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Un/Common Ground
Jamal just wants to be happy. Escaping a repressive country, he has come to Saratoga Springs to attend university. Jamal’s freedom, however, is an illusion, for even thousands of miles away from his homophobic father, he dares not act on the feelings he has for the local barista.Matt feels like his life has stalled out. His dreams of being an artist are being sucked away by the reality of life, and now he works in a coffee shop and wishes things could be different.When Jamal receives news that a gay friend back home has been hurt in a hate crime, he flees his apartment, oblivious to the rapidly worsening weather. A blizzard strands him at the local coffeeshop, where Matt, the man he’s been pining over for three long years, happens to be working.Helping an elderly neighbor home through the storm is enough to break the ice, but is their growing attraction enough to convince Jamal to break faith with his family back home? As Jamal and Matt struggle to find some common ground, the cultural differences between them work to pull them apart. Torn between his family and his heart, Jamal is faced with a break free of his family’s expectations, or lose his chance to find happiness with Matt.
77 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 20, 2014
12 people are currently reading
170 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews
April 7, 2015
It's not easy being gay.
Being gay and a Muslim , disaster. I'm a Muslim, and I know, how it is like for Muslim gay even until now.
Jamal, luckily lived in New York, at least for a while.
It's still not easy for him though.
Until he met Matt, that sweet gentleman barista and falling in love with him.
The AIDS test issue, family issue, made them even stronger. I loved that.
This is a sweet story, with a big question mark through the ending.
Will they make it? What if Jamal come home to Kazakhstan and he must obey his Papa's demand to get married to a woman?
Well, I don't want it to happen. If there's no sequel for this, I'll be sure to make my very own HEA ending.
Recommended.
June 20, 2014
4.5 stars rounded up
Excellent contemporary story about Jamal, a student from Kazakhstan who has been studying in the US for three years. When he received bad news of a friend from his father, Jamal wanders outside into a coming snow storm. He finds himself in Uncommon Grounds, a coffee shop where Matt, an arts graduate works. Matt has been watching Jamal since he first met him and seeing him upset invites him tell him what's wrong. As he does a snow storm arrives and the pair help coffee shop regular, Ms Feinstein, home before going to Matt's apartment. This story shows the development of Jamal and Matts relationship really well, but it also gives an extremely sad insight of what it means to be gay in a country where it is completely unaccepted - to the extent that Jamal's own father thinks gay people should be shot - and what dangers there are in such normal thing for most of us, like buying condoms.
I absolutely loved this story, the main characters are very well drawn but I have to say the scene stealing 83 year old liberal Jew that is Ms Feinstein just wins it for me hands down :) Thank you Arielle.
Excellent contemporary story about Jamal, a student from Kazakhstan who has been studying in the US for three years. When he received bad news of a friend from his father, Jamal wanders outside into a coming snow storm. He finds himself in Uncommon Grounds, a coffee shop where Matt, an arts graduate works. Matt has been watching Jamal since he first met him and seeing him upset invites him tell him what's wrong. As he does a snow storm arrives and the pair help coffee shop regular, Ms Feinstein, home before going to Matt's apartment. This story shows the development of Jamal and Matts relationship really well, but it also gives an extremely sad insight of what it means to be gay in a country where it is completely unaccepted - to the extent that Jamal's own father thinks gay people should be shot - and what dangers there are in such normal thing for most of us, like buying condoms.
I absolutely loved this story, the main characters are very well drawn but I have to say the scene stealing 83 year old liberal Jew that is Ms Feinstein just wins it for me hands down :) Thank you Arielle.
December 15, 2015
Reality check, my darlings.
While the story is about homophobia it's not depressing as hell. Or maybe it is, depends on how you look at it.
While the story is about homophobia it's not depressing as hell. Or maybe it is, depends on how you look at it.
July 18, 2014
Offered for FREE from the M/M Romance Group's Love's Landscapes event. Thank you too all the amazing authors who participated!
2.5 stars Yummy pic. I found the story a little all over the place though. I really liked the first half. Jamal was sweet and the blizzard with Matt was the perfect beginning to a HFN love affair. But then it got weird. I found that fight odd, and kept trying to figure out the miscommunication. And really, I thought Matt's response was kinda appropriate. WTF.
And the prompt asked for a resolution with the difficult family situation, which I don't feel was provided. I get that Jamal loves his family, and later stated "they wouldn't hurt me", but I find that hard to believe when Jamal himself said that his father laughed about a gay man being beaten nearly to death, and the one sister who knows said the brother is even worse. Could they truly ever accept a gay son? And I'm pretty sure "never speaking" to Jamal again counts as cutting him off. I guess I just felt it was left open-ended as a little bit of an easy out.
But like I said, my main issue was the odd fight that pulled me out of the story. And then an unsatisfying resolution after that.
August 6, 2016
Please author, may I have some more?
June 21, 2014
3.5* rounded up. Very nice study of characters.
December 22, 2015
This was so hard to read...
Jamal is a young man, a guest student in the US, having his first taste of freedom. Because he is a Muslim, gay, and is already afraid of going back home East, where he will either conform and marry a girl, or come out and not only loose his family, but probably also his life.
But for as long as he's in the US, he really likes to at least pretend to be free for a second. And when he meets Matt, really meets him, it all gets intense very fast. It tender, tentative and heart-breaking. Especially because it gets you thinking about all the repercussions the opression of the LGBTQ community all over the world really has. The problem of safe sex and testing is one of them, and one that a lot of people (me included) sometimes completely forget about. We focus on the violence, the mortal danger, the torture. What we tend to forget is the everyday life and what that kind of oppression really means. It doesn't matter how educated you are, how far away from home you are, how different your current freedom is from the rest of your life - it always stays with you. And you will always see repercussions for your acrtions everywhere. And I loved how the author managed to show it without saying it.
I enjoyed this story very much. Matt might not have been my most favorite person in the world. I found his empathy and understanding to be lacking. A lot. Seriously, how selfish and ignorant can you be? Never heard of persecution because of one's sexuality? Never heard about gay witch hunts or honor killings? Maaaaan. Really. But on the other hand - and it's hard for me to swallow - I can understand that his experiences with oppression are really non-existent. So who am I to judge so harshly? But I couldn't help but be annoyed with him.
Jamal was the gem of this story for me. His POV, his thoughts, his fears really stayed with me and made me think about him and people in similar situation for quite some time. Really good.
The writing wasn't as smooth as I'd have liked, but it wasn't bad. I did love the set-up and how it all turned out. The ending was perfect, and fit the tentative and unsure tone of the story perfectly. A HEA would have been ridicolous under the circumstances and if you're honest, then I'm not sure if there even was a possible soution for Jamal's drama. But I'd still love to read more about these two.
Jamal is a young man, a guest student in the US, having his first taste of freedom. Because he is a Muslim, gay, and is already afraid of going back home East, where he will either conform and marry a girl, or come out and not only loose his family, but probably also his life.
But for as long as he's in the US, he really likes to at least pretend to be free for a second. And when he meets Matt, really meets him, it all gets intense very fast. It tender, tentative and heart-breaking. Especially because it gets you thinking about all the repercussions the opression of the LGBTQ community all over the world really has. The problem of safe sex and testing is one of them, and one that a lot of people (me included) sometimes completely forget about. We focus on the violence, the mortal danger, the torture. What we tend to forget is the everyday life and what that kind of oppression really means. It doesn't matter how educated you are, how far away from home you are, how different your current freedom is from the rest of your life - it always stays with you. And you will always see repercussions for your acrtions everywhere. And I loved how the author managed to show it without saying it.
I enjoyed this story very much. Matt might not have been my most favorite person in the world. I found his empathy and understanding to be lacking. A lot. Seriously, how selfish and ignorant can you be? Never heard of persecution because of one's sexuality? Never heard about gay witch hunts or honor killings? Maaaaan. Really. But on the other hand - and it's hard for me to swallow - I can understand that his experiences with oppression are really non-existent. So who am I to judge so harshly? But I couldn't help but be annoyed with him.
Jamal was the gem of this story for me. His POV, his thoughts, his fears really stayed with me and made me think about him and people in similar situation for quite some time. Really good.
The writing wasn't as smooth as I'd have liked, but it wasn't bad. I did love the set-up and how it all turned out. The ending was perfect, and fit the tentative and unsure tone of the story perfectly. A HEA would have been ridicolous under the circumstances and if you're honest, then I'm not sure if there even was a possible soution for Jamal's drama. But I'd still love to read more about these two.
March 31, 2016
A short story featuring Matt a local barista and Jamal, Khazastani student.
They have both liked each other gor the last 3 years where they meet at a meeting of the LGBT.
The story goes into the cultural differences between the 2 and what it is like to be gay in Khazastan.
Word count 22955.
They have both liked each other gor the last 3 years where they meet at a meeting of the LGBT.
The story goes into the cultural differences between the 2 and what it is like to be gay in Khazastan.
Word count 22955.
June 21, 2014
I really, really loved this. Loved the characters and I totally want more! Thanks for a great story!
November 4, 2014
Nice story but the ending was a bit too unresolved for me.
January 3, 2016
A lovely short story about Jamal and Mark. I look forward to reading more about them!
June 21, 2014
I often complain about the length of a story because if I like it the end often comes much too soon but here ... here I like the story and the length is perfect. We see the beginning of a love story with a problematic background because of the homophobe culture in one of the MCs home country. We get an idea what homophobia can do if it's deep rooted in a culture but only an idea because after all it's a romance and no drama - and the romance parts are working quite well for me. I really feel the connection between both guys, I completely understood their short fight and couldn't stop smiling while reading Matt's declaration near the end of the story but what I appreciated most: there is no HEA for the sake of a HEA. In a story about a evolving love there can be no final solution for their problem but they seem to be willing to take step after step and cherish what they have. Just let it grow, guys, and I cross my thumb that you succeed ...
March 19, 2015
This had potential, I won't deny that, but I had two very large problems with it.
1. Pierce expects the reader to believe that Jamal, an otherwise intelligent, capable adult college student, after having studied in the US for several years, isn't capable of Googling the facts about HIV tests? This is a guy who's been a member of the local LGBT group since his arrival in the states. He regularly meets with other LGBT students and community members. They never discussed HIV testing? And he was afraid his parents would find out he'd gotten an HIV test while he wasn't afraid that they'd find out about him being part of an LGBT group? The HIV test could have been written off as a close call during a straight sexual encounter, the LGBT group would be just a little bit harder to explain away.
2. There wasn't any resolution after building up the drama surrounding Jamal's family's homophobia. What was the point of all that if it was never going to go anywhere?
1. Pierce expects the reader to believe that Jamal, an otherwise intelligent, capable adult college student, after having studied in the US for several years, isn't capable of Googling the facts about HIV tests? This is a guy who's been a member of the local LGBT group since his arrival in the states. He regularly meets with other LGBT students and community members. They never discussed HIV testing? And he was afraid his parents would find out he'd gotten an HIV test while he wasn't afraid that they'd find out about him being part of an LGBT group? The HIV test could have been written off as a close call during a straight sexual encounter, the LGBT group would be just a little bit harder to explain away.
2. There wasn't any resolution after building up the drama surrounding Jamal's family's homophobia. What was the point of all that if it was never going to go anywhere?
October 10, 2014
Oh, gosh. I wasn't expecting to like this as much as I did. You can tell by my other reviews that I'm not into short stories--I tend to get them because I have a doctor/hospital appointment, and won't have time to get deeply engrossed in a full novel--but this one touched me. It's an endearing little story, lacking nothing for its length (or lack thereof). I really enjoyed it, and would like to see more from this author.
July 19, 2014
The story started very promising and interesting. I was not happy with the name choice of Jamal but I didn't throw me off. The affection between Matt and Jamal was very nice to see. But the story lost me during an argument between them. The reaction of - until then very caring Matt - threw me off. The ending was very hurried and left me unsatisfied.
June 20, 2014
4.5 stars rounded up
event-stories-unread
September 22, 2014[NOTE: I rate most writing event stories (free reads) 4 or 5 stars because of my appreciation of the author's participation and gift.]
May 4, 2015
Gut-wrenching, sweet, lovely, beautiful - will break your heart.
August 25, 2017
This left to many unanswered questions. It was the beginning chapters of what could have been a really good book.
February 7, 2020
Whoa, slow down there
All of these types of novels fast track right to sex, and I don’t know if that’s how it is real life, but it always seems very hurried to me.
All of these types of novels fast track right to sex, and I don’t know if that’s how it is real life, but it always seems very hurried to me.
January 21, 2015
This was kind of meh for me all around. Meh characters, meh story, meh writing. I did like the plot—happily out American boy meets nervous boy from a homophobic country. Lots of potential. But the writing was really not at all engaging (lots of "the older man" and "the taller man" and that sorta stuff in totally irrelevant situations; and why on earth did Matt call Jamal "boy"? Their age difference can't be that great...although now that I read back, it looks like Matt graduated from college five years ago. So a six- or seven-year difference. God, why on earth was he still going to LGBT meetings at the campus? Confusing. Meh, least of the problems, I guess)—I'm just not a fan of that kind of fluffy writing. Call characters by their names! And tell me what color his eyes are once, maybe twice—I don't need to be beaten over the head by how stunning they are.
The story pretty much lost me at the argument they had. There are other ways to insert drama—more realistic ways. It really killed the rest of my interest. I pretty much skimmed through the end. I'm also curious about why they were both so adamant about ! And THEN the whole thing fades to black! After all that!! Fades to black! Really, the end was just incredibly rushed. I don't know why. If she was trying to cut down on word count, there was a lot of stuff from the beginning that could have gone.
Despite all the potential, it was never realized. What happens with Jamal's family? Does he decide to stay after he graduates? Etc. etc.
This is really not very nice, but I'm so surprised to see that she has a lot of other books before this one. It felt very amateurish and newbie-author to me. :(
The story pretty much lost me at the argument they had. There are other ways to insert drama—more realistic ways. It really killed the rest of my interest. I pretty much skimmed through the end. I'm also curious about why they were both so adamant about ! And THEN the whole thing fades to black! After all that!! Fades to black! Really, the end was just incredibly rushed. I don't know why. If she was trying to cut down on word count, there was a lot of stuff from the beginning that could have gone.
Despite all the potential, it was never realized. What happens with Jamal's family? Does he decide to stay after he graduates? Etc. etc.
This is really not very nice, but I'm so surprised to see that she has a lot of other books before this one. It felt very amateurish and newbie-author to me. :(
August 4, 2014
This story is about a Visa student. A student who is over here in the states to attend college. Jamal is able to live more openly here in the states, but he still has strong fears about people, especially his male family members finding out the truth. He is gay. In his home country, it isn’t uncommon that gay men are killed. But his torn between his family and being himself. He feels obligated to go back to his home country to live as his father wants him too, even if he will always live in fear and never in love. But that starts to change when he finally catches the attention of his crush, Matt. In fact, Matt has been crushing on him almost as long.
This story is about Jamel and Matt. Matt has to come to understand that not everywhere is gay friendly. Also, Jamal is finally able to be affectionate in public with another man without fear. Though the fear of his family finding out is always right behind him. His two sisters knows he is gay and support him but they also understand better about the choices Jamal is living with. They understand there is a chance he could be killed if his male family members find out the truth.
I feel the story just ended. I felt kind of cheated, like there should have been more. I have questions that are answered. Did Jamal decided to stay in the states? or go back home? Assuming he stays in the states, does he come out to his family? Or does he keep it to himself still, because of the fear of his family coming over to kill him? Does he just run off and hide for the rest of his life looking back over his shoulder? I assume him and Matt stay together. I really just wanted to see more.
This story is about Jamel and Matt. Matt has to come to understand that not everywhere is gay friendly. Also, Jamal is finally able to be affectionate in public with another man without fear. Though the fear of his family finding out is always right behind him. His two sisters knows he is gay and support him but they also understand better about the choices Jamal is living with. They understand there is a chance he could be killed if his male family members find out the truth.
I feel the story just ended. I felt kind of cheated, like there should have been more. I have questions that are answered. Did Jamal decided to stay in the states? or go back home? Assuming he stays in the states, does he come out to his family? Or does he keep it to himself still, because of the fear of his family coming over to kill him? Does he just run off and hide for the rest of his life looking back over his shoulder? I assume him and Matt stay together. I really just wanted to see more.
July 29, 2014
2,5*
I though the prompt was great and the story started promising and then I felt more and more bewildered. The characters of the MCs were so inconsistent, it really bothered me (from one moment shy and stuttering to next second daring back to shy, or from caring to acting like an a$$). Also the backstory seemed kind of voluted. On the one hand we hear Jamal was good in acting butch, then again he's obviously gay. Jamal,tells he does not dare to buy a condom but was with his best friend in a gay bar. Repeatedly. Also after three years in a liberal US college with a liberal gay room mate he does not know about things like condoms, AIDS tests, ... ? Kind of unbelievable.
The scenes where Jamal was conflicted about his life style and his love of his family and Matt not understanding his standpoint and where he comes from, the clash of cultures, these I liked and I would have loved to se these more explored and a solution to this. Also, what will Jamal do? What with the visa problem? Will he go home and do what his family demands and if not how will it play out? This might have just been the intro to the real story I would have loved to read.
I though the prompt was great and the story started promising and then I felt more and more bewildered. The characters of the MCs were so inconsistent, it really bothered me (from one moment shy and stuttering to next second daring back to shy, or from caring to acting like an a$$). Also the backstory seemed kind of voluted. On the one hand we hear Jamal was good in acting butch, then again he's obviously gay. Jamal,tells he does not dare to buy a condom but was with his best friend in a gay bar. Repeatedly. Also after three years in a liberal US college with a liberal gay room mate he does not know about things like condoms, AIDS tests, ... ? Kind of unbelievable.
The scenes where Jamal was conflicted about his life style and his love of his family and Matt not understanding his standpoint and where he comes from, the clash of cultures, these I liked and I would have loved to se these more explored and a solution to this. Also, what will Jamal do? What with the visa problem? Will he go home and do what his family demands and if not how will it play out? This might have just been the intro to the real story I would have loved to read.
July 23, 2014
A well researched story about a guy trying to be himself despite pressure from his family to 'find a nice girl to marry'.
I thought this was a really well written story with a good plot, but it really ended to soon. It's not that short as it is, but I think we really needed to see more of Matt and Jamal together to be convinced there was a HEA in their future. I'm really torn between 3 and 4 stars here... but went for 4 in the end because the writing was excellent.
I thought this was a really well written story with a good plot, but it really ended to soon. It's not that short as it is, but I think we really needed to see more of Matt and Jamal together to be convinced there was a HEA in their future. I'm really torn between 3 and 4 stars here... but went for 4 in the end because the writing was excellent.
September 7, 2018
No real plot to this one. Just guy meets guys, guy asks guy out, and they're a couple. It's very repetitive. 65 pages long, and the same conversation about the weather is repeated at least five times, if not more. Jamal has the greenest, most beautiful and exotic green eyes ever. This is repeated several times also. There is some attempt to be original - interracial, sort of; commentary on social injustice, but that sort of goes nowhere. I ended up skimming.
August 28, 2014
Another freebie that sounded promising. I liked the style, Arielle Pierce certainly knows how to write, but the amount of drama was a little too much for me. It just kept piling up and for a short story, it's enough to deal with one issue, not a whole bag of them.
June 21, 2014
Review to follow
September 29, 2015
I liked the story except that very little is resolved in the end. Jamal is still in the same predicament and the HFN is very tentative.
July 20, 2014
A very sweet and short story. I felt so bad for Jamal though, his culture just breaks my heart in that they feel that way towards gay people.
August 27, 2014
Review to come
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