A love story told in answering machine messages.Saying “I love you” to someone who says it first, isn’t supposed to lead to a break-up, but that’s what happens to Sully and Lou. Sully is out and proud while Lou is in the closet, so when their relationship deepens, Lou runs.But then Lou starts leaving emotional messages of remorse on Sully’s answering machine. Sully is torn between his love for … between his love for Lou and his attempts to get over him. With each message, Lou’s regrets deepen. With each message, it becomes more difficult for Sully to forget him. With each message, Sully finds it harder to want to move on.
Can old love poems and heartbreaking honesty help Sully and Lou find their way back to each other?
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If you love romance, this story is a MUST read!!
Every now and then I come across a story that just breaks me (in the best way) and my emotions get churned up so much that it’s hard for me to settle back down. Some people call it a book hangover and that’s exactly how I felt when I finished this short novelette. I’m still thinking about this book and I finished it over 12 hours ago. I’m sure I’ll still be thinking about it weeks into the future.
I don’t even believe I can really say anything significant about the story without giving too much away. I’m going to stick with: I’ve never read anything like this – a story made up of answering machine messages. It’s actually a little more than that as we know what Sully’s thoughts are as he’s listening to the messages.
I have a confession. I rarely purchase books/stories that are this short. I know authors work hard on their books no matter what length they are, but I usually reserve my spending for longer length stories. Books by Nell Iris are one of a few exceptions for me. I couldn’t order my copy of this one fast enough after reading the ARC I received.
***Reviewed for Xtreme-Delusions dot com***
Oh my god! The emotions in this one are too real. Lou has destroyed his own happiness because of fear. He fell deeply in love with Sully only to run when faced with that truth. The phone calls, the poetry, the longing for Sully were very apparent. I loved that Sully didn’t hang onto his anger but welcomed him back with open arms. The last chapter was sheer perfection.
This story was both sweet and heartbreaking, but laid out in a way that there are no villains, only horrible circumstances. Lou and Sully are perfect for each other and while this book is laid out in moments, I became invested from the first message Lou left Sully. A lovely read that I highly recommend!!
4.5 stars
Heat Level: 2
Sweet, heartwarming and hopeful!
I love Nell’s writing, she has a way of injecting so many emotions into such short just wonderful stories and this one is no exception. T loved the concept of this story and while unusual Nell makes it work and allows us to feel all the hurt, regret, love and hope through a unique story. Using a good old fashioned answering machine to ta=ell the past hurt of Sully & Lou as Sully tries to get over Lou and Lou tries to come to terms with his regret of choosing to hide his sexuality and give up Lou.
Nell gives us a unique, sweet and endearing story, set in the 90s with two young men who will give you all the feels you could want and a beautiful connection you can’t help be feel. I loved it!!
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Let me first say this, the description says the heat rating on this is a one star, it’s more like a two or three. Late Night Poetry is a quick read that will completely satisfy you as it breaks your heart. No, it’s not a huge tear-jerker like some of the MM books I’ve read, but it’s enough to pull on the heartstrings. You feel Sully’s pain, but not only his, you feel the loss and regret from Lou.
Lou has his own battle to fight, and sadly, it lost him the man he loved. Sully’s own heartache is acute and listening to the messages Lou leaves him doesn’t help. But he does discover something he had not been aware of. Will the messages rekindle their love? Will it open the door for another chance? Will Lou face his demons and possibly win back the man he fell in love with? Or is it too late?
The book is short, which usually isn’t enough to draw me in. However, given the unique way this author told the story, I didn’t feel like this one was lacking in any way. I do wish it was longer and that we had more of their relationship, I think the would only enhance the story, but it’s really good the way it is now. I’m giving it 4.5 stars and recommend you one-click today!
I don’t think there are a lot of other authors who can write romance the way Nell Iris does. That makes this author unique and one of my favorites to me. Romance with depth, feelings all over, my heart broke and mend together again. So much developed story and romance in just a few pages, it’s a gift to manage that.
Entwine poetry with a broken-up relationship and you get an amazing story. Looking at what they were together, at what was and maybe never will be. A story with dear supportive family and homophobic family, with confessing of love and breaking up.
“Take care of that boy, you hear?”
Gosh, my heart, I swooned, had goosebumps. Read this beautiful story!
It’s a romance so you’ll be guaranteed a HEA!