“I was comfortable with the idea of sharing myself, flaws and all, with another man. The awakening idea of staying with one man for the rest of my life was oddly satisfying.” – Timothy James Beck, He’s The One
HAPPY PRIDE MONTH! I’ve wanted to do a review for this sequel to my favourite gay book, It Had To Be You by Timothy James Beck, 4EVAH, and what better time than during Pride?
He’s The One, by Timothy James Beck, serves as the second installment in the “Manhattan” series. This authorship is a collective effort, with the name TJB representing the creative talents of four writers: Timothy Forry, Timothy J. Lambert, Jim Carter, and Becky Cochrane. First published in 2003, the novel immerses readers in the gay culture and the dynamic urban (and, to a lesser degree, rural) life of the late ’90s as we move into the 2000s.
The novel’s exploration of love, identity, and the complexities of friendships and romantic relationships resonates powerfully; its themes and raw emotions definitely continue to strike a chord with a contemporary audience. The story crafts an engaging narrative that remains relatable and relevant, both to queer people and allies, inviting readers to experience the essence of a pivotal era of queer identity, social awareness, and community in a profoundly personal way.
The novel is brimming with romance and humour; it’s not all (queer) social commentary! As I said about the first book in the series, It Had To Be You (which will always be my favourite!), for Gen-Xers and pre-Millennial gay/queer people—like myself—it’s literary comfort food!
Midwesterner Adam Wilson is a successful, entrepreneurial gay man who bears a
striking resemblance to Clark Kent—which means he’s tall, dark, and handsome! When he comes to New York, he eagerly embarks on a quest for his ideal partner, setting his sights on an intriguing individual who captures his imagination.
However, the question lingers: will he bravely pursue this enigmatic figure only to risk the possibility that Mr. Right might not be as perfect as he envisioned? The true magic of the narrative lies in its engaging storytelling. He’s The One is about so much more than gay romance and steamy sexual encounters, though these parts exist in the book. Still, don’t get it twisted: this is not MM; this is Gay Fiction. What this novel does so well is explore stories about friendship.
He’s The One delves into the heart of what truly matters in life, exploring our choices and the priorities we decide to focus on, for queer people certainly, but also for everyone trying to find happiness in the world. Like It Had To Be You, the narrative here conveys a compelling tone about genuine, truthful, and authentic expressions of feelings and an openness in communicating these emotions, even when it may be painful. Confronting our past mistakes is front and centre here.
Now, it’s easy to get frustrated with our handsome, successful Adam. He has a family who loves and supports his queerness. His mom is in PFLAG (Parents and Friends of Lesbians And Gays)! It’s hard to feel a lot of empathy for the perfect body/perfect job jock-fantasy character at times, especially when there are ugly moments that reveal past bullying actions he participated in during high school.
And we can never get around his tenacious pursuit of Jeremy, a guy he barely knows anything about for most of the novel. Adam has a good heart, but he is vain, struggling to find a man who matches his level of (perceived) perfection.
Throughout much of the novel, Jeremy is an enigmatic presence who flickers in and out of Adam’s life, just out of reach. Adam yearns for closeness, a romantic connection, yet he remains perpetually on the fringes of Jeremy’s world, a mere observer. He encounters other men who could be viable sources of romance, but this fixation erects roadblocks within him.
As Adam becomes increasingly consumed by his feelings for Jeremy, voices of caution echo around him, warning of Jeremy’s flaws and unsuitableness as a boyfriend, casting a shadow over Adam’s burgeoning affection.
Surprisingly, Daniel, Jeremy’s ex-boyfriend, though he bears the scars of his betrayal, offers a nuanced perspective, hinting at the complexities beneath Jeremy’s elusive façade. (I’ll get to this in a minute).
Adam is determined to find Jeremy, having briefly met him in a coffee shop, believing he’s finally “fallen in love,” but let’s be real, it’s just an obsession with the idea of Jeremy, his perception of him, his looks in particular, than with the whole man himself. And as a gay man, thinking back to my 20s, I get it.
Hear me out! This narrative frustration, though always entertaining, is intentional.
The authors demonstrate how individuals frequently project curated personas, especially queer people, to fit in, be liked, be safe, etc. As we delve deeper into these characters’ lives and absorb the narrative dialogue, we gain a better understanding of them.
A person, like Adam, is more than his physical appearance, career, or past
experiences. He is human, flawed. This novel focuses on personal growth, primarily of Adam, but many characters, including some returning friends from It Had To Be You, also experience this journey. I think of Blaine from that novel, another hot jock Midwesterner; he proved he was greater than the sum of his parts. [Image on Right: Bethesda Fountain, New York, NY].
Now, speaking of Daniel, our primary character from It Had To Be You—I said I’d get back to him. I have two favourite sections in He’s The One that are connected, and both involve him. While running in Central Park, Daniel takes a break at Bethesda Fountain. There, he sees Adam, a figure from his past who bullied him in high school. When Adam finally puts two and two together, he understands the hostile look on Daniels’ face—and he feels like shit—as he should.
Later in the novel, Adam and Daniel finally meet again and have a hard conversation. Blaine, Daniel’s partner and a hunk of a man, is deliciously antagonistic toward Blaine when he first sees him; he is in protective mode for Daniel, which always makes my heart flutter whenever I read it.
Knowing that someone, regardless of whether they experienced it themselves, understands your fear and anxiety related to past bullying trauma for being gay or perceived as feminine—someone who genuinely wants to protect you from reliving these dark feelings as an adult—is truly heartwarming. Does Daniel forgive Adam, who is very contrite? Does Blaine?! Maybe.
A central theme of this novel, which is much more prevalent than in the first book of the series, is forgiveness. How can you forgive someone? Is it possible to forgive yourself or others? Does someone deserve forgiveness? Does Adam earn Daniel’s forgiveness? Should Jeremy, a cheater, be granted forgiveness? As I mentioned, this is a novel about personal growth.
Forgiveness has always been a challenge for me, particularly when it comes to the deep scars left by past trauma and the hurtful actions of others. Of course, I’ve read It Had To Be You, so I have my issues with Jeremy, a character I’d written off at the end of that novel. When he was placed here as the object of Adam’s affection, I was—surprised. Once a cheater, always a cheater—right? How can he ever be trusted? Anyway, this is a journey every reader must take for themselves regarding the complex and complicated characters that the “Manhattan” series always provides.
He’s The One is less whimsical than its predecessor, though no less compelling; it’s fun and campy while remaining sophisticated in the writing, which is sharp and witty. The characters are dynamic, and the story includes numerous sweet moments interwoven with high melodrama. Does Adam finally meet the man of his dreams! It’s a journey filled with hope and excitement—a nostalgic trip I will retake time and time! You should, too!
