To say Mal Trevino is down on his luck might be an understatement. Out of work and the sole parent of his young son, heโll do whatever it takes to get back on his feet again. But his luck seems to finally be turning when he applies for, and lands, a job at Blue Creek Ranch. The Harringtons seem too good to be true but heโs not about to look a gift horse in the mouth. He takes all that they offer and works hard, while also trying to avoid getting too attached. Mal knows all too well that the good things in life can be taken in a blink.
Crew Harringtonโs mission in life is to keep his family ranch thriving. Hiring Mal quickly proves to be a good decision. Mal is competent, capable, and shows a lot of talent. The only downside? That’s Crewโs kryptonite. Getting involved with an employee is a recipe for disaster. But thereโs no denying the chemistry between the two men. All they have to do is figure out how to make it work.
It starts out as a bit of a rough ride. Crewโs missteps reinforce Malโs walls. But as the days pass and the more time they spend together, the harder it is for them to stay away from each other. As Crew and Mal learn to communicate, and let each other in, love isnโt far behind. All Crew wants is for Mal to take a chance; on him, on their future, and on happily ever after.
Take a Chance is all about the slow burn & slow angst as there isn’t a ton of drama or issues with others. Just a bit of miscommunication and some troubles caused by Mal’s history. It’s handled well by Crew as he gets to know Mal and his absolutely adorable son. He is so supportive and understanding, but that makes sense based on his amazing family. They all opened their doors, arms, and hearts to Mal and Payton.
Mal has some issues with trust and letting people in. As much as he wants to believe the Harrington’s are truly as caring as they seem, he struggles. People haven’t been as accepting of him and it’s left some scars. But it doesn’t take long for them to wear him down, tho it does take a little longer for him to be as sure of Crew.
Found family is one of my fav tropes and this delivers in spades. I’m looking forward to getting know the rest of the siblings as we get more books in this series. And hopefully get more of Mal and super cute Payton!
A small town, marriage of convenience, single dad, sports romance from USA Today Bestselling Author Willow Aster
Crazy Love
The Single Dad Playbook Series
by Willow Aster
Blurb:
Penn Hudson. Sexy. Intense. Gorgeous. The star running back of the Colorado Mustangs. Well-known playboy and consummate bachelor. We met in the Bahamas. I knew exactly who he was. He had no idea who I was. Yet for a few blissful hours, it didnโt matter. We had an unbelievable connectionโฆ Something special that held so much promise. Then I unexpectedly had to leave and never had a chance to say goodbye.
Fast-forward to today, when I am about to see Penn again, and heโs going to find out exactly who he was kissing in the Bahamas. Iโm excited about my new job and returning to my hometown of Silver Hills. But seeing him every day won’t be easy, especially with the lingering memory of his touch and the attraction that still burns between us. When he faces an obstacle in adopting a young boy heโs mentored for years, I offer him a solution I never thought Iโd make: A fake marriage. He needs to show stability and a squeaky-clean public image, and I figure, how hard could it be to play house? But as time goes by, nothing feels fake anymore.
Iโd always planned on getting married for love, but sometimes we make once-in-a-lifetime sacrifices. I just hope I wonโt be devastated in the process.
Crazy Loveย is book five in the standaloneย The Single Dad Playbookย series.
Honestly, I don’t think I even read the blurb before signing up for this one so I was a smidge disappointed that we went the obvious fake marriage route. The trope can be fantastic but it can also be bad, depending on how it’s written, but I shouldn’t haven’t doubted Aster because she handles it like a dream. And really the story is about so much more.
It’s full of humor and feels, with adorable kids and a just as adorable dad Penn, and I couldn’t have been happier with how everything goes. Crazy Love is low angst and so satisfying as we get to be there while Penn figures out how to be a dad and a husband, from the first meet cute with Addy to the sweet ending for this adorable family.
I am so sad to see this series end. I absolutely loved these guys. The way that they support each other, stepping up when they needed to, giving themselves whole body to their kids and their women. And Penn is no different. He comes into himself so much here and I loved every minute of it.
Aster was a new to me author when I picked up my first Single Dad Playbook story but she quickly found a place on my must read author list.
I knew it was a risk venturing over to my new neighborโs cabin during the storm.
After all, I barely knew him. All Iโd learned from our chance meeting in the woods was that he was visiting the Adirondacks on a well-deserved vacation, he used to serve in the Army, and he was the most handsome man Iโd ever seen.
The last part definitely made the whole knocking on a near-strangerโs door offering food and flashlights idea more appealing.
When he invited me inside, I nearly said no. But there was just something about Erik that told me I could trust him. That if I didnโt accept his offer, Iโd end up regretting it.
Then four masked intruders stormed the cabin, with both of us in it. And nothing could have prepared me for what would come next.
I should have been able to defend myself from anything.
I used to be Special Forces, after all. Now I work for one of the top private security companies in the country. But when Tatumโs life was threatened, I had no choice but to concede. To accept whatever was waiting for me after.
Waking up in the middle of the woods with an unconscious Tatum nearby wasnโt a promising start.
Finding out weโve been dumped into the middle of a sinister game is even worse. A deadly game itโs clear weโre not supposed to survive.
But thereโs no way Iโm letting anything else happen to Tatum. Iโm getting her out of here, no matter what it takes. And once we escape, Iโm going to see her again. Because Iโm not losing the first woman I could see a future with.
I think the blurb is a little off. I went into it thinking it would be mostly about them trying to survive, while falling in love of course, and then bringing the bad guys to justice. And it does happen, but not in proportions I expected. It was about 25% getting kidnapped, surviving, & then rescued. The next 50% or so was the guys working together to figure out who did it, helping Tatum come to terms with the experience, and falling for each other. The last bit was wrapping up their romance and everything that has happened & where their future is going. I enjoyed it but I think that there was a little disappointment over the limited action after that first bit.
Buuuut if I had gone into it with the proper expectations I think it would have hit even better. Because I like these two. Erik is sweet and caring, obviously loved by the guys on his team and their spouses, very capable in the field and eventually as a boyfriend. Tatum is amazingly strong, doing all the things to work through what she’s experienced, as well as being there to support Erik when he needs it.
Overall, Guarded From Havoc is a really enjoyable read but slower paced with less of the danger element that I expected. I just think that readers need to approach it as a slower paced romance and not the romantic suspense it originally comes across as.
(Part of a series but can be read as a stand alone.)
A small-town photographer whoโs given up on love meets a smoking hot firefighter with a smile to melt hearts. Try as they might, some flames are impossible to resist.
Alex
Maplewood is as wonderful and clichรฉ as youโd imagine. Sure, the town gossips share everyoneโs business, but neighbors look out for each other. Nowhere else would be as accepting of me as this queer-friendly small town I grew up in. The only problem? A lack of eligible bachelors. So when a gorgeous new guy moves to town, the Maplewood grapevine is in full swing, and this time, Iโm paying attention. Though maybe not close enough, because Cody and I literally run into each other. I hit him with my body, he hits me with his boy-next-door smile, and poof, my heartโs gone. Too bad sexy, sweet guys like him arenโt really interested in guys like me. Once he gets to know me, heโll change his mind.
Cody
Youโd think that moving to a small town named Maplewood means Iโm prepared for maple-flavored everything. Youโd be wrong. And the stuff is everywhere, so how do I tell my new neighbors that the taste makes me gag? That problem is solved when a misunderstanding has them believing Iโm allergic. Sure, it saves me from eating any more maple. It also feels like Iโm lying. I try to explain, but thereโs no stopping the Maplewood gossip mill. Especially when the adorable photographer I almost trample fans that flame. But I canโt even be mad about it. Alex has this sweetness to him that pulls me in like gravity. And little by little, heโs letting me get close. Eventually, Iโll convince him to trust me, to give us a real chance. When he does, will that mean Iโll owe โusโ to that annoying maple mistake?
The Great Maple Mistake is a low-angst, small-town contemporary LGBTQ romance about a local cutie looking for love, a sexy firefighter with a maple aversion, baking show obsessions, fluffy kittens, rumor mills, and a connection thatโs more than skin deep.
With the highest percentage of LGBTQIA+ residents in Vermont, Maplewood is a town where everyone belongs. And with festivals year-round, thereโs always something fun happening! This multi-author, low-angst queer series features ten standalone romancesโeach set against the backdrop of a different festival. Come for the celebrations, stay for the happily-ever-afters!
*****
Review:
I liked Cody and Alex, individually and together. I enjoyed being with Cody as he settled into a new town, meeting his neighbors, and falling for Alex. There’s all sorts of humor and hijinks around a misunderstanding over his aversion to maple syrup but it gives one more thing for him to bond with Alex over. And as a long time native of Maplewood, Alex knows all about his hometown’s idiosyncrasies.
Y’all, this one is just all sorts of sweet, without any angst. It’s just two people who meet, form a connection, and fall in love. It’s not going to be for everyone but it will delight those that are looking for an easy read.
Ava Decker has hated me for just as many years as Iโve spent loving her.
I made a mistake pretending our night together never happened. For pretending I forgot. But we were young and I was getting ready to leave for college with big plans for the future.
I had no plans to return to our small town in Colorado anytime soon and Ava never wanted to leave. That alone was enough to keep me away from her while we both grew up.
And yet, I never forgot about her and what she means to me.
Now eight years later, imagine my surprise, when I come home and find Sleeping Beauty asleep on my couch, thinking I wouldnโt be back home from my off-season vacation for a few weeks.
As a professional football player, I know all about grabbing an opportunity and running with it. This is my chance to finally convince the girl of my dreams to stay and to tell her the truth about that fateful night years ago.
But getting Ava Decker to not only forgive me but to give me another chance comes with a whole new set of plays Iโm not used to.
Iโve got all the time in the world to convince her. Iโm committed to showing to her that she is my endgame. I let her go once before and Iโll stop at nothing to prove to her that my love for her is real and an unstoppable force.
**Warning: Readers should be mindful that Unstoppable Love contains multiple descriptive scenes of attempted assault that may be sensitive and triggering to some.**
I don’t listen to a lot of audio books – I was put off of them in the 90s when I listened to a romance set in Minnesota and the narrator tried an accent (Swedish, Norwegian, something northern european) and it was so hard to listen to. Decades later and I can’t describe to you how bad it seemed to me. But things are different now and I’m trying again.
I enjoyed the narrators for this one. I appreciate the his and hers, dual perspective and I feel like these two are good at their job. They have great voices, good cadence, and read at a pleasant listening speed. If this had been my experience before …. ๐
The story, on the other hand, I’m a little torn on. Early on I felt like both of them were pretty immature. I can’t imagine the pain that Ava experienced thanks to Cam and the fact that he keeps poking at that wound would be beyond rage inducing. I also felt like maybe she let it all go a little too soon. The man really, really screwed up and I don’t know how willing I would have been to forgive him.
Things were better in the last third to half. For being such a jerk for so long, Cam does know how to step up and be a good partner. The ending tho is another place where I’m not sure how I feel. Parts seem a little rushed, others a little predictable, and some made sense for who they are as people. I just don’t know … I guess I’m going to have to sit with this story for a bit *shrug*
(Also, please read the content warning. I feel like it is very important and for some it could be even more impactful hearing it than just reading it.)
CW: There is some queer phobia, gender phobia, and fat phobia depicted in the book.
Blurb:
My two celebrity crushes might both be into me. What could be wrong with that? As it turns out: everything.
The world has thrown me a lot of challenges over the years, but Iโve always tried to stay positive. Lifeโs too short to dwell on the negative. Unfortunately, my situation just took a very complex turn: Iโm raising my little brother alone right now, but Iโve got to keep that a secret. If anyone finds out, I risk losing Lou.
My secret gets tough to keep when two international celebrities show up in our small town and start paying me all kinds of attention. Iโve got zero dating experience and plenty of reasons to stay away from them both, but keeping my distance isnโt going to be easy. First thereโs Colin, the quiet and brooding former race car driver who seems uninterested in everyone and everythingโฆexcept me. And then thereโs Tom, the charming movie star, who flirts with me like itโs his job. Oh, and did I mention the two of them are best friends? Or that I think Tom might have some very deeply hidden feelings for Colin?
Iโm definitely in over my head here. If I want to keep Lou safe, I know itโs best that I keep both men at armโs length. So what do I do? I start renovating a hotel with them.
Oops. But Iโm sure if I just stay positive, everything will work out fine. Right?
Right?
Fanboy in the Fallsย is an MMM famous people/commoner romance. It comes with a brooding race car driver, a hopelessly romantic movie star, and the sweet cinnamon roll who is not supposed to fall in love with either of them. It has a guaranteed HEA and no cheating. This is a Devon Falls book, so of course it also comes with a leaf festival and plenty of small town quirk. This is the third book in the Devon Falls series, but it can be read as a standalone.
I liked these characters. Each one is struggling with something but they provide the support and care that others need without hesitation. And each has their own moments:
Tom has some experience that he can share with both Colin and Gabe as they start exploring their sexuality. But he also has some troubles that he’s holding close, ones that he really needs to work thru. Not to mention long carried feelings for his bestie.
Colin is growly but with such a big heart for those he cares about. He’s a little lost after the death of his brother and the end of his career. And facing an attraction that he never imagined.
Gabe is so positive but hiding so much fear around his situation with his brother. His innocence, exuberance, and sunshiny outlook helps to bring both Colin & Tom out of themselves, forcing them to look at what they really want and need.
While it’s easy for both Tom & Colin to begin something with Gabe, it’s a lot harder for them to come to terms with what that actually means with each other. There’s a lot of history between them and a lot of assumptions that need to be looked at again. Throw in Gabe needing to find a way to keep his little brother (who is adorable) in a safe situation and it means that, while there isn’t a lot of angst, there is a lot of emotions swirling around them all. A lot that they need to face and work through. Together.
I don’t usually read why choose romances. (Is it still called that in the MMM sphere?) I don’t know why because it is very popular and obviously can be VERY hot. As such, I can’t really compare this to anything else in the genre but I can say I think I’ll be opening up my TBR a little to see what else I can find like it ๐
Iโm a fun, chill guy, but around Ty, all I can think about is winning.
Last year, his frat beat ours in the annual TaskFrat challenges, and even though Iโm known for becoming Alpha Theta Muโs prez as a joke, I take my responsibility to my guys seriously.
I refuse to let those fratholes take us down again.
Unfortunately, the only thing bigger than Tyโs inflated ego is his competitive spirit.
Iโm supposed to be focused on defeating him, but soon, I discover thereโs a spark between us.
Not something a straight guy should be saying about his straight rival.
Itโs weird, confusingโฆand surprisingly hot.
Iโm curious, and apparently, he is too.
Living the Greek life with my buddies, weโre always joking about what happens when you frat around.
Now Ty and I are about to find out.
CW: Frat Around and Find Out is a low-angst, steamy romance, but the charactersโ backstories include grief over losing loved ones to cancer and dementia.
This is the first book in theย Peach State Fratbros Series.ย Frat Around and Find Outย can be read and enjoyed as a standalone.
I can’t put my finger on the exact reason but the pacing was somewhat off. I’m not against a slow burn story, and there was nothing too slow about this one, but … it won’t be for everyone, I guess. Ty & Lance go from friends to bi-curious pretty early on, move on to exploring things together, and then figuring out that there might be feelings involved too – pretty straight forward for this kind of story. But it’s low angst and a lot of steam & feels so not everyone’s thing.
This is the first by McCormack for me and based on the other reviews I’m guessing the previous stories had more drama? This one is not angsty, which is ok by me. Instead it’s a good mix of lighthearted fun, a supportive friend group, heat, and exploration of new feelings. There are a few side characters that have great potential so I’m looking forward to what’s next.
(First in the series and can technically stand on its own, but as this is a spin-off some familiarity with the Peach State Stepbros series might provide some additional enjoyment because some of the characters make an appearance.)
*****
Author Info:
Devon McCormack grew up in the Georgia suburbs with his two younger brothers and an older sister. At a very young age, he spun tales the old fashioned way, lying to anyone and everyone he encountered. He claimed he was an orphan. He claimed to be a king from another planet. He claimed to have supernatural powers. He has since harnessed this penchant for tall tales by crafting worlds and characters that allow him to live out whatever fantasy he chooses. Devon is an out and proud queer man living in Atlanta, Georgia.
Devon’s body of work ranges from erotica to young adult, so readers should check the synopses of his books before purchasing so that they know what they’re getting into.
Sleeping with the best man at my cousinโs wedding felt right at the timeโhe was a hot, available firefighter, and I was the tipsy maid of honor. Itโs a rite of passage.
No regretsโฆ until two pink lines flipped my world upside down.
Now Iโm wildly unprepared and trying to hide my pregnancy in my small Alaskan town where privacy is a myth and gossip spreads faster than frostbite.
But wait, it gets worse.
Baby Daddy just came back to townโwith a fiancรฉe in tow.
And guess who she wants to plan their wedding?
Me.
Keeping the secret was hard enough.
Keeping my distance from the father of my baby? Impossible.
Just when I think I have it all figured out, he reveals his own secret that changes everything.
Author’s Note: There is no cheating in this book. Gasp! We would never.
This is such a slow burn. There’s confusion early on about what’s going on with Finn and why he’s back in town. (No cheating, they promised.) And I have such respect for how well Harper carries herself during those meetings. I don’t know that I could have done it. And props to Finn for doing the right thing (for him) when he needed to. It was so enjoyable seeing them get to know each other and figure out how to be co-parents.
I liked Harper – her insecurities and fear of the future as a mom. And I loved how Finn does so much to show her support and help her see herself as more than capable. He’s so good at pulling her out of her self-doubt spirals. So sweet!
Piper Rayne is a must read for me. The characters are always so well done – they feel like friends, people that are real and are making realistic decisions. Sometimes difficult & sometimes wrong, but always relatable. As always, looking forward eagerly to what comes next!
(Part of a series but Piper Rayne does a good job of making sure that you have all the needed info for each story so you can read them in any order.)
*****
Author Info:
Piper Rayne is a USA Today Bestselling Author duo who write “heartwarming humor with a side of sizzle” about families, whether that be blood or found. They both have e-readers full of one-clickable books, they’re married to husbands who drive them to drink, and they’re both chauffeurs to their kids. Most of all, they love hot heroes and quirky heroines who make them laugh, and they hope you do, too!
Welcome back to Sunrise Cove for this heartwarming enemies-to-lovers tale where found family, forgiveness, and love may just be the key to finding yourself, fromย New York Timesย bestselling author Jill Shalvis.
Lexi Clarkโs life is falling apart around her, so when sheโs summoned home to Sunrise Cove, the last thing she wants to do is face all the complications she left behind. Her past, her stepsister Ashley, and especially her infuriatingly gorgeous childhood nemesis-turned-crush Heath Bowman.
Yep, Lexiโs pretty sure being home again just might kill her. Sheโs an overachieving art appraiser who doesnโt believe in trust, love, or Happily Ever Afters. Free spirit Ashley, on the other hand, is so full of life it hurts to look at her. But Lexi canโt refuse Ashleyโs plea to honor their late motherโs final wish to make amends with the people sheโd wronged. So, on behalf of her estranged motherโs estateโand with Heath in tow as the executorโLexi embarks on a road trip to repay all the people her gambling addicted mother owed money to.
Complicating everything are the feelings that well up for for her mom, for Ashley, and most of all, for Heath. And for the record, she doesnโt like it, or the way he has of scaling the walls sheโs built around her heart. The road trip shenanigans that ensue are both funny and heartbreaking, but Lexi finds something shocking along the way. Acceptance. Family. And unbelievablyโif you ask Lexi anywayโlove.
Buy Links
PRINT: ย Word After Word Bookshopย (For personally signed by the author copies โ in checkout, put the name to sign to in the comment box)ย
Lexi isn’t necessarily the easiest character to like but she’s got a lot of stuff to work through. From feeling abandoned by her mom, a cold dad, and a step family (her dad’s marriage) that was abusive … her childhood wasn’t easy and it left plenty of scars. Causing her to find it difficult to let herself make connections with others.
She’s at a low point, after a bad relationship that ended up with her losing her job, when her stepsister (from her mom’s marriage) calls her home to fulfill a request from her mom’s will. Forcing her to come to terms not only with her relationship with her mom, but her relationship with Ashley. And her complicated attraction to Heath.
Heath had to work at it but he’s made a life for himself that he can feel good about. He’s got a grip on who he is, his place in the town, and his emotions. Then Lexi comes back and shakes everything up.
Shalvis does a good job of mixing humor and emotional growth. Both Heath and Lexi, and Ashley, have a lot to deal with and it takes a long time for them, especially Lexi, to get their shhhh-tuff together. Their journey reveals a lot – things about themselves, each other, and the assumptions they’ve made about the past. But together they can come to terms with it all and create a future.
(This is a series but because they are interconnected with a place, not people, these are truly stand alones.)
My pro hockey dreams are hanging by a thread. I need to have a great season, and that means no partying, no distractions, no fun. A grad studentโs science experiment is the definition of no fun, soโฆokay.
Pros and cons of agreeing to this deal:
Pro: Positive use of free time. (At least, thatโs what my agent says.)
Con: Malcolm is bossy, clumsy, and he doesnโt know the first thing about hockey.
But heโs also cute and heโs got a great sense of humor andโoh, no.
I cannot have a crush on the geek. No way. Not now.
Malcolm
Yes, Iโm a serious student, but a hockey project is not serious. Who cares about big, hunky hockey players zipping around a sheet of ice at warp speed? Not I.
According to my professor, however, the only way to attain the required data is to study the specimen in his natural habitat, a.k.a., the ice rink.
Pro: My thesis should lead to a bevy of job offers.
Con: Jett. Heโs impossibly big and gruff and handsome and disarmingly charming andโ
Fine. Guilty. I like the jockโฆperhaps too much.
Lately, I find myself wondering if thereโs such a thing as a one-time shot at forever.
One-Time Shot is a low-angst, geek-jock MM bisexual college hockey romance featuring a charismatic hockey star and an adorkable scientist.
My control was slipping, though. Every fucking thing about this guy turned me on and I couldnโt figure it out.
Malcolm was cute, not hot. He was quirky, not cool. He wasnโt athletic in the slightest, but he had more confidence than a lot of seasoned hockey players. He knew who he was and what he wanted. And he was willing to try something new to achieve his goals. I admired that kind of drive.
I just wished that I admired the curve of his ass in those khakis a little less as he moved to the small kitchen table and held up a pad of paper and a pen.
โIโm ready to begin. We didnโt discuss how much time to allot for these sessions, but I think forty-five minutes will suffice.โ
โUhโฆright. That works for me.โ I licked my lips, tilting my chin toward the windows. Pull it together, Erickson. โNice place, by the way. I like your plants.โ
โThank you.โ
He blushed. An honest-to-God blush with pink cheeks and averted eyes. I found myself grinning againโฆfor no particular reason.
โDo you have a green thumb?โ
I half expected him to change the subject, get down to business, so he could throw my ass out the door in precisely forty-four minutes and twenty seconds, but Malcolm glanced at the plants, nodding as he sat at the table.
โI do. My parents have a large vegetable garden in their yard. I took charge of it from the time I was ten till I left for college. I switched out some of the less-yielding crops for lettuce, corn, and squash, and grew tons of tomatoes. They tend to it now. Sadly, not as well as I did.โ
See what I mean about this guy?
โYouโre bragging, Maloney. I like that confidence.โ
Malcolm snorted. โIโm not bragging. Iโm stating a fact. My parents are lovely people yet serial houseplant killers. The vegetables stand a better chance outdoors where Mother Nature can care for them till I arrive to save the day.โ
โYouโre funny.โ
โHilarious,โ he confirmed, pointing at the chair across from him. โShall we begin?โ
โSure.โ I sat, shifting under the weight of his expectant gaze.
โI took the liberty of creating a short syllabus, including a diagram of a rink and an index of hockey terminology.โ Malcolm pushed his laptop toward me. โIโve memorized all of them. Quiz me if youโd like.โ
I scrolled through his proposed outline covering etymology, history, tactics, rules, and a very fucking long glossary which included slang. โWhoa. Did you google this?โ
โItโs a compilation of sources, each credited in the attached bibliography,โ he replied.
โYou made a bibliography.โ
โOf course. One must give credit where credit is due.โ Malcolm scooted his chair closer and reached over to scroll through a list of annotations. โSee?โ
Yeah, I saw. And I was a little pissed at myself for being so slow.
โYouโre trying to scare me away,โ I stated.
โNo, Iโm helping you.โ
I shook my head. โI donโt see how this helps either of us. What do etymology and history have to do with measuring speed?โ
โWellโฆnothing, butโโ
โHere you have โbiscuitโ and โbiscuit in the basket.โ โ I gestured at the screen. โThese are very unscientific terms, Maloney.โ
โTrue, but I know those. The biscuit is the puck and putting the biscuit into the basket is to make a goal.โ Malcolm beamed. โCorrect, yes?โ
My lips twisted in amusement. โYes. Can you use this info in your thesis?โ
He fiddled with his glasses. โUndetermined, but doubtful.โ’
*****
Review:
Malcolm is aaalll the adorkableness that I could want. He’s awkward and sweet and caring and smart. He can be stuffy and old fashioned in his speech but he throws himself full bodied in things that interest him. Including Jett.
Jett may be an athlete and not as academic as Malcolm but he works hard for what he wants, for his future. He’s also got a good head on his shoulders, one that recognizes what a good thing he’s found in Malcolm.
These two shouldn’t work together but they do. They listen and open up to each other and they are willing to put everything on the line when they have to. I just … *sigh* love them together. It may have started out as research, morphed into something a little more intimate but soon it turned into something even more. Timing may not be on their side tho.
I adore Hayes’s books. I enjoy the sweetness mixed with heat, characters that just have me from the first page, and a HEA that never disappoints. I need more from her, and this series, as soon as I can get it.
*****
Author Info:
Lane Hayesย lives in sunny Southern California with her amazing husband, who thankfully doesnโt mind cooking, and their fabulous fox red Labrador, George, whoโs pure mischief. Both provide oodles of inspiration for the low-angst, humorous books Lane loves to write.
Sheโs been telling stories about sexy, funny, sometimes geeky and quirky men who find love for a dozen years now and loving every minute. In her previous life, she sat at a desk and dealt with numbers, so yesโฆromance is much more satisfying!
Lane loves tea, travel, and chocolateโฆin any order. Add a book and sheโs set!My Readersโ Group, Laneโs Lovers: https://bit.ly/3aIbMYg
Romantic Reads and Such 