BEYOND by Albert Nothlit

Publisher:  MLR Press
Published:   March, 2014
ISBN:  MLR-1-02013-0218
Genre:   Short Story / Gay Romance
Book format:  E-Book
Obtained via:    Publisher
Reviewed Helena Stone, helenastone63@gmail.com

Rating: 4 Hearts

Jordan and his friend Tina are working boring but profitable jobs in a resort to save money for college. When the two of them spot the new valet, Henry, friendly rivalry is awakened between them; both Tina and Jordan wouldn’t mind getting to know this new, hot, man better and alleviate the boredom at the same time.

When Jordan and Henry get together later the same day, the latter proposes a trip to a secluded cabin on the resorts’ grounds. Jordan is interested – very much so – but can’t help feeling there’s something not quite right about Henry. He is different from Tina and him. How could somebody as young as Henry and working a crappy job, possibly afford a custom made car? And why does Henry look at Jordan with both anger and lust in his eyes? Jordan can’t escape feeling that going with Henry might be dangerous. His longing for the young man is far stronger than his fear though. After all, how much danger could he possibly be in?

This was a fun read that consistently got better as the story went on, despite the fact that I wasn’t overly fond of Jordan. His actions and reactions came across as rather selfish and inconsiderate both towards his friend Tina and towards Henry. I had to remind myself on several occasions how young he is and how self-absorbed most of us can be at that age.

This story fascinated me because it was so much more than it at first appeared to be. What starts off as a rather predictable falling in lust and running into issues sort of tale, soon turns into something quite different and unexpected. I can safely say that whatever I was expecting, it wasn’t what I ended up getting.

Maybe the twist didn’t come as a complete surprise to me. I had it figured out quite a while before Jordan did the same. That didn’t matter though; in fact it made perfect sense in the story and increased the mysterious atmosphere. I liked it. And I liked what came after the revelation and loved how the story ended. In fact, I think it was the second but last line in this novella that raised the rating from 3.5 to 4 stars. It’s just a shame that quoting that line would give the whole plot away. And trust me, that is something you wouldn’t thank me for.

This is a story for anyone who likes to be surprised and is grateful every time a book leaves them with a grin on their face. I’m going to have to keep an eye on this author.

This is an objective review and not an endorsement of this book.