastrophic event one rushed back to the other. In this book it was a bit of all three of those that has Matt rushing back to see if Lane the man he has not seen in so many year is alive.
What I loved about PINKY SWEAR is the writing, Lorenz style is sweet if that can be used to describe a writing style. As short as this book was she did a wonderful job with each scene, her description of time and place was well thought out and well presented. I normally never try to have the accent of a place in my head when I read books that are set in places where the accents are quite pronounced but I could not help imagining one of the more flamboyant character in this book in full New Orleans twang.
This is a novella, so only the vital info is presented and I really did not need more, that said I would have loved to see what Ms Lorenz would have done with this as a full length book or even a chance to revisit Matt and Lane in a longer book.
Sweet read and if this is Lorenz style I am off to check out more of her work… Thanks Tam..
The blurb does give away quite a bit of the content of the book – and it really read like any other boy boy scenario where one goes away and years later whether through guilt, family loyalty or some catastrophic event one rushed back to the other. In this book it was a bit of all three of those that has Matt rushing back to see if Lane the man he has not seen in so many year is alive.
What I loved about PINKY SWEAR is the writing, Lorenz style is sweet if that can be used to describe a writing style. As short as this book was she did a wonderful job with each scene, her description of time and place was well thought out and well presented. I normally never try to have the accent of a place in my head when I read books that are set in places where the accents are quite pronounced but I could not help imagining one of the more flamboyant character in this book in full New Orleans twang.
This is a novella, so only the vital info is presented and I really did not need more, that said I would have loved to see what Ms Lorenz would have done with this as a full length book or even a chance to revisit Matt and Lane in a longer book.
Sweet read and if this is Lorenz style I am off to check out more of her work… Thanks Tam..
April 2, 2011
I enjoyed reading this book, but I have trouble believing some stuff that I think can easily be avoided. Matt, who considers himself a son, didn't say anything to the father about his love to his 'foster' sibling, nor did the father even though he knew his son was hurting. Also, when Matt decided to live in New Orleans, he just stays, not even bothered to return to LA to sort things out. I don't know, perhaps there are some people who do not have anything at all in their house. However, majority of the people would return even only for 2-3 days to their old place before they go to their new place.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 5, 2012
3.5*
Friends since childhood and in love with Matt almost as long ,Lane is devastated after finally giving into their passion, Matt up and leaves him.
I understood not telling eachother how they felt, they were young and afraid, but did they not have any contact in 5 years?
Lane's parents were in some contact with Matt, after all they did for him, I can't believe he managed to avoid them all for that long.
All in all a sweet friends to lovers story.
Friends since childhood and in love with Matt almost as long ,Lane is devastated after finally giving into their passion, Matt up and leaves him.
I understood not telling eachother how they felt, they were young and afraid, but did they not have any contact in 5 years?
Lane's parents were in some contact with Matt, after all they did for him, I can't believe he managed to avoid them all for that long.
All in all a sweet friends to lovers story.
February 27, 2011
2.5 stars
This story suffers from its length. It has a good premise but it is way too short for the execution. The past part takes a pretty good portion of the story but most of them is from Lane's point of view, so we have no idea why Matt leaves just like that. Oh, sure, we get Matt's explanation in a several paragraphs in the present, but that is just not enough. PLUS, the reconciliation is just too quick to solve with just Lane hitting Matt in the jaw. Hell, no ...
This story suffers from its length. It has a good premise but it is way too short for the execution. The past part takes a pretty good portion of the story but most of them is from Lane's point of view, so we have no idea why Matt leaves just like that. Oh, sure, we get Matt's explanation in a several paragraphs in the present, but that is just not enough. PLUS, the reconciliation is just too quick to solve with just Lane hitting Matt in the jaw. Hell, no ...
January 24, 2012
This was good, very sweet. For as few pages as it is, it covers a large span of time in these two boy's lives pretty convincingly. The last part, when the boys were finally older, really felt like it could have been longer. They get together and fell into bed really quickly and then poof the story was pretty much over.
June 27, 2010
Good m/m romance about two guys who grew up next door to each other in New Orleans and were best friends until a misunderstanding drove them apart and they lost touch... and then Hurricane Katrina arrives.
May 28, 2015
3.5* Cute friends to lovers romance about two best friends. I liked Lorenz's writing. My favorite bit was Sebastian telling Lane he and Matt would be much better off if they'd just talk to each other. Heh, cos I was totally thinking it!
December 31, 2010
I liked this but really wish it had been longer. It seemed like I was just getting into it and then it was over.
June 11, 2010
I really liked this story. The ending is a little too easy, but it's a really sweet romance otherwise, and though the conflict is basically a Big Misunderstanding, it's a believable, realistic one.
September 7, 2011
Sweet story about best friends to lovers. Review to follow.
June 7, 2012
The best Lynn Lorenz I've read. Really was there, living it, with the characters. And their actions/reactions made sense within context of who they were and what they knew.
January 23, 2012
Short, sweet story that would have benefited from being a more fleshed out story. For me, the story really took off in the last half.
August 1, 2012
I'll have to look up more by Lynn Lorenz. :)
September 16, 2012
3.5 Stars
A sweet story.. It could have been fleshed out more, and had the makings of a novel instead of s short read
A sweet story.. It could have been fleshed out more, and had the makings of a novel instead of s short read
June 26, 2013
LOVEd this short story! A Must read!
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