Sign in with Facebook
21st out of 1,455 books
—
1,411 voters
Drawn Together
by
Z.A. Maxfield (Goodreads Author)
Rory might just be a simple southern boy from St. Antoine's Parish Louisiana, but he knows what he wants. He's been in love with the girl of his dreams, reclusive and mysterious artist Ran Yamane, since junior high school. And now he has the chance to meet her. He's going to chuck everything and travel 1,500 miles to Anime Expo in Long Beach to tell her, and no one and not...more
ebook, 349 pages
Published
March 10th 2009
by Loose. Id
Friend Reviews
To see what your friends thought of this book,
please sign up.
Community Reviews
(showing
1-30
of
2,999)
After my first impressions of the beginning of this book, this is a surprise hit. I have really enjoyed all of ZA Maxfield's books so far, especially Crossing Borders and was hoping for the same humor that was missing from St. Nacho's and The Long Way Home...I had high expectations for this one.
Why a surprise? The first several chapters outline the trip out west for Rory to see his idol Yamane and frankly, he comes off as a an obsessed psycho stalker. Worse, the author shoves him into a beat up...more
Why a surprise? The first several chapters outline the trip out west for Rory to see his idol Yamane and frankly, he comes off as a an obsessed psycho stalker. Worse, the author shoves him into a beat up...more
Finally! I finished this book!
I hate to admit this, but I really didn't enjoy it at all. I liked Rory the most. He was always the Hero and trying to protect and save everyone. I did not like Ran Yamane! Not even a little bit! I hate his needy, whoring ways and do not think he deserved Rory in the end. He did not redeem himself in my eyes. All the characters seemed unrealistic with their actions and dialogue. When I want unrealistic I typically go for the paranormal/fantasy type books. Not this.
I...more
I hate to admit this, but I really didn't enjoy it at all. I liked Rory the most. He was always the Hero and trying to protect and save everyone. I did not like Ran Yamane! Not even a little bit! I hate his needy, whoring ways and do not think he deserved Rory in the end. He did not redeem himself in my eyes. All the characters seemed unrealistic with their actions and dialogue. When I want unrealistic I typically go for the paranormal/fantasy type books. Not this.
I...more
I appreciated the suspense and adore Rory and Yamane love story... Is more than good... This book is perfect...
Just finish it, and I'm not ashamed to say I have tears in my eyes.
And at the same time read this book give so much happiness I just want to share it with you, the reader of my review...
If you have this book in your to-read shelf do it... I regret the time I take deciding if I should or no read it.
My advice is: grab this book reading only 10 pages and tell me if you will not already be...more
Just finish it, and I'm not ashamed to say I have tears in my eyes.
And at the same time read this book give so much happiness I just want to share it with you, the reader of my review...
If you have this book in your to-read shelf do it... I regret the time I take deciding if I should or no read it.
My advice is: grab this book reading only 10 pages and tell me if you will not already be...more
There is a reason romance gurus say once the hero links up with his love interest, whether they seal the deal right away or not, they shouldn't stray. It a huge risk to let your hero sleep with someone other than his hero. You risk alienating your reader and making your hero, well, less heroic and therefore, less likeable. So imagine my shock when Yamane does this dirty deed. Granted this character is a rather self absorbed, high maintenance kind of guy, and Rory, with his down to earth souther...more
ory meets Yamane, the girl of his dreams, but it turns out she’s a man! Before he has a chance to figure out what that means, someone’s trying to kill him. Yamane needs a knight, and Rory is the only guy around.
This book is seriously cute. But, is one of those reads that you need to pull on you big suspension of disbelief pants for. Not that the book pretends to be anything other than this, it was quick, sweet, with over the top drama and much campy fun. It’s kinda yaoi in a way and reminded me...more
This book is seriously cute. But, is one of those reads that you need to pull on you big suspension of disbelief pants for. Not that the book pretends to be anything other than this, it was quick, sweet, with over the top drama and much campy fun. It’s kinda yaoi in a way and reminded me...more
So I didn't even mean to start reading this book, no less read the first 190 pages in one sitting instead of sleeping, but there you have it. That being said I'm glad I did.
Rory Delaplaines, from Louisiana is in love with the woman of his dreams. Ran Yamane, the creator of his favorite graphic novels. She is going to be at a convention in California signing autographs so he decides to drive the 1500 miles to meet her, woo her and hopefully marry her. The only problem? Ran Yamane, is not a woman...more
Rory Delaplaines, from Louisiana is in love with the woman of his dreams. Ran Yamane, the creator of his favorite graphic novels. She is going to be at a convention in California signing autographs so he decides to drive the 1500 miles to meet her, woo her and hopefully marry her. The only problem? Ran Yamane, is not a woman...more
I love this book, so sweet. We meet Yamane a manga artist and the boy who fell in love with her art work. unsuspecting Rory has no idea that the artist he fell in love with and thinks is the woman of his dreams is actually the man of his heart.
Check out this book about two guys who never suspected they would fall in love, and throw in a psycho B, and you got a great story.Z.A Maxfield is a gem.
Check out this book about two guys who never suspected they would fall in love, and throw in a psycho B, and you got a great story.Z.A Maxfield is a gem.
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it,
click here.
The plot is totally ludicrous, the action over the top & filled with exaggerated heroes & villains and it's all probably deliberately written that way. Zam has taken a true epic event, Hurricane Katrina & out of the floods created a hero Rory. He's Forrest Gump only smarter but equipped with that type of magical luck. Rory is on a quest to meet Ran Yamane, a manga artist he has idolized & who he believes is a woman. When he finds out Yamane is a man Rory doesn't turn back but bec...more
2.5
This was...different. I found myself liking Ran more than I did Rory because I didn't really understand where Rory's head was at in this book.
It was definitely a readable story. I did want to see how things worked out but the gay for you storyline I found didn't work for me for most of it.
Cute, interesting moments but the stalker storyline was a bit too heavy handed for me to really be drawn into the hijinks.
This was...different. I found myself liking Ran more than I did Rory because I didn't really understand where Rory's head was at in this book.
It was definitely a readable story. I did want to see how things worked out but the gay for you storyline I found didn't work for me for most of it.
Cute, interesting moments but the stalker storyline was a bit too heavy handed for me to really be drawn into the hijinks.
My first m/m romance and I have to say it was way better than I expected. Well, I wasn't really sure what I expected. I didn't know if I'd be getting straight up erotica here or what. But this was actually a sweet romance with some suspense thrown in. Not erotica at all. By that I mean it isn't sex from the first few pages and lacking any type of storyline. This follows your typical romantic story arc: they meet, get to know each other, have disagreements along the way, they don't just fall righ...more
I am not a fan of Manga so as I was going thru ZAM's catalog of books I skipped it. Because it was BOM for August i decided to go ahead. Now that I have read it, WTF was I thinking? I love everything of hers I have read, so of course I would love it. ZAM writes stories that I want to read. Every character is so clearly drawn you feel they are part of your life. The situations as so plausible that nothing seems to be a fantasy. I have known people with the traits of both Rory and Yamane but never...more
I thought Drawn Together was a wonderful story. I loved Rory and Yamane. Rory was so sweet. I enjoyed reading about their adventures.
When the author makes you smile and breathe a sigh of relief within the first two paragraphs of a book, you know that you're probably in good hands.
It was a grim fact of life, Rory discovered as he wiped mustard off his hands with a napkin, that the further you disappeared into rural America, the less strange it seemed when you talked to your food. He’d just finished having a conversation with a gas station corn dog. Sure, he ate it while leaning up against his car in the back parking lot of one...more
It was a grim fact of life, Rory discovered as he wiped mustard off his hands with a napkin, that the further you disappeared into rural America, the less strange it seemed when you talked to your food. He’d just finished having a conversation with a gas station corn dog. Sure, he ate it while leaning up against his car in the back parking lot of one...more
Feb 25, 2010
Elisa Ramblings
added it
Everytime I read a new book by Z.A. Maxfield I wonder how can she manage to write something new everytime, and still be original and better than before. If you pick one per one all the books she wrote in less than a year, and try to compare them, it's almost like they are written by different authors. There is only one thing that is certain, that the two characters will fall in love and that their romance will be wonderful, even if not simple.
This last book starts as a funny romp to go through a...more
This last book starts as a funny romp to go through a...more
3.5-4 stars. I liked this book, but not as much as I expected to. The characters were interesting and felt very real with the foibles and eccentricities of real life. What didn't work for me was the way this book read very much like a romantic suspense. The "on the run" theme just got very distracting for me and detracted from my enjoyment of seeing Rory and Yamane fall for each other.
I picked this one up because the concept seemed so novel. Falling in love with an elusive artist, based on their artwork. Building a whole elaborate scenario around meeting the artist only to find "she" is a "he".
Good read overall. A crazy stalker forming the main obstacle above and beyond the fact that Rory has always thought of himself as straight, yet he still has this attraction to Yasmene.
Is it "gay for you" if the one character is discovering his sexuality, rather than finding the one ex...more
Good read overall. A crazy stalker forming the main obstacle above and beyond the fact that Rory has always thought of himself as straight, yet he still has this attraction to Yasmene.
Is it "gay for you" if the one character is discovering his sexuality, rather than finding the one ex...more
Hmm...friends ratings are all over the board for this one (much like my ratings for Maxfield books).
The Japanese element worries me, though. I always worry when Asian elements are included... I'm always worried it'll be very weeaboo D:
Post-give up EtA:
I can't do this. I can't go on. Perhaps one day I'll return to this, but I can't handle this right now.
DNF @ ~62%
Here are comments I wrote whist reading:
"Rory’s mother had been supportive of her son’s wild plan, asking him over and over had he hit...more
The Japanese element worries me, though. I always worry when Asian elements are included... I'm always worried it'll be very weeaboo D:
Post-give up EtA:
I can't do this. I can't go on. Perhaps one day I'll return to this, but I can't handle this right now.
DNF @ ~62%
Here are comments I wrote whist reading:
"Rory’s mother had been supportive of her son’s wild plan, asking him over and over had he hit...more
Might be the last book of february for me. I decided that i can not handle Iliad yet, the shadow of Song of Achilles still looms over the corner and the painful heartbreak from reading that just has not stop. I kinda too tired to read any other thing on my to-read list. I need some thing that has a lightness to it, something simpler, something borderline fanfic-y. And yes out of my despair that none of my favorite drarry fanfiction writers done anything new in the last few months... Okay.. so ma...more
Have just finished " Drawn Together "and its taken me quite awhile to decide between giving this 5 stars or 4 stars and to be honest I'm still dithering! Apologies if seems long but its a complex book to review.
I have to start by saying it did give me a LOT of enjoyment but - and here come some negatives - it also made me so exasperated at times that some of that pleasure was diminished. Its one of those stories that makes you start analyzing situations and character choices whilst reading the b...more
I have to start by saying it did give me a LOT of enjoyment but - and here come some negatives - it also made me so exasperated at times that some of that pleasure was diminished. Its one of those stories that makes you start analyzing situations and character choices whilst reading the b...more
Funny, romantic, and real
Warning: This review might contain what some people consider SPOILERS.
Rating: 9/10
PROS:
- The characterization is wonderful. Both of the main guys are intelligent and strong and opinionated, and despite their quirks (or more probably, because of them), I loved them both. Rory is perhaps a little too perfect to be real--he’s kind and selfless and heroic, etc., etc.--but good grief, I loved Yamane, who is, in his own words, “not considered a socially successful person.” E...more
Warning: This review might contain what some people consider SPOILERS.
Rating: 9/10
PROS:
- The characterization is wonderful. Both of the main guys are intelligent and strong and opinionated, and despite their quirks (or more probably, because of them), I loved them both. Rory is perhaps a little too perfect to be real--he’s kind and selfless and heroic, etc., etc.--but good grief, I loved Yamane, who is, in his own words, “not considered a socially successful person.” E...more
4.0 Stars
I was smitten with Drawn Together from the start. Despite my reservations about the plot summary, I was captivated by the story line. The book was well-written, easy to read, and moved at a good pace. I really enjoyed both characters: Rory (the charming southern boy) and Yamane (the sophisticated and uppity artist). I was enthralled with them and loved watching their friendship blossom into a romance.
Although the book lagged a little in in the middle, I was still intent on giving it a...more
I was smitten with Drawn Together from the start. Despite my reservations about the plot summary, I was captivated by the story line. The book was well-written, easy to read, and moved at a good pace. I really enjoyed both characters: Rory (the charming southern boy) and Yamane (the sophisticated and uppity artist). I was enthralled with them and loved watching their friendship blossom into a romance.
Although the book lagged a little in in the middle, I was still intent on giving it a...more
Originality: ***
Writing Style: ****
Characterization: **
Overall Rating: 2
Aaah, this book was quite the surprise, but I still don't know good or bad.
I liked the beginning and the whole idea held a promise for something more than just sex.
In my mind, I divide the book in two parts.
The first one is good, full of action and a lot of changes in our characters. I even understand why Yamane slept with that cardiologist. There are only so many time you can stand by and listen you're just "not right, sor...more
Writing Style: ****
Characterization: **
Overall Rating: 2
Aaah, this book was quite the surprise, but I still don't know good or bad.
I liked the beginning and the whole idea held a promise for something more than just sex.
In my mind, I divide the book in two parts.
The first one is good, full of action and a lot of changes in our characters. I even understand why Yamane slept with that cardiologist. There are only so many time you can stand by and listen you're just "not right, sor...more
I…more than liked it. I might even love it.
I was originally drawn (no pun intended) to this novel because it was about, originally, an american otaku going on a mission to confess his undying love for a american-born Japanese mangaka. As a huge fan of most things anime/manga and a yaoi/MM fangirl, I figured this was right up my alley and I was not disappointed.
This entry is going to be relatively short because I don’t really have much to say about it other than I really liked it. However, there...more
I was originally drawn (no pun intended) to this novel because it was about, originally, an american otaku going on a mission to confess his undying love for a american-born Japanese mangaka. As a huge fan of most things anime/manga and a yaoi/MM fangirl, I figured this was right up my alley and I was not disappointed.
This entry is going to be relatively short because I don’t really have much to say about it other than I really liked it. However, there...more
I wasn’t sure about this story I didn’t think I’ll enjoy it but fortunately it was better than I expected.
It was hard to decision to rate it as OK or I like it.
I didn’t understand why Ran would fell in love with Rory. Why? I can understand why he wanted to sleep with him but felt in love so soon? I
couldn't sense chemistry between these two. Rory seemed OKish guy but I didn’t like how he treated Ran as if Ran is infantile and weak. Ran survived kidnapping and torture why Rory acted as Ran is d...more
It was hard to decision to rate it as OK or I like it.
I didn’t understand why Ran would fell in love with Rory. Why? I can understand why he wanted to sleep with him but felt in love so soon? I
couldn't sense chemistry between these two. Rory seemed OKish guy but I didn’t like how he treated Ran as if Ran is infantile and weak. Ran survived kidnapping and torture why Rory acted as Ran is d...more
I think this was one of the first things I ever read by ZAM. And it's still my favorite...there are images that have stuck with me ever since the first time I read it - Rory letting kids stuck in a shelter watch cartoons on his laptop because their homes and towns had been destroyed and it was something that made them happy; the embarrassment and dignity Rory showed when he realized who Ran really was, but refused to change his gift and his declaration; that f-ing scene on the stairs (omg, swoon...more
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it,
click here.
May 08, 2011
Bee
rated it
3 of 5 stars
Shelves:
abuse-hate-bullying,
dating-a-celebrity,
gay-for-you,
kindle,
passion-erotica,
romance,
m-m,
survival,
travel
Rory has traveled across the country to meet the artist he's convinced himself is the woman of his dreams, Ran Yamane. He's planned to seduce her and get her to marry him. Only problem with the plan is that Ran Yamane isn't a woman. Sure, he's slightly feminine with long silky black hair and a taste for eye-catching clothes...but he's not a freaking princess like Rory seems to believe. Still, Rory finds himself unable to completely let go of the fantasy he's built up and Yamane is fascinated by...more
So completely wonderful.
SOME SPOILERS FOLLOW!!!!
Witty, compelling, uniquely drawn characters, "but I didn't know I was gay" and...wait for it...an actual plot! With a villain! And police, and sharpshooters...and it doesn't overwhelm the romance!!!
The reason I'm raving about this book, along with the other GR rdrs, is the really crisp writing. Rory is a truly charming character who has a huge revelation and steps up to the plate with grace and wit. (there's that word again)
Yamane is spoiled, lon...more
SOME SPOILERS FOLLOW!!!!
Witty, compelling, uniquely drawn characters, "but I didn't know I was gay" and...wait for it...an actual plot! With a villain! And police, and sharpshooters...and it doesn't overwhelm the romance!!!
The reason I'm raving about this book, along with the other GR rdrs, is the really crisp writing. Rory is a truly charming character who has a huge revelation and steps up to the plate with grace and wit. (there's that word again)
Yamane is spoiled, lon...more
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it,
click here.
There are no discussion topics on this book yet.
Be the first to start one »
Share This Book
No trivia or quizzes yet. Add some now »
“Yamane reached out a hand. "You've got something on your lip," he murmured, rubbing it gently with his thumb.
"What?" Rory froze
"Me," said Yamane, closing the distance for a kiss.”
—
23 people liked it
"What?" Rory froze
"Me," said Yamane, closing the distance for a kiss.”
“What can I say? Love is blind,” said Rory, sitting down next to Yamane. “Yamane here is the acknowledged world master of queer fu.”
“Oh, no, you did not just say that.” Yamane shot him a sour look and drank the last of Rory’s beer.”
—
9 people liked it
More quotes…
“Oh, no, you did not just say that.” Yamane shot him a sour look and drank the last of Rory’s beer.”
Mar 12, 2009 09:56am
May 12, 2009 03:58pm
updated Apr 25, 2010 07:19pm