What is it about first kisses?

This is a sweet story of two unlikely-to-connect people whose connection points felt real and whose evolutions toward their HEA felt earned. I stayed up far to late last night because I couldn't leave them in a bad spot. *That* genuine. :)

Recommended. ( )

Status Update is the first book in the ‘#gaymers’ series. It stars Adrian Gottlieb, a video game designer, and Noah Walters, a geoarchaeologist. The story is told in third person from both Noah and Adrian’s povs.



First the cover. I don’t think this represents Noah or Adrian, their dogs, nor their environment. Noah’s dog was a big, older dog. Adrian’s dog was a tiny chihuahua type dog that needed coats to keep warm. Also, Adrian was more of a twink type, and younger than Noah. The two models on the cover look the same age. Noah lived in a large RV, not an apartment. Adrian spent most of his time with Noah so he was also in the RV. I’d give this cover a ‘D’ because nothing matches the story.

I’ve had this book listed on my ‘currently reading’ list for a long time. I had a feeling I’d already read it, but couldn’t remember anything about it, and hadn’t written a review. It turns out that I did read this book, probably over two years ago, but didn’t remember it until I read the part of Adrian and Noah breaking up near the end. I suppose not being able to remember a story is a bad sign, but after I read this again, I’m surprised I forgot it because this is a very good book. The blurb does a good job explaining the general plot so I’ll only add a little to it.

Adrian’s ex makes off with the RV Adrian had leased. He left Adrian in the freezing cold with no shoes or warm clothing, phone, laptop or anything. Noah in the campsite next door, rescues Adrian. Noah is a difficult person to get to know. He’s lived his life alone, craves solitude and is extremely tightly wound. He is very deep in the closet and has so far suppressed most of his desires for men, keeping those desires very secret. Noah grew up in a strict religious home and now is hoping for tenure at a strict religious school. Adrian arrives and upends Noah’s world. Adrian can’t keep from trying to find out more about Noah, and Noah is very resistant. Through accidental happenings and short comments, Adrian starts to figure Noah out. Cracks appear in Noah’s armor until he let’s Adrian in. But Noah keeps telling himself the relationship is only for a little while and it’ll be over when school starts. Adrian on the other hand, wants the relationship to continue, but once again, he’s chosen a man who can’t be all there for him. The breakup is pretty devastating when it happens.

As I mentioned, Noah is wound tight, very controlled. His behavior and personality were like a sad dark cloud that oozed off the page. The author did a terrific job of conveying Noah’s internal conflict over every little thought and change that Adrian presented Noah with. Almost everything Adrian did naturally and without fear, made the danger light blaze for Noah. He was so afraid of being found out. He worked hard to reach the point of being tenured at the college. Finding a job for a geoarchaeologist was next to impossible. Noah believed his lot in life was to never really be fully happy. He loved the idea of having a family but figured he’d never have one because he was gay. He tried to be content with his RV, his dog, and teaching. Noah had a pretty sad life, I felt sorry for him. He was so trapped in his thinking and what the school wanted. Adrian loved designing videos games. It turned out that both Adrian and Noah loved games, and Noah had sometimes sent emails to Adrian’s team explaining how the game wasn’t environmentally accurate. Adrian was outgoing, kind, and wanted a boyfriend. He liked trying new things. This was a definite opposite attracts story. There is great character growth on the part of Noah, not necessarily for Adrian. I’d say this is more Noah’s story than Adrian’s.

I really enjoyed Status Update even though I found it stressful reading Noah’s pov. He was such a sad, lonely man who’d built all these walls around him trying to keep himself safe, contained, and try to appear like a straight man. But he was so very unhappy. I’m glad Noah and Adrian ended up with their HEA. Despite the book cover not matching anything in this story, I give this, 5 Stars just because of Noah.

( )

A little over the top at times, but otherwise sweet. Adrian is so patient with Noah's doubts and fears about coming out and Noah's willingness to work toward a happy conclusion for each of them made the story ultimately enjoyable. ( )

Noah Walters is a geoarchaeologist at a conservative religious college on the verge of making tenure. All he has to do is finish up his book, and he's gone to a campground in Utah in his RV to do just that. He's left all distractions behind. But when one of his neighbors in the park, Adrian Gottlieb, is stranded by his boyfriend, Noah feels compelled to let the unexpected distraction that is Adrian into his trailer. It turns out Adrian is on his way to his sister's wedding in Denver, and he's been left with nowhere to get there. Against what he sees as his better judgment, Noah decides to try to get Adrian to the event. Along the way, Noah learns that Adrian is a designer on one of his favorite video games, making the fact that they couldn't be more different a little easier to handle on the drive. But despite Noah's demeanor, the two just might have more in common than either of them expected...and the distraction Adrian provides might just be too much for Noah to shake...

This was a fun and entertaining read, while also being extremely endearing at the same time. Both Adrian and Noah have had their struggles in life and love, and it seems there's a serendipity to their meeting. There are a few twists and turns--fitting for a story that involves a road trip in a recreational vehicle--and an ending that's not entirely expected.

[Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.] ( )

This is exactly the kind of sappy, slightly melodramatic love story that I love to read... It may be instalove but the connection between the two MCs is deep and soulful and there was no way I couldn’t root for them.. The little bit of angst made me weep (as usual) and the ending made me exceptionally happy 😃😃😃 A beautiful love story !!!! ( )