Jjeffalch

We all agree that Loren is sensitive and vulnerable and has a lot of stuff to deal with, even before he looks at his new relationship. I understand that his profession requires him to live every aspect of his life except sex and bowel movements in front of his fans. But isn't this gong to make the relationship learning curve even steeper, to have a whole heap of intrusive "fans" hanging around everywhere they stop, and worse yet with all these strangers being encouraged by BOTH Loren and Jay to do exactly that. How are either of them going to concentrate on their budding relationship if they have to do it all "in public" this way?

I take the point that they both live in the public eye. But is there to be some aspect of their relationship that is just for the two of them, that is private? Even their planned getaway vacation now seems to be getting "repurposed". Jay is super-flexible and accommodating of Loren's profession and admires his success. But it might become a strain on Jay to have to be always 'out there', because Loren has to be so public. Because, so iL empires cannot thrive under absentee emperors.

One aspect of this chapter really stood out for me...Loren reaction to Sven's throwing himself on Jay. Loren was jealous, more than a bit miffed at Jay for soaking up all the attention, Loren has strung Jay along for MONTHS. MONTHS!!!!! Jay has absorbed everything because he is committed to the long game. Loren seems finally to have realized just how much he cares for Jay, and he knows how much of a stretch it will be for himself to grow into the kind of relationship Jay wants, until he realizes that it is the type of relationship that he, Loren, also wants for himself, though he has never experienced one like it. I hope the incident with Sven makes him recognize that it would not be at all hard to lose Jay. Their relationship is getting serious and there are a couple of fundamental things that Loren is going to have to adapt to if he wants to avoid finally driving Jay away. Can't wait for the next chapter. You're amazing, Mrsgnomie!!!

Beautiful! Desperately sad, and yet strangely uplifting at the same time. Thank you, Georgie.

Is Quentin supposed to manage nine hot guys falling in love with him, all AT THE SAME TIME?-?!? Poor kid, he's going to need a little more magic.. . Don't suppose Grandma Mary has something else up her sleeve that could be useful, perhaps as a "Valentine's gift" this time? Though it would be interesting to see the nine hot guys fighting for Q's attention!!

Amazing, how in one crisp Prologue you set up the character of Quentinddo adroitly that we all hope the Naughty List is really magical and look forward to seeing how it all will work out. A wonderful start. I'm going to savor the two chapters you have posted and I'm already impatient for chapter 3!!

Why does Puppy tell himself that sex with Stephen is A BAD IDEA but still end up drinking himself into oblivion with Stephen and having sex with him anyway.? He is rapidly wiping out the last vestiges of sympathy I had for him from the first two books. I am starting to sincerely hope he does NOT get together with Joey...Joey's going to need a supportive relationship after his marriage to Jack ends. Puppy would not be right, not at all

Going out on a limb here, but thus scenario reminds me of how another mob was whipped up into irrational violence in the not too distant past. Here's hoping that the psychopath in this story has to face justice, finally, unlike that other, far more public, rabblerouser, who's still out there rousing the rabble with impunity.

Well, let's just hope the "road test" doesn't turn into a wild "joy ride" that ends up leaving one of the other three guys deeply hurt, all so Puppy can figure out what he wants from his own life. He has a difficult childhood to overcome, yes, but that doesn't give him the right to play with others' emotions, and besides, Hunter's childhood was probably a lot worse.

Puppy seems to be WAY confused. One minute he is all about Joey, then it's Jack that catches his eye, then he's eyeing Joey again, and now he is busy dragging Steven into the mix. And all of this in what seems to be about the space of a week. He needs to wrap his head around what his next steps are to be with Hunter, because even that relationship still has a few loose ends to be tied up, and then he should just chill for a while. He does not need to be messing with poor Steven's head at this point.

No Krista, don't apologize. You made me feel so strongly about this character that I was COMPELLED to react! That's your skill. And I read this because I've was so captivated by The Best Year that I thought I would spend the time that I'm impatient waiting for its next chapter reading some of your other work. And by the way, that's a very discreet little hint that I and lots of others are waiting with bated breath for the next installment of The Best Year!

He really is an idiot.

I couldn't agree more...though I have to say they probably deserve each other. I am a bit worried about where Aiden will end up in all this.

Jake might be confused, but his utter self-absorption here is more than troubling, it is just disgusting. He should be doing everything he possibly could to make his betrayal a little bit easier on Cody, but what does he do instead? PURE SELF-gratification although just before trying to force himself on Cody, he was saying to himself he shouldn't even be in the same bed with him. Can anyone justify his cheating first on Cody and then on Ethen ( for that is exactly what he did) in less than 24 hours?!!!!????

I really feel for poor Jack--first Shaun decides to make his situation untenable, although he knows how Jack feels about Joey; then Joey gets all crazily jealous over Jack, although he knows how Jack feels about Joey; and now Roman starts to mess with Jack's head, although he too knows how Jack feels about Joey. Is it only meet, or does this whole thing seem like an inevitable tragedy waiting to happen? As if poor Jack hasn't already had enough tragedy in his young life!! It does make for some riveting storytelling, though, James. Bravo!

Sorry but Chapter 7 seems to be missing...a shame, as it is probably the one where the boys first get to Purity ..could you please deport it?

I am really glad you're back. I had so enjoyed the earlier chapters, and now the plot thickens. I can wait for future chapters. It's a great tale, with wonderful lead characters, and a nice touch if suspense and danger.

A wonderful, lighthearted tale, with engrossing characters who grow on you so quickly that you get wrapped in their doings and emotions before you realize it. I looked forward to every new chapter, and now I'll be at a loss. Really well done!

I guess it's beyond doubt that Mark will take Mickey back. I agree with all who have said that Mickey has a lot of growing up to do and I'd wish he did that first, before Mark gets back with him. I found it really telling what Sean told Mark--that he had the impression that Mickey had the wrong idea about what was going in between them and turned cold on him when Sean cleared that up. Mickey did just go with Sean for a new experience or a hot romp, he wanted a relationship--why else would he "turn cold" when Sean told him it was only a hookup for sex?He wanted more! And for me that means he set out deliberately to betray Mark and to replace him with Sean and would have done so, if Sean hadn't rejected him. Maybe he's learned his lesson but nothing in what he told Mark indicates that to me. Self-centered is the best I can say about him. I feel really sorry that Mark's love is blinding him to what Mickey has really done.

Seems like Mickey came looking for Mark after a week ONLY because Sean dumped him, as we all knew he would. I could have understood Mickey hooking up with Seam once, out of curiosity or out of giving in to the flattery of a smooth player. But to utterly ignore Mark for a whole week is inexcusable. It’s great that Mark loves him enough to forgive him, but I really hope he forces Mickey to confront just how abominable his behavior has been, and to make him realize that he has to rebuild the trust that he so callously and selfishly destroyed.