Customer Reviews

The Night We Met

5 star:		(13)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

First off, I never give "just for fun" books five stars. This one deserved it, so there's the beginning of just how wonderful this book was.

Picture a book editor, Andrew, recently (and not willingly) single and gay, whose ex just picked up something younger and cuter. Andrew's first two books are on the bargain bin, he's feeling pretty down, and then at an opening party for a new gay bar, he meets the man of his dreams, the man who could just maybe be, Mr. Right.

If Mr. Right was a quasi-heterosexual son of one of the worst Mafia Capo bosses in the city. Oops.

I cried I laughed so hard. This book isn't just funny, it's witty, and that's a style in short demand. The bon-mots are fabulous, the plot is so completely outrageous that it has a Evanovich-esque slaptstick to it that just totally leaves you gasping for air between guffaws. And beyond it all, there's Andrew, hopeless (and hopeful) romantic, dodging thugs, police, FBI, his best friends, and once or twice having nookie that will curl your toes.

Phenom. If Byrnes has more, I'm buying it today. If he doesn't, I hope he writes quickly - these are in no way heading the bargin bin, folks.

'Nathan

Andrew Westlake, middle management at a small publishing house, author of a book on coming out that did not sell, recently dumped by the boring yet handsome accountant he was dating does not feel life is going well. He sets out with his friends, in drag for the first time, to the opening of a hot new club. While there, he meets Frank, the owner of the club, handsome charming, attacted to Andrew. the problem seems to be that Hank is straight and think Andrew is a woman. While not a great start to any relationship things get cleared up and go downhill as Andrew finds out that Frank is also the son of the number two man in one of the top mob families in NYC. One that is currently engaged in a war with the other families. Now, aside from dealing with the ramifications of possibly getting Frank killed if the news of their relationship gets out Andrew is also being followed by the police, the FBI, and some shadowy figures that look like bad casting for the Sopranoes. This book was a step up from most of the light gay reading novels out there. It was enjoyable, had a bit of suspence and had you the reader both wishing Andrew would wise up and end the situation while at the same time secretly hoping things worked out with nobody getting "wacked"
A worthwile book and one that you will probably recomend to friends.

Andrew (Drew, not Andy) Westlake (by his own opinion) is the ultimate romantic (or in our opinion the ultimate gay loser.) Fifteen years ago he left Allentown, PA to move to New York City, to discover the gay life, his literary voice, and his true love. Instead he has found a nine to five job as a junior book editor, written to books that have been remaindered, and lost his boyfriend to a bleached blond window dresser. How low can you go?

Get ready folks, because Drew hasn't bottomed out yet. He finally meets "Mr. Right" in the guise of Frank DiBenedetto who just happens to be the "straight" heir to one of New York's most prominent (notorious) families. Naturally you would expect a few complications to result from this situation. At every page turn Drew runs into yet another complication to his search for real happiness.

The book is a fun, totally enjoyable read. I partucularly enjoyed the infighting of rival authors on a book tour. Unfortunately though, it is not the "frantic, nonstop, madcap romp through a wild romance no reader will be able to refuse" that the book jacket promised. Do the people who write these blurbs for Kensington ever read the book before they write the blurb? I don't think so!

While the majority of the characters are well developed, Frank was a somewhat one-dimensional dropout from The Sopranos or Corky Romano. (If I had been Drew, I would have dumped him for the cute FBI agent who was a better-developed and more likable character.)

This book was author Byrnes' debut novel and I really enjoyed his writing style. I've added him to my list of writers to watch and encourage you to give him a try.

Not since I read the Tales of the City series by Armistead Maupin has a work of gay fiction brought me the entertainment that The Night We Met by Rob Byrnes did. His vivid characters jumped out of the book and for a short time became part of the world around me. The storyline was outlandish, but not unbelievable.
The setting of this book is in New York City and the main character, Andrew, is an author and works for a publishing company. His boss talks him into going to the grand opening of a new gay bar that is having an exclusive party on Halloween dressed in drag. While searching for the bathroom, Andrew stumbles upon the back office of the bar where he meets Frank, the son of the underboss of the New York Mafia. They share a dance in the hallway back to the bar and then we are off to the races.
Although I have never dated or fallen in love with someone with any type of mob connection, that seems to be one of the few things I could not relate to. Frank, has never been in a relationship with a man. In fact, he believes that Andrew is a woman. Andrew is nursing hurt feelings of being left by his partner of seven years for a much younger man. There is that spark between Frank and Andrew that we all have felt, that instant attraction (not just the physical one).
With the different events that happen within the book, the police, FBI, and the mob are all out to get Andrew. His friends are constantly giving him advice, most of which is something he should have listened to, but never does. He is a true romantic at heart and follows it where it takes him. The author has done such a good job capturing those feelings that I found myself caught up many times in them.
Andrew is so similar to many of us, caught up in situations that we are unable to walk away from because it hurts us deep down to the core of our being, that true feeling you get from being in love. In his attempt to make it through all of this, he opens up and tells his story to total strangers, sometimes when he shouldn't. Digging his hole deeper and deeper. How many times have I found myself doing that same thing?
For many years, I myself have wanted to live in New York, okay, all my life, and the thought of being the and having my books published is even more of a fantasy. The relationship that develops between Andrew and Frank is one that makes you yearn for those early days in a relationship where things are so fresh and new. The passion that they both have for each other is erotic, but pure in heart. It is that unbridled passion we dream of.
This book keeps you constantly guessing at what is going to happen next. Will Andrew's life continue to get even worse than it already is or will things finally turn around? For Andrew and Frank, they face an uphill battle from the very beginning. Hilariously getting caught in the act several times, none which prove to be a good situation.
I can honestly say that I believe that this is one of the best pieces of gay fiction that I have read, fiction for that matter. The blending of comedy, romance and suspense make this a wonderful book. The writing style keeps your interest going at all times. I found myself unable to put the book down, instead having to continue reading to find out what happens next. Like all good works of suspenseful fiction, you do not know until the very end what happens, and how life turns out for Andrew and Frank, independently and as a couple. This is a love story of love stories. I highly recommend this book. Thank you Mr. Byrnes for bringing this great novel to life.

I've been waiting a long time for a book like this: well-written, fun, unapologetically gay fiction. I can't recommend it highly enough. Byrnes has created a batch of well-developed characters (even the stereotypical "Mafia Princess" leaps off the page) and set them loose in New York City with wonderfully manic results. Part of my wants a sequel; the other part of me wants to leave this romantic comedy just as it is. And all of me wants another novel from Rob Byrnes.

I am a fast reader and I finished this book in about 7 hours.I just couldn't put this book down. I love how Rob Byrnes made me feel for both Andrew and Frank. They are a couple that had so many problems and It was heartbreaking to read about each road block in their relationship. The author tied every plot device together without forgetting about detail. This Is a great book and I can't wait to read more from Rob Byrnes.

I found it hard to put this book down. It's amazing how one man, Andrew, could get into so much trouble, all in the name of love.

Andrew and Frank faced one roadblock after another in persuit of their realationship. Andrew's willingness to give up all for Frank was very touching. For once, a well written gay story has a happy ending. Rob Barnes did a great job with this one and I'm looking forward to his next offering.

A VERY nice openning, with some wonderful images and some great wit.
This is the story of a man blinded by rose colored glasses, a romantic who in a relationship is soo happy that he doesn't notice his lover isn't and is getting ready to leave him. Andrew is devastated, with some rye humor including a lol moment while he drowns his califlower in gravy and holds it down while imaging his ex's new lover! Well, Andrew's not a fast learner so the next guy his eyes meet turns out to be a prince of a different kind. But despite the wise-guys, homocidual ex-finances, danger to life and limb and his friends desperate attempts to help him and themselves Andrew refuses to give up his Love with confused, son-of-the-mafia Frank.
I liked it, but you expect a main character to learn and grow. Andrew doesn't seem to. He goes in to his romantic Love and it's little different, accept the for danger for bodily harm or death at the hands of Frank's Family connections, then his "example" relationship with the ex that left him. You can only say that his rose-glasses Love gave him the courage and determination to stay until he got Frank, and then to stick around despite all common sense and actually end up WITH Frank. And safe.
I really loved the beginning. Got tired as I continued to read to the end all in one night (I read it all in one night people, there's something to this book!)- so perhaps I'm a bit jaded on the ending, but I still feel there was no character growth.
Some great characters, like mystery writter Maragret and FBI Paul Waverly and like I said a wonderful openning. Things just went slightly down hill when Frank does the typical Mafia thing and has Andrew's ex beaten- bad. That kind of killed the comedy there and alot of the rye life humor as well as those rose-colored glasses blinded Andrew to his own life. He spends most of the story from that moment desperately trying to bag his man, despite his flaws, Frank needed him! And Frank WAS sweet.
Reading it I would occassionally imagine it as a movie, or even as a yaoi manga.
Read it- you decide!

I just read this book for the second time and this may be trite, but, once again, I simply could not put this book down. With a disarmingly fast pace and a feel good romantic spirit this novel zooms way over the top and smack into the readers heart. Who says a bit of fluff cant be charmingly absurd and touchingly poignant? The exceptional escapades of the wonderful outlaw lovers, as they fight for their relationship against hilariously impossible odds, will keep a smile on your face from cover to cover. Speaking as a hopeless romantic, I overwhelmingly recommend this fabulous book.

This book is a delightful romp filled with hilarious scenes spiked with witty remarks. Andrew is an endearing character. The reader is easily caught up in his colourful adventurous life as he stubbornly clings to his romantic ideas. Needless to say, love wins as Andrew finally gets his man despite all odds and complications, which is what an entertaining story should be all about. Andrew's friends, David and Dennis, are delightful characters adding spice to a wonderful piece of entertainment. Can't wait for Byrnes next endeavour.