Arran

I don’t think you are either, Jwolf. Corbin probably wouldn’t have given a rather lengthy explanation (and apology of sorts) for the long hiatus between the earlier chapters and more recent chapters of the story; whereas, you did, and I appreciated it because The English Year is a truly wonderful story since the first chapter. Thanks for the effort.

I couldn’t help noticing the word ‘beyond’ here, Jwolf. Are you contemplating carrying this story into Corbin’s senior year, even though the title is The English Year? If you are considering it, maybe it should be a sequel. Unless you are vying for longevity like Dodger’s The Cockney Canuck at 134 chapters to date. Would Pete even be around Corbin’s senior year. I don’t remember if he is a junior or senior this year. Of course, the author can make any thing happen. Right? Just wondering…

I loved this story. I loved the two main characters, Luca and Alessandro, I loved the backdrop, all the references to Renaissance art, and I loved the way it was organized. The descriptions were vivid enough that I felt I was there in Florence, a city that I would very much like to visit. Finally, I loved the story itself. It is simply charming. I highly recommend it!

Wait! What did you mean by “which is cool but maybe too good to be true?” Could it be Rory? Maybe I’m being over-imaginative and stretching it, but could Rory’s interest in Conner’s sister be more of a ploy to keep his eye on Robbie? Hurry up, Dodger! I know that the end is at hand! It has to be after 134 chapters! Please gift us with chapter 135 sooner than soon, okay?

Okay, I re-read the chapter and there are numerous references to Robbie’s smoldering desire for Nathan, several expressing Nathan’s desire for for Robbie, a few questioning Daniel’s sexuality given that he’s been spending a lot of time with his best friend Nathan. Robbie seems to vacillate between His dedication to “his blonde stallion” and just giving in to his desire for Nathan. If Nathan’s arms are the arms snaked around Robbie’s waist at the end, then I think that Robbie will end up with Nathan despite Don. Also, judging by your comment, Dodger, I expect that the end is a chapter or two away. Anxiously waiting…

So we should re-read it? Sure. It was a great chapter, so why not.

In the next chapter, the new year starts with some difficult decisions for Robbie, but an important discovery changes everything and signals the beginning of the end. Great hook, Dodger! Could this be the beginning of the end of the story? Please hurry with the next chapter. Since many of us are confined to home, we have a lot of time to read. I think the mystery interloper is Nathan coming to invite Robbie to spend the night with him. It’s pretty clear that they both need it.

Thank you! Looking forward to it.

But please don’t make it another seven years, Jwolf. I may not have that long. And then there is the corona virus… Great chapter! Pete’s part in it totally surprised me. And that Corbin finally capitulated to him was even more surprising. It was thought-provoking when Corbin said that Pete might have his own version of the English Year which is also not over yet. I began to see a new side of Corbin, a better one, after this statement. Many readers seem to have different expectations for Corbin, but I’m just going to roll with you and see where you take us. Like you said, the title is the title and the story is the story, another good response.

Very good response, Jwolf.

You have an immense imagination there, @mg777 🤨

I’ll have to reread that part again.

On another note, I don’t know why Corbin even entertains the thought that there is any possibility with Pete now that they both burned that bridge so thoroughly. Frankly, it seems like Corbin puts the screws to just about everyone that he has any kind of a relationship with, be they friends or more than friends. Maybe Pete is wise to keep a gulf between them. Another good chapter, Jwolf. Please keep them coming.

Thank you for your heartfelt comment, Marty. I thought hard about how to end it. An alternate happily-ever-after ending would probably have been more favorable to everyone and stretched the story into another chapter, which would have been fine with me. After much thought, though, I decided to end it this way because I didn’t want it to end with Talent facing time in prison for what he did: stealing a vehicle, stealing a corpse, crossing two state lines during the commission of a crime (a federal offense), and stealing license plates to throw law enforcement off his tail. Finally, my other stories ended with happy endings. I wanted this story to be entirely different: little sex, light and humorous and an ending that readers would not see coming.

Do you mean it won’t be able to stand? Won’t last? If so, then you the reader must decide. Your comment of chapter 8 suggests that you’re somewhat invested in the story because similar circumstances affected you, LD. Your interpretation of the story can’t help but factor that in. Anyway, I thank you for sticking with this to the end and I thank you for making the effort to comment. I enjoy when people are involved, be their comment positive or negative.

So you can identify with this chapter. I’m sorry to resurrect old feelings, LD. I see that you also commented on chapter 10, so I’ll withhold comments til then. I thank you for reading and for your comment.

Very generous of you, Talo.

Thank you for your comment, Marty..

Thank you, Talo. I’m glad that you enjoyed it. I like your description of quirky because it is different.

Thank you, Marty. It’s not a long read and I think you’ll like it. Hope so, anyway.

Thank you, Will. Happy to oblige you, unknowingly. While I don’t live there anymore, I enjoy occasionally visiting the desert and its mild year-round climate. Also, I’m glad that you enjoyed the story.

Well, this chapter certainly threw me. Never expected Nathan to show up at the house. I find it interesting that Don has no problem with his biological son being friends with Nathan but he does with his adopted son. Maybe Daniel isn’t as straight as he’d like to believe. I enjoyed the antics in the basement too. Obviously Robbie hasn’t gotten Nathan out of his system, and as hard as Nathan tries to make us think otherwise, I think he has a soft heart for Robbie too (if not Daniel as well). Conner is definitely no good for Robbie as he has only one use for Robbie and knows that Robbie will succumb to him despite the discomfort. Everyone says Tom, but I’m hoping that Robbie pairs up with Nathan again. Didn’t realize until this chapter that Don was overweight. Now I understand why Robbie was looking for a clearing in the yard big enough to bury an elephant. I thought he was being funny. Another great chapter, Dodger. Thank you.

That’s my guess!

I agree with all the reviews here. I was hooked from the beginning. The story was well-crafted and written, although there were times when I wanted to club Andrew on the head and Aubrey for walking out on him when he had no problem giving his useless boyfriend Tom a chance. And, you acquired a notable following with this story, which you deserve. Congratulations for a remarkable success, my friend!

Great last chapter, MozLover! You tied up the ends well with as little vindictiveness as possible. You might consider a spinoff involving Nelson and his and his father’s work with the foundation. Just a thought. Thanks for all your work and dedication to this wonderful story. Now for my plug: since I no longer have to compete with Electricity and it’s large following, maybe your readers would like to visit my latest three-part short story. Just a suggestion, of course.