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I feel badly for Andy. He definitely needs a re-do with the right guy and better prep.

So endearing. It’s true that diet does affect the taste of one’s spunk. Try comparing after broccoli or asparagus (booooooo) with pineapple (yummmmmm).

Talk about plot twists. Yikes! I have a feeling that Karma is about to be served. Rarely does it happen so swiftly and deliciously.

Interesting discussion about labels. In a perfect world, labels would be irrelevant. I know that some people who fall within the 3 to 6 range on the Kinsey scale reject the notion of labels, yet I think they are still necessary as reaction to a culture that continually tries to decide on its own who and what we should be. I label myself as gay (I’m probably a Kinsey 8, anyway - at least according to girls who tried to date me when I was younger) so that the greater culture cannot get away with imposing it’s own preferred heteronormative label on me without my consent. I also think it’s important to remember that gay doesn’t just mean homosexual; it also means homosocial, homospiritual, etc. It’s more than just with whom one has sex; it informs how we see the world. Moreover, the gay community is far from monolithic. We are all so very different, but our acceptance of each other should be universal. Drag queens are not only just as cool as rugby players, but we need to remember that they are the ones at the Stonewall Inn in 1969 who simply refused to take the NYPD’s abuse any longer and ignited a revolution. I digress. OK, I’ll step down off my soapbox. And yes, I’m wearing flats. ;-)

That was not only extremely hot, but you captured the incredible experience so accurately and completely. Bravo!

Wow! Beautiful, emotional chapter that shows the healing power of love

This was so clever, and the mounting sexual tension erotic. Not only could I see the scene play out in my mind, I could feel it!

I’m always looking for high-quality gay literary escapes. If the first chapter is indicative of the rest of the story, this is going to be fun.

Whew! I admit that California law is my frame of reference; Canada’s age of consent is, frankly, much more enlightened. As you probably know, the UK’s is now also 16. Leave it to sex-phobic America to insist on 18. As one of Gilda Radner’s characters on SNL used to say, “never mind”. So, then we should expect some hot chapters coming up? PS...I’m still queasy about Mandy.

I guess we all love Liam so much that we can’t help but be a bit wary, given the red flags and unknowns you’ve tossed into the plot.. ;-) And you’re right, the small age difference isn’t a problem at all - until and unless they have sex while Liam is still a minor - and then it’s a potentially huge problem, depending on the extent of the sexual activity (and the jurisdiction ).

Liam is so lucky to have the parents he has. Like Benji, too many times I’ve experienced that reality disconnect after losing someone. It’s hard. You wove that into the story very well. I’m also wary of Toby. It seems too easy, and even makes me wonder about the nature of his friendship with Josh. Is Toby transferring feelings he had for Josh to his deceased best friend’s little brother - either as confused compensation for his loss or as a subconscious proxy for Josh? I hope not. It could be just me overthinking a gay story line when I should be asleep. ;-) And then there’s the Mandy as fb problem. If I were Liam, I think that would stop me dead in my tracks. Morever, Toby’s and Mandy’s kiss at the BBQ seemed a bit too openly passionate for just friends with benefits on the DL. And....Liam is underage!

I was only kidding about the Manson family. ;-) I have been know to engage in a bit of playful hyperbole.

Great chapter. I love Nathan; not only is he loving and adorable (so what if he’s a bit theatrical), he’s strategic and subversively brilliant. Just let Don object to, let alone try to take away, Amy’s new gay couple dolls! The number of enemies within his own house would only grow. I’m glad that Daniel is finally opening up more to Robbie, though the former’s insistence that his cousin should have come out to him in the beginning seems absurdly unreasonable - given his despicable father’s attitudes and behavior. Moreover, Daniel’s insistence that Nathan only came over to get closer to Robbie doesn’t quite ring true. Seems that Daniel is still holding secrets and unexpressed feelings. Mommy dearest is running a close second to her husband’s malevolent double standard. No touching? At all? Parents who are that stupidly rigid lose their kids. Justifiably so. As for Alex, Robbie needs to keep him at a safe distance. I realize Alex comes from a horrible home but, after all, this is the boy who was physically rough with Robbie on his first visit, gave him drugs during his sleepover, and then held him against his will during Robbie’s escape (in California false imprisonment is both a crime and a tort). Definitely iffy basis for friendship; unthinkable foundation for a relationship! Alex’s family isn’t his fault, but one of the best lessons I’ve learned is that, with whomever you end up - or even date, you do “marry” the family - whether you want to or not. Whether you have anything to do with them, or not. Whether it’s fair, or not. While Alex has a certain damaged sweetness to him, Robbie might do just as well with the Manson family.

Yeah, that’s a pet peeve of my husband and myself.

Thank you, I really appreciate that, but I’m torn; if there’s one thing that bothers me more than insensitive phrases it’s censorship of any kind. I truly never expected you to edit your story in response to my comment, and you certainly don’t need to apologize. While I was merely sharing my gut reaction, I should also admit that I adored Joan Rivers (and finally saw her in live performance 3 weeks before she died). She spared no one, including herself, but did it with such wicked comedic timing that it was brilliant. But, I digress... I love your stories and have never thought your writing to be the least bit cruel. That line jumped out at me - well, for the obvious reason, but also because it seemed out of character for tender-hearted Will. Your re-write seems to fit much better. I’m saddened to read that you’ve been treated the way you describe. No one deserves that. Wait...ok, Trump - yes...and ....maybe a few others.

These kids’ shattered lives break my heart, but then guys like Will and Liam, supernaturally wise and generous beyond their years, give me hope. I admit that the line “Liam was on him like a fat chick on a cupcake” made me wince a bit (chalk it up to my liberal west coast sensibilities if you want), but then I thought...ah well, these guys have great hearts and it IS Kentucky, after all. With wine it’s called terroir; with people...local culture?

I loved this intense, beautiful story. Sad, moving, and ultimately joyful. Two emotionally lost guys from different worlds connect in a sweet, though never cloying, romantic tale. With high-quality, engrossing writing, this is a must-read! An easy 5 stars.

I loved this emotionally intense, beautiful story. Sad, moving, and ultimately joyful. I couldn’t put it down; in fact, I binge-read it so it was a good thing I only discovered it once it was finished. Now, how about a sequel? Huh? Huh?

Wow! What can one say? It’s just the best it could have been.

Ahhhhhhhh...

My first reaction: “oh shit”. I made it into the third paragraph, the tears blurred the screen, and I was ready to give up. Having buried two young brothers, this hit right in the heart. I don’t say that wanting sympathy or any specific comment; rather, I decided to keep reading because of your writing and your painfully accurate capture of Liam’s emotions. Now you’ve snagged my attention and I can’t put it down. Beautiful start

This story just keeps getting better and better! I love the Charlie character and how touched he was at being appreciated by Jacob. I agree with bubby1234; please continue deepening the relationships.

Becoming a sudden parent of a troubled child isn’t for the faint of heart. I have to hand it to Gabe and Derrick; I’m in awe of their generous and loving hearts. Getting a dog was a brilliant move, but problems are completely foreseeable and expected. If Dane were to instantly and comfortably adapt to his dramatically new life, the story would not be credible. What a fortunate child he is, though. By the time he’s 20, he’ll fully realize it. ;-)

I never meant it as criticism, really; I was simply too lazy to write my own review today. ;-). Tough day with too much stress. What can I say? Yeah, confusing for a minute, but I figured out the speaker’s voice pretty quickly, and it was an effective device, actually. This chapter was so emotional and life-affirming. Absolutely loved it - especially the reconciliation of family that was in so much pain. How fitting that Janet and Cam’s prom baby (can’t call it a love child) has the power to heal wounds and bring contentious factions together. The increasingly close relationship between Cam and Ian warms my heart, and Charlie is such a fun (and potentially mischievous) addition. You’ve definitely captured my attention!

What Wesley said.