"Looks like accountant-boy is working through lunch again"Said once, say it again: `Rick Bettencourt steps into an enlarging spotlight of fellow LGBT writers - a circle stage front that includes such names as David Sedaris, Edmund White, Felice Picano, Robert Rodi, Michael Cunningham, David Leavitt, Alan Hollinghurst, Colm Tóibín, et al - and comes on very strong with this new book TIM ON BRADWAY: SEASON ONE. Though there is much talk about this master of the social media and though he has enjoyed success with his earlier works PAINTING WITH WINE and the collection of stories in NOT SURE BOYS, this novel - the culmination of a series f short episodes he published as teasers - places him solidly in the company of the specially gifted young writers of gay fiction.' All true and building - he now is responsible for publishing some very promising fellow writers - and this story is a fun walk in the LGBT park. Rick's gift for comedic writing continues to swell.Rick opens this rather short book with the main character's written thoughts: 'Dear Journal: Last night, I took a bath with Mr. Bubbles. I haven't done that in years but I was sore from my workout. It felt good. This morning I ate a bowl of granola, a banana, and a glass of pomegranate juice. (I'll have to log this in my spreadsheet when I get home.) Oh, I also walked Mrs. Johnson's dog from 5: 30 a.m. to about 6: 00 a.m. What else? God, am I really that boring? (Please don't answer that.) It's just that... that... Oh, I don't know! Okay, today marks the seventh anniversary of Gary and me splitting up. It's not that it's a bad thing. I'm glad we're no longer together. It's just that... seven years! Who... What have I done during that time? Alright, I'm not going to get myself depressed. I need to focus on my accomplishments. And there have been many. Evan Capri McCormick's Septenary Achievements:Obtained job at Thoroughbred Marketing and recently vested with five years of service. Promoted to senior accountant with a 15% increase in salary-- after only three years! Removed dairy from my diet and have no more indigestion. (Thank God!) Bought the house in Conant for 50% below (the Great Recession) market value. (And through scrimping, saving, making accelerated payments, and a rebound of the economy, I have over $ 285,000 in equity.) Increased chest measurement by ~ 5% (note: check BMI spreadsheet tonight for exact proportions). Increased pushups from ~ 35 per minute to ~ 55 (also check values in spreadsheet for exact time span... believe it was 10% per year). Decreased number of times I mastur...'To save the potential reader time, the author's plot synopsis serves well; ` Painfully-shy accountant, Evan McCormick, is conservative with his money and tough on his body, yet the decent nest egg he's amassed, and the toned physique he's formed isn't enough to fulfill him. Evan's starving for affection. As an introvert, bonding with others isn't Evan's best quality. When Dillon--an impeccable-dressed and debonair ad executive--joins the firm, Evan let's his guard down. An office scandal and sexually-overt billboards popping up all over New England bring the two together in this funny yet romantic tale.'Rick Bettencourt just soars here and his place in the literary scene grows with a devoted fan base. Relax, walk along with him on this warmly entertaining little love outing. This starts off a cute little story but the writing style didn't quite work for me - though I will point out the prompter requested EPISTOLARY (with caps) so in that respect the author was following the prompt; it's purely a matter of taste that I'd have preferred less internalising and more interaction.The dialogue felt scripted and to be honest I didn't understand the big scandal - but then it's my husband that's studied accountancy not me!I read to a point where the couple were getting together and their business future appeared sorted; the other plots didn't engage me enough to continue from there and the billboard humour didn't make a big impression on me.As far as I got it was a nice enough read.
What do You think about Marketing Beef (2014)?
There was a sweet story in there. You just have to get past all the meandering sub-plots to see it.
—Mcsb1310
slight whisker over 3 starsreviewette to follow
—lena
