Reviews For Love Ain't
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Reviewer: MaryESP Signed 1 [Report This]
Date: May 06, 2021 05:45 pm Title: Come over, let me show you what he can't

This is so perfect

Reviewer: darjeelingandcoke Signed 1 [Report This]
Date: October 04, 2020 03:45 am Title: Come over, let me show you what he can't

I don't have particularly good words here - this just WORKS.

Author's Response: Thank you! I appreciate you coming back to review this story! 

Reviewer: darjeelingandcoke Signed 1 [Report This]
Date: October 04, 2020 03:44 am Title: The way you're talking sounds like he's somebody you should hate

Cause of death: “You’re everything, Pam. I wish he treated you like that.”

Author's Response: This chapter might just be my favorite thing I’ve written this year. Sorry, not sorry for the murder... 

Reviewer: nqllisi Signed [Report This]
Date: August 19, 2020 02:16 pm Title: Come over, let me show you what he can't

Jim to the rescue! In so many ways. Lovely.

Author's Response: Thank you! 

Reviewer: nqllisi Signed 1 [Report This]
Date: August 19, 2020 02:06 pm Title: The way you're talking sounds like he's somebody you should hate

I love this AU for Booze Cruise. I've always maintained that just a little bit more courage and honesty would have saved them both (us all?) so much angst. But then again, the story unfolded exactly as it needed to, so I'm not complaining. Nor am I complaining about how beautifully you've captured their voices, their posture, their chemistry, and the tragedy that is Pam & Roy. I'm looking forward to chapter 2!

Author's Response: Thank you so much, nqllisi! It’s so very lovely to hear from you - your writing is wonderful! 

I do love the original source material, but it’s a whole lot of fun to play around with it. I’m glad to hear this worked for you. 

Reviewer: Comfect Signed 1 [Report This]
Date: August 13, 2020 07:31 pm Title: Come over, let me show you what he can't

Oh that last moment is just the glaze on top of a marvelous cake of a story (cherries are overrated). I adored this and you do so well with the emotional beats throughout. Thanks for sharing it!

Author's Response: Thank you, Comfect! I’ll take glaze any day! 

Reviewer: Sam Signed 1 [Report This]
Date: July 23, 2020 11:36 am Title: The way you're talking sounds like he's somebody you should hate

Oofty...assertive Jim to the rescue! Loved this; great story, great characterisation, great story. Lovely!

Author's Response: Thanks so much, Sam! It’s so nice to hear from you! 

Reviewer: BigTuna Signed 1 [Report This]
Date: July 22, 2020 08:55 am Title: Come over, let me show you what he can't

Jenna. Never stop writing. You’re so good. This felt like it could have been canon so easily, all the little details were so perfect. Loved it!

Author's Response: BT. Never stop leaving me far too kind reviews like this. Thank you! 

Reviewer: Coley Signed 1 [Report This]
Date: July 08, 2020 09:40 pm Title: Come over, let me show you what he can't

Roy misinterpreting Pam's "I think we should call off the wedding" is just such a very Roy thing to do. And Pam's fleeting thought that maybe she shouldn't even correct him and just continue status quo is so very Pam.

"The ache of feeling like she doesn’t matter to him is so very raw. Any patron would send it back to the kitchen if it arrived on their plate." I quit. You can write all of the things from now on because how do we even compete with lines like this?

Of course Jim is there to save her when Roy gets loud and handsy, and I love that Darryl and Captain Jack are with him but you KNOW I love that Michael and Dwight are hovering just out of the line of danger but still close enough to have Pam's back -- figuratively, if not physically. That's such an in-character moment and you know your Michael and Dwight are my favorite - even apparently when they don't even speak.

"He knows he’s not being the best version of himself. He knows that he will become the villain she tipsily bemoans about with her girlfriends." Jenna. jenna. JENNA. Why do I love Filterless Jim so damn much?

Pam's fake "I'm sorry" and Jim's honest "I'm not" and the hidden smiles and the little looks - I'm dying a little bit at how adorable they are.

"She’s nervous. She knows exactly how this ends and yet she’s still shaking." Oh cute, I'm Pam in this moment reading this. Again, I'm fine.

"Dwight?" JENNA.

Hey, remember when you were all "I wrote the second chapter but it's not nearly as good as the first one?" You're such a lying liar who lies.

Author's Response:

I can picture Roy being like, “oh, you don’t want a wedding? Sweet” so clearly. He’s so only getting married because it’s what he’s supposed to do - not what he wants to do. 

Hahaha. Oh dear. That raw/kitchen line - I love it, but like I also debated taking it out because it seemed way over the top. I’m so glad I kept in it now. But also, that’s a no to the whole you quitting thing. You can’t quit. Who’s going to write about Flag Day?! Obviously not me because I still don’t know anything about it... (How’s that for subtle)

 You know how it is, the first chapter was all, I’m inspired to write and words just happened. The second chapter was like, I must finish the thing, what are words... Peaked I tell you, peaked... 

Reviewer: Coley Signed 1 [Report This]
Date: July 08, 2020 09:25 pm Title: The way you're talking sounds like he's somebody you should hate

So. I love Jim speaking up and saying he doesn't get Roy either. I love it even more because it brought us to this part: "ime has taught him that Pam can offer a criticism of Roy, but his honesty will only bring trouble. In the past, when he’s agreed too enthusiastically with critiques on Roy’s behavior Pam crosses her arms across her chest like she’s holding herself together and glares at him. She’s an injured, cornered animal, quick to bite back and seek an exit." and that is such a real, harsh thing that so many of us default to and I love how well it fits the Pam/Roy/Jim dynamic.

"Even if she wanted something different, she can’t." This is fine. I'm not needing to drown my feelings in a vat of ice cream or anything after this.

"Roy’s tone is curious, and maybe a little puzzled. It’s like he expects Jim to placate him as normal." and "He lets them fill in their own blanks." Oh. I LIKE this Jim. I like him a lot.

"The axis of Roy’s world isn’t balanced on her very presence like his is." Seriously, how are you so good at this? That line is PERFECT.

So, I remember one of the first stories you wrote on this site, (maybe even the first one?) and in it, Jim saved the receptionist, and I died a thousand fanfic deaths over how great it was. But this? Jim and Pam BOTH knowing they'd save each other without a single thought toward Roy?

It's too good, Jenna. It's all too good.

Author's Response: Coley, bless you and your seriously wonderful reviews. 


I love that axis line - it may be one of favorite things I have ever written so thank you for mentioning it here. 

They so would save each other without a single thought of Roy. I stand by it. I think Pam probably actively pushes Roy to that little corner of her non-work life mind every day in that office with Jim... I know I would... 

Reviewer: bottomlesschampagne Signed 1 [Report This]
Date: July 06, 2020 10:33 am Title: Come over, let me show you what he can't

This is beautiful!! The first part has you feeling all bittersweet (how amazingly have you done the inner monologues!) and the second part leaves you all warm and fuzzy.

Author's Response: Thank you! Bittersweet followed by warm/fuzzy was definitely what I was going for. Thanks for reading! 

Reviewer: Donnamour1969 Signed [Report This]
Date: July 06, 2020 01:42 am Title: Come over, let me show you what he can't

This was very lovely.

Author's Response: Thanks Donna! 

Reviewer: warrior4 Signed 1 [Report This]
Date: July 05, 2020 09:51 am Title: Come over, let me show you what he can't

Very real feelings there at the start on the boat. Roy not getting her at first seems so very on point. Also I love that Roy is the one to misinterpret things this time around. Good job Pam on getting that line said to the right guy this time.

Jim and the cavalry arriving just in the nick of time was perfection. I mean I could hear the steel in his voice there. The kind of steel that regardless of who it was, who they were with, or what they were doing, Jim was going to come out on top. Loved that. And of course Roy gets thrown in the brig. *chef's kiss*

Then of course Jim goes right into the tender guy we know him to be with Pam. The guy she deserves. Kind of rough on Katy true, but as you wrote, it wouldn't be fair to anyone to continue that relationship.

Then of course Jim is showing his quality again. Nice reference by the way with the giant mechanical man. He's been patient this long, what's another month? Especially since even as he's waiting, he's quickly growing into her main guy.

So it's only natural when Pam makes her declaration there in the break room. It's still all sorts of sweet. Especially when she uses his line back at him. You can just see Jim really start to glow there as he takes in what she's saying. Just wonderful.

Lovely story as per usual.

Author's Response: Thanks Warrior! 

I realized that without Roy setting the date, the wedding wouldn’t really be on the forefront of his mind - I figured Pam’s line was ripe for misinterpretation. 
Jim strikes me as a mostly non confrontational kind of guy. (Snowball war with Dwight aside). But I can imagine Pam looking like she’s in trouble would take some of that softness away. 
Jim was pretty rough to Katy in canon so I figured might as well go with it... 
I only recently watched The Giant Mechanical Man and genuinely loved it. Such a sweet movie. 
I appreciate your wonderful review as always! 

Reviewer: Iris-Dietrich Signed 1 [Report This]
Date: July 05, 2020 07:00 am Title: Come over, let me show you what he can't

aw i love it, hope there is more to come

Author's Response: Thanks! I wasn’t planning on adding more to this one... I have a couple of other ideas in the works though! 

Reviewer: Iris-Dietrich Signed 1 [Report This]
Date: July 05, 2020 06:53 am Title: The way you're talking sounds like he's somebody you should hate

daaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaamn, wow i love it!!!!

Author's Response: Thanks so much! 

Reviewer: DoomGoose Signed 1 [Report This]
Date: July 05, 2020 06:52 am Title: Come over, let me show you what he can't

Aww, thanks for that! Even if you didn't think a part 2 was needed, it is definitely appreciated! That ending was pure fluff and I loved it.

Going back a bit, the 'Roy is dense' bit is always a classic. I love/hate how he's like 'Yep, thats fine, never really wanted to get married anyway,' and just expects Pam to take it. The threat of Roy's violence was unexpected, but you built it up very nicely with the little background bits like Pam remembering what her Mom said all those years ago.

And of course, the Dunder Mifflin Posse + Jim to the rescue was great, I love that Roy got put in the brig.

Thanks for part two! It was great.

Author's Response: Thanks DG! 

I feel like the Roy who spends wedding savings on Wave Runners would be all over calling off a wedding and continuing as is... 
I figured if someone was getting put in the brig in this AU it would be Roy (& not Michael). 
I’m glad having part 2 worked! 

Reviewer: beth9501 Signed 1 [Report This]
Date: July 05, 2020 06:46 am Title: Come over, let me show you what he can't

A giant mechanical man reference... nice! I loved this chapter. It's so sweet watching the recognition of her feelings grow over time. This au was perfect and you wrote it so so well!

Author's Response: I watched that movie for the first time the other day and genuinely loved it - such a nice message. 

Thanks so much! 

Reviewer: Dernhelm Signed 1 [Report This]
Date: July 05, 2020 12:35 am Title: Come over, let me show you what he can't

Did I tell you how much I love the way you describe emotions and feelings? No? So, I do. I love it so much, I can't express it with words, only with frantic gestures and incoherent sounds.
I feel so much compassion for Pam when she was talking to Roy. It hurts, really hurts that even at the end, he didn't understand her. 'Worthless scum' is quite a harsh expression (though Jim had his reason for it), and I don't feel so much hate to him, but the way he and Pam pained each other... I'm happy they're done.
And I'm happy that Jim was there for Pam, and I'm delighted that this ship became a 'broken relationships ship' (I'm curious though what Katy thought about her relationship with Jim and the way it was ended?..).
'She lets his fingers brush over the back of her hand for a moment before she pulls them gently back to her lap,' it's so, so good. Of course, she needed some time for herself, but the way she showed that Jim wasn't unwelcome... it's so tender.
And the whole episode in the break room made me warm and dizzy. I love meaningful and indirect confessions so much, and this one is perfection.
And when I thought that my heart would explode with all these feelings, you added 'Dwight?' and I laughed so hard, and my heart remained with me :)
Fantastic story, and I'm grateful so much that you shared it with us!

Author's Response: Oh Dernhelm, this review is so very lovely! Thank you! 

I feel the same way about Roy, that he and Pam were not ideally suited (not so much that he’s a terrible person). 
I really thought about resolving it all on the boat, but it felt far too rushed to do that. I feel like Pam needs that time to herself to grow. 

Reviewer: nicemorningtoo Signed 1 [Report This]
Date: July 04, 2020 11:26 pm Title: Come over, let me show you what he can't

I have no idea what you're talking about when you say that this story peaked with the first chapter. The first chapter was AMAZING, but this one is JUST AS GOOD if not better because they get together. "I would save the paper salesman" melted my heart. I wanted to cry. And then Jim's reply of "Dwight?" before kissing her was PERFECT. I couldn't imagine it any other way. Beautiful.

Author's Response: I’m not saying the second chapter is bad per se... it just took so much more to get it out of me! Some words flow and some words just... don’t... You know how it is. 

Thank you for your lovely words! 

Reviewer: BigTuna Signed 1 [Report This]
Date: June 23, 2020 04:21 pm Title: The way you're talking sounds like he's somebody you should hate

Oh my godddd this was so heartbreaking and then so tense and then at the end I literally screeched a bit and scared my dogs because I honestly didn’t expect her to say that! I loved it. You’re amazing. If you wrote a bajillion of these I wouldn’t be mad.


Oh my god. You should write a paper airplanes one.

Author's Response: Thanks BT! 

Sorry, not sorry for scaring your dogs? 
I think I will leave the Paper Airplanes up to you and continue living my best life in Season 2/3. Season 9 messes me up waaay too much... 

Reviewer: boredhswf Signed 1 [Report This]
Date: June 22, 2020 01:09 pm Title: The way you're talking sounds like he's somebody you should hate

Ugh this is so so good! I wish it had all gone like this. I love this Jim. He's mouthy with Roy and I'm here for it.

"Jim is saying too much and Roy isn’t saying enough." This line though! I love this insight into both their characters. In fact all of Pam's inner monologue is spot on.

Please PLEASE continue this! I can't wait to see Roy's reaction!

Author's Response: Thanks Bored! 

I’m so here for mouthy Jim too. He’s a little more fun than docile, placid Jim. 
Chapter 2 should be up sometime soon! 

Reviewer: Comfect Signed 1 [Report This]
Date: June 21, 2020 10:16 pm Title: The way you're talking sounds like he's somebody you should hate

Oh snap. I like this filterless Jim. And I really like this line about Pam: She’d like to think she could swim for the land all on her own if she had to.

It's a really good setup that you're doing justice to. Looking forward to the continuation!

Author's Response: Thanks Comfect! 

Chapter 2 should be up shortly. I think Pam finding herself is all sorts of valuable - she’s been defined by her relationship to Roy for too long... 

Reviewer: Coley Signed 1 [Report This]
Date: June 21, 2020 08:42 pm Title: The way you're talking sounds like he's somebody you should hate

I’m still trying to coherently process my thoughts on this story, so I’m sure I’ll be back later with a more well-thought our review but like, how did you do it? How did you give us all of the feels of Booze Cruise, Casino Night, and Cocktails in just one chapter? Also how do cameras work?

It would be cruel to not give us a second chapter. And I know you’re not a cruel person, so I’m confident you won’t let us down.

Author's Response: I don’t know? Also, I don’t know how cameras work? 

There is definitely a second chapter and it will be posted in the not too distant future. Although (spoiler alert) I peaked with this chapter so there’s that. 
I love it so hard when you review. Thank you! 

Reviewer: uberkate1013 Signed [Report This]
Date: June 21, 2020 08:19 pm Title: The way you're talking sounds like he's somebody you should hate

This is so goooooddddd! They both mustered some courage and are saying that they feel. I love it!!!
I am hoping for more than two chapters!

Author's Response: Thank you! There’s definitely a chapter 2! It should be up sometime soon! 

Reviewer: HeyItsRachiiee Signed 1 [Report This]
Date: June 21, 2020 07:03 pm Title: The way you're talking sounds like he's somebody you should hate

JENNA! This is beautiful and I freaking loved it!
The way you write is just something else - like I could literally see this playing out like an episode in my head. And the metaphors!!! AMAZING!! This fic is great and I’m looking forward to part 2 :D

Author's Response: Thank you so much Rachiiee! Part 2 is on its way sometime soon! I’m so glad to hear you enjoyed it! 

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