Declan Groves is a CPA in New York City. His adult life is dictated by routine and monotony. The need to express himself, in ways his career and crippling shyness have never allowed, leads Declan to becoming an amateur stop-motion filmmaker. The problem with this—Declan is now in love with the Wandering Artist Studios receptionist, Shota Watanabe. Shota has always had a smile and engaging comment … comment ready for Declan, but even if it’s more than casual politeness, Declan hasn’t been able to get out more than a tongue-tied sentence at a time. And a man like Shota surely has no intention of waiting forever.
So when an unexpected change to Declan’s daily schedule during Christmastime throws the two together outside of the studio, it might be the catalyst needed to explore what’s been unspoken between them. But if they’re to have a future, Declan needs to find a way to tell Shota how he feels before the magic of the holidays is behind them.
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A short story is the resolution of an idea rather than the resolution of a journey, and I’m so pleased when I find authors who understand that. Poe is just such an author. I’ve found her short work to be quite different in tone and feel from her longer works (see especially “11:59” in the Devil Take Me anthology), but I love them equally.
The necessary economy or words comes through so beautifully in passages like, “Without warning, the mood-matching weather started pouring over the city in a blinding sheet of freezing despondency.”
This is a lovely story of a man fumbling his way toward love and, perhaps, a more confident self.
Declan and Shota were so sweet, perfect for each other. Declan has a crush on Shota, but gets tongue tied every time that Shota speaks to him. Declan eventually gets past his shyness and shows Shota his love in 24 frames! Their story is such a sweet story. I really enjoyed their story
I Loved Declan and Shota’s story. It is sweet and heartwarming and a good age ga story as well. I learned a little about the stop-action aren’t and the little movie was adorable. an allover feelgood short read
I read this story in one sitting and I LOVED IT! I was immediately sucked into Declan’s secret crush on Shota. I loved that both characters are in their 40s, something not seen very often. And then it’s revealed that Declan is working on a stop motion film, and I gasped. I love stop motion. When I was younger (so very much younger) I received a Super 8 movie camera for Christmas one year and I loved making stop motion movies with it, using my Star Wars action figures. Poe’s explanation of the process and the attention to detail was spot on, and this explanation helped explain Declan’s character even more. This may be a short story, but it’s a cup filled to the brim with discovery, intimacy, and a situation the characters work together to overcome. This is a sweet and tender love story perfect to warm your heart this holiday season. Highly recommended.
Declan is trying to use his art to show his heart. And Shota is willing to take risks to begin something new. Together Declan can be bolder.
C. S. Poe has written a delightful holiday story with her usual wit and charm. Declan and Shota are perfect for each other, and their romance escalates through a series of beautifully understated moments. I loved every minute of it (or, as Declan might think of it: every one thousand four hundred and forty frames!).
Love in 24 Frames is the perfect holiday nugget of a story. It is sweet and loving. The characters are ones you can’t help falling in love with. Shy, awkward Declan yearning for Shota and not being able to tell him. Shota is hard working, kind and just as interested in Declan. I loved the amazing, old fashioned way Declan chose to woo Shota. My favorite line is “I loved that about him. He didn’t listen for when it was his turn to speak. He simply listened.” Heart melting!
If you’re in need of some holiday sweetness you’ve come to the right place! C.S. Poe strikes again!!
And had me blubbering within the first few pages of this short story. Declan is so precious and so very very bad at socializing. (Aren’t we all sometimes? 🙂 sometimes you just gotta scream out in social awkwardness.) But reading Declan’s voice and his thoughts I was immediately in love with him and wanted only the best things for him. His wistful, anguished pining just gets my heartstrings!
Within these few pages, C.S. Poe has written an intimate love story between two men brought closer by chance. Plus, she has also taken the chance to slip little nuggets of stop-motion animation facts into the story as well. I recommend Love in 24 Frames to get into the holiday spirit! Declan and Shota will steal your heart before they even kiss.