Beaker Brothers Ranch is part dairy farm, part animal sanctuary, even more so since the gorgeous town vet keeps finding more misfits to deliver to Dean’s door. Even if he wasn’t a fumbling mess whenever the Doc came around, he’d never say no.
Beaker Brothers has always been a place where even the most awkward of the world can find their home.
With his happily ever after on the line, Dean will need to grow some bull-sized balls and go after the man of his dreams.
But hey, with a pygmy goat as a wingman, it’s in the bag… right?
Loosely connected to the Love in Play series, Dean is the older brother of Alan Beaker, Banana Ball player and MC in Totally Opposed, Love in Play book 3.
*****
Review:
I loved this one sooo much – the unconventional farm animals, the way Dean can’t say no to Preston & how he calls him Doc, the way everyone on the farm supports each other. It’s just ALL the sweetness and I couldn’t get enough.
There is a little drama with Preston’s past that was unexpected but it works. Leading to a few extra heartwarming moments for our guys. Not that they need any help! Their friendship developing into something more is *sigh*
Jackson’s newest is a slow-burn, small town romance with all the feels and quirkiness I could want. Like her Love in Play series, it’s not going to be for everyone. But I’m here for every fluffy, feel good moment and I am ready for the next book. Gimme, gimme now!
When you’re crushing on a guy, the last thing you want is to get caught singing their name while naked in the locker room showers. Thankfully, Ryan pretended not to notice. I can play the denial game with the best of them, but I can’t ignore the growing feelings I have for him. We’ve been rivals on the field for two years, but lately, my eyes keep finding him off the field as well, drawn to his piercing blue stare and brilliant smile.
As fate would have it, we’re paired together for a sequence of Star-Crossed Lovers skits, and while I’m excited at the prospect of spending more time with him, with rumors of team cuts at the end of the season, it makes me wonder if there is any point in starting anything at all. Maybe we’re just destined to stay on opposing sides.
Ryan
Being on the other side of the world from your entire family is hard, especially when you see everyone else going home to theirs every night. So, when I moved in with Duckie and Ian, I was excited to at least have people to come home to.
But they aren’t the only ones I see every day. Across the alley lives an old man and his cat who greet me with a demonic howl and a gruff reminder that my favorite game isn’t “real” baseball.
Good thing I’m not easily offended, and while I might be still on the fence about the cat, imagine my surprise when I discover the old man is Alan Beaker’s grandfather. Suddenly, my days aren’t just filled with on-field practice and rehearsals with the guy I’ve been crushing on hard, they’re also filled with time spent with him off the field too.
It isn’t long until I notice just how devoted to his family Alan is, and the more time I spend with them, the more they make me feel like I belong. Now if only I can get Alan to take a chance on us, then I can make this feeling last forever.
Totally Opposed is a low angst, easy read. Alan and Ryan have been crushing on each other but Ryan got burned the last time he put himself out there for a guy and Alan isn’t really sure if his feelings are reciprocated. An impulsive kiss later and it’s quite obvious where things stand 🙂
I enjoyed seeing Ryan getting to know Alan’s grandpa and Alan opening up about some of his fears. They provide quite a few sweet moments and a chance for the two of them to grow closer.
But since there really isn’t a lot of drama or issues between them, I feel like Totally Opposed might not be for everyone. It’s perfect for those looking for a fluffy, feel good read with moments of spice and humor, tho. With this one, you come for the people and leave with all those HEA feels.
*****
Author Info:
Becca Jackson writes MM romance that delivers heart, heat, and happily ever afters for some totally adorkable and fabulous guys.
When you’re crushing on a guy, the last thing you want is to get caught singing their name while naked in the locker room showers. Thankfully, Ryan pretended not to notice. I can play the denial game with the best of them, but I can’t ignore the growing feelings I have for him. We’ve been rivals on the field for two years, but lately, my eyes keep finding him off the field as well, drawn to his piercing blue stare and brilliant smile.
As fate would have it, we’re paired together for a sequence of Star-Crossed Lovers skits, and while I’m excited at the prospect of spending more time with him, with rumors of team cuts at the end of the season, it makes me wonder if there is any point in starting anything at all. Maybe we’re just destined to stay on opposing sides.
Ryan
Being on the other side of the world from your entire family is hard, especially when you see everyone else going home to theirs every night. So, when I moved in with Duckie and Ian, I was excited to at least have people to come home to.
But they aren’t the only ones I see every day. Across the alley lives an old man and his cat who greet me with a demonic howl and a gruff reminder that my favorite game isn’t “real” baseball.
Good thing I’m not easily offended, and while I might be still on the fence about the cat, imagine my surprise when I discover the old man is Alan Beaker’s grandfather. Suddenly, my days aren’t just filled with on-field practice and rehearsals with the guy I’ve been crushing on hard, they’re also filled with time spent with him off the field too.
It isn’t long until I notice just how devoted to his family Alan is, and the more time I spend with them, the more they make me feel like I belong. Now if only I can get Alan to take a chance on us, then I can make this feeling last forever.
Dennis shoves open the locker room door. “Does anyone know Phillip’s part of the opening number?”
My hand is up, and I’m on my feet in a split second.
“Yeah, I’m pretty sure I do,” I say, and his face lights up.
“Great, Ryan, you’re with me. Now.”
I follow Dennis out of the room into the hall where Phillip and Alan are waiting. Phillip is lying on one of the medic stretchers, an ice pack on his head.
“What happened?” I ask, and he removes the pack, revealing a massive black eye.
“I got beat up.”
“What?” I ask, but Alan is laughing.
“It’s not like that. He got hit in the face by a kid’s bat.”
“So a kid beat you up?” I ask, and Dennis grabs the ice pack out of his hand and shoves it back over his eye.
“Keep that there. You’ll be fine. Now you two,” he says to Alan and me. “Get over here. I want to see you run it through before we have to be out there. Oh, crap.”
“What?” I ask.
“I’m not sure you will be able to lift Alan.”
“I’ll be fine,” I reply, but he doesn’t look convinced.
“Seriously, I bench more than he’s gotta weigh. I’ll be okay.”
Alan shakes his head. “You hurt your shoulder, you can’t lift me. What if it makes it worse?”
“I’m good, I swear. Kyle was overreacting.”
“I’ll do it,” Alan says, and I want to object and insist I’m fine, but I also really, really want him to pick me up in his arms and carry me. Shit, how much do I weigh?
“Umm, it’s okay. We can just jump down together.”
He spins to face me.
“You don’t think I can pick you up, do you?” He’s got one hand on his hip like he’s some diva offended by the implication they can’t do something.
“I’m just heavier than I look,” I reply with a shrug.
“Fuck that. I’m picking you up. Dennis, start the music. We got this.”
*****
Author Info:
Becca Jackson writes MM romance that delivers heart, heat, and happily ever afters for some totally adorkable and fabulous guys.
Harrison’s love life is a parade of fun, flirty encounters thanks to every dating app you can imagine, but nothing sticks. Finally, sick of the endless cycle of Friday night hookups, he hits uninstall on the apps and challenges the universe to show him that he deserves someone better.
What he didn’t expect was the universe throwing him a curveball in the form of his best friend’s younger brother. Despite being best friends with Gordon for years, he’s never actually met his siblings and even half-joked they didn’t exist.
But there they are, at a party at Gordon’s place, and one brother, Arlo, is seriously hard to ignore. He’s nothing like Gordon. Quiet, adorable, and totally off-limits… which sucks. But when Harrison spots an opportunity to help him steady his nerves on his children’s book tour, he jumps at the chance to get to know him better, because spending time with him feels like the most right thing he’s done in forever.
The more time they spend together, the less Harrison can imagine being with anyone else. But going after what he wants means betraying his best friend. Can he find the courage to catch life’s most unexpected pitches?
While Noah was a ball of energy at the outset, Arlo clutches a book against his front with his casted hand like it could somehow create a barrier between him and everything else in the world.
“I’m Harrison, but my friends call me Harry,” I say, and he turns toward me. His big gorgeous blue eyes lock on mine and my stomach does a weird spinny thing. I really should have eaten before I came.
“Hi,” he almost whispers, pulling his hand free of his brother and using it to tuck his red hair behind his ears. He really doesn’t look much like Gordon at all, not like Noah. They both have the same flame red hair, sure. But Arlo’s is long, and hangs loosely around his face like a curtain he can hide behind, it contrasts beautifully with his porcelain skin and bright blue eyes and I find myself unable to look away.
*****
Review:
Harry has been struggling to find the one, although he’ll admit that using an app is probably not the way to go 🙂 Then he meets adorable, artsy Arlo. Unfortunately, Arlo is off-limits as the brother of Harry’s best friend. (I think Gordon might be over-reacting a bit – he admits that Harry is a good person – but he’s had lots of years being the one to watch over his brothers so …) But time spent together has them deciding that their attraction is one that can’t be ignored. Which of course goes the way you think it will and, while I do understand why Gordon might be upset with the way things play out, I can also see why the guys think this is the best way.
There’s not a lot of depth or character growth with Harry and Arlo. It’s a quick read but all sorts of fun. Full of sweetness and deepening feelings as readers are given a peek into their growing emotions and their oh-so-spicy alone time.
I’ve only read one other book by Jackson and, based on these two, I think she’s going on my must read author list. Her characters are interesting and her stories are entertaining & steamy. What’s next, Becca?!?
*****
Author Info:
Becca Jackson writes MM romance that delivers heart, heat, and happily ever afters for some totally adorkable and fabulous guys.
Becca’s books have all your favorites, small-town romances, bi-awakenings, sports, friends to lovers, and enemies to lovers too, but no matter the trope that takes your fancy, you’ll always find a happily ever after.
Fire took out my business, my apartment and almost my life a few weeks back, and now I’m living in my best friend’s house while I rebuild, and he travels the world. He found his perfect match and now It’s time I found mine.
After years on my own, I want a family, but I have zero hope in finding my match while I’m still completely crushing on the hottest builder in the world, and to make matters worse, he’s now my roommate.
I thought sharing a house with Carter would help me get over him. I’d see why he’s never had a boyfriend, or anyone worth bringing around town. I’d discover all of his faults up close and squash the perfect god-like image I’ve cemented in my mind all these years.
Problem is, no matter what annoying habits I jot down on my list, the more time I spend with him the more I’m convinced Carter is everything I will ever need. Now I just have to figure out a way to tell him.
Carter
With Michael traveling the world, it’s just Lucas and me in his house while we rebuild the café, bakery, and apartment. I’m happy for Michael. I really am, but seeing another friend get their happy beginning shines a light again on the fact that I might never get mine.
I’m sick of being everyone’s best friend, yet no one’s boyfriend. I want my happy beginning too. I want someone to pick me. To want me. To love me.
So I do what any single guy would do, I sign up for speed dating. Blind dates suck but I’m never going to find the one if I don’t start putting myself out there.
The problem is, the more time I spend living with Lucas the more I realize, I don’t want any of these random hookups. I want the sweetest guy I’ve ever met. The one who bakes me cookies to make me smile. So now I have to figure out a way to show him I can be an awesome boyfriend. I can be his happy beginning if he will just give me a chance out of the friend zone.
“Ohh, aren’t you delicious?” The guy wearing deep purple eyeliner preens as I take my seat at table G.
“Ahh, thanks.”
Theo taps the mic, gaining everyone’s attention. “All right, your night starts now. Have fun.”
The app chimes, and the guy across from me immediately starts talking.
“I’m Stuart. Thirty-seven, Capricorn, I’m a stylist and live in the city, but have visited this town a few times. It’s super sweet, I could totally see myself settling somewhere like here. I could open a salon. You obviously work out, so what else do you do besides pumping iron?” He props his head on his hands, tilting it to the side as he waits for my reply.
“I’m Carter. I’m a contractor.”
“Oh, so you’re good with your hands. I knew a big, buff guy like you would be.”
“Thanks. I, umm, live in town, but work all over depending on the job.” Lucas’s warm laugh sounds from somewhere on my left. I turn my head towards the sound, and like being pulled by a magnet, my gaze finds him. He’s sitting across from a man in a suit with slicked-back hair, flawlessly clean-shaven face, and impeccably manicured eyebrows. My jaw tightens.
Really? That guy?
I can’t see his face, but Lucas is smiling, and I hate that this man, whoever he is, is making Lucas smile that way. That’s my smile.
Stuart is talking again, and I’d be lying if I said I had any clue what he was saying. My gaze keeps being drawn back to Lucas.
*****
Review:
I really enjoyed Carter and Lucas’s story. The first part of the story is Carter realizing that maybe he has feelings for Lucas after all, while Lucas tries to get over his crush. The second part is them dancing around telling each other how they feel, then the ending is them figuring out their way to a HEA.
Carter and Lucas are both hard-working, stand-up guys, who share a good group of supportive, and entertaining, friends. They’ve known each other for quite a while, with Lucas trying to hide his crush and Carter being oblivious to his friend’s feelings & the possibility that Lucas might be more than just a friend. But once that seed is planted, it quickly takes hold.
Readers need to be ready to hang in there for the slow burn romance between these two because they seriously take a while to get where they’re going. But it’s an easy read, with enjoyable characters, a touch of humor, and eventually a decent amount of steam. It’s pretty low angst and other than a few moments of “guys, seriously” it was a pretty enjoyable journey.
(While not necessary, it does help to have read the first book in the series. I enjoyed that one too. There were a few moments where the characters did foolish things, just like here, but they were enjoyable, and I was rooting for them to figure things out too. The novella that kicked off the series might be a good idea too but I haven’t read it yet, though it’s on my list.)
*****
Author Info:
Becca Jackson is the author of mm romance stories that deliver heart, heat, and happily ever afters for some totally adorkable and fabulous guys.
Romantic Reads and Such 