Blurb:

JOHN

I’ve never met anyone who bothers me more than Chad Sinclair.

He’s always smiling, always happy — excited about life in a way I truly cannot comprehend. A spoiled city guy who acts like he’s never heard the word no before.

I can’t believe I drunkenly married him in Vegas.

Or that he showed up at my farmhouse, ready to give up his whole life to play happy husbands with me in the middle of nowhere.

Chad might have convinced himself we’re meant to be, but I gave up on that kind of future a long time ago.

CHAD

I’ve always believed things work out for me — and getting my husband to admit he wants me is no exception.

John Sullivan might be grumpy, closed-off, and determined to pretend this means nothing, but he still chose me. He married me. He said I do, and I’m not ready to let that go just because he’s pretending he is.

He can say there’s no way we can work, but I’m stubborn enough to stay and keep proving him wrong.

A grumpy/sunshine MM romance about a woke-up-married couple navigating life after loss, small-town living, and the kind of heat that burns slowest when you’re trying your hardest to resist it.

Please note that this is a standalone spinoff of their Love Without Labels series and that it does not take place on the reality show. It can be read solely on its own.

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Tropes: Grumpy x sunshine, opposites attract, woke up married, trust fund x blue collar, city x small town, pierced/tattooed MMC, secret relationship, “no emotions just s*x”, kink/bdsm exploration (shibari, sensory deprivation, temperature play, dom/sub, restraints/bondage, marking, c*ck-warming, edging, praise, toys), processing grief, only one bed, first times, caretaking, pining

*****

Review:

Chad is the brightest of sunshine-y, golden retriever, sweetheart characters. He’s so kind and positive and happy, the complete opposite of John, but he’s also confident in their relationship. He sometimes comes off as naive so I wish we’d gotten some more of their interactions in Vegas because I would love to see why he is so very convinced about John’s feelings. We get glimpses and I definitely admire Chad for how sure he is of their connection but I wanted even more. (Plus they are adorable together when John lets go and embraces everything Chad.)

That enthusiasm for pretty much everything brings humor & lightness and is a good foil for John’s reserve. He’s a very private person, keeping his feelings close, separating himself from friends & family and dealing with his grief alone. But even he isn’t able to resist Chad. I’m glad we get John’s POV because I think it would be hard to be understanding of how he treats Chad without it. He’s not cruel but he can be pretty curt. (This is another place where I think more of their Las Vegas interactions would have helped.)

Wanting My Husband is spicy & funny & emotional as Chad helps John address his past & look towards a possible future together. John may be in charge in the bedroom but Chad is a rock for him as they lean into their growing feelings. The way that Chad understands and takes care of John as he shows him that it is OK to love again, to be happy again, is just … *sigh* so sweet.

*****

Author Info:

Lexi is an American author who is obsessed with queer happily ever afters. Most of her time is spent with her two kids, but if they’re asleep, then she is either reading, writing, or watching hockey.

Professionally trained as a nurse, Lexi decided to start writing when she became a stay at home mom and the characters in her head haven’t stopped talking since.

Lexi also loves Diet Coke, traveling, and Halloween. Her house is probably obnoxiously decorated for whatever holiday is next because she thinks that little things that make people smile are important.

Website: https://lexiamber.com/

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Bec Benson is based in the Northeast, lives for the first sip of hot coffee in the morning, and genuinely believes emo music can make you happy. She’s obsessed with mgk, a good uninterrupted writing session, and queer romance novels.

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