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Slow Bloom #1
Slow Bloom
Ricky Talbot, fresh from his first year at university, is looking to have a perfect summer. He gets to work for the man he's had a crush on for years and spend the rest of his days in the pool, training for the swim team. Jack Corson, on the other hand, is a suburban hermit with a tangled past. Jack's a lot more experienced than Ricky, cantankerous and more than a little anti-social. When an unexpected one-time encounter between the two of them turns into more, Ricky and Jack must see if they have what it takes for love to bloom despite all of their differences, the distance between them while Ricky's away school, Jack's past and Ricky's parents. Can their slow-blooming love come to fruition?
278 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 1, 2010
11 people are currently reading
932 people want to read
About the author
Anah Crow
58 books195 followersUnder Construction!
F.A.Q.
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F.A.Q.
Do you want to participate in Generic_Author_Event?
Drop me a line, please! If you're looking for a book for donation or a blog post from me, I'm usually cool with that.Are you going to write a sequel to Some_Book_You_Wrote?
The up front answer is no, unless the book cover indicates that it's part of a series. If there's going to be a sequel to a book, you'll know once I've signed the contract.Who is this Dianne person?
Only the light of my life and all that rot. She e-sides here: http://www.foxwrites.com/ Without her, you wouldn't see much from me at all, not even the books that don't have her name on the cover.Do you read your email?
All the time. I think the question you want is do I answer my email? Occasionally. Badly. I'm a terrible, terrible emailer.You're reading X books at once?!
Only occasionally at once. I can read two books at the same time, but I get dizzy. Mostly, I just switch books depending on my mood. It's unusual for me to have less than four on the go at a time.Do you read reviews of your books?
No, sorry! I'm here, yes, but I prefer not to read reviews (no matter how lovely they are) because once a book has left my hands and is available to the readers, my relationship to it changes. It's all grown up. :) I have a clutter of booklings to nurture so they will join the others on your shelves.Will you read/review my book?
Sorry, but no. There are a number of reasons for this but the biggest is—I suck at doing these things. I'm a horrible procrastinator. I get wound up and then blank out what I'm supposed to do. My ADHD goes galumphing through my head like a bull in a china shop, wrecking everything.I'm a writer and you hated/loved my book!
I'm sure you're a lovely person, either way. Please have one or both of: "I'm sorry!" or "You're welcome!"Can I be excused now?
Of course you can! Thanks for reading.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 151 reviews
February 8, 2017
MANTIES AND SWIMMERS?
*growls*
^^^^Me prior to reading this and me after…
I LOVED THIS. LOVED IT.
Like, I want to squirrel it away and make out with it and cuddle it and carry it around with me like Linus and his woobie.
I've been in a minor book rut lately, reading a couple pages here, a couple pages there but nothing was grabbing me, so Baby suggested bears and twinks and I perked up then I thought MANTIES! Lo and behold if I didn't get bears, twinks AND MANTIES! Plus, Anah Crow.
This is a slow burn or bloom, however you want to phrase it. It unfolds slowly but surely and these authors show you every bit of their romance. They don't hold back even a little bit. Sure, it probably could have been edited down and I'm so glad it wasn't because I loved even the tedium.
Ricky is home after his first year of college and his father has arranged for him to work on Jack's lawn in exchange for access to his pool to keep up his training. Something as ordinary as a broken lawnmower is the catalyst for this romance. Jack notices the "golden lawn boy" having a meltdown. Who could resist Ricky?
Lithe swimmer's build.
Blond curls.
Golden tan.
Cut offs.
Shirtless.
Who could blame the man? I bet he was kinda sweaty too. *groans*
It begins as just an illicit encounter. Ricky's had a crush on the eccentric, gay, curmudgeon of a neighbor since he was 15. A blow job is a dream come true! Until he gets gay bashed and the only person he can think of to call to pick him up is Jack. A connection is formed that night, but they're both just happy to spend the summer together. My god, do they make good use of that summer. They are so hot for each other, they scorched off the page. Oodles of kissing, biting, rimming, begging, dirty talk, needing with some kink mixed in: spanking, bondage and MANTIES.
"Now I'm going to have to go waste time lying in the hot tub and jerking off while I think about how good it would be to rip those shorts off you and tongue your ass until you come everywhere, then flip you over and suck you hard again so I can fuck my mouth on your dick until my throat is sore for days and you come so hard you can't remember anything but how to worship my cock with your sweet, rosy mouth, looking like you live to get your mouth full of my come, even if you always end up with it dripping down your chin so you look completely debauched and fucked."
My kindle crackled a little bit a few times. I didn't expect anything more than a hot, sex filled summer romance. How could I with a 30 yr age gap between them? Honestly, this can't go anywhere, except it did. Somewhere along the way Jack stopped being such a curmudgeon, at least around Ricky. He got used to Ricky being there, talking to him, being with him, going shopping with him and just spending time together. The last scene between the two of them at the end of that first summer damn near brought me to tears it was so bittersweet.
They moved against each other like they could almost soak into one another's skin and then the desperate need to be close would ease.
Ricky goes back to school and things sort of go back to normal, but Ricky misses him and turns up for Jack's annual Halloween party with a stunning surprise for him and things just progress from there. They call, they email, they buy sentimental things for each other and that evolves into special trips to spend time together which just makes the ache worse when they have to part again. Surprisingly, there's very little angst. They're both very open and honest with one another and the trust grows exponentially with every rendezvous. What I liked best was even though Jack's got his own footpath around the block nothing was the same for him. He opens himself up in ways he never has before and he just… loves Ricky. He wants him to be happy. He wants what's best for him and more than anything else he just wants Ricky to be Ricky. He's old enough and wealthy enough to fit himself into Ricky's life If that's what Ricky wants.
And he does. He has to battle both his friends and his parents to convince them that he loves Jack for Jack and doesn't care about the age difference and those are some tough battles. His friend Jason doesn't pull any punches and his mom says some really hurtful things in the heat of the moment, but love is love and it doesn't do math.
Every one of these characters came alive on the page. Some added to the subtle telling of Jack's backstory. Some added levity. Jason actually reminded me a lot of Blake from The Prescott College series only smarter. Every conversation felt honest and genuine. All of it added to the magic that is Slow Bloom.
Maybe it just hit me at the right time. Maybe it was the MANTIES. Maybe it was the bear/twink trope I love, but this is going down as one of the best things I've read all year. I really wish this author would write more.
*growls*
^^^^Me prior to reading this and me after…
I LOVED THIS. LOVED IT.
Like, I want to squirrel it away and make out with it and cuddle it and carry it around with me like Linus and his woobie.
I've been in a minor book rut lately, reading a couple pages here, a couple pages there but nothing was grabbing me, so Baby suggested bears and twinks and I perked up then I thought MANTIES! Lo and behold if I didn't get bears, twinks AND MANTIES! Plus, Anah Crow.
This is a slow burn or bloom, however you want to phrase it. It unfolds slowly but surely and these authors show you every bit of their romance. They don't hold back even a little bit. Sure, it probably could have been edited down and I'm so glad it wasn't because I loved even the tedium.
Ricky is home after his first year of college and his father has arranged for him to work on Jack's lawn in exchange for access to his pool to keep up his training. Something as ordinary as a broken lawnmower is the catalyst for this romance. Jack notices the "golden lawn boy" having a meltdown. Who could resist Ricky?
Lithe swimmer's build.
Blond curls.
Golden tan.
Cut offs.
Shirtless.
Who could blame the man? I bet he was kinda sweaty too. *groans*
It begins as just an illicit encounter. Ricky's had a crush on the eccentric, gay, curmudgeon of a neighbor since he was 15. A blow job is a dream come true! Until he gets gay bashed and the only person he can think of to call to pick him up is Jack. A connection is formed that night, but they're both just happy to spend the summer together. My god, do they make good use of that summer. They are so hot for each other, they scorched off the page. Oodles of kissing, biting, rimming, begging, dirty talk, needing with some kink mixed in: spanking, bondage and MANTIES.
"Now I'm going to have to go waste time lying in the hot tub and jerking off while I think about how good it would be to rip those shorts off you and tongue your ass until you come everywhere, then flip you over and suck you hard again so I can fuck my mouth on your dick until my throat is sore for days and you come so hard you can't remember anything but how to worship my cock with your sweet, rosy mouth, looking like you live to get your mouth full of my come, even if you always end up with it dripping down your chin so you look completely debauched and fucked."
My kindle crackled a little bit a few times. I didn't expect anything more than a hot, sex filled summer romance. How could I with a 30 yr age gap between them? Honestly, this can't go anywhere, except it did. Somewhere along the way Jack stopped being such a curmudgeon, at least around Ricky. He got used to Ricky being there, talking to him, being with him, going shopping with him and just spending time together. The last scene between the two of them at the end of that first summer damn near brought me to tears it was so bittersweet.
They moved against each other like they could almost soak into one another's skin and then the desperate need to be close would ease.
Ricky goes back to school and things sort of go back to normal, but Ricky misses him and turns up for Jack's annual Halloween party with a stunning surprise for him and things just progress from there. They call, they email, they buy sentimental things for each other and that evolves into special trips to spend time together which just makes the ache worse when they have to part again. Surprisingly, there's very little angst. They're both very open and honest with one another and the trust grows exponentially with every rendezvous. What I liked best was even though Jack's got his own footpath around the block nothing was the same for him. He opens himself up in ways he never has before and he just… loves Ricky. He wants him to be happy. He wants what's best for him and more than anything else he just wants Ricky to be Ricky. He's old enough and wealthy enough to fit himself into Ricky's life If that's what Ricky wants.
And he does. He has to battle both his friends and his parents to convince them that he loves Jack for Jack and doesn't care about the age difference and those are some tough battles. His friend Jason doesn't pull any punches and his mom says some really hurtful things in the heat of the moment, but love is love and it doesn't do math.
Every one of these characters came alive on the page. Some added to the subtle telling of Jack's backstory. Some added levity. Jason actually reminded me a lot of Blake from The Prescott College series only smarter. Every conversation felt honest and genuine. All of it added to the magic that is Slow Bloom.
Maybe it just hit me at the right time. Maybe it was the MANTIES. Maybe it was the bear/twink trope I love, but this is going down as one of the best things I've read all year. I really wish this author would write more.
February 5, 2023
re-read 2/5/2023 i still love the book after many, many re-reads. I really wish I could be as enthusiastic about new books that I’ve purchased and not read, as I am about the books I’ve read a billion times. C’est la vie 🤷🏽♀️
________________________________________
Re-read 12/22/2018 I enjoyed this so much. I still have the same issues, however they didn’t bother me near as much as they did previously. Bumping this up to 5⭐️
Reread 7/17/2019 still love Jack and Ricky
1/12/2020 New decade... still hot AF
4/30/2020 Don’t judge me. i needed a comfort read. just be glad I haven’t counted the ACTUAL number of times i’ve read this this year 😳
Reread 01/10/2021, 03/28/2021, 11/04/2021, 1/31/2022
******original review******
This was truly enjoyable. I loved the slow build of the relationship. I will admit, the prologue was cheesy. Thankfully, I had been warned so I kept reading. The age difference could have been a big issue if handled incorrectly. There was no creepiness or feelings of an older man taking advantage. I think that the way Jack dealt with the age difference was the right way to go. He didn't try to get Ricky to commit. He didn't act jealous if Ricky mentioned other men. He was letting Ricky know that he was there, but he was allowing Ricky to enjoy college life unfettered by a commitment to the hot older man at home. Over time, their feelings changed. It was fun to watch.
So if I enjoyed this so much, why wasn't it a 5 star read? Even though they hadn't talked commitment, I abhor on page sex with other people beyond the MCs. That is a limit that I don't normally go beyond. It's a testament to how much I enjoyed the book to look beyond that. I also didn't like the added drama of how Ricky's mom reacted to the news that he was seeing Jack. It just seemed so over the top and out of character for how she had been portrayed.
I do believe I can (and will) read this again in the future.
________________________________________
Re-read 12/22/2018 I enjoyed this so much. I still have the same issues, however they didn’t bother me near as much as they did previously. Bumping this up to 5⭐️
Reread 7/17/2019 still love Jack and Ricky
1/12/2020 New decade... still hot AF
4/30/2020 Don’t judge me. i needed a comfort read. just be glad I haven’t counted the ACTUAL number of times i’ve read this this year 😳
Reread 01/10/2021, 03/28/2021, 11/04/2021, 1/31/2022
******original review******
This was truly enjoyable. I loved the slow build of the relationship. I will admit, the prologue was cheesy. Thankfully, I had been warned so I kept reading. The age difference could have been a big issue if handled incorrectly. There was no creepiness or feelings of an older man taking advantage. I think that the way Jack dealt with the age difference was the right way to go. He didn't try to get Ricky to commit. He didn't act jealous if Ricky mentioned other men. He was letting Ricky know that he was there, but he was allowing Ricky to enjoy college life unfettered by a commitment to the hot older man at home. Over time, their feelings changed. It was fun to watch.
So if I enjoyed this so much, why wasn't it a 5 star read? Even though they hadn't talked commitment, I abhor on page sex with other people beyond the MCs. That is a limit that I don't normally go beyond. It's a testament to how much I enjoyed the book to look beyond that. I also didn't like the added drama of how Ricky's mom reacted to the news that he was seeing Jack. It just seemed so over the top and out of character for how she had been portrayed.
I do believe I can (and will) read this again in the future.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 7, 2011
^^I REALLY RECOMMEND THIS!^^
Slow Bloom was a real treat; it blew away all my expectations and more. I was expecting summer fling between younger man and older man. Lots of sex and a quick HEA, I got so much more than that. I was surprised, and moved all in one. So I think Slow Bloom is an…
Expression of Sexuality! What I mean, is that the characters and the story offer up so many ways to look at love, sex, and relationships. Also the discovery of a young boy finding out what his sexuality is, and not just leaving it at ‘I am gay’. Personally, I have never read an M/M erotica like this and I hope to read much more like this book in the future.
Ricky is a young boy of eighteen who has had a crush on his next-door neighbour since he was fifteen. The problem is Jack is thirty years older than he is, and secondly he has no idea Ricky even exists. Everyone in the neighbourhood knows that Jack Corson is gay, but he is famous and talented so he is pretty much accepted. He doesn’t flaunt his lifestyle so no one really cares. Well Ricky cares, and after landing a job working as Jack’s gardener, he decides to make a move. A little interlude in the kitchen was supposed to be a one-time thing, a little seduction on Ricky’s part to experience what it’s like just once to be with Jack. Then Ricky is assaulted, and he calls the one person he knows he can trust and that is Jack, and it leads to one *hawt* summer.
This summer is about not only sex, but also a discovery of a young boy coming into his manhood. All the things he thought he knew about sex, about gay sex is broadened with Jack. They go on a journey, a man of forty eight who has seen it all and done about everything, is made to see things in a whole new light because of his young lover. Ricky learns about himself, and finds a confidence in Jack’s arms, that it was in every sense ok for him to just be Ricky.
The book is not without a few obstacles, Jack is afraid that he might inadvertently changing Ricky to please him, its never his intention to corrupt him but to make him reach decisions on his own. This plays out sexually, and it becomes clear that this relationship is a lot more than sex. Jack makes Ricky happy; he is one hundred percent himself with the older man. Moreover, Ricky is teaching Jack to just love.
The sex is freaking awesome in my opinion, it happens quite often but each time I am a little more shocked. It pushes boundaries, and it was boundaries I appreciated, and a little self-discovery. I like men who sometimes wear women clothing *gasp*. I thought it was the freaking greatest part of the book, and I thought ‘WHY NOT’! I like to wear boxers, baggy sweatpants, and baseball caps, and put a little swagger in my walk. So why can’t a man enjoy wearing a dress now and again and feeling sexy. It’s not a huge part of the book, but I thought it wonderful.
I really loved the book, and some readers might have a problem with the age gap. So let me say, its not about an old man taking advantage of a young boy, it might have been about a young boy wanting to land his crush, but it evolves to something greater. It is a love story, and it’s beautiful and I freaking loved it. The characters were awesome, I loved Jack, he is just this grumpy old man, but a compassionate and caring one. This book is no boy searching for a daddy cus Ricky already has one. I liked Ricky, I loved how he was unsure but he became confident and someone to respect.
This book is what I have always thought of sex and sexuality, “to each is own”. I do not think any thing about any form of sex is wrong as long as there is consent, and the person is happy. Lets be real, what might float your boat might sink my ship, it’s not wrong; just not for me.
This one is a winner people!!!
Slow Bloom was a real treat; it blew away all my expectations and more. I was expecting summer fling between younger man and older man. Lots of sex and a quick HEA, I got so much more than that. I was surprised, and moved all in one. So I think Slow Bloom is an…
Expression of Sexuality! What I mean, is that the characters and the story offer up so many ways to look at love, sex, and relationships. Also the discovery of a young boy finding out what his sexuality is, and not just leaving it at ‘I am gay’. Personally, I have never read an M/M erotica like this and I hope to read much more like this book in the future.
Ricky is a young boy of eighteen who has had a crush on his next-door neighbour since he was fifteen. The problem is Jack is thirty years older than he is, and secondly he has no idea Ricky even exists. Everyone in the neighbourhood knows that Jack Corson is gay, but he is famous and talented so he is pretty much accepted. He doesn’t flaunt his lifestyle so no one really cares. Well Ricky cares, and after landing a job working as Jack’s gardener, he decides to make a move. A little interlude in the kitchen was supposed to be a one-time thing, a little seduction on Ricky’s part to experience what it’s like just once to be with Jack. Then Ricky is assaulted, and he calls the one person he knows he can trust and that is Jack, and it leads to one *hawt* summer.
This summer is about not only sex, but also a discovery of a young boy coming into his manhood. All the things he thought he knew about sex, about gay sex is broadened with Jack. They go on a journey, a man of forty eight who has seen it all and done about everything, is made to see things in a whole new light because of his young lover. Ricky learns about himself, and finds a confidence in Jack’s arms, that it was in every sense ok for him to just be Ricky.
The book is not without a few obstacles, Jack is afraid that he might inadvertently changing Ricky to please him, its never his intention to corrupt him but to make him reach decisions on his own. This plays out sexually, and it becomes clear that this relationship is a lot more than sex. Jack makes Ricky happy; he is one hundred percent himself with the older man. Moreover, Ricky is teaching Jack to just love.
The sex is freaking awesome in my opinion, it happens quite often but each time I am a little more shocked. It pushes boundaries, and it was boundaries I appreciated, and a little self-discovery. I like men who sometimes wear women clothing *gasp*. I thought it was the freaking greatest part of the book, and I thought ‘WHY NOT’! I like to wear boxers, baggy sweatpants, and baseball caps, and put a little swagger in my walk. So why can’t a man enjoy wearing a dress now and again and feeling sexy. It’s not a huge part of the book, but I thought it wonderful.
I really loved the book, and some readers might have a problem with the age gap. So let me say, its not about an old man taking advantage of a young boy, it might have been about a young boy wanting to land his crush, but it evolves to something greater. It is a love story, and it’s beautiful and I freaking loved it. The characters were awesome, I loved Jack, he is just this grumpy old man, but a compassionate and caring one. This book is no boy searching for a daddy cus Ricky already has one. I liked Ricky, I loved how he was unsure but he became confident and someone to respect.
This book is what I have always thought of sex and sexuality, “to each is own”. I do not think any thing about any form of sex is wrong as long as there is consent, and the person is happy. Lets be real, what might float your boat might sink my ship, it’s not wrong; just not for me.
This one is a winner people!!!
February 8, 2017
Re-read September 2015
I feel like there is so much more I want to say about this book compared to last time, I'll start off with this,
Also after reading this book the first time I read some reviews and learnt it was an online story which had chapters uploaded once a month. I noticed that this time round, how every chapter had sex and some sort of small individual development. I didn't find the writing choppy but at some times while reading this I was considering changing it to a 4 star, I still kind of want to, but I think nostalgia and the cross dressing scenes are keeping it 5 for now.
Original review
There were so many things I loved about this book. The relationship between jack and Ricky is just so sweet and almost realistic (in a world where you always have amazing mind blowing sex) in its development. It started out as just a sexual connection and then as the year progressed became more emotional and then they realized they were just happy and content when they were together.
I loved the age difference, although you completely forgot about it after a while because they worked so well together.
I loved the sex, Yes their was heaps, yes it had some slight kink (which was fucking sexy) and yes there was lots of emotion and I loved it all!!!
The development of Ricky into a confident man was also amazingly written.
I wouldn't say there was bdsm in this book, but it's mentioned as it's in jack's past.
I feel like there is so much more I want to say about this book compared to last time, I'll start off with this,
Also after reading this book the first time I read some reviews and learnt it was an online story which had chapters uploaded once a month. I noticed that this time round, how every chapter had sex and some sort of small individual development. I didn't find the writing choppy but at some times while reading this I was considering changing it to a 4 star, I still kind of want to, but I think nostalgia and the cross dressing scenes are keeping it 5 for now.
Original review
There were so many things I loved about this book. The relationship between jack and Ricky is just so sweet and almost realistic (in a world where you always have amazing mind blowing sex) in its development. It started out as just a sexual connection and then as the year progressed became more emotional and then they realized they were just happy and content when they were together.
I loved the age difference, although you completely forgot about it after a while because they worked so well together.
I loved the sex, Yes their was heaps, yes it had some slight kink (which was fucking sexy) and yes there was lots of emotion and I loved it all!!!
The development of Ricky into a confident man was also amazingly written.
I wouldn't say there was bdsm in this book, but it's mentioned as it's in jack's past.
October 31, 2016
3.5 Stars!
This book took me forever to read - even skimming. It says it was 278 pages but I don't think that's right. 6200 locations. And it was mostly sex.
Now, I'm not one to usually complain about sex in my books but there was waaaaaaaay too much here.
Not much plot. You know the sad thing is, this could have been really good. Lots of plot holes though. Underdeveloped story-lines. By the end it was pretty corny too. Lots of sweethearts and baby's and mooning going on.
It was sweet in a way but total overkill. And the sex was hot, no lie. But it was just too much. The writing wasn't bad so I would consider other books from these authors. Ones of the less porn-y variety.
So read this one when you're in the mood for pure smut. But even then just pick a chapter to satisfy you. :)
This book took me forever to read - even skimming. It says it was 278 pages but I don't think that's right. 6200 locations. And it was mostly sex.
Now, I'm not one to usually complain about sex in my books but there was waaaaaaaay too much here.
Not much plot. You know the sad thing is, this could have been really good. Lots of plot holes though. Underdeveloped story-lines. By the end it was pretty corny too. Lots of sweethearts and baby's and mooning going on.
It was sweet in a way but total overkill. And the sex was hot, no lie. But it was just too much. The writing wasn't bad so I would consider other books from these authors. Ones of the less porn-y variety.
So read this one when you're in the mood for pure smut. But even then just pick a chapter to satisfy you. :)
October 29, 2016
Pretty good up until about 60% when it became more porn than story. Yeah, yeah. You know I don't usually mind but it was fucking oversaturated with the endearments of 'Ohhhhh my baby. Ohhhhh my sweetheart. Baby, my sweetie' Ugh. My dirty fun times became sappy cheese overload. Up until then it would've been a steady 4 star read. It was like the author got bored and just wanted to hurry up and finish the story. Lots of plot holes. The ending left a lot of things unresolved like Ricky's relationship with his Mom (totally understood where she was coming from, btw) and even though I bought their relationship I kind of felt the issues with the age gap were glossed over and not communicated about. Jack was 49 and Ricky 19....no talk at all of the future and Jack's health or mortality. A quick epilogue would have definitely rounded things out a bit and cleared up any unresolved conflicts.
Still super duper hot though cuz LACY MANTIES!!
Still super duper hot though cuz LACY MANTIES!!
May 6, 2010
Jack starts off as a grumpy loner who has been there & done that. By the end of the novel he has been reenergized by his love for Ricky.
Ricky gets a chance to explore sex and a healthy relationship. He has had some experience with a selfish lover and a scary gay bashing. Jack is there for him to lean on & learn from.
Jack has had a LOT of experience and a LOT of previous relationships. Including a Master/slave/slave relationship that did not end well. Jack is able to redeem himself through his selfless treatment of Ricky. BDSM is talked about a lot (due to Jack's previous relationships), but not really practiced. There are some subtle D/s elements, but nothing to scare anyone away :D
Yes, there is a 30 year age difference. Jack is described several times as having silver hair all over his body (yum!). Ricky is a young, lithe swimmer who just finished his first year of college. Oh yeah, and the sex is hot as hell!
Ricky gets a chance to explore sex and a healthy relationship. He has had some experience with a selfish lover and a scary gay bashing. Jack is there for him to lean on & learn from.
Jack has had a LOT of experience and a LOT of previous relationships. Including a Master/slave/slave relationship that did not end well. Jack is able to redeem himself through his selfless treatment of Ricky. BDSM is talked about a lot (due to Jack's previous relationships), but not really practiced. There are some subtle D/s elements, but nothing to scare anyone away :D
Yes, there is a 30 year age difference. Jack is described several times as having silver hair all over his body (yum!). Ricky is a young, lithe swimmer who just finished his first year of college. Oh yeah, and the sex is hot as hell!
October 12, 2014
Hell. I finished this book and might even write a bit of a review.
I noticed Anah Crow's name and was like; hell yeah, Uneven! Then the basket with flowers on the beheaded stock-model caught my eye and my excitement ebbed away.Prrrrobably not after all.
I noticed Anah Crow's name and was like; hell yeah, Uneven! Then the basket with flowers on the beheaded stock-model caught my eye and my excitement ebbed away.
July 17, 2016
It is not very often I can start a book convinced I'm not gonna be into it and then have my...um, socks blown off. Seriously, this book was great. It had a lot of sex. Which isn't something I generally go for (at least lately) but it also didn't slack on the emotional aspect and that really had me glued to my kindle long long after I should have been a good boy and gone to sleep.
I'm am really sad to see that this is outta print, because it was really really good and I hope the authors republish it at some point.
I'm am really sad to see that this is outta print, because it was really really good and I hope the authors republish it at some point.
March 21, 2010
4.5 stars out of 5
Eighteen year old Ricky Talbot has just finished his first year of college and is home for the summer break. When his Dad suggests taking a job cutting the lawn for their neighbor Ricky grabs the chance to spend time at the home of the man he's had a crush on since he was fifteen. Jack Corson is a writer with an often grumpy disposition and Ricky has had numerous fantasies involving the older man over the years. Ricky's first day on the job doesn't go so well when Jack's lawnmower starts acting up and then breaks on him. But things get a whole lot better when he has to go to Jack looking for tools and instead of fixing the lawnmower he ends up in Jack's bed.
Three weeks later Ricky's out for a night on the town when he's gay bashed and ends up in the emergency room. Not wanting to call his parents he decides even though he hasn't seen Jack since the afternoon they spent together to call him for help. Surprised by the call but willing to help Jack picks him up and offers him a place to spend the night. With their attraction burning hot and Ricky needing reassurance after what happened to him they soon end up in Jack's bed again.
As the summer goes on the two men, one older and very experienced and the other young and just starting out in life, begin an affair that will change them both. Jack has lived through and done much more than Ricky could ever imagine but he soon finds himself learning to enjoy life again with his young lover. All too quickly summer ends and they part as Ricky heads back to college. But their affair has meant more than just sex to Ricky and although they never discussed it continuing on Ricky comes back for Jack's annual Halloween party.
This starts the second phase of their relationship as they decide to keep in touch through emails, phone calls and occasional visits. As Ricky's school year continues their feelings grow and deepen and both men continue on their journey of discovery. Ricky is able to explore his sexuality in a safe and loving way and as much as he learns from Jack he also is able to give back to him. By the time the school year is over and summer once again rolls around Ricky and Jack have both grown and changed and their relationship, at first a purely sexual one based on their mutual attraction has now become a loving partnership that is strong and based on love while still maintaining a highly sexual and erotic tone.
I really liked both main characters and I found their relationship to be well written and interesting. Ricky is young yet also quite mature for his age. He's fun loving and friendly, a good son, does well in school and is dedicated to his swimming which plays a big part in his life and his future. I really liked how his growth and development throughout the story, both personally as well as sexually, was shown. I also really liked Jack. He's a complicated and fascinating character. A one time Dom he left that scene when he found the people in his life were not willing to accept him growing and changing. It's been years since then and only a couple of people from his past are in his life now. As his relationship with Ricky grows Jack is finally able to come to terms with his past especially when he realizes that Ricky accepts not only who he is now but also who he was in the past.
The supporting characters, of which there are quite a few, are also well written and are good additions to the story. Since Ricky and Jack don't spend all of the book together we get to see them as separate individuals which made them all the more likable and believable. There are some cute and fun scenes of Ricky with his housemates at college and of Jack with his best friend and former lover as well as with a former sub that show a different side of Jack than is normally seen when he's with Ricky.
The sex scenes in this book are very well written and are incredibly erotic yet they were also quite tender at times. While not hardcore there are aspects of BDSM as well as a particular fetish that Ricky explores for himself and Jack's enjoyment.
There were a couple of little things that kept this from being a 5 star book for me. The first is the age gap between Ricky and Jack. I enjoy reading stories that feature May/December romances but I just felt the difference in age was a lot. I couldn't help losing my focus on the story sometimes, especially when Ricky was thinking about Jack's silver haired chest, and all of a sudden I'm thinking about their life together in 10, 20 or 30 years in the future and how the age difference would affect them at that time.
The other thing that bothered me was the outcome when Ricky at last tells his parents of his relationship with Jack. It was both more and less than I had expected and although it led to some really good scenes between Ricky and Jack it still bothered me a bit. At the same time though it was an interesting scene that left me thinking how I, as a parent, might react in that same situation. Is there a chance I might have felt or said the same things as Ricky's disapproving parent or would I really have been as calm and accepting as his other parent?
Overall I really enjoyed this very well written book. Ricky and Jack are well developed, real and multi-faceted characters and they drew me in and kept me interested throughout the story. There are also wonderful supporting characters, intensely erotic yet also sweetly tender sex scenes and a very nice ending that all together make this a wonderfully compelling story that I won't soon forget. Anah Crow and Dianne Fox are excellent writers and have created a memorable, entertaining and engaging story that I enjoyed reading very much. Highly recommended.
Eighteen year old Ricky Talbot has just finished his first year of college and is home for the summer break. When his Dad suggests taking a job cutting the lawn for their neighbor Ricky grabs the chance to spend time at the home of the man he's had a crush on since he was fifteen. Jack Corson is a writer with an often grumpy disposition and Ricky has had numerous fantasies involving the older man over the years. Ricky's first day on the job doesn't go so well when Jack's lawnmower starts acting up and then breaks on him. But things get a whole lot better when he has to go to Jack looking for tools and instead of fixing the lawnmower he ends up in Jack's bed.
Three weeks later Ricky's out for a night on the town when he's gay bashed and ends up in the emergency room. Not wanting to call his parents he decides even though he hasn't seen Jack since the afternoon they spent together to call him for help. Surprised by the call but willing to help Jack picks him up and offers him a place to spend the night. With their attraction burning hot and Ricky needing reassurance after what happened to him they soon end up in Jack's bed again.
As the summer goes on the two men, one older and very experienced and the other young and just starting out in life, begin an affair that will change them both. Jack has lived through and done much more than Ricky could ever imagine but he soon finds himself learning to enjoy life again with his young lover. All too quickly summer ends and they part as Ricky heads back to college. But their affair has meant more than just sex to Ricky and although they never discussed it continuing on Ricky comes back for Jack's annual Halloween party.
This starts the second phase of their relationship as they decide to keep in touch through emails, phone calls and occasional visits. As Ricky's school year continues their feelings grow and deepen and both men continue on their journey of discovery. Ricky is able to explore his sexuality in a safe and loving way and as much as he learns from Jack he also is able to give back to him. By the time the school year is over and summer once again rolls around Ricky and Jack have both grown and changed and their relationship, at first a purely sexual one based on their mutual attraction has now become a loving partnership that is strong and based on love while still maintaining a highly sexual and erotic tone.
I really liked both main characters and I found their relationship to be well written and interesting. Ricky is young yet also quite mature for his age. He's fun loving and friendly, a good son, does well in school and is dedicated to his swimming which plays a big part in his life and his future. I really liked how his growth and development throughout the story, both personally as well as sexually, was shown. I also really liked Jack. He's a complicated and fascinating character. A one time Dom he left that scene when he found the people in his life were not willing to accept him growing and changing. It's been years since then and only a couple of people from his past are in his life now. As his relationship with Ricky grows Jack is finally able to come to terms with his past especially when he realizes that Ricky accepts not only who he is now but also who he was in the past.
The supporting characters, of which there are quite a few, are also well written and are good additions to the story. Since Ricky and Jack don't spend all of the book together we get to see them as separate individuals which made them all the more likable and believable. There are some cute and fun scenes of Ricky with his housemates at college and of Jack with his best friend and former lover as well as with a former sub that show a different side of Jack than is normally seen when he's with Ricky.
The sex scenes in this book are very well written and are incredibly erotic yet they were also quite tender at times. While not hardcore there are aspects of BDSM as well as a particular fetish that Ricky explores for himself and Jack's enjoyment.
There were a couple of little things that kept this from being a 5 star book for me. The first is the age gap between Ricky and Jack. I enjoy reading stories that feature May/December romances but I just felt the difference in age was a lot. I couldn't help losing my focus on the story sometimes, especially when Ricky was thinking about Jack's silver haired chest, and all of a sudden I'm thinking about their life together in 10, 20 or 30 years in the future and how the age difference would affect them at that time.
The other thing that bothered me was the outcome when Ricky at last tells his parents of his relationship with Jack. It was both more and less than I had expected and although it led to some really good scenes between Ricky and Jack it still bothered me a bit. At the same time though it was an interesting scene that left me thinking how I, as a parent, might react in that same situation. Is there a chance I might have felt or said the same things as Ricky's disapproving parent or would I really have been as calm and accepting as his other parent?
Overall I really enjoyed this very well written book. Ricky and Jack are well developed, real and multi-faceted characters and they drew me in and kept me interested throughout the story. There are also wonderful supporting characters, intensely erotic yet also sweetly tender sex scenes and a very nice ending that all together make this a wonderfully compelling story that I won't soon forget. Anah Crow and Dianne Fox are excellent writers and have created a memorable, entertaining and engaging story that I enjoyed reading very much. Highly recommended.
March 10, 2010
This book was part of the ToTS serials from Torquere Press. Month after month a chapter was released. It was my favorite week of the month when it would be.
Ricky is young and Jack is not when they meet. Although Jack is much more experienced, overtime Ricky teaches him more about himself than Jack teaches Ricky at times. Ricky is able to explore his sexuality in a safe and nurturing environment that allows so much love and respect to grow between he and Jack. Jack is able to look at the relationship in ways that are both easier and more balanced than any past relationship he has had.
I haven't read it as a full novel. Since I read it one chapter at a time I felt like I journeyed with Ricky and Jack through the years this books covers. It was such a fullfilling way to read it that I wonder if I would feel like it ended much too soon as a full novel. I wouldn't normally have the patience to let a story drag out over so many months but this novel lends itself particulrly well to that type of timed release.
I loved this story. I was really sorry to see it end.
Ricky is young and Jack is not when they meet. Although Jack is much more experienced, overtime Ricky teaches him more about himself than Jack teaches Ricky at times. Ricky is able to explore his sexuality in a safe and nurturing environment that allows so much love and respect to grow between he and Jack. Jack is able to look at the relationship in ways that are both easier and more balanced than any past relationship he has had.
I haven't read it as a full novel. Since I read it one chapter at a time I felt like I journeyed with Ricky and Jack through the years this books covers. It was such a fullfilling way to read it that I wonder if I would feel like it ended much too soon as a full novel. I wouldn't normally have the patience to let a story drag out over so many months but this novel lends itself particulrly well to that type of timed release.
I loved this story. I was really sorry to see it end.
did-not-finish
September 30, 2024DNF @ 3%. No rating.
This wasn't my thing at all. I knew going into it that there would be an age gap but the blurb doesn't make it clear how big that age gap is. I was really confused and kind of creeped out when the older MC is described with old-man stereotypes, such as smoking a pipe, having grey hair on his chest and being a grump who throws his typewriter (!!) out the window whenever he gets mad at it. It turns out that the older MC is 48, which was a problem no matter how I looked at it. First - why is he being written in a way that makes him seem like he's a 60+ year old grandpa? Second - the younger MC is 18 and has the maturity and life experience of an 18 year old so pairing him with a 48 year old was way too much for me.
Things might have gone better if the younger MC wasn't a typical 18 year old. His entire life revolves around teenage problems, he calls his dad 'daddy' and he spends time angsting over how his parents will react to him coming out. The interactions between the MCs were much closer to a surrogate-dad-with-son dynamic rather than a solid romantic pairing.
I was also creeped out by the older MC's relentless lusting after the younger MC. He watches the kid mowing his lawn and the guy doesn't only drool over the younger MCs physique, but there are constant references to how young and barely-legal the MC is. The older MC reassures himself multiple times that lusting after this kid is fine now because he's 18...but it's implied that the older MC has been lusting after him for a while which....no. No, thank you. This isn't my kind of thing.
Another issue is that I was shocked that the MCs fall into bed together pretty much instantly and based on reviews, the first half of this book is erotica, which doesn't interest me. Lastly - I don't know why the page count on GR is way off, but that was another unpleasant surprise. Based on rough calculations, I would say the book is at least 400 pages and I'm not interested in reading hundreds of pages of erotica between two characters who I can't see as anything other than a son and a surrogate dad.
This wasn't my thing at all. I knew going into it that there would be an age gap but the blurb doesn't make it clear how big that age gap is. I was really confused and kind of creeped out when the older MC is described with old-man stereotypes, such as smoking a pipe, having grey hair on his chest and being a grump who throws his typewriter (!!) out the window whenever he gets mad at it. It turns out that the older MC is 48, which was a problem no matter how I looked at it. First - why is he being written in a way that makes him seem like he's a 60+ year old grandpa? Second - the younger MC is 18 and has the maturity and life experience of an 18 year old so pairing him with a 48 year old was way too much for me.
Things might have gone better if the younger MC wasn't a typical 18 year old. His entire life revolves around teenage problems, he calls his dad 'daddy' and he spends time angsting over how his parents will react to him coming out. The interactions between the MCs were much closer to a surrogate-dad-with-son dynamic rather than a solid romantic pairing.
I was also creeped out by the older MC's relentless lusting after the younger MC. He watches the kid mowing his lawn and the guy doesn't only drool over the younger MCs physique, but there are constant references to how young and barely-legal the MC is. The older MC reassures himself multiple times that lusting after this kid is fine now because he's 18...but it's implied that the older MC has been lusting after him for a while which....no. No, thank you. This isn't my kind of thing.
Another issue is that I was shocked that the MCs fall into bed together pretty much instantly and based on reviews, the first half of this book is erotica, which doesn't interest me. Lastly - I don't know why the page count on GR is way off, but that was another unpleasant surprise. Based on rough calculations, I would say the book is at least 400 pages and I'm not interested in reading hundreds of pages of erotica between two characters who I can't see as anything other than a son and a surrogate dad.
August 4, 2012
This may have minor spoilers that are not hidden. Keep that in mind before reading.
This could have been a great story had the length been cut in half. I love books where the two main characters have an age difference. In this case, Jack is 48 and and Ricky is 18. 30 years (when one is basically a child) was a bit much, even for me but I got over it for the most part.... kind of.
The first 40% or so is literally a sex-fest. It starts immediately and does not let up even for the story to unfold even a little bit or for me to get a feel for the characters. I have no problem with sex in books. But this was almost every single page and I found myself wanting to skim over some of it just to get to the actual story. This was almost a DNF for that reason alone. I had read other reviews saying the story got better after that so I kept going. It did improve somewhat but it was still mostly about sex. Yes, there is a story thrown in there (I mentioned the length) but you can have too much of a good thing.
Now what I had issues with:
1. Jack is 48 and Ricky is 18. I mentioned that. But I wish I had a count of how many times Jack is described as an OLD man or said he was an old man. Yes, he IS old compared to Ricky (and any other teenager I'm guessing). But reading the words "old man" over and over and over got ridiculous. Okay, we got it. You're old. Move on. I don't know if the authors were trying to make Ricky seem mature for his age (compared to Jack) but I'm thinking not. I think they were going for the "barely legal" aspect and playing to it. He is called RICKY, not Rick. He calls his dad DADDY, not dad. Jack calls him "my pretty boy" throughout the entire book (among other things). Ricky is waxed all over his body (for his swimming). To me, all of that just brought out the creep factor. But that's just me.
2. It is word-heavy, even if the page after page after page of sex would have been removed.
3. Jack and Ricky have a summer relationship. It's supposed to end when Ricky goes back to college in the fall. While I can understand Jack not getting emotionally involved, the thought of a teenage boy not doing so did not seem realistic to me. 3 months of spending almost every day together (in bed and out) and Ricky wasn't supposed to get emotionally involved?
4. Jack's past. Parts are explained but not all. I would have liked to have seen that explored more.
5. I don't like books with open relationships. What Jack and Ricky did with others while they were apart would not be considered cheating because it was made clear early on where they stood as a couple (or as "not a couple"). But it still did not seem right to me.
6. Ricky's parents. Very open and understanding when Ricky came out to them as being gay. Not so open and understanding when told about Jack. Ricky's dad, yes. His mom, not even close. I did not feel that his mother's issues were resolved at all. His father was a little too understanding, in my opinion. I can't quite picture a dad (who is a judge by the way) being okay with his son having a sexual relationship with a man older than him (the father).
As I said, this could have been a very good story had it been cut in half and A LOT of the sex removed. The relationship between Jack and Ricky was good (once it got beyond just sex). The story was good as a whole. But I didn't think I would ever get through it. It was that long. It took me two days to read it and I never found myself eager to jump back into it while I was doing other things. Had I not read that it got better after 40% or so I would've just stopped.
There is cross dressing that I had no problem with at all. It actually made some of the (many) sex scenes interesting. I enjoyed reading the parts about Ricky's swimming buddies, even if they did take the role of protective "big brothers" a tad too far at times. Jack's friends (Amanda, Paul, Anthony, etc.) didn't do anything for me. I didn't like them at all because not much was explained (other than the basics) in regards to them.
Overall, a good story that could have been a great story. The ending was good (with the exception of the mom thing) and I was happy with the way that played out though it seemed a little unfinished to me. It just took forever to get there.
This could have been a great story had the length been cut in half. I love books where the two main characters have an age difference. In this case, Jack is 48 and and Ricky is 18. 30 years (when one is basically a child) was a bit much, even for me but I got over it for the most part.... kind of.
The first 40% or so is literally a sex-fest. It starts immediately and does not let up even for the story to unfold even a little bit or for me to get a feel for the characters. I have no problem with sex in books. But this was almost every single page and I found myself wanting to skim over some of it just to get to the actual story. This was almost a DNF for that reason alone. I had read other reviews saying the story got better after that so I kept going. It did improve somewhat but it was still mostly about sex. Yes, there is a story thrown in there (I mentioned the length) but you can have too much of a good thing.
Now what I had issues with:
1. Jack is 48 and Ricky is 18. I mentioned that. But I wish I had a count of how many times Jack is described as an OLD man or said he was an old man. Yes, he IS old compared to Ricky (and any other teenager I'm guessing). But reading the words "old man" over and over and over got ridiculous. Okay, we got it. You're old. Move on. I don't know if the authors were trying to make Ricky seem mature for his age (compared to Jack) but I'm thinking not. I think they were going for the "barely legal" aspect and playing to it. He is called RICKY, not Rick. He calls his dad DADDY, not dad. Jack calls him "my pretty boy" throughout the entire book (among other things). Ricky is waxed all over his body (for his swimming). To me, all of that just brought out the creep factor. But that's just me.
2. It is word-heavy, even if the page after page after page of sex would have been removed.
3. Jack and Ricky have a summer relationship. It's supposed to end when Ricky goes back to college in the fall. While I can understand Jack not getting emotionally involved, the thought of a teenage boy not doing so did not seem realistic to me. 3 months of spending almost every day together (in bed and out) and Ricky wasn't supposed to get emotionally involved?
4. Jack's past. Parts are explained but not all. I would have liked to have seen that explored more.
5. I don't like books with open relationships. What Jack and Ricky did with others while they were apart would not be considered cheating because it was made clear early on where they stood as a couple (or as "not a couple"). But it still did not seem right to me.
6. Ricky's parents. Very open and understanding when Ricky came out to them as being gay. Not so open and understanding when told about Jack. Ricky's dad, yes. His mom, not even close. I did not feel that his mother's issues were resolved at all. His father was a little too understanding, in my opinion. I can't quite picture a dad (who is a judge by the way) being okay with his son having a sexual relationship with a man older than him (the father).
As I said, this could have been a very good story had it been cut in half and A LOT of the sex removed. The relationship between Jack and Ricky was good (once it got beyond just sex). The story was good as a whole. But I didn't think I would ever get through it. It was that long. It took me two days to read it and I never found myself eager to jump back into it while I was doing other things. Had I not read that it got better after 40% or so I would've just stopped.
There is cross dressing that I had no problem with at all. It actually made some of the (many) sex scenes interesting. I enjoyed reading the parts about Ricky's swimming buddies, even if they did take the role of protective "big brothers" a tad too far at times. Jack's friends (Amanda, Paul, Anthony, etc.) didn't do anything for me. I didn't like them at all because not much was explained (other than the basics) in regards to them.
Overall, a good story that could have been a great story. The ending was good (with the exception of the mom thing) and I was happy with the way that played out though it seemed a little unfinished to me. It just took forever to get there.
January 18, 2014
This has become a comfort read over time, yet no matter however many times I have read this, I still enjoy Ricky's awakening of his sexuality, and Jack's finding that he is able to love and be loved for who he is when he thought he was long past the age of doing so.
Ricky is 18 and Jack is 48 when Ricky finds himself giving Jack a blow job. Ricky has had a crush on his neighbor Jack since he was 15, but never dreamed he'd ever act on it. Even after the blow job, neither expects anything more to come of it.
Yet when Ricky is a victim of gay-bashing a few weeks later, it is Jack who he calls to pick him up from the hospital rather than his parents, as he hadn't yet come out to his family. Naturally, is does come out after the bashing since he can neither hide his injuries or hide the hospital insurance claim on his father's policy, but it is Jack who gives him the support to recover the attack, as he understands as only a gay man can.
Over the summer they discover a friendship neither expected - interspersed with lots of sex at a pace set by Ricky. It is a summer fling with neither realizing that the other was reluctant to end it.
What follows is a year of self-discovery for both men, and it is the journey they take in doing so, as well as the development of their relationship that lets me re-read it as often as I have. It also helps that I forget between reads that there is also a lot of hot sex scenes too!
Ricky is 18 and Jack is 48 when Ricky finds himself giving Jack a blow job. Ricky has had a crush on his neighbor Jack since he was 15, but never dreamed he'd ever act on it. Even after the blow job, neither expects anything more to come of it.
Yet when Ricky is a victim of gay-bashing a few weeks later, it is Jack who he calls to pick him up from the hospital rather than his parents, as he hadn't yet come out to his family. Naturally, is does come out after the bashing since he can neither hide his injuries or hide the hospital insurance claim on his father's policy, but it is Jack who gives him the support to recover the attack, as he understands as only a gay man can.
Over the summer they discover a friendship neither expected - interspersed with lots of sex at a pace set by Ricky. It is a summer fling with neither realizing that the other was reluctant to end it.
What follows is a year of self-discovery for both men, and it is the journey they take in doing so, as well as the development of their relationship that lets me re-read it as often as I have. It also helps that I forget between reads that there is also a lot of hot sex scenes too!
September 6, 2015
Loved the book. Didn't think I would part way through but really did by the end. Little repetitive and Jack was a little too "understanding" all the time. I did love the dynamics of the two and how they made the age gap between them of little consequence. Ricky was sweet but an "old soul". Jack had lived through a lot but still had a lot to give. There wasn't the huge drama of most books but more of a simple love story complicated by the age of the characters.
January 27, 2014
Great story without too much angst at all. Surprising given the theme and events. Loved the truly Slow Bloom that happened and each character, when together, was more than the sum of his parts. Sex was hot - and the growth great. Jack was just a lot little too understanding.
May 8, 2013
Loved it. I know some readers have been squicked out by the age difference/silver hair issue, but please just picture Jack as a slightly less refined Anderson Cooper. (You're welcome.)
maybe
January 16, 2013Quote: "You want permission to sneak into my house at night and ride me like I'm and drugstore pony and you've got a roll of quarters?"
September 10, 2018
Always good.
February 13, 2011
This was a book that diminished the pleasure of reading it as I progressed with the story. I was practically reading faster just to get the story done with.
[spoiler ahead]I was attracted by the age difference, the gap in experience for Ricky and Jack and I assumed the story would focus on that. On their combined efforts to bridge that distance, to reconcile parents, friends and acquaintances with the reasons why their relationship could work. Instead, I found myself thrown in a sea of details (some of which seemed abusive and uninteresting) and a palette of perspectives, none on which I could determine to be the focus of the story. Jack's past was too slowly revealed, leaving too many questions unanswered about who Thales, Amanda, Amyas were (not to mention all the others).I kept reading expecting one of the new bits of information to center the story (be it Ricky's life as an outed gay or Jack's struggles to put behind him a past filled with hurt). And in the end, I finished the book only with the impression of a rather bland description of a gay relationship - sweet kisses, gentle hugs and tender pecks on the cheek (and while the cross-dressing fetish was anything but bland, it's not something that I find appealing to see or read about).[end spoiler]
[spoiler ahead]I was attracted by the age difference, the gap in experience for Ricky and Jack and I assumed the story would focus on that. On their combined efforts to bridge that distance, to reconcile parents, friends and acquaintances with the reasons why their relationship could work. Instead, I found myself thrown in a sea of details (some of which seemed abusive and uninteresting) and a palette of perspectives, none on which I could determine to be the focus of the story. Jack's past was too slowly revealed, leaving too many questions unanswered about who Thales, Amanda, Amyas were (not to mention all the others).I kept reading expecting one of the new bits of information to center the story (be it Ricky's life as an outed gay or Jack's struggles to put behind him a past filled with hurt). And in the end, I finished the book only with the impression of a rather bland description of a gay relationship - sweet kisses, gentle hugs and tender pecks on the cheek (and while the cross-dressing fetish was anything but bland, it's not something that I find appealing to see or read about).[end spoiler]
May 7, 2010
A fantastic book. I loved the careful, sensitive and loving way the older character, Jack, uses to treat his much younger lover.
When Ricky decides to seduce Jack while he's on his summer break from college, he doesn't think about much more than the sex. Jack knows better (as he should, being 28 years older) and is very careful with Ricky and his developing feelings. For a while, sex is the only thing that draws them together. But over time more feelings and needs gradually creep in, despite all the "warnings" both lovers get form other people.
The slow development of their relationship from sex into something more (which still includes lots of sex) was wonderful. Jack's history makes things particularly difficult but leads to a more rewarding connection in the end.
When Ricky decides to seduce Jack while he's on his summer break from college, he doesn't think about much more than the sex. Jack knows better (as he should, being 28 years older) and is very careful with Ricky and his developing feelings. For a while, sex is the only thing that draws them together. But over time more feelings and needs gradually creep in, despite all the "warnings" both lovers get form other people.
The slow development of their relationship from sex into something more (which still includes lots of sex) was wonderful. Jack's history makes things particularly difficult but leads to a more rewarding connection in the end.
February 5, 2017
Yep. I'm giving it 5 stars because sex this good is rare. Sure sometimes it was confusing and maybe overly mushy but some of my die hard favorites were there and they are done WELL!
1. Phone sex (oh my fucking god - mop me up off the floor)
2. A beautiful man in panties+ (I thought this whole cross dressing element was fantastically done)
3. MCs having sex with people who are not MCs - oh man, this was done well. No cheating, manipulation, jealousy, guilt or any of the other nasty things that can come with sex with others.
1. Phone sex (oh my fucking god - mop me up off the floor)
2. A beautiful man in panties+ (I thought this whole cross dressing element was fantastically done)
3. MCs having sex with people who are not MCs - oh man, this was done well. No cheating, manipulation, jealousy, guilt or any of the other nasty things that can come with sex with others.
December 28, 2011
4.75 stars
This is one damn sexy book!
This is one damn sexy book!
August 3, 2015
5 stars
These guys were do in love!! I love them.
These guys were do in love!! I love them.
May 5, 2010
Ricky Talbot is back from school for the summer. For his summer job he's supposed to care for his parent's neighbor's garden. Ricky has had a crush on Jack Corson for years, and when he encounters the gruff, recluded writer and opportunity arises, Ricky doesn't miss out on it. What starts meant as an one - shot blowjob in Jack's kitchen unexpectedly grows into a summer love affair, and slowly it becomes more - for both of them.
This book was basically one very long sex scene. Since Anah Crow was involved, it was very good sex, partly kinky sex, and yes, tender, loving and meaningful sex. Surprisingly there was also plot, and dialogue, and character development. I think it was brilliantly done. Both Ricky and Jack were completely believable and true to a fault, down to the fact that forty-eight year old Jack gets to come far less often than eighteen -year old Ricky. It is so utterly believable that a young man would fall for an older, experienced man who doesn't only literally school him in "big boy sex", but also values him as a person. Sure, Jack does spoil Ricky, takes him out for fancy dinners and buys him things, but not in the beginning. Then he is a gruff man who comes to the hospital in big boots, a flannel bathrobe and a hat to get Ricky home. And Ricky, as young, curious and eager he is, shows maturity in his behaviour and decisions beyond his years, and he accepts Jack in a way that allows Jack to be himself. It makes Jack's love, not only lust, for Ricky totally believable.
What bothered me a bit about this book was the repetitiveness of the sex, although I could have lived with this. But the last few pages cost it the fifth star it would have had otherwise, since there were about five or six pages of mind blowing-sex with the only dialogue going like, "I love you, Jack, so good." and "I love you too, baby, you're so beautiful." It was superfluous to the point of annoyance. The book would have done even better with cutting some of the scenes which went down like that one way or another
All in all, a great May/December romance, a beautiful relationship and lots of hot sex well-balanced with depth and plot. Very much recommended.
This book was basically one very long sex scene. Since Anah Crow was involved, it was very good sex, partly kinky sex, and yes, tender, loving and meaningful sex. Surprisingly there was also plot, and dialogue, and character development. I think it was brilliantly done. Both Ricky and Jack were completely believable and true to a fault, down to the fact that forty-eight year old Jack gets to come far less often than eighteen -year old Ricky. It is so utterly believable that a young man would fall for an older, experienced man who doesn't only literally school him in "big boy sex", but also values him as a person. Sure, Jack does spoil Ricky, takes him out for fancy dinners and buys him things, but not in the beginning. Then he is a gruff man who comes to the hospital in big boots, a flannel bathrobe and a hat to get Ricky home. And Ricky, as young, curious and eager he is, shows maturity in his behaviour and decisions beyond his years, and he accepts Jack in a way that allows Jack to be himself. It makes Jack's love, not only lust, for Ricky totally believable.
What bothered me a bit about this book was the repetitiveness of the sex, although I could have lived with this. But the last few pages cost it the fifth star it would have had otherwise, since there were about five or six pages of mind blowing-sex with the only dialogue going like, "I love you, Jack, so good." and "I love you too, baby, you're so beautiful." It was superfluous to the point of annoyance. The book would have done even better with cutting some of the scenes which went down like that one way or another
All in all, a great May/December romance, a beautiful relationship and lots of hot sex well-balanced with depth and plot. Very much recommended.
June 1, 2012
For starters, the age gap is huge, but once I put that out of my head, I fell in love with the characters. Jack is a lonely 48 year old writer who used to be a dom heavy into the scene. He apparently wrote books about his experiences, though under a different name. Along comes Jack, an 18 year old neighbor who pursues Jack pretty relentlessly until Jack gives in.
I liked that Jack never pushed Ricky into anything and always encouraged him to live his life. When it came to sex, he let Ricky take the lead in that as well, offering encouragement and support along the way after Ricky had a bad experiences bottoming and getting gay bashed. Ricky was able to draw Jack out of his self-imposed shell, and the two of them were very happy together.
Ricky seemed very mature for his age. It seems weird saying that in the scheme of things, but his actions and mentality about his past relationships, as well as his relationship with Jack, gave that impression.
Ricky's friends were all very caring and supportive, some more than others, but it was refreshing nonetheless.
I did not like how this book seemed to drag on at times. I cannot pinpoint why that is, but it was extremely slow going. Things were annoyingly repetitive, such as the "I trust you's" and "I love/am in love with you's." There are also a lot of hot, heavily detailed sex scenes. Jack and Ricky were extremely sexually compatible characters. They just seemed to fit exactly what each other needed. While Jack guided the sexual experiences for the most part, Ricky was able to throw in a few of his own surprises for Jack as well.
There was an issue about Ricky finding the books Jack wrote and using them to base his experiences on. Jack worried about this quite a bit. I found myself wishing I could pick up my own copy just to really see the "old" Jack.
In the end, I enjoyed this story and watching Ricky slowly draw Jack out of his self-imposed shell, and the two of them finding a way to be happy together, despite the odds.
I liked that Jack never pushed Ricky into anything and always encouraged him to live his life. When it came to sex, he let Ricky take the lead in that as well, offering encouragement and support along the way after Ricky had a bad experiences bottoming and getting gay bashed. Ricky was able to draw Jack out of his self-imposed shell, and the two of them were very happy together.
Ricky seemed very mature for his age. It seems weird saying that in the scheme of things, but his actions and mentality about his past relationships, as well as his relationship with Jack, gave that impression.
Ricky's friends were all very caring and supportive, some more than others, but it was refreshing nonetheless.
I did not like how this book seemed to drag on at times. I cannot pinpoint why that is, but it was extremely slow going. Things were annoyingly repetitive, such as the "I trust you's" and "I love/am in love with you's." There are also a lot of hot, heavily detailed sex scenes. Jack and Ricky were extremely sexually compatible characters. They just seemed to fit exactly what each other needed. While Jack guided the sexual experiences for the most part, Ricky was able to throw in a few of his own surprises for Jack as well.
There was an issue about Ricky finding the books Jack wrote and using them to base his experiences on. Jack worried about this quite a bit. I found myself wishing I could pick up my own copy just to really see the "old" Jack.
In the end, I enjoyed this story and watching Ricky slowly draw Jack out of his self-imposed shell, and the two of them finding a way to be happy together, despite the odds.
August 3, 2011
This is a beautiful story that blooms slowly and organically, as the title suggests. My one "squick" - the HUGE age difference between Jack and Ricky. Ten, fifteen, even twenty years? More than enough. Thirty was a bit much for me.
But.
I mentally whited out the 30 years, and fell in love with Ricky and Jack. THIS is the way characters should evolve. THIS is what the critics talk about when they dissect character's emotional journey. The interactions with Ricky's friends and family were, to me, quite realistic. The interactions with *Jack's* friends were, too, and were far more fraught. Jack's history as a Dom, and the complicated relationships he walked away from when he walked away from the lifestyle, have so molded him, that the courage he shows in opening up, not just to Ricky but to life and to love, is humbling.
Then there's the sex. The Oh. My. God. That is so fucking hot sex. I'm not a fan of the cross-dressing, but Crow and Fox make it way too sexy. And the elements of BDSM strike me so deeply as the way D/s is *supposed* to be... It's every bit as beautiful as it is wicked hot.
I've loved most of Crow and Fox's work, but Slow Bloom continues to be my "go-to" for sweet, dirty, loving and raunchy all in one fantastically written book.
Hmmm.Wouldn't mind seeing Aaron get a story, either...
But.
I mentally whited out the 30 years, and fell in love with Ricky and Jack. THIS is the way characters should evolve. THIS is what the critics talk about when they dissect character's emotional journey. The interactions with Ricky's friends and family were, to me, quite realistic. The interactions with *Jack's* friends were, too, and were far more fraught. Jack's history as a Dom, and the complicated relationships he walked away from when he walked away from the lifestyle, have so molded him, that the courage he shows in opening up, not just to Ricky but to life and to love, is humbling.
Then there's the sex. The Oh. My. God. That is so fucking hot sex. I'm not a fan of the cross-dressing, but Crow and Fox make it way too sexy. And the elements of BDSM strike me so deeply as the way D/s is *supposed* to be... It's every bit as beautiful as it is wicked hot.
I've loved most of Crow and Fox's work, but Slow Bloom continues to be my "go-to" for sweet, dirty, loving and raunchy all in one fantastically written book.
Hmmm.Wouldn't mind seeing Aaron get a story, either...
February 15, 2014
The title nails this book perfectly. This is the story of Ricky's slow and steady sexual awakening at he hands of Jack, his substantially older neighbor. It was beautiful to see the relationship transform from lust driven sexual exploration to sweet and sensual lovemaking. I hate the struggles their age gap cause but it is believable that friends and family will have a hard time understanding.
February 19, 2013
I've lost count of how many times I've read this book.
I didn't see the age gap - I just thought Ricky and Jack were perfect together.
I loved the way their relationship developed: Ricky's beautifully unforced submission was just was Jack needed. These two were a sexy combination.
I read it very recently, but it certainly won't be the last.
I didn't see the age gap - I just thought Ricky and Jack were perfect together.
I loved the way their relationship developed: Ricky's beautifully unforced submission was just was Jack needed. These two were a sexy combination.
I read it very recently, but it certainly won't be the last.
not-for-me
February 14, 2011Open relationship
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