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Harm Reduction
It's 1992 in the Lower East Side of Manhattan, and Magic Johnson has just gone public about being HIV+. Out of the news but right at the frontlines, Julio Torres works the streets and the parks, doing everything he can to keep more people from dying. He meets a young hustler named Linley who doesn't stand a chance. But no matter how hopeless, Julio never gives up trying to do the right thing.
It's 2012 in the Lower East Side of Manhattan, and there's a Whole Foods around the corner selling organic flowers for Valentine's Day. The city has changed, and so has the world, but Julio is still holding on to his past. He's moved on with his life, taken up new causes, but he just can't let Linley's memory go.
It's 2012 in the Lower East Side of Manhattan, and there's a Whole Foods around the corner selling organic flowers for Valentine's Day. The city has changed, and so has the world, but Julio is still holding on to his past. He's moved on with his life, taken up new causes, but he just can't let Linley's memory go.
17 pages, ebook
First published February 14, 2012
83 people want to read
About the author
Heidi Belleau
62 books313 followersHeidi Belleau was born and raised in small town New Brunswick, graduated with a degree in history from Simon Fraser University in British Columbia, and now lives outside of Edmonton, Alberta, with her tradesman husband and two kids. A proud bisexual woman, her writing reflects everything she loves: diverse casts of queer characters, a sense of history and place, equal parts witty and filthy dialogue, the occasional mythological twist, and most of all, love—in all its weird and wonderful forms. She is the author of the REAR ENTRANCE VIDEO series, and the co-author of THE BURNT TOAST B&B. Her latest novel DEAD RINGER, co-authored with Sam Schooler, is out now from Riptide Publishing. Her work has been reviewed in PUBLISHER’S WEEKLY, LIBRARY JOURNAL, and BOOKLIST.
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
February 26, 2012
What a great story – on many levels – and it’s free! The characters of Julio (who is the narrator) and Linley are fascinating, the plot is extremely romantic (though it doesn’t seem to be at first), and the key message is one of hope that, even though admittedly somewhat unrealistic, is very encouraging, uplifting and just the right thing if you’re looking for a Valentine’s story with a difference.
Julio is into helping people, whether they are drug addicts, prostitutes or homeless. The story looks at 20 years ago and today, helping us understand how much has changed – and, frighteningly, how much has stayed the same. I loved how Julio is finally rewarded for all the times he has done the right thing: enabling people to help themselves rather than doing things for them. For all the times this didn’t work, there is this one time that makes it all worth it.
While this story is gritty and has its edges, it is also realistic and I enjoyed the different feel it has from many of the more ‘traditional’ Valentine’s stories. If you like romance with a twist, happy-ever-afters that don’t come easily and if you adore men who can wait for the right guy to come along, then you will like this short book as much as I did.
Julio is into helping people, whether they are drug addicts, prostitutes or homeless. The story looks at 20 years ago and today, helping us understand how much has changed – and, frighteningly, how much has stayed the same. I loved how Julio is finally rewarded for all the times he has done the right thing: enabling people to help themselves rather than doing things for them. For all the times this didn’t work, there is this one time that makes it all worth it.
While this story is gritty and has its edges, it is also realistic and I enjoyed the different feel it has from many of the more ‘traditional’ Valentine’s stories. If you like romance with a twist, happy-ever-afters that don’t come easily and if you adore men who can wait for the right guy to come along, then you will like this short book as much as I did.
February 18, 2012
3.5 Stars
Way too short! This is a small glimpse at the developing romance between Julio and Linley after a 20 year separation. Not enough togetherness between them only enough to wet your appetite. A lot of potential here I can see an absorbing drama with lots of conflict ahead waiting to see if we get a more involved and detailed story from the authors.
Way too short! This is a small glimpse at the developing romance between Julio and Linley after a 20 year separation. Not enough togetherness between them only enough to wet your appetite. A lot of potential here I can see an absorbing drama with lots of conflict ahead waiting to see if we get a more involved and detailed story from the authors.
February 15, 2012
Just.... took my breath away! So bittersweet and perfectly shaped! One of most gripping short stories I have ever read. :)
February 23, 2012
Overall
A free short from Storm Moon Press put out for Valentine's Day, this story is sweet and touching with a pseudo social awareness message that is balanced out by the sweet emotions that Julio continues to have for Linley, despite having not seen him for twenty years. Like most short stories, it left me wanting more (if only to see the characters continue on and where things go), but it also is perfectly self contained. Some bits of information were hinted at but never confirmed, which I felt was appropriate as to not steal away from the brunt of the story, but left my curious nature frothing at the mouth, wanting to know. A touching story that is definitely worth picking up.
Be sure to check out my other reviews on my blog.
A free short from Storm Moon Press put out for Valentine's Day, this story is sweet and touching with a pseudo social awareness message that is balanced out by the sweet emotions that Julio continues to have for Linley, despite having not seen him for twenty years. Like most short stories, it left me wanting more (if only to see the characters continue on and where things go), but it also is perfectly self contained. Some bits of information were hinted at but never confirmed, which I felt was appropriate as to not steal away from the brunt of the story, but left my curious nature frothing at the mouth, wanting to know. A touching story that is definitely worth picking up.
Be sure to check out my other reviews on my blog.
April 6, 2012
I fell in love with these two authors a long while ago and they continue to amaze me with their intelligent writing, their world building, and the way they create characters with such depth. This is a short story that packs one hell of an emotional punch. It's gritty and a little grim, but with that spark of hope that makes it all worthwhile. Wonderful!
August 10, 2016
An excellent short story about lives crossed and how you can make a difference in someone else's life, and sometimes your own.
February 14, 2012
Loved the parallels.
Gorgeous story :)
Gorgeous story :)
February 22, 2012
Such a sweet story, excellent writing, vivid characters and setting, all in one compact package. And free, too!
Highly recommended.
Highly recommended.
February 15, 2012
Great, perfectly authentic voice. And imagery to die for. Makes me hungry for more from these authors.
November 26, 2012
4.5 stars.
Julio is a social worker. In 1992 he meets Linley, a male prostitute and drug user and offers him clean needles and condoms. He expects Linley to die in the rough down-and-out life he's living, but that doesn't stop him from caring for the young man. When Linley disappears Julio believes him to be dead and moves on with his life the best he can. 2012 rolls around. Julio's broken up with his partner and is now the single father of their adopted son. Sitting on a park bench, he suddenly sees a ghost from his past...
Harm Reduction is a lovely story, short but sweet. Split between 1992 and present day, this touching tale recounts Julio's first contact with Linley and his lingering feelings in the present. It's written with a lot of care and attention to detail. Linley really feels like a fragile, at-risk youth and Julio the kind of man who's too honorable and honest to take advantage of someone young and in need.
I felt a pang of joy in my heart when I reached the end, the resolution is just so satisfying. I think we've all known somebody in our lives that we were scared for at some point. If only real life was this kind to its characters, the world would be a much better place.
Cross-posted to Infinite Love
Julio is a social worker. In 1992 he meets Linley, a male prostitute and drug user and offers him clean needles and condoms. He expects Linley to die in the rough down-and-out life he's living, but that doesn't stop him from caring for the young man. When Linley disappears Julio believes him to be dead and moves on with his life the best he can. 2012 rolls around. Julio's broken up with his partner and is now the single father of their adopted son. Sitting on a park bench, he suddenly sees a ghost from his past...
Harm Reduction is a lovely story, short but sweet. Split between 1992 and present day, this touching tale recounts Julio's first contact with Linley and his lingering feelings in the present. It's written with a lot of care and attention to detail. Linley really feels like a fragile, at-risk youth and Julio the kind of man who's too honorable and honest to take advantage of someone young and in need.
I felt a pang of joy in my heart when I reached the end, the resolution is just so satisfying. I think we've all known somebody in our lives that we were scared for at some point. If only real life was this kind to its characters, the world would be a much better place.
Cross-posted to Infinite Love
March 3, 2012
3.5
I so wish I could have seen a bit more of the MC's together! I loved the idea of second chances!
I was just getting into it, warming up to the guys...and then..it was over!
I want to know more!!
I so wish I could have seen a bit more of the MC's together! I loved the idea of second chances!
I was just getting into it, warming up to the guys...and then..it was over!
I want to know more!!
March 20, 2012
I enjoyed this free short story. I thought it was a great introduction to the characters and while it left things pretty wide open, I think that also enticed me to read more about these characters. I did hear there was a follow-up book - can't wait!
April 23, 2012
Touching story about hope and second chances. Looking forward to reading more about these newly reunited characters.
January 23, 2018
3.5 Stars but too well written to round down. Shame it's so short.
July 28, 2019
Very gripping story about life choices and their consequences on yourself and other people.
It was well-pictured - I felt I was at the NY-park with them - and with the right dose of nostalgia and melancholy.
The Now and Then juxtaposition was especially successful as I could witness the difference in maturity and life experience in the narrator's voice.
One point off because the ending was a bit rushed ("You got it. Lets go," gave me a mild case of emotional whiplash. After twenty years I expect a little more time for re-aquainting.) In such a short story I find it not necessary to nail everything down, it’s sufficient to insinuate and let your characters go.
It was well-pictured - I felt I was at the NY-park with them - and with the right dose of nostalgia and melancholy.
The Now and Then juxtaposition was especially successful as I could witness the difference in maturity and life experience in the narrator's voice.
One point off because the ending was a bit rushed ("You got it. Lets go," gave me a mild case of emotional whiplash. After twenty years I expect a little more time for re-aquainting.) In such a short story I find it not necessary to nail everything down, it’s sufficient to insinuate and let your characters go.
April 18, 2014
A compelling little story beautifully written. Julio is an intriguing and sympathetic character. I want to know more about him and his community work. He has a foster son. He remembers Linley, the youth he loved but could not help. A story of hope.
owned-to-read
January 1, 2014*downloaded free on ARE
February 21, 2016
Good short story about an unexpected second chance.
January 19, 2013
What a great little read. Heart warming. Beautiful!
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews