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The Best Gift #2
Still the One
The sequel to the Amber Allure best-seller The Best Gift...
Best friends, Malcolm and Dusty, have been together as a happy couple for five years. But now Malcolm’s budding career as a stage actor has taken an exciting turn, sending him across the country to Broadway just as Dustin’s dream of being named Head Chef at the restaurant where he works is coming true.
As the distance tests their relationship, can their love and friendship survive? Can Malcolm find a way to prove to Dusty he’s still the one?
Gay / Contemporary / Series
35 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 11, 2010
3 people are currently reading
86 people want to read
About the author
Shawn Lane
133 books309 followersShawn Lane writes erotic gay romances and believes love and passion know no boundaries. Happily Ever After is for everyone.
In the past she has written heterosexual romances (see her backlist) but is now concentrating on gay romances.
Shawn lives in California and holds down a boring day job in a legal department of a giant corporation dreaming of the nights and weekends when she can create new stories.
Shawn loves to hear from readers, is happy to answer any questions, and has been known to send free books to fans just because.
In the past she has written heterosexual romances (see her backlist) but is now concentrating on gay romances.
Shawn lives in California and holds down a boring day job in a legal department of a giant corporation dreaming of the nights and weekends when she can create new stories.
Shawn loves to hear from readers, is happy to answer any questions, and has been known to send free books to fans just because.
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
April 11, 2010
Shawn Lane fans rejoice! Her newest book, Still the One, is a continuation of one of my favorite couples Malcolm and Dusty. We first met them in her hot and sexy Christmas story, The Best Gift, which brought cheer and happiness to my holiday season.
Still the One begins five years after The Best Gift left off. Malcolm and Dusty have had good years together, but their relationship has come to a crossroad. Both men are dedicated not only to each other, but to their careers. When a once in a lifetime opportunity comes for Malcolm, he must leave Dusty to pursue his dreams. But, as time wears on the couple, is their love strong enough to beat the separation and the odds that are stacked against them?
I loved this book! This is a prime example why Shawn Lane is a favorite author of mine. The chemistry between Malcolm and Dusty is steamy hot! Her sex scenes are always turn on the air condition worthy! I swear I had to refill my iced tea twice while reading this book! Even more than the hot sex is the wonderful dialog and obvious affection and love Malcolm and Dusty have for one another makes Shawn stand out as one of my favorite M/M authors writing today.
Still the One could be read as a stand alone book, but if you haven't read The Best Gift, do yourself a favor and read it. You will fall in love with this couple just like I have!!
5 out of 5 stars
Still the One begins five years after The Best Gift left off. Malcolm and Dusty have had good years together, but their relationship has come to a crossroad. Both men are dedicated not only to each other, but to their careers. When a once in a lifetime opportunity comes for Malcolm, he must leave Dusty to pursue his dreams. But, as time wears on the couple, is their love strong enough to beat the separation and the odds that are stacked against them?
I loved this book! This is a prime example why Shawn Lane is a favorite author of mine. The chemistry between Malcolm and Dusty is steamy hot! Her sex scenes are always turn on the air condition worthy! I swear I had to refill my iced tea twice while reading this book! Even more than the hot sex is the wonderful dialog and obvious affection and love Malcolm and Dusty have for one another makes Shawn stand out as one of my favorite M/M authors writing today.
Still the One could be read as a stand alone book, but if you haven't read The Best Gift, do yourself a favor and read it. You will fall in love with this couple just like I have!!
5 out of 5 stars
Read
April 20, 2010I had the opportunity to read STILL THE ONE during my read-a-thon the other day and I really liked it. STILL THE ONE is a little more about the life of Dusty and Malcolm who I was originally introduced to in THE BEST GIFT.
My last interaction with Malcolm and Dusty was bittersweet, as Dusty has yet again come to Malcolm's aide, but on that final occasion he lets Malcolm in on his little secret; he was in love with him and wants to see where they can go with the attraction...
And that where THE BEST GIFT left me...
Ms Lanes now revisits Malcolm and Dusty five years later on - when they are not only established in their respective careers, but they are solid in their relationship. They are however also at the point where career advancement is eminent after all the hard work they have both put into making a name for themselves, but with one being a chef and a pretty good one at that and one on a one way track to Broadway greatness on the other side of the country - something had to give and they are not sure if it wont be the relationship that they have worked so hard for..
The book is relatively short - so I will not give away the heart of the book here.
What I liked about STILL THE ONE was that the plot was condensed to a limited episode in the life’s of the two men. A point where they can have it all, a point where loyalties are tested and a point where both Malcolm and Dusty have to make a decision about what is important to them.
Another thing that Ms Lane brings over into STILL THE ONE is the low level angst that really works for me. Sometimes I just want to read a book just for the pure entertainment value and I get that every time with this authors work.
There was some sex, but I thought it was a pretty tame amount but just right for the drama that was unfolding between the main players involved.
A sweet mix of people round off the plotline and some made me want to slap them and some were just too sweet. A nice mix all round and they more than played their parts in either causing doubt or re-enforcing to both men why what they have together was worth more than anything else.
Readers looking for a meatier plot or elaborate drama this is not the book for you. I thought the book stood well on it’s own, as the issues dealt with are everyday enough and real enough to identify with in one way or another, but I would recommend reading THE BEST GIFT before reading this one – as you would get a more rounded picture of the men and how far they both have come.
STILL THE ONE is a tight book, and with Ms Lane using every scene to either pull the moment together or show what a fine line there is between a good thing or the best thing – there is really little to find fault with here. It was lovely revisiting Dusty and Malcolm and also nice when an author opens up a solid couple to the bombardment of everyday life and show that there is still faith in love, and despite everything trust does remain one of the most important thing in a relationship..
My last interaction with Malcolm and Dusty was bittersweet, as Dusty has yet again come to Malcolm's aide, but on that final occasion he lets Malcolm in on his little secret; he was in love with him and wants to see where they can go with the attraction...
And that where THE BEST GIFT left me...
Ms Lanes now revisits Malcolm and Dusty five years later on - when they are not only established in their respective careers, but they are solid in their relationship. They are however also at the point where career advancement is eminent after all the hard work they have both put into making a name for themselves, but with one being a chef and a pretty good one at that and one on a one way track to Broadway greatness on the other side of the country - something had to give and they are not sure if it wont be the relationship that they have worked so hard for..
The book is relatively short - so I will not give away the heart of the book here.
What I liked about STILL THE ONE was that the plot was condensed to a limited episode in the life’s of the two men. A point where they can have it all, a point where loyalties are tested and a point where both Malcolm and Dusty have to make a decision about what is important to them.
Another thing that Ms Lane brings over into STILL THE ONE is the low level angst that really works for me. Sometimes I just want to read a book just for the pure entertainment value and I get that every time with this authors work.
There was some sex, but I thought it was a pretty tame amount but just right for the drama that was unfolding between the main players involved.
A sweet mix of people round off the plotline and some made me want to slap them and some were just too sweet. A nice mix all round and they more than played their parts in either causing doubt or re-enforcing to both men why what they have together was worth more than anything else.
Readers looking for a meatier plot or elaborate drama this is not the book for you. I thought the book stood well on it’s own, as the issues dealt with are everyday enough and real enough to identify with in one way or another, but I would recommend reading THE BEST GIFT before reading this one – as you would get a more rounded picture of the men and how far they both have come.
STILL THE ONE is a tight book, and with Ms Lane using every scene to either pull the moment together or show what a fine line there is between a good thing or the best thing – there is really little to find fault with here. It was lovely revisiting Dusty and Malcolm and also nice when an author opens up a solid couple to the bombardment of everyday life and show that there is still faith in love, and despite everything trust does remain one of the most important thing in a relationship..
April 30, 2010
4½ stars - Shawn Lane has written some fantastic stories and
Still the One
is another one. Malcolm and Dusty were a wonderful couple and it was great revisiting them. And actually, I really loved the second story; there's more detail, more character and one heckuva roller coaster of emotions. But what brought the two men together in the first place [
The Best Gift
:] is still there and with a love like theirs they can work through anything.
Still the One is beautiful, and once again, Shawn Lane shines!
Still the One is beautiful, and once again, Shawn Lane shines!
February 15, 2012
Not as easy read as The Best Gift and my heart ached for both of them, especially Dustin, but I was very satisfyed with the ending. I really liked, that Malcolm choose to quit the play and return home, even though the play was quite successful, so it was not because he didn't succeed and therefore didn't have a choice, but that he consciously choose to be with Dustin rather than being a big actor star - that's just so sweet.
December 4, 2023
This continues the story of Malcolm and Dusty who we met in The Best Gift. They've been together for a couple of years and both are becoming successful - Dusty is a chef about to embark on his dream of being a head chef. Malcolm has become a theatre actor and is on the cusp of going to Broadway. Can they survive a long distance relationship? Still very sweet couple of guys.
January 28, 2018
3.75 stars
Review coming soon
Review coming soon
November 28, 2010
Still The One by Shawn Lane is the sequel to her short story The Best Gift and picks up some five years after Dustin Jones and Malcolm Rowland become lovers and a committed couple. They’ve been best friends and inseparable since high school and their relationship is a loving, strong and mutually supportive one.
Dusty’s passion is cooking. His career is advancing and he is in line for the Head Chef position at the restaurant in which he works. Malcolm has enjoyed success as an erotic romance writer but he’s also caught the theater bug and has become involved with a local theater troop in L.A. When Malcolm successfully auditions for a Broadway production he makes the decision to move to New York for the run of the play knowing that it’s not possible for Dusty to go with him. While Dusty is very supportive of Malcolm’s decision, as the months drag on he is missing Malcolm something awful. At the same time, the fame and success of Broadway are not what Malcolm expected. He desperately misses Dusty and questions whether his decision is worth sacrificing their relationship.
This short novella is well written and very much focused on the difficulties that Malcolm and Dusty experience when Malcolm relocates to New York City, the source of their relationship angst. The author balances the perspectives of both characters throughout the story by alternating their points of view as they struggle to maintain a long-distance relationship. Despite the story’s short length, some fifty pages, the characters are well developed and the author aptly conveys their strong commitment to one another.
Still The One is a sweet and romantic novella with lovable and engaging characters that I enjoyed revisiting. Despite the story premise, it provides a relatively light reading escape with some spicy sex and just enough angst to keep things interesting. Will Dusty and Malcolm get their HEA? You’ll have to read it for yourselves to find out.
Still The One can be read as a stand-alone novella, but for those interested in Dusty and Malcolm’s back-story and how they got together I suggest picking up The Best Gift before embarking on this one.
NOTE: This review was originally published online by Rainbow Reviews on April 25, 2010.
April 24, 2010
I don't know which Shawn Lane fans pressured her into giving us more of Dusty and Malcolm, although I have a few suspects - but thank you, thank you, thank you, because this was such a sweet treat :)
If you've read
, then you've already met Dusty and Malcolm. They've been friends since junior high and finally admitted their love for one another in The Best Gift. This follow up story takes place 5 years later. Dusty is working long, hard hours at an LA restaurant where he's rumored to be the next head chef, and Malcolm *I just love him* is writing gay erotic romance and working as an actor doing local theater. Malcolm has surrounded himself with snobby theater friends who give Dusty the cold shoulder because of his profession.
When an opportunity to arises for Malcolm to perform on Broadway, he takes it, but with Dusty's blessing. They truly love one another and want to see their partner's dreams become reality. Will the distance and time tear their relationship apart? Is fame on Broadway what Malcolm really wants? As you can guess from the title, there's a very tender, sexy satifying HEA. This author delivers :)
If you've read
, then you've already met Dusty and Malcolm. They've been friends since junior high and finally admitted their love for one another in The Best Gift. This follow up story takes place 5 years later. Dusty is working long, hard hours at an LA restaurant where he's rumored to be the next head chef, and Malcolm *I just love him* is writing gay erotic romance and working as an actor doing local theater. Malcolm has surrounded himself with snobby theater friends who give Dusty the cold shoulder because of his profession. When an opportunity to arises for Malcolm to perform on Broadway, he takes it, but with Dusty's blessing. They truly love one another and want to see their partner's dreams become reality. Will the distance and time tear their relationship apart? Is fame on Broadway what Malcolm really wants? As you can guess from the title, there's a very tender, sexy satifying HEA. This author delivers :)
October 17, 2010
This sweet m/m romance is the sequel to The Best Gift and takes up five years after that story. Malcolm and Dusty are deeply committed to each other, but what will happen when they end up on opposite coasts for their careers?
June 28, 2011
so far I didn't liked it as much as the first one, would have worked more as a stand alone.
Ok, it was ok, cute and all, for a moment i was clutching my reader panicking that maybe there was going to be cheating, thankfully there isn't, still i enjoyed the first a little more.
Ok, it was ok, cute and all, for a moment i was clutching my reader panicking that maybe there was going to be cheating, thankfully there isn't, still i enjoyed the first a little more.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 21, 2010
3,5 stars
October 3, 2010
short and sweet, just a glimpse into the lives of a committed couple.
November 15, 2013
After 5 years together still happy as Eva Malcolm has a job offer part of a play on broadway , dusty tell him to go can these 2 survive or wil it break them apart.
February 15, 2011
MxM, Read in 2011
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews