Just What the Doctor Ordered

by J.M. Snyder

Curt, a college professor, lives with his lover of several years, a pediatrician of Chinese descent named Lee. Eager to write, he receives a grant to take the summer off and work on a novel. Then Lee's mother calls -- she wants to visit. Curt is eager to meet her but Lee isn't so sure ... she's of a different generation, a different culture even, and doesn't speak much English. Still, Curt insists.
But when Mrs. Gui arrives, Curt finds himself struggling with writer's block. He feels like an outsider in his own home when Lee and his mother converse in Cantonese, leaving him out of the conversation, and even his sex life suffers with her in the bedroom next to theirs. Can Curt and Mrs. Gui move past their cultural differences to see that they both love Lee and have his best interests at heart?

Genres: M M Romance, LGBT, Romance

ebook

First published January 1, 2006

About the author

An author of gay erotic/romantic fiction, J.M. Snyder began in self-publishing and worked with Amber Allure, Aspen Mountain, eXcessica, and Torquere Presses.

Snyder's highly erotic short gay fiction has been published online at Amazon Shorts, Eros Monthly, Ruthie's Club, and Tit-Elation, as well as in anthologies by Alyson Books, Aspen Mountain, Cleis Press, eXcessica Publishing, Lethe Press, and Ravenous Romance.

In 2010, Snyder founded JMS Books LLC, a royalty-paying queer small press that publishes in both electronic and print format. For more information on newest releases and submission guidelines, please visit JMS Books LLC online.

Reviews

[Ami · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars
I always enjoy Ms. Snyder novellas and short stories because they're just fun. This one reminds me of the movie, "The Wedding Banquet", without the wife. It's really fun to read how Curt feels and thinks about his lover's Chinese mother. I guess it's always dreadful to see a mother-in-law *lol*. Well, technically Curt and Lee are not married but you know what I meant :p. I can imagine Curt being annoyed because Lee and his mother speak in Cantonese. It's a delight quick read for me.

[Jenn (not Lily) · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars
No, it's not perfect, but it's truly wonderful anyway.

[Anita · Rating 1 out of 5]

No. Just no. Curt was a small-minded, peevish, petulant xenophobe. Lee, who is Curt's boyfriend, seems to have a strained relationship with his mother. The mother wants to visit and though Lee is reluctant, Curt talks him into having her visit. Curt says he wants to meet his boyfriend's family. Mrs. Gui does not speak English well. She has a somewhat disapproving air which upsets Curt. Then she and Lee converse with one another in Cantonese. Curt feels left out and he refers to the language as
gibberish and wonders why they can't speak in English." Hmmm. Just because you don't understand the language and you're feeling uncertain shouldn't lead you to demean the language and the lady is more comfortable speaking Cantonese, deal with it! Then later on the mom wants to make egg rolls and wants to go to an Asian market and asked Curt to take her. Curt says to himself "I didn't want to go to store, least of all an Asian store. I didn't have to go anywhere to feel like an outsider, I got enough of that shit at home anymore." This is YOUR BOYFRIEND'S MOTHER. Okay, the woman is seemingly unfriendly but you would think you'd get over your hissy fit and take the lady to store but no, you're uncomfortable going to an Asian market. My final issue with this book is Curt has had it and he takes the mother to Lee's place of business. Lee is a busy pediatrician and works in a local clinic. Curt swans in and demands to see Lee who is in the midst of seeing patients. Curt wants Lee to drop everything so they can all go to the Asian market. Curt is rude and demanding to the clinic staff and just an all around asshole. So no, just no. Curt was a jerk.

[Sucajo · Rating 3 out of 5]

Curt wants Lee's mother to come visit them even though Lee doesn't think it's a good idea. Lee is Asian American and his mother is Chinese and doesn't speak good English. Curt ends up feeling very isolated when mother and son converse in Cantonese but then again he doesn't make any attempt to learn even a couple of basic phrases in Cantonese. Lee is in an awkward position, stuck trying to keep his mother and his lover happy. Something has to give and evetually a mistake by Curt forces the situation to a head. An enjoyable story.

[Diane · Rating 4 out of 5]

Let Me Meet Your Mother

Be careful what you ask for!
This was a really cute story about a physician and his boyfriend and the doctor's mom who comes to visit.
Language barriers and cultural differences make for some interesting exchanges and misunderstandings.

Very good and highly recommended.

[Maame · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love m/m books about established couples. Most of the books are about falling in love that it is always nice to read one about a couple that is not part of a series. This was very well done. And l love it very much. I could not put it done. I promise you will enjoy it if you give it a try.

[J.M. · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my book so I'm not going to write a review.

[Anke · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked it very much, a believable story, only the end was a bit rushed.