10

I really love how intimate you allow us to get with how you write these characters. There's just this secret door you seem to open and we are able to trot through all these emotions that are not easy, are not charming, and are almost too real.

I really enjoy how you highlight how BOTH these characters are flawed people, something that I think tends to get lost in  alot of Jim/Pam stories. Jim tends to be favored and cherished and Pam is the one to blame for just about everything. I think that does a disservice to the couple and the carefully crafted characters we've gotten to know and I so appreciate the details you find with the characters , how you draw them out. I even enjoyed how Jim discovered that Pam wasn't pregnant. Again, there was no blink away, just right there. 

Thank you for all the gorgeous honesty displayed in just two chapters. I always look forward to something new from you.  

Thank you so much for this! Definitely made me feel better about their situation. If Jim and Pam did in fact talk like this (reading this makes that very believable) then I think they will be fine. Great story :)

Author's Response: Hey, JamLover, thank you. They may be kind of communication-impared, but I don't think they're so stupid as to not realize that they had to address some of this stuff. It just doesn't seem like them to me.

9

This was wonderful. You really nailed Jim's voice and this entire string of conversations was so believable. I love how Jim suddenly had his epiphany and that led to ten minutes of "are you sure..." That was awesome and so, so like him. And Karen's reaction of her life being 'ruined' feeling like a slap... also very true to character.

This made me all kinds of happy. :)

Author's Response: Like I said in my notes at the end of the first chapter, Jim is kind of a pain to write, but he's also fun, because he's so darn chatty. I'm glad you liked what I did with him. Also glad I could bring some joy. :)

10

Okay, talkative. THIS is what I'm talking about. If Jim and Pam did THIS then my whole story is a bunch of crap. ;-) I love, love, love this whole conversation and every single thing this story chooses to be. I miss writing Jam fluff and look forward to my first post-Philly Jim story, but I'm so glad you are easing the troubled minds caused by my departure from happy Jam land. Ah, these two. Thanks so much for this. It is perfect.

Author's Response: Again, the fact that you buy it means a lot to me, as we've perceived the same problem. So, thank you. Incidentally, we're also looking forward to your return from Philly. I'll be interested to know how working through this potential flaw in their relationship changes the way you write about them. Clearly, it felt like something I had to address.

FYI, THIS is the part I was talking about. Wow. Brilliant:

He's got me trapped under the weight of this dragging pace he's found and I can't speak voluntarily while he's carefully adding to the warm, soft roundness that's building below my belly button. He abruptly feels a little deeper, a little larger and that roundness pops like a water balloon, sliding everywhere under my skin. I hear myself make a loud, happy noise.

10

I'm already loving where you're going with this! Not many people can pull off first person Pam, but you definitely did and I think it's really in character. I don't really have anything constructive to add because I just kinda get all excited when you have a new story, and I'm still reveling in it :) Don't know where this is going yet, but wherever you're taking these two, I know they'll be in good hands.

Author's Response: Thank you, honey. Like I said in my response to another review, I'm pretty pleased with how it turned out, but I do think I like 3rd person better. Also, I'm writing Jim's chapter right now, and the differences between the way I think they sound is interesting. I hope you like the direction I take this in.

Highly enjoyable!  More please. :-)

Author's Response: If you'd all stop writing me such nice notes, maybe I'd go write something. Wait, no. I didn't mean that. Don't stop writing me nice notes. I'll just work on my time management. :)

10

I've had a pretty unimpressive day, so getting home and seeing a brand new story from you has made me giddy!

This is really wonderful so far! And I think you've handed the first person format very well. It's completely believable. And, as always, you've captured their chemistry perfectly.

I can't wait to see where you go with this!

Author's Response: So many of you good people in Office Fic land have bad days! I'm going to start baking cookies to go along with my stories. I'm glad you like what I'm doing here. I hope you continue to like it. And, uh, here - have a cookie.

10

I love this so far! Your stories are so wonderful for the details, like the line juice and the 'hola', or the 'We still have to sneak up on sex about half of the time.' Even your description during the sex scenes are so vivid in a wonderfully non-smutty way which makes the story ridiculously hot. Seriously.

I cannot wait to see where this goes, though I'm more curious how it will happen rather than about what will happen. Great title and subtle groundwork laying (as if there was such a thing!)

Author's Response: Can I tell you a secret, nimble? Smutty sex scenes squick me out. Unrealistic, porny sex scenes do the same. Because of this, I can guarantee you that these two will always, *always* be accidentally knocking foreheads and getting rug burn on their knees in my stories. Realistic is way hotter, anyway. And, yeah, this whole thing kind of started with the title, so I'm happy to hear that you like it.

Sweet jeebus, talkative in da house!

I love that they have a 'normal', too.  And the description of those awkward yet narcotic first few weeks is delicious.  

It is so entertaining when nice boys have to do things like go to strip clubs.  A stripper actually kicked HooHusband at his bachelor party (like a spooked mule or something). 

8

Ooh, this is starting out nicely. I'm very curious to see where it goes. Definitely liking it so far, though. You are so good at capturing that new-relationship awkwardness. I'm guessing we're in for some baby drama soon, too. Interesting.

I also find it interesting that you have problems writing Jim, because I find him much easier to write than Pam. Speaking of which, and in answer to your question, I think you have Pam's voice down. I like the hesitancy she still has at this stage in the relationship. It feels right.

Question: Is this intended to carry on from Week's End/Week Days? I remember she had birth control in that one, but the characterization seems similar. Or maybe it's just because that's how you write. Just curious.

Author's Response: Yep, same universe as Week's End, Week Days, A Better Version of Me, and No Stairways, Just Stairs. And, yes, my Pam is on birth control, but, it's not perfect... that's all I'm saying for now.

9

Oh, I'm loving the way this is starting out! A new story by one of my favorite new authors - I'm spoiled indeed! Ready to hear from Jim now ;)

Author's Response: Yeah, I'm on something of a bender lately, Jenn. We'll be hearing from Jim soon enough. I'm going to spend some time with this tomorrow, so I'm hoping early next week, if he plays nice. If not, no more strippers for him. :)