Date: August 06, 2021 10:10 pm Title: Temptation, the very thing that held her back
Pam's thoughts seem to betray her. Seems like she's been making comparisons about Jim and Roy for quite some time now and Jim always seems to come out on top. However there has always been the specter of Roy and Katy to deal with though. Still I find it interesting that as Pam is about to head back into the dating world the only one she can think about is Jim. However Katy is still in the picture, flaky as she may be right now. Kinda makes me wonder why Roy and Katy didn't get together all those years ago.
But then we also get some more glimpses into the Roy and Pam relationship. Really glad she woke up and got out of that one. Clearly Roy wasn't treating her right. It really felt like Pam was more of a thing to Roy. Something to have to deal with that occasionally brings him pleasure but that's about it. Which is of course a terrible way to treat someone.
I do kinda wonder just how strong the Jim and Katy relationship is right now too. They've already had a rocky past. Makes me wonder how solid the relationship is moving forward. Nice job as always.
Author's Response:
Thanks so much! And yep, Pam's thoughts are definitely betraying her lol - you will find out more about Jim and Katy's relationship too...
I feel like I always go backward and forwards on just how terrible Roy is (sometimes I think I'm a bit harsh on him, but season 1 and 2 Roy on the show really was awful at times). But yeah, he's not great in this.
Thank you so much for the review!
1 [Report This]Date: August 06, 2021 09:09 pm Title: All the things that we've always done
Okay, figured I should actually leave a real review here.
As always: you are an extremely talented writer and should really be busily at work novelizing instead of blessing us with these gifts. This was just a really enjoyable opening here. I love the brutality aimed at Ryan here, and the sheer pathetic awfulness of Pam's date with Andy.
"It didn’t, but the radio prank he’d played on one of his weird co-workers had landed him an interview for his current job. So the high school teacher who told him his elaborate practical jokes would get him nowhere in life could suck it." This is amazing backstory for Jim, and for Jim and Pam's friendship. I've also liked the idea of High School!Jam, and putting them in this context, where they're friends through Roy and Katy, is REALLY creative - and mixing that up with a Jim's-with-someone-Pam-isn't scenario! You've got a lot of really neat threads coming together here.
I think you did well developing the soft spot Jim has for Pam as a friend independently of any romantic tension they have between them. AND THEN YOU PUT THEM IN THE CLOSET TOGETHER. You slay me.
Author's Response:
Ah, thank you so much! :) Glad you enjoyed the Ryan and Andy lol - I feel like Ryan on dating apps pretty much writes itself...
The radio thing was definitely slightly stolen from the show haha, although I was thinking about it and I would back Jim as a sports presenter rather than a writer. (I would also probably quite happily listen to a John Krasinski radio show, even if it was on sports).
So I basically wanted to write something where neither one of them was openly pining to begin with (also to make the wingman thing more plausible) - but I thought that only worked if they were both taken when they met each other, and met through their boyfriend/girlfriend. And then Roy and Katy felt like the obvious candidates for that. I'm really glad you think it works here!
And haha, Jim and Pam and a closet can surely never go wrong. Thanks so much for the review!!
1 [Report This]Date: August 05, 2021 09:48 pm Title: Temptation, the very thing that held her back
"She didn’t think Jim had noticed. Thank god." - Sure keep telling yourself that, Pam. If Jim does feel a certain way about her, he definitely would have noticed it.
By the way, I love this universe where they're both out there, living their dreams (somewhat). It's just an amazing little tidbit. I also love how they're supportive of each other even if their interests do not exactly match.
I don't know if I'm reading it wrong but I'm really liking Katy in this story. She seems like a normal girlfriend? And it kind of goes in line with canon since she was kind of nice in the three episodes she was in. I hope the inevitable (??) breakup won't be too heartbreaking. Roy can go jump off a cliff. What a dick.
Erin reminds me of that coworker you would just love to smack on the head.
Alan the cartoonist! Will he try not to be edgy?
Author's Response:
Thank you so much! Jim and Pam supporting each other is always something I love. And no, I'm totally with you on Katy - I thought she seemed nice in the episodes so I didn't want to do her down here. So I don't think she's as bad as I've written Roy (but that doesn't necessarily mean she's right for Jim...)
Haha, Erin is definitely that coworker! And lol - more on Alan's edginess (or not) is coming.
Thanks so much for reading and your review!
1 [Report This]Date: August 05, 2021 08:48 pm Title: Temptation, the very thing that held her back
This was a great chapter chock full of information presented with just enough detail to be interesting and not getting bogged down.
Group dynamics are fascinating. Take one small piece out, and a well functioning team falls apart. The two couples may have served as buffers for each other. Even though you haven't said it yet, I have the feeling Katy may no longer be in picture.
Good onya
Author's Response: Thanks very much! Yeah, I'm always interested in how group dynamics can change things/hide issues that people might have individually as long as they're together...and more will be revealed on Katy :D Thanks so much for reviewing!
1 [Report This]Date: August 05, 2021 08:47 pm Title: Temptation, the very thing that held her back
Oh man I love this peek into Pam's head. It's just very realistic I think within the alternate universe to have her thinking this way and to have her having had these thoughts before. I love it!
Author's Response: Thanks so much! And yeah, I was struggling a bit to get the balance right here between her having those thoughts, but also being comfortable being his friend now - so I'm really glad you thought that worked! Thanks for the review :)
1 [Report This]Date: August 05, 2021 03:49 pm Title: All the things that we've always done
Behind with reviews. Loved this.
Author's Response: Thanks so much for reading! Really glad you're enjoying it :D
1 [Report This]Date: August 04, 2021 12:50 pm Title: All the things that we've always done
Well, first things first. Congratulations on finishing your recent story. I have yet to finish it and I'm already reading this one! I honestly have no idea how you do this.
Oh my God, the frisbee and falsetto reference, I am so amused by it. Nice ode to her actual dislikes.
Ryan on a dating app? And with those pretentious photos. Just when I thought, it couldn't get any better, she also sees Michael in it. She should've washed her eyes with bleach lol
“It’s because you’re with me.” -- I felt that. I feel like this is going to be a long journey for these two. And with Jim/Katy, why do I feel like I'm going to feel bad for her?
Can't wait to read more!
Author's Response:
Thank you so much! And haha, I was in theory thinking of taking a break from rambling Jim and Pam AUs after I finished my other fic, but then I couldn’t get this idea out of my head. I am planning for it to be much shorter than my other ones though (I think six chapters, unless I get sidetracked…) Glad you enjoyed Pam’s terrible date! And Ryan’s dating profile lol (I really would love to see his, and Michael’s). Thanks so much for taking the time to review!
1 [Report This]Date: August 03, 2021 10:25 pm Title: All the things that we've always done
This… is an intriguing premise.
The Spin the Bottle bit was SUBLIME.
Love the way you set this up and very excited for more!
Author's Response:
Ah, thank you so much! I feel you can’t go too wrong with Jim and Pam and spin the bottle, haha…thanks so much for the review!
1 [Report This]Date: August 03, 2021 10:03 pm Title: All the things that we've always done
So that's one helluva setup. Jim and Pam friends from high school. Having both been in long term relationships with Roy and Katy. Now Pam's single. We're not sure about Katy, and it seems like feelings are starting to develop with Jim. Probably with Pam too, but it's to early to say yes or no. Then of course their high school backstory really adds a lot to this. Really curious to see where this one goes. Nice job with the opening.
Author's Response:
Thanks so much! Glad you’re enjoying it so far - more will be revealed about Katy, and Pam’s feelings… and yeah, a high school backstory was one I was keen to explore in an AU after that scene in booze cruise. Thanks very much for reading and reviewing!
1 [Report This]Date: August 03, 2021 09:14 pm Title: All the things that we've always done
I love AUs! Love the premise. I think this one of my new favorite stories.
Author's Response:
Ah thanks so much, that’s so great to hear! Thanks for reading :)
1 [Report This]Date: August 03, 2021 05:49 pm Title: All the things that we've always done
I've been checking for something new and was happy to see it was you that had begun a new one. Your stories are always so much fun and this one did not disappoint.
The way you rearrange the characters and timelines and tropes and yet seem to get all the fun bits in (and maybe some of the awkwardness and the heartache).
Love the way Andy came into play and the punching of the picnic basket and Ryan and the trip to Thailand that never happened and Michael Scott (oh and the misplaced but effective Grasshopper reference)
All great fun and look forward to what we'll learn in the next installment.
Author's Response:
Thanks very much! That’s so kind of you to say, I’m really glad you’re enjoying this one so far :) Haha, I do think Andy, Ryan, and Michael must be a combination of the worst people to date/stumble across dating profiles for…thanks so much for reading and reviewing!
1 [Report This]Date: August 03, 2021 05:09 pm Title: All the things that we've always done
I am SO excited for this!! I already know I am going to love this. Also, giving us the 11th grade kissing in the closet story in the first chapter?? I couldn’t thank you more. Will be (im)patiently waiting for the next chapter!
1 [Report This]Date: August 03, 2021 04:50 pm Title: All the things that we've always done
What a great 1st chapter! You led me right in. When the question "How do they know each other?" popped up for me, you answered it. I'm so glad you have both of them thinking about attraction but not in it fully; we'll get the full journey.
Great interweaving of canon dialogue into the AU.
Good onya
Author's Response:
Thanks so much! That’s so great to hear - and yeah, on the attraction, I was interested in what it would be like if neither of them were openly pining for each other from the beginning…I am planning to keep this one relatively short compared to my other fics though, the current plan is six chapters (so potentially a slightly shorter journey, lol). Thank you so much for reading and taking the time to review!
Date: August 03, 2021 04:04 pm Title: All the things that we've always done
Loving this story so far!
Author's Response:
Thanks so much, that’s really great to hear! Thanks for reading and taking the time to leave a review :)
1 [Report This]Date: August 03, 2021 03:36 pm Title: All the things that we've always done
Well this put a smile on my face. Such a great dynamic between these two already. Love the entire 7 minutes in heaven story, cannot wait for more!
Author's Response:
Ah, thanks so much! I’m really pleased you’re enjoying it :) I am also a sucker for a good 7 minutes in heaven moment, lol. Thanks very much for reading!
1 [Report This]Date: August 03, 2021 02:25 pm Title: All the things that we've always done
I am SO excited for this!! I already know I am going to love this. Also, giving us the 11th grade kissing in the closet story in the first chapter?? I couldn’t thank you more. Will be (im)patiently waiting for the next chapter!
Author's Response:
Ah, thank you so much!! Haha, I wanted to do a high school Jim and Pam and I feel like you can’t have that without some kind of awkward/conveniently staged kiss…I’m really pleased you’re enjoying this so far, thanks so much for your review!
1 [Report This]Date: August 03, 2021 02:14 pm Title: All the things that we've always done
Ooh awkward! But a very good kind of awkward. Interested to know where this goes from there!
Author's Response:
Thanks very much! And haha, Jim and Pam are my favourite kind of awkward. Thanks so much for reading and reviewing!
1 [Report This]Date: August 03, 2021 12:45 pm Title: All the things that we've always done
*Ahem.*
Who do you think you are?
What gives you the right?
Author's Response:
Haha, thanks very much! (I was sort of meant to be taking a break from writing Jim/Pam AUs instead of, um, the many things I actually need to do, but…I got a bit stuck on this idea). Thanks so much for reading!
1 [Report This]Date: August 03, 2021 11:01 am Title: All the things that we've always done
Oh. My. God.
Another story from you (how do you do this???), and it starts so good (and the tiniest bit painful, but mostly very, very good). And... I don't even know what to add except that I want to know everything about this Jam history ;)
Thank you!
Author's Response:
Thank you so much! I’m so glad you’re enjoying this so far (although the answer to how you do it is definitely just…lots of procrastination? I was going to take a break from Jim/Pam AUs, but then I got the idea for this one stuck in my head. I am aiming to make it a bit shorter though). Thanks so much for reading! More on the Jam history will be revealed too :)