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My Busboy
Robert Johnny just turned thirty, and his life is pretty much in the toilet. His writing career is on the skids. His love life is nonexistent. A stalker is driving him crazy. And his cat is a pain in the ass. Then Robert orders a chimichanga platter at a neighborhood restaurant, and his life changes―just like that. Dario Martinez isn’t having such a great existence either. He needs money for college. His shoes are falling apart. His boyfriend’s a dick. And he has a crap job as a busboy. Then a stranger orders a chimichanga platter, and suddenly life isn’t quite as depressing. But it’s the book in the busboy’s back pocket that really gets the ball rolling. For both our heroes. That and the black eye and the forgotten bowl of guacamole. Who knew true love could be so easily ignited or that the flames would spread so quickly? But when Robert’s stalker gets dangerous, our two heroes find a lot more to occupy their time than falling in love. Staying alive might become the new game plan.
210 pages, Paperback
First published July 4, 2016
About the author
John Inman
40 books441 followersA Lambda Literary Award finalist and the author of over forty novels, John has been writing fiction for as long as he can remember. Born on a small farm in Indiana, he now resides in San Diego, California where he spends his time gardening, pampering his pets, hiking and biking the trails and canyons of San Diego, and of course, writing. He and his partner share a passion for theater, books, film, and the continuing fight for marriage equality. If you would like to know more about John, check out his website at----
http://www.johninmanauthor.com/John_I... or follow him on Facebook at www.facebook.com/john.inman.79
http://www.johninmanauthor.com/John_I... or follow him on Facebook at www.facebook.com/john.inman.79
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 56 reviews
July 11, 2016
3.5 stars. John Inman has some serious writing chops, and as a newbie reader of anything Inman, I really enjoy his humor and snark. Robert Johnny is a 3 times published author dealing with a heckuva case of writer's block: "My new book was at that embryonic stage where it could go either way. [...] Was it a manuscript at all, or simply a mindless collection of brain farts trying to pass themselves off as English lit?" Taking time out from his exciting writing career, Robert and his friend Chaz celebrate Robert's 30th birthday at Sombreros, his favorite Mexican restaurant in San Diego's Gaslamp district.
At Sombreros, Robert is instantly captivated by the lean flat-out gorgeous Latino busboy Dario, who is 21 and studying pre-veterinary-med. Dario is sweet and smart and has a well-thumbed paperback of Robert's first book in the back pocket of his uniform. The insta-lust / love is fast and furious, and all kinds of tender and oh so sexy as Robert takes Dario home to rescue him from a crazed soon-to-be-ex-boyfriend.
Robert is thirty years old, but apparently he and the Queen Mum were classmates, because Robert (and Chaz) continually comment on how YOUNG Dario is: "Chaz gave a rumble way down deep in his throat. “He’s also young enough to be your — ” "Don’t say it! He is most certainly not young enough to be my son!” Robert is also incredibly inept with computers (how many 30-yr-old don't understand technology?) and actually makes a Jimmy Hoffa joke and thinks youth when Dario doesn't understand it. Robert may be 30, but he reads much, much older.
Inman adds an element of mystery and danger when Robert realizes his stalker is hurting everyone he cares for, and keeps the suspense going with some very effective red herrings, although I felt the villain and the motivation was a bit too unlikely.
The positives of "My Busboy" are Inman's humor and wit and the love that Dario and Robert find together. The miscues with Robert's age and the villain of the book were negatives for me, but on the whole I enjoyed my first John Inman story and look forward to reading lots more of his work.
I received an ARC of "My Busboy" from Dreamspinner Press in exchange for an honest review.
Review also posted at Gay Book Reviews - check it out!
At Sombreros, Robert is instantly captivated by the lean flat-out gorgeous Latino busboy Dario, who is 21 and studying pre-veterinary-med. Dario is sweet and smart and has a well-thumbed paperback of Robert's first book in the back pocket of his uniform. The insta-lust / love is fast and furious, and all kinds of tender and oh so sexy as Robert takes Dario home to rescue him from a crazed soon-to-be-ex-boyfriend. Robert is thirty years old, but apparently he and the Queen Mum were classmates, because Robert (and Chaz) continually comment on how YOUNG Dario is: "Chaz gave a rumble way down deep in his throat. “He’s also young enough to be your — ” "Don’t say it! He is most certainly not young enough to be my son!” Robert is also incredibly inept with computers (how many 30-yr-old don't understand technology?) and actually makes a Jimmy Hoffa joke and thinks youth when Dario doesn't understand it. Robert may be 30, but he reads much, much older.Inman adds an element of mystery and danger when Robert realizes his stalker is hurting everyone he cares for, and keeps the suspense going with some very effective red herrings, although I felt the villain and the motivation was a bit too unlikely.
The positives of "My Busboy" are Inman's humor and wit and the love that Dario and Robert find together. The miscues with Robert's age and the villain of the book were negatives for me, but on the whole I enjoyed my first John Inman story and look forward to reading lots more of his work.
I received an ARC of "My Busboy" from Dreamspinner Press in exchange for an honest review.
Review also posted at Gay Book Reviews - check it out!
July 11, 2016
Anyone who is an Inman connoisseur knows that his books are more than one note. His library includes a range of genres from comedy to angst to horror to mystery and a mashup of everything in between. In a nutshell, there is something for every reader. My Busboy falls in the funny/mystery/shenanigans categories with a sweet dose of romance that I ate up with a big ol’ spoon.
Robert is a writer with a case of writer’s block. His personal life is in the crapper and he’s a true artist with a flare for the dramatic. Not in an overt way, but more of a “glass is half empty” way. Not being an author/artist type myself, I can only imagine what being inside of their brains is like, but I like to think that many are like Robert when he’s in a state of feast or famine with the word flow. The all-encompassing passion was pretty interesting to be a part of and I liked being inside Robert’s head through his processes.
He’s got a best friend who has been in love with him forever and while on paper, Chaz should be the perfect match, Robert just doesn’t have that THING with Chaz that would make him the one. Chaz would beg to differ on that count and their friendship was a little heartbreaking but very honest. Both sides were very clear and I appreciated Robert’s clarity with Chaz even if it wasn’t easy.
Jealousy rears its ugly head when one fateful evening, Chaz and Robert hit their favorite Mexican restaurant and Robert lays his peepers on one very delicious busboy. Said busboy just happens to have a copy of Robert’s first book in his back pocket and reading about the effect that had on Robert was seriously adorable. The moment was really the epitome of the meet-cute. Chaz is less than impressed, but Robert gives very few fucks about Chaz’s opinion at that moment and makes it back to Sombrero’s to see Dario and a relationship is on its way to happening.
Chaz was sure to point out repeatedly the age different between Robert and Dario and that does weigh on Robert’s mind. Robert is not that much older, but he is pretty set in his ways and what I got out of it was that the dried up well of writing was making Robert feel and act older than his chronological age. The concern that his best work was behind him made him a tad touchy about the whole thing and best friends now how to hit those buttons, especially when they see the object of their affection turn their attention elsewhere.
Dario has an asshole for a boyfriend, very soon to be ex, and Robert ends up at the right place at the right time to provide Dario a strong shoulder and a safe place. Getting to know Dario was delicious. I loved his character. The more I read about him, the more I could see his openness and honesty as a perfect balance to Robert’s artistic temperament. While Robert would have a tendency to overanalyze the hell out of something and worry a thought to pieces, Dario would cut to the chase, wrap it up and put Robert’s heart and mind at ease.
One of my absolute favorite things is John sets so many of his stories here in San Diego. We’re a big, little city and reading about it from someone who knows how to capture the mood and the setting perfectly is very satisfying. He doesn’t just keep his characters in the city either, in My Busboy, Robert and Dario head out to the high desert of San Diego and being that it’s one of my family’s favorite places to be, I was all kinds of happy and homey reading that part of the story. That whole section just melted me to pieces, it was the perfect vehicle for the budding relationship between them.
Being a relatively well know author, Robert does have himself a stalker. And this is where the mystery follows the characters. John throws in a couple of tricky deflections and a hint of his horror side comes out to play when the stalker ups his game. Especially the part with Clutch (Robert’s cat), holy hell, stress me out why don’t you John?? The stalker is both scary and sad, you have to trust me on that one and while the ending was prophetically fitting, tense and really well done, it was still realistically heartbreaking keeping the story grounded.
I need to take a moment to discuss the epilogue. All I can say, is “D’awwwwwwwww”. So many things made me happy in the epilogue and while everything was wrapped up it was done well and didn’t have an air of convenience about it. The author built everything up to that point to make the epilogue work and give me the HEA I really needed for these guys.
**a copy of this story was provided to BMBR for an honest review**
Robert is a writer with a case of writer’s block. His personal life is in the crapper and he’s a true artist with a flare for the dramatic. Not in an overt way, but more of a “glass is half empty” way. Not being an author/artist type myself, I can only imagine what being inside of their brains is like, but I like to think that many are like Robert when he’s in a state of feast or famine with the word flow. The all-encompassing passion was pretty interesting to be a part of and I liked being inside Robert’s head through his processes.
He’s got a best friend who has been in love with him forever and while on paper, Chaz should be the perfect match, Robert just doesn’t have that THING with Chaz that would make him the one. Chaz would beg to differ on that count and their friendship was a little heartbreaking but very honest. Both sides were very clear and I appreciated Robert’s clarity with Chaz even if it wasn’t easy.
Jealousy rears its ugly head when one fateful evening, Chaz and Robert hit their favorite Mexican restaurant and Robert lays his peepers on one very delicious busboy. Said busboy just happens to have a copy of Robert’s first book in his back pocket and reading about the effect that had on Robert was seriously adorable. The moment was really the epitome of the meet-cute. Chaz is less than impressed, but Robert gives very few fucks about Chaz’s opinion at that moment and makes it back to Sombrero’s to see Dario and a relationship is on its way to happening.
Chaz was sure to point out repeatedly the age different between Robert and Dario and that does weigh on Robert’s mind. Robert is not that much older, but he is pretty set in his ways and what I got out of it was that the dried up well of writing was making Robert feel and act older than his chronological age. The concern that his best work was behind him made him a tad touchy about the whole thing and best friends now how to hit those buttons, especially when they see the object of their affection turn their attention elsewhere.
Dario has an asshole for a boyfriend, very soon to be ex, and Robert ends up at the right place at the right time to provide Dario a strong shoulder and a safe place. Getting to know Dario was delicious. I loved his character. The more I read about him, the more I could see his openness and honesty as a perfect balance to Robert’s artistic temperament. While Robert would have a tendency to overanalyze the hell out of something and worry a thought to pieces, Dario would cut to the chase, wrap it up and put Robert’s heart and mind at ease.
One of my absolute favorite things is John sets so many of his stories here in San Diego. We’re a big, little city and reading about it from someone who knows how to capture the mood and the setting perfectly is very satisfying. He doesn’t just keep his characters in the city either, in My Busboy, Robert and Dario head out to the high desert of San Diego and being that it’s one of my family’s favorite places to be, I was all kinds of happy and homey reading that part of the story. That whole section just melted me to pieces, it was the perfect vehicle for the budding relationship between them.
Being a relatively well know author, Robert does have himself a stalker. And this is where the mystery follows the characters. John throws in a couple of tricky deflections and a hint of his horror side comes out to play when the stalker ups his game. Especially the part with Clutch (Robert’s cat), holy hell, stress me out why don’t you John?? The stalker is both scary and sad, you have to trust me on that one and while the ending was prophetically fitting, tense and really well done, it was still realistically heartbreaking keeping the story grounded.
I need to take a moment to discuss the epilogue. All I can say, is “D’awwwwwwwww”. So many things made me happy in the epilogue and while everything was wrapped up it was done well and didn’t have an air of convenience about it. The author built everything up to that point to make the epilogue work and give me the HEA I really needed for these guys.
**a copy of this story was provided to BMBR for an honest review**
July 27, 2016
**** 4,5 sweet romance stars ****
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"My writer", he said. I smiled, inhaling his scent. "My busboy."
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Awww, I really enjoyed this!! I just melted with the bubbling romance between Robert, the writer, and Dario, the busboy.
The instant spark of interest and attraction, but not insta-love, the flirting, the dialogue, the first touches, it was all there. I love reading about all the little things that makes two characters care for each other and fall in love.
Inman's writing is excellent. I'm not an English native speaker. I found myself slowing my reading pace just to enjoy each sentence with descriptions and dialogue.
Speaking of dialogue (heh), it was witty, snarky and full of dry humor that made me smile, grin and laugh several times.
"Something about this busboy worked on me like a pair of jumper cables. Even my pecker was beginning to take notice. I could feel it stirring around inside my trousers, getting all hopeful, not quite swelling up with enthusiasm yet, but clearing the veins and capillaries just in case swellage became necessary. Sort of like a ship blowing the soot out of its stacks in preparation for heading out to sea."
I mean...
Robert and Dario's dialogue was also incredibly sweet. Gah! I enjoyed everything about these guys.
While the romance between Robert and Dario takes up much of the story, there is also a mystery element to the book. Robert has a stalker. There were only a few suspects, but I was still surprised (and sad) when it was all revealed.
There's also Clutch, Robert's grumpy cat. LOL
I had a small niggle with Robert feeling SO old when he just turned 30. Thirty is not old! I'm five years older than old, then.
This is a perfect book if you want the sweetest romance with no angst, relationship-wise anyway, with a tad of mystery to make it interesting.
Recommended!
August 4, 2016
My Busboy
By John Inman
Dreamspinner Press, 2016
225 pages
Cover by AngstyG
ASIN: B01H2ZRAXK
Four stars
“The ship barreled under the blue expanse of the Coronado Bridge and tore right down the middle of the harbor like a grande dame sweeping into a ballroom.”
That’s a beautiful image, and somehow a very gay way to describe it. Which is a good thing in my reckoning. That visual stuck with me all through the book, as John Inman authored away at this lovely, surprisingly compelling story of a young author struggling with fear of failure and an even younger Mexican-American busboy who becomes his prince charming.
I will state up front that I have no sympathy whatsoever with 30-year-olds who feel that they’re old; and who fret about dating a man who’s only 21. I do this simply to tease Mr. Inman, because he must remember 30. For me, it felt like I was finally an adult. I did not feel old. Kids today, sheesh.
But, carping aside, I grew to like Robert Johnny in spite of his irritating self-pity (OK, I will concede that getting cheated on and dumped must be horrible and damaging to one’s self-image). More importantly, I instantly loved Dario Martinez, the pre-med veterinary student at San Diego State who’s working his way through college as a busboy at Sombrero’s, a high-end Mexican restaurant. Dario is all sweet optimism to Robert’s pessimistic self-doubt. I’m sure Mr. Inman put himself into this character, as I do know what it’s like to be an author and to fret about one’s readership, or lack of it.
I was more puzzled by Chaz Long, Robert’s longtime friend and would-be lover. He seemed to be such a needlessly grey cloud. In the end, however, I came to understand his importance to the narrative. There is a bigger story about fate and chance and luck and consequences wrapped up in this little romance. Looking back, I have to admire Inman’s deft weaving of his tale. Like a beautifully made damask napkin, you don’t see the intricate pattern until you study it at a certain angle.
As always, Inman adheres to the rules of m/m, but he makes his men believable and varied in their makeup. I am one of those old gay men who believe in love lasting and in the modest heroism of everyday existence. I understand that friendship is just as complicated as love; and that the slings and arrows of outrageous fortune don’t always hit everyone with the same degree of injury. Life is unfair; appreciating what you have is a skill we all need to learn.
By John Inman
Dreamspinner Press, 2016
225 pages
Cover by AngstyG
ASIN: B01H2ZRAXK
Four stars
“The ship barreled under the blue expanse of the Coronado Bridge and tore right down the middle of the harbor like a grande dame sweeping into a ballroom.”
That’s a beautiful image, and somehow a very gay way to describe it. Which is a good thing in my reckoning. That visual stuck with me all through the book, as John Inman authored away at this lovely, surprisingly compelling story of a young author struggling with fear of failure and an even younger Mexican-American busboy who becomes his prince charming.
I will state up front that I have no sympathy whatsoever with 30-year-olds who feel that they’re old; and who fret about dating a man who’s only 21. I do this simply to tease Mr. Inman, because he must remember 30. For me, it felt like I was finally an adult. I did not feel old. Kids today, sheesh.
But, carping aside, I grew to like Robert Johnny in spite of his irritating self-pity (OK, I will concede that getting cheated on and dumped must be horrible and damaging to one’s self-image). More importantly, I instantly loved Dario Martinez, the pre-med veterinary student at San Diego State who’s working his way through college as a busboy at Sombrero’s, a high-end Mexican restaurant. Dario is all sweet optimism to Robert’s pessimistic self-doubt. I’m sure Mr. Inman put himself into this character, as I do know what it’s like to be an author and to fret about one’s readership, or lack of it.
I was more puzzled by Chaz Long, Robert’s longtime friend and would-be lover. He seemed to be such a needlessly grey cloud. In the end, however, I came to understand his importance to the narrative. There is a bigger story about fate and chance and luck and consequences wrapped up in this little romance. Looking back, I have to admire Inman’s deft weaving of his tale. Like a beautifully made damask napkin, you don’t see the intricate pattern until you study it at a certain angle.
As always, Inman adheres to the rules of m/m, but he makes his men believable and varied in their makeup. I am one of those old gay men who believe in love lasting and in the modest heroism of everyday existence. I understand that friendship is just as complicated as love; and that the slings and arrows of outrageous fortune don’t always hit everyone with the same degree of injury. Life is unfair; appreciating what you have is a skill we all need to learn.
June 27, 2016
And yet somehow, I want more...
'My Busboy' is the second book that I've read by this author and while I loved 'Shy' for me this one was just ok.
This is the story of Robert Johnny an author who seems to be experiencing a bit of writer's block. With his 30th birthday on the horizon, his friend Chaz, who apparently seems to be suffering from a case of unrequited love for Robert decides that they need to go out to dinner to celebrate this auspicious occasion. It's at Robert's favorite Mexican restaurant that we encounter the incredibly beautiful Dario.
I say incredibly beautiful because Robert spends most of the book telling us how gorgeous and sweet and nice and attractive and beautiful and sexy and on and on and on Dario is with his cognac colored eyes and acorn colored skin and dark, silky lustrous hair and on top of all this he smells good too. Yes, this was probably my strongest point of contention about the book. I got it Dario was incredibly attractive, I had this figured out after the first 4 or 5 times I'd been told, what can I say apparently I can be a little dense at times you'd think I would have clued in after the first couple of times but nope, I'm going to claim it took 4 or 5 which only leaves me to wonder how many times other people need to be told because seriously there are considerably more references to Dario's unparalleled beauty.
Ok, enough about Dario let's talk about the other things that kept this from being what I believe was a story that had the potential to be awesome. Robert's age, yep, the man turned 30 not 40 or 60 or 100 just 30. Dear god Robert get over it and move on with your life before it passes you by and you suddenly find you are 60 or 100 and by the way 60...not so old either, of course I say this as someone who's fast approaching this digit. This combined with the fact that he perpetually kept obsessing over Dario's age which was 21. Ok, I freely acknowledge there was a significant age difference difference, but not an unparalleled one to be sure. Hell my dad was 11 years older...never mind bad example. Still 9 years if you really care about the person just accept it or end things and move on...stop whining about what can't be changed.
Next we have the whole friendship with Chaz. The guy is in love with Robert or more like he wants what he can't have. Robert and Chaz have hooked up in the past and the magic just wasn't there for Robert and in his defense I do believe he's made Chaz abundantly clear on this issue, however, he does like Chaz as a friend and he values the friendship. Unfortunately Chaz has a bit of trouble dealing with this, however, there comes a point in the story at which for me it became abundantly clear that Chaz's 'unrequited love' really was more a case of 'I just want what I can't have' and that's all I'm going to say on that topic other than I actually enjoyed this part of the story.
Now let's talk Robert and Dario. For the most part I have to admit I found Robert to be borderline obnoxious, I just didn't warm up to him at all. I did however, like his cat, Clutch. That's right the cat's name was Clutch, if there was an explanation for his name, I have to admit. I missed it but I liked Clutch. He had definite personality as most cats do. Dario was in fact a sweet young man and he was by no means a pushover or any kind bimbo or gigolo. He was in fact an intelligent young man who was attending college and working towards a degree in Veterinary Medicine, so definitely not a gold digger either. While there were moments when Robert and Dario worked for me and I could see them as a couple there were times as well that I just didn't feel the love so the relationship for me was a hit and miss thing.
The only other issue that I had that was a bit of a WTF moment when "we interrupt this story to bring you a personal service announcement about why reviewers write bad reviews and the merit or lack thereof, of said reviews." Insert PSA here...we now resume our regularly scheduled story. In truth there were portions of this that I actually agreed with, things that I could care less about and things that might have been left out and/or added in, but most importantly it played no integral role in the story and furthered nothing for me.
Ok enough about what didn't work let's look at what worked. First off let's start with that cover...visually very appealing. Now moving into the actual book. There were definite moments of the humor that had so enchanted me when I read 'Shy' I laughed and while I love serious, angsty, over the top drama, tearjerkers. I also love it when an author makes me laugh. I liked the overall story and plot as well as the love story between Robert and Dario there was a mystery going on, Robert has a stalker and this was the part of the story that I enjoyed. I managed to narrow who it was down to 3 possible suspects and while I'm fairly certain that these were suspects that the author wanted to lead me to and I may have leaned strongly towards one or two of them. It wasn't until the very last moments that I became convinced of who the stalker was...so, well done on the mystery for me also although things are pretty much concluded for Robert and Dario as far as I'm concerned Mr. Inman did leave me with a couple of characters whom I would love to read more about.
So, was the book a huge success for me...no, not really and yet I'm left saying that I want more from the author about a couple of secondary characters who were in the book and this really impresses me since I honestly don't remember the last time, if ever, that an author has gotten me to want more from something that I didn't overly enjoy in the first place.
*************************
A copy of this book was graciously provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
'My Busboy' is the second book that I've read by this author and while I loved 'Shy' for me this one was just ok.
This is the story of Robert Johnny an author who seems to be experiencing a bit of writer's block. With his 30th birthday on the horizon, his friend Chaz, who apparently seems to be suffering from a case of unrequited love for Robert decides that they need to go out to dinner to celebrate this auspicious occasion. It's at Robert's favorite Mexican restaurant that we encounter the incredibly beautiful Dario.
I say incredibly beautiful because Robert spends most of the book telling us how gorgeous and sweet and nice and attractive and beautiful and sexy and on and on and on Dario is with his cognac colored eyes and acorn colored skin and dark, silky lustrous hair and on top of all this he smells good too. Yes, this was probably my strongest point of contention about the book. I got it Dario was incredibly attractive, I had this figured out after the first 4 or 5 times I'd been told, what can I say apparently I can be a little dense at times you'd think I would have clued in after the first couple of times but nope, I'm going to claim it took 4 or 5 which only leaves me to wonder how many times other people need to be told because seriously there are considerably more references to Dario's unparalleled beauty.
Ok, enough about Dario let's talk about the other things that kept this from being what I believe was a story that had the potential to be awesome. Robert's age, yep, the man turned 30 not 40 or 60 or 100 just 30. Dear god Robert get over it and move on with your life before it passes you by and you suddenly find you are 60 or 100 and by the way 60...not so old either, of course I say this as someone who's fast approaching this digit. This combined with the fact that he perpetually kept obsessing over Dario's age which was 21. Ok, I freely acknowledge there was a significant age difference difference, but not an unparalleled one to be sure. Hell my dad was 11 years older...never mind bad example. Still 9 years if you really care about the person just accept it or end things and move on...stop whining about what can't be changed.
Next we have the whole friendship with Chaz. The guy is in love with Robert or more like he wants what he can't have. Robert and Chaz have hooked up in the past and the magic just wasn't there for Robert and in his defense I do believe he's made Chaz abundantly clear on this issue, however, he does like Chaz as a friend and he values the friendship. Unfortunately Chaz has a bit of trouble dealing with this, however, there comes a point in the story at which for me it became abundantly clear that Chaz's 'unrequited love' really was more a case of 'I just want what I can't have' and that's all I'm going to say on that topic other than I actually enjoyed this part of the story.
Now let's talk Robert and Dario. For the most part I have to admit I found Robert to be borderline obnoxious, I just didn't warm up to him at all. I did however, like his cat, Clutch. That's right the cat's name was Clutch, if there was an explanation for his name, I have to admit. I missed it but I liked Clutch. He had definite personality as most cats do. Dario was in fact a sweet young man and he was by no means a pushover or any kind bimbo or gigolo. He was in fact an intelligent young man who was attending college and working towards a degree in Veterinary Medicine, so definitely not a gold digger either. While there were moments when Robert and Dario worked for me and I could see them as a couple there were times as well that I just didn't feel the love so the relationship for me was a hit and miss thing.
The only other issue that I had that was a bit of a WTF moment when "we interrupt this story to bring you a personal service announcement about why reviewers write bad reviews and the merit or lack thereof, of said reviews." Insert PSA here...we now resume our regularly scheduled story. In truth there were portions of this that I actually agreed with, things that I could care less about and things that might have been left out and/or added in, but most importantly it played no integral role in the story and furthered nothing for me.
Ok enough about what didn't work let's look at what worked. First off let's start with that cover...visually very appealing. Now moving into the actual book. There were definite moments of the humor that had so enchanted me when I read 'Shy' I laughed and while I love serious, angsty, over the top drama, tearjerkers. I also love it when an author makes me laugh. I liked the overall story and plot as well as the love story between Robert and Dario there was a mystery going on, Robert has a stalker and this was the part of the story that I enjoyed. I managed to narrow who it was down to 3 possible suspects and while I'm fairly certain that these were suspects that the author wanted to lead me to and I may have leaned strongly towards one or two of them. It wasn't until the very last moments that I became convinced of who the stalker was...so, well done on the mystery for me also although things are pretty much concluded for Robert and Dario as far as I'm concerned Mr. Inman did leave me with a couple of characters whom I would love to read more about.
So, was the book a huge success for me...no, not really and yet I'm left saying that I want more from the author about a couple of secondary characters who were in the book and this really impresses me since I honestly don't remember the last time, if ever, that an author has gotten me to want more from something that I didn't overly enjoy in the first place.
*************************
A copy of this book was graciously provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
July 4, 2016
Release day review posted at Sinfully.
3.5 stars
My Busboy falls in the middle between John Inman’s intense mysteries and slapstick comedies. There is the underlying mystery story line and the snarky characters I’ve come to expect, but the romance between 30 year old writer Robert Johnny and 21 year old busboy/veterinary student Dario Martinez takes center stage in this story.
Robert is going to make a wonderful crotchety old man one day, since he’s already a pretty crotchety young man. He has just turned 30 but talks about himself as if he’s closer to 60. He is plagued by self-esteem issues both personally and professionally. After two successful books his third was not as well received and he is having trouble writing the fourth. He can’t understand why anyone, especially the young and beautiful Dario, would see much in him to like or love, even though his best friend from college, Chaz, has been in love with him for years. Once he starts up with Dario he definitely has problems with the nine year age difference. While it borders on annoying, at times it is actually quite endearing and Dario really brings out his vulnerabilities.
Dario is a sweetheart. At 21, he is working as a busboy while attending college where he is studying to be a veterinarian. He is the opposite of Robert, upbeat and positive, enjoying his life and not bothered one bit by the age difference.
There is instant attraction between the two, but it wasn’t insta-love, and after a whirlwind weekend together they settle into a growing relationship, which intensifies over the next couple of months. Dario becomes a muse of sorts and Robert finds his writing groove again. Unfortunately there are still other issues that are not settled.
Robert’s snarky, best-friend, the lovelorn Chaz is an interesting side character that I alternately felt sorry for and hated. Robert has been clear with him about where they stand, but still Chaz is undeterred and pushes for more at every turn. There is also the stalker who after some worrisome emails seemed to have faded to the background, but then comes back with a vengeance.
The biggest difficulty I had with the story was really just Robert’s personality. There were aspects of it I liked and he is almost instantly devoted to Dario, but the fact that he acted so much older than his age was a stumbling block for me. I had to keep reminding myself that he just turned 30 and, especially in the beginning, it detracted from the relationship aspect of the story for me. Luckily though as Dario works his magic on Robert, things settled and I came to appreciate them as a couple.
John Inman has a certain writing style, creating unique descriptions, snarky dialogue and injecting wit and humor into even the most dire of circumstances. Something else he excels at, the mystery aspect of the story, was again very well done here. Although there was only a small pool of suspects on the stalker list, I was still surprised and saddened at how it all worked out. While it wasn’t my favorite of his books, I did enjoy it and am certain that his fans will too.
3.5 stars
My Busboy falls in the middle between John Inman’s intense mysteries and slapstick comedies. There is the underlying mystery story line and the snarky characters I’ve come to expect, but the romance between 30 year old writer Robert Johnny and 21 year old busboy/veterinary student Dario Martinez takes center stage in this story.
Robert is going to make a wonderful crotchety old man one day, since he’s already a pretty crotchety young man. He has just turned 30 but talks about himself as if he’s closer to 60. He is plagued by self-esteem issues both personally and professionally. After two successful books his third was not as well received and he is having trouble writing the fourth. He can’t understand why anyone, especially the young and beautiful Dario, would see much in him to like or love, even though his best friend from college, Chaz, has been in love with him for years. Once he starts up with Dario he definitely has problems with the nine year age difference. While it borders on annoying, at times it is actually quite endearing and Dario really brings out his vulnerabilities.
Dario is a sweetheart. At 21, he is working as a busboy while attending college where he is studying to be a veterinarian. He is the opposite of Robert, upbeat and positive, enjoying his life and not bothered one bit by the age difference.
There is instant attraction between the two, but it wasn’t insta-love, and after a whirlwind weekend together they settle into a growing relationship, which intensifies over the next couple of months. Dario becomes a muse of sorts and Robert finds his writing groove again. Unfortunately there are still other issues that are not settled.
Robert’s snarky, best-friend, the lovelorn Chaz is an interesting side character that I alternately felt sorry for and hated. Robert has been clear with him about where they stand, but still Chaz is undeterred and pushes for more at every turn. There is also the stalker who after some worrisome emails seemed to have faded to the background, but then comes back with a vengeance.
The biggest difficulty I had with the story was really just Robert’s personality. There were aspects of it I liked and he is almost instantly devoted to Dario, but the fact that he acted so much older than his age was a stumbling block for me. I had to keep reminding myself that he just turned 30 and, especially in the beginning, it detracted from the relationship aspect of the story for me. Luckily though as Dario works his magic on Robert, things settled and I came to appreciate them as a couple.
John Inman has a certain writing style, creating unique descriptions, snarky dialogue and injecting wit and humor into even the most dire of circumstances. Something else he excels at, the mystery aspect of the story, was again very well done here. Although there was only a small pool of suspects on the stalker list, I was still surprised and saddened at how it all worked out. While it wasn’t my favorite of his books, I did enjoy it and am certain that his fans will too.
July 3, 2016
My Busboy is a great read full of dry humor and snark. This was my first book by John Inman and it won’t be my last. The author really did a great job in bringing out the “frustration” as well as the “Joy being recognized by a fan” of an author. Plus, there is a light mystery playing in the background of the story. There is a crazy stalker out to get Robert and he has to figure out who it is before the stalker catches up to him or harm his boyfriend, Dario.
The story starts with Bobby or Robert fighting a terrible Writer’s block and struggling to write a new book. He meets Dario in his favorite Mexican restaurant, where Dario works as a busboy. Robert is flattered when the young and “too good looking for his own good” Dario turns out to be his biggest fan. Dario is out of Bobby’s league and he knows that there is no chance that the young guy will find him attractive but fate intervenes. In the middle of a stormy night, Bobby becomes Dario’s knight in a not so shining armor. They strike a friendship that leads them to a weekend of “getting to know each other” and “sweet love making” in Bobby’s cabin in the desert. A weekend turns to a month and then more. Bobby’s life is now more or less back on tracks. He is writing again and his relationship with Dario is going pretty strong. But new horrors lie in wait, when Bobby’s friends are attacked one by one and Bobby is next on the stalker’s hit list. He needs to do his best to protect his Dario and himself from the new threat. Read this extremely well written book to find out what happens when a writer find his muse and also threatened by his stalker at the same time.
This was a quick read and Bobby kept me charmed by his brand of humor throughout the book. The plot was not that interesting but GOD, the writing was so good. The author won my heart in the “Snark” department. You will love Bobby. He is intelligent, sweet, loyal and a complete gentleman. I got frustrated with his obsession with his age a bit but i adored him enough to let his stupidity go (I mean come on, he is only 30 and he kept on behaving that he is robbing the cradle by dating a 21 year old guy!!!) STUPID. This book was in only Bobby’s POV and i enjoyed it a lot.
As for the mystery part, i loved it as well. There are snippets of the stalker in the first 70% of the book but the end is all about the unknown guy escalating to harming Bobby and his friends. I am really good at guessing the culprit but i was quite surprised with how it turned out. It was not a mystery read per se, but whatever part there was, it was done in style. The ending was believable and very nicely written.
I am giving this book 3.5 stars, only because the plot was not that exciting but it gets 5 stars in writing style and for a great ending. If you want a sweet read about a snarky author and his romance with an equally sweet busboy with a sprinkle of mystery and danger , then give this book a try.
**A Review copy of the book was provided by the publisher through GayBookReviews in exchange of an honest review**
The story starts with Bobby or Robert fighting a terrible Writer’s block and struggling to write a new book. He meets Dario in his favorite Mexican restaurant, where Dario works as a busboy. Robert is flattered when the young and “too good looking for his own good” Dario turns out to be his biggest fan. Dario is out of Bobby’s league and he knows that there is no chance that the young guy will find him attractive but fate intervenes. In the middle of a stormy night, Bobby becomes Dario’s knight in a not so shining armor. They strike a friendship that leads them to a weekend of “getting to know each other” and “sweet love making” in Bobby’s cabin in the desert. A weekend turns to a month and then more. Bobby’s life is now more or less back on tracks. He is writing again and his relationship with Dario is going pretty strong. But new horrors lie in wait, when Bobby’s friends are attacked one by one and Bobby is next on the stalker’s hit list. He needs to do his best to protect his Dario and himself from the new threat. Read this extremely well written book to find out what happens when a writer find his muse and also threatened by his stalker at the same time.
This was a quick read and Bobby kept me charmed by his brand of humor throughout the book. The plot was not that interesting but GOD, the writing was so good. The author won my heart in the “Snark” department. You will love Bobby. He is intelligent, sweet, loyal and a complete gentleman. I got frustrated with his obsession with his age a bit but i adored him enough to let his stupidity go (I mean come on, he is only 30 and he kept on behaving that he is robbing the cradle by dating a 21 year old guy!!!) STUPID. This book was in only Bobby’s POV and i enjoyed it a lot.
As for the mystery part, i loved it as well. There are snippets of the stalker in the first 70% of the book but the end is all about the unknown guy escalating to harming Bobby and his friends. I am really good at guessing the culprit but i was quite surprised with how it turned out. It was not a mystery read per se, but whatever part there was, it was done in style. The ending was believable and very nicely written.
I am giving this book 3.5 stars, only because the plot was not that exciting but it gets 5 stars in writing style and for a great ending. If you want a sweet read about a snarky author and his romance with an equally sweet busboy with a sprinkle of mystery and danger , then give this book a try.
**A Review copy of the book was provided by the publisher through GayBookReviews in exchange of an honest review**
July 5, 2016
A Joyfully Jay review.
5 stars
I freaking LOVED this book! Honestly. I don’t throw out five-star reviews easily, but My Busboy deserves eleventy billion stars rather than a paltry five. John Inman has written a beautiful love story along with a captivating mystery. All of the characters are well fleshed out, and everyone has their place to make this a perfect book.
John breaks my heart. He’s depressed and lost. His boyfriend left him. His agent and publisher are on his back waiting for his next book. He has written 30,000 words that he hates, and even though he’s only about to turn 30, he feels old and broken.
Dario doesn’t really have it much better, but his attitude is one of hope and positivity. Yes, he works as a busboy right now, but his future looks bright, and he’s focusing on that.
Oh my goodness…when they meet, it’s like the Fourth of July, there are so many sparks. Not only do they find each other attractive, but Robert notices Dario has a copy of his first book in his back pocket. When Dario asks him to autograph it, Robert writes something that surprises even himself. I felt their fledgling feelings in my heart and tummy. It was exactly how new love should feel. Of course, it’s not all hearts and flowers. Dario’s boyfriend is jealous and punches him in the face. Robert’s BFF is in love with him, and he’s jealous when he sees the connection happening between Robert and Dario.
Read Kenna’s review in its entirety here.
5 stars
I freaking LOVED this book! Honestly. I don’t throw out five-star reviews easily, but My Busboy deserves eleventy billion stars rather than a paltry five. John Inman has written a beautiful love story along with a captivating mystery. All of the characters are well fleshed out, and everyone has their place to make this a perfect book.
John breaks my heart. He’s depressed and lost. His boyfriend left him. His agent and publisher are on his back waiting for his next book. He has written 30,000 words that he hates, and even though he’s only about to turn 30, he feels old and broken.
Dario doesn’t really have it much better, but his attitude is one of hope and positivity. Yes, he works as a busboy right now, but his future looks bright, and he’s focusing on that.
Oh my goodness…when they meet, it’s like the Fourth of July, there are so many sparks. Not only do they find each other attractive, but Robert notices Dario has a copy of his first book in his back pocket. When Dario asks him to autograph it, Robert writes something that surprises even himself. I felt their fledgling feelings in my heart and tummy. It was exactly how new love should feel. Of course, it’s not all hearts and flowers. Dario’s boyfriend is jealous and punches him in the face. Robert’s BFF is in love with him, and he’s jealous when he sees the connection happening between Robert and Dario.
Read Kenna’s review in its entirety here.
July 8, 2016
I have to admit I was pleasantly surprised by this book.
I have read four or five of John Inman's books and while I like them, I always find something missing.
Well, I don't know what that something is, but I certainly found it here.
The book kept me glued to my kindle, most of the time with a smile, and even the mystery bits of the story didn't deter me from enjoying it.
I must confess I had no clue about who the stalker was until the very end :_D
So yeah, 4 well deserved stars!
I have read four or five of John Inman's books and while I like them, I always find something missing.
Well, I don't know what that something is, but I certainly found it here.
The book kept me glued to my kindle, most of the time with a smile, and even the mystery bits of the story didn't deter me from enjoying it.
I must confess I had no clue about who the stalker was until the very end :_D
So yeah, 4 well deserved stars!
August 23, 2018
4/5 stars. A beautifully written thriller and a gorgeous romance between two wonderfully written characters. Robert, our narrator is snarky, sarcastic and a perfect contrast to the quiet, unassuming sweetness of the younger Dario.
The romance in My Busboy is sweet without becoming sentimental and the plot is simple but I found it unpredictable in the end, leading to a thrilling conclusion which had me anxiously biting my nails.
July 10, 2016
4.5 stars
I am a big Inman fan, I can always count on him to pull me out of a funk and because I refuse to read blurbs, I never know what to expect from him. I could be laughing hysterically, or scared out of my mind.
This was more subtle than a lot of his other novels (for me), but exactly what I needed. It wasn't over the top on the humor or shenanigans, it didn't frighten me the way Willow Man and BotM did, but I still found myself giggling and smiling, and I also found myself with uncomfortable, the nervousness and dread snaking up my back a time or two.
I enjoyed the characters. I like that John's characters seem like people. People with flaws, people who can be bitchy or even a little vindictive-if only in their imaginations, but they are at heart, genuinely good people.
Robert was in a slump, a funk, a I'm-not-gonna-shower-what-day-is-it-when-did-I-last-eat-ew-I'm-starting-to-gross-myself-out funk. I liked him. A lot.
I'm not gonna talk about certain friends.
Dario was a sweetie and I liked him immediately.
This book threw me a curve ball or two...I was so certain I had it figured out!
Love Robert and Dario's moments together. The blissful, the comfortable, the "it should always be this way" moments.
*cough, cough* Will I see Stone again? Cuz I wanna.
I am a big Inman fan, I can always count on him to pull me out of a funk and because I refuse to read blurbs, I never know what to expect from him. I could be laughing hysterically, or scared out of my mind.
This was more subtle than a lot of his other novels (for me), but exactly what I needed. It wasn't over the top on the humor or shenanigans, it didn't frighten me the way Willow Man and BotM did, but I still found myself giggling and smiling, and I also found myself with uncomfortable, the nervousness and dread snaking up my back a time or two.
I enjoyed the characters. I like that John's characters seem like people. People with flaws, people who can be bitchy or even a little vindictive-if only in their imaginations, but they are at heart, genuinely good people.
Robert was in a slump, a funk, a I'm-not-gonna-shower-what-day-is-it-when-did-I-last-eat-ew-I'm-starting-to-gross-myself-out funk. I liked him. A lot.
I'm not gonna talk about certain friends.
Dario was a sweetie and I liked him immediately.
This book threw me a curve ball or two...I was so certain I had it figured out!
Love Robert and Dario's moments together. The blissful, the comfortable, the "it should always be this way" moments.
*cough, cough* Will I see Stone again? Cuz I wanna.
July 4, 2016
(Originally reviewed for Love Bytes Reviews with a copy provided by the publisher / author for an honest review.)
I started reading this book yesterday while sitting in a customer lounge at a car dealership waiting for my husband’s car to come out of service. I will warn you. Do not read the first chapter of this book in public, unless you don’t care that people will look at you oddly when you are giggling maniacally!
We meet the main character through a string of very humorous descriptors related to his having been writing for three days, without coming up for air. Anyone who has been in a similar situation will instantly sympathize with the MC. I particularly sympathized with these two sections and had to share them with you.
“Swearing under my breath through gritted teeth, I slammed down the phone with a bang, startling my cat, Clutch, who sailed off my lap with a screech of terror, leaving claw marks in my crotch and making me wail even louder than he did.”
“Then I reached for my coffee cup. Only when I had the cup inches from my mouth did I notice the coffee was ice cold and had sprouted a fungi-like layer of crap over the top like pond scum. Not unlike what my unwashed dick had no doubt formed as well.”
Robert Johnny is a successful author, but is in a funk. While his first book made the bestseller list, and his second was also a success, his third tanked. Now he is working on his fourth and it is totally crap. He is hovering over the delete key when he realizes he has to meet his friend Chaz who is taking him out to dinner to celebrate his thirtieth birthday.
When they end up at a Mexican restaurant and too many cocktails are consumed while waiting for their table, it opens the way for another hilarious mental comment from the MC, and then they see the busboy.
Dario Martinez is a twenty-one year old college student with a full boat scholarship, but works part time as a busboy to make spending money for those little things…like shoes without holes!
A book hanging out of the busboy’s back pocket pulls Robert and Dario together, but the road won’t be smooth. An abusive boyfriend, a secret stalker, and a close friend’s unrequited love will all jump into the mix, to make life just that much more complicated.
I’m just going to say it. I loved this book. It was funny, it was suspenseful, it had well written and fleshed out characters and it had some sharp twists that I didn’t expect. It kept me guessing most of the way through the story, and just when I thought I figured it out…nope…I, and the MC’s were incorrect.
I very highly recommend this book. I couldn’t put it down. I had other things I had to do yesterday, which didn’t get done thanks to you Mr. Inman! Now I’ll have to work twice as hard today to catch up! Great writing! For a sneak peek at the full first chapter, follow the link at the bottom of my review to ARe. But I warn you…you will be hooked!
Pick up this book, you won’t be sorry.
I started reading this book yesterday while sitting in a customer lounge at a car dealership waiting for my husband’s car to come out of service. I will warn you. Do not read the first chapter of this book in public, unless you don’t care that people will look at you oddly when you are giggling maniacally!
We meet the main character through a string of very humorous descriptors related to his having been writing for three days, without coming up for air. Anyone who has been in a similar situation will instantly sympathize with the MC. I particularly sympathized with these two sections and had to share them with you.
“Swearing under my breath through gritted teeth, I slammed down the phone with a bang, startling my cat, Clutch, who sailed off my lap with a screech of terror, leaving claw marks in my crotch and making me wail even louder than he did.”
“Then I reached for my coffee cup. Only when I had the cup inches from my mouth did I notice the coffee was ice cold and had sprouted a fungi-like layer of crap over the top like pond scum. Not unlike what my unwashed dick had no doubt formed as well.”
Robert Johnny is a successful author, but is in a funk. While his first book made the bestseller list, and his second was also a success, his third tanked. Now he is working on his fourth and it is totally crap. He is hovering over the delete key when he realizes he has to meet his friend Chaz who is taking him out to dinner to celebrate his thirtieth birthday.
When they end up at a Mexican restaurant and too many cocktails are consumed while waiting for their table, it opens the way for another hilarious mental comment from the MC, and then they see the busboy.
Dario Martinez is a twenty-one year old college student with a full boat scholarship, but works part time as a busboy to make spending money for those little things…like shoes without holes!
A book hanging out of the busboy’s back pocket pulls Robert and Dario together, but the road won’t be smooth. An abusive boyfriend, a secret stalker, and a close friend’s unrequited love will all jump into the mix, to make life just that much more complicated.
I’m just going to say it. I loved this book. It was funny, it was suspenseful, it had well written and fleshed out characters and it had some sharp twists that I didn’t expect. It kept me guessing most of the way through the story, and just when I thought I figured it out…nope…I, and the MC’s were incorrect.
I very highly recommend this book. I couldn’t put it down. I had other things I had to do yesterday, which didn’t get done thanks to you Mr. Inman! Now I’ll have to work twice as hard today to catch up! Great writing! For a sneak peek at the full first chapter, follow the link at the bottom of my review to ARe. But I warn you…you will be hooked!
Pick up this book, you won’t be sorry.
Did Not Finish
June 21, 2016DNF @ 50% ........ 2 Stars!
Cue the music for Mary Has a Little Lamb...
"Robert has a stinky dick
stinky dick, stinky dick,
Robert has a stinky dick
Just wash that fucker out!"
I tried, I really really did, but I had to give up half way through or risk a painful death by boredom. Within the first 5 pages of the book I heard more about Robert's stinky, smelly, dirty, unwashed, crusty dick than I wanted to hear in a lifetime. I couldn't like Robert after that and I tried my best! His stinky fucking dick will haunt my dreams!
There was no chemistry between Robert and Dario (whom Robert kept calling son.. yuck!), and the dialog was cheesy and full of awkward moments when both MCs were blushing like virgin girls for no reason except the mention of a hard-on. They're both mature men, especially Robert who's in his 30's.
This is probably one of those instances when it's not the book's fault, it's just me. I usually love John Inman's writing so I'll accept the fact that me and this book are not a match!
Cue the music for Mary Has a Little Lamb...
"Robert has a stinky dick
stinky dick, stinky dick,
Robert has a stinky dick
Just wash that fucker out!"
I tried, I really really did, but I had to give up half way through or risk a painful death by boredom. Within the first 5 pages of the book I heard more about Robert's stinky, smelly, dirty, unwashed, crusty dick than I wanted to hear in a lifetime. I couldn't like Robert after that and I tried my best! His stinky fucking dick will haunt my dreams!
There was no chemistry between Robert and Dario (whom Robert kept calling son.. yuck!), and the dialog was cheesy and full of awkward moments when both MCs were blushing like virgin girls for no reason except the mention of a hard-on. They're both mature men, especially Robert who's in his 30's.
This is probably one of those instances when it's not the book's fault, it's just me. I usually love John Inman's writing so I'll accept the fact that me and this book are not a match!
November 15, 2017
4.5 stars
Very sweet and sexy...made me giggle.
Not as over the top hilarious as some of Inman's books but still lighthearted with a touch of suspense. I could really relate to Robert. He was in a funk...between books and feeling a little disenchanted with life. He needed Dario just a much as Dario needed him.
Very sweet and sexy...made me giggle.
Not as over the top hilarious as some of Inman's books but still lighthearted with a touch of suspense. I could really relate to Robert. He was in a funk...between books and feeling a little disenchanted with life. He needed Dario just a much as Dario needed him.
August 29, 2016
Cute But Dangerous
I probably overrated this one, but I blew through it after the opening page and didn't put it down until I finished. The protagonist, Robert, narrates this one and he is a bit smarky and desperately lonely at the same time.
He can't abide his best friend Chaz' constant refrain to give him a chance at love.
He is kind to his fans who walk up to him on the street to gush.
He has a heart of gold for his old college chum Bucky who is now a drug-addled street bum
And he has a writer's block that could be classified as a fatal migraine the way he deals with it.
And then while having dinner to celebrate his 30th birthday with Chaz at their favorite Mexican joint, he looks up and spots the most beautiful butt in the world on a busboy, and in the back pocket is a copy of Robert's first book--which is dog-eared and according to Dario, the busboy in question, it's a book he's read about a dozen times.
From there this book goes on two tracks. One is a wonderfully expressive and deeply emotional love story in which Robert is totally paranoid over the nine-year-difference in his and Dario's ages, but not so distressed as to avoid the continual sexual adventures between them. The second is much more insidious and frightening--Robert's stalker comes out of the woodwork with a violent couple of twists, enough so you are convinced you know who it is, but you are going to be wrong.
The way it plays out is truly messy and cruel in many ways, but there is a wonderfully lovely twist at the end which could lead to a sequel, but not necessarily so because you will be happy, as I was and the characters in question were, at the end.
I probably overrated this one, but I blew through it after the opening page and didn't put it down until I finished. The protagonist, Robert, narrates this one and he is a bit smarky and desperately lonely at the same time.
He can't abide his best friend Chaz' constant refrain to give him a chance at love.
He is kind to his fans who walk up to him on the street to gush.
He has a heart of gold for his old college chum Bucky who is now a drug-addled street bum
And he has a writer's block that could be classified as a fatal migraine the way he deals with it.
And then while having dinner to celebrate his 30th birthday with Chaz at their favorite Mexican joint, he looks up and spots the most beautiful butt in the world on a busboy, and in the back pocket is a copy of Robert's first book--which is dog-eared and according to Dario, the busboy in question, it's a book he's read about a dozen times.
From there this book goes on two tracks. One is a wonderfully expressive and deeply emotional love story in which Robert is totally paranoid over the nine-year-difference in his and Dario's ages, but not so distressed as to avoid the continual sexual adventures between them. The second is much more insidious and frightening--Robert's stalker comes out of the woodwork with a violent couple of twists, enough so you are convinced you know who it is, but you are going to be wrong.
The way it plays out is truly messy and cruel in many ways, but there is a wonderfully lovely twist at the end which could lead to a sequel, but not necessarily so because you will be happy, as I was and the characters in question were, at the end.
July 14, 2016
A writer with writer's block and a college student working part time as a busboy. What could they find in common that could make a relationship work. It turns out instant attraction is a good place to start. :) This was a fun read with a mystery to be solved and it kept me entertained throughout. I really enjoy Mr. Inman's writing Good read!
mm-stand-alone
August 7, 2016Of the four books I've read by this author he never fails to deliver a strongly written story. Might not make my 5 star list but still well written. I'm 34% into this and I have not connect with either main char yet. I'm starting to skim and that is not good. Going to shelf this one. Maybe I'll pick up at a later date.
July 10, 2016
With the exception of the first twelve or so pages, I read this in one afternoon. Yet another incredible story from the most incredible author I know
July 4, 2016
Book – My Busboy
Author – John Inman
Star rating - ★★★☆☆
No. of Pages – 210
Cover – Evocative
POV – 1st person, past tense, 1 character POV
Would I read it again – Maybe
Genre – LGBT, Contemporary, May/December, Crime
** I WAS GIVEN THIS BOOK, BY THE AUTHOR, IN RETURN FOR AN HONEST REVIEW **
Reviewed for Divine Magazine
This was a hard one for me to review. On one hand, I've only ever read one other John Inman story and it didn't sit well with me. On the other, I always go into each book trying not to take a previous experience of the author's work into account (unless they've become an instant-buy, by which I expect great things from each book after that).
My Busboy had really good bones. I loved the romance, the crime element and even the characters. What I didn't love was the writing style. Which is probably the oddest thing I will say in this review.
For me, the writing had far too many similes and flowery description to settle well with me. It was over the top, flamboyant and too exaggerated. Practically the entire first 10% was one simile after another. I mean, jam packed into each sentence, so much so that I seriously considered not reading any further and letting someone else review it. I mean, heck, the author comes up with some awesome similes, but I just came to a point that it felt like there was no description BUT similes and they were being crammed down my throat until I choked on them.
Now, I'm also admit that I'm not usually a fan of 1st person POV. It has to be a really good story to stop me from being uncomfortable inside 1st person. For a start, I'm not a man, I'm not gay (though I am a writer) and I don't have a stalker, I didn't make a packet with a massive bestseller...I could go on and on about the many ways that I am nothing like the MC. This is always the part that puts me off 1st person. However, Inman did a great job of not making it feel too foreign. It didn't take 3 chapters to learn “my” name, but just a few lines. It didn't take half the book to learn “my” background history, because it was info blocked at the beginning of the story – a bad point, but one that improved the 1st person considerably. So, this time, 1st person worked, because it limited all interactions to only things that “we” as Robert, could see.
Yes, the info dump was huge. It was a mass life story at the beginning of the novel, telling us everything we might ever need or want to know about Robert, bare the one or two important tidbits that slithered in later in the story, for the purpose of plot progression. So, yeah, I marked down for that. I hate info dumps.
However, I do love the way Inman used personal experience as a writer to make Robert's character so believable. The length of his unwashed state, though, after just a few days was a vast exaggeration and I didn't appreciate the way that his turning 30 was treated like he was suddenly 60 years old. I'm about to turn thirty and I certainly don't go around feeling like my life is over, I'm over the hill or anyone who is 20 is suddenly a child. That bugged me.
The shining moments in the plot, for me, were confined to three specific events – Robert's first interaction with Bucky, Robert taking care of Dario at the restaurant and during the night, and Robert and Dario's time at the cabin. Those three parts were my absolute favourite, though mostly wherever Dario made an appearance, the story really settled.
Personally, I felt that the story floundered at the beginning and only really took off – losing the flowery, over descriptive, info dump mistakes – when Dario entered the picture, during that first meeting. From then on, things settled down and all the really annoying parts of the writing drifted off, to become more sedate and regular. The exaggeration, over- everything and the urgent need to settle the reader into the story waned enough to let me enjoy the flow much better. I didn't feel rushed after they met, but did see a few points where we didn't have to see every moment of the time together. Still, even those parts were better than the rush of the first 5-10%.
I had a bit of a glitch, when Robert and others started talking about “tricked” or “tricks”. To me, that's always been used in previous books that have mentioned it to mean an escort's customer, but the way it's used here it sounds more like a casual sex partner, which was a little confusing. I didn't really know in which term Inman meant it, until about halfway through, when it couldn't really mean anything else. So that was a bit of a stumbling block. It's tricky (no pun intended) when words have two meanings and it's not really clear which one is being used, because in most cases this could have meant either.
I liked the build up of the stalker aspect of the story. How it began small, little things at a time and things that wouldn't actually be taken seriously by the police. However, I didn't like that the cops wouldn't do anything at all about a stolen computer, since they wouldn't just dismiss it because the crime was over. At the same time, I don't feel satisfied with the conclusion as to why the stalker did everything they did. I get that most of it is blamed on one aspect of that persons life (I can't tell you what) but that doesn't sit well with me. It feels dismissive and incomplete.
~
Overall, the romance saved this one for me. Dario was fantastic at always saving the story when it began to flag, mostly because Robert was a bit too insecure and needy as a main character. He was a bit of a wimp, for thirty, and bordered on depressed most of the time. Dario injected life back into the story, every time he appeared.
The crime/stalker aspect worked to a certain extent, but it got a bit exaggerated at the end, too incredulous and wasn't rounded off well enough for my taste. I like my crimes a little more well explored to just accept the solution that we were presented.
However, this is only my second John Inman story and with a total indifference to the first and an iffy start, with a better ending to the second, I have to think that his writing style and my preferences don't really mix. I'll try another one, since I'm willing to try again, but it may just be that we're not a good fit for each other. Which is a shame, but happens sometimes.
~
Favourite Quote
“When you're a writer, that lie always works. Don't want to go to dinner? Blame the book. Don't want to go to church? Blame the book. Don't want to be bothered by anybody ever again? Blame the book. Works like a charm.”
Author – John Inman
Star rating - ★★★☆☆
No. of Pages – 210
Cover – Evocative
POV – 1st person, past tense, 1 character POV
Would I read it again – Maybe
Genre – LGBT, Contemporary, May/December, Crime
** I WAS GIVEN THIS BOOK, BY THE AUTHOR, IN RETURN FOR AN HONEST REVIEW **
Reviewed for Divine Magazine
This was a hard one for me to review. On one hand, I've only ever read one other John Inman story and it didn't sit well with me. On the other, I always go into each book trying not to take a previous experience of the author's work into account (unless they've become an instant-buy, by which I expect great things from each book after that).
My Busboy had really good bones. I loved the romance, the crime element and even the characters. What I didn't love was the writing style. Which is probably the oddest thing I will say in this review.
For me, the writing had far too many similes and flowery description to settle well with me. It was over the top, flamboyant and too exaggerated. Practically the entire first 10% was one simile after another. I mean, jam packed into each sentence, so much so that I seriously considered not reading any further and letting someone else review it. I mean, heck, the author comes up with some awesome similes, but I just came to a point that it felt like there was no description BUT similes and they were being crammed down my throat until I choked on them.
Now, I'm also admit that I'm not usually a fan of 1st person POV. It has to be a really good story to stop me from being uncomfortable inside 1st person. For a start, I'm not a man, I'm not gay (though I am a writer) and I don't have a stalker, I didn't make a packet with a massive bestseller...I could go on and on about the many ways that I am nothing like the MC. This is always the part that puts me off 1st person. However, Inman did a great job of not making it feel too foreign. It didn't take 3 chapters to learn “my” name, but just a few lines. It didn't take half the book to learn “my” background history, because it was info blocked at the beginning of the story – a bad point, but one that improved the 1st person considerably. So, this time, 1st person worked, because it limited all interactions to only things that “we” as Robert, could see.
Yes, the info dump was huge. It was a mass life story at the beginning of the novel, telling us everything we might ever need or want to know about Robert, bare the one or two important tidbits that slithered in later in the story, for the purpose of plot progression. So, yeah, I marked down for that. I hate info dumps.
However, I do love the way Inman used personal experience as a writer to make Robert's character so believable. The length of his unwashed state, though, after just a few days was a vast exaggeration and I didn't appreciate the way that his turning 30 was treated like he was suddenly 60 years old. I'm about to turn thirty and I certainly don't go around feeling like my life is over, I'm over the hill or anyone who is 20 is suddenly a child. That bugged me.
The shining moments in the plot, for me, were confined to three specific events – Robert's first interaction with Bucky, Robert taking care of Dario at the restaurant and during the night, and Robert and Dario's time at the cabin. Those three parts were my absolute favourite, though mostly wherever Dario made an appearance, the story really settled.
Personally, I felt that the story floundered at the beginning and only really took off – losing the flowery, over descriptive, info dump mistakes – when Dario entered the picture, during that first meeting. From then on, things settled down and all the really annoying parts of the writing drifted off, to become more sedate and regular. The exaggeration, over- everything and the urgent need to settle the reader into the story waned enough to let me enjoy the flow much better. I didn't feel rushed after they met, but did see a few points where we didn't have to see every moment of the time together. Still, even those parts were better than the rush of the first 5-10%.
I had a bit of a glitch, when Robert and others started talking about “tricked” or “tricks”. To me, that's always been used in previous books that have mentioned it to mean an escort's customer, but the way it's used here it sounds more like a casual sex partner, which was a little confusing. I didn't really know in which term Inman meant it, until about halfway through, when it couldn't really mean anything else. So that was a bit of a stumbling block. It's tricky (no pun intended) when words have two meanings and it's not really clear which one is being used, because in most cases this could have meant either.
I liked the build up of the stalker aspect of the story. How it began small, little things at a time and things that wouldn't actually be taken seriously by the police. However, I didn't like that the cops wouldn't do anything at all about a stolen computer, since they wouldn't just dismiss it because the crime was over. At the same time, I don't feel satisfied with the conclusion as to why the stalker did everything they did. I get that most of it is blamed on one aspect of that persons life (I can't tell you what) but that doesn't sit well with me. It feels dismissive and incomplete.
~
Overall, the romance saved this one for me. Dario was fantastic at always saving the story when it began to flag, mostly because Robert was a bit too insecure and needy as a main character. He was a bit of a wimp, for thirty, and bordered on depressed most of the time. Dario injected life back into the story, every time he appeared.
The crime/stalker aspect worked to a certain extent, but it got a bit exaggerated at the end, too incredulous and wasn't rounded off well enough for my taste. I like my crimes a little more well explored to just accept the solution that we were presented.
However, this is only my second John Inman story and with a total indifference to the first and an iffy start, with a better ending to the second, I have to think that his writing style and my preferences don't really mix. I'll try another one, since I'm willing to try again, but it may just be that we're not a good fit for each other. Which is a shame, but happens sometimes.
~
Favourite Quote
“When you're a writer, that lie always works. Don't want to go to dinner? Blame the book. Don't want to go to church? Blame the book. Don't want to be bothered by anybody ever again? Blame the book. Works like a charm.”
April 2, 2017
DNF!
Sorry y’all…I just could not bring myself to finish this book.
I read the first three chapters three times, hoping the MC would magically stop being a sexist, fat-shaming whiner with personal hygiene issues – but I had to snap my Kindle closed for good when he (a grown man) unironically used the phrase “scrumptious heinie.” Heinie? Really?! Suddenly the word “poontang” in an earlier scene didn’t seem so bad.
Please don’t spend your hard-earned money on My Busboy.
-Review copy provided by Prism Book Alliance.-
Sorry y’all…I just could not bring myself to finish this book.
I read the first three chapters three times, hoping the MC would magically stop being a sexist, fat-shaming whiner with personal hygiene issues – but I had to snap my Kindle closed for good when he (a grown man) unironically used the phrase “scrumptious heinie.” Heinie? Really?! Suddenly the word “poontang” in an earlier scene didn’t seem so bad.
Please don’t spend your hard-earned money on My Busboy.
-Review copy provided by Prism Book Alliance.-
July 4, 2016
Book: My Busboy
Author: John Inman
Rating: 4.25 Stars
This is my first John Inman book and he truly is a gifted writer! This is one of those books that is such an odd combination of things that you wouldn’t think they would fit but truly they do quite perfectly. It’s sweet and amusing with a dash of dry humor thrown in and a sprinkle of cute but with a great mix of mystery. And it’s the mystery that and the fantastic way this author writes that kept me hooked!
Robert Johnny is a well known author who is currently in crisis. He has what all authors dread...writer's block! Robert has one friend, Chaz who is in love with him, a cat, Clutch, who hates him, a stalker he is just trying to ignore, a nonexistent writing career, and a supreme love of chimichanga’s. One thing he doesn’t have is love. Guess he never thought his love of chimichangas could bring him more than some extra weight someday, but in true life-throws-us-curveballs way it brings him, Dario.
Dario Martinez is a pre-med student by day and a busboy at Sombreros by night. His life is just about as peachy as Robert’s; with having no money for school, or shoes, and a crappy boyfriend to boot. Who knew a platter of chimichangas could bring him face to face with the good looking Robert Johnny, the author of one of his favorite books!
Who knew something so simple could change the course of two people’s lives? Who knew all it would take is the love of Dario to bring Robert out of his slump? Robert sure didn’t because even though he knows how he feels about Dario he still can’t grasp the idea that young, smart, gorgeous Dario could feel the same for him. Even with all the good changes this relationship has brought strange things keep happening to Robert and his stalker is just getting started.
The mystery of his stalker was fabulous! I mean the figuring of who it could be seemed so simple at one point until the author brought up another stalker possibility but even then I was totally leaning towards my first choice! But this author is good because when you figure it out you are completely surprised. Which is seriously not an easy thing to accomplish because most times I can guess so I am loving that I was shocked by the who done it!
The love between Dario and Robert was super sweet and they had great snarky banter between them which I freaking love in books! What I also found interesting was because of who these characters were the age difference isn’t truly felt accept in financial circumstances. Dario reminds me of an old soul wise and grown up beyond his years. Robert is still young at heart, even if he feel ancient compared to Dario, so he kind of links up with Dario in that sense. There were some parts of the book that I thought that could have been longer and shown more of what was happening but overall the story was well paced and characters were well developed. Like I said earlier John Inman is a truly gifted writer and has unique style all his own which makes it a unique read all on it’s own.
Maybe this will help you want to read it! This is one of my favorite parts was one that showed the snarky dynamic between Dario and Robert:
“Come on,” he said around another smile. “Show me your mountain. And don’t worry about your boner. I’ll act like I don’t see it.” “Sweet Jesus,” I mumbled. “Is nothing sacred to you?” Dario howled with laughter and dragged me toward the cabin door.
*I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review through http://diversereader.blogspot.com/ *
Author: John Inman
Rating: 4.25 Stars
This is my first John Inman book and he truly is a gifted writer! This is one of those books that is such an odd combination of things that you wouldn’t think they would fit but truly they do quite perfectly. It’s sweet and amusing with a dash of dry humor thrown in and a sprinkle of cute but with a great mix of mystery. And it’s the mystery that and the fantastic way this author writes that kept me hooked!
Robert Johnny is a well known author who is currently in crisis. He has what all authors dread...writer's block! Robert has one friend, Chaz who is in love with him, a cat, Clutch, who hates him, a stalker he is just trying to ignore, a nonexistent writing career, and a supreme love of chimichanga’s. One thing he doesn’t have is love. Guess he never thought his love of chimichangas could bring him more than some extra weight someday, but in true life-throws-us-curveballs way it brings him, Dario.
Dario Martinez is a pre-med student by day and a busboy at Sombreros by night. His life is just about as peachy as Robert’s; with having no money for school, or shoes, and a crappy boyfriend to boot. Who knew a platter of chimichangas could bring him face to face with the good looking Robert Johnny, the author of one of his favorite books!
Who knew something so simple could change the course of two people’s lives? Who knew all it would take is the love of Dario to bring Robert out of his slump? Robert sure didn’t because even though he knows how he feels about Dario he still can’t grasp the idea that young, smart, gorgeous Dario could feel the same for him. Even with all the good changes this relationship has brought strange things keep happening to Robert and his stalker is just getting started.
The mystery of his stalker was fabulous! I mean the figuring of who it could be seemed so simple at one point until the author brought up another stalker possibility but even then I was totally leaning towards my first choice! But this author is good because when you figure it out you are completely surprised. Which is seriously not an easy thing to accomplish because most times I can guess so I am loving that I was shocked by the who done it!
The love between Dario and Robert was super sweet and they had great snarky banter between them which I freaking love in books! What I also found interesting was because of who these characters were the age difference isn’t truly felt accept in financial circumstances. Dario reminds me of an old soul wise and grown up beyond his years. Robert is still young at heart, even if he feel ancient compared to Dario, so he kind of links up with Dario in that sense. There were some parts of the book that I thought that could have been longer and shown more of what was happening but overall the story was well paced and characters were well developed. Like I said earlier John Inman is a truly gifted writer and has unique style all his own which makes it a unique read all on it’s own.
Maybe this will help you want to read it! This is one of my favorite parts was one that showed the snarky dynamic between Dario and Robert:
“Come on,” he said around another smile. “Show me your mountain. And don’t worry about your boner. I’ll act like I don’t see it.” “Sweet Jesus,” I mumbled. “Is nothing sacred to you?” Dario howled with laughter and dragged me toward the cabin door.
*I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review through http://diversereader.blogspot.com/ *
July 13, 2016
John Inman once again delivers a humorous and romantic story complete with murder and just a touch of mayhem. In his latest release, My Busboy, Mr. Inman looks at the life of a once best-selling author who has since lost his groove and his boyfriend. Now, left to his own devices, he writes what he considers tripe, and tries once again to hold his good friend at bay despite the fact that that same friend is obviously in love with him. To add just a little bit of spice to his life, he has acquired a stalker, somewhat benign and yet still an annoyance in his already aggravating life. One evening while out to dinner, he runs headlong into a gorgeous busboy who just so happens to have a copy of his bestselling novel in his hip pocket. Trying not to feel flush with both lust and giddy with glee over the fact that he still has loyal fans, Robert does the next best thing–flirts outrageously with Dario, much to the disgust of his friend Chaz.
To Robert’s delight, Dario flirts right back and the two begin a relationship filled with lusty encounters that morphs into a sweet and gentle romance. However, not everyone is thrilled with Robert’s new love–particularly not his stalker. As physical attacks on his friends increase and the police step in, it is obvious that what was once a simple infatuation from an online stranger has turned deadly. Now in a race against time, Robert must figure out who is after him and stop him before he loses not only Dario but his own life as well.
John Inman once again gives us a novel that is well balanced on the edge of humorous and mysteriously deadly. Weaving a suspenseful plot line throughout this romantic comedy, this author once again shows us the incredible skill he has in creating fabulously flawed characters that you can’t help but root for in the end. Robert was not the nicest of guys and yet, when Dario entered his life he did what most true friends turn lovers do best–make the one they love a better man. Less self-indulgent and much kinder, Robert discovers what it means to care for another person in a deep and satisfying way.
As is his usual style when writing in this genre of romantic comedy, this author pulls everything together in the final chapters of this novel, and rewards his readers with a lovely happy-ever-after. These types of stories, which John Inman does so well, offer a witty take on the travails of love lost and gained. While not as intricate as some, still, this was a most entertaining story that allows the reader a brief respite from the serious side of life by focusing on the happiness that love so often brings to those who least expect it.
Reviewed by Sammy for The Novel Approach Reviews
To Robert’s delight, Dario flirts right back and the two begin a relationship filled with lusty encounters that morphs into a sweet and gentle romance. However, not everyone is thrilled with Robert’s new love–particularly not his stalker. As physical attacks on his friends increase and the police step in, it is obvious that what was once a simple infatuation from an online stranger has turned deadly. Now in a race against time, Robert must figure out who is after him and stop him before he loses not only Dario but his own life as well.
John Inman once again gives us a novel that is well balanced on the edge of humorous and mysteriously deadly. Weaving a suspenseful plot line throughout this romantic comedy, this author once again shows us the incredible skill he has in creating fabulously flawed characters that you can’t help but root for in the end. Robert was not the nicest of guys and yet, when Dario entered his life he did what most true friends turn lovers do best–make the one they love a better man. Less self-indulgent and much kinder, Robert discovers what it means to care for another person in a deep and satisfying way.
As is his usual style when writing in this genre of romantic comedy, this author pulls everything together in the final chapters of this novel, and rewards his readers with a lovely happy-ever-after. These types of stories, which John Inman does so well, offer a witty take on the travails of love lost and gained. While not as intricate as some, still, this was a most entertaining story that allows the reader a brief respite from the serious side of life by focusing on the happiness that love so often brings to those who least expect it.
Reviewed by Sammy for The Novel Approach Reviews
June 21, 2016
Rating of 3.5 stars.
This is a sweet, witty, and humorous story that had just enough of a mystery to keep the emotions from spilling over into sickly saccharine. The author has a very droll sense of humor that really shines through his characters. From one sentence quips to observations about the suckiness of life, I was either smiling or chuckling out loud.
The blurb sums the book up fairly readily – Robert’s published three books (quite an accomplishment for a 30 year old!) but book number four is just not happening. Enter Dario, a Latino hottie working as a busboy to make ends meet while pursuing a degree in veterinary science. It’s instant attraction on both sides.
And this is where I had a few issues with the story – total and complete insta-love. 0-60 in about two chapters even with all of Robert’s inner monologues about taking things slow, not wanting to take advantage of Dario, and concerns about the age difference. Istruggled with the age difference in that I didn’t see a problem with a 30 year old being attracted to a 21 year old. I had more of a problem with Robert acting older than he was. But, that’s my quirk and others won’t feel the same.
What I really enjoyed was the plot twist at the end, which I won’t give away because it was well done and should be enjoyed without spoilers. There was one more case of insta-love that came out of left field, which I suspect was done to perhaps set up another book.
Ultimately, a sweet, nicely paced story with just enough tension to keep the plot and romance interesting. Humor is witty and dry, even the Clutch the cat had something to say. Loved the cat!
Review cross-posted at Gay Book Reviews
Copy of the book provided by the author/publisher for a fair and honest review. Thank you!
This is a sweet, witty, and humorous story that had just enough of a mystery to keep the emotions from spilling over into sickly saccharine. The author has a very droll sense of humor that really shines through his characters. From one sentence quips to observations about the suckiness of life, I was either smiling or chuckling out loud.
The blurb sums the book up fairly readily – Robert’s published three books (quite an accomplishment for a 30 year old!) but book number four is just not happening. Enter Dario, a Latino hottie working as a busboy to make ends meet while pursuing a degree in veterinary science. It’s instant attraction on both sides.
And this is where I had a few issues with the story – total and complete insta-love. 0-60 in about two chapters even with all of Robert’s inner monologues about taking things slow, not wanting to take advantage of Dario, and concerns about the age difference. Istruggled with the age difference in that I didn’t see a problem with a 30 year old being attracted to a 21 year old. I had more of a problem with Robert acting older than he was. But, that’s my quirk and others won’t feel the same.
What I really enjoyed was the plot twist at the end, which I won’t give away because it was well done and should be enjoyed without spoilers. There was one more case of insta-love that came out of left field, which I suspect was done to perhaps set up another book.
Ultimately, a sweet, nicely paced story with just enough tension to keep the plot and romance interesting. Humor is witty and dry, even the Clutch the cat had something to say. Loved the cat!
Review cross-posted at Gay Book Reviews
Copy of the book provided by the author/publisher for a fair and honest review. Thank you!
June 22, 2016
I loved so much about this book that I don't even know where to begin.
Robert Johnny is a writer with a case of writers block he can't shake and a stalker he can't identify. Out to dinner for his birthday with his friend Chaz he happens upon a busboy with his first book in his back pocket.
Dario Martinez is working as a busboy to support himself while attending college. He is a huge Robert Johnny fan Andrew is lucky enough to meet the man himself. Maybe it was fate that put these two in each other's path or maybe it was pure luck, either way it was electric.
Robert is so drawn to Dario he returns to the restaurant the next night for dinner and the two strike up a friendship. When Robert rescues Dario from is abusive boyfriend and whisks him off for the weekend to recuperate their friendship and the attraction deepens.
As the months go on Dario and Robert cement their budding relationship and Robert's stalker steps up his game. The two are looking forward to forever, but they have to survive the stalker first.
The plot in this story was amazing! It was fast paced and kept me guessing the whole time. Every time I thought I knew who the stalker was, Bam a new twist.
Even with the age difference between Robert and Dario, the relationship just seemed right. There was no emotional disconnect, no immature angst. It was perfect, they were perfect.
There was humor, there was intrigue, there was genuine emotion. I was already a fan of John Inman, but this just skyrocketed him to a new level.
I can see this book being reread often.
Robert Johnny is a writer with a case of writers block he can't shake and a stalker he can't identify. Out to dinner for his birthday with his friend Chaz he happens upon a busboy with his first book in his back pocket.
Dario Martinez is working as a busboy to support himself while attending college. He is a huge Robert Johnny fan Andrew is lucky enough to meet the man himself. Maybe it was fate that put these two in each other's path or maybe it was pure luck, either way it was electric.
Robert is so drawn to Dario he returns to the restaurant the next night for dinner and the two strike up a friendship. When Robert rescues Dario from is abusive boyfriend and whisks him off for the weekend to recuperate their friendship and the attraction deepens.
As the months go on Dario and Robert cement their budding relationship and Robert's stalker steps up his game. The two are looking forward to forever, but they have to survive the stalker first.
The plot in this story was amazing! It was fast paced and kept me guessing the whole time. Every time I thought I knew who the stalker was, Bam a new twist.
Even with the age difference between Robert and Dario, the relationship just seemed right. There was no emotional disconnect, no immature angst. It was perfect, they were perfect.
There was humor, there was intrigue, there was genuine emotion. I was already a fan of John Inman, but this just skyrocketed him to a new level.
I can see this book being reread often.
July 6, 2016
A Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words Review An Alisa Review:
John Inman is a new author for me; I own a few books but haven’t gotten to reading them yet. I was not disappointed with this story, it was wonderful.
Robert is pretty depresses as he turns thirty, with nothing positive happening for him and he doesn’t see it changing anytime soon. He is taken with Dario when he meets him at his favorite Mexican restaurant and when they see each other again he has a great need to protect him. Dario realizes pretty fast that he will need to show Robert how he feels for anything to grow between them.
Robert took a little bit to connect to, he was so depressed with himself and his life he couldn’t see anything really happy and he keeps everyone at an arm’s length. When he meets Dario something clicks and he can start to see the positive side of life. Dario was so adorable, not much could keep him down but I just wanted to keep him safe throughout the story. Both of these characters are so loveable and seeing them fall in love for the first time was wonderful.
Cover art by AngstyG is a beautiful picture and I love it.
John Inman is a new author for me; I own a few books but haven’t gotten to reading them yet. I was not disappointed with this story, it was wonderful.
Robert is pretty depresses as he turns thirty, with nothing positive happening for him and he doesn’t see it changing anytime soon. He is taken with Dario when he meets him at his favorite Mexican restaurant and when they see each other again he has a great need to protect him. Dario realizes pretty fast that he will need to show Robert how he feels for anything to grow between them.
Robert took a little bit to connect to, he was so depressed with himself and his life he couldn’t see anything really happy and he keeps everyone at an arm’s length. When he meets Dario something clicks and he can start to see the positive side of life. Dario was so adorable, not much could keep him down but I just wanted to keep him safe throughout the story. Both of these characters are so loveable and seeing them fall in love for the first time was wonderful.
Cover art by AngstyG is a beautiful picture and I love it.
July 16, 2016
3.5 Stars.
I have mixed feelings on this book. While I enjoyed the main storyline, it just didn't seem to have the same level of intensity & bite that I've gotten in the past, when reading Mr. Inman's books. They usually have a very strong mystery vibe to them, a good old fashion "who done it". But, that seemed to be missing from this book IMO. Perhaps that was the intention of the author...a more lighter read. Really more of a love story with a small side of mystery to it.
I have mixed feelings on this book. While I enjoyed the main storyline, it just didn't seem to have the same level of intensity & bite that I've gotten in the past, when reading Mr. Inman's books. They usually have a very strong mystery vibe to them, a good old fashion "who done it". But, that seemed to be missing from this book IMO. Perhaps that was the intention of the author...a more lighter read. Really more of a love story with a small side of mystery to it.
July 6, 2016
I liked it as i liked "Shy".
January 13, 2024
This story was a little disappointing. I expected a thriller or at least an in depth mystery but what I mostly got was a contemporary love story. The plot was very slow. By halfway through, not much had happened except them finding each other and only a couple of days had passed. They had mostly looked at the world and commented on its beauty (like the desert or the view from a balcony or lack thereof in a black out) and felt around the narrator’s insecurities about their getting together.
The mutual admiration society that arose each time Dario had to reassure Robert got old after a while, and I’m someone who usually loves angst.
Inman’s writing is excellent. At points it’s beautiful, at other times funny, and usually emotion provoking. I’ve loved most of his books I’ve read. But there was something off about his writing here. Robert was kind of a dick in some ways. He could be very kind, like when he gave Bucky a handful of money and then lambasted someone who was unkind about the drug addict, but then he could be cruel when he judged a fan harshly based on her looks or when he sounded like he thought elderly people were gross.
The plot left me guessing but there were so few characters, whether right or wrong, I felt either the solution was obvious or the culprit was someone not yet presented. The solution felt contrived and didn’t make a ton of sense to me.
The relationship building wasn’t the best either because although Dario was more than just a sycophant—he was smart mouthed and clever too—they did little but have sex and think about having sex and talk about having sex. I didn’t really get what they saw in each other beyond superficial attraction.
Dario sounded a lot older than he was like using the word “golly” and knowing about Sally Field’s Oscar speech. Even Robert made references too old for his 30 years (although he kept annoyingly referring to himself as an old man). He compared something to Lawrence Welk soap bubbles. I only know that reference because as a very little kid I watched that show with my grandmother. This was written when I was 48, not 30. I suspect most people reading this review won’t know who Welk is either.
If you like contemporaries where the only plot is a budding relationship, you might enjoy this. I didn’t really but I did like the writing itself.
I will still read Inman’s books because I’ve loved several and someone has recommended Payback, but hopefully what’s to come is more enjoyable than this for me.
The mutual admiration society that arose each time Dario had to reassure Robert got old after a while, and I’m someone who usually loves angst.
Inman’s writing is excellent. At points it’s beautiful, at other times funny, and usually emotion provoking. I’ve loved most of his books I’ve read. But there was something off about his writing here. Robert was kind of a dick in some ways. He could be very kind, like when he gave Bucky a handful of money and then lambasted someone who was unkind about the drug addict, but then he could be cruel when he judged a fan harshly based on her looks or when he sounded like he thought elderly people were gross.
The plot left me guessing but there were so few characters, whether right or wrong, I felt either the solution was obvious or the culprit was someone not yet presented. The solution felt contrived and didn’t make a ton of sense to me.
The relationship building wasn’t the best either because although Dario was more than just a sycophant—he was smart mouthed and clever too—they did little but have sex and think about having sex and talk about having sex. I didn’t really get what they saw in each other beyond superficial attraction.
Dario sounded a lot older than he was like using the word “golly” and knowing about Sally Field’s Oscar speech. Even Robert made references too old for his 30 years (although he kept annoyingly referring to himself as an old man). He compared something to Lawrence Welk soap bubbles. I only know that reference because as a very little kid I watched that show with my grandmother. This was written when I was 48, not 30. I suspect most people reading this review won’t know who Welk is either.
If you like contemporaries where the only plot is a budding relationship, you might enjoy this. I didn’t really but I did like the writing itself.
I will still read Inman’s books because I’ve loved several and someone has recommended Payback, but hopefully what’s to come is more enjoyable than this for me.
August 26, 2018
OMG! No, don't go with that guy you barely know to his secluded cabin in the desert, Arturo!!!
Oh, wait. Wrong book. My bad!
I can see some parallels to the boys on the mountain here, though. :D Writer/vet or soon-to-be-vet, a secluded house in the desert, a murderous psychopath...
But that's okay. It didn't feel the same at all, it just shared a couple of common aspects.
It's a very sweet story with a thrilling little mystery showdown at the end, very entertaining.
I just didn't like Robert very much. He's just 30, but he acts like a 65 year old man.
He's also very shallow, has some serious hygiene issues and is kind of adipophobic. Would he love Dario even if he wasn't beautiful? Probably not, since he's already acting like a whiny pussy when the guy just had an ugly shiner, so I suppose he wouldn't even have looked at him twice if he wasn't pretty, but maybe just an average looking fellow... and fan of his. Would he have treated him the same way he treated the corpulent fan in the polka dot dress - with disgust? I dunno. That's not very intriguing...
(And why the hell does Robert need a $2000 computer when all he does is writing and using the internet every now and then? He doesn't even need fancy programs for video or picture editing... X'D)
Well, whatever... despite the sometimes borderline annoying MC, I enjoyed the suspense and sweet love story a lot. 3,5 Stars.
Oh, wait. Wrong book. My bad!
I can see some parallels to the boys on the mountain here, though. :D Writer/vet or soon-to-be-vet, a secluded house in the desert, a murderous psychopath...
But that's okay. It didn't feel the same at all, it just shared a couple of common aspects.
It's a very sweet story with a thrilling little mystery showdown at the end, very entertaining.
I just didn't like Robert very much. He's just 30, but he acts like a 65 year old man.
He's also very shallow, has some serious hygiene issues and is kind of adipophobic. Would he love Dario even if he wasn't beautiful? Probably not, since he's already acting like a whiny pussy when the guy just had an ugly shiner, so I suppose he wouldn't even have looked at him twice if he wasn't pretty, but maybe just an average looking fellow... and fan of his. Would he have treated him the same way he treated the corpulent fan in the polka dot dress - with disgust? I dunno. That's not very intriguing...
(And why the hell does Robert need a $2000 computer when all he does is writing and using the internet every now and then? He doesn't even need fancy programs for video or picture editing... X'D)
Well, whatever... despite the sometimes borderline annoying MC, I enjoyed the suspense and sweet love story a lot. 3,5 Stars.
July 2, 2017
In My Busboy John Inman introduces the readers to Robert Johnny and Dario Martinez, two men at the rock bottom of their lives who bond over Mexican food and literature. That bond quickly blooms into lust, and love soon follows. However, to be together, they must first find ways to overcome the forces holding them down.
Robert has an average, if declining life as an author. The reader can clearly feel the pain of Robert’s writer’s block. Dario, the young busboy at his favorite Mexican restaurant, becomes his muse. But just as affection for Dario is growing, Robert’s stalker, formerly no more than a nuisance begins to cause real world problems for him and the man tugging on his heartstrings.
John Inman weaves a sweet, suspenseful tale of starting over with a new love and rising above your previous circumstances. I would recommend this book for readers who enjoy going on a wild, passionate ride with realistic characters who will steal your heart and your breath.
Reviewed by Liz Cat for Crystal's Many Reviewers
*Copy provided for review*
Robert has an average, if declining life as an author. The reader can clearly feel the pain of Robert’s writer’s block. Dario, the young busboy at his favorite Mexican restaurant, becomes his muse. But just as affection for Dario is growing, Robert’s stalker, formerly no more than a nuisance begins to cause real world problems for him and the man tugging on his heartstrings.
John Inman weaves a sweet, suspenseful tale of starting over with a new love and rising above your previous circumstances. I would recommend this book for readers who enjoy going on a wild, passionate ride with realistic characters who will steal your heart and your breath.
Reviewed by Liz Cat for Crystal's Many Reviewers
*Copy provided for review*
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