Title: Couched as a Question
Author: Jane Davitt
Publisher: Torquere
Length: 7,800 words
Genre: MM Contemporary romance
Heat: 3 – Mild and sexy
Sex Frequency: 3 – Average Story to Sex ratio
Keywords/Tags: Short Story, 2012 TQ Charity Sip, Established couple
Rating: Really liked it

Reviewed by Sadonna

BLURB

When Matt’s partner Jordan suggests redecorating, Matt’s agreeable until he discovers it means getting rid of the red couch. They bought that couch together, and they’ve done a lot more than sit on it. It means a lot to Matt and if Jordan’s bored of it, maybe it’s not the only part of Jordan’s life he wants to change…

REVIEW

I look forward to the short story collections that Torquere puts out each year and this one is no exception. I read a lot of short stories and I appreciate the skill it takes for an author to tell us something complete in so few words. Jane Davitt did just that with this story. I’m a little embarrassed to say that this is only the second story I’ve read by this author, but it certainly won’t be the last.

Jordan and Matt are an established couple who have been living together for a couple of years. They are clearly quite different people, but they have a really good thing going. Until Jordan decides that he wants to redecorate one night while they are watching TV while lounging on their couch. Matt’s ok with a change of paint as he looks around and see that there are some marks and dings that really could stand to be freshened up. But then Jordan decides they need a new rug and finally he wants to replace their red leather couch.

Through Matt’s conversations with his friend Rob and his flashback moments about the purchase of the couch and other adventures on the coach, we get to understand that this is much more than a piece of furniture to Matt. It’s a symbol of his relationship with Jordan – their first big purchase together. Matt worries that if Jordan wants to make all these drastic changes, that maybe he’ll be changing his boyfriend as well. Matt is not at all excited about these changes because he really loves Jordan and doesn’t want them to end. Rob tries to talk sense into him and just get him to tell Jordan he wants to keep the couch.

As the day nears for the couch to go, things get more tense between Jordan and Matt. Matt still will not tell Jordan that he doesn’t want to get rid of the couch and he cries on Rob’s shoulder again. Rob tells him he’s ridiculous, but Matt still doesn’t believe that Jordan will want to stay with him and that really is breaking his heart. Finally things come to a head as the Rob and Matt drag the couch out of the building.

This story is hot, cute, romantic and quite funny. Jordan and Matt and Rob are all quite comedic in their own right. The relationship between Matt and Jordan is clearly based on mutual love and respect, but they each have a tiny bit of insecurity during this little period of angst over the redecorating. The ending is just right as well. Recommended for a very fun short read and will definitely leave you smiling.


Posted by in 5 Really Like It, Authors D-F, Contemporary, Heat 3 - Sexy & Mild, Romance, Sex Freq 3 - Average Story to Sex, up to 15k Tags: , , , ,