Customer Reviews

Can't Buy Me Love

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

OK... I saw the cover art and immediately though "REALY lightweight gay-themed beach read..." (And the guys on the dust jacket are really cute, and it's about hustling, so the cover's fantasy quotient is high...)

As far as summer reading goes, it's not going to be making your high school's required reading list anytime soon, but this is a remarkably tight, well put together, fun read.

To avoid spoiling the plot (and there is one), let's just say that this novel ISN'T the bodice-ripper it's made out to be on the cover (it's just not that steamy). Instead, it's a well-crafted little story. Chris Kenry's writing flows really well. The plot's hardly byzantine, but it does hold the reader's interest. The characters are memorable (and even more rare, likeable), and the novel's themes are well developed.

One complaint: There's some non-essential historical detail that doesn't seem to always fit the chronology correctly, which an editor probably should have caught or cut.

This is a good, fun read... HIGHLY recommended as a fun fiction treat.

Ah, what a great business prostitution is! You've got it. You sell it. You've still got it. Chris Kenry has it, too. What an incredible first novel. The clever plot, the memorable characters, and the witty tone would seem to be the work of an established professional writer. Poor Jack, our narrator who has always depended on others take care of him, suddenly finds himself with no visable means of support and an enormous credit card debt. Not only does he find the solution to his financial problems in the world's oldest profession, but he finds love along the way. More importantly, Jack grows into an admirable character. This is a book that will have you laughing one minute and worrying about characters that you have come to love the next. When one hates to have a book end and wonders about the future of the characters, one has found a really good book. Chris Kearny has vaulted onto my list of favorite living writers.

Gay fiction desperately needs more books written in this lighter genre and style. Romance. Intrigue. Fascinating characters. Gay fiction tends to fall between two extremes: highly literary and extremely x-rated erotica. Robert Rodi, Doug Guinan, and Chris Kenry all work in this fun fiction tradition and I just can't get enough of these kind of novels. I read the erotic stuff and the literary stuff but these fun 'beach books' are the kind of escape that a hard working gay professional NEEDS from time to time.

Chris Kenry's book is a great read! The characters are unique, the story is solid, the premise is intriguing (what gay man hasn't dreamed of being a hustler in fantasy alone?), and I could certainly empathize with Jack and his rug-pulled-out life. Congratulations to a welcome new author. Just keep it well written and fast paced and I'll buy and read them all.

First off, stop reading this review and rush to add CAN'T BUY ME LOVE to your shopping cart. I don't say that for the benefit of amazon.com, but because I want to share the best fun read that I have had in a long time. It made me smile, chuckle and even laugh out loud. And all along the way I was rooting for the narrator in his struggle to best the fickle fingers of fate.

The book, a fictional autobiography of Jack Thompson, takes you through ups and downs of a spoiled rich gay Denver boy who becomes a spoiled kept boy who becomes a penniless widowed boy who becomes a family castaway who becomes a welfare recipient who becomes a gay escort for pay who becomes a hustler who becomes a male madam (sorry escort entrepreneur) who becomes a video porn model who becomes a -- well, if I told you any more I'd be giving away the whole story and you should have the pleasure of reading that yourself. Now, I don't want to give the impression that this is a wet and messy tell all sexcapade; my mother would be able read book without batting an eye. (Sorry, if that's what you were looking for, but try this one anyway; you'll still enjoy it.)

Chris Kenry is a real find in this his debut novel, and he has created some original and interesting characters. At times I was even reminded of some of Patrick Dennis' best work. However, since I read this book so fast, I'm really looking forward to his next novel or better yet novels.

Fiction appealing primarily to a certain kind of reader must broaden its context in order to transcend its subject or theme in order to become good literature. A solid story, a well-written tale of human conflict or passion, a setting populated by a wide variety of characters -- these infuse Chris Kenry's new novel Can't Buy Me Love. The author accomplishes his task with talent and wit. Kenry's protagonist (alter-ego?) Jack Thompson finds himself transformed from callow youth into maturity as the story unfolds. We are so moved by this deeply introspective bildungsroman technique that the banality of Jack's profession and the infuriating shallowness of his character at the onset become secondary. At the same time, Can't Buy Me Love parades a host of city-dwellers from every corner of Denver's underground society -- a setting previously exposed by such writers as Gene Fowler, Damon Runyon, and Willard Motley. Never depressing, yet avoiding the whimsy of so many novels in its genre, Kenry's tale is a serio-comic masterpiece. The worst this reader can say is that it needs a bit of editing at times, and we are also left with a few loose ends in a very broad spectrum of parallel characters and sub-plots. In summary, think Petronius meets Balzac meets Mary Lasswell meets Noel Coward.

Chris Kenry has an easy-to-read style and is obviously a keen observer of gay life in the new millenium. While some of the characterizations he makes through the cast of his story are a bit cliche, they work, and you end up hoping that things turn out for the best for the group.

Kenry has a quick wit, and this book is a fine summer read. Check out other books by Christian McLaughlin and Robert Rodi for some equally enjoyable summer fare, but don't pass this book up - it's a great first novel and a fine addition to the gay comedrama author aresenal. :)

I'll be honest. My 'better-half' as he likes to call himself told me that I'd only bought this book to stare at and lust over the extremely gorgeous blond boy on the cover. How shallow does he think I am? After all, I carefully studied the dark-haired guy as well, before I dismissed him in favour of the dishy blond.

Two kinds of people are going to be very disappointed by this novel; those who expect it to be a tale of true raunch featuring those oh-so-pretty cover guys; and those who ere expecting a gut-rippingly funny story.

In truth, this book is neither, although it is very witty, employing a sardonic tone and it is about a rent-boy agency. What the author, Kenry, does do is to give the reader a half-plausible plotline to explain how a spoiled brat, whose sugar-daddy dies, ends up starting his own business as a "Escort Agency". There is an extremely well-made moral in the first chapter which transcends humour (and nationality) and does make it clear that in jurisdictions based on English Common Law, you MUST make a Will in favour of your partner to avoid the poor chap having to sell his body!

I read this book just after I'd read Aaron Lawrence's book about how to become a cyberhustler, and I thought that great chunks had been lifted right out. So, Kenry got his research right <g>, and I hope he got tested after doing it!

This really is a very amusing book that makes a few serious points along the way and will, I'm sure, make many guys very happy.

I found this book while wandering through one of the local book stores. The cover caught my eye & although this is a different genre for me, I bought it & it quickly became one of my favorite books. Jack, the lead character, certainly charges through life by the hour getting into one mess after another. Just like the supporting characters, you can do nothing but sit back and hold on for the ride.
While you will laugh and shake your head at his "messes" you will also enjoy the introspective moments as well.
It is well written, but doesn't get bogged down in too many details. I could easily picture each situation as they happened as well as feel each reaction of Jack and the other characters as they happened. I have recommended this book to several friends & hope to see more from this author. Great job!

I was looking for some summer reading at my friendly bookstore in Alabama (yes, you read that correctly). I thought the beginning of the book was excellent; you really feel for the guy and hate the evil sister. I just wish there had been a little more depth to his solution of the problem. Otherwise, great for enjoying under a palm tree, with a drink in hand!

The great thing about this story is the twist-and-turn plot! Call it romantic comedy, a crime caper, or a gay slice-of-life novel, and you'd be correct on all 3. The plot moves along steadily, and you'll find yourself aching to know Jack's next move at every turn. Hope this guy writes more books, because he's a great writer and I can't wait to read more!