Title: Awakenings
Series: Part of the Goodreads M/M Romance Group ‘Love Landscapes’
Author: Jayson James
Genre: Coming of Age/Gay for You
Length: Novella (45 pages)
Publisher: Goodreads M/M Romance Group (June 2nd, 2014)
Heat Level: Mild
Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥ 4 hearts
Reviewer: Tams
Blurb: Dear Author,
I’d always considered myself sort of asexual up until now. In high school, no one interested me and I was too busy with schoolwork to date anyway. I figured I didn’t have a big sex drive or I just hadn’t met the right girl. However, the more time I spend with my roommate, Ben, the more I’m reconsidering everything.
The more he walks around half-dressed the more I keep noticing him. Even if I am attracted to him, who I’m not sure that I am, I don’t think he would be into me. He seems like the type of guy that girls flock to. He couldn’t be interested in me, could he?
Requests: Clearly, I’m angling for a gay-for-you here, folks! It can be a double or single GFY, lots of sexual tension (please!), slow build romance, lots of heat. I would rather no BDSM but some light stuff wouldn’t bother me.
Photo Description:
The photo is of a muscular guy in his early 20’s with smooth tan skin and dark brown hair that is combed back to spike up. He is standing behind a vacuum cleaner in a pair of blue boxer briefs with a grin on his face in what appears to be a bedroom and the picture seems to be candid.
This story was written as a part of the M/M Romance Group’s “Love’s Landscapes” event. Group members were asked to write a story prompt inspired by a photo of their choice. Authors of the group selected a photo, prompt that spoke to them, and wrote a short story.
This story may contain sexually explicit content and is intended for adult readers. It may contain content that is disagreeable or distressing to some readers. The M/M Romance Group strongly recommends that each reader review the General Information section before each story for story tags as well as for content warnings.
Purchase Link: http://www.mmromancegroup.com/awakenings-by-jayson-james/
Review: Solomon, Solo, has never really identified himself as being gay. He’s never had a boyfriend, or a girlfriend for that matter. He has dated girls, held hands, and even kissed one once. But more so to fit in with what his friends in school were doing. When he gets to college, he and his roommate instantly click and become best friends. Just normal guy stuff at the start. But then Solo finds himself noticing Ben more and more, little things, like the fact that Ben prefers being naked to clothed.
Ben is an exhibitionist of sorts. At least, where his roommate is concerned. I don’t think he intentionally tried to get a rise out of Solo. He’s just not ashamed of his body and enjoys the attention that people pay it. Over time, though something grows inside him. He finds himself attracted to Solo. Where the two have always been very flirtatious by nature, it’s never been a serious attraction or invitation to Solo to pursue. But late night mutual jack off sessions and some pretty sexy dreams are about to change all that.
I’m not entirely convinced that this is a GFY story. I think this is more of a story of two young men that identify as being attracted to each other, and that coupled with the strong bond of friendship, love and trust that they have for each other already just make that next step a no brainer.
Jayson James writing style is not for everyone. It’s very raw, realistic and young at heart. While there were a few things lacking here and there throughout the story, overall I loved the way these characters were portrayed. And for the reviewers complaining about the lack of sex, you do realize that James writes Gay YA, don’t you? Not every book in the genre has to be full of lust and passion. Sometimes young men are just getting their footing and wrapping their brain around their attraction to another guy.
Great job Jayson! Loved the story, loved the cover and I can’t wait to see more from these two young men.