Jeff Erno

It's really difficult to find a 'gay geek meets straight jock' story that doesn't just seem rife with cliches. And thankfully, I didn't feel like Jeff Erno's Dumb Jock is one of those stories.

When Jeff Irwin is given an ultimatum and forced to tutor Brett Willson, he is not excited to have to spend time with someone he sees as just another 'dumb jock' (even if he is extremely attractive). But when Brett makes some hints that he might be similarly inclined, Jeff isn't even close to prepared show more for what is yet to come...

The character dynamics in this one are pretty great. The way the relationship builds, the interactions with the side characters, etc. are all spot on and I really enjoyed reading this. The main detractor for me was at a point early on in the book when Brett refers to Jeff as being like a puppy and says that no matter what he does to Jeff he knows he'll always be loyal to him. For a YA book to seem (even in a small way) to glorify that kind of approach to relationships left me a bit uncomfortable. Even though that relationship isn't what remains for either of the characters later in the book, there isn't really much of a real transition away from that viewpoint. But I'm definitely interested in reading the next book in the series. show less

I received an ARC copy of We Danced from Jeff Erno for an honest review, thank you.



We Danced is the story of a romance told through the eyes of Rex Payton, a bar owner, and Josh Billings, a veterinarian student. Later in the story we also see events through the eyes of Yvonne the grandmother of Ty.

Rex and Josh are both responsible men with two very different goals and responsibilities in life. The story revolves around their romance and seeing if they can mesh their lives in order to find show more love and happiness with each other. At the same time integrating as a family and still achieve their goals.

Rex is a well-respected owner of the local bar. He’s very private and low-keyed. The author did a good job with Rex’s voice and I didn’t have any problem imagining his drawl and mannerisms. Early in Rex’s life he assumed the responsibility of adopting his nephew, Ty, and is raising him as his own son. Rex also took on the ownership of his father’s bar at twenty-two. He’s pushed romance so far on the back burner that he doesn’t believe he’ll find anyone to take him and Ty on as a family. That is until he meets Josh.

Josh has returned to Carlisle for a summer internship at the local veterinarian’s office. Josh is intelligent, kind, also private, but friendly. He is also very focused on graduating from vet school. He has wanted to be a vet from the time he was little and has never wavered in his goal. Josh is more emotional than Rex and can easily cry. I liked this aspect of Josh and didn’t find it too much in the story since the incidences where he does cry fit the situation in my opinion. After a first time visit to the bar, Josh forgets his cell phone and returns to pick it up after the bar is closed. Rex lets Josh in and from that moment instant love/attraction happens between the two and they kiss, then dance. The title of the story refers to the many times dancing is done in the book both literally and figuratively and I think it fit the book perfectly. I don’t usually like instant love stories, but for some reason it seemed to work in this book. I think Josh was more aware of being in love at first than Rex.

Ty, Rex’s nephew is quite the character. The author did a good job characterizing a boy full of energy, intelligence and interest in life. But Ty was also a child that sometimes wouldn’t do as he was told and at other times would talk back like any other kid.

At the start of the story there were a couple chapters of telling the background history of Rex and Josh. I felt the way it was written and the fact that it was so long made the story a bit dull. The same thing happened when we are introduced to Yvonne, Ty’s grandmother.

I wish there had been less monologue and more dialogue and action. The story didn’t have the passionate feel I wished for except during the pivotal events that happen toward the end of the story. That’s when I was able to feel the character’s emotions and get pulled into the book.

Lastly, I think the cover is perfect for the book.

We Danced was a fast read and a sweet romance where I had an easy time picturing the characters. However, there was a bit too much telling in describing their background history. I give this book 3 stars

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3.5 stars

I have opinions, but will have to be later... Doing this on phone... No bueno.

Updated:
First, my daughter is 14. Second, if my daughter was having sex at this age, I would for sure kick her ass. Third, I do NOT trust my daughter as much as this mom trusts Jeff, and my daughter's a good girl.

All that being said, I really felt for these characters. At once, they felt just the right tone of maturity for their age, immature and very mature... As I'm writing this, I do know that the story show more is told (or seems to be told) by the grown up Jeff about the teenage Jeff. BUT, that teenage Jeff could understand his submissive nature at 14 seems to indicate a level of maturity that very rare 14 year olds have. Their basic mode of being seems to be selfish and somewhat thoughtless. They do what feels good and have very little understanding of consequences. Jeff was a bit more mature than most, so it wasn't completely out of the realm of possibility. I know what it is to live with a parent that drinks, and I know the affect it has on a child. A child of such upbringing takes on adult behavior sooner than not. And having no role model, save his mother, Jeff seemingly has a lot on his plate.

There are scenes in this book that just hurt to read. And I felt such anger in others. The relationship between Jeff and Brett is completely uneven and at times made me so sad for Jeff. The ending did not justify the story for me and felt abrupt. Brett's behavior seemed more realistic for me than Jeff. His motivations and actions are more in line with how a 16 year old behaves. Jeff felt slightly off, although I still do really like him. show less

Definitely an amazing book! I loved that we, as readers, get such in-depth insights into the minds of the 2 MCs. Parts were terrible to read and near the end I was TERRIFIED but what an effective way to write the scene!