#nick bradley

[fght-ff-yr-dmns]

Currently Reading Four Seasons in Japan By Nick Bradley I always get nostalgic for Japan in September, it's been six years this month since my big trip out there. So I thought I'd try and pick up some literature based in Japan to fill the void and help me reminisce a little.

This title follows one of the characters from Bradley's last novel, The Cat and the City. I really enjoyed that book, but the character wasn't particularly one of my favourites, so I hope this novel can change my mind. Does anyone have any recommendations for novels set in 90s-modern era Japan? Preferably by a Japanese author (other than Murakami)

[bookymcbookface]

Four Seasons in Japan, by Nick Bradley

[robyn-weightman]

How are the seasons where you are?

[claireelizabethsblog]

~September & October's Books Reviewed~

So, as one might be able to guess, it's been two rather slow months of reading... or rather there was a period of slowness in the middle as in theory I read one book in September, had a moment and then read two very quickly at the end of October. Rather than having two very mini posts though, I felt it was better to have one at least vaguely substantial one! So yes, here is September and October combined!

Bewitched by Laura Thelssa

(443 pages)

Objectively, and subjectively, crap. I try not to unreasonably bash on books since I know that just because I didn't enjoy it doesn't mean others wouldn't, and vice versa. For example, I know that many of the books I love and have reread several times are objectively not that great, and similarly, having looked at this book on Goodreads I know lots of people love this book and the authors style. I, unfortunately, am not one of them. I really didn't enjoy any of the characters, nor their relationships, and the plot wasn't nearly engaging enough for me to forget about that. As such, I would easily say this was the worst book I've read in a long time (or certainly the least enjoyable reading experience I've had). That being said, if you're into supernatural romances and willing to look past some morally grey situations then you might enjoy this more than me. It is 100% an 18+ book (you have been warned), and also, I really struggled with the dubious consent throughout it in regards to the main relationship, just to also put that warning out there. I think based off this review it can be no surprise to anyone that...

I gave this book 1 star ⭐

Four Seasons in Japan by Nick Bradley

(326 pages - hardback)

I'm contrast to the previous book (which can maybe be blamed for my break in traditional literature for a hot minute there), I really really enjoyed this book! It was rather different from the usual books I'd pickup, but I'd seen it recommended everywhere and I have to say it was everything I was needing from a book in this grey autumnal time. It was really gentle and comforting and just all around gentle. I did find the ending a little sudden, and I was waiting for the two storylines to become a little more interwoven to be honest (or at least the two principal characters from the two storylines - although I understand that they realistically couldn't actually, I was just waiting for a bit of a plot twist in the reveal of the characters I think - I realise that isn't very clear but I don't want to spoil it for anyone!). However, like I said, I truly loved this book, I wish I had read it quicker, or at least all in one go rather than starting and then accidentally taking an extended break from it because then I think it could even have been in contention for a full five star rating! I would really recommend this book to the majority of people, I've recommended it already to both my mother and my flatmate, two people with very different tastes in books generally, so that should be testament to the overall easy feeling and gorgeous prose of this book that I think makes it very accessible and enjoyable to a large audience.

I gave this book 4 stars ��⭐️⭐️⭐️

Yellowface by Rebecca F. Kuang

(322 pages - hardback)

I finished this book and felt weirdly chilled and illeasy. It definitely freaked me out in a very subtle manner. It is incredibly well written and you have no way of knowing who to root for, or even what to believe at times. It raises so many important moral questions, especially around racism and xenophobia, as well as around ownership and intellectual property. I think that's in many ways why it left you feeling weirdly uncomfortable at points as it forced you to confront a lot of unfairness and the corrupt nature of society that is still so prevalent and ingrained. I also especially enjoyed it for its setting in the publishing world which is obviously my own industry. It was largely very accurate about a lot of the technical sides of the industry, however I am thankful to say that my experiences on the other side of the industry from Juniper have not been nearly as fraught or riddled with controversy!

I gave this book 4.5 stars ⭐⭐️⭐️⭐️🌗

[ectohybrid]

happy fathers day to my oc isaac's dad he's so funny. gruff old man loses his daughter and then is bothered so hard by an angel trapped in a human body that he gains a son. he's like if joel miller was a little more normal

[enthyrea]

my tg86 piece for @topgunzine!

i actually drew this in april of last year- i’m so glad to finally post it! thank you to everyone who bought and supported the zine 🤍🛩️

[indybob]

I’m rewatching TGM and I just have to say, I will actually never shut up about this casting—absolute perfection✨

[scottishaccentsareawesome]

(After Rooster's first week at TOP GUN) Rooster(on the phone, sounding a little grouchy):...Hey, Dad. Goose(sighs):...What's his name? Rooster: What? Goose: The asshole in your class that seems to be making it his mission to piss you off - what's his name? Rooster: Hangman. Goose: Is he good-looking? Rooster: What?! Goose: Is he? Rooster: Uh...yeah, I guess. Goose: Is he blonde? Rooster:...How'd you know that? Goose(to Carole): - Honey, talk to Bradley. I need to scream into a pillow and then give Maverick a call.

[mxrcusflint]

assorted text posts ft. top gun

[needforspeed161]

You know how during Ices funeral Maverick took his own wings off, hammering them into the top of Ices casket with his fist, holding back tears?

Then when he’s at the Hard deck saying goodbye to Penny he magically has his wings back.

Yeah no

Those were Ices wings he wore into the final battle.

Pete Mitchell was ready to stare death in the face, having just lost his wingman and refusing to lose Bradley too. Fully well expecting for this to be his LAST mission.

What better way to go out than with his wingman with him for one last flight….pinned to his chest, overtop his heart, exactly where he was supposed to be.

Exactly where he always had been. 💙

[the-ace-with-spades]

You know what would be funny? Whether or not in this scenario Bradley and Mav would still be talking or not - imagine that Bradley still talks about his family, and that includes his dad, so Jake catches things about him from time to time and makes mental notes in case he ever meets him.

The problem is, he is not aware Bradley is talking about 3 different people. And Bradley talks about Mav using 'dad', and about Goose using 'dad/father' and about Ice using 'pops'. Sometimes he just uses 'my old man' for any of them and only he knows it.

So Jake is under the impression that dad, father, pops and his old man are one and the same person, which in turn makes Bradley's 'dad' into some kind of mythical being.

Because he's a naval aviator, but he was also a RIO?? He's an admiral, but he's a test pilot as well?? Or he was from Tenesssee but he was also from New York and from DC??? He had a father (Bradley's grandfather) who died in a car crush and who died in Vietnam, and who died of cancer? Also he has tons of medals but he's also a person non grata in the Navy? He drives motorcycles but hates motorcycles? He taught Bradley how to drive but also had his driving licence confiscated twice for bad driving?? He met Bradley's mom in a group home but he also met her through his best friend? He's gay but he's bi but also he's a straight ally who Bradley is pretty sure dated guys at some point (can that even be classified as a straight ally, Jake doubts it)?

Jake doesn't want to call out Bradley on the inconsistencies out of fear he'd stop talking about his family or feel pressured to tell him more than he's ready for, but Jake is also dying to meet that man just to confirm what is true

[fght-ff-yr-dmns]

The Cat and the City By Nick Bradley My first new book of 2024.

This title was lent to me by a friend who felt I might enjoy it.

I'm only one chapter in, and haven't even read the blurb on the back but it appears to be multiple short stories set in Tokyo, all linked by a cat.

[military-newsboys]

Rooster: I’m a moderate, peaceful and godly man, truth be told.

Mav: Just yesterday you threw a chair at Hangman.

Rooster: Yes. Which was a moderate, peaceful and godly compromise from the table I was initially planning on launching on that bitch.

[robyn-weightman]

Is it another book based in Japan with a cat on the cover?

Yes... yes it is 😅

I am so excited to read Four Seasons of Japan ☕💚

[iceiceicecold]

thinking of making a top gun polaroid series out of this 😋

[sarah-bear706318]

You're my favorite secret!

Paring: Jake "Hangman" Seresin x Fem!Bradshaw reader

Summary: Y/n Bradshaw and LT. Jake Seresin are hopelessly in love with each other but they are have been hiding it from her twin brother and uncle. How will Maverick and Rooster react when they find out after you get drunk on the anniversary of your father's death?

Warnings: Fluff, mentions of Goose, mentions of death, Drinking, secret relationship, tears, a little spicy at the beginning,

A/N: requested anonymously! I added a twist so i hope whoever requested this dont mind. They asked for a secret relationship bw reader and Hangman and rooster and Mav find out but instead of the normal way where big brother and finds out and there is a fight i wanted the men to see Hangmans sweet side. And I know Bradley was only 2 or 3 in the original Top Gun but in order to make the reader remember Goose I aged Bradley and reader up and changed the year Goose was at TopGun from 86 to 90!

"Hey little Bradshaw can I get 3 more" Jake ask coming over to the bar.

"I hate when you call me that Jake" you saying rolling your eyes

"I'm sorry how's this, hey sexiest woman in the world the love of my life that takes my breath away best sex of my life can I get 3 more" he says with a smirk

"Jacob Seresin keep your voice down Penny and Mav are right over there" you warn him and smack his arm

"Pops is to busy flirty with Penny to hear anything I could bend you over right here and he wouldn't notice"

"Maybe but my big brother would" you tell him nodding your head to your twin brother while opening the 3 beers he ordered.

"I can handle Rooster" he tells you

"I'm sure you could but let's not find out at my job baby deal" you say handing him the beers

You have been seeing Jake in secret for 6 months. If your brother or Godfather found out they would kill the both of you. Bradley was only 3 minutes older then you but he's so over protective you would think he's 10 years older. Your Godfather Maverick was just as protective if not more, promising both your parents he would take care of you and Bradley.

"Fine but tonight you are mine baby" he whispers

"You're my favorite secret you know that Lieutenant" you whisper and wink

You were only 5 when yours and Bradley's dad died. You took it the hardest always being the biggest daddy's girl but your brother mom and uncle Mav helped you through it they best they could.

Before your mom died she gave you your dad's Navy dog tags, the same ones he was wearing the day his and uncle Mavs plane went down and his the gold cross he always wore and they have been on your neck ever since. Growing up you heard stories and saw pictures of your parents love and it was always your dream to find a man that loved you as much as your dad loved your mom.

You met Jake not long after they were all were called back for the mission and you two hit it off right away. And your brother was very quick to forbid you from seeing him...that was his first mistake

"I mean it y/n I don't want you with any Navy man and I really don't want you with Bagman" your brother told you

You knew your brother was only trying to protect you not just from Jake's old playboy ways but the pain that would come in losing him.

You continue with your shift at hard decks making heart at your boyfriend from behind the bar. There was one person who knew about you and Jake, your best friend Natasha. You told that girl everything so after your first date with Jake she was the one you called. She helped hide your relationship and covered for the 2 of you more times then you could count.

"Girl stop eye fucking your man and get me a refill" Nat says waving her hand in front of your face.

"Shut up I can't help it I love him in his flight suit just does things to me that would make a porn star blush" you tell her never taking your eyes off Jake

"OK TMI bestie just want a refill not details on your sex life with Hangman"

"Whatever you love the details of my sex life plus when you signed the bestie contract it was in the fine print you should have read it" you laugh grabbing a clean glass her jack and coke.

You make her drink and continue talking when you see your brother and boyfriend walking to the bar

"Hey little Bradshaw we're having a night game of dogfight football wanna come watch" your boyfriend ask smirking using the nickname he know you hate

"Sure Bagman I love looking at a shirtless Fanboy" you smirk back at him(2 can this game)

"Hey no" Rooster says snapping his fingers in your face which you absolutely hated

"Bradley Nicholas Bradshaw if you snap your fingers in my face I'll break them" you tell him smacking his hand away.

Luckily tonight wasn't a closing shift for you so you were able to go watch the game. After you clock out you head to your car to get your hoodie, it's always chilly down at the water at night so you make sure to keep a hoodie in your car.

You reach into your backseat and grab your (Jake's) and when you turn around you are face to face with your very sexy avatar. He doesn't say a word just wraps you in his arms and smashes his lips on yours.

You share a passionate kiss pulling away after a few minutes when you both need air.

"I've been wanting to do that all night baby" Jake says breathless resting his forehead on yours

"I have to and seeing you in your flight suit mmm you know what that does to me" you say and kiss his Adam's apple. You hear Jake take a deep breath trying to control himself from taking you right in the parking lot.

"Don't think you're off the hook about that comment about Fanboy, or calling me Bagman" he says looking down at you.

"Well stop calling me little Bradshaw and I won't call you Bagman, and don't be jealous of Fanboy" you get on your tip toes to whisper the next part in his ear "his name isn't gonna be the one I'm screaming later"

"You are playing a very dangerous game Bradshaw" Jake says through gritted teeth which just makes you smile

"Those are the kind" you say in soft voice

Before you can say anything Jake has you pushed up against your car kissing down your neck, his hands roaming all over your body. This man does things to you you can't even explain.

"Do you have to play this stupid game" you breathless

Before Jake can answer you hear your name being called, luckily it's just Nat.

"Are the two of crazy going at it like this out in the open, your lucky it was me and not Rooster or Maverick" she says shaking your head "come on and finish this later" she grabs your hand and pulls you away from Jake

"Hangman dude come on" she says looking back

"You gotta give me minute here" he says and winks at you

"Why giv-" she begins but her brain catches up and she realized what he meant "ewwww just put little Jake away and hurry up"

"Its not that little you know" you say with a laugh

She gives you a grossed out look "thanks for ruining penis for me"

"You're welcome" you laugh.

♤♤♤♤♤♤♤♤♤♤♤♤♤♤♤♤♤♤♤♤♤♤♤♤♤♤♤♤♤♤♤♤♤♤♤♤♤♤♤♤♤♤♤♤♤♤♤♤

A week later you're working a double, you didn't need the money you just needed to keep your mind busy.

Today was the anniversary of your father's death. Its always a hard day for you and has been even harder since your mother died. The 2 of you use to spend this day watching old home movies and looking at pictures, now you did it alone missing not just your dad but your mom as well.

Jake could tell something was off with you the second he walked into Hard Deck just from the lack of smile on your face and red eyes. He didn't want to pry knowing you would come to him when you were ready. He makes his way over to the bar hoping to cheer you up.

"Hey beautiful" he says with a smile

"Hi baby" you say in a soft voice opening up a beer before he could even ask for it.

"Hey baby are you ok" Jake ask rubbing your hand. It takes everything in you not to bust out in tears "I'm ok jakey promise just tired" you say with a forced smile

Jake doesn't believe you for one second but once again he doesn't pry "ok well if you need to talk or anything let me know ok baby"

"I will I love you" you say with a smile "I love you too baby" jake says kissing your hand before looking to make sure noone was looking

Jake makes his way over to his friends still wondering what can be wrong with his normally out going bubblely girlfriend. Rooster and Mav are playing a game of pool so he decides to ask your brother and uncle maybe they would know.

"Hey Rooster Mav whats up with y/n she's not as bubblely as normal" Jake as taking a sip of his beer

Rooster and Maverick look over to y/n and sees her playing with the dog tags and the cross around her neck. She was totally spaced out and they could tell she was holding back tears.

"Its the anniversary of our dad's death. She takes it hard every year. She was the biggest daddy's girl" Rooster says never taking his eyes off you.

"Man Goose loved that girl she could do no wrong in his eyes, had him wrapped around her little finger from her first breath" Mav added holding back tears of his own remembering his best friend.

The rest of the daggers had heard the conversation and couldn't help but look your way.

"Whats she's playing with around her neck" Bob ask

"His dog tags and gold cross, he was wearing both the day our plane went down" Mav says in almost a whisper

Jake looks over to you and has to fight every urge in his body not to run and wrap you in his arms. His heart is breaking seeing you try to be strong and he hates he can hold you right now.

He knew you wore your father's dog tags and cross but you never spoke to much of the late RIO and he never pushed.

Back at the bar your mind wonders back to the days before your dad died. You think about how him and mav would let you put makeup on them, the times your dad would have teaparties with you where he would wear your dress up feather boa, all the times he played barbies and baby dolls with you, and how he would let you fall asleep on the couch with him way past bedtime just to spend more time with you.

Without realizing it you begin to cry and right now you regret taking a double shift because you would love to just get drunk and forget for awhile.

"Hey y/n" Penny calls your names and breaks you out of your thoughts "clock out sweetheart I got it from here"

"Penny it's only 6 what if we get busy" you ask drying your eyes

"Its a Tuesday night I don't think we will" she smiles

You go over and wrap her in a big hug "thank you penny" you say with your voice cracking

"Go be with your brother uncle and friends you need them more then you need to be behind my bar"

You smile and reach for your purse to pull out your card "well if I'm off the clock start me a tab I need a good buzz to finish this day" you hand her your card and pour yourself a double shot

You head over to where your boyfriend and the other are playing pool and darts and in your hand in a tray of shots. Rooster and Maverick give each other a look knowing tonight was gonna be even more rough.

"So I know my brother and uncle have told what today is by the way all you were all looking at me like I was a China doll so tonight we are celebrating the life of Nick "Goose" Bradshaw first couple rounds of shots are on me" you say passing out the shots to everyone "now a toast to our father the best RIO and best dad Goose"

"To Goose" Everyone says taking their shots

You take your shot then shout "GREAT BALLS OF FIRE"

You head back to the bar for another round of shot and a beer Jake following right behind you "Penny another round of shots and a beer please for me and Jake" you say

"Baby why didn't you tell what today was?" Jake ask rubbing your arms

You take a deep breath before explaining "it's just a hard day for me and I try not to think about it that's why I took a double but Penny told me to clock out. It's not that I didn't want to tell Jake it's just hard" you tell him

This is why you love him he's the sweetest man you have ever been with you just wish your brother could see that and be ok with the 2 of you "thank you baby but right now what I need is to get a good buzz hangout with my amazing boyfriend my best friend and all the other daggers and be around my brother and uncle, but I'll let you drive me home tonight and we can cuddle later" you smile up to him

"I know baby but no matter what you can always talk to me and if you wanna leave we can go grab dinner and have a quiet night in" Jake's says pushing some hair behind your ear.

"Here you go 10 shots and 2 beers, want that on your tab" Penny ask bringing over your older

"I guess that's a compromise but don't over do it" Jake smiles down at you.

Rooster is waiting his turn to take his shot at the pool table when he looks up and sees the way Jake and you are looking at each other, and his jaw twitches. This doesn't go unnoticed by my Maverick who followed his Godsons gaze "Rooster not today she needs all friends she can today" he says putting his hand on Roosters shoulder "I feel like they are more then friends Mav" he says still looking at his sister and wingman.

"Put this round on my tab Penny" Jake says

You walk back over with Jake helping you carry everything and hand out the next round.

"GREAT BALLS OF FIRE" you shout after your shot.

Jake Rooster Mav and Phoenix all have a bad feeling about tonight and they were right.

♤♤♤♤♤♤♤♤♤♤♤♤♤♤♤♤♤♤♤♤♤♤♤♤♤♤♤♤♤♤♤♤♤♤♤♤♤♤♤♤♤♤♤♤♤♤♤♤

A couple hours later you had a pretty good buzz going and you weren't ready to stop.

"TO MY DADDY" you shout taking another shot

"Rooster dude how many shots has she had" Jake ask starting to get concerned.

"I don't know she's had more beer then shots so that's good I guess but I'm bout to cut her ass off she's gonna start getting emotional soon" just as the words leave his mouth he sees you grab Bob's shot and down it "GREAT BALLS OF FIRE"

"That's enough" the men both hear Maverick say before getting up and seeing him make his way to his Goddaughter Jake and Rooster right behind him

"Hey little Goose I think you've had enough let's get you some water sweetheart" Mav says using the nickname your dad gave you when you were born.

"NO" you yell before grabbing Fanboys shot from his hand and downing it before anyone can stop you.

Jake without thinking grabs your hand and kisses it before saying"Baby Mav is right let's get you some water you've had enough"

"Did you just call my sister baby Hangman" Rooster says in a very angry voice.

Busted

"Yes Rooster I did, this isn't how we were gonna tell you but we're together you can yell scream and punch me later let me take care of y/n first" Jake says

"We're gonna talk about this now Phoenix can take care of her til I'm done with you I knew something was going on" Rooster yells at Jake

Over by the jukebox Coyote and Payback are looking for your dad's favorite song "great balls of fire" hoping it will cheer you up, boy we're they wrong.

All of sudden the intro to the songs blast through the bar and send you into tears. The sound makes all 3 turn to look at you and Jake is the first one by your side helping you to your feet leading you outside

"Baby breathe for me that's it just breathe" he says sitting you on a bench onside

"I want my daddy it's not fair he's not here, it's not fair he left me he never got to see me and Brad grow up he's never gonna get to walk me down the aile on my wedding day or play with my kids or teach them to play that stupid song on piano, it's not fair Jake it's not fair I just want my dad" you cry into Jake's arms.

"I miss my daddy I want him back" you continue to cry holding on to the dogtags around your neck

Rooster Maverick and Phoenix followed you and Jake outside and are now watching everything unfold. All 3 of them are fighting back tears. It's killing Rooster to see his sister this way.

"Baby hey look at me" Jake says lifting your chin so you are looking at him "I know you miss your dad but he wouldn't want you to be this upset, from what Mav said you were the most important person in his life you had him wrapped around your finger and I'm sure you still do, you have me your brother your uncle Nat and the rest of the daggers you're not alone I promise I love you" he says wiping your tears

"I just miss him I want him here with me" you say in a soft voice

"I know you do baby but you have us and you have a carbon copy of him right here mustache and all even tho your dad's was much cooler" he says

Rooster makes his way over to his sister and sits on the other side of her, turning her wrapping his sisters in his arms and sheds some tears of his own.

"I miss dad too I think about him everyday and sometimes I'm made he left us and I get mad he wasn't around but we have each other and I will always be there when you wanna cry over dad or talk about him" Rooster says hugging his sister

"I just want them both back Roo" you say to your brother. "I do too little sis but you have me and my stupid mastshe" he says that last part looking at jake and it earns a small laugh from you.

You feel a pair of arms around you when you look back you see your uncle "little Goose if you ever want to hear stories about your dad I have so many. I know I can never take the place of Goose as a man or your father but the day you both were born I promised my bestfriend I would always look after the 2 of you even more you. I think you were his favorite he always wanted a little girl thats why you got the nickname after him and this was stuck with a chicken name"

"Thanks Mav" your brother says shaking his head and earning a laugh from you

"Thanks Uncle Mav, you might not be my dad but you are the closest thing I have to him" you say turning around and hugging your uncle.

"Now I wanna talk about this" Rooster says pointing to you and Jake "Yeah me too" Mav added

"Brad Mav we we're tell you both I swear we just didn't know how" you say looking between your brother and uncle

"How long as it been going on" Rooster ask

You stay quiet and right before you answer your best friend answers for you "almost 7 months"

"Nat really" you say looking at her in disbelief

"Wait you knew about them and didn't tell me? So you were covering for them?" Rooster ask in disbelief

"Duh she's my best friend of course I was you think these 2 idiots would have been able to keep it a secret if I didnt"

"Why didn't you just tell us" Mav finally speaks up and ask

"I knew what the 2 of you would say and I honestly didn't want to hear it, and before you start right now Bradley I'm still pretty drunk and recovering from a mental break down" you say to your brother

Rooster stays quiet for a minute before he finally speaks up "I won't say anything tonight but this conversation isn't over and Hangman if you hurt my baby sister I will kill you and Mav will here will help"

"Yes I will that's part of my promise to Goose kill anyone who breaks little gooses heart"

"Its a deal but you don't have to worry about that Rooster Mav I love her more then I love flying" Jake says

"Ok well get her some water and food and take her home, and make sure she takes something for her head before she goes to bed" Mav says looking at Jake

"Yes sir" jake says back "come on baby let's get you some food and home to bed" he says helping you up.

As your walking to Jake's truck you hear your best friend yell "Don't forget protection bestie"

"Really Phoenix gross" you hear your brother say before turning to go back inside.

You and Jake laugh as he helps you get in. Once he's in the driver seat he reaches for you hand and kisses your knuckles "I'm glad they know and I don't have to hide you anymore"

"I am too, and for the record I think Goose would have liked you and approved" you smile

"You think" Jake smiles looking from the road to you

"Well yeah as long as you didn't make fun of his mastshe" you laugh and grab your dad's dogtags and look out the window.