Rating: 4 stars
Buy Links: Amazon | All Romance | Amazon UK
Length: Novella
Luke Corbin is a student and aspiring journalist, but just as he is approaching his final exams, he finds himself homeless once again. Luke pretty much goes from one guy to another, looking for wealthy men who are willing to let him live with them in exchange for some sexual favors. Unfortunately getting kicked out right now is terrible timing as Luke needs to study and has no prospects for someplace else to stay. When a friend connects him with Russell, Luke is all too happy to find a place to settle, at least for a few weeks.
Russell is nothing like the usual guys Luke lives with. Rather than wealthy and posh, Russell is a geeky engineer who has no idea how to dress and seems terrified of Luke when they meet. Not to mention that Russell seems to have no interest at all in sex with Luke, nor does he want any money for Luke to stay with him. Luke doesn’t like feeling like he is getting something for nothing, but he is grateful for a place to stay. As the guys spend more time together, Luke begins to really fall for Russell, yet Russell still shows no signs of being interested in Luke in return. Luke may have finally found a sweet, caring man he can love, but it is the one guy who doesn’t seem to want him back.
I first read Pricks and Pragmatism years ago before I started the blog, and I remembered it fondly enough to pick it up for this week’s Favorites List Challenge as it falls into one of my all time favorite tropes, the virgin hero. I also happen to love a good geeky hero as well, so this book is a great fit for me.
The story is told from Luke’s POV and it is mostly focused on his journey. When we first meet Luke, he isn’t particularly likable. This is a guy who goes from one rich man to the next, trading sex for a place to stay and some spending money. Though he doesn’t see it as selling himself (more of trading favors), there is clearly an element of that in his situation. So I think in lesser hands, Luke could have been a tough character to like, but Merrow does a great job helping us understand and grow to care about him. Luke was kicked out at age 16 by a father who couldn’t accept that he was gay, then ended up immediately in an abusive relationship. He has been struggling to get by for years and his self worth is painfully low. He really doesn’t see that there is anything about him worth having other than sex, so he has a hard time understanding why Russell doesn’t seem to want that from him. We get to see behind the mask to the pain and hurt that Luke hides behind his smile. He is a good, caring guy who genuinely likes Russell. He works incredibly hard at school, is dedicated in his career goals, and is all around a sweet guy who has had a bad lot in life and is making do as best he can.
I loved Luke paired with the geeky Russell. At first, Luke is kind of put off by Russell and doesn’t really know what to make of him. But soon, as they get to know one another as friends rather than lovers, Luke begins to really fall for Russell. We don’t get to know Russell quite as well here, partially because his motives are intentionally vague until the end. I do wish we had a bit more of him here so we could get to know him a little more. And I would have liked a little more time to see these guys together (mostly because I wanted more sexy times with them, especially more playing off the virgin aspect of things). But it is fun to see the guys who are so different find a way to fit together.
So this is a cute fun story with Merrow’s trademark wit. It is a short novella and a light easy read. So if you like your virgins and your geeks, definitely give this one a try.
I have read this one and from my comments on GR I liked it – and JL Merrow is a favourite author! But I cant really remember – I’m going to have to start a reread pile!!
Virgins + geeks = instant win for me, so I should try this!
Oh yes, i love that combo too!
Thanks for the review! This sounds like one I would like, especially how the virginal guy appears, at first, to be unaffected by the sexy guy. And I also like stories about geeks. 🙂 Plus – that title is excellent.
Yes, it is kind of a fun reversal that Luke is used to only being wanted for his looks and when he meets this geeky guy, it is the one person who doesn’t seem to want him
I loved this story, i read it about a year ago. And after reading your review i just have to read it again. i’m in between books anyway so a good time to reread some favorites 🙂
I love JL Merrow’s books. Every single one is a must read for me. I read Pricks and Pragmatism last year, and went through the same process you went: At first I did not like Luke at all, and I could not imagine him falling for Russell. But I warmed towards him through the book, and by the end I was really into their romance. Although this is not my favourite of Merrow’s novellas (that place belongs to Muscling Through), I did like it a lot.
Thank you for your great review, Jay!
Oh yes, I ADORE Muscling Through. But yes, I agree that I enjoy seeing Luke’s growth throughout the book.
Merrow is another author about whom I’ve heard good things, so it was timely to read this review. I have a fondness for geeky characters, so this definitely has appeal. Thank you!
I’ve had this on my wishlist for quite awhile. One of these days I’ll actually get to read it. Thanks for your input!
I love JL but haven’t read this one yet. I have to put it on my TBR list. It sounds like a good read.
I’ve read this one, and I know I liked it, but I really can’t remember most of the details. I ought to stop buying new books and just reread all my old ones, but…NAH!! 🙂
I haven’t read this one from JL Merrow yet, but I’ve always enjoyed JL’s writing. It sounds like there’s some really great things with character going on, and I love that. I do love a good nice guy, too. My favorite is the nice mixed with grumpy, there’s just something about that combination that makes me so happy. Thanks for rereading it for us, Jay!
I read this one a while back and liked it, but I agree with you – I would have liked to get to know Russell more and to have more of them together.
FWIW, you get a tiny peek at Russell and Luke when they have a cameo in Hard Tail https://joyfullyjay.com/2012/05/review-hard-tail-by-jl-merrow/
Virgins and geeks are two combinations I totally love to read and there sounds like their will be great character growth in the book.Thank you for the review!
Sounds so goo! And Merrow is a master at making the unlikable into must-love, for me. I haven’t read it, but I’ll consider it!
V:)
I love stories with geeky, awkward characters, and I love JL Merrow, so this is right up my alley. Can’t believe I don’t have it already. 🙂 I have to add it to my TBR list ASAP.
Oh, yes, I like my virgins and my geeks, as it seems do many other readers, and reviewers I understand from reading the reviews here this week. I read my first Merrow story just a few weeks back, and really liked the way she made me laugh, so this story will go on my wishlist right now. Thanks for the review!
Morrow does a great job with infusing her stories with humor and wit. There is just so much charm in her writing. If you haven’t read Muscling Through, I would totally recommend that one as well. Slightly geeky professor paired with big strong, not so smart guy. Lovely story and probably my favorite or hers.
I love Merrow’s books! This is one of the first I read and I love it! I tend to read novel length or even super novel length books but P&P is totally the perfect length for a quick reread!
This makes me want to re-read this one. I remember thinking it was really cute, and you review just confirmed that.
Thanks for the review! It sounds good although I prefer longer reads. Anyway, Merrow is a great author so no way I’m missing this.