Grafton Carter

With "Glitches and Kisses," Grafton Carter proves his writing chops, that his first novel wasn’t a flash in the pan. Carter is here to stay, and not a moment too soon! He brings the authenticity of gay male experience to the MM Romance genre. He also brings a keen understanding of human nature.
"Glitches and Kisses" introduces us to Evan and Noah, both of whom are lovingly relatable in their flaws. Evan knows what he wants: Noah, relationship, picket fence, etc. And, like so many of us in that situation have done, Evan has a script in his head for how that relationship should look, how the parties should act towards each other, and whether the gate on that future picket fence should swing in or out.
Even when Evan tries to self-correct and reign in his expectations, to allow things to develop more organically, he just retreats to familiar ground, still scripting. Here he is complaining to Noah: “I just want to know what is ours. What is ours that’s different from Sam? From Liam? From Elliott? You can sleep in their beds, and nothing happens but sleep. You can take them to dinner. You can watch action films and argue with them.” His voice dropped to almost a whisper. “What is different about us?”
What Noah wants is not to be hurt again, which causes him to push people away in a subconscious effort to slow things down. Here’s Noah reflecting on things: “I’d spent so long convincing myself that if I didn’t define what we were, I wouldn’t have to lose him. That as long as I kept everything contained, controlled, unnamed, it wouldn’t become something that could hurt me when it inevitably fell apart.”
Who hasn’t been an Evan? Who hasn’t been Noah? I’ve been both, which is maybe part of the reason I found this story so enjoyable. These were real characters with relatable issues.
Beyond the relatability, though, is the writing, which shines in the two examples cited above and throughout the book. Whether Carter is describing the fictional city of Havenwood, with its nearby rafting excursions; detailing a sumptuous restaurant meal; or giving us a dance scene at a gay bar, one feels the river spray, smells the garlic in the Italian food, and hears the loud music and laughter in the bar.
Carter also delivers the heat. I liked this beginning to one scene: “Clothes became a problem fast. His shirt, gone. Mine, somewhere. I didn’t care. I needed more of him, needed to feel him, needed to get rid of whatever space was left between us.” I say “beginning to one scene,” because it is just that, a full-on experience. Slow burn only works when there’s enough scorch to justify the slow parts.
"Glitches and Kisses" scorches. You’ll need oven mitts for this one!
Thanks to Grafton Carter for a free copy of this book. This is my honest review.

If you are into a slow-burn, character-first, relationship-building, and high-octane MM romance, you don’t want to miss Glitches and Kisses. This is an ode to flirting, a long, authentic, realistic, almost like the author is taking us by the hand through his own personal experience.

There is no place for doubting this romance; it is both convincing and enjoyable, filled with enough moments when you get frustrated and tempted to kick Noah in his butt with your foot. Because Noah is broken, untrusting, suspicious, scared, with the Great Wall of China built around his heart to keep it from another tragic love, from another hurt, shame, disappointment, and failure. From another man who will crush him and leave him lying abandoned in the debris of his life.

Opening the way to a broken heart is not for everyone; many would turn and walk away after the first encounter. Evan deserves all respect for his persistence, faith, patience, and handling of his emotional pain and hurt. Craving someone who is not ready to embrace—sometimes subtle, sometimes open—signs of admiration and affection is a mission set for failure.

But both in books and real life, the happiest love stories can be born out of complicated love, zero odds for success, and irrational faith to believe in the impossible.

Glitches and Kisses burns with tension, longing, flirtation, desire, and the raw need all the way through, until steam and spiciness consume tender intimacy, leaving you breathless or blushing.

I thank the author for the advance reader copy!

Bernard Jan

Grafton Carter’s Glitches and Kisses is a charming, heartfelt romance that feels both refreshing and familiar in all the best ways. The writing sparkles with humor and warmth, but what lingers most are the characters: flawed, tender, and deeply relatable. Noah and Evan’s journey is filled with banter, vulnerability, and chemistry that leaps off the page. Yet, the story also shines in its quieter moments of honesty and self-discovery.

What sets this novel apart is how effortlessly it blends joy with depth. The romance is swoony and satisfying, but it’s also grounded in themes of belonging, second chances, and the beautiful chaos of queer community. Put simply, this is a story that reminds us love is never perfect. It’s about choosing each other through the glitches, finding joy in the mess, and letting yourself be fully seen.

Highly recommended for anyone who loves contemporary LGBTQ+ romance with heart, humor, and a cast of characters you’ll wish you could hang out with in real life.

I received an advance copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving this review.