I know, I know, but it’s Mary Calmes. A Matter of Time… I don’t know how many times I’ve read this, a few… quite many.
Is it original? Nope. But you need to remember this is an old book. It’s been more than ten years since I first read it.
Is Sam an arsehole? Yup. He’s so much of an arsehole in these first books that he doesn’t deserve Jory.
Is Jory acting like a TSTL heroine? Most of the time. He doesn’t think, and everything just happens to him. He reminds me a lot of my sister LOL
Why did I read it again? I love this shit LOL. Jory is Jory, and I think everyone who’s been around the genre for some time has either read this or decided it’s not for them. If you’re new, though. You need to read this. It’s part of the M/M literary canon, and if you read newer Calmes stories, I bet you’ll see people refer to Sam and Jory in their reviews.
Almost every Calmes book is a slightly modified version of the A Matter of Time books. It might sound as if I’m mocking Mary Calmes – I’m not. She’s brilliant, she’s found something that works, and whenever I find myself in a reading slump, I dig up a Calmes book.
You know what you get, and sometimes that’s what I need.
There will be an alpha character paired with one, often incredibly attractive, character who’s more submissive. In A Matter of Time, I growl at every character telling Jory how pretty he is. Real people don’t do that!
Many years ago, I saw a review on Goodreads with a Mary Calmes drinking game. I didn’t remember who wrote it, but when I googled now, it showed up. So, I’m stealing this from Emma Sea:
The Mary Calmes Drinking Game
If one character hosts a TV show, take a drink.
If one character caresses another character’s cheek, take a drink. If they only just met and they’re basically strangers, take two.
If there’s an Hispanic best friend (m or f,) or best friend’s partner, take a drink.
If there’s a pregnant character, take a drink. If there’s a birth, take a drink. If the MC is the birth partner for a pregnant character, take two.
Take a drink if someone is kidnapped.
Take one drink if the MCs name starts with a J.
Drink on each mention of the word “dessert,” or on consumption of a dessert (this includes pie).
If there’s a surgeon or doctor character who does not perform a medical procedure on the MC, take a drink. (If they’re a neurologist or neurosurgeon, take two.)
If the story mentions Chicago, take a drink. If the story is set in Chicago, take two.
One drink for each mention of a jazz club.
Every time you encounter waggled eyebrows, take a drink.
Take a drink if the MC entertains a small child. If they’re 6 years old, everybody drinks.
When one MC dances with a woman, take a drink. If he dances with multiple women at a work event, or a partner’s work event, take one drink for each dance partner.
Every time one MC calls the other “baby”, take a drink.
If there’s a festive family party or special occasion, take a drink.
Every time tongues are tangling, take a drink.
On the word “peacoat”: everybody drinks.
If someone makes a newspaper swan, take a drink.
One drink if there’s an ex-boyfriend who wants to get back with the MC (double if he’s batshit crazy).
One drink if one MC is/has been literally or effectively an orphan.
If you do like I did and read A Matter of Time Vol 1 and 2, I fear I’d need my stomach pumped if I had a drink every time the game said I should drink, and I’m way too old and tired for that LOL
Still, I love these books.
Vol. 1 (Books One and Two)
Jory Keyes leads a normal life as an architect’s assistant until he is witness to a brutal murder. Though initially saved by police Detective Sam Kage, Jory refuses protective custody—he has a life he loves that he won’t give up no matter who is after him. But Jory’s life is in real jeopardy, especially after he agrees to testify about what he saw.
While dealing with attempts on his life, well-meaning friends who want to see him happy, an overly protective boss, and a slowly unfolding mystery that is much more sinister than he could ever imagine, the young gay man finds himself getting involved with Sam, the conflicted and closeted detective. And though Jory may survive the danger, he may not survive a broken heart.
Vol. 2 (Books Three and Four)
Three years ago, Jory Harcourt changed his name and shut the door on a past full of pain, only to emerge stronger on the other side. He has a new career, a great working partner, and a satisfying life—except for the hole in his chest left behind when police Detective Sam Kage walked out with his heart.
Now Sam’s back and he knows what he wants… and what he wants is Jory. Jory, who doesn’t know if he can survive another break up or losing Sam to his dangerous job, resists returning to the arms of the only man he has ever truly loved. But when a serial killer with a score to settle targets Jory, he will have to decide if love is worth the danger as he tries to solve the case and keep Sam safe.
Holly Day 
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