| Title | : | Ben Gavin |
| Author | : | |
| Rating | : | |
| ISBN | : | - |
| Language | : | English |
| Format Type | : | Kindle Edition |
| Number of Pages | : | 201 |
| Publication | : | First published October 18, 2017 |
Gavin has his own baggage to deal with, including old wounds from a family who disowned him when he was only a teenager.
As they struggle to meet in the middle after a short but painful breakup, Gavin’s pregnant sister lands on their doorstep and spins their world off its axis. At the heart of the chaos, though, Ben and Gavin manage to fall in love all over again. This time for all the right reasons.
Ben Gavin Reviews
-
JH Knight is an author I love who upsets me merely because she doesn't publish enough for my tastes (I know, I know--I'm selfish! And a tyrant!)
Her books
The Last Thing He Needs and
Just a Feeling are among my all-time favorite m/m books--and given that I've read 1000+ m/m books over the years--that's saying something!
Interesting enough, she's not an obvious pick for a favorite author. Her books aren't oozing with hot/kinky sex nor are her books saccharine sweet. They don't feature "trendy" story lines (remember that year when there was a sudden explosion of MCs who were MMA fighters?!), BSDM, paranormal creatures, or action/suspense plots.
Instead, for lack of a better term, her stories are REAL. They feature real people with complicated lives, obligations, personal hang-ups, and messy family situations. And people interact with each other in her works the way you'd expect them to in real life--with humor, love, and affection at times, and in other instances, with bruising words, biting sarcasm, and eye rolls. And so, when you pick up a JH Knight book, you feel like you are stepping in the life of a real family and a real couple--one that you find interesting, affectionately amusing, and want to root for--in part because you can see they're good people and in part because their lives ARE messy and you want to root for them extra hard because they deserve every slice of happiness they can get.
It's because of that realism, I suspect, that I find the strong emotions (not to mention the sex scenes!) that much more powerful in her works. I love how one of the sex scenes in this book featured the couple briefly chatting about non-sexy things before loosing themselves in the moment. Don't get me wrong--the sex scenes in this book are hot most of the time--but they also feel realistic in ways that I find refreshing as a frequent reader of this genre.
So this novella in particular--I love that it features a character mentioned in
The Last Thing He Needs (because I will read any book related to that series in a heartbeat!). I also appreciated the clever way JH Knight brought these two characters back together after a fight and enjoyed watching the ways that Gavin and Ben both grew as the story progressed--both in terms of gaining a better understanding of themselves as well as learning how to be better partners to each other.
Beyond that, I liked the secondary characters in this book--from the mother Nora (who I wish would adopt me!), to all the sisters featured in this story, to even the briefly-mentioned cancer survivor who was getting a tattoo to cover up her mastectomy scars.
My only quibble with this novella is that it does feel like we are dropped into this story about 5% in and the ending feels a tad abrupt as well. This complaint is only partially based on my desire for JH Knight to write more (did I mention that I feel like a tyrant when it comes to her?). Also, without spoiling anything, I was disappointed that I didn't see more characters from The Last Thing He Needs pop-up in this story, especially since this story takes place in that world.
In any case, I love this author and am happy to do my part to support/encourage her to write more. If you like her other works, you'll love this book as well. Recommended! -
This was so SO good!
I think
The Last Thing He Needs was one of the first MM romances I read, and I have to say I was really intrigued with Ben and Gavin.
As with so many other things though, I completely forgot about it until last night when I was sort of in the mood for a light, fun romance (and hopefully one I hadn't read before) when I found this... And my night was made!!
This was funny, sweet and romantic, and I LOVED (Not a big spoiler, but still.)
This book just made me really happy, even though I haven't read the prequel and it sort of started in the middle (I didn't mind that, since we were introduced to these two in TLTHN, and I felt I sort of knew them.)
These two just made me smile, I loved their progression both as individuals but also as a couple and they made me really hopeful!
Just wonderful, 'almost-second-chance', happy story.
-
I JUST REALIZED WHO THIS IS ABOUT!!!!!! OMG!
-
*** 2.5 Stars ***
Normally I enjoy J.H. Knights books (The Last Thing He Needs was one of my favourite books of 2014), but this one was a bit difficult for me to get into.
For starters, I don't love reading books about established couples when I haven't already read an entire book about them getting established in the first place. I know that we were introduced to Ben and Gavin in The Last Thing He Needs, but it's not the same as watching all of their firsts - their first meeting, their first fumblings of attraction, their first time, their first fight, the first time they really go to the mat for each other, and the first time they make themselves vulnerable to each other - unfold in front of you. It made me feel less connected to them and less invested in their relationship right off the bat.
I also didn't love starting the book with these two broken up and at each other's throats. Call me crazy, but I think that's a bit of a bummer for anyone who loves romance novels. And it sort of made it worse for me when the characters were forced to pretend that they weren't seething with resentment and hurt when Gavin's sweet fuckup of teenage sister landed on their front stoop with a bun in the oven.
And yet... the bickering and unresolved issues and family drama and using sex to gloss over deeper problems because you're tired of fighting/want to connect with your partner/just plain horny, are facts of life. It's like this book skipped the soft focus of your typical romance novel and went straight to the heart of a lot of people's real lives. So it felt truthful, but... maybe I don't want that much truth in my romance novels? Because while it was an arguably good book, I didn't like it nearly as much as some of this author's other work. -
I was halfway through this story when I realized who this story was about!!
I so, so loved The Last Thing He Needs, its prolly one of top 10, mm read.
But, anyway... in this one, we have Ben and Gavin...
Ben, an older, established tattooist, has been in a relationship with Gavin, for several years when this one takes place. You can read the short sequel as a free read on the author's site.
I was rooting for them, even though I did think, in the beginning, that Gavin was a bit too young and immature for Ben and didn't really have much going for him, couch surfing and trying to figure his life out. He grew on me and my heart hurt for him. His family was terrible and much like a lot of young people, forced out of their homes when coming out.... he did what he had to do to survive. He had great friends and of course....Ben....who even when he didnt want to, knew that he wanted to take care of him.
BUT, when we get to this story, Ben has a lapse in judgement and sends Gavin away. Its his own hangups, but I can see where hed be coming from. What he didnt seem to understand, was that Gavin was happy with the life they had together. All hed ever wanted was Ben, so again, I was heartbroken for him again, he felt rejected and thrown out once again in his short life and I hated that Ben did that to him. Luckily, Ben had an amazing mother who gave him a good talking to and he got his head together. It took some time and work on his part, but I was confident wed have a HEA. I was hoping or it anyway!!
Now, once things are still rocky but looking better...Gavin gets a GIANT surprise on their doorstep, and its a doozy. Ya cant blame Ben for being skeptical, but I felt for her too. She had been in the same situation as Gavin had been. Again... they're terrible, terrible people. their famliy.
I feel like, with Bens mom coming to visit and the showing up of Gavins sister though, it helped bring the couple closer together. Ben is a natural at wanting to take care of the people that he cares about, and Gavins sister soon becomes one of those people. Gavin needs Ben to keep him strong and held together. Hes his family, the one person that he couldnt live without and I love that. It may seem wierd, but I love that he needed that and I love that Ben gave it to him and the way that Ben gave that to him.
Overall, it was just an awesome story about two people we kind of got to know in the other book. I loved it so much! Im convinced Ill love anything this author writes....I cant wait to read more!
5, well deserved stars from me! -
3.5 ⭐️
If you want to read this book, read the prequel in the author’s blog first. It’s short, sweet and free.
Ben & Gavin is a book about them settling down in a more serious relationship, more oriented towards long term goals than the honeymoon phase. The book starts with them 3 years into their relationship and with Ben’s ‘I’m-too-old-for-him’ crisis.
It was nice but, even with the prequel, I needed to know how Ben became infatuated with Gavin. That is not even told... the prequel stars the day of Gavin’s 18th birthday, when he and Ben had known each other for a year and they were already hot for each other.
The characters were portrayed realistically. Ben acted and thought like the 40 year old he was, and Gavin acted 21.
It was good, but didn’t quite hit the mark with me. -
Ben è un tatuatore ed è molto più grande di Gavin ,lui ha avuto le sue esperienze mentre Gavin ha avuto solo lui per questo Ben vorrebbe che Gavin provasse anche altro ma Gavin è sicuro di se. Ben ha una famiglia che lo ama mentre Gavin ha due genitori di vedute molto ristrette che quando hanno saputo della sua omosessualità l’hanno sbattuto fuori di casa e proprio mentre i due stanno cercando di rappacificarsi dopo una breve rottura la sorella minore di Gavin si presenta incinta alla loro porta....
Un libro piacevole e scorrevole dal pov di entrambi in terza persona ,mi hanno incuriosito le immagini illustrate di alcuni momenti particolari riguardando Ben e Gavin cosa che non mi era mai capitata nei libri quindi molto piacevole . Per me 3,5 stelle . -
2.5 stars
-
I'm glad I found this at the right time as I was exactly in the mood for a story like this. It was easy, heartwarming and it brought a smile to my face. I'm glad that the author didn't go the line of an ill or dying mother, nope, the sister and the child both are still in the picture.
So, it was a feel-good story from beginning to end and I'm looking forward to reading more by this author. I like her writing style a lot. -
3.5 stars
-
This was such a wonderful story. I loved everything about it. The characters, the storyline, the writing style. Only one page in the book and I was hooked. It kept me captivated till the very end.
It is not really a getting-together story but more a staying-together story. The author describes perfectly what it takes to be in a loving and lasting relationship. The little things that are annoying but you’ll take because you love the other one. The struggles to compromise. To give and take. And the ever-present love.
Ben and Gavin are at a patchy time in their relationship, but they are working hard to get through it. Then Gavin’s pregnant sister, Tina, comes to live with them. On the one hand, this makes it more difficult. On the other hand, they bond even more in their concern and care for Tina. Ben is not a talker and especially not about his feelings. He is more the man to let his actions do the talking.
Gavin might be the younger man, but he knows what he wants. He understands that Ben is the natural caretaker but he won’t let him decide what to do with his life. With ups and downs and a lot of conversations, they grow into a partnership.
It is also a story about family. There are so many different kinds of family. If you have to leave one family, luckily, there are others to take you in with love and affection.
It is funny, sweet, sexy and at times heartbreaking.
In her author’s note she says “while this story can be read as a standalone, it may be enhanced by reading Ben and Gavin’s free “prequel” The Best Parts, posted on my blog.” I urge you to do just that as this really makes the start of this book better to understand.
This is the first book by this author I have read, but it will definitely not be the last. I am looking forward to reading more. -
I didn't even realize until after I read the book that Ben was a secondary character in J.H. Knight's other story "The Last Thing He Needs," which I absolutely adored.
This book jumps straight into a relationship with Ben & Gavin, who have been together for about three years before "breaking up." When a surprising visit occurs from Gavin's pregnant and estranged sister, the two are forced to put aside their differences and help Tina through her birth (and her other issues.)
It was a bit difficult to get into the flow of this story because there was nothing established about the characters but we're thrown headfirst into their relationship. Apparently there's a smaller novella about them floating around out there, which I didn't read, but you honestly don't need to read it to enjoy this book. Once you get established with the characters and their quirks, you should be fine with reading!
Not what I expected, but still enjoyable! -
Such a feel good story
I’ll admit I kind of felt dropped into the middle at first. Gavin and Ben are an established couple in the midst of a breakup right at the start. How they met and got together isn’t entirely clear but as the narrative gets rolling it pulled me right in. It’s about an older, overprotective, sometimes stupid man and a younger boyfriend who has to convince the silly man he knows his own mind. It’s a 17 year old girl cast out by the same parents that threw away their son out of screwed up ideas of Christianity.
It’s heartwarming and funny, sweet and sexy and I enjoyed this immensely. Just wish I knew more about the beginning. -
DNF @ 43% ... was going to rate it 1 star [see my updates for why, if you’re interested] but then decided to cut this book a little slack and skim to see what happens at the end. Will rate then.
-
Nice and comfy, secure and tangible. Read it a couple weeks back, but I remember how this book covered everything of concern, and made me care about all the characters. The MCs needed to grow into each other, and here they did just that. A satisfying read.
-
5 lovely hearts!!
I always love JH Knight’s books. She doesn’t write enough of them!
I sort of recognise this couple (maybe) from one of her previous books (I think) but it’s not important. What’s important is, I’m being graced with the presence of an awesome book of amazing quality! 🙌
I’m quite speechless at the moment. I mean, I don’t know what to say about it except I love it! Both guys weren’t perfect, which is why they were broken up in the first place. We don’t really see the break up scene but from the bits and pieces of conversation, we learn why they broke up. Totally Ben’s fault 🤭
I don’t want to give the story away except there’s a birth described in the book. And gosh, it’s the first time - for me - that it truly shows how strong a mother can be. I say mother because not all women are mothers. 🤷🏻♀️ anyways,JH Knight did an phenomenal job with that scene 🙌👏🙌👏
I want to say I wish there was more but JH Knight tied it up so neatly that there really isn’t any reason for more. No lead left unraveled. No quirky half cryptic plot lines to unveil. Nothing! Zilch! Nada!
Beautiful, beautiful story. This is what an awesome book is like! 😭 I swear they’re happy tears! 🤧 -
Definitely recommend reading the seperate prequel for this book. It’s available via a link at the beginning of the kindle edition and doesn’t require signing up to anything. It really builds the backstory and connection between the characters. Being introduced to them in ‘The last thing he needs’ also made this couple really intriguing to me and I recommend reading that one first because it’s good!
This didn’t quite reach the heights of ‘The last thing he needs’ but it was a very different book. This one was mostly focused on the relationship between Ben and Gav and I think it was done really well. Their age gap difficulties felt very real. All their interactions were believable and felt authentic. I really liked Ben’s so very normal character - his words always coming across wrong is the story of my life! These felt like genuine guys with genuine relationship problems and I really liked that. I don’t feel bogged down by this authors writing - there isn’t big heavy internal monologues or long flowery descriptions. I love her characters. I wish she had a larger backlist! -
Loved it. We met Ben briefly in
The Last Thing He Needs and there is a free prequel of them on the authors website
https://knightwylde.blogspot.com/2014...
I suggest that you read the prequel before you read
Ben & Gavin, because you can get full reading enjoyment that way.
However you don't have to read
The Last Thing He Needs before reading this book because it is a standalone, but i highly recommend you read it anyway because it is a fantastic book (one of my all time favorites). -
There was a few weeks gap since my read on
The Last Thing He Needs so I had to go back and did a brief re-read just to grasp where Ben came from. In terms of plot, this book has less angst than the first book and can be read as a standalone.
“Love doesn’t change and it doesn’t judge, doesn’t know the difference between genders or anything else.”
My favorite character is definitely Nora here and I love her for her kindness and wise words. -
DNF 60%
I've been skimming for a while. It's not that this is bad, it's just not holding my attention. Definitely recommend reading the free prequel on the authors website before starting this as they begin here as an established couple. -
Nice and sweet. But lacking something...no tension.
-
I really liked this.... I do wish there was a little more bitter to balance out all the sweet.
-
Recensione a cura di Cleo per Feel the Book
Avevamo già conosciuto Ben in “Non ho bisogno di te”, era il tatuatore amico di Tommy, ma non è necessario averlo letto per godersi questo libro (nel caso in cui non l’aveste già fatto, però, è una storia bellissima). Il romanzo inizia con una nota dell’autrice che segnala una novella gratuita disponibile sul suo sito che ne costituisce un prequel, ma anche stavolta la comprensione del testo non viene danneggiata se non la si legge. “Ben e Gavin” ci catapulta da subito nel mezzo di una storia già iniziata, in qualche modo, perché i due vivono insieme da un paio d’anni e si sono appena separati dopo un litigio (quello che Ben aveva raccontato a Tommy), tuttavia ogni particolare del loro passato è spiegato con chiarezza e il senso iniziale di straniamento è di breve durata e non rappresenta una nota negativa, secondo me, perché le emozioni molto forti dei due protagonisti coinvolgono da subito il lettore.
I dieci anni che separano Ben e Gavin hanno spinto Ben ad allontanare il ragazzo, incitandolo ad aprirsi a nuove esperienze perché è convinto di frenarlo con la propria presenza. Il bisogno di Ben di proteggere Gavin e occuparsi di lui è fortissimo, ma l’uomo ha una straordinaria capacità di dire quasi il contrario di ciò che pensa: anche quando è animato dalle intenzioni migliori, quello che gli esce dalla bocca complica la situazione e fa arrabbiare Gavin. Come detto molto bene nel testo, Ben è bravissimo a rimediare agli errori degli altri ma pessimo quando si tratta dei propri.
A dispetto della giovane età, Gavin è estremamente maturo; essere stato cacciato di casa quando era ancora al liceo l’ha costretto a crescere in fretta e lui sa quello che vuole dalla vita, anche se non riesce a dirlo con chiarezza al compagno. La rottura tra loro è scaturita dalla difficoltà di comunicazione, non dalla mancanza d’amore, che anzi è ancora fortissimo tra loro. Le loro conversazioni fanno sorridere, arrabbiare e a volte commuovere, perché sapere cosa provano e non riescono a dirsi fa quasi venire voglia di prenderli e sbattere insieme le loro teste dure.
A dispetto delle loro difficoltà, però, Ben e Gavin fanno fronte comune quando alla loro porta si presenta la sorella diciassettenne del ragazzo, scappata di casa perché incinta. I genitori di Gavin sono estremamente religiosi e bigotti, oltre che incapaci di dimostrare amore ai loro figli, ed è doloroso vedere quanta sofferenza abbiano inflitto sia al ragazzo che alla sorella con la loro ottusa inflessibilità.
Al centro di questo romanzo c’è la famiglia: quella crudele che ha rifiutato i due giovani, quella inclusiva e un po’ folle di Ben, quella che Gavin e Ben riescono a costruire grazie all’amore che li lega. Se Gavin ne rappresenta il cuore e la forza, Ben è il protettore che con poche parole, spesso imbarazzate e quasi fuori luogo, ma con azioni decise accoglie sotto il proprio tetto una ragazzina spaventata come aveva già fatto con suo fratello, e la fa sentire accettata e al sicuro. Gavin mi è piaciuto perché rompe molti stereotipi e non è il classico ragazzo buttato fuori di casa che non sa cosa fare della vita se qualcuno non lo guida, ma è Ben ad avermi conquistato: inciampa nelle parole, viene frainteso e non riesce a rimediare, ma poi razzia un negozio in cerca di prodotti per una neomamma e con il semplicissimo gesto di prendere una coperta da uno scaffale comunica tutta la dolcezza che si nasconde dentro di lui.
Un bel romanzo, scritto con uno stile diretto che comunica alla perfezione ciò che provano i personaggi; una lettura che vi lascerà con un sorriso e un senso di soddisfazione nel cuore. L’edizione italiana, inoltre, è impreziosita da alcune splendide illustrazioni realizzate da Le Peruggine, due artiste bravissime che hanno contribuito a rendere speciale il libro.
Editing a cura di Lilith. -
3,5
Non una delusione ma avevo altre - e forse troppo alte - aspettative. -
Me Likey, Me No Likey
Hmph. Where to start? Okay. Good stuff first. I luuuuurve J.H. Knight's books. Love, Love, Love. Mm-hmm, like that freaky weird tree in The Last Unicorn. You know the one? Here, maybe this will refresh your memory:
Yep. Love. Love. Love. LOL. Anyway, now that I got that out of my system ... moving on. One of my all-time favorite MM books is
The Last Thing He Needs. And maybe I misunderstood somehow or other, but this book was pitched to me as a follow-on/sequel to Tommy and Bobby's story, or, to make it so much more simple, I thought it was supposed to be: The Last Thing He Needs (Book, #2). However, that is not what I feel like we got here, and now that it's been released, there's no distinct link to a series on either Goodreads or Amazon, so ... I don't know. I'm whining about it because I had expectations based on what was implied and because of that, erroneous or not, I am slightly disgruntled.
Let me explain. Because I thought it was a series installment, I expected to revisit Tommy and Bobby. Obviously, I knew this one was going to be about Ben and Gavin because let's face it, duh, the title. Unfortunately, we got only an honorable mention of Tommy and Bobby and what felt like a disconnected story about Ben and Gavin. If I try to remove my expectations from the reality of what we were given, the story itself was good as long as you don't mind the fact that it was missing a beginning and an ending and had no true plot. The relationship development and some (at first) peripheral (and then) in your face family drama were the whole plot.
I was glad the miscommunication and misunderstanding crap between Ben and Gavin didn't go overboard or continue for too long. I hate it when older MCs get all paternal. It's icky. I also liked the personal and relationship growth both Ben and Gavin underwent throughout. It just didn't seem like enough story to satisfy, not after reading The Last Thing He Needs.
~~~
~~~
I will say this: I am in love with the realism in these stories, regardless of how I feel about a lack of overall story arc between related books. The stories consist of real-world problems and resolutions that make sense on- and off-page. Whatever Knight's characters endure is something that is happening to someone in everyday life at the very same moment. Of that, I have no doubt. In my humble opinion, that is something a lot of contemporary romance lacks: a true sense of realism. Ordinarily, too much reality bores me. After all, what's sexy about diaper changes or house-hunting? I read to escape boring stuff like that, but Knight makes it interesting and it somehow lives in a framework that allows the otherwise mundane to remain sexy and page-turning. That's a gift and a definite sign of inspired writing.
I don't know if Knight is going to circle the wagons and bring everything together or if these MCs are going to be living in isolated bubbles that occasionally brush one another like Cara Dee's Camassia Cove stories. I just don't know. I wish there had been more to this one and I wish there had been more of a connection between the related stories. Barring any of that, there's not much more to say.
Ultimately, I don't know where it all goes from here and that makes me a little sad. I felt like we missed out on a lot of potential in this one even though, objectively speaking, the end result was pretty good. So for that reason and the ones I already mentioned, I'm still a bit disappointed but I'm hopeful that what comes next will live up to what came before.
If you want to read a good story by a good writer and aren't so much concerned with or invested in adjacent characters, then go for it. If you're hoping for a series connection, you'll be disappointed.
Other reviews by NeRdyWYRM can be read
here.
Images (if present) may be subject to copyright
Galley copy of
Ben & Gavin provided by
J.H. Knight in exchange of an honest review. -
Da un po' ti tempo le storie di genere mm rappresentano il 60% delle mie letture.
Con l'arrivo dell'estate ho recuperato alcuni libri che mi erano stati consigliati dalle amiche e uno dei titoli che più mi è piaciuto è stato "Non ho bisogno di te" di J.H. Knight.
Una storia toccante che mi ha lasciata con la curiosità di scoprire come si sarebbero risolte le cose per un personaggio incontrato a fine romanzo: Ben, in crisi con il suo giovane compagno.
Immaginate la gioia quando, dopo un messaggio sclero, la mia amica mi ha detto che il protagonista di Ben & Gavin, il libro in uscita per Triskell Edizioni, era proprio quel Ben lì.
Il romanzo comincia dove si era interrotto, con il rientro a casa di Ben dopo un viaggio di lavoro. La casa vuota e il cellulare di Gavin lasciato in bella vista, sono il segno tangibile della fine del loro rapporto. È stata una sua decisione, la paura è una brutta consigliera e Ben se ne è lasciato influenzare, la difficoltà di parlare delle sue emozioni, poi, ha fatto il resto. Diciannove anni di differenza non sono non facili da ignorare, ma l’unica certezza è il suo amore per Gavin , deve recuperare il loro rapporto e riuscire a farsi perdonare.
Gavin è un personaggio fantastico, nella sua vita ha dovuto affrontare esperienze terribili, ma non si piange addosso e ha sempre un sorriso pronto per tutti. Lasciare la casa che ha condiviso con Ben è una delle cose più difficili che abbia dovuto fare, riporta alla memoria ricordi dolorosi nei quali non può permettersi di indugiare se vuole restare lucido.
Quando Ben si fa avanti per chiarire le cose e riportarlo a casa, un arrivo imprevisto mette sottosopra il loro già precario equilibrio. Eppure, la sorella diciassettenne incinta e spaventata di Gavin, si rivela la loro migliore occasione per mettere da parte le paure, fare pace con il passato e costruire le fondamenta per il loro futuro insieme.
Lo stile dell’autrice è semplice e ricco di ironia, la storia prosegue senza grossi scossoni senza però essere noiosa, due protagonisti così diversi d’altronde non potrebbero annoiare. Ben è riflessivo, concreto e pianifica tutto, Gavin, al contrario, è istintivo e si lascia trasportare dalle emozioni del momento senza riflettere. Entrambi, però, donano all’altro quello che gli manca. Questo romanzo pone l‘attenzione sulla diversità, sul fanatismo religioso e sulla famiglia, quella che non sempre condivide il tuo patrimonio genetico, ma è quella che sceglie il cuore. Una storia dolcissima impreziosita dalle favolose illustrazioni realizzate da Barbara e Claudia Peruggine, che ci aiutano a dare un volto ai protagonisti. -
The focus of the story does not move beyond the relationship of the central characters. Both are likeable with a clear softening of the older of the two as the book progresses. The other character remains largely unchanged throughout. Secondary characters are introduced and their personalities fleshed out only so far as they impact the central characters. Similarly locations are relevant only in so far as they support characteristics of the central individuals. The plot lacks complexity but remains interesting. Perhaps the most noticeable thing is that whilst potential for conflict and angst are present throughout, even where there is the risk of traumatic events the author pulls back from them. As such this is a comfortable read throughout. The writing is in the first person and alternates between the two central characters. It is unfortunate that given the rich potential of the plot lines that more was not made of the story.
The relationship between the lead characters is generally sweet and loving. Where there is the potential for misunderstanding this is dealt with pragmatically rather than emotionally. The intimacy between them is handled well and is as explicit as the needs of the situation allows. Perhaps because there is no real tension passion feels muted.
There is a steady pace to the story that matches the underlying plot. The writing is well structured and the reader would have little difficulty in absorbing what is happening. This is very much a feel good story.
Although there are a number of plot lines throughout the book each reaches some sort of conclusion by the end. If there had been more tension to any of them there would clearly be opportunity for future stories to follow on from this. However, this could just as easily be the end of this story. There is nothing that is particularly new about the plot lines developed here and is disappointing that more was not made of them. As such it remains a comfortable read.
This review is also posted at
Gay Book Reviews -
E' mezzo.
Aggiungo la mezza stella solo perché Ben è la cosa più tenera e dolce del mondo.
Forse mi aspettavo un po' troppo, e sono rimasta scottata. Affascinata da "Non ho bisogno di te" delle stessa autrice, mi aspettavo qualcosa allo stesso livello ma è stato banale. Romantico, forse anche troppo, ma assolutamente banale.
Poi forse il fatto che odiasi tantissimo Gavin non ha aiutato.
Ho trovato il suo personaggio immaturo ed estremamente egoista. Forse negli ultimi capitoli il suo personaggio è migliorato un pochino ma all'inizio l'ho trovato frustrante.
Il modo in cui trattava Ben riuscivo a paragonarlo solo ad una violenza psicologica.
"Se non poteva convincerlo a comportarsi bene, forse avrebbe potuto addestrarlo con il rinforzo positivo." E il rinforzo positivo è un lavoro di bocca
Questa è una cosa che non ho sopportato di leggere. Gavin si incazza da morire con Ben perché ha fatto piangere la sorella, quel povero cristo va in un centro commerciale e compra di tutto e di più per la sorella incinta del suo ragazzo con cui al momento è in piena guerra fredda. Tina e felice dei nuovi regali e Gavin sa che hanno molto di cui discutere sulla loro relaziona ma decide di "addestrare" il suo ragazzo con il sesso mentre l'unico pensiero che ha Ben è accontentare Gavin in tutto per mantenere la pace.
In tutto questo in un salto temporale di quasi un mese, mentre la loro relazione è ancora in stallo e non hanno chiarito niente e giocano solo alla coppia felice di fronte alla sorella incinta, loro comprano casa...
E' una relazione tossica. Probabilmente sarò l'unica a pensarlo ma leggere il libro mi ha fatto pensare che la loro relazione non fosse romantica ma tossica. Ma forse sono solo io che ho un concetto diverso di romanticismo. -
2.5 rounded down
In the same universe as the book
The Last Thing He Needs (not sure why it's not a series) but can be read as a stand alone.
I'll be honest, considering this is one of the author's more recent works, I had high hopes for it, but I thought it was a pretty weak novel overall.
Nothing really happens in it, is the thing. The characters start off broken up and then quickly get back together. There's some mild relationship drama that is basically extended throughout the whole novel as the characters never seem to talk about their issues. I didn't really like (nor did I dislike) either of the characters, but frankly felt like the whole book showed that ultimately they weren't well suited towards each other. Plus overly meddlesome mothers/family members is, I'm discovering, a huge squick bordering on a trigger for me.
Lots of potential, but this one fell flat.
