Love Has No Boundaries – Fabulous & FREE m/m short stories – PART I
What Is Love Has No Boundaries?
The Goodreads M/M Romance group have run a number of events where we are lucky enough to get to read a collection of free m/m short stories, novellas and novels written by the group’s authors. Previous collections include Don’t Read In The Closet, Hot Summer Days (2011) and Love is Always Write (2012). This year’s collection is Love Has No Boundaries.
Group members were asked to write a story prompt inspired by a photo of their choice. Authors of the group selected a photo and prompt that spoke to them and wrote a short story.
Stories covered in this review are:
- Playing for Keeps by Lexi Ander
- The Idiots’ Tango by B. Snow
- Lost Time by Parker Williams
Playing for Keeps by Lexi Ander
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
The Blurb…
College running back, Trent Harte, has been living with his lovers, AJ Barnes and Brock Everett, for two years. Caught in a compromising position, rumors abound. It’s hard enough to be an openly gay football player, but gossip and snide comments only adds to his stress. Threats against his partners causes Trent wonder if he should step back from the relationship.
AJ and Brock knows there is something wrong when Trent begins to pull away. A call from Trent’s father only adds to the distress. AJ and Brock refuse to let him shoulder the responsibility alone and they call for help. Will Trent find the strength to withstand the pressure and hold on to those he loves? Or will AJ and Brock be too late to convince Trent that they are playing for keeps?
So what did I think?
The thing I like most about this story was the focus on the depth of love in the menage relationship, not the sex. The three men – Trent, Brock and AJ – obviously care so much about each other, willing to sacrifice their individual dreams, if necessary, to be together.
These are strong men but they are not afraid to express their emotions and take a stand – all for one and one for all!
The story is engaging, the emotions strong, the sex hot and the ending happy.
The only minor niggle I had was the repetitive reference to Trent as ‘their running back’ or ‘the running back’. I got it – he was a running back! Well, maybe I didn’t really get it because I don’t actually know what a running back is but I am sure you know what I mean! The same with AJ who kept being referred to a ‘the former marine’, ‘their Marine’. To me it just doesn’t seem natural to be referring to people by their occupation or former occupation.
Overall, I feel very spoilt, being provided with a long and quality short story for free. Thanks Lexi!
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
The story prompt…
Dear Author,
My two men can’t STAND each other. It’s not a general dislike and it’s not a case where they can avoid each other. Unfortunately, they share a circle of friends and family.
They met when they were in high school and there seemed to be a bit of attraction despite their vast differences, but something happened and they are at each other’s throats. Verbal throw-downs, the occasional thrown punch has happened at more than a few shared get togethers.
Dear Author, how can two men who can’t stand each other come to realize that the other man is the one person they can’t and don’t want to live without?
So what did I think?
I loved this story! It was a wonderful journey, spanning many years, from Josh and Stu’s first meeting and kiss that triggers it all.
Josh and Stu don’t see a lot of each other during this time but when they do, sparks fly – usually as they are annoying each other or fighting. Things never end well!
We follow Josh through his career as a professional rugby player and experience all the joys and sorrows of his family life from funerals to weddings, all of which seem to be intertwined with Stu’s family as Josh and Stu’s sisters are best friends.
The final scenes are brilliant – Josh and Stu finally get it together and (view spoiler). There’s tension and stupidity, some sadness and finally happiness plus the story has some genuinely funny moments.
Best line? Josh meeting an older gay couple at a wedding… “Why, when I was young, I had to walk five miles in the snow to get to the nearest glory hole.”
Once again I feel blessed to get such a great story for free!
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Story Prompt:
I was hoping you could tell me the story of these two beautiful men?
They have known each other for many years. They were close friends for a long time, but life just got in the way and their competitive careers and busy lives meant they somehow fell out of touch. They never forgot about each other, and they have both been waiting for this moment for years.
I’d like to see an emotional reunion, maybe a hint of hurt/comfort in there somewhere if you can fit it in, but most of all just a whole lot of love (I’m a hopeless romantic!)
So what did I think?
This was sweet and cute and romantic and basically pretty wonderful. Two boys who loved each other (unknown to the other, of course) and drifted apart. Sure, I didn’t understand why two people who felt so strongly about each other could let that happen but didn’t worry too much about that.
What follows is lots of romance as Kurt looks to win Alex’s heart by letting him know how much he cares and explaining some of the events in their past. Notes, picnics, romantic dinners, dancing gorillas with banana messages and radio dedications…perfect.
I hadn’t heard of the dedication song so here it is….
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hrbCWIUhggA&feature=share&list=PLJmdd5JS8gQRgfbkN-ci6rgBQg2-x_vq0]