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Crossing Borders (Crossing Borders #1)

by Z.A. Maxfield (Goodreads Author)

4.03 of 5 stars 4.03 · rating details · 2,554 ratings · 227 reviews

Tristan's got issues; he knows he does. So when his most recent girlfriend dumps him via messenger, and he can't stop staring at the messenger's cock while he's breaking the news, Tristan figures it's about time he makes some changes. He formulates a foolproof plan to get himself someone who can show him what he's been missing -- until who should crash his little adventure...more

Paperback, 316 pages

Published September 1st 2008 by Loose Id, LLC (first published July 15th 2008)

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Apr 06, 2011 Dina rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: contemporary-romance, m-m, erotica-romantica

Awww, this was such a "feel good" book! Adorable H/H, likable secondary characters and a sweet story with a nice touch of drama, enough to prevent me from going into a sugar induced coma.

Tristan Phillips is a red-haired, freckled, 19-year-old college student who decides to listen to the inner voice that's been "harassing" him and find out if he's gay after being dumped by his last girlfriend. A girlfriend whose brother made him stand up to attention, I must say. So he devises the plan: go to the...more Awww, this was such a "feel good" book! Adorable H/H, likable secondary characters and a sweet story with a nice touch of drama, enough to prevent me from going into a sugar induced coma.

Tristan Phillips is a red-haired, freckled, 19-year-old college student who decides to listen to the inner voice that's been "harassing" him and find out if he's gay after being dumped by his last girlfriend. A girlfriend whose brother made him stand up to attention, I must say. So he devises the plan: go to the next Borders, pick some books in the gay lit section, park himself in the bookstore café and, using the books as bait, lure and trap some unwary and willing man to help him make up his mind about his sexuality. Tristan, Tristan, you really didn't know how things could have gone bad, did you? *shakes head*

Thankfully, even though Tristan doesn't think so, the 1st person who spots him in the café is Police Officer Michael Truaux. Officer Helmet, as Tristan calls him, is the bane of his existence since he was issued a 700+ dollars ticked for riding his skateboard without a helmet. The last thing Tristan wants is to have Officer Helmet hovering over him while he's tring to pick up his 1st guy. Alas, Michael decides to stick around once he finds out what kind of books Sparky, as Michael calls him, is ~~reading~~ pretending to read. Why? Just to tease Tristan? We all know that's not it, right? ;)

What follows next is the sweet development of Tristan and Michael's relationship. It doesn't take long until Tristan knows for sure that he's gay. It doesn't take long either until Tristan and Michael fall in love with each other, but there are some issues that will have to be dealt with before they can reach their HEA. Will they make it? Hey, this is Romancelandia!

Like I mentioned above, Tristan and Michael were utterly adorable. Compassionate, caring, protective, understanding, loving... and there's a slight problem: they were too perfect. Seriously, I couldn't find any fault in them. While it's nice to know people who make you wish to be your BFFs and deserve nothing but your unconditional love, that level of perfections becomes annoying after a while. Am I being too cynical here?

I also thought that the pace of the story was uneven. The 1st 2/3 of the book was all mushy, with Tristan and Michael professing their love for each other every other page. There was no conflict, not even when Tristan told his family he was gay. Okay, they weren't bigots and that was excellent, but I thought that some level of shock should have been shown there, considering Tristan had been "a pretty determined hetero" (aka "a guy who dated almost every girl in the neighborhood") before. Then, came the last 1/3 of the book: the mushiness was gone and the drama took over. That was very good, but too rushed. Those conflicts (Tristan being too young and Michael being a cop) could have been better developed, IMHO.

As for the author's writing, I really liked it. All the scenes were perfect examples of "show, don't tell". I got to know the characters by watching their behavior and interactions, not by being told who and what they were. Really good writing there, and I'll be in the lookout for this author's books from now on.

All in all, this was an enjoyable read, saved mostly by Tristan and Michael. The story had some problems, but they weren't bad enough to ruin the book. As a whole, I'd give it 3 1/2 stars, but I'm bumping my rating up to 4 stars because that Thanksgiving dinner scene was just fantastic and deserves a 1/2 star on its own.
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18 likes · like · see review

May 12, 2010 UniquelyMoi *Dhestiny* BlithelyBookish rated it 3 of 5 stars Recommends it for: First time M/M readers

Shelves: 2010-reads, romance-mm, reviewed-by-me, 3-stars, mm-contemp, mm, starts-with-a-thru-d, mm-romance

My Review:

Crossing Borders was my first M/M read, and I found it to be a sweet story and a great introduction to the genre. I hope that my comments won’t come across as naïve or silly, but I want to share my thoughts about this book and my first experience with M/M romance.

Tristan is a 19 year old college student who attracts women like flowers attract bees. He’s never had any trouble finding a date or a bed partner, but when his most recent girlfriend dumps him – and has her brother deliver the...more My Review:

Crossing Borders was my first M/M read, and I found it to be a sweet story and a great introduction to the genre. I hope that my comments won’t come across as naïve or silly, but I want to share my thoughts about this book and my first experience with M/M romance.

Tristan is a 19 year old college student who attracts women like flowers attract bees. He’s never had any trouble finding a date or a bed partner, but when his most recent girlfriend dumps him – and has her brother deliver the message – Tristan found himself not too terribly upset about the breakup, but strangely attracted to her brother. Contemplating that he might actually be gay, Tristan decides to test this new revelation by going to Borders Bookstore in hopes of picking up a guy. After picking up some books that he thinks will send the message that he’s looking for another male, and finds himself a spot at the bookstore’s coffee area where he takes a seat and waits to see what will happen.

Michael Truax, a 28 year old cop happens to be getting a coffee when he spots Tristan, the young man he ticketed for riding his skateboard without a helmet a couple years ago. Intrigued by Sparky’s – as Officer Truax affectionately refers to him – choice of books, Michael decides to pull up a chair and see what’s going on. Turns out Michael and Tristan have something in common: an attraction to one another.

I feel like this was a good choice for my first M/M experience, because while reading Crossing Borders I didn’t feel awkward as I followed Tristan embarking on a new life’s direction. And while the book still addresses some of the difficult issues that Tristan will have to face, it’s done without the reader having to deal with the unpleasant bigotry and intolerance faced by people whose sexual orientation is not considered “normal.” This helped me, an M/M romance virgin, become a tad more familiar with the day to day happenings in the lives of a gay couple and their relationship as a whole. And because Tristan was so new to this kind of physical relationship, Michael did what he could to ease him into things which in turn meant I was eased into those same relationship aspects and that kept this story from becoming the “new to the genre” uncomfortable read I was concerned it would be.

If you’re looking for a book that deals with all of the aspects of someone “coming out of the closest” including the more emotionally painful ones, this might not be a good choice. However if you just want a light, sweet romance for your first read, I’d recommend Crossing Borders.

While I did find Tristan to be more effeminate than I would have liked, that might be because I’m not at all familiar with this genre, it’s truly hard for me to know. However, overall, I enjoyed this story.
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Jun 27, 2011 Fiona Goodman rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: m-m, m-m-romance, m-m-favorites-read-2011, m-m-angst-romance, m-m-favorite-couples, m-m-favorites, m-m-read, za-maxfield, alpha-bottoms, re-read

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. Actually I read it on my Nook

I read this book awhile ago and even though I rated it, I did not write a review. I keep coming across this cover though, and every time I see it I get more and more irritated! Not only is it super cheesy, it doesn't represent what the book is about at all. It makes me mad that such a sweet, funny and touching love story is represented as some kind of skeezy smut book about a young guy and a perverted older man (IMHO).

First of all the age difference is not as extreme...more

5 likes · like · see review

Apr 27, 2012 Heather C rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: ebook, pdoc, m-m, enemies-to-lovers, read-2012, contemporary-romance

I really loved the 1st half of this book...but then it kindafizzled for me!

What I loved:
♦ Sparky AKA Tristan. Even though I'm not into red heads, he was pretty cute and mature for a 19 year old
♦ Officer Helmet AKA Michael. He was yummy hot and oh so sexy...for a blond
♦ The banter
♦ The texting
♦ The SEX!!!
♦ Tristan’s family
♦ Michael's mom
♦ Thanksgiving prayer
♦ The tattoos

What I ended up liking:
♦ Ron
♦ The epilogue

What I was just ok with:
♦ The age difference: approximately 9 years
♦ The insta-love...more

14 likes · like · see review

Jan 17, 2009 Eyre rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: erotica-romantica, hilarious, i-cried-buckets, romance, gay-glbt-mm-mmf

Tristan has had a lot of responsibility since his dad died. He's a great guy who helps his mom with his younger siblings while he attends college. He does, however, make time for girls. It's no secret that this skateboarder has had his share of sexual encounters with women. When his latest girlfriend dumps him, he realizes that he's more interested in her brother than he is in her. So he devises a plan to pick up a guy--at Borders. While there, he runs into Michael (Officer Helmet), the cop who'...more

6 likes · like · see review

Dec 13, 2008 Jen rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: glbt

Oh, wow, what a nice surprise. A smart-ass skater boy hooks up with the cop that wrote him his first ticket. Too cute! The idea behind this story is adorable, the dialogue is hilarious and casual and flows very naturally, and the electricity between Tristan and Michael sizzles. This book is HOT.

The protagonists are great, the supporting characters are fun and interesting, and the story is good. There are a few loose threads that never get tied up, and there are a few extraneous characters and su...more

5 likes · like · see review

Jan 09, 2009 Sarah rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: glbt-fiction

From Loose ID - Michael has been trying to catch Tristan again for years. Now he’s faced with his ‘Sparky’, all grown up and looking to get laid. The habit of protecting him isn’t gone, but the opportunity is too much to resist.

Sex and skateboards. I liked this book! It was refreshing, sweet and made me laugh.
Tristan has finally come to the conclusion, after splitting with his girlfriend, that he is not so broken up about loosing the girl and is far more interested in boys. His grand plan to me...more

3 likes · like · see review

Apr 23, 2013 Candice rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: kindle, ebook-not-a-kidney, m-m

Make me fly

Talk about a tooth ache! Seriously, sugar sweet. My mouth hurts from smiling and laughing.

I absolutely adored Sparky and Officer Helmet.

I may be in the minority, but I love stories like this. I love the sweetness. I love the non-conflict, barely any drama love stories. I love stories that just deal with the couple becoming a couple and their love for each other. (view spoiler)

I could even see where Tristan w...more

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Aug 09, 2012 Alina added it

I fiercely loved about 90% of this book! The first 90%.

I enjoy insta-love, so that was a plus for me, I looooved the slow and peaceful unfolding of Michael and Tristan's relationship, I loved their role-reversal thankfully without sliding into bdsm territory. I absolutely adored both Michael's mom and the whole Tristan's family, their support and wisdom and good humor - all of it! I loved how Ron turned out not to be a villian, but a fairly decent guy at the end.

I knew there won't be all sunshin...more

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Jul 26, 2011 Camille-Dhark Nytmhare rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: brokeback, read-in-2010, erotica, kindle, books-i-reviewed, kindle-lendable

This book came highly recommended in the M/M category as a stepping stone into the gay genre of books. It is the second book that I have read that was about a gay relationship.

This book was so good. The reason this book make a great intro to M/M fiction is that we are eased into the relationship just as Tristan's is. I was initially hesitant because of the age difference.
Tristan's character is on a skateboard pouting because he got a ticket for riding without a helmet. The police officer who ga...more

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Sep 25, 2011 Lauraadriana rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: age-difference, cuff-me-officer, favorites, lmao, m-m, loved-it, made-me-wish-i-was-a-gay-man, super-super-hot

I really like ZA Maxfield her St. Nacho's series is one of my favorites...so I knew I'd like this story too, and I really did.

Tristan is 19 and so far VERY hetero...after his latest girlfriend dumps him he decided to try something different...he ends up with the cop that has been giving him tickets for not wearing a helmet for years.

Michael is a lot older than Tristan, but things progress fast and they both fall hard. Things a re complicated between them...Tristan is young and scared of the dang...more

5 likes · like · see review

Sep 16, 2010 Alina rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: mm-romance

4.5

So now that I've read this book, I don't know why it took me so long. It was so funny that I think more than one person looked at me oddly during my train commute, since I am pretty sure I was grinning like a fool for most of it.

HOWEVER, while I did enjoy it greatly, I felt the book was weak in the following points:
1) Tristan is nineteen!!! I loved him very much, and for the first time in my life thought that redheads could be sexy, but nineteen!!! Entering into a serious relationship. With...more

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Mar 23, 2013 Beck rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: age-gap, contemporary, favorites, mm, 2013-mm-countdown-challenge, 2013-rainbow-challenge, series, sugar-kink, 2013-challenges-overall-count

This is one of my favourite books. It is a lovely romance without the typical angst & contrived drama. It isn't often that a book is written with as much depth to the development of the relationship where the reader is kept interested & enthralled. I would happily recommend this book for anyone who enjoys reading about a loving (& sexually charged) relationship where the HEA is gleefully expected (& delivered). Wonderful *sigh*

Originally posted on Amazon.com

Edited...

I'd have to s...more

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Mar 05, 2011 Alyosha rated it 2 of 5 stars Recommends it for: m/m rookies

Shelves: age-gap, agents-cops-soldiers-warriors, contemporary, high-school-college, laugh-out-loud, light-n-sweet, like-a-virgin, separation, blah

At heart a light, sweet and simple read. Until the very end there is practically no drama, just cuteness and laughs. (view spoiler)...more

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May 02, 2012 Jimmy Hanson rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: 2010, m-m, 2012

One of the better novels I've read recently ... the byplay between Tristan and Michael - Sparky and Officer Helmet - is fun and frankly irresistable. I found myself smiling at the excitement they each felt, that flutter of excitement that makes you seem like a stupid teenager with a crush but that you can't help but feel in the beginning of a great relationship.

The conflicts they have are real but not earth-shattering, and their trust in one another is earned in a sometimes difficult push-and-sh...more

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Apr 24, 2013 Le Letture Rosa di Anita rated it 4 of 5 stars

Un bel romanzo, molto dolce e con due bei protagonisti. Tristan, "Sparky", è un ragazzo di 19 anni molto più maturo della sua età anagrafica. Dopo la morte del padre pochi anni prima è diventato lui l'uomo di casa, aiutando la madre e i tre fratelli più piccoli. Ha sempre avuto molto successo con le ragazze, grazie anche alla sua bellezza, ma ultimamente ha capito che forse le sue preferenze vanno verso gli uomini. Deciso a provare questa teoria mette in atto uno dei suoi piani infallibili: trov...more

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Dec 03, 2012 Rurae rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: male-male-romance

I loved this book. I'd heard a lot of praise for Z. A. Maxfield and read The Long Way Home first. I didn't hate it but didn't fall in love with it, there were a lot of editing mistakes that kept pulling me out the story. I did really like her characterisation though - always a big one for me. So I prevaricated over whether to give another book of hers a try. I was so glad I did!

This book is simply gorgeous. Don't let the cover put you off - it's not about a much older man a very young boy. The...more

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Oct 28, 2012 Charly rated it 4 of 5 stars

Sweet story with just enough angst to make it interesting

Warning: This review might contain what some people consider SPOILERS.

Rating: 8/10

PROS:
- Good writing. Maxwell is one of the stronger writers whose works I’ve read in this genre.
- Fun, compassionate, likeable characters, both primary and secondary. I enjoyed reading the dialog involving a couple of the secondary characters in particular, and the text messages Michael sends to Tristan are especially funny.
- Realistic, not-entirely-happy-b...more Sweet story with just enough angst to make it interesting

Warning: This review might contain what some people consider SPOILERS.

Rating: 8/10

PROS:
- Good writing. Maxwell is one of the stronger writers whose works I’ve read in this genre.
- Fun, compassionate, likeable characters, both primary and secondary. I enjoyed reading the dialog involving a couple of the secondary characters in particular, and the text messages Michael sends to Tristan are especially funny.
- Realistic, not-entirely-happy-but-not-all-bad coming out scenes. Tristan’s family reacts similarly to the way many families I’ve seen in real life have reacted: shocked, confused, and a little disappointed, but willing to put those feelings aside in order to avoid losing their son, daughter, brother, sister, etc.
- Sweet, sexy love scenes. Emotional, tender, and slow-moving, which I appreciated on the part of the one who’s a gay sex virgin at the beginning of their relationship.

CONS:
- There are a few key scenes that seem to drag on and on, including far too many details that I didn’t feel contributed to the story.
- One character contradicts himself several times toward the end, which I suppose is meant to convey…his uncertainty? (Example: his lover asks whether he’s ready to commit to a long-term relationship and he replies that even thinking about “five years from now…scares the h*ll out of me.” Five pages later--in a heated moment, naturally--he’s making “always yours” promises.)
- The characters make a pretty big deal out of practicing (and discussing) safe sex throughout the book, and then in the final sex scene, the topic comes up and one of them says (fanfare!) he’s clean, and the other responds that…(drum roll)…he hasn’t been tested yet. So they use a condom, which isn’t a big deal, but why bring it up? The outcome struck me as terribly anti-climactic.

Overall comments: If you enjoy m/m books that focus on romance, this one is good. There’s not a lot of conflict; it’s mostly about the two men falling in love and learning to accommodate each other’s differences. If you’re looking for something with an intense plot to which the romance is secondary, this isn’t it.(less)

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Aug 16, 2012 Ron rated it 2 of 5 stars

Crossing Borders is a good book. Not a great book, not a bad book. It's good. The premise was a bit odd considering a 19 year old kid broke up with his girlfriend, decided he was gay, picked up a cop (whom he knew from run-ins with him) at a book store, and fell madly in love and lust. That was on the first page.

I'm exagerating a bit but not by much. If you can get past that, and the fact that a 19 year old who makes a lifetime commitment after his first gay sexual experience, then you'll enjoy...more

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Jul 26, 2012 Geneviève rated it 2 of 5 stars

2.5

I feel a little cheated, and slightly disappointed. The book had such a great start, and I loved Tristan from the get-go, but the initial momentum seemed to ebb away really quickly. It went from clever, witty and funny to redundant and pointless in a matter of pages. The sex scenes, which were very well-written, mind you, seemed to steal the attention from the already quasi-nonexistent plot. It really felt like a smutty book more than anything else, nearly PWP. Both MC were well fleshed-out,...more

2 likes · like · see review

Oct 03, 2011 L-D rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: bikers-motorcycles, cop-pi-bountyhunter, m-m, romance, borrowed, series

3.5 stars. I know, I know I keep harping on this, but I hate this book cover SO MUCH. The book goes on and on about how hot Michael and Tristan are and I REALLY do my best to try to picture them that way, but then my mind keeps bouncing back to the old dude and the 14 year old kid on the cover and I just can't get the image out of my head. I tried not to let it ruin the book for me but it was so distracting.

Okay... *mentally shakes it off*... Michael is a local cop who ticketed Tristan when he w...more

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Jun 14, 2011 Yvonne rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: borrowed-kindle, m-m

It's more like 2.5 STARS I wasn't sure about this book so I decided to borrow it (thanks Kate). I think if this was the first m/m book I'd read I'd probably like it better but for me it felt flat & somewhat cliched. Our couple is 28 year old 'officer helmet' Michael & 19 year old student, 'Sparky' Tristan. Instantly I'm put off by the ludicrous nicknames more suitable for a puppy than a grown person. The term the boy or my boy was used a lot also, which is probably OK for a 19 year old...more It's more like 2.5 STARS I wasn't sure about this book so I decided to borrow it (thanks Kate). I think if this was the first m/m book I'd read I'd probably like it better but for me it felt flat & somewhat cliched. Our couple is 28 year old 'officer helmet' Michael & 19 year old student, 'Sparky' Tristan. Instantly I'm put off by the ludicrous nicknames more suitable for a puppy than a grown person. The term the boy or my boy was used a lot also, which is probably OK for a 19 year old but was still annoying.

They meet cute, fall for each other instantly & have lots of sex & that's pretty much it for the majority of the time. I was surprised in fact, by how much space was given to the sex scenes which seems to take the place of actual plot & tended to drag the story down & throw off the pacing. Added to this, Tristan & Michael veer into that chicks with dicks territory too often & it's all way too mushy at times.

Then we get the typical angst associated with Michael's job & there's a crisis of faith for 19 year old Tristan where he thinks it's all too much too soon. This part made the most sense as who at 19, wouldn't question this. I was starting to appreciate the story more, but then the author completely dropped the ball at the end by having MIchael make the most cliched unbelievable decision about his career. This also negated the entire point of the tattoo & made Tristan seem like an indecisive kid not ready for a grown up relationship. (view spoiler)Add to that the fact that the epilogue was pretty muddled & I was not left with the best impression about this book.

I will say there were a couple of strong scenes in this book. The opening & the attempted pick up at the bookstore was very entertaining & later in the book there was a funny scene at Thanksgiving. Tristan & Michael were also likable characters in the book.This saved this book from being a total dud for me. (less)

7 likes · like · see review

Oct 12, 2010 Smokinhotbooks K.C. rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: m-m

I have to say Z.A. Maxfield's stand alones are my favs. Crossing Borders is my second favorite book this author has written so far (Family Unit is my first)!

My favorite scene has to be when Tristan realizes he is gay and so after overhearing his female classmates pick up guys at Borders he decides to come up with 'a plan.' After carefully selecting books from the Gay section and turning them 'just so' at the table he sees his arch nemesis....Officer Helmet (the cop who gave him a ticket for not...more

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Jun 19, 2012 Alex Economides rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: erotic-romance, favorites-books, m-m, romance-reading-challenge-2012

I am obsessed with books. I read anything – from Mills & Boon (aka Harlequin/Silhouette contemporary romance, paranormal romance, urban fantasy, thrillers, mystery, erotica and have just recently started discovered that I also enjoy m/m genre (thanks to all my friends at GR). I’m the kind of reader that loves a HEA…a total romance fox that’s me!!!!

Crossing Borders by Z.A Maxfield was suggested by, yes a GR friend, who said that I would like it. Wow…I actually did. In fact I finished the enti...more

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Mar 22, 2012 Kerry sullivan rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: gay-fiction

I got this book on a whim, if I am honest, because it had a cop as one of the lead characters and it is a whim I will happily repeat. This book had me laughing so much I couldn't see through the tears, my sides hurt and I got some very strange looks from my family. I am not sure it is supposed to be funny but Sparky is so sarcastic and upfront that you cant help but laugh. The thanksgiving day dinner was so funny I had to stop reading because I could not see I was crying with laughter so hard. H...more

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Nov 06, 2011 Cindi rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: m-m, z-a-maxfield, series

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. What a cool story. I love books that have the older man/younger man, older woman/younger man type theme. As long as they are done right. This one was definitely done right.

Tristan (Sparky) is a 19-year old kid who managed to get a very expensive ticket for skateboarding without a helmet when he was 17. He's managed to avoid getting another one by the officer that he calls Officer Helmet. Officer Helmet (Michael) has tried to catch the kid again for over 2 years but hasn't managed to do so.

Tris...more What a cool story. I love books that have the older man/younger man, older woman/younger man type theme. As long as they are done right. This one was definitely done right.

Tristan (Sparky) is a 19-year old kid who managed to get a very expensive ticket for skateboarding without a helmet when he was 17. He's managed to avoid getting another one by the officer that he calls Officer Helmet. Officer Helmet (Michael) has tried to catch the kid again for over 2 years but hasn't managed to do so.

Tristan's girlfriend breaks up with him. Not only does Tristan not care too much, he gets turned on by her brother who gives him the news that his sister has gone out with another guy. Tristan had been a major player (with girls) but suddenly he was wanting to be with a man. So he goes to the Borders bookstore in hopes of picking up some random guy for sex. Instead, his plan is foiled by none other than "Officer Helmet" (who is not in uniform) who sits at another table and watches....... and foils...... Tristan's pick up attempts. What Tristan doesn't know is that Michael has wanted him ever since he gave him his ticket when he was 17, but he waited until Tristan was of age...... not to mention that Michael (who is 27 or 28) knew that Tristan had been with a lot of girls so he thought he was totally straight. After a little confusion (and frustration) Tristan ends up going home with Michael.

That's the synopsis of the story. As I said, I love the older man/younger man theme. But what I really, REALLY love is how, while the author did have the couple fall in love..... and lust ..... pretty fast, there were normal issues between the two. There was the worry (by Tristan) over how his friends and family would react to him being with a man. There were issues with Tristan trying to come to terms with his homosexuality. There were even issues with each one coming to terms with the age difference. Tristan's fears of losing Michael because he was an officer also played out well. There were a couple of things, however, that I did not like. I did not like how Michael treated Tristan like a child in one part of the story. He didn't back him up at a time when it was critical that he do so. The use of the name "Sparky" got old pretty quick. Not only did Michael call Tristan this in private, he introduced him to others as Sparky, not Tristan. Also, what happened to the kid who befriended Tristan's brothers? I hope the author gives him his own story some day as I would love to see how his story plays out. Part of the story was focused on Tristan not moving in with Michael because he was scared of Michael's coworkers finding out Michael was gay. Did they KNOW he was gay to begin with? This was never explained. Then there was Ron. Ron came across as a complete and total jerk when he met Tristan for the first time. Later on they became friends somewhat. The sudden about-face with his character bothered me. What happened when Tristan's other friends found out he was in love with a man? One friend found out but what about the others? But I think the thing that bothered me the most was the fact that Michael gave up the job he loved for Tristan because of Tristan's fear after Michael almost died in the line of duty. Yes, there should be compromise but to leave the job you love? I didn't agree with that at all, though I understood it.

As I said, I really enjoyed this book. It was probably one of the better and more realistic of this type of story. Yes, there was quite a bit of sex in it but it also had real situations and feelings. I look forward to reading the short sequel.

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May 08, 2011 Bee rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: i-cried-a-river, kindle, passion-erotica, romance, m-m, need-urban-dictionary

A fantastically sweet book about falling in love for the first time.

Tristan is a 19-year-old player, he's been charming girls since he was fourteen and has had a seemingly unlimited appetite for girls. When he arrives at the doorstep of his latest girlfriend and her brother tells him he's been dumped Tristan isn't exactly heartbroken...instead he has an epiphany, which has something to do with the inability to look away from the guy's clearly aroused state. Apparently Tristan likes dick!

In ord...more

1 like · like · see review

Feb 06, 2012 Bitchie rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: m-m-romance, fucking-loved-it, law-enforcement

I didn't know what to expect going into this one. From the cover I expected a really young guy and a really older man and a kind of skeezy hookup. What I got was a coming of age story, and a brilliantly written romance. Tristan had been sleeping with just about every female he could since he was 14, but the day his girlfriend dumps him (via her own brother) all Tristan can think about is the brother. He comes up with a plan to hook up with a guy, to find out if he was gay or not. He comes up wit...more

1 like · like · see review

Mar 15, 2013 Alicia Nordwell rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Honestly, I held off on this book for a while before purchasing it during a 50% rebate day at ARe. It seemed a tad cliché from the title, but really, the plot wasn't the focus for me when I read it. While that sounds silly, it's true.

The characters made this story. 'Officer Helmet' aka Michael was interesting as seen through the eyes of 'Sparky' aka Tristan. As a fellow redhead, I soooo got Tristan's beef with his nickname. I loved the disparate ages-yet similar desires. It just went to show th...more

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Dec 25, 2012 Bev rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: m-m, romance, total-keepers, feel-good, happy-families, happy-ever-after, hot-and-steamy, waterworks-alert, favorites

I felt this story was on a par with 'The Long Way Home' - absolutely delightful! Michael was the 'adult' in this partnership (at the start maybe), but Tris had had to grow up fast in lots of ways (as anyone who has lost their dad early on will tell you). He didn't want to have to go through losing someone close to him again, and was really afraid for Michael and his job as a policeman even though there didn't appear to be a lot of major crime in Fullerton. Michael could have come across as a bit...more

3 likes · like · see review

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Genres

Romance > M M Romance

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Romance

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Contemporary

62 users

Adult Fiction > Erotica

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Glbt > Gay

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Glbt

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Romance > Contemporary Romance

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Young Adult > Coming Of Age

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Academic > College

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Gay Romance > Gay For You

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“I think it's romantic," she said mostly to Edward. "Cursed to live their lives in the shadows, to be together only under the cover of darkness... hiding their love from the sunlight."

"They're gay, honey," said Emma, "Not Vampires” — 109 people liked it

“Dear Lord,” began Randy, who paused for long enough that Tristan sneaked an eye open to look at him. His saw his mother’s cheek twitch with what he thought might be apprehension. “We are so grateful to be gathered here today with our family, and the family of our brother’s homosexual boyfriend, and our new little goth friend who has a gay dad, whatever the heck that is all about. We’d like to say we’re grateful this year for condoms, lube, and Ellen Degeneres, and for those guys on Queer Eye…”

Randall Evan Phillips!” his mother shouted.” — 97 people liked it

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