Cane23

I just love your comment @LeeSA...leaves me thinking what to add... Fear indeed. I was thinking about the last two flashback chapters. They show genuine friendship and closeness between Alexander and Lyn, which made me think back to the opening chapters. There, Lyn’s reaction to finding out Alexander would be at Brad’s wedding was almost one of animosity and repulsion. So much that Alexander seemed like some arrogant prick from the past. (There would be no hugs and reminiscence of the old days with this guy, Lyn thought. He was as obnoxious as ever. Why had Brad insisted on being friends with Alexander – and forced Lyn to be part of their trio – was beyond him). Sounds ridiculous now, doesn't it? But even if we set aside his true feelings (which Lyn is still unaware of), there was real friendship between them. So why wouldn’t Lyn want to see his old friend from college? That’s when it struck me - it must have been fear. Fear of being seen. This polished, successful, well-dressed lawyer is still that insecure boy underneath. Brad might only see the mask (“Fucking hell, man, you look awesome,” Brad began, pulling him into a strong hug and patting his back. “You got LASIK or something? I remember you always worried about breaking your glasses by accident.”), but Alexander would undoubtedly see right through him. Remember Alexander’s first comment: “You’re overdressed, Lyn.” That’s exactly what Lyn dreads - Alexander recognizing him in an instant. Lyn’s persistent avoidance - never asking about Alexander’s past, never checking him on social media - also points to the same thing. That’s someone hiding. Someone afraid of being exposed.

This beautiful and charming little tale is best savored like a fine wine. Aislin, the owner of his family’s winery and brewery, is a successful businessman but a lonely young gay man, surrounded by nieces and nephews yet longing for a child of his own. Scarred by a serious car accident in his teenage years, he still struggles with its lingering effects - and even more so with the constant, if well-meaning, interference of his loving but occasionally overwhelming family. In this heartwarming story of love and family, Aislin ultimately finds what he has been searching for. Yet, @Cia doesn’t stop at a simple romance - the story is enriched with a touch of light crime mystery, making it not only moving but also delightfully engaging.

When ‘Englishman in New York’ turns into ‘A Yankee in King Arthur’s Court,’ the lyrics ‘I’m an alien, I’m a legal alien’ perfectly capture Scott, the main protagonist. Too ‘English’ for the U.S. and forced to live out his father’s ambitions, Scott decides to leave university and return home. But after eight years in the ‘New World,’ where is home? Back in England with his beloved granny, Scott soon realizes that in his own hometown he feels more like a Yankee than an Englishman. Struggling to fit in and searching for his place under the sun, he reconnects with family and friends who, along with his remarkable grandmother, become his strongest supporters. A beautiful story of love, family, and friendship, wrapped in witty, sometimes sarcastic, English humor and brought to life by authentic characters, this novel easily pulls you in. You find yourself almost as if you’re sitting among the regulars in the local pub, watching Scott’s journey unfold. In the end, through love and self-discovery, Scott learns to embrace both his English and Yankee sides - realizing he doesn’t have to choose or sacrifice a part of himself just to please others.

The only thing that makes me feel even a bit of sympathy for Jan is that she’s in a wheelchair. When Luke threatened to move out, she clearly realized not just the ‘importance of Scott,’ but that Luke is the real pillar and main supporter of the family.

This reminds me of the hugely popular sitcom across the former YU countries - Only Fools and Horses. Like that hilarious episode when Del Boy finds Rodney a job at a funeral home! 🤣

Wow, for a first book, the writing is pretty good.

I don’t know whether to feel relieved or shocked that bureaucracy is the same everywhere. I always thought we in the Balkans had it the worst - here you even have to bring a little bribe, like chocolate or sweets. And still, you’re never quite sure they won’t suddenly tell you there’s yet another missing document!

Of course not with Lyn - but with Brad, it was definitely a ‘let me show you who's daddy here’ moment - all about dominance.

Or to humiliate, dominate, or patronize. Remember that flashback scene when Lyn was shocked by the intimacy as Alexander patted food from around Brad’s mouth.. Unlike that scene, this one with Lyn and Alexander is truly charming.

Why do I get the feeling you did that on purpose?

I didn’t talk him into it - scout’s honor!

This is how I see it. Remember the moment they went separate ways - Lyn with Alexander and Brad with Luke? Brad was clearly hurt by being dismissed so easily by Lyn. That brings back the ‘golden retriever puppy’ moment from the volleyball chapter - ‘The golden retriever puppy looked at his future brother-in-law like Brad had to be the absolute shit in the universe.’ Luke had to stick with Brad, listening to his bantering and disappointment over Lyn - the guy who was always on his side, Lyn this, Lyn that… all of it piling up, culminating at the dinner. Poor puppy, fighting for attention!

The thing with Alexander is he never really hides. If anyone asked him openly about his feelings for Lyn, I believe he’d admit it - maybe even to Brad. But Alexander isn’t the type to volunteer... he prefers to let things be obvious to those sharp enough to notice. The truth is nobody (especially Lyn) has ever asked! 😉

In short - Alexander is jealous of Brad’s hold over Lyn. Luke is jealous of Lyn’s hold over Brad. And Lyn, caught in the middle, insists he and Alexander aren’t dating - while oblivious to the fact that both Alexander and Luke are watching him as though he’s the pivot point of a hidden contest. Seems that Lyn didn’t do anything wrong here. His behavior toward Brad at the table is careful, restrained, even defensive. What makes Alexander jealous isn’t a clear betrayal but the undercurrent - the way Brad touches Lyn, the way Lyn responds physically (if not verbally), and that fleeting but undeniable moment where Brad’s nearness makes Lyn’s “heart flutter.” Alexander’s jealousy here is less about the literal moment and more about what it represents. Brad can still stir a reaction in Lyn without even trying, while Alexander, despite all his control and dominance, knows he can’t erase that. Alexander has just physically and psychologically conquered Lyn in the bedroom. But Brad’s easy access, his instinctive closeness, reminds Alexander that Lyn still carries a vulnerability Brad can stir without effort. It isn’t about who Lyn is “dating” (they aren’t, as Lyn rightly says). It’s about territory, old scores, and the fear that Brad occupies a space in Lyn’s heart that Alexander cannot reach, no matter how much he dominates him physically. This last scene shifts the story from raw sex back to social performance, but the emotional intensity remains. Lyn is literally and metaphorically sore - marked by Alexander, exposed to Brad, unsettled by Luke. Alexander asserts subtle dominance but possibly reveals unexpected sincerity (“He’s unique”). Brad resurfaces with intimacy that looks suspiciously like love, cloaked in jokes and complaints. Luke acts as the dark horse, injecting menace into the triangle. In private, Lyn surrendered to Alexander; in public, he’s squeezed between Brad’s affection, Alexander’s scrutiny, and Luke’s warning. But definitive wining impression of the chapter is Lyn on Alexander's lie detector! Those words "You are not like others!" ... For Lyn, who has always been defined by rivalry, repression, and his unresolved longing for Brad, to say this means Alexander pierced through that wall. It’s both a compliment and a surrender - Lyn admits Alexander isn’t just another casual hookup or conquest. Even if Lyn doesn’t realize it, those words mark the beginning of an emotional bond. “Stop selling yourself short. It is a prize,” Alexander said, “because you’ve made me work hard for it. On the surface - Alexander is teasing, flipping Lyn’s words into banter. But underneath - he’s admitting that for him, this is a prize, not because of sexual dominance, but because he’s been pursuing Lyn (in his sly, persistent way) for years. Lyn finally letting him in, finally choosing him over Brad even for a moment, is the victory Alexander always wanted. Alexander rarely speaks about feelings directly. But when he says, “you’ve made me work hard for it”, he is indirectly acknowledging all those years of rivalry, closeness, and restrained affection.

Oh, come on - you know how that ended!

No, not melodramatic at all - I even had to google the medical condition, and in the end, it’s rarely just one cause... it’s usually a whole web of them. A proud military father wanted a clone of himself. Instead, this man of discipline got a son who lives for fun. As you say - Max's carefree life almost feels like a mission to irritate his father. And yet, he’s such an extraordinary human being: loyal, brave, a true savior of lives. It’s heartbreaking that his father can’t see those accomplishments. I wouldn’t be surprised if fate twisted things so that his son, the doctor, ends up saving the colonel’s life one day. The same goes for Roman - yes, he’s made mistakes, but when it truly mattered, he chose right. He stayed with the dying boy, surrendered to the police, and changed his life. Doesn’t that mean something? Are we really expecting perfection from people who’ve never stumbled?

So, basically, the “military” twin was absorbed in the womb by the “medical” twin (at least from the Colonel’s perspective). Then Sam appears - damaged in his own way, carrying that military outlook and later career—and becomes the perfect substitute for the lost twin. It’s strange how the mind can justify neglecting one’s own child while adopting another. Oh, @JJQuinn, wouldn’t it have been simpler to just write it like a telenovela? ¡Oh Dios mío, mi hijo, mi hijo! Of course - you never do simple!

This is the main impression of their communication: it’s how two adults should talk - no bullshit, no euphemisms, no political correctness, no tiptoeing around the truth. Direct, honest, and unflinching. It shouldn’t be surprising; these two have been through a lot, seen a lot, and they don’t have time to waste on false politeness. In a way, their openness mirrors the dynamic between Ban and Sam. When Max was with Sam, he was the one always in charge, setting the rules. Now, with Roman, it’s Roman who takes the lead, pushing hard enough to corner Max. The contrast highlights how shifting roles and direct confrontation can reveal different layers of power and intimacy. The way Roman says “you’re already there” - that’s the pinnacle of seduction. It’s not sappy or sentimental; it’s raw, manly, possessive, and carries this sense of victory. And I just love how he calls him papi - it adds that extra layer of intimacy and dominance. There’s nothing traditionally “romantic” in how they talk, yet their dialogue screams romance constantly. Every line is tension, desire, and control all wrapped together. Once again @JJQuinn, you’ve given us amazing dialogue and internal thoughts from your characters. It makes me wonder - do you ever write dull or shallow characters? The ones we’ve met are far too clever, not always using their intelligence for their own benefit, but brilliantly sharp, nonetheless.

It’s not that there’s one explicit moment where Lyn asks himself that exact question - it’s more his general way of being with anyone, not just Alexander. He tends to overthink, to get swallowed up by his insecurities, always worrying about how others see him, what they think, how he looks in their eyes. With Alexander, though, there’s an added layer: Alexander enjoys the challenge Lyn brings. Lyn is one of the rare people (maybe the only one) who’s brutally honest with him. As a wealthy, good-looking guy, Alexander is surrounded by flatterers, but Lyn - even though he often depends on Alexander’s financial help - never really sucks up to him. That honesty cuts through the noise, and Alexander appreciates it.

This chapter mirrors so many past scenes, almost like the story is folding back on itself. There is antique bookshop scene reversal... Earlier, Alexander bought Lyn a book. Now Lyn buys one for Alexander - but not just any book. It’s proof that he saw, remembered, understood Alexander deeply. This isn’t just a gift, it’s recognition. Bracelet parallel... When Lyn bought bracelets for both Brad and Alexander, Brad immediately asked, “Did you buy it for him too?” Here, when Lyn gives Alexander the book, Alexander’s first instinct is, “Does Brad know about this?” The symmetry is striking - but the motives differ. Brad’s question came from wanting to police the triangle and keep its balance. Alexander’s feels more about guarding intimacy, wanting something private and unshared between himself and Lyn. The kiss contrast... The earlier kiss with Brad was awkward, ugly, almost humiliating. Here, the kiss with Alexander is quick, shy, and playful - yet gentle, charged with warmth, even possibility. Neither Brad nor Alexander seems to “care for each other’s feelings” directly. Instead, they both use Lyn as the pivot - Brad to maintain the triangle’s dynamic, Alexander to carve out a secret closeness. Lyn, caught between, can’t yet see the weight of these small gestures.

Hehe, now you’re slipping right into Lyn’s head and his way of thinking. That’s exactly how he frames it - always through his own insecurities, asking himself “what could Alexander possibly see in me?” But that’s the problem of one - we only see it through Lyn’s POV. What we do know is that Alexander is unusually insightful. He doesn’t get fooled by walls or masks the way Brad does. He sees through them - and that’s probably why he keeps Lyn close, even when Lyn himself can’t imagine why.

He doesn’t think Lyn is “emotionally” smart at all. When Alexander says “You’re smart, Lynton. Figure it out,” it’s not a compliment - it’s a provocation. He’s poking at Lyn’s blind spot, the fact that Lyn can analyze everything intellectually but still fails to see what’s right in front of him when it comes to feelings.

I totally get what you’re saying about Brad – his words often do sound like slick salesman talk, and it’s hard to find anything solid behind the mask. But maybe that’s the point... on the surface (his conscious self) he’s this easygoing, manipulative charmer who uses Lyn’s feelings to keep control of the dynamic. Yet if we pay attention to his non-verbal side, there’s another layer peeking through. The longer-than-usual hugs, the looks at Lyn (sometimes with admiration, sometimes almost hunger), the touches that go beyond “bro banter” – all of that suggests his subconscious leaks things he would never openly admit. In that sense, Brad and Lyn are mirrors. Lyn hides behind intellectual language, Brad hides behind casual bullshit, but both are equally unreadable until you look at what slips through in silence. I can’t help but see both of them caught in this conscious vs. unconscious battle - Lyn clings to his infatuation with Brad almost like a bad habit he can’t quit, while unconsciously he shows his real emotions for Alexander. Brad, meanwhile, projects the reckless, charming friend, but in those unguarded moments, it feels like something deeper is pressing through. That’s why I wonder if Brad might turn out to be the true tragic figure here – the one who only realizes too late what he really felt.

Lyn would be a Sleeping Beauty lost in a hundred-year dream, and Alexander the prince who braves the thorns to reach him!

I'm pretty sure I'm not the only one who thought that was such a sweet kiss!