I don't know Donovan Lee and on the net I found very few info, but after reading this anthology, I have the feeling to have met him. Obviously not all the story are autobiographical, but in all of them I feel a connection, I feel the real Donovan inside of them. The more obvious point of connection is that they are all setting in New Orleans, and most of them are cherished memories of a time lost, the beginning of the '80, when having sex was still a joyous thing and not a life danger. Plus I think the author, as many of his characters, probably is an average gay guy, who believes in true love and is always surprise when he realizes that true love can be nearer as expected.

Tied Even Closer: a young college student realizes to be gay and fear the reaction of his roommate, a farm boy who seems to have only girls in his head. But two strange nights draw them together and will forge a friendship that will last forever, more than love.

A Night Out of Time: a barely legal boy has to leave his disapproving family, and chooses to live in the big city, New Orleans. Here he has an aunt, he hopes he will help him, but he also discovers a family secret, and in his over excited mind he thinks to see a ghost... or maybe his real?

When Derek Gets Back: Derek and Jason are a more than twenty years old couple, but they are still in love as the first time they met. And when Derek needs to go out of town for work, even if only for a week, Jason seems to be not able to live without his lover by his side.

Expected Visit, With Surprises: three friends always enjoy the swimming pool of one of them, but when one of the guys can't go to their usual meeting, the other two can finally let free the attraction between them and enjoy an hot afternoon, and maybe more...

Finding Sandy: a young man has never had the courage to come out and express his feelings for other man. Not at 21 years old he is more than ready to consummate his passion and when he sees an older man, but very handsome and caring, he can only hope that he is Mr Right Now... and if he will become Mr Right Forever, even better

In Line and Out of Hand: three strangers in a club and the usual game of glances. But one of the three is not "into" the game, or at least he is not into it for "fair" play, and the other two only has to find a way to be finally alone.

Out in the Open (Zing’s Campground Adventure): while he is jogging in his favourite park outside the city, Zing meets Gabe, a guy he knows since he is an ex of a friend. Gabe is a cute guy, but he is not out with his family, and he has a lot of tension to blow out. And so Zing thinks to help him: a bit of sex in the open can be risk but also a very good way to pull out all the stress.

Sorting: they work at the same gym, he has never considered Anthony as a possible lover... he never knew that Anthony was gay! But one day while they are working in the store room, Anthony finally has the courage to make a move and he is more than happy to oblige... he has searched for love in all the wrong places, when he had it right near him.

Two Kinds of Action: he was searching only casual sex, but maybe searching it at 2 am in the park was not a good idea. Luckily the first man he meets will be also the man who will save him from a very bad encounter later.

Smoke Break: they work together late at night, ones in the city only for one day... why not finish the day in a very good way?

Younger: this is probably the best tale in the anthology, for its originality and for have the courage to underline that gay is not only beautiful young men. Murphy is 71 years old and widow. He has five sons, all big and independent, and now he can finally be what he wants to be. But coming out when you can be the grandfather of the men you are interested on can be pretty sad. Same problem of Ed, 68 years old: he can remember a period when he was young and he can have the twinks that now he can only look at. And so Murphy and Ed spend the night looking and talking... but if they were young again? And if being young was not so important?

Getting Past Almost: the end of the anthology present the first two chapters in the longer novel of the same author, Getting Past Almost. I believe this one has even more a autobiographical connotation, giving that the main character has the same name of the author. It's a memories tale, the main character from the present begins his narration when he was 18 years old, more than 20 years before. An interesting beginning, probably the start of an angst novel, don't know if with an happily ever after, I hope so.

All the tales are pretty nostalgic and even more involving since for the most in first point of view.

Amazon Kindle: As Hot As You Remember: Gay Erotica

Reading List:

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