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Life Class

3.59 of 5 stars 3.59 · rating details · 209 ratings · 28 reviews

"Opportunity knocks once in a lifetime "

Harley Hayes is always looking for a new challenge to stretch his artistic vision. The subject of his first foray into nudes is a vision, indeed: Ryan Morgan. With each sitting, Harley finds it harder to ignore the fact he s falling head over heels for the straight-arrow model.

Their first kiss confirms that Ryan feels the heat, too f...more

ebook, 129 pages

Published March 30th 2010 by Samhain Publishing (first published February 6th 2010)

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Best M/M "Angsty" Romance

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Mar 21, 2013 Alina added it

Sadly I didn't like this book.

The six months ago part was good, but the present time part became a hot mess, imo. Ryan became an unrepentant asshole and I couldn't care for him, despite all his financial plight and I just didn't get why Harley would still want him, while all Ryan's been doing was walking all over him repeatedly, so I stopped liking Harley as well. Oh and I became real pissed with how Harley acted towards Nathan, his manager and lover for that six months. First he cheated on him...more

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Nov 02, 2012 Charly rated it 3 of 5 stars

Angsty story with good buildup but a disappointing conclusion

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

Rating: 6/10

PROS:
- The tentative back-and-forth nature of the men’s relationship when they first start seeing each other is tender and a nice change from the all-or-nothing seduction often portrayed in m/m romances.
- Harley struggles mightily with his desire for Ryan, and I loved that Harley makes himself suffer for so long before doing anything about it. I like re...more Angsty story with good buildup but a disappointing conclusion

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

Rating: 6/10

PROS:
- The tentative back-and-forth nature of the men’s relationship when they first start seeing each other is tender and a nice change from the all-or-nothing seduction often portrayed in m/m romances.
- Harley struggles mightily with his desire for Ryan, and I loved that Harley makes himself suffer for so long before doing anything about it. I like reading about characters who have some sexual restraint.
- Once the guys start a physical relationship, there are several bedroom scenes, and most of them are of the angry variety. Blackwell captures the tone of such episodes very well. One minute the men are snarling and shoving each other, and the next they’re snarling and kissing.

CONS:
- The two guys are constantly saying hurtful and/or offensive things to each other. In several instances, in fact, I found one guy or the other simply despicable.
- Ryan’s constant wavering about his feelings for Harley is enough to induce whiplash (and I do mean CONSTANT, as in he hates and desires and pities and admires Harley one after another, all within the span of a single scene).
- The transition from “Ryan hates Harley and is cruel to him” to “Ryan loves Harley and wants to live with him” is incredibly abrupt. In fact, there’s not much of a transition at all. He just changes, literally overnight.
- The descriptions throughout the story are a little flowery and over-the-top for me. Here’s an example: “His face was exquisite, like an angel in human form. His lips were full and pink, his nose small and button-like. A pair of startling, amber-colored eyes fringed with lush lashes…” And so on.

Overall comments: There’s a good story here, and it’s actually one of the more convincing Gay for You stories I’ve read, but I didn’t find it very enjoyable overall. The angst level is high, what with Harley’s unrequited feelings, Ryan’s sexual confusion, and both men’s near-constant anger at each other. Each time I thought they’d moved past the hostile/cruel stage, they ended up saying or doing something hurtful again in the next scene.(less)

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Apr 02, 2011 Cat rated it 4 of 5 stars

I'm kinda surprised that I liked that a lot, for two reasons: it was too melodramatic for my taste, and one of the main characters was not very likeable. Still, as someone who knows what it's like not to know how you're going to pay the next month's rent and preserve your dignity and sanity as a person at the same time, I could empathise with Ryan to some level. Having money might not make a person happy, but the lack of it definitely makes them unhappy and bitter, just like what's happened with...more

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Sep 12, 2010 Kassa rated it 3 of 5 stars

I liked reading this even if I think it ends a bit abruptly. The characters are flawed, complicated, hurtful, scared, and all over the place. On the one hand I think this novella could have really developed into something great but it still fits its length rather well. The ending just comes about kind of abruptly and suddenly. But this is a good story that shows how a scared character can redeem rather crappy behavior.

Ryan Morgan is struggling to make ends meet. After leaving home, he’s been li...more I liked reading this even if I think it ends a bit abruptly. The characters are flawed, complicated, hurtful, scared, and all over the place. On the one hand I think this novella could have really developed into something great but it still fits its length rather well. The ending just comes about kind of abruptly and suddenly. But this is a good story that shows how a scared character can redeem rather crappy behavior.

Ryan Morgan is struggling to make ends meet. After leaving home, he’s been living hand to mouth, often forgoing the mouth portion to keep a roof over his head. When he starts to make money as an artist’s model, he’s wary but hungry. When a group of older women start to offer extra money for sex, he’s ashamed but feels he has no choice. Whenever he struggles to get away from that side work, it seems to suck him in again. When gay artist Harley asks to paint Ryan, he’s certain Harley will want more. When Harley shows Ryan kindness and acts like a friend, Ryan is even more scared by the kiss Harley offers one night. Running scared from his feelings and his life, Ryan can’t seem to run away from Harley and what he offers.

The story is really a study in Ryan’s growth as a character and young man. Struggling in his life and doing things he’s not proud of, Ryan is often his own worst enemy. His explosive temper and angry attitude hide the terrified and proud young man underneath. Ryan simply can’t help ruining just about every opportunity he’s presented. He even treats Harley like utter crap for 95% of the story. Part of this is redeemed since Harley understands the scared man behind the mask and ultimately Ryan can eventually express himself, but Ryan’s not an easy character to like. Too often Harley simply excuses Ryan’s behavior because he’s in love with the man.

However the author and story do a great job in humanizing Ryan and showing the catalyst for his actions. He genuinely hates himself for how he treats Harley but can’t seem to stop lashing out. He says and does incredibly angry, hurtful things which eventually are simply forgiven and dropped. Here is where the story stutters some for me. Given Ryan’s rough past, his actions are somewhat understandable. However, he never really faces the consequences of his lashing out and instead is met with Harley’s unwavering love. This works since nothing else would get through to Ryan but he also needs to let go of the fear and anger he clings so tightly to. This is where I think if the story had been longer, it could show Ryan growing and changing while with Harley. That would have convinced me more of his change than the abrupt ending. However I do recognize this is a personal preference.

The solid writing and interesting story makes this engaging to read. The construction is somewhat clunky with an awkward flashback at the beginning mixed in with current action. The previous action between Ryan and Harley could have been started the book and then the time frame move ahead six months. This would have been less awkward and choppy but didn’t kill the enjoyment of reading it. Harley is less well developed, since this is about Ryan finding acceptance and love, so he comes across more wooden and less interesting. He is in love with Ryan, for reasons we’re not really told, and he works hard to get Ryan to accept that despite pretty shoddy behavior from his love interest. Again, if the story were longer Harley could have been afforded more development and depth.

Overall this is a decent story that isn’t afraid to show messy characters and complicated relationships. It’s not an easy romance and the angst ridden struggle will be something some readers just adore. You have to appreciate angst, drama, and turmoil in closed off, angry young men but he does have a happy ending.
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Sep 10, 2010 Lynette rated it 4 of 5 stars

Ryan earns his living by posing as an artist for models and often doing “extra” things on the side for the woman who hire him. So he’s relieved when his next commission comes from a male artist. What he doesn’t expect is the chemistry that ignites between him and Harley, a successful artist. When Harley kisses him he explodes and leaves Harley’s studio. Contact between the two ends until Ryan sees Harley at an art gallery where Ryan’s portrait is the highlight of the show.

Now that Harley and Rya...more Ryan earns his living by posing as an artist for models and often doing “extra” things on the side for the woman who hire him. So he’s relieved when his next commission comes from a male artist. What he doesn’t expect is the chemistry that ignites between him and Harley, a successful artist. When Harley kisses him he explodes and leaves Harley’s studio. Contact between the two ends until Ryan sees Harley at an art gallery where Ryan’s portrait is the highlight of the show.

Now that Harley and Ryan are back in each other’s orbit, no matter how hard they try to fight it, they can’t deny the chemistry between them. Things come to a head when Harley asks Ryan for one night. However, for Ryan, one night might not be enough.

I closed LIFE CLASS with a sense of satisfaction and the slight disappointment that it was over. That hasn’t happened to me in a long time. My only qualm with LIFE CLASS was that it has a slow start. LIFE CLASS starts off in the present then spends a lot of time rehashing something that happened between Harley and Ryan six months before LIFE CLASS starts. While I appreciated seeing the back story, for me it dragged and took away from the here and now. I wished that LIFE CLASS started at the moment Harley asked Ryan to sit for him, went through that quickly, and then went to where they were reunited. Of course, when they were reunited that’s when the story really shined.

LIFE CLASS is a flipping story. By that I mean when a gay hero falls in love with a straight man. It was beautifully written. I loved how Ryan (the straight hero) was portrayed. His anger and conflict was very realistic. And umm . . . the sexual tension between Ryan and Harley was very hot and alpha. Two strong men arguing and following in love and umm getting it on . . . big turn on.

Another thing that I didn’t like about LIFE CLASS was how Ryan’s poverty was explained. Sorry, but for a single man without any obligations, I couldn’t see how he couldn’t just suck up and get a job to pay the bills so he wouldn’t lose his apartment. For him to sabotage decent jobs like that, I just didn’t get it.

These problems were minor, because I really loved LIFE CLASS.
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Jul 25, 2010 Ami rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: mm-romance-or-erotica

Six months ago, Ryan Morgan -- a down on his luck life-class model, posed for Harley Hayes. And they had a kiss. A hot one. Except that Ryan was straight -- and he had his experience of being paid for sex as well and he didn't need this complication. So he opted to walk out. Until they meet again at a gallery opening and like nothing changed. The heat is still there: Harley still wants Ryan and Ryan, this time, thinks that maybe he should just give in.

WOW ... this one is so messy and complicated...more

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May 20, 2010 Betryal rated it 4 of 5 stars

Well that was... explosive! Talk about in denial. Or it could have been fear? Maybe just enjoyed being a jackass all his life and with all the angst having built up to a climaxing peak, didn't know where it once began and where it would end. With that thought in mind I'm speaking opening about Ryan. That was until Harley walked into his life. Another GR reader/reviewer, Lisa as a matter of fact (hope she didn't mind my mentioning her. :snickering:) wrote a review that was impressive enough that...more

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Sep 28, 2010 kasjo_peja rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: m-m, hustlers, short-novella

The book started as 5-stars read. I liked 'straight' guy and gay guy scenario, their mutual chemistry and how they tried to resist it, and last but not least, fair amount of angst and guilt. The story was well paced and the flashes from the past worked really well.
However when it came to the present day and how the relationship would proceed from here, I got tired of the protagonists endlessly hurting each other and then making out. Sex seemed like their only way of communication. [The book demo...more

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Jan 05, 2011 Td rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: angst

My second story from this author and I find myself liking her work. It wasn't that long, but I sat down and read this in one shot without wandering elsewhere, had to see how this mess was sorted out. Once again I wanted to throttle one of the characters...repeatedly, and a couple of times even both of them. Nothing black and white, easy or uncomplicated here. Still it wasn't ALL angst. There were times I was laughing and had a goofy smile on my face, especially during Harley's POV. The ending wa...more

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May 15, 2010 Lisa rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: m-m-romance

I really loved this story. Scarlet Blackwell does a good job of creating characters who feel very real, and she does it in a very short amount of time. Harley was just plain fantastic - sweet, kind, sensitive and hopelessly in love in a poignant way, with Ryan, who definitely had issues to work through. The measure of how well this book was written was my reaction to Ryan's treatment of Harley's feelings. In the beginning, Ryan's insensitive reactions to Harley got to me, but Ms. Blackwell quick...more

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Sep 25, 2011 Natalie rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: gfy-ofy, first-time, rent-boys

Very good, but with a disappointing ending. I'm generally a big fan of Scarlet Blackwell's writing, even though her authorial voice is so very British (not a problem when a story is actually set in Britain, but it's a little jarring when it's supposed to be the U.S.). She's not afraid to write characters that behave in unlikeable ways, though, which is so refreshing. The tension between Ryan and Harley in this story is delicious, but the ending is way too abrupt. Given the hurt and violence betw...more

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May 07, 2012 Tami rated it 2 of 5 stars

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

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Jun 07, 2012 L-D rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: model-photographer-designer, artists, m-m, rent-boys-hookers

Ryan Morgan is down on his luck. With his gorgeous looks and physique, Ryan has worked as an artist's model in the past, but when that turned into selling himself for some cash on the side, he had enough. But now that his rent is past due and he has been skipping meals, an offer by artist Harley Hayes to model comes at the perfect time. He knows that Harley is straight, but unlike the other female "artists" he's modeled for that are more hobbyists, Harley is the real deal. Harley is admittedly a...more

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Mar 20, 2011 xbmbgrl rated it 4 of 5 stars

I enjoy the way Scarlet Blackwell writes a book. This is the second one I have picked up and both books have had compelling and complicated characters that rang true. I can feel her characters and get emotionally attached to them. They aren’t perfect. They don’t make the right decisions all the time. In this book Ryan, a straight painter’s model/gigolo struggles so hard to understand himself without really trying to understand himself. I know so many men and boys that try to shortcut their emoti...more

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Jul 06, 2010 Elisa Ramblings added it

The cover is really good, and indeed, if the one character on it is Ryan, it has also some meaning, since this is the story of a young man whose only livelihood is his body. But Ryan has not the meek behaviour of someone who is aware of his limits, on the contrary, he has a lively character, inflammable, and he is often ready to burst, even when it means that he will not eat or pay the rent for the following month.

Ryan’s story is quite typical, an average intelligent boy who always associated w...more The cover is really good, and indeed, if the one character on it is Ryan, it has also some meaning, since this is the story of a young man whose only livelihood is his body. But Ryan has not the meek behaviour of someone who is aware of his limits, on the contrary, he has a lively character, inflammable, and he is often ready to burst, even when it means that he will not eat or pay the rent for the following month.

Ryan’s story is quite typical, an average intelligent boy who always associated with the wrong people, and he arrived to the edge between youth and adulthood without having learned his lessons. He spent all his twenty years doing spare time jobs usually for students or teenager and obviously they didn’t allow him to build a solid future. His lucky, and damnation, is his good looks: he thought to use his good exterior working as life model for drawing classes, but the step between being a model for a class of students, to being a model for desperate housewives, and then something else, is very short. Without really being willing, or consciously take the decision, Ryan becomes a whore, but unfortunately for him, not an high paid one: Ryan is too irascible and proud to being a good one, he more time than not, refuses to concede his body if the person on the other side of the bargain inadvertently pushes his wrong buttons.

Harley is one of the artists who hire Ryan. And the only man so far. Through, Harley is really a painter, and he really wants to do a male nude, and Ryan is the perfect model, but it’s also true that Harley heard of Ryan’s reputation, and he is wondering if maybe, Ryan will be willing with a man as he was for women. Harley is not a desperate lonely man who has to pay for sex, on the contrary he is pretty cute, wealthy and with a lot of admirers, but he is fascinated by Ryan. For of all he was by Ryan’s stunning body, but then also by the complex man inside that beautiful container. Not that Ryan proves to have a clever mind, but behind his irascible behaviour there is a little boy who wants to be protected and cuddled.

The strange thing is that, Harley, other than being very wealth, doesn’t resemble at all the Prince Charming that usually swept away the Pretty Woman. Harley himself is someone who inspires protection, and that is probably the only reason why Ryan allows him to hire his services: the good man behind the hard exterior that Ryan presents to the world doesn’t want to hurt Harley, Ryan is not able to be firm and strong, and to refuse Harley; mainly since he can’t allow himself to do that, but also since Harley is too fragile and clueless to bounce back Ryan’s blows (material and immaterial).

In the end, I’m not really sure if Ryan really loves Harley, or if instead, he is accepting the unavoidable: Harley is a safe haven, he is kind and gentle, and Ryan can love him… this doesn’t mean that he loves him.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0037BS2IQ/?...(less)

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Sep 04, 2011 Merith rated it 4 of 5 stars

It took me a long time to read this book. I didn't like Ryan very well and wanted to smack Harley upside the head for being so terribly obsessed. Life Class is a short story, but I confess, there were long breaks between reading the next part... Almost a year later, I finish.

The writing is good and the premise is interesting. I just had a problem with the way Ryan rejected and hurt Harley constantly, and Harley still horndog panting after him regardless.

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Nov 14, 2012 Janie rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: m-m-romance

God where to start. I do love a GFY book! Poor Ryan was just dealt a really shitty life and he'd do almost anything to surive but he never intended to fall for Harley. I loved their story and just felt so sad for Harley, it must have been so hard for him loving a straight guy and never being able to have him. I'm so glad that changed for him. Loved the ending. Great book.

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Jul 05, 2012 Shannon rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: borrowed, challenge-finished

This book had the potential to be great. It was still very good, but there was enough of a backstory to be a much longer, more detailed novel. Ryan was a total douche, but I still felt for him. I just wish there was more. More background, more about what Ryan was going to do, more of how they were going to work. Just more. On the plus side, the sex was fabulous! Definately worth the short amount of time it takes to read it.

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Jun 12, 2011 Anita rated it 4 of 5 stars

I always like anything by Scarlet Blackwell. This was no exception. This was a "gay for you" story involving an artist, Harley and his model, Ryan. It's a very nice quick summer read. A sweet little romance with a little bit of agnst on Ryan's part since he never considered being with a man until Harley. I give it 4 stars just because it was short.

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Apr 14, 2012 Karenna rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: read-in-2012, slash, kindle-books, romance

I enjoyed the main part of this story a great deal. Unfortunately the ending seemed abrupt and I didn't really believe in the HEA since Ryan had some obvious anger management issues to resolve. I probably would have given this book an extra star if there had been an epilogue.

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Jun 18, 2011 ♥♥ Amaranth rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: m-m, rent-boy

I loved this one. I completely fell for both MC's and I wish the story had been longer, not because I feel their story was unfinished but because it was THAT GOOD. Bravo Ms. Blackwell. I really needed this after Sin Row. I love your skills girl!

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Jul 12, 2012 Avril rated it 5 of 5 stars

WOW! Okay, this is just...an amazing read. Talk about emotion. Palpable. Sexy. Delicious. I've read this one over and over and over. My favorite Scarlet Blackwell read. By far.

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Jul 29, 2012 Live Read and Breathe Reviews rated it 4 of 5 stars

I quite liked this book. My favorite part is when Ryan and Harley are first together. It was quite a beautiful scene.

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Feb 17, 2012 Raevyn rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: 25k-to-45k-words, contemporary, gfy-ofy, m-m, 2012

I liked the story and the characters, but I felt like it ended too soon.

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May 09, 2013 Pippacon rated it 5 of 5 stars

Love it!! Scarlet is awesome!

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Nov 01, 2012 Edina Rose rated it 3 of 5 stars

Hot romance.

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Nov 28, 2010 Nerine Petros rated it 3 of 5 stars

3.5 stars.

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Jan 28, 2012 Bookbee rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: e-book, m-m, a-z_book_title_challenge_2012, 2012, contemporary, samhain, read_deleted-from-reader-for-room

This was my first book by Scarlet Blackwell and it shall not be my last. I enjoyed the writing style and found the plot moved along nicely. The premise was interesting and the MCs were well drawn and developed. I did feel that the issue of Ryan's attraction to Harley was resolved much too easily for a straight 30-something with some homophobic tendencies.

Oh...and I loved the cover!

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May 12, 2013 Birte marked it as to-read

Shelves: got-it-yet-still-to-read

May 11, 2013 Heather Skye marked it as to-read

Shelves: waiting-to-be-read

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About Scarlet Blackwell

Scarlet writes erotic romance.

Scarlet would rather stick pins in her eyes than go on Facebook but now sees the necessary evil of it. Please join her there for useless writing-related ramblings and hot men musings and ease her in gently. Bah.

More about Scarlet Blackwell...

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