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Troubleshooters #16.1
Beginnings and Ends
An original Troubleshooters short story about Jules & Robin Cassidy
Suzanne Brockmann, bestselling author of the pulse-pounding Troubleshooters series, has been hailed by USA Today as a “superstar of romantic suspense.” In this original short story, available exclusively as an eBook, Brockmann returns with two of her most beloved characters from the Troubleshooters Jules Cassidy and his husband, Robin.
After years of playing the tormented actor, Joe Laughlin, on the hit television show Shadowland, Hollywood star Robin Chadwick Cassidy is ready for a change. Joe’s character embodies the real demons of Robin’s past—his struggle with his sexuality, his battle with alcoholism—and portraying the part has taken a heavy toll on his personal life. Robin’s husband, FBI agent Jules Cassidy, has noticed the strain and will do whatever he can to make Robin happy. And what Robin has in mind will forever transform his career, his marriage, and his family.
Suzanne Brockmann, bestselling author of the pulse-pounding Troubleshooters series, has been hailed by USA Today as a “superstar of romantic suspense.” In this original short story, available exclusively as an eBook, Brockmann returns with two of her most beloved characters from the Troubleshooters Jules Cassidy and his husband, Robin.
After years of playing the tormented actor, Joe Laughlin, on the hit television show Shadowland, Hollywood star Robin Chadwick Cassidy is ready for a change. Joe’s character embodies the real demons of Robin’s past—his struggle with his sexuality, his battle with alcoholism—and portraying the part has taken a heavy toll on his personal life. Robin’s husband, FBI agent Jules Cassidy, has noticed the strain and will do whatever he can to make Robin happy. And what Robin has in mind will forever transform his career, his marriage, and his family.
47 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 1, 2012
45 people are currently reading
971 people want to read
About the author
Suzanne Brockmann
253 books3,568 followersAfter childhood plans to become the captain of a starship didn’t pan out, Suzanne Brockmann took her fascination with military history, her respect for the men and women who serve, her reverence for diversity, and her love of storytelling, and explored brave new worlds as a bestselling romance author.
Over the past thirty years she has written sixty-three novels, including her award-winning Troubleshooters series about Navy SEAL heroes and the women—and sometimes men—who win their hearts. Her personal favorite is the one where her most popular character, gay FBI agent Jules Cassidy, wins his happily-ever-after and marries the man of his dreams. Called All Through the Night, this mainstream romance novel with a hero and a hero hit the New York Times hardcover fiction bestseller list. In 2007, Suz donated all of her earnings from this book, in perpetuity, to MassEquality, to help win and preserve equal marriage rights in Massachusetts.
In addition to writing books, Suz writes and produces indie movies and TV including the award-winning romantic comedy The Perfect Wedding. Her recent feature, Out of Body, is streaming on Amazon Prime.
In 2018, Suz was given the Nora Roberts Lifetime Achievement Award from the Romance Writers of America. Her latest projects are Blame It on Rio (Tall, Dark & Dangerous # 14), available in print and e-book from Suzanne Brockmann Books, and Marriage of Inconvenience, a six-episode LBGTQ rom-com TV series, streaming on Dekkoo in April 2023.
Over the past thirty years she has written sixty-three novels, including her award-winning Troubleshooters series about Navy SEAL heroes and the women—and sometimes men—who win their hearts. Her personal favorite is the one where her most popular character, gay FBI agent Jules Cassidy, wins his happily-ever-after and marries the man of his dreams. Called All Through the Night, this mainstream romance novel with a hero and a hero hit the New York Times hardcover fiction bestseller list. In 2007, Suz donated all of her earnings from this book, in perpetuity, to MassEquality, to help win and preserve equal marriage rights in Massachusetts.
In addition to writing books, Suz writes and produces indie movies and TV including the award-winning romantic comedy The Perfect Wedding. Her recent feature, Out of Body, is streaming on Amazon Prime.
In 2018, Suz was given the Nora Roberts Lifetime Achievement Award from the Romance Writers of America. Her latest projects are Blame It on Rio (Tall, Dark & Dangerous # 14), available in print and e-book from Suzanne Brockmann Books, and Marriage of Inconvenience, a six-episode LBGTQ rom-com TV series, streaming on Dekkoo in April 2023.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 132 reviews
May 3, 2023
2023 Update
What a difference audio can make! Even though this is a short story, its message resonates strongly. My original opinion stands but it came through more powerfully because of the narrator and my clearer understanding of the emotional toll taken on anyone not living their truth. Brockmann was ahead of her time with her insights.
Original Review
This was the first time we get any real insight into Robin's Shadowland series and character, Joe Loughlin. It was so very revealing to see the parallels in the characters evolution and Robin's when he was dealing with the very same career dilemma. It was so very interesting and, of course, too short. Love anytime Jules is on the page.
What a difference audio can make! Even though this is a short story, its message resonates strongly. My original opinion stands but it came through more powerfully because of the narrator and my clearer understanding of the emotional toll taken on anyone not living their truth. Brockmann was ahead of her time with her insights.
Original Review
This was the first time we get any real insight into Robin's Shadowland series and character, Joe Loughlin. It was so very revealing to see the parallels in the characters evolution and Robin's when he was dealing with the very same career dilemma. It was so very interesting and, of course, too short. Love anytime Jules is on the page.
June 5, 2012
Why I read it: I've read and enjoyed all of the Troubleshooters books and I'm a fan of Jules and Robin so I downloaded this one as soon as it was available.
What it's about: (the blurb from Goodreads) After years of playing the tormented actor, Joe Laughlin, on the hit television show Shadowland, Hollywood star Robin Chadwick Cassidy is ready for a change. Joe’s character embodies the real demons of Robin’s past—his struggle with his sexuality, his battle with alcoholism—and portraying the part has taken a heavy toll on his personal life. Robin’s husband, FBI agent Jules Cassidy, has noticed the strain and will do whatever he can to make Robin happy. And what Robin has in mind will forever transform his career, his marriage, and his family.
What worked for me (and what didn't): It doesn't take a rocket scientist to work out what the beginning and end the title speaks of is - the end of the series and an addition to the family. I really don't think that's a massive spoiler. And, it's not that you actually see much of the latter in any event. If the story had been more about the "beginning" and less about the "end" I think I would have enjoyed this one a lot more. I didn't have massive hopes. I was never expecting an A read - the story is only 38 pages long after all. I expected a vignette maybe - a Jules and Robin slice of life. What I got however, was a lot of stuff about Shadowland - a fictional TV show set in a fictional world.
I was fairly confused by the way the Shadowland portions of the story were conveyed. Here is the opening of the story:
Shadowland, Episode 60,
“Eighth of Nine Lives”
Starring Robin Chadwick Cassidy as Joe Laughlin Los Angeles,
present day
Richie West ambushed me. The meeting is supposed to be about my contract for the next Pierce Cane movie, but I realize within seconds of walking into his office that this is about my past few weekends and the current rash of rumors.
Academy Award nominee Joe Laughlin! Thank you for coming in!...
Brockmann, Suzanne (2012-06-01). Beginnings and Ends (Short Story) (Kindle Locations 37-41). Random House, Inc.. Kindle Edition.
At first, I thought these bits were part of the script. But that couldn't be right. Then I thought "how does the viewer know what is going on in Joe Laughlin's head?" Then I thought, maybe it's a voiceover. That made sense. But the bits in italics didn't seem to fit as voiceovers either. Who says this? Even in their heads?
I’m so fucking stupid. I can’t believe I actually thought Richie West was going to guide my coming out, like a Sherpa leading me to a higher plain where honesty and truth prevailed. I can’t believe that I didn’t know— instantly— that if I did come out, he would drop me like a stone. He’d be certain that I would never again open a picture in this town.
Brockmann, Suzanne (2012-06-01). Beginnings and Ends (Short Story) (Kindle Locations 96-99). Random House, Inc.. Kindle Edition.
It didn't help that these bits changed tense from past to present.
There are 6 "chapters" and 3 are devoted to the Shadowland episodes. On the face of it, that would suggest that equal time is devoted to both storylines. That would be incorrect. The Shadowland chapters are longer. I'd say they make up at least 2/3 of the 38 page short. They are over the top dramatic and, to me, unbelievable. I thought that I would not enjoy watching such an overwrought tv show. I did not enjoy reading about it. The basic storyline was Joe Laughlin coming out. Not all that dissimilar to Robin's own coming out in a very public manner in Force of Nature - when he kissed Jules on a boat in full view of many TV cameras. In fact, the story seemed to me to be largely redundant. It had already been told - except much better in the Troubleshooters series, with Jules and Robin themselves, characters I cared about. I did not and do not care about Joe Laughlin. He is one step too removed from reality for me.
On a positive note, we did get a Jules and Robin sex scene which fans have been panting for. There was a part of the story where Robin had inadvertently had alcohol in his mouth. A big deal was made of it but it didn't really go anywhere. (I have very little experience with alcoholism. I assume the information in the book is true. But, such a big deal was made of it, why then did it go nowhere?). Jules and Robin hire a surrogate and that would have been a story I would have gobbled up. But it was just a sentence or two.
Overall, this was extremely disappointing. The book cost $1.99. If I had enjoyed it, I wouldn't have minded too much, but given that I did not, I'd have to say it's over priced. People who bought Born To Darkness in hardback got the short free in the back of the book.
What else? So, I was disappointed. After I read the story and unrelated to doing so, I went to my Facebook page to check on my news feed. I don't do much on Facebook - mainly I follow some favourite authors. Suzanne Brockmann is one of them.
On Saturday, she posted this on her Facebook page:
Suzanne Brockmann shared a link.
Saturday
BEGINNINGS AND ENDS is being totally trashed on Amazon for not having enough Jules and Robin...? If you liked it, please post an honest review. If you didn't like it, that's okay, too. But like the song says, "Don't be a dick about it."
http://www.amazon.com/Beginnings-Ends...
I expected therefore that there would be many many negative reviews on Amazon based on her post. I felt uncomfortable because I didn't like the book either. I wondered what being a "dick about it" meant. I went and had a look. There was ONE 1* review when I looked on Sunday. There were 30 reviews in total, 20 of them were 5* - all from squeeing fangirls gushing about how wonderful the story was and many specifically referencing the 1* review in some manner - "I don't understand the uproar here..." etc.
I feel pretty uncomfortable about Ms. Brockmann siccing the posse onto Amazon. I was even more so when I realised she was reacting to ONE negative review. While I wouldn't have said "SHAME ON YOU AND A POX ON YOUR PUBLISHER FOR SEEING THE DOLLAR SIGNS" as that reviewer did, I did agree with much of her sentiment. It won't surprise you to know that this review has been downvoted so much that it appears lucky last on the list.
When I finished Beginnings and Ends, the phrase that came to mind was "self indulgent".
After reading the Facebook post and checking out the Amazon review, I feel that applies even more.
Grade: D
What it's about: (the blurb from Goodreads) After years of playing the tormented actor, Joe Laughlin, on the hit television show Shadowland, Hollywood star Robin Chadwick Cassidy is ready for a change. Joe’s character embodies the real demons of Robin’s past—his struggle with his sexuality, his battle with alcoholism—and portraying the part has taken a heavy toll on his personal life. Robin’s husband, FBI agent Jules Cassidy, has noticed the strain and will do whatever he can to make Robin happy. And what Robin has in mind will forever transform his career, his marriage, and his family.
What worked for me (and what didn't): It doesn't take a rocket scientist to work out what the beginning and end the title speaks of is - the end of the series and an addition to the family. I really don't think that's a massive spoiler. And, it's not that you actually see much of the latter in any event. If the story had been more about the "beginning" and less about the "end" I think I would have enjoyed this one a lot more. I didn't have massive hopes. I was never expecting an A read - the story is only 38 pages long after all. I expected a vignette maybe - a Jules and Robin slice of life. What I got however, was a lot of stuff about Shadowland - a fictional TV show set in a fictional world.
I was fairly confused by the way the Shadowland portions of the story were conveyed. Here is the opening of the story:
Shadowland, Episode 60,
“Eighth of Nine Lives”
Starring Robin Chadwick Cassidy as Joe Laughlin Los Angeles,
present day
Richie West ambushed me. The meeting is supposed to be about my contract for the next Pierce Cane movie, but I realize within seconds of walking into his office that this is about my past few weekends and the current rash of rumors.
Academy Award nominee Joe Laughlin! Thank you for coming in!...
Brockmann, Suzanne (2012-06-01). Beginnings and Ends (Short Story) (Kindle Locations 37-41). Random House, Inc.. Kindle Edition.
At first, I thought these bits were part of the script. But that couldn't be right. Then I thought "how does the viewer know what is going on in Joe Laughlin's head?" Then I thought, maybe it's a voiceover. That made sense. But the bits in italics didn't seem to fit as voiceovers either. Who says this? Even in their heads?
I’m so fucking stupid. I can’t believe I actually thought Richie West was going to guide my coming out, like a Sherpa leading me to a higher plain where honesty and truth prevailed. I can’t believe that I didn’t know— instantly— that if I did come out, he would drop me like a stone. He’d be certain that I would never again open a picture in this town.
Brockmann, Suzanne (2012-06-01). Beginnings and Ends (Short Story) (Kindle Locations 96-99). Random House, Inc.. Kindle Edition.
It didn't help that these bits changed tense from past to present.
There are 6 "chapters" and 3 are devoted to the Shadowland episodes. On the face of it, that would suggest that equal time is devoted to both storylines. That would be incorrect. The Shadowland chapters are longer. I'd say they make up at least 2/3 of the 38 page short. They are over the top dramatic and, to me, unbelievable. I thought that I would not enjoy watching such an overwrought tv show. I did not enjoy reading about it. The basic storyline was Joe Laughlin coming out. Not all that dissimilar to Robin's own coming out in a very public manner in Force of Nature - when he kissed Jules on a boat in full view of many TV cameras. In fact, the story seemed to me to be largely redundant. It had already been told - except much better in the Troubleshooters series, with Jules and Robin themselves, characters I cared about. I did not and do not care about Joe Laughlin. He is one step too removed from reality for me.
On a positive note, we did get a Jules and Robin sex scene which fans have been panting for. There was a part of the story where Robin had inadvertently had alcohol in his mouth. A big deal was made of it but it didn't really go anywhere. (I have very little experience with alcoholism. I assume the information in the book is true. But, such a big deal was made of it, why then did it go nowhere?). Jules and Robin hire a surrogate and that would have been a story I would have gobbled up. But it was just a sentence or two.
Overall, this was extremely disappointing. The book cost $1.99. If I had enjoyed it, I wouldn't have minded too much, but given that I did not, I'd have to say it's over priced. People who bought Born To Darkness in hardback got the short free in the back of the book.
What else? So, I was disappointed. After I read the story and unrelated to doing so, I went to my Facebook page to check on my news feed. I don't do much on Facebook - mainly I follow some favourite authors. Suzanne Brockmann is one of them.
On Saturday, she posted this on her Facebook page:
Suzanne Brockmann shared a link.
Saturday
BEGINNINGS AND ENDS is being totally trashed on Amazon for not having enough Jules and Robin...? If you liked it, please post an honest review. If you didn't like it, that's okay, too. But like the song says, "Don't be a dick about it."
http://www.amazon.com/Beginnings-Ends...
I expected therefore that there would be many many negative reviews on Amazon based on her post. I felt uncomfortable because I didn't like the book either. I wondered what being a "dick about it" meant. I went and had a look. There was ONE 1* review when I looked on Sunday. There were 30 reviews in total, 20 of them were 5* - all from squeeing fangirls gushing about how wonderful the story was and many specifically referencing the 1* review in some manner - "I don't understand the uproar here..." etc.
I feel pretty uncomfortable about Ms. Brockmann siccing the posse onto Amazon. I was even more so when I realised she was reacting to ONE negative review. While I wouldn't have said "SHAME ON YOU AND A POX ON YOUR PUBLISHER FOR SEEING THE DOLLAR SIGNS" as that reviewer did, I did agree with much of her sentiment. It won't surprise you to know that this review has been downvoted so much that it appears lucky last on the list.
When I finished Beginnings and Ends, the phrase that came to mind was "self indulgent".
After reading the Facebook post and checking out the Amazon review, I feel that applies even more.
Grade: D
May 22, 2021
2021 audio
Still love these guys and if u haven't read the series then do it now!!!
2017 audio
I love this series and in particular Jules and Robin. They are a very special couple because in reading the entire series, we see how Jules has struggled to find his Happy Ending, and we see Robin struggle with his sexual identity and his alcoholism. This particular installment isn't the most in depth, it gives us a small look into how their lives are going, and I LOVE that!! I just want to be a fly on the wall, watching them daily. I might be a little obsessed with them. ;)
Now, for those who haven't read this series, and really don't want to read it all but still want to enjoy Jules and Robin, the two men meet for the first time in Hot Target. They meet again in Force of Nature, get married (umm, spoiler?) in All Through the Night, and have some book time in Hot Pursuit
What's funny is Suzanne Brockman (on her website) has said that she had originally planned for Jules and Robin not to get their HEA in Force of Nature. She was like "I promise you (Robin) will get your HEA in 2 books, just hang in there." And she says Robin refused to cooperate, LOL!!! :-D That he demanded his HEA now, that he couldn't wait. That is just too funny, and I am sooooo glad she didn't piss Robin off.
This time I listened to the audio and I can't say I cared for the narrator. His voice didn't match Robin or Jules and while he did a good job, I just couldn't get over the fact that he didn't sound like them.
Still love these guys and if u haven't read the series then do it now!!!
2017 audio
I love this series and in particular Jules and Robin. They are a very special couple because in reading the entire series, we see how Jules has struggled to find his Happy Ending, and we see Robin struggle with his sexual identity and his alcoholism. This particular installment isn't the most in depth, it gives us a small look into how their lives are going, and I LOVE that!! I just want to be a fly on the wall, watching them daily. I might be a little obsessed with them. ;)
Now, for those who haven't read this series, and really don't want to read it all but still want to enjoy Jules and Robin, the two men meet for the first time in Hot Target. They meet again in Force of Nature, get married (umm, spoiler?) in All Through the Night, and have some book time in Hot Pursuit
What's funny is Suzanne Brockman (on her website) has said that she had originally planned for Jules and Robin not to get their HEA in Force of Nature. She was like "I promise you (Robin) will get your HEA in 2 books, just hang in there." And she says Robin refused to cooperate, LOL!!! :-D That he demanded his HEA now, that he couldn't wait. That is just too funny, and I am sooooo glad she didn't piss Robin off.
This time I listened to the audio and I can't say I cared for the narrator. His voice didn't match Robin or Jules and while he did a good job, I just couldn't get over the fact that he didn't sound like them.
May 12, 2023
For the last several years, Hollywood Star Robin Chadwick Cassidy has played tormented actor Joe Laughlin on his hit TV show. The character of Joe is an alcoholic who is struggling with his sexuality. This series echoes Robin's life. Though he has stopped drinking and has married the love of his life, FBI Agent Jules Cassidy, this TV show is starting to drag him down. Jules sees that his husband is in distress. He vows to do whatever needs done to support Robin.
This is a very short story in the Troubleshooters series. Part of the story is the TV show and what exactly is happening in front of the camera. The other is Robin and Jules' life together. It was an interesting story, but in such a short format, I would have liked to have seen more of Robin and Jules, and less of the TV show. My rating: 3.5 Stars.
2023 re-read: I'm re-reading the series and actually didn't remember this short story at all. But after reading my original review, I stick by it. It's a good story, but I would like to have had more of Robin and Jules' life and less of the TV show drama. My rating: 3.5 Stars.
This is a very short story in the Troubleshooters series. Part of the story is the TV show and what exactly is happening in front of the camera. The other is Robin and Jules' life together. It was an interesting story, but in such a short format, I would have liked to have seen more of Robin and Jules, and less of the TV show. My rating: 3.5 Stars.
2023 re-read: I'm re-reading the series and actually didn't remember this short story at all. But after reading my original review, I stick by it. It's a good story, but I would like to have had more of Robin and Jules' life and less of the TV show drama. My rating: 3.5 Stars.
April 27, 2017
3.5 Stars - Short & sweet - a novella featuring Jules and Robin. I loved getting an intimate peek into the life of this couple. Of all the couples in this series, I think this pair deserves their hea the most! A Must Read for fans of these characters and this series!
May 15, 2020
I started reading Suzanne Brockmann's Troubleshooter series years ago and always looked forward to the next one. Jules Cassidy was always one of my favorite characters from the series and I liked his partner, Robin...after he stopped being a drunk. I saw this novella listed on the on-line book site that I've been using since the library has been closed and when I saw that it featured Jules & Robin...I thought why not? I liked the story but I wish it had been a bit longer with less of the movie script that Robin was making... but it just whetted my appetite to look for more. I might even read some of the ones that I read and enjoyed before. Anyone thinking of reading the Troubleshooter series should read them in order since the characters all change and grow in each book.
June 1, 2012
That was quick! I was hoping for more. If you were looking for lots of Jules & Robin, lower your expectations. There's only 6 chapters with 3 of the chapters about Shadowlands, Robin's TV show & showing Robin as his TV character Joe Laughlin. The remaining 3 chapters gives a brief glimpse of Jules & Robin & them making a decision for their future.
The story ends at 75% on my kindle. The remaining 25% is an excerpt from Hot Target (and not even an excerpt with Jules & Robin but mainly with Jane & Cosmos).
I understand this was originally included as an extra with one of Brockmann's latest books. As an extra this would be OK. Brockmann should have expanded the story when selling it separately because for what you get, this feels overpriced.
The story ends at 75% on my kindle. The remaining 25% is an excerpt from Hot Target (and not even an excerpt with Jules & Robin but mainly with Jane & Cosmos).
I understand this was originally included as an extra with one of Brockmann's latest books. As an extra this would be OK. Brockmann should have expanded the story when selling it separately because for what you get, this feels overpriced.
August 20, 2012
I love Jules and Robin, and was really looking forward to spending time with them. But most of this short was told as Robin in character for his TV show. There was very little Jules. BooHoo!
Still, it's worth reading. It just brought me back into Troubleshooter world and disappointed me. Since the series has ended, all this did was make me a little sad. But Jules and Robin get a sweet little HEA! So there you go.
Still, it's worth reading. It just brought me back into Troubleshooter world and disappointed me. Since the series has ended, all this did was make me a little sad. But Jules and Robin get a sweet little HEA! So there you go.
May 18, 2012
I can NEVER get enough of Jules and Robin....EVER! Short, but perfect! Thanks Suzanne for indulging this crazy fan with the perfect Jules and Robin fix!
January 8, 2014
I have said this in other reviews of Brockmann's books (see this review), but when it comes to Jules and Robin, Brockmann has a tendency to become preachy.
I get that Brockmann's son has struggled to thrive in a often anti-gay culture. I get that she loves her son and wants to normalize his lifestyle. I even get that she would choose to use her gift of storytelling to get her message of acceptance out to the larger heterosexual community. And I'm ok with that, really I am. Force of Nature was one of my favorite Troubleshooter books.
Anyone who has followed Brockmann's writing for any length of time understands that she is comfortable writing about gay relationships. I think most of her fans are ok with reading gay romance - many even cheer just as hard for them as with hetero romances, if not harder. But as Brockmann has deteriorated from great author of homo- and heterosexual romance to preachy, pro-gay reformist, I think she's forgotten who her audience is.
We've gladly followed her lead into what for many of us was new territory and have found we like where she brought us. We are loyal and have been convinced that gay people can have happy endings just like straight people can. Brockmann should no longer have to feel like she must take every opportunity to get on her soapbox.
Fans shouldn't have had to sit through 2/3 of book that harps on how hard it is for a closeted gay actor to come out and still have a successful career. We know it's hard. While there are many successful real-life gay actors in Hollywood and on TV (Ian McKellan, Ellen DeGeneres, Anderson Cooper, Neil Patrick Harris, Ted Allen, just to name a few), they undoubtedly have a lot of hate and other issues to work through to keep their careers intact. I'm not trying to downplay the issues they face, however I don't think anyone who would willingly read a short story specifically about a gay couple needs to hear the whining. It just isn't attractive in anyone - gay, straight, whatever.
My other complaint about this story, which some other reviewers have brought up as well, is that most of this book centers on the coming out of Robin's TV alter ego. Why do we care whether Joe Laughlin gets a happy ending or not? I certainly don't. Laughlin was just a character Robin played, no matter how closely Laughlin's life followed Robin's. Robin got his happy ending when he married Jules - why do we need to re-hash that in Laughlin's character?
One last thing: why didn't we get to hear more about the baby? I would have loved if this short story followed Robin's and Jules' journey to fatherhood. I mean, Laughlin was a job; the baby is a real life-changer and something worth reading about.
I think going forward I will probably forego any exclusively Jules and Robin stories. I just don't have any desire to read whining and there are lots of other good books to read instead.
I get that Brockmann's son has struggled to thrive in a often anti-gay culture. I get that she loves her son and wants to normalize his lifestyle. I even get that she would choose to use her gift of storytelling to get her message of acceptance out to the larger heterosexual community. And I'm ok with that, really I am. Force of Nature was one of my favorite Troubleshooter books.
Anyone who has followed Brockmann's writing for any length of time understands that she is comfortable writing about gay relationships. I think most of her fans are ok with reading gay romance - many even cheer just as hard for them as with hetero romances, if not harder. But as Brockmann has deteriorated from great author of homo- and heterosexual romance to preachy, pro-gay reformist, I think she's forgotten who her audience is.
We've gladly followed her lead into what for many of us was new territory and have found we like where she brought us. We are loyal and have been convinced that gay people can have happy endings just like straight people can. Brockmann should no longer have to feel like she must take every opportunity to get on her soapbox.
Fans shouldn't have had to sit through 2/3 of book that harps on how hard it is for a closeted gay actor to come out and still have a successful career. We know it's hard. While there are many successful real-life gay actors in Hollywood and on TV (Ian McKellan, Ellen DeGeneres, Anderson Cooper, Neil Patrick Harris, Ted Allen, just to name a few), they undoubtedly have a lot of hate and other issues to work through to keep their careers intact. I'm not trying to downplay the issues they face, however I don't think anyone who would willingly read a short story specifically about a gay couple needs to hear the whining. It just isn't attractive in anyone - gay, straight, whatever.
My other complaint about this story, which some other reviewers have brought up as well, is that most of this book centers on the coming out of Robin's TV alter ego. Why do we care whether Joe Laughlin gets a happy ending or not? I certainly don't. Laughlin was just a character Robin played, no matter how closely Laughlin's life followed Robin's. Robin got his happy ending when he married Jules - why do we need to re-hash that in Laughlin's character?
One last thing: why didn't we get to hear more about the baby? I would have loved if this short story followed Robin's and Jules' journey to fatherhood. I mean, Laughlin was a job; the baby is a real life-changer and something worth reading about.
I think going forward I will probably forego any exclusively Jules and Robin stories. I just don't have any desire to read whining and there are lots of other good books to read instead.
June 27, 2015
1.5 stars
This low rating has nothing to do with the little that we got to see of Robin and Jules, but it has everything to do with the lack of story that I paid for. If this was a free short story whatever I don't think I would have minded, but this was 2 dollars for a whole lot of nothing. We got more scenes about Joe Laughlin than we did of the actual "real" characters. To me that's kind of bullshit. I wanted to read about Jules and Robin and I got maybe 2 small scenes of them and the rest was some character that Robin plays and worse it was in the fake character's pov and universe.
With all of my complaining I do have to say that the little we got to see of the couple was really great. I love that they are going . I also really enjoyed that there was a partial sex scene for them. I feel like they only get really intense makeout scenes or the after math of sex, but no we got an honest to god For anyone who is not for sex scenes don't worry nothing is greatly described or in detail.
Oh and a little warning it ends at 71% the extra almost 30% are previews for previous books. Needless to say I was pretty annoyed.
This low rating has nothing to do with the little that we got to see of Robin and Jules, but it has everything to do with the lack of story that I paid for. If this was a free short story whatever I don't think I would have minded, but this was 2 dollars for a whole lot of nothing. We got more scenes about Joe Laughlin than we did of the actual "real" characters. To me that's kind of bullshit. I wanted to read about Jules and Robin and I got maybe 2 small scenes of them and the rest was some character that Robin plays and worse it was in the fake character's pov and universe.
With all of my complaining I do have to say that the little we got to see of the couple was really great. I love that they are going . I also really enjoyed that there was a partial sex scene for them. I feel like they only get really intense makeout scenes or the after math of sex, but no we got an honest to god For anyone who is not for sex scenes don't worry nothing is greatly described or in detail.
Oh and a little warning it ends at 71% the extra almost 30% are previews for previous books. Needless to say I was pretty annoyed.
May 4, 2017
These stories were too short for anyone who is not following the Troubleshooters series. Those of us who have read All Through the Night: A Troubleshooter Christmas will appreciate this more than those who have not.
One extremely hot sex scene but not too explicit for newbies to male-male relationships.
Simply excellent. The only problem is the whole thing is too short.
One extremely hot sex scene but not too explicit for newbies to male-male relationships.
Simply excellent. The only problem is the whole thing is too short.
October 20, 2021
6/20/2021 - Audible sale - $6.98
This is a novella for fans of the series and specifically Jules & Robin. It’s not going to mean much to folks who haven’t read Hot Target, Force of Nature & All Through The Night (minimally FoN).
It’s great to get an update on how things are going for Jules & Robin personally and a glimpse into Robin’s acting career. As well as some big changes for the couple.
However this is *short*. Even getting the audio on sale seems overpriced for an hour’s worth of content. Additionally, scenes from Shadowland take up probably half of the novella. The show’s plot feels unoriginal in that it mirrors Jules & Robin’s story quite a bit. It’s also a significant amount of “preachiness”. I want story not a lecture.
While I’m a huge Brockmann fan and listen to Troubleshooters books over & over - this was disappointing and I’ll skip it the next time I make my way through the series.
Patrick Lawlor is his amazing self and I truly wish he narrated more romance & specifically MM.
This is a novella for fans of the series and specifically Jules & Robin. It’s not going to mean much to folks who haven’t read Hot Target, Force of Nature & All Through The Night (minimally FoN).
It’s great to get an update on how things are going for Jules & Robin personally and a glimpse into Robin’s acting career. As well as some big changes for the couple.
However this is *short*. Even getting the audio on sale seems overpriced for an hour’s worth of content. Additionally, scenes from Shadowland take up probably half of the novella. The show’s plot feels unoriginal in that it mirrors Jules & Robin’s story quite a bit. It’s also a significant amount of “preachiness”. I want story not a lecture.
While I’m a huge Brockmann fan and listen to Troubleshooters books over & over - this was disappointing and I’ll skip it the next time I make my way through the series.
Patrick Lawlor is his amazing self and I truly wish he narrated more romance & specifically MM.
January 10, 2015
All these years later and I still can't get enough of Jules and Robin! They were the first M/M couple I'd come across in a romance novel and I fell for them both - hard.
This short story was a touching vignette which basically drew one phase of their lives together to a close and set the ball rolling for the next major step in their relationship. And when the two men are on the page together as a couple, it's magic. Seriously swoony territory. Unfortunately, Brockmann splits the focus so evenly between Robin and Jules as a couple and Robin as his television persona Joe Laughlin, that I sorta felt cheated. Don't get me wrong, the parts of the story written about Joe's character were well done, but he's not Robin and Jules (and they're the ones I'm invested in).
Looking forward to seeing Jules and Robin in the upcoming Troubleshooters novels. Here's hopping for some fantastic cameos!
This short story was a touching vignette which basically drew one phase of their lives together to a close and set the ball rolling for the next major step in their relationship. And when the two men are on the page together as a couple, it's magic. Seriously swoony territory. Unfortunately, Brockmann splits the focus so evenly between Robin and Jules as a couple and Robin as his television persona Joe Laughlin, that I sorta felt cheated. Don't get me wrong, the parts of the story written about Joe's character were well done, but he's not Robin and Jules (and they're the ones I'm invested in).
Looking forward to seeing Jules and Robin in the upcoming Troubleshooters novels. Here's hopping for some fantastic cameos!
March 28, 2016
I decided to read this because short stories are about the only fun reading I have time for at the moment. I'm glad I had some knowledge of the series because I would have been a bit lost. Truthfully though it didn't seem to me that you had to have read every other book in the series to be able to know what was going on in this. This is an M/M romance about an actor who has what's known as character bleed and isn't sure he wants to keep going. His FBI husband is there to help him through the decision and all the issues it brings up. It was a very sweet story, and I really need to start rereading this series.
June 2, 2012
Super short yes, but it IS a short story and I read other reviews beforehand so I knew to expect it to be a quick read. I loved it! I'll take a little Jules and Robin any day. I thought the story was written in a really unique way. I loved the fictional story about Joe. Really touching. Of course I was disappointed that it wasn't longer but like I said, I loved this update and so glad I got to read it.
June 10, 2013
3.5 stars: I liked this more than I was expecting due to some reviews I read before reading this. I missed Jules and Robin and I'm so sad this is the last we read of them because they were a truly amazing couple. Loved their scenes together, and I also surprisingly loved the scenes where it was about Joe, the character Robin was playing for his series; I really got into it, to be honest! So yeah, great short read that reminded me just how great these two are and how much I missed them.
June 3, 2012
74% on my kindle and it's already over. I feel cheated out of my last chapter:( Nevertheless, the story itself was wonderful. I had difficulties during the first few pages to get into the story, but then I couldn't stop. I hope we don't have to wait too long for the next part of Robin's and Jules' story.
January 31, 2013
A REALLY short, REALLY quick read about Jules, Robin, and (mostly) the character Robin plays. Since I was in the mood for some Troubleshooters and a quick read (since I have work tomorrow and can't be up reading too late), this was perfect.
And when I say short, I mean short. Less than an hour of reading time here.
And when I say short, I mean short. Less than an hour of reading time here.
June 23, 2012
4.5
I loved revisiting Jules and Robin, and I thought learning more about them through the character Robin plays was a fun way to do it.
I loved revisiting Jules and Robin, and I thought learning more about them through the character Robin plays was a fun way to do it.
April 2, 2023
Really only two chapters were about Jules and Robin. The rest were about his character Joey, whom I had no interest in.
Verdict: Act or real
Verdict: Act or real
March 30, 2014
A short but sweet story. I love to see how Jules and Robin's relationship has evolved over the years. Can't wait to see what happens next for them.
January 16, 2016
I enjoyed this novella
May 7, 2023
I'm reading this as part of a group read of the entire series. I'm really glad I didn't pay for this (I borrowed it from the library.) I have enjoyed this series, but this one had some real issues for me and I was disappointed because I really like the Jules-Robin story arc. I like a well-written romance - gay or straight, but this one felt phoned in. Did the author need a paycheck?
⬇ There're kind of two storylines. There's Jules / Robin - supporting each other through an important decision. And there's a LOT of a story involving Robin's tv character, Joe Laughlin, in his hit series Shadowland.
⬇ I found the "excerpts" from the series - which takes up a bunch of the entire novella (which is brief, even for a novella - only 45 pages) - to be confusing and mostly unnecessary to the story. The description / title of the chapter is formatted as "from episode XX" - but it doesn't read like an actual script. It doesn't read like we're watching the episode. There's internal comments that would not be included in either. I didn't see much need for these. If you threw them all out, the rest of the story still would have made sense. It almost seems like a vehicle to further beat you to death with the author's personal opinion on how hard it is to be gay (don't get me wrong, I get that it's hard but gee, I've stayed with you through all of this series so I *already* know).
So it's *filled* with loads of unnecessary filler. The Joe Laughlin storyline. Excerpt of Hot Target - which, if you've read this in order, was book 8 (this is 16.1) and not needed for most readers. If you're a huge Robin / Jules fan, you may want to read this (and skip the Joe stuff) but I'd borrow it from the library so you're not out the $$. Time to read something else and cleanse my palate.
⬇ There're kind of two storylines. There's Jules / Robin - supporting each other through an important decision. And there's a LOT of a story involving Robin's tv character, Joe Laughlin, in his hit series Shadowland.
⬇ I found the "excerpts" from the series - which takes up a bunch of the entire novella (which is brief, even for a novella - only 45 pages) - to be confusing and mostly unnecessary to the story. The description / title of the chapter is formatted as "from episode XX" - but it doesn't read like an actual script. It doesn't read like we're watching the episode. There's internal comments that would not be included in either. I didn't see much need for these. If you threw them all out, the rest of the story still would have made sense. It almost seems like a vehicle to further beat you to death with the author's personal opinion on how hard it is to be gay (don't get me wrong, I get that it's hard but gee, I've stayed with you through all of this series so I *already* know).
So it's *filled* with loads of unnecessary filler. The Joe Laughlin storyline. Excerpt of Hot Target - which, if you've read this in order, was book 8 (this is 16.1) and not needed for most readers. If you're a huge Robin / Jules fan, you may want to read this (and skip the Joe stuff) but I'd borrow it from the library so you're not out the $$. Time to read something else and cleanse my palate.
September 25, 2023
Las últimas entregas de la serie Troubleshooters tienden a ser misceláneas o relatos cortos solo aptos para seguidores de la serie que le hayan cogido cariño a los personajes. Como resumí en mi blog, esto va de «Jules y Robin siendo ellos mismos, adorables».
Relato que no llega a las cuarenta páginas y centrado en dos de los personajes más queridos de la serie, el agente Jules y su marido, el actor Robin. Es verdad que a mí me gusta más Jules. De Robin desconfío, es el tipo de persona a la que nunca creería en la vida real. Cuando Robin se cansa de interpretar un personaje en una serie demasiado “inspirado” en su propia vida, decide dar un giro tanto a su carrera profesional como a su vida familiar. De eso va la historieta.
Como siempre, Jules adorable.
Relato que no llega a las cuarenta páginas y centrado en dos de los personajes más queridos de la serie, el agente Jules y su marido, el actor Robin. Es verdad que a mí me gusta más Jules. De Robin desconfío, es el tipo de persona a la que nunca creería en la vida real. Cuando Robin se cansa de interpretar un personaje en una serie demasiado “inspirado” en su propia vida, decide dar un giro tanto a su carrera profesional como a su vida familiar. De eso va la historieta.
Como siempre, Jules adorable.
August 22, 2019
Son Jules & Robin y son definitivamente mi pareja gay favorita. Es increíble la forma tan delicada y respetuosa que ha tenido la autora de plantear la historia de amor de estos dos (aunq a veces se le ha ido un poquitín la mano con el azúcar) y los he disfrutado mucho como personajes. Espero sinceramente que esta no sea la última vez pero por la fecha de edición de la serie, parece q no habrá más historias de Troubleshooters.
No suelo dar más de 2 estrellas a las novelas cortas, pero aunq ésta es particularmente corta, es sobre Jubin (Jules&Robin) así q se merecen más.
No suelo dar más de 2 estrellas a las novelas cortas, pero aunq ésta es particularmente corta, es sobre Jubin (Jules&Robin) así q se merecen más.
November 29, 2020
In the mood for a little pick me up? This is a short little story in the Troubleshooter world and a nice little tidbit for those trying to get more of the Troubleshooter world. I read this during a deep burn out from work which usually happens after year end is closing its projects. Ms. Brockmann is a relaxing and great author for a little shot of happy boost.
May 21, 2021
An interesting introduction to Robin and Jules. Robin is tiring of his current acting job on network TV, and after a mix up on set he's questioning his sobriety. Husband Jules is supportive and encourages Robin to seek a change, or at least a break. Robin is all for the end of the series and a real break with a move and starting a family. quite a lot for a short read. A very good read.
August 30, 2020
This was too short to be very well-developed, though I always love reading about Jules. It was tricky to follow at first since it opens with a scene from Robin's TV show, and that part of the story took up too many pages. This wasn't bad, just not long enough to be all that great.
September 3, 2017
Two of my favorite characters and some of the best written expressions of love as folks work it all out.
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