The Rare Event

Mar 30, 2012 MandyM rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: m-m-romance

I'm not sure whether to give this 2 or 3 stars. There's nothing wrong with this author's writing. Just a subject and characters that did absolutely nothing for me.

Jon and Ricky work for a hedge fund company. They've been going out for two years but Ricky doesn't want to settle down and still enjoys the club scene and anonymous sex on the side (with Jon's consent). But things start to go downhill for Ricky as his reckless investments get him sacked by their disgusting boss and his profligate beh...more I'm not sure whether to give this 2 or 3 stars. There's nothing wrong with this author's writing. Just a subject and characters that did absolutely nothing for me.

Jon and Ricky work for a hedge fund company. They've been going out for two years but Ricky doesn't want to settle down and still enjoys the club scene and anonymous sex on the side (with Jon's consent). But things start to go downhill for Ricky as his reckless investments get him sacked by their disgusting boss and his profligate behaviour wrecks his relationship with Jon. At the same time a friend returns from Jon's past and wants to offer him a HEA which makes Ricky realise what he's lost and he begins the fight to get Jon back.

This book has pages and pages of talk about the stock market. It bored me witless and I skimmed great parts of the story.

Jon and Ricky have a detailed sex scene in the first few pages which totally ruined the mystery for me in terms of their physical connection. Even if they were an established couple it would have worked better for me if the sex was less detailed in the beginning then became more detailed and passionate as they worked out their relationship. But it stays exactly the same for the first half then doesn't happen at all for the rest of the story.

So many secondary characters, so many casual club acquaintances, casual fucks, shallow friends, past friends and lovers, colleagues... I lost track of all the names. The first two thirds of the story is like a Queer As Folk episode. Jealous shallow queens, bitching and clawing at each other. Maybe it's realistic but it wasn't a world I enjoyed being in.

Edgar was a disgusting lecherous bastard. I didn't realise at first what was going on when he asked for someone in the firm to 'stay back' but EW! Does that still happen?? Aren't there laws against sexual harassment in the workplace in the US?

I didn't really buy the whole Spencer/Cam misunderstanding. It just reinforced my interpretation of Jon as being the 'professional victim' type.

The story becomes more romantic and enjoyable towards the end when Ricky is struggling to make amends but it was too little too late for me by that stage. If you like all things Wall Street and are a fan of Queer As Folk, or if you're hankering for a more realistic look at gay love than usually portrayed in m/m romance you'd probably really enjoy this.(less)

9 likes · like · see review

Apr 01, 2012 Carole Cummings rated it 5 of 5 stars

I kept thinking of mirrors when I read this book. The funhouse mirror through which Jon saw himself with its skewed view of imperfections that chipped at his image of Self and contributed to the way he allowed his relationship to keep him in a place that prevented growth and a clear self-image. The convex mirror through which Ricky saw himself that allowed him to see himself as larger-than-life and not susceptible to the trials and pitfalls of 'normal humans'.

The too-accurate mirror that reflect...more

11 likes · like · see review

Jul 28, 2012 Heidi Mann rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: fiction-personal-growth, romance

It may come as a surprise to some who know me that I loved this male/male (m/m) romance. Indeed, it came as a surprise to me! But I did... and I think I know why. In fact, the author herself -- yes, PD Singer is a woman, and heterosexual at that -- helped me understand why.

I came across this book on the Savvy Authors website (www.savvyauthors.com) and was intrigued because I write and edit for an LGBT-focused webzine, "10,000 Couples" (http://10thousandcouples.com). I reached out to PD Singer to...more It may come as a surprise to some who know me that I loved this male/male (m/m) romance. Indeed, it came as a surprise to me! But I did... and I think I know why. In fact, the author herself -- yes, PD Singer is a woman, and heterosexual at that -- helped me understand why.

I came across this book on the Savvy Authors website (www.savvyauthors.com) and was intrigued because I write and edit for an LGBT-focused webzine, "10,000 Couples" (http://10thousandcouples.com). I reached out to PD Singer to request an interview, during which she shared that she enjoys reading sexy romance novels (come on, admit it, you do too!) but gets fed up (my wording, there and following) with the conventional male/female role stereotypes. You know... how the woman is always, in some way, even now, the "damsel in distress" whose life finally comes together (no matter how "together" it actually was in the first place) when she hooks up with "the man of her dreams." When a friend recommended that PD (her given name is Pam) read m/m romance, she tried it and found that she liked it! In fact, she liked it so much, she decided to write some herself!

What I truly appreciate about PD Singer's writing is that the romance plot is only one of the engaging plots at work. The non-sex plot(s) is (are) equally as exciting, and the various stories are woven together expertly. The characters exhibit true personal growth by the end of the book; watching and "pulling for" that process is part of what makes it compelling along the way. Not of least importance to this copy editor is that Singer's writing itself -- the mechanics, not just the content -- is really good... and nowadays, that seems somewhat hard to come by.

Perhaps I should say a bit specifically abut this book, in addition to Singer's writing in general. It is about the ups and downs, integrity and corruption, of a group of Wall Street traders and analysts -- which, normally, would bore me to death, except that Singer makes it interesting. (She even includes a glossary at the back of the book to help guide us non-investment types through the industry jargon.) The two main characters, Jon and Ricky, are entwined in a romance in which they want drastically different things; Jon wants commitment, while Ricky wants to play the field and pretend he's committed. Enter Jon's long-lost friend Davis who has long had a crush on Jon, and you've got a fairly classic love triangle. But The Rare Event weaves in much more drama and many more shades of gray than that, and it's sure to keep you reading (if you straight folks dare pick it up in the first place!) right to the very last page!

One more thing: I have to give PD Singer great credit for not playing the "anti-gay parents" card in this book. At first, I expected that's how Jon's parents would be, but they were as wholeheartedly loving and accepting of their gay son as you would expect any parents to be of any of their kids. What a refreshing model for the anti-gay world to see (not that they'll read this... which will be their big loss).(less)

2 likes · like · see review

Aug 24, 2012 Lana rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: genre-m-m-conteporary

I won this book and it's the first book by this author that I've read but I'm really happy that I won it because I discovered a great author and a really good book!(even if the whole terms and explanations should have been at the beginning and not at the end of the book)

First of all it had an engaging story and characters, which made me fall in love with them practically from the first page. I felt for John could have smacked Ricky(but he grew on me), liked Dwight and Kate, hated, hated Edgar an...more

2 likes · like · see review

May 21, 2012 Kate added it · review of another edition

This is a love it or hate it kind of book. It surprised me because the beginning is so slow and tedious that I wasn't expecting much out of it and yet I got caught up in the story and wanted everything to work out okay for Jon and Ricky. Like most reviewers have pointed out, you have to get past some negatives to enjoy this one: it's packed with technical financial information about stock trading and hedge fund operation which many folks will find deadly, one of the main characters is introduced...more

4 likes · like · see review

Jul 06, 2012 Top 2 Bottom Reviews Interviews and More rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

http://top2bottomreviews.wordpress.co...
(view spoiler)...more

like · see review

May 31, 2012 J.J. Cassidy rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Oddly enough(or maybe not)the cover image for this book initially kept me from reading it. Twinks are not my thing, and the guy pictured didn't seem to go with the blurb. I finally gave in, and I have to say I'm glad I did.

If there's a theme to this book, I'd say it's that sometimes you can't help who you love -- or who you don't. The heart has it's own logic, and you need to pay attention. The author manages to convey this without resorting to saccharine sentimentality, too -- definitely a nice...more

1 like · like · see review

Apr 30, 2012 D.C. rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

The Rare Event by P.D. Singer is filled with enticing drama, woven weaves, hot passion and a fuel for success unlike any other book I’ve read. This was my first gay romance and based off of what I have read in Singer’s book, it won’t be my last. The author managed to capture my attention with this intriguing storyline and kept it there right on to the end.

While I questioned how much I’d be into the story in the beginning, I soon found that despite all the technical terms for hedge funds, I was e...more The Rare Event by P.D. Singer is filled with enticing drama, woven weaves, hot passion and a fuel for success unlike any other book I’ve read. This was my first gay romance and based off of what I have read in Singer’s book, it won’t be my last. The author managed to capture my attention with this intriguing storyline and kept it there right on to the end.

While I questioned how much I’d be into the story in the beginning, I soon found that despite all the technical terms for hedge funds, I was enraptured by what was unfolding before me. Ricky, Jon and Davis provided insight that many books miss now days and give the reader a true story on just how hard capturing love can sometimes be.

While my heart eventually broke, (Yes, I was rooting for the underdog) The Rare Event leaves readers with a warm heart and the right happily ever after. I would definitely recommend this book, while it’s a little bit longer than most, to anyone looking to experience a change in the typical books on the market and a love story that proves to be classic.

Synopsis: Hedge fund trader Ricky Santeramo has it all: money, looks, and fellow trader Jonathan Hogenboom. The two couldn't be more different: Jon is from old money, while Ricky clawed his way out of blue-collar New Jersey. Jon hedges his positions; Ricky goes for broke. Jon likes opera and the Yankees; Ricky prefers clubbing. Jon drinks wine with dinner; Ricky throws back a beer. Jon wants monogamy… but Ricky likes variety.

Bankrupt airlines are facing strikes, the housing market is starting to crumble, and Jon can’t wait any longer for Ricky to commit. One last night alone and one last risky trade make Jon say, “Enough.” Then Jon’s old friend Davis comes to New York City, ready for baseball and forever. The whole world is chaos, but there are fortunes to be made—or lost—and hearts to be broken—or won.

Faced with losing it all, Ricky must make the savviest trades of his life and pray for a rare event. His portfolio and Jon's love are on the line.
(less)

like · see review

Apr 02, 2012 Lisa rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: contemporary-romance, drama, glbt, m-m-romance

The lust for money is as timeless as money for lust. They are the original vices, and at Wolfe Gorman Equities, money and lust go together like stress and a volatile economy.

Rick Santeramo is all about hedging his bets, both professionally and personally. He plays Wall Street a little bit like a skydiver jumping out of an airplane without a parachute, who gambles on the remotest acceptable possibility there’ll be a safe place to land after the thrill of the jump. Ricky thrives on the volatility...more The lust for money is as timeless as money for lust. They are the original vices, and at Wolfe Gorman Equities, money and lust go together like stress and a volatile economy.

Rick Santeramo is all about hedging his bets, both professionally and personally. He plays Wall Street a little bit like a skydiver jumping out of an airplane without a parachute, who gambles on the remotest acceptable possibility there’ll be a safe place to land after the thrill of the jump. Ricky thrives on the volatility of the market as much as he thrives on the volatility of the predatory and empty sex he engages in, in the backrooms of the clubs he stalks. Ricky either has no sense of self-preservation or an overdeveloped sense of self-preservation, I’m not certain. I do think, however, that for Rick, it depends on the circumstances and what exactly is at risk, because really, you have to know how much you’re willing to invest and how much you’re willing to lose before you know how to secure yourself against a loss.

With Jon Hogenboom, Rick took what were, for him, acceptable risks. He avoided committing, he left himself a means of easy escape to avoid the shackles of monogamy and, in the end, he lost far more than he’d ever invested in their relationship. After all, infidelity can’t be infidelity if you’ve never gone all in and invested fully in the relationship, can it? Is there such a thing as negative gain? For Ricky there was—it happened when he accepted everything Jon was willing to offer but didn’t fully invest in it, then let it all slip through his fingers. He learned a little too late, the value of limiting his losses by protecting his investments. He also learned that the margin of error in his relationship with Jon was limited to Jon’s willingness to accept any deviation from the norm, which, in the end, turned out to be fractional. Unlike Rick, Jon could foresee the rare event and considered the price too steep, the investment too risky to accept.

And when the bottom fell out, when their partnership imploded, they both discovered they had so very little to show for their time together. Negative gain.

The Rare Event is the story of a man who didn’t know what he had until he didn’t have it anymore, then discovered with a staggering surety that he very much wanted it. There’s nothing quite like discovering someone and something is priceless, especially when your adult life has revolved around assigning value to everything and weighing how much profit you can gain from it. It’s the ultimate redemption story—discovering you’ve always had a parachute, regardless of how many times you’ve jumped, but that the strings attached to that parachute aren’t meant to tangle and bind but to protect against the unexpected. It’s about being willing to make compromises, not selling out who you are, but investing in who you want to be so you can be the person who’s worthy of being wanted.

The bottom line is that I couldn’t put this book down. I devoured it in a single sitting and got to ask a lot of “honey, what’s?” questions to the CPA I have in my hip pocket. I learned a lot about hedge funds and puts and stop-loss orders, but those things really weren’t so essential to the whole of the story, although it provided a perfect juxtaposition to Ricky and Jon’s personal relationship. What was entirely essential was the way in which Ricky and Jon collaborated and conflicted with each other, and eventually, the way in which that connection suffered under the weight of the odds of the gamble. If there’s such a thing as profiting from loss, Ricky did it, and it was both painful and lovely to witness.

TNA (less)

9 likes · like · see review

Apr 29, 2012 Snowtulip rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: kindle-leandable, m-m

3.5

This is another one of those books that you will either love or hate. It's taken me some time to really decide where I fall with this book.

The opening of the book almost had me stopping right away because I thought it was just going to be superficial sex throughout the book, but you have to keep reading to really begin to see the emotions hidden under the layers.

Ricky is someone that just made me shudder throughout the beginning of the book and that I really began to feel sympathetic towards...more

3 likes · like · see review

May 17, 2012 ~ames~ rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: 2012-read, contemporary, e-book, m-m, netgalley

I forget where I saw a review to this book, but it definitely intrigued me. I know nothing about hedge funds or Wall Street but I found it all very interesting.

The Rare Event takes place before the big financial crisis in 2008. Ricky and Jon are coworkers at a firm and also lovers. Jon would like to be exclusive, but Ricky likes variety. Jon loves Ricky enough to take him anyway he can. I know this doesn't work for some readers, but as long as both guys are in agreement, I don't consider it che...more I forget where I saw a review to this book, but it definitely intrigued me. I know nothing about hedge funds or Wall Street but I found it all very interesting.

The Rare Event takes place before the big financial crisis in 2008. Ricky and Jon are coworkers at a firm and also lovers. Jon would like to be exclusive, but Ricky likes variety. Jon loves Ricky enough to take him anyway he can. I know this doesn't work for some readers, but as long as both guys are in agreement, I don't consider it cheating.

Jon and Ricky also have different ideas on how they do their trading. Jon takes the safe route - he makes good deals but he's always thinking ahead and he knows how unpredictable the market is. Ricky plays it dangerous. He also makes good deals and so far he's been lucky and things have panned out. But he doesn't take the unexpected into consideration.

I really enjoyed the Rare Event. I found the financial trading aspect of it very interesting. And I like how it was integrated into the story. Jon's assistant has been noticing some alarming things in the housing industry. Which Jon has him investigate to see how they can make some money off it before things go downhill. Ricky and his assistant also notice things - but they only see how the housing market is growing. So Jon uses the information to make some short-term investments while Ricky looks at it and sees things long-term. Again, I can't state enough how interesting I found this whole business of trading.

My true enjoyment came from the angst between Ricky and Jon. A bit of the ways into the story, Jon's childhood friend re-enters his life. Davis is the younger brother of Jon's former best friend (there's a painful story there). Davis wants Jon. And Jon is oblivious at first. He's afraid that Ricky is going to go after Davis, since Ricky likes to hook up with other guys. Jon realizes that Davis wants Jon. Even after Jon breaks things off with Ricky (he finally decides that he wants a commitment and knows Ricky won't give it to him), Ricky does everything he can from Davis and Jon hooking up. And all the while he's working to get Jon back. I like that Jon makes Ricky work for it. I really relish these kinds of stories and the Rare Event certainly delivers.

I haven't read this author's work before but that's definitely going to change. If you want a different kind of cntemporary m/m, I recommend the Rare Event. B+(less)

like · see review

Aug 14, 2012 Jenre rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: contemporary, romance, drama, m-m

I have to admit, I'm a huge fan of this author so I was keen to read this story. I've read and loved her Mountain series and this one was a standalone, so despite knowing there would be no Jake and Kurt I happily dived into the book.

Before I started to read, I'd had a few warnings from people that it was a slow start but that I should persevere because it was a great book. It turned out to be a good thing that I'd had those warnings otherwise I may well have given up after the opening sequence....more I have to admit, I'm a huge fan of this author so I was keen to read this story. I've read and loved her Mountain series and this one was a standalone, so despite knowing there would be no Jake and Kurt I happily dived into the book.

Before I started to read, I'd had a few warnings from people that it was a slow start but that I should persevere because it was a great book. It turned out to be a good thing that I'd had those warnings otherwise I may well have given up after the opening sequence. This wasn't because the writing was bad or that I didn't like the characters. In fact I loved Jon and I could see that Ricky was headed for a total smackdown followed by lots of grovelling which is the sort of character I like to read about - after all who doesn't love a reformed rake? No, what initially put me off the book was that it started right smack in the middle of a company who trade in hedge funds, and the first few pages are lots of conversations about stocks and shares, complete with jargon that I had no hope of understanding. I'm the sort of person who at any mention of maths, adding/subtracting, money stocks, shares and funds my eyes glaze over. I employ an independent financial adviser for a reason and that is so she can tell me what to do with my money so that I don't need to think about it, and the treasurer at my work despairs of me when I have to do anything involving adding up. The opening few pages bamboozled me with the sort of thing I usually run and hide from and so it was no wonder that I was confused and found it very difficult to get into the story. I didn't wants to skip or skim it either in case I missed something important. Now, I'll break off a minute here and tell you that when I reached the end of the book, I discovered a glossary of terms, which I'd missed knowing about because I never read through the contents page at the beginning of a book - my fault I know. However, the glossary would have been much better placed at the front of the book and I wouldn't have missed it then, and maybe wouldn't have struggled so much with the jargon.

Having said all that, the part which really captured me was in the relationship between Jon and Ricky. If you're the sort of reader who hates cheating characters then this will not be a book for you, even if technically Ricky isn't cheating. At the beginning of the book Ricky and Jon are together in an open relationship which Jon wishes wasn't open. He loves Ricky and wants to be exclusive, but Ricky doesn't want to be tied down by that. When Jon has finally had enough and closed the door on their relationship, Ricky gets a sudden wake-up call and realises that he's thrown away a beautiful relationship with his selfish behaviour. He then spends much of the book trying to show Jon that he is worthy of Jon's love. One of the reasons why this aspect of the story worked for me is because we see into the head of both characters. Jon is a good, kind and patient man. He's cautious and perhaps a little dull, but he's also loving and steady, just what the more volatile Ricky needs. Much of the first part of the story (which isn't concerned with financial matters) focuses on Jon's feelings for Ricky as he grows increasingly upset at Ricky's refusal to be exclusive partners. He could have come across as a pushover and weak, but because we see him stepping out and calling off the relationship, and because we are shown how he refuses to back down, he actually comes over as strong. Ricky, if I have to be honest, is a complete idiot at the start of the book. However, it shows how skilled the author is at characterisation when I changed my mind about Ricky and was wanting him to succeed by the end. I .liked Ricky's vibrant and reckless personality and it was that which kept me reading through the times he came across as petulant and sulky. The way he uses his art as a form of therapy was an interesting concept and I liked his tenacity in winning Jon back. Both men are fully rounded with past experiences which have shaped their character, another plus point for me with this book.

There were several strands to the story as well as the romance. One was office politics including a very sleazy boss. Another was Jon's relationship with his ex-best friend's brother, and the circumstances which led to the break between the two friends. There's a third minor story between two characters from Jon's office which made me feel all warm and fuzzy. Finally there's a lot involving the ups and downs of a series of companies involved in the real estate market which forms the main dramatic tension within the office and which, as I said earlier, I struggled to follow. Once again I marvelled at the way these strands were interwoven in the story and expertly tied up by the end. This is by far the most complex of the novels by this author and one which showcases her talents.

I'm struggling really as to how to grade this book. On one hand the romance worked for me. I love a story which shows a man brought low before being redeemed and Ricky is a perfect example of that. On the other hand I struggled with much of the financial stuff, felt very annoyed at Jon's boss (which I know was probably the idea) and was tempted a few times to give up on the book, no matter how much I loved the main characters. After I had finished the book I asked myself whether I would ever read this book again - unlike other of the author's books which I have re-read - and the answer was no. The financial storyline was too complex for me as a self-proclaimed maths idiot, and so for that reason alone because it just wasn't my thing, this book gets three stars. However, if you are the sort of reader who can cope with finance and maths or if you like lots of talk about stocks and shares, then I would recommend this book because the writing and characters are wonderful.(less)

like · see review

Apr 07, 2012 Becky Mrs Condit Reads Books rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

5 stars and a Recommended Book!

PD Singer’s THE RARE EVENT is about so much more than Wall Street, investments, and financial matters. This is a book about love, true love, won and lost and what it costs to win it back, if you can.

This is both a plot-driven book (make lots of money, have lots of sex, get revenge), and most definitely a character-driven book. The main characters are men I love and want to read more about. The secondary characters are beautifully developed as appealing and in some...more

2 likes · like · see review

Apr 09, 2012 Manuela rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: mm

I really liked this story, which was quiet different than the usual m/m books I read. If you're looking for a story that looks at its characters at 360°, this is perfect. While in many m/m books, the focus is all on the romance and the relationship between the main characters, to the point of them kinda living in their own world with very little connection to other people or their jobs, The Rare Event is a lot different: the same focus and attention that is put on the story between Ricky and Jon...more I really liked this story, which was quiet different than the usual m/m books I read. If you're looking for a story that looks at its characters at 360°, this is perfect. While in many m/m books, the focus is all on the romance and the relationship between the main characters, to the point of them kinda living in their own world with very little connection to other people or their jobs, The Rare Event is a lot different: the same focus and attention that is put on the story between Ricky and Jon, is also put on their job and how they handle it. And that's also metaphorical for how they handle their lives. Ricky is all about putting himself out there and risking everything, Jon is more cautious. The difference in their attitudes mostly come from the way they grew up: Ricky comes from nothing, Jon comes from money and position. But for all of the risks Ricky isn't afraid to face, there is one that he runs away from: love. He is clearly in love with Jon but insists on having an open relationship and keeps a part of himself closed off. He'll have to lose everything to finally understand that some risks are worth taking while others are better not.
I really loved the two levels on which this book developed: Jon and Ricky's job on one side, their relationship and feelings on the other. At times they seemed to run parallel, at times they crossed.
I have to admit I know nothing of trading and economy and the job Ricky and Jon have in general, so at times it was difficult to understand certain things the characters talked about. The fact English isn't my first language didn't help. But I didn't mind it, on the contrary it was very challenging and interesting for me and I also learnt a lot.
Ultimately, what I really loved about the book is the way Ricky grew up and got to learn more about himself and his feelings for Jon and about what he really wanted and needed in his life. I thought that for all of his taking risks and talking big, there was a deep vulnerability to the character that came out page after page and that made him very dear to my heart.(less)

2 likes · like · see review

Apr 02, 2012 Eden Winters rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: books-that-made-me-think, favorites, tugged-at-my-heartstrings

An engaging, informative look at Wall Street and the fortunes made and lost there. I must admit that I only had a vague idea about how the housing market took a plunge, and walked away from The Rare Event with a much greater knowledge of financial matters.

Others may not agree with me, but I saw roving Ricky as a very sympathetic character, with his outward swagger but inward self doubts and helplessness when it came to his horrifying boss. He doesn't mean to hurt anyone, and in the end, it's he...more

6 likes · like · see review

Jan 31, 2013 Jane rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: read-in-2013, m-m

3.75
I enjoyed the story between Ricky and Jon, however I was bored to tears and skimmed the work place chatter around the stock market, those pages will be my new insomnia remedy. Ricky at the beginning is not the most likeable guy but Jon knew what it was like and put up with it for almost 2 years so you can't totally fault Ricky for walking all over him.
There is a lot going on in the story other then just Ricky and Jon's relationship and the stock market ups and downs.
I do like the writing s...more

like · see review

Dec 03, 2012 Cheryl rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Don't be scared off by the financial jargon, it's not that bad. All you need to know is that hedge funds take higher risks with their investments than do other types of investment companies, and that things like stop losses, puts, calls, and options are ways to keep you from losing too much money if your stock doesn't go the way you think it will. If you actually want to know what all of those mean, there is a handy glossary at the end of the book which explains financial terms and investing st...more Don't be scared off by the financial jargon, it's not that bad. All you need to know is that hedge funds take higher risks with their investments than do other types of investment companies, and that things like stop losses, puts, calls, and options are ways to keep you from losing too much money if your stock doesn't go the way you think it will. If you actually want to know what all of those mean, there is a handy glossary at the end of the book which explains financial terms and investing strategies in layman's terms, and even tells you which characters in the book use which strategies. Really, we've all books or seen movies about doctors or lawyers where we didn't fully understand the terminology used in some of the dialogue but still got the gist of the conversation and enjoyed the story, and this is the same thing.

The book was a little over the top in places, but everything came together nicely in the end and I was completely satisfied when I finished the story, all 350 pages of it. The narrative was a little clunky and unclear at times, with some awkward paragraph construction and the occasional floating body part, enough to distract but not nearly enough to ruin the story for me. The bad guy was a little too bad, and Ricky's way of trying to impress Jon and win him back (view spoiler) would have been creepy in real life, but this is fiction so we'll overlook that and concentrate on other parts of the story. One thing I really, truly appreciated was that the female secondary characters were portrayed positively, one of them being a stock trader who calmly and confidently lead the firm to their biggest profit. Ricky starts out as a huge asshole, and even though he stays that way through a lot of the book and never bothers to try to make things right with those he's wronged, he does go through a lot of personal growth and we know in the end he's going to be a better person, both to Jon and to others, than he was in the beginning of the book. Jon's going be a steadying positive influence on him, and not in an annoying Daddy or Dom kind of way, but just by being a good guy himself and being in a stable, secure, loving relationship with him, which erases a lot of Ricky's impetus to act out and behave badly. Jon really comes into himself and becomes a stronger, more interesting person when he breaks up with Ricky, finally deciding that he needs to focus on his own needs instead of just making himself available when Ricky has time for him. I loved the inner strength he showed in not caving in to Ricky's demands as their relationship fell apart. It was a story where opposites attract to make the other a better, stronger, more complete person.

The writing is probably three stars, but the characters and the feeling of contentment I had after finishing made it four stars for me.(less)

like · see review

Jan 29, 2013 Thomaidha Papa rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: contemporary, m-m, romance

What a wonderful book! It blow my mind away and beyond. Very well written and fast flowing I couldn’t let it off my hands from the moment I picked it up. P.D. Singer manages to travel us on a fast train of words through what felt the most realistic romance and exiting adventure I’ve read.
“The Rare Event” introduces us Ricky Santeramo, a hedge a man that has the world at his feet. A job with great prospects, money to spend, looks to kill, a man who adores him and allows him to have a non-exclusiv...more What a wonderful book! It blow my mind away and beyond. Very well written and fast flowing I couldn’t let it off my hands from the moment I picked it up. P.D. Singer manages to travel us on a fast train of words through what felt the most realistic romance and exiting adventure I’ve read.
“The Rare Event” introduces us Ricky Santeramo, a hedge a man that has the world at his feet. A job with great prospects, money to spend, looks to kill, a man who adores him and allows him to have a non-exclusive relationship. In other words, Ricky is a man that has it all, no matter what it takes to get there he will and the higher the risks the better he likes it. In his job he is a trader and bets without a safety net, he never covers for losses and calls Jon a pussy for not daring more. In his sexual life… well, the same. He loves clubbing, has his own little worshiping gang and “does” whatever crosses his path.
And then, there is Jonathan Hogenboom. The very opposite of Ricky. He comes from a wealthy family. He is sensitive. He is loving and caring, never pushing Ricky into anything, only gently suggesting him of the things he wants leaving the final word on Ricky. Jon hates the fact that his lover plays around, he hates it when every other weekend Ricky goes clubbing and finding new tricks on his own, he hates it that after 2 years of being together Ricky still has no wish on committing to their relationship and mostly he hates the fact that Ricky doesn’t seem to care. So after one final night being left alone and humiliated by Ricky’s continuous behavior Jon puts a “stop-loss” on him and says the one thing Ricky never expected: Enough!
The Rare Event happens and Ricky finds himself without a job, after yet another risky trade that blows up, and without a lover, after Jon puts an end.
I have to admit that up until this point in the book I totally hated Ricky. He was so arrogant, uncaring, and selfish that more often than not I felt the urge to kick him somewhere, anywhere. But I changed my mind. From the moment Ricky loses Jon and realizes that he loves him, he changes in a most astonishing way. Suddenly Ricky grows up and tries to win his love back any way he can. OK, he still is a bit childish but that was fine with me and I dare say it amused me a lot. The jealousy he feels when Davis, an old friend of Jon’s, shows up is almost palpable. The tricks he pulls to undermine him are very funny and cute. Davis becomes his personal demon because he shows him what he already had and not only did he not value but eventually lost. When Ricky decides that he should play safer, change his lifestyle and show some trust and love, it is already too late…
Jon shows a critical change too. We meet him as low tempered creature. A man that did not dare to get what he want, almost as if he didn’t think he deserved better than to be the backup in Ricky’s life. And he turns into this fierce charming man that demands to be treated right. The man that is not afraid let it all go if he wasn’t going to have it all. The decisiveness and the strength he shows at the end made me admire him immensely.
What I loved most about this book was the fact that the characters where so human. With flaws and merits, strong emotions, fiery passion so very close to the people I meet in real life. Perhaps that was what draw me the most, I don’t know, but it did draw me. “The Rare Event” was a book that made me lose track of time and not let it go until I finished it all. It was about the same time that dawn broke of course ;) So if you love a good love story that will carry you way and offer you a most enjoyable time I highly recommend you this one. It is so worth it.
(less)

like · see review

Jul 25, 2012 L-D rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: m-m, lawyer-businessman-whitecollar, rich-as-hell, mc-is-a-super-douche, nook-lendable

I originally gave this book 4 stars, but as I reviewed it, I changed it to 5 because I couldn't really think of anything I disliked about this book, with the exception of Ricky in the beginning.

I really enjoyed this book. I read some of my friends reviews that said they were bored witless by all the stock talk. Okay, I can totally see that, but I found the stock talk really interesting! I loved following the analysts decisions to buy and sell stock and I really enjoyed following their analysis o...more I originally gave this book 4 stars, but as I reviewed it, I changed it to 5 because I couldn't really think of anything I disliked about this book, with the exception of Ricky in the beginning.

I really enjoyed this book. I read some of my friends reviews that said they were bored witless by all the stock talk. Okay, I can totally see that, but I found the stock talk really interesting! I loved following the analysts decisions to buy and sell stock and I really enjoyed following their analysis of the housing industry because, hey, that shit really blew up and these are like the only people in the universe savvy enough to capitalize on that. I really felt the ups and downs, highs and lows of the trading in this book and it felt like riding a roller coaster - WHEEEEE! (Damn I'm nerdy)

Jonathan Hogenboom and Ricky Santeramo are senior traders that are as opposite as two lovers can be. While Jon hopes for commitment and monogamy from Ricky, he never pushes the issue because he doesn't want to chase his lover away. Part-time Ricky is better than no Ricky at all. Oh man, did I hate Ricky through a lot of this book. He just kept hurting Jon and hurting me by proxy. Damn you, Ricky! But some of the blame lies with Jon because Ricky never lies to Jon about his outside activities. Jon's acceptance of Ricky's behavior is just as frustrating.

In this book, a Rare Event in the stock market refers to an unexpected disastrous event that, while rare, could still occur and it's important to cover your ass. The riskier the trader (like Ricky), the less likely they will put the necessary stop losses in place to mitigate the risk. More risk equals more gain after all. And such events aren't likely to happen. Right? ...Right? When a Rare Event occurs between Ricky and Jon, Ricky's world all of a sudden turns upside down and the man he has come to count on more than any other is no longer there to pick up the pieces of his heart.

Oh man - I really loved the way P.D. Singer made me hate Ricky and then turn around and end up rooting for him. At some point I had to stop myself and say, hey, how did she do that? While there were aspects of this book that were very dark (sexual harassment in the workplace, backroom anonymous sex) and a lot of things about this book formed a painful knot in my chest, I loved the feelings it invoked. The roller coaster ride was not just during the stock talk - it pretty much summed up the entire book. I really enjoyed this book a lot but I would agree with my fellow reviewers that if reading about the stock market will make you feel like stabbing a dull pencil through your eye, then this book may not be for you.

(less)

like · see review

Jul 24, 2012 Alex rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: romance, review-copy, queer, contemporary

Stars: 3.5/5

Overall
This is a well-written, well-told story that toys with not being a romance, but ultimately harkens back to romantic roots. The focus of the story is Ricky and Jon, but much of the plot involves finances and stocks, which distracts from the romance, but is a (as far as I can tell) well-researched story of its own.

However, despite how good the financial tension is, I glossed through most of it because while it reflects on the characters and is involved in their development and a...more Stars: 3.5/5

Overall
This is a well-written, well-told story that toys with not being a romance, but ultimately harkens back to romantic roots. The focus of the story is Ricky and Jon, but much of the plot involves finances and stocks, which distracts from the romance, but is a (as far as I can tell) well-researched story of its own.

However, despite how good the financial tension is, I glossed through most of it because while it reflects on the characters and is involved in their development and actions, the details weighed down the flow of narrative, especially for one as financial disinclined as me.

I would still recommend this to readers who don't demand a 100% romance story. This has a good, elaborate (but not too overblown) plot, a great cast of characters, and the leads both learn something (although one definitely learns more...I'll let you guess who!). This story is good, but not amazing, and while worth the read, the heavy financial elements may turn many people off.

Review
There is plenty of drama happening in Ricky and Jon's life, whether it's the stocks, their 'open' relationship, or their skeevy sexual-harassment happy boss. The main conflictis Ricky's inability to be monogamous and Jon's desire to have just that from him. Running parallel in theme and relationship dynamic is Ricky and Jon's work life, where Ricky is the maverick and Jon is the secure buyer. These contrasts bring the characters head to head throughout as Jon begins realizing what he wants from life isn't what Ricky is willing to give him.

The drama is all interesting, although the financial speak is pretty heavy and, for me, interrupted the flow of action. However, I can't say that it's unnecessary, as much of the action centers around the stock market, so being given all the information helps the reader understand what was going on. My personal preference would have been for less of it, but I don't think it necessarily detracts from the novel for all readers. However, readers should go in expecting a ton of stock talk.

I think the weakest element of this novel was the role Spencer played, both historically and currently. His present role isn't bad, but I found it hard to swallow (even though I saw it coming) that he would behave as he did in the past. While highly unlikely, I suppose it isn't completely impossible, and I can understand that it was a needed force for multiple other things in Jon's life. However, it stuck out as being such, detracting from its believability.

Jon is an easy character to empathize with, as he's a generally nice guy who's in love with a man who is bit of a player. He has his faults, but they are minor. Ricky is a bit harder to like, as he's a player (although honest about it), a risk taker, and while not a bad guy, he tends to be more selfish. At times it's difficult to understand what Jon sees in Ricky, but I never questioned Jon's love for Ricky. He recognizes Ricky's faults (or at least faults as far as the relationship he wants to have goes). Their relationship and their unique development as characters drive the story, and it's a wonderful unraveling of people and their emotions.

Requested this book for review.
Be sure to check out my other reviews on my blog.(less)

like · see review

May 02, 2013 Amanda rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

A rare event on wall street involves turning a huge profit. A rare event in Jon & Ricky's relationship would involve monogamy. Ricky is a young handsome trader on wall street that could have any man in New York, and does. Jon is loving, faithful, and reluctantly tolerant of Ricky's wondering ways. He would rather have monogamy, but as with any relationship, sometimes people end up wanting different things. The every day stresses of the stock market build the tension at work, with creepy boss...more

like · see review

May 24, 2012 Cryselle rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: dreamspinner, m-m

“Not committed yet” and cheating aren’t the same, and if you can’t see a difference, don’t even pick up this book. You’ll only be unhappy with Ricky, who hasn’t moved past the dating stage even though Jon is ready and anxious for them to be exclusive. PD Singer has started in the middle of the story in The Rare Event, and a jam packed story it is.

Ricky and Jon work together in a hedge fund with a tainted reputation. Their boss Edgar is a social pariah for good reason, and hires his staff from th...more “Not committed yet” and cheating aren’t the same, and if you can’t see a difference, don’t even pick up this book. You’ll only be unhappy with Ricky, who hasn’t moved past the dating stage even though Jon is ready and anxious for them to be exclusive. PD Singer has started in the middle of the story in The Rare Event, and a jam packed story it is.

Ricky and Jon work together in a hedge fund with a tainted reputation. Their boss Edgar is a social pariah for good reason, and hires his staff from the fringes of the financial world, even if they are smart and talented. Whether they didn’t go to top tier schools, or have some scandal in their past, if they can’t make it here, they might as well go work for a bank in Syracuse because the rest of Wall Street won’t touch them. And if they fight Edgar, they’d better be ready to leave. He seems over the top, but once I read the news reports about the sex scandals at the International Monetary Fund, it’s more art imitating life. It’s not just the mortgage crisis that was ripped from the headlines into the fabric of this book.

Both Ricky and Jon would love to find some leverage against the old monster but fear of what he’ll do to get even deters them. In the meantime, they’ve got to make some money in between trips to Fire Island and trying to sort out whether or not Ricky is ever going to commit to Jon. Each of them have their own sorrows, and what makes each of them tick is gradually revealed. Some of it is heartbreaking—I wanted to hunt down one character and punch his nose, but even he comes to understand where he went wrong. There is no easy forgiveness for such a terrible wrong, and the book doesn’t cheapen either the apology or the reaction by reaching for it.

Jon finally decides that he can’t wait any longer for Ricky to make up his mind because the waiting hurts too much. That’s one rare event Ricky didn’t see coming, and he misses the signs on another, but in his defense, Wall Street missed the signs too in real life. So he has two disasters on his doorstep, and now Davis, someone Jon’s known a long time, is in the picture and hoping Jon is interested, as in forever, now, please, interested, and the best he gets is baseball games. Ricky can only grit his teeth and watch, and endure the baseball, which he thinks is like watching paint dry.

Ricky ends up finding out what is really important to him, with Jon, with his honor, and with his career. Ms Singer takes everything away from him before giving him anything back at all because he has to grow into being worthy of Jon, who also grows into more self-confidence.

Watch for PD Singer’s trademark secondary romance in the background. It’s kind of cute, and another character desperately needs a story of his own. The other secondary characters are well-rounded and vivid; the action on the trading floor is wild and the sums of money involved are enormous but true. There’s a glossary in the back that explains enough of the technical stuff for us to keep up with the stock market scenes, and if you just read it as yeah, they know what they’re doing, it’s still exciting, and sexy. As Ricky says about misbehaving at the office, “I reserve the right to one kiss for every fifty thousand dollars. Another nineteen million dollar day could test my resolve.” The story is very plotty, and it all ties in with the romance.

The underlying idea here is separating value from price, and about finding out what’s really important to you. Ricky comes to understand what he should treasure, and becomes a far better man in the process. This book is truly a Rare Event.(less)

2 likes · like · see review

Apr 21, 2012 Edina Rose rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: wall-street-city, anti-hero

The plot is GOOD! It is the love story between Ricky and Jon, two hedge fund traders who want different things out of the relationship: one wants EVERYTHING, the other just wants occasional companionship.

I like a good romance with "cheating" WHEN redemption does not come easily.

In this book, Ricky is a mega slut and insists on the casualness and openness of the relationship: no feelings talks, no monogamous bullshit, no merging of lives. Jon, poor Jon who is in love, decides he would rather sha...more

6 likes · like · see review

May 12, 2013 Maggie Simms rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: angst, gay, open-relationships

Between 3 and 3.5

I thought that I would like this book more than I did. The concept was good but I ended up skimming a lot. For one, their internal monologues went on for pages. I don't think my disinterest was the book's fault but rather I think that it was just a bad match for me. The writing itself is good.

I never warmed up to Ricky. In a way I thought that Jon would have been better off paired with Davis.

like · see review

May 12, 2013 Maggie Simms rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: erotica, gay, open-relationships

Between 3 and 3.5

I thought that I would like this book more than I did. The concept was good but I ended up skimming a lot. For one, their internal monologues went on for pages. I don't think my disinterest was the book's fault but rather I think that it was just a bad match for me. The writing itself is good.

I never warmed up to Ricky. In a way I thought that Jon would have been better off paired with Davis.

like · see review

Jun 11, 2013 Ayanna rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: reviewed, favorites

I kind of liked it. It was quite good. Interesting, kind of weird, but I kind of liked it.

I kind of would have liked the mermaid's purse to feature in again...

Yeah. There were a couple of dangly bits, too, but overall, it wasn't bad. It's more a hairstyle with some flyaways instead of a frayed rope. I suppose the flyaways were rather minor.

like · see review

Mar 30, 2012 Aquina marked it as to-read · review of another edition

I was intrigued enough to download a sample from Amazon but totally turned off by the grammatically incorrect Spanish - and not obscure phases but food names. It's ropa vieja not ropa viejo. Normally grammar issues don't bug me this much but it was like fingernails on a chalkboard. I'll wait for some reviews to see if it is worth the purchase.

like · see review

Apr 01, 2012 Chris rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2012, ebook, gay, romance, done

Very good m/m romance about two radically different hedge fund traders before the subprime mortgage meltdown: one takes too many risks in both his personal and professional lives, while the other is far more careful in both. He finally realizes that loving the risktaker, who scoffs at monogamy, is tearing him apart... The heavy focus on the stock market and stock trading details very nearly lost me in the early part of the book, but I persevered and got sucked into the rest of the story.

10 likes · like · see review

Jun 18, 2012 R. Z. rated it 1 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Explicit depiction of the sexual act bores me, so I didn't make it much beyond the first chapter, but if you are into that and get all titillated by such description plopped into a story for its own sake, maybe you'll last beyond chapter one. I have no idea if the actual story was any good.

like · see review

Apr 22, 2012 Penny rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

3.75 stars. Character and plot driven book. Theme: Not realizing what you got till it's gone, then fighting to get it back.
This book took me a little while to really get into due the stock market information overload, but it does make for a believable storyline.

like · see review

title link	preview: The Rare Event
avg rating	preview: The Rare Event Goodreads rating: 3.99 (159 ratings)
small image	preview: click here [close]
med image	preview: click here [close]
BBCode	[url=http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/13497977-the-rare-event?utm_medium=api&utm_source=blog_book][img]http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1330046367l/13497977.jpg[/img][/url] [url=http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/13497977-the-rare-event?utm_medium=api&utm_source=blog_book]The Rare Event by P.D. Singer[/url]

The Rare Event

Friend Reviews

Lists with This Book

Community Reviews

new topic
Discuss This Book

combine
Other Editions (1)

Genres

Readers also enjoyed similar books

About P.D. Singer

Books by P.D. Singer

Share This Book

Share This Book on Your Website

Trivia About The Rare Event