Inkling

by Alice Archer

For many years, Lee and Reed, both in their mid-twenties, have been best friends during the bright summer months on British Columbia’s Haro Island. Lee expects this summer to be the same as always – full of freezing swims, long hikes to avoid his parents’ disappointment, and attempts to get Reid to stop working so hard – but Reid’s brother commits a crime that shakes both families to the core. The fallout exposes secrets, forces decisions, and brings down an ultimatum from Lee’s father that pushes the boundaries of Lee and Reid's friendship.

This story was written as a part of the M/M Romance Group's "Love is an Open Road" event. Group members were asked to write a story prompt inspired by a photo of their choice. Authors of the group selected a photo and prompt that spoke to them and wrote a short story.

This story may contain sexually explicit content and is intended for adult readers. It may contain content that is disagreeable or distressing to some readers. The M/M Romance Group strongly recommends that each reader review the General Information section before each story for story tags as well as for content warnings.

Genres: M M Romance, Romance, Contemporary, LGBT

131 pages, ebook

First published August 3, 2015

About the author

Alice Archer has lots of questions. Scheming to put fictional characters through the muck so they can get to a better place helps her find answers.

She shares her stories with the hope that others might find some healing too. Alice has messed about with words professionally for many years as an editor and writing coach.

She also travels a bunch. Her home base is Eugene, Oregon.

Reviews

[~✡~Dαni(ela) ♥ ♂♂ love & semicolons~✡~ · Rating 2 out of 5]

Well, that was certainly melodramatic. The third-person, present-tense POV didn't do the story any favors. The ending was weird too, not quite a HEA but trying hard to be.

This was my first story by this author, and probably my last.

[Lori · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story...it's one of those I don't know how to rate. On one hand I love the writing style, on the other the storyline drove me a bit mad. I loved the premise of the story (great prompt and pic, the author does very well at providing what the prompter asked for), but it felt a little bit like a soap opera. In fact, it was very much like a soap. While I enjoyed reading the story, and the style kept me turning the pages, the over-the-top events and reactions made me raise an eyebrow at times. Mary Calmes makes me feel the same way. I decided on 4 stars, because I did enjoy the story and, at the end of the day, that is what reading is all about. Thank you.

[SJ · Rating 1 out of 5]

A few pages in and I’m saying aloud, “What is this??”
Very confusing writing which doesn’t play fair with the reader. Who is who and what is going on? The angst fest plot was amping up when I exited.

[Jenn (not Lily) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow. There is so freaking much here, in not a lot of space. Heartbreak, betrayal, neglect, self-doubt, encouragement, faith, hope, love, joy. Yeah, that about covers it all. Fantastic story!

[Lisa · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was intense, melodramatic and frustrating. The MC's were on/off again BFF with benefits. The drama was ridiculously over the top in both their lives until they took a stand - together.....finally!!! This would have seriously made a good Hallmark Sunday afternoon movie ....I kept expecting a soundtrack to accompany some of the more atmospheric potions of the story......and to be fair......there were a few heartwrenching moments. Overall, Honeypot and Fructose kept me page-turning until the end, which was oddly satisfying.

[DC · Rating 1 out of 5]

This was just....unenjoyable including a complete lack of likeable characters. Lee, almost 25, with rich and despicable parents, is basically the island slut, has no job and no ambition other than to reach 25 to claim his inheritance. Reid, ultra-do-gooder with a Pollyanna view of everything doesn’t even realize that his family, whom he is working himself to death to support, is actually a bunch of swindlers. While Lee and Reid are best friends, they are also off again, on again lovers but never reaching the relationship stage because they are so hung up on top vs bottom sexual roles, of which we are reminded of ad nauseum. And the ending? It’s a good thing Lee surprised Reid with a wad of cash. Because, really, they are sailing off into the sunset (literally) to start a new life together with a couple of dufflebags and a whopping $2000 dollars that Reid granted himself from the tour company he gave away.
Overall, bad and poorly developed characters, bad dialogue, stilted writing,......bad.

[Louan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Made me miss living on the coast.

[Kevin · Rating 2 out of 5]

This story had me confused at the start when it threw a bunch of people, relationships, and situations at me without explanation or introduction.
Then it had me feeling horrified, sad, sick, dirty, depressed, and hopeless.
These are not the feelings I look for in a story.
At the halfway point (the ultimatum) I guessed what would happen at the end.
I was close to being correct. I never did figure out what actual plans were made because it was never spelled out.

[jules0623 · Rating 2 out of 5]

1.5 stars

[Sarah · Rating 2 out of 5]

Meh. Having a hard time getting through the beginning of this one.