Handsome Johnny: Collected Stories - Luk...


I don't really know how to rate this shortie.

I finished it within my lunch break today keeping an eye on the percentage that proceeded in giant steps :( I knew, it would be short.
And still I was surprised how quickly it was over.
The length is also the reason why it's difficult for me to rate it.

[b:Handsome Johnny|25901903|Handsome Johnny|Luke Hartwell|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1437672352s/25901903.jpg|45785752] consists of two short stories. The first one is a short episode with the characters out of [b:Atom Heart John Beloved|15980563|Atom Heart John Beloved|Luke Hartwell|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1346530420s/15980563.jpg|21424074]. I love this book, and I was glad to meet the characters again, but it is not for those readers who haven't read AHJB or read and didn't like.

The second short novel is just a sweet episode out of someone's life. It could be John (out of AHJB) or just a random guy, but I had to think about Cam while reading it(see [b:Toller|25794099|Toller|Luke Hartwell|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1437932088s/25794099.jpg|45635504]).

I enjoyed it. But it was not enough to talk about a BOOK.

The rating:

Cover - 5stars.
Writing - 5 stars.
Steam - 4 stars.
Characters - 4 stars.
Anthology arrangement - 3 stars.
The Length - 2 stars.
Plot - what plot?

I WISH, I really really wish Luke Hartwell could be able to make out of the first short story a full length novel. It has enough potential.

I WISH, I really really wish Luke Hartwell could be able to make out of the second short story a full length novel. It has enough potential.

Maybe he'll do it. Someday. Very soon.

Toller - Luke Hartwell

Yes, he did it again. AND HOW!!!


When I realized that the longest of a few new short Luke Hartwell's novels that appear this late summer is only 46 pages long, I got angry. as hell. That's unfair! All these two years I have been hoped for a new full length novel!..

And now I am depressed. Or is it have been depressed?
Any way, Luke Hartwell and his Toller(but in the first place CAM) left me in a state of deep depression because it's over. I. WANT. MORE. MORE. MORE. (Did I mention that I giggled through the most part of the book?!) I am not depressed because it broke my heart. I'm depressed because I wish it had like 1000 pages more.

But for now, I'm going to read it again, straight away, and then I'll re-read it, and re-read it again and again... because it's...

A-M-A-Z-I-N-G.

Jimmy by Luke Hartwell
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

 

 

A piercing arrow to the heart, followed by a cube of sugar to the soul soothing away the pain of regret. Then a glimpse of what may come to be for those courageous enough to seek.

Love is love. Love is gender-blind.
Love is without boundaries.

Poignantly evocative vignettes of innocent young love tested by hardship and separation. The story felt so real it could be happening somewhere right now at this very moment. A moving story of two childhood friends going through the trial of growing up. There's reminiscence of good times and laments of lost opportunities; of what-could-have-beens if only courage was within their reach where it counts most.

 

The story may be short and the pace was initially too slow for my liking then it grew on me and the last part stole my heart and breath away. Some might complain that the story is too short, yet I am in awe that in mere 6,050 words the impact is greater than a full length novel. I for one, wouldn't be forgetting this heartfelt romance anytime soon. I really dig well-paced slow burn romances. Aside from that, the impression the story made is deeper than I had first thought the longer I ponder on it. Somehow this story is like a short version of Brokeback Mountain although the storyline itself bears no similarities. It's just a feeling I had after reading it. Felt like having watched a good movie that lingers on your mind. I have to thank Lena♥Ribka for recommending this little gem to him. She's got good taste.

On a side note, I was reminded of these two quotes which I wholeheartedly agree with and find to be a great motivator in times of weakness.


Never say never. Why try to limit your possibilities? Just go out there and take that fall if need be, at least that way you wouldn't have to face a lifetime of regrets after it. Life is too short for self-doubts.


BOOK DETAILS:
Title: Jimmy
Author: Luke Hartwell
Publication Date: August 25th, 2012
Type: Short Story, 6,050 words
Genre: Gay Contemporary Romance

Description:
Rainbow Award-winning author Luke Hartwell once again explores the relationship between gay and straight best friends in this sparse, moving story. Chris has been in love with his best friend Jimmy since childhood. While Chris is at college, Jimmy is sent to prison. Now Jimmy is free once more and the two meet again.



WHERE TO PURCHASE:
★|| SMASHWORDS ||★|| KOBOBOOKS ||★|| AMAZON ||★


* Reviewed on October 13th, 2014

*:--☆--:*:--☆:*:--☆--:*:--☆--:*:--☆--:*:--☆:*:--☆--:*:--☆--:*



View all my reviews

A piercing arrow to the heart, followed by a cube of sugar to the soul soothing away the pain of regret. Then a glimpse of what may come to be for those courageous enough to seek.

Love is love.
Love is gender-blind.
Love is without boundaries.

Poignantly evocative vignettes of innocent young love tested by hardship and separation. The story felt so real it could be happening somewhere right now at this very moment. A moving story of two childhood friends going through the trial of growing up. There's reminiscence of good times and laments of lost opportunities; of what-could-have-beens if only courage was within their reach where it counts most.



The story may be short and the pace was initially too slow for my liking then it grew on me and the last part stole my heart and breath away. Some might complain that the story is too short, yet I am in awe that in mere 6,050 words the impact is greater than a full length novel. I for one, wouldn't be forgetting this heartfelt romance anytime soon. I really dig well-paced slow burn romances. Aside from that, the impression the story made is deeper than I had first thought the longer I ponder on it. Somehow this story is like a short version of Brokeback Mountain although the storyline itself bears no similarities. It's just a feeling I had after reading it. Felt like having watched a good movie that lingers on your mind. I have to thank Lena♥Ribka for recommending this little gem to him. She's got good taste.

On a side note, I was reminded of these two quotes which I wholeheartedly agree with and find to be a great motivator in times of weakness.


Never say never. Why try to limit your possibilities? Just go out there and take that fall if need be, at least that way you wouldn't have to face a lifetime of regrets after it. Life is too short for self-doubts.


BOOK DETAILS:
Title: [b:Jimmy|15850676|Jimmy|Luke Hartwell|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1346014219s/15850676.jpg|21591781]
Author: [a:Luke Hartwell|6436697|Luke Hartwell|https://d.gr-assets.com/authors/1346480334p2/6436697.jpg]
Publication Date: August 25th, 2012
Type: Short Story, 6,050 words
Genre: Gay Contemporary Romance

Description:
Rainbow Award-winning author Luke Hartwell once again explores the relationship between gay and straight best friends in this sparse, moving story. Chris has been in love with his best friend Jimmy since childhood. While Chris is at college, Jimmy is sent to prison. Now Jimmy is free once more and the two meet again.


This review has also been cross-posted on:



WHERE TO PURCHASE:
★|| SMASHWORDS ||★|| KOBOBOOKS ||★|| AMAZON ||★


* Reviewed on October 13th, 2014

*:--☆--:*:--☆:*:--☆--:*:--☆--:*:--☆--:*:--☆:*:--☆--:*:--☆--:*

I. LOVE. THIS. BOOK.


But it is the most useless and the most helpless review you could find. So, skip it.

I'm not going to talk about this book.

Because I just don't want. It'll stay with me.

I'm not going to share. I'm selfish.

Besides, I'm not able to deliver well structured and reasonable reviews. They are too emotional and totally meaningless to be good.

Just a few words:

It is about Nathan. The best friend of John. And it is about John. A lot of about John. And about some other bad and good guys. And about the world, family, religion, sex, lust, church, friendship, belief, music, life. And love.
Ah, forget it, actually it is about much much more.
Told from the John's POV. He is chaotic, narcissistic, illogic, infidel and loyal, inconsistent, extremely conceited and intense.
He is just John. Most of you will probably hate him. But not me.

"John's narrative voice is one of the most unique in gay literature."
(That's not from me.)

And so is the story. It's just like a real life. And it has a HEA!!!




And here is my soundtrack for this book:
Why? Because
"Nathan liked music from all different decades, and he'd broadened my musical takstes and knowledge in ways I could never fully thank him for."(John)
and because Nathan's musical taste is very similar to mine. It's why I like him even more.

Eric Burdon - When I Was Young

Talking Heads - Take me to the River

Kate Bush - Running Up That Hill

The Waterboys - How Long Will I Love You

Patti Smith - Because The Night

Cocteau Twins - Crushed

Captain Beefheart - Electricity

Hunters & Collectors - Holy Grail

Ian Brown – Fear

Black Rebel Motorcycle Club - Beat The Devil's Tattoo

Joni Mitchell - A Case of You

This Mortal Coil - 'Til I Gain Control Again

The Smiths - Last Night I Dreamt That Somebody Loved Me

How could I not add it?! NO WAY.

Atom Heart Mother - Pink Floyd


I. LOVE. THIS. BOOK.