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Let Go of Loneliness
When Byron Randall -- in his mid-fifties, single and alone -- moves into a new condo complex, he meets another resident, fifty-five year old realtor Jonah Hyland -- also single since his breakup with his much younger lover. The two middle-aged men become friends, sharing common interests in gardening and hiking.
As their friendship deepens, each man wonders if he has found someone he could learn to care for. Then Jonah's ex reappears in his life, much to Byron's dismay. Will this end Byron and Jonah's budding romance? Or will they discover that, together, they can let go of loneliness?
As their friendship deepens, each man wonders if he has found someone he could learn to care for. Then Jonah's ex reappears in his life, much to Byron's dismay. Will this end Byron and Jonah's budding romance? Or will they discover that, together, they can let go of loneliness?
- GenresAnthologies
50 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 13, 2015
About the author
Edward Kendrick
209 books207 followersBorn and bred Cleveland, I earned a degree in technical theater, later switched to costuming, and headed to NYC. Finally seeing the futility of trying to become rich and famous in the Big Apple, I joined VISTA—Volunteers in Service to America—ending up in Chicago for three years. Then it was on to Denver, where I put down roots and worked as a costume designer until I retired in 2007.
I began writing a few years ago after joining an online fanfic group. Two friends and I then started a group for writers, where they could post any story they wished, no matter the genre or content. Since then I've been writing for publication. My first book came out in February of 2011. Most, but not all, of my work is M/M, either mildly erotic or purely 'romantic'. More often than not it involves a mystery or action/adventure, and is sometimes paranormal as well.
I began writing a few years ago after joining an online fanfic group. Two friends and I then started a group for writers, where they could post any story they wished, no matter the genre or content. Since then I've been writing for publication. My first book came out in February of 2011. Most, but not all, of my work is M/M, either mildly erotic or purely 'romantic'. More often than not it involves a mystery or action/adventure, and is sometimes paranormal as well.
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
September 6, 2015
This novella was a sweet, beautiful love story of two lonely men, middle aged, who felt they would never again would have someone to love. Jonah, had experienced a relationship with a younger man who essentially used him as a sugar daddy, so Jonah finally ended it a year prior. Byron had just moved into the same condo building that Jonah was in and when they finally meet, fate takes over. This was really beautiful and loving as the two mesh and get to know one another. They realized they were both the other half of each other. Collin, who was Jonah's ex even turned his life around and found a man who demanded he pay Jonah back and put him on a budget. The story was definitely a HEA story. Short, sweet and a story you could feel your own heart melting as their love grows. I loved this book. Simple with only reference to sex, but no details, and this story didn't need it. Life doesn't have to be a lot of drama and this one shows that. Don't miss it.
September 15, 2015
3.5 stars
September 24, 2015
Byron moves in to a new condo and starts a new job. In his fifties, he’s never really thought of himself as a relationship-kind-of-guy. When he meets another older guy, a resident of his condo association, he figures he might want to at least consider making friends, try something new.
Jonah has been single for the last year after having dumped his much younger ex when he realized he was being used for his money. Though he’s wary, the idea of a friend sounds nice to him at this point in his life.
Though both men are gay, single and near the same age, friendship seems to be the most important thing on their mind – at the beginning. Eventually this shifts as they realize they could be so much more.
**
This is a short story, so things move quickly, but a lot of time is spent building the friendship between Jonah and Byron. It’s sort of a strange relationship because neither is really “attracted” to the other. In fact at one point Byron thinks “he isn’t really handsome…” but they like each other so feelings seem to develop from that.
On the one hand I appreciated this look at love from the other side of fifty. It was pragmatic and down-to-earth. Two lonely guys realizing they could share time and make life more full.
On the other hand it was sort of strange. On a dime they switched from “buds” to sex partners to life partners. I never quite felt at ease with their romantic relationship and definitely thought the little side story where Jonah and his ex become friends felt out of place.
There is no steam in this, all the sex is suggested at and I guess that bothered me too. It felt like – as the reader – I wouldn’t be interested in older guys being intimate unless one of them was a younger man. Perhaps that wasn’t the author’s intent, but that’s how it felt. I think – especially in this genre – a tasteful sex scene would have been more appropriate and felt more inclusive.
Again, I appreciated the honesty of the story, how physical attraction was less important with these older guys, but I almost didn’t feel the romantic connection at all because it was so glossed over. Surely there was at least a spark when they kissed, we could have gotten something to make it feel good and less of an obligation.
Though I have read and appreciated other books by this author, I wasn’t terribly impressed by this one.
I give it 3 of 5 stars for tackling a topic that is rarely done: love between older guys, but have to detract a lot for the lack of “romance” in this romance.
Jonah has been single for the last year after having dumped his much younger ex when he realized he was being used for his money. Though he’s wary, the idea of a friend sounds nice to him at this point in his life.
Though both men are gay, single and near the same age, friendship seems to be the most important thing on their mind – at the beginning. Eventually this shifts as they realize they could be so much more.
**
This is a short story, so things move quickly, but a lot of time is spent building the friendship between Jonah and Byron. It’s sort of a strange relationship because neither is really “attracted” to the other. In fact at one point Byron thinks “he isn’t really handsome…” but they like each other so feelings seem to develop from that.
On the one hand I appreciated this look at love from the other side of fifty. It was pragmatic and down-to-earth. Two lonely guys realizing they could share time and make life more full.
On the other hand it was sort of strange. On a dime they switched from “buds” to sex partners to life partners. I never quite felt at ease with their romantic relationship and definitely thought the little side story where Jonah and his ex become friends felt out of place.
There is no steam in this, all the sex is suggested at and I guess that bothered me too. It felt like – as the reader – I wouldn’t be interested in older guys being intimate unless one of them was a younger man. Perhaps that wasn’t the author’s intent, but that’s how it felt. I think – especially in this genre – a tasteful sex scene would have been more appropriate and felt more inclusive.
Again, I appreciated the honesty of the story, how physical attraction was less important with these older guys, but I almost didn’t feel the romantic connection at all because it was so glossed over. Surely there was at least a spark when they kissed, we could have gotten something to make it feel good and less of an obligation.
Though I have read and appreciated other books by this author, I wasn’t terribly impressed by this one.
I give it 3 of 5 stars for tackling a topic that is rarely done: love between older guys, but have to detract a lot for the lack of “romance” in this romance.
November 7, 2015
ARC provided by the publisher through Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words in exchange for an impartial review.
This is a fairly short, very sweet romance between two older men, perfect for fans of older men falling in love.
Fifty-plus-year-old Byron Randall has relocated to take a job as archivist for the local museum, and as he’s moving in to his new condo he’s observed by Jonah Hyland, fifty-five-year-old high end real estate agent, who also lives in the building. One thing leads to another as the two bump into each other a number of times, and they become friends when they find they have so much in common.
After workouts in the gym, a shared dinner at a restaurant, and finally a delicious meal prepared by Byron, they find that their relationship can be more than just friends. Byron hasn’t had anyone in his life in a long time, and Jonah broke up with his money-grabbing boyfriend six months before, so both men are free to date. Though Jonah’s former boyfriend makes an appearance in the story, his meeting with Jonah is more of an apology than an attempt to come between him and Byron.
This story, as I said, is fairly short and definitely sweet. The only thing that bothered me is that after just a few short weeks, the men ended up declaring their love for each other. I think it would have been more palatable had they simply decided to see where their relationship might go. The insta-love didn’t seem to fit with their personalities or their life circumstances.
But nevertheless, I would recommend the story to those who enjoy a sweet romance between older men. The story has no explicit sex scenes and would be perfect for curling up to read on a rainy afternoon.
3.5 stars
This is a fairly short, very sweet romance between two older men, perfect for fans of older men falling in love.
Fifty-plus-year-old Byron Randall has relocated to take a job as archivist for the local museum, and as he’s moving in to his new condo he’s observed by Jonah Hyland, fifty-five-year-old high end real estate agent, who also lives in the building. One thing leads to another as the two bump into each other a number of times, and they become friends when they find they have so much in common.
After workouts in the gym, a shared dinner at a restaurant, and finally a delicious meal prepared by Byron, they find that their relationship can be more than just friends. Byron hasn’t had anyone in his life in a long time, and Jonah broke up with his money-grabbing boyfriend six months before, so both men are free to date. Though Jonah’s former boyfriend makes an appearance in the story, his meeting with Jonah is more of an apology than an attempt to come between him and Byron.
This story, as I said, is fairly short and definitely sweet. The only thing that bothered me is that after just a few short weeks, the men ended up declaring their love for each other. I think it would have been more palatable had they simply decided to see where their relationship might go. The insta-love didn’t seem to fit with their personalities or their life circumstances.
But nevertheless, I would recommend the story to those who enjoy a sweet romance between older men. The story has no explicit sex scenes and would be perfect for curling up to read on a rainy afternoon.
3.5 stars
January 13, 2017
Let me start off by saying that I enjoyed the story and really liked both of the MCs! This is the love story of Byron and Jonah... two, now single, men over the age of fifty. They both lived ordinary lives... met while Byron (I think) was moving into the building that Jonah (I think) had a condo. Let me explain why I was so confused. By the end of the story, we know that both men like jogging, hiking, Italian food and red wine... oh, and that they are both over fifty. That about sums it up! We don't know who is taller, or shorter! We don't know if they are thin or muscular. We don't know what color their eyes are... what I am trying to say is that this very sweet, VERY short story would have been a very GOOD, sweet, short story if we had just gotten a few more details! I loved the premise of the story... on-page sex is NEVER a requirement for me and I have a vivid imagination, so, I don't have a problem thinking outside of the bedroom, as it were! :D
This is about as close as we got to a description of either one of the guys...
The shorts and T-shirt he was wearing left little to the imagination as far as how well built he was. Something which hadn’t been that apparent in his everyday clothes.
A few basic details would have been nice...
This is about as close as we got to a description of either one of the guys...
The shorts and T-shirt he was wearing left little to the imagination as far as how well built he was. Something which hadn’t been that apparent in his everyday clothes.
A few basic details would have been nice...
September 17, 2015
Not very good. ...I think this genre doesn't get nearly enough books with older characters so I always snatch them up when I find them. But this one wasn't exactly worth the search. The plot was even more mundane than it sounded like in the blurb. I wanted the characters to be more dynamic. Hell I wanted their relationship to be more interesting. They went on like 2 dates and were in love which I'm not totally opposed to but there was no STORY to actually back it up. There wasn't even instant click or chemistry. It was more of a slow build so when the L word came up it was kinda like oh wow ok.
The sex was. ..oh wait there wasn't any *sigh*. .. kinda sad abt that. The blurb made it sound like the mc ex shows up and attempts to throw a wrench in Jonah and Byron relationship but that's not what happened at all.
Overall a bit of a let down... an overpriced letdown :-/.
The sex was. ..oh wait there wasn't any *sigh*. .. kinda sad abt that. The blurb made it sound like the mc ex shows up and attempts to throw a wrench in Jonah and Byron relationship but that's not what happened at all.
Overall a bit of a let down... an overpriced letdown :-/.
September 15, 2015
I always enjoy Edward Kendrick's stories, whether they have mystery and intrigue or just love and friendship, I get drawn in from the beginning and get lost in the characters he creates.
Byron Randall is single and starting a new job in a new city, he moves into condo complex where he meets his sexy neighbor Jonah Hyland. Jonah just broke it off with a much younger man not long ago but is intrigued with his new neighbor. These characters are both middle aged, set in their ways and lonely in some aspects of their lives and when they meet a instant connection forms from having things in common and the need to feel connected to someone. I loved how they spent so much time together whether it was hiking, gardening or just having dinner, their friendship was effortless and I loved how much they needed each other. This story was lighthearted, sweet and loving all in one.
5 stars!!
October 20, 2015
Overall, this was an enjoyable read, although I do prefer Kendrick's mysteries. It was simple yet sweet, and I'm always up for a later-in-life romance.
Since both of the characters live in the same condo, they constantly went up and down, and at some point there was a slight mix up with the floors. Not a criticism, just an observation.
Since both of the characters live in the same condo, they constantly went up and down, and at some point there was a slight mix up with the floors. Not a criticism, just an observation.
September 30, 2015
Easygoing romance
A nice change from most books, this had little conflict, but it was a little flat because of it. It's still a nice and quick read, with no angst or major problems for the characters.
A nice change from most books, this had little conflict, but it was a little flat because of it. It's still a nice and quick read, with no angst or major problems for the characters.
Want to Read
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September 3, 2016
A simple heart-felt love story.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews