Brief Encounters

Title: The Beach House
Author: Elizabeth Lister
Length: 4,051 words (14 pdf pages)
Publisher: Goodreads m/m group*
Genre: m/m/m contemporary
Rating: B

Blurb:

Eighteen year old Marco has been crushing on Darrin all through their last year of high school. He thinks perhaps his chance has come when Darrin invites him to come swimming after a soccer game although he’s disappointed when it appears Sam is coming too. He’s shocked when he realizes that Sam and Darrin are more than just buddies and figures once again he’s the third wheel, however it seems Darrin and Sam have other plans for Marco at their “beach house”.

Review:

This little short is told from Marco’s point of view. He’s been crushing on Darrin who is a year older than all of the other kids for some time. The only reason he’s playing soccer is because Darrin asked him to. He thinks he possibly has a chance with Darrin when he invites him to go swimming but is disappointed when Sam joins them. He’s never paid much attention to Sam, even though he admits Sam is more his type, but as a typical teen he’s obsesses with Darrin. He feels a bit awkward with both boys who are obviously good friends and know each other well, and when they kiss in front of him he’s shocked, turned on, and depressed that he truly is the third wheel and has no chance with Darrin if he’s hooked up with Sam.

The surprise comes when they invite Marco to their “beach house” which is an old abandoned shack the boys have fixed up as a place to hang out and have sex. Marco’s stunned, but not going to turn down the opportunity of a lifetime. However after the fun is over, he realizes he needs to reassess his feelings both boys. This story is hot and sexy and none of the boys are naive or innocent. There is a tiny edge of D/s to the story, but the best part was the bit of twist with the relationship development.

I’m not going to spoil the ending (I hope) because I was surprised, but I’ll say I would love to see a follow-up to this story. They are boys, they are young, and I think the characterization was well done, although the kids I see at my daughter’s school swear WAY more than these guys. LOL They’d all make good sailors. I liked Marco a great deal, he’s got a bit of a self-deprecating humour, he takes his unrequited crush on Darrin in stride, trying to cope with an erection while playing sports and even when he thinks Darrin and Marco are a couple, he takes it with a bit of a sigh and a shrug and a “just my luck” attitude. You don’t get to know much about the other boys as it’s Marco’s story, but you get enough, little tidbits that give you a glimpse of their personalities and emotions.

But without ruining it, if you like stories with young characters who don’t act 30, and with some sexy three-way action, I think it’s a great choice.

*This is a free story available at Goodreads