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Pool Hall Green
Drew Harris is a master when it comes to the game of pool, but family is always a crap shoot and Drew rolled snake eyes. His parents want little to do with him. The only time they call him is when they need money, or when they want him to bail his gambling-addict brother, Vic, out of a jam. So when Drew's mother calls in a panic to let Drew know that Vic owes a local casino owner two-hundred and fifty grand, Drew's not exactly shocked. Not shocked, that is, until he learns that the guy Vic owes doesn't want the money: he wants Drew.Casino mogul Evan Stacie never thought he was the kind of man to resort to blackmail, but the death of his brother two years ago changed a lot of things. He needs Drew's skill with a stick to ruin the man who sent Evan's brother to an early grave, and if Evan has to fight dirty to make that happen, so be it. Nothing, not his growing attraction to Drew or the soft spot Evan feels for the guy, is going to stand in his way.
66 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 28, 2010
71 people want to read
About the author
Sara Bell
27 books200 followersSara Bell lives in North Alabama with the world's sexiest, most supportive husband, the two most beautiful, gifted daughters on the planet, and two of the most neurotic but loveable dogs ever created. She's a full-time author who writes stories about never-ending love for all kinds of characters--gay, straight, and somewhere in-between. Sara still can't believe she gets paid to do something she loves so much, and she's darned grateful to her incredible readers for making her dream a reality.
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
April 29, 2010
I can always count on Sara Bell to give me a good story about family -- and this one is no exception. I think the heart of this story is not even the love relationship between Drew and Evan, but the love between Drew and his brother, Vic. It's about accepting that sometimes your family is not the one you are born into but the extended family or friends that love you no matter what. It's a very, VERY good story evolving love of family, worthy of a Hallmark movie :). My only wish that it's more than 60+ pages so I can read more of Drew's talent on playing pool ^_^. But even without it, it is still a satisfying read.
October 11, 2012
Drew used to be a pool player. Evan needs someone to play pool. Vic, Drew's brother, is a screw-up and Evan takes advantage of that to get Drew to play a tournament for him.
For such a short story this has an incredible amount of heart. I really loved it. Drew's parents are horrible and treat him like dirt yet continually ask him to bail out either themselves or his brother.
Evan, for all his wheeling and dealing, is not what I expected at all. Drew isn't the only one who was surprised when the door opened.
Lots of chemistry between Evan and Drew. Lots of family angst here as well. Great read!
For such a short story this has an incredible amount of heart. I really loved it. Drew's parents are horrible and treat him like dirt yet continually ask him to bail out either themselves or his brother.
Evan, for all his wheeling and dealing, is not what I expected at all. Drew isn't the only one who was surprised when the door opened.
Lots of chemistry between Evan and Drew. Lots of family angst here as well. Great read!
April 29, 2010
3.5 stars
Surprisingly this book is not all about playing pool. In fact there is hardly any pool playing in it.
The choices Drew makes early on are not choices I understand or the path I would have followed, at all. However, it was interesting watching him get to where he needed to be to move into a healthier stage of his life, both mentally and emotionally. That his emotional growth pulls Evan and Victor into better, stronger lives just shows how connected we all are even when we think all ties have been cut.
Too bad everybody doesn't have an Aunt Quinn.
Surprisingly this book is not all about playing pool. In fact there is hardly any pool playing in it.
The choices Drew makes early on are not choices I understand or the path I would have followed, at all. However, it was interesting watching him get to where he needed to be to move into a healthier stage of his life, both mentally and emotionally. That his emotional growth pulls Evan and Victor into better, stronger lives just shows how connected we all are even when we think all ties have been cut.
Too bad everybody doesn't have an Aunt Quinn.
March 15, 2011
I really liked the MC, hated how he let his family use him the whole book. This wasn't a romance really but I liked the story and the MC enough probably would have given it a 5 star but the MC was pretty weak and never made any decisions for himself it was always what someone told him to do
June 29, 2010
This was a fun, light read about some heavy topics (homophobia, blackmail, addiction, violence). Luckily, it never became dramatic and the problems were dealt with unexpectantly. But I just didn't feel the attraction between Drew and Evan. I didn't believe they were meant for each other. The story was more focused on Drew and Evan dealing with their family and their problems than on them falling in love. The family story lines were interesting though.
October 8, 2012
Pool Hall Green is a short story about blackmail, hustling, and addiction. There was a lot packed into a few pages. I enjoy Sara Bell's stories and this was no exception. Drew is trying to make a life for himself after his parents kicked him out of the house at 16. His younger brother, Vic, however, has a gambling problem and they call Drew whenever they need help bailing Vic out of his latest fiasco. While Drew kept allowing his family to take advantage of him, I couldn't help but feel a connection with him and see him as the good person he was. I really liked Drew as a character and enjoyed the way this story unfolded.
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June 6, 2010Sara Bell has a way to writing romance that is almost “sweet”, using sweet in that meaning of the old rules of romance, when sweet meant a lot of romance, some kisses and no sex. The no sex part is not part of the pact for Sara Bell, but all the rest is there, and plus also a light undertone, even when the story has a drama plot.
Pool Hall Green is a novella, so the drama is not fully developed but only hinted, but this doesn’t make it less good. Drew is a former pool hustler of an Alabama small town now living in Arizona. His family gladly forgets of him until they don’t need him like this time, to help his brother out of a gambling debt. Only that the owner of the debt doesn’t want money, he wants Drew. Being Drew gay, the reader can think the “want” is in the biblical meaning of the word, but for real Evan wants Drew’s skills with a stick and a pool table. Then if he is willing to talk of other skills with other type of sticks, Evan is not against the idea.
It’s pretty much a less dramatic story than expected, the blackmailing of Evan to Drew is a very poor dangerous one, and Evan looks more like a twink than a thug; he is all swooning on older Drew (34 against 25) like a kid with a comic book hero, and I had the feeling that he is easily distracted from his personal revenge with sex and cuddle. Evan basically needs love and since also Drew needs it, they found each other.
As I said the story is pretty much romantic, there is a bit of sex, but even if sexy, it’s not detailed, leaving the rate of the story more to a warn than hot grade. Not Drew or Evan are big city players, they are more small town boys, where they can appear bigger and worst than who they really are. And then from a boy next door guy with a twink face and an easy smile, Evan, and a lost boy still searching for the love of a family, only in the wrong place, Drew, you can’t expect them to give this story nothing else if not a sweet romance taste.
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B003PJ7CSG/?...
Pool Hall Green is a novella, so the drama is not fully developed but only hinted, but this doesn’t make it less good. Drew is a former pool hustler of an Alabama small town now living in Arizona. His family gladly forgets of him until they don’t need him like this time, to help his brother out of a gambling debt. Only that the owner of the debt doesn’t want money, he wants Drew. Being Drew gay, the reader can think the “want” is in the biblical meaning of the word, but for real Evan wants Drew’s skills with a stick and a pool table. Then if he is willing to talk of other skills with other type of sticks, Evan is not against the idea.
It’s pretty much a less dramatic story than expected, the blackmailing of Evan to Drew is a very poor dangerous one, and Evan looks more like a twink than a thug; he is all swooning on older Drew (34 against 25) like a kid with a comic book hero, and I had the feeling that he is easily distracted from his personal revenge with sex and cuddle. Evan basically needs love and since also Drew needs it, they found each other.
As I said the story is pretty much romantic, there is a bit of sex, but even if sexy, it’s not detailed, leaving the rate of the story more to a warn than hot grade. Not Drew or Evan are big city players, they are more small town boys, where they can appear bigger and worst than who they really are. And then from a boy next door guy with a twink face and an easy smile, Evan, and a lost boy still searching for the love of a family, only in the wrong place, Drew, you can’t expect them to give this story nothing else if not a sweet romance taste.
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B003PJ7CSG/?...
March 26, 2013
Ah. Yes.
This was unlike what I think of as the author’s usual style, except for certain elements such as super-supportive friends or chosen-family members, and of course the happy ending. It was terse in a way, featured a strong narrative voice. The first person really worked here, too. The whole thing carried a sense of real-ness, even if the outcome still remained happier than reality tends to be.
The romance plot as such got started extremely late in the game, which is maybe why I am not shouting my love for this story from the rooftops right now, but even so it’s a close call. I did enjoy the fact that these men met and had things to interact about other than their mutual attraction before that happened. In a full-length book that would have been perfect. For this limited length, well, it made the entire story more about Drew’s accepting the loss of his family than about romance or even the pool game.
I liked the sex aspect very much in that it came and went naturally, clearly not there for the titillation of the reader, simply as part of the story, and as such not everything was described.
In this case, since this was such a relatively short story, having a “years later” epilogue full of lovey-dovey goodness (not too heavy on the mush, actually) and closure satisfied me greatly. I needed to see that what had begun there (and pretty late in the story, too) would end in utmost dedication and happiness; the rest was a bonus.
So yeah. This story? I really, thoroughly liked it and I can’t for the life of me remember if I’ve read it before or merely skimmed through it years ago. Doesn’t matter.
It’s a good one. If I could, I’d give it half a star up from the four I settled on. Maybe I will later.
(Edit: Five stars it is, after reading this review and agreeing on most counts. So what if the focus was not on romance here? It was a great story regardless.)
This was unlike what I think of as the author’s usual style, except for certain elements such as super-supportive friends or chosen-family members, and of course the happy ending. It was terse in a way, featured a strong narrative voice. The first person really worked here, too. The whole thing carried a sense of real-ness, even if the outcome still remained happier than reality tends to be.
The romance plot as such got started extremely late in the game, which is maybe why I am not shouting my love for this story from the rooftops right now, but even so it’s a close call. I did enjoy the fact that these men met and had things to interact about other than their mutual attraction before that happened. In a full-length book that would have been perfect. For this limited length, well, it made the entire story more about Drew’s accepting the loss of his family than about romance or even the pool game.
I liked the sex aspect very much in that it came and went naturally, clearly not there for the titillation of the reader, simply as part of the story, and as such not everything was described.
In this case, since this was such a relatively short story, having a “years later” epilogue full of lovey-dovey goodness (not too heavy on the mush, actually) and closure satisfied me greatly. I needed to see that what had begun there (and pretty late in the story, too) would end in utmost dedication and happiness; the rest was a bonus.
So yeah. This story? I really, thoroughly liked it and I can’t for the life of me remember if I’ve read it before or merely skimmed through it years ago. Doesn’t matter.
It’s a good one. If I could, I’d give it half a star up from the four I settled on. Maybe I will later.
(Edit: Five stars it is, after reading this review and agreeing on most counts. So what if the focus was not on romance here? It was a great story regardless.)
May 6, 2014
Another great short story from this author. This novel focus on addiction and how even the best intention can pave the road to hell. *Hoping I got that idiom right*
I MC has to learn how to stand up for himself and not be used by the people who should love him. He basically bails out his family time and time again after they abandoned him. Aiding his brother addiction by never letting him face consequences.
Our other MC has to let go of revenge. Like they say hating takes more out of you than the person you hate.
a Revenge scheme bring these two unlikely MC together, and they have to get past their own addiction before they can be happy together. Well deserved HEA.
I MC has to learn how to stand up for himself and not be used by the people who should love him. He basically bails out his family time and time again after they abandoned him. Aiding his brother addiction by never letting him face consequences.
Our other MC has to let go of revenge. Like they say hating takes more out of you than the person you hate.
a Revenge scheme bring these two unlikely MC together, and they have to get past their own addiction before they can be happy together. Well deserved HEA.
August 23, 2018
Not sure why this one was missing from my GR account, but it gave me a great excuse to re read.
As usual Sara gave me a sweet story with just a touch of drama. Drew was wonderful and Evan was sweet. Drews family was lovely, but as for those that spawned him Urgh total waste of space. But I am glad there was a change of heart from someone.
Even though this is a short there was nothing missing. A complete well told story in a small package.
As usual Sara gave me a sweet story with just a touch of drama. Drew was wonderful and Evan was sweet. Drews family was lovely, but as for those that spawned him Urgh total waste of space. But I am glad there was a change of heart from someone.
Even though this is a short there was nothing missing. A complete well told story in a small package.
November 2, 2019
This was a very sweet story with a bit of angst that I wish was longer. An enjoyable read though.
TAGS
-- sweet -- some angst -- addiction -- how family shouldn't be -- age difference -- love the MCs... Drew and Evan -- wish there was more -- less than 70 pages
October 13, 2017
Damn, I liked this one. The story revolves about family drama, therefore there is a lot of tragedy and heavy emotions. Still, I liked it and didn't find it annoying. Revenge, blackmail, addiction, family bonds, sexuality, personal happiness and emotional manipulations are some of the themes, quite the heavy stuff. I could relate to all the characters (except for the parents, maybe), all having their weaknesses and burdens, but at the end giving their best to overcome them and be happy.
October 25, 2010
Drew's parents effectively threw him out when they learned he was gay. Still, they rely on him to come running whenever they need something from him, particularly when his younger brother Vic, a gambling addict, is once again in over his ears. And, although he should know better - and swears every time this is the last time - Drew helps his brother and parents out again and again. But this time, Vic has gone too far. He's in for two-hundred fifty thousand dollars to a man called Evan Shaye. But Evan is willing to relinquish his claim in exchange for Drew playing a pool tournament. When Drew goes to confront the blackmailer, he's facing a big surprise, though, because Evan isn't the brute mafia type Drew expected him to be. Not at all.
This story, told in first person with Drew's slightly ironic voice, was funny and fast paced, but still dense and well plotted. The writing is simply great; you almost heard Ollie's Alabama drawl, Vic's whine and Aunt Quinn's no-nonsense resolve. The opening scene's hilarious Murphy routine alone was worth the read, and it just got better.
You don't get a lot of pool and pool players in m/m romance. There was a fascinating pool game scene, and the funny little pool - player's quirks which pepper the plot are just endearing.
This is more a gay themed book about family ties and breaking the bad habit of being an enabler than a romance. Evan and Drew work well together, their banter was great, but not too obrusive, and they made a great couple with a believable HEA in the end.
Overall, an unusual setting for a book which just hit the spot for me. Greatly recommended.
This story, told in first person with Drew's slightly ironic voice, was funny and fast paced, but still dense and well plotted. The writing is simply great; you almost heard Ollie's Alabama drawl, Vic's whine and Aunt Quinn's no-nonsense resolve. The opening scene's hilarious Murphy routine alone was worth the read, and it just got better.
You don't get a lot of pool and pool players in m/m romance. There was a fascinating pool game scene, and the funny little pool - player's quirks which pepper the plot are just endearing.
This is more a gay themed book about family ties and breaking the bad habit of being an enabler than a romance. Evan and Drew work well together, their banter was great, but not too obrusive, and they made a great couple with a believable HEA in the end.
Overall, an unusual setting for a book which just hit the spot for me. Greatly recommended.
June 30, 2010
Drew is a former pool shark who gets a call from his estranged family. His gambling addict brother got himself $250K in debt and as usual they call on Drew to fix it. But they guy he owes doesn't want money, he wants Drew. He threatens to call in the debt, bankrupting Drew's parents if Drew won't play in a pool tournament for him to get revenge against another player. Drew reluctantly agrees but on the condition his brother goes to rehab. When his brother checks out and threatens suicide Drew's father beats him and nearly breaks his arm. He finally admits that his family will never love him (kicked him out when he came out) and he says his brother has to fix it, he's done. Meanwhile he's started a bit of a relationship with the blackmailer Evan but Evan is too fixated on revenge so Drew leaves to go back to Phoenix. While it seems like a set-up for a blackmail story, it's really a relationship story about enabling an addict and taking advantage of someone who so desperately wants the love and acceptance of his family and who finally has to admit to himself it's never going to happen. Drew's Aunt (his Mom's sister) who raised him after he was kicked out was great, she was a good Mom and funny too. So I really enjoyed this one.
April 19, 2014
Main Characters: Drew Harris & Evan Stacie
Key Themes: Homophobia, Family Drama, Enemies to Lovers, Revenge, Blackmail
Location: Arizona and Alabama
Witty story of a blackmail that turns into a romance between a mechanic (Drew) and a trust fund baby (Evan).
Despite its uninspiring cover, this is a really good story and it has a nice pace to it. The characters are well developed and the story is fast moving but straightforward. There is not much angst…thank goodness!
Key Themes: Homophobia, Family Drama, Enemies to Lovers, Revenge, Blackmail
Location: Arizona and Alabama
Witty story of a blackmail that turns into a romance between a mechanic (Drew) and a trust fund baby (Evan).
Despite its uninspiring cover, this is a really good story and it has a nice pace to it. The characters are well developed and the story is fast moving but straightforward. There is not much angst…thank goodness!
Read
August 31, 2010MiniReview: My kinda style for a short contemporary: Not too sweet. Interesting conflict. Unpredictable.
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The writing style is fast paced: Echos of stream of consciousness with super short sentences... and occasional bouts of beautiful phrasing.
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Accolades to Ms. Bell for cracking my heart a little in such a short span of pages.
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Visit Sweet Vernal Zephyr for my long winded reviews.
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The writing style is fast paced: Echos of stream of consciousness with super short sentences... and occasional bouts of beautiful phrasing.
...
Accolades to Ms. Bell for cracking my heart a little in such a short span of pages.
...
Visit Sweet Vernal Zephyr for my long winded reviews.
November 26, 2011
I'd read this years ago, when I first started reading m/m, but all I remembered was that I loved it. So it was almost like reading it for the first time. It's short, but wow does it pack a punch! (Literally, in one case ;). Like Amy Lane's books, it focuses a lot on family-of-choice over family-of-birth. And on making hard choices in ways you can live with. I think Ollie was my favorite character, I'd love to read his story at some point.
December 21, 2012
Omg, what kind of parents throw their older son out, because he is gay, but do seek him out, when they need money and help, for their younger son, in this case, Vic. I mean really?
I'm really not sure, if I could be so forgiving as Drew was in this story. I would probably send them all to hell. Some parents are lover then dirt on the street.
I'm really not sure, if I could be so forgiving as Drew was in this story. I would probably send them all to hell. Some parents are lover then dirt on the street.
August 1, 2011
This was a nice story.
June 16, 2010
3,5 stars
June 27, 2010
Very good m/m romance about a former pool player whose white trash family kicked him out when he came out, yet keeps calling him to clean up their expensive messes... and he does.
September 9, 2016
As with everything I've read by this author wished this had been longer. Great characters!
July 7, 2013
This gets 4 stars in my book just because it made me laugh really hard in several places. Very well written and completely entertaining.
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews