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Colliding in Free Fall
At forty-three, Jay McGhee doesn't know how much longer he'll be able to withstand the physical rigors necessary for active duty in the Roseville, Indiana Fire Department, but that doesn't mean he's willing to be put out to pasture just yet. For most of his adult life, he's had to place his needs on the back burner, including the fact that he's a gay man in a small rural community. His career is not going to take the same route.
When twenty-seven-year-old Frank Kaplan breezes into town, Jay ignores his immediate attraction to the younger man. After all, he's an old pro at pretending. The long-haired, tattooed drifter shouldn't even be his type, but the friendship they strike up satisfies a space in Jay's life he never realized was empty.
Two men. Two lives in flux.
No regrets.
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Book Length: novella
When twenty-seven-year-old Frank Kaplan breezes into town, Jay ignores his immediate attraction to the younger man. After all, he's an old pro at pretending. The long-haired, tattooed drifter shouldn't even be his type, but the friendship they strike up satisfies a space in Jay's life he never realized was empty.
Two men. Two lives in flux.
No regrets.
________________________________________________________________
Book Length: novella
99 pages, ebook
First published January 1, 2009
2 people are currently reading
84 people want to read
About the author
Vivien Dean
76 books66 followersVivien Dean has had a lifetime love affair with stories. A multi-published author, her books have been EPPIE finalists, Romantic Times Reviewer's Choice Nominees, and readers favorites. After spending her twenties and early thirties traveling, she has finally settled down and currently resides in northern California with her British husband and two children.
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
January 1, 2010
This was going on rather nicely - one of those books I felt I could relax with. The two protags were likeable, normal people and their friendship developed without any problems. No rush to take it up a level. Or two. Mainly because Jay lives in a small town and, as far as he knows, is the only gay person. Frank is just passing by and Jay, wildly attracted to him, will never make a move on someone he assumes is straight. Besides, Frank, in his late twenties, is much too young for Jay's ancient 43. Or so he thinks.
The story isn't rushed and the two men take their time to discover, first friendship, then sexual passion and, finally love. This was a four star read for me but when it ended, it was a 3-star. Why? Because everything moved along at the same pace. No ups, no downs. Then it just ends. Yes, it does so with an HFN but when I finished, the best analogy I could come up with to describe this story is that it's like someone who settles down for an afternoon snooze and dies peacefully in his sleep.
The story isn't rushed and the two men take their time to discover, first friendship, then sexual passion and, finally love. This was a four star read for me but when it ended, it was a 3-star. Why? Because everything moved along at the same pace. No ups, no downs. Then it just ends. Yes, it does so with an HFN but when I finished, the best analogy I could come up with to describe this story is that it's like someone who settles down for an afternoon snooze and dies peacefully in his sleep.
September 21, 2011
It doesn't take much to spark my interest and a fireman getting together with a tattooed drifter will do it every time. So I liked the first part of this book, when I still wasn't sure where things were going and how exactly will the couple make it work.
But the more pages I turned the more my interest faded. The easy flow was replaced by time jumps, not huge ones but enough to leave me confused. The relationship never developed to any true depth, certainly not enough for the ending this book had. Maybe I just didn't feel it? Anyway, it was too jumbled for my taste and not interesting enough to hold my attention. The book is alright, but really not memorable and not something I would consider reading again.
But the more pages I turned the more my interest faded. The easy flow was replaced by time jumps, not huge ones but enough to leave me confused. The relationship never developed to any true depth, certainly not enough for the ending this book had. Maybe I just didn't feel it? Anyway, it was too jumbled for my taste and not interesting enough to hold my attention. The book is alright, but really not memorable and not something I would consider reading again.
January 18, 2012
I really don't know how I feel about this book, it had a lot of promise, but was lacking something. I liked the slow build up with the friendship growing between the two of them before turning into something more, but felt there was so much that was missing and not told that was important for understanding why they were they way they were. Then in the last few pages, it was like a complete turn around in the character's behavior and then I felt that the book just ended. No epilogue or anything and just left me disappointed.
October 17, 2010
Good m/m romance about a closeted Midwestern firefighter who, in his early 40s, wants to keep doing his job, no matter what the doctor thinks.
April 10, 2010
It isn't easy living in a small town and being the only gay man around. And it isn't easy to be forty-three when your're a fireman and love your job, but everybody nags you to retire and leave the dangerous work to the younger men. That's what happens to Jay McGhee. And if his life wasn't already difficult enough, Jay feels strongly attracted to a younger man, Frank Kaplan, who is not only just passing through, but also much younger than Jay and most probably straight. Still, they develop a friendship which slowly turns into more than that.
This concept is quite similar to Marie Sexton's "Promises", but where Sexton managed to create a true, inevitable connection between her protagonists, true obstacles and a satisfying solution, this story didn't. Although that might sound harsh, but that's what it felt to me -it was just boring. The first part was bearable, with Jay and Frank dancing around each other, both of them attracted to the other one but assuming him out of reach because each thinks the other is straight. But when they finally admit to each other they are gay and interested, Frank seduces Jay all out of the blue only to ask afterwards if Jay has got something to eat. After Frank thinks at length about how much Jay means to him and how much he wants to settle down, he still plans to leave for good. And so on. The story just drifts along, the characters merely going through the moves. Couldn't make myself care for them.
This concept is quite similar to Marie Sexton's "Promises", but where Sexton managed to create a true, inevitable connection between her protagonists, true obstacles and a satisfying solution, this story didn't. Although that might sound harsh, but that's what it felt to me -it was just boring. The first part was bearable, with Jay and Frank dancing around each other, both of them attracted to the other one but assuming him out of reach because each thinks the other is straight. But when they finally admit to each other they are gay and interested, Frank seduces Jay all out of the blue only to ask afterwards if Jay has got something to eat. After Frank thinks at length about how much Jay means to him and how much he wants to settle down, he still plans to leave for good. And so on. The story just drifts along, the characters merely going through the moves. Couldn't make myself care for them.
June 13, 2010
Jay McGhee is a 43-year-old firefighter in Roseville, Indiana. His life has been lonely -- he's probably the only gay man in the small town. One day, he got an accident while on the job, and he needed stitches on his back. The paramedic asked a stranger, 27-year-old Frank Kaplan, to help taking Jay to the hospital. Things progressed, they become friends -- both don't really know at first that the other is gay. Until Frank tell Jay about it -- and they decide to act on it.
Sometimes, I don't need a story with too many conflicts or angst. Sometimes, a nice story about two people who fall in love is enough. This is what the story is all about -- for me. It doesn't even have an HEA, more like a possibility of HEA. But still it's really good because it's like real life and I totally love the closing sentence of the book. I love Vivien Dean's stories and this one is no exception.
Sometimes, I don't need a story with too many conflicts or angst. Sometimes, a nice story about two people who fall in love is enough. This is what the story is all about -- for me. It doesn't even have an HEA, more like a possibility of HEA. But still it's really good because it's like real life and I totally love the closing sentence of the book. I love Vivien Dean's stories and this one is no exception.
April 20, 2010
Jay and Frank are an interesting couple who go from clueless to love. Conflicts arise with Jay's concerns about being too old to be a firefighter, the fact that he's not out in his small town, and the idea that Frank's a drifter and will leave. Frank's grandma is great, even though she doesn't have a lot of face time.
April 6, 2013
I never really took the time for this novella, till now that is. Now I see that there wasn't much to miss. This is a fast paced light romance between Jay and Frank. The story circles around second chances in life. So in overall,this was a fine story, but the way it ended so open, unsolved didn't satisfy me.
January 2, 2010
Okay I liked this book but there was one problem for me. I kept getting Frank and Jay mixed up. Frank is the younger one and Jay the older but I don't know Frank seems like an older name and Jay a younger one. It could have just been me, LOL
January 12, 2015
I really enjoyed this book and I truly wish it was a full length novel or even a series. I didn't want it to end. It was well written, realistic, and had you hoping for the best because you loved the characters so much.
Definitely want to check out other books by her. :-)
Definitely want to check out other books by her. :-)
September 4, 2011
Two very touching characters, well-written stoty.
May 7, 2010
3.5 stars.
November 28, 2011
This was a sweet hot read for a lot of it and I had sort of figured in my mind how the HEA would work out and then Jay totally surprised me. Which was awesome. 4.5 stars.
January 19, 2011
Vivien Dean's writing is always a pleasure. Great characters that you can't help but fall in love with. Recommended!
April 12, 2011
It's a 3.5 for me.
The ending do not satisfied me. I agree with ElaineY.
The ending do not satisfied me. I agree with ElaineY.
September 13, 2012
3.5 stars.
October 8, 2011
I love the angst. Well maybe it's not angst as much as obstacles to overcome. Both heroes are very human.
July 7, 2012
A quick, engaging read with likeable characters. I was sad when it ended because it seemed like the story was only just beginning.
September 3, 2014
A sweet May-December romance. Great for an afternoon entertainment.
November 17, 2014
3.5 stars
April 3, 2016
Dean started to create some depth for both characters and their budding relationship, but then she seemed to just abandon it and the story ended.
August 15, 2010
This is a cute book, short but cute. I wanted more.
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews