Operation Danny…that’s all bartender and recent college graduate, Julian Hallowell has had on his mind the past year. Julian may have no idea what he wants to do with his life, but he definitely knows he‘s in love with the boy next door: The one in next room to be exact, his roommate Danny Wallace.Danny owns a used text book store just off campus and while Julian has done his level best to make Danny fall for him, all his hard work appears to have been in vain. Danny doesn’t seem to view Julian as anything other than that…a roommate and friend. So when new guy in town Andy Baker asks him out on a date, Julian can’t seem to think of a good reason to say no.
Julian has already instituted a Reverse Operation Danny plan, which he’s positive will purge all thoughts of love and lust for his roomie out of his head. He’s ready to move on and start looking for his next Mr. Right, and Andy just might fit the bill.
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Julian Hallowell has been living with Danny Wallace for about a year now. And he's been in love with Danny for 364 days 23 hours and 59 minutes! Or round about. Sadly the feelings aren't reciprocated, or so Julian thinks. But when a little competition for Julian's affections enters the picture, Danny starts to realize that all his one night stands never get anywhere because they are a poor substitute for the real thing. A movie night starts as roommates, but ends as something more, until Danny sort of freaks out and pushes Julian away, and right into Andy's waiting arms.
Julian is young, and maybe even a little bit naive, but he recognizes the connection between he and Danny. He tries very hard to just remain friends even though Danny's numerous late night excursions, which can be heard live and in living color through their joined bedroom walls, breaks a little piece of Julian's heart with every scream. Danny recognizes the attraction as well, but does a bang up job at ignoring it until the night he no longer can. He then proceeds to make a serious of mistakes and says nothing but the wrong thing and it starts to look like these two may not even be able to salvage their friendship. A disasterous dinner party and a nice, long conversation with Julian's mom just may help Danny realize what he has, before he looses it.
I think that the ladies in this story stole the show for me. I absolutely adored Julian's mother, the southern bell with her rich drawl and constant proper etiquette. And then his best friend with her Martini's and consistent loyalty regardless. I do love it when women are written as positive secondary characters within a gay storyline, and not as hags or shrews, thank you Ethan! And then the casting of Jason Frazier as narrator was a brilliant decision. He is young, fresh and energetic, much like Julian. But then Jason was more reserved when voicing the character of Danny, which was exactly how Danny was written and meant to be seen. That voice he used for Momma Hallowell though, it reminded me of my grandma and aunts and growing up back in Georgia and sort of took me back in time to that place, it was seriously my favorite part of the audio.
One thing that urked me, grated on my nerves, was the use of the word "cigie" when Julian was referring to smoking cigarettes. I realize he's young, but no, just no. Other than that I really enjoyed this audio. The writing was detailed, the character development spot on and the storyline really flowed well from start to finish. And the narration kept me engaged and entertained. And the romance between the main characters while strained at times, when it wasn't was very passionate and steamy. Definitely worth the read or listen, whichever format you choose to go with!
I'm currently single but always looking for that special someone that makes my heart skip a beat...in addition to being able to put up with my neurotic ass. The worst thing about being a romance writer is finding a real life hottie that can live up to the fantasy I create in my head and subsequently thrust upon him before actually getting to know the real him. I can hear you getting all judgie...it's an occupational hazard!! To all my past and future boyfriends, my sincerest apologies...I can't help myself! I was the youngest of four children and the only boy, so needless to say, I was spoiled rotten. I've always had an extravagant fantasy life. When I played with my Star Wars action figures as a child, I liked to make up my own stories. Naturally, Luke Skywalker and Han Solo were totally meant for each other, and Princess Leia made a bitchin' wise cracking Fag Hag.
I somehow managed to survive high school living in a small racist town in Southeast Missouri and emerged unscathed, realizing life was too short to pretend to be anything other than who I was. I was the little homo that could...so damn it, I did! It was all very Lifetime Movie Network meets After School Special I assure you.
After a few stints in college, I eventually signed up for a Creative Writing course. I took the class because there were no tests. For once my scholastic laziness paid off, and I found an outlet for all the fantasies running amuck in my head. It was love at first write, and I've been doing it off and on ever since.
Now I've decided it's time to un-barricade the doors and unleash my imagination onto the world. So very sorry world!! My fantasy life is now available for public consumption and I'm desperately hoping you're really, really hungry.
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