UPSIDE DOWN by N.R. Walker
BLURB
Jordan O’Neill isn’t a fan of labels, considering he has a few. Gay, geek, a librarian, socially awkward, a nervous rambler, an introvert, an outsider. The last thing he needs is one more. But he when he realises adding the label ‘asexual’ might explain a lot, it turns his world upside down.
Hennessy Lang moved to Surry Hills after splitting with his boyfriend. His being asexual had seen the end of a lot of his romances, but he’s determined to stay true to himself. Leaving his North Shore support group behind, he starts his own in Surry Hills, where he meets first-time-attendee Jordan.
A little bewildered and scared, but completely adorable, Hennessy is struck by this guy who’s trying to find where he belongs. Maybe Hennessy can convince Jordan that his world hasn’t been turned upside down at all, but maybe it’s now—for the first time in his life—the right way up.
4 Stars
A really refreshing read in current MM. I got a bit of an education, and a story that I believed in.
Part of NRW's success is that she writes her contemp tales about guys you can see/hear/believe in/care about. Guys next door, with real lives, principles, decency. Guys you can imagine in your life, being friends and co-workers with, and Jordan and Hennessy were guys I'd have liked to meet.
Hennessy is a computer expert and Jordan is a librarian, and if you ever thought librarians are dull and dour and don't get to have fun, think again. Jordan was one of the sweetest, nicest, funniest, most non-affected leads I've read about. I did wonder whether he might be on the autism spectrum, and at the end of the tale, this hadn't reared its head and I still don't know, but whether he was or not, there was something really unique about him and his brain. I'd have loved a brain like his, and to have even a smidgen of his intelligence. And, despite Hennessy having the more 'brainiac' job, I did think that Jordan came across as the more educated and intelligent one. He certainly overshadowed Hennessy, but not in any nasty way - I mean it in the way that NRW's Henry overshadowed Reed.
These guys were living real lives. Ordinary lives, with past relationships that had broken down because both were asexual - ace. Hennessy had realised what he was, was comfortable about it and ran a self-help group for a bunch of guys who eventually became really good friends to him and Jordan. Jordan had been rejected by his family, but was secure in himself, in the friends and life he'd made for himself, and he was happy, though he was missing love and wasn't sure of his sexual orientation.
How their lives entwined and how they became friends, and stayed friends for a while before becoming more, was lovely. Heartwarming. Funny. Sweet. Affirming. Community-building - yes, I do mean just that. A community got built around them, and it continued years after the leads get together. And, I will never see a bus the same way. Not that I like bus travel in London, but NRW made it sound kind of fun - no spoilers here, so you'll have to read and see for yourself.
There wasn't any unnecessary angst, there weren't any tropes or any faux drama, just a really funny, really intelligent, sweet tale of a couple of really nice guys. And, I didn't miss the sex one iota. Not one single iota. It felt really refreshing not to read pages and pages of repetitive sex that feels contrived. And, there wasn't one description of either guy's body, which was great. Not reading about - yawn - washboard abs, pecs, buns of steel, guns, tats, Adonis belts, pink stars, etc., etc., was a beautiful blast of fresh air.
NRW is always ahead of the game in her genre, and I suspect there will be several copycat tales about ace and/or aromantic characters, but this, one of the first, and I suspect, of the best, felt very real to me.
ARC courtesy of the author and Bayou Book Junkie for my reading pleasure.
4.5 stars
Hennessy Lang is new to Surry Hills after a split from his ex-boyfriend. He is asexual and runs an asexuality support group. Jordan attends a meeting and realizes that Hennessy is none other than “headphone guy”. They meet and sparks fly. They seem perfect together but will it all go as smoothly as it seems it should?
Jordan is hilarious. He’s hands down one of the favorite characters I have ever read about. Despite being very insecure he is himself and he cannot help but be himself in every situation. His nervous rambling, as well as his normal rambling, was adorable. I really enjoyed him. Hennessey seemed a lot calmer and laid back and his personality worked perfectly with Jordan.
This book had me laughing from the very start all the way to the end. If you are feeling down, I 100% suggest this book. It has humour the likes of which only Ms. Walker is capable of. I read this book in one sitting and got funny looks while reading it. I do not generally like MMF but I have to say I would absolutely love for Angus to have a book. He may only be a secondary character but his natural air-headedness was both adorable and funny. This was a very good and well-rounded book and I wish it were longer, but the ending was satisfying.
*** Copy provided to Bayou Book Junkie for my reading pleasure, a review wasn't a requirement. ***
N.R. Walker Bio
She is many things: a mother, a wife, a sister, a writer. She has pretty, pretty boys who live in her head, who don’t let her sleep at night unless she gives them life with words.
She likes it when they do dirty, dirty things… but likes it even more when they fall in love.
She used to think having people in her head talking to her was weird, until one day she happened across other writers who told her it was normal.
She’s been writing ever since…
For more about N.R. Walker you can find her at:
Email:
nrwalker@nrwalker.net
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