Pricks and Pragmatism [Kindle Edition]

I don't really know what I was expecting from this book, but I was quite impressed!

I've no idea how realistic the plot is: a student (Luke) hopping from 'friend with benefits' to 'friend with benefits' exchanging his body for a roof over his head.

In all honesty, the lifestyle of the main character shocked me just as much as the main character's attitude to it! Poor Luke doesn't seem to be too concerned about what he's doing! I was instantly given the impression of someone who is selling themselves short and lacking in support in his life - and I wasn't far wrong. These 'friends' of Luke's can only loosely be described as such, and it appears that a few of them have little regard for him.

Luke is asked to leave his current residence at the beginning of the book, as his 'friend with benefits' has met someone and wants him to move out by the weekend. Luke calmly packs his things and leaves - more concerned about his final exams at university coming up, rather than not immediately having anywhere to stay. He mentally goes through his list of 'friends' and makes a call to Tom. This particular friend is actually getting married, and isn't prepared to offer him a room - but the friend has an acquaintance that just might... Russell.

Russell isn't what you'd expect. The other affore-mentioned 'friends' have appeared to be rich, well dressed in designer labels, prepared to spoil Luke like a little pet at times, and rather shallow. Russell is a chemical engineer, doesn't handle social situations well, and may as well as have 'geek' tattooed on his forehead... to say he isn't Luke's usual type is an understatement - but with his exams just over the horizon, Luke accepts the room.

However, where he'd usually "pay rent" in the bedroom, Russell just isn't interested - and backs away from Luke's offers (even going as far as buying a ridiculously un-sexy dressing gown for Luke to wear!).

Gradually the two men's past stories come to light - Luke was disowned by his Father at sixteen when he told him he was gay, and ran into the arms of an abusive relationship. His one rule in life appears to revolve around being prepared to pack his bags and leave at any point, and not to let anyone get close. In contrast, Russell comes from a loving family on the Isle of Wight, who accepted him being gay without fuss.

At Russell's 30th Birthday Party (which he doesn't tell Luke about until Luke searches for his passport to check his age after several birthday cards arrive in the post), a drunk friend of Russell's lets something slip - and it changes Luke's attitude to the geek rapidly, while simultaneously frustrating him no end...

All in all, it is a very good little story: some of Luke's actions beggar belief; Russell is hilariously awkward at times; Luke's 'friends' could all do with a personality transplant and a fair dose of common courtesy; and some people could do to just keep their noses out from other people's business! There's a few little plot twists, but they flow well with the story.

The sex varies depending on which 'friend' Luke is with at the time, and the styles are quite different. However, the scene between Luke and Russell is cute and quite liberating in contrast to his other sexual partners.

Its a good little read, and not bad value for money at all!

I was pleasantly surprised by the quality of the language and the plot, and I'm going to give other things by this same author a try.

This short novel is well written, well plotted, well executed. It is the work of a real professional and that is not a given among M/M romance authors. It never drags, it is consistent and draws unerring to its satisfying end.
The two leads are likeable, the side characters are bidimensional but play a proficient chorus.

You are sensing a "but", of course, and there is a huge one coming.

*THOSE THAT FOLLOW ARE NOT SPOILERS AS THEY HAVE ALREADY BEEN DISCUSSED BY MANY OTHER REVIEWER*

Luke is a gorgeous young man. Thrown out at 16 by his homophobe father he not only managed to survive but to complete his studies up to college by being kept by wealthy AND handsome men. Oh, did he? Just as he is about to graduate his impossibly gorgeous and rich sugar daddy throws him out and he calls on a former sugar daddy who finds another one for him. Oh, does he? But this time the sugar daddy is not as sugary in that he is not rich but he is ready to welcome a complete stranger in his home. A complete stranger he knows is a kept boy-toy. Oh, is he? The new -not so sugary- daddy is 30 and mousy looking AND a virgin. Oh, is he? But slowly Luke gets to know and love him. Oh, does he?

You get my meaning. This plot is delightful in itself, there is even a lot of good humour throughout, but you will have to be prepare not only to suspend disbelief but also to lock it in the attic, perhaps in a closet, to avoid its coming back to hunt you.
Having both POVs, that of Luke but also that of the not so sugary Russel might have helped. It would have been more difficult of course. It is hard to deal with a man who knows he is gay but is saving himself for Mr. Right, but perhaps it would have been rewarding as well.

Accept that and you will get a light-weight, entertainig, nice M/M story.

Luke Corbin is a kept man - at least while he's still a student. The only problem is, nobody wants to keep him for very long. Charming his way from one rich lover to the next, he's suddenly stuck for a way to bridge a gap in the crucial last 3 weeks before his final exams. He lands on Russell, not his usual type at all, who offers not half his bed but a whole spare room. Sounds great - but can Luke handle having nothing to give in return?

J.L. Merrow has a superb writing style, well above the average for the genre: engaging, funny and never talking down to the reader. This is a quick read, novella rather than novel, but excellent value for the low price. Expect some gay sex scenes, although given the storyline, there aren't too many. Highly recommended.