What do you think?
Rate this book
The Contenders #1
The Janitor
LGBT Erotic ContemporaryI’m a naturally optimistic type of person, you know? Yeah, I think good things will happen, only they usually don’t. Take even though he’s educated and rich and he don’t think he’s even gay, I want to belong to him. I want him to take me completely---Dane ConnellyDane Connelly is a gay janitor and boxer with a soft heart and a simple outlook--he wants to meet the right man, someone who will look past his macho sport and put him in the place of a submissive. He wants to fall in love and belong to his partner.On the surface, Noel Atherton, an intellectual, shy, and sexually repressed university graduate student with a crippled leg, could not be the dominant lover that Dane longs for. But after their first meeting, when Dane disables the fire alarm in the library and lights a cigarette, Noel is drawn from his shell. Soon, Noel needs to touch Dane, exploring his sexuality for the first time. And both learn that looks can be deceiving.However, Noel's controlling father is appalled by the relationship and quietly arranges to get Dane out of the way and punish him for daring to love a man so far above his station.Publisher's This book contains explicit sexual content, graphic language, and situations that some readers may find Anal play/intercourse, domination/submission, male/male sexual practices, strong violence.
171 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 1, 2009
4 people are currently reading
290 people want to read
About the author
Jan Irving
51 books199 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name. See this thread for more information.
romance author
Jan Irving has worked in all kinds of creative fields, from painting silk to making porcelain ceramics, to interior design, but writing was always her passion.
She feels you can’t fully understand characters until you follow their journey through a story world. Many kinds of worlds interest her, fantasy, historical, science fiction and suspense—but all have one thing in common, people finding a way to live together—in the most emotional and erotic fashion possible, of course!
Visit Jan's blog at http://jan-revealed.livejournal.com.
romance author
Jan Irving has worked in all kinds of creative fields, from painting silk to making porcelain ceramics, to interior design, but writing was always her passion.
She feels you can’t fully understand characters until you follow their journey through a story world. Many kinds of worlds interest her, fantasy, historical, science fiction and suspense—but all have one thing in common, people finding a way to live together—in the most emotional and erotic fashion possible, of course!
Visit Jan's blog at http://jan-revealed.livejournal.com.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews
January 16, 2015
For a while there I thought I was going to die of compassion.
Now? I'm pretty sure I've been trolled.
This story is an incredible number of good and important ideas, gathered up together by kind and tender hands, mounded up into an appealing shape, doused with gasoline, set-fire-to, and kicked directly into your face.
Fuck you, Loose Id, for all your help in making this horridly-edited novel what it is today, but mostly for a cover that has next to nothing to do with the book, nicely-done bit of photoshop diddlebuggery or no.
Fuck you, Jan Irving's betas, for letting her use the word 'penis' eight times on one page.
Fuck you too, Ms. Irving, for a series of comically unsophisticated villains whose absurd actions en caricature did nothing to shape the discussion you raised—but also, really, for thinking you could use a word like 'sac' without any apparent irony whatsoever, despite it sounding like something you'd see illustrated in an abnormal biology textbook after it had gone black, septic, and fallen off the throat of a laboratory animal in a cosmetics testing facility.
The sac, not the textbook. Yes, I know that sentence sucks, I am simply—y'know what?
Fuck you, too.
Now, if you will excuse me, I've got to call back my developmentally disabled baby brother to explain why I spent ten minutes weeping into his voicemail this afternoon.
Now? I'm pretty sure I've been trolled.
This story is an incredible number of good and important ideas, gathered up together by kind and tender hands, mounded up into an appealing shape, doused with gasoline, set-fire-to, and kicked directly into your face.
Fuck you, Loose Id, for all your help in making this horridly-edited novel what it is today, but mostly for a cover that has next to nothing to do with the book, nicely-done bit of photoshop diddlebuggery or no.
Fuck you, Jan Irving's betas, for letting her use the word 'penis' eight times on one page.
Fuck you too, Ms. Irving, for a series of comically unsophisticated villains whose absurd actions en caricature did nothing to shape the discussion you raised—but also, really, for thinking you could use a word like 'sac' without any apparent irony whatsoever, despite it sounding like something you'd see illustrated in an abnormal biology textbook after it had gone black, septic, and fallen off the throat of a laboratory animal in a cosmetics testing facility.
The sac, not the textbook. Yes, I know that sentence sucks, I am simply—y'know what?
Fuck you, too.
Now, if you will excuse me, I've got to call back my developmentally disabled baby brother to explain why I spent ten minutes weeping into his voicemail this afternoon.
November 29, 2011
AN UNLIKELY PARTNERSHIP!!!
I enjoyed this book so much that I find myself going every few days to bask in pure love of the main men.
Dane is a boxer, scarred and considered not very smart because of the way he looks and talks. His appearance says strong and tough but never was there a man more gentle and fragile. He is a just a poor man searching for someone to love and to have someone love him in return. working as a janitor at a local university he meets the man he is destined to love but Noel is way out of his league. A rich and smart man he could never grow to love a boxer as scarred and unintelligent as he is.
Noel has no idea whether he is gay or straight, having no sexual experience since an accident left him disabled with a busted leg. Any form of sexual excitement leaves his leg hurting and his ego small. He cant help but being drawn to the beautiful Dane his innocence and his pure heart,but how can one so beautiful be attracted to a cripple.
This story is just so sweet and I love the role reversal, makes for an interesting love scene. Theres something sexy when a strong and masculine character becomes submissive to his less masculine partner. This story is about innocence and prejudices that people tend to have for someone who doesn't quite fit the mold. Dane and Noel will have a lot to overcome but the way they love each other is just so sweet. This will show you that not always do you need to be book smart or rich, to come out on top.
I enjoyed this book so much that I find myself going every few days to bask in pure love of the main men.
Dane is a boxer, scarred and considered not very smart because of the way he looks and talks. His appearance says strong and tough but never was there a man more gentle and fragile. He is a just a poor man searching for someone to love and to have someone love him in return. working as a janitor at a local university he meets the man he is destined to love but Noel is way out of his league. A rich and smart man he could never grow to love a boxer as scarred and unintelligent as he is.
Noel has no idea whether he is gay or straight, having no sexual experience since an accident left him disabled with a busted leg. Any form of sexual excitement leaves his leg hurting and his ego small. He cant help but being drawn to the beautiful Dane his innocence and his pure heart,but how can one so beautiful be attracted to a cripple.
This story is just so sweet and I love the role reversal, makes for an interesting love scene. Theres something sexy when a strong and masculine character becomes submissive to his less masculine partner. This story is about innocence and prejudices that people tend to have for someone who doesn't quite fit the mold. Dane and Noel will have a lot to overcome but the way they love each other is just so sweet. This will show you that not always do you need to be book smart or rich, to come out on top.
August 30, 2009
At first glance, it would be rather easy to pass this off as a bad book. Without a doubt, The Janitor is not a stellar piece of quality fiction. However, the plot and characters ideas are intriguing and could have been crafted in such a way to deliver a complex and emotional journey as these two men find love. Yet the author commits several glaring and amateurish mistakes, which turn this novel from something with potential to an exaggerated stereotype, filled with homophobic dialogue and one-dimensional characters. Seeing as this is the debut novel for the author, one hopes future novels will grow from these mistakes into a fully realized and developed plot with complicated and involved characters. None of which was present here, but lurking under the bad writing is a hint of possible potential.
The plot revolves around Dane, the actual janitor, who befriends Noah and the two embark on a pseudo-BDSM sexual relationship complete with role-playing, fantasy fulfillment and the evil, controlling father with more money than God manipulating it all. The exaggerated tropes and obvious plot devices did the story no favors and created a predictable course of action down to the final resolution, which was incredibly unbelievable and unrealistic even considering the outrageous artificial world the author created. The story attempted to infuse emotion in its prose but failed due to poor writing, inconsistent pacing, and empty stereotypical characters.
The third person POV writing was a big mistake. The writing was third person alternating between Noel and Dane’s perspective yet written with such prose and phrasing as if the story was first person point of view from Dane, therefore creating a low level of quality writing. While this could be acceptable if the story had actually been written from Dane’s POV, but the choice to use third person simply resulted in a badly written piece of fiction that jars the pace and flow of the story. From word choice and phrasing to exaggerated emphasis, the story reads from Dane’s perspective as an uneducated, simple, yet sensitive man. This could have been handled many different ways instead of giving the impression the author is a poor writer.
The characters are often flat and stereotypical using a variety of almost insulting themes for gay men and clearly a woman’s idea of gay men and relationships. While this wouldn’t even be cause for mentioning but the over use of slang, and gay tropes is glaring. From the use of the word “date” for any sex Dane has to the comment from a random hookup about not wanting to hear talking during sex or he wouldn’t be gay, these glaring stereotypes are distracting. For example:
“Who you talkin’ to, queer boy?” his trainer asked him.
“Someone very nice, who I hope to impress. I’m just tryin’ to memorize some things, you know?”
“I thought you boys just fucked each other’s asses? What’s there to talk about?”
None of this is helped by the author’s portrayal of Dane. He’s supposed to be a sweet, sensitive, big-hearted man who’s not dumb but just uneducated. Yet throughout the book Dane constantly tells himself and others how stupid he is and rarely, if ever, is he contradicted. Even his friends make excuses for his mental inadequacies to the point that it is surprising Dane can function at all. His sweet and trusting nature is shown time and time again as is his misguided notions about love, trust, pride, and being a man. Dane claims he likes to be told what to do and this is clear as his decision-making processes and ability to understand even the most simplistic concepts seems to elude him. Whether Dane truly enjoyed being dominated sexually or just knew he needed someone to help him survive the various pitfalls of life is debatable. The character is somewhat likeable but more pitiable as the author repeatedly makes him more stupid than believable.
Which brings up Noel, Dane’s sexual dominant and a man in need of serious therapy. Noel is a sheltered cripple living with the typical overbearing and evil father. Noel can’t seem to stand up to his father and going so far as to belittle Dane repeatedly both in front of Noel’s father and even in later arguments referring to Dane as “stupid” and a “moron”. This kind of abusive relationship they have in no way supports a healthy BDSM relationship not to mention the creepy way Noel calls himself “Daddy” considering the numerous father issues he has. Noel claims to own Dane early on in the story yet fails Dane repeatedly throughout the book with no consequences since Dane forgives Noel easily and without much thought. This uneven and ultimately unhealthy relationship supposedly ends happily with Noel in some much needed therapy.
There are additional characters such as the overbearing, evil father who has money and power to manipulate everything from Dane’s job to his apartment with the requisite and predictable physical violence. The man is of course in the closet about his own sexuality and has anger management problems, going so far as to urinate on his son’s bed at one point. Because of course a rich, successful doctor who is a cardboard cut out for evil would do something like that. The father as well has a totally unbelievable and melodramatic ending, which actually fits in well with the over the top and overdone ridiculous final fight scene. Why call the police on a potential murderer when you can instead agree to a boxing match and prove your manliness? This plot twist made absolutely no sense and just capped off a poorly written story.
From beginning to the end the author uses the easiest and most obvious choices instead of imbuing subtly, complexity, and interest into her story. The attempt to make the reader emotionally connect with Dane fell flat because while he certainly is portrayed as an innocent, sweet man he is also close to being completely helpless with his lack of mental ability. Thus it is painful to watch the repeated betrayals he’s subjected to on every level. Add in the poor phrasing with homophobic overtures and unrealistic behaviors littering the pages and this is an unfortunate failure. For those readers of the m/m genre that prefer their romance well written, well crafted, with three-dimensional characters – pass this one by. I was lured by the gorgeous cover and should have read the excerpt.
The plot revolves around Dane, the actual janitor, who befriends Noah and the two embark on a pseudo-BDSM sexual relationship complete with role-playing, fantasy fulfillment and the evil, controlling father with more money than God manipulating it all. The exaggerated tropes and obvious plot devices did the story no favors and created a predictable course of action down to the final resolution, which was incredibly unbelievable and unrealistic even considering the outrageous artificial world the author created. The story attempted to infuse emotion in its prose but failed due to poor writing, inconsistent pacing, and empty stereotypical characters.
The third person POV writing was a big mistake. The writing was third person alternating between Noel and Dane’s perspective yet written with such prose and phrasing as if the story was first person point of view from Dane, therefore creating a low level of quality writing. While this could be acceptable if the story had actually been written from Dane’s POV, but the choice to use third person simply resulted in a badly written piece of fiction that jars the pace and flow of the story. From word choice and phrasing to exaggerated emphasis, the story reads from Dane’s perspective as an uneducated, simple, yet sensitive man. This could have been handled many different ways instead of giving the impression the author is a poor writer.
The characters are often flat and stereotypical using a variety of almost insulting themes for gay men and clearly a woman’s idea of gay men and relationships. While this wouldn’t even be cause for mentioning but the over use of slang, and gay tropes is glaring. From the use of the word “date” for any sex Dane has to the comment from a random hookup about not wanting to hear talking during sex or he wouldn’t be gay, these glaring stereotypes are distracting. For example:
“Who you talkin’ to, queer boy?” his trainer asked him.
“Someone very nice, who I hope to impress. I’m just tryin’ to memorize some things, you know?”
“I thought you boys just fucked each other’s asses? What’s there to talk about?”
None of this is helped by the author’s portrayal of Dane. He’s supposed to be a sweet, sensitive, big-hearted man who’s not dumb but just uneducated. Yet throughout the book Dane constantly tells himself and others how stupid he is and rarely, if ever, is he contradicted. Even his friends make excuses for his mental inadequacies to the point that it is surprising Dane can function at all. His sweet and trusting nature is shown time and time again as is his misguided notions about love, trust, pride, and being a man. Dane claims he likes to be told what to do and this is clear as his decision-making processes and ability to understand even the most simplistic concepts seems to elude him. Whether Dane truly enjoyed being dominated sexually or just knew he needed someone to help him survive the various pitfalls of life is debatable. The character is somewhat likeable but more pitiable as the author repeatedly makes him more stupid than believable.
Which brings up Noel, Dane’s sexual dominant and a man in need of serious therapy. Noel is a sheltered cripple living with the typical overbearing and evil father. Noel can’t seem to stand up to his father and going so far as to belittle Dane repeatedly both in front of Noel’s father and even in later arguments referring to Dane as “stupid” and a “moron”. This kind of abusive relationship they have in no way supports a healthy BDSM relationship not to mention the creepy way Noel calls himself “Daddy” considering the numerous father issues he has. Noel claims to own Dane early on in the story yet fails Dane repeatedly throughout the book with no consequences since Dane forgives Noel easily and without much thought. This uneven and ultimately unhealthy relationship supposedly ends happily with Noel in some much needed therapy.
There are additional characters such as the overbearing, evil father who has money and power to manipulate everything from Dane’s job to his apartment with the requisite and predictable physical violence. The man is of course in the closet about his own sexuality and has anger management problems, going so far as to urinate on his son’s bed at one point. Because of course a rich, successful doctor who is a cardboard cut out for evil would do something like that. The father as well has a totally unbelievable and melodramatic ending, which actually fits in well with the over the top and overdone ridiculous final fight scene. Why call the police on a potential murderer when you can instead agree to a boxing match and prove your manliness? This plot twist made absolutely no sense and just capped off a poorly written story.
From beginning to the end the author uses the easiest and most obvious choices instead of imbuing subtly, complexity, and interest into her story. The attempt to make the reader emotionally connect with Dane fell flat because while he certainly is portrayed as an innocent, sweet man he is also close to being completely helpless with his lack of mental ability. Thus it is painful to watch the repeated betrayals he’s subjected to on every level. Add in the poor phrasing with homophobic overtures and unrealistic behaviors littering the pages and this is an unfortunate failure. For those readers of the m/m genre that prefer their romance well written, well crafted, with three-dimensional characters – pass this one by. I was lured by the gorgeous cover and should have read the excerpt.
August 23, 2015
Dane put his hands on his jeans and then hesitated.
“If I take off my pants for you, it means I love you a little, okay?”
Noel swallowed. “Love?”
“Yeah, see, I promised myself a long time ago I wouldn't screw anyone without caring about them, even a little, so I always find some kind of…love inside me before I take off my pants.”
“So I'm no different from those other men?”
“No, you are. I'm just telling you that if I show you my parts, it's because I love you…as long as that's okay with you? I won‟t love you if you say I'm not allowed.”
He didn't have a problem doing it with some bald guy with a tattoo of Bambi on his head in the back of an alley. Did he love him a little too?
DNF at 17%.
February 17, 2012
What a great read. I really did love this book for a number of reasons.
Dane Connelly is without doubt one of the sweetest, most innocent characters I've encountered in a long time and Noel Atherton was interesting and the perfect man for him. They needed each other and they found each other, which was lovely. The supporting characters were terrific too - Mr Trent, Gilbert, Charlie and the various boxers at the gym. On the other hand Noel's father was heinous, as were those he manipulated to hurt his son's relationship and hurt Dane himself.
I know some people had a problem with "Daddy" being used in the bedroom but here's the deal - it was a fantasy and it was also an outlet for two people desperately needing to express themselves for two reasons. 1) Noel was crippled in one leg after a car accident, that also killed his mother, so he felt less than a man, his father made sure he perpetuated that belief, 2) Dane needed someone to rely on, to take pressure off him, he needed love and kindness, not the rough, meaningless, brutal sex that people felt he was going to inject into their encounters because he was big, raw and muscular. Being able to use "Daddy" in the bedroom allowed both of these men to free themselves of the outside stereotypes that people automatically placed on them. It allowed Noel to feel strong and Dane to feel comforted. Noel was the dominant, Dane the submissive and people would never have guessed it based on outward appearances. Psychologically speaking, it was absolutely spot how Jan Irving incorporated this into the story.
It was also interesting that the world of academia were not so supportive of a gay relationship yet the boxers were, albeit cheekily at times. I also loved Dane's gentle treatment and love of his pets (friends) and his optimistic outlook on life, even after life threw him some pretty rough punches. I also enjoyed Noel's progression from a shy, scarred, a-sexual man to a loving, more free spirited partner. He struggled with Dane boxing, which was understandable, but he needed to support Dane's passion and what made him feel good about himself, what gave him his identity. I loved how it was Noel who got Dane through the critical boxing match when the others, who supported him more often in his boxing pursuits were ready for Dane to throw in the towel.
This book delivers a one, two knockout to stereotypes and is definitely a keeper. I have just re-read it again and enjoyed it just as much. Oh yes, the sequel (The Boxer) is fabulous too. Jan Irving is now on my must read list.
Dane Connelly is without doubt one of the sweetest, most innocent characters I've encountered in a long time and Noel Atherton was interesting and the perfect man for him. They needed each other and they found each other, which was lovely. The supporting characters were terrific too - Mr Trent, Gilbert, Charlie and the various boxers at the gym. On the other hand Noel's father was heinous, as were those he manipulated to hurt his son's relationship and hurt Dane himself.
I know some people had a problem with "Daddy" being used in the bedroom but here's the deal - it was a fantasy and it was also an outlet for two people desperately needing to express themselves for two reasons. 1) Noel was crippled in one leg after a car accident, that also killed his mother, so he felt less than a man, his father made sure he perpetuated that belief, 2) Dane needed someone to rely on, to take pressure off him, he needed love and kindness, not the rough, meaningless, brutal sex that people felt he was going to inject into their encounters because he was big, raw and muscular. Being able to use "Daddy" in the bedroom allowed both of these men to free themselves of the outside stereotypes that people automatically placed on them. It allowed Noel to feel strong and Dane to feel comforted. Noel was the dominant, Dane the submissive and people would never have guessed it based on outward appearances. Psychologically speaking, it was absolutely spot how Jan Irving incorporated this into the story.
It was also interesting that the world of academia were not so supportive of a gay relationship yet the boxers were, albeit cheekily at times. I also loved Dane's gentle treatment and love of his pets (friends) and his optimistic outlook on life, even after life threw him some pretty rough punches. I also enjoyed Noel's progression from a shy, scarred, a-sexual man to a loving, more free spirited partner. He struggled with Dane boxing, which was understandable, but he needed to support Dane's passion and what made him feel good about himself, what gave him his identity. I loved how it was Noel who got Dane through the critical boxing match when the others, who supported him more often in his boxing pursuits were ready for Dane to throw in the towel.
This book delivers a one, two knockout to stereotypes and is definitely a keeper. I have just re-read it again and enjoyed it just as much. Oh yes, the sequel (The Boxer) is fabulous too. Jan Irving is now on my must read list.
May 11, 2009
From the cover I went in expecting a boxer type who was kinda blue collar and rough around the edges. Yeah, and maybe a little dirty. heh. I can see what the author was trying to accomplish, but there is a difference between a character who is a little dim, to someone who needs a caregiver. The elements needed to make good D/s pairing were not apparent, the plot required a great deal of suspention of disbelief and I’m afraid I found this a difficult read to finish. Nice cover though!
http://sharrow.wordpress.com/2009/05/...
http://sharrow.wordpress.com/2009/05/...
November 7, 2011
I was very impressed with this story. And while it contained enough sad moments to not re-read it any time soon, it was also beautiful, heart-wrenching and touching. It reminded me a bit of Tim.
The only small things that bothered me were that there was no clear delineation of the passage of time and the sad story of Arthur's past.
I felt the main characters! Dane was such a sweet person I just wanted to hug him and try to shield him from all the hurt he went through. He was simple-minded and so trusting it ached to read how he was taken advantage of. He was so honest and open, caring and gentle despite his size and boxing career. Perhaps it was that contrast which made his personality all the more charming.
I was really marked by the struggle of the characters and pleased they had their happy ending which is why it deserves a 5 star rating. Yet, not sure I can read it again any time soon.
The only small things that bothered me were that there was no clear delineation of the passage of time and the sad story of Arthur's past.
I felt the main characters! Dane was such a sweet person I just wanted to hug him and try to shield him from all the hurt he went through. He was simple-minded and so trusting it ached to read how he was taken advantage of. He was so honest and open, caring and gentle despite his size and boxing career. Perhaps it was that contrast which made his personality all the more charming.
I was really marked by the struggle of the characters and pleased they had their happy ending which is why it deserves a 5 star rating. Yet, not sure I can read it again any time soon.
March 16, 2014
All Dane Connelly wants is to be a great boxer and find the love of his life. It seems he finally got an answer to one of his prayers the day he met Noel Atherton at the University library where Dane works as a janitor. The attraction was instantaneous and beneficial for the two because Dane brings out the protective side of Noel while Noel answer's Dane's unspoken need of being valued. Problem is, Noel's father doesn't approve of their relationship and will stop at nothing to keep them apart.
I think the strongest aspect of the story is with Dane's characterization. Described as "...having a body like Superman and eyes like Bambi" I couldn't help but fall in love with is child like optimism and positive outlook in life. He is good-natured almost to the point of being naive so it's heartbreaking to read when he gets taken advantage of by other people. Good thing Noel's there to make sure he's well taken care of.
If only the kinks and sex toys were taken out of the story line, this book could've earned another star from me. Good thing Dane's adorable best friend "Goldie" almost made up for that little pet peeve.
Almost ^_^
July 8, 2011
I found Dane a sweet and innocent character despite his mental limitations. Noel was a perfect match for him with his intelligence and determination to help Dane achieve what his goals are. Very likeable heros with a sexy and sweet plot. I loved it!
January 11, 2012
What a fabulous opposites attract story. Dane is a gentle giant that stole his way into my heart. Loved it.
Read
June 5, 2009I have some stories that are swirling in my mind that probably I will never fix, and so I was really happy to find this book, that in a way matches with an idea I had: a love story between an apparently "perfect" man, cultured and sophisticated and a "simple" boy, someone who has a special look on life, and a world all of his own in his mind.
Dane is a part time janitor in a private college and a semi-professional boxer. He is a little "slow", he was always like that and people never tried to see the world from his eyes, and so he often comes out as dumb or stupid. But Dane is a very special man, with a big heart, and sometime the world is better from his perspective, since he seems unable to see the nasty things of life. A retired boxer, Charlie, took care of him since he was a young boy, and even found him the job as janitor, and through the boxing he is trying to teach him how to be independent and to trust in his own possibility. And so Dane is not a sad man, and he is not really alone, but he misses the companionship of someone special, a "boyfriend". Dane is an handsome man, and if he wants to find easy sex, he has no problem to be picked up in a bar; actually he is so trusting and friendly, that often people take advantage of him. But Dane, even if easily fooled, always realizes when this happens, and time after time, it's becoming more and more difficult to bear it.
Dane decides his boyfriend will be Noel, the little and shy man he always sees studying in the library. Noel is a very beautiful man, but he is crippled, due to an accident he had when he was still a boy, and his leg often causes him great pain. He is living a sheltered life in the care of his father, his only parent alive, but he is almost a captive: his father forbids him to do everything, always telling him that he is too weak. Even if his father is always there for him, he is not a loving man, he is often lead by anger and Noel is missing the kindness of a lover. Giving their background, Dane a boxer and an "experienced" lover, and Noel a scholar and a virgin, you could easily expect the development of their relationship, but here arrives the nice surprise: Dane being so simple and trusting, becomes Noel's protege, and Noel, being for once the one to take care for another, gains a bit of trust in himself. Noel becomes the master and Dane the pet, and doing so, they rebalance their differences in body and strenght.
This is not an easy book to like, there are some points in which my "inner" self was sending me warning alerts, above all, having Dane obviously some "troubles", it was right for Noel to assume the role of the Master in his life? To this my heart replied that Dane has his own perspective in life, and he is well aware of what is wrong and what is right, and he chose to submit to Noel, but still I can't help to feel as if Noel is taking advantage of Dane. The really strange thing is that I never felt as it was happening the opposite, never once I felt like Dane was taking advantage of Noel thanks to his body strenght; it's true, Dane awakened Noel to his physical desires, but from the beginning, he did it in such a way, that it was always like Noel was only waiting for something to happen, Dane never imposed him anything. There is a bit of "gay for you" in this book, since Noel is not really "gay", he is a newbie at sex at all, but how he reacts to Dane's body, makes me think that, as I said, he was only waiting for the right one, and the right one happens to be a man.
The are other minor things that didn't ring right to me, like as they often use the "Daddy" naming for Noel, or when Dane often dismissed Noel's feeling for him, and in doing so, diminishing their story. I'm also not sure that I like how the things evolved with Noel's father and the sudden "revelation" on his past. And truth be told, I always felt "uneasiness" during the sex scenes, but maybe this is due to what I said above.
Now I'm sincere and I said what made me uneasy in the book, but they are all points that made me think, they are not points that I didn't like, and this is an important distinction; on the contrary, I think that they are exactly the points that made this book so interesting. And there are also some points that moved me, almost to tears, especially when Dane was alone and was thinking to his life and how he would have liked it to be. Dane is a very special and wonderful character, and him alone makes it worthy to read this book.
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B002HHPV6C/?...
Dane is a part time janitor in a private college and a semi-professional boxer. He is a little "slow", he was always like that and people never tried to see the world from his eyes, and so he often comes out as dumb or stupid. But Dane is a very special man, with a big heart, and sometime the world is better from his perspective, since he seems unable to see the nasty things of life. A retired boxer, Charlie, took care of him since he was a young boy, and even found him the job as janitor, and through the boxing he is trying to teach him how to be independent and to trust in his own possibility. And so Dane is not a sad man, and he is not really alone, but he misses the companionship of someone special, a "boyfriend". Dane is an handsome man, and if he wants to find easy sex, he has no problem to be picked up in a bar; actually he is so trusting and friendly, that often people take advantage of him. But Dane, even if easily fooled, always realizes when this happens, and time after time, it's becoming more and more difficult to bear it.
Dane decides his boyfriend will be Noel, the little and shy man he always sees studying in the library. Noel is a very beautiful man, but he is crippled, due to an accident he had when he was still a boy, and his leg often causes him great pain. He is living a sheltered life in the care of his father, his only parent alive, but he is almost a captive: his father forbids him to do everything, always telling him that he is too weak. Even if his father is always there for him, he is not a loving man, he is often lead by anger and Noel is missing the kindness of a lover. Giving their background, Dane a boxer and an "experienced" lover, and Noel a scholar and a virgin, you could easily expect the development of their relationship, but here arrives the nice surprise: Dane being so simple and trusting, becomes Noel's protege, and Noel, being for once the one to take care for another, gains a bit of trust in himself. Noel becomes the master and Dane the pet, and doing so, they rebalance their differences in body and strenght.
This is not an easy book to like, there are some points in which my "inner" self was sending me warning alerts, above all, having Dane obviously some "troubles", it was right for Noel to assume the role of the Master in his life? To this my heart replied that Dane has his own perspective in life, and he is well aware of what is wrong and what is right, and he chose to submit to Noel, but still I can't help to feel as if Noel is taking advantage of Dane. The really strange thing is that I never felt as it was happening the opposite, never once I felt like Dane was taking advantage of Noel thanks to his body strenght; it's true, Dane awakened Noel to his physical desires, but from the beginning, he did it in such a way, that it was always like Noel was only waiting for something to happen, Dane never imposed him anything. There is a bit of "gay for you" in this book, since Noel is not really "gay", he is a newbie at sex at all, but how he reacts to Dane's body, makes me think that, as I said, he was only waiting for the right one, and the right one happens to be a man.
The are other minor things that didn't ring right to me, like as they often use the "Daddy" naming for Noel, or when Dane often dismissed Noel's feeling for him, and in doing so, diminishing their story. I'm also not sure that I like how the things evolved with Noel's father and the sudden "revelation" on his past. And truth be told, I always felt "uneasiness" during the sex scenes, but maybe this is due to what I said above.
Now I'm sincere and I said what made me uneasy in the book, but they are all points that made me think, they are not points that I didn't like, and this is an important distinction; on the contrary, I think that they are exactly the points that made this book so interesting. And there are also some points that moved me, almost to tears, especially when Dane was alone and was thinking to his life and how he would have liked it to be. Dane is a very special and wonderful character, and him alone makes it worthy to read this book.
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B002HHPV6C/?...
January 13, 2011
Okay, I have to wipe through the emotional tears so that I can write this review. WOW! I bought this book as a suggestion from Rob who put it on his reading list. I read the synopsis and thought...let's give it a whirl. I was so enthralled that I purchased The Boxer which is the follow-up novella. Ms. Irving has a magical way of using dialogue to pull the reader through the emotional depths of her characters. Dane is one of the sweetest, honest, most adorable characters I've read. His naive nature and simple, yet poignant, way of viewing life is charming. Charlie, his coach and stand-in father left him with great morals and a sense of being a man. It doesn't mean being rough and tough, it means being true to one's self and staying righteous. Dane, a janitor at a university, befriends Noel. Noel is shy and has a bum leg from a car accident when he was young. His father is an alcoholic and you find out why his father is so destructive in the book. No spoiler here! Two very different men find solace and a kindship in each other. They are wildly attracted to each other and Noel can give Dane what he has so longingly seeked his whole life...love. Being a big, muscular fighter, everyone sees Dane as hard, but in all reality he is a gentle giant. Noel's fierce need to protect Dane is sweet and comforting. If you purchase The Janitor you MUST also get The Boxer. The Boxer contains the HEA we all seek. I have to add that I love how Ms. Irving added Goldie, Blackie, and Sparrow to the mix. Mr. Trent's character displayed Dane's unknowningly caring nature and Gilbert revealed Noel's ability to grow humble. The plots were well developed and Ms. Irving delved into deep POV in these wonderful pages. I must say that I read a great deal of short novels...long ones too...and these two books are on my keep shelf in my NOOK. Thank you Ms. Irving for giving me such a wonderful read. Oh, BTW...ignore the exlamation points in her writing. We get that Dane is excited just by the dialogue. And...this is a Rocky Balboa story from beginning to end. I can see Sylvester Stalone walking the cold streets doing his "road work" through the meat packing plant. It's quite ironic because in real life Stalone is an artist and has starred in porn films. Dane is an artist and preforms like he could be in a skin flick. Love the comparisons between the two characters. Great books!!
August 24, 2013
4.5 Absolutely,sensational stars
The Janitor is an opposites attract love story that had me putting real life on hold while I read.
Dane, the janitor at a university, is a big guy with a heart of gold. He just wanted someone to see past his size, and lack of education and love him. He was a little simple, with a child-like quality, and I loved him.
I like nice people. Sometimes people who read a lot, and you know, have money and stuff, don;t think too much of me. Just the muscle.
I'm a big guy, but I'm gentle. I'd...I'd be gently with you.
I'm dumb, but I ain't stupid or nothin'.
Noel, a physically disabled but highly educated man is the focus of Dane's desires. Dane may be slow, but he know's who he wants, and isn't shy about saying so. He finally breaks down Noel's walls, and a beautiful love story starts.
The cast is rounded out by a wonderful mix of characters. Noel's father, a horrid snob who goes to drastic measures to keep his son away from Dane, who he thinks is nothing but white trash. There is Charlie, Dane's father figure who worries about Danes safety and happiness. There is also Gilbert and Mr Trent, who were both lovely.
This story reminded me of Muscling Through, as the narrator in both books was a simple, child-like man who fell for an educated man. Although there was similarities, this book was wonderful in its own right, and I truly look forward to reading the sequel to this one.
The Janitor is an opposites attract love story that had me putting real life on hold while I read.
Dane, the janitor at a university, is a big guy with a heart of gold. He just wanted someone to see past his size, and lack of education and love him. He was a little simple, with a child-like quality, and I loved him.
I like nice people. Sometimes people who read a lot, and you know, have money and stuff, don;t think too much of me. Just the muscle.
I'm a big guy, but I'm gentle. I'd...I'd be gently with you.
I'm dumb, but I ain't stupid or nothin'.
Noel, a physically disabled but highly educated man is the focus of Dane's desires. Dane may be slow, but he know's who he wants, and isn't shy about saying so. He finally breaks down Noel's walls, and a beautiful love story starts.
The cast is rounded out by a wonderful mix of characters. Noel's father, a horrid snob who goes to drastic measures to keep his son away from Dane, who he thinks is nothing but white trash. There is Charlie, Dane's father figure who worries about Danes safety and happiness. There is also Gilbert and Mr Trent, who were both lovely.
This story reminded me of Muscling Through, as the narrator in both books was a simple, child-like man who fell for an educated man. Although there was similarities, this book was wonderful in its own right, and I truly look forward to reading the sequel to this one.
May 28, 2013
The cover kind of annoyed me at first, but it's only briefly. It's gorgeous and full of raw intensity. It's quite cool, actually.
There is a lot of emphasis on relative positions. (The whole top/bottom thing.) Was kind of overdone, actually. It's quite awkwardly obvious. Which is awkward.
But oh, man. Totally sucked in. Dane. Dane, you woobie, you. I don't know to laugh or cry, man. You make me feel too many feelz for me to even tell anymore.
It starts devolving into a sexplosion...
O_o and then Dane's calling Noel "Daddy" wtf
That's really, really creepy.
And then kind of meh'd out towards the end. Still, I rather liked it (not really cuz of the end. I agree with the observation Adriana made.
There is a lot of emphasis on relative positions. (The whole top/bottom thing.) Was kind of overdone, actually. It's quite awkwardly obvious. Which is awkward.
But oh, man. Totally sucked in. Dane. Dane, you woobie, you. I don't know to laugh or cry, man. You make me feel too many feelz for me to even tell anymore.
It starts devolving into a sexplosion...
O_o and then Dane's calling Noel "Daddy" wtf
That's really, really creepy.
And then kind of meh'd out towards the end. Still, I rather liked it (not really cuz of the end. I agree with the observation Adriana made.
September 22, 2012
I just loved this book! Dane was so sweet and I just wanted to grab him up. It may be one of the most touching books I have ever read.
March 27, 2015
DNF. I couldn't, not in good continence! I generally like this author. I read Wylde, The Summer Gardener is a favorite. I tried, I did really, but I just couldn't! This is only the 2nd or 3rd time I've done this.
November 25, 2020
This was a great book but for some reason it’s not easy to like. Even if it’s a tragic romance I want there to be some highs and lows. This book was just one low after another. And so depressing after the first 10%. And I did not like Noel. But just because of Dane I will give this book a four-star.
And the intermittent daddy kink was so Forced and unwanted. And there was no payback consequence for wat Noels Dad did...what happened to him? How could he be forgiven so easily?
And the intermittent daddy kink was so Forced and unwanted. And there was no payback consequence for wat Noels Dad did...what happened to him? How could he be forgiven so easily?
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 3, 2021
Tags: boxing, disabilities
I think the trope was supposed to be aiming for Rocky or Goon (Doug Glatt) but we got Flowers for Alergnon.
The writing was weirdly inconsistent and the characters were caricatures at best that changed wildly to suit whatever situation the author wanted to write about, instead of actually taking into account their personality/motivations. Disappointing overall.
I think the trope was supposed to be aiming for Rocky or Goon (Doug Glatt) but we got Flowers for Alergnon.
The writing was weirdly inconsistent and the characters were caricatures at best that changed wildly to suit whatever situation the author wanted to write about, instead of actually taking into account their personality/motivations. Disappointing overall.
June 26, 2023
I really think character wise this could’ve been really good. However, everyone was just too cartoonish and the entire book was just too much
August 12, 2016
When I first starting reading this, I began to get slightly concerned as to how the story would go. The interaction between Dane and Noel, and Dane's earnest determination worried me, because I could see how things might have gone. Yet, the more I read, the more I realised that my concerns had been for naught.
Before I bought this book, I read a number of reviews on it, and I saw it said somewhere that Dane was 'simple minded'. After reading the book, I don't necessarily disagree with this, but I don't mean he's thick or anything. I mean that he sees the world and life in a simple way - something either is or it isn't, and that is all that matters. He is optimistic usually, but he knows what he wants. I admire that way of thinking, because it removes a lot of the silly anxieties and hang ups many of us get. He may not be Stephen Hawking or Mike Tyson, but he is happy with where he is and what he has. Then he meets Noel, and he wants Noel - more than this, he falls in love with Noel in a beautifully dedicated way - he just wants what is best for him. He is willing to pretend he has no feelings for Noel so they can stay as friends, if that's what Noel wants.
And Dane's innate sweetness and adoration of Noel, pushes Noel to stand on his own two feet and he becomes the man he was meant to be. He finds confidence in himself, and is willing to defy his father because, for the first time, he has something (well, someone) whom he is not willing to lose. He takes care of Dane and the two fit together wonderfully. It really made me smile by the end.
In short, I really recommend this book. What the couple go through is tough, and there are elements in the book that I did find irritating (e.g. we aren't shown how the D/s develops between the two; and Dane's grief over Charlie is only shown briefly), but the beauty of the characters makes up for this in my opinion.
Before I bought this book, I read a number of reviews on it, and I saw it said somewhere that Dane was 'simple minded'. After reading the book, I don't necessarily disagree with this, but I don't mean he's thick or anything. I mean that he sees the world and life in a simple way - something either is or it isn't, and that is all that matters. He is optimistic usually, but he knows what he wants. I admire that way of thinking, because it removes a lot of the silly anxieties and hang ups many of us get. He may not be Stephen Hawking or Mike Tyson, but he is happy with where he is and what he has. Then he meets Noel, and he wants Noel - more than this, he falls in love with Noel in a beautifully dedicated way - he just wants what is best for him. He is willing to pretend he has no feelings for Noel so they can stay as friends, if that's what Noel wants.
And Dane's innate sweetness and adoration of Noel, pushes Noel to stand on his own two feet and he becomes the man he was meant to be. He finds confidence in himself, and is willing to defy his father because, for the first time, he has something (well, someone) whom he is not willing to lose. He takes care of Dane and the two fit together wonderfully. It really made me smile by the end.
In short, I really recommend this book. What the couple go through is tough, and there are elements in the book that I did find irritating (e.g. we aren't shown how the D/s develops between the two; and Dane's grief over Charlie is only shown briefly), but the beauty of the characters makes up for this in my opinion.
September 18, 2010
Good, but maybe not great? While I found Dane and Noel sweet and likable, they never got past one-dimensional for me. Well, there were a couple scenes that struck me and sucked me in, but over all it didn't quite get me there. It put me in mind of Rocky (in a good way, the very first one, which I actually liked) with a m/m twist. There are other elements that were surprising and welcome, so in the end, I'd say I liked it and there was enough there for me to give this author another shot and read the sequel.
July 20, 2010
I enjoyed the story though the character of Dane was sometimes a little too childlike. The relationship between them started well but the shift into a full on lust-fest with BDSM elements was a bit too abrupt for me and I was turned off by the use of the term 'Daddy'. Never have liked it used in romances but that's a personal preference I suppose. Overall I liked it, it has a good subplot and had some very sweet moments between the heroes that kept me reading on. I bought the second story and am looking forward to reading it.
March 4, 2011
Quite different from what the cover might suggest...
In the beginning of the book I was really startled by Dane: he was, after all, pretty much the opposite of what I though he'd be, but at the same time I liked him even more for that! His sweetness and candour really endeared him to me...but the more the book progressed the more I found these traits were exagerated so much so to became almost a joke and I didn't like that!
In the beginning of the book I was really startled by Dane: he was, after all, pretty much the opposite of what I though he'd be, but at the same time I liked him even more for that! His sweetness and candour really endeared him to me...but the more the book progressed the more I found these traits were exagerated so much so to became almost a joke and I didn't like that!
November 14, 2011
This book could have been so much better. I wanted to love the characters....but.....they fell short. They were under developed. I felt as though entire chapters must be missing that would have explained how the personalities of each came about. The story is compelling and I would love to read the next one.....but...not sure this one is worth my so very tight kindle budget. Nice try but didn't quite get there.
August 31, 2012
Dane was so precious. He reminded me of Kaleb from Shades of Gray. I really liked this story although I felt like the confrontation with Noel's dad was a little too calm. I felt like something more drastic should have happened to him. Maybe lose his comfy lifestyle or something. Over all, i enjoyed the read and will read the next one.
December 20, 2013
It was a 5-star story until it lost it's wits. Seriously, if it were not for Dane, I would have given up on half way. The plot around Noel's father is so lame and how they acted after the other boxer revealed things is just absurd. So many things about this story is absurd.
It would have been a great story.. So much promise and potentials in the beginning. Actually I'm a bit sad about how it laid out.
It would have been a great story.. So much promise and potentials in the beginning. Actually I'm a bit sad about how it laid out.
July 30, 2010
Geez! "Jan Irving" ought to be enough said...but in case you've missed out, she is brilliant. Any book of hers is easily worth twice what you'll pay for it,and this one is no exception. I love the characters, love the storyline...love the clever use of words that so exquisitely render every line and curve, every twist and turn of Noel and Dane's beautiful and moving story.
October 21, 2012
Here I just could not get into the main characters voice. It so grated on me that it was a book I could not finish. The concept seemed good but I couldn't get past the way he talked and acted which left me with the feeling he had major mental deficiencies and detracted from any enjoyment of the story.
July 18, 2011
I loved the plot and everything about the book, but for some reason I had trouble reading it. The only problem - and it was a huge problem for me - was that Dane sounded so much like Lennie from Of Mice and Men that it drove me nuts. I wish I had read this before I read Of Mice and Men, then I would've enjoyed it so much.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews