Customer Reviews

Right Side of the Wrong Bed

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

 

 

Kenny Kane is a grounded, professional university student affairs coordinator in Los Angeles where he's trying to find a life after DaVon, his hunky firefighter ex-boyfriend who couldn't keep his hose in pants and fathered some babies while dating Kenny.
At 33, Kenny is lonely and frustrated as a newly single man but he has his mother and his bestfriends Ricky and Carlos, a confident and happy couple, to lean on for support and guidance.
While out one night to celebrate one of their birthdays, Kenny's eye catches a dapper Daddy Yankee-type named Jeremy Lopez.
But Jeremy is straight-up trouble. He's 21, works at another college part-time and loves to party with his keeping-it-real, too-cool posse.
What begins as a casual meeting unfolds into a fun and emotional ride in "The Right Side of the Wrong Bed.''
In his second novel, Fred Smith writes about the struggles of one interracial couple trying to make their relationship work despite their cultural differences. Kenny is black from Ohio while Jeremy (JLO if you will) is Mexican and Dominican.
But that's just the skin of the book. Throughout the novel, Smith explores the power and the importance of relationships in our lives. There's Kenny and his tell-it-like-it-is mother who dispenses common-sense insights as easy as she gambles. Kenny's mom always warns him of "the white lady laws'' and how they work against guys like him in the real corporate world.
There's Kenny and his bestfriend Carlos, office workers who lean on each other in time of need and have heart-to-hearts about what's good and bad professionally and personally.
There's Kenny and his ex-DaVon, trying to redefine their friendship and establish new boundaries after their break-up.
Like a lot of gay men, Kenny gives Jeremy one too many second chances and the benefit of the doubt, even though he arrives with more baggage than a Sears catalog. Kenny's character wants some love/lust in his life, now that his most recent relationship has failed. He wants something that sticks, permanently, like the relationships of his straight sisters.
Despite his issues and differences with Jeremy, Kenny spends the rest of the story wrestling with the book's theme: whether being on the right side of the wrong bed is really worth it. As he and Jeremy try to make a go of their rocky relationship, they get a reality check, worthy of a Friday afternoon cliffhanger from The Young and The Restless.
Smith writes in a stream-of-conciousness style, the characters' thoughts and inner dialogues pouring on the pages. This made the reading very easy and enjoyable.
Smith also has a nice touch with his turn of phrases such as "Bling for days,'' and "Down Low in Reverse,'' and describing the sense of nirvana when Kenny realizes Jeremy may never be the person he hopes for him to be.
Smith also writes a gay novel without resorting to profanity or graphic sex, which is refreshing and rare in today's publishing world.
But more importantly, he gives the reader a sincere insider's view of what it's like to be gay, black/Latino and single today and the challenges of dating someone outside your culture, something this reader is not very familar with.
The Right Side of the Wrong Bed is an engaging read.

Kenny Kane is a 33 yr old gay man who is slowly recovering from the end of a sevem year relationship with a cheating partner. On a night out with his best friend, Carlos, Kenny bumps into 21 yr old Jeremy Lopez, who seems to be everything that Kenny is not. While Kenny is a responsible and relatively conservative African American college administrator from an upper-middle-class family, Jeremy is a "if it feels good, do it!" party animal, a student at a local community college, dabbles in drugs (and possibly other illegal activities) and comes from a big fairly dysfunctional big Mexican/Dominican family in the East L.A. ghetto.

But, faster than you can say "Opposites attract," Kenny is hooked on the younger man, and ignores the warnings of his friends and ex who point out the age difference and the fact that Jeremy secretive nature isn't conducive to honesty and is likely to result in Kenny being hurt. It's much more than sexual chemistry, and defies any theories that Kenny's attraction is based mostly on his need, after the failed relationship, to be desired by a man who turns heads wherever they go. When they go to one of Jeremy's fraternity parties, which is later raided by the police, and Kenny meets the young man's ex, who contradicts what he had been told about their relationship, Kenny begins to doubt his feelings, and has a background check done on the boy. But Jeremy charisma and considerable charms keep Kenny from even reading the results of the investigation, as he tries to justify staying with the young man despite his own common sense starting to agree with his friends that it is a bad idea.

"Right Side of the Wrong Bed" is an apt title for this captivating, somewhat lyrical story, a character study of two complete opposites which fate decides to bring together, which provides surprising insights into why we often feel strongly about relationships in all defiance of our comon sense dictating otherwise. The novel is sprinkled with a significant amount of "street slang" language, but not to the point where the average reader would have problems understanding what is going on. I give it four stars out of five.

Fred Smith has done it again. This new book "Right Side of the Wrong Bed" explores human life in its rawness and doesn't hold any punches. It explores the things that we do for love and the lack of self awareness that we don't have when we are trying to make things work in our lives. It gives into the things that we all want, and definitely at the end of the day don't need.

This boook is so delicious. I ate every bit of it and am full...You truly have a gift and I pray that everyone that could possible read it, will and enjoy it as much as I have. The story and the characters are so real and I am telling everyone that I come in contact about it. You care about Kenny and sometimes Jeremy because Fred crafts them so well and makes them so believable.

If there is one book that you have to read in '08, make it this one. It will give you everything that you need and there is no stopping once you begin. The ending is satisfying and leaves with questions as to what we all want out of life and questions are we truly satisfied with the way that it is going and never taking life for granted.

V.A.

This author proved that men are fools for love also. I just felt so bad for Kenny because he really seemed like a nice guy and I just hated to see him putting so much of himself and his funds out there and getting nothing in return but deceit and heartache. This story flowed very nicely and was a good read for the true romantic.

I literally couldn't put the book down. I was filled with anticipation about what was going to happen next I read it in two days. The characters are well written and you can feel everything that they are going through. I expected it to be the same ole' oppisites attract love story but was surprised where the story went. I love Kenny's mother and the sassy way she gives out advice. I also love the journey that the two main characters are going through. It's a must read for anyone who loves anything to do with romance.

I just finished reading 'Down For Whatever' and found 'Right Side of the Wrong Bed' also at the library and just now finished it. As the book progressed I just kept getting annoyed at how Kenny kept getting sucked under by Jeremy and why an older, educated, well adjusted guy would do this. Especially when he had other more suitable guys after him. I wanted a "happily ever after" story. But when it ended the way it did, it was sobering and I had to give it the best I could. I had no idea. For Jeremy's sake I had to. In this respect he was a young man who got involved in a very good situation and based on his age and maturity tried (again and again) to do right. I love these Frederick Smith books---the delicious mix and black and latin guys. It makes for good reading for me. Hope there's more to come from him.

Evenly written a good mix of urban street where different generations can read and understand. The characters are relatable. This story is no wonderland but honest and true of racism, agism, and sexism. This book can lead generational discussion on love, tolerance and class. There are some adults who may relate to Jeremy and some young adults who can relate to Kenny. I look forward to more work from Frederick Smith.

Kenny Kane is handsome, intelligent, and has a successful career....throw in a hot firefighter for a boyfriend and Kenny appears to have it all. But Kenny's world is turned upside down when it is revealed that his boyfriend of 7 years has been cheating on him--with another woman! Despite the drama, Kenny is determined to move on with his life. Not looking for another relationship but looking for a good time, a chance encounter leads him to Jeremy Lopez.
Jeremy is young, hot, and fly! Impulsive, free-spirited and wild, Jeremy is the complete opposite of calm, collected, and sensible Kenny. Attracted from the start, Jeremy and Kenny can't deny the chemistry between them and find themselves hanging out and getting to know each other. Despite a 12-year age difference, Jeremy and Kenny find themselves embarking on a relationship but soon, Jeremy's many skeletons which include a crazy ex, possible criminal record etc etc begin to cause a rift and the two begin to drift apart but soon Kenny must decide if a relationship with Jeremy is really worth all the drama. But when tragedy strikes, will Kenny find himself alone once again??

Right Side of the Wrong Bed by Frederick Smith gets off to a slow start but once it gets going, it's an engaging read with interesting characters. As with Down with Whatever, it offers a look into gay relationships and how they really aren't that different from "straight" relationships. Reviewed by Shay C of PeoplewholoveGoodBooks

I read this book cover to cover without putting it down. Smith has a smooth lyrical style to his writing. Smith's observations on human relationships are keen and not limited to gay relationships. Anyone who has ever robbed the cradle will relate to Kenny Kane's dreams for his relationship with Jeremy. After Jeremy invites Kenny out for a night of Red Lobster and an action movie, Kenny reflects that he will have to teach Jeremy about a world of cuisine, liquor and independent art house films. I found myself constantly laughing at his insight about careers, dating and fashion. It is also one of the only books I have read of late where I could not predict the ending. This book will appeal to anyone regardless of race or sexual orientation. It's themes are universal. I am a straight married Latina and I saw myself in Kenny Kane.

After hearing rave reviews about,"Right Side Of The Wrong Bed" I purchased this book in hopes of reading an interesting yet romantic story. While the book didn't bore me, the plot and storyline lacked in certain areas.

Kenny Kane a thirty three year old professional administrator is recovering from his seven year relationship with Devon (a fire fighter) who eventually broke poor Kenny's heart. Devon was apparently on the down-low and fathered two out of wedlock kids while they were together. Kenny is devastated and wonders why cant his relationship be the epitome of his best friends(Carlos and Ricky).

He ventures to a club in West Hollywood and is approached by a twenty one year old hip hopper(Jeremy) who's bold, confident, and demanding. Kenny in instantly fascinated by his young suitor and becomes a doormat. He looses all sense of rationality when it comes to Jeremy. Throughout the book it doesn't matter what Jeremy does whether it be manipulation, cheating, or lying Kenny is so mesmerized by the young trouble maker than he refuses to pay attention to warnings from his mother, friends and family. Even when Kenny decides to finally end it he gets manipulated again.

If you're looking for fun and light conversation then the book is interesting enough to hold your attention. But substance wise, it was a complete let down. The story is basically about a middle-aged insecure black gay man who party hops, dresses in hip hop attire, and basically looses common sense in order to chase a young immature-latino/dominican boy who still carries a Gameboy.

C-