Sidecar

This has to be one of the most beautiful stories I've ever read and it might be on the same level as my favorite book of all time "A Map of the Harbor Islands". This is a masterpiece, thank you to the author for giving us this gift!I just finished it and I'm crying --crying of happiness. The end left me with a content feeling, everything was wrapped up nicely and I just feel like I saw through the lives of 2 wonderful men instead of simply reading a story. I loved the writing, the pace of the story, the main characters and second characters.Everything was beautifully created but what I liked the most was that I could see the beautiful life of our dear main characters, Joe and Casey, after they finally got together. In most stories, there is conflict and at the end there is resolution and when the characters are finally together, it ends. That is something that always unsettled me because I want to see the main characters living their lives after everything is resolved and we get that here.We saw Joe finally accepting his feelings for Casey and even though he was the most respectable adult, he still had some soul searching to do and insecurities to resolve and he came to fix all that thanks to Casey. We saw Casey mature and grow up into a wonderful and responsible man and Joe had a lot to do with that. They were each other's saviors. They both created a family and communication was key to their relationship. This is true love people! the kind of love that makes me hopeful and happy to be alive.In sum, this was a very rich character-driven story, full of emotions and everything feels real and well written. There is absolutely nothing I would change and it is very few times I feel happy with the ending, everyone should read this beautiful book.

Lord, this woman can write.Firstly, this is not a high angst/whine book. There are a lot of emotions, but they are honest and varied in their scope and intensity.The main characters are fascinating with unique personalities and foibles.The story is very simply that of two people learning each other and loving each other. Iam not a fan of books where the MCs are millionaires, or world famous chefs or what not. These are characters that could conceivably be us.It is also, as many of Amy Lane's books are, about finding home.Very well done and engaging story. Loved it.

"Sidecar" is far more than a romance - but, then, all Amy Lane's books fit into that rubric. I'd been saving this book, and found that reading it during the Christmas holidays suited my mood perfectly.The particular diversion in "Sidecar" is that the opening scenario of the book lays it right out there: set in the present, it is essentially a guarantee of a happy ending. The bulk of the narrative, however, is a series of flashbacks beginning in 1987, and the reader gets to follow the long, strange journey to happiness that the books two main characters, Josiah and Casey, must follow.And there's even a gentle twist at the end - although it is telegraphed in advance as one re-approaches the present through the eyes of the dual viewpoint narration.What I tend to love about Lane's books is that they demonstrate the complexities of love; the work and compromise and frustration that any successful, serious relationship must have for the long run. Rarely, however, in m/m fiction, do we get to see the real happy ending - the long-term success, the grey hair and the fading of youth and beauty, the truth of what a life commitment is for any couple. For me, at least, this book offered a special satisfaction, letting my mind wander back over my own life as I followed the paths of two remarkable men.

Read Sept 2012Maybe I'm hormonal or something, but this was a breathtakingly beautiful story. Quiet, lovely, poignant, and, at times, heartbreaking. But, all of it in the very best way. This is the story of two people making a life together over many years, and the normal--and not so normal--changes that occur in a relationship. I keep coming back to that one word: beautiful. It's so simple, and yet so true. What you put out into the world, you (hopefully) get back. Lovely, real, honest, imperfectly perfect human beings in this story. The story begins in 1987, and is as much a love letter to that time period as it is between Joe and Casey. The combination is perfection and drew me in unlike anything I've read in quite some time. If you grew up during that time, you will especially love this story. It will find a place in your heart, and on your keeper shelf, for so many, many reasons. I cannot recommend this highly enough! Even for those who have never read male/male before. It's truly a story that transcends genres and boundaries. Give it a chance. I can't help but believe you will never regret it.

I've said it before and I'll say it again, it's like every time I read a new release from Amy Lane I want to say it's my favorite. And it is, until another comes out or I reread one of the past ones.****Spoilers Maybe***Amazingly heartfelt story that flows seamlessly through 25 years of downs, ups, pain, and love.Joe Daniels. Every child who is alone and scared should be so lucky as to have him be the one that finds them. As your heart breaks for the lost souls, you still have hope because of the quiet strength of one man.Casey. The original lost soul who finds not only strength and hope for the future but true love inside of Joe. He not only survives, he thrives, growing into an amazing adult in his own right.The family they forge and the love they share warms your heart and is so very satisfying. Slowly building into a wonderful, feel good love story with minimal angst...at least from what I'm used to from Ms. Lane. The added bonus is the trip through the 80s and early 90s and all the fun, new discoveries and even tragedy that that encompassed.

I purchased this Kindle download on a recommendation by other reviewers. I am so pleased I did. I have purchased quite a few of Amy Lane's novels in the past, I enjoy her style, I enjoy her stories.Other reviewers have given their synopsis of "Sidecar" so I will not. Suffice to say, it is a great story, in fact it is several great stories."Sidecar" reads more like a collection of short stories involving the same characters, rather than one extended plot. Don't get me wrong, this is not a criticsm, I loved the fact that the two protagonists progress through a twenty-five year span (although I did feel that certain domestic chapters should have been edited out). At times I felt the writing was becoming a little "Mumsy/ Momsy" too girlie (descriptions of the foods they were eating and why they loved said foods, descriptions of the bathroom tiles, the colour of the towels, a too lengthy description on the bandamas).At other times I found myself having to re-read several pages as the writing had become "teenage speak" and the novel had suddenly become a story for teenagers (probably easy to lapse into if, like Amy, you are a mother of four young people) difficult for me though as a middle aged homo'.The sex paragraphs just don't hack it for me, although I appreciate other readers enjoy them. In my opinion the novel lost it's direction around the dildo chapter, the trip to Europe and the death of the dog; but came back on track with the Volvo replacement and Austin and Levi towards the end.I felt the domesticity chapters were irrelevent to the central theme.All in all, another great, emotional read from Ms. Lane. Always enjoy a story about "Twu Wuv" ;o)

When I am feeling jaded with whats going on around me I will just pick up this book to renew my faith in human nature. I like to think that Amy based this on people she knew and that 'Joe and Casey' are out there , still soul mates, still so very much in love and still saving their " strays ".I laughed and cried and adored every single word in this novel." ...life with Casey would tend to be that way for Joe - moments of gorgeous, shining faith and moments of agonizing, painful doubt. Joe was young in his way too. It would take him years before he recognised the ebb and flow of true love "" Joe just sat there, still caught, not sure what to do with this sight of Casey as an adult, and beautiful, making his blood sing under his skin, making him shiver, making him ache, just by smiling in the sun "Simply .......... beautiful!

This has been on my Kindle for a while as I've been re-reading older titles. I'm in the middle of reading 4 books at the moment, this being one of them - it's brilliant! I love the fact that the author has used some of the best songs of the 80's as chapter titles - artists being U2, Bruce Hornsby and the 'Boss' himself to name but a few. What a wonderful person Joe is, and though I was a little wary of Casey at the beginning in view of his youth, he too has matured magnificently under Joe's thoughtful, caring and sensible tutelage. I'm so glad that Joe finally saw Casey for what he was - a person who deserved to be loved, and who should be allowed to love someone in return, and luckily for Joe, he was the recipient of the deep, abiding love that Casey had. Warm, touching, magnificent!

Joe and Casey, aww. This book is about a man who is intrinsically good, pure of heart and has no ulterior motives, why are there not more men like this in the world? Casey ran when his parents didn't understand and was lucky enough to find Joe, and just in time. What a wonderful tale, I loved Joe, in my minds eye he looked like Lemmy from Motorhead but much prettier! Although Casey was still a child when he met Joe he loved him and that love blossomed and grew and it was just.....right. This is their story and how they help those who can't help themselves. As good a read as you will get, and it will make you feel good.

A truly beautiful and moving story.Here's to the few Josiah's we have out there.

This is a wonderfully well written story with characters with whom I could thoroughly identify and a storyline that was completely engaging.I highly recommend it.

A 'bear' rescues a homeless waif of sixteen and fends off the younger man until love over time wins out. The story is charming, readable and the two heroes are passionately sexy.

One of the best love stories I've read for quite some time. You'll fall in love with the characters I promise! Never thought I'd become so invested in an old hippy bikers story. 10 out of 10

Amy Lane has moved to my must-read list. Everything she writes is just as it should be. She inspires and surprises and in the end she always delights.This book is a wonderful tale of true love. Both the protagonists are at turns amazing, infuriating, awful, and lovely. They feel real. So real it does make one wonder if the author is cribbing from people she knows. It is note perfect from beginning to end. It was a pleasure to spend time with this book.

Just Wow. I wish my head was filled with such good stories! I want my own personal Joe to keep forever.