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How The Other Half Lives [MultiFormat]
eBook by Clare London
eBook Category: Erotica/Gay-Lesbian Erotica/Gay Fiction
eBook Description: Martin Harrison keeps himself to himself and his flat as neat as a new pin. His friends want him to loosen up and enjoy more of a social life, but in Martin's mind, that's tantamount to opening the floodgates to emotional chaos. He agrees, however, to join the flat-sitting scheme in his building. He'll look after another tenant's flat in exchange for a similar watch over his when he's traveling for his work as an antiques dealer. A floor away in the same building, Russ McNeely is happy with his life as a freelance cook and a self-confessed domestic slob. His best friend Don persuades him to join the flat-sitting scheme, both to be neighborly and to help keep his flat in order, as Russ also travels for his work. For a while, the very dissimilar men never actually meet. Martin is horrified at the mess at Russ' flat, while Russ finds Martin's minimalist style creepy. But in a spirit of generosity, each of them starts to help the other out by rearranging things in their own inimitable way. Gradually, the changes extend beyond interior decoration and into the habits of the men themselves. Until the day a hiccup in the schedule brings them face-to-face at last... Genres: Gay / Contemporary / Romantic Comedy
eBook Publisher: Amber Quill Press, Published: 2011
Fictionwise Release Date: October 2011
10 Reader Ratings:
 
"5 HEARTS!...The story was just too funny. The author shows how stereotypes and judgments based on observation only with no substance can be inaccurate. The laughter just escapes out of your body as you read about Martin and Russ and their friends reactions to the observations. I enjoyed the irony and reactions to circumstance that Clare London presents for readers. The book was well written and easy to follow. The changes in point of view are clearly indicated allowing the story to flow smoothly, the dialogue is witty and fun. Finally, the absolute best point about this story is that Ms. London allows us to laugh at ourselves as she examines classic cliques and hold them up for our inspection. This is a book that I will defiantly keep in my library under humor."--JC Dreamer, The Romance Studio
He looks both annoyed and bemused--I suspect he's struggling to remember the meaning of the word detritus. "You've lived in this building for six months, but you have no idea who your neighbors are. You're not involved in neighborhood committees, you don't play any sports, you have weekly grocery deliveries so you never mooch around the supermarket. You work long and erratic hours, and I've never known you to entertain anyone here except for me and Harry. Look at the pair of us here, tonight! Just sitting in, drinking a couple of beers, talking about work. Our regular Thursday night get-together has been like this for months. You're an island, Martin, and some would say, a damned unadventurous one at that. Do you even know where your local pub is?"
I frown, because he knows I'm not comfortable with the effect of drinking at the best of times. "I have a place of my own, surrounded by my own things, arranged just as I like them."
"Arranged? But that's what I mean." Ethan stands up, his whole body vibrating with dramatic tension. "You can't always arrange everything in life. You've got to loosen up a bit, be receptive to new experiences, to new relationships. Things can be ... irrational, sometimes, you know? People, too. Martin, you are so anal retentive that being around you makes my teeth clench up."
"Thanks."
He shakes his head--another impatient gesture. "So that didn't sound quite right. I just want you to be happy. To engage with life, to enjoy the fun, the benefits. Will you please listen to me, for once? Properly?"
He really does look distressed now, and I have no intention of challenging him on the "benefits" issue.
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