Title: If I Must
Author: Amy Lane
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press
Genre: M/M Contemporary Romance
Length: Novella (69 Pages)
Rating: 5 stars out of 5
A Guest Review by Alexi
BLURB:
Joel Martinez, a practical and organized computer programmer, is roommates with Ian Cooper, a certified IQ-in-the-stratosphere mathematical genius who literally can’t find his own underwear in the mess of his day-to-day life. When Joel uneasily leaves Ian for the holidays, he ends up telling stories to his sister and discovers he feels much more for Ian than he thought. So when Ian calls, distraught because the only other thing in his life that loves him (a half-feral cat named Manky Bastard) is going to have to be put down, Joel hurries back home hoping that opposites really do attract.
REVIEW:
If I Must begins with Joel Martinez taping a plethora of sticky notes and instructions to the fridge in his apartment in a desperate attempt to keep his ditzy room-mate Ian alive while Joel is away for the holidays. Joel then leaves and goes home but finds that he just can’t get Ian out of his mind. The story then becomes a series of flashbacks that reveal a very special – if slightly eccentric – relationship between two men who are completely different but somehow perfect for each other.
The way that Amy Lane builds up both characters in this story is really clever. She leads us into thinking that each of the men is a familiar stereotype and then, just as we’re feeling comfy, she whips the carpet out from under us and reveals that they both have hidden and heart-breaking depths. Even though the story is told in the third person, exclusively from Joel’s POV, I never felt that I was unsure of Ian’s personality or motivations, which is quite an achievement.
I loved the way we’re really shown that the two of them fit together as a couple, how Ian fills Joel’s deep-seated desire to be needed and Ian fills Joel’s to have someone actually see him as a person and not just a brain. Their little habits, the nick-names, in-jokes and catch-phrases they use with each other, texture their interactions until you can’t imagine either of them being with anyone else. And I have to admit for a sneaky but passionate love for Manky Bastard, the snarky cat that brings them together. Anyone who has ever been owned by a cat will recognise something of them in her.
There isn’t a whole lot of sex in this story, and for those of us who (occasionally!) get sick of ‘buckets of cum’ that’s a relief – but some people might miss it, especially since the chemistry between these two is enough to singe the old paint off your walls. Joel’s conversations with his family are mostly real and funny; however towards the end of the story his mother’s reactions seemed a little too easily accepting, especially in what we’re told has been a traditional Mexican family.
Other than that, I really can’t pick at anything in this little gem of a novella, other than the fact that I wish it had been twice as long. For anyone who’s been getting sick of stories that deliver insta-love followed by a hundred pages of nothing but repetitive sex, I highly recommend this thoughtful and beautifully written tale of love and friendship.
Oh, this sounds great. Thanks for the review, Alexi. I am getting tired of insta-love, I have to say. This might be just what I need for a change.
L
You’re very welcome. That’s what I thought about this – it’s different and sweet and it reminded me all over again why I love m/m.
Very thoughtful review, Alexi. The cat only makes it more promising. ~_^ It goes to my TBB list.
Thank you!
Thank you! And yes, much as I love my dog there’s just something about cats in a story. They always add something.
I really liked his one when I read it. Manky Bastard was a special critter and while I think in real life Ian would drive me around the bend, he is written in such a way that you can’t help but love him. Amy did a great job. I have her next book Keeping Promise Rock in my TBR which I’ve also heard good things about but I’ve also heard I’ll need tissues and I need to be in the mood for that. 🙂
Great job Alexi and welcome.
Thank you very much. I was a bit nervous, but luckily Wave posted this while I was at work so I didn’t have the chance to bite my nails.
Keeping Promise Rock is a serious weepy read. Every other page I was sniffling. It was terrible. But in the good way:-)
Alexi
>>Keeping Promise Rock is a serious weepy read. Every other page I was sniffling. It was terrible. But in the good way:-)<< This is the reason I still haven't read Keeping Promise Rock. I hate to cry!!!!!
You probably need to wait for a day when you’re feeling robust and happy, otherwise it will slay you. Which isn’t to say that it isn’t a fun read with a lot of funny and heart-warming bits, but there’s some serious angst in there too. I probably would have chickened out on reading it if I’d realised!
This was a great read!
It really was. I had just as much fun re-reading it for the review as I did reading it the first time, which I think is the mark of a good story.
Two men and a cat.
Who needs more ?
Thank you for the review,Alexi.
My mind went to such a strange place when I read that! Sorry for being a perv…
*LoL*
Now who is more perv?
You or me?
I was going to say ‘me’ since I’m the one with the dirty mind, but now it looks like you did it on purpose, so I’m voting ‘you’!
We shouldn`t discuss this any further…….
to protect the innocent here!….ehem.***
I really liked Amy’s Keeping Promise Rock. This one sounds very good also. I’ve added it to my TBB. Great review! 🙂
*Blushes* Thank you.
I love this book. I actually reread it last week. I absolutely love, love Ian. He’s so smart, but is lacking some brains in the common sense and social areas. He reminds me a little of Dr. Brennan from the show Bones.
I actually couldn’t believe it hadn’t been reviewed here already. I felt quite lucky to be able to snag it for my first go. It was a really nice way to start!
I read this when it first came out and thoroughly enjoyed it. It’s sweet and re-readable (yes, I like to make up my own words!) and have to agree that in real life, Ian would drive me nuts. I didn’t realize she had another book out….oh well, another to add to my TBB list.
‘Re-readable’ is a word. And if not, it should be.
I always think that reading is like babysitting. It’s fun because there’s no commitment. You get to experience the fun bits without the responsibility that would drive you nuts. In real life I would probably strangle Ian in a week, but that didn’t make me love this story one bit less.
This is going into my TBB list too! Thanks for the great review Alexi….and welcome:)
Thank you, and you’re welcome;)
I’ve has this story in my TBR file for ages, now, but haven’t quite gotten around to reading it.
Methinks that will change, and right soon. *hee*
Nice review, Alexi! And darn that Wave and her sneaky cherry-popping.
Um, you know what I mean. 😛
~Tis
I think Wave did it to be kind. Now I can enjoy the debauchery ahead without any worries.
Tis
>>And darn that Wave and her sneaky cherry-popping. << Cherry popping! Cherry popping! That woman's cherry was popped so long ago I'll bet you that she doesn't even remember what it was like. 🙂 I do her a favour by posting while she's away and this is the thanks I get. 🙂
Ooh, that’s low! You read that on the Welcome Announcement; no fair using it against me! And it wasn’t that long ago anyway – just how ancient do you think I am?
Nice review, thank you Alexi. LOVE Amy Lane 🙂
Thank you – and me too! Can’t wait for her next book.
Thanks for the review. Another good book to add to my ever expanding TBB list.
And that cover is just plain cute. Not the usual for a book like this. Adds to the charm.
Yeah, anything other than a naked headless torso gets my vote these days. As a side note, the cat on the cover is quite a rare breed called ‘Abyssinian’ – you can tell by the big ears.
Wow Alexi, you did a great job for your first review! This sounds like a great character driven story, which I always love. One more for my out of control TBR pile.
Thank you. It was really fun to review this book, which made it easier – I’m not looking forward to my first negative one (bites nails).
Fab review Alexi. I’ll definitely add this to my TBB list. I have KPR but I haven’t read it yet. And again, welcome.
Thank you, Aunt Lynn!