Date: November 22, 2020 08:33 pm Title: Fearful Odds
Every update you post for this increasing gets better. It's a story with a time period I never want to see ended. Your words are always beautifully written and this update was perfection!
Author's Response: Aww, thank you so much, Beth!
1 [Report This]Date: November 22, 2020 07:46 pm Title: Fearful Odds
loved this chapter, thank you for updating!!
Author's Response: Thank you for reading!
1 [Report This]Date: November 22, 2020 06:10 pm Title: Fearful Odds
Oh, Bored. This story just makes me feel like I'm right beside them. It is written SO beautifully. Jim rejecting Katy's advances and then Pam standing up for herself at tea? It was amazing. I love whenever Jim defends Pam, whether it's to Roy, his family, Katy, whoever. You can tell how much she truly loves and respects her as a person. And Pam finally saying I love you too. Broke my heart in the absolute best way possible. The Shakespeare quote was just the cherry on top. I loved this chapter so much, and I can't wait for more!
Author's Response: Thank you Aly, so very much! I'm so happy that his love for her is really translating. This is *his* story and I wanted to convey that.
Date: November 22, 2020 04:53 pm Title: Fearful Odds
So excited to see an update of this!! Love the moment with Katie and Pam at tea. TEA IS SERVED indeed. Her saying ILY to Jim was so sweet too. Just love their connection together. I know your other fic just ended but I hope we have more coming here!
Author's Response: Thank you so much! Yes, I love a sassy Pam. ;)
1 [Report This]Date: November 22, 2020 03:50 pm Title: Fearful Odds
I was just thinking I wanted to read Aeternum and, behold! The update appeared! :D I love this story. The showdown between Pam and Katy was awesome and this whole chapter only makes me more excited for what’s to come. It was well worth the wait!
Author's Response: Thank you, JJ!
1 [Report This]Date: November 18, 2020 12:06 pm Title: To Finally Be Seen
You're going to laugh at me and it's okay; I deserve it for this one.
I don't know why, or how. But one sentence of this entire wonderful, beautiful chapter has stuck with me since I first read it. It is, quite literally imprinted forever in my memory and it's weird how often I think about it. Can you guess which sentence it is?
"She picked up a silver candlestick on the mantle to examine it, glancing back in his direction, "It will certainly give the servants something to gossip about when they discover that bed not slept in.""
Listen, I can't explain how my mind works. All I know is that I can see this so vividly in my mind, and I don't know what else to say other than your specific attention to even the tiniest of details is my absolute favorite thing about this entire story.
But here I am, obsessed over Pam holding a candlestick and looking at James over her shoulder when there are plenty of other things I should by dying over, like:
- Pam's whole reaction to James' sudden need to do things "the French way" (I did die a little at this, obviously)
- her not being a morning person
- Eleanore and Grégoire
- BETSY - Oh, I like this Betsy and I really hope Pam can win her over. PLease? For me?
- She sat at the vanity, a variety of ivory and glass items spread out before her, the ever-mysterious beauty tools of a woman.
-"Remind me to tell you later about the foreman my father hired while I was away. I met him today when I stopped by the offices. He is quite something else. Schrute is his name, I believe." - When I say I'm ready for this...
"Here." How can you do this to us with just one word? It's honestly unfair.
Another one of my favorite things about your writing is that you truly know how to end a chapter on a killer line. This one was no different.
But seriously.. this is my favorite chapter so far. I can't wait to see what happens next.
Author's Response: But seriously, I adore you and your reviews. <3
Date: November 18, 2020 11:52 am Title: She Passed Through
Is it weird that I grinned throughout the entirety of their early morning pillow talk? I love reading these two get to know each other and that she's comfortable enough to tease him about knowing what his house looks like. The "Miss Biddable" callback from the first chapter was perfect.
And the scene in the store where he asks her to help him pick out new clothing? Booooooored, you're killing me with the subtlety of their flirting. Absolutely killing me.
""I expected you to be rested given the amount of time you spent asleep against my arm."" Uh huh. I see what you did here. I like it a lot.
The entire dinnertime conversation is perfect and I really appreciate both of them realizing that the relationship between them is far from typical.
""Patience is a virtue, James," she replied quietly, focused on her laces, deftly loosening them at a pace that caused him to smirk lupinely." Did I laugh? I laughed. I truly love this version of Jim and Pam so much.
Author's Response: I love that you love all my favorite parts as well. Thank you, as always, for your detailed and fun reviews. They bring me so much joy. ;)
Date: November 18, 2020 11:32 am Title: Bound for Another Home
I already left a review for this chapter for the important parts but on this read through, this paragraph stands out:
His mind spun at the implications. All three of them could have perished not to mention any servants that might have been around, and the destruction of property had been absolute. He could seek reparations and even criminal charges by proxy now that it all technically belonged to him by marriage. With his lawyers and connections, he could no doubt make Anderson pay dearly and she would never know. The desire to seek revenge was powerful but as he watched her sitting at the small, modest table in her black dress, a vision of strength and dignified suffering, the desire to make her happy was even stronger. He would spend his days putting her needs in front of his own, even if it meant letting a man like Anderson get away from facing the justice he deserved.
I love this fiercely protective James more than you'll ever know.
And it bears repeating: "My mother was very, very wrong" is possibly my favorite sentence in a fic this entire year.
1 [Report This]Date: November 18, 2020 11:24 am Title: Memory Believes Before Knowing Remembers
I love a lot of things about this chapter, but one of my favorites are the insults Roy slings at James. He's truly a despicable human being here but I giggled a lot at picturing Roy saying "Dirty Yankee scum." I wasn't laughing so much at "A whore to a Federalist scoundrel." but I did appreciate the visual of James aiming a pistol at Roy all the same.
"He reluctantly pulled away but his thumb continued to stroke the soft skin of her cheek, as their eyes exchanged silently what their bodies longed to and he saw there a reflection of what he had just felt, causing a heat to flow through him that threatened to burn him to his core." This sentence is far more poetic and beautiful than any sentence I've ever written and I keep rereading it, and it's perfect every single time. This gift you have? One day I'll make you teach at least some of it to me.
"“Oh good, now we are formally introduced.”" Ha! Oh, I do love this little bit of banter between them.
Hey, that second kiss they have? By the horses? Again I say, how dare you. But also please never stop.
I think we both remember how the final scene of this chapter broke me when I first read it, but just... the way you take the "and there was only one bed" trope and turn it into THIS?
"As he lay down beside her in the dilapidated old bed, pulling the moth-eaten blanket over them both, she tensed slightly. He moved his hand to rest in the valley of her waist but beyond that, he took care that no part of his body touched her.
“Is it okay, that I put my hand here?” " Is it okay, you ask? No. No, this simple and innocent exchange still hits the same reading it now as it did months ago, which is to say, I still don't understand how a simple hand on her waist could be my undoing, but here we are.
I'm not mad about it. I've also been stingy with the jellybeans this fic, because I'm saving them, but this chapter gets one. For reasons.
Date: November 18, 2020 10:58 am Title: Any Other Name
The best part about this "I can't" coming from Pam is that it only lasts a few moments before she changes her mind.
"I choose you." Have I asked how dare you yet in this story; because really, how dare you?
The unsent drafts of James' telegrams back home made me laugh, and I really do enjoy the bits of humor you sprinkle into this story. The lighter moments hit just right. I also really love his whole attitude boils down to "I'll let me dad deal with it."
Your use of the secondary characters, specifically Mr Morgan and Mrs Beesly in this chapter, is very intricately detailed, and I love that they're fleshed out enough to not be one-dimensional, and that they don't feel just tossed in. I'm glad they have Morgan, and now Pam's mom on their side.
Also, the door tap after dinner plans were made? I see you.
Date: November 18, 2020 10:11 am Title: Like a Songbird That Has Fallen
“See, Miss Beesly, I knew there was a reason I must stay,” he managed to get out between heaving breaths. - Oh. You're good. That's all.
"His grey shirt covered in streaks of soot, tucked loosely into his pants, his suspenders still hanging down at his sides; he knew he looked disgraceful. He ran his hand through brown hair before realizing his hands were black as the charred logs at his feet and cursed his condition." I don't hate this visual at all.
I really love that James is staying and that he knows but doesn't want to admit why; but I also love Pam's bravery in asking him. Her independent/defiant streak really is on show in this chapter, and it's really lovely to see; especially when she's thanking James for his help and then turning Roy's down in the next breath.
In this chapter and in the last one, the scenes where James and Pam have conversations on the porch both have reminded me of the Booze Cruise boat conversation; and I don't know if this is intentional, but it gives me the same feels here as it did there.
"“I have a confession. I do not particularly like Mr. Anderson,” looking shyly down as she spoke." I love this so much. It's the opening he needs for what's coming next, but it's just also... I love how in only two days' time, Pam is comfortable enough to be this open and upfront with him. It doesn't feel forced, and that is one of your many strengths as a writer - how willing I am to believe whatever direction you take this story in.
Especially since that direction is "You could marry me." It doesn't matter that this is the fourth or fifth or sixth time I've read this story - that line gets me every single time.
Date: October 06, 2020 08:04 pm Title: Wayfaring Stranger
Love this story!
Author's Response: Thank you!
1 [Report This]Date: September 26, 2020 09:24 pm Title: To Finally Be Seen
This just keeps getting better and better--literally every aspect of this is perfectly done. Thanks for the story!
Author's Response: Thank you so much for reading!
Date: August 31, 2020 10:09 am Title: To Finally Be Seen
I wish I could describe how excited I was to see an update on this. And how many time I re-read the chapter once I got through it. I concur with another review that it's nice to see some representation of shell-shock and PTSD in the fic, even seeing how it's touched Jim a bit as well. Great intro to the family too, hope we'll see more of Larissa soon. But, of course, the ending and him finally saying those three words out loud was perfect. This was touched on in earlier chapters too that female pleasure during sex at this time period probably was non-existent and him referring to it as a "mythical" thing makes sense (and was a bit hilarious). So seeing them BOTH get something out of it and desire each other was excellent. Can't wait for more.
Author's Response: I'm so excited you are excited! Thank you so much for following this story and your wonderful reviews. :)
Date: August 30, 2020 11:42 pm Title: Wayfaring Stranger
I can’t tell you how long I’ve been refreshing the page waiting for an update it’s embarrassing haha. Your writing is simply the best thank you for uploading
Author's Response: Thank you so much, Makeda!
1 [Report This]Date: August 30, 2020 10:00 am Title: To Finally Be Seen
I was so excited to see this update, and you didn’t disappoint! I was so looking forward to read about Pam meeting Jim’s family. I love how they lean on each other through every uncomfortable situation.
I’m looking forward to seeing how it goes with Jim’s father and this new society. They also have to run into Katy sometime.
Such a lovely story. I hope you keep writing so much more
Many , many jellybeans
Author's Response: Oh, Katy is coming and it will NOT be boring. ;) Thank you so, so much!
1 [Report This]Date: August 30, 2020 07:48 am Title: Wayfaring Stranger
The arrival in Philly chapter does not disappoint. We knew there would be subtle fireworks with James' family and it's all there.
I think I've said it before but I'll say it again - you write their understated way of life so well. Because of the Society in which they live, everything is unsaid, and yet you show it all.
The bedroom scenes - don't even get me started. How do you make it so steamy with so few words??
This story is SO good.
Author's Response: Thank you so much, Sprinkles!
Date: August 30, 2020 04:06 am Title: To Finally Be Seen
How do you do the thing with the words?! Seriously. The opening passages are everything returning home after a few years away is. “His world was broader now, and it made Philadelphia somewhat smaller” That’s exactly it. Exactly.
Every time she calls him James it does something to me. I’m not going to lie.
“I want you in my bed every night” Oh cool. That’s totally chill.
Bored. I — How? How is there still so much tension? It’s so very palpable. Oh my god. The French way. I’m dying. Dead. It’s so good.
"You are my family now."Â Oh. OH. Consider me double dead.
“For the first time in his life, he didn't feel alone in a room full of people.” Well, that’s the sweetest thing ever. I’m fine. So fine.
Okay, I’m very excited for Dwight to exist in this world.
I know they’re already married, but honestly Jim telling Pam he loves her is everything. This chapter was all I hoped it would be & so, so much more.
Author's Response:
I have to admit, I cheated a bit in the opening paragraph. I have moved thirteen times in my life, so relating to Jim coming home was breathtakingly easy. :P
Thank you as always, Jenna!
1 [Report This]Date: August 29, 2020 10:14 pm Title: To Finally Be Seen
There is a *lot* to love about this, but high on the list:
-James' interaction with Eleanore/Phyllis, who is clearly responsible for much of who he is
-The commentary on polite society choosing to ignore certain inconvenient truths
-The line "For the first time in his life, he didn't feel alone in a room full of people" which is both very appropriate for the story and VERY Jam
I'm interested to see where you're going with the psychological impact of the war on James and his brother - you don't read many stories touching on that theme set in this era.
Author's Response: The psychological impacts of war are huge and I hope to show that in varying ways, so I appreciate that you picked up on that. Thank you so much for following the story and taking the time to review!
Date: August 29, 2020 10:14 pm Title: To Finally Be Seen
I saw a notification about this update in the middle of the night when I woke up for a couple of minutes because of my cat. After a short yet fierce debate with myself, I decided to read the chapter in the morning. But... I dreamed of this unread chapter the rest of the night and woke up with determination to sort my illusion from the real one.
The real one is so, so, so much better!
I don't even know where to start. Every little snippet is a shot through my heart. James, noticing the painful changes in a familiar surrounding and himself, and yet feeling that Pam's presence healing him? Boom! Discussion about the separate bedrooms? Boom! 'Again?' — 'Always.' Boom, boom, boom!
I like the new characters very much, they are both caring, funny, but not excessively. And that Eleanore so clearly saw that James was in love... awww.
Also, and that might be sounded weird, but I like that the eldest Mrs. Halpert disliked Pam so intensely. That feels very real, and I'm here to see where things go (but I really, really hope that Peter's wife will survive this time too!). And Larissa's passion — oh, I hope they'll become friends with Pam!
And the last scene. Oh my. I have no words. Your story and your writing make weird things with my heart rhythm, and my cheeks, and my ears, and the rest of me. The best addiction ever, I suppose.
Thank you so much! I guess, you know how highly I admire your talent, but I'll repeat it again. You're fantastic, and please, never stop writing.
Sorry, if it's too much, but I'm overwhelmed a little.
Author's Response: Dernhelm, it is NEVER too much! I'm so glad this was better than you had dreamed too. I think we will see much more of Larissa too. ;) Thank you, friend, as always!
1 [Report This]Date: August 29, 2020 09:37 pm Title: To Finally Be Seen
Bored, I was just wondering where you were! I am not disappointed you were lost in the Civil War era :D
The tension in this chapter was amazing and the whole meeting Jim's family thing was very suspenseful. I definitely got the sense that society's expectations at the time were extremely restricting and Jim's risking everything by even loving Pam much less promising himself to her for the rest of his life. This story is so great! Per usual, I can't wait for the next update.
Author's Response: Thank you so much, JJ! I've been busy lately but I never wander too far. ;)
1 [Report This]Date: August 29, 2020 09:08 pm Title: To Finally Be Seen
Okay, I ADORE Grégoire and Eleanore! I really hope we get to see more of them in future chapters. I'm also really looking forward to meeting this Schrute fellow you mentioned, whoever that may be.
I love that Larissa already loves Pam, as she should. I was so hoping that James's entire family would immediately love Pam but realistically I know that wasn't probable, so I'm glad that Larissa and seemingly Peter like her at least. I can't wait to see if Betsy warms up to Pam and how James's father reacts.
And then that ending? You wouldn't think this chapter could get any better and then you go and give us an ending like THAT and my mind is blown. I love how infatuated James is with Pam and that he is finally coming to terms with his feelings for her, no matter what his family or the other townfolk may think of his decisions about her.
I was so excited to see this had been updated and now I can't wait for the next chapter!
Author's Response: I adore them too! It's a bit of an indulgence, I have many German and French friends living here and I just had to include that somewhere. Thank you so much!
Date: August 29, 2020 07:43 pm Title: To Finally Be Seen
Well worth the wait for this. I mean there's just so much going on. This feels like a huge moment. They're finally in Philly and everything that entails. There's absolutly a change of pace with Besty here. Ususally in fic she's seen as warm and loving. Here she's quite cool to Pam and Jim. Of course the reasons are there. Seems like Jim's caused a bit of scandal with bringing home not only a wife, but a Southern wife.
You can feel all the emotions just simmering under the surface of propriety and society here. I don't blame Jim at all for just wanting to shut the world away and stay closed off with Pam. However if there's one thing we've seen time and again with this Jim, it's that he doesn't shirk his duty, regardless of how hard it is.
Of course the connection he and Pam share, especially in private is wonderful to see. Jim not really giving a damn about the "proper" way to do certian things feels very in character. Why should anyone else care about how he and Pam show their feelings for each other in the privacy of their own home?
That scene at the end though. Just beautiful. There Jim is brooding and here comes Pam. Showing him in word and action he's not alone. That she can help soothe the pains he's gone through in the past and those he'll face in the present. The big takeaway is of course he's let go of that feeling that men of his status don't marry for love. He did and found something so precious with Pam that the rules be damned. Magnificent writing as per usual.
Author's Response: Thank you so much for your thoughtful review, Warrior. Yes, I took a slightly different route with Betsy and you will see that with several of his family members but I really want to explore some aspects/struggles of this time. I'm so glad you enjoyed it! Thanks!
1 [Report This]Date: August 29, 2020 07:02 pm Title: To Finally Be Seen
Just read these last two chapters and they are absolutely works of art. I’ve been singing your praises all day, as you know, but this story is seriousot like a master class in how to write historical fiction in a way that is engaging and entrancing and easy to get lost in in the BEST way, not get lost in where you’re like “what even are they talking about” or drowning in unnecessary detail or overly complicated, outdated language. Ugh. God. So so so good.
Author's Response: Again, your wonderful words have brought a smile to my face! I really do appreciate it. Thank you so, so much! <3
1 [Report This]Date: July 28, 2020 05:18 pm Title: She Passed Through
"he realized his definition of home had begun to shift infinitesimally away from a place and towards the woman sitting next to him" is the JAM-est line to ever JAM.
Really looking forward to seeing how they're received in Philadelphia!