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Boy Midflight
At 19, Ashley seemed to have looks, talent, and even a girlfriend. What more could a young man want? But soon he has to come to terms with his sexuality and the possible implications for his career in the public eye as a male model. He begins dating Chris, but isn't sure he's head over heels in love. It's not the knight-in-shining-armor feeling he thought it would be. Then Ashley gets the chance to leave his hometown in Canada to visit sunny California for a big modeling job. There he meets a kind slightly older man who takes his breath away. But is Ashley ready for real love or it is just infatuation? Will he go back to his comfortable life with Chris or explore this new-found attraction? "Boy Midflight" is an intimate portrait of young love; a time when life seems simultaneously limitless and daunting. This is a sinfully delicious story, like stealing your best friend's journal and slowly unraveling a secret life you never imagined.
197 pages, Paperback
First published August 1, 2009
3 people are currently reading
64 people want to read
About the author
Charlie David
77 books121 followersCharlie has hundreds of hours of film and television to his credit, predominantly exploring the 2SLGBTQIA+ experience. He is on the DEI action committee of the Canadian Media Producers Association and mentors students in the Storyworks Film and Television program from Centennial College for the past four years. Charlie has also served on the board of Webseries Canada which produces the TO Webfest.
As a screenwriter Charlie's credits include the feature
film Mulligans (Netflix, HBO, Sundance), the TV
miniseries Shadowlands (OUTtv, LOGO), the
documentary series Drag Heals and OUTspoken.
He was selected as the Canadian Filmmaker in Focus by the Kashish Film Festival in Mumbai, India, an invited guest of the Canadian embassy in South Africa to share his documentary on HIV+ youth, executive produced Beyond Gay: The Politics of Pride, a global look at pride celebrations, and winner of multiple awards including, the HBO Best Doc award at the Miami International LGBT Film Festival.
Charlie is the President and a producer at Border2Border Entertainment and previously owned CTM International, a talent agency based in Vancouver managing union and non-union contracting, payments, and negotiations for a
roster of over 300 clients.
As a screenwriter Charlie's credits include the feature
film Mulligans (Netflix, HBO, Sundance), the TV
miniseries Shadowlands (OUTtv, LOGO), the
documentary series Drag Heals and OUTspoken.
He was selected as the Canadian Filmmaker in Focus by the Kashish Film Festival in Mumbai, India, an invited guest of the Canadian embassy in South Africa to share his documentary on HIV+ youth, executive produced Beyond Gay: The Politics of Pride, a global look at pride celebrations, and winner of multiple awards including, the HBO Best Doc award at the Miami International LGBT Film Festival.
Charlie is the President and a producer at Border2Border Entertainment and previously owned CTM International, a talent agency based in Vancouver managing union and non-union contracting, payments, and negotiations for a
roster of over 300 clients.
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Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
March 12, 2017
3.5 stars. In his forward, Charlie David describes Boy Midflight as "nothing fancy, just a teenager telling a love story." Ashley (single, gay, terrified) is 18 and attending a performing arts college in Victoria BC. The first part of Boy Midflight explores the balance between indecision and crisis that exemplifies being 18 and trying to find your way through the minefield of life, love and relationships.
Toward the end of the school year, Ashley gets a modeling contract in L.A. while his boyfriend Chris and the rest of his friends get contracts working on cruise ships, at Butchart Gardens, summer theatre, etc. Ashley arrives in L.A. determined to nurture a long-distance relationship with Chris, but soon finds himself distracted and attracted to Mikal, a fellow model going through his own minefield of indecision about his sexuality. Ashley and Mikal have an intriguing chemistry even though the sex is mostly off-page.
While the book is fairly short (200 pages), the middle seemed slow and a bit out of focus, as we are introduced to the other models and their back stories. And frankly, while it was interesting to get into the mind of an 18 year old, I grew a bit weary of the angst toward the end of the book. I liked the endless possibilities that the HFN ending gave the story.
After finishing the book and reflecting for a time, it struck me how Charlie David toys with the notion of puer aeternus -- Latin for eternal boy.
In summary, Boy Midflight was an enjoyable read (a bit too angsty at times) but it also felt raw and unfinished - flush with possibilities not realized, much like youth itself.
I received an ARC from Dreamspinner Press in exchange for an honest review.
Review also posted at Gay Book Reviews - check it out!
Toward the end of the school year, Ashley gets a modeling contract in L.A. while his boyfriend Chris and the rest of his friends get contracts working on cruise ships, at Butchart Gardens, summer theatre, etc. Ashley arrives in L.A. determined to nurture a long-distance relationship with Chris, but soon finds himself distracted and attracted to Mikal, a fellow model going through his own minefield of indecision about his sexuality. Ashley and Mikal have an intriguing chemistry even though the sex is mostly off-page.
While the book is fairly short (200 pages), the middle seemed slow and a bit out of focus, as we are introduced to the other models and their back stories. And frankly, while it was interesting to get into the mind of an 18 year old, I grew a bit weary of the angst toward the end of the book. I liked the endless possibilities that the HFN ending gave the story.
After finishing the book and reflecting for a time, it struck me how Charlie David toys with the notion of puer aeternus -- Latin for eternal boy.
“Ashley, you are a Puer Aeternus.” “I’m a what?” “Puer Aeternus, the eternal boy. Peter Pan. You can’t stay in one place too long. You like the idea of relationships and growing up, but you flee them.”Many of the characters in Boy Midflight ebb and flow in much the same way. Mikal floats between wanting a relationship with Ashley and equally wanting to escape into his fears. Chris wants Ashley, but is torn about breaking up with his boyfriend Jeremy. Ashley is with Mikal, yet feels the need to meet once more with Chris ... who wants to resume a relationship with Ashley.
In summary, Boy Midflight was an enjoyable read (a bit too angsty at times) but it also felt raw and unfinished - flush with possibilities not realized, much like youth itself.
I received an ARC from Dreamspinner Press in exchange for an honest review.
Review also posted at Gay Book Reviews - check it out!
Read
October 4, 2009Boy Midflight is a coming of age and coming out story without the angst that usually accompanies both this genres. It shows us a short period in Ashley's life, that moment in life when you have to take some important decisions for your future life, and with the help of some flashbacks it also goes back to his teen years.
When the story starts Ashley is 18 years old and attending a performing art college in Canada. It's quite clear that Ashley is a bit confused about his sexuality, or better about him and his sexuality related to the world. Ashley is not new to the gay world, actually his first sexual impulses were for boys not for girls, and from his memories we also learn that he has had some gay experiences with boys his age or slightly older, some good, some bad, but he has also had some girlfriends in between, and when he meets Chris, his love interest in this story, he is with Rachel. Rachel is only a name, since she disappeared even before the story starts when Ashley dumps her to be free to flirt with Chris.
I think that basically Ashley is an everyday boy, with all the insecurities of his age and the certainty that only a boy his age can have. Ashley faces everything full front, with little second thoughts. He is also very driven by his body and desires, but he always pinks his perspective with the illusion of love. I'm not criticizing him, I like his attitude: for him everything is about love, maybe even the slight tingle of sexual desire that someone else would scratch without thinking too much. Ashley has an innocence and naivete that crash a bit with his older attitude: Ashely is living alone, far from home, and he is facing some very delicate and important issues, as what would be his future, and what he has to renounce to to be himself; Ashley is not weak, but he is fragile, since he hasn't yet built a protective shield from the world, and all his feelings and naked nerves are plainly exposed. It's easy to hurt him, but at the same time it takes to him very little time to heal from the wound: Ashley is not yet a man, but he promises to become a good one in a few years.
In the less than 200 pages of the book, we follow Ashley through all his life experiences that are often paired with a sexual experience: it seems like the turning points on his life are spurred by a boy/man, the little and the important ones, and the length of the relationship depends on the importance of the decision. It seems like Ashley takes with him, or gains force, from the men in his life and from everyone of them he learns something. Ashley is not selfish, he is really searching for true love, for the one who will love him forever like the prince charming he has always dreamed, but he is easily distracted by the glitter of a lesser prince.
I like the style of the author, it's young like his character, and the flowing of words are right in role for Ashley, you are inside his mind and you can see his development from boy to almost man, almost since, even if there is an happily ever after, Ashley in the end is still an 18 years old boy with all the world in front of him. The book is also quite sexy but again, I feel a "strange" innocence: Ashley has various sexual experience, from the simple kiss to the complete intercourse, but the author prefers to linger on the sweetness and cuteness of a kiss, sometime even replayed moment for moment, taste for taste, and skates over with elegance on the more intimate details. I actually didn't understand if and when Ashley looses his "innocence" or if he still had it at the beginning of the story... it's not actually important to know, Ashley faces every new relationship like it's the most important one of his life.
http://www.amazon.com/dp/1928662188/?...
When the story starts Ashley is 18 years old and attending a performing art college in Canada. It's quite clear that Ashley is a bit confused about his sexuality, or better about him and his sexuality related to the world. Ashley is not new to the gay world, actually his first sexual impulses were for boys not for girls, and from his memories we also learn that he has had some gay experiences with boys his age or slightly older, some good, some bad, but he has also had some girlfriends in between, and when he meets Chris, his love interest in this story, he is with Rachel. Rachel is only a name, since she disappeared even before the story starts when Ashley dumps her to be free to flirt with Chris.
I think that basically Ashley is an everyday boy, with all the insecurities of his age and the certainty that only a boy his age can have. Ashley faces everything full front, with little second thoughts. He is also very driven by his body and desires, but he always pinks his perspective with the illusion of love. I'm not criticizing him, I like his attitude: for him everything is about love, maybe even the slight tingle of sexual desire that someone else would scratch without thinking too much. Ashley has an innocence and naivete that crash a bit with his older attitude: Ashely is living alone, far from home, and he is facing some very delicate and important issues, as what would be his future, and what he has to renounce to to be himself; Ashley is not weak, but he is fragile, since he hasn't yet built a protective shield from the world, and all his feelings and naked nerves are plainly exposed. It's easy to hurt him, but at the same time it takes to him very little time to heal from the wound: Ashley is not yet a man, but he promises to become a good one in a few years.
In the less than 200 pages of the book, we follow Ashley through all his life experiences that are often paired with a sexual experience: it seems like the turning points on his life are spurred by a boy/man, the little and the important ones, and the length of the relationship depends on the importance of the decision. It seems like Ashley takes with him, or gains force, from the men in his life and from everyone of them he learns something. Ashley is not selfish, he is really searching for true love, for the one who will love him forever like the prince charming he has always dreamed, but he is easily distracted by the glitter of a lesser prince.
I like the style of the author, it's young like his character, and the flowing of words are right in role for Ashley, you are inside his mind and you can see his development from boy to almost man, almost since, even if there is an happily ever after, Ashley in the end is still an 18 years old boy with all the world in front of him. The book is also quite sexy but again, I feel a "strange" innocence: Ashley has various sexual experience, from the simple kiss to the complete intercourse, but the author prefers to linger on the sweetness and cuteness of a kiss, sometime even replayed moment for moment, taste for taste, and skates over with elegance on the more intimate details. I actually didn't understand if and when Ashley looses his "innocence" or if he still had it at the beginning of the story... it's not actually important to know, Ashley faces every new relationship like it's the most important one of his life.
http://www.amazon.com/dp/1928662188/?...
July 3, 2016
Title: Boy Midflight
Author: Charlie David
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press
Reviewer: Melissa
Release Date: July 4, 2016
Genre(s): M/M Romance
Page Count: 200
Heat Level: 4 flames out of 5
Rating: 4 stars out of 5
Blurb:
Review:
“He bites his lip and then smiles that mischievous megawatt grin. I feel faint. It’s either Mikal or the beer. Probably both.”
4 changing stars! Such a beautiful and well told story… One of my favorites of 2016!
Ashley seems to have everything at his grasp, with good looks, amazing talent and the perfect girlfriend, what more could he ask for?? Well a lot really… in his heart he knows there’s something missing in his life. Not to mention he’s battling his sexuality and is afraid it might hurt his public persona. So in order to start fresh, he moves from Canada to Los Angeles. While there he meets up with an older gentleman that shows him what it’s like to love a man and be treated the way he’s always wanted to be treated. But on his journey to discover himself, he’s forced to deal with his past and come to terms with his true self before he can love anyone else.
I don’t think there’s enough words for me to describe how fabulous this book is. It’s beautiful and well written. The descriptions of scenery and the characters pop out of the book… it’s almost as if you are there in the story! I love books that make you feel like you are actually part of the story and Boy Midflight did just that!! Seriously Charlie David is one heck of a writer and the whole world needs to know this book and this author!!
ARC provided by author in exchange for an honest review. Reviewed by Melissa from Alpha Book Club
Author: Charlie David
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press
Reviewer: Melissa
Release Date: July 4, 2016
Genre(s): M/M Romance
Page Count: 200
Heat Level: 4 flames out of 5
Rating: 4 stars out of 5
Blurb:
At eighteen, Ashley seems to have everything: looks, talent, and even a girlfriend. What more could a young man want? Yet something is missing, and he has to come to terms with his sexuality and the possible implications for his career in the public eye. He begins dating Chris but isn’t sure he’s head over heels in love. It’s not the knight-in-shining-armor feeling he always imagined.
When Ashley is offered a big modeling job, he leaves his university in small-town Canada for a very different life in sunny Los Angeles, California. There he meets a slightly older man who makes him feel like he’s in a storybook romance. But is Ashley ready for real love, or is it just infatuation? The world is spread out before him, at once limitless and daunting, full of endless possibilities one moment and opportunities cut short the next.
Ashley floats between certainty and confusion as he tries to unravel new feelings, deal with past pain, and decide what he wants from life—and who he wants beside him during the journey.
Review:
“He bites his lip and then smiles that mischievous megawatt grin. I feel faint. It’s either Mikal or the beer. Probably both.”
4 changing stars! Such a beautiful and well told story… One of my favorites of 2016!
Ashley seems to have everything at his grasp, with good looks, amazing talent and the perfect girlfriend, what more could he ask for?? Well a lot really… in his heart he knows there’s something missing in his life. Not to mention he’s battling his sexuality and is afraid it might hurt his public persona. So in order to start fresh, he moves from Canada to Los Angeles. While there he meets up with an older gentleman that shows him what it’s like to love a man and be treated the way he’s always wanted to be treated. But on his journey to discover himself, he’s forced to deal with his past and come to terms with his true self before he can love anyone else.
I don’t think there’s enough words for me to describe how fabulous this book is. It’s beautiful and well written. The descriptions of scenery and the characters pop out of the book… it’s almost as if you are there in the story! I love books that make you feel like you are actually part of the story and Boy Midflight did just that!! Seriously Charlie David is one heck of a writer and the whole world needs to know this book and this author!!
ARC provided by author in exchange for an honest review. Reviewed by Melissa from Alpha Book Club
July 20, 2016
This story truly caught me by surprise. It’s quite lovely! Smart, witty, and absorbing, the breathless “joy of possibilities” voice of its eighteen-year-old protagonist, Ashley, grabbed my inner teen and took me on a delicious roller-coaster journey of first love. Sparks, goose bumps, giggles, and a dizzying emotional déjà vu kept me reading through the night. This story holds all the beauty and wonder of an unexpected rainbow sighting. Expect to be charmed, dazzled, and dazed. Marvelous!
Youth on the brink Ashley has acknowledged he is gay. He leaves his girlfriend and begins his quest to find his One. But finding love, a lover, a man friend, which is it? And why is it so complicated? Attending art college, Ashley meets a hot possibility, Chris. The two had “noticed” each other when Ashley had a girlfriend, but now Ashley is free. Will Chris leave his boyfriend to be with Ashley? So begins the adventure of Ashley finding love. Subsequently his college stay is cut short when a modeling contract comes his way and he is swept into the adult world.
I really don’t want to spoil the story, so will only say that Ashley is a fantastic character and this book is a delight largely because of his youthful inner voice. The story is fairly routine boy-meets-boy-meets-man, but the book’s terrific styling transform Ashley’s tale into a true gem. There is plenty of passion, romance, and heat to go around, but it is the pure joy that rings throughout the story that makes this book stand out. The writing is electric, balancing broad atmospheric strokes of emotion with playful snippets of nostalgic prose that stun and captivate. Author Charlie David has captured the excitement-awkward mentality of a gay youth on the brink of transformation and spins it into an exuberant, wonder-filled work. It should definitely be on the shelves of every high school library… hell, every library! Lovely and highly recommended.
Thank you, Charlie David, for sharing this amazing story and transforming me into an eighteen–year-old for a few hours… lovely trick that!
“Snap, Crackle, Pop…Love!”
NOTE: This book was provided by Dreamspinner Press for the purpose of a review on Rainbow Book Reviews.
Youth on the brink Ashley has acknowledged he is gay. He leaves his girlfriend and begins his quest to find his One. But finding love, a lover, a man friend, which is it? And why is it so complicated? Attending art college, Ashley meets a hot possibility, Chris. The two had “noticed” each other when Ashley had a girlfriend, but now Ashley is free. Will Chris leave his boyfriend to be with Ashley? So begins the adventure of Ashley finding love. Subsequently his college stay is cut short when a modeling contract comes his way and he is swept into the adult world.
I really don’t want to spoil the story, so will only say that Ashley is a fantastic character and this book is a delight largely because of his youthful inner voice. The story is fairly routine boy-meets-boy-meets-man, but the book’s terrific styling transform Ashley’s tale into a true gem. There is plenty of passion, romance, and heat to go around, but it is the pure joy that rings throughout the story that makes this book stand out. The writing is electric, balancing broad atmospheric strokes of emotion with playful snippets of nostalgic prose that stun and captivate. Author Charlie David has captured the excitement-awkward mentality of a gay youth on the brink of transformation and spins it into an exuberant, wonder-filled work. It should definitely be on the shelves of every high school library… hell, every library! Lovely and highly recommended.
Thank you, Charlie David, for sharing this amazing story and transforming me into an eighteen–year-old for a few hours… lovely trick that!
“Snap, Crackle, Pop…Love!”
NOTE: This book was provided by Dreamspinner Press for the purpose of a review on Rainbow Book Reviews.
June 23, 2011
'Boy Midflight' portrays a young man, Ashley, who is 18. Ashley's attending a performing art college in Canada and it's pretty obvious that he has some issues with his sexuality or, at least, that he's not openly gay. He dates a girl, or should I say a 'ghost' girl, Rachel but he's been attracted to guys in the past and still is. We also learn from Ashley's memories that he has had same-sex experiences although he's had some girlfriends.
Ashley is a very touching guy looking for his true self. His 'journey' to find who he really is will lead him to various sexual experiences pinked with the secret dream of finding true love. Every men he meets has a role to play in Ashley's coming of age and they all pair with a turning point on his life. In the end, Ashley had gained the maturity he needed to face the world.
In my opinion it's very easy to identify with Ashley insofar as we are all seeking for the same thing : true love (with our very own idea of the charming prince).
The author, Charlie David, which book is the first, wrote a very interesting story about growing old, acceptance, love and in some way, humanity. It's never easy to write a first book but Charlie David found his own style and wrote a sincere, sensitive, colourful and touching book that you should definitely NOT judge by it's cover.
Ashley is a very touching guy looking for his true self. His 'journey' to find who he really is will lead him to various sexual experiences pinked with the secret dream of finding true love. Every men he meets has a role to play in Ashley's coming of age and they all pair with a turning point on his life. In the end, Ashley had gained the maturity he needed to face the world.
In my opinion it's very easy to identify with Ashley insofar as we are all seeking for the same thing : true love (with our very own idea of the charming prince).
The author, Charlie David, which book is the first, wrote a very interesting story about growing old, acceptance, love and in some way, humanity. It's never easy to write a first book but Charlie David found his own style and wrote a sincere, sensitive, colourful and touching book that you should definitely NOT judge by it's cover.
July 25, 2011
I enjoyed this book quite a lot. (Though whoever edited it didn't do a good job: 3 errors in the first 30 pages), but after that, the book really took off for me and I didn't notice as many.
It's hard not to like Ashley. He was a really enjoyable character.
I kept being fooled into thinking that I knew what this book was going to be about, but then the plot changed and surprised me - in a good way! I'm tired of predictable glbtq books.
The writing made me laugh out loud several times, and I was completely sold after Ashley is told to keep a journal and he decides to address it to God. He says in the journal: "I don't think I should call you God because I think you're something different than what I was taught you were. Universal Life-force Energy is too wordy. I'll call you Antonio. Which is actually fitting since I can't help saying 'Oh my God' every time I see Antonio Sabato Junior."
It's hard not to like Ashley. He was a really enjoyable character.
I kept being fooled into thinking that I knew what this book was going to be about, but then the plot changed and surprised me - in a good way! I'm tired of predictable glbtq books.
The writing made me laugh out loud several times, and I was completely sold after Ashley is told to keep a journal and he decides to address it to God. He says in the journal: "I don't think I should call you God because I think you're something different than what I was taught you were. Universal Life-force Energy is too wordy. I'll call you Antonio. Which is actually fitting since I can't help saying 'Oh my God' every time I see Antonio Sabato Junior."
February 16, 2021
What a pleasure to revisit this gem in audio, and narrated by the author himself. Charlie David does a lovely job performing the lyrical and melodic prose in Boy Midflight. A true coming of age novel, Mr. David delves deep into this young man's emotions as he navigates coming out, love, career, and just finding comfort in his own skin.
More than just a beautiful story however, is the creative and artistic poetry Charlie David writes into Boy Midflight. I've enjoyed all Mr. David's novels, and I can't help wishing he'd write more often.
More than just a beautiful story however, is the creative and artistic poetry Charlie David writes into Boy Midflight. I've enjoyed all Mr. David's novels, and I can't help wishing he'd write more often.
July 5, 2016
Ashley, the narrator of Charlie David’s Boy Midflight, is a teenager on the cusp of limitless possibilities. Eighteen, gorgeous, and ready to fall in love, this story is his journey from boy- to adulthood, and an exploration of his sexuality—realizing that in spite of the fact he’s only dated girls, his truth is not heterosexual.
Ashley comes to the realization that he’s gay at a time in his life where the future is everything exciting, uncertain, and intimidating, and Charlie David captures the daunting realism of Ashley’s puzzle in the pieces of a young man who not only is just discovering who he is but is in the process of discovering there’s a vast difference between being in love and loving the idea of being in love, a concept that’s tested with two different guys who are each in a state of transition themselves.
Throughout the novel, Ashley’s self-actualization is at conflict with his desire to be in a relationship—in so many ways, he’s conflicted in his thoughts and actions, and I loved the stream-of-consciousness narrative he has with himself along the way, which was sometimes downright manic and often comical because of it. Ashley may have had every advantage in the looks department, but that wasn’t at all a free pass to romance for him, and he learned some valuable lessons about the difference between love and lust along the way. He’s trying to figure out what he wants, who he is, whom he wants, and where he wants to be—when life isn’t always about the easy answers, and the future is nothing if not full of questions. While the boy is indeed midflight, sometimes a little flighty, so much of Ashley’s charm lay in his pursuit of someone special to share his heart with, and…well…sometimes his libido took over for his better sense. And there’s that touch of teenage realism for you.
Once again, Charlie David’s storytelling is wholly engaging, his prose flows along effortlessly, and his characters have their own unique way of endearing themselves to readers. I may not have always been able to get behind Ashley’s actions or thought processes, but I adored him for his naïve optimism and the complete lack of guile which plays out so well against his age. It’s hard having zero control over the future, no matter your age, and that made him all the more loveable to me.
And, in the end, the fact that he found what he’d been searching for was satisfying in every way.
Reviewed by Lisa for The Novel Approach Reviews
Ashley comes to the realization that he’s gay at a time in his life where the future is everything exciting, uncertain, and intimidating, and Charlie David captures the daunting realism of Ashley’s puzzle in the pieces of a young man who not only is just discovering who he is but is in the process of discovering there’s a vast difference between being in love and loving the idea of being in love, a concept that’s tested with two different guys who are each in a state of transition themselves.
Throughout the novel, Ashley’s self-actualization is at conflict with his desire to be in a relationship—in so many ways, he’s conflicted in his thoughts and actions, and I loved the stream-of-consciousness narrative he has with himself along the way, which was sometimes downright manic and often comical because of it. Ashley may have had every advantage in the looks department, but that wasn’t at all a free pass to romance for him, and he learned some valuable lessons about the difference between love and lust along the way. He’s trying to figure out what he wants, who he is, whom he wants, and where he wants to be—when life isn’t always about the easy answers, and the future is nothing if not full of questions. While the boy is indeed midflight, sometimes a little flighty, so much of Ashley’s charm lay in his pursuit of someone special to share his heart with, and…well…sometimes his libido took over for his better sense. And there’s that touch of teenage realism for you.
Once again, Charlie David’s storytelling is wholly engaging, his prose flows along effortlessly, and his characters have their own unique way of endearing themselves to readers. I may not have always been able to get behind Ashley’s actions or thought processes, but I adored him for his naïve optimism and the complete lack of guile which plays out so well against his age. It’s hard having zero control over the future, no matter your age, and that made him all the more loveable to me.
And, in the end, the fact that he found what he’d been searching for was satisfying in every way.
Reviewed by Lisa for The Novel Approach Reviews
July 20, 2016
This is not a traditional romance. It's more a journey of maturing and self-discovery. I really like Charlie David's writing, so I wanted to see what this would bring. I am still deciding how I feel about it. There were things I really liked and things I could have done without.
What I didn't enjoy: Ashley is an obnoxious narrator. He's immature and honestly not very nice. The whole first part of the book is his somewhat sheltered life, even at an arts school, where people can be neatly divided into categories: Gay, straight unless they get with another guy more than once, and women who flock to gay guys. There are literally zero other kinds of people. He spends a lot of time saying hurtful and obnoxious things in his head and in his journal more or less along those lines, much of which feels misogynistic and bi-antagonistic. It continues into the next part of the story, after he gets his modeling gig. I almost didn't finish the book because of Ashley's attitude.
What I liked: First, that it isn't a traditional romance. I like that there's a lot more to the story than "how the prince charmings rode off into the sunset." I laughed my butt off at Ashley's name for God (which I absolutely won't spoil here). Ashley matures a great deal when he's the one who has to take the lead in a new relationship. The playfulness and tenderness between Ashley and Mikal is absolutely wonderful, and I found it a good deal more romantic than most romances. I adored Fernando, who is incredibly cool, and Ashley's reaction when Fernando opens up to him is the mark of someone who has learned to be a good friend. The end of this is just a big ball of sweet sunshine which left me happy and yet also wanting to know what comes next for all of them.
Overall, if you can get past the first part of the story, it really takes off about a third of the way in. Despite my misgivings, I still think the author is a skilled storyteller, and I look forward to future offerings.
**I received a free copy in exchange for an honest review**
What I didn't enjoy: Ashley is an obnoxious narrator. He's immature and honestly not very nice. The whole first part of the book is his somewhat sheltered life, even at an arts school, where people can be neatly divided into categories: Gay, straight unless they get with another guy more than once, and women who flock to gay guys. There are literally zero other kinds of people. He spends a lot of time saying hurtful and obnoxious things in his head and in his journal more or less along those lines, much of which feels misogynistic and bi-antagonistic. It continues into the next part of the story, after he gets his modeling gig. I almost didn't finish the book because of Ashley's attitude.
What I liked: First, that it isn't a traditional romance. I like that there's a lot more to the story than "how the prince charmings rode off into the sunset." I laughed my butt off at Ashley's name for God (which I absolutely won't spoil here). Ashley matures a great deal when he's the one who has to take the lead in a new relationship. The playfulness and tenderness between Ashley and Mikal is absolutely wonderful, and I found it a good deal more romantic than most romances. I adored Fernando, who is incredibly cool, and Ashley's reaction when Fernando opens up to him is the mark of someone who has learned to be a good friend. The end of this is just a big ball of sweet sunshine which left me happy and yet also wanting to know what comes next for all of them.
Overall, if you can get past the first part of the story, it really takes off about a third of the way in. Despite my misgivings, I still think the author is a skilled storyteller, and I look forward to future offerings.
**I received a free copy in exchange for an honest review**
May 19, 2015
1.5 stars!
The book had potential, but it just fell so short that I had to drag myself to finish and when done, all I could say was: that was a waste of time!
As a person who hails from BC, the Victoria setting was beautiful and well-done and there are some funny moments for sure (reason for the stars). Other than the rest of the plot is rather unrealistic and full of twists designed to prolong the story rather than give it substance.
The book had potential, but it just fell so short that I had to drag myself to finish and when done, all I could say was: that was a waste of time!
As a person who hails from BC, the Victoria setting was beautiful and well-done and there are some funny moments for sure (reason for the stars). Other than the rest of the plot is rather unrealistic and full of twists designed to prolong the story rather than give it substance.
January 5, 2010
This is a completely silly book but it is PERFECTLY silly. I loved every single moment of this fairy tale novel.
November 22, 2014
Three in the bed the middle one says... Charlie David is awesome is awesome! lol
September 13, 2018
It was just ok for me. At 18 years old it just was not relatable to me that Ashley could know what he wanted in life and love after only one relationship with a girl and barely one with a guy he hardly knew. The fact that he kept saying he didnt want to run from love all the time (he's only 18!) and just got to LA to model and meets the love of his life, a model who didnt actually know if he liked men or women. Ok I will not rant on about my dislike it was just not that great of a story for me.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 23, 2020
Nothing groundbreaking, fresh or particularly engaging. There are thousands of books just like this. The second star is for the humorous aspects which kept me reading it instead of tossing it to the side.
July 5, 2016
https://justloveromance.wordpress.com...
Boy Midflight is an interesting little coming of age/coming out story that manages to avoid the overly angsty pitfalls that plague most books in this genre. Told exclusively through the first person POV of Ashley, an 18 yr old college student, Boy Midflight is the story of a young man on the verge of adulthood, just learning how to be comfortable in his own skin and his own sexuality.
The first part of this short story focuses on Ashley’s time in Victoria, Canada as he attends a performing arts college. When we first meet Ashley, he has just broken up with his girlfriend when he definitively concludes that his attraction lies more with men than women:
“… I woke up and realized that in a toss-up between my girlfriend and My So-Called Life reruns there was always a clear victor. Jared Leto won, hands down, every time, without fail, irrevocably, undeniable and uncontestable hero of heroes, oh be still my heart, my sweet Jesus he’s beautiful!”
Now “single, gay and terrified”, Ashley has decided to act on the prior advances of another college student, Chris. Unfortunately for Ashley, Chris is now dating someone else and their relationship, or the potential for one, hangs in limbo. Although Chris is attracted to Ashley, he ultimately decides to remain in his current relationship, dashing Ashley’s hopes for a future together. But when Chris’ change of heart allows them to finally pursue a relationship together and they go ahead with plans for their after college future, fate intervenes with an unexpected offer that Ashley can’t refuse.
The second part of the story takes place in LA as Ashley pursues a career as a model. Although he has left Chris behind, he’s determined to make things work as part of a long-distance couple. But his growing attraction to fellow model, Mikal coupled with Chris’ radio silence are making it difficult for Ashley to stay faithful. In addition to that, he’s not even sure Mikal is gay. But when he learns Mikal is struggling with an identity crisis of his own, his opportunity to become emotionally and physically closer to the slightly older man becomes a real possibility and Ashley must decide between pursuing a future with Mikal or recapturing a past with Chris.
The author, Charlie David, states at the beginning of the book that he was a young man when he first wrote this story and that very little editing went into the re-release. And it’s clear that this story was written by someone still discovering his sense of self. As he says in the beginning, the book “is nothing fancy, just a teenager telling a love story” and that’s exactly how it comes across. There is an innocence and a sweetness to this book, especially in the latter half, that supports his claim. And while it definitely reads YA to me, that’s not a bad thing. In fact, I actually found the story to be quite charming and while it could have done with further editing (sorry, Charlie!), I still found it to be an enjoyable read. 3.5 stars
**I received an advanced copy of this novel in exchange for a fair and honest review**
Boy Midflight is an interesting little coming of age/coming out story that manages to avoid the overly angsty pitfalls that plague most books in this genre. Told exclusively through the first person POV of Ashley, an 18 yr old college student, Boy Midflight is the story of a young man on the verge of adulthood, just learning how to be comfortable in his own skin and his own sexuality.
The first part of this short story focuses on Ashley’s time in Victoria, Canada as he attends a performing arts college. When we first meet Ashley, he has just broken up with his girlfriend when he definitively concludes that his attraction lies more with men than women:
“… I woke up and realized that in a toss-up between my girlfriend and My So-Called Life reruns there was always a clear victor. Jared Leto won, hands down, every time, without fail, irrevocably, undeniable and uncontestable hero of heroes, oh be still my heart, my sweet Jesus he’s beautiful!”
Now “single, gay and terrified”, Ashley has decided to act on the prior advances of another college student, Chris. Unfortunately for Ashley, Chris is now dating someone else and their relationship, or the potential for one, hangs in limbo. Although Chris is attracted to Ashley, he ultimately decides to remain in his current relationship, dashing Ashley’s hopes for a future together. But when Chris’ change of heart allows them to finally pursue a relationship together and they go ahead with plans for their after college future, fate intervenes with an unexpected offer that Ashley can’t refuse.
The second part of the story takes place in LA as Ashley pursues a career as a model. Although he has left Chris behind, he’s determined to make things work as part of a long-distance couple. But his growing attraction to fellow model, Mikal coupled with Chris’ radio silence are making it difficult for Ashley to stay faithful. In addition to that, he’s not even sure Mikal is gay. But when he learns Mikal is struggling with an identity crisis of his own, his opportunity to become emotionally and physically closer to the slightly older man becomes a real possibility and Ashley must decide between pursuing a future with Mikal or recapturing a past with Chris.
The author, Charlie David, states at the beginning of the book that he was a young man when he first wrote this story and that very little editing went into the re-release. And it’s clear that this story was written by someone still discovering his sense of self. As he says in the beginning, the book “is nothing fancy, just a teenager telling a love story” and that’s exactly how it comes across. There is an innocence and a sweetness to this book, especially in the latter half, that supports his claim. And while it definitely reads YA to me, that’s not a bad thing. In fact, I actually found the story to be quite charming and while it could have done with further editing (sorry, Charlie!), I still found it to be an enjoyable read. 3.5 stars
**I received an advanced copy of this novel in exchange for a fair and honest review**
June 25, 2024
Canadian actor Charlie David, star of the renowned horror series Dante's Cove and gay indie films A Four Letter Word and Mulligans, explores one young man's love life and its seemingly endless complications in his debut novel, Boy Midflight.
Ashley is not your scale model 18-year-old, except maybe in the world of the saturated yet still enormously popular gay literature genre, coming-of-age stories. He attends an art school, lives with his best gal pal, Michelle, and has just become comfortable enough with his sexuality to dump his girlfriend, Rachel, in order to pursue the real object of his affection, Chris. As luck would have it, the openly gay Chris, hardly shy about his attraction to Ashley, already has a boyfriend, Jeremy. Oh, the tangled webs these young boys weave!
At the advice of his older, wiser friend, Millie, Ashley starts to keep a journal, where each morning he writes and rants to an all-knowing, omnipresent spirit, Antonio (named after the model, reality show star and definitive hunk, Antonio Sabato, Jr.). Someone somewhere must have been listening, because Ashley's prayers are answered soon thereafter when Chris dumps Jeremy. Their newfound love and time together, however, is cut short when Ashley accepts an offer from an agency to work as a model in California.
Throughout the first half, the book's tongue-and-cheek examination of the trials and tribulations of young romance, told with the voice of a narrator who perhaps shouldn't be as insecure as he comes across (considering his age and his profession that few fall into accidentally), is mostly entertaining, albeit whimsical, precisely because of the characters' adolescent mindset. If the obstacle of finding each other wasn't enough for these teens, the author throws in the wrench of a long-distance-relationship. Therefore, even the worst cynic can't help but feel some level of empathy for this promising young couple, or at least curiosity for the outcome.
The ensuing drama during the latter half of the book, with all the sun and sin of California as a backdrop, is slightly harder to swallow. Distraught over Chris, who hasn't written or called in weeks, Ashley quickly grows attached to fellow model, Mikal, a 26-year-old single father with irresistible charm, flawless physique and an apparent fondness for his young colleague. Need I say more?
While there is hardly anything original here, and no real lesson to be learned, David's novel -- which could be classified as a novella, or better presented as a short story -- is amusing, sudsy and a respectable attempt at storytelling for the actor.
Ashley is not your scale model 18-year-old, except maybe in the world of the saturated yet still enormously popular gay literature genre, coming-of-age stories. He attends an art school, lives with his best gal pal, Michelle, and has just become comfortable enough with his sexuality to dump his girlfriend, Rachel, in order to pursue the real object of his affection, Chris. As luck would have it, the openly gay Chris, hardly shy about his attraction to Ashley, already has a boyfriend, Jeremy. Oh, the tangled webs these young boys weave!
At the advice of his older, wiser friend, Millie, Ashley starts to keep a journal, where each morning he writes and rants to an all-knowing, omnipresent spirit, Antonio (named after the model, reality show star and definitive hunk, Antonio Sabato, Jr.). Someone somewhere must have been listening, because Ashley's prayers are answered soon thereafter when Chris dumps Jeremy. Their newfound love and time together, however, is cut short when Ashley accepts an offer from an agency to work as a model in California.
Throughout the first half, the book's tongue-and-cheek examination of the trials and tribulations of young romance, told with the voice of a narrator who perhaps shouldn't be as insecure as he comes across (considering his age and his profession that few fall into accidentally), is mostly entertaining, albeit whimsical, precisely because of the characters' adolescent mindset. If the obstacle of finding each other wasn't enough for these teens, the author throws in the wrench of a long-distance-relationship. Therefore, even the worst cynic can't help but feel some level of empathy for this promising young couple, or at least curiosity for the outcome.
The ensuing drama during the latter half of the book, with all the sun and sin of California as a backdrop, is slightly harder to swallow. Distraught over Chris, who hasn't written or called in weeks, Ashley quickly grows attached to fellow model, Mikal, a 26-year-old single father with irresistible charm, flawless physique and an apparent fondness for his young colleague. Need I say more?
While there is hardly anything original here, and no real lesson to be learned, David's novel -- which could be classified as a novella, or better presented as a short story -- is amusing, sudsy and a respectable attempt at storytelling for the actor.
July 4, 2016
Book: Boy Midflight
Author: Charlie David
Rating: 4 Stars
This is a somewhat angsty coming of age and coming out story. Like most coming of age stories the main character is wracked with decisions in his life. But what I thought was the most important decision or journey our MC went through wasn’t so much coming out but coming to grips with his sexuality and how that plays out into the world.
Ashley who is only 18 year old always thought he wanted to grow up get married, have kids, and of course the white picket fence. It was this ideal that stopped him from realizing then accepting his sexuality. When we first meet Ashley he is going to a performing arts college in Canada and trying to start something with Chris his best friend and love interest. But as such is life things change with new opportunities. So his once fought for relationship with Chris now has to be put second but he is determined to make it work no matter the distance. Little does he know life doesn’t always follow the plan we have.
The modeling opportunity that comes to Ashley sends him to L.A. for a time where he gets to meet a whole new group of friends. Ashley hasn't yet found a way to have a defense against the hurts that we all go through so when he gets his heartbroken is a devastating blow to him. But he is strong and young so it doesn’t take long for the hurt to go away. He just wants to love and be loved, to not be alone. Is Chris that guy? Or is Mikal, his new friend in L.A.? Can he trust himself to know what love is when he finds it?
In this story Ashley is a typical sex driven 18 year old guy who wants more than he has but not something out of reach. But he has so much more to learn about himself before he can find the ONE! Ashley is fun, carefree and doesn’t second guess his decisions when he goes for something. There is no sex on page mostly kissing and groping but more along the lines of the sweet parts of the sex versus the down and dirty.
The author did a great job developing this story and even telling it from the mind of someone so young and confused. Charlie has a very unique writing style that isn’t going to fit for everyone. While I liked the characters and the story I found that his style isn’t suited for me. I cannot pin point on one thing that I didn’t like its more of a feeling that we as author and reader weren’t meant for each other.
Give it a try because even though this book wasn't meant for me it could be for you!
*I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review through http://diversereader.blogspot.com/ *
Author: Charlie David
Rating: 4 Stars
This is a somewhat angsty coming of age and coming out story. Like most coming of age stories the main character is wracked with decisions in his life. But what I thought was the most important decision or journey our MC went through wasn’t so much coming out but coming to grips with his sexuality and how that plays out into the world.
Ashley who is only 18 year old always thought he wanted to grow up get married, have kids, and of course the white picket fence. It was this ideal that stopped him from realizing then accepting his sexuality. When we first meet Ashley he is going to a performing arts college in Canada and trying to start something with Chris his best friend and love interest. But as such is life things change with new opportunities. So his once fought for relationship with Chris now has to be put second but he is determined to make it work no matter the distance. Little does he know life doesn’t always follow the plan we have.
The modeling opportunity that comes to Ashley sends him to L.A. for a time where he gets to meet a whole new group of friends. Ashley hasn't yet found a way to have a defense against the hurts that we all go through so when he gets his heartbroken is a devastating blow to him. But he is strong and young so it doesn’t take long for the hurt to go away. He just wants to love and be loved, to not be alone. Is Chris that guy? Or is Mikal, his new friend in L.A.? Can he trust himself to know what love is when he finds it?
In this story Ashley is a typical sex driven 18 year old guy who wants more than he has but not something out of reach. But he has so much more to learn about himself before he can find the ONE! Ashley is fun, carefree and doesn’t second guess his decisions when he goes for something. There is no sex on page mostly kissing and groping but more along the lines of the sweet parts of the sex versus the down and dirty.
The author did a great job developing this story and even telling it from the mind of someone so young and confused. Charlie has a very unique writing style that isn’t going to fit for everyone. While I liked the characters and the story I found that his style isn’t suited for me. I cannot pin point on one thing that I didn’t like its more of a feeling that we as author and reader weren’t meant for each other.
Give it a try because even though this book wasn't meant for me it could be for you!
*I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review through http://diversereader.blogspot.com/ *
June 26, 2016
Usually that kind of premise in a blurb doesn't interest me enough to begin reading a book, and I wasn't going to, but then I found out about the audio version and nearly jumped at the thought of listening to it. I guess I just missed Charlie's voice too much and decided it was worth wasting a few hours, even though the description almost screamed cliche, boring, and not-my-read-at-all.
I actually was somewhat enjoying this for a while - the story starting off as quite earnest and believable, the word usage being nowhere close to a work of art but still engaging, with some touching pieces from time to time. Then out of the blue happens Ashley's modeling gig, and from this point on and up until the end the narrative's loaded with so much sugar it made me sick. And very little made sense - this quick a change amazed me. The WTF-plot turn revealing what Chris's been doing in Vegas - that was, of course, pretty-fucking-convenient for what happened in Ashley's set of mind not a hell of a lot of time later; all this talk about LOVE which comes out of nothing but mere lust cause there was no way and time for actual feelings to form; the dream (WTF-moment #2), the language - oh, the language! - that gets so incredibly cheesy, and babe - it's a personal thing, but every time this word's in a novel I'm reading, or in a movie, I want to drive my head through a wall.
And the characters... it's a sad mess. They were blank to me, lacking special touches, any sort of development, anything to make me feel them, let alone care for what becomes of them in the end. I only truly liked Jordan, and how could I not, when he was so cute and out-in-your-face open (THAT kiss was the best thing to happen for the entire book) and my favorite fabulous type of a gay character. Besides, he was one of the few who didn't play the let's-jump-Ashley-he's-so-hot game. And of course, there was inexcusably too goddamn little of his presence in the book to fully enjoy.
Not completely bad, but I'm likely to forget about Boy midflight in a couple of days time.
Chris's poem was really beautiful though.
I actually was somewhat enjoying this for a while - the story starting off as quite earnest and believable, the word usage being nowhere close to a work of art but still engaging, with some touching pieces from time to time. Then out of the blue happens Ashley's modeling gig, and from this point on and up until the end the narrative's loaded with so much sugar it made me sick. And very little made sense - this quick a change amazed me. The WTF-plot turn revealing what Chris's been doing in Vegas - that was, of course, pretty-fucking-convenient for what happened in Ashley's set of mind not a hell of a lot of time later; all this talk about LOVE which comes out of nothing but mere lust cause there was no way and time for actual feelings to form; the dream (WTF-moment #2), the language - oh, the language! - that gets so incredibly cheesy, and babe - it's a personal thing, but every time this word's in a novel I'm reading, or in a movie, I want to drive my head through a wall.
And the characters... it's a sad mess. They were blank to me, lacking special touches, any sort of development, anything to make me feel them, let alone care for what becomes of them in the end. I only truly liked Jordan, and how could I not, when he was so cute and out-in-your-face open (THAT kiss was the best thing to happen for the entire book) and my favorite fabulous type of a gay character. Besides, he was one of the few who didn't play the let's-jump-Ashley-he's-so-hot game. And of course, there was inexcusably too goddamn little of his presence in the book to fully enjoy.
Not completely bad, but I'm likely to forget about Boy midflight in a couple of days time.
Chris's poem was really beautiful though.
July 16, 2016
I enjoyed the start of this story - student angst in beautiful Victoria. But as the relationships in this story became increasingly superficial and our angsty narrator began to love himself more than is possibly palatable, I became increasingly frustrated with this book.
I think Ashley first started to annoy me close to the start when he offered a vaguely misogynist rant about how gay boys need pretty girls to act as their fruit flies. Gender was an issue for me all the way through this story. Where female characters exist, they are undeveloped and only used to further enhance Ashley’s perceived attractiveness.
Ashley’s relationship with Chris is full of believable eighteen-year-old drama and angst. Monogamy and commitment don’t really factor here, but they also aren’t explored as issues or ideas in any meaningful way. I’m the last person to stand up for heteronormative relationship structures, but the casual hurt caused by Chris and Ashley seems the result of selfish, rather than idealistic, actions. Despite the intensity of the relationship, I struggled to feel any genuine connection between Chris and Ashley or any desire for them to stay together.
When Ashley is recruited to model in LA, I lost interest in the story. The world of male modelling only makes Ashley more vapid, more narcissistic and much less likeable. In some ways, this second part of the book feels more like a sequel - one with palm trees and very little plot. I found the relationships at the end of this book confusing and the characters insubstantial.
As a coming of age story, some earlier parts of this book have some appeal. As a romance, a period piece or a character study, this really didn’t work for me.
I was given a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review for Inked Rainbow Reads.
I think Ashley first started to annoy me close to the start when he offered a vaguely misogynist rant about how gay boys need pretty girls to act as their fruit flies. Gender was an issue for me all the way through this story. Where female characters exist, they are undeveloped and only used to further enhance Ashley’s perceived attractiveness.
Ashley’s relationship with Chris is full of believable eighteen-year-old drama and angst. Monogamy and commitment don’t really factor here, but they also aren’t explored as issues or ideas in any meaningful way. I’m the last person to stand up for heteronormative relationship structures, but the casual hurt caused by Chris and Ashley seems the result of selfish, rather than idealistic, actions. Despite the intensity of the relationship, I struggled to feel any genuine connection between Chris and Ashley or any desire for them to stay together.
When Ashley is recruited to model in LA, I lost interest in the story. The world of male modelling only makes Ashley more vapid, more narcissistic and much less likeable. In some ways, this second part of the book feels more like a sequel - one with palm trees and very little plot. I found the relationships at the end of this book confusing and the characters insubstantial.
As a coming of age story, some earlier parts of this book have some appeal. As a romance, a period piece or a character study, this really didn’t work for me.
I was given a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review for Inked Rainbow Reads.
July 23, 2016
I will honest and say that the first part of this book was confusing. This book is based off of Ashley's pov and for the first part of the book I felt like he was all over the place which really started to confuse me. It was like Ashley was wanting to give past and present perspective all at one time. But I pushed through and got past it. Once I did and Ashley quit jumping from the past and present I was able to get into the book. It turned out once I was past that to be a really good book.
Ashley in my opinion has a preconceived expectations of the hat he wants his life to be. But like with anything that is not how it always turns out and even though life does not always go as we think I should, it sometimes turns out better.
Ashley in my opinion needs to set back and enjoy life instead of tryin to make it happen and once he does then his life starts to come together and "The One" he is supposed to be with comes into his life and he finally knows what love is truly like.
I really enjoyed reading about Ashley and his ups and downs. I enjoyed reading about him learning from his mistakes and coming into his own. Ashley is an amazing man and ended up with the a man that is just as amazing as he is.
Good read and look forward to more reads in the future by Charlie David.
Was given this book for free from inked rainbow reads for an honest review
August 28, 2016
I don’t read, YA/NA, I find the characters just too immature for me to handle. THE only reason I picked this was because of the author. And his narrating skills.
That being said, I started and finished this with an open mind, and simply put loved it!
Did I find Ashley, young, too young, actually no. If anything the first ‘love interest’ Chris was the immature of the two, and he was years older.
So this book is told in two parts as it were, before L.A. and after.
Before, we have Ashley just coming to terms with everything, school, living out side of home, meeting new people, and figuring out for the first time his true sexual nature. In that we meet the first love, Chris and older college student that Ashley think the sun and moon raises and falls on. Me, myself, I never saw it. I never got the he’s the best ever, he’s dreamy, he’s perfect vibe. When these two were together. I did completely enjoy the story side, the three friends, trying for the play, jockeying for friendships. whisking away to L.A.
Then we have L.A. Ashley meets and at first is confused and holds strong his believe in him and Chris. But as time moves on and Chris shows he’s true colors we find yourself learning more about Mikal. This twosome I enjoy more, they seem to get each other better. No deeper worshiping or one sides affair.
And a nice closure and HFN ending. Perfect.
That being said, I started and finished this with an open mind, and simply put loved it!
Did I find Ashley, young, too young, actually no. If anything the first ‘love interest’ Chris was the immature of the two, and he was years older.
So this book is told in two parts as it were, before L.A. and after.
Before, we have Ashley just coming to terms with everything, school, living out side of home, meeting new people, and figuring out for the first time his true sexual nature. In that we meet the first love, Chris and older college student that Ashley think the sun and moon raises and falls on. Me, myself, I never saw it. I never got the he’s the best ever, he’s dreamy, he’s perfect vibe. When these two were together. I did completely enjoy the story side, the three friends, trying for the play, jockeying for friendships. whisking away to L.A.
Then we have L.A. Ashley meets and at first is confused and holds strong his believe in him and Chris. But as time moves on and Chris shows he’s true colors we find yourself learning more about Mikal. This twosome I enjoy more, they seem to get each other better. No deeper worshiping or one sides affair.
And a nice closure and HFN ending. Perfect.
January 3, 2018
An aptly named book as Ashley is in midflight all the way through - in his relationships, school, work, life - it is all a teenaged self-absorbed mega drama whirlwind!
The writing is pacy and the story moves along quickly, though at times I did get a bit lost (probably me not understanding the school system) as I thought Ashley was out at college, then he is only 18 when he goes to LA. Then the whole is he gay thought process ping pongs to and fro - I thought he was gay, then he’d have a girlfriend then talk about ‘accepting’ being gay, then talk about a boyfriend at 13.
It is told from Ashley’s pov and like his diary is a stream of consciousness, and I think only covers a short period of time. How Ashley will get on with the world when he is a person who flits about who knows.
So an interesting read, one I won in a bundle of books.
The writing is pacy and the story moves along quickly, though at times I did get a bit lost (probably me not understanding the school system) as I thought Ashley was out at college, then he is only 18 when he goes to LA. Then the whole is he gay thought process ping pongs to and fro - I thought he was gay, then he’d have a girlfriend then talk about ‘accepting’ being gay, then talk about a boyfriend at 13.
It is told from Ashley’s pov and like his diary is a stream of consciousness, and I think only covers a short period of time. How Ashley will get on with the world when he is a person who flits about who knows.
So an interesting read, one I won in a bundle of books.
March 16, 2015
Okay, I am rating this somewhere between 2.5 and 3 stars.
I REALLY wanted to like it, and I did like some of it. I just got frustrated with some inconsistencies. For example, at some points MC Ashley is 18 years old, then 19, then 18 again. That took me right out of the story. I listened to this one but I fear that if I had actually read it, it would have been in my dnf pile. :(
I REALLY wanted to like it, and I did like some of it. I just got frustrated with some inconsistencies. For example, at some points MC Ashley is 18 years old, then 19, then 18 again. That took me right out of the story. I listened to this one but I fear that if I had actually read it, it would have been in my dnf pile. :(
November 19, 2009
This is Charlie David's second novel. I enjoyed his first one--Mulligans--very much as I did the movie that preceded the novel. Charlie David is still developing as an author but both books are fun reads.
September 12, 2014
I enjoyed the random throws of original poetry in the middle of the book and the monologues, besides that, I thought this book was okay.
June 19, 2015
Quick, easy read. A coming-of-age/accepting yourself kind of story. I'm guessing this story is semi-autobiographical.
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