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The One That Got Away
When David Carmichael suffers a migraine and a broken shoulder, Trace Jackson, his best friend, simply moves in to take care of him. Their easy camaraderie is threatened when David discovers an undercurrent of heat and tension flowing between them. Despite knowing his best friend is straight, David is not-so-slowly falling in love.
Trace has never desired another man. He's a ladies' man with quite the reputation, considered a top prize around town. But his close, treasured friendship with David is intensified by the emotion and arousal, and the lure of having David so close is irresistible. Soon Trace makes it clear to David that he wants to know if they can make it work between them. Because Trace is sure he won't ever want anyone else-he already loves David.
220 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 9, 2009
72 people are currently reading
2239 people want to read
About the author
Rhianne Aile
32 books148 followersRhianne Aile has an unhealthy relationship with her computer, iced tea, and chocolate. Growing up, she split her time between Oklahoma and Chicago, making her equally fond of horses, skyscrapers, cowboys, and men in well-tailored suits. Facilitating retreats for women and authors keeps her traveling enough to stay happy.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 335 reviews
May 4, 2017
***2.75 stars***
Though the blurb is pretty accurate on what this book is about, the execution of the story was just kinda awkward.
Trace and David are supposed to be best friends, yet it felt like they didn't really know each other. David was openly gay, yet Trace didn't know that he was? They didn't know each other's friends, or very much about each other's lives beyond the basics.
Trace was "straight" but didn't question sleeping in the same bed as David, or waking up in the man's arms....and enjoying it. He just simply shrugged it off to "think about later." He moved in without a second thought and basically they became "couply" right off the bat. Brushing up against each other when reaching for something, running a hand down the other's abs when they walked by, long lingering gazes appreciating the other's fine form. Nothing weird there, because it just felt right.
The dialogue was off too. Sorry, but I can't get down with a man saying "your friends are a hoot" seriously. Or randomly speaking like he just stepped out of Downton Abbey..."I've not seen you this way in much too long." For serious?
There were also editing issues and inconsistencies sprinkled in as well. One minute they're in the living room, and then you get "lie down on the bed." Ummmmm, weren't you just on the couch?? Six weeks pass by, but then it's only two weeks later, and a little further down it's a month later. Which is it?
But in all of this, my biggest complaint is the constantly changing POV's. It was practically EVERY paragraph, and sometimes flip-flops within the same paragraph. I shouldn't have to concentrate so hard to figure out who's speaking and whose head I'm in.
The steam was mild. Nothing more than making out, some stroking and petting and a couple of sprinkled in mouth-to-cock introductions until the very end, in which case you get your cherry popping grand finale. Which naturally I loved.
So there you have it.
February 7, 2012
Sickly sweet romance, so sweet it literally made me feel sick. Well, I admit that I'm not that much of a sucker for pure romances, but that's not the reason I dislike this book so much.
There were so many flaws and discrepancies in that book, it was impossible for me to like it at any point.
God, I wish I could post my amazon review here, but it's in German and I don't feel up to translate the whole thing right now.
I'll give you a few examples in order to underline what I did say earlier:
Well, I think I made my view on this book clear enough. If all of the above doesn't scare you away from that book, I guess you will actually find yourself enjoying it.
Which is totally OK, of course.
Tastes differ, thank God for that.
There were so many flaws and discrepancies in that book, it was impossible for me to like it at any point.
God, I wish I could post my amazon review here, but it's in German and I don't feel up to translate the whole thing right now.
I'll give you a few examples in order to underline what I did say earlier:
Well, I think I made my view on this book clear enough. If all of the above doesn't scare you away from that book, I guess you will actually find yourself enjoying it.
Which is totally OK, of course.
Tastes differ, thank God for that.
November 27, 2015
Just finished my 3rd read of this one. Absolutely loved it all over again, but a few things bugged me this time around. For example, the author using words other than the MC's names when describing them. The word "blond" was used 29 times and "brunet" 33 times. Like, "The blond sucked on his lover's bottom lip." Instead of "Trace sucked on David's bottom lip." It just got weird after awhile, you know? I guess after 3 reads, those numbers are tripled and it just sent me over the edge.
Regardless of my nit-picking, this still ranks as one of my favorite gay-for-you and hurt/healing/comfort reads of all time.
Don't look at the cover, just read it if GFY and H/H/C does it for you.
Highly recommended!
Regardless of my nit-picking, this still ranks as one of my favorite gay-for-you and hurt/healing/comfort reads of all time.
Don't look at the cover, just read it if GFY and H/H/C does it for you.
Highly recommended!
June 9, 2012
"Happy sigh" no angst, secrets or big misunderstandings to ruin this lovely budding friends to lovers romance its a slow burn rather than an out of control fire. The sexual simmering attraction throughout the book is wonderful Trace and David's playfulness is adorable and Mabel is the only drama queen with her efforts to ruin the poker games and shredding Trace's clothes in disgust she was fun. Another great feel good story and highly recommended.
March 23, 2017
Re-read March 22
While I loved it the second time, I was just a little more bored than when I read it the first time. But it's still a very sweet story.
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Absolutely angst free!
This was an incredibly sweet GFY friends to lovers story. I adored this book.
When David falls and hurts his shoulder pretty bad, his best friend Trace is there to help him out. Trace simply moves in and takes care of David. But what neither men expected was that their friendship would grow into something more. David is gay, but Trace has always considered himself pretty straight. That is until he is living with his handsome best friend.
I loved it that this book was completely angst free. These men face their fears and talk about them. No hiding and starting fights. These men are close friends and they are willing to make it work. And if it doesn’t work out they still want to be friends. Finally, men who acts like adults!
This is a very slow burning romance. The guys know that it is wise to go slow so that’s what they do. But don’t worry, there’s still plenty of smexy times
It was hot, it was sweet, it was awesome!
“You touch me and I melt.”
While I loved it the second time, I was just a little more bored than when I read it the first time. But it's still a very sweet story.
----------------------------
Absolutely angst free!
This was an incredibly sweet GFY friends to lovers story. I adored this book.
When David falls and hurts his shoulder pretty bad, his best friend Trace is there to help him out. Trace simply moves in and takes care of David. But what neither men expected was that their friendship would grow into something more. David is gay, but Trace has always considered himself pretty straight. That is until he is living with his handsome best friend.
I loved it that this book was completely angst free. These men face their fears and talk about them. No hiding and starting fights. These men are close friends and they are willing to make it work. And if it doesn’t work out they still want to be friends. Finally, men who acts like adults!
This is a very slow burning romance. The guys know that it is wise to go slow so that’s what they do. But don’t worry, there’s still plenty of smexy times
It was hot, it was sweet, it was awesome!
“You touch me and I melt.”
February 2, 2024
This is simply not readable, as in "written so badly it gave me a splitting headache."
I was ready to DNF at around 10%, but then (for research purposes only, mind you) managed another 10%. No, it didn't get better. It got worse :/
What's this book about?
A guy with a migraine, a broken shoulder and on serious meds & his klutz of a friend getting together, drinking scotch and playing strip poker. Cause that's what you do when you are injured and are high on Oxycontin. Fun times. Bye-bye liver and brains, hello more injuries.
I was ready to DNF at around 10%, but then (for research purposes only, mind you) managed another 10%. No, it didn't get better. It got worse :/
What's this book about?
A guy with a migraine, a broken shoulder and on serious meds & his klutz of a friend getting together, drinking scotch and playing strip poker. Cause that's what you do when you are injured and are high on Oxycontin. Fun times. Bye-bye liver and brains, hello more injuries.
October 31, 2011
CAUTION: Long Review, Spoilers
This review rated the 2nd Edition which has an additional "15,000 or so words" compared to the 1st Edition. Plus the 2nd Edition has a better looking cover, imo, by the artist Paul Richmond.
But readers who wants to something drama-free, homophobia-free GFY — I recommend this. The homophobia-free part on the former straight's side was the hook, line, and sinker for me to read the story.
Sexual Content
The first 60% of the story was essentially sexual tension. Yet, I wasn't frustrated by this because the authors wrote it drama-free. The best way for me to describe the sexual tension is by comparing it to heating a pot of water. The water never boiled to bubbles but it was always simmering.
The last 40% of the story was mainly foreplay scenes that culminated into wanking each other off or blowjobs. The foreplay scenes were long and graphic, and they heightened the sexual tension. There was only one penetration scene and it was near the ending.
The transition from sexual tension to action was slow and smooth. Never a moment was there any explosive, rough "do it hard and fast and many" sex. As said before in the metaphor, the water never boiled to bubbles.
Even though the last 40% of story was mainly sexual actions (and 100% of the story is sexual tension), I never got the impression that story was an erotica. The characters were trying to carefully transition from being best friends to being lovers. This is why the couple took it slow in their sexual actions.
The couple were always aware of the delicate nature of their changing relationship. Because if one wrong move or thing happen, not only would they stop becoming lovers but their friendships probably wouldn't survive either. Both David and Trace needed to know for themselves if risking their friendship was worth developing the love for each other.
Things I Didn't Like
The ending was abrupt. In the second to last chapter, it ended with Trace finally consenting to bottom for David and to a larger extend kind of implied that Trace would move back in with David. Then in the last chapter, readers learned some time passed after the previous chapter and we see Trace and David publicly revealing their relationship at a charity event.
I would have prefer it if there a scene between the two making love or doing something together as a couple after they both finally agreed to be each other's boyfriend. To be specific, I wanted another chapter before the epilogue to help me as reader digest the fact in my mind that David and Trace were now officially a couple.
The story was told in 3rd POV, splitting between David and Trace's perspective. The story got a little confusing when the authors blurred David and Trace's perspective in the same paragraph/moment. So it was took some re-reading before I could allocate whose thoughts were whose. I didn't like this because it interrupted my flow of reading.
I didn't comprehend the title "The One That Got Away" since no one got away. I kind of expected there would be a moment in the plot where the two would be separated and one would go away but later on they would be reunited. In short, a reunited scene after much tear-jerking drama. But nothing like that ever happened, David and Trace were always together and I didn't see any danger that they would call it quits, even when Trace moved back to his home. I would be really interested in knowing why the authors (or their publisher) named the story the way that it is.
The story had a slow pacing that I didn't care much for. The slow pacing combined with the foreplay scenes made the sexual tension great, but sometime I wished the plot would move along already. This story didn't have that "got to keep reading to find out what happen next" mood, there were moments I got bored and just put the book down not once but multiple times. Well, on the bright side, at least I always remember what was happening in the book when I pick it back up.
I didn't like how Trace slightly felt pressured into being a bottom for David. MM-Romance will function just fine if one lover is a total bottom and the other a total top. I think the couple should have a talk over what they prefer in sex so both would be happy with the sex and wouldn't be pressured into doing anything they didn't care to do.
Things I Liked
I like David. I like Trace. I like Matt. Basically, I liked all the characters. No one annoyed me, even the amusingly wicked Katherine. However, I think Patrick and the two straight guys (ha, I don't even remember their names) in their poker group could have used some character development even if they were only minor characters.
I like how Trace didn't have any homophobic moment when he discovered he may have feelings for a guy. I like how he was mostly worry about ruining their friendship if he acted on love and David didn't reciprocate, or if David did reciprocate but the relationship just wouldn't work out at the end.
Because of how easily receptive Trace was with gay love, the story didn't have much conflict or drama or angst. Hell, the guy continued to sleep in David's room on David's bed after hearing David confessed to being gay. This bugged some people...ALOT, but not me.
I don't care much for GFY because there's always heartbreak and sad angry drama. Not to say I hate drama but I just dislike the kind that goes hand in hand with GFY stories. Just once would I like to read a GFY where the drama is something other than homophobia or just no drama at all. The One That Got Away served that kind of story to me. Sure, it wasn't realistic but for once I didn't give a shit. Heh. =P
I like how there wasn't a long, extended, misunderstanding jealousy scene that convinces the couple that they love each other. The authors could have totally done this because Matt was David's ex and Patrick was bi which Trace could relate to. So very easy for the authors to use the Big Misunderstanding trope to separate the lovers for a while and make huge unnecessary drama. But they didn't and that was great.
Thought the stories had more foreplay and BJ scenes than I would like and only one penetration scene, I still thought the sex scenes were hot and well written. The sex scenes really fitted the mood of the entire story.
I rate The One That Got Away 3-stars for an I-liked-it.
This review rated the 2nd Edition which has an additional "15,000 or so words" compared to the 1st Edition. Plus the 2nd Edition has a better looking cover, imo, by the artist Paul Richmond.
The One That Got Away is a Gay-For-You story. Readers who dislike the GFY theme should avoid this book. Readers who are selective about their GFY story should know this story lack "omfg, am I gay?" identity-crisis drama...and, to an extend, drama overall. Here's a perfect example.
Trace wasn’t so concerned about the bisexual label; he was comfortable with himself and he was comfortable with sex in general. He was more concerned that what he had with David would flare and soon burn out, leaving them too uncomfortable to even be friends. The thought made his chest hurt so badly that he couldn’t sit still, and he had to get up and pace, trying to shake the pain off. He didn’t want that, not at all. He’d rather give up the newfound passion than have that happen.1) GFY isn't very realistic. 2) A "former" straight suddenly crushing on his gay best-friend without a barrel of angst and drama isn't very realistic at all. Not that such a circumstance is impossible, but it is highly—very highly improbable. Readers wanting a realistic contemporary mm-romance should probably save their money for something else.
But readers who wants to something drama-free, homophobia-free GFY — I recommend this. The homophobia-free part on the former straight's side was the hook, line, and sinker for me to read the story.
Sexual Content
The first 60% of the story was essentially sexual tension. Yet, I wasn't frustrated by this because the authors wrote it drama-free. The best way for me to describe the sexual tension is by comparing it to heating a pot of water. The water never boiled to bubbles but it was always simmering.
The last 40% of the story was mainly foreplay scenes that culminated into wanking each other off or blowjobs. The foreplay scenes were long and graphic, and they heightened the sexual tension. There was only one penetration scene and it was near the ending.
The transition from sexual tension to action was slow and smooth. Never a moment was there any explosive, rough "do it hard and fast and many" sex. As said before in the metaphor, the water never boiled to bubbles.
Even though the last 40% of story was mainly sexual actions (and 100% of the story is sexual tension), I never got the impression that story was an erotica. The characters were trying to carefully transition from being best friends to being lovers. This is why the couple took it slow in their sexual actions.
The couple were always aware of the delicate nature of their changing relationship. Because if one wrong move or thing happen, not only would they stop becoming lovers but their friendships probably wouldn't survive either. Both David and Trace needed to know for themselves if risking their friendship was worth developing the love for each other.
Things I Didn't Like
The ending was abrupt. In the second to last chapter, it ended with Trace finally consenting to bottom for David and to a larger extend kind of implied that Trace would move back in with David. Then in the last chapter, readers learned some time passed after the previous chapter and we see Trace and David publicly revealing their relationship at a charity event.
I would have prefer it if there a scene between the two making love or doing something together as a couple after they both finally agreed to be each other's boyfriend. To be specific, I wanted another chapter before the epilogue to help me as reader digest the fact in my mind that David and Trace were now officially a couple.
The story was told in 3rd POV, splitting between David and Trace's perspective. The story got a little confusing when the authors blurred David and Trace's perspective in the same paragraph/moment. So it was took some re-reading before I could allocate whose thoughts were whose. I didn't like this because it interrupted my flow of reading.
I didn't comprehend the title "The One That Got Away" since no one got away. I kind of expected there would be a moment in the plot where the two would be separated and one would go away but later on they would be reunited. In short, a reunited scene after much tear-jerking drama. But nothing like that ever happened, David and Trace were always together and I didn't see any danger that they would call it quits, even when Trace moved back to his home. I would be really interested in knowing why the authors (or their publisher) named the story the way that it is.
The story had a slow pacing that I didn't care much for. The slow pacing combined with the foreplay scenes made the sexual tension great, but sometime I wished the plot would move along already. This story didn't have that "got to keep reading to find out what happen next" mood, there were moments I got bored and just put the book down not once but multiple times. Well, on the bright side, at least I always remember what was happening in the book when I pick it back up.
I didn't like how Trace slightly felt pressured into being a bottom for David. MM-Romance will function just fine if one lover is a total bottom and the other a total top. I think the couple should have a talk over what they prefer in sex so both would be happy with the sex and wouldn't be pressured into doing anything they didn't care to do.
Things I Liked
I like David. I like Trace. I like Matt. Basically, I liked all the characters. No one annoyed me, even the amusingly wicked Katherine. However, I think Patrick and the two straight guys (ha, I don't even remember their names) in their poker group could have used some character development even if they were only minor characters.
I like how Trace didn't have any homophobic moment when he discovered he may have feelings for a guy. I like how he was mostly worry about ruining their friendship if he acted on love and David didn't reciprocate, or if David did reciprocate but the relationship just wouldn't work out at the end.
Because of how easily receptive Trace was with gay love, the story didn't have much conflict or drama or angst. Hell, the guy continued to sleep in David's room on David's bed after hearing David confessed to being gay. This bugged some people...ALOT, but not me.
I don't care much for GFY because there's always heartbreak and sad angry drama. Not to say I hate drama but I just dislike the kind that goes hand in hand with GFY stories. Just once would I like to read a GFY where the drama is something other than homophobia or just no drama at all. The One That Got Away served that kind of story to me. Sure, it wasn't realistic but for once I didn't give a shit. Heh. =P
I like how there wasn't a long, extended, misunderstanding jealousy scene that convinces the couple that they love each other. The authors could have totally done this because Matt was David's ex and Patrick was bi which Trace could relate to. So very easy for the authors to use the Big Misunderstanding trope to separate the lovers for a while and make huge unnecessary drama. But they didn't and that was great.
Thought the stories had more foreplay and BJ scenes than I would like and only one penetration scene, I still thought the sex scenes were hot and well written. The sex scenes really fitted the mood of the entire story.
I rate The One That Got Away 3-stars for an I-liked-it.
February 25, 2009
Really beautiful characters!! Their feelings are so well described.
Like them i was eager, and like them i wanted to savor each moment!!!
Like them i was eager, and like them i wanted to savor each moment!!!
May 8, 2016
Three years and an unknown number of re-reads later, this book is still a favorite. It's among the first mm books that I ever read, and it's one of the very few that I still like.
November 26, 2012
4.5 Stars!
Slow Burn-Friends to Lovers....LOVED IT!!
It is what it is...Friends stepping over that line they never imagined they'd cross. I liked the fact that they didn't jump all in right away tho. They both felt out everything but when they connected (even just the kisses and roaming hands) the chemistry was amazing!
If you're looking for a quick, sweet/tender moments but supa hot chemistry...check out this book!
Slow Burn-Friends to Lovers....LOVED IT!!
It is what it is...Friends stepping over that line they never imagined they'd cross. I liked the fact that they didn't jump all in right away tho. They both felt out everything but when they connected (even just the kisses and roaming hands) the chemistry was amazing!
If you're looking for a quick, sweet/tender moments but supa hot chemistry...check out this book!
August 3, 2013
I love this kind of books where friends become lovers! It's beautiful to witness the evolution of their relationship.
In this book, they flirt and seduce almost innocently, and when they realize, their love is much more than friendship!
In this book, they flirt and seduce almost innocently, and when they realize, their love is much more than friendship!
June 4, 2015
Got bored skimmed to the ending.
November 24, 2015
What a complete and total bit of nonsense this was. I only finished this because I had to. *side eyes at you scavenger hunt*
Right out of the gate it didn't make sense. These two are supposed to be BEST friends. Best, best, best friends. Total BBF. If you're confused about how bestie they were the author's tell you no less than 15x. They're BEST friends. But.....David has never told Trace he's gay. What??? Also, it mentions that they've ran into each other with dates out around town. But again, Trace doesn't know David's gay. *Scooby Doo head tilt and "Ruh???" here* That guy date David was on in no way clued Trace in?
So David gets a migraine and then breaks his shoulder so Trace basically moves in to take care of him. (which makes total sense because they're BEST friends) Right out of the gate they decide to drink and play strip poker while David is high on pain meds. I found this totally believable as my Bestie and I frequently get drunk and play strip poker together. Don't all Bestie's do this?? Oh wait.... that only happens in porn. (and this book)
Over the course of their hanging out/living together they decide they're attracted to each other and there is a great deal of sexual tension (which in all honesty was pretty well done). There's a discussion about this since Trace is straight and Trace decides he has no issues/problems with having sex with a guy. Which was fine. BUT he decides he's scared they might hurt their BEST Friends Forever relationship so they decide to take it slow. This leads to them necking on the couch and coming in their pants like teenagers FOR WEEKS. Weeks....like as in two months or something. Now this was just a big bunch of unbelievablity for me. Maybe my friends and I are all slutty but what 40+ adult lives with someone who they already have a relationship with for months and only kiss and make out cuz they want to "take it slow"? Jeez Louise. This isn't Little House on the Praire. No one's virtue was on the line. In fact the beginning of the story went on and on about how promiscuous Trace was. Now he decides to channel his inner virgin??
The dialogue was not my thing. They said things like "You are such a slugabed". and "Take me, lover." and "Do you concede that I should be able to claim a favor of my choice?" And they tickled each other. A lot. And nothing really happens in this book other than the few things I've mentioned. It was super slow and uneventual.
I had vowed no more ranty, bitchy reviews but alas.....it is not to be. I could go on all day about all the things that didn't work for me in this book but I'm going to stop now. I don't have the time. The Bestie and I have some tickling to do and some strip poker to play.
Right out of the gate it didn't make sense. These two are supposed to be BEST friends. Best, best, best friends. Total BBF. If you're confused about how bestie they were the author's tell you no less than 15x. They're BEST friends. But.....David has never told Trace he's gay. What??? Also, it mentions that they've ran into each other with dates out around town. But again, Trace doesn't know David's gay. *Scooby Doo head tilt and "Ruh???" here* That guy date David was on in no way clued Trace in?
So David gets a migraine and then breaks his shoulder so Trace basically moves in to take care of him. (which makes total sense because they're BEST friends) Right out of the gate they decide to drink and play strip poker while David is high on pain meds. I found this totally believable as my Bestie and I frequently get drunk and play strip poker together. Don't all Bestie's do this?? Oh wait.... that only happens in porn. (and this book)
Over the course of their hanging out/living together they decide they're attracted to each other and there is a great deal of sexual tension (which in all honesty was pretty well done). There's a discussion about this since Trace is straight and Trace decides he has no issues/problems with having sex with a guy. Which was fine. BUT he decides he's scared they might hurt their BEST Friends Forever relationship so they decide to take it slow. This leads to them necking on the couch and coming in their pants like teenagers FOR WEEKS. Weeks....like as in two months or something. Now this was just a big bunch of unbelievablity for me. Maybe my friends and I are all slutty but what 40+ adult lives with someone who they already have a relationship with for months and only kiss and make out cuz they want to "take it slow"? Jeez Louise. This isn't Little House on the Praire. No one's virtue was on the line. In fact the beginning of the story went on and on about how promiscuous Trace was. Now he decides to channel his inner virgin??
The dialogue was not my thing. They said things like "You are such a slugabed". and "Take me, lover." and "Do you concede that I should be able to claim a favor of my choice?" And they tickled each other. A lot. And nothing really happens in this book other than the few things I've mentioned. It was super slow and uneventual.
I had vowed no more ranty, bitchy reviews but alas.....it is not to be. I could go on all day about all the things that didn't work for me in this book but I'm going to stop now. I don't have the time. The Bestie and I have some tickling to do and some strip poker to play.
August 7, 2012
I guess it would have been more entertaining for me if it was a comedy and everything in this story was happening to YA.
The whole thing is just so boring and stupid and unrealistic. And a simple torture.
It is annoying when the author doesn't paying attention to his/her writing. For example: the MC takes off his clothes to sleep on the couch. The couch is uncomfortable so he goes to share the bed with his friend. And there he takes off his clothes again (?!). Then, the next morning his shirt is all wrinkled because he slept in it (?!!). And I don't even get it why we need all this details in the first place? They are not crucial to the story or the next scene. Why not to go with the whole process of getting ready for bed, too? Visiting bathroom, taking shower, brushing teeth...
Then there is a matter of taking your pants off with one hand. It is not at all that difficult (even with your left hand). You don't need help to unfasten the button and pull down the zipper. It could be difficult to pull jeans down, but somehow that is not an issue with MC. It's the button and the zipper that present the problem.
It also looks like David doesn't use toilet while he is at home alone (because he can't take his pants off by himself, obviously), only in the morning and in the evening when Trace is around. Poor baby! And that with all the coffee he drinks.
It is also hard to believe that a forty-something male will get all horny to a simple friendly touch (especially if he is in pain).
The MCs were friends for 5 years (best friends according to the author), yet they hardly know each other. Except who like to eat what.
Oh, here's a "good" part: they all dress up to go out. Both super-duper, incredible-looking, breathtaking and all that. And then the author would write something like "...pulling aside his suit coat to slip his wallet into his back pocket, and his money clip and a small tin of mints into his front pocket..." (!!!!????) You do not put anything in the pocket of your pants or coat. Not unless you have no idea how to wear a suit properly. And again, this information is unnecessary (especially when MCs are going for a free food tasting). Why do we need this embarrassing (for the author and MC) bit of information? We don't. Not unless the MC is going to be robbed by a mint-loving criminal.
So lots and lots of useless dancing around. Some people probably like it. Or don't pay close attention to what has been said or written.
There are no interesting or intelligent or funny dialogs. Nothing to distract you from MCs eating and dressing/undressing and sleeping in one bed.
For some reason I had a feeling that Trace is a "woman". The way he acted. And I don't really like it in a male character. Especially if he is suppose to be straight.
Anyway... I've been skipping some parts because I lost interest in the story. I hope others were more lucky and enjoyed it.
The whole thing is just so boring and stupid and unrealistic. And a simple torture.
It is annoying when the author doesn't paying attention to his/her writing. For example: the MC takes off his clothes to sleep on the couch. The couch is uncomfortable so he goes to share the bed with his friend. And there he takes off his clothes again (?!). Then, the next morning his shirt is all wrinkled because he slept in it (?!!). And I don't even get it why we need all this details in the first place? They are not crucial to the story or the next scene. Why not to go with the whole process of getting ready for bed, too? Visiting bathroom, taking shower, brushing teeth...
Then there is a matter of taking your pants off with one hand. It is not at all that difficult (even with your left hand). You don't need help to unfasten the button and pull down the zipper. It could be difficult to pull jeans down, but somehow that is not an issue with MC. It's the button and the zipper that present the problem.
It also looks like David doesn't use toilet while he is at home alone (because he can't take his pants off by himself, obviously), only in the morning and in the evening when Trace is around. Poor baby! And that with all the coffee he drinks.
It is also hard to believe that a forty-something male will get all horny to a simple friendly touch (especially if he is in pain).
The MCs were friends for 5 years (best friends according to the author), yet they hardly know each other. Except who like to eat what.
Oh, here's a "good" part: they all dress up to go out. Both super-duper, incredible-looking, breathtaking and all that. And then the author would write something like "...pulling aside his suit coat to slip his wallet into his back pocket, and his money clip and a small tin of mints into his front pocket..." (!!!!????) You do not put anything in the pocket of your pants or coat. Not unless you have no idea how to wear a suit properly. And again, this information is unnecessary (especially when MCs are going for a free food tasting). Why do we need this embarrassing (for the author and MC) bit of information? We don't. Not unless the MC is going to be robbed by a mint-loving criminal.
So lots and lots of useless dancing around. Some people probably like it. Or don't pay close attention to what has been said or written.
There are no interesting or intelligent or funny dialogs. Nothing to distract you from MCs eating and dressing/undressing and sleeping in one bed.
For some reason I had a feeling that Trace is a "woman". The way he acted. And I don't really like it in a male character. Especially if he is suppose to be straight.
Anyway... I've been skipping some parts because I lost interest in the story. I hope others were more lucky and enjoyed it.
December 14, 2018
There's definitely something about this book and I think more than anything its the interaction between David and Trace. Even before the romance starts and its just the two of them as friends you can feel the chemistry and then that turns to attraction and finally a quite passionate love. It's sort of a slow burner but that's what makes it engaging. The love scenes are hot and sensual but it was watching these guys discovering their attraction to each other that was the best part. As a straight to gay story it works a lot better than most and I think that's because Trace doesn't act the way most protags do in the situation , he accepts that he's starting to feel differently to his friend over the period they are staying at Davids house and deals with it without any major angst or upset. A lovely feel good romance with lots of charm. I accidentally deleted this a while ago so repurchased . Read this at least three times for its feel good factor .
May 19, 2015
Perplexing I tried really hard to like this one but it just didn't happen. I usually enjoy gay-for-you stories. I was happy with the fact that they didn't just fall into bed at the drop of a hat. It's just ... well it was this slowest moving story I've read in a long time. I actually started laughing every time they woke up wrapped around each other.
SPOILER BELOW:
Trace was a puzzle.How does he handle having a relationship with a man? What happens when people/friends call him gay? They worked on opposing newspapers and it was a scandal them having dinner. So what's going to happen now that they're sleeping together?BTW, What does the title mean? I was completely perplexed.
SPOILER BELOW:
Trace was a puzzle.How does he handle having a relationship with a man? What happens when people/friends call him gay? They worked on opposing newspapers and it was a scandal them having dinner. So what's going to happen now that they're sleeping together?BTW, What does the title mean? I was completely perplexed.
August 28, 2011
This is the second-edition, with additional words. I don't know if it's "better" since I never read the first edition. HOWEVER, maybe I should. Because I definitely think that the story is stretched out a bit too much. Maybe the first edition is better because it will be succinct.
I like the progress from "straight-to-gay" that Trace experiences though. I mean, a number of GFY stories that I read sometimes jump a bit too fast on that matter. But David and Trace's relationship getting closer after several weeks. I like the secondary characters, including Mabel, Trace's cat that seems to favor David better *grin*.
It's nice but it does feel too long.
I like the progress from "straight-to-gay" that Trace experiences though. I mean, a number of GFY stories that I read sometimes jump a bit too fast on that matter. But David and Trace's relationship getting closer after several weeks. I like the secondary characters, including Mabel, Trace's cat that seems to favor David better *grin*.
It's nice but it does feel too long.
March 10, 2009
It was a great love story with some really touching moments and I would have given this a 4 except for the rapidly changing POV all the way through the book. This doesn't normally bother me, but 5 or 6 changes within a scene and I had to keep going back cause I lost my train of thought and didn't know who was saying or thinking what. I really confusd me a spoiled my enjoyment.
April 1, 2011
4.5 stars
I really loved this one. It was such a sweet, slow romance and you got to know the characters and their intentions before the romance started to happen. It also helped that the MCs were best friends before they became intimate. Not to mention one of them is actually straight. That is why I loved this because it wasn't a 'jump right in even though I'm straight' type of story but a 'let's take it easy so I can wrap my head around what's happening' type of one. It was just great.
There were, however, a few inconsistencies but it didn't deter me from loving the book, although at times the head hopping was slightly annoying.
This book is definitely one of my favorites. One I can re-read anytime and not get bored of it. Definitely recommended.
I really loved this one. It was such a sweet, slow romance and you got to know the characters and their intentions before the romance started to happen. It also helped that the MCs were best friends before they became intimate. Not to mention one of them is actually straight. That is why I loved this because it wasn't a 'jump right in even though I'm straight' type of story but a 'let's take it easy so I can wrap my head around what's happening' type of one. It was just great.
There were, however, a few inconsistencies but it didn't deter me from loving the book, although at times the head hopping was slightly annoying.
This book is definitely one of my favorites. One I can re-read anytime and not get bored of it. Definitely recommended.
December 26, 2014
Another one bites the dust. I'd heard good things about this book so I put it on my "must read asap" list and finally got around to it. I was expecting great things but was shocked when it was taking me a long time to even get past 15%. How do I sum this book up? One word: BORING.
I'm all for low angst books but they have to keep my attention. These guys are in their early 40s but they came across as early 30s to me. I don't think I got to know either of the guys very well. At least they got out of David's house for a little bit.
I guess nothing can beat Witness as the king of low angst for me.
I'm all for low angst books but they have to keep my attention. These guys are in their early 40s but they came across as early 30s to me. I don't think I got to know either of the guys very well. At least they got out of David's house for a little bit.
I guess nothing can beat Witness as the king of low angst for me.
January 9, 2017
La homoerótica es un geénero que no suelo leer mucho, pero este libro realmente me ha gustado. Si bien es cierto que no me gusta especialmente esa idea generalizada de que la sexualidad le cambia a uno de repente, como si fuera un gusto por la comida o un deseo pasajero... en esta historia he disfrutado bastante tanto del argumento, como de los personajes.
Es verdad que es difícil no querer a estos dos, pero es que además, el modo en que van sucediendo las cosas termina ayudando a que los veas con amor.
Recomendado para leer un buen relato de amor entre 2 hombres.
Es verdad que es difícil no querer a estos dos, pero es que además, el modo en que van sucediendo las cosas termina ayudando a que los veas con amor.
Recomendado para leer un buen relato de amor entre 2 hombres.
July 22, 2010
This book is so bad that I chucked it into the recycling bin. As if the whole "I'm not gay, just gay for you" premise wasn't vapid enough, its realization is utterly unconvincing. The characters are flat, and the plot is nonexistent. There is lots of drawn out unreleased sexual tension, foreplay, etc, but it's so hackneyed that it was boring me to tears.
June 7, 2012
This was very good friends-to-lovers kind of story with slow and convincing change in MC's relationship.
Want to read
January 5, 2015OMG! Another gift from someone! Thanks so much!!
May 29, 2020
I liked this book, but didn’t love it. My biggest problem with the book was Trace. The way he talked to David and acted around David seemed more like a woman. It just didn’t feel real to me. I can’t see a straight man acting the way he did around a friend. Especially when you consider the fact that he moved in with David before he knew David was gay. He also never seemed to be bothered by the fact that he cuddled up against David at night even before they started fooling around. What it does have going for it is it’s an easy read with low angst.
October 30, 2012
I found the men’s actions mostly unbelievable
Warning: This review might contain what some people consider SPOILERS.
Rating: 5/10
PROS:
- Most “Gay for You” stories move so quickly from normal friendship to love that I find them terribly unconvincing. I wasn’t ever convinced that Trace was straight, but his reactions toward David do move very gradually from friendly to sexual, which I liked.
- Aile and Urban do a good job of portraying David and Trace’s closeness by describing not only their thoughts about each other, but also their overall familiarity and comfort level when interacting.
- The physical relationship is a pretty long time coming. There’s quite a bit of buildup and tension before anything happens. And once the men finally get around to some intimacy in the bedroom, the sex scenes are drawn out and described in detail. They’re also tentative and tender.
CONS:
- A lot of the characters’ actions seemed unbelievable to me. I wondered repeatedly why a supposedly straight man would react to situations in the way that Trace does, and the entire episode that starts the story--David having a migraine--seemed unrealistic. I don’t believe that someone in the middle of a migraine would be up for teasing, showering, analyzing his friend’s appearance, or putting as much effort into conversing as David does.
- Scenes routinely jump back and forth from one character’s head to the other’s, which makes it a little difficult to keep up with the story sometimes. Especially if the two guys aren’t even near each other physically. In the first scene, for example, we see David lying in bed, then Trace driving along the highway, then David again, and then Trace from David’s perspective… It’s hard to tell whether you’re seeing what one man is actually feeling or the other guy’s IMPRESSION of what the first guy is feeling.
Overall comments: I didn’t hate this story, but I’ve already essentially forgotten it, just a week after having read it. I found the whole thing a little ridiculous: I couldn’t bring myself to take it seriously when the two men acted in ways that struck me as so unrealistic.
Warning: This review might contain what some people consider SPOILERS.
Rating: 5/10
PROS:
- Most “Gay for You” stories move so quickly from normal friendship to love that I find them terribly unconvincing. I wasn’t ever convinced that Trace was straight, but his reactions toward David do move very gradually from friendly to sexual, which I liked.
- Aile and Urban do a good job of portraying David and Trace’s closeness by describing not only their thoughts about each other, but also their overall familiarity and comfort level when interacting.
- The physical relationship is a pretty long time coming. There’s quite a bit of buildup and tension before anything happens. And once the men finally get around to some intimacy in the bedroom, the sex scenes are drawn out and described in detail. They’re also tentative and tender.
CONS:
- A lot of the characters’ actions seemed unbelievable to me. I wondered repeatedly why a supposedly straight man would react to situations in the way that Trace does, and the entire episode that starts the story--David having a migraine--seemed unrealistic. I don’t believe that someone in the middle of a migraine would be up for teasing, showering, analyzing his friend’s appearance, or putting as much effort into conversing as David does.
- Scenes routinely jump back and forth from one character’s head to the other’s, which makes it a little difficult to keep up with the story sometimes. Especially if the two guys aren’t even near each other physically. In the first scene, for example, we see David lying in bed, then Trace driving along the highway, then David again, and then Trace from David’s perspective… It’s hard to tell whether you’re seeing what one man is actually feeling or the other guy’s IMPRESSION of what the first guy is feeling.
Overall comments: I didn’t hate this story, but I’ve already essentially forgotten it, just a week after having read it. I found the whole thing a little ridiculous: I couldn’t bring myself to take it seriously when the two men acted in ways that struck me as so unrealistic.
February 13, 2010
This was one of the best M/M reads of 2009 for me! I can really recommend it. For a change it’s a book with no angst in it. The characters are well developed and the smexing is long anticipated but scorching hot when they finally get to it. The story is about two friends, one gay one straight. One of them breaks his shoulder and needs some help during his recovery. So his straight friend moves in with him. Because of the injury, the heroes share some very intimate moments and something starts to sizzle. I thought that the authors did a great job of making their feelings tangible and showing how lust and love developed steadily. This book is especially highly recommended to all my M/M virgin friends because of the new to gay sex hero who’s been lead into this wonderful experience by his kind and loving friend.
January 10, 2012
This one I read a while ago, but somehow I only gave ratings without any review. The blurb has said everything to be said about the plot.
I liked reading this book because:
- it's my favorite plot: friends to lovers
- The chemistry between the MCs
- the MCs are not young anymore for the m/m romance standard. As a result, when they want a relationship, it's believable that they'd last quite long.
- GFY, yes, but the development is quite slowly. Only when David got sick that he and Trace started to open up their feelings.
- The jealousy that David shows when his own friend tried to put a move on Trace during the card game is just funny.
- They work in same industry (newspaper) although for a different companies, so their sense of camaraderie is great.
One of my all-time favorite friends-to-lovers stories.
I liked reading this book because:
- it's my favorite plot: friends to lovers
- The chemistry between the MCs
- the MCs are not young anymore for the m/m romance standard. As a result, when they want a relationship, it's believable that they'd last quite long.
- GFY, yes, but the development is quite slowly. Only when David got sick that he and Trace started to open up their feelings.
- The jealousy that David shows when his own friend tried to put a move on Trace during the card game is just funny.
- They work in same industry (newspaper) although for a different companies, so their sense of camaraderie is great.
One of my all-time favorite friends-to-lovers stories.
January 8, 2012
The title of this book suggests a story line and a level of conflict that is just not there. Hell, there is barely a story line at all. No conflict. No plot. The title doesn't even make sense until the last line of the book and it's more like 'srsly'? The first half of the book is UST, the second is just sex. Someone should have told the responsible author to use a different word the other 32 times she used 'brunet' to describe one of the MCs. There's head hop hop hop hopping......
And you know what? Fuck all that. This one totally worked for me.
And you know what? Fuck all that. This one totally worked for me.
November 25, 2015
this was probably the one and only book I read in my language this year, one of the books I bought when I started reading mm stories and then forget to actually read. I'm so used to the English I usually don't like the translations. not in this case but I didn't have doubts cause the tranlator is the one who did Hot Head, the first mm I read, so I already knew he would be great. I liked the story, slow burn and friends to lovers, sweet too. well done!
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