First Impressions (First Impressions, #1)

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First Impressions (First Impressions #1)

by Josephine Myles (Goodreads Author)

3.93 of 5 stars 3.93 · rating details · 254 ratings · 65 reviews

When ugly socks attract.

Surly artist Jez just can't help staring at the brightly colored socks of the businessman who sits opposite him on the train every day. He weaves a whole history for the mysterious stranger in a vain attempt to stave off his attraction, but it only ends up feeding his bizarre obsession. Then one hot morning, Jez finally snaps and starts sketching......more

Kindle Edition, Second, 34 pages

Published January 30th 2012 by Josephine Myles (first published January 29th 2011)

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Best M/M Novellas, Short Stories

35th out of 114 books — 72 voters

Very British MM

87th out of 150 books — 85 voters

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Sep 24, 2011 Serena Yates rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: m-m

I simply loved this story. The vivid detail of Jez’s world as he looks at everything with an artist’s eye drew me in as much as the deeper truth underneath. The slow reveal of who this man is that he’s been admiring every morning on the train was very interesting, well paced and fun at the same time.

Jez has certain preconceived ideas about the world, as we all do. They extend to looking at someone’s way of dressing and figuring out what they do for a living. The colorful socks he describes were...more

3 likes · like · see review

Feb 17, 2011 Tam rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: m-m

4.25 stars

This is a lovely little short about opposites and assumptions about other people based on outward appearances. Jez is a hippy dippy artist. He’s got long dreadlocks, he’s constantly covered in paint and has great disdain for the establishment. The hottie he sits across from on the train every morning is everything he’s sure he finds repugnant. He likely comes from the well-to-do suburbs, wears a suit, is clean-cut and appears to be busily working taking over the world every morning scr...more 4.25 stars

This is a lovely little short about opposites and assumptions about other people based on outward appearances. Jez is a hippy dippy artist. He’s got long dreadlocks, he’s constantly covered in paint and has great disdain for the establishment. The hottie he sits across from on the train every morning is everything he’s sure he finds repugnant. He likely comes from the well-to-do suburbs, wears a suit, is clean-cut and appears to be busily working taking over the world every morning scribbling on his papers. But there’s one little thing. Everyday he wears what Jez considers to be god awful socks. Bright colors, cartoon animals, clashing stripes, it’s confusing and despite being certain the guy is the antithesis of everything Jez believes in, he finally breaks down and throws out and invitation, then has to wait to see if it’s picked up.

Over half of this book is Jez scoping out the other man, and it is told from Jez’s point of view only, so you never have any clue what Steve is thinking, but I could feel Steve getting more and more under Jez’s skin despite the fact that he had barely acknowledged his existence more than a handful of times. When Steve finally agrees to pose for him in the nearly-nude, Jez is completely thrown off. The guy is not how he built him up in his head and it’s disconcerting when his world of neat little boxes is thrown off. I found it sweet, and amusing, to see him trying to figure out what the hell is going on and how he ended up in this position.

I found this a humorous read at times as Jez works through his attraction to, and then his nervousness about being with someone who is so different from himself, or who he thinks is different. My only complaint? Why does everyone think funky socks are ugly? I ADORE funky socks. I have socks with penguins, sparkly polka dots, fuzzy pink cheetah print, frogs, the wackier the better. I think I would totally fall in love with a guy who wore socks like Steve everyday. Yay for not following convention. So don’t be hating on Steve’s socks.

Readers who enjoy getting inside a character’s head and seeing his thought process roll and change as he’s forced to reassess his notions will especially enjoy this. And it’s sweet and funny and has a very satisfying ending. I found myself smiling often as I read, and inspired to go out and get myself some new funky socks.
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Nov 01, 2012 Josephine Myles added it · (Review from the author)

Shelves: books-i-wrote, contemporary, m-m, romance

It all started with the socks...

I have one of those minds that likes to take up a challenge, and when I read somewhere that leaving your socks on during sex was a real turn off, I thought "why?" Somehow, from this strange beginning a whole story of erotic obsession grew. I loved the idea of pairing up two very different looking characters, both of whom were judged by their appearance. I also enjoy watching strangers on public transport and making up stories about them, so it felt natural to have...more

1 like · like · see review

Oct 31, 2012 Heller rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: contemporary, artist-musician, m-m

When ugly socks attract. So very true.

I just love Myles' voice. This is a short but really detailed story about two strangers and a bizarrely adorable courtship on a train. They see each other month and month and Jez, an artist, fantasizes about the suit, Steve, who sits across from him and looks so buttoned down except for his neverending collection of lurid socks.

This is from Jez' POV and I love what's going on his head. This is a great little story. Lots of wonderful chemistry here.

1 like · like · see review

Apr 17, 2013 ARe Cafe rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: vals-picks

First Impressions by Josephine Myles is a short story at 6,100 words from Torquere Press. It doesn’t waste any words as it covers an impressively varied emotional terrain from humorous to poignant. It also features numerous vivid details that make its British setting and culture come alive for the reader. Meanwhile, the first-person narrator is a thoroughly convincing young guy – surly, obsessed with sex, a bit gross and raunchy, and insecure enough to make snap judgments about people based on f...more

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Feb 24, 2011 Kassa rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I’ll admit this short story had me at the opening line. “When ugly socks attract” just sounds fun and interesting. The story definitely lives up to that expectation with an entertaining and really enjoyable narrative. The short length is well used here to entice readers and leave them satisfied. As with any short I like I want more and that’s true here but I think the author does a really good job with this length and delivers a warm romance within the allotted pages. Definitely one to pick up f...more I’ll admit this short story had me at the opening line. “When ugly socks attract” just sounds fun and interesting. The story definitely lives up to that expectation with an entertaining and really enjoyable narrative. The short length is well used here to entice readers and leave them satisfied. As with any short I like I want more and that’s true here but I think the author does a really good job with this length and delivers a warm romance within the allotted pages. Definitely one to pick up for those that like short stories.

Artist Jez is distracted from his morning commute by a businessman’s incredibly loud, ugly socks. Every day for months Jez glimpses those eye catching errors in judgment and becomes more and more interested in the wearer. When the two finally do get together, Jez is worried if his expectations are too high.

This short story really hits the ground running with a description of some truly hideous socks. Being a fan of loud, obnoxious socks myself I found the various details really entertaining and fun. The socks draw Jez’s artist eye but then he starts to wonder about the person that would choose such things and then actually wear them with a conservative suit. The build up and expectation is part of the engaging manner and Jez makes for an entertaining, if surly, narrator. His slow excitement and later nerves are well portrayed and I connected with the character very early on.

The owner of the socks, Steve, is less well developed and remains more of a mystery. The few glimpses into his character reveal someone totally different than I’d imagined and yet still very intriguing. The combination of the artist and up and coming editor are nicely contrasted but given too little page time if anything. The build up to the meeting and great, truly great scene where Steve reveals his stripy briefs make the story so delightful. It’s not the actual pairing that I liked, though they’re cute together, but the details surrounding the two. There is a lot of subtle wit, humor, and great writing that delivers this charming short. One thing to note is that at the very end of the story the narrative switches tense from past to present. I could see why and it works in the story but the change does throw you slightly.

I believe I’ve read something by this author before, they’re popular in anthologies, but nothing comes to mind. This short story however really caught my attention and makes me very curious what else this author can do. I’m especially interested in any longer length stories. There is a follow up to First Impressions published for free on the author’s blog and I’d recommend you first buy this delightful gem then check out the follow up for more ugly sock fun.(less)

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Feb 05, 2011 Lisa rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Recommended to Lisa by: michelenjeff-reviews.blogspot.com

Shelves: contemporary-romance, m-m-romance, short-story

We judge. It’s what we do. It’s in our nature to observe and form opinions of others based on appearance. If it weren’t ingrained into our make-up, we would never have been warned of the dangers of judging a book by its cover or cautioned that we don’t get a second chance to make a first impression.

We see strangers on a train; we either ignore them entirely or assess them surreptitiously, especially those whose appearance draws, demands attention. There, in a seat on one side of the aisle, is a...more We judge. It’s what we do. It’s in our nature to observe and form opinions of others based on appearance. If it weren’t ingrained into our make-up, we would never have been warned of the dangers of judging a book by its cover or cautioned that we don’t get a second chance to make a first impression.

We see strangers on a train; we either ignore them entirely or assess them surreptitiously, especially those whose appearance draws, demands attention. There, in a seat on one side of the aisle, is a bohemian artist in battered army boots and tattered jeans, with blond dreadlocks falling the length of his back. He rarely smiles; sometimes he even glares; recently he has taken to observing, with his artist’s eye, the man seated across from him.

The man is buried in his work, even as he makes the trek to his office in the city from the dull suburb in which he surely lives. He wears his capitalist uniform — a natty suit, a Windsor knotted necktie, conservatively styled hair — and he looks like any other automaton, plain and unremarkable, on his way to the office to pour over balance sheets and sum up the bottom line.

The artist’s eyes travel bluntly, appraisingly over the businessman, judging and condemning him and his…freaky, ugly socks…socks in colors not found in nature, socks in every color of the rainbow, and suddenly the first impression is obscured by the need to know what those socks mean and what they say about the man who wears them. The artist becomes obsessed by the man and his socks, socks like the feathers of a peacock designed to attract a mate, fantasizing about what the man would look like wearing nothing but those socks, and soon the allure escalates; the artist must sketch the picture of the man that has evolved in his mind’s eye. The artist sees beyond the surface to reflect upon the man himself, and he is seduced to cross that invisible line on the train, the one which separates strangers, to make contact in hopes of connecting in a personal way.

Jez takes a chance in giving Steve the sketch that he has drawn as they sat across from each other. Jez takes an incredible risk, signing his name to the picture and including his phone number. He’s made himself entirely vulnerable to a man with whom it would seem he should have nothing in common, when in fact, their commonality is rooted in the simple human need to connect with someone special.

Creating a plot involving two incredibly appealing characters who quickly draw a reader into their story is an accomplishment. Succeeding in accomplishing it within the short story format is impressive. Following those characters through their everyday lives and making them interesting enough to want to spend more time with them is not an easy task, and Josephine Myles has done it beautifully in First Impressions. Jez and Steve are characters who are so incredibly charming and likable that they should be revisited soon and often, in my humble opinion.

There is a short (free) follow-up called Fuzzy on the author’s website: http://josephinemyles.com/free-reads/... that is well worth the few short minutes it will take to read, but only after reading First Impressions.
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Feb 05, 2011 Cryselle rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: m-m, short-story, torquere

My first impression of this story involved cleaning coffee off the keyboard, because that blurb is so damned catchy.

"When ugly socks attract."

Jez sits across the aisle of the train from a suit who's only apparent non-conformity is owning an enormous collection of garish socks -- he's always got his head in a stack of papers. Making up stories about this man becomes nearly a full time occupation -- half the story goes by before Jez gets up the courage to approach, done in a very cute and artist's...more My first impression of this story involved cleaning coffee off the keyboard, because that blurb is so damned catchy.

"When ugly socks attract."

Jez sits across the aisle of the train from a suit who's only apparent non-conformity is owning an enormous collection of garish socks -- he's always got his head in a stack of papers. Making up stories about this man becomes nearly a full time occupation -- half the story goes by before Jez gets up the courage to approach, done in a very cute and artist's way.

Then once they meet, all those stories, beautifully crafted though they are, come apart to reveal truth after small beautiful truth. Being wrong has never been so right.

The original sidesplitter reaction doesn't carry into the story, it's more of a constant low level amusement, which is harder to sustain, I think. Jez knows he's obsessing, fights the obsessing, and then enjoys his obsessing, and then -- OMG has to find out the reality of Steve. The reality is wonderful. This is the first story I've read by Ms Myles, whose language is beautiful, descriptive without being dry, and economical -- this author gets a lot of nuance into every phrase. Just look at this:

He probably had one of those old-fashioned
wardrobes with labeled shelves for shirts, vests and
sundries, and a little container on the back of the door
for cuff links, just like Granddad used to have. He'd
come from the kind of family where you learned how to
dress properly and knew your way around a formal
dinner service before you were out of your nappies. My
school had been full of them, and they always knew how
to put you in your place when you were there on a
scholarship.

That is a huge amount of information in a little space -- we now have a very good idea of Jez's place in society, Steve's, or what Jez thinks it is, something about Jez' family, and a lot about what Jez thinks about other people, his childhood, and his resentments. All from wondering where Steve keeps his socks. *is blown away*

Just in case you wondered, everything that happens once Jez stops drawing is as good or better -- you can feel the breeze in your hair from the whoosh of him falling in love. Go read.
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Nov 10, 2012 Hannah rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: ebooks-i-own, contemporary, male-male-romance, read-2012, romance, short-story

3.5 stars.

I want to give Josephine Myles a hug now, because this story is just what I needed today. It's so cute and sweet and quirky. It's just a quick, comfortable read, the perfect companion for a comfy sofa and a cup of tea.

3 likes · like · see review

Mar 15, 2012 Becky Mrs Condit Reads Books rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

In FIRST IMPRESSIONS, Jez and Steve meet and fall in love, finally moving in together. In FUZZY, Steve reveals a surprising talent. In the final story, LAST CHANCE, the strangely hip socks are still part of Steve’s wardrobe and Jez is still part of his life. Jez is forced to face his unhappy past and Steve is right there with him all the way. I absolutely love Steve, who is the rock of the relationship, while Jez is the match to their passion.
This is a fun series of little books that are very qu...more

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Sep 19, 2011 MandyM rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: m-m-romance

I'm getting very impatient waiting for the release of Barging In and jealous of all those who received ARC's and have been teasing the rest of us with glowing reviews. So I thought I'd read some of JM's other short stories while waiting.

First Impressions is a quirky and lovable tale about Jez, a bohemian artist, and Steve, a businessman and fellow passenger on the morning train. Jez becomes obsessed with Steve's colourful socks and over time with the man himself. Impossible not to fall in love...more

3 likes · like · see review

Feb 06, 2012 Chris rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: 2011, gay, ebook, short, romance, done, 2012, reread

Very good short m/m romance about an artist who becomes fascinated by the guy wearing a suit and crazy socks who he sits across from on the train every day.

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Apr 26, 2013 SheReadsALot rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: artist-or-artsy-type, short-story, m-m-romance, contemporary, freebie, kindle-to-loan, sweet, steamy

Thoroughly enjoyed this freebie! Jez and his blonde dreads were too cute. I love the theme of strangers falling for one another on public transportation. I used to create stories in my head for fellow passengers when riding the subway.

And the fact that Jez was so 'in his head'? Loved it. I will most definitely follow the rest of the series.

Great dialogue, great characters and great sex! (I will admit the last book I read glossed over the sex that I cheered out loud when I read the detailed blow...more

7 likes · like · see review

Dec 25, 2012 Tutu rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: short-stories

The review is also for the following books: Fuzzy and Last Chance.
Quite an enjoyable story, the theme was really interesting, and for such short installments, the First Impressions series managed to shape up two lovable characters that were so right for each other, despite what their appearances might say.

Very cute and sweet!

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Nov 07, 2011 Lauraadriana rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: m-m, favorites, cried-like-a-baby, loved-it, super-cute

This was lovely. What a great little story. Jez is an artist, and one day on the subway he notices a man's gaudy socks. The man gives him a look, and he catches Jez's attention.
Then every day for months, he sits in the same seat across the stranger with colorful socks and wonders who he is, until the day he boldly takes a chance.

I can't say how much this story had. Everything I love. So much goodness. So many times with shorts, my complain is ' I wanted more'. Not this one. It was PERFECT just...more

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Feb 03, 2011 Cole Riann rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: m-m, m-m-contemporary, m-m-short

A beautifully written and poignant story that hit all of my buttons. I loved the characters, the premise, the idea of who someone is measured against what we assume they are. Jo did a wonderful job cutting right to those elements in a way that was more than a thrill and more than a scene. Extremely difficult to do in a short story. Without the sex scene, I wouldn't have been surprised to find it in a literary journal. I loved the socks -- oh yeah, and the underwear :)

4 likes · like · see review

Nov 08, 2011 Jenn rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Super short, super goodness! I loved it! I loved that you can doubt yourself or someone else based on past experiences or those pesky first impressions. I loved the secret to someone's personality can be hidden or so tiny in something as mundane as socks. I loved that it was playful, yet had a deeper meaning. So adorable these two. There is a free sequel/short on the author's website that is not to be missed~I died from the warm fuzzy's.

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Dec 23, 2012 Kaetrin rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: contemporary, ebook, m-m-romance, short-novella

First Impressions This delightful little story is about Jez, a "Viking hippy" artist with long blond dreads and an attitude, who becomes fascinated by a man he sees on the train every morning. The man (Steve) wears the most lurid socks Jez has ever seen, even though the rest of him appears to be buttoned down tight. And he seems to have an endless supply of these socks - as there are a different pair every day. At about 25 pages, the story shows their growing interaction on the train, their sexy...more

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Nov 02, 2012 JustJen rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: ebook, mm, shorty

Very cute. I really enjoyed this and am looking forward to getting to know Jez and Steve better. This book shows the build up to them actually meeting and Jez' obsession with Steve's unique sock collection. The slow beginning was nice, but then it jumps ahead. I never felt like I missed anything but would have enjoyed more details about how things ended up the way they did.

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Feb 04, 2011 Eden Winters rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: fun-quick-read

Love the premise, being the proud owner of some pretty bizarre apparel choices myself. Lovely budding romance between angsty artist Jez and the man he creates his own ideas about, only to have them blown out of window by the reality of Steve. And it all started with a pair of socks.

A definite mood-lifting, fee-good little story. Highly recommended.

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May 01, 2013 Alex rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: contemporary, queer, romance, short-story

Overall
This is a cute story, but after a lengthy "courtship," the relationship moved too fast for me.

Review
This story is a fun idea and the characters are loveable, but everything felt underdeveloped. I would have liked to have seen more interaction between the main characters instead of so much happening solely in Jez's head. I realize due to the type of narrative, that’s going to happen, but the jump in time kept me from really getting to see a relationship develop. It’s hard to understand why...more

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Nov 23, 2012 ReadingAgent rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Really enjoyed this story and its sequel "Fuzzy." Jez and Steve were great characters and I like the silent way their relationship begins. The character may seem like stereotypes at the beginning, but they truly are not. They feel real, and they are super sweet.

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Feb 16, 2012 Shay rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Short and felt that it should have been a free read. Story told from first POV which didn't leave me connecting with the second main character. Don't see how they came to have a relationship but its okay if you want something light with no substance to read.

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Oct 14, 2012 Adriana rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: free-gift-prize-or-online, contemporary, male-male, favorites-and-rereads

OMG!

How can a short story like this be so amazing?
The writing, the characters, the plot!
This short goes directly to my favorites.

Josephine Myles, thank you for this, and pleaseeeeee keep writing like this.

1 like · like · see review

Feb 05, 2011 P.D. Singer rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Recommended to P.D. by: Cryselle

Shelves: m-m

This was a beautifully done short with an unconventional hook; those ugly socks have a lot to answer for, in a good way! I hear there's a followup short on the author's website, so off to read that.

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Oct 09, 2012 Lauren rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: free-reads, mm-romance, short-stories, super-cute

This was such a cute little story! I loved it - it's the perfect pick-me-up and put a smile on my face. If you're looking for something short and sweet, this is an absolute must :)

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Oct 05, 2012 Tiya Rosa rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: freebie, m-m, anglo-slut, auto-buy-author

Free this October on AllRomance and Smashwords. *happy dance*

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Oct 02, 2012 Natalie rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: favorites

Perfect in every way. The writing is clever and charming, and the story manages to do quite a lot in its short length, without feeling like it ended too soon.

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Dec 23, 2012 Eli Easton rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I found this a very good short read. The writing was witty and the plot (what there was of it) was cute. Both m characters were very appealing.

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Nov 13, 2012 Anna rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: m-m, short-less-than-100-pages, 4-stars, comfort-reads, mm-seriously-adorable, on-kindle

This was really good and so cute! Loved both characters even from the little we know of them so far, so I can't wait to read the sequels to get more of them.

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About Josephine Myles

English through and through, Josephine Myles is addicted to tea and busy cultivating a reputation for eccentricity. She writes gay erotica and romance, but finds the erotica keeps cuddling up to the romance, and the romance keeps corrupting the erotica. She blames her rebellious muse but he never listens to her anyway, no matter how much she threatens him with a big stick. She's beginning to suspe...more

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