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Something Different

by S.A. Reid, T. Baggins (Goodreads Author)

3.91 of 5 stars 3.91 · rating details · 452 ratings · 131 reviews

An Unhappily Married Man
Michael Maguire’s love life has always lacked … something. His wife is cold, his children are distant, and he’s desperate for one night of self-indulgence. One night of real pleasure. So he heads to notorious Brixton Park seeking a prostitute, so divorced from his own needs, he isn’t even sure of his type.

A Rent Boy
James Campbell is one trick away...more

Kindle Edition, 2st Edition, 114 pages

Published October 1st 2011 by Lyonnesse Books

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Community Reviews

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Mar 03, 2013 Heather K (dentist in my spare time) rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: free, m-m, loved-it, contemporary, romance, hot-hot-hot, full-of-angst, favorites-2013

**4.5 stars**

After reading "Something Different", I can officially say that I have a thing for T. Baggins/S.A. Reid's books. I've read a number of rent boy stories and they all usually have a common theme of abuse or trauma. This book was no different in that respect. However, "Something Different" really stood out in this genre. Maybe it is because it felt real and raw, not depressing or melodramatic. it just worked for me in every way.

I also don't like stories with infidelity in them. It jus...more

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Dec 01, 2012 Don Bradshaw rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: coming-out, damaged-individuad, family-drama, gay-parenthood, gay-romance, opposites

Reviewed on Hearts On Fire... http://heartsonfirereviews.com/

T. Baggins is a magician with her characters. She has the uncanny ability to create an average diamond in the rough and make the reader fall in love with a hero. Michael Maguire was no one special. He worked as a textbook writer always dreaming that he'd write the great American novel, didn't love his nasty wife and wasn't sure that he ever had and just wanted to feel something again. A friend drops Michael off at Brixton Park to get...more Reviewed on Hearts On Fire... http://heartsonfirereviews.com/

T. Baggins is a magician with her characters. She has the uncanny ability to create an average diamond in the rough and make the reader fall in love with a hero. Michael Maguire was no one special. He worked as a textbook writer always dreaming that he'd write the great American novel, didn't love his nasty wife and wasn't sure that he ever had and just wanted to feel something again. A friend drops Michael off at Brixton Park to get a little action. He is approached by the young, handsome James Campbell, a rent boy who is living trick to trick and carrying more baggage than a freight train and Michael's life is never the same again. This was a story of two desperate men needing much more than a night of fast sex. They needed whole new lives and somehow like the phoenix rising from the ashes, they found that new life in each other and never let go. Yes Michael was an adulterer with no excuses but Ms Baggins turns him into a tragic hero who saved himself by escaping. The story is told primarily from Michael's POV but I can't imagine that his life was any better before James. James provided an anchor and gave Michael a reason to begin living again even though their relationship was just sex at first. I enjoyed that this was a very slow burn love story and that James was insecure with feelings enough to question it every step of the way. He really didn't realize how good he had it with Michael until his friend Kevin stepped on his heart once again. I truly cannot blame Frannie for all of the marriage problems but she sure was easy to hate. The surprising plot twist at the end at Frannie's wedding blew me away and kind of validated Michael's and James's relationship socially. There wasn't much said about Michael's children but I liked how his son finally came around. I was sorry to see this well written and very smooth reading story end. The HEA was an extra because the way that Michael and James saved each other made the story happy enough. This touching story is a must read story for everyone.(less)

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Jul 30, 2012 Emma rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: rent-boy, hurt-comfort, moving-in-together, cheating, raising-kids, child-abuse

4.5 stars. Very British, gritty, enjoyable. I didn't gel with Michael at the beginning at all, but, like James, I came to care for him a great deal. He was more than apparent at first glance.

MandyM wrote a beautiful review for this book.

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Jan 21, 2012 Sammy2006 rated it 5 of 5 stars

I cannot say more than this...I LOVED this book. S.A. Reid took what could have been a formulaic rehashing of a sugar daddy meets needy twink and transformed it into a love story that resounded with healing, redemption and hope. James, a rent boy, illiterate, unloved, near homeless waif stumbles upon Michael, a shadow of a man who now lives trapped in a loveless marriage writing textbooks while harboring the desire to be more...feel more...love more. James' slick come on leaves Michael breathles...more I cannot say more than this...I LOVED this book. S.A. Reid took what could have been a formulaic rehashing of a sugar daddy meets needy twink and transformed it into a love story that resounded with healing, redemption and hope. James, a rent boy, illiterate, unloved, near homeless waif stumbles upon Michael, a shadow of a man who now lives trapped in a loveless marriage writing textbooks while harboring the desire to be more...feel more...love more. James' slick come on leaves Michael breathless and shaken and more than a little turned on. Meanwhile James cannot allow himself to even remotely think of the possibility of life beyond whoring himself. On one hand a damaged older man who lives in a fragile loveless existence, barely holding on to his soul...on the other a young, illiterate man whose jaded and miserable life revolves around endless tricks and an unrequited love for a selfish bastard of a man. In the novel, Something Different, these two damaged souls collide and turn each others barely tolerable existence upside down.

This was a remarkable book--truly inspiring. Michael doesn't simply rescue James; he gives him the tools to restore his confidence, his independence and by doing so, inspires in James a depth of love we should all hope to encounter in a partner one day.

The characters were richly developed and so very like-able. You wanted them to succeed--you wanted them to heal. The foray into sexual abuse suffered by both men was done with grace and compassion. The tender yet stark manner Ms Reid uses to develop this part of her story line was rich in emotion and visually stunning. You felt their shame...you cried their tears.

In a real world where so often, young men like James are simply part of our society's throw away minority; and where men like Michael are left to linger unhappy and passionless existence, Ms Reid cries out on their behalf and tells the world to take notice--see what wonderful souls you have chosen to throw away.

I highly recommend this novel to you. I will be standing in line for this author's next work. I hope to see you there.(less)

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Dec 03, 2011 Anke rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: comfort-reads

*sigh* Something Different is Simply Wonderful! I love the story, the writing style and the whole book is heartwarming and feel-good. S.A. Reid, together with S.E. Culpepper, are the new authors this year who managed to put themselves on my auto-buy-list with just one book - Go Girls!

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Dec 12, 2011 R.B. rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: m-m, romance, contemporary, child-abuse, cheating, age-difference, disability-illness-disorder, non-con, underage-sex, rape, favorites

Michael is middle-aged man dealing with his troubled past and living in the suburbs in an unsatisfactory relationship with a woman who controls all his actions and behavior. He barely knows his two teenage kids… One day he decides to seek what is missing in his life in darkened park in the arms of a prostitute. But he ends up with James, young man in his early twenties, who earns for his living as a rent boy. James has his own emotional baggage and he's struggling with dyslexia and feelings of i...more

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Jan 24, 2012 DarienMoya rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: 2012-reads, butt-virgins, gay-for-you, fave-books-of-2012, my-m-m-lovin, pants-off-reviews

More of my reviews and ramblings at PANTS OFF REVIEWS

Michael is tired of his boring life, his easily predictable life. He hardly gets along with his wife; she just spends her time bossing him around. He never does anything out of the norm, until he decides that he’s going to find a prostitute. Michael has never cheated on his wife before but there is something inside of him wanting to rebel. A conversation with a friend leads him to the decision that’s he’s heading to Brixton Park and getting so...more More of my reviews and ramblings at PANTS OFF REVIEWS

Michael is tired of his boring life, his easily predictable life. He hardly gets along with his wife; she just spends her time bossing him around. He never does anything out of the norm, until he decides that he’s going to find a prostitute. Michael has never cheated on his wife before but there is something inside of him wanting to rebel. A conversation with a friend leads him to the decision that’s he’s heading to Brixton Park and getting some lady goods.

In Michael’s mind, he’s picturing the movie Pretty Woman, until realization hits. He might just be going into something he’s clearly not ready for, while contemplating his next move on a park bench he’s approached by a young man. Clearly, a man wasn’t a part of his plan but Michael can’t deny he finds the boy beautiful. A little flirting with James and they head to a hotel for a little play (and yeh Michael is not gay) or so he thinks.

James is a prostitute of circumstance. He gets no enjoyment from it; he fakes his way through it all. He thinks Michael will be sucker to con, sweet talk him and take his money. Alternatively, that’s the way he wanted it to go but Michael sees him. Calls him out on all his fake and expects nothing from him. They are an odd pair, and something deeper feelings develop surpassing what it was before. A man and his trick.

The story is hardly a Cinderella tale. James is a broken young man, sexually abused as a child and it has led him down some dark roads. He feels worthless and he hates himself. The only things he feels he is good at is being on his back and sometimes he even sucks at that. Michael is sweet and naïve character, but I find him sweet and just so darn optimistic.

Yes, there is cheating, and some highly questionable scenes but I still really liked this book. The writing is fun and the author took some chances, which really worked with the overall tone of the story. I listed this book as one of my faves for 2012 so far, and it’s because it's just freaking fun. Some readers might not agree with the content, but I can understand it. Some folks are victims of their circumstance, sometimes there are loveless marriages, and sometimes you gotta risk it all for love. I am now a fan of S.A Reid and I look forward to her other books.(less)

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Dec 07, 2011 Amanda rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: m-m-glbt, abuse, age-gap, gay-for-you, kindle-lendable, cheating-bastards, porn-stars-and-rent-boys, hurt-comfort

Going into this book, I didn't realized it touched on the once huge subject I try to steer clear of in fiction: infidelity. That being said I am giving it 4 stars.
The book makes me remember that you can't pick who you love. It just happens. I was very happy with the outcome of the book and the second half of the book was much better than the first half.
The sex scenes were the only problem I had. The first is quite descriptive, in a not so good way. Quotes like: "Micheal envisioned the other ma...more

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Dec 19, 2011 Edina Rose rated it 4 of 5 stars

A realistic fairytale.

This is the story of James, a young hustler, and Michael, a middle-aged married man, father of two.

No, the wifey is not a bitch you want to see dumped, but the husband, Michael, is not a bastard either. Both are just like many people who got married and made babies "because that's what you do". Now Michael lives an uneventful and boring life. Then one day, on a whim, he does something different: he tries to hook up with a female prostitute but ends up having the best sex of...more

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Dec 30, 2012 Pjm12 rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: angsty, ebook, funny, lgbt, romantic, sexy, twisty

I do love me a freebie (considering I read 40 books this month, it's too expensive not to), and better than that, I love me a great-read freebie!

So this is a hit for me! Mostly because of the steadfast character of Michael. He is, on the surface, quiet & conservative, but below the ginger roots and the daggy moustache, there is a kinky man lurking. And even though he finds a way to explore these urges through James the saucy rent-boy, he always remains true to his nature - honest, dependable...more

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Feb 22, 2013 Jane rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: m-m, read-in-2013

3.5

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Nov 27, 2012 Elizabetta rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: cheating

THIS IS THE SAME BOOK AS Something Different by S.A. REID

I have to admit that I initially felt a bit underwhelmed by this book. Dang it, another 'Pretty Woman' trope...well-off, older (married) man meets needy rent boy with heart of gold and HEA. I had issues with Michael because he is married when he starts his affair with James and even though there is no love in the marriage it's still cheating. What earned it an extra star for me was that we learn just how broken both James and Michael are...more

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Aug 22, 2012 Kate Aaron rated it 5 of 5 stars

This was a lovely, touching and very realistic story about two disenchanted men building something real out of the artificiality of their lives. The parallels between the mercenry nature both of postitution and of marriage were nicely illustrated, and these truly were characters rather than caricatures: the distant wife wasn't all bad; the prostitute wasn't a whore and the adulterous husband wasn't just a cad hiding behind being "misunderstood".

I was rooting for all the characters from the offs...more

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Dec 30, 2012 Kazza rated it 4 of 5 stars

Aptly named book. Something Different is just that. I gave it 4 stars as it was just a bit short and it's a shame it's not a full novel. I must add that even though it was short the characters were well developed but probably could have been fleshed out even more in a full novel.

Michael is 34, a writer of manuals, text books but wouldn't mind having a crack at some fiction, if he can get past the blank screen. He is married to Frannie who is 31, they married and had children young, they're 14 a...more Aptly named book. Something Different is just that. I gave it 4 stars as it was just a bit short and it's a shame it's not a full novel. I must add that even though it was short the characters were well developed but probably could have been fleshed out even more in a full novel.

Michael is 34, a writer of manuals, text books but wouldn't mind having a crack at some fiction, if he can get past the blank screen. He is married to Frannie who is 31, they married and had children young, they're 14 and 12. Their marriage suffers from the typical married young, life got in the way, too busy to have romance and therefore lovemaking, that affects many a marriage. Michael is always the sensible one but he decides, after a work colleague's suggestions to pick-up a hooker for some sex, maybe he'll qet a blowjob; as Frannie doesn't do BJ's. What he ends up with is a pretty rent boy.

James is the said rent boy. He is young, Michael guesstimates no more than 22. He assures Michael that men give better blowjobs and, after all, he can always close his eyes and picture a female if he wants. Michael does indeed enjoy this young rent boys ministrations and more. What also surprises James is Michael's humanity. James has been tossed around by Kevin, someone James has wanted and been strung along by for years, he gets used up and belted around by clients, Michael is very different. He pays for things, is gentle, sees past James (excuse of) always leaving his contact lenses behind and helps him set up for a safer, more secure future.

It is a gritty story, obviously Michael is married and sexing a rent boy at the same time, but it is a love story, albeit an unconventional one. I personally loved Michael and James, loved their developing romance and what they got from being with one another. Both men had a backstory of sadness/difficulty. Both dealt with them on their own, by being emotionally numb, until they found each other.

The writing was solid, economical and while sympathetic, Ms Reid left it up to you to decide what you thought about Michael, James and even Frannie. I think people will get varied takes on the characters and how they felt about them and their behaviour, a book well written. I will definitely look for and read more of her books.

(less)

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Jul 30, 2012 MandyM rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: m-m-romance

4.5 stars. Loved this story about Michael, a 34 year old writer who life is drab and predictable. One night he breaks free from the mold and meets dyslexic rent boy James.

This author writes with a raw honesty that breaks a lot of the stereotypes in m/m romance. I don't usually go for stories with marital infidelity, nor stories with rent boys, but the author makes these issues an integral part of the plotline, so that the reader believes and empathizes with the journey Michael is taking, and is...more 4.5 stars. Loved this story about Michael, a 34 year old writer who life is drab and predictable. One night he breaks free from the mold and meets dyslexic rent boy James.

This author writes with a raw honesty that breaks a lot of the stereotypes in m/m romance. I don't usually go for stories with marital infidelity, nor stories with rent boys, but the author makes these issues an integral part of the plotline, so that the reader believes and empathizes with the journey Michael is taking, and is cheering for both he and James to succeed. While it is in no way a Pretty Woman, it is quite romantic and there is a strong sense that Michael and James save each other. And there is a pretty good 'makeover' of a sort too!

All of the secondary characters are interesting and three dimensional but they are definitely on the periphery of this love story. I highlighted several enjoyable passages from this book including this one from Germanotti (Michael's lazy co-worker and friend):

"All right." Germanotti took a long pull on his beer. "You know I have nothing. I'm a bleached lifeless shell. A skeleton. Bleached bones circled by buzzards who won't even peck at me. Wendy snapped off my cock and keeps it in a pencil box. I visit it twice a year on Christmas and my birthday. The only reason I don't top myself is in hopes you'll spill the sordid details and let me live vicariously through them."
Michael surprised himself by laughing aloud again - the second time in two days. "If your novel reads like that, I think it might sell."
"My novel is one long cry for help," Germanotti continued relentlessly, staring at Michael over the lip of his glass. "For Chrissake. Her name. Start with her name."
Michael drew in his breath. "His name is James."

And this one from James:

"Oh, and they said I have ADD, too." He lit a cigarette, his first of the day, and took a long, grateful drag. "But listen mate, I once sucked a geezer for twenty minutes to get him off. The clock was just over his shoulder and I timed it. Attention deficit?" He blew out a plume of smoke. "I don't think so."

Highly recommended.(less)

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Nov 03, 2012 Kate rated it 5 of 5 stars

It's sweet, hot and I loved it. Apparently I have a thing for rent boy stories (Gentleman and Rogue) but no matter what their profession, the two main characters would be interesting, appealing people.

The main quibble I have is the wife isn't a real person, but then again, we are in Michael's POV when we read about her and the marriage is at the point when neither spouse is human to the other any more. Still she was a bit over the top ick.

The tropes were there (I'd list them except that might b...more

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Jan 12, 2013 Beck rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: mm, age-gap, contemporary, gay-for-pay, smaller-top, younger-top, favorites, 2013-rainbow-challenge, 2013-challenges-overall-count

This was an amazing book. Michael was a character I connected with on so many levels. I recognised parts of myself. I recognised people I know. So many people 'settle' in life trading happiness for stability & predictability.

I loved the way Michael & James, both hurting & broken, were able to complement each other. Michael's soul needed beauty (James was beautiful), he needed to feel needed (his wife & kids were pretty indifferent) & he wanted to be the one to make a lover fe...more

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Apr 07, 2013 Furio rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: gay, gay-erotica, gay-romance

This short M/M erotic romance (the length is that of a long short story and the full price currently too high) threads the well known path of the client falling in love with the prostitute but manages to keep the reader's interest by avoiding blatant stereotypes.

Michael is 34, comfortably middle-class, married with children. He mysteriously allows his wife to make a hell out of their family life until the evening he meets James, a young prostitute. The first encounter between the two leads to a...more This short M/M erotic romance (the length is that of a long short story and the full price currently too high) threads the well known path of the client falling in love with the prostitute but manages to keep the reader's interest by avoiding blatant stereotypes.

Michael is 34, comfortably middle-class, married with children. He mysteriously allows his wife to make a hell out of their family life until the evening he meets James, a young prostitute. The first encounter between the two leads to a radical change in the life of everyone concerned, with a nice HEA.
I entirely disagree, by the way, with those reviewers stating that Frannie, the wife, is getting the short side of the stick: she actually gets more than she deserves.
Why the author chooses to make such an unpleasant character of her is a more appropriate question.

While the romance is satisfying in itself and makes for a pleasant read, there are several serious issues that needs to be pointed out.
Probably to detach herself from the pretty-woman cliché, the author throws in two heavy-weight themes:
- dislexia and failure in the general school system;
- child abuse.
The first is useful as a device to enrich the character of James and his interaction with Michael; the second feels entirely unnecessary as it is not well developed and woven into the plot.

A further problem is the characterization of Michael.
The transition from repressed, unhappy husband to self-assured man is left to the imagination of the reader. We understand that it is the relationship with Jason that triggers the change but we do not see the change happening. Not to mention that he hardly seem to have any qualm about gay sex. I expected more hesitation and doubts from a supposedly straight man.

Last but not least, love seems to come out of the blue.
Why do the two men fall in love? On the one hand James is the key to unleash Michael's sexuality and this can certainly lead to a modicum of affection; on the other hand Michael is kind, considerate and very generous, eliciting the boy's gratitude.
That said, bookish, tame Michael has nothing in common with flirty and illiterate James. The author omits all the pages needed for a crush to evolve into love.

Sex scenes are very graphic and refreshingly honest if not exactly well written.
Elsewhere writing is generally good but the author mixes British and American idioms (the story is set in London).

On a side note I am confused about the author's pseudonyms, as she is listed (here and on Am.) as T. Baggins, as S.A. Reid or as both.(less)

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Mar 03, 2013 Sunne rated it 5 of 5 stars

It was something different...and I loved it. It feels real, not "hot straight guy" meets "supercute rentboy". No - Michael is not hot, he is normal, he is the average guy in an average job with the "normal" family. James is a rentboy - with a lot of problems - and he doesn't fall in love with Michael instantly. Yes, he likes him because Michael is polite and nice to him and so vulnerable in his discovery. So - after one spontanous meeting....born out of desperation....they meet again. They becom...more

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Jan 24, 2013 Macky rated it 4 of 5 stars

Loved T Baggins Fifteen Shades Of Gay For Pay but had mixed feelings about Protection because of the ending ( too sad ) so I was interested to see what Something Different would be like. The title fits it very well, it is quite different - there's a lot of things covered in this that are not easy subjects to read about...... Prostitution, sexual abuse, unhappy marriages, STD's ....... So don't expect a bright sunny story but at the same time its not all doom and gloom either. James is pretty upb...more

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Jan 15, 2013 leigh rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: challenge

Michael and James are instantly likable characters whose deeper and darker layers are revealed in stages, keeping the reader engaged and surprised as revelations unfold. Their relationship is straightforward, honest and believable. It is sweet, yet portrayed with harsh and dirty realism. Both have unspeakable horrors in their childhoods which they will come to face and deal with in the course of the story.

Michael is an ineffective father and neither he nor his wife are particularly good at bein...more

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Aug 20, 2012 Ron Fritsch rated it 5 of 5 stars

I started reading Something Different, a novella by S. A. Reid, not knowing what to expect other than it was a male/male romance. I soon discovered it’s much more than that.

Michael Maguire is a 34-year-old man in a loveless, nearly sexless marriage to Frannie. They have a daughter and a son. One night, prodded by a knowing co-worker, Michael goes to a park to find a female prostitute. Instead he finds James Campbell, a 21-or-22-year-old rent boy.

Michael is a successful writer of textbooks and ha...more

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Apr 27, 2012 Havan Fellows rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: first-time, m-m, m-m-romance, older-younger, taboo-subjects, reread-value-high

There are books that just blow you out of the water...Something Different is one of those for me. I have to start off with saying this book has some touchy subjects for the 'romance' genre...but I'm okay with that - touch me all you want...*blushes*...oh wait I didn't mean that...not really...lol

Seriously though - I don't like adultery, that is usually a buzz kill for me to the nth degree, and this book has it. But SA Reid handles it so terrifically, so real-like, that it didn't kill the book fo...more

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Mar 29, 2012 Eric rated it 5 of 5 stars

This was unexpectedly amazingly romantic and uplifting despite the themes. I like the realism, I like the dry humor, I like the characters. No purple prose, no fake justifications for being imperfect, no weak conflicts, no cardboard characters, and it showed rather than told. The HEA is actually fought for and deserved.

The m/m genre is starting to disillusion me. Love-at-first-sights are a dime a dozen with contrived conflicts. All MC's seem to be perfect can't-do-no-wrong saints, seemingly hum...more

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Jan 25, 2012 Jenre rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: contemporary, m-m, romance, drama

Fantastic story about a lonely unfulfilled married man, Michael, who in desperation about a lack of sex life decides to try going to a prostitute. Michael's picked up, not by a woman, but by James, who gradually opens his eyes to a lot of things about himself. Totally unapologetic in its portrayal of infidelity and prostitution, with some scenes relating to abuse (not between the main characters), it may not appeal to all readers, but I couldn't put it down. Both characters have flaws and make m...more

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Jan 07, 2012 Audrey rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: man-love

3+ to 3.5 stars. Good to really good story about Michael Maguire, who begins the story as a sexually-repressed mid-30s suburban dad caught in a dissatisfying and unhappy marriage. His unlikely journey to self-discovery and realization begins when he's goaded by a coworker into finding a prostitute for the night. Little does he know the prostitute he's going to find is James Campbell, a beautiful early-20s rent boy.

Normally I'm adamant about avoiding books with cheating because I find it so dist...more 3+ to 3.5 stars. Good to really good story about Michael Maguire, who begins the story as a sexually-repressed mid-30s suburban dad caught in a dissatisfying and unhappy marriage. His unlikely journey to self-discovery and realization begins when he's goaded by a coworker into finding a prostitute for the night. Little does he know the prostitute he's going to find is James Campbell, a beautiful early-20s rent boy.

Normally I'm adamant about avoiding books with cheating because I find it so distasteful. However, the cheating aspect worked for me in this story because it's pretty obvious how dissatisfying and unfulfilling Michael's marriage is and how indifferent his wife feels towards him. James, so grateful and appreciative of even the little things, is a breath of fresh air and a balm to Michael's battered and numbed senses. James has led a hard knock life, so he's shocked when this new client arrives on the scene and shows James courtesy, caring, and politeness.

I have no quibbles over why they would fall for each other because it seems like they fill the gaps in each other's lives (no pun intended, really) with thoughtful Michael going so many years feeling so unappreciated and with James not having had anyone to care for him or look out for him before. The story also doesn't ask us to believe that hard-living James falls straight away for Michael - we see James's inner narrative and his progression from thinking of Michael as a client to just...Michael. That was very sweet. However, one thing that I did find required a pretty heavy suspension of disbelief is Michael (heretofore identifying himself as heterosexual) and his sexytimes with James, particularly early on in the story. (view spoiler)

There were also some aspects where modern day realities intruded a bit too much into either the narrative or my thoughts. First is the first sex scene. Notwithstanding the above issues I had with the unlikely progression, Michael's description/narrative was rather off-putting for me. (view spoiler) Beyond that, the modern day reality of potential STDs in a relationship with a rent boy also came to light. I found it very surprising that Michael took such a casual approach to using condoms with James. I know that Michael explains he was aware of the risks and took them knowingly, but that seemed a drastic leap for someone who takes care of his body so meticulously (working out, etc.).

Overall, I thought this was a strong story with characters that I really came to care about and who really grew on me. The way that the story resolves Michael's marriage issues and shows a bit of foreshadowing for his relationship with his kids is believable and well done. The story could have been a bit longer to allow for development of Michael's back story a bit more (maybe to show why he'd be that open-minded about sexuality, etc., particularly given what we DO find out about his back story), but I enjoyed it very much in the end. Thanks to S.A. Reid for providing a copy for me to read. I liked her writing voice, and I'll be on the look out for more of her work.(less)

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Jan 07, 2012 Nicci rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: contemporary-romance, m-m-romance

rating 4.5

Originally posted at http://twlibreviews.com

The story immediately engages the reader with details about Michael’s marriage to Frannie. On the outset, it appears the blame for dysfunctional marriage could be laid at the feet of Frannie. We sympathize with Michael because he’s being denied his rights to the marriage bed. And when they do engage, Frannie establishes certain conditions Michael must meet before she does the deed. That makes for a pitiful marriage complicated by her desire t...more rating 4.5

Originally posted at http://twlibreviews.com

The story immediately engages the reader with details about Michael’s marriage to Frannie. On the outset, it appears the blame for dysfunctional marriage could be laid at the feet of Frannie. We sympathize with Michael because he’s being denied his rights to the marriage bed. And when they do engage, Frannie establishes certain conditions Michael must meet before she does the deed. That makes for a pitiful marriage complicated by her desire to control every aspect of Michael’s home life even his physical appearance. All sort of dark emotional trauma could arise out of the situation. Michael, however, is not the type of person to respond with violence. His answer to the marriage is to do what pleases Frannie and have his alone time in the shower with his hand keeping him company.

What I love about this story is the slow discovery of self for both Michael and James. They are damaged characters imperfect in how they go about solving their problems. While Michael is as a dead man walking, detached emotionally, views life as an observant; James is a lively, charming, and humorous character. Character traits that appear on the surface but beneath the bravado, James is a scare kid, scraping by using prostitution as a means to survive. Without clients, he has no other skills or knowledge to make it another day.

Michael and James are beautiful together.

The reader will not get an angst feast filled with paragraph upon paragraph of woe-is-me emotional and inner thoughts of the main characters. Much of the story is told by Michael Maguire. The story construction pretty much matches the tone of Michael’s observation method of speaking and thinking, straightforward and unsentimental. There are signposts as he gradually changes over the course of the short story. It moves along and reaches a major turning point for Michael. What happens there will shock and seem out of character but when I think about it, I feel sad. Something had to give when emotions have been repressed the past 20 years.

I highly recommend reading Something Different.

Note: This review was prepared at the request of the author, S.A. Reid. I really enjoyed this book and look forward to reading future stories by the author.
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Jan 01, 2012 Pamela Craft Jenewein rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: m-m-stories

Freebie - won during Erotic Enchants Holiday Game Challenge (December)

Old Mr. Reliable…Mr. Dependable…Mr. Trustworthy…Mr. Predictable…Michael Maguire has carved out a life deemed culturally acceptable, righteous… boring. He’s never cheated on his wife during their 14 years of marriage, and can always be counted upon to be designated driver for inebriated colleagues. He’s everything for everyone - the proverbial people pleaser.

It’s his office pal, Bob Germanotti who plants the seed about turning...more

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Dec 14, 2011 Bee rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: abuse-hate-bullying, aneurysm-causing, nb-pedophilia-or-child-abuse, eye-roll-worthy, heavy-angst, kindle, living-with-stds, love-gone-wrong, m-m, passion-erotica, pissed-me-off, red-light-district, romance, sick-and-twisted

Oh my lawd, I don’t even know where to begin. No… scratch that. PSA: Knowingly exposing yourself to any STD is NOT an act of chivalry, a declaration of trust or love, or a special gesture meant to make someone else feel better. It’s MORONIC. Doing so simply because you’re too lazy/horny to grab the condom twenty feet away is INSANELY STUPID. And (although it never came to this in the novel I have to say it anyway) doing it while cheating on your spouse, hence knowingly risking not only your own...more Oh my lawd, I don’t even know where to begin. No… scratch that. PSA: Knowingly exposing yourself to any STD is NOT an act of chivalry, a declaration of trust or love, or a special gesture meant to make someone else feel better. It’s MORONIC. Doing so simply because you’re too lazy/horny to grab the condom twenty feet away is INSANELY STUPID. And (although it never came to this in the novel I have to say it anyway) doing it while cheating on your spouse, hence knowingly risking not only your own health but also your unknowing life partner’s (or anyone else’s), is CRUEL, SELFISH, STUPID, and in many countries A CRIMINAL OFFENSE. Fine, moving on.

Michael Maguire is a man trapped in a loveless marriage and a personality suppressing reality. One night he realizes he’s finally had enough, and after listening to his coworkers endless taunts about going to get a hooker he walks out into a park notorious for its sex trade with the intention of finding a girl to give him…anything. Instead he stumbles upon a beautiful young man, James Campbell, who convinces him he can give a better blowjob than any girl. After going with him to a motel, having sex and liking it, Michael’s new life begins. At first the relationship between him and James is purely "professional", but as James suffers a bad deal with a client Michael steps in to help him, and their relationship transforms into something different…

Ok, let’s start with the good stuff. The relationship between Michael and James is mostly believable, compelling and nicely written. Some parts of the characters’ history are nicely plotted and alluded to throughout the book and resolved in a nice way. The characters are multi-facetted and interesting. This book provokes a lot of emotions and is never boring. The writing is mostly good.

Now, the things that almost rendered me a completely hairless scalp… besides the blatant and horrible message about unprotected sex, and some of the viler graphic portrays of sex I've read, what I found the most frustrating with this book was its complete lack of factual accuracy. There is writing fiction and then there is making up shit as you go.

For instance, I have never in my life read a textbook compiled by a random author assigned a subject matter. Is there such an occupation as textbook writer, without specialization and expertise? Most textbooks are written by people with advanced degrees in the specific field the book concerns. Most of the time these books have several authors and are put together over a long time, these authors then work on the following editions of said book; no one writes the 2nd edition of a book they have no previous experience on working with.

The first sex scene was another complete WTF moments for me. One minute there is a straight, sexually repressed man getting a backrub and the next second he’s insta-climaxing from anal intercourse (which he has studied despite not even being able to look at porn while masturbating, having had sex in a long time or even being that enlightened about the area in general. Of course he would know the recommended MO for not having a painful first penetrative experience during anal sex…)

Lastly I just wonder if I missed something regarding James’ history. What happened to the seemingly loving family he was brought up in? How come he’s had a great relationship with his parents yet he’s an analphabetic dyslexic pedophile victim roaming the streets as a prostitute. I’m missing some kind of link here; did I just happen to skip that while I was reading?

And oh yeah, how come all the shit that can happen in the world has basically happened to these two characters and all it took to “fix” them was a little sexual healing? I’m just not left with a good feeling after reading this book, despite the HEA ending.
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Nov 14, 2011 Donna Brown rated it 4 of 5 stars

Something Different was indeed something different for me. I rarely read M/M Erotica and haven't read an M/M story that was novella/novel length before now but the blurb was interesting and I knew the author was eloquent so I was more than happy to take a look. I decided to have a quick read of the first 20% and make sure it was right for me before I added it to my 'To Be Read' pile, so I took a seat with a cuppa and my laptop.

And there I stayed, right up until the final paragraph.
There were sev...more

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About S.A. Reid

I'm a writer of fantasy adventures. My first book, a reincarnation romance called Past Lives #1: Rachel is now available.

I also write cozy mysteries like Ice Blue and Blue Murder (coming Spring 2012) as Emma Jameson. And as S.A. Reid, I write adult romances like Something Different, Protection, and Soulless (coming Spring 2012).

Pseudonym of T. Baggins http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/...

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Nocturnal Desires: Erotic Tales for the Sensual Soul

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Quotes from Something Different

“Oh, and they said I have ADD, too." He lit a cigarette, his first of the day, and took a long, grateful drag. "But listen mate, I once sucked a geezer for twenty minutes to get him off. The clock was just over his shoulder and I timed it. Attention deficit?" He blew out a plume of smoke. "I don't think so.” — 25 people liked it

“James sighed. “Seriously, who thought up silent letters? Why include a letter if it’s
silent? Just to fuck with dyslexics?” — 5 people liked it

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