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A Life Lived

   (8 reviews)
Sub-genres: Comedy Modern, Drama
life_lived.jpeg

Colin McKenzie sells used cars and spoils his dog. In his life he's seen a lot of stupidity and he's become cranky and opinionated. The boy who first made his heart beat faster works in town now, divorced, but there's nothing there for either of them. Then a storm brings new life into a stale world for Colin and after so many years...he finally lives.

Copyright © 2024 Dabeagle; All Rights Reserved.

Story Recommendations (26 members)

  • Action Packed 9
  • Addictive/Pacing 20
  • Characters 24
  • Chills 7
  • Cliffhanger 8
  • Compelling 19
  • Feel-Good 19
  • Humor 21
  • Smoldering 6
  • Tearjerker 19
  • Unique 15
  • World Building 10

Select Chapter
Table of Contents
  • 1. Chapter 1
    • 6,006 Words
    • 2,980 Views
    • 20 Comments
  • 2. Chapter 2
    • 5,604 Words
    • 2,000 Views
    • 28 Comments
  • 3. Chapter 3
    • 6,304 Words
    • 1,670 Views
    • 20 Comments
  • 4. Chapter 4
    • 5,978 Words
    • 1,697 Views
    • 35 Comments
  • 5. Chapter 5
    • 5,992 Words
    • 1,305 Views
    • 14 Comments
  • 6. Chapter 6
    • 5,618 Words
    • 1,588 Views
    • 22 Comments
  • 7. Chapter 7
    • 3,592 Words
    • 1,489 Views
    • 23 Comments
  • 8. Chapter 8
    • 5,528 Words
    • 1,403 Views
    • 28 Comments
  • 9. Chapter 9
    • 6,864 Words
    • 1,974 Views
    • 34 Comments

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victorian221b

   1 of 1 member found this review helpful 1 / 1 member

This such a sweet story. 
Colin is a grumpy middle-aged man who is actually a sweetheart and a softie even though he hates to admit it. His relationship with Bailey (a battered boy from an abusive home) is special as well as with the neighbor’s kids. I love the little family he had created. 
 

One takeaway is finding love does not necessarily mean it has to be in the form of romance. Colin found love through the found family he gathered around him. While he can hope romance factored into his life, love can take any form. 
 

Now, I have many questions about Bailey so I’m going to jump over to the site to continue the story. 

  • Love 2
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EMichaelC2

   1 of 1 member found this review helpful 1 / 1 member

Let's be honest. I read the story because of the hoary snout of that senior dog in the picture.

Life is not complete until one has found love. This is a story about a different kind of love. Incidental in its incipience, but very compelling and visceral as it unfolds. Old dogs shouldn't be underestimated, as we will soon learn in the story. When a kid escapes abuse at the hands of his own parents and chances upon a grumpy old man's senior dog, a strange bond develops and we can't be sure if Colin discovers Bailey, or vice versa. Or is it Daisy who helps her humans discover their own intertwined destinies?

A gay man becomes a parent not out of choice, but out of a certain nobility of character. This alone hardly makes a story fun or intriguing. But our author @Dabeagle gives us a a great story about parental love with such lovable characters. Give it a read!

  • Love 4
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Darryl62

   1 of 1 member found this review helpful 1 / 1 member

I found this story via the genre news for April,  it was the 2nd most popular story of the preceding month and to be honest,  it should be number 1. Beautiful imagery,  laugh out loud snarky humour and characters that we have all met in our lives. Take the plunge and then the follow up story to ease the impact, tears and cheers it this 👌 👍 😄 👏 

  • Love 3
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James Carnarvon

· Edited by James Carnarvon

   5 of 5 members found this review helpful 5 / 5 members

Here, at GA, stories that are advertised as having no sexual content always pique my interest, because it suggests that the author may have something interesting to say from a dramatic point of view that does not rely on all the usual gay fiction tropes.

A Life Lived lives up to this promise. It's the touching tale of Colin, a misanthropic curmudgeon of a man whose life has been defined by missed opportunities. He disdains people in general, but loves his loyal dog Daisy, who is dying of cancer. Colin's familiar routines are shattered forever when Bailey, a frightened, abused runaway, stumbles into life, and, through a series of unusual circumstances, Colin becomes his guardian. As Colin tries, in his shambolic way, to protect and support the boy, so Bailey teaches Colin to care about life again.

Author Dabeagle writes with sincerity and genuine insight into the ups and downs of parenting traumatised children. The story is packed full of likeable and believable characters, and even our cantankerous anti-hero, Colin, will make you smile with his sharp-tongued wit.

The story ends on a poignant note that may not work for everyone but is guaranteed to leave you wanting more. I understand an authorised sequel is being written by another author on another site.

  • Love 6
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Mancunian

   4 of 4 members found this review helpful 4 / 4 members

If you can survive the emotional rollercoaster that Dabeagle sends us on you will enjoy this story of a grumpy used-car salesman taking in an abused boy. I'm not giving away any spoilers or telling you of the plot, I want you to read and enjoy it as I have, and trust me you won't regret it. A five-star recommended read.

  • Love 6
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centexhairysub

   8 of 8 members found this review helpful 8 / 8 members

A very nice little story; that gives us a glimpse of a life lived well.  Great characters that latched onto your heart and never let go.

The premise was very loosely based on a real event, but the author took what was a tragedy and gave us so much more.

Writing and pacing were good throughout.  Sit back and enjoy this little slice of some of the things that make life worth living.  The simple moments and the decisions you make that can take your life on a journey of discovery and joy that you never knew you were even looking for.

  • Love 10
Link to review
weinerdog

· Edited by weinerdog

   7 of 7 members found this review helpful 7 / 7 members

I'm hesitant to write this because the story isn't over it is continuing on The Doghouse by another good author .But what is already written is outstanding.If you love dogs and Love stories about kids overcoming a bad situation you will love this

  • Love 9
Link to review
tabaqui

   8 of 8 members found this review helpful 8 / 8 members

Dabeagle takes you one a ride with a car sales man who only loves  his dog that get's attached to a stray kid. just binge read this and you won't be disappointed. 

  • Like 2
  • Love 7
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