Title & Link: The Janitor (Contenders #1)
Author: Jan Irving
Publisher: Loose Id
Genre: Contemporary M/M, Sports (Boxing)
Length: Novel (171 pages)
Rating: 3.75 of 5 stars
A guest review by Buda
Summary Review: A sometimes endearing story of complete opposites who must fight, figuratively and literally, to reach the happy ending they need.
The Blurb:
I’m a naturally optimistic type of person, you know? Yeah, I think good things will happen, only they usually don’t. Take Noel: even though he’s educated and rich and he don’t think he’s even gay, I want to belong to him. I want him to take me completely—Dane Connelly
Dane Connelly is a gay janitor and boxer with a soft heart and a simple outlook–he wants to meet the right man, someone who will look past his macho sport and put him in the place of a submissive. He wants to fall in love and belong to his partner.
On the surface, Noel Atherton, an intellectual, shy, and sexually repressed university graduate student with a crippled leg, could not be the dominant lover that Dane longs for. But after their first meeting, when Dane disables the fire alarm in the library and lights a cigarette, Noel is drawn from his shell. Soon, Noel needs to touch Dane, exploring his sexuality for the first time. And both learn that looks can be deceiving.
However, Noel’s controlling father is appalled by the relationship and quietly arranges to get Dane out of the way and punish him for daring to love a man so far above his station.
The Review:
Noel is the survivor of a tragic automobile accident that crippled his leg and left him under the thumb of his domineering father. He is pursuing a doctorate at the local university and he spends a lot of time in the upstairs library. As the blurb says, Noel is a shy intellectual, the complete opposite of Dane.
Dane is the janitor at the university. He is very out-going, nearly talking Noel’s leg off when they’re in the library together. He is also incredibly sweet and, well, slow. He trains at the local gym, guided the the fatherly hand of Charlie, a gruff, slightly homophobic older man who owns the place. When he cleans the library, he likes Noel to read to him. Dane is smitten with Noel before the book begins and he wants to earn Noel’s love.
Standing in their way, of course, is Noel’s father who does some pretty nasty things to Dane’s apartment and even hires someone to beat up Dane. The book allows for a quite a bit of growth on the part of both Noel and Dane. Noel has to overcome his father’s negative and heavy-handed influence in his life and learn to love a man who is definitely not what someone of his social class would consider worthy of his time (except maybe as a deeply kept secret tryst). Dane’s growth is dictated by his limited intellect and the consequences of Noel’s father’s meddling, but is perhaps even more far-reaching than Noel’s.
At the beginning of the book, I was more than a little uncomfortable with Dane. He is presented with such childlike innocence that I almost felt that anything romantic or sexual happening between him and Noel would be bordering on abusive. Here’s an example. Dane has just asked Noel to accompany him to the beach to watch the tides. Noel can’t walk in the sand because of his damaged leg. Dane apologizes for his mistake and for making Noel nervous, then says,
“I’m gay, just in case you didn’t figure it. Yeah, I’m bein’ straight with you about it, in case you missed I was hittin’ on you. Some fellas, they like to, you know, ambush their dates. Play it like a buddy, but I don’t go that way. I’m straight up. Well, not straight, but you know, I wouldn’t lie to you none. I really, really think you’re a sensational person, so I was thinking hot dogs.”
I persevered through my hesitancy and so should you. Shortly after Dane discovers what Noel’s father has done to his apartment, I forgot to worry that Noel might be taking advantage of Dane’s slowness. Dane proved himself to be perfectly capable of looking after himself, in and out of the boxing ring. I did have niggles about the light D/s play in their smexin’ scenes. It seemed to exaggerate the differences far more than necessary, but that was my hang up and may not be yours.
Overall, I liked this one, despite my many reservations. While it is endearing (Dane’s scenes with animals, including his “lady fish” Goldie), it’s not without its problems. Some of the plot points seemed a bit too melodramatic, especially where Noel’s father was concerned. Still, it was nice watching the growth of these two characters. If you’re a fan of Jan Irving or want a sweet tale with only a little angst thrown in, then add this one to your list.
Despite the cover this sounds like the perfect Valentine’s read already. Thanks for the review, Buda! 🙂
Be warned, Feliz. It’s not all sweetness and light. These guys have some stuff to go through. Noel’s dad is a Capital-P Prick. Hope you enjoy it!
Buda,
I read this last year. I was so disappointed, I havent had the heart to buy any of Jan Irvings books, since. Ive been tempted because some of them sound promising. This actually has a sequel? Go figure.
Hannah, I’m sorry you didn’t like this book. I need to read The Boxer again before reviewing it, but I recall liking it a bit more than The Janitor. Dane’s limitations didn’t seem to bother me as much in that one. Would you care to elaborate on what you didn’t like about this one? Have you read Luke?
Dane portrayed as an adult, seemed childish. Noah is trying to find his own way without Daddy, but he is, at the same time leading Dane?
I havent read “Luke” and that’s the one that Im tempted to buy. Ive read the reviews but I still havent made that step to buy it.
Those are valid observations, Hannah. I had sort of the same qualms about Noel.
On my Kindle, I have 9 categories: Awesome/Really Good/Eh Good Enough/Not Good/Ugh Horrid/Unread/Wave/Lanyon/PC (which contains non-m/m for those curious to see the Kindle). Luke lives in the Really Good folder. Hope that helps. 🙂
I was waiting for your review Buda because I really wanted to read both this one and the sequel.
I still can’t imagine that intellectually Noel and Dane could meet half way, so it would be difficult for them to have more than a physical relationship. I’m hoping that Jan Irving explores their relationship a bit more in The Boxer.
Wave, they seemed, oddly enough, to fit together pretty well. Each had his strengths and weaknesses and they worked around those. It definitely wasn’t easy–Noel loses his temper once and takes his frustrations out on Dane, saying pretty unpleasant things, but Dane forgives him and they carry on. Sound like real life?
I do need to re-read The Boxer this week. All I remember about it right now is the beginning and a few random scenes. Perhaps I’ve read too many others since then? 😉
Buda- enjoyed reading your review on this book. I have considered it many times:) But have to agree with Wave on this statement~ “I still can’t imagine that intellectually Noel and Dane could meet half way, so it would be difficult for them to have more than a physical relationship” ….. BUT then as wave mentions, this might be explained better in The Boxer.. I haven’t read that one either.
Thank you, Duhaunt. I’ll try to get The Boxer reviewed next week. Hopefully that will help make your decision. I have a feeling I’ll be looking at it a bit differently as I re-read it.
I’ve had this book on my Kindle forever, and for some reason just can’t seem to start it. A while back I read a Jan Irving book that I disliked a lot, and I think that experience has totally influenced me negatively in regards to anything she’s written. Sad. But after reading this review I’ll give the book a whirl.
Hi, luci. I have books languishing on my Kindle, too. There’s always something just a little more intriguing, more to my tastes, to read instead. I’ve only read three books by this author (Luke, The Boxer and The Janitor) and, despite a niggle or twelve, have enjoyed each of them to varying degrees. If you decide to read this book, I hope you like it. Please let us know your thoughts after you finish reading it.
I’ve read some really conflicting reviews about this one and I think I’ll wait for your review of the second book before I make my mind. Thanks!
Hi, Lady M. I have to admit, after hannahva’s comment, I checked Goodreads. I noticed some wild swings in the reviews. The majority of ratings are in the 3-4-5 range, so that makes me feel like I’m not totally out in left field! 🙂
I’ll work on The Boxer for next week and put you indecisive lot out of your collective misery! lol Hopefully they will be two more books we’ve all enjoyed. That’s always a good thing!
Hey Buda! I, too, have had varying experiences with Jan Irving, but I’ve found that her books are sometimes perfect for when I’m looking for a lighter read, but not completely fluffy.
I’m having a terrible time right now reviewing a book that I’ve had for over a month and still haven’t finished. One of the characters in it has been physically and emotionally repressed so much that his emotional age seems to me to be more around 12 than his true age at 23. If this had been dealt with before they fell into bed, I might have been able to deal with it, but they haven’t and I keep getting really grossed out. I hope the book can turn around, but at this point I practically have to force myself to start reading it again. I’m glad to hear that this book, though it could have, didn’t go in that direction.
This sounds like something I might like, when I’m in one of those Jan Irving moods. Thanks for the great review 🙂
BTW, this has got to be one of the hottest covers I have seen in an long time!!
Hey Cole! Yeah, isn’t the cover smokin’? The cover for The Boxer is just as good, if not better.
I think you’ve hit the nail on the head with “a lighter read, but not fluffy.” Dane is incredibly sweet and funny, but there are some challenges here.
I’m having trouble finishing a book for review as well. I lost interest about the midpoint and haven’t found anything to draw me back in. Perhaps we should swap? 😉
If you do read this one, I’ll be interested to hear your thoughts. I hope you like it.
Buda
I agree with Cole. 🙂
Always love to put a man to work. tee hee.
PS We missed you on the site. 🙁
Aww, thanks, Wave. You know I missed being here. I would have definitely traded away the last 2 months for almost anything. I can’t wait to get back in the swing of things!
I have read The Janitor and I was going to skip The Boxer since I was expecting more of the same but I will wait for your review.
I found Dane loveble and wished for him the happy relationship that he deserves, but there were moments I didn´t know what to think about Noel, and the father´s part (involvement and past) felt over the top. Anyway, it was an interesting reading because the charecters portrayed and their relationship.
Thank you for your review 🙂
Hi, Helena! I completely understand your misgivings about Noel and especially about his father. I thought the Big Reveal there was a bit too…well, only-in-books, if that makes sense. Dane is very sweet. At times I wanted better for him than what he was getting, but I think it’ll resolve itself in the end. I’ll look forward to your comments on The Boxer. 🙂
I bought “Mask” well over a year ago, I see….and apparently never finished it. I’ve been very hesitant to get this based on that fact alone. For me at least, there is such a thing as too much angst in a story.
Hi, Sherry. I’m not familiar with “Mask.” I understand a lot of readers don’t like angst as much as I do, but I don’t think you’ll have to worry about that with The Janitor. There are obstacles to overcome, but it’s not that heavy. Let me know what you think if you decide to read it.
Buda, I always appreciate your thoughtful reviews and the fact that you’re very straightforward about what to expect in a story. That being said, I don’t think this is a story for me. Especially since my TBR mountain is piled high with books I know I want to read. 🙂
Thanks, Patty, you sweet talker. 😉 Actually, knowing your preferences, I don’t think this book would work for you. Instead, I think you should go one round with Matt and Jared from “Promises” by Marie Sexton. LOL
I don’t think I’ve ever read anything by Jan Irving, but I *do* know that I’ve got a copy of this book in my nook.
Thank you for reminding me of it. I’ll be reading it sometime this week.
The man on the cover is FRANCIS J CURA – aka Francesco Cura, one of the most beautiful men alive!!!