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Tristan knows he and his ex-boyfriend Stuart were not meant to be, but that doesn’t make the invitation to Stuart’s wedding any less of a punch in the face. Tris decides that the only thing for it is to find a super hot date to prove to Stuart that he’s moved on and is doing just fine, thanks.
The path to the altar is fraught with obstacles, however, and Tris has to deal with the wilds of online dating, wardrobe malfunctions, men who look like pirates, emotional baggage, grooms with cold feet, and sports team rivalries before he even gets to the wedding. But when Tris stumbles on love in the last place he expects, he’ll need to let go of the past in order to move forward.
The path to the altar is fraught with obstacles, however, and Tris has to deal with the wilds of online dating, wardrobe malfunctions, men who look like pirates, emotional baggage, grooms with cold feet, and sports team rivalries before he even gets to the wedding. But when Tris stumbles on love in the last place he expects, he’ll need to let go of the past in order to move forward.
126 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 4, 2013
3 people are currently reading
128 people want to read
About the author
Kate McMurray
55 books347 followersKate McMurray writes smart romantic fiction. She likes creating stories that are brainy, funny, and of course sexy, with regular guy characters and urban sensibilities. She advocates for romance stories by and for everyone. When she’s not writing, she edits textbooks, watches baseball, plays violin, crafts things out of yarn, and wears a lot of cute dresses. She lives in Brooklyn, NY, with a bossy cat and too many books.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews
June 8, 2013
2.5 stars
This was not the better story from Kate McMurray for me. I have to agree with both Arthur and Pete with their reviews.
I didn't feel the chemistry between Tris and the new guy in his life. I felt like it started with all the wrong reasons. Tris seemed to still love Stuart -- if he truly had been over his ex of ten years, he wouldn't be this anxious with Stuart's wedding and determined to go there 'showing' Stuart that he was fine with it. Why did he have to go anyway? I know that Stuart invited him but he could've just say no.
I understood that had a crush on Tris but did Tris really even love him? Because they went quite fast in the relationship and I couldn't help but thinking it was because Tris wanted to show his new boyfriend, .
I wasn't enjoying Stuart still calling Tris when he got cold feet and even kissed Tris. before the wedding. NONE of Tris's action convinced me that he truly love . Instead, it felt like a 'fuck off' to Stuart marrying someone else. So I was sceptical throughout, even in the end, when it said that
Yep, not believable love story for me. Not even enough to put this on my 3-stars category.
On that note, I also gave the last book of Ms. McMurray that I read 2.5 stars (I haven't read Show and Tell, though, the review on that wasn't promising as well). I really hope that her next one will be better, or I must take her off my favorite authors list *sad face*
This was not the better story from Kate McMurray for me. I have to agree with both Arthur and Pete with their reviews.
I didn't feel the chemistry between Tris and the new guy in his life. I felt like it started with all the wrong reasons. Tris seemed to still love Stuart -- if he truly had been over his ex of ten years, he wouldn't be this anxious with Stuart's wedding and determined to go there 'showing' Stuart that he was fine with it. Why did he have to go anyway? I know that Stuart invited him but he could've just say no.
I understood that had a crush on Tris but did Tris really even love him? Because they went quite fast in the relationship and I couldn't help but thinking it was because Tris wanted to show his new boyfriend, .
I wasn't enjoying Stuart still calling Tris when he got cold feet and even kissed Tris. before the wedding. NONE of Tris's action convinced me that he truly love . Instead, it felt like a 'fuck off' to Stuart marrying someone else. So I was sceptical throughout, even in the end, when it said that
Yep, not believable love story for me. Not even enough to put this on my 3-stars category.
On that note, I also gave the last book of Ms. McMurray that I read 2.5 stars (I haven't read Show and Tell, though, the review on that wasn't promising as well). I really hope that her next one will be better, or I must take her off my favorite authors list *sad face*
June 7, 2013
2.5 stars
Two years after breaking up with Stuart over career change that led Stuart moved to Boston, Tristan got a wedding invitation from his ex. Freaking out from realizing that he was not exactly over Stuart, Tris tried to find a hot date for the wedding. He got a very nice man to do so. So, will he survive the wedding? After all, he was with Stuart for 10 years...
It's a nice story, but I couldn't shake the feeling that this is a story about Stuart and Tris. While there is a new beau, he really is there only as a tool--supposedly to show that Tris is over his ex. Unfortunately, I didn't really get the chemistry between Tris and his new Beau. This is strange, considering the new beau is revealed about 30% into the story so there is enough space to do so, and the author did describe their interactions. The problem, I think, is that those scenes in general fall into two categories: (1) they're having sex, and (2) the strong presence of Stuart in Tris' mind. Even scenes with Tris and the new beau , the specter of Stuart is there.
So, it's a bit of irony that almost at the end of the book the author wrote,
"This is not a story about Stuart, is it?"
when that's exactly what I felt when reading it.
Two years after breaking up with Stuart over career change that led Stuart moved to Boston, Tristan got a wedding invitation from his ex. Freaking out from realizing that he was not exactly over Stuart, Tris tried to find a hot date for the wedding. He got a very nice man to do so. So, will he survive the wedding? After all, he was with Stuart for 10 years...
It's a nice story, but I couldn't shake the feeling that this is a story about Stuart and Tris. While there is a new beau, he really is there only as a tool--supposedly to show that Tris is over his ex. Unfortunately, I didn't really get the chemistry between Tris and his new Beau. This is strange, considering the new beau is revealed about 30% into the story so there is enough space to do so, and the author did describe their interactions. The problem, I think, is that those scenes in general fall into two categories: (1) they're having sex, and (2) the strong presence of Stuart in Tris' mind. Even scenes with Tris and the new beau , the specter of Stuart is there.
So, it's a bit of irony that almost at the end of the book the author wrote,
"This is not a story about Stuart, is it?"
when that's exactly what I felt when reading it.
June 6, 2013
At first I was concerned that, from the blurb, this book did not sound suitable for novel length. So I am relieved that this is novella size.
The story was... bland was not the right word. Perhaps it was because this was all about internal struggle that the MC was not quite aware or quite sure of the what and the why. So I, the reader, was quite ambiguous on how I was supposed to *get* this book.
Tris, the self-admitted drama queen still struggling to get over the fact that his ex was getting married after 2 years of the split of their 10 years relationship. He was invited to attend the wedding. Not wanting to go alone, he began to search for the right guy to be the plus one at the wedding. On his quest for the right arm candy, he stumbled upon a secret that would ended up changing his life. The secret lead the pathway to love but if both of them get over themselves.
I think it was because this novella is told exclusively from Tris' POV. He was not quite that likable to me. I also did not quite understand the actions of the love interest as well. The whole situation was built to be awkward for all parties involved... They all realized this and yet seemed helpless to do anything about it.
Most of the struggles were internal conflicts, which from the structure of 1st-person POV, limited the show to only Tris which lead to a lot of show that I wasn't sure of, for me.
Lastly, I am not sure I enjoyed this one as whole. The reading was enjoyable enough, even if I had a couple of WTH moments.
The story was... bland was not the right word. Perhaps it was because this was all about internal struggle that the MC was not quite aware or quite sure of the what and the why. So I, the reader, was quite ambiguous on how I was supposed to *get* this book.
Tris, the self-admitted drama queen still struggling to get over the fact that his ex was getting married after 2 years of the split of their 10 years relationship. He was invited to attend the wedding. Not wanting to go alone, he began to search for the right guy to be the plus one at the wedding. On his quest for the right arm candy, he stumbled upon a secret that would ended up changing his life. The secret lead the pathway to love but if both of them get over themselves.
I think it was because this novella is told exclusively from Tris' POV. He was not quite that likable to me. I also did not quite understand the actions of the love interest as well. The whole situation was built to be awkward for all parties involved... They all realized this and yet seemed helpless to do anything about it.
Most of the struggles were internal conflicts, which from the structure of 1st-person POV, limited the show to only Tris which lead to a lot of show that I wasn't sure of, for me.
Lastly, I am not sure I enjoyed this one as whole. The reading was enjoyable enough, even if I had a couple of WTH moments.
June 4, 2013
Tristan was with Stuart for ten years. When Stuart gets a work transfer out of state, Tristan doesn’t go with and that is the end of them. Now Stuart has found someone else and invites Tristan to the wedding. Tristan wants a hot date to show up with.
I did have a little problem with the story in that it almost seemed like it was the story of Stuart and Tristan for a lot of it, instead of Tristan and his new man. There is a lot of talk and thinking about Stuart and his upcoming wedding.
There were times I thought Tristan was being a jerk and then times his new guy was. Stuart keeps popping up everywhere in Tristan’s conversations and thoughts, so I’d have to give the edge to Tristan for rudeness. There were times when I wondered why Tristan was going –just say no!
Add in that his new love has been closeted forever and it’s just a recipe for trouble. Stuart having cold feet isn’t helping (and he calls Tristan about that yet when Tristan calls him with a love problem Stuart questions it). I actually ended up feeling that Tristan had jumped into a new relationship at the completely wrong time and didn’t see them doing well after all the drama was over.
I did have a little problem with the story in that it almost seemed like it was the story of Stuart and Tristan for a lot of it, instead of Tristan and his new man. There is a lot of talk and thinking about Stuart and his upcoming wedding.
There were times I thought Tristan was being a jerk and then times his new guy was. Stuart keeps popping up everywhere in Tristan’s conversations and thoughts, so I’d have to give the edge to Tristan for rudeness. There were times when I wondered why Tristan was going –just say no!
Add in that his new love has been closeted forever and it’s just a recipe for trouble. Stuart having cold feet isn’t helping (and he calls Tristan about that yet when Tristan calls him with a love problem Stuart questions it). I actually ended up feeling that Tristan had jumped into a new relationship at the completely wrong time and didn’t see them doing well after all the drama was over.
June 4, 2013
Review posted at The Armchair Reader as part of Kate McMurray Week!
Tristan has been "getting over" his ex-boyfriend Stuart for two years now. But it takes getting an invite to Stuart's wedding to his new boyfriend to make him realize that he's not over him as much as he thought. During a powwow with his crew of straight guy friends and rugby team at their local sports bar, Tristan concludes that the only way he can really go to this week (which he's already stupidly committed to) is to take a really hot date.
The road to finding suitable arm candy does not go as planned. Tristan is out of the habit of dating and picking up guys and going to bars is now firmly in his past. He's not sure if he should take one of the friends' suggestion to try online, but when even he admits that he's at his last resort, he starts to do a little window shopping -- only to find uncover a surprise secret that could not only serve as his answer to finding a date for the wedding, but might actually turn into something real. He started looking for a date thinking he was really over Stuart, but actually finding himself starting a new relationship brings up the fact that he just might not be.
The first thing I want to tell you is to go into this story with the idea that Tris really has a lot of growing up to do. I wrestled with this for a while and it's been a couple weeks since I read this that I'm writing the review. I had a little bit of a problem at first because I felt like the relationship between Tris and his mystery guy doesn't really get the showcase that it should. But now, I think that that really just wasn't the point, which is a bit of a diversion in style from Kate McMurray's previous work. Tristan finds himself starting a relationship when, even though he's two years single, he's really only mentally getting out of one. And all the complications with that start to drive a wedge between the new relationship. It's completely the wrong time for him to fall in love, but no matter the bumps in the road, the two make it through it.
I ended up liking the story, but I still would have really liked more. I'm not just saying that I want more because I liked the book. It doesn't matter how many times I say that I still hate it when I say it and other people say it. The truth is, I would have liked to get to know the new relationship just a little better, as well as the new guy. What we see of him is good because he's supportive and a good guy. But I think that he had his own issues to deal with that we didn't get to see as much and I would have liked to have some time for them to settle into the relationship into the story rather than have it end at, pretty much just after the climax. I had a similar problem with Blind Items, the book of Kate's that I read most recently (and which I'm reviewing tomorrow). I'll talk about it more in detail then, but many of you might have felt the same, which is that I wish we got just a bit more at the end. But, that's a matter of individual opinion and perhaps Kate McMurray just likes to end the story on the highest note ;)
So, while this wasn't a favorite of mine from this author, I still enjoyed it. It's being released at the perfect time, Gay Wedding Season ;) and I think that Kate is growing as an author with some more dynamic characters. So, I give her props for that.
Another note: I have this listed as a Love Triangle in the tags. Technically, that's not true, but it is figuratively. I don't want to discourage anyone who isn't a fan of those from reading this book. The real third person in their relationship is specter of the past one that Tris just can't seem to let go of yet.
Happy Release Day to Kate! And I hope all of you enjoy the book :)
Tristan has been "getting over" his ex-boyfriend Stuart for two years now. But it takes getting an invite to Stuart's wedding to his new boyfriend to make him realize that he's not over him as much as he thought. During a powwow with his crew of straight guy friends and rugby team at their local sports bar, Tristan concludes that the only way he can really go to this week (which he's already stupidly committed to) is to take a really hot date.
The road to finding suitable arm candy does not go as planned. Tristan is out of the habit of dating and picking up guys and going to bars is now firmly in his past. He's not sure if he should take one of the friends' suggestion to try online, but when even he admits that he's at his last resort, he starts to do a little window shopping -- only to find uncover a surprise secret that could not only serve as his answer to finding a date for the wedding, but might actually turn into something real. He started looking for a date thinking he was really over Stuart, but actually finding himself starting a new relationship brings up the fact that he just might not be.
The first thing I want to tell you is to go into this story with the idea that Tris really has a lot of growing up to do. I wrestled with this for a while and it's been a couple weeks since I read this that I'm writing the review. I had a little bit of a problem at first because I felt like the relationship between Tris and his mystery guy doesn't really get the showcase that it should. But now, I think that that really just wasn't the point, which is a bit of a diversion in style from Kate McMurray's previous work. Tristan finds himself starting a relationship when, even though he's two years single, he's really only mentally getting out of one. And all the complications with that start to drive a wedge between the new relationship. It's completely the wrong time for him to fall in love, but no matter the bumps in the road, the two make it through it.
I ended up liking the story, but I still would have really liked more. I'm not just saying that I want more because I liked the book. It doesn't matter how many times I say that I still hate it when I say it and other people say it. The truth is, I would have liked to get to know the new relationship just a little better, as well as the new guy. What we see of him is good because he's supportive and a good guy. But I think that he had his own issues to deal with that we didn't get to see as much and I would have liked to have some time for them to settle into the relationship into the story rather than have it end at, pretty much just after the climax. I had a similar problem with Blind Items, the book of Kate's that I read most recently (and which I'm reviewing tomorrow). I'll talk about it more in detail then, but many of you might have felt the same, which is that I wish we got just a bit more at the end. But, that's a matter of individual opinion and perhaps Kate McMurray just likes to end the story on the highest note ;)
So, while this wasn't a favorite of mine from this author, I still enjoyed it. It's being released at the perfect time, Gay Wedding Season ;) and I think that Kate is growing as an author with some more dynamic characters. So, I give her props for that.
Another note: I have this listed as a Love Triangle in the tags. Technically, that's not true, but it is figuratively. I don't want to discourage anyone who isn't a fan of those from reading this book. The real third person in their relationship is specter of the past one that Tris just can't seem to let go of yet.
Happy Release Day to Kate! And I hope all of you enjoy the book :)
August 25, 2013
This was a very enjoyable story. It's told from Tristan's POV. He seems like a decent man and pretty grounded... Until he gets invited to his Ex's wedding. That's where the story takes off and throws Tristan into a bit of tail spin. The pacing was good and I enjoyed the camaraderie with Tristan and his friends.
Tristan and Duncan were adorable and sexy together. I really appreciated Duncan's straight forwardness (after he came out lol). Being friends for so long I wasn't sure how the author was going to convince me that Duncan was gay and no one realized it. But it was explained well and I think was very believable.
Looking forward to more books by this author.
Tristan and Duncan were adorable and sexy together. I really appreciated Duncan's straight forwardness (after he came out lol). Being friends for so long I wasn't sure how the author was going to convince me that Duncan was gay and no one realized it. But it was explained well and I think was very believable.
Looking forward to more books by this author.
August 25, 2013
I enjoyed reading this book quite a bit. That said, it seemed like something was missing but I don't know what is was. Maybe just a bit too easy for the MCs? And it drove me a little nutty that he was still a so hung up on his ex, or things about his ex, after two years but was perfectly willing to jump right in with his, used to be just friends, new guy. Definitely not a deep or angsty read by any means but a fun little romp in romance land.
June 15, 2013
4 stars
Funny and well written.
I found it an excellent and light read.
Funny and well written.
I found it an excellent and light read.
September 14, 2020
I am in a reading funk of some kind. I cannot seem to read anything but sort of fluffy gay romances. It is a weird state to be in, since I like so many different kinds of books. But I just cannot take anything too heavy or dense right now. Hence all the books I have been reading. This was a fun book, nothing spectacular, but very readable and quick and entertaining.
The story was a typical romantic comedy of best friends finding out that they like each other and the crisis of the ex's happiness and the mixed feelings for said ex.
The characters were defined and were different for a gay romance, they were amateur rugby players and sports fans--big time sports fans.
It was really kind of refreshing, that all gay men are not into Opera and Bette Midler. (I am not saying that is a stereotype, but the fact is that gay men encompass the whole spectrum of likes and dislikes and it was nice to see that reflected in this book.
The story was a typical romantic comedy of best friends finding out that they like each other and the crisis of the ex's happiness and the mixed feelings for said ex.
The characters were defined and were different for a gay romance, they were amateur rugby players and sports fans--big time sports fans.
It was really kind of refreshing, that all gay men are not into Opera and Bette Midler. (I am not saying that is a stereotype, but the fact is that gay men encompass the whole spectrum of likes and dislikes and it was nice to see that reflected in this book.
August 17, 2019
A resoundingly STRONG 4.5 Stars!! Something was off about my e-books formatted default, so it read jaggedly, which was slightly frustrating and, eh, like always...wish it had been longer. I LOVED DARREN AND TRISTAN so dearly!
This was just so dang enjoyable on many, many levels. And certainly for such a short novella, but it warms me to the fact that this could be a quality novel-length piece of perfection. So much to unpack, but Ms. McMurray did a truly wondrous job well within 170pges
This was just so dang enjoyable on many, many levels. And certainly for such a short novella, but it warms me to the fact that this could be a quality novel-length piece of perfection. So much to unpack, but Ms. McMurray did a truly wondrous job well within 170pges
July 11, 2018
An average romance where one MC was a total drama queen (although he knew it) and the other was a wishywashy straight acting closet case.
Still enjoyable enough.
Still enjoyable enough.
February 6, 2021
Cracking good story. Recommended
Cracking good story that is also well written. I loved the characters and the absence of graphic sex - thank you.
Recommended
Cracking good story that is also well written. I loved the characters and the absence of graphic sex - thank you.
Recommended
September 11, 2016
This review can be found at The Blog of Sid Love.
When I read the blurb for this, I was thinking it’d be along the lines of the movie The Wedding Date, which I adored and have watched a bunch of times. While it does have a similar vibe to the movie, the big difference is this takes place mostly before the wedding and follows Tristan on his journey to finding a date to his ex’s nuptials. Going on blind dates and then online dating, he discovers Darren’s secret. Darren never meant to keep the fact he was gay from Tristan but he just never found the right time to tell Tristan or their friends. When the two get together, they start a relationship a little too fast and soon Darren is agreeing to go to Stuart’s wedding with Tristan. But now the question remains, is Tristan just using Darren or does he actually have feelings for Darren?
Tristan is a passionate individual. Even after years of being broken up from Stuart, he still loves him enough to be sad over being invited to the wedding. Tristan’s a bit melodramatic and exaggerates which makes him a bit of a handful at times. To counter that, he also has a love of sports that means he doesn’t exactly fit into the stereotypical gay role. He’s a bit self-absorbed but overall he’s sweet. Darren has been Tristan’s best friend since college and been in love with Tristan for years. He’s been in the closet for a while now, making Tristan believe Darren was straight this whole time. Together they’re a cute couple. Darren is shy but obviously adores Tristan while Tristan is a little over the top but eventually comes to realize his feelings for Darren.
A source of amusement throughout the whole book was the constant wondering just why Tristan’s ex, Stuart, would invite him to the wedding. More than that, the phone calls and weird conversations they would have had me chuckling a few times. While I can’t say I exactly liked the fact it was so focused on the ex, I can say that while Tristan’s actions towards asking Darren to the wedding are questionable, Tristan’s overall feelings for Stuart are more of affection towards a friend than a soul deep love between ex-partners of ten years, even if they have been broken up for a while. I will say that I adored Tristan and Darren’s friends. Kevin, Hugh and Alex had me chuckling a few times with their competitive sports banter and their figurative nose wrinkle at thinking of Darren and Tristan together because they all think of the two as ‘brothers’. It was cute and funny and I really enjoyed those parts.
I’ve always been a sucker for friends to lovers stories so I found this book overall sweet. It’s a bit predictable but has a cute execution. At times, the story dragged because a lot of it is spent in Tristan’s head so the monologue got a little too heavy for me especially when it seemed a bit repetitive. There’s also the problem that I felt like a lot of it was told instead of shown, which hindered my ability to get to know not only Tristan better but overall Darren. I didn’t feel like Darren was fleshed out enough, I couldn’t connect with him. I found him sweet but I ultimately couldn’t feel that connection between them because Darren wasn’t developed as a character. In the beginning, it was hard for me to stick with this story, I kept putting it down because it didn’t grab my attention. Around the 40% mark, however, it started to pick up and I was enjoying it but by the end, the epilogue kind of damped my enjoyment because the whole thing is told and I was expecting a little more something between Darren and Tristan to show how their relationship was after the wedding. I didn’t really feel satisfied with the ending because it just made me feel like I was missing much more than I should have been considering the length of time that passed and that made me sad.
Overall, I enjoyed the story but it took a while for me to do that. I found Tristan very amusing and I did like the potential between Darren and Tristan but I didn’t exactly feel like it was fleshed out enough for the level of love and commitment that they were explained to have. However, I think if you’re looking for a sweet, quick and semi humorous story, you’ll enjoy this one.
When I read the blurb for this, I was thinking it’d be along the lines of the movie The Wedding Date, which I adored and have watched a bunch of times. While it does have a similar vibe to the movie, the big difference is this takes place mostly before the wedding and follows Tristan on his journey to finding a date to his ex’s nuptials. Going on blind dates and then online dating, he discovers Darren’s secret. Darren never meant to keep the fact he was gay from Tristan but he just never found the right time to tell Tristan or their friends. When the two get together, they start a relationship a little too fast and soon Darren is agreeing to go to Stuart’s wedding with Tristan. But now the question remains, is Tristan just using Darren or does he actually have feelings for Darren?
Tristan is a passionate individual. Even after years of being broken up from Stuart, he still loves him enough to be sad over being invited to the wedding. Tristan’s a bit melodramatic and exaggerates which makes him a bit of a handful at times. To counter that, he also has a love of sports that means he doesn’t exactly fit into the stereotypical gay role. He’s a bit self-absorbed but overall he’s sweet. Darren has been Tristan’s best friend since college and been in love with Tristan for years. He’s been in the closet for a while now, making Tristan believe Darren was straight this whole time. Together they’re a cute couple. Darren is shy but obviously adores Tristan while Tristan is a little over the top but eventually comes to realize his feelings for Darren.
A source of amusement throughout the whole book was the constant wondering just why Tristan’s ex, Stuart, would invite him to the wedding. More than that, the phone calls and weird conversations they would have had me chuckling a few times. While I can’t say I exactly liked the fact it was so focused on the ex, I can say that while Tristan’s actions towards asking Darren to the wedding are questionable, Tristan’s overall feelings for Stuart are more of affection towards a friend than a soul deep love between ex-partners of ten years, even if they have been broken up for a while. I will say that I adored Tristan and Darren’s friends. Kevin, Hugh and Alex had me chuckling a few times with their competitive sports banter and their figurative nose wrinkle at thinking of Darren and Tristan together because they all think of the two as ‘brothers’. It was cute and funny and I really enjoyed those parts.
I’ve always been a sucker for friends to lovers stories so I found this book overall sweet. It’s a bit predictable but has a cute execution. At times, the story dragged because a lot of it is spent in Tristan’s head so the monologue got a little too heavy for me especially when it seemed a bit repetitive. There’s also the problem that I felt like a lot of it was told instead of shown, which hindered my ability to get to know not only Tristan better but overall Darren. I didn’t feel like Darren was fleshed out enough, I couldn’t connect with him. I found him sweet but I ultimately couldn’t feel that connection between them because Darren wasn’t developed as a character. In the beginning, it was hard for me to stick with this story, I kept putting it down because it didn’t grab my attention. Around the 40% mark, however, it started to pick up and I was enjoying it but by the end, the epilogue kind of damped my enjoyment because the whole thing is told and I was expecting a little more something between Darren and Tristan to show how their relationship was after the wedding. I didn’t really feel satisfied with the ending because it just made me feel like I was missing much more than I should have been considering the length of time that passed and that made me sad.
Overall, I enjoyed the story but it took a while for me to do that. I found Tristan very amusing and I did like the potential between Darren and Tristan but I didn’t exactly feel like it was fleshed out enough for the level of love and commitment that they were explained to have. However, I think if you’re looking for a sweet, quick and semi humorous story, you’ll enjoy this one.
July 5, 2013
Slick‘s review posted on Guilty Pleasures Book Reviews
Review copy provided for an honest review
4 STARS
I have a fondness for M/M romances and this one is quite different than any I’ve read so it took me a little bit by surprise. In reality there are about three stories going on in this one book and while they all are connected, they each present a different set of problems and solutions. Perhaps what I liked most of all was the author’s attempt to bust gay stereotypes and the fact that she’s written straight men who aren’t threatened by homosexuality and who support their gay friend. It was quite refreshing and made this book very appealing.
What can I say about Tristan? He works in insurance not because he likes it but because it allows him to earn a decent enough wage to live in Manhattan. Tristan loves sports, has a flair for dramatics, and has the unwavering support of several men who he played Rugby with years ago. Tristan was in long term relationship with Stuart who moved to Boston and their 10 year relationship ended. Tristan thought he was good, that he’d accepted things and moved on until he got the announcement for his wedding to another man. Deciding he needs a date to attend the wedding with leads Tristan to do many things including signing up with a gay internet dating site where he discovers the profile for one of his heterosexual friends, Darren.
Poor Darren, he’s been fighting and hiding his homosexuality for a long time and now feels his friends won’t understand why he hasn’t told them before. When Tristan confronts him he knows it’s something he needs to do but he also asks for time. On top of that he lets Tristan know that he’s had a crush on him for a long time and they begin seeing each other. There’s no denying the attraction between these two but there is so much unresolved between them that things get messy really, really fast.
I enjoyed this book immensely but Tristan is one of those characters that kind of drove me nuts. He was all over the place most of the time and while I understood his confusion, I hated that he had a hard time admitting and owning up to what he was feeling. On the other hand, I flat out loved Darren. His whole world was turned upside down and he really did roll with the punches. While coming out to his friends stressed him, he did it and I admire him greatly for it.
I’ll admit I would have preferred to see more about Tristan and Darren’s fledgling relationship than Stuart’s wedding. While I understand why it was important for Tristan to attend and eventually figure out that he was in a better place, I felt that the wedding of his ex overshadowed the rest of the story which was so much more interesting.
With fun characters and witty dialog, Save The Date is one of those books that will take you by surprise on many levels and yet it leaves you with a satisfying ending.
Review copy provided for an honest review
4 STARS
I have a fondness for M/M romances and this one is quite different than any I’ve read so it took me a little bit by surprise. In reality there are about three stories going on in this one book and while they all are connected, they each present a different set of problems and solutions. Perhaps what I liked most of all was the author’s attempt to bust gay stereotypes and the fact that she’s written straight men who aren’t threatened by homosexuality and who support their gay friend. It was quite refreshing and made this book very appealing.
What can I say about Tristan? He works in insurance not because he likes it but because it allows him to earn a decent enough wage to live in Manhattan. Tristan loves sports, has a flair for dramatics, and has the unwavering support of several men who he played Rugby with years ago. Tristan was in long term relationship with Stuart who moved to Boston and their 10 year relationship ended. Tristan thought he was good, that he’d accepted things and moved on until he got the announcement for his wedding to another man. Deciding he needs a date to attend the wedding with leads Tristan to do many things including signing up with a gay internet dating site where he discovers the profile for one of his heterosexual friends, Darren.
Poor Darren, he’s been fighting and hiding his homosexuality for a long time and now feels his friends won’t understand why he hasn’t told them before. When Tristan confronts him he knows it’s something he needs to do but he also asks for time. On top of that he lets Tristan know that he’s had a crush on him for a long time and they begin seeing each other. There’s no denying the attraction between these two but there is so much unresolved between them that things get messy really, really fast.
I enjoyed this book immensely but Tristan is one of those characters that kind of drove me nuts. He was all over the place most of the time and while I understood his confusion, I hated that he had a hard time admitting and owning up to what he was feeling. On the other hand, I flat out loved Darren. His whole world was turned upside down and he really did roll with the punches. While coming out to his friends stressed him, he did it and I admire him greatly for it.
I’ll admit I would have preferred to see more about Tristan and Darren’s fledgling relationship than Stuart’s wedding. While I understand why it was important for Tristan to attend and eventually figure out that he was in a better place, I felt that the wedding of his ex overshadowed the rest of the story which was so much more interesting.
With fun characters and witty dialog, Save The Date is one of those books that will take you by surprise on many levels and yet it leaves you with a satisfying ending.
August 17, 2013
Getting invited to the wedding of an ex you were with for ten years is something Tristan would like to decline but he cannot. His friends suggest showing the ex, Stuart, up by coming to the wedding with a gorgeous piece of arm candy. But when a suitable person is found, an unlikely one at that, is it a relationship or a ruse to mess with the ex? And what if the new love interest already thinks the latter and leaves just when things get serious?
From his 1st person point of view, Tristan shows us a guy with a flair for the dramatic. He over-thinks things a lot, going over the breakup with Stuart, so much so that he almost misses the happiness he could have with someone else. Tristan’s a good guy, but lonely among his straight and paired-off friends. His search for an appropriate hottie to escort him to the wedding is filled with disappointments. And the new love interest is firmly rooted in the closet. And the wedding is full of people who dislike him in a big way.
I felt sympathy for Tristan, even when he worried about stuff too much. He has a practical realism to his approach to the world and to men. Still, he begins to desire more from the man who he manages to rope into going with him. But then what is true feelings and what is part of the plan gets mixed up. Tristan’s sadness and longing are very real. He drinks to forget, and then makes those embarrassing drunken phone calls. Yet, for his ex with whom he’s still friendly, he picks himself up, takes all the barbs thrown at him by people he no longer knows, and stands straight like a man. That made my opinion of him rise to the roof.
I liked this story a lot. Though it’s short, nothing’s missing really. Not even the other man’s point of view. I expected the ex-boyfriend Stuart to be horrible but he was a nice guy too. In fact, this story has some pretty cool straight men as friends. I recommend this story to everyone who likes unexpected romance, coming out stories, and getting over the past and being stronger for it.
From his 1st person point of view, Tristan shows us a guy with a flair for the dramatic. He over-thinks things a lot, going over the breakup with Stuart, so much so that he almost misses the happiness he could have with someone else. Tristan’s a good guy, but lonely among his straight and paired-off friends. His search for an appropriate hottie to escort him to the wedding is filled with disappointments. And the new love interest is firmly rooted in the closet. And the wedding is full of people who dislike him in a big way.
I felt sympathy for Tristan, even when he worried about stuff too much. He has a practical realism to his approach to the world and to men. Still, he begins to desire more from the man who he manages to rope into going with him. But then what is true feelings and what is part of the plan gets mixed up. Tristan’s sadness and longing are very real. He drinks to forget, and then makes those embarrassing drunken phone calls. Yet, for his ex with whom he’s still friendly, he picks himself up, takes all the barbs thrown at him by people he no longer knows, and stands straight like a man. That made my opinion of him rise to the roof.
I liked this story a lot. Though it’s short, nothing’s missing really. Not even the other man’s point of view. I expected the ex-boyfriend Stuart to be horrible but he was a nice guy too. In fact, this story has some pretty cool straight men as friends. I recommend this story to everyone who likes unexpected romance, coming out stories, and getting over the past and being stronger for it.
October 24, 2014
I've been wanting to read a Kate McMurray book for a while now and even though I have 2 sitting on my TBR shelf, when this came up for review I couldn't resist. Of course, the cover whore in me also jumped at it because it's just an adorable cover.
And the book had a lot of that feeling. It was a cute and sweet book, with a touch of funny as well. Starts out with Tristan getting an invite to his ex-boyfriends' wedding. It's been two years since they broke up but Tristan hasn't really started dating other people. Now he is in the awkward predicament of having to go to the wedding and doesn't want to show up dateless.
Enter online dating. As he goes on some weird dates trying to find the right guy to bring to the wedding he stumbles across an online profile for his VERY STRAIGHT best friend, Darren. Turns out Darren has known he was gay for quite some time but because he was attracted to Tristan, he was waiting for the right time to tell him he was gay and make a move. Well that time is now.
I always enjoy a best friends to lovers story. And this would've been PERFECT! If it hadn't been for the fact that a lot of times it felt as if Tristan wasn't over Stuart (the ex-boyfriend). He spent a lot of time worrying about Stuart and what he would think and how to impress him instead of enjoying the getting to know Darren more part.
Although I still thought they were very cute together, there was a little something missing to make this perfect. Still a very enjoyable read and has me wanting to read Kate's books sitting on my shelf faster!
*ARC provided by publisher
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September 1, 2013
3.5 stars
I’ve been wanting to read a Kate McMurray book for a while now and even though I have 2 sitting on my TBR shelf, when this came up for review I couldn’t resist. Of course, the cover whore in me also jumped at it because it’s just an adorable cover.
And the book had a lot of that feeling. It was a cute and sweet book, with a touch of funny as well. Starts out with Tristan getting an invite to his ex-boyfriends’ wedding. It’s been two years since they broke up but Tristan hasn’t really started dating other people. Now he is in the awkward predicament of having to go to the wedding and doesn’t want to show up dateless.
Enter online dating. As he goes on some weird dates trying to find the right guy to bring to the wedding he stumbles across an online profile for his VERY STRAIGHT best friend, Darren. Turns out Darren has known he was gay for quite some time but because he was attracted to Tristan, he was waiting for the right time to tell him he was gay and make a move. Well that time is now.
I always enjoy a best friends to lovers story. And this would’ve been PERFECT! If it hadn’t been for the fact that a lot of times it felt as if Tristan wasn’t over Stuart (the ex-boyfriend). He spent a lot of time worrying about Stuart and what he would think and how to impress him instead of enjoying the getting to know Darren more part.
Although I still thought they were very cute together, there was a little something missing to make this perfect. Still a very enjoyable read and has me wanting to read Kate’s books sitting on my shelf faster!
*ARC provided by publisher
I’ve been wanting to read a Kate McMurray book for a while now and even though I have 2 sitting on my TBR shelf, when this came up for review I couldn’t resist. Of course, the cover whore in me also jumped at it because it’s just an adorable cover.
And the book had a lot of that feeling. It was a cute and sweet book, with a touch of funny as well. Starts out with Tristan getting an invite to his ex-boyfriends’ wedding. It’s been two years since they broke up but Tristan hasn’t really started dating other people. Now he is in the awkward predicament of having to go to the wedding and doesn’t want to show up dateless.
Enter online dating. As he goes on some weird dates trying to find the right guy to bring to the wedding he stumbles across an online profile for his VERY STRAIGHT best friend, Darren. Turns out Darren has known he was gay for quite some time but because he was attracted to Tristan, he was waiting for the right time to tell him he was gay and make a move. Well that time is now.
I always enjoy a best friends to lovers story. And this would’ve been PERFECT! If it hadn’t been for the fact that a lot of times it felt as if Tristan wasn’t over Stuart (the ex-boyfriend). He spent a lot of time worrying about Stuart and what he would think and how to impress him instead of enjoying the getting to know Darren more part.
Although I still thought they were very cute together, there was a little something missing to make this perfect. Still a very enjoyable read and has me wanting to read Kate’s books sitting on my shelf faster!
*ARC provided by publisher
November 29, 2013
This is going to be short and not so pleasant. Tris pissed me off beyond belief. I get it. I really do. I mean, he was with Stuart for 10 years! That's a long time to be with someone, you build a life with them and have even planned forever. BUT, they broke up 2 years ago! He clearly has an amazing support system, let him go. Yes, I am sure getting an invite to his wedding to a man he's known for less than a year is hard, but he's the one making the mistake, not you. Okay, I get it. What was wrong with Tris? Why didn't Stuart want to marry Tris? I am sure those questions run through the minds of every ex out there. "why was I good enough?"
THEN when Tris is on the first date with his possible new boyfriend, he asks him "so do you want to be my date to Stuart's wedding?" Seriously? I am not even sure they even got the appetizer yet before he sprung that up. It's ALL Tris talked about.
I never felt ANY sexual chemistry beween Tris and his beau. Maybe because Tris was still pining over Stuart? I felt REALLY bad for the new beau.
2 Stars for
Overall, ummm this is a story about a man who hasn't completely gotten over his ex and is currently using his new boyfriend to make his ex jealous at his wedding.
My point in all of this: TRIS COULD HAVE SAID NO!!!!!!! He could have just said no to the wedding and had been done with it. But, he had to go and prove that he was over Stuart with arm candy in tow. Jackass.
THEN when Tris is on the first date with his possible new boyfriend, he asks him "so do you want to be my date to Stuart's wedding?" Seriously? I am not even sure they even got the appetizer yet before he sprung that up. It's ALL Tris talked about.
I never felt ANY sexual chemistry beween Tris and his beau. Maybe because Tris was still pining over Stuart? I felt REALLY bad for the new beau.
2 Stars for
Overall, ummm this is a story about a man who hasn't completely gotten over his ex and is currently using his new boyfriend to make his ex jealous at his wedding.
My point in all of this: TRIS COULD HAVE SAID NO!!!!!!! He could have just said no to the wedding and had been done with it. But, he had to go and prove that he was over Stuart with arm candy in tow. Jackass.
July 5, 2013
Damn I just wrote a review and then ended up refreshing by mistake. Sighhh. Let me start again.
2.5 stars for this one.
You know how you read a book and end up thinking the author must've written it to fulfill some sort of contractual obligation? No? Maybe it's just me, but that's exactly how I felt about Save the Date. I wanted to love it, since I loved Out in the Field so much but it just wasn't going to happen. It was too bland and awkwardly phrased. I kept frowning at the ebook pages and that's never a good thing.
I also couldn't get into the characters very much. I mean, I just finished it and I can't even remember their names. Was one named Darren? I think so. Darren was alright (and I do stress the word "alright") but not very well fleshed out. Where was the back story? Tristan (I had to go check) was just wishy washy and overly fussy. He's the kind of guy that wants to be funny but is so not. Tristan's ex and his soon to be hubby were even more unlikeable. I definitely wouldn't want to know any of them in real life, except Darren. He's alright, remember?
Ah well... On to the next one.
2.5 stars for this one.
You know how you read a book and end up thinking the author must've written it to fulfill some sort of contractual obligation? No? Maybe it's just me, but that's exactly how I felt about Save the Date. I wanted to love it, since I loved Out in the Field so much but it just wasn't going to happen. It was too bland and awkwardly phrased. I kept frowning at the ebook pages and that's never a good thing.
I also couldn't get into the characters very much. I mean, I just finished it and I can't even remember their names. Was one named Darren? I think so. Darren was alright (and I do stress the word "alright") but not very well fleshed out. Where was the back story? Tristan (I had to go check) was just wishy washy and overly fussy. He's the kind of guy that wants to be funny but is so not. Tristan's ex and his soon to be hubby were even more unlikeable. I definitely wouldn't want to know any of them in real life, except Darren. He's alright, remember?
Ah well... On to the next one.
July 14, 2017
synopsis:
tristan is invited to his ex-boyfriend's wedding. they were together for 10 years, and the ex has only been with his current for about a year. tristan wants to show his ex that he has moved on, since it's been a few years, but he doesn't have anyone currently. his bar friends suggest various methods of meeting someone to take to the wedding, and tristan finally decides to try an online dating site. while he's there, he sees a profile for a guy who looks exactly like...well, actually is one of his friends, darren, whom he didn't know was gay. tristan confronts darren, it turns out darren has had feelings for tristan for awhile, darren is afraid to come out to the rest of their friends, darren decides not to go to the wedding because he thinks it's for the wrong reasons, etc, etc.
what i liked: darren. he was steady and dependable and had common sense.
what i didn't like: tristan. he was a bit of a drama queen and he also seemed to be very, very, very selfish. he never thought of anyone but himself and how everything was all about him.
tristan is invited to his ex-boyfriend's wedding. they were together for 10 years, and the ex has only been with his current for about a year. tristan wants to show his ex that he has moved on, since it's been a few years, but he doesn't have anyone currently. his bar friends suggest various methods of meeting someone to take to the wedding, and tristan finally decides to try an online dating site. while he's there, he sees a profile for a guy who looks exactly like...well, actually is one of his friends, darren, whom he didn't know was gay. tristan confronts darren, it turns out darren has had feelings for tristan for awhile, darren is afraid to come out to the rest of their friends, darren decides not to go to the wedding because he thinks it's for the wrong reasons, etc, etc.
what i liked: darren. he was steady and dependable and had common sense.
what i didn't like: tristan. he was a bit of a drama queen and he also seemed to be very, very, very selfish. he never thought of anyone but himself and how everything was all about him.
August 30, 2024
Tristan is having a rough time – he has been invited to the wedding of the ex-boyfriend he lived with for 10 years. He does not want to get back together with Stuart. They had nothing in common. He truly wants someone who shares his interests. None of that protects him from feeling self-doubt about what was wrong with him. When one of his friends suggests he take a date to the wedding to prove he is over Stuart Tristan jumps on the idea. After a series of disastrous dates, he finds a surprising person on a dating site. I loved Tristan’s over the top personality. With his calm demeanor Darren was a great match for him. Tristan had a lot of issues to work out before he could make a relationship with Darren work. He goes through a lot of growth and develops some self-awareness by the end of the book. The book ends in a sweet HEA. I recommend this book to anyone who likes gay romance.
July 18, 2013
Tristan is freaking out because his ex-boyfriend of ten years is getting married and has invited him to his wedding. So Tristan acts like an idiot and tries to find himself a "hot" date to show up his ex-boyfriend at his wedding.
Behold Tristan finds out that one of his close friends is gay. He confronts him and of course there is a sudden lust to love story here.
Now, Tristan's emotional baggage when it came to his ex was understandable. However, I didn't like his attitude and I wish the author developed that further. He was made out to be a drama queen and that was all the reasoning we got. His tentative relationship with his long-time friend could have been interesting but again was brushed aside for a quick fix.
Overall, not a very good.
Behold Tristan finds out that one of his close friends is gay. He confronts him and of course there is a sudden lust to love story here.
Now, Tristan's emotional baggage when it came to his ex was understandable. However, I didn't like his attitude and I wish the author developed that further. He was made out to be a drama queen and that was all the reasoning we got. His tentative relationship with his long-time friend could have been interesting but again was brushed aside for a quick fix.
Overall, not a very good.
May 29, 2013
I'm a little conflicted about this book. I really enjoyed it, but I was slightly disappointed at the same time. Confused? Well so am I...
When I read the blurb I wasn't sure where the book would go. Would it be a stand-up comedy of errors, would it be great drama? Well to be honest it was neither. Sure there were some funny moments (but never any laugh out loud moments, at least for me), there were some poingnant moments as well. But nothing that truly hit a high note throughout. It just seemed to flow right down the centre. And that was my greatest disappointment.
So, while I generally truly enjoy this author's work, I'll chalk this one up to "just not my thing" and move on.
When I read the blurb I wasn't sure where the book would go. Would it be a stand-up comedy of errors, would it be great drama? Well to be honest it was neither. Sure there were some funny moments (but never any laugh out loud moments, at least for me), there were some poingnant moments as well. But nothing that truly hit a high note throughout. It just seemed to flow right down the centre. And that was my greatest disappointment.
So, while I generally truly enjoy this author's work, I'll chalk this one up to "just not my thing" and move on.
October 19, 2015
This one is another story of a guy broken hearted left by an ex. And its been 2 years since and Tristan cant let go. Now its even worse his ex is getting married and he is invited. When his friends suggest find an plus one to go with him. He stumbles onto an dating site where one of his friends on it. And he never knew he was gay. darren in gay but not out. They start to be lovers, but this may have started wrong but soon tris will find out who is more important to him.
June 16, 2013
A quick read that had just enough angst to keep you going but not too much that it took away from it being a sweet easy read. This is one of those good novellas that you read in between a couple of heavy or darker books. The fact that it wasn't of the syrupy sweet variety helped keep it realistic and the characters believable.
July 3, 2013
I agree with the other reviews re the focus of the book and, in addition, the writing was awkward and choppy. Not one of the author's best works, which is disappointing as it had great potential.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 6, 2013
Cute, but too short.
June 17, 2013
Really cute fun story. Likable MCs. Fun read.
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July 8, 20133 Stars
Please read review at The Blog of Sid Love
Please read review at The Blog of Sid Love
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