Organic Chemistry

Andrew Grey has become such a fixture in the world of gay romance. I think I have read more of his works than other other author, of any genre. When I saw Organic Chemistry listed in the recommended reads tab of my Kindle Store, I jumped right on it. Although it is not one of his better works, I was still glad to have paid the price to download it.
Brenden is somewhat different. Some reviewers have even suggested Asperger's Syndrome, and I can see that as somewhat accurate. It is very apparent that he does indeed focus a lot of his attention on his specific chemistry research, particularly the behavior of isotopes. He talks about that with great authority, but he can also manage to function somewhat in polite conversation about other things, as he did when he met Josh's parents. Overall, Grey presents Brenden in such a way that most would never think he would be sought after by someone like Josh, the hot jock who has recently been hired as the new assistant football coach at Dickson College where Brenden is on faculty in the chemistry department. However, Grey also flips Josh's character. He is not the sort of hot jock you might imagine. While the reader might be inclined to believe that Josh would be somewhat narcissistic, arrogant, or even gruff, he is presented as anything but. Upon meeting Brenden, in a strange way, albeit, Josh begins to instantly develop a crush on the young, absentminded professor. It is from there that their love story takes off.
Grey has produced for us a short, unusual love story. While I am used to him developing his characters a bit more than he did with Josh and Brenden, he did take the time to delve in to their backgrounds a bit (the family dinner, Brenden constantly talking about his past with Josh, etc..) I would have liked to have seen a bit more with Josh's family. I feel that Grey rushed the resolution with Josh's father a bit. However, this is a novella, and typically, things move very quickly in those. However, the story line could easily have been a full-length novel.

If you've ever picked up an Andrew Grey story, then you know what to expect, but every once in awhile, he surprises you. This was one of those moments for me. Brenden is absolutely adorable as the narrator. I loved how the story built on Brenden's social ineptitude without turning him into a caricature and Josh is the perfect counterpoint. It's not often you get something so lighthearted from Andrew Grey and I wholeheartedly recommend this one to any new and old fan.