Reviewed by Jess
TITLE: Young and in Love?
AUTHOR: Gary Garth McCann
PUBLISHER: Bold Strokes Books
LENGTH: 83 pages
RELEASE DATE: October 16, 2018
BLURB:
Cal State engineering student Hardy tries not to repeat all the mistakes of his gay-supportive but womanizing father. Hardy is too young for a husband, but not too young to fall for bi Tom, or out Brad, or to move in with Sebastien, a French visiting economics professor who surprises Hardy by not taking him along to Paris for the summer—perhaps because Sebastien has a secret boyfriend? In Sebastien’s absence, Hardy works as a barista and turns to online hookup Dick, who is obviously not who he says he is, yet inspires in Hardy the fantasy of being husbands.
REVIEW:
This short work is the first I’ve read by Gary Garth McCann. It’s fast and explicit and honest, and even though it feels more like a snapshot than a story, it’s still a solid read.
Hardy is that guy who is looking for true love in all the wrong places. His desire for love and marriage directly contradicts his need to fulfill every sexual desire that comes his way, making his love life a walking disaster. Hardy himself is thin on characterization, but that almost seems like a choice—he’s a huge narcissist, bordering on sociopathic in his constant search for satisfaction no matter the cost. He rolls through life on his father’s dime, collecting diverse lovers like baseball cards. And when they don’t fit his ideal of a perfect man (or they cheat, or lie, or simply disappear), he has no trouble moving onto the next. He reminds me of Joe in James Lear’s While My Wife’s Away—he knows he’s good at sex, but how far can that really take him in the search for love?
I love the relationship Hardy has with his parents. It’s so dysfunctional and weird, but it feels completely authentic. His mother is more like a cynical buddy who gives it to you straight—she’s smart, no-nonsense, and kind of a hot mess. She doesn’t tolerate any of his bullshit and seems to have no maternal instinct, but their dynamic is incredibly intimate. And the relationship between Hardy and his father is so incredibly uncomfortable that you can’t look away. They have no boundaries whatsoever, almost bordering on incest, but it feels more like an example of a parent who wishes they were their child’s friend instead of their guardian. Hardy’s insatiable sex life and unapologetic narcissism come right from his old man, and no one tries to deny it.
By the end of the story, none of Hardy’s lovers make a lasting impression. They all blend and blur together in a muddle of abs and asses and hands, giving Hardy pleasure and leaving him with disappointment. It’s not a true love story, and more often than not, it’s gritty and dirty rather than truly sexy. It’s a unique (and strangely effective) brand of erotica that leaves you tired rather than hot and bothered.
I have to recommend this one on the uniqueness factor alone. Hardy isn’t exactly relatable, and his exploits leave us feeling disjointed rather than satisfied. But the ending, in which Hardy surprises his mother with an uncharacteristic moment of truth, is an excellent finish for a story about a guy who, someday, may be ready for real love.
RATING: 
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