Sky Link

Sky Link by Shiro Yamada

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


**** Sky Link-Ritsuki is wandering through life with no goals and no purpose. His divorced parents went their separate ways and he goes to university at the request of his aunt and uncle. He doesn't realize that the stranger that crashes into him is about to bring some unwelcome change to his life.



Takagi is the new instructor in East Asian Studies, a job that he never thought he would be cut out for or be good at. He crashes into Ritsuki outside the university and feels an instant connection. Takagi doesn't hide his attraction for Ritsuki and tries his hardest to break through Ritsuki's defenses, even as an admirer of Takagi's insinuates himself between them.



Both men have something in their pasts that they want to forget or just surpass; for Takagi-a famous journalist before he started teaching-is the death of a colleague and for Ritsuki it's a little unclear as the guy that seems to be stalking him is never really identified (was it a gang member, a psycho ex,...). Takagi sees something of himself in Ritsuki, but he also realizes it's not just their kindred spirits that brings them together; like him, Ritsuki loves to watch the sky.



Takagi makes Ritsuki a promise, for him to study photography. If he gets good enough, Takagi will take him anywhere he want to go....half a year later, Takagi fulfills his promise.



*****You through a kaleidoscope pt. 1 & 2-Kazu & Yuki are friends. Half Japanese and half English Yuki has always been bullied for his looks and Kazu has always protected him, even though he always looses the fight and ends up getting beat up; but Kazu can't help it as he's always loved Yuki. The only problem is that he's never confessed his feelings and feels he doesn't deserve to-he's always believed that he destroys all the beautiful things he touches.



Then Kazu's friend shows an interest in Yuki and he makes the choice to finally reveal his feelings. After all, Kazu's favorite things are rooftops, bicycles, riverbanks, children's books, kaleidoscopes...and snow (yuki).



These stories were sweet and full of hope. The character's emotions were beautifully portrayed and the illustrations were really well done.





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An Even More Beautiful Lie

An Even More Beautiful Lie by Kei Kanai
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Kurosu enrolls into Teio Art University at the last minute, surprising his friends as he barely had a passable grade in art and has the minimum of talent for it. It's there that he becomes a fan of Yukari's work, and so is pleased when a chance meeting brings them face to face.

But Kurosu learns little by little that Yukari lives and breathes for his art, that apart from keeping his bed sheets clean and changing his clothes as soon as he gets home everything else falls by the wayside. Yukari warns Kurosu that he doesn't have anything to give, aside from his body, that painting is all he thinks about.

Instead of heeding Yukari's words, Kurosu takes it upon himself to care for Yukari; preparing his meals, fixing stuff around the house, and even bathing him. Like a painter with a blank canvas, Kurosu fills the empty spaces with color and warmth; his strokes sure and bold as he tries to bring Yukari to life.





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Reads of the Week 7/17/11-7/23/11

Reads of the Week 7/10/11-7/16/11

Reads of the Week 7/3/11-7/9/11

Muscling Through

Muscling Through by J.L. Merrow

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


Al is not an attractive man nor is he a brilliant one; but although physically imposing, he has a heart of gold and a gentle soul. Larry is his exact opposite; a posh, smart, and pretty little man.



They get together after Larry apologizes for a situation in which he'd misconstrued Al's behaviour and actions as a threat. It takes Al some time to understand Larry's feelings for him, as he thinks Larry is too smart and pretty for someone like him. But he's amazed when Larry discovers his artistic talents and pushes him to show them to the world.



A really sweet story with a very special man and the guy who is smart enough to see it.









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Taken

Taken by Kate Sherwood

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


Cody and Tristan are friends w/benefits, something that has worked for them when their other relationships don't seem to work out. But Cody, now emotionally invested w/Tristan, feels that he needs to make a break and just remain friends. Cody wants more than he thinks Tristan is willing to give, and so tries to move on. Then an attack on Cody serves as a catalyst, moving Cody into confessing the feelings he's been harboring, and making Tristan realize that what he's been searching for, has been in front of him all along.



A wonderful short story that has just the right touch of angst and steamy sex, with Tristan channeling Tweety and the use of some very fitting and romantic headwear.







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*This is part of the Hot Summer Days-Don't Read in the Closet project that the Goodreads M/M Romance Group is putting together, the stories are free so be sure to check them out!