Eric is a college student who likes to sleep around. He's young and according to him and every man he comes across - he is hot. He's sweet yet a little self-centred and we're told by everyone he's a slut. Now there is nothing wrong with having a character who likes having sex. I was just so bored reading about Eric having sex with every man he sees.He meets Alex who he finds physically attractive but a bore. I'm not sure why anyone would judge Eric for feeling so. Alex is twenty-six and owns a publishing company (thanks to his inheritance). Eric wrote a few articles for the magazine and Alex has been smitten with him since. Eric is just not interested because Alex comes across boring. That's fine. The author didn't need to "prove" to me that in actuality Eric is a good guy. Alex wasn't a victim in this book. Alex dug Eric more than Eric liked Alex. Nothing wrong with that. Eric does do a slightly shitty thing to Alex, but again Eric was always upfront with Alex.Eric ends up meeting Rafael who is everything he wants until he falls into dugs and then starts hitting Eric. This was such an obvious plot ploy just to add drama to the book. I despise storytelling like this because I felt it was made to make Eric look more "human" and make readers feel "sympathetic" towards him because he was a "slut" and he was "mean" to Alex. It wasn't needed with this reader, but I have read some reviews and yeah I can understand why the author did it.Eric does get to know Alex more and without Alex acting all nervous, he come across as a much more personable guy. Eric of course falls for Alex but the man is occupied with a good friend of Eric's and Eric feels like he still owes Rafael.2012 hasn't been a good year for me in the M/M genre. I enjoyed the first 35% and then it became a orgy. However, it just got a little too ridiculous for my taste. I didn't feel like Eric had to be that hot nor that perfect. Nor did I appreciate the way skin colour and race was used as a fetish. Nothing brings me out of a story faster than an author using a persons colour. You do it once to paint a picture of your characters, and after that you lose me as a reader. I also hate when authors tell me what the characters are wearing. Eric was an A-class stereotype in that regard and so was the OMG LADY GAGA! reference as well. Ugh.Yeah...not a good year. Freaking awesome!! I absolutely loved Eric in A Life Without You so was really excited to read his own story. I remember seeing this book several months back but skipped over it because I don't care for girlie, or twink m/m however I have to admit I was so wrong about this book. I didn't find Eric girlie at all, but so cute, funny and just freaking adorable.Seeing him fall head over heels for Alex when he was always so not into relationships and only into flirting from one sexual partner to the next, it was so sweet to see the deep caring and love between Alex and Eric. I loved the emotion in this book and the warm fuzziness I got just from the interactions between all the characters. They truly are unconditional friends who are always there for one another.Alex was a total dream and how he expressed his feelings for Eric, to Eric, who had no idea he was talking about him, just melted my heart. The only thing I found really difficult in this story was reading about the physical and sexual abuse that Eric went through with Rafeal. Ugh.....that just ripped my heart out and I wanted to smack Eric for allowing himself to be used that way. I am so happy I found this author and cannot wait to read the next book in this series.
What do You think about Absolutely Eric (2012)?
Sigh. Will buy this when I have more book money funds. *shakes fists*
—kiki59
