1

I love this chapter. It is a great capstone (yes I know it's not the last chapter) to Jim's earlier angst, reminding both him and us of his better nature under the frustration. Well done.

This is definitely in my top 5 fanfics and it is truly an amazing story. I've read it many many times (sorry I'm just reviewing now). Everyone who has gone through a similar experience should read this story. Of course, it makes one wish even more that they had a Jim in their life.

This is one of the most beautiful and heart-wrenching stories I've read on here. Incredibly well-written and profound.
It could be about anyone and the meaning and truth in the story would still be there. Wonderful job.

10

Oh my...oh my.

So I'm way late to the party on this, but...oh my.

I'm going to be completely honest - I almost never read family-centered stories. Really, like never. Just not my cup of tea. But this...? This was...I don't have words. I was on the verge of tears while grinning the entire story, and my heart just ached but...

Dammit, I can't even write a proper review. LoveFool, you've done something amazing here, and it makes me want to be a better writer.

10

I'm all weepy. I can't remember the last fanfic that made me cry. Beautiful story and a great last line. I loved it a lot. Well done.

I just discovered this thanks to the recommendations thread, and just in time for Thanksgiving, too. Sitting down to read this all at once was quite an emotional experience. I really felt Jim's struggle to find his place in Pam's family, and then his triumph when he finally realized that he didn't have to do anything but be his own, caring, patient, giving self. Both Pam and Jim were perfectly in character, and even your Roy had that rare and ideal balance of gruff exterior with a soft center. And God, Frank, with that sense of humor right up to the end. I saw the similarities between him and Jim even before he pointed it out. I think I was waiting for that moment between them even more than the alone time with Pam, although that was wonderful too. Everyone going through a rough situation like this should have a Jim in their life. He's perfect, but not too perfect (he does have some hilariously less-than-perfect thoughts sometimes). In the spirit of the season, I am thankful for this show and the inspiration it gives to writers like you.

10

This story is just so wonderful. I see hundreds of reviews, very well deserved, and don't know what I add, but it brought a tear to my eye and really moved me. Thank you so much for writing and sharing it.

..............That was so good, I needed to give it a bit of silence before I said so. Excellent, excellent fic. You have really added to the JAM story in a way that probably every fan wants because one of if not the most amazing thing about them is how real they are. the whole show is obviously "fake" "reality", but in so many ways it's more real than the "real" "reality" shows out there. You have really given depth to every character and explored those moments in life that are beautiful and painful and exquisite because they're REAL and true, and you've done it in a way that's universal and sill true to JAM. Absolutely stunning job. I adore it.

Wow..That was just Wow. Incredible, I was crying my eyes out, the way you wrote that story was heartbreaking and real. One of the best pieces of writing I have read. Fantastic job, bravo! Look forward to reading more from you in the future. Oh and this part; "No...Just...Warm me up...Please...I just...Promise me you'll let me go first" ; Broke my heart.

10

I just wanted you to know that I made an account just to review this. I could not tear my eyes from the screen. This has got to be the best fanfiction I've ever read. I loved the humor when Jim was thinking about Roy and when he was talking with Frank. The entire story was amazing. My favorite parts were when Pam was yelling up the stairs to Frankie about the Christmas tree, when Jim was writing Pam his Thanksgiving note (so cute), and the very end of it, when Frank was giving Jim permission to marry Pam.

'Years from now when I looked back on this day, I knew I'd remember it as one of the most emotionally taxing of my life. I'd gotten permission to marry the girl I loved from a man who would die only eight hours later.' That was the best sentence in the entire story.



This story touched me in so many ways. I felt the pain and hysteria in Pam's voice every time you wrote her. It was truly terrific. I loved how some sentences were simple, and some were more descriptive. Just the right amount of imagery and descriptiveness. It was fantastic.

I'm so favoring this. Thank you for writing such a wonderful story.

Wow. I literally have no way of my own to conceptualize what you've done here, so I'm forced to rely on a comparison. Have you ever read Ethan Frome? It's my favorite book of all time. That's not really relevant, but I'll throw that out there regardless. Anyway, it takes place in this snowy little hamlet in Massachusettes and tells the story of Ethan--a man who once had these vibrant dreams and desires that eventually faded (never died completely, mind you) due to circumstances out of his control. The quiet, deceptively gentle environment of his town is ultimately, victoriously defeated by human emotion and desperation. That tone--the reason why this book is my favorite of all time--is exactly what you've created here. Your story is quiet, moves along almost as if you're telling it underwater. It's smooth--almost temptingly so--in that it feels like we're watching these characters from miles away and through foggy glass. The minute Jim writes that letter though, and he finally gets it, the glass disappears, and it's like I'm watching you tell my story. The circumstances surrounding Jim's revelation, while beautifully executed and wonderfully told, are not the main reason why this story resonates so heartily with me. You're summary says it all: it's an understanding of grace, a willingness to live in spite of life's unfairness, and the simple necessity of human connection that make this piece as potent as it is. Simply amazing!

Oh my god that was amazing.  My face must just be a red wreck after trying so hard to suppress bawling at work.  That scene with Jim and Frank Sr...even though I knew what conversation was coming...it was beautiful.  And I don't think any of this qualifies as angst in the fanfic sense.  Not one bit.  Angst always seems to be shorthand for keeping UST unresolved for as long as possible.  But this was real.  It wasn't a soap opera.  It was a tragedy.  And like life, it was funny and sweet and heartwrenching and painful and amazing and worth every second.

Author's Response: YOU. ARE. AWESOME. Thanks so much for the wonderfully thoughtful feedback!  I'm so glad you listened to the recommendation!  And you know -- I hadn't really thought of that distinction between tragedy and angst, but I like that distinction! Thank you! So, so glad you enjoyed it.