wallycleaver

I agree with Margot about not rushing to blow up the status quo. Doing so could be too life altering for Owen - if his parents kick him out, he's got nowhere to go and Ryder can't afford to support him. Why not, as she says, go to Ohio State, then start talking about switching majors. At the same time, have Ryder start showing up occasionally so friends and family get to know him. If Owen, Ryder, Jules, and Margot all ended up at Ohio State (even if Ryder doesn't enroll), the rest of the situation can play itself out over time. My thoughts would be different if they were just graduating college instead of high school, but at this point, Owen will need that college education for his future, and there's no way for him to pay for it without Mom and Dad.

A couple of random comments: I agree with those saying Ryder is coming on too hard and fast. That said, he had a year in jail to think about how to keep himself out of similar situations in the future, which probably led to him having such strong feelings about anything that comes across as less than 100% honest. Still, is Owen supposed to open every conversation with a list of anything that Ryder might consider negative? Constantly accusing Owen of dishonesty can't be good for the relationship, so maybe Ryder should stop viewing everything through that lens. It seems like going to Ohio State and taking teaching courses might raise less attention from his parents than changing schools, since at least his first year would likely be general studies anyway. And how hard could it be for Ryder to move there and find similar work? Owen starts as planned, then starts speculating to the family that he might like teaching better - edge into it rather than just having the mortuary science fight now. Is Margot's panic more likely to cause a disaster than Ryder's actions? Why couldn't Ryder go to the party and be introduced as a friend from the study group, there to celebrate the engagement just like everyone else? Wouldn't it be to the advantage of all concerned if parents and others got to know Ryder as a great guy who happens to be friends with Owen, starting them off with positive thoughts about him? Or would Ryder's aggression cause some kind of uncomfortable scene? I read a lot of excellent stories on GA. The best ones, like this, stick in my mind so I think about them between chapters. Thanks!

What happens when college is over and the families find out the relationship has been a scam for the last 7 years? Margot and Owen are doing this to keep their family relationships from blowing up, but how do you come back from that? Yes Mom, we've been dating and engaged for years but just realized we're both gay? Such a great story so far - I can't wait to find out the answer.

I found it perfectly reasonable that Owen didn't disclose more personal information to Ryder. He's eighteen, never been in a relationship, never used a dating app, first two experiences were bad, and never even met Ryder in person. In addition, it's only been five days, and the amount they could have told each other was limited by the time they had to do it. I found Ryder's reaction extreme and offensive - in Owen's place, I'd need some convincing before I'd even consider getting back in touch. A great story so far - thanks!

“Did you two hook up before I got here? Be honest.” Not a question I would have asked in a text message - how do you assess their credibility?

I could argue that given the family he grew up in, Orel must be fluent in the ways of fine dining. (And one could counter-argue that if that were true, he wouldn't be wearing a pizza delivery uniform). We'll know soon enough.

These Finn Grady stories get better and better. Thanks!

Thank you for this. My biggest disappointments with GA are unfinished stories, to the point that I won't read in-progress stories from authors with a lot of unfinished work.

While obviously no one would want to marry someone who cheated in the days before the wedding, I don't see it as Lyn's place to tell Bella - his loyalty is to Brad right or wrong, and Bella is a stranger. I would let Brad know how I felt, strongly encourage him to tell, then end my involvement. Not sure how I'd feel about Brad going forward, but a lot would depend on his faithfulness after the wedding.

I'm a reader, and I just want to see more of what you are already doing.

I've been reading this stuff since I had to wait for my modem to connect me to AOL so I could access Nifty. Gotta say, this is one of my top five stories of all time. I anxiously await every chapter. Thanks!

I think the coach should be able to explain to Joel why he needs to join the team. He loves baseball, and clearly misses it, yet is unwilling to go back to his old town/school/team, leaving only one good solution. Just play at the new school, and if he wants to sit out games with his old team or whatever, figure it out. Joel has conflicting wants and needs, but instead of tackling the uncomfortable decisions, he does nothing.

Is Tommy really turning into Jonah, or is he just responding appropriately to Jonah's outgoing and humorous personality? Giving as good as he gets?

What a great chapter. Thanks! Angry me wants Jack to send a thousand copies of his parents' letter to their country club. Practical me wants him to forget they exist, and the sooner the better.

Best chapter yet. Thanks!

I hope Nick uses the photos to blackmail them next time they want Jack to come home for a "holiday." Really enjoying this story - one of the best I've read in a while. Thanks!

"The Best Year" is one of the stories by which I judge all others, an all-time favorite. Great to see another long (hopefully) story from Krista - Thanks!

It feels like with every chapter, there is less reason to continue the centuries-old enmity between Skai and Nave. Couples are forming, everyone gets along, people on both sides want to be friends with each other, nobody wants war. Plenty of reasons for optimism, and I can't wait to see how it all turns out. What a great story - thanks!

I've loved this story since the first chapter of Book 1. This is the first one that was so good I read it twice. Thanks!

I'm a grateful Granger fan, not a long-suffering one. Nine books, thirteen years, almost 400 chapters. Well-developed, consistent, likeable characters. Historically accurate action contributing to fantastically interesting plotlines. These are the gold standard stories by which others are judged. Happy New Year!

I have fantasies about Dexter walking under a falling piano. He's irredeemably loathsome.

If I ever need a criminal defense attorney, I'll know just who to call. Great story so far - thanks!

Did Todd have a reason? Weren't they strangers? And if Todd, why did he let Killian go? If I had to guess at this point, and assuming it's a character we know, I'd go with Killian's father, who might have spared Killian. Either way, I'm looking forward to the next chapter.

I can't help thinking Jake and Danny are rushing things by leaving now, before Danny finishes high school. Hanging around for a year (or not even) would solve the school and age of consent issues, and since Jake can live anywhere, it wouldn't have to break them up. To me, this is the age where it's critical to get at least enough education to be able to get a basic job if everything goes sideways. Great story - thanks!

I'm really enjoying this story, and I'd be most happy to see it continue in one form or another. I don't have a strong preference about ending here/new book or just continuing this book. That said, I can see a couple of advantages of the end/new option, which I think opens up many opportunities. Book 2 could be about Carter and Jeremy during their time apart. Or, Book 2 could be Jeremy and 3 Carter. Then a book about them reuniting. But regardless, a 40-chapter book, or 2 at 20 chapters each - no real difference to me. I appreciate the effort you're putting into writing a great story.