Love Has No Boundaries – Fabulous and FREE stories – Part IV
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:
- Repair My Heart by Zeoanne
- Guarding Lucas by Mitchell E. Sanford
- Ass over Teacup by Jackie Nacht
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
The Blurb…
Chad is a mechanic, a lonely man forced to hide his sexuality from the intolerant people in his town. Takoda is a satellite repairman still troubled by a past abusive relationship. When Chad called to get his satellite fixed, he never expected someone as beautiful as Takoda to show up. Can Chad fix Takoda’s broken heart? Can Takoda repair more than just Chad’s satellite?
So what did I think?
This was a super short but nice story.
Although it was a short story, it felt a little rushed, trying to get too much into a short space. The issues were only touched on and the story just skimmed the surface of the relationship. However the characters were really likable and I was so pleased to see them get their happy ending.
The ending did feel a little like the neat summary from a children’s fairy tale (view spoiler)
So 3 stars for this quick and sweet read and well done to Zeoanne for her first published story!
Guarding Lucas by Mitchell E. Sanford
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
The photo prompt…
When I see this picture, I think of somebody wanting to be loved more than anything. He’s never received the love he seeks, not truly. Other than the angel that guides him. This angel has been there his entire life, watching and guarding against the things that will harm his destiny. When the day finally comes that he loses his ability to hide from his charge, he is given the chance to love.
So what did I think?
This is such a hard story to review. It’s a story that has a very emotional feel but those emotions aren’t necessarily pleasant. There are so many sad elements to this story – illness, neglect, rejection, suicide and self harm – that I found myself feeling quite down. And with all this sadness, it was almost uncomfortable to see the sexual elements play out.
I think the author did a wonderful job in creating a story that conveys sorrow and pain. However, although the ending touches on Lucas being in a better place, about to start his ‘true life’, I still felt quite unsettled at the ending – there’s a sense that happiness will come but it didn’t translate to the story ending on a positive note in terms of my own emotions. But sometimes that can be a good thing and it certainly had me pondering a number of issues.
So my advise for readers…it’s only a short story but be prepared for some serious issues to be raised. This is not your traditional romance so don’t expect hearts and flowers.
Ass Over Teacup by Jackie Nacht
My rating: 3.5 of 5 stars
The photo prompt…
My friend Ulysses has always been a bit of a klutz but he seemed to be getting his act together better recently. Burdened by that name, he’s always allowed himself to be bullied and take a back seat to everyone else. Added to that, he trips over his own feet or stutters when he meets a hot guy. This spectacular fall is just one more thing to make the poor guy think he’s doomed. He was getting ready to go on a blind date tonight and now I just had to call the paramedics instead. What’s a guy to do when he just can’t stay grounded?
So what did I think?
This was really sweet story and a nice way to spend my lunch hour today!
Ulysses is clumsy and always seems to attract bad luck “Add stepping into the pothole filled with muddy water, and Ulysses wished he could chalk it up to a bad day. However, this was pretty damn typical for him.”. He also has feelings for his room mate Luke.
As the story starts, Ulysses has a really bad day at work. Starting with a broken down car, his day goes from bad to worse. He also comes to the conclusion that he should stop pining over Luke and go on a blind date.
However, later that night his clumsiness acts as the trigger that brings him and Luke together.
Short and sweet. 3.5 stars
Related Articles
- Love Has No Boundaries – Fabulous & FREE m/m short stories – PART I (someonehastosetabadexample.wordpress.com)
- Love Has No Boundaries – 2013 (leesuilan.wordpress.com)
- Love Has No Boundaries: Short Stories & Short Reviews Part 1 (portiabridget.wordpress.com)
- Love Has No Boundaries: Short Stories & Short Reviews Part 2 (portiabridget.wordpress.com)
- Love Has No Boundaries – Fabulous and FREE stories – Part III (someonehastosetabadexample.wordpress.com)
- Love Has No Boundaries: Short Stories & Short Reviews Part 3 (portiabridget.wordpress.com)