James Carnarvon

I know I should be talking about the massage etc. etc... but what's really getting me is the food! Mrs. C sounds like an excellent cook. All those pancakes, lasagnes, toasted cheese sandwiches produced on demand... they sound delicious, but the boys must need to take some serious exercise to avoid piling on the pounds!

Great to see Adam growing in confidence and discovering new talents; meanwhile, poor Troy. Jerry and the girls seem like good friends and allies for the boys to have. It helps to balance things given the repellent behaviour of the jocks. There needs to be a reckoning for Mike at some point... from w*nk buddy to homophobic bully? Something doesn't smell right.

I was wondering why you hadn't read it yet! That sounds miserable - I hope you feel much better soon. I do tend to write hopeful endings, and this story is no exception, but it seemed right to leave that relationship unresolved this time. The falling-out between Marco and the others was too severe to be tied up quickly and tidily. I do think the seeds were sown for a potential reconciliation when Marco apologised to Giacomo for his part in things. However, there's a journey they will still all need to take before those bridges can be rebuilt. I agree that the dynamics between the group have further dramatic potential. As it stands, Giacomo doesn't knowingly have feelings for either Dani or Marco... that is, beyond feelings of intense friendship in Dani's case. Someone commented that it might take Dani to show Marco his worth; and Marco, in his despair, did describe Dani as Giacomo's "beautiful new friend", so perhaps there's a latent something there. It's enough to potentially get the creative process going again at some point. However, at this point in time, I'm keen to explore a different sort of writing for a while before I think about returning to the Ravello series. Also, poor Emilia. Nobody talks about her! Personally, I thought she kicked ass. Well, I'm very grateful to you for taking a chance on the story! I'll re-read my 2021 stories myself at some point. In the period of several years between writing The Summer of the Firefly and publishing it here, I used to re-read it about once a year (and, sometimes, make further edits). I enjoyed doing so because of the memories it evoked of my own trips to Ravello; memories of how I felt when writing it; its (limited) resonance with my own personal history; my affection for the characters I had created; and the general escapism of it all. That first story also has a "soundtrack" that I like to listen to. If I were on Spotify, I would create a playlist and share it here! Take your time! This would be the perfect moment to thank you for all of your thoughtful and detailed comments. I seem to have lost a couple of my regular commenters this time round, so to have you share your thoughts on each chapter has been really welcome. So, thanks! As an aside, my personal ranking of my favourite protagonists would be 1. Gianni (as my first, and the one I identify with the most); 2. Dani (there's something about his purity of spirit and purpose that is very appealing); and 3. Toto (but I'm proud of them all and wouldn't be without him - I also like the fact that there is a slightly rougher edge to his character).

The experience of coming out as a couple seems to be going almost too smoothly so far. I'm sure there will be pitfalls ahead. This is an extraordinarily supportive family Adam has found himself living with - he's a lucky boy. Even so, asking Troy's parents' permission to sleep together under their roof surely ought to have been an intensely embarrassing and awkward experience. They all seemed to take it in their stride! I could do without the sex scenes, but I'm enjoying the story.

Do it! There are flights from London and Bristol to Naples and I can recommend a great hotel... doesn't come cheap though... I'm really glad you've enjoyed the stories (you've certainly gone through them quickly!). Thank you for reading, reacting and commenting. Did you have a favourite story or character?

It must be awful to have parents who can't see past blind doctrine to see their child in distress and accept them for who they are. Adam was very lucky to have the support of Troy's more enlightened family. No doubt Adam's father will explain his "reasons" for beating Adam; I hope that doesn't affect his foster placement. As reactions go, Troy's bellow of rage was very satisfying - and justified.

@Ivor Slipper you've been a loyal commenter on my stories, and I thought it was time I gave one of yours a go. I chose this one because it seemed to be the right sort of length to tell a proper substantial story. As you may be aware, stories with sexual content are not my particular focus - but you'll have my interest for as long as your story offers something more than that! I like Adam already and can relate to him as the quiet, bright loner at school (although unlike Adam, I certainly didn't go out with an athlete jock - the alphas at my school were mostly insufferable!) Adam can't seem to believe his luck in ending up in this situation so quickly and, in some ways, neither can I - I don't think there are many jocks who would cross the Rubicon in quite this way - but their admiration for each other seems genuine. On the face of it, Troy has a certain simple charm. I'm sure we have a lot more to learn about him and I look forward to discovering the more hidden depths of his character. I'm sure the two of them are going to be forced into the public eye at some point and that it will be a painful growing experience for both. The poster of Tom Daley on Troy's wall did make me chuckle.

I'd just like to thank the admins here at GA and all my regular commenters, past and present. Without your encouragement and support there would have been no Toto, Michele and Together We Can Fly, let alone Dani the Hero. I know I've made this point already, but I literally could not have conceived of going so much further with the same setting and characters about a year ago. Telling these stories has been incredibly rewarding: the teenage leads feel like my own children, and I have really loved discovering them / seeing them emerge one by one. Writing four new stories this year has also been tremendously valuable practice to support my future aspiration to become a published novelist. I can't promise you another Ravello story in the immediate future, but if you are desperate for a Ravello fix, the five existing stories will always be available for re-reading (I know that's not very likely - I guess there's never a shortage of good new material to read here at GA). Better still, pay the real Ravello a visit!

Yes, I’m aware there are different meanings of the phrase! Think athletic wear crossing over into fashion.

I’ve had a few missing notifications too, although only for ‘likes’ and other reactions rather than comments - as far as I’ve noticed.

Thank you! Your comments have continued to show a great understanding of story and character. I think the key to leaving readers ‘hungry for more’ is to stay focused, know where your plot and characters are going at all times, avoid peaking too early and, above all, know when to stop!

Thanks for posting! That’s an intriguing comment. I suppose there is an element of improbability in many stories. I agree that the set-up in this story is pretty improbable in comparison to the rest; I knew that would be a risk when switching genres within the same ongoing world storyline. I’m glad you’ve had a good time reading them all the same.

So, there you have it. If you've enjoyed my story, please do consider posting a review - and sharing your initial reactions below. Thanks for reading!

@Summerabbacat is it wrong that I really like making my readers cry? It always strikes me as a job well done… or maybe it just outs me as a shameless manipulator. 😉 I’ve got an aspiration to write a more mainstream novel, without the gay angle. Possibly a children’s novel, which I would publish ‘properly’ under my real name. Doing so would take me away from Ravello stories for a while. However, I’ve learned to “never say never again” when it comes to telling these tales. If you’d told me at the beginning of this year that, by Christmas, I would have written four more Ravello stories including two more novels, I would have laughed at you. There was originally only meant to be one story!

The focus on what’s coming next is quite understandable, and shows I’m doing my job in making you want to come back for more! The final chapter will be with you in a few hours. For me, though, the big deal in writing this chapter was the incredibly intimate scene at the beginning, where Dani is walking a tightrope of sorts in his more platonic relationship with Giacomo. @drpaladin touched on this briefly. Even in a more plot-driven tale such as this one, I hope it is the character development that will stick with you in the end - long after the story has finished.

He admitted he liked Giaco. Who needs a label at thirteen?

It was like some strange reflection of their first ride together just over a month ago. Back then, it had been a sunny afternoon and they had been strangers. Now, Daniele was riding through the night with his best friend on his back. Giacomo’s hands clung loosely to his waist and he was resting his head against Daniele’s shoulder, injured and exhausted once again, but relaxed and protected. Daniele knew he shouldn’t be feeling so happy but, for the moment, he couldn’t seem to quell the feel

Ah yes, wouldn't that be nice and tidy and sensible?

As we enter the finale I think it’s time to switch to daily posting. ch.11 will drop later on today.

Thank you! I haven't quite finished posting the chapters for this one yet, but it'll all be done within the next 2-3 days.

Thank you, you're very kind! I've watched you working your way through all my stories over the last few days with interest.

June arrived, and with it came the end of school for the summer. At the close of the final day, Daniele, Giacomo and Emilia rolled out into the street together, finally free to do their own thing and elated with it. They celebrated with ice creams in the square, busily planning a summer full of exploration, bike rides and visits to the beaches and gardens. Giacomo even suggested a campfire night at their place in the valley, where they would attempt to cook their own dinner over their improvised

Thank you for commenting! No, Giacomo and Emilia haven't treated Marco very well, although Marco hasn't done much to invite a reconciliation, either... in fact, he largely ruled it out when Dani asked if they could just 'all be friends'. The situation between them all is definitely messy. Just so I'm clear, were you pointing to Dani and Marco as a possible future couple? (albeit one you don't think will happen) Hmmm... 🤔😉

I suffered a loss of confidence in this chapter after comments on chapter 8 predicted fireworks at Dani's party, when that wasn't what I'd planned or written! This chapter is actually more of a fun interlude before we head into the finale. I was rewriting bits of it until the last minute, trying to kick just a bit more life into the lunch party scene. I hope you enjoyed it anyway...!

Daniele spent most of Friday worrying about the dangerous mission Giacomo was about to undertake for Ettore. At school, he tried not to let his anxiety show, but by the time they finally parted at the gates in the afternoon he was unable to restrain himself any longer. Once they had said goodbye to Emilia, Daniele followed Giacomo round the corner and caught him by the arm before he could set off up the steep steps for home. “What’s up, Dani?” Giacomo asked. “I’m worried about ton