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Fruit Basket #1
Lemon Yellow: Making Lemonade
When Gray Latham's uncle Will, dies unexpectedly, Gray travels to Connecticut to pay his respects to both Will's memory and Will's long-time girlfriend, Eva Monroe. Imagine his surprise when Eva turns out to be Evan -- tall, lean, too attractive and completely in mourning Evan Monroe.
Evan's expecting a quick visit from his lover's uncaring nephew, but when Gray shows up at his door he finds much more than that. Between the instant attraction and an ill-advised, Margarita-fueled kiss, Evan isn't sure what to make of the Montana rancher, especially with Bill so recently and suddenly gone. With emotions running high and interfering friends and family sticking their noses into things, can the two men find a way to accept life's lemons and make lemonade?
Evan's expecting a quick visit from his lover's uncaring nephew, but when Gray shows up at his door he finds much more than that. Between the instant attraction and an ill-advised, Margarita-fueled kiss, Evan isn't sure what to make of the Montana rancher, especially with Bill so recently and suddenly gone. With emotions running high and interfering friends and family sticking their noses into things, can the two men find a way to accept life's lemons and make lemonade?
56 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 30, 2009
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Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
November 20, 2011
This story starts out in a very sad note, with the death of a lover and partner.
The grief is palatable and I was very glad that the new love story was a year in the making through phone calls and visits.
It's a sweet and hopeful story, of course I haven't read a TC Blue story that I haven't liked!
The grief is palatable and I was very glad that the new love story was a year in the making through phone calls and visits.
It's a sweet and hopeful story, of course I haven't read a TC Blue story that I haven't liked!
October 26, 2009
"This is another great story by T.C. Blue. The plot of the book is deceptively simple but the layers of emotion that the author brings to it make this a memorable and touching story."
My complete review is posted at Rainbow Reviews
My complete review is posted at Rainbow Reviews
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March 7, 2010More than a love story this is the story of a man who is grieving for the loss of his love story and the fear of trying again.
I think the author decided to give a reason more to Evan to not have a long mourning period: when his partner of the past 8 years Bill died of a stroke, it was sudden but not unexpected. Bill had cancer and so both him than Evan were already planning Evan’s life after their forced separation. Only that Evan didn’t think it would be so soon, and so, when Bill dies, Evan is taken aback, he hurts and he seems to not find a reason to go on. Then Bill’s nephew, Gray comes to visit. Evan and Gray have never met before, and Gray didn’t know his uncle was gay and Evan didn’t know Gray is gay too. So when Evan is really down, and thanks to a drunken stupor maybe, Gray consoles Evan with more than a brotherly hug, a kiss, but nothing more. But a kiss is enough to make Evan feel guilty, and in a way, to ask Gray time to mourn.
Gray leaves Evan in Connecticut while he goes back in Montana. From this moment on, the story is more on Evan’s side, how he is coping with the loss, and it’s almost an old fashioned correspondence relationship, instead of letter what links Evan and Gray are phone calls, and by the phone calls the reader starts to understand that the mourning period is near to the end.
It’s not strange that Evan doesn’t jump into the new relationship as soon as possible, from his memories of the past with Bill, also that relationship didn’t start easily, and it was Evan that, despite the age difference, Bill 15 years older, was the one to be “kindly” convinced, like a skittish horse. Evan is not a strong man, he is not even the extravagant artist, he is very introspective and easily to be hurt. I think that he found in Bill a safe shelter, maybe being the man older it gave to the young Evan the safety he was searching. Now Evan is older himself, but he still needs someone who can protect him from the big bad world. And Gray, with that friendly and easy attitude, with the shoulder always ready for a good crying, even if it’s a figurative shoulder on the other hand of the phone, is the right man for Evan. And when the mourning period will end, both men well know where Evan will search his next nest. After all, a cowboy knows how to deal with skittish horses.
http://elisa-rolle.livejournal.com/97...
I think the author decided to give a reason more to Evan to not have a long mourning period: when his partner of the past 8 years Bill died of a stroke, it was sudden but not unexpected. Bill had cancer and so both him than Evan were already planning Evan’s life after their forced separation. Only that Evan didn’t think it would be so soon, and so, when Bill dies, Evan is taken aback, he hurts and he seems to not find a reason to go on. Then Bill’s nephew, Gray comes to visit. Evan and Gray have never met before, and Gray didn’t know his uncle was gay and Evan didn’t know Gray is gay too. So when Evan is really down, and thanks to a drunken stupor maybe, Gray consoles Evan with more than a brotherly hug, a kiss, but nothing more. But a kiss is enough to make Evan feel guilty, and in a way, to ask Gray time to mourn.
Gray leaves Evan in Connecticut while he goes back in Montana. From this moment on, the story is more on Evan’s side, how he is coping with the loss, and it’s almost an old fashioned correspondence relationship, instead of letter what links Evan and Gray are phone calls, and by the phone calls the reader starts to understand that the mourning period is near to the end.
It’s not strange that Evan doesn’t jump into the new relationship as soon as possible, from his memories of the past with Bill, also that relationship didn’t start easily, and it was Evan that, despite the age difference, Bill 15 years older, was the one to be “kindly” convinced, like a skittish horse. Evan is not a strong man, he is not even the extravagant artist, he is very introspective and easily to be hurt. I think that he found in Bill a safe shelter, maybe being the man older it gave to the young Evan the safety he was searching. Now Evan is older himself, but he still needs someone who can protect him from the big bad world. And Gray, with that friendly and easy attitude, with the shoulder always ready for a good crying, even if it’s a figurative shoulder on the other hand of the phone, is the right man for Evan. And when the mourning period will end, both men well know where Evan will search his next nest. After all, a cowboy knows how to deal with skittish horses.
http://elisa-rolle.livejournal.com/97...
November 10, 2010
Okay, so I love TC Blue's writing...I have good taste. This one though? Kept surprising me by getting better and better. Every time I thought I couldn't get more caught up in the characters...I did. Every time I thought, okay, that(whatever -that- was) was the peak of the story...I was wrong and the bloody thing climbed higher, gave me more. Maybe it just resonated for me...nah. Something this well written has gotta resonate for a whole lotta folks.
June 27, 2010
A sweet m/m romance about a guy whose partner just died, but whose blossoming friendship with his partner's nephew helps ease his grief.
July 19, 2015
When life gives you lemons...
May 11, 2011
I was impressed by how much Blue was able to fit into 56 pages - this felt like a full length. Very enjoyable though not particularly memorable.
December 28, 2014
2.75 stars
September 11, 2013
9/11/2013__FREE at Torquere for ONE hour ONLY!!! 1-2 PM Central Time Zone
March 20, 2017
For a short story, this book really ran you through the ringer. I felt so bad for Evan. I also fell in love with Grey. I would definitely want to read more about these two characters or from this author based on what was in this book.
November 7, 2010
5+ stars
A fabulous blend of loss, grief, hope and finding the way back to love!
Evan is slowly facing the sudden loss of Bill, the love of his life and partner of eight years. You could say Evan is going through the motions, but he is nowhere near ready to face the world again, let alone face Bill's estranged nephew, Gray. Gray travels from Montana to Connecticut to pay his respects to his deceased uncle and visit his widow, Eva Monroe. Instead he finds handsome Evan, who is unfailingly polite and clearly in need of moral support to manage his grief. Gray's intentions were to welcome Evan to the family, little did he know that he would end up welcoming Evan into his heart as well.
There are so many things I like about this book that I don't know where to start. The character of Evan Monroe is stunning. T.C. does an amazing job of portraying Evan's grief, confusion, anger, lust and love. It is impossible to read the story and not "live" Evan's grief to some extent. We are not told of Evan's deep grief, we are shown. Therein lies one of the best aspects of the story.
Through excellent use of point-of-view, T.C. allows the reader to experience emotions and doubts from the perspective of both Gray and Evan without resorting to head-hopping or repetition. The touchy subject of falling in love shortly after being widowed is presented in a series of interactions with just the right feel, at just the right pace and with a great degree of credibility. The entire premise of this book had the potential to be a disaster. Unlike other stories about widowers, Evan hasn't had months or years to heal before meeting Gray. He is not clinging to the memory of Bill past its time. He has just lost Bill! Yet, T.C. wrote this story and made it believable without smearing the memory of Bill or claiming Evan had never been in love with him in the first place. This a very well written story!
Pacing and style are very well executed and key to the story. Every time Gray and Evan are together, everything seems to slow down and the focus narrows. There's no flowery prose. Instead there are simple words and actions that slowly build the case for love. I am impressed. Fans of angsty romance stories are likely to love Lemon Yellow: Making Lemonade. Anyone who loves a romantic story is sure to enjoy it. Don't miss the chance to read this heartwarming tale.
A fabulous blend of loss, grief, hope and finding the way back to love!
Evan is slowly facing the sudden loss of Bill, the love of his life and partner of eight years. You could say Evan is going through the motions, but he is nowhere near ready to face the world again, let alone face Bill's estranged nephew, Gray. Gray travels from Montana to Connecticut to pay his respects to his deceased uncle and visit his widow, Eva Monroe. Instead he finds handsome Evan, who is unfailingly polite and clearly in need of moral support to manage his grief. Gray's intentions were to welcome Evan to the family, little did he know that he would end up welcoming Evan into his heart as well.
There are so many things I like about this book that I don't know where to start. The character of Evan Monroe is stunning. T.C. does an amazing job of portraying Evan's grief, confusion, anger, lust and love. It is impossible to read the story and not "live" Evan's grief to some extent. We are not told of Evan's deep grief, we are shown. Therein lies one of the best aspects of the story.
Through excellent use of point-of-view, T.C. allows the reader to experience emotions and doubts from the perspective of both Gray and Evan without resorting to head-hopping or repetition. The touchy subject of falling in love shortly after being widowed is presented in a series of interactions with just the right feel, at just the right pace and with a great degree of credibility. The entire premise of this book had the potential to be a disaster. Unlike other stories about widowers, Evan hasn't had months or years to heal before meeting Gray. He is not clinging to the memory of Bill past its time. He has just lost Bill! Yet, T.C. wrote this story and made it believable without smearing the memory of Bill or claiming Evan had never been in love with him in the first place. This a very well written story!
Pacing and style are very well executed and key to the story. Every time Gray and Evan are together, everything seems to slow down and the focus narrows. There's no flowery prose. Instead there are simple words and actions that slowly build the case for love. I am impressed. Fans of angsty romance stories are likely to love Lemon Yellow: Making Lemonade. Anyone who loves a romantic story is sure to enjoy it. Don't miss the chance to read this heartwarming tale.
January 3, 2010
This was highly recommended by Jen and I was kind of shying away because of the content and I wasn't sure I could wrap my head around it. (Still not sure I have 100%) but then the Silver Lining book reminded me of it so I tracked it down and read it. I'm glad I did. So Evan and Bill were together 8 years (Bill was 16 years older) when Bill died of cancer. Evan is devastated but offers his home to Bill's nephew Gray who's coming to pay his condolences. Meanwhile Gray thinks he's coming to meet Eva. Ooops. But he's fine with it, he's gay as well and it explains why Bill never came home much. Gray is about 30. After a rough night of memories Evan kisses Gray and kind of freaks but Gray doesn't push and tells him to come visit them in Montana as he's family. They form a phone friendship and it follows their lives as Evan deals with the grief and their growing closeness but Evan is still freaked. His lover's nephew? Ewwwww. He goes to visit but isn't ready and Gray agrees to wait for him. Okay, I still get a bit squicked thinking of the relative factor. I try to visualize it in my own life and *shudder*. But I found the fact that the story takes place over almost one year and built up gradually and they hadn't known each other all their lives kind of thing made it work. I really liked the relationship they developed over the year with Gray giving Evan what he needed to heal, not pushing him like some of his friends did. So I have to agree with Jen, it was an excellent story and I'm glad I finally read it. I forgot to say that I didn't like Gray's sister much. She's all "yeah yeah, go for it." *wink wink nudge nudge* Then man's spouse had just died for Christ's sake. Have some sympathy lady. Maybe he's not ready to hop into bed with his dead lover's nephew. She annoyed me everytime she was "on page".
November 1, 2013
3.75
Lots of grief and heart break in this one as we read about Evan Monroe dealing with the loss of his long time lover, Bill, to cancer. Grayson Lantham is Bill's nephew who had lost touch and only knew about his uncle's death through an email sent by Evan. Gray comes to visit and pay his respects and the men form a tentative friendship that they maintain through emails and phone conversations.
While there is the tug of attraction at that first meeting and a lonely fueled kiss initiated by Evan but this is slow, slow moving romance and one that I really enjoyed. I liked the friendship build between the two men and how they talked about how they were attracted to each other and didn't sweep it under the carpet. There is a lot of healing for Evan and Bill is never an afterthought but a strong presence in the story but not to the point that Evan is determined to never love again.
I liked the secondary characters here. There was a nice romance for Sarah, Gray's sister and Troy, is a good friend to Evan and deserving of his own HEA.
One thing that bothered me was no mention of safe sex. The men have only known each other for a year and have sex with no condom. That's a bit of pet peeve with me and always tends to throw me out of the story. Still this read was a lovely build of both a strong friendship and romance.
Lots of grief and heart break in this one as we read about Evan Monroe dealing with the loss of his long time lover, Bill, to cancer. Grayson Lantham is Bill's nephew who had lost touch and only knew about his uncle's death through an email sent by Evan. Gray comes to visit and pay his respects and the men form a tentative friendship that they maintain through emails and phone conversations.
While there is the tug of attraction at that first meeting and a lonely fueled kiss initiated by Evan but this is slow, slow moving romance and one that I really enjoyed. I liked the friendship build between the two men and how they talked about how they were attracted to each other and didn't sweep it under the carpet. There is a lot of healing for Evan and Bill is never an afterthought but a strong presence in the story but not to the point that Evan is determined to never love again.
I liked the secondary characters here. There was a nice romance for Sarah, Gray's sister and Troy, is a good friend to Evan and deserving of his own HEA.
One thing that bothered me was no mention of safe sex. The men have only known each other for a year and have sex with no condom. That's a bit of pet peeve with me and always tends to throw me out of the story. Still this read was a lovely build of both a strong friendship and romance.
March 31, 2017
This book starts very sadly with Evan's older long-time partner Bill having unexpectedly died and Evan being devastated. He invites Bill's nephew Gray, who was estranged from Bill due to a falling out between Bill and Gray's father, not because Gray chose it. When Gray arrives, and is surprised to find that Bill was gay and left a grieving partner, he's more or less immediately attracted to Evan, but Evan is too grief-stricken to be able to return any kind of romantic or sexual feelings, at least for the time being.
Gray gets it and offers friendship and the two men become friends and confidants, and Evan's finds that Gray is actually offering him better emotional support that Evan and Bill's old friends can. The friendship evolves, and as Evan's grief work runs it's course Evan and Gray start falling in love.
When this novella length story ends it's been a year since the funeral when Evan and Gray met, and the story has developed feelings gradually over time, so it's not insta-love, which I especially appreciated in this book. This is a book about a difficult subject, but it's also a book about being able to move on eventually, and I felt that it was well written.
Gray gets it and offers friendship and the two men become friends and confidants, and Evan's finds that Gray is actually offering him better emotional support that Evan and Bill's old friends can. The friendship evolves, and as Evan's grief work runs it's course Evan and Gray start falling in love.
When this novella length story ends it's been a year since the funeral when Evan and Gray met, and the story has developed feelings gradually over time, so it's not insta-love, which I especially appreciated in this book. This is a book about a difficult subject, but it's also a book about being able to move on eventually, and I felt that it was well written.
August 7, 2016
Funny thing. I started reading another volume of one of those rushed, sub-par written series… and found myself unable to go on. It does not even qualify as a DNF, I just couldn’t take the vapid emptiness of it.
So I picked this instead. A story about a man grieving his deceased lover. I’d skimmed through it a few years ago, unwilling to commit to such a sad subject. Heh, I suppose I really ran the complete other way here.
And yes, it was sad and made me cry a little, since it begins at the funeral and ends a year later. But it also felt really sweet.
I very much appreciate the slow development and the almost total lack of sexually explicit scenes. I like those hints and snippets. It feels right, feels natural. Certainly more so than those elaborate sex scenes that take over for a while as though it was a movie and simply make you feel embarrassed to be watching it together with a relative. Uh. I may have gone off track now.
Either way, this was really good and I am happy that I still have the rest of the series ahead of me, most of it even unread. <3
Lucky, lucky me.
So I picked this instead. A story about a man grieving his deceased lover. I’d skimmed through it a few years ago, unwilling to commit to such a sad subject. Heh, I suppose I really ran the complete other way here.
And yes, it was sad and made me cry a little, since it begins at the funeral and ends a year later. But it also felt really sweet.
I very much appreciate the slow development and the almost total lack of sexually explicit scenes. I like those hints and snippets. It feels right, feels natural. Certainly more so than those elaborate sex scenes that take over for a while as though it was a movie and simply make you feel embarrassed to be watching it together with a relative. Uh. I may have gone off track now.
Either way, this was really good and I am happy that I still have the rest of the series ahead of me, most of it even unread. <3
Lucky, lucky me.
May 7, 2012
This was a great little book that started with a heartbreaking beginning. Evan and Gray met under less than ideal circumstances which really plagued their relationship from the beginning. These two actually spent more time apart than together in this book. While that fact may have helped build their friendship through lots of long distance talking, it made for a slow romantic connection that left me wishing I could have spent a bit more time with them before it ended. On the other hand, I really appreciated the depth of love and grief portrayed that helped me emotionally connect with the story.
May 27, 2011
This was a very well done story. I could really could feel how conflicted Evan was about his feelings for Grey and moving on with his life. Grey though didn't seem to have any conflicts with how he felt for his Uncle's widow. I thought that Grey was a little too quick to want to start something with Evan but I did like that he was willing to go at Evan's pace. For a short story it packed a lot of emotions into it and did it very well. It wasn't too over the top with grief nor too quick to move on to someone new. The author managed to balance moving on with not dismissing the past.
January 11, 2017
A fairly easy read, no real angst as Billy-boy/Uncle Will is never a character for the reader to get involved with.
The main focus is of Evan getting to a place in his grief to be able to move forward with his life and the growing friendship between Evan and Gray. This is mostly over the phone and we only get small snippets - the rest is implied in conversations between Gray and Sara and in Gray's thoughts.
A sweet, gentle story.
10.6.15 Reread - there is more Gray and Evan time than I realised, which was fraught and lovely at the same time. Nice feel good reread.
The main focus is of Evan getting to a place in his grief to be able to move forward with his life and the growing friendship between Evan and Gray. This is mostly over the phone and we only get small snippets - the rest is implied in conversations between Gray and Sara and in Gray's thoughts.
A sweet, gentle story.
10.6.15 Reread - there is more Gray and Evan time than I realised, which was fraught and lovely at the same time. Nice feel good reread.
August 19, 2020
Well done story with a difficult theme, namely coming to terms with finding love too soon after losing a loved and cherished partner. The beginning of the story is extremely emotional as we see Evan coming to terms with his loss and grief. It certainly made me cry. I loved that Gray was willing to wait until Evan was ready. Yeah, *sigh* lovely! Definitely better than I anticipated...don't know why I thought that! ;)
May 16, 2011
Lemon Yellow: Making Lemonade by TC Blue is an emotional story about grief, loss, guilt, and a second chance at love. To view the rest of this review, please visit http://www.blackravensreviews.com/?p=...
May 13, 2011
The story was sad considering dead of a partner and short considering the plot, but overall it was enjoyable and easy read.
September 6, 2015
A sweet story about life moving on even through heartbreak in the most unexpected ways and times. The story was short but managed to be very moving. The characters were interesting.
April 25, 2012
2.75 stars
March 6, 2012
Very cute. I always love TC Blue. I did wonder if it was going to be able to reach a HEA, but it did it well.
April 23, 2014
Rating 3.5
July 24, 2014
Great characters and story
October 24, 2009
a lovely quiet story of loss and new love.
Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews