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Bicycle Built for Two
While on a three-day charity bike ride from Boston to New York City, Jason Karn makes an unexpected stop to help a fellow rider having trouble with a flat tire. Ben Stewart is new to long-distance rides, and Jason takes him under his wing. The mutual attraction is obvious even before they make it to New York City, but there’s a minor Ben lives in Chicago. Flying back and forth seems like the only option until Jason comes up with an idea that will bring them together permanently—if they can work out the details.
68 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 28, 2011
1 person is currently reading
83 people want to read
About the author
Jeff Adams
44 books221 followersJeff Adams has written stories since he was in middle school and became a published author in 2009. He writes both gay romance and LGBTQ young adult fiction…and there’s usually a hockey player at the center of the story.
Jeff lives in northern California with his husband of more than twenty-five years, Will. They are creative collaborators, writing and podcasting together. For nine years they were the co-hosts of the Big Gay Fiction Podcast.
Jeff is also a Certified Professional in Accessibility Core Competencies (CPACC) by the International Association of Accessibility Professionals (IAAP). He's an advocate for accessible web content and helps creative entrepreneurs understand how they can make sure their content is accessible by everyone.
Jeff lives in northern California with his husband of more than twenty-five years, Will. They are creative collaborators, writing and podcasting together. For nine years they were the co-hosts of the Big Gay Fiction Podcast.
Jeff is also a Certified Professional in Accessibility Core Competencies (CPACC) by the International Association of Accessibility Professionals (IAAP). He's an advocate for accessible web content and helps creative entrepreneurs understand how they can make sure their content is accessible by everyone.
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Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
July 3, 2011
Cramming one year into a short story is like watching a movie in fast forward. You might get a grasp of what is going on but you don't get the emotion. That is what I get from this short story.
The build up is quite nice, we get Jason and Ben meet on the race in September. But when I am expecting the first of their love making, suddenly it's Christmas, and they seem to have been together for weeks, and suddenly it's February, then four weeks later, then back to the race a year after.
I mean, where is the emotional attachment here?
I would like to give this 2.5 stars, but I have to be a little bit more generous since, well, this book will give the profit to the charity. Plus, bringing the race for HIV/AIDS into a story is a way to also give attention to the cause, right?
The build up is quite nice, we get Jason and Ben meet on the race in September. But when I am expecting the first of their love making, suddenly it's Christmas, and they seem to have been together for weeks, and suddenly it's February, then four weeks later, then back to the race a year after.
I mean, where is the emotional attachment here?
I would like to give this 2.5 stars, but I have to be a little bit more generous since, well, this book will give the profit to the charity. Plus, bringing the race for HIV/AIDS into a story is a way to also give attention to the cause, right?
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 31, 2019
Cute story, I liked the premise. Things moved a lightening speed in this novella and the storytelling was a bit stilted and weird in some parts, but I enjoyed it.
September 28, 2011
Reviewed by Jamie: This is another example of a front cover summing up the story very well; two cyclists meeting on a leafy road. It's romantic and sweet. The story starts off with Jason and his friends on a cycle route for charity, and there Jason helps out handsome Ben with a flat tire. Then they get to know each other as the race goes on. If, like me, you aren't into cycling whatsoever, you may find yourself skimming over the race parts.
When the two men get together the passion does heat up, and there is a nice and 'steamy' shower scene after their final race. I was a little disappointed however that the story kept jumping ahead in time, perhaps skipping the getting-to-know-you parts I would've liked to read.
As the story progresses Jason and Ben decide they want to spend more time together and think of ways to combine their various businesses. Again, reading about the day-to-day bits of life isn't really my cup of tea, I prefer total escapism. But if you'd like to read about a very in love couple as they find their feet, then I'm sure you would enjoy this. The story was funny, romantic, especially at the end, and had some great sex scenes, but for me it was a little average.
C
http://manohmanreviews.blogspot.com/2...
When the two men get together the passion does heat up, and there is a nice and 'steamy' shower scene after their final race. I was a little disappointed however that the story kept jumping ahead in time, perhaps skipping the getting-to-know-you parts I would've liked to read.
As the story progresses Jason and Ben decide they want to spend more time together and think of ways to combine their various businesses. Again, reading about the day-to-day bits of life isn't really my cup of tea, I prefer total escapism. But if you'd like to read about a very in love couple as they find their feet, then I'm sure you would enjoy this. The story was funny, romantic, especially at the end, and had some great sex scenes, but for me it was a little average.
C
http://manohmanreviews.blogspot.com/2...
June 29, 2011
Author royalties of this novella will go to an HIV/AIDS charity, so I'm a bit more generous in my rating than I otherwise would be. While the story is well written, supports an excellent cause and excells at character development, it is very pieced together, which I usually don't like. We meet the main characters at a three day bicycle race fundraiser (for the charity mentioned above), where they fall in love. We meet them again a few months later when they decide to move in together and start up a business and finally at their business launch party.
This method kills any emotional build up, as I had to adjust to a new situation every time. On the other hand the author is stylistically versed enough to show us how the couple has evolved in the meantime instead of telling us, like a less experienced author would have.
In the end I enjoyed reading this novella, but it didn't satisfy me completely and I wished it had been more fleshed out, more coherent. The characters would have deserved it.
This method kills any emotional build up, as I had to adjust to a new situation every time. On the other hand the author is stylistically versed enough to show us how the couple has evolved in the meantime instead of telling us, like a less experienced author would have.
In the end I enjoyed reading this novella, but it didn't satisfy me completely and I wished it had been more fleshed out, more coherent. The characters would have deserved it.
July 11, 2011
Jason is a four year veteran of the 290 mile bike ride from Boston to New York, which raises money for an AIDS charity. He bikes with a team of three friends, all of whom met at the first year ride. This year, however, he also meets Ben, a first year rider. When Ben gets a flat tire, Jason stops to help, and a friendship is born.
There is absolutely no angst, no problems and no trauma in this story. It is a gentle telling of how two sweethearts meet and fall in love. Everything about the story, and in the story, is very low key. The sex scenes are more sweet than actually sexy, with the men doing a lot of nodding and talking during. Their issues, such as living in different cities, are easily solved and everything moves forward for them. The dialogue seems a little stilted or unrealistic at times, at others it seems just like something a couple might say.
It is a light, quick, summertime read, a little sweet and a lot fluffy, with likeable characters, both our couple and their friends.
There is absolutely no angst, no problems and no trauma in this story. It is a gentle telling of how two sweethearts meet and fall in love. Everything about the story, and in the story, is very low key. The sex scenes are more sweet than actually sexy, with the men doing a lot of nodding and talking during. Their issues, such as living in different cities, are easily solved and everything moves forward for them. The dialogue seems a little stilted or unrealistic at times, at others it seems just like something a couple might say.
It is a light, quick, summertime read, a little sweet and a lot fluffy, with likeable characters, both our couple and their friends.
May 31, 2021
This was such a cute, own voices novella that filled me with joy and love.
I have an aunt who lives with AIDs, she has for the last 19 years and I have always loved stories that raise awareness about these subjects, especially when there is so much ignorance and stereotypes regarding AIDS.
I'm not giving this novella 5 stars because I needed more, I was left with a wholesome feeling, yes but I would've love more pages.
The author managed to make such a small story, lovely, self-aware with strong friendships as well as develop a relationship (and make it steamy)and raise some important topics.
A fast read with amazing and enjoyable characters. The partnership and good spirits of the characters were great as well. The incorporation of a sports event was very smart because it set the novella pretty well.
I have an aunt who lives with AIDs, she has for the last 19 years and I have always loved stories that raise awareness about these subjects, especially when there is so much ignorance and stereotypes regarding AIDS.
I'm not giving this novella 5 stars because I needed more, I was left with a wholesome feeling, yes but I would've love more pages.
The author managed to make such a small story, lovely, self-aware with strong friendships as well as develop a relationship (and make it steamy)and raise some important topics.
A fast read with amazing and enjoyable characters. The partnership and good spirits of the characters were great as well. The incorporation of a sports event was very smart because it set the novella pretty well.
May 1, 2021
Bicycle Built for Two was a freebie offered by the author for signing up for his newsletter and it was a sweet and low-angst meet-cute type of romance. This was a short biking adventure told from the POV of Jason Karn who is participating in a 3-day charity bike ride from Boston to NYC to raise funds for HIV Aids. He randomly stops on his bike ride to help a fellow rider, Ben, who has a flat tire. Instant sparks fly as both men are mutually attracted to the other. Ben and Jason embark on a long-distance relationship as their relationship evolves :) Nice and sweet bike riding adventure that I really enjoyed.
July 9, 2011
Good short, completely angst- and conflict-free m/m romance about two guys who meet during a charity cycling event to raise money for HIV/AIDS research.
August 6, 2011
i really loved the first half these guys were adorable.
I got a little bored with all the marketing talk in the second half but still a sweet story
I got a little bored with all the marketing talk in the second half but still a sweet story
December 6, 2011
3.25 out of 5
Sweet m/m romance about two men who meet each other on a charity bike ride.
Sweet m/m romance about two men who meet each other on a charity bike ride.
March 21, 2021
Cute story. Jeff told a wonderful story based around the AIDS bike ride, and it was lovely.
June 1, 2019
So sweet! It's short but lovely!
July 20, 2021
This book isn't for me. I thought the pacing of the book was weird chapters 1- 6 happen around the same time, and after that, with each chapter there is a time jump. It's never explicitly stated how much time has passed, which made me really confused.
I did like how this book taught me that this biking for charity event is a real thing. I'm also really happy that the author is donating the profit from this book to the Cycle for Cause organization.
I did like how this book taught me that this biking for charity event is a real thing. I'm also really happy that the author is donating the profit from this book to the Cycle for Cause organization.
May 9, 2024
it's fine. The time jumps feel unnecessary and a story this small doesn't need the obstacles that it has or the protracted timeline necessary to overcome them and have an HEA. Half the tale takes place over a couple of days while the other half is spread out over a year. It's weirdly exhausting for such a short novella.
Still, it is kinda hot at times.
Still, it is kinda hot at times.
March 20, 2025
Great short story built around the Northeast AIDS bicycle ride. The MCs are riders, theirs is a meet-cute and the HEA is wider than the physical relationship. Adam's does a fabulous job giving the reader a sense and feel of a long distance ride.
August 2, 2021
The ride description felt so real. Rest stops, hills, other riders. My legs hurt in sympathy.
May 13, 2021
3.5 Stars
May 1, 2021
Loved this short story with no angst and lots of love. The weekly Friday Storytime chapters give always something to look forward to.
Bonus : the fun facts at the end of each chapter.
Bonus : the fun facts at the end of each chapter.
July 27, 2015
This is the first book by Adams that I have read, and I have to say that I was shocked at how much I enjoyed it! I’ve only heard good things about Adams, but I still went into this book a bit weary because I was unsure what to think or expect.
I really enjoyed the characters – both Ben and Jason – which is equally rare for me because I don’t usually enjoy both main characters. I did enjoy how Adams was able to give each of the men their own personalities, and they are so likeable.
While this was a short read, I was still able to be drawn into it and I wanted to find out what the future held for Ben and Jason.
I would really recommend this book to anyone who is looking for a very sweet read, with some sexy times happening. Because there are some great scenes in this book!
Even though this is my first book by Adams, it most certainly won’t be my last!
Reviewed by Crystal Marie for Crystal’s Many Reviewers
*Copy provided for Review*
I really enjoyed the characters – both Ben and Jason – which is equally rare for me because I don’t usually enjoy both main characters. I did enjoy how Adams was able to give each of the men their own personalities, and they are so likeable.
While this was a short read, I was still able to be drawn into it and I wanted to find out what the future held for Ben and Jason.
I would really recommend this book to anyone who is looking for a very sweet read, with some sexy times happening. Because there are some great scenes in this book!
Even though this is my first book by Adams, it most certainly won’t be my last!
Reviewed by Crystal Marie for Crystal’s Many Reviewers
*Copy provided for Review*
April 25, 2012
I loved this book It was really awesome and the pace was good at first, but it felt a little rushed after the first time at Jason's apartment, I liked it still, both character were great guys, and the supportive cast didn't steal focus at all, it was a little innocent in some ways so those of you who like some angst and conflict may not like it, I like to think of Jason and Ben like two of those very lucky people that are confident and don't have a lot of drama on their life, but there were little bits that really fleshed them out and make them feel a little more real for me, like the reason Ben enters the race, all in all it was a pretty book and a comfort read to take when you had a horrible day or read a book you didn't like.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 2, 2012
I couldn't even finish reading this one. The first half of the book was fantastic, but the second half seemed like a completely different book. The plot disappeared, and there suddenly nothing but sex scenes & chatter between the two main characters that I couldn't determine the purpose of.
The author is donating the profits from this book to an HIV/AIDS charity, so I don't regret purchasing the book.
The author is donating the profits from this book to an HIV/AIDS charity, so I don't regret purchasing the book.
January 13, 2012
A lovely story. Jeff is a great writer, and the sex scenes were very nice. They had the glass fogging up my iPad something fierce. This book is so filled with love and unforgettable characters that I'm amazed he could touch me emotionally like this in so few pages. Jeff is definitely a writer to watch and Bicycle Built for Two (though metaphoric) is a perfect title.
May 20, 2014
What a wonderful story! The premise was new and refreshing, and I always appreciate a book that teaches me something. In addition to enjoying a lovely romance, I also learned quite a few things about Braking the Cycle, a three-day charity ride from Boston to New York that raises funds for HIV/AIDS services. Definitely recommended!
November 14, 2016
Short and Swee
Two like minded bicyclists meet during a charity fun ride and combine their jobs and lives. As they cooperate in all arms of their lives they discover they're stronger together.
Two like minded bicyclists meet during a charity fun ride and combine their jobs and lives. As they cooperate in all arms of their lives they discover they're stronger together.
February 27, 2012
Sweet, steady, comfortable romance :)
June 30, 2011
3.5 stars
July 24, 2011
Nice refreshing story about two very nice guys who meet on an AIDs charity bike ride. This book great for those times when you are looking for an angst free love story.
May 30, 2017
Low expectations? Maybe... but, I really liked this. It didn't feel too short to me. And I learned about the Boston to NYC ride. A win.
Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews