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An Imperfect Arrangement
by Chris Amisano
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$13.95 |
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$12.55 & eligible for FREE Super Saver Shipping on orders over $25. |
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$1.40 (10%) |
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Paperback
Publisher: iUniverse, Inc.
Alex Palini believes that his one chance at love has already come and gone after the unexpected death of his life partner three years earlier. At the age of thirty-five, he is dating twenty-two-year-old Stephen Clark—known secretly to Alex and his friends as Disposable Boy—just to hear someone breathe next to him at night. After all, his chance at happiness is gone … isn’t it? When Alex meets his new neighbor Rick Monette, he realizes how easy it would be to fall in love again—until Rick reveals a secret that makes Alex’s heart more vulnerable and forces him to face the possibility of grieving again. Through Rick’s companionship and the support of Alex’s friends, Alex is about to discover if a second chance can really lead to a happy ending.
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| Good Read |
| Customer Rating: 5 out of 5 |
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This is actually a really good book. It captures your attention at the very begining and keeps it going all the way through. The Character has a good head on his shoulders and is easy to relate to when reading the book. You will find it hard not to get wrapped up in his problems, and successes!
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| Imperect ... But Still Pretty Good |
| Customer Rating: 3 out of 5 |
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Alex loses his lover, but not in the way you'd expect. He takes up with a boy-toy, uncharitably referred to as Disposable Boy, until he meets the next great love of his life, Rick. Soon Rick reveals his shocking (not!) secret and Alex must decide how he's going to deal with it. This is a very simple, predictable gay love story that stretches its way over 164 pages to a happy ending. The characters are all hot, good looking and superb physical specimens. The Madison character is so nice, so understanding and so supportive as Alex's boss that she has limited credibility. Like other stuff from iUniverse, there are typos and spelling mistakes, but not to an annoying level. Still, author Chris Amisano, in his debut novel, displays a flair for dialogue and his subtle references to Southern quirks are enjoyable. As he acknowledges in the book's final sentence, this imperfect arrangment is happily flawed but we can live with that.
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| Not just a love story---good fiction! |
| Customer Rating: 5 out of 5 |
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This short novel surprised me. I was expecting the gay version of the romance novel and ended up with writing similar to that of a young Larry McMurtry. The book was very well written with excellent character developed. There are enough twists and turns in the plot and general conflict to keep one moving into the next chapter. This book is well work a read... and in my case, a re-read. Much more than just a gay romance novel, "An Imperfect Arrangement" takes the reader on a life journey through love, relationship, loss, fear, and recovery. I look forward to Amisano's next book. I will be first in line for my copy.
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| Moving, engrossing and uplifting gay romance. |
| Customer Rating: 5 out of 5 |
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I finished this in one sitting. This gay romance is excellent, its cast of characters appealing and well developed and the plot is tightly paced, emotionally stirring and interesting.
We have the narrator, Alex, who lost his partner of 3 years to cancer. Since then he has not been able to move on as he walled himself up emotionally, hooking up with guys for one-night or one-month stand then finally a sort of permanent relationship with a much younger Stephen, the Disposable Boy who is just that, disposable.
Enter Rick the seemingly perfect man, someone whom Alex could learn to love, someone to have a second chance with. Except Rick does have an imperfection. And here Alex finds himself in a dilemma as he struggles with his fears, afraid to take the same heartbreaking path again.
Alex is an appealing character, with his quirks and sense of decency. Rick is equally interesting. He may seem to have it all but beneath his cheeful demeanour he has his ghosts including one past abusive relationship which is disturbingly sad. It is easy to sympathize with Stephen, as he easily could be an epitome of a young gay life which could still go horribly wrong. Fortunately he has Alex and Rick to look out for him. As for Alex's close friends, Stuart and Madison, they are such stimulating characters, providing the heartwarming support that Alex needs.
The story does deal with a few heavy subjects, with some bittersweet and poignant moments. But it is never over sentimental which makes it more impactful. Ultimately it is an uplifting romance with its sweet moments as Alex finds his way again. Strongly recommended.
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| Learning to live ... and love ... again. |
| Customer Rating: 5 out of 5 |
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Alex is a guppie (gay urban professional) in his mid 30's, still somewhat numb by the quick and unexpected death of his lover several years before. He occupies his days by throwing himself into his work, going to the gym, and hanging out with his platonic gay and supportive straight friends and co-workers. For recreation, he's dating Stephen, a 22 year old hottie whom Alex and his friends refer to as "Disposable Boy" to recognize there is nothing there but a diversion.
When handsome, athletic thirty-something Rick moves into Alex's apartment complex, there's a definite immediate attraction, which proves to be more than just a sexual one. As a matter of fact, with Rick also dealing with a recent breakup, neither one of them wants to rush into anything sexual, until they are both sure where their relationship is going. But, before that happens, there is a revelation that make Alex wonder if he must repeat the doomed course of his last relationship, while both of them also help Stephen work through some problems.
The characters are well developed and very realistic, involved in a simple but heartwarming story to which any reader can relate. I love the support Alex receives from both his gay and straight friends, and the great interaction between them all. Deals with several key issues experienced by many, including getting on with one's life, defining a relationship, ageism in the gay community, drug use, and domestic abuse. Much recommended, five stars out of five.
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