Hey, I just wanted to compliment your story before I actually finish it (because if I don't say what I mean to say now, I might forget later). I love the story so far and the depth you put into Brady. On one end, I'm cursing him out for being the master of indecision, but I kind of have to give it to him for the shit he's going through at home. And this love triangle is haunting all my thoughts, I MUST find out who he ends up with (if any/either of them). I loved the story and I can't wait to read the ending! :) Cheers

I loved your fiction, really loved, and I CANT wait for the sequel if there is one. I am really hoping that Brady will get better. I went through the parents stuff, and also sort of got away as a result, but things only got worse. I hope it is not the case for this fiction ! I am really sad there is no really happy ending but it's life I guess :) And again if there is a sequel coming for this fiction I would kill to be able to read it. Maybe not kill, that is a bit extreme, but I hope you get the point. In the meantime I will proceed to check your other fictions. cheers 3

Brady is a terrible, spineless person who's head is filled with air. I actually really like Jason and Shaun but Brady is a douche bag, through and through.

Brady is a selfish bitch. I like him, but I hate him too.

fucking finally. brady was pissing me off

Now I can't wait for the sequel! This is the story I have followed regularly the longest and I actually remember reading the first, say ten chapters nonstop in this lovely, warm summer day, sitting on a rived bank. As cliché as it sound it's true. And thank you for making a sequel; I really want to know how Brady will carry on! :)

Yes, I am going through and reviewing all the things that I've read. Also, I do believe I will be your 200th review for this story. Huzzah!

I have to admit: I was having a lot of trouble getting into this story at first. I didn't see where it was going and I wasn't sure what the plot was, if there was one, but I'm glad that I figured it out. I now understand what you meant that day when you realized how you were treating Brady-and, you know, at the time he definitely deserved it. He was silly and irrational and... other things like that (for lack of a better description, I apologize), but he did come around in the end, and I'm glad. I would have left this story feeling extremely pissed off had he not learned his lesson and gotten back together with Shaun or Jason, or anyone. It would have just been a bad experience.

Of course, despite Brady's shortcomings for most of the story, it's apparent that he had his redeeming qualities-not the least of which being his caring for his younger brother not because he was forced to, but because it was almost instinctual to assume the responsibility. That scene with Brady saying goodbye to Dillon honestly made me a little upset, but in a good way. It was extremely believable and well written, coming from a girl who's been in situations extremely, extremely similar to that. It reminded me of goodbyes and sadnesses and acceptance and then made me sit there and think and smoke a cigarette to make myself feel better about all of it, so thank you for that. (One thing, though, a qualm I had with the second to last sentence: "...grinning because I was finally doing something for me"; it doesn't really seem like he's learned his lesson and recognized how selfish he was being through the entirety of the story and sort of, in that, lessened my satisfaction with the paragraph as a whole. I thought he'd come around and that line sort of made me doubt it.)

So, at risk of being redundant, I was alright with the story as I was reading it, but I loved the ending. Now, thanks to that, the story as a whole. As the 200th reviewer and probably the wordiest one, I think I deserve my Gambit now.

Oh man. I'm in tears and my face is all messed up. *sniff* The brotherly love got me crying. It's perfect.

I knew Brady needed to end up here and although it's sad, it gives me hope for him to find a new relationship and earn his forgiveness someday. I do have to say the whole explanation of him understanding the situation was maybe a little too long. By the end, when he the realization hit him, an explanation for it didn't really need to be so long since we know he'd come to the conclusion eventually. At least that's what I felt but I guess for others a reason would be needed.

Thank you for writing till the end. The emotions and thought process in this story is highly realistic in my opinion and very addicting. It's great that you're writing a sequel for Shaun. It'll be nice to read his perspective. I think though, after writing this dramatic plot, I hope you do take a break for a while. Writing such an emotional story can be exhausting and sometimes traumatizing. I wish you luck!

What?!

On the one hand, I completely understand what he went through, because I have recently gone through the same.

On the other hand, reading it in a fic is so disappointing! Guess I'm too used to happy, fluffy endings.

I can't believe it's over! I know I wasn't exactly one of your regular reviewers, but I have been following this for a little while. I love the way Brady connected his relationships with Jason and Shaun to the relationship of his parents. I'm also glad that he decided to move to California with Mary; he really did need to get away from it all if he was going to grow. And the Dillon/Brady scene was perfect! I've put you on author alert, as I can't wait for the sequel.

NOOOO! Don't let this be the end! WHYYYYYY? I LOVE THIS STORY!

Wow. That scene with Dillon made me *sob*. I was surprised when you said this was the last chapter but I think its a brilliant ending for Brady's story. Its bittersweet and *real*. I've been reading your stories since the time of Ronnie (the story of which I'm having a really hard time remembering the title now that you've deleted it P), and your writing has grown so much over the years, and I have to agree that Brady has been your most realistic character to date.

Just like you, he's made me like him, to dislike him, to *hate* him but at the same time I still can't help but love him *because* he's made me feel all of these things throughout this story.

Throughout this story, I gave very colorful commentary to mine friend while reading. This story made me feel *everything* from giddiness to utter annoyance and irritation at times (don't worry, in a good way).

I'm highly anticipating Shaun's story. I can wait until December to read it because your stories are *worth* the wait (although eager all the same).

I have to say, I wasn't that surprised that Brady decided to move with Mary to California. I guess that was the only thing he could do.
A sad but good ending. I'm looking forward to the sequel, to see what will happen in Shaun's life from now on.

Last chapter! The story is done. Angels sing. Bells ring. Maidens and lads are out dancing in the hills. Something like that.

This chapter kind of rings hollow for me. I've already said what I think about the whole forgiveness thing... so that can be chalked up to a difference of perspective. That's fine. But overall, it's strange how dispassionate his change has been...

I was thinking about it all, and I have come to a conclusion: my issue is not with content but with form. There's nothing wrong with the emotional processes you show him undergoing; it's just that you don't so much show as you do tell. And while I'm not some dogmatic always-show-never-tell person, I think that here it's bringing the story down.

His moment of realization isn't communicated emotionally - we're rationally told about it. The sensations of the feelings, the days and nights of him working through them, are all cut out. And it's such a sharp jump from the first few paragraphs - the lively prose practically sparkles. The physical sensations of Brady's room, the emotional sensations of his life, and the dramatic moment that they unfold in. And then we're abstracted into this long monologue where he tells us what happens in a quite dispassionate and almost blase voice. It's like he's so over it; but we're not over it! The reader needs time to grieve as much as the character does.

So that's what I think. I'm not suggesting that you go back and edit the whole chapter... but keep in mind for the future that the stylistic and aesthetic choices you make will have an impact on the emotional content.

PS thanks for the shout out

I have really enjoyed this story and how cleverly written it is. The parallels that Brady saw with his parents and himself were fab.

I love the way you have ended it, there is closure and there isn't. It's a new beginning not an ending and there's sadness but there's also hope that things can get better.

I know you said that the next story won't be with Brady, but with Shaun. I would like to hope that you do include Brady in it, or at least think about writing about his adventures in California.

I look forward to your next venture.

Thanks again for sharing this story.

DS