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More Than Make-Believe
When you fall for a fantasy, how do you know if it’s more than make-believe?
Travis, an unquestionably straight college student, finds himself in a financial bind. He’ll do anything legal—including going gay for pay—and spends a weekend as Craig Rocke, letting gay porn star Marston Cougar have his way with him on film. Marston tells him to remember it’s all just a fantasy for the camera, even though it sure feels like more.
Gary, also known as Marston Cougar, has a respectable day job. A straight guy, he started out making gay porn to pay his way through college. After getting his heart broken he has a no-dating rule. Now paired with “virgin” Craig Rocke, he finds it hard to keep it make-believe when he’s losing his heart.
Gary’s young niece needs surgery, and he almost has enough money to quit for good. But now that he feels a true connection with his fantasy co-star, will he be able to find a happily ever after with him when it’s more than make-believe?
Content Warning: Graphic language, sensual and explicit scenes of m/m sexuality including oral sex, anal sex/play, sex toys, public exhibition, group sex, and public sex. Contains a modern fairy tale, hot manlove, movie magic, flipped perceptions, and a cranky three year-old who really wants her pizza.
Travis, an unquestionably straight college student, finds himself in a financial bind. He’ll do anything legal—including going gay for pay—and spends a weekend as Craig Rocke, letting gay porn star Marston Cougar have his way with him on film. Marston tells him to remember it’s all just a fantasy for the camera, even though it sure feels like more.
Gary, also known as Marston Cougar, has a respectable day job. A straight guy, he started out making gay porn to pay his way through college. After getting his heart broken he has a no-dating rule. Now paired with “virgin” Craig Rocke, he finds it hard to keep it make-believe when he’s losing his heart.
Gary’s young niece needs surgery, and he almost has enough money to quit for good. But now that he feels a true connection with his fantasy co-star, will he be able to find a happily ever after with him when it’s more than make-believe?
Content Warning: Graphic language, sensual and explicit scenes of m/m sexuality including oral sex, anal sex/play, sex toys, public exhibition, group sex, and public sex. Contains a modern fairy tale, hot manlove, movie magic, flipped perceptions, and a cranky three year-old who really wants her pizza.
116 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 31, 2010
16 people are currently reading
1117 people want to read
About the author
Tymber Dalton
254 books1,935 followersAuthor Lesli Richardson, who is better-known by her more prolific wild-child Tymber Dalton pen name, lives in the Tampa Bay region of Florida with too many pets of various species. Other pen names of hers include PT Long, Calliope Clockwork, Ravyn Wolf, and Zoe Park. She writes in a wide variety of heat levels and genres, from mainstream sci-fi all the way to scorching ménage.
The USA Today Bestselling Author (as Tymber) and two-time EPIC award winner is a part-time Viking shield-maiden in training who loves to sing karaoke and play D&D with her friends. She’s also the author of over 250 books and counting, including The Reluctant Dom, Cross Country Chaos, Her Vampire Obsession, the Bleacke Shifters series, the Governor Trilogy series, and many others.
She lives in her own little world, but it’s okay—they all know her there.
She loves to hear from readers! Please feel free to drop by her website and sign up for her newsletter to keep abreast of the latest news, snarkage, and releases. Honest reviews are always welcomed. They help with a book’s visibility and can boost its placement on book retailer sites. Even a few lines about what you felt reading the book will help. Thank you so much, it’s greatly appreciated!
The USA Today Bestselling Author (as Tymber) and two-time EPIC award winner is a part-time Viking shield-maiden in training who loves to sing karaoke and play D&D with her friends. She’s also the author of over 250 books and counting, including The Reluctant Dom, Cross Country Chaos, Her Vampire Obsession, the Bleacke Shifters series, the Governor Trilogy series, and many others.
She lives in her own little world, but it’s okay—they all know her there.
She loves to hear from readers! Please feel free to drop by her website and sign up for her newsletter to keep abreast of the latest news, snarkage, and releases. Honest reviews are always welcomed. They help with a book’s visibility and can boost its placement on book retailer sites. Even a few lines about what you felt reading the book will help. Thank you so much, it’s greatly appreciated!
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 207 reviews
March 29, 2013
2.5 stars
Holy fluffy drama, Batman! Most of the time, this book bordered on the ridiculous, but for the life of me I couldn't stop reading.
It features a porn star who, by day, is a university professor—and a Doctor of Philosophy at that. He also has a heart of gold, since he's in the business only because he needs the money to pay his three-year-old niece's medical bills; she has this rare heart condition and she needs major surgery. Also, before that, he took his younger sister under his wing when their catholic parents disowned her for daring to get pregnant out of wedlock and her scumbag of a husband ended up in prison for drug trafficking (or something equally dramatic, I don't remember.) Heart of gold, I tell you!
There's also this straight guy, a university student whose evil step-mother convinces his father to stop helping him out financially and he ends up agreeing to make a gay porno movie, bottoming for the first time in his life, for said porn star, whom he knows nothing about, yet he enjoys himself immensely and manages to fall head over heels for him, too.
Did I mention the porn star falls for the student as well? He does! But is it real or is it because the rookie is the spitting image of Billie, the guy who broke the porn star's heart into a million pieces six years ago? That is the question, my friends!
Should I go on? *raises eyebrows*
Holy fluffy drama, Batman! Most of the time, this book bordered on the ridiculous, but for the life of me I couldn't stop reading.
It features a porn star who, by day, is a university professor—and a Doctor of Philosophy at that. He also has a heart of gold, since he's in the business only because he needs the money to pay his three-year-old niece's medical bills; she has this rare heart condition and she needs major surgery. Also, before that, he took his younger sister under his wing when their catholic parents disowned her for daring to get pregnant out of wedlock and her scumbag of a husband ended up in prison for drug trafficking (or something equally dramatic, I don't remember.) Heart of gold, I tell you!
There's also this straight guy, a university student whose evil step-mother convinces his father to stop helping him out financially and he ends up agreeing to make a gay porno movie, bottoming for the first time in his life, for said porn star, whom he knows nothing about, yet he enjoys himself immensely and manages to fall head over heels for him, too.
Did I mention the porn star falls for the student as well? He does! But is it real or is it because the rookie is the spitting image of Billie, the guy who broke the porn star's heart into a million pieces six years ago? That is the question, my friends!
Should I go on? *raises eyebrows*
May 12, 2016
3,5 "Gay for Pay" stars ....gotta love it ;)
This is a short sweet and very sexy little story about two men finding love on a pornset. It's not very deep (lol) and detailed and there is just a little bit of background on the characters. I'ts also quite heavy on the insta-love, but in this case I didn't mind it too much.
Travis is a student, who has been financially cut of by his father. This leaves him with some money issues and after reading an add, he decides to give "gay for pay" a chance. Travis has always been straight, but since he doesn't have a girlfriend and the idea of being with a man doesn't digust him, he fugures...why the hell not. He changes his name to Craig Rocke and he's ready to go. On set, he meets his very first co-star, Marsten Cougar.
Gary is a college professor by week and a pornstar once a month. He's been doing gay porn for some time now and is well known under the name Marston Cougar. Gary has been doing porn, to pay for his sister, who he has been taking care of, ever since she was kicked out by their parents, because she got pregnant. He has been paying for her education, but he is also trying to raise enough money, because her now 5 year old daughter needs a heartsurgeory. His sister and his niece are his everthing, so it only makes sence that he's willing to do everything to help them...
Gary started out as a gay for pay guy, but after all these years of fucking men, he doesn't consider himself straight or gay for pay anymore. He's very carefull on set and has a ferm rule about dating co-stars. He already got hurt once and isn't willing to go through something like that again.
But then he meets his new co-star and all bets are off !!
Like I said, this was a case of extreme insta-love...but it made for some very hot scenes !!
3,5 stars from me. I liked it, but I would have likes it better as a full novell instead of short story. I liked the characters and wanted to know more about them...I wanted the two of them to connect on something more than just sex....But hey, you don't always get what you want ;)
Thanks again Susan for the hot rec !!! xoxo
This is a short sweet and very sexy little story about two men finding love on a pornset. It's not very deep (lol) and detailed and there is just a little bit of background on the characters. I'ts also quite heavy on the insta-love, but in this case I didn't mind it too much.
Travis is a student, who has been financially cut of by his father. This leaves him with some money issues and after reading an add, he decides to give "gay for pay" a chance. Travis has always been straight, but since he doesn't have a girlfriend and the idea of being with a man doesn't digust him, he fugures...why the hell not. He changes his name to Craig Rocke and he's ready to go. On set, he meets his very first co-star, Marsten Cougar.
Gary is a college professor by week and a pornstar once a month. He's been doing gay porn for some time now and is well known under the name Marston Cougar. Gary has been doing porn, to pay for his sister, who he has been taking care of, ever since she was kicked out by their parents, because she got pregnant. He has been paying for her education, but he is also trying to raise enough money, because her now 5 year old daughter needs a heartsurgeory. His sister and his niece are his everthing, so it only makes sence that he's willing to do everything to help them...
Gary started out as a gay for pay guy, but after all these years of fucking men, he doesn't consider himself straight or gay for pay anymore. He's very carefull on set and has a ferm rule about dating co-stars. He already got hurt once and isn't willing to go through something like that again.
But then he meets his new co-star and all bets are off !!
Like I said, this was a case of extreme insta-love...but it made for some very hot scenes !!
3,5 stars from me. I liked it, but I would have likes it better as a full novell instead of short story. I liked the characters and wanted to know more about them...I wanted the two of them to connect on something more than just sex....But hey, you don't always get what you want ;)
Thanks again Susan for the hot rec !!! xoxo
September 30, 2013
One of those GFY stories that's so far fetched it should make you roll your eyes in exasperation but the characters of the two main MC's are so endearing and engaging that they make you put that to one side, so that you can just settle back and enjoy this sizzling hot but also very sweet and romantic love story set in the world of gay porn.
To cut a long story short it starts like most 'straight guys turning to porn' stories with Travis being so strapped for cash that the only quick option is to answer an ad asking for ' models'. Of course he finds out soon enough that this is actually gay porn but the lure of quick and large amounts of cash proves too much to refuse, so he agrees and is paired with Marston Cougar, the company's lead actor who also has a very valid and poignant reason for his extra curricular career choice.
There's no guessing what happens between these two guys and its nothing that hasn't been done before but its the way its done that lifts it above the norm. Watching them connect and finally fall in love despite the fact that Marston is getting jaded with the lifestyle and wary of giving his heart to anyone because of a past heartbreak, is all part of books charm. The chemistry is great, the sex is hot and the growing romance is just lovely. Considering the porn aspect, it's sexy but tasteful and the backstory of Marston makes him a very real and likeable character. The same goes for Travis or Craig Rocke as he becomes known as. There's the requisite misunderstanding at the end but again its just enough to lead you into the satisfying HEA and epilogue that finishes it off just right.
Very enjoyable, and one I know I'd be happy to pick up and read again just for its feel good factor. Keeper.
To cut a long story short it starts like most 'straight guys turning to porn' stories with Travis being so strapped for cash that the only quick option is to answer an ad asking for ' models'. Of course he finds out soon enough that this is actually gay porn but the lure of quick and large amounts of cash proves too much to refuse, so he agrees and is paired with Marston Cougar, the company's lead actor who also has a very valid and poignant reason for his extra curricular career choice.
There's no guessing what happens between these two guys and its nothing that hasn't been done before but its the way its done that lifts it above the norm. Watching them connect and finally fall in love despite the fact that Marston is getting jaded with the lifestyle and wary of giving his heart to anyone because of a past heartbreak, is all part of books charm. The chemistry is great, the sex is hot and the growing romance is just lovely. Considering the porn aspect, it's sexy but tasteful and the backstory of Marston makes him a very real and likeable character. The same goes for Travis or Craig Rocke as he becomes known as. There's the requisite misunderstanding at the end but again its just enough to lead you into the satisfying HEA and epilogue that finishes it off just right.
Very enjoyable, and one I know I'd be happy to pick up and read again just for its feel good factor. Keeper.
June 28, 2015
3.75 Stars
March 19, 2024
You know what? It was cute. I giggled and kicked my feet at some parts of it, and the author did a good job with pace and plot, for so few pages. It’s a high 3.
August 4, 2019
Spoiler Ahead This was a pretty good gay for pay read. Travis Collins, a straight college student, finds himself in a financial bind. He'll do anything legal, including going gay for pay and spending a weekend as "Craig Rocke," with gay porn star Marston Cougar aka Gary Carmeletti. Marston tells him to remember it's all fantasy for the camera even though it feels like more. Gary also paid his way through college by making porn and he is ready to quit but his niece needs surgery and he almost has enough money. I love reading Tymber's books although this was a different one for me I am use to reading her BDSM books. I liked both of the character's in this book and the sex scenes were hot. This was a well written book with no errors in spelling or grammar like all of Tymber's books
September 30, 2011
Fairy-tale like, predictable, unrealistic, sweet, light fun and sexy even with the porn setting. I really liked it! My heart broke when I searched to see what else this author has written. Ms. Dalton, please, you need to allow your boys to come out and play more often by themselves.
June 25, 2015
3.5 stars
Sweet and sexy gay-for-pay turns gay-for-you love story.
Nothing like frank honesty when you're talking porn:
There's ups and downs and not just penises. Dalton delivers an emotional and salacious read.
Sweet and sexy gay-for-pay turns gay-for-you love story.
Nothing like frank honesty when you're talking porn:
“If you weren’t into guys, how did you get into doing this full-time?”Both leads need cash for their own separate reasons. Both try to keep it strictly professional. Both fail, not so miserably.
He smiled, an easy, open expression. “I kept picturing Ben Franklins. That man’s face can get me hard.”
There's ups and downs and not just penises. Dalton delivers an emotional and salacious read.
August 5, 2013
OMG, this book made me feel happy and so unbelievably hot at the same time!
I never expected to find so much romance in the story, but Tymber Dalton stroked my heart as well as Gary stroked Marston's . . . you know what. :) and did it so well!!!
Through them we are given a heartfelt love. The story ending just blew me away with its simple romance.
Overall, I really enjoyed and would read more from this author.
I never expected to find so much romance in the story, but Tymber Dalton stroked my heart as well as Gary stroked Marston's . . . you know what. :) and did it so well!!!
Through them we are given a heartfelt love. The story ending just blew me away with its simple romance.
Overall, I really enjoyed and would read more from this author.
November 10, 2011
Porn. Doctors. Marker tats. Shaggy surfer hair. Kid with a medical condition. Sweet. Hot. Go for it.
May 1, 2010
mm in not normally a genre that I read, but after recently reading LSfT Beginnings (5 stars for me!), I wanted to try this one. It was another winner by Ms. Dalton!! It seems like no matter what she writes I like it =) Yes, it is steamy hot, but there's a story and a real connection between Travis and Gary.
April 16, 2016
Wheweee! This one was a SCORCHER. I must say that if you are uncomfortable with M/M then this book is not for you. This book was so well written that I actually felt like I was standing in the room while these two HOT men got it on. I really could feel the passion these two developed as the story was being told and as they fell in love.
April 17, 2015
Gay-for-Pay...sign me up! :P
Quick & Hot read...some angst & romance rolled into a nice afternoon read. If you're looking for 'believable' you should probs look elsewhere but if you don't mind something a bit 'stretched' then this could be the winner for you!
Quick & Hot read...some angst & romance rolled into a nice afternoon read. If you're looking for 'believable' you should probs look elsewhere but if you don't mind something a bit 'stretched' then this could be the winner for you!
November 5, 2011
Not something I would usually read, but when Bubbles told me "Almost all sex but I really liked it", I had to check it out! It turned out to be sweet and HOT and I really liked it, too.
Read
February 1, 2014hehehehe...porn. :D
July 5, 2012
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It was sweet, interesting, easy to read and I literally flew through it, wanting to see what would happen.
I liked the concept, two guys in the adult movie biz to make money to help them with their respective money related needs - pretty true. Travis/Craig and Gary/Marston are sexy, nice, good to watch getting together, developing feelings along the way. Not much drama, just a little speed hump towards the end that only added a little bit of tension.
More The Make-Believe had a good plot, endearing characters, excellent sex - let's face it, it's two guys making porn - dirty talk, and some fantasy all rolled into a neat, concise, well written, erotic package. All this topped off by an epilogue that let's you know how they've progressed. Tymber Dalton never lets you down. Hot stuff!!
Slight variation on review -
Review also posted here
I liked the concept, two guys in the adult movie biz to make money to help them with their respective money related needs - pretty true. Travis/Craig and Gary/Marston are sexy, nice, good to watch getting together, developing feelings along the way. Not much drama, just a little speed hump towards the end that only added a little bit of tension.
More The Make-Believe had a good plot, endearing characters, excellent sex - let's face it, it's two guys making porn - dirty talk, and some fantasy all rolled into a neat, concise, well written, erotic package. All this topped off by an epilogue that let's you know how they've progressed. Tymber Dalton never lets you down. Hot stuff!!
Slight variation on review -
Review also posted here
January 12, 2012
I LOVED this book!!!!! So sweet and sexy and just downright romantic, it had me grinning from beginning to end.
If this is still on your to-be-read shelf...you are missing out on a pitch perfect love story!
Read it now...you won't be disappointed:)
If this is still on your to-be-read shelf...you are missing out on a pitch perfect love story!
Read it now...you won't be disappointed:)
February 1, 2014
Super hot and smutty, but also sweet and emotional, this book requires a significant suspension of disbelief. That said, I enjoyed it for what it was: fantasy/make-believe in the form a sweet PWP. 3.5 stars.
Want to read
November 11, 2015Thanks so much, Secret Santa!!
August 1, 2013
I enjoyed this book a lot... handsome characters, hot and steamy sex (lots of it, actually)... it was a short but a good read. I wonder if that's what really happens on porn movies...
October 23, 2015
This was a nice uncomplicated story. Not a lot of depth or realism, but hey sometimes you just want to sit back and enjoy (and did I mention lots of sex! ;) ).
Travis is a 21 year old straight engineering student who is looking for a way to make more money to pay for school. He responds to an add with the idea to perhaps do some modeling. He gets asked to do a lot more than just model.. He gets asked to act in a few porn movies... gay porn to be exact. For one weekend and just with one guy.
That is when he meets Gary, or should I say Marston Cougar. Gay porn star for one weekend a month. These two hit it off and screw each others brains out on camera for an entire weekend. After that Travis gets asked if he would do a two week shoot with Marston. They both jump to the chance to spend more time together. And again, they screw each other senseless for two weeks. They both find out it is not just make-believe for them and Travis is wondering if there ever will be a future for them together..
Yes yes yes, I know there are so many things wrong with this book I don't even know where to begin. Yes, Travis was straight and jumps to the chance to be a little gay for pay way too easily. Yes, he falls for Gary and accepts that he apparently is gay in an instant. Yes, there are a lot of other things that are not that realistic in the porn industry (I presume, it is not as if I have a whole lot of experience in that area ;) ). Yes, the book is very short and lacks depth or a lot of character development.
But... I DON'T CARE! I totally enjoyed this one. It was just simple and fun. And of course... lots and lots of sex.. Although I was a bit disappointed that we never get sex off camera... It's all about the porn in this one...
Travis is a 21 year old straight engineering student who is looking for a way to make more money to pay for school. He responds to an add with the idea to perhaps do some modeling. He gets asked to do a lot more than just model.. He gets asked to act in a few porn movies... gay porn to be exact. For one weekend and just with one guy.
That is when he meets Gary, or should I say Marston Cougar. Gay porn star for one weekend a month. These two hit it off and screw each others brains out on camera for an entire weekend. After that Travis gets asked if he would do a two week shoot with Marston. They both jump to the chance to spend more time together. And again, they screw each other senseless for two weeks. They both find out it is not just make-believe for them and Travis is wondering if there ever will be a future for them together..
Yes yes yes, I know there are so many things wrong with this book I don't even know where to begin. Yes, Travis was straight and jumps to the chance to be a little gay for pay way too easily. Yes, he falls for Gary and accepts that he apparently is gay in an instant. Yes, there are a lot of other things that are not that realistic in the porn industry (I presume, it is not as if I have a whole lot of experience in that area ;) ). Yes, the book is very short and lacks depth or a lot of character development.
But... I DON'T CARE! I totally enjoyed this one. It was just simple and fun. And of course... lots and lots of sex.. Although I was a bit disappointed that we never get sex off camera... It's all about the porn in this one...
December 22, 2014
★★★☆ rounded up to ★★★★
I must have been in my happy place when I read this for the second time today because I was much more forgiving than last time ... my original review still stands but this was worthy fluff so I upped my rating to reflect my enjoyment ... (this review still stands after multiple readings now)
Original review...
★★★☆ rounded down to ★★★
This was a sweet tale of insta-love between two men who are working in the porn industry to earn extra cash. It was a nice but shallow story which would have been much better if Dalton had developed the background of the 2 protagonists. There were tantalising glimpses of their back stories but not enough to satisfy. I also found the weepy-ness of the MC's a tad WTF-ery. More Than Make-Believe is fairy-tale-ish and predictable but a pleasant read none the less.
I must have been in my happy place when I read this for the second time today because I was much more forgiving than last time ... my original review still stands but this was worthy fluff so I upped my rating to reflect my enjoyment ... (this review still stands after multiple readings now)
Original review...
★★★☆ rounded down to ★★★
This was a sweet tale of insta-love between two men who are working in the porn industry to earn extra cash. It was a nice but shallow story which would have been much better if Dalton had developed the background of the 2 protagonists. There were tantalising glimpses of their back stories but not enough to satisfy. I also found the weepy-ness of the MC's a tad WTF-ery. More Than Make-Believe is fairy-tale-ish and predictable but a pleasant read none the less.
November 9, 2010
This one had just the right amount of sweet and hot for me. The romantic flare in the porn industry was a lovely touch and I could actually visualize the two of them whispering on the set while they tried for a convincing performance even when they wanted so much more.
I guess there is a certain 'realistic' note in it that I love. So glad I stumbled onto this read.
I guess there is a certain 'realistic' note in it that I love. So glad I stumbled onto this read.
May 26, 2012
Love can be found in unexpected places. It can also sneak up on you when you least expect it to. "Craig" and "marsdon" find out that the lines between make believe and reality are only as thick as you want them to be.
January 4, 2014
I shouldn't rate it more than 3 stars-but darn it I so enjoyed reading it-so 4 stars!
November 5, 2011
I really like this story.
January 10, 2012
Usually porn and romance are two words that typically don't go together. I had no expectation that this book was going to be a sweet romance, so this was a pleasant surprise.
Travis is a student that has been cut off financially from his father. In order to make rent, while taking classes and working 2 jobs, he answers an ad for a "male model". He finds out quickly that it's not really models that the ad is looking for, but men willing to get naked or nekkid in front of the camera. Travis can make more money depending on how far he is willing to go in this industry. Travis is not gay, but the price is right and he signs up for more than I would think a first timer would be comfortable with. But I don't judge! To each their own ;)
Travis agrees to spend the weekend in front of cameras and give his "virginity" to Marsden Cougar, a big-time porn star. Marsden has his own personal reasons for being in this industry, but neither men predicted the attraction and feelings that blossom during the weekend shoot.
I honestly can't believe I read a book set in a porn house, and *sighed* happily at the romance between these two porn stars. I know, what's wrong with this picture, right? Frankly - nothing is wrong with it. It was fun and romantic with lots of steamy sex scenes. The sex didn't seem too "porntastic" - with the connection between the men, it became more loving and affectionate than either man (or I) anticipated.
A fun and tasty read. Not too deep or too angsty.
Travis is a student that has been cut off financially from his father. In order to make rent, while taking classes and working 2 jobs, he answers an ad for a "male model". He finds out quickly that it's not really models that the ad is looking for, but men willing to get naked or nekkid in front of the camera. Travis can make more money depending on how far he is willing to go in this industry. Travis is not gay, but the price is right and he signs up for more than I would think a first timer would be comfortable with. But I don't judge! To each their own ;)
Travis agrees to spend the weekend in front of cameras and give his "virginity" to Marsden Cougar, a big-time porn star. Marsden has his own personal reasons for being in this industry, but neither men predicted the attraction and feelings that blossom during the weekend shoot.
I honestly can't believe I read a book set in a porn house, and *sighed* happily at the romance between these two porn stars. I know, what's wrong with this picture, right? Frankly - nothing is wrong with it. It was fun and romantic with lots of steamy sex scenes. The sex didn't seem too "porntastic" - with the connection between the men, it became more loving and affectionate than either man (or I) anticipated.
A fun and tasty read. Not too deep or too angsty.
July 11, 2013
GFY MM romance involving a pornstar/professor and a student.
Travis needs money, because his dad and stepmother have stopped paying his rent. The cheating stepmother storyline sounded interesting and I wish it had been developed further. Anyway, Travis decides to try gay-for-pay to supplement his income.
For his first film, Travis is paired with the star of a porn website, Gary. Gary is much older than Travis, his speciality is straight "ass virgins"….preferably bareback. He is a veteran of the porn industry, but currently works part-time, because he has a respectable day job, which unfortunately does not pay well. Gary also has a sick niece he needs to take care of….……you get the picture...
This is one of those short stories where not enough information is provided on the characters to enable a connection. One minute the character's are having sex for the cameras, don't even know each other's real names (the MCs spent most of the story referring to each other by their fake names - Craig Rocke (Travis) and Marston Cougar (Gary)), and the next minute we are supposed to believe they are in love….even as both MCs claimed to begay straight. There were pages and pages devoted to describing the mansion where the porn movie was being filmed, whilst what I would consider important information about the MCs was not provided.
TD is generally considered one of the better MM authors, so I am still a bit stunned at this poorly crafted story…it definitely was not more than make believe… >_<
Travis needs money, because his dad and stepmother have stopped paying his rent. The cheating stepmother storyline sounded interesting and I wish it had been developed further. Anyway, Travis decides to try gay-for-pay to supplement his income.
For his first film, Travis is paired with the star of a porn website, Gary. Gary is much older than Travis, his speciality is straight "ass virgins"….preferably bareback. He is a veteran of the porn industry, but currently works part-time, because he has a respectable day job, which unfortunately does not pay well. Gary also has a sick niece he needs to take care of….……you get the picture...
This is one of those short stories where not enough information is provided on the characters to enable a connection. One minute the character's are having sex for the cameras, don't even know each other's real names (the MCs spent most of the story referring to each other by their fake names - Craig Rocke (Travis) and Marston Cougar (Gary)), and the next minute we are supposed to believe they are in love….even as both MCs claimed to be
TD is generally considered one of the better MM authors, so I am still a bit stunned at this poorly crafted story…it definitely was not more than make believe… >_<
January 6, 2012
It was an okay read. The title is apt given that it feels like a fairy tale in a contemporary setting; the handsome prince is replaced by a gay porn star, "love at first sight" is replaced by love at first f**k. It was charming, actually. Even with all the hot sex going on there was still something almost cute about the story itself; I wish there was a way to give it another half star just for that.
It is very formulaic though, and predictable for that. Two men find each other under circumstances that aren't the best, fall in love nearly immediately, lose each other due to a misunderstanding, and find each other again due to coincidence. Cue reconciliation and happily ever after. One of the oldest stories out there and while it works for this short tale, there's nothing new done with it, nothing to give it any real depth.
And then there was the lisping kid. Oh dear god. I knocked off a star for that alone. Why, when people write kids, do they so often make them lisp? Newsflash: unless there's an underlying medical problem or lax parenting involved, kids don't constantly lisp. Reading a kid doing that is teeth-grindingly annoying. I ended up skipping over all the kid's dialogue because of that mess.
Overall, the flaws and the good points are about equal. It's not a stand-out, spectacular story, but nor is it a mind-numbingly boring waste of time. It's a cute, quick read, but nothing that will stick with you for long.
It is very formulaic though, and predictable for that. Two men find each other under circumstances that aren't the best, fall in love nearly immediately, lose each other due to a misunderstanding, and find each other again due to coincidence. Cue reconciliation and happily ever after. One of the oldest stories out there and while it works for this short tale, there's nothing new done with it, nothing to give it any real depth.
And then there was the lisping kid. Oh dear god. I knocked off a star for that alone. Why, when people write kids, do they so often make them lisp? Newsflash: unless there's an underlying medical problem or lax parenting involved, kids don't constantly lisp. Reading a kid doing that is teeth-grindingly annoying. I ended up skipping over all the kid's dialogue because of that mess.
Overall, the flaws and the good points are about equal. It's not a stand-out, spectacular story, but nor is it a mind-numbingly boring waste of time. It's a cute, quick read, but nothing that will stick with you for long.
August 13, 2013
3.5 Stars
Travis is a straight and straight-A college student who finds himself in a financial bind after his dad cuts him off. Travis is already working two part-time jobs and going to school full-time. Something has got to give. He decides to go gay for pay and meets Marston Cougar, porn star extraordinaire. Marston (aka Dr. Gary Carmeletti, Professor of Philosophy) wants to get out of the biz. Two more gigs and he'll have enough money for his young niece's surgery, then he plans to quit for good. Except ... he feels a real connection with his fantasy co-star ... so much so that he's thinking of breaking his long-standing no-dating rule. As Travis and Gary navigate their way, they must determine what's real and what's just make believe.
I liked this story and really enjoyed both MCs. The story moved so quickly at times, however, that I felt we got short-changed. I would've welcomed the opportunity to see things develop between Gary and Travis. Instead, this was insta-love turned insta-angst, which was instantly resolved. *sigh* That was what was most disappointing for me: the resolution at the end. It felt so rushed and I - for one - didn't buy it. I was pissed for Travis.
On a positive note ... this book was hot, hot, hot! Steamy, smokin' hot! Well, whatta ya expect? It takes places on a porn set.
Bottom-line: Wonderful characters but the story was too rushed.
Travis is a straight and straight-A college student who finds himself in a financial bind after his dad cuts him off. Travis is already working two part-time jobs and going to school full-time. Something has got to give. He decides to go gay for pay and meets Marston Cougar, porn star extraordinaire. Marston (aka Dr. Gary Carmeletti, Professor of Philosophy) wants to get out of the biz. Two more gigs and he'll have enough money for his young niece's surgery, then he plans to quit for good. Except ... he feels a real connection with his fantasy co-star ... so much so that he's thinking of breaking his long-standing no-dating rule. As Travis and Gary navigate their way, they must determine what's real and what's just make believe.
I liked this story and really enjoyed both MCs. The story moved so quickly at times, however, that I felt we got short-changed. I would've welcomed the opportunity to see things develop between Gary and Travis. Instead, this was insta-love turned insta-angst, which was instantly resolved. *sigh* That was what was most disappointing for me: the resolution at the end. It felt so rushed and I - for one - didn't buy it. I was pissed for Travis.
On a positive note ... this book was hot, hot, hot! Steamy, smokin' hot! Well, whatta ya expect? It takes places on a porn set.
Bottom-line: Wonderful characters but the story was too rushed.
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