The Backup Boyfriend: The Boyfriend Chronicles - Book 1 Paperback – January 18, 2014

Super sweet series. Couldn’t put this book or the other 2 in the series down. Will definitely be following this author.

I purchased the book because its description and cover suggested an interesting read. This is River Jaymes' book 1, in her Boyfriend Chronicles series. Here is what I have to say:I offer no synopsis, brief or otherwise, because the book's description is sufficient. The GTY plot: boy-meets-boy; friendship forged; testosterone takes over; sexual attraction; sex; sexual orientation labels and unrealistic goals drive them apart; being together is so much better than being apart; so love triumphs-- labels and goals be damn.The book's strength is its constellation of well-developed, strong individuals: Dylan Booth: A motorcycle mechanic who is straight male, tall, dark, handsome, and well-muscled, rough around the edges, and an enthusiastic sexual partner; but he is likewise, gentle and kind with a generous spirit. He is not looking for a relationship because the sex is enough; he is every gay man's quintessential fantasy. Alec Johnson, MD: A physician who is blond, blue-eyed, gay male with a defined muscular physique and a photogenic memory. He is kind and gentle; tender hearted and wants to be the "perfect gay male with a perfect gay partner in a perfect gay monogamous marriage." He strives to be so perfect and to please everyone-- society, the GLBT people, his parents, etc.-- that he loses sight that being himself is much better. Noah: A flamboyant "queen" who is dedicated to humanitarian causes supports Dylan's Annual Motorcycle Poker Race, a fundraising event for HIV, as well as, Alec and Tyler's Front Street Medical Clinic for HIV victims and the homeless. Tyler Hill, MD: Alec's ex-boyfriend and associate in the medical clinic. Tyler comes off as aloof, calculating and much too reserved. But this is a defense mechanism. Why does he leave Alex? He is not in love with Alex; nonetheless, he is looking for love as everyone else. Rick Adams: (Yes, I consider Rick a character because of his influence on the others.) Rick's back-story is vital to the narrative. Rick was Dylan's friend during their teenaged time as street persons and Dylan's non-sexual lover. When Rick dies of HIV, it leaves a gaping hole in Dylan's heart, and one that Dylan resists filling for fear of losing another dear to him. Rick is Noah's physical lover, and Rick's death devastates Noah.Another interesting character is Alec's psychologist mother, who steadfastly supports her gay son in all endeavors. She is one reason Alec strives to be so "perfect."Memorable quotes:Dylan: "Last week I explained what produces to the unique sound of a Harley, starting with an explanation about the four cycles of power generation... The suck, the squeeze, the bang, and the blow."Noah: "Sounds like my night last night... The suck and the squeeze were good. But the bang and the blow were phenomenal." "Me... I wouldn't miss this fake-homo show for all the Gucci shoes on Rodeo Drive. Besides once Dylan Booth gets an idea in his head, the threat of hell or high water pants won't change his mind. Hetero or not, he'll make a fabulous backup boyfriend." "You know... the boyfriend substitute, at least that's how I use the term. He's not a real boyfriend, just a convenience. For display only..."Dylan's response to Alec posing him as da Vinci's Vitruvian man: "This is the messiest, geekiest link ever... Why the hell is this a total turn-on?"Alec: "Except I just want to be with you. So I'll settle for whatever you're willing to give."Dylan: "Whatever I have to do, man... Whatever it takes."Alec: "Actually, there's really only one thing you need to call yourself."Dylan: "What's that?"Alec: "Mine."Warning: Dylan/Alec sex scenes are torrid, but not gratuitous, which brings comments on the "Vitruvian Man" scene. Awesome. Immediately going for the junk and juice is ok. Fast and furious, you know is good, but slow and sensuous is great-- it's worshipping and worshipped. And this scene is full throttle!To watch Dylan morph from an "it's only sex" individual to one who wants and needs to be with Alec--labels be damned-- is amazing. And to watch Alex come to the realization that striving to be the "perfect gay male" diminishes him as a person and a lover worthy of Dylan-- perfection be damned-- is marvelous, too. "The Backup Boyfriend" is an engaging and enjoyable read-- I read the book in one sitting! It is light-- despite the horrendous backstory-- and is entertaining with the right balance of angst, pathos and humor. Definitely recommended.

Going solo (no pun intended) has to be a trend cause it’s often and often that I read self-published books that are at the same level, if not upper, than other novels published by the more acclaimed Gay Romance publishers. Usually, you have to take in account some problem with the editing, some bad typos, but in this case, maybe I was so enthralled in the story, sincerely I didn’t notice any. And while the plot is, apparently, the usual gay for you theme, there is something more psychological, and in the end, bittersweet in the deployment of the story.Dylan’s best friend, actually almost a brother, the one with whom he shared his teen years as runaway kid, was gay; and he is now dead, AIDS, as many other young men. Rick, the friend, used to turn tricks on the streets, and that is how Dylan met him; Dylan became friend, brother and protector for Rick, but couldn’t prevent his dying 5 years before, at 25. And now, 5 years later, Rick’s former boyfriend, Noah, the one who shared with him the pain of loss, asks Dylan to help Alec, a doctor who serves in an free-clinic for homeless people. The task is easy, Dylan restores vintage motorbike and Alec wants to buy an Harley; how he ends being Alec’s backup boyfriend to teach a lesson to Alec’s former boyfriend, Tyler, that is not easy. Especially considering that Dylan is not gay… but maybe he is not even straight.Alec is an activist through and through, not only he gives his time for free at the clinic, he is also a promoter for same-sex marriage, arriving to be a poster boy for it alongside with his boyfriend Tyler; but now Tyler is gone, he is even in another relationship, and Alec feels lost. Little by little, you arrive to realize that Alec’s driving to a life in couple was yet another way to conform to a society that apparently is denying an ordinary life to him and the LGBT community; instead of fighting for the right to be different, Alec is thriving to be the same, and though, accepted.On the other side Dylan is against every type of commitment, from him owning 15 bikes, so that basically, he isn’t attached to any of them, to not being with the same woman twice. Everyone he loved, eventually he lost, and he has no intention to give it a try. And then he is not gay… but maybe claiming heterosexuality is only another way to not commit? Meaning that, if he isn’t really with someone he can love, than maybe that is the sure way to remain single.

I really liked Dylan and Alec. They made such a good couple. Dylan was very brave struggling with his sexuality and Alex was just such an adorable character with his heart on his sleeve. I’ve got to say that Noah was great comic relief and incredibly insightful about his two friends. I have not yet read the second or the third book, but, all I can say is that I wish we could see more about Dylan and Alec’s life together even if it had been just one more chapter dedicated to them. It’s a brilliant loving story.

I literally couldn't stop reading this book. I read it on the train and the bus and whilst waiting. It was beautifully written. At some points my heart was in my throat when I thought there were going to be some cliche moments, but there weren't any. I loved following Dylans insecurities and troubled past, I loved Alec trying to remain in control with his utter geekiness. Tyler just seemed so strange compared to Dylan but you can clearly tell how amazing Alec has improved and matured throughout the story. There was a beautiful moment of closure right near the end and it made my heart melt.The only saddening part was at the end where it said that the sequel would be Tyler's back-story which I thought was mis-selling the sequel as there was so much we never learned about Rick and Dylan's childhood. Which I personally think would be a much better sequel.

Again a 1st book by a new author and thoroughly enjoyed it. It's about Alec who's kind, loving,gentle and the sweetest guy you could come across, and then there's Dylan who as hard and blunt as they come and carrying a lot of emotional baggage. Dylan agrees to be the backup boyfriend for Alec at a charity do because Alec's ex is going to be there with his new boyfriend. Alec gets absolutely plastered and ends up giving Dylan a blow job, which surprisingly Dylan thoroughly enjoys, and they leave and spend the night together ending up having the best sex Dylan has ever had. The story continues with Dylan not wanting to put a label on things and Alec desperate to do so. It's a beautiful story, one I know you will love

I didn't know what to expect when I started to read this but I have to say I loved it.I become so caught up with the characters I actually lost track of time whilst reading it and forgot to have dinner! Alec was so confident with what he wants from life yet vulnerable and Dylan was so strong yet hurting but they complimented each other so well.I devoured the book because I just had to see where the couple ended up and how they got there. And it was quite a journey for them both. River Jaymes really draws you in and catches you from the onset of the story to you just can't let go.I can not wait to read more from this author.

One rough and ready mechanic meets smart and sophisticated doctor. Dylan sees Alec floundering when his ex is around and jumps in to help but in doing so they end up telling more and more lies. Dylan is straight and is unsure what his attraction to Alec means. With their friendship growing and other emotions surfacing, Dylan is left reconsidering how he really felt about a past friendship and Alec is trying to work out if stability and marriage really is the be all and end all.I enjoyed the book and the overall story, they were an interesting couple but lacked the spark to make the book complete for me. A good read though.