Can't Buy Me Love

April 9, 2001
Jack Thompson, the 26-year-old, unemployed, spoiled brat protagonist of Kenry's rollicking debut receives a rude awakening when Paul, his lover (and unlimited source of income), dies suddenly, leaving his entire estate to Wendy, his homophobic sister. Banished from Paul's house, penniless and clutching a blank résumé, Jack halfheartedly follows the advice of his parents and numerous credit agencies and pursues a variety of minimum-wage jobs. He repeatedly and predictably gets fired, ultimately succumbing to the lure of easy money by becoming an "independent hustler," a trade at which he is uncannily adept. As the cash begins to roll in, he and fellow sex worker/aspiring artist Ray pool their clientele into an agency: "Harden Up, Inc." Ray wants to get out of the business eventually and open an art gallery; in the meantime, the recruitment of new hustlers and the excitement of a growing client roster puts Jack back on top, but just how long can his luck last? Thankfully, Kenry infuses the narrative with a healthy dose of reality as a violently aggressive customer beats one of Jack's employees, his sister Carey starts to suspect something's amiss, a client dies in flagrante delicto and the Denver police close in. The author's talent for catchy, catty dialogue and innovative (and often quite humorous) sexual interplay buoys a prolonged story line that occasionally bites off more than it can chew. Still, Kenry shows promise with this first effort, and his moxie shines through in moments when Jack and Ray are allowed to be fully developed characters, instead of the hyper-stereotyped caricatures so popular in contemporary gay fiction. While seasoned readers will see the inevitable, saccharine-sweet conclusion (and sequel?) coming a mile away, that won't diminish the charms of this satisfying confection.

May 15, 2001
Were it not for the writer's bold humor and witty asides, this debut novel could have been just another hustling-for-love-and-money yarn with a gay setting. When Jack Erickson's wealthy lover is killed, leaving nothing to Jack in his will, Jack finds himself homeless with a useless degree in the arts, no talents (save for body-building), and little drive to do much more than rack up charges on his credit cards and sponge off his friends by doing sexual favors. Then he meets a dashing young man named Ray who teaches him a few things about hustling. Ray uses his time and money for his controversial artwork. Together, they orchestrate an escort service for men with clients ranging from old porno kings to wealthy but lonely and unattractive souls. In the meantime, they fall in love and get into all kinds of trouble. This book is well written but does include graphic language and descriptions. For large libraries seeking gay fiction. Shirley Gibson Coleman, Ann Arbor Dist. Lib., MI

Copyright 2001 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

May 1, 2001
Never underestimate the American entrepreneurial spirit. Take Jack Erickson, a kept man whose daily tasks consist of working out and reading magazines, and whose status nosedives when his boyfriend dies without a current will. Forced to move back in with the folks, he tries temp work and waiting tables, but his only real skill is looking good. He is soon kicked out to earn a living for the first time. Before you can say "world's oldest profession," he takes a small business class and, with fellow hustler Ray, is running a male escort service. Newly plucky and talented Jack has found his niche and happily applies himself to bookkeeping; developing a marketing strategy, business plan, and Internet advertising; working out (still) to maintain his perfect pecs and sculpted abs; and servicing his growing clientele. Business booms, and Jack and Ray must hire an employee--er, subcontract out excess business without employer responsibilities, that is. But " rilly," can Ray and Jack find true happiness running an escort service in suburban Denver?(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2001, American Library Association.)