Date: September 27, 2020 11:17 pm Title: mirrorball
Wow. Okay. *Kelly voice* First of all, how dare you.
I was literally just saying the other day how the near-elopement in Cafe Disco is one of the great under-ficced moments in JAM history, and here you are creating very classy smut for it. My heart is VERY full right now.
A rough and incomplete list of things I loved about this:
A) The unlucky heels (that Pam eventually gets lucky in), because worrying about whether or not her shoe choice is dooming her wedding just seems like such a Pam thing to do, and also because "Pam only has a limited number of shoes readily available she could wear to her own wedding" seems like a good acknowledgement that these aren't, you know, overwhelmingly rich people.
B) Erin making everyone dance the Cupid Shuffle four times. Because, yes, Erin would do that.
C) The lucky tie, and how it was used on their second weekend in bed together, which I can only assume is a teaser for an upcoming chapter/fic, as it would simply be cruel for it to be anything else.
D) The reverent kiss, immediately followed by Jim carrying her across the threshhold.
E) "No kinks. Just me. Just you. Okay?" "God yes. Except... will you keep the heels on?"
F) The dress removal, and everything that follows.
G) The detail of them wanting to laugh at Kevin hitting on her sister on the reception, particularly in light of her sister accidentally sparking Kevin to reveal that he'd be proud to date Oscar at their wedding.
In short, I enjoyed this greatly. Kudos to you.
Date: September 27, 2020 11:02 pm Title: mirrorball
Oh, I love this so much. Equally sweet as it was hot and I’m completely here for it.
“She didn’t deserve him. This beautiful, wonderful man who not only put up with but indulged her indecisiveness and the way she tended to overthink things. He simply rolled with whatever punches she threw at him, and she knew without doubt that tomorrow morning she could say she changed her mind; that she really didn’t want to wait and they should just book two tickets to Vegas and get married by Celine Dion herself and he would simply say okay and ask if she wanted to fly coach or business.” You made me fall in love with Jim Halpert all over again, because this is perfectly him and it’s amazing.
And his description of their wedding. STAHP. But never stop. All of this was perfect.
1 [Report This]Date: September 27, 2020 10:29 pm Title: mirrorball
I was like pink dress, huh and it completely went over my head and then I got to “when they decided to get married that morning” and it sunk in and oh my god Cafe Disco feels are easily some of my favorite feels and I am thriving!
Sometimes shoes are more permanent than relationships and I’m all for Pam marrying Jim in the shoes she bought for the Roy wedding... A good pair of shoes can be hard to find.
“I like them,” he said simply.” Oh wow. That’s all it takes me to melt into a pile of mush, huh. Seems about right...
“as she let him sway her gently in the parking lot” EXCUSE YOU. I have been attacked. I —
There’s just so much to unpack. And all of it is perfection.
“We probably should have a wedding night rehearsal too, don’t you think?” Yes. This a good idea. A very good idea.
“Kinks, huh?” COLEY
The tie. Holy god.
“neighbors that were still undoubtedly in contact with Jim’s parents and would absolutely delight in reporting back to them” That’s another whole fic in itself...
“You look so pretty.” I mean, I should expect to be assaulted with Niagara feels in this, but oh my god, the sweetness. I die.
“Just us.” All the heart eyes. My god.
OHHHHH. Okay. Okay. Will. You. Keep. The. Heels. On.
“the occasional sparkle of a rhinestone in the moonlight streaming through the window” How is this so beautiful and perfect?! I’m —
Coley. Coley. This is amazing. It’s so incredibly sweet without being over the top, and ridiculously hot to top it off.
1 [Report This]Date: September 26, 2020 02:36 pm Title: my tears ricochet
This is a really good characterization of Isabel, who does come off as someone with Opinions and who will not take no for an answer. I have little doubt that the Isabel we saw on screen was capable of this scheme if she had the opportunity. I also appreciate that you acknowledged that Pam couldn't possibly have had a close confidante during Season 2.
"boy was that man living in his glory days enough for Springsteen to write a song over" is a FANTASTIC description of Roy.
"“It’s my brother,” he explains and there’s no polite way to say that she knows. She knows. She knows just about everything. She knows that the corners of his eyes crinkle when he really grins. She knows the scar on the inside of his wrist is from when he went over the handlebars of his bike when he was fourteen. She knows what his lips taste like after salty tears have trailed down his cheeks. She knows him." is a paragraph worth the price of entry all on its own.
The metaphor of the broken vase turns out to be really strong - because that definitely seems like the sort of thing a seven year old would think in those circumstances, and it all ends up fitting their situation so well.
And I kinda love the choice to set this at Jim's childhood house, given its future - although I've gotta say I'm a little disappointed the clown didn't show up!
Author's Response:
Thank you, Darjeeling! We don’t know a great deal about Isabel so I’m glad my version of her worked. I had a lot of fun writing her.
I’m glad my Springsteen/Roy reference hit the mark. I feel like Roy definitely peaked in high school...
Oh god. The clown. The clown so did not go with the tone of this particular piece! I hope you can forgive the oversight...
1 [Report This]Date: September 26, 2020 12:51 pm Title: my tears ricochet
Jenna, Jenna, Jenna, you tricky devious demi-goddess. To open up with Pam wallowing like that, to have Isabel show up, to carefully disguise Marcie and then of course Tom withing the veils of Pam's shattered world. And then to have sallow eye-ed Jim show up like that. Yeah, a breaking vase with glass all around the feet.
Then to add in the lines from Beach Day? I mean in your standing still in the midst of broken glass metaphor, that's the part where the vacuum turns on. One is scared, hurt, in shock and now a huge loud noise seemingly makes things even worse. So much so that in the moment one doesn't realize it's the first sign that things are on their way back to normal.
"He smiles teasingly at her and for the first time since laying eyes on him yesterday she catches a glimpse of him. Pre-casino night Jim. Her best friend. The man she slowly fell in love with without even realizing it.
He’s still in there.
It’s everything."
That whole passage, is just so good. The first hints of dawn after a very long, very dark night. It's barely there, but it's growing brighter with every moment.
Then once the sun is fully in the sky it's warm and bright and burns off any lingering fog. Just beautiful.
And then there's Fancy New Beasly heading over to dish with Isabel.
All the heartache of S3 and resolution of "The Job" before we even get there. Just lovely. Well done.
Author's Response:
Thank you, Warrior! You know how much I love to take all the angst of Season 3 and shove it into a one shot with a sped up resolution! I’m glad this worked - I did debate leaving it off in a more miserable place which I feel would have fit the song better. But, ultimately, my happy ending, JAM loving heart won out...
1 [Report This]Date: September 26, 2020 09:23 am Title: my tears ricochet
Jenna.
JENNA.
I just...I can’t...I’m speechless with how much I loved this. All the imagery and metaphor and how well you conveyed the pain and hurt in both of them but then perfectly showed the opposite of that once they realized they wanted the same thing. IT’S ALL JUST SO GOOD.
“They climb a staircase and her eyes catch on the family portraits lining the walls. “This is my parents house,” he confirms. She tries not to memorize his dimpled cheeks grinning broadly at her from the walls. She doesn’t belong to him. These aren’t her memories to share in.” This broke my heart.
“She knows. She knows just about everything. She knows that the corners of his eyes crinkle when he really grins. She knows the scar on the inside of his wrist is from when he went over the handlebars of his bike when he was fourteen. She knows what his lips taste like after salty tears have trailed down his cheeks. She knows him.” Also broke my heart.
But then you masterfully mended my heart and I love you for it.
So good!!
Author's Response:
WW! Thank you so much for this incredibly lovely review! I love hearing which parts stand out to people. I’m glad I could mend your heart after breaking it. I did consider ending with far less certainty so it’s nice to hear my happier alternative worked!
1 [Report This]Date: September 26, 2020 09:02 am Title: my tears ricochet
Jenna. JENNA.
This is so incredibly well done I can't even begin to tell you (Well, I've already told you some but...)
"This feels like that. Something precious destroyed beyond repair. She had been barefoot and her father had bellowed at her to stay still. If she had taken a step she would have been cut by the tiny shards of glass." This shattered crystal vase metaphor is EVERYTHING. I love the imagery and the way you pulled it back at the end gave me chills.
"She knows. She knows just about everything. She knows that the corners of his eyes crinkle when he really grins. She knows the scar on the inside of his wrist is from when he went over the handlebars of his bike when he was fourteen. She knows what his lips taste like after salty tears have trailed down his cheeks. She knows him. " JUST KILL ME NOW
"He’s still in her. She’s wrapped around him. All she can see is the end." I don't know what it was about about this line but I literally gasped. Like, it was so profound and perfect.
Oh and round two? Round two was even better if that is even possible. And then you ended with the vase metaphor and now I'm just a literal mess of emotions.
Author's Response: Bored. You have no idea how much I needed your instant encouragement/this review! Seriously. Thank you!
1 [Report This]Date: September 26, 2020 08:49 am Title: the 1
JB, I'm hesitating to write a review because I've only had time to read the story once, and it is so layered that it needs to be read multiple times.
This story is so beautiful. The friendship Isabel brings. The visual of Pam as just completely broken by Roy and Jim and everything. The idea that she goes blindly to a party at someone's house and then finds out that its Jim's parents house. I mean, that could happen! I could see this whole thing like it was a movie.
That moment when they see each other, Jim's brother realizing it's *Pam*. And then the intimacy and Pam's fear that this is just closure for Jim.
And woven throughout, the metaphor of the broken vase - I mean. Perfection.
This story fit the song so well.
Author's Response: Thank you, Sprinkles!
1 [Report This]Date: September 26, 2020 07:48 am Title: my tears ricochet
I don’t even know where to begin with reviewing this. You always make me have such an emotional reaction with your writing and this is no exception. The feelings of heartbreak and angst and anguish are so expertly conveyed here in such a brilliant way, I am so amazed by your talent! This was just so achingly beautiful. And then the different emotions they had as they were having sex, I loved that so much. Just, you’re so good. I’m so in awe. Thank you for this.
Author's Response: BT. I am so in awe of your writing so when you say the loveliest things to me like this... catch me crying in the club/actually my backyard.
1 [Report This]Date: September 26, 2020 06:19 am Title: my tears ricochet
Jenna. Oh, Jenna. I'm typing this on my phone riding the bus, because I can't wait to express my emotions and I have an access to my laptop just tomorrow.
So.
I have a terrible lump in my throat, (slightly) teary eyes and a wide grin (no one can see it behind the mask, he-he). This story broke my heart and mended it again.
I love that Pam is both scared, depressed (I know I'll go the hell for that words...), and yet, at the right moment she's so unbelievably strong and brave!
"She kisses him back because what the hell else is she supposed to do." Yeah, I also don't think there is another option...
"If this is the only chance she gets, she’s still going to take it. Even if it destroys her in the morning." Oh, my heart.. I feel that despair so much.
"She closes her eyes and pretends that this isn’t the end. She lets herself believe it’s the beginning, just for a moment." Okay, here I cried for real.
"She’ll be living with this forever. He can at least live with her scratches in his back for a couple of days." Both fantastically sass and heartbreaking.
And the ending. I'm simply in love with it.
To sum up: god bless friends like Isabel and Marcie, idiots like Pam and Jim, and writers like you. Thank you! Â
Author's Response: Dernhelm! You’re so very lovely and kind. I always love hearing from you - you always manage to pick out some of my favorite pieces and this is no exception. I thought about leaving this story to a miserable end (I feel like it fits the song better that way) but I’m glad I decided for the cheesier, happier ending and left you with a smile instead of tears!
1 [Report This]Date: September 25, 2020 05:14 pm Title: exile
Samesies🎉
This broke my heart. Bloody broke it.
1 [Report This]Date: September 25, 2020 04:15 pm Title: last great american dynasty
Oh! I didn't know we were going to include prologues of our twenty chapter opus that we're secretly working on? Good for you! ;) But in all seriousness, that's what I want from this. Because it is SO FREAKING GOOD.
"The lethal kind" I cackled!
These characters are so perfectly written, just like we would expect them in canon but placed in this new world. Pam as a Philadelphia socialite and Jim as a Mad Man is so perfect and lovely and realistic. Fantastically written for the stereotypes of the time without them feeling even a little like stereotypes!
That dress. Wow. That. Dress. And this little gem about Jim's hair, "her fingers ached to run through it" I'm just gonna swoon by myself over here, okay?
Sprinkles. A Go Getter Pam, the one who says and takes what she wants, is a Pam I will always be here for. And I love that they both have a little of that naughty side. Mentioning Pam's former dalliances and saying (hi, this line kills me on every reread) 'women liked Jim and he like women.' Okaaaaayyyyy? Come on. These two lovebirds are about to get naughty on the couch and fragile flowers need not apply here.
But with the sneaking away and the dim lights and the way you describe them undressing (and I keep thinking of all of those windows) it can truly be described as sensual. In all the best ways.
"Do you want more, or do you just wanna fuck?" Sprinkles you need to go sit down and... think about what you did.
Oh. My. God. "Patience, Miss Beesly." I'm dead. I'm dead, I've died, and this fic is what's waiting for me.
When this started to end, I YELLED at my phone. I'm not proud of it. I'm not saying it was mature. But I'm not saying I'd do anything any different. That's... that's where you're leaving us?
Oh it's the prologue, you say? To another 20-something chapter WIP you have going? Cause you wouldn't do your friends dirty like that, right? Right? Sprinkles. Right?
1 [Report This]Date: September 25, 2020 03:58 pm Title: cardigan
Death by cardigan? Yes, please. Look, I can't remember who said it, but they were right. It now seems so obvious to write THIS cardigan about THAT cardigan, but even I had ever thought about it, there's no way anyone could have ever at all in a million years done it the justice you did here.
And you have this incredibly perfect distinct way of writing with such richness, but it's also so concise that it's easy to be IN the moment in your stuff.
When I tell you I gasped at "when it saw the light of day again..." I mean. It was a dramatic, pearl clutching gasp. I just love the way we get so much history and how TRULY realistic her insecurities and his regrets still are.
"Pam I was always going to come back to you" It's fine. I'm sobbing. But it's fine. All fine...
The beauty here is that I've read it three times. And each time I find something new and wonderful that makes me just fall in love or crack apart or something. On this read it was that moment where it shifts from when he might tease her or playful to stating "Today was for..." And there you go again. Making the smuts all full of feelings in just the right ways.
That last line... that last line is just... why did you set out to kill me with a cardigan? God I love this and will read it too many times to admit...
Author's Response: girl c’mere lemme murder you with this sweater
(wow what a weird response, I’m keeping it)
1 [Report This]Date: September 25, 2020 03:35 pm Title: the 1
Oh, Sprinkles. This is one of my favorites and you did it So Much Justice.
The ENTIRE bit that starts with "he hoped she was happy" was *chef's kiss. Because THAT is 100% a Jim way of looking at the world.
"Later, when the bottle starts to give him some advice" Man that's a great line!
I love their whole exchange on the phone; you do such an amazing job of getting to the heart of the matter without sacrificing the story. I love it.
And, listen, that moment - in the kitchen - aye aye aye. But I'm also really in love with that part right before they go to the bedroom. You beautifully capture that vulnerability they have with one another without it feeling forced or contrived or taking us out of the flow. I just love it so much.
SpRiNkLeS... I think I blacked out in the bedroom scene. It was too much for me to handle in every single right way.
I want to taste you (oh my god)
The walls aren't think (Oh My God)
That Position (OH MY GODDDD!!!!!)
You hit a major homerun with this one and capped it off perfectly with that last line. Whew! I love it, ma'am.
1 [Report This]Date: September 25, 2020 03:21 pm Title: exile
DC, I just -
WOW.
“When Pam dresses like that, she looks like someone who fell into a lost and found box while leaving a wild night at a bar. After being struck by lightning.” I love this so very much because same. There are people who can pull off that effortless look and there is me.
“Only once had he said, “And no Jim,” Perceptive Roy. That alone gives us all the backstory for this particular Jim and Pam...
“For seven minutes in heaven. I would’ve picked Karen.” Oh DC. When I say I laughed. Of course in the world she would pick Karen. I’m not going to lie, I would read the version where she had picked Karen too. This alone would have identified this chapter as yours! (Your beautiful, distinctive writing aside).
I don’t generally love college AUs and yet I’m going to need the whole 20 chapter version of this...
Author's Response: Aw, JB, thank you!! I showed a lot of restraint here with Karen. (It was so hard to do that though!) I think college AUs can be tricky; I'm so glad that you enjoyed this one though. :)
Date: September 25, 2020 03:12 pm Title: exile
These stories are just going to wreck all of us. Great writing to bring out so many emotions. The glimpses of their past. The heartache of their present. All the references to canon. Just wow.
Author's Response: Thanks so much. I appreciate your review.
1 [Report This]Date: September 25, 2020 02:54 pm Title: exile
JFC. Hang on while I gather myself.
Okay. This was just flat out amazing. I really adore your AUs, and I would love to see this world expanded further - you've managed to really economically suggest a fully-realized world and history for these characters that I'd love to spend more time in, while still leaving room for some damn fine smut.
The use of the twist was excellent - the sort of twist that makes you go back and read the whole thing again with the knowledge that they'd been sleeping together in mind, two stories in one.
And this is a particularly interesting spin on the Jim-Karen relationship - one where she's a little more informed about the mess she's stepping into, and is sticking with Jim not out of ignorance or love but because she's working through her own damage, too.
Anyhow. In short. I liked it.
Author's Response: Thanks so much for that! This was a really fun AU world to work within. I'm glad it worked for you and that you liked it.
1 [Report This]Date: September 25, 2020 01:16 pm Title: exile
You know I hate you, love you, hate you for this, right? I had to read this three times because apparently I enjoy pain. If I could properly gather my thoughts, I would leave a very wordy, lenghtly review where I would expound on how you manage to write these two (and Karen, but that's an entirely different essay for another time) so damn well that you forget they are immersed in a different universe. From the dialogue to their expressions to the little bits of canon thrown in there, all woven together so expertly that you only realize you are coming up for air when you finish the final sentence.
Author's Response:
I mean, I feel like we're even for all the times you've made me tell you how much I hate you/love you. Cause it's, like, a lot. :)
But this review is just so... Thank you so much. It warms my heart greatly. (I would LOVE to read that essay you have about Karen. You know she's my favorite to throw into the mix.)
1 [Report This]Date: September 25, 2020 12:17 pm Title: exile
Everything in this is perfect, right down to the Hello Kitty socks. The way you worked in all the characters in was amazing, the way you broke my heart at the end was rude, but amazing...
“Jim’s touch feels like he just can’t stand the thought of letting her go again.” Perfect.
Well done!
Author's Response:
WW! Thank you! I smiled like a fool that you caught that little sock detail!
I'm glad you enjoyed this, even with the broken heart. :)
1 [Report This]Date: September 25, 2020 11:55 am Title: the 1
DC, how do you do this? This magic of words, and characters, and feelings? In one chapter, you created the most perfect AU world and this one incident in it, and I feel like I just read a whole novel. I'm also completely devastated by the ending. I would demand more, but I've had my heart broken by you before. My Old Heart, that is.
There are so many perfect bits in this. When Roy says, "And no Jim". His one hand holding both of hers. "Just some guy I let fuck me".
It may take me awhile to recover from this. Bravo!
Author's Response: Sprinkles thank you so much for such a kind and thoughtful review. You picked some of my same favorites. And thank you thank you thank you for loving HMOH too. :) I hope what's coming next will alleviate some of the devastation here.
1 [Report This]Date: September 25, 2020 11:37 am Title: exile
So many moments in this made my jaw drop. When Karen scratches his back but it’s so friendly and she’s joking about getting him laid, the Professor California line, when Pam is choosing her Jenga block and he raises an eyebrow while drinking his beer, and when she says NO JUST SOME GUY I LET FUCK ME and he says LIKE I USED TO BE and the sit down and obey bit and and and and
reverent more than gentle
one massive hand around both her wrists
The image of him in his boxers waiting for her and heartbroken wondering why she won’t stay stoppppp
oh my god, woman. just. I mean. This is a masterpiece.
Author's Response: I mean... thank you. A review like this from you is Major Praise and I greatly appreciate it. I'm so glad you picked some of my favorites and I LOVE that you get the Professor California thing. Cause my mind wouldn't let it go as much as I said to myself nobody wants that... Thank you so so much.
Date: September 25, 2020 06:31 am Title: last great american dynasty
Honestly, how dare you manage to fit all of my favorite things into one chapter like this? It's a little bit unfair and I really do love you for it!
"The lethal kind, darling." RIP Bill.
"They slipped away across the dark lawn, moving toward the lights of the huge house. Pam took off her heels to walk across the cool grass barefoot. When Jim reached over and took the shoes from her to carry them, she pushed down the ping the gesture gave her heart. Whatever he was, it was just for tonight." Girl. The way you effortlessly slide between the sexy and the sweet in this chapter is killing me as dead as Bill. I LOVE this visual.
"He was a long drink of water in ever way." I didn't even have time to recover from this line before you hit us with "Do you want more, or do you just wanna fuck?" and damn it Sprinkles, I want to live in this universe and be at this party, even if it means I'm just hanging out by the pool with Izzy.
"And not only was Jim doing it, he was doing it like a man who knew how, a man who enjoyed doing it." Oh hey, so far, this is my favorite folklore version of Jim. Congratulations!
The night was young, but the party was over for her. When I say I want and need more of this story.
Date: September 25, 2020 04:13 am Title: last great american dynasty
“just long enough for her to notice him noticing.” Hello chemistry. I love that they only have eyes for each other (& Isabel just gives up and slips away).
“Whatever he was, it was just for tonight.” Oof. So good. I kind of love that they’re just going for it, even if she knows that nothing will come of it.
“I can’t” Somehow this still hits so hard! You’ve written this so wonderfully that it still packs a punch after them only knowing each other for an evening.
Yeah. I also wouldn’t be mad if there was more of this!
Date: September 24, 2020 06:52 pm Title: last great american dynasty
“he kissed like a man who knew how to kiss a woman” uh yeah he did and he knew how to do a bunch of other things too
Ma’am, yet again. How DARE you? PATIENCE MISS BEESLY I mean just shoot me down right now I set
And then the way you tied it in with the end of CN!! Ugh, I didn’t see it coming! If you wanted to write this AU and continue the story I would 100% not be mad about it.
1 [Report This]Date: September 24, 2020 06:38 pm Title: last great american dynasty
I thought this did a really good job of conveying the immediate and powerful connection Jim and Pam had, and I thought the scene-setting and description worked really well.