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Where You Hurt the Most

(Riptide Rentboys: The 2012 Collection)

Anne Brooke (Goodreads Author)

3.37 · Rating details · 383 ratings · 97 reviews

Adrian is more than happy as high-class escort for a number of regular clients. When his boss and dear friend asks him to entertain his nephew, Adrian readily agrees, but meeting Dan challenges him in ways he'd never imagined.

Dan is scarred inside and out from an accident that destroyed a promising future. Despite Adrian's loveless lifestyle and Dan's withdrawal and anger, ...more

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ebook, 44 pages

Published May 7th 2012 by Riptide Publishing (first published May 5th 2012)

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· 383 ratings · 97 reviews

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May 06, 2012 Emma Sea rated it it was ok

Shelves: rent-boy

I didn't like this story, because from his actions and thoughts I didn't read Bill/Adrian as male. I like my m/m romances to be about men (or boys). Bill reads, not as a woman, but as mass-media's insistance of what women are like: emotional, pensive, and unable to work in the sex industry while being in a loving relationship (so much for the masseur analogy). I didn't like Bill's amorphous, nebulous angst about nothing-in-particular. I'm good with angst caused by a purpose i.e. I'm afraid to be ...more

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Apr 21, 2012 Cole Riann rated it really liked it

Shelves: m-m, m-m-contemporary, m-m-short, m-m-sex-industry, brief-encounters-reviews

4.5 stars

Review posted at Brief Encounters Reviews.

This beautifully written story is unique for a story about an escort, with little sex and a premise that is wholly original. Two men, one with hidden hurts and another with obvious ones meeting in an unlikely setting.

I’m not going to rehash the blurb here in my own words because the official one does a very accurate job itself. Adrian is a high class escort. While he does have sex with many of the men he sees regularly, he is truly an escort, wh 4.5 stars

Review posted at Brief Encounters Reviews.

This beautifully written story is unique for a story about an escort, with little sex and a premise that is wholly original. Two men, one with hidden hurts and another with obvious ones meeting in an unlikely setting.

I’m not going to rehash the blurb here in my own words because the official one does a very accurate job itself. Adrian is a high class escort. While he does have sex with many of the men he sees regularly, he is truly an escort, whether seeing an exhibition, having a nice dinner, or simply talking and forming a friendship with his clients. Dan is young and scarred from an accident that severely burned part of his face, thought he psychological damage has taken a much larger toll. His newly angry and confrontational manner is met by Adrian’s consistently calm and understanding nature, until they built a sort of unique camaraderie that starts affecting Adrian as well.

Much of this story takes place in Adrian’s home, where he entertains clients and with very little sex. The setting is rarely in public and never is there another character present with the two of them at once. This bit of isolation not only allows Dan to slowly shed the layers he’s put on after his accident, but also allows the story to take on a sort of confessional. Even the color palette (subtle tones of cream and beige) reminded me of a therapists office. That sort of privacy and seclusion allows the characters to talk quite a bit, and the intelligence of the story are in their conversations, which grow organically as Dan’s anger comes through full throttle and Adrian’s pride refuses him to allow Dan to push him around. The even ground and sometimes shaky alliance on safe ground allows them both to open up to one another.

I led him to the sofa and pushed him down gently. He disentangled himself from my clasp and shuffled to the edge, where he’d been before. Feeling the loss more than I imagined I would, I sat down next to him, my body turned slightly towards his. If he was minded to touch me again, I was determined to make it easy, for us both. More determined than I ought to have been. God knew why — perhaps because that relaxed sensation which had somehow settled between us at the start had arisen again. I wasn’t sure, but even now, the irritation of the scene he’d just made me play was already fading. I didn’t feel entirely in control, of him or my own reactions, and that knowledge made something in me pulse with a deeper heat. It had been a long time since I’d found any client this exciting, or perhaps I never had. Dan could say or do whatever the wished, and I wasn’t convinced I could mastermind his decisions at all. Almost like money wasn’t an issue between us, if I could remember that far back.

Perhaps what I found most satisfying though was Adrian’s narration. In many ways he is an enigma, an unknown person shrouded sometimes in the allure of sex or companionship and at other times the muted personality of someone who lives their life away from their own desires, under a permanent mask. It’s this last persona which he displays most often when trying to break through to Ben, even as it slowly starts to slip. The prose reflects this. I often was frustrated reading. For someone who speaks so directly at times, Adrian often doesn’t say much at all and I felt a bit frustrated trying to figure him out. He’s often overly understanding, sympathizing, and non-confrontational. As a product of his profession, he’s made himself as safe as possible.

I did have a little niggle or two here and there, but nothing big. I wondered a bit at Max’s behavior later in the story at something he does that surprised and confused me a little, but it doesn’t really affect the story, so I let it go. I always find Anne Brooke’s stories to be thoughtful and intelligent, and this story was no exception, so I definitely recommend it to everyone. ...more

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Jul 13, 2017 Bárbara rated it it was amazing

This was so beautiful????
These characters, ohmygod. So well-rounded. And their evolution seemed so fulfilling... I loved the development of their relationship. I am so here for tender, caring and gentle treatment. I am so here for lots of things this story has. Love, love, loved this.

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Jul 06, 2013 Macky rated it really liked it

Darien is an escort, he's good at what he does, he's popular with clients and he lives well from the proceeds but really he has no life outside of it, so when his boss and friend Max asks him to take on his nephew as a free client he's quite happy to do so, even when Max explains that Dan is scarred and badly burned after a terrible car accident. Dan is bitter and wary so the first meeting doesn't go very well but Adrien perseveres and asks Dan to return a week later and so a tentative friendshi ...more

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Aug 27, 2013 Rachel rated it did not like it

Shelves: m-m, rentboys-or-adult-industry

Ugh. *groans* This was bad. What distinguishes a three star from a two star for me, is if I can recommend it. I can’t recommend bothering with this story.

The biggest detriment to this story: “insta-love.” That didn’t even start out as “insta-love,” but at the turn of a page developed - with no explanation or even declaration of the change. The moment was confusing and nonsensical.

I grabbed this book while on the Riptide Publishing site in a Voinov bundle purchasing frenzy. Voinov doesn’t contr ...more

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Apr 05, 2012 Vio rated it really liked it

Shelves: interesting, recommended, touching, unusual, really-really-good, lovely, too-short

3.5 stars.
Loved the vulnerability shown and felt, those first tentative steps taken towards trusting and loving someone again. There is a promising relationship developing here between Adrian and Dan who are quite a pair, an intriguing mix with so much more to discover, too bad the end rushed up and hit me just as I was getting stuck into it, a fascinating insight but so brief it only scratched the surface, hopefully this is only a snippet towards something bigger and better "a novel"! ...more

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May 10, 2012 Meggie rated it really liked it

Shelves: romance, shorts

Emotionally, even if short, well created story of Adrian, as high-class escort, and nephew of Arien boss, Dan. The main dialogues between Adrien and Dan were pulling and grabbed at me emotionally. I felt good at the end, because of the way it ended. With hope.

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May 16, 2018 Kendra T rated it really liked it

Shelves: mm, own-riptide, sex-industry-or-stripper

Adrian is an escort whose focus is not solely sex, and he has high regard for his boss. His boss comes to him asking for a favor: to work with his cousin's son who had a disfiguring accident. The encounters that ensue make Adrian question what it is he wants in life and if he is worthy/able to have a relationship again. Dan struggles with his scars and hides away, but Adrian helps him come out of his shell. It was a short story, but there was a lot packed into the page to make you feel the conne ...more

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May 08, 2012 Chris rated it really liked it

Shelves: ebook, 2012, done, short, gay, romance, arc

Very good short m/m romance about an escort who's asked to spend some time with a young man and perhaps help draw him out of the shell he's been in since an accident left him terribly scarred. Written in a lovely, literary style, this story was a pleasure to read. My only complaint was that, while the story of the escort and the young man was evocatively told, I wanted to know at least a few more details about the merely implied back story in order to better understand a scene near the end. ...more

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Apr 05, 2012 Joanne rated it it was amazing

A really unusual book. All told from the POV of Adrian, an escort who thinks he's perfectly happy and content until he is asked to meet Dan, a scared, bitter young man. I loved it, very intriguing, mainly talking and, for a book about an escort, very little sex, but it works perfectly. A beautiful book. ...more

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Nov 05, 2014 Alona rated it liked it

Shelves: m-m, short

What a sweet surprise!
I really enjoyed it.

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Oct 04, 2016 Juxian rated it did not like it

Shelves: didn-t-like, never-again

It's a good thing the story is so short, otherwise my palm could've stuck glued to my face permanently. ...more

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Jul 22, 2012 Jess Candela rated it it was amazing

Shelves: m-m, jessewave-reviews, read-in-2012

4.5 stars
Review Summary: A surprisingly satisfying, almost magical, short story.

Review: The title of this story perplexed me until I read it and discovered how perfectly it fits. Where you hurt the most is, naturally, the point at which you’re most vulnerable. Sharing your deepest vulnerabilities with someone is one of the biggest risks you can take, but the potential payoff is correspondingly rewarding. When you let someone know where you hurt most and they respond with support, caring, underst 4.5 stars
Review Summary: A surprisingly satisfying, almost magical, short story.

Review: The title of this story perplexed me until I read it and discovered how perfectly it fits. Where you hurt the most is, naturally, the point at which you’re most vulnerable. Sharing your deepest vulnerabilities with someone is one of the biggest risks you can take, but the potential payoff is correspondingly rewarding. When you let someone know where you hurt most and they respond with support, caring, understanding, magical things can happen. Things like a believable HEA even if they didn’t spend much time together. Despite how it may sound, this wasn’t insta-love. It was… I hate to use the word again, but it really was magical. Almost like a real-life fairy tale (well, except that it was fiction. But that’s a minor detail. It was believable).

I think the believability factor was helped a lot by the fact that Adrian was so clear it wasn’t love. He’d fancied himself in love with clients before and had learned better. It couldn’t be love. But it was something… special. Something real. Something that could become love if given the opportunity. The question is: does he give it the opportunity, when doing so means destroying a satisfactory status quo?

Status quo for Adrian is a life he clearly enjoys as an escort, meeting interesting people and visiting nice places. There are hints of pain in his past, but he has clearly moved on from whatever it was to create a satisfying life for himself. Dan had apparently had a great life, until his face was badly scarred in a freak accident and required multiple surgeries. So when they meet, Dan is obviously the wounded one and Adrian’s role is clearly to help him. And it works, but a funny thing happens: Dan touches that core of vulnerability Adrian has buried so deeply he hardly notices it. That touch turns out to be a catalyst for change.

There’s a wonderful scene in which Adrian is offered the possibility to ignore the change, to go back to the way things have always been. That would clearly be the “safe” option, and it’s understandably appealing. But he chooses to embrace the change and all the risk associated with it. Because this is a romance, I’m not spoiling anything to tell you that his risk pays off and he gets his HEA. A HEA that is possible because of the changes each man has made in himself and his life as a result of meeting the other.

I read relatively few short stories because they usually leave me wanting. It’s a rare author who can tell a complete and satisfying story in just a few pages. Anne Brooke is one of those authors. This story was deeply moving, rather sexy, and incredibly satisfying, despite being a mere 44 pages. There’s a surprising amount of characterization and background packed into few words.

In summary: “Everything you’ve ever wanted in a [book]. And less. Tastes great, less filling!”

This review was originally posted at Reviews by Jessewave ...more

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May 02, 2012 DarienMoya rated it really liked it

Shelves: my-m-m-lovin, serious-stuff, pants-off-reviews, m-m-short-stories, 2012-reads, release-2012

Anne Brooke is a master of conveying emotions on pages; I am always blown a little away when I read one of her stories. Where You Hurt the Most was no exception and I found myself making a connection with characters, and it all had me thinking where I hurt the most.

Adrian is a high-class escort, and he is quite happy. It’s not really a sob story about him hating his life, and he can’t get out of his job. It’s his job and he takes pride in it, and wants all his client to get their money’s worth. ...more

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Mar 31, 2018 The Bursting Bookshelf of a Wallflower rated it liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: m-m-g-contemporary, m-m-l-short, m-m, m-m-stand-alone, m-m-3-stars, m-m-t-disease-disability, m-m-p-sex-industry, 2018

3 stars!

Where You Hurt The Most was actually a really nice surprise. I got it as an Amazon Freebie and I didn't have many expectations. The blurb is actually saying all you need to know regarding the content! I really liked the writing style and I had the feeling that they characters were well drawn - I would have loved to find out a lot more about them! Their background stories have been mentioned, but a lot of important elements remained in the dark - this story would have needed a few more ch ...more

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May 13, 2012 Mandy*reads obsessively* rated it liked it

Recommended to Mandy*reads obsessively* by: Anke

Shelves: hurt-comfort-disability, m-m, short

3.5*

This was a strong story for being so short.
That being said I really would have liked some more back story about Adrian, since really I didn't totally understand his 'hurt'.
Well written and touching.
...more

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Aug 20, 2016 Tully Vincent rated it really liked it · review of another edition

4.5 stars

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Feb 25, 2018 Jane rated it it was ok · review of another edition

Shelves: 2018, inglise-keeles, m-m-romance

A bit too short and simplistic for my tastes. Hoped for a bit longer short story.

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Feb 14, 2013 Kassa rated it liked it

3.5 stars

Anne Brooke always impresses me. I quite literally love her writing. There’s a sophistication and refinement to the clean, sparse prose that sets her apart. In fact I enjoyed reading the writing more so than the story itself, which wasn’t slacking. The theme of pain is one that Brooke has dabbled in before and intense concepts are truly her forte. Love, longing, need, desire, and characters that are anything but easy combine to offer a deeply moving yet still light story. I didn’t walk 3.5 stars

Anne Brooke always impresses me. I quite literally love her writing. There’s a sophistication and refinement to the clean, sparse prose that sets her apart. In fact I enjoyed reading the writing more so than the story itself, which wasn’t slacking. The theme of pain is one that Brooke has dabbled in before and intense concepts are truly her forte. Love, longing, need, desire, and characters that are anything but easy combine to offer a deeply moving yet still light story. I didn’t walk away depressed or depleted from an angst ridden story. Instead the quick story manages to be hopeful and inject laughter amid the intensity.

Adrian is a very successful escort and has been for five years. He’s happy living a good life and indulging in luxuries he wouldn’t have otherwise been able to afford. This includes being able to study multiple subjects that catch his interest. So when his boss, Max, asks Adrian to do him a favor and see a family member, Adrian is quick to agree. Dan is physically and emotionally scarred from a tragic accident that destroyed not only his face but also his future. Dan is stuck in an angry rut and expects nothing good to come of his time with Adrian. Slowly the two men come to an understanding that is surprising for both. The emotions that develop have the potential to change both men’s lives.

Coming in at only 40 pages, I was surprised at the level of emotion and intensity the author managed to pack into the short story. The characters are brief sketches out of necessity but feel complicated enough to work. The relationship between Adrian and Dan is nicely developed though it feels a little rushed. I didn’t quite feel the same level of connection between the characters as Adrian’s thoughts indicated. Likewise I wasn’t entirely sure what prompted Adrian to make the decisions he did during his conversation with Max. However I think these are minor concerns mostly due to the short length and don’t really affect the enjoyment of the story. I would like to see more of these two and any others in the “stable” of escorts that Max runs, not to mention more depth to Max himself.

Overall I’m pretty pleased with this short story due to the excellent writing, drama without being overwhelmingly intense, and engaging characters. The themes of pain, need, and longing are woven into the story in many different ways and skillfully deployed to add depth and nuance to even this short length. I’m pretty impressed with the level of skill displayed, but honestly I know to expect that from this author. I’d easily recommend this to newcomers and fans alike.
...more

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May 06, 2012 Kazza rated it really liked it

The book's official review says fairly clearly what it is about. What is doesn't say is how beautifully it is written. The words so gentle, kind and human.

Adrian is a young man who is an escort to other men. Men who want and can afford a knowledgeable, personable, outwardly caring, gentle man. One they can take to the theatre, museums, events, fine dining and is attractive and appropriately attentive, without making anything seem sordid. Of course for those who want it, and most do, sex is a par ...more

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Oct 11, 2012 Melissa rated it it was amazing

Ms. Brooke has created her magic again with a story so deep it touches you on every level and she does it with only three characters in this story. Three very strong men that make a lasting impression.

Adrian is a male escort; one of the best in Max’s employ. He is compassionate, sexy, and intelligent. He knows how to make a client feel like he is the only man in the world and is able to touch something that they didn’t even know they were looking for.

Max has been his boss for a couple years now, Ms. Brooke has created her magic again with a story so deep it touches you on every level and she does it with only three characters in this story. Three very strong men that make a lasting impression.

Adrian is a male escort; one of the best in Max’s employ. He is compassionate, sexy, and intelligent. He knows how to make a client feel like he is the only man in the world and is able to touch something that they didn’t even know they were looking for.

Max has been his boss for a couple years now, allows plenty of time off, doesn’t over works his employees, never makes them take on someone they don’t want or something they are uncomfortable with. Now he has a favor to ask of Adrian, he has a nephew going through some deep depression and anger issues after an accident leaves him horribly scared on his face. Will Adrian help him? Will he take on his nephew as a favor? Of Course he will, he will keep Sundays open for him.

Dan is bitter, he lost everything in the accident when the lorry hit his car, and he is scared for life with lots of surgeries to help his face in his future. He goes to the appointment his uncle made for him, not sure what to expect from this male escort, and oh, he finds so much more than he thought he would.

Max is a man that knows people, knows how to get the most out of his employees, and therefore the most money for his investment. He sees the signs in Adrian that his mind has caught on something, or someone, else. The feel of this character is very familiar, I am not sure where from, but I know Ms. Brooke has created a character with his strong sense of ethics and caring before in a job very close to this one. I really like him. But the question remains, can Adrian, or Bill as his birth certificate says, hold a real love close and not stray? Can Dan open his heart enough to let Bill in? Can the two of them make a life away from that house where Adrian used to work and create fantasies for other men? He has to give them the chance; he loves them both too much not too. ...more

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May 03, 2012 Amara rated it really liked it

This is my second time reading something by Anne Brooke, and may I just say... she is quickly becoming a fave of mine. Her writing is superb, with a literary quality really enjoy. What I also love is... scarred men, be it inside or out. What she gave me with this story was both. And in a matter of less than 50 pages, she managed to reveal their pain, bring the characters together, and begin a process of healing, for both.

Impressive.

The only thing that kept me from giving this one a full 5 stars ...more

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Aug 14, 2013 Candice rated it it was ok

Shelves: kindle, m-m

Well, the thing is is that I think this would have made a better full length rather than a short/novella. I wanted Adrian fleshed out more. What was he like before he met Dan? How was he with other clients? Did they always go to his house???? Is that safe? Seriously, I was pretty stunned when I read Dan came to his house! I wanted to know more about his relationship with Max. He seems to think he owes him a lot, but there was never a reason why. Where did Max find him to bring him into the busin ...more

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Aug 23, 2014 Anna D. rated it really liked it

Shelves: m-m, heartbreaking-past, beautiful-imperfections, books-i-own, sweet-moments, short-story

I found this incredibly touching.

I can’t quite decide if this was too short or just right. What we’re given is a very short read, but it was satisfying and we also get enough to know the main intention of the story. I supposed I just wanted to see more of the MCs.

I liked the pain and loss we felt from Dan and I equally liked the tenderness Adrian/Bill showed Dan. The moment they spent together was enough to spark life back into Dan and also faith back into Bill because for a long time he was l ...more

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Jul 10, 2012 Elizabetta rated it liked it

This is an short story about Adrian, an exclusive, high paid escort to discriminating clients. Adrian is also a student of the human psyche. If you can accept that a self-educated prostitute can help one of his clients, Dan, a deeply (psychologically and physically) scarred client find inner peace in two "sessions," you will also be able to buy this story. Where You Hurt the Most is told in a very formal voice and wraps up in a pretty bow. It is well written and its two MCs are intriguing charac ...more

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Apr 14, 2013 Vero rated it did not like it

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

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Jul 22, 2012 Kaje Harper rated it really liked it

A smooth satisfying short story about Adrian, who works as an escort, and Dan, the burn-scarred client he is asked by his boss to spend time with. Both men have their unhealed wounds, and the unexpected chemistry between them is at once exciting and frightening in its potential. What begins as a simple exchange of time and pleasure becomes something more, and deciding how far they are willing to go isn't easy for either of them. ...more

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Aug 15, 2016 K Cherry rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Wow. This story was emotional..but in good way.

My heart broke for Dan and the trauma to his face. But Adrian, with his sweet demeanor, helped Dan realize the beauty of his face, which, in turn, made Adrian's beauty not just be on the outside but inside too. Sweet book. Kept my attention from beginning to end. ...more

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Apr 05, 2012 Susan rated it liked it

Shelves: mm-read, z-2012

This was a short story about two men, each lost and alone in his own way. It was almost too short to gain any real understanding of the characters but the spark was there.

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May 06, 2012 Kassandra rated it really liked it

Shelves: m-m-or-gay-lit

Great chemistry between all of the characters. Short but well put together. Makes me want to know all of the story. What happened before and after!!

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About Anne Brooke

Anne Brooke

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Anne Brooke lives in Surrey, UK. She is a multi-published author in a variety of genres, including gay erotic romance, fantasy, comedy, thrillers, biblical fiction and the occasional chicklit novel. Her fiction has been shortlisted for the Harry Bowling Prize (for novels set in London) and the Royal Literary Fund Scheme.

When not writing, she spends time in the garden attempting to differentiate be ...more