Sign in with Facebook
29th out of 165 books
—
272 voters
The Importance of Being Denny (Hot Summer Days)
by
Kari Gregg (Goodreads Author)
Free novelette written for the M/M Romance group's "Hot Summer Days" event.
Matt appears on Denny's doorstep four years after Matt's mother -- Denny's stepmother -- put Denny on the first bus out of California. Loving his very closeted stepbrother cost Denny everything once: his home, his family, the safety net of his trust fund. Everything. Denny built a new life. Matt fin...more
Matt appears on Denny's doorstep four years after Matt's mother -- Denny's stepmother -- put Denny on the first bus out of California. Loving his very closeted stepbrother cost Denny everything once: his home, his family, the safety net of his trust fund. Everything. Denny built a new life. Matt fin...more
free online fiction, 30 pages
Published
July 12th 2011
Friend Reviews
To see what your friends thought of this book,
please sign up.
Community Reviews
(showing
1-30
of
681)
Dec 25, 2012
Heather K (dentist in my spare time)
rated it
3 of 5 stars
Shelves:
free,
romance,
m-m,
contemporary,
sex-sex-and-more-sex,
hot-hot-hot,
short-story-or-novella
This was a short, hot, free novella that fulfilled my smutty desires. The downside is that there wasn't much in the way of substance. I would have liked to know the characters more and get a real feel for them. It felt one- dimensional to me. However, it was nicely written and got my heart racing!
Kari Gregg’s The Importance of Being Denny pulls readers into a family and love torn apart. Matt and Denny are stepbrothers, who lusted after and fell in love with each other as teens, but were forced apart by a bitch of a mother-stepmother with shame and pain. Now four years later, Matt shows up at Denny’s door hoping to convince him to trust and love again. But can Denny open his heart to Matt again?
Shall we get right to the elephant in the review—stepbrothers? :o Yeah. Stepbrothers. A forbidd...more
6 likes · like · see review
view all 6 comments
The Importance of Being Denny is the story of stepbrothers Denny and Matt and the series of life altering events that led to Denny fleeing his home, penniless and orphaned, after his father’s death.
Borrowing the idea from Oscar Wilde’s The Importance of Being Earnest, Matt led a double life for years, assuming Denny’s identity when it suited him to hide behind that mask. Matt’s facade is his heterosexuality and being "Denny" allowed him his hook ups with other guys while still remaining hidden d...more
Borrowing the idea from Oscar Wilde’s The Importance of Being Earnest, Matt led a double life for years, assuming Denny’s identity when it suited him to hide behind that mask. Matt’s facade is his heterosexuality and being "Denny" allowed him his hook ups with other guys while still remaining hidden d...more
Just finished this short novella. It was a good read but it stopped short of being great. It seemed that it couldn't decide what kind of story it wanted to be. There was a HUGE amount of back story for an erotic novella. Plus most of that was told in flashback. This is particularly evident with the somewhat dense prose in the beginning when there are several ideas packed into each sentence.
Still, each of the brothers could have used a bit more character development and while the title hinged upo...more
Still, each of the brothers could have used a bit more character development and while the title hinged upo...more
Nov 14, 2012
Bettye Kanady
rated it
3 of 5 stars
Recommended to Bettye by:
Love is Always Write List
Shelves:
love-is-always-write,
finished
This was a good story; full of angst. I felt bad for Denny. He had to lose his way of life twice before he was finally able to realize happiness. I thought that 4 years was a long stretch of time to go without the person he loved in his life, Matt. I did happen to like this conversation:
Denny:"So, what's your plan?
Matt:"To love you for the rest of our lives or as long as you let me."
Denny:"That's not a plan. That's a mission statement..."
That was kind of cool. I liked that a lot. And what a m...more
Denny:"So, what's your plan?
Matt:"To love you for the rest of our lives or as long as you let me."
Denny:"That's not a plan. That's a mission statement..."
That was kind of cool. I liked that a lot. And what a m...more
Jul 12, 2011
Neyjour
marked it as to-read
Story Prompt:
Sometimes you can find the love in the most unexpected places. He was younger and so full of himself that I couldn't even stand the sight of him. Unfortunately, we've know each other our whole life, so I couldn't ignore him. And then he decided to prepare a surprise... I've fallen in love with this picture and I'd be really grateful if someone wrote a story about these handsome men. It could be about close neighbours or even brothers (but not friends :). When I look at this picture...more
Sometimes you can find the love in the most unexpected places. He was younger and so full of himself that I couldn't even stand the sight of him. Unfortunately, we've know each other our whole life, so I couldn't ignore him. And then he decided to prepare a surprise... I've fallen in love with this picture and I'd be really grateful if someone wrote a story about these handsome men. It could be about close neighbours or even brothers (but not friends :). When I look at this picture...more
This was a really nice story about making up for past wrongs. While Matt was not responsible (directly) for Denny being forced out of his home and left penniless, he worked hard to make things right. It takes him 4 years to do so.
The mother was a total witch as others have mentioned. The brother thing didn't bother me because Matt and Denny were not blood related. Had that been the case it would have been way out of my comfort zone and I probably would not have read it (and I will pretty much re...more
The mother was a total witch as others have mentioned. The brother thing didn't bother me because Matt and Denny were not blood related. Had that been the case it would have been way out of my comfort zone and I probably would not have read it (and I will pretty much re...more
I enjoyed this short story. Matt and Denny are stepbrothers and have feelings for each other. Like most siblings they drive each other crazy but there was more between them. Denny is gay and out, and older than Mateo. Matt is bi but no one, except Denny, knows he likes boys. Step mommy dearest, Anna, does not like Denny and thinks he is a bad influence on her precious Matt. It's actually the other way around. The father dies and everything changes. These two men go their separate ways for years,...more
Short and sexy M/M story with a bit of angst
If you're unfamiliar with Kari Gregg but like M/M romances, then this free download of THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING DENNY may be a good way to try out this author. (See also the free download of "You Melted Me".)
In this "second chance" story, Matt and Denny are stepbrothers who had a love/hate relationship growing up. They reunite after a four-year separation caused by Matt's mother. Denny is not happy when Matt tracks him down despite a name change and mov...more
If you're unfamiliar with Kari Gregg but like M/M romances, then this free download of THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING DENNY may be a good way to try out this author. (See also the free download of "You Melted Me".)
In this "second chance" story, Matt and Denny are stepbrothers who had a love/hate relationship growing up. They reunite after a four-year separation caused by Matt's mother. Denny is not happy when Matt tracks him down despite a name change and mov...more
My second Kari Gregg book and I really liked it. I enjoyed the tie to literature in both the title and the character's taste in reading. Denny and Matt are great characters, but I wanted more. I would have loved a longer story with what happened to them after Denny's father died, some about them once they were separated, and more after they got back together. I want to know what Anna does when she finds out. Will she find out? I don't see how she can't.
It's difficult to write a review on a short, but I'll sure try! This was a very endearing little story, My first for this Author but I will definitely be looking into more of her work.
I would LOVE a full length Novel giving the chance to get to know even more about Matt(Mateo) and Denny. There was just enough of their history given to intrigue you and a whole lot of steam to engross you!
Well written gay love story! nuff said.
I would LOVE a full length Novel giving the chance to get to know even more about Matt(Mateo) and Denny. There was just enough of their history given to intrigue you and a whole lot of steam to engross you!
Well written gay love story! nuff said.
This free short story had a lot of potential. I liked the characters and I enjoyed the storyline but it was a bit underdeveloped for me. It felt a little choppy because most of the backstory was told in fits and spurts and I felt like I was piecing it together. This is challenging to do in a short story so I recognize that the length was the limiting factor. A nice read overall and I appreciate that it was free.
I really liked Denny & Matt and their relationship and sexual tension, then the hotness at the end. The reason it's 3 stars for me instead of 4 is that the family drama really dragged me down; it's was really depressing to read through. I know there are parents who really are that evil, but it's hard for me to read about in detail. If you don't mind or like that kind of drama, then I recommend this very highly.
Heya Kari!
This was definately one I have been eagerly waiting for and BOY HOWDY did you deliver!
I love the use of "The Importance of Being Earnest", it tied everything together perfectly.... with a big bright shiny bow.
You are so full of incredible awesomeness and so is this one of a kindness story of love lost and found.
I love YOUR boys and thanks so much for playing nice and sharing. :)
This was definately one I have been eagerly waiting for and BOY HOWDY did you deliver!
I love the use of "The Importance of Being Earnest", it tied everything together perfectly.... with a big bright shiny bow.
You are so full of incredible awesomeness and so is this one of a kindness story of love lost and found.
I love YOUR boys and thanks so much for playing nice and sharing. :)
This is an intriguing short story as it deals with the romantic relationship btw stepbrothers. I think it would have been better if it was longer as for me it raised more questions. I would have liked to read more of the back story of the two MCs, twhat was it like when they were young in a blended family, and the stepmother what motivated her to be so awful. A longer book would be good
*shivers* Some serious chemistry between these guys! I loved the nickname Mateo - just something very intimate about it. I also loved that it was the younger stepbrother as the aggressor. I would love, love, love a longer version of their story with more about the guys, but also the demise of the wicked witch;) Wow, I couldn't gobble this one up fast enough - awesome!!! Spectacular story:)
The evil stepmother Anna should be shot. How Allen couldn't and didn't know she'd be a cunt to his son, I'm just baffled. Kill the bitch. I don't like her. She must die. Denny should have fought back. Kind of a weakling, isn't he? Mateo is not the brightest either. I think Anna just really wanted to fuck Denny and was pissed her son popped Denny's cherry first. I'm mad.
1 like · like · see review
This was hot, hot, hot. Like throw your panties across the room hot. I'm so going to get banned for that, I just know it lol. But just in case I forgot to mention it, it's hot! No seriously the connection between the characters is amazing and I loved the plot. I'm crossing my fingers that there is a follow up story involving the mother getting hit with a pink shovel.
M/M romance with step-brothers that grew up together and fell in love, although one was 15 and the other 18 when they start the physical side. It was Matt the 15 year old that jumped the bones of Denny his older step-brother. It is sad and then sweet that they find themselves again. There is a sexy HEA at the end of this 20 page story.
2 stars.
2 stars.
I enjoyed this story and really felt for Denny and Mateo. What a pity to have a mother like Anna, though she sounds more like prison guard than a mother. That was one thing I would have loved to have seen, Anna getting "hers". Too bad this was a short story. Oh well, maybe next time.
Smashwords freebie
An intriguing read from the very beginning as it builds to the climatic suspenseful premise. Denny and Matt were authentic and captivating. Their love story tragic but sweet too. Overall, the story was well written, as the characters earthy and stout.
An intriguing read from the very beginning as it builds to the climatic suspenseful premise. Denny and Matt were authentic and captivating. Their love story tragic but sweet too. Overall, the story was well written, as the characters earthy and stout.
I adored this story of love 'put on hold' & reignited years later once personal & emotional hurdles had been jumped. Their past hate/love relationship made for a very passionate coming together in the end. Will certainly be reading more of of this authors work! :D
Cute in a weird sort of way. I'm still not entirely certain why the mysterious Anna was so determined to completely destroy Denny, but I suppose she was a fanatic and I've never really understood fanatics... (well, the homophobic ones, at least)
I've never been a fan of brothercest. Kari, you wrote it beautiful and I didn't even feel uncomfortable while reading it. Such a beautiful slow development. I sure as hell want to read about they beat the bitch mother :D
This was a great short story. Shame it wasn't a full length book as I would have enjoyed finding out even more about the boys past and events that lead to the present day.
I really hope this is merely the beginning of Denny and Matt's story because I'd love to see them triumph over Anna. Thanks Kari for writing this hot story!
Adorable. I really enjoyed this sweet little story. I had an urge to smack Matt's mother repeatedly, but that's normal right? Evil stepparents never get old.
This was a hot little read. I could not believe how quickly I connected with the characters. Loved the stepbrothers theme! Super sexy!
I really enjoyed this sweet story of step brothers coming together again after years of drama and family issues.
I really enjoyed this one...I loved their history together, which made their reunion that much sweeter to read about.
| topics | posts | views | last activity | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Q&A with Kari...: The Importance of Being Denny | 4 | 14 | Jul 15, 2012 03:25pm |
Kari Gregg lives in the mountains of Wild and Wonderful West Virginia with her Wonderful husband and three very Wild children. When Kari’s not writing, she enjoys reading, coffee, zombie flicks, coffee, naked mud-wrestling (not really), and . . . coffee!
If you would like to catch up with Kari, caffeinate yourself and head to http://www.KariGregg.com
More about Kari Gregg...
If you would like to catch up with Kari, caffeinate yourself and head to http://www.KariGregg.com
Share This Book
No trivia or quizzes yet. Add some now »
