FanLit

No need for apologies, they add character to the story.

Fellow American here, I’m going to be looking those up as well, lol.

Wonderful premise and set up with this first chapter. So glad that Brian and Toby have such a solid relationship; Brian & Deirdre being young parents seems to have made the sorting out of their emotions a challenge, along with Brian’s nascent sexual evolution….could that be what Deirdre picked up on, besides her immaturity? Brian’s relationship with Gordon sounds intriguing….there seems to be feelings that Brian’s willing to own up to now, which means Gordon has likely had to deal with a lot of stop and go on Brian’s part….is Gordon interested in more or has he had enough? This relationship & Brian’s openness about it with Toby allowed Toby to declare his own preference, which can only give Toby security, given his home situation with Deirdre and Jasper. Your chapter servings are hearty and I love the English East-Midlands vernacular….looking forward to see where this goes.

What a very sweet story. Luke and Ben manifested more than personal shoppers and law clerks, they were brought the realization of all their dreams. The Bennetts are a typical big family and atypically all accepting of their gay brother’s orientation, to the point they were constantly trying to fix him up….it seems Luke got his open, trusting nature from his family-he trusted in love at first sight with Ben and his family trusted in him, enough to welcome Ben almost immediately with open arms; It was quite the contrast to Ben’s alienation from his parents, which wasn’t resolved in enough time for him to reconcile with his mother….I wonder if she were the one who wasn’t accepting of her son. Luke’s optimistic nature influenced Ben to reconcile with John, which led to a new partnership with his son & son-in-law, as well as new love for John with Cindi. I take it Luke and Ben will go by Fields instead of Bennett? Ben Bennett sounds a little off, unless it’ll be Fields-Bennett? Lol. Luke and Ben’s story is quite the whirlwind and a reminder that sometimes you just have to trust your gut; after all, “Wishes can turn into miracles, and miracles do happen.” 😉

Gracie makes Maeve look like Mother Teresa, lol. I think Maeve was the fussy twin….

I’m a woman but the hug’s there just the same. 😊

Post Loren rejection. Sven proved his worthiness when he reached out to Jay about the Lars sighting….he tried to shoot his shot (well multiple shots, pun intended, lol!!) with a guy he was falling for, was rejected by and still wanted to protect him, all from a distance. Sven is gold as far as I’m concerned. 🏅

Oh yeah, and another thing: “Kyan was afraid. If he showed up and Perry slammed the door in his face, it would destroy him. Dayna’s death had been devastating, but losing Perry would be worse.” Very interesting, telling statement, whether Kyan realizes it or not….🤔 Now I’m done….I think, lol 🤞

I’m officially going on record: Max and Sven. ❤️❤️ 👬 That’s all. 😬

@Mrsgnomie- as much of a hellion as Gracie is, your descriptions of her defiant behavior still charms: “The kids held hands. Ava grabbed Henry’s, Henry grabbed Noah’s, and Noah reached for Gracie’s, but she pulled it away. He scowled at her and whispered, “We have to hold hands.” “I don’t wanna hold your hand!” “Grandpa said we have to be ‘nited! Remember? Now hold my hand,” he demanded, gritting his teeth as he tried to grab her hand. Gracie tucked both hands behind her back, then marched to the other side of the line and held Ava’s hand instead.” There are many such examples like that throughout the story, lol. Seems like the only one who has her number is Max….he’s a brat whisperer on top of being a good friend, lol.

If it walks like a bitch and talks like a bitch…. Kyan dodged a bullet at a tumultuous, possibly unsatisfactory life. “He remembered hearing once that men marry women like their mothers, and women marry men like their fathers. Had Kyan done that? Had he subconsciously married someone as vicious as his mother was?” We gravitate to what we know, even if it’s unhealthy.

Wholeheartedly concur.

Gracie is a piece of work, let’s hope she uses her powers for good instead of evil, lol.

This chapter both gave me hope and broke my heart. First off- I nominate Max as friend of the year. “Rah rah, sis boom bah!!” 📣 His grace in accepting Kyan’s confession was a welcome relief, his explanation that he’s in a toxic “entanglement” of his own that he’s desperately looking to break free of better explains his frantic crush on Perry….perfect Perry was the life preserver he had a stranglehold on in that hope. Yay also to a good holiday visit with his sister, wishing her continued strides in her healing so she can be the mother her son needs. “Kids are so different. It doesn’t matter that they come from the same people and share the same genes.They come with their own unique personalities. Take yours, for example. Noah is an easygoing rule follower. He rarely makes a fuss about anything and always has a smile. Henry is Henry. A boy after my own heart. Give him a truck, and he’ll be content for days. Ava is a sweet empath, always feeling the emotions. And then there is Gracie.You can’t help but love her, even when you don’t want to. “For us, Jessica was the firstborn with a bossy, type-A personality. She ruled the house, or tried to. Perry was our fiercely loyal people-pleaser. Then there was Dayna. We called her Shaker. If Jess and Perry wanted to watch The Lion King, Dayna wanted Tom and Huck. She never went along with anything, always shaking things up, and if she didn’t get her way, good Lord, that girl could throw a tantrum. Some kids are born needing more attention. Dayna was one of those.” Jed’s subsequent explanation about Perry and Dayna’s dynamic as well as he & Trudy’s role in the status quo at the time brought tears to my eyes….it was a strong, brave, loving act to take responsibility as he did for mistakes made; no one expects parents to be perfect, they WILL make mistakes….the hope is they can be recognized, acknowledged and rectified in whatever way they can be, as Jed did in his conversation with Kyan….parents are people, too and all our feet are made of clay….it is hoped that Jed and Trudy had a similar clarifying conversation with Perry, he deserves it. “I just… needed to tell you that Perry isn’t a bad guy. He’s only doing what he was raised to do.” Jed and Kyan weren’t the only ones boo hooing after this passage was read 😭 On a lighter note-Fast food may be gut busters (or gut bubblers) but Chik-fil-A is pretty good. Jed’s conversation with Kyan was essential, emotionally essential. Whatever choice Kyan makes now will be a fully informed one, as well as one knowing he has the full support of his in laws.

Intriguing start, a love story (or friends with benefits story) with specific fetishes at play. Looking forward to the build up that includes hopefully now single Antony getting everything he wants from schoolboy crush Sammy.

You’re the best, Gary, thank you so much. 💝 And I don’t mind saying I’m thirty nine….plus eleven. 😊 I feel the best is yet to come. 🙏

Ohhhh….when these two do the do, it’s going to be good and hot!!!! 🔥❤️‍🔥🌡️

For real. I’m like “kiss him already!!!!” Lol.

“Up here surely was a view to be appreciated. Just like Lucas with his shirt off,…” While it’s been established beyond doubt that Jubal is a hard worker, a little eye candy can’t hurt to keep things moving….or would it be a distraction? If nothing else, it shows he’s capable of multitasking, lol. Vincent’s tutelage of Jubal in architecture and engineering (though they weren’t called such in those days) shows that Jubal’s a good student and isn’t afraid to learn; he is a diligent worker,…with a work ethic like that, he can be whatever he wants wherever he wants, build castles in the sky or on lands more fertile. 🏰 The new cabin as it’s been described puts me in the mind of one that can be stumbled upon a century or two later, none the worse for wear, still mainly intact. 🛖 I’ve never tried slow cooking for fear of leaving a stove on for that long but the thought of flavor infused meat soft enough you don’t need to cut or chew, is mighty enticing. 🍖🍗 Lucas is an enigma-a mild mannered steam engine who says what he means, even if what he says may have several meanings, lol. Jubal wants everything he can get out of his relationship with Lucas, he can’t help it that he wants everything with Lucas, lol…. I have to say, Lucas’ strong desire for Jubal to stay seems to speak of more than just companionship; we’ve seen that he doesn’t have to lack for company if’n he don’t want to (heeeyyyy Reid, 👋) “Well… you could only loft one side and leave the other side open if you wanted.” “You think that’s what we should do?” We?” 👀 Yes, Gary, I know-Lucas might just be a really friendly guy, blah blah blah, lol.….I give him credit, he has patience; he knows there has been violence in Jubal’s past but isn’t trying to coerce the information out of him….Jubal needs gentling and promise, both of which Lucas has in spades. Lucas trusts his gut and he knows Jubal needs him, the same way he needs Jubal and he ain’t fixin’ to let him go. How long will Jubal stay in Bearpaw? Will Jubal be Lucas’ neighbor or roommate? (Or more?) Will feelings be let loose to run free or be tamed along with the wildings? Find out next week when we check out “Bearpaw: An Old West Tale” 🐾 🍻

He is pretty cool, isn’t he? Lol. An enthusiastic, invested reader who puts his point of view very well. I always look forward to your opinion, @raven1.

Nicely wrapped. 👏 🎁 I don’t think you missed much for having just caught up, lol.