Date: February 04, 2022 12:28 am Title: Coaster
Another first date story? Give it to me. I love it.
Author's Response: So sorry didn't see this sooner, thank you!
1 [Report This]Date: July 11, 2021 03:00 pm Title: Coaster
“Yep. I’ve really missed these… and I feel that now is the time to reaffirm my feelings for…” he paused for a moment and locked eyes with her, “grape soda.”
“Oh. I see.” Her smile took on a slightly mischievous quality. “Good to know."
Grape soda giving me butterflies.
I've read a LOT of first date fics and this one didn't disappoint! I think it was very in character and realistic and lovely. I can't wait to keep reading!
Author's Response: Thanks so much, WW! That was one of my set favourite lines to write. I wanted it to telegraph a lot about where things were going and how Jim was finally unafraid to show Pam his feelings.
1 [Report This]Date: July 06, 2021 10:42 am Title: Coaster
This is sooo great! We can never have too many first date fics. I love how you handled this. They pretty much aired everything out in a cute awkward and fluffy way. The flirting, the kissing, the banter, everything was spot on.
I can’t wait to read what happens next
Author's Response: Thank you Merria! I was totally going for slightly awkward, so glad it felt that way!
1 [Report This]Date: July 05, 2021 06:32 am Title: Coaster
So you know how much I love the grape soda and the secret meaning behind it and how his return to it symbolizes his true return and says more to her than even his words could.
All the banter and her inner musings were so in character as was the idea she would both be fidgeting with the coaster and saving it as a memento. Apparently Jim's not the only one to get sentimental over seemingly insignificant items. Another reason they are perfectly matched.
So with you they do not sleep together right away. Jim's not a 2 women in 24 hours type of guy especially when one of them is the love of his life but I enjoyed their getting friendly in the bar, not wanting to end the night right away.
The final banter was just so fun and loved the final line.
I know I've read it before but this time, purely as a reader, I had a great time.
Author's Response: Thanks Max - you have guided me so well with this, really glad it hit the spot for you.
1 [Report This]Date: July 05, 2021 05:52 am Title: Coaster
This was delightful. Loved how you put your own spin on things. Jim walking back up to her desk with the grape soda and his lines there were wonderful. Her nervousness while getting ready and wondering what it all means really seems to fit too. Her kiss on the cheek was a delight as well. Getting things going right as soon as the evening starts.
Good job Jim on letting Pam know right away that he and Karen were done. Get that out of the way right quick.
The flirting and conversation at dinner felt real. There's a ton of emotional baggage they both need to unpack and this feels like a great start down that road. Finally some open and honest conversation between them. The kisses after dinner and at the bar were also a ton of fun to read. A great way to set things up for their relationship going forward.
Smart move to hit the breaks for the time being when they get back to her place. Despite everything they've said and clearly feel for each other, this aspect of their relationship is very new and delicate. Makes sense to protect it a bit in order to make sure it takes firm root.
Excellent job for a first date fic. The more the merrier in my opinion and you did great.
Author's Response: Thanks Warrior! I thought very hard (TWSS) about how far to take them on their first date, but I just couldn't see Pam letting him sleep with her so soon after he was with someone else and I agree that it was too new to rush things. (That said, I absolutely love the fics where they throw caution to the wind *ahem*.)
1 [Report This]Date: July 04, 2021 01:54 pm Title: Coaster
Congrats on going through the rite of passage! Not easy. There's some fun dialogue choices here - the self-aware but very comic banter at the end, I thought, especially sounded like them. Right balance of humor and nervousness and odd comfort between two people who have finally broken through a tough barrier.
Author's Response: Thank you! Glad it passed muster and that I found their voices. More to come. :)
1 [Report This]Date: July 04, 2021 06:24 am Title: Coaster
I can never get enough of Jim and Pam first date stories - and this was so, so great! I loved the framing with the coaster. And I loved all the little callbacks to the grape soda, that moment with Jim watching Pam's hair (and Pam then recognising that look herself, ouch), and the apartment tour chat. The way you've written the two of them is such a good mix of awkwardness and humour and intensity, which feels so exactly how you could see their first date going. I also really enjoyed Pam's giddiness and her new confidence ('Denial was definitely only a river in Africa these days' is an amazing line). And so is: '“And then move on to something more substantial…” like marriage and babies and about fifty or sixty years of blissful happiness together.'
I thought the insight into Jim's thoughts with the medal was perfect: and that it's not just about how much he loves her, but also how proud of her he is after the coal walk. And the ending, with Jim's tiredness and Pam wanting to take it slow so soon after he broke up with Karen (because: yes) is very sweet and realistic.
Also, side note: as a fellow Brit, I'm v impressed with your knowledge of US temperatures. Because I can't work out Fahrenheit for the life of me.
This was brilliant!
Author's Response:
Thank you so much! That "Denial" line is really a very old joke but I do like it. Glad you enjoyed it.
Re: temperatures, I am firstly of an age where I remember the days when we used both C and F on the weather forecast! Example here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8a0e680wJeo - it's like double the number and add 30 (roughly), I just memorised the numbers after years of watching Michael Fish :D (this will mean little to anyone outside of the UK, sorry!) but I also have a whole bunch of my in-laws and colleagues who are based in the US, so used to translating.