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Serpentine #3
Sex, Love, and Videogames
A Serpentine Series Book
Shy guy Jed Carter has always felt invisible next to his charismatic older brother, Kent. Kent’s master plan for Jed is University of Virginia, fraternity, business, sports, and ladies’ man. None of it is Jed, except for playing on the rugby team, which he joins in defiance of soccer-loving Kent. Jed comes out in his sophomore year and starts seeing Pete, an attractive junior, who uses him for sex and videogames. Jed wants more—in life and in love—and starts making his own plans. First on the getting to know Charlie, the handsome guy working at the local videogame arcade.
Charlie Ambrose has always felt like an oddball, and not just for his tendency to stutter. Being gay sets him apart from his African-American community, and as a “townie,” he doesn’t fit in with the college crowd. Charlie’s inspiration is his cousin, Morocco, who’s transgender and doesn’t give a fig about fitting in. Art is Charlie’s passion, and when a local videogame designer discovers him, Charlie’s living a dream. The only thing he’s missing is love. But the last person Charlie expects to find it with is a cute, white U.Va. rugby player named Jed.
Shy guy Jed Carter has always felt invisible next to his charismatic older brother, Kent. Kent’s master plan for Jed is University of Virginia, fraternity, business, sports, and ladies’ man. None of it is Jed, except for playing on the rugby team, which he joins in defiance of soccer-loving Kent. Jed comes out in his sophomore year and starts seeing Pete, an attractive junior, who uses him for sex and videogames. Jed wants more—in life and in love—and starts making his own plans. First on the getting to know Charlie, the handsome guy working at the local videogame arcade.
Charlie Ambrose has always felt like an oddball, and not just for his tendency to stutter. Being gay sets him apart from his African-American community, and as a “townie,” he doesn’t fit in with the college crowd. Charlie’s inspiration is his cousin, Morocco, who’s transgender and doesn’t give a fig about fitting in. Art is Charlie’s passion, and when a local videogame designer discovers him, Charlie’s living a dream. The only thing he’s missing is love. But the last person Charlie expects to find it with is a cute, white U.Va. rugby player named Jed.
264 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 21, 2015
3 people are currently reading
55 people want to read
About the author
CJane Elliott
23 books41 followersAfter years of hearing characters chatting away in her head, CJANE ELLIOTT finally decided to put them on paper and hasn’t looked back since. A psychotherapist by training, CJane enjoys writing sexy, passionate stories that also explore the human psyche. CJane has traveled all over North America for work and her characters are travelers, too, traveling down into their own depths to find what they need to get to the happy ending.
CJane is an ardent supporter of LGBTQ equality and is particularly fond of coming-out stories. In her spare time, CJane can be found dancing, listening to music, or watching old movies. Her husband and son support her writing habit by staying out of the way when they see her hunched over, staring intensely at her laptop.
CJane is the author of the award-winning Serpentine Series, New Adult contemporary novels set at the University of Virginia. Serpentine Walls was a 2014 Rainbow Awards finalist, Aidan’s Journey was a 2015 EPIC Awards finalist, and Sex, Love, and Videogames won first place in the New Adult category in the 2016 Swirl Awards and first place in Contemporary Fiction in the 2017 EPIC eBook Awards.
CJane is an ardent supporter of LGBTQ equality and is particularly fond of coming-out stories. In her spare time, CJane can be found dancing, listening to music, or watching old movies. Her husband and son support her writing habit by staying out of the way when they see her hunched over, staring intensely at her laptop.
CJane is the author of the award-winning Serpentine Series, New Adult contemporary novels set at the University of Virginia. Serpentine Walls was a 2014 Rainbow Awards finalist, Aidan’s Journey was a 2015 EPIC Awards finalist, and Sex, Love, and Videogames won first place in the New Adult category in the 2016 Swirl Awards and first place in Contemporary Fiction in the 2017 EPIC eBook Awards.
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
August 10, 2015
ARC of Sex, Love, and Videogames provided by the author in exchange for an honest review. This review has been cross-posted at Reviews by Jessewave.
You win some, you lose some and, unfortunately, Sex, Love, and Videogames just didn't work for me.
The story takes place over about 3 years from the time that Jeb and Charlie both graduate high school. Jeb is from Centreville, VA (where I've lived for the past 15 years, incidentally) and Charlie is from Charlottesville. They only meet twice in the first 60% of the book and by the time they actually got together, at about 63%, I just didn't care anymore.
Both MC's also had on page "relationships" with other people before they got together, which I didn't really want to experience it. It would have been ok for it to be in a prologue of some sort, just to show where they were in their lives, but it was the first 60% of the book, so that turned me off, greatly. All I got out of reading it was that both Jeb and Charlie are doormats, willing to settle for scraps or setting the bar really low in order to get laid, when neither of them needed to be that way.
I liked the supporting characters, well enough, especially Charlie's transgender cousin Morocco, but I need more than a like for the supporting characters to like the story. The format was just too slow for me. Your results may vary. I'd never read anything from this author, before, so maybe this is her normal format, or maybe not. Either way, I'm not sure I'll try another.
You win some, you lose some and, unfortunately, Sex, Love, and Videogames just didn't work for me.
The story takes place over about 3 years from the time that Jeb and Charlie both graduate high school. Jeb is from Centreville, VA (where I've lived for the past 15 years, incidentally) and Charlie is from Charlottesville. They only meet twice in the first 60% of the book and by the time they actually got together, at about 63%, I just didn't care anymore.
Both MC's also had on page "relationships" with other people before they got together, which I didn't really want to experience it. It would have been ok for it to be in a prologue of some sort, just to show where they were in their lives, but it was the first 60% of the book, so that turned me off, greatly. All I got out of reading it was that both Jeb and Charlie are doormats, willing to settle for scraps or setting the bar really low in order to get laid, when neither of them needed to be that way.
I liked the supporting characters, well enough, especially Charlie's transgender cousin Morocco, but I need more than a like for the supporting characters to like the story. The format was just too slow for me. Your results may vary. I'd never read anything from this author, before, so maybe this is her normal format, or maybe not. Either way, I'm not sure I'll try another.
June 2, 2017
This is a low-key realistic story of two young men in their first year out of high school. As the story opens, Charlie is out to only two people in his life - his flamboyant transgender cousin Morocco, and the neighborhood guy whom he sometimes gives blow jobs, (because a litttle sex is better than none.) He's working in a video game store, doing a little art for fun, and drifting. He has no real image of where he wants his life to go, and his lack of school success and a disruptive stutter have convinced him not to aim too high. He has supportive family, but in the bosom of the Ambrose clan, even Morocco in her dresses gets deadnamed and called "he", and Charlie has no intention of ever coming out.
Jed is just about as adrift, although he's in college. His pushy older brother Kent has convinced him to join a frat and pursue a business degree, and Jed isn't out to anyone at all. Choosing rugby over soccer is the closest he's come to rebelling against following in his brother's footsteps. But no amount of incentives, teasing or prompting from Kent is going to make Jed straight. Somehow he's determined to transform his college experience into a discovery of something more, something real. If only he can figure out what he wants.
This book is the definition of slow burn. The guys barely lay eyes on each other for something like half the book, as we take turns seeing them living their lives. When they do meet, there is a fast spark and the romance part takes off.
I enjoyed the realism of this story, the fact that both guys had sex when it was offered before they met, even without a romantic component. That felt like what I'd expect in this situation. I liked Morocco and her courage, enthusiasm, and the way that her situation illuminated a common reaction to LGBTQ family members. One of the painfully frequent responses of homophobic/transphobic or religious families is to pretend not to see what is plain in front of them. Not to explode and throw a gay or trans person out, as long as nothing is "pushed in their face", but to treat the LGBTQ as if it doesn't exist, while continuing to include the person in family affairs. One of Charlie's most difficult tasks will be deciding how much he'll need to fly his gay flag in the face of his family, to find the life he needs.
This is the third book in the series, but I think it stands alone well. Those who read the one before will recognize Pete, the guy Jed hooks up with. However I don't think that's essential to reading Jed's story. It's generally low-key, with a little drama, but no melodrama. The plot is driven by watching how two young gay men come of age, and address both their own needs and their roles in the larger community. I recommend this book and series to those who have a soft spot for the fumblings of first relationships, and seeing young men learn to have confidence, and pride, in who they are.
Jed is just about as adrift, although he's in college. His pushy older brother Kent has convinced him to join a frat and pursue a business degree, and Jed isn't out to anyone at all. Choosing rugby over soccer is the closest he's come to rebelling against following in his brother's footsteps. But no amount of incentives, teasing or prompting from Kent is going to make Jed straight. Somehow he's determined to transform his college experience into a discovery of something more, something real. If only he can figure out what he wants.
This book is the definition of slow burn. The guys barely lay eyes on each other for something like half the book, as we take turns seeing them living their lives. When they do meet, there is a fast spark and the romance part takes off.
I enjoyed the realism of this story, the fact that both guys had sex when it was offered before they met, even without a romantic component. That felt like what I'd expect in this situation. I liked Morocco and her courage, enthusiasm, and the way that her situation illuminated a common reaction to LGBTQ family members. One of the painfully frequent responses of homophobic/transphobic or religious families is to pretend not to see what is plain in front of them. Not to explode and throw a gay or trans person out, as long as nothing is "pushed in their face", but to treat the LGBTQ as if it doesn't exist, while continuing to include the person in family affairs. One of Charlie's most difficult tasks will be deciding how much he'll need to fly his gay flag in the face of his family, to find the life he needs.
This is the third book in the series, but I think it stands alone well. Those who read the one before will recognize Pete, the guy Jed hooks up with. However I don't think that's essential to reading Jed's story. It's generally low-key, with a little drama, but no melodrama. The plot is driven by watching how two young gay men come of age, and address both their own needs and their roles in the larger community. I recommend this book and series to those who have a soft spot for the fumblings of first relationships, and seeing young men learn to have confidence, and pride, in who they are.
September 10, 2015
This is a coming out, coming of age story for two young men of very different backgrounds. While this is part of a series, it is fully enjoyable as a standalone read.
Jed is a white, northern Virginian, younger brother to charismatic Kent, and gay. Secretly gay. He has a crush on Kent's best friend, and is loath to come out amid the gay slurs and homophobic environment of the frat Kent pushes Jed to join when Jed arrives at UVa in Charlottesville. He's angry and defiant and passive-aggressive, especially when he sees out-gay men being out, and gay. A YEAR passes in the state, and still only Jed's BFF, Myesha (a black girl he works with), knows his big gay secret. Well, until he blurts it out in the heat of frustration, in a crowd of his bigoted frat brothers.
Charlie is of mixed race: white mom, black dad, and his father was killed in a military training exercise years ago. He lives in Charlottesville with his mom and his dad's extended family, who are all fully black, and good churchgoing folk. His closest confidant is Morocco, his transgender cousin--who the family matriarch Granny Mert still calls "Ronald." While his family doesn't give Morocco trouble over her female dress and hair, they don't generally approve. Still, the are Southern, and good Southern folk don't speak about giant rabid elephants trouncing the rooms, apparently. It's not genteel, I suppose. (disclaimer, I'm a white Yankee so this I had to take on faith.)
Charlie suffers a learning disability, but he's a talented artist. He works at a videogame parlor/arcade/restaurant and his drawings are admired by a videogame maker who frequents the shop. Having no formal training, a crippling shyness, and a stutter, it takes Charlie a long time to open up to people, but Morocco's encouragement goes a long way.
The book spans three years, and only the last six months bring Jed and Charlie into direct contact. During the first 60% of the book both of these men are coming to terms with their sexuality, coming out, and initiating fledgling sexual acquaintances. It is more bitter than sweet for both of them--who are essentially used by partners and take the meager scraps of physicality they are tossed because they have no self-esteem. I was glad to see this change in Charlie. Jed's heart is stomped on, and he comes out the other side. Both men develop the skills to stand up for themselves in many ways--professionally, and academically, which was good to see.
When Jed and Charlie do connect their skittishness is cute, but equally frustrating, as they struggle to demonstrate their interest clearly. Charlie also fears coming out to his entire family--though Morocco and his mother do know Jed is his boyfriend. Upside, they find happiness with each other.
I don't really consider this book a clear romance, however. It is good storytelling, with interesting characters and all, but the long exposition and parallel plot paths keeping Charlie and Jed separate overshadow a traditional romantic arc.
Jed is a white, northern Virginian, younger brother to charismatic Kent, and gay. Secretly gay. He has a crush on Kent's best friend, and is loath to come out amid the gay slurs and homophobic environment of the frat Kent pushes Jed to join when Jed arrives at UVa in Charlottesville. He's angry and defiant and passive-aggressive, especially when he sees out-gay men being out, and gay. A YEAR passes in the state, and still only Jed's BFF, Myesha (a black girl he works with), knows his big gay secret. Well, until he blurts it out in the heat of frustration, in a crowd of his bigoted frat brothers.
Charlie is of mixed race: white mom, black dad, and his father was killed in a military training exercise years ago. He lives in Charlottesville with his mom and his dad's extended family, who are all fully black, and good churchgoing folk. His closest confidant is Morocco, his transgender cousin--who the family matriarch Granny Mert still calls "Ronald." While his family doesn't give Morocco trouble over her female dress and hair, they don't generally approve. Still, the are Southern, and good Southern folk don't speak about giant rabid elephants trouncing the rooms, apparently. It's not genteel, I suppose. (disclaimer, I'm a white Yankee so this I had to take on faith.)
Charlie suffers a learning disability, but he's a talented artist. He works at a videogame parlor/arcade/restaurant and his drawings are admired by a videogame maker who frequents the shop. Having no formal training, a crippling shyness, and a stutter, it takes Charlie a long time to open up to people, but Morocco's encouragement goes a long way.
The book spans three years, and only the last six months bring Jed and Charlie into direct contact. During the first 60% of the book both of these men are coming to terms with their sexuality, coming out, and initiating fledgling sexual acquaintances. It is more bitter than sweet for both of them--who are essentially used by partners and take the meager scraps of physicality they are tossed because they have no self-esteem. I was glad to see this change in Charlie. Jed's heart is stomped on, and he comes out the other side. Both men develop the skills to stand up for themselves in many ways--professionally, and academically, which was good to see.
When Jed and Charlie do connect their skittishness is cute, but equally frustrating, as they struggle to demonstrate their interest clearly. Charlie also fears coming out to his entire family--though Morocco and his mother do know Jed is his boyfriend. Upside, they find happiness with each other.
I don't really consider this book a clear romance, however. It is good storytelling, with interesting characters and all, but the long exposition and parallel plot paths keeping Charlie and Jed separate overshadow a traditional romantic arc.
January 10, 2016
Reviewed for Prism Book Alliance
4.5stars
It has been a long time since I visited with Jed. I thought about re-reading Serpentine Walls (which I adored), where we first met him, but time wasn't on my side. I decided just to go for it since all the books in this series are supposed to be able to be read standalone and in any order. This is completely true, as they take place in parallel to one another. You see a few of the characters from Serpentine Walls and Aidan's Journey along the way, but they are only background characters.
For Complete review see Prism Book Alliance: http://www.prismbookalliance.com/?pos...
July 5, 2017
This is not a romance book. This is about growing up and being different in an unforgiving world. Very diverse book. We have POV representation as well as transgender.
It was interesting to read about Jed and Charlie separately before they met. Their challenges and the challenges of their families and friends. I admired how realistic the book was without losing the hopeful spirit.
In the end it was not enough relationship building between the two MCs for my taste. It could have used more pages and more development. They're both so adorable and lovely. They deserved more story.
Still I recommend that book because of its unique telling and the diversity.
It was interesting to read about Jed and Charlie separately before they met. Their challenges and the challenges of their families and friends. I admired how realistic the book was without losing the hopeful spirit.
In the end it was not enough relationship building between the two MCs for my taste. It could have used more pages and more development. They're both so adorable and lovely. They deserved more story.
Still I recommend that book because of its unique telling and the diversity.
August 23, 2015
CJane Elliott tackles some tricky and sensitive issues in this book, and does so with a lot of class and style. I'd definitely recommend it to anyone in the mood for an unconventional Romance--if you're anything like me you'll laugh and cry, root for these characters, and wish you could hang out with them even after you've reached The End.
July 13, 2016
I received a free copy in exchange for an honest review.
This is a hard one for me to review because I'm not sure how I feel about it. On the positive side, I loved the characters. Jed and Charlie were both so likable, and their close friends were wonderful. I loved Myesha, and Morocco was a lot of fun. Both guys had many supportive friends around them, and I liked their families, too.
I loved the multicultural aspects of the story. I'm always happy to see more stories featuring characters who are not only white and middle class, and I love books with great trans characters. This book gets a win on that front.
Another thing I liked was that it wasn't a traditional romance, and that wasn't the only thing going on. I don't need my love stories to focus exclusively on the relationship--in fact, I'd rather they not. So another plus.
On the other hand, there were a lot of things I struggled with about this book. For one thing, there was really no plot. A lot of things happened, but there was no running thread from start to finish other than various versions of people being closeted. There were a lot of loose ends, which I'm not sure relates to this being part of a series or if they really just won't ever be resolved. I was bored for a lot of this book--the relationship between Jed and Charlie didn't even start until 2/3 of the way in; they had almost nothing to do with each other before then. It was odd, given that, how they had instant love and declared "forever" at twenty or twenty-one.
I thought the title was a bit misleading. There was a bit of sex, some love (a very long way into the story), and constant mention of video games, but I was expecting more about geek and gaming culture. Instead, I got very stereotypical jock types. That was really disappointing to a fan of gaming--the video games were the reason I picked this up! I would expect that in a book containing that in the title, maybe there would be more research into a wider variety of games or some understanding of gaming culture.
I was really wary of the portrayal of the only "bisexual" characters. They seemed to be stereotypes and reinforced some negative things--that Black bisexual men are "on the down-low" and are responsible for spreading STIs to gay men and straight women and that white guys are "mostly straight" but like to have sex with men sometimes (and will probably lie to and cheat on their girlfriends/wives). I'm sure this wasn't intentional, but it is something the bisexual community is actively working to change, so it upset me to see it shown in the book without anything to balance or challenge it.
In the end, I'm glad I read this, but I don't think it was the book for me.
This is a hard one for me to review because I'm not sure how I feel about it. On the positive side, I loved the characters. Jed and Charlie were both so likable, and their close friends were wonderful. I loved Myesha, and Morocco was a lot of fun. Both guys had many supportive friends around them, and I liked their families, too.
I loved the multicultural aspects of the story. I'm always happy to see more stories featuring characters who are not only white and middle class, and I love books with great trans characters. This book gets a win on that front.
Another thing I liked was that it wasn't a traditional romance, and that wasn't the only thing going on. I don't need my love stories to focus exclusively on the relationship--in fact, I'd rather they not. So another plus.
On the other hand, there were a lot of things I struggled with about this book. For one thing, there was really no plot. A lot of things happened, but there was no running thread from start to finish other than various versions of people being closeted. There were a lot of loose ends, which I'm not sure relates to this being part of a series or if they really just won't ever be resolved. I was bored for a lot of this book--the relationship between Jed and Charlie didn't even start until 2/3 of the way in; they had almost nothing to do with each other before then. It was odd, given that, how they had instant love and declared "forever" at twenty or twenty-one.
I thought the title was a bit misleading. There was a bit of sex, some love (a very long way into the story), and constant mention of video games, but I was expecting more about geek and gaming culture. Instead, I got very stereotypical jock types. That was really disappointing to a fan of gaming--the video games were the reason I picked this up! I would expect that in a book containing that in the title, maybe there would be more research into a wider variety of games or some understanding of gaming culture.
I was really wary of the portrayal of the only "bisexual" characters. They seemed to be stereotypes and reinforced some negative things--that Black bisexual men are "on the down-low" and are responsible for spreading STIs to gay men and straight women and that white guys are "mostly straight" but like to have sex with men sometimes (and will probably lie to and cheat on their girlfriends/wives). I'm sure this wasn't intentional, but it is something the bisexual community is actively working to change, so it upset me to see it shown in the book without anything to balance or challenge it.
In the end, I'm glad I read this, but I don't think it was the book for me.
November 3, 2015
CJane Elliott has taken a highly interesting approach to this story. Instead of the heroes meeting during the opening chapters as generally happens in romance novels, the author keeps them apart for much of the narrative, steadily building the suspense. Although readers have to wait for that thrill which comes with the initial stirrings of sexual chemistry, this allows Jed and Charlie the chance to develop and mature. Each young man has his own challenges and hang-ups to overcome, but by the time they finally cross paths, they're more than ready to embrace their attraction to one another.
Jed has always looked up to his older brother, and until now has been content to follow in Kent's footsteps, joining him in his fraternity at the University of Virginia, and embarking on a Business degree. The trouble is, Jed isn't his brother. He hates the constant drinking and carousing that goes along with frat life, and Business Studies just isn't for him. Far from sharing Kent's propensity for womanizing, Jed longs for a boyfriend, someone special to love and with whom he can confide his dreams. Someone like Charlie, the beautiful young man who works at the videogame arcade in town.
Charlie has never fitted in. His nervous stutter makes him wary of forming new friendships, and in any case, few college students are interested in getting to know a townie like him. He's unable even to be himself around his family, since his sexuality flies in the face of their African-American culture. Besides his colorful transgender cousin, art is Charlie's one solace. When a local videogame designer discovers his drawings, and Charlie meets handsome college rugby-player Jed, a whole world of possibility opens up to him, if only he has the courage to explore it.
The aspect I loved most about 'Sex, Love, and Videogames' was the fact that the heroes are equals in every way. It's a popular trend in the romances I've read to have one party be stronger than the other—more experienced, more confident, more screwed-up. Much as this formula works incredibly well, I found the compatibility between Jed and Charlie's temperaments very refreshing. Both shy and unassuming, both hindered by the expectations of others, they each have to carve out a place for themselves, and following them as they grew and blossomed was a sheer joy.
Written for Rainbow Book Reviews and Boys on the Brink
Jed has always looked up to his older brother, and until now has been content to follow in Kent's footsteps, joining him in his fraternity at the University of Virginia, and embarking on a Business degree. The trouble is, Jed isn't his brother. He hates the constant drinking and carousing that goes along with frat life, and Business Studies just isn't for him. Far from sharing Kent's propensity for womanizing, Jed longs for a boyfriend, someone special to love and with whom he can confide his dreams. Someone like Charlie, the beautiful young man who works at the videogame arcade in town.
Charlie has never fitted in. His nervous stutter makes him wary of forming new friendships, and in any case, few college students are interested in getting to know a townie like him. He's unable even to be himself around his family, since his sexuality flies in the face of their African-American culture. Besides his colorful transgender cousin, art is Charlie's one solace. When a local videogame designer discovers his drawings, and Charlie meets handsome college rugby-player Jed, a whole world of possibility opens up to him, if only he has the courage to explore it.
The aspect I loved most about 'Sex, Love, and Videogames' was the fact that the heroes are equals in every way. It's a popular trend in the romances I've read to have one party be stronger than the other—more experienced, more confident, more screwed-up. Much as this formula works incredibly well, I found the compatibility between Jed and Charlie's temperaments very refreshing. Both shy and unassuming, both hindered by the expectations of others, they each have to carve out a place for themselves, and following them as they grew and blossomed was a sheer joy.
Written for Rainbow Book Reviews and Boys on the Brink
October 3, 2015
A Joyfully Jay review.
4 stars
First off, this is the third book in The Serpentine Series. It absolutely works as a standalone. I haven’t read the other two, and I had no trouble following along with this book. I went looking and can tell you that there are some cameos from characters from other books
Okay, I’m going to be honest here and say that I have super mixed feeling about this book. See, I went into it thinking I was going to be reading a romance. I thought there would be hurdles having to with race and upbringing, personality differences, and clashing interests. What I got was something…not exactly that. And so I find I had some trouble with this book. But let me start with the good stuff.
Elliott has a fantastic style. The words flowed smoothly and painted an awesome picture. I was invested and involved in these characters lives. And truly, the characterization here was phenomenal. Jed was a wonderful mix of introverted, closeted jock, and confident, well-adjusted young man. He showed growth and depth, and I loved being with him as we learned his story. I loved watching him grow, to come into his own, to find acceptance of himself, and to go after what he wanted. Charlie, too, was perfectly drawn. He had his own traits. He was incredibly shy and introverted, and he learned and expanded throughout the story. I felt like I got to know him incredibly well. The consistency with the characters was amazing and so appreciated. To have both of the MCs really grow and change, for it to be so believable, was great to see.
Read Kris’ review in its entirety here.
4 stars
First off, this is the third book in The Serpentine Series. It absolutely works as a standalone. I haven’t read the other two, and I had no trouble following along with this book. I went looking and can tell you that there are some cameos from characters from other books
Okay, I’m going to be honest here and say that I have super mixed feeling about this book. See, I went into it thinking I was going to be reading a romance. I thought there would be hurdles having to with race and upbringing, personality differences, and clashing interests. What I got was something…not exactly that. And so I find I had some trouble with this book. But let me start with the good stuff.
Elliott has a fantastic style. The words flowed smoothly and painted an awesome picture. I was invested and involved in these characters lives. And truly, the characterization here was phenomenal. Jed was a wonderful mix of introverted, closeted jock, and confident, well-adjusted young man. He showed growth and depth, and I loved being with him as we learned his story. I loved watching him grow, to come into his own, to find acceptance of himself, and to go after what he wanted. Charlie, too, was perfectly drawn. He had his own traits. He was incredibly shy and introverted, and he learned and expanded throughout the story. I felt like I got to know him incredibly well. The consistency with the characters was amazing and so appreciated. To have both of the MCs really grow and change, for it to be so believable, was great to see.
Read Kris’ review in its entirety here.
December 29, 2015
Original review on Molly Lolly
Four stars!
This story was really good. The story focused more on Jed and Charlie growing and going through life on their journey to being their true selves. Charlie and Jed had some interactions along the way/ Nut they didn’t get involved until later in the story. Their relationship was beautiful and I loved watching it progress as they both went through some growing and interesting events. However the relationship wasn’t the main point of the story. Their individual growth and decisions, then their joint growing was. I loved getting to meet their friends and family as well since they were as much a part of the story as Jed and Charlie themselves. The line about the hats in the row of matriarch members of the church was so hysterical. The ending is so wonderful with the two of them being able to be out together with all of their family. I hope Morocco gets her own story at some point. Where we hopefully get to see her find love and maybe even the strength she gains from testifying against her attackers.
Four stars!
This story was really good. The story focused more on Jed and Charlie growing and going through life on their journey to being their true selves. Charlie and Jed had some interactions along the way/ Nut they didn’t get involved until later in the story. Their relationship was beautiful and I loved watching it progress as they both went through some growing and interesting events. However the relationship wasn’t the main point of the story. Their individual growth and decisions, then their joint growing was. I loved getting to meet their friends and family as well since they were as much a part of the story as Jed and Charlie themselves. The line about the hats in the row of matriarch members of the church was so hysterical. The ending is so wonderful with the two of them being able to be out together with all of their family. I hope Morocco gets her own story at some point. Where we hopefully get to see her find love and maybe even the strength she gains from testifying against her attackers.
August 25, 2016
This was an interesting NA book to read. The main characters; Jed, Charles, Morocco and Myesha were such great characters. They author filled them with such personality that I could practically see the interaction between them. This story tackled MANY issues: interracial dating, mixed marriage, LGBTQ, homophobia, learning disabilities, just to name a few. The one drawback of this book was just that, it contained too many issues to the point that some seemed glossed over. I will, and have, recommended this book for some NA readers.
February 15, 2017
Coming of age story that doesn't disappoint
This is a coming of age story of sorts. You follow friends as they meet, fall in lust, bicker and fall in love. There is angst, humor and some happiness dust thrown in.
This is a coming of age story of sorts. You follow friends as they meet, fall in lust, bicker and fall in love. There is angst, humor and some happiness dust thrown in.
December 15, 2015
Sex, Love, and Videogames by CJane Elliott: http://reviews-and-ramblings.dreamwid... 2015 Rainbow Awards Honorable Mention (5* from at least 1 judge)
January 24, 2016
so happy to get to know Jed a lot more and his romance with Charlie is sweet as candy
April 30, 2018
A sweet, slow burn of a story with great queer PoC representation.
December 4, 2017
A Serpentine Series Book
Shy guy Jed Carter has always felt invisible next to his charismatic older brother, Kent. Kent’s master plan for Jed is simple: University of Virginia, fraternity, business, sports, and ladies’ man. None of it is Jed, except for playing on the rugby team, which he joins in defiance of soccer-loving Kent. Jed comes out in his sophomore year and starts seeing Pete, an attractive junior, who uses him for sex and videogames. Jed wants more―in life and in love―and starts making his own plans. First on the list: getting to know Charlie, the handsome guy working at the local videogame arcade.
Charlie Ambrose has always felt like an oddball, and not just for his tendency to stutter. Being gay sets him apart from his African-American community, and as a “townie,” he doesn’t fit in with the college crowd. Charlie’s inspiration is his cousin, Morocco, who’s transgender and doesn’t give a fig about fitting in. Art is Charlie’s passion, and when a local videogame designer discovers him, Charlie’s living a dream. The only thing he’s missing is love. But the last person Charlie expects to find it with is a cute, white U.Va. rugby player named Jed.
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