Do you believe in love at first sight? Paul Auster doesn’t. Paul doesn’t believe in much at all. He’s thirty, slightly overweight, and his best features are his acerbic wit and the color commentary he provides as life passes him by. His closest friends are a two-legged dog named Wheels and a quasibipolar drag queen named Helena Handbasket. He works a dead-end job in a soul-sucking cubicle, and if … cubicle, and if his grandmother’s homophobic parrot insults him one more time, Paul is going to wring its stupid neck.
Enter Vince Taylor.
Vince is everything Paul isn’t: sexy, confident, and dumber than the proverbial box of rocks. And for some reason, Vince pursues Paul relentlessly. Vince must be messing with him, because there is no way Vince could want someone like Paul.
But when Paul hits Vince with his car–in a completely unintentional if-he-died-it’d-only-be-manslaughter kind of way–he’s forced to see Vince in a whole new light. The only thing stopping Paul from believing in Vince is himself–and that is one obstacle Paul can’t quite seem to overcome. But when tragedy strikes Vince’s family, Paul must put aside any notions he has about himself and stand next to the man who thinks he’s perfect the way he is.
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This series is so incredible hilarious. If you need to laugh and smile and say “awwww” a lot, then you absolutely need these books in your life. And if you’re into audio, Michael Lesley’s narration is the bestest.
I have not laughed so much while reading a book in absolutely forever! Excellent read!!
T.J. Klune is truly a master of over-the-top and entirely inappropriate humour. I adore it, and I snort-laughed so much. It wasn’t pretty.
However, I listened to the audio book, with the equally fabulous Michael Lesley narrating. And I’m pretty sure I wouldn’t have enjoyed this story half as much if it hadn’t been for his excellent voice acting.
And I think that if I’d read this book myself I would probably not liked is as much. I’d probably thought it too exaggerated. Too silly and fantastical.
The combination of Klune and Lesley, though? Effing spectacular!
So the story starts out with a rant. Well there’s a lot of that in this book because of the MC, Paul Auster, who’s a neurotic over-thinker with a vivid imagination and huge self esteem issues. The story is told through his POV and his insane – and absolutely priceless – monologues.
Anyway, it’s starts with a rant where he introduces himself in all his non perfect glory. The story premise is that he, Paul, a regular, slightly over-weight gay guy, is always overlooked in queer books and movies (and by movies I mean porn). The guys in these books or movies (porn) are always ripped and have humongous dongs. But this was his story dammit and he had a soft belly and just an average sized dick, but he’d still get his happily ever after.
Well, not like that’s news or anything. All over-weight individuals are overlooked in popular culture. Since forever. Unless they’re that funny character or the butt of a joke.
Anyway, I still thought it was an awesome start to the story (bc T.J. + Lesley = perfection) and so funny. But. Then the rest of the plot was outlined and – surprise! – Paul’s love interest, Vince, is of course both ripped and gorgeous. And that was just weird and had me feeling very conflicted.
Because what? Someone who’s a bit over-weight deserves a hunk too?
Implying that “normal” people are in fact not as worthy or desirable, the beautiful ones are way better. And for Paul to be truly happy, he needs someone super hot since he can’t get the same level of happiness with another regular person. That kind of contradicts the entire initial rant.
I mean WTF.
Sure, to balance out Vince amazing looks, he’s dumb as a post. But I still have very mixed feelings about the whole I’m-a-chubby-guy-who-gets-a-guy-who-looks-like-a-runway-model thing.
However, despite my reservations, the story is still extremely entertaining. And I laughed so much listening to Paul’s antics while being pursued by the oh so sweet but very persistent Vince.
Not only are Paul’s excessive monologues super awesome, but there are so many other great characters. There’s his best friend, the drag queen, Helena Handbasket. There’s his overly supportive (bordering on intrusive) parents. There’s his nana with the talking, very homophobic, parrot. Paul even has a two-legged dog named Wheels. (Okay, that might sound terrible but it’s actually hilarious. I promise I don’t enjoy reading about injured animals).
But the best thing about this story is without a doubt Sweatballs! That has to be the most amazing cuss-word in all of history and I will absolutely adopt it as my own. I mean come on:
Sweatballs!
So this is a super funny read (listen). But it really is very over-the-top in true T.J. Klune style, which might not be for everyone. But, the story premise didn’t really sit well with me so I can only give it a 4-star rating.
https://reflectionsofaswedishgirl.blog.se/tell-me-its-real-by-t-j-klune/
I was gifted this book by a good friend (whaddup Megan!) as they said I’d really enjoy it and that it’s hilarious. All of this is true and then some! I smiled and laughed the whole way though at the antics of Paul Auster and Vince Taylor. My list of favourite things would be a mile long and I just want to say if you’ve not read this and you need a tonic of a book to make you smile, laugh and cheer, please give this book a go. TJ’s writing is just ON FIRE here. It has it’s serious moments too but it touches you at the heart and it’s a story that’ I’ll reread again and again. Thank you Megan for gifting it me, I love it and I shall cherish it.
WEAR YOUR DEPENDS!!!
This is hands down the ultimate pee-in-your-pants hysterical read/listen ever.
Do Not, I repeat, Do Not read/listen in public!!!!
I gufawed so bad at work that my co-worker thought I was choking to death.
This read is not only funny, but deeply moving as well.
It’s a love story, yes, but not just one between partners, it’s also a love story between best friends that transcends everything. Two love stories in one epicly entertaining package.
The way that Paul drops his defenses.
The way Vince is so endearing and vulnerable.
The way Sandy is fiercely protective and calls BS.
The way Her drag queen persona sasses.
The way Paul’s family is.
And o.m.f.g. Johnny Depp…roflmfao!!!!
Just everything. This was everything.
Thank you for the escape.
The Narration was exceptional. It was the best listen I’ve ever heard, in every single aspect. Simply spectacular!
Hysterically funny.
Wonderful characters and a strong story make for a great read.
Highly recommended.
I wish I would have read this one sooner! This may be the funniest, yet sweetest, book I’ve ever read. I’ve never laughed, out loud, this many times while reading. It’s all in Paul’s point of view. He’s not a perfect specimen of a man, he’s a klutz and a lot insecure. Then a beautiful, and kind, man starts perusing him and all hell breaks loose! The HEA is the best and the sweetest! You will not be disappointed. Don’t leave this on your to be read list like I did.
This was a sweet book about believing in yourself and discovering your own self worth. Don’t let the questionable cover scare you- this book is well worth the read!
I laughed, I cried, I nearly dropped my electronic book reader twice*. Seriously, I loved this book. Maybe it’s the snark, or the non-stop verbal spew from Our Narrator, or his overactive imagination (all of which I can totally identify with). I was laughing out loud through what felt like half the book, and moved to tears by some of the later bits … but in a kind of cleansing way. Very highly recommended.
* From laughing, of course.