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David & Andrew #1
One Night in December
David Bennett was a widower. He had had a wonderful relationship with his wife. But she was gone. He decided he was done with relationships. He had no sex drive and no interest in life in general.
Andy Barnes was a homeless man who often stood at the end of an exit ramp begging for help. For some unfathomable reason, David was tempted to pick him up every time he went past him on his way home. One wretched night in December, fate intervened and David found himself bringing the man home and into his life.
Much to his surprise he began to fall in love with this down and out young man. His love was returned. David realized he did have a reason to go on with life after all.
Over the next years the two face life as a partnered gay couple with humor and courage. Each year brings with it happiness, tragedy, joy and sorrow; the stuff that life is made of. All along the way the love the two share for each other helps them to overcome all obstacles and face all challenges.
Andy Barnes was a homeless man who often stood at the end of an exit ramp begging for help. For some unfathomable reason, David was tempted to pick him up every time he went past him on his way home. One wretched night in December, fate intervened and David found himself bringing the man home and into his life.
Much to his surprise he began to fall in love with this down and out young man. His love was returned. David realized he did have a reason to go on with life after all.
Over the next years the two face life as a partnered gay couple with humor and courage. Each year brings with it happiness, tragedy, joy and sorrow; the stuff that life is made of. All along the way the love the two share for each other helps them to overcome all obstacles and face all challenges.
160 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 26, 2010
1 person is currently reading
154 people want to read
About the author
Terry O'Reilly
80 books38 followersSince retiring, Terry spends his time writing, working with animal rescue groups, walking his three dogs, pumping iron while listening to Harry Potter audio books and riding/showing his champion Quarter Horse.
His interest in Native American culture stems from the fact that in tracing his heritage, he found his great grandfather was an Illini.
His interest in Native American culture stems from the fact that in tracing his heritage, he found his great grandfather was an Illini.
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
December 27, 2011
I had some definite issues with this one. The first and most important problem was with David, one of the MCs. It took me a loooong time to 'warm up' to this character for the fact that he confesses in the first few pages to long term cheating on his wife. He had been honest with her at the beginning of their marriage, telling her that he was gay but then proceeded to f**k around with numerous men for the next 30 years! Huh? Now I don't have a problem with an open relationship/marriage, I really don't, as long as BOTH parties are aware of the 'open' status. Otherwise an innocent party is put at risk, no matter how careful the other partner is. And apparently David wasn't careful or he would have used a condom the first time he had sex with Andy!
I did really like the Author's note at the end of the story.
I did really like the Author's note at the end of the story.
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May 23, 2011I like the little bit of personal life details Terry O’Reilly sometime introduces in the stories: in this case it’s a news on the paper about an homeless man who died for exposure in a particularly cold winter; what could have been if someone had stopped and offered him help? That is what David does for Andrew.
David is a more or less 50 years old widower living in Ann Arbor, Michigan. He had a plenty a satisfying life as a married man and father of 4 kids; satisfying above all since his wife knew about him being gay and conveniently closed both eyes in front of his “escapades”. To the reader David reports he was in love with his wife and that he went with men only for sex, but I found it difficult to believe, my idea is that David was simply not in love with his wife, but probably had a strong friendship and common interests, i.e. their family and life together as perfect parents.
But once his wife died, David has accomplished his task as perfect parent, and now maybe he wants something for himself. And Andy, the homeless guy with the beautiful blue eyes is like the answer to his prayers; truth be told, in an ordinary situation, middle age David would have probably had not so many chances with around thirty Andy, but Andy is on a downfall, he lost his wife, his job and his life and now has no option open in front of him. Yes, I’m probably a little hard with David and Andy, I’m not saying David is for Andy the last chance, but what I probably believe is that, being deprived of everything allowed Andy to reconsider his life.
The story is probably a little bit too optimistic, and sometime I found it a bit too “gay”: not only David and Andy were gay, but also one of David’s sons and also another relative I cannot say to not spoil the story… all in a family. But aside for the that, I truly enjoyed that the story spans for a long period of David and Andy’s life together, giving the reader plenty of time and chances to know them better. Actually at the beginning I thought it was strange, they seemed to rush into their relationship, almost from the first moment they met and I did wonder how the author would have filled all the following pages. The answer is easy, this is not only the story of how they met, but also of the aftermath of that meeting and the life they build together and also a little glimpse in their far away future.
http://www.amazon.com/dp/1453699953/?...
David is a more or less 50 years old widower living in Ann Arbor, Michigan. He had a plenty a satisfying life as a married man and father of 4 kids; satisfying above all since his wife knew about him being gay and conveniently closed both eyes in front of his “escapades”. To the reader David reports he was in love with his wife and that he went with men only for sex, but I found it difficult to believe, my idea is that David was simply not in love with his wife, but probably had a strong friendship and common interests, i.e. their family and life together as perfect parents.
But once his wife died, David has accomplished his task as perfect parent, and now maybe he wants something for himself. And Andy, the homeless guy with the beautiful blue eyes is like the answer to his prayers; truth be told, in an ordinary situation, middle age David would have probably had not so many chances with around thirty Andy, but Andy is on a downfall, he lost his wife, his job and his life and now has no option open in front of him. Yes, I’m probably a little hard with David and Andy, I’m not saying David is for Andy the last chance, but what I probably believe is that, being deprived of everything allowed Andy to reconsider his life.
The story is probably a little bit too optimistic, and sometime I found it a bit too “gay”: not only David and Andy were gay, but also one of David’s sons and also another relative I cannot say to not spoil the story… all in a family. But aside for the that, I truly enjoyed that the story spans for a long period of David and Andy’s life together, giving the reader plenty of time and chances to know them better. Actually at the beginning I thought it was strange, they seemed to rush into their relationship, almost from the first moment they met and I did wonder how the author would have filled all the following pages. The answer is easy, this is not only the story of how they met, but also of the aftermath of that meeting and the life they build together and also a little glimpse in their far away future.
http://www.amazon.com/dp/1453699953/?...
April 4, 2012
Widower David
is still having trouble getting over the death of his wife of over 30 years.
He had been noticing a homeless man on his way home, one evening with the weather turning to cold, snowy and freezing , he decides to bring him home.
From there starts a love story, possibly overly optimistic and unrealistic
but none the less sweet and hopeful for a second chance at love.
is still having trouble getting over the death of his wife of over 30 years.
He had been noticing a homeless man on his way home, one evening with the weather turning to cold, snowy and freezing , he decides to bring him home.
From there starts a love story, possibly overly optimistic and unrealistic
but none the less sweet and hopeful for a second chance at love.
August 27, 2011
What a wonderful novel. I am so glad that I got a chance to read it. This book is a reminder to us readers to open our hearts to the hungry and homeless. They may be drug addicts or alcoholics, but they are still people and they are deserving of help. The characters in the story are wonderfully developed. The main characters David and Andy are realistic and imperfect people. David is an older gentleman from Michigan with a tendency to curse and lose his temper when he gets frustrated. This must be a Michigan thing because my husband is from Michigan and I see this quirk in him all the time. Andy is a young veterinarian who lost his way and became an alcoholic and eventually homeless.
David is a part of a group that is not focused on a lot in gay romance novels, where the characters are usually young and unattached. David is a gay man who married a woman and had four children. He meets Andy after the death of his wife Patti following thirty one years of marriage. During his marriage, David satisfied his need for gay sex by hooking up with a circle of fuck buddies who like himself, were in straight marriages with families. The story offers a very realistic view of what it would be like for an older man to suddenly adopt an openly gay lifestyle, including coming out to his children and grandchildren.
I find that I really like Terry O’Reilly’s writing. He presents a true view of what it is like to live as a gay man. His stories are refreshingly different, written from a man’s point of view and more realistic in its portrayal of how things happen in the real world. I have read some comments about the characters having unprotected sex at the beginning of their relationship. I don’t have a problem with it. Fiction is not real life. I don’t believe that it is up to the author of a novel to set a fastidious example of safe sex practices in every novel he writes. People have unprotected sex in real life sometimes, whether they should or not. I believe fictional characters also have the freedom to make the wrong choices sometimes. If they didn’t then there would be no story to read.
David is a part of a group that is not focused on a lot in gay romance novels, where the characters are usually young and unattached. David is a gay man who married a woman and had four children. He meets Andy after the death of his wife Patti following thirty one years of marriage. During his marriage, David satisfied his need for gay sex by hooking up with a circle of fuck buddies who like himself, were in straight marriages with families. The story offers a very realistic view of what it would be like for an older man to suddenly adopt an openly gay lifestyle, including coming out to his children and grandchildren.
I find that I really like Terry O’Reilly’s writing. He presents a true view of what it is like to live as a gay man. His stories are refreshingly different, written from a man’s point of view and more realistic in its portrayal of how things happen in the real world. I have read some comments about the characters having unprotected sex at the beginning of their relationship. I don’t have a problem with it. Fiction is not real life. I don’t believe that it is up to the author of a novel to set a fastidious example of safe sex practices in every novel he writes. People have unprotected sex in real life sometimes, whether they should or not. I believe fictional characters also have the freedom to make the wrong choices sometimes. If they didn’t then there would be no story to read.
August 17, 2012
While there is a bit of insta-love here, this story is very heartfelt. I liked the trajectory of the story and the way that David and Andy are together. Andy is so sad, but he's not broken beyond repair. Even though John has been with men over the years, this is the first man he's been with where he has actually developed feelings beyond lust and sexual need. He is very protective of Andy. It's a bit like the perfect storm - literally - when he helps Andy.
While it might seem that it is unusual that only one of David's children had a problem with him being with a man after their mother, I think that's covered by the fact that David had been honest with Mike many years earlier and that Mike had confided in his sister, so really only 2 of the 4 were surprised and they seemed to represent the normal spectrum of reactions. I think most times adult children should be given more credit. I've known a few people who have experienced this scenario (except there is divorce rather than parental death) and their kids seem to be fine with it - even if there is some initial discomfort.
I love the whole Claudia part of the story. It's funny the little rituals that families have that seem so small but are really significant to them. That David and Andy built their own holiday ritual around that was really special.
David and Andy goes through ups and downs of life like anybody and they build a stronger relationship through it all. Andy loved and supports David and David does the same for Andy. I look forward to the continuation of their story.
While it might seem that it is unusual that only one of David's children had a problem with him being with a man after their mother, I think that's covered by the fact that David had been honest with Mike many years earlier and that Mike had confided in his sister, so really only 2 of the 4 were surprised and they seemed to represent the normal spectrum of reactions. I think most times adult children should be given more credit. I've known a few people who have experienced this scenario (except there is divorce rather than parental death) and their kids seem to be fine with it - even if there is some initial discomfort.
I love the whole Claudia part of the story. It's funny the little rituals that families have that seem so small but are really significant to them. That David and Andy built their own holiday ritual around that was really special.
David and Andy goes through ups and downs of life like anybody and they build a stronger relationship through it all. Andy loved and supports David and David does the same for Andy. I look forward to the continuation of their story.
February 7, 2012
I won this book in a First Reads giveaway and although I'm not gay, nor a man, I did enjoy the basic premise of this book.
The book starts off dedicated to a homeless man that passed away that the author wished he could've been brave enough, like the main character in his story, to help. This made me teary to begin with and set a good tone for the book.
Although the writing wasn't the best I've seen, I did enjoy the actual story. I wasn't the most pleased with David, the widower who ends up saving Andrew, the homeless man. David talks about losing his wife and how he cheated on her for years and how she was accepting that her husband was doing so. This seemed incredulous to me, but most of the story was this way. Bad things would happen and then work themselves out like nothing bad had ever existed, which was something I was not keen on .
The story is short, just shy of 150 pages and packed with loads of content that I feel should have been elaborated on and drawn out a little longer. Some things felt really rushed, like the relationship that blooms in less then 24 hours of knowing each other, but I guess that's the selling point of this story.
For a person who loves mush and contemporary gay romance, this might be for you. I would give this a 2.5, because although the story was good, I feel like there could've been much more to it.I
The book starts off dedicated to a homeless man that passed away that the author wished he could've been brave enough, like the main character in his story, to help. This made me teary to begin with and set a good tone for the book.
Although the writing wasn't the best I've seen, I did enjoy the actual story. I wasn't the most pleased with David, the widower who ends up saving Andrew, the homeless man. David talks about losing his wife and how he cheated on her for years and how she was accepting that her husband was doing so. This seemed incredulous to me, but most of the story was this way. Bad things would happen and then work themselves out like nothing bad had ever existed, which was something I was not keen on .
The story is short, just shy of 150 pages and packed with loads of content that I feel should have been elaborated on and drawn out a little longer. Some things felt really rushed, like the relationship that blooms in less then 24 hours of knowing each other, but I guess that's the selling point of this story.
For a person who loves mush and contemporary gay romance, this might be for you. I would give this a 2.5, because although the story was good, I feel like there could've been much more to it.I
September 16, 2012
I've become a fan of Terry O'Reilly's novels but this was my least favorite of them so far. It's not to say I didn't like it, just that it's not at the top of my list. David, a widowed, 50-something, school teacher with grown children and grandchildren, becomes infatuated with a homeless man under a bridge and one night, saves him from people robbing him. The homeless man turns out to be Andy, who is somewhere in his 30's. He brings him home and cleans him up. David immediately knows he's in love. Yes, it's pretty much insta-love, because Andy is attracted to David too. I'm not completely turned off by insta-love because I do believe people can meet someone and just "click". And this story was handled so that it didn't stray into sappy so I could accept that they just fell for eacy other quickly. We get Andy's backstory and it all is very believable.
My issues with the story were that I felt it got a little preachy sometimes, especially where David was concerned. Overall, it was good though.
My issues with the story were that I felt it got a little preachy sometimes, especially where David was concerned. Overall, it was good though.
December 15, 2023
So many things bothered me about this but I think the most jarring is the fact that David and Andrew went from zero to 60 within about 24 hours. I can usually do insta-love but it has to be done well. This insta-everything was compounded by something that I'll spoiler tag. . The story does improve, somewhat, particularly when the plot focuses on David's relationships with his adult kids and the difficulty of accepting a parent who says he is gay after having been married to their mother until her death. Is everything they believed a lie? The family dynamics were well conveyed. Then there are some cringey bits. Lots of descriptions of "copious amounts of cum." "We were both flowing with ample amounts of pre-cum, which I used to lubricate our penises..." All I could do was picture a faucet - lol! So, all in all, a rather uneven read. Not sure I can take on the other books in the series!
May 10, 2013
David is a widower with a secret. He has always has the need for mansex but when his wife died that seemed to have died also. He has found himself however intrigued by a homeless man at the exit he passes daily. One icy night in December he drives by seeing the object of his fantasies being mugged. He stops and without thinking gets him in his car and takes him home. Both his and Andrews life changes from that moment on.
This story was amazing! I found it beautifully written and such a poignant story of a man dealing with his sexual identity, dealing with loss of a wife and the change in his life that brings, meeting someone that puts a fresh breath of life in you and make you want to live again, then having to deal with the consequences that brings into your family and job. Beautiful! Beautiful!
Recommendations: If you love a poignant story of destined love, or love at first sight, love with consequences, acts of kindness, and sensual romantic sex this one is a must.
This story was amazing! I found it beautifully written and such a poignant story of a man dealing with his sexual identity, dealing with loss of a wife and the change in his life that brings, meeting someone that puts a fresh breath of life in you and make you want to live again, then having to deal with the consequences that brings into your family and job. Beautiful! Beautiful!
Recommendations: If you love a poignant story of destined love, or love at first sight, love with consequences, acts of kindness, and sensual romantic sex this one is a must.
December 11, 2010
Okay...before you read anymore, I did like this story, I just found it hard to sink into the characters in this story. As with most of Terry's writing, there was heaps of meat in the plotline and just when you think things might be smooth sailing, life comes up and bites once more. Action packed in a realistic sense, the only thing I had trouble with was the serendipity of how things fell into place, but then again, life can be like that. David's life, a high school teacher and widow with three grown children, and his meeting and assisting Andrew, a down on his luck vet living under an overpass, is the focus of the plot, with links, twists and turns that I sure didn't see coming! I was also more than touched by Terry's Authors Note at the end and his dedication to Mark Allen, a real life Andrew. Nx
December 17, 2010
I always enjoy reading Mr. O'Reilly's books and One Night in December is no exception. The story centers around a some-what-older teacher and the homeless man he rescues and falls in love with. There is a sizable age difference between the two men and I was glad to see that that issue didn't become the focus of the story. Mr. O'Reilly's writing is clean and to the point. The personalities of the two main characters are developed and seen through their interaction with their environment, and not simply done through exposition. This approach is also evident in Karl's Italian Adventure, the other O'Reilly book that I've read. All in all this is a good read with solid characters and a nice linear story.
November 3, 2014
Another Christmas romance. Widow David Bennett passes a homeless man everyday at a highway exit. He thinks about stopping but never does, until one night he sees the man being mugged and he meets Andy Barnes. This story follows their life for the next 3 years.
The story is sweet even if it goes on a little past what seems to be the story. About halfway through the story reaches a nice ending and then it continues and seems more like a teaching lesson. Take a chance, don't stop living, everyday is precious... Not bad though.
The story is sweet even if it goes on a little past what seems to be the story. About halfway through the story reaches a nice ending and then it continues and seems more like a teaching lesson. Take a chance, don't stop living, everyday is precious... Not bad though.
January 13, 2016
A good-hearted, easy read. My main complaint is how the author virtually ignores the very real, likely problems of a homeless, alcoholic man rescued by the protagonist. Instead those problems are pretty much glossed over, and recovery comes across as pretty easy. Considering that many homeless people also have some mental/psychological/emotional problems, this seems like the easy way out. At the very least, I'd want to explore why Andy couldn't even remember how he got to his post, begging at the end of the highway ramp. That's a red flag if I've ever seen one.
December 27, 2023
David was in no means perfect. Before his wife died, he had a habit of sleeping around to fulfill his need for male companionship. Since she died, he has been lonely and when he sees Andy on the bottom of the off-ramp, he's intrigued. So he takes him home. The story is a little insta-love, but by no means an easy road from there. I loved how they deal with everything together, no running away from issues. This was overall a wonderful story.
Want to read
December 5, 2010The blurb makes it seem like a combination of Faith Fidelity and The Gentleman and the Rogue. Never a bad thing...
June 7, 2012
Insta-love. Made no sense to me why he'd be introducing a partner of a week to his whole family, especially knowing they might not all take it well. And time got confusing - they'd been together 2 years at one point, but it was only their 2nd xmas (and they met right before the 1st one). Not terribly well written, either.
January 5, 2011
3.5 stars
January 8, 2011
A coulda, shoulda, woulda story. Love the note the author added in the end.
November 2, 2011
didn't bother to finish it .........
Read
December 7, 2014-1 star
WTF!?! Really? On the second night with a homeless man without condom or lube? WTF?!!
WTF!?! Really? On the second night with a homeless man without condom or lube? WTF?!!
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews