Reviewed by Donna

TITLE: Screwups

AUTHOR: Jamie Fessenden

PUBLISHER: Dreamspinner Press

LENGTH: 204 Pages

BLURB: In 1996, Jake Stewart is starting his third year at the University of New Hampshire. Even as a successful business major, he is absolutely miserable. Not only is Jake pursuing a field he hates when he’d rather study art, he is utterly terrified of what will happen if his father finds out he’s gay. When he finally gets up the courage to move into the creative arts dorm on campus, his new roommate, Danny, is openly gay—and there’s no denying the attraction between them.

Danny Sullivan has been out since high school, and he appears comfortable with his sexuality. But something happened in Danny’s past—something that gives him nightmares he refuses to talk about. Unknown to Jake, the way he mistreated his friend, Tom Langois, when Tom came out to him in high school, is mild compared to the way someone very much like Jake treated Danny.

It may be too late to fix the mess Jake made with Tom, but if Jake wants to be with Danny, he’s going to have to fix the mess made by another closeted jock he’s never even met. 

REVIEW:

Screwups is the latest release from Jamie Fessenden and the third book I’ve read from this author. With just three books Jamie has cemented himself a place on my automatic buy list.

This story is about Jake and Danny, college roommates who find themselves in an undesirable situation, sharing a room with someone they’re attracted to. Danny doesn’t have a great track record with closet cases and really wishes he wasn’t attracted to Jake. One particularly painful past encounter regularly leaves him up crying in the middle of the night. Although he has an understanding mother and some really good friends he isn’t a happy person. Danny’s character made me sad.

Jake, on the other hand, is a character that seems to find the joy in every possible situation. Although terrified of his family discovering the truth about his sexuality he’s bravely started inching his way out of the closet and into Danny’s bed. I loved the way Jake is willing to give any new experience a try, whether it’s role play games (of the non sexual variety) or kissing another boy.

I always enjoy reading books that have a college setting. The atmosphere is always lively and fun and, well, Screwups is certainly not an exception to that rule. A costume party to which everybody must wear their best birthday suit? Does stuff like that actually happen? Dorm room nudey parties? I think I missed out.

The story is a lot sexier than I expected it to be, considering both of the main characters have significant issues when it comes to sex, Danny with his past experiences and Jake with his absolute lack of experience. But the two of them together certainly generate some heat. Actually, the author did a commendable job of keeping the sexiness meter steady on high through most of the book while not filling the story with sex. The “wet dream” incident was hilarious and damn hot at the same time.

If I loved this book why not a full 5 stars? Totally to do with my own preferences and not at all a criticism of the story. Dungeons and Dragons and whatever all those other games are called are definitely not my thing. And dress up role play, which has characters doing battle in the forest? Na ah. No interest what so ever but I do believe any gaming/roll play lovers are going to bust a nut over this story.

So, a sequel? Well the story doesn’t really need one but I’m willing to put my hand up and ask nicely. This was one story where I was actually hoping the epilogue would skip forward a couple of years (I know, I know. Damned if you do and damned if you don’t.) It’s just that Danny was so sure that Jake wouldn’t stay with him long term, I’d love to have the chance to see them together years later.

Definitely recommend this one, especially for those crazy gamers out there. You know who you are.

RATING:

BUY LINKS: Dreamspinner Press