By the Way

Lovesongs #1.5

by Megan Derr

Antoine and Wally have been best friends since college. They do everything together—work, play, relax, live. Minus the blight that is Wally's wife, and the unhappiness she brings him, their lives are grand.

But then Wally files for divorce, and his wife drops a bombshell he never expected, and Antoine realizes that the life he'd always imagine with the best friend he's always secretly loved has been taken away from him a second time.

By the Way is a side story to the novel The Missing Butterfly by Megan Derr.

Genres: M M Romance, Contemporary, Romance, Friends To Lovers, Short Stories, Contemporary Romance, LGBT

22 pages, ebook

First published March 1, 2010

About the author

Megan is a long time resident of queer romance and keeps herself busy reading and writing it. She is often accused of fluff and nonsense. When she’s not involved in writing, she likes to cook, harass her wife and cats, or watch movies. She loves to hear from readers and can be found all over the internet.

meganderr.com
patreon.com/meganderr
meganderr.blogspot.com
facebook.com/meganaprilderr
meganaderr@gmail.com
@meganaderr

Reviews

[Brooke · Rating 3 out of 5]

⭐️ 3 stars ⭐️

Funny, that he could tell Antoine everything else, but damned if he could walk up to the man and say it like he would everything else. Hey, player. What's playing today? By the way, I love you.

Yep. Should’ve read the reviews. Too short. Could’ve been a great friends to lovers, with both of them pining and in love for years, but it definitely felt like we skipped to the ending of their love story. A sweet ending, but does leave you feeling incomplete. Still, for a novella it was okay. (It is FTB, though, which makes me even more disappointed.)
Overall, happy to cross this off my tbr even if it wasn’t that great.

[Ami · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.25 stars

This side story of The Missing Butterfly tells the story of Antoine Osborne (Malcolm's brother) and his best friend of 15 years, Wallace "Wally" Burgundy. In "Missing Butterfly", we got hints that Antoine and Wally might have feeling for one another, and that Wally's marriage was on the rocks and he was getting a divorce. Here we find out the process.

It is a pretty good best friends to lovers short story. Everything is quite predictable, of course, since readers know that Antoine and Wally has been in love with each other for years -- only the characters don't know about it. The timeline is quite rushed, though. Still, it's a nice: Antoine and Wally finally get their HEA.

[Barbara➰ · Rating 3 out of 5]

Too short, too short, too short! I sound just like all the other reviews out there I guess but man did Derr miss a golden opportunity for a great friends to lovers book. I wanted their story so bad after reading book 1 but this was just too short to do them justice. I wanted the hot first time sex. I wanted them playing house finally. I wanted it all for them. But we get a watered down quickie with fade to black other than a hot kiss. I'm disappointed to say the least. I may or may not continue on with this series later on down the road.

[Deeze · Rating 4 out of 5]

Too Short Too Short Too Damn Short.

This deserved a full story. Wally and Antoine was a story I was looking forward to reading and I can't help feeling a little disappointed this was so short.

Saying that, I loved the chance to see them come together.

ETA Still too damn short but I love it just the same

ETA Yep still too short lol.

ETA As above

[Mandy*reads obsessively* · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wanted to read abut Antoine and Wally finally getting their much deserved HEA.
This was just a little too short and compact, I wanted a bit more from them, to really make me happy! *sigh* but it was sweet and I enjoyed it. I do wish there was better editing, missing words and wrong words did pull me out a time or two and they were too many for such a short story.

[Heather C · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was kinda cute. I would have really liked to see more of the romantic relationship develop between Antoine and Wally, so I think its just too short to tell their story after 15 years of secretly loving each other.

[L-D · Rating 3 out of 5]

This short had a ton of potential. I'm happy that Antoine and Wally finally had their story told, but this book was way too short. This easily could have been a full length novel. I almost feel like their HEA was cheated a little.

[Stacey Jo · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a super short (under 30 pages) story that gives us a little taste of Antoine and Wally. And believe me, once you read The Missing Butterfly, you are dying to know what, if anything, happens between these two. Wally is finally leaving his evil wife when she does drop a bombshell on him like the blurb says but it's something that makes Wally happy on the one hand, but on the other, could keep he and Antione apart, if they ever have a chance. He's right, Antione doesn't handle it well, but being long time BFFs, they find a sweet way to make amends. I REALLY REALLY hope that Ms. Derr gives us an actual book #2 with these guys.

I've now read this one at least four times if not more. I've lost count. It's short enough that it can easily be read in one sitting. When I want something that's absolutely sweet and warms every inch of me, this is my go-to story. I love it!

[vLadimiR · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 Stars

A sequel to The Missing Butterfly which features Antoine Osborne and Wallace Burgundy.

The story may be shorter than the first book but no less romantic. So why only 2.5 stars you ask? Well, this installment used the plot device of martyrdom in order to create conflict. Wherein both characters hid their feelings for each other which resulted in fifteen years of denial before they pulled their heads out of their assess. I mean, this method has been tried before and I'm just looking for something creative from contemporary authors now.

Like, what if Wally and Antoine were honest about their feelings from the start? What conflict can the author create that uses a different formula but still yield a Happily Ever After? So yeah, the story was enjoyable but I guess I'm just looking for something new nowadays.

[Shirley Frances · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was so looking forward to this story after reading The Missing Butterfly and I'm very glad that I was not disappointed. I wanted to kick Antoine's butt of course, but he ended up on my good side anyway. Just wish that it was a bit longer.

[Ro · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reviewed by Heartsonfirereviews.com

How lovely, a chance to revisit the family of Missing Butterfly!  This very short story (and oh how I wish it had been longer) consolidates the friendship of Mal's brother Antoine and his best friend Wally.  Wally is married to the wicked witch of the west, but is finally making the changes to be free of her, and maybe now Antoine will get to spend time with the man he secretly loves.  He's been a player for fifteen years, in pain over seeing Wally with someone else.  

Life just isn't that easy, however.  The wicked witch throws a major wrench into the plans, along with a job opportunity that Antoine thought would be a new beginning for the friends.  What can I say, I just love these guys.  I want a longer story, another story, more.  

[Anna · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wish this was longer, I'm sure it would've been amazing.

[Rozarka · Rating 5 out of 5]

Friends to lovers is slowly becoming my favorite trope, I guess.

[Alex is The Romance Fox · Rating 2 out of 5]

I must admit that I wasn't that “crazy” for Antoine (Malcolm’s foster brother) and Wally when introduced to them in The Missing Butterfly but I was curious to see where their so called “best friends” relationship would go.

There were a few things that I just did not “gel” with.

The way Wally treated his wife...yes perhaps she was a bit wicked but then it didn't seem like Wally was any better. So, she may have misled him at first but hey what about him!!! He spent more time with his friend Antoine – who just by the way was a bit of a “bitch” when any mention of her was made. It’s no wonder she played around and if though Wally did not…huh!!!!....maybe not in the physical sense but emotionally yes he did…..being in love all those years with Antoine.

IMO Wally was every bit as cruel and wicked by blackmailing his wife to give him a divorce in such a way that he would not have to part with his fortune….and then forces her to have another man’s child so he can take it away forever from her.

No that does not feel like a nice person. So what on earth does Antoine want this man I asked myself?

At times I just wanted to smack them!!!!! If you are so in love with each other, then say something. The whole angst just drove me crazy.

Maybe if the story had been a bit longer I might have warmed up to these two but before I blinked….I had arrived at the last page……..FIN.

Perhaps my next meeting with Antoine & Wally might change my feelings about them!!!!
So, it’s not exactly that I hated this story….I just wanted more of Cass & Mal!!!

[Pia · Rating 2 out of 5]

While I was glad to see Wally and Antoine getting their own story, it was simply too short to be drawn into it. Sure, there is history there and we knew some of it through The Missing Butterfly, but their past felt rushed through, and their coming together wasn't fully explored once they finally admitted their feelings to each other. I did like that Antoine took steps to make it work job-wise, but otherwise I didn't see enough to be confident in their Happily Ever After just yet. A child is a huge challenge, and this could be the perfect opening for their story to be explored in full.

[Karen K · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a great read but way too short. :( I loved reading about Antoine and Wally again and where their relationship headed after The Missing Butterfly (which I absolutely loved!). I'm glad Wally finally took a stand and felt my heart break when he found out his soon-to-be-ex was pregnant with someone else's child. How can you not love a man who wants to raise someone else's child on his own? And having Antoine step up and want to do it with him <-- that right there is love. Can I have some more of this series, please?

[Wendy❤Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wish I had read this book a little closer in time to when I finished the author’s original book in which these guys made an appearance. I had a little trouble remembering their early interactions, but quickly got refreshed on the gist of their relationship. I thoroughly enjoyed this friends to lovers short story and loved the whole scene that set this change into motion. Both guys did a bang up job of surprising the other in a big way. A very nice follow up to “The Missing Butterfly”!!!

[MsMiz (Tina) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lent - Kindle

Very cute short continuation of Wally and Antoine from The Missing Butterfly. Finally and about time;)

[Jess · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute little itty bitty short story. While I enjoyed reading it I couldnt help but wish the author made a full length story instead of a tiny snippet. There was so much potential here for more.

[Trisha Harrington · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved reading this, both characters were good and it was nice to get more insight into the relationship between Antoine and Wally. I hated the ex-wife, I really wanted to punch her. :)

[Kris · Rating 2 out of 5]

Just think I expected more from the story of these two characters. Maybe it was the way they and the conflict had been set up in 'Missing Butterfly'?? Dunno.

Stupid reader expectations.

[Jilrene · Rating 4 out of 5]

So sweet!

[Melissa Rae · Rating 3 out of 5]

So this was a nice, sweet and fast easy read that was a companion to the first book. It was the story of Antoine and Wally and their love that had been growing for fifteen years. This was a couple that intrigued me in the previous book, and when I saw they had their own (although short) story I knew I needed to dig my teeth into it. And honestly, I didn't hate it.

As always with novellas though, I really wish we could have gotten more. I really wanted to know more about this couples love story and their growth apart and together. There is that newly added addition to both their lives that does add a new unexpected obstacle to their relationship, and really I would have liked to see how they learned to navigate it together. I am also a sucker when it comes to these types of Best friends to lovers books, so I would've liked to know more about their shared past, especially after I found out that both men loved each other for fifteen years. I want to know why Wally ended up choosing his wife, and why Antoine didn't say something sooner.

I guess because it is a short story I shouldn't have expected too much, but this was lovely to read. I would have wanted more, but that's just me being a selfish reader that can never get enough.

[AllAboutThoseBooks · Rating 5 out of 5]

Contemporary Short Story

This is a short story, not a novella, which I wasn't expecting. It's contemporary, set mostly in the U.S. The two main characters are both affluent, the same age, and approximately the same size (I'm assuming, since they can both toss each other around). It ends on a solid HEA. It is not hurt/comfort.

One of the things I enjoy about Megan's writing is how good she is at crafting characters, and the short story format doesn't allow for as much of that. We still get a decent feeling for the characters, but not the depth of her longer works.

I recommend it if you're looking for a short piece to read before bedtime.

[Emilye · Rating 4 out of 5]

All The Way

Lovesongs1.5

Just a snippet of a story, longer than a moment, but shorter than a novella.

Antoine Osborne has a best friend - a married friend, Wallace “Wally” Burgundy. But, they have a complementary relationship that allows them to spend a lot of time together.

That changes when Wally finally gets a divorce from his social climbing wife, who cheats and shops like it’s an athletic competition. She didn’t expect him to have noticed.

Finding their way after a decade and a half as friends takes a bit of an adjustment, but rewards come with great effort.

[Maureen · Rating 3 out of 5]

A nice short story that quickly became obvious it followed a previous one, but, other than a brief mention of two names I didn't know, it didn't spoil my enjoyment. Heavy angst here as long time friends come to terms with sudden and great changes. Friends to lovers is one of my favorite tropes, this one although short, packed a punch. Speaking of punches, a few are thrown.

[Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved Mal and Cass, so I was excited to read anything else in this world. Wherever I thought Antoine and Wally's story was going, I was wrong. MD threw me for a few big loops in just 30 pages. Delightful.

[Sevvy · Rating 5 out of 5]

So cute jfc I loved this so much but I really wish it was longer... Hopefully we'll get more of that glorious little family at some point in the future !

[Dallie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Adorable, but too darn short. I was SO looking forward to their story.

[Kaye Draper · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute Story Needs Editing

I liked this little story of finally finding your place. But there were a LOT of typos/missing words. Still sweet, but could use a final proofread.