cems

Funny… me too! Just got completely caught up, then travelled back to Escorial. Now what do we do?

With the way he’s been enjoying helping Travis run lines, I’m thinking Jeremy might just be destined for his own arc on a soap opera, or perhaps a starring role in the ice skating version/revival of Starlight Express…

OMG. Ryry! I’m dying. I will never think of JJ as anything but Ryry again. Too funny. Great chapter, Mark. I’m having a hard time being patient at this point — can’t wait to find out which one of our beautiful young roommates turns out a villain. Perhaps more than one…? Bated breath over here.

Thank you, Mark, for this adorable story. I read it last week and thought it was likely yours — you have such a way with your characters. They’re dynamic, fluid, and flawed, but usually capable of learning about themselves, and are sometimes, like Devon, very clear on who they are, or want to be. Devon reminds me of a dear friend of mine from long ago — young, tall, smart, blond, and so very funny. He died early in the AIDS epidemic, and way, way too early in his life. I miss him, and I feel like Devon brought him back to life for a few minutes there. His name was Michael Wilson, and was a beautiful soul.

Aww, I just can’t help but love JJ. He’s hilarious. Furious that everyone ignores his fury… He’s not the quickest learner out there, but he does learn…eventually. Usually the hard way. He’s a hot mess — equal parts imperious snob and anxious, brooding toddler. I just want to pinch his cheeks and make him stomp his foot at me. (Thanks, Mark!)

Thank you, Mark! I wait with bated breath for all your work, and am always glad to see that a new chapter is up and ready to read. But I loved this book, especially. Will is just the best. There are so many other things I love about GY, but following Will through his gap year (or gap half-year) — watching him creatively manage most everything thrown at him through 105 crazy chapters(!) with equal parts ferocity and charm, and seeing him fall in love again — just made me happy. For now, I’ll be back in the ‘90s re-reading the revamped Man in Motion while I wait for your next masterpiece. MiM is as good as I remember it (at the very least)! Your rewrite is subtle enough, so far, that nothing has stuck out at me, even though I’m keeping my eyes open for your changes. As an editor by trade, it adds an extra layer of fun to my reread. 🙂 I’m sad to see Gap Year end, but, I want to thank you again, Mark, for keeping us faithful readers sane — and even contented — reading another monster tome of yours over those not-so-easy Covid years, and beyond. Your fan, Clara

Weirdly enough, Pacific Palisades is actually part of the City of LA, and is served by LAPD — unlike its neighbors, Malibu, Topanga, and even Marina del Rey to the south, which are in Los Angeles County only, and are in turn served by the LA County Sheriff’s Department.

I just love Will. ♥️ He gives me hope for the future. Thank you, Mark.

Hooray and huzzah, Dr. Arbour! Congratulations on such an impressive accomplishment, Mark. ❤️ And I’m sure I speak for countless readers when I say it’s such a joy to know you’re back, and that we’ll soon be reading the lastest exploits of our daring gang of Cramptoms, Schluters and company. Meanwhile, Happy Summer, and all the best to you and yours! -Clara

Welcome back, Mark! I'm excited about the update to "Chronicles..." It gives me an excuse to start reading again from the beginning -- for the fourth (!) time. It's always a pleasure. Take care, Mark, be well, and have a Happy Thanksgiving! (Your writing, and its ability to take me temporarily away from the more traumatic moments in life, is one of the things I'm thankful for again this year. xoxo)

Dear Mark, I'm grateful to read that you're doing okay overall, but bummed that you have so much stuff to deal with at the moment. I know you'll get through it, but that doesn't make it fun! I've had a similar string of bad news and difficult events, so I have a bit of an idea how you might be feeling, but, of course, everyone's experience is their's alone. Before I read this update, I was religiously checking to see if you had new updates, thinking about your characters at least once a day. Now I'll be thinking about you instead. Please know that I'm sending you a bunch of California new-age white light and good vibes, and surrounding you with a protective, healing energy -- with a few zaps of joy added in. Hopefully, that'll do the trick! Take care of yourself, and know you have scores of devoted readers and fans sending you love. I certainly am. xoxo Clara

Thanks, Mark, for another great chapter! It's interesting to me how Steph has such reliable gut instincts when it comes to making business deals, but he sucks at hiring! He should leave that part of the job to Human Resources. Even with all of his past experiences with hires-gone-bad, he (seemingly) breezed right into hiring Buzz -- although since that happened off stage, I suppose it's possible he at least did a Google search... Is it that Steph has a weak spot for handsome men? I feel like there must be more to it than that. [i'm one of those readers who had my eye on Buzz from his first arrival: Too Good To Be True was tattooed on that manly forehead.] Weirdly enough, I was also just thinking about the Carmichaels the other day (as well as a few other distant relatives -- Matt's half-siblings, for instance) and wondering if/when any of them would reappear... I can't wait to find out what Mike plans to tell Brad. I have a guess, but I'm keeping it to myself! (I'm probably wrong, anyway.)

Just so glad you're back, Mark. I've become a straight-up CAP fangirl, and I was definitely jonesing for a new chapter. But, just as much, I missed reading the new reviews and your responses. What a great group of fellow readers -- and such a thoughtful, responsive author. Very cool. I feel like I've recovered members of a (not that long) lost family. Cheers to your return!

Hopefully, JP's just hungover. I didn't see Brad and Carullo coming (ho ho), but to me it makes perfect sense -- I think it's a good hint that Brad's getting back to his old, drop into bed with a cutie and regret it in the morning, self.

I agree, Coastguard, it's great to hear Robbie's voice again, and to get a minute to re-live how special Brad and Robbie's relationship was (and still is, I suppose). Brad, when he's with Robbie, is a different person than Brad without Robbie, and you can hear it in his "voice," too. Robbie makes him happy -- even when he's furious. It's almost like he can't help it. I found that scene very touching to read. Mark, you know your characters inside-out. Never mind that Robbie no longer shares this mortal coil, he's still Robbie, and he sounds just like himself and no one else. That's not an easy feat, especially over so many chapters of so many books. You are both skilled and talented in your work, which sets you apart from most writers. Such quality within such quantity -- I'm in awe. I know, I'm rambling now, and and I didn't even get to my new favorite character: JJ. So I'll just say: Love him! Love him. Love. him. Once again, thank you, Mark. I'm looking forward to next week already. xo