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2nd out of 159 books
—
268 voters
Bridges (Hot Summer Days)
by
M.J. O'Shea (Goodreads Author)
With names like Dallas and Brooklyn they could've either been best friends...or worst enemies. The war started in third grade, with a surprise punch to the face, and lasted until the summer after high school when Brooklyn and Dallas are stuck working at the same store. At night. Together. It should've been a recipe for disaster. But instead of outright combat, they slowly...more
free online fiction, 27 pages
Published
July 2011
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An enemies to lovers short story. Easy, fun read.
I'm not really into shorts because I like to see some development in my characters and to be given the time to know them better. But this is a good one.
It has some funny bits and although by the second half it becomes somewhat mushy and the ending is far from a surprise (view spoiler), I loved it. What? Everyone is entitled to guilty pleasures.
Oh,...more
I'm not really into shorts because I like to see some development in my characters and to be given the time to know them better. But this is a good one.
It has some funny bits and although by the second half it becomes somewhat mushy and the ending is far from a surprise (view spoiler), I loved it. What? Everyone is entitled to guilty pleasures.
Oh,...more
For a short story, the author packs a lot of history and growth as well as feeling. I really enjoyed this novella a lot. Dallas and Brooklyn (yes, that's really their names but it's still 5 stars) are enemies since the day they met in third grade and had a scuffle on the playground. They remain enemies throughout high school even though their last names (both starting with the letter T) and the fact that they're both bright, ensure that they're in the same classes all through high school. I'm re...more
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This review can be found at Brief Encounters Reviews.
This was a very sweet, but not saccharine, enemies to friends to lovers story that hit just the right notes. It starts with Dallas and Brooklyn meeting in 3rd grade, where they promptly get into a fist fight and it’s downhill from then on for the duo, despite seeming to be flung together at every opportunity during their school years. Dallas isn’t even sure why he hates Brooklyn so much, they just do. It’s tradition so to speak.
The summer foll...more
This was a very sweet, but not saccharine, enemies to friends to lovers story that hit just the right notes. It starts with Dallas and Brooklyn meeting in 3rd grade, where they promptly get into a fist fight and it’s downhill from then on for the duo, despite seeming to be flung together at every opportunity during their school years. Dallas isn’t even sure why he hates Brooklyn so much, they just do. It’s tradition so to speak.
The summer foll...more
Enjoyable and sweet
It's kind of a typical story, but the are elements that are new to the story, so it makes it look brand new.
Writing style:
It's very easy to understand. The description is only there when you need it. Well, I expect this to short stories.
It should be well edited. I love it, so a check for this one.
Pace:
It's really fast, and there are no jibber jabbers. I think the author know what her readers really want. It's full of narration, but when a scene, it's very lovely
Characte...more
It's kind of a typical story, but the are elements that are new to the story, so it makes it look brand new.
Writing style:
It's very easy to understand. The description is only there when you need it. Well, I expect this to short stories.
It should be well edited. I love it, so a check for this one.
Pace:
It's really fast, and there are no jibber jabbers. I think the author know what her readers really want. It's full of narration, but when a scene, it's very lovely
Characte...more
I enjoy this author's work and I decided I wanted to read this one when I saw the blurb. It was novella length and I found myself sorry to see it done when I finished the last page because I enjoyed the characters so much.
Dallas and Brooklyn start out hating each other from the moment Dallas' family moves to the small town in Texas from New Jersey. Their enmity keeps up through the rest of grade-school, jr. high and it just is by high school. All through school they were thrust together whenever...more
Dallas and Brooklyn start out hating each other from the moment Dallas' family moves to the small town in Texas from New Jersey. Their enmity keeps up through the rest of grade-school, jr. high and it just is by high school. All through school they were thrust together whenever...more
Sweet story about first love, finding the courage forge your own path and embracing destiny. Dallas and Brooklyn came from broken homes, and though they went to school together, they certainly were not friends; even having a few run-ins back in the day. But then fate intervened and they found themselves working together for the summer after high school graduation. Both boys were gay, but that's not something you announce in rural Texas. They became good friends and soon knew they both were attra...more
The best friends to lovers theme has been done so frequently and often quite well in the M/M Romance genre, but in Bridges, M.J. O’Shea takes a turn at the bitter enemies turned lovers theme, and does so with winning characters whom the Fates seem destined to bring together at every opportunity in spite of their less than promising beginning.
This is a story that follows Dallas, a New Jersey transplant to a small Texas town, and Brooklyn, the boy who takes an instant disliking to Dallas, from the...more
This is a story that follows Dallas, a New Jersey transplant to a small Texas town, and Brooklyn, the boy who takes an instant disliking to Dallas, from the...more
I was a little surprised by how well this short story was written. Two boys who hated each other through primary and secondary school finally discover friendship and love during the summer before they go to college. Although the boys didn't acknowledge their feelings for each other until they finished school, the idea of the bullying jock harbouring a secret love for the more studious boy he tried to bully reminded me a little of the Norwegian short film, Benny's Gym (2007), although the protago...more
What a brilliantly beautiful story! One of my top faves from this series. I loved that there wasn't drama simply for drama's sake, but honest-to-gooodness character building life experiences that had this pair knocking each other out and later, sharing their love. Their family issues are those I can relate to and my heart broke for them both and made me grateful that they each had the other to lean on. Their love scene was so sweetly innocent without being cheesy. It's one thing to read a scorch...more
This short story was fleshed out better than some novels I've read. Really enjoyed the characters and their story.
This short fiction is just... Fun. Is not a bad written story, even though, I think is too simple the love story, not the way that is written -Which I think is the best of the book, the Author really gets you interested in the Story-, however, as I said before, is too simply and it lacks of a developed range of feelings, they just Love or Hate, just as most of the XXI Century teenagers, but it does not have the passion that this generation has, Is just too sexual and not Sensual, I think is more...more
This is such a nice and sweet story about two boys who have met since they were both in third grade. Since their last name begin with 'T', they were put in the same classes often. Both names are name after a location (Dallas and Brooklyn), which make them either best friends or sworn enemies. They became the latter. They were still enemies until the end of high school, when they were hired by a same store to work night shift. Slowly, they buried the hatches and became best friends. The rest of t...more
This one is so GOOD!! I actually love how you write the story from Dallas's point of view, so we experience what he feels, how Dallas doesn't really aware that Brooklyn's has seen him in a different light since years prior and it takes him by surprise. I LOVE IT. My favorite line is probably this ...
I was surprised. I had no idea what I was doing, other than from, well, lots of research... and by research I mean the kind where you have to erase your internet history when you’re done so your par...more
I was surprised. I had no idea what I was doing, other than from, well, lots of research... and by research I mean the kind where you have to erase your internet history when you’re done so your par...more
I really enjoyed this free read from the M/M romance group. One of my faves.
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It was such a sweet love story. I have already read it twice.
Now this is exactly the kind of fireworks I want to experience every 4th of July!! Another amazing job of showcasing first love and all kinds of firsts when it came to intimacy! I could feel my own heart thumping with that first almost-kiss and had goosebumps when it happened for real:)
I think this story is a great example of how closely intertwined love and hate can really be and I loved Dallas and Brooklyn's journey from enemies to lovers. The perfect story for the perfect picture with humor,...more
I think this story is a great example of how closely intertwined love and hate can really be and I loved Dallas and Brooklyn's journey from enemies to lovers. The perfect story for the perfect picture with humor,...more
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Very cute, adorable story.
Cute love story❤
I have really wanted to read this story for quite awhile but I put it off because I wanted to read the entire anthology in order. I was not disappointed. I love enemies to lovers stories. This one was written perfectly. Brooklyn and Dallas have hated each other since third grade. They are now high school graduates and are stuck working an overnight shift together. Watching them get beyond the old issues was very refreshing. Watching them fall in love was even better.
Great story. Definitely worth...more
Great story. Definitely worth...more
Brooklyn - Dallas' relationship can be summarized into enemy->friend->lover.
They're enemies since third grade, then after stuck together into night-works-shift on grocery store during the summer after high school, they're into friendship kind of thing. And after camp together on Dallas' trampoline, they're officially lovers!
awwww i lovvvvvvvvvvve this! this story turns me into crazy-squeeing-girl!! sweet-cute-lovely-highschooler-love story ♥ ♥ ♥ and..and..their love making is hot but sweet...more
They're enemies since third grade, then after stuck together into night-works-shift on grocery store during the summer after high school, they're into friendship kind of thing. And after camp together on Dallas' trampoline, they're officially lovers!
awwww i lovvvvvvvvvvve this! this story turns me into crazy-squeeing-girl!! sweet-cute-lovely-highschooler-love story ♥ ♥ ♥ and..and..their love making is hot but sweet...more
This short (27 page )novella is the story of two boys who grow up hating each other but in the summer before their first year of college, they find a way to bridge that gap.
It's a sweet tale of antipathy turning to adoration and its a fast fun read. While not the epic quality of Jane Austen's tale of Lizzie and Darcy, we do get a better than average story here with just a bit of M/M erotica thrown in toward the end.
I'm sure that for many readers the wish-fulfillment will be reason enough to ch...more
It's a sweet tale of antipathy turning to adoration and its a fast fun read. While not the epic quality of Jane Austen's tale of Lizzie and Darcy, we do get a better than average story here with just a bit of M/M erotica thrown in toward the end.
I'm sure that for many readers the wish-fulfillment will be reason enough to ch...more
This was cute. Originally written as part of the Hot Summer Days event in the M/M group, this book is long for that purpose (but a short story). Dallas and Brooklyn meet in the 3rd grade and are immediately at odds. They actively hate each other and get into 2 major fights in their school career. And despite how they wish it were't the case alphabetically they are next to each other and seem to end up stuck with each other no matter what. After high school graduation these two find themselves on...more
Nov 11, 2012
Bettye Kanady
rated it
3 of 5 stars
Recommended to Bettye by:
Love is Always Write List
Shelves:
finished,
love-is-always-write
This was a cute story and a short read. I liked the fact that the two main characters began their "war" in third grade, and kind of became aware of each other, it seemed, about the same time as well. Maybe just another reason to see that they were meant to be together despite everything that they thought they were feeling. I was able to get through this one in about 30 minutes, so if you're looking for a feel-good story "quickie" this one should do it for you. Oh, and the names are actually quit...more
Nov 07, 2011
Kaseka
rated it
5 of 5 stars
Shelves:
ebooks,
mm-romance,
contemporary,
erotica,
queer,
romance,
short-stories,
anthologies-and-collections
Bridges was amazing--very cute, but also incredibly well done! The main characters' relationship was so sensual--a romance!--and their progression from hate to truce to friendship to love was entirely believable. I read with a giant smile on my face--the humor and adorableness and Happily Ever After left me unable to do anything but be ridiculously happy myself by story's end.
It also left me writing review in my notebook with a giant heart in it (no, I am not copying it here). In conclusion: I h...more
It also left me writing review in my notebook with a giant heart in it (no, I am not copying it here). In conclusion: I h...more
I love this story to pieces.
I am not the biggest fan of first person narrative but it worked for me very well. Plus, I adore love/hate stories, so there was that.
I really liked the theme of them being stuck together, time after time after time, for life.
It was amusing in a very tender way. Them getting to know each other, developing all those feelings, the underlining wonder and exciment. It was simply wonderful.
I am not the biggest fan of first person narrative but it worked for me very well. Plus, I adore love/hate stories, so there was that.
I really liked the theme of them being stuck together, time after time after time, for life.
It was amusing in a very tender way. Them getting to know each other, developing all those feelings, the underlining wonder and exciment. It was simply wonderful.
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Perfection, a beautiful story for this picture, I couldn't wait to read that special moment shown in the picture. Just a slow,sweet slide into love and the ending..
"It figured that we’d been stuck together again. Why not? We always were. I was starting to wonder if me and Brooklyn Thorn might just be stuck together for life. I have to say that was fine with me."
Like I said perfect! :)
"It figured that we’d been stuck together again. Why not? We always were. I was starting to wonder if me and Brooklyn Thorn might just be stuck together for life. I have to say that was fine with me."
Like I said perfect! :)
This was a wonderful coming of age story about two guys; one named Brooklyn and the other is named Dallas. They've hated each other since the third grade but always seems to be put together by fate or bad luck.
This was a very short novela but it was robust. I wanted more. I did not want it to end. I felt like I knew the characters. Very enjoyable read. Would re-read again and more than once!!
This was a very short novela but it was robust. I wanted more. I did not want it to end. I felt like I knew the characters. Very enjoyable read. Would re-read again and more than once!!
Adorable. So so so adorable.
I have this very big thing for bickering couples. That's why this story got my attention with its summary right away. And I was not disappointed. It was adorable and light-hearted. It was short, but I think it should be that way for us to enjoy without many ups and downs in an emotional roller-coaster. Great way to lighten up and have some giggling.
I have this very big thing for bickering couples. That's why this story got my attention with its summary right away. And I was not disappointed. It was adorable and light-hearted. It was short, but I think it should be that way for us to enjoy without many ups and downs in an emotional roller-coaster. Great way to lighten up and have some giggling.
Love the new cover! Still the same beautiful story!
This book gives a whole new meaning to a love and hate relationship. It's an endearing story of choices one makes when young, choices that would have had a different end if the fates didn't have to have it their way.
Dallas and Brooklyn are sweet and beautiful in this coming of age story.
The author makes an art form of HEA and has the three ladies on speed dial helping the boys in this lovely story.
This book gives a whole new meaning to a love and hate relationship. It's an endearing story of choices one makes when young, choices that would have had a different end if the fates didn't have to have it their way.
Dallas and Brooklyn are sweet and beautiful in this coming of age story.
The author makes an art form of HEA and has the three ladies on speed dial helping the boys in this lovely story.
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LOVED this!
There was enough tension and coincidence and almost-humor from the very beginning, and from the first few sentences I was hooked. A lot of it skips over the years but it was done consistenly in the same way, until the 'present day' when everything just sort of - changes. [spoilers! Can't give it all away...]
And the ending? Absolutely priceless!
There was enough tension and coincidence and almost-humor from the very beginning, and from the first few sentences I was hooked. A lot of it skips over the years but it was done consistenly in the same way, until the 'present day' when everything just sort of - changes. [spoilers! Can't give it all away...]
And the ending? Absolutely priceless!
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M.J. O'Shea has been writing romance since algebra class in sixth grade (when most of her stories starred her and Leonardo DiCaprio). When she's not writing, she loves listening to nearly all types of music, painting, reading great authors, and on those elusive sunny days in the Pacific Northwest, she loves driving on the freeway with her windows rolled down and her stereo on high.
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