Title: Serendipity
Author: Mallory Path
Publisher: Silver Publishing
Buy Link: Buy Link Serendipity
Genre: M/M Contemporary
Length: Short Story (32 pages)
Rating: 2.5 stars out of 5
A Guest Review by Cole
Review Summary: A less-than-inspiring story about a young man meeting his idol and then being invited back to his tour bus.
BLURB
Jake Brown has always been content with his life on the family farm.
When he learns his rock idol, the legendary Russ London, is making a tour stop nearby, Jake sneaks off to the city, planning a simple night of music and fun–but everything changes when a chance encounter in a coffee shop brings him face to face with Russ London himself.
REVIEW
Jake Brown’s favorite singer, Russ London, is coming to Lincoln, Nebraska for a show and Jake knows that he’ll do whatever he can to be there. After lying to his father, then hitchhiking to the city from his farm, he spends the day up to the nightly concert walking around town. Stopping for a coffee, he is surprised when he hears a familiar English accent behind him, and he turns to see Russ London talking to his bandmate. Realizing that they’ve been talking about being in a hurry, he offers them his place in line. Upon leaving Russ stops to talk to him, and realizing that he is a fan, invites him to the show that night, telling him he’ll put him “on the list.” Later that night, Jake makes it to the show, now seemingly disappointed that he’s having to share Ross London with all of these screaming fans after having talked to him earlier in the day. But Russ London sees him, and after the show, invites him to hang out with the band on their bus. Knowing that this day has already surpassed all of his expectations, Jake leaps at the chance.
I was a bit disappointed by this story. This is not really a romance, but it is a hookup. I would have found it more redeeming if the story had some really hot smexxin’, but it was pretty much meh for me — as was the storyline. If there were more time for the characters to get to know one another, I might be able to accept the famous-person-falls-for-a-commoner type plot, but in all eventuality, it was pretty much of a booty call. However, if it had been left at that, I might not have cared as much, but in an effort of making the story more romantic, I suppose, the author wrote in that Russ London, the famous musician, gives Jake one of his prized possessions, to remember their time together. If that were the case, why wouldn’t they see each other again? It was all a bit far-fetched for me, which like I said before, might not have bothered me if I really got to know the characters better. As it was, they were pretty much stock stereotypes acting out a role that never really goes anywhere. How is that romantic? If the author had called a spade a spade, and made this story a sex romp (which is pretty much all it was, even though there was only one sex scene with some fake sentimentality), I would have enjoyed this just for the sake of owning up to what it is. But, it seemed to me that the story couldn’t make up its mind, and perhaps that is why I cannot give this story a higher rating.
I would give this one a pass, when there are so many other wonderful stories out there. The writing was not bad, but just like every other aspect of the story, was pretty meh. Which, in a short story (when everything counts for more), made this one of the endless stories with faceless characters that never make it very far. But, like I said, if the author were to give these characters a longer story, I would be happy to read it to really be able to get to know the characters. I wouldn’t count out this author, though this is the first story of hers that I’ve read, but I might go for a longer story if I pick up one of her books in the future.
Thanks for the review, Cole. I’ve read the equivalent plotline in m/f books and wondered why I bothered, so I think I’ll give this one a miss!
Yeah, I agree Leslie. No matter how cheap short stories are, I still think this is a waste of money. I know that others might not feel this way, but especially with short stories, where there are so many great ones to choose from, I’d rather use my hard-earned money on something else 🙂
Thanks Cole,
I so rarely pick up a short story. One where the author couldn’t make up his/her mind is not one I want to make that rare time. Although short stories are also where I find new authors, so I’m glad this one isn’t my intro to this author. Hopefully I can make that one of the better ones. 🙂
I wanted to make sure that I made the distinction between bad plot and bad writing in the review. This is the first story that I have read by Mallory Path, but I think that some sound content editing is what she needed for this story — just a little more thought about what the story is trying to accomplish and how to make that happen. I think I might have really liked the story then, the writing was pretty good.
Thanks Lynn 🙂 There are a lot of great short stories out there, and some exceptional m/m short story writers. But, if you ask me, the short story operation has really gone down hill in the romance market — it seems to me more of a means to an end rather than its own art form. It could be the marketability. It could also be because authors will go where the money is, and in an market where you don’t need to publish 10 short stories before your novel will be accepted at a mainstream publication, then authors don’t need to put their time an energy into honing their short story skills, which are largely different than writing a novel or novella. Its a bit sad, because I love shorts so much, but then again, there are still some real winners out there..
Thanks again, Lynn!
From what you write, this sounds like a rather platitudinous story. Thanks for the review.
Hey Feliz,
Platitudinous. Yes, thats a very good way to describe it 🙂
I hope no one ever calls me that!
Ah, it´s really a pity when a book don´t feel rigth, and I agree with you: if it´s no good, the money is wasted not matter if it´s no much.
Thank you for your review 🙂
I agree Helena and because I love to read so much, I hate to see money wasted where it would go to a more enjoyable read.
Thanks 🙂
Hmmm… I think we both know I like the famous guy/regular dude stuff, but this one sounds like it could have benefited from being longer, or shorter, just as you said.
I really want to call you platitudinous, then explain that I thought it was a rare breed of platypus… but I somehow doubt you’d buy that line. 😛
Thanks for the review, Cole! 🙂
~Tis
Yeah, so do I, its one of my favorite themes. In fact, one of my favorite famous/non-famous story is the Conventions series. So, yay Tis!
Somehow, I doubt, even if I had fallen for it, that I would have been happy being called even a fictional breed of platypus. Although, if you ever want to base a character on me, I don’t mind 🙂 You can make Cole the shifter platypus!