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Truth or Dare #1
Keeping House
Mischa knew his brothers were up to something. He didn't know it would lead him to Donovan Holloway and change his carefree lifestyle forever.
Donovan Holloway, advertising executive, newly made vice president of the company where he's worked for twenty years, grew up in a free love hippie commune, taking care of the parents who should have been taking care of him. He's worked hard to put himself through school and achieve the American dream. All he's ever wanted was a normal family life—house in the suburbs, two cars, two kids, a shaggy dog. A family to come home to—to care for, and to care for him.
Mischa Blake is the green eyed, liberally-pierced, black-haired, Mohawk-wearing spoiled youngest son of a Hollywood producer and his actress wife. Mischa has made a terrible mistake. In a fit of childish pique, he's accepted a dare from his older brothers. The dare? Live on his own, supporting himself completely for a year without accessing his trust fund. No problem. Except Mischa has never worked a day in his life, hasn't finished college, and has absolutely no skills that he can bring to the table.
So when he sees Donovan's ad for a housekeeper/gardener, he has nothing to lose by applying, because really...how hard can it be?
Donovan Holloway, advertising executive, newly made vice president of the company where he's worked for twenty years, grew up in a free love hippie commune, taking care of the parents who should have been taking care of him. He's worked hard to put himself through school and achieve the American dream. All he's ever wanted was a normal family life—house in the suburbs, two cars, two kids, a shaggy dog. A family to come home to—to care for, and to care for him.
Mischa Blake is the green eyed, liberally-pierced, black-haired, Mohawk-wearing spoiled youngest son of a Hollywood producer and his actress wife. Mischa has made a terrible mistake. In a fit of childish pique, he's accepted a dare from his older brothers. The dare? Live on his own, supporting himself completely for a year without accessing his trust fund. No problem. Except Mischa has never worked a day in his life, hasn't finished college, and has absolutely no skills that he can bring to the table.
So when he sees Donovan's ad for a housekeeper/gardener, he has nothing to lose by applying, because really...how hard can it be?
68 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 5, 2011
13 people are currently reading
392 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 140 reviews
May 6, 2011
I loved this book . . . I found Mischa to be simply adorable. Of course, my one complaint is that I would have loved this to be oh about 20-30K words more . . . but then it wouldn’t be a novella now would it. But between you and me I have that complaint with all of Lee Brazil’s books . . . I truly believe it is the youngest child syndrome – I always want more more more.
I especially liked how he primed me for the next book in the series . . . and I’m hopeful that I see Donovan and Mischa sporadically throughout the upcoming books in the series so I can keep tabs on them while I enjoy the new MC’s that Mr. Brazil will be throwing at me.
I especially liked how he primed me for the next book in the series . . . and I’m hopeful that I see Donovan and Mischa sporadically throughout the upcoming books in the series so I can keep tabs on them while I enjoy the new MC’s that Mr. Brazil will be throwing at me.
May 29, 2011
Mischa is the youngest wild-child son of a Hollywood media company family, including famous parents. He lives off his trust fund and his brothers bet him he can't find a job and live for a year without using his trust fund. He's pissed and takes them on. Unfortunately his last chance at a job, as he's evicted and his Porche repossessed, is as a housekeeper for Donovan, an ad agency exec. He's instantly attracted but figures he'll scare Mischa off with the tasks, but he agrees and moves in. He's amazing at using the net to figure things out like laundry and cooking, and two of his remaining friends (once he was broke, all his Hollywood hangers-on deserted him) help as well, and Donovan falls in love. That's the end of day 2. I thought this had a lot of potential. I could see a young punk who's never had a job screwing up, and Donovan was quite funny at first. But within three days they were "partners", deeply in love and facing off against the brothers, who only thought Donovan was after Mischa's money. Oh and there was some twincest-lite thrown in for titillation (Mischa's friends). So I liked the concept, but I thought once it got to the part where he took over the housekeeper, it just raced ahead to a HEA within days, and within months baby came home. Hello? So ultimately it didn't deliver what I hoped would be some amusing scenes of two opposites learning to live together, because the excerpt sucked me in and I liked the style. Not bad, but as good as I thought it could have been.
April 6, 2012
I wasn't a fan of this book. While there were a few moments I thought the story might turn around, it failed to deliver on that promise.
The primary reason I didn't care for the story was due to lack of realism ( which I do believe is intentional). Unfortunately, I prefer for my fairly tales to be obvious, and my real-world stories to be believable in today's world. This precludes insta-love, high drama, and unrealistic dialogue, which this book was rife with. So, the low rating is likely a direct result of my own cynicism, but there it is.
The primary reason I didn't care for the story was due to lack of realism ( which I do believe is intentional). Unfortunately, I prefer for my fairly tales to be obvious, and my real-world stories to be believable in today's world. This precludes insta-love, high drama, and unrealistic dialogue, which this book was rife with. So, the low rating is likely a direct result of my own cynicism, but there it is.
May 6, 2011
Short and sweet. I enjoyed the characters and the premise.
July 1, 2011
This story ended up being very dear to me. The characters were perfect, all of them actually, even if they ended up saying only 2 words through the whole book. This author really knows how to breathe in personality into them and that is definitely something that will make me look for more.
That said, on a lot of points I was kind of disappointed. I guess the blurb and even the whole first half of the book promised so much, that the rushed way the ideas were executed stung. I can go with the instant attraction and crazy lust, but swearing to undying love after a week together is a bit too much. Maybe if they actually worked through it more? I don't know.
Still, this book does show a lot of promise and I do recommend it.
That said, on a lot of points I was kind of disappointed. I guess the blurb and even the whole first half of the book promised so much, that the rushed way the ideas were executed stung. I can go with the instant attraction and crazy lust, but swearing to undying love after a week together is a bit too much. Maybe if they actually worked through it more? I don't know.
Still, this book does show a lot of promise and I do recommend it.
February 11, 2012
I still loved it as much as I did the first time around! I just wish it could have been a touch longer so I could continue to get my fix of Mischa and Donovan the interactions between them are so funny and the attempts at "house keeping" by Mischa are amusing he really is a sweetie and so cute. They are adorable and if I had any niggles I ignored them completely and just went with it, as I have a soft spot for this series and I won't let anything get in the way of my enjoyment!
May 20, 2013
Mischa was just damn adorable peirced and a black mohawk boy looking to show his brothers he can be on his own.
Donavon was the lucky enough man to find Mischa needing a job. All the peices fell into each other after that. The 2 we're just adorable together I can do without the insta love for one another, But the story itself was cute and quick.
Donavon was the lucky enough man to find Mischa needing a job. All the peices fell into each other after that. The 2 we're just adorable together I can do without the insta love for one another, But the story itself was cute and quick.
May 9, 2011
I really enjoyed this short story. (I read it in one sitting) Mischa and Donovan are just adorable. I'm looking forward to reading more from this author. (hopefully a big longer in length!)
October 19, 2013
Utterly and completely ridiculous.
Extremely fanciful, badly written, terribly and unevenly paced, insensible.
Extremely fanciful, badly written, terribly and unevenly paced, insensible.
May 6, 2011
The idea of the story was a good one, enticing and hints at hilarity and much entertainment. Unfortunately, the story didn't quite deliver.
The 'dare' based on losing a poker hand wasn't so bad. But shortly after the dare takes affect, we're immediately thrown into Mischa having multiple money issues and needing a job immediately. There is no sense of Mischa losing what he had taken advantage of before; no sense of the time he'd spent looking for work, or dealing with sycophant friends abandoning him, the steady decline of money he'd never realized the value of... none of it.
Mischa is a hard character to sympathize with, not so much because I agree with his brothers that he needed to find direction in life, needed to do more than play with friends and do nothing. Everyone loves a rebel, even rebels without a cause to be rebellious. The cliched antics Mischa runs into as a first time having to clean and be responsible for more than his personal cleanliness, isn't enough to impart what could have been some embarrassing actions or results. There was no attempt to show us how Mischa tries to do well, but never quite succeeds. Even his lack of cooking knowledge is sidetracked by running out to pick up take-out. We are told how sweet Mischa can be, but other than how he responds to his friends (and a brief mention of feeling bad for Donovan and the way he grew up), we are not really shown his sweetness.
Donovan is supposed to be double Mischa's age. The age difference doesn't bother me so much, but the fact Donovan acts as young or younger than Mischa most of the time does bother me. We as readers gets that Donovan is seeking the American dream, even if it's a bit skewed, we get that he grew up poor and in a not-so-nice situation. But, other than a few words expressed and a high-level explanation to Mischa, we don't see it. An A-type personality like Donovan would have not allowed his kitchen and bedroom to get as bad as it did. We barely get the idea of his job, and what was there didn't feel real.
Don't get me started on Mischa's brothers. I've the idea they will be the next MCs of this series.
Romance novels by their very definition are not the pantheon of realism. But, there has to be some resemblance to reality. Falling in lust in hours isn't unheard of, not even in real life. Even falling madly in love to the exclusion of all else within days of meeting isn't unheard of. But come on! Three days? Neither one knows anything about the other except what's on the surface. And that they only see for a couple of hours a day.
What I wanted to read is the building of love, the resisting of the growing attraction. I wanted to read about Mischa goofing up and Donovan showing him how things should be done. I wanted to read about how stressed and busy Donovan can be at work, especially in his new position, and how Mischa shows him a better way, how to relax.
I know all this makes it sound like I hated the story. I didn't. I'm sure there will be plenty of folks who will adore the story. But me, I was disappointed that everything was so rushed, that it was more like reading the outline of what a cute, amusing love story could be.
The 'dare' based on losing a poker hand wasn't so bad. But shortly after the dare takes affect, we're immediately thrown into Mischa having multiple money issues and needing a job immediately. There is no sense of Mischa losing what he had taken advantage of before; no sense of the time he'd spent looking for work, or dealing with sycophant friends abandoning him, the steady decline of money he'd never realized the value of... none of it.
Mischa is a hard character to sympathize with, not so much because I agree with his brothers that he needed to find direction in life, needed to do more than play with friends and do nothing. Everyone loves a rebel, even rebels without a cause to be rebellious. The cliched antics Mischa runs into as a first time having to clean and be responsible for more than his personal cleanliness, isn't enough to impart what could have been some embarrassing actions or results. There was no attempt to show us how Mischa tries to do well, but never quite succeeds. Even his lack of cooking knowledge is sidetracked by running out to pick up take-out. We are told how sweet Mischa can be, but other than how he responds to his friends (and a brief mention of feeling bad for Donovan and the way he grew up), we are not really shown his sweetness.
Donovan is supposed to be double Mischa's age. The age difference doesn't bother me so much, but the fact Donovan acts as young or younger than Mischa most of the time does bother me. We as readers gets that Donovan is seeking the American dream, even if it's a bit skewed, we get that he grew up poor and in a not-so-nice situation. But, other than a few words expressed and a high-level explanation to Mischa, we don't see it. An A-type personality like Donovan would have not allowed his kitchen and bedroom to get as bad as it did. We barely get the idea of his job, and what was there didn't feel real.
Don't get me started on Mischa's brothers. I've the idea they will be the next MCs of this series.
Romance novels by their very definition are not the pantheon of realism. But, there has to be some resemblance to reality. Falling in lust in hours isn't unheard of, not even in real life. Even falling madly in love to the exclusion of all else within days of meeting isn't unheard of. But come on! Three days? Neither one knows anything about the other except what's on the surface. And that they only see for a couple of hours a day.
What I wanted to read is the building of love, the resisting of the growing attraction. I wanted to read about Mischa goofing up and Donovan showing him how things should be done. I wanted to read about how stressed and busy Donovan can be at work, especially in his new position, and how Mischa shows him a better way, how to relax.
I know all this makes it sound like I hated the story. I didn't. I'm sure there will be plenty of folks who will adore the story. But me, I was disappointed that everything was so rushed, that it was more like reading the outline of what a cute, amusing love story could be.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 1, 2012
It was 2 stars when I finished it but the more I think about it the grumpier I get, so now it's 1 star.
D I wasn't sure what to read next so I went for something short. I was still in a m/m mood, so I started on this one - a book I bought a while back but could remember nothing about when I got started. It is just over 50 pages. It made me grumpy. The more I think about it, the grumpier I am. A trust fund baby, 20 year old Mischa accepts a dare from his 3 older brothers to support himself for one year. He gets a job working as a live-in housekeeper for Donovan Holloway, a 40 year old advertising exec who has just bought a house but is too busy to do anything in it. Leave aside for the moment that no-one in their right mind would give Mischa this job ( he has no experience and has to Google how to make coffee). Donovan falls instantly into lust with Mischa (which is the ONLY explanation as to why he gives him the job) and within 1 or 2 DAYS they are both expressing undying love for each other. By the end of the book, 2 months have gone past and they are picking up the baby they've just adopted. Add into the mix, Mischa has friends, Dex and Trick who are twins and who are gettin' it on. I do not like the twincest and really, why was it in this story? The basic concept of the story interested me. But there was nothing for me here apart from that. The 20 year age difference between the two men wasn't addressed and the whole thing was just silly.
http://kaetrinsmusings.blogspot.com.a...
D I wasn't sure what to read next so I went for something short. I was still in a m/m mood, so I started on this one - a book I bought a while back but could remember nothing about when I got started. It is just over 50 pages. It made me grumpy. The more I think about it, the grumpier I am. A trust fund baby, 20 year old Mischa accepts a dare from his 3 older brothers to support himself for one year. He gets a job working as a live-in housekeeper for Donovan Holloway, a 40 year old advertising exec who has just bought a house but is too busy to do anything in it. Leave aside for the moment that no-one in their right mind would give Mischa this job ( he has no experience and has to Google how to make coffee). Donovan falls instantly into lust with Mischa (which is the ONLY explanation as to why he gives him the job) and within 1 or 2 DAYS they are both expressing undying love for each other. By the end of the book, 2 months have gone past and they are picking up the baby they've just adopted. Add into the mix, Mischa has friends, Dex and Trick who are twins and who are gettin' it on. I do not like the twincest and really, why was it in this story? The basic concept of the story interested me. But there was nothing for me here apart from that. The 20 year age difference between the two men wasn't addressed and the whole thing was just silly.
http://kaetrinsmusings.blogspot.com.a...
June 18, 2011
Mischa is a trust fund baby and the youngest of four brothers. The misfit of the family, his questionable lifestyle bugs his brothers and they come together to do what is best for him. In one losing hand of poker, which doesn't really make sense as he didn't lose all his money, he's stuck with a dare.
Mischa ends up working as a butler/gardener/cook/housekeeper for Donovan. I'm actually kind of impressed at Mischa's ingenuity. While he may not how to do anything practical, like keeping house, he's able to search through the internet to find what he needs.
This story was sweetly romantic at times and the sex was tasty hot. The happily ever after is richly deserved for the not so bad boy, Mischa. I enjoyed Mr. Brazil's short story more than I thought I would. The story was fully developed in such few pages. There wasn't an extra scene anywhere. The sex was done just right. No token sex scenes, instead a hot m/m scene that had been building since Mischa and Donovan first met. I enjoyed his book so much I'm hoping to read the next in this series.
I recommend this book to ones who enjoy romance with a kick.
Mischa ends up working as a butler/gardener/cook/housekeeper for Donovan. I'm actually kind of impressed at Mischa's ingenuity. While he may not how to do anything practical, like keeping house, he's able to search through the internet to find what he needs.
This story was sweetly romantic at times and the sex was tasty hot. The happily ever after is richly deserved for the not so bad boy, Mischa. I enjoyed Mr. Brazil's short story more than I thought I would. The story was fully developed in such few pages. There wasn't an extra scene anywhere. The sex was done just right. No token sex scenes, instead a hot m/m scene that had been building since Mischa and Donovan first met. I enjoyed his book so much I'm hoping to read the next in this series.
I recommend this book to ones who enjoy romance with a kick.
February 8, 2012
Can't think why I never reviewed this first time around. But second time reading was as good as the first.
One of the best things about this story for me, was the way I found myself smiling while reading. This is a totally sweet romantic story. Its light hearted and funny. I would of loved it more if it had been longer, everything felt a bit too rushed, I'd of loved a slower build of tension between Mischa and Donovan before they declared themselves in love. Plus I'd of loved to see Mischa maybe struggle more with his dutys instead of finding quick easy solutions via google. After all Google may tell you how to make coffee or sort laundry but some kitchen appliences look like you need a degree in rocket science to opperate LOL.
A perfect quick read to slot in between Dark or angst filled reads.
One of the best things about this story for me, was the way I found myself smiling while reading. This is a totally sweet romantic story. Its light hearted and funny. I would of loved it more if it had been longer, everything felt a bit too rushed, I'd of loved a slower build of tension between Mischa and Donovan before they declared themselves in love. Plus I'd of loved to see Mischa maybe struggle more with his dutys instead of finding quick easy solutions via google. After all Google may tell you how to make coffee or sort laundry but some kitchen appliences look like you need a degree in rocket science to opperate LOL.
A perfect quick read to slot in between Dark or angst filled reads.
May 8, 2011
I loved this book. It was so sweet. I loved Donovan and Mischa and I enjoyed Mischa's brother's and also his friends. I want more of everyone. I wish it would have been longer, I wanted to keep reading about everyone!
May 26, 2011
Enjoyable and relaxing read. I liked it quite a bit
July 26, 2011
I really enjoyed this one. It was cute, short and sweet with a little bit of an edge to it. I loved both MCs because they were basically polar opposites.
I wished it were a bit longer so we could have gotten to know them a bit more. Otherwise, the only thing that didn't fit the story was the epilogue. Just kind of came out of the blue and didn't seem like it should have been part of the story. Not that it was bad or anything! Just that I felt like between the last chapter and epilogue there was a huge gap missing with things I would have liked to see them talk about and because there wasn't anything on it, I kind of got thrown off with what happens.
Still! I really enjoyed it. Next book in the series is a menage with twins and even though I don't like menages, I'm still gonna read it because of the twins ^_^ Recommended.
I wished it were a bit longer so we could have gotten to know them a bit more. Otherwise, the only thing that didn't fit the story was the epilogue. Just kind of came out of the blue and didn't seem like it should have been part of the story. Not that it was bad or anything! Just that I felt like between the last chapter and epilogue there was a huge gap missing with things I would have liked to see them talk about and because there wasn't anything on it, I kind of got thrown off with what happens.
Still! I really enjoyed it. Next book in the series is a menage with twins and even though I don't like menages, I'm still gonna read it because of the twins ^_^ Recommended.
May 6, 2011
I loved this story and I hope there will be another book to give us more time with Mischa and Donovan, I mean they have a baby on the way... The twins and Terry's enjoyment form watching them could be another story *hint, hint*. You have an amazing talent for story telling,the descriptive way you set up a scene makes it so easy to see everything in my head. It really helps to form a connection with the story. You have another fan for life. Thank You Mr.Brazil
May 14, 2011
This is a delightful book. I rec it to anyone who enjoys loving romance with a side of very hot sex. I've been disappointed in several books recently and it was a relief to plunge into the world created by Lee for his characters, to laugh and love with them. My only complaint is the length. I wanted much much more.
May 6, 2011
I thoroughly enjoyed this book! This is a well-written, amazing, sweet and tender love story. It has plenty of erotic spice too but all in a very intimate, loving way.
Read more at http://leeannsontheimermurphywriterau...
on May 7!
Read more at http://leeannsontheimermurphywriterau...
on May 7!
May 30, 2011
Who says opposites don't attract? Donovan and Mischa are completely opposite in age, looks, personality; but boy, do they fall in love hard! And the 3 older domineering brothers are a hoot!
This was a lovely little story which I enjoyed immensely.
This was a lovely little story which I enjoyed immensely.
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http://www.breathlesspress.com/index....
July 20, 2017
As the youngest of five kids, I know all about being the "baby". No matter what I accomplish, or how old I get, I will always be the "baby". And, yep, I hated it so much at twenty, much like Mischa does. The fact that his brothers don't understand him or give him any credit is a sore point, but the fact that Mischa hasn't found himself is all on him. So, when his brothers manipulate him at the weekly poker game and dare him to find a job and support himself for a year without any money from his trust fund, Mischa is determined to show them he can do it.
When Donovan opens his door to a kid dressed all in black, multiple piercings, Mohawk, and carrying a skateboard, it's no wonder he assumes it is a neighborhood kid looking for something. Donovan is a little startled to realize this is his final interview of the day for a housekeeper/gardener/cook. But, after speaking with Mischa, Donovan figures he'll give the guy a break as the other five interviews he had were less than stellar. And, Donovan got a break twenty years ago when the owner of the ad agency that Donovan was just made vice president of, hired him for the copy room.
This is an extremely hot and funny, May-December romance as Donovan is twenty years older than Mischa. What's even better is that Mischa has to google just about everything because he doesn't even know how to make coffee, or what cleaning supplies are for what items. It's hysterical. Mischa learns some valuable lessons right off the bat, though, mainly that when the money is gone you know who your true friends are. He also gets a first hand look at how normal, not disgustingly wealthy, people live and how Mischa's priorities can change when he's really invested into something he cares about.
I loved this story! Thank you, Lee. It was such a great romance with important life lessons but the author didn't shove them down my throat. Mischa is very lovable and Donovan is just plain hot. I'm so excited looking forward to the next book in the series.
NOTE: This book was provided by the publisher for the purpose of a review on Rainbow Book Reviews.
When Donovan opens his door to a kid dressed all in black, multiple piercings, Mohawk, and carrying a skateboard, it's no wonder he assumes it is a neighborhood kid looking for something. Donovan is a little startled to realize this is his final interview of the day for a housekeeper/gardener/cook. But, after speaking with Mischa, Donovan figures he'll give the guy a break as the other five interviews he had were less than stellar. And, Donovan got a break twenty years ago when the owner of the ad agency that Donovan was just made vice president of, hired him for the copy room.
This is an extremely hot and funny, May-December romance as Donovan is twenty years older than Mischa. What's even better is that Mischa has to google just about everything because he doesn't even know how to make coffee, or what cleaning supplies are for what items. It's hysterical. Mischa learns some valuable lessons right off the bat, though, mainly that when the money is gone you know who your true friends are. He also gets a first hand look at how normal, not disgustingly wealthy, people live and how Mischa's priorities can change when he's really invested into something he cares about.
I loved this story! Thank you, Lee. It was such a great romance with important life lessons but the author didn't shove them down my throat. Mischa is very lovable and Donovan is just plain hot. I'm so excited looking forward to the next book in the series.
NOTE: This book was provided by the publisher for the purpose of a review on Rainbow Book Reviews.
May 11, 2011
This story had great bones & I really loved the primary AND secondary characters. Which is pretty awesome for a book this short. BUT I think this book would have been much better if there was more. The ending was extremely rushed. Maybe I'm just bitter because the 2nd book in this series doesn't seem to be available yet.
May 28, 2011
It was cute, and I enjoyed Donovan's character. I also liked how the author got in a lot of plot in a short story, although a bit of elaboration on some parts would be nice, like how Donovan and Mischa fall in love. It all seemed too fast and the ending was a bit over the top, but I enjoyed the humor :)
March 2, 2013
I loved this story. Sweet and sexy. I loved all the characters and was so proud of Mischa getting his life together. I wished it was a bit longer but really, really enjoyed it.
Reread Jan 2013 - Enjoyed it (and the series) just as much the second time around...
Reread Jan 2013 - Enjoyed it (and the series) just as much the second time around...
May 26, 2011
3.5
CUTE AS!!!
It was a little short, It didnt feel complete to me -I think cause they fell in love way to fast :O
Another 5-10K of words would have made alot of difference...
Well worth a read :P
CUTE AS!!!
It was a little short, It didnt feel complete to me -I think cause they fell in love way to fast :O
Another 5-10K of words would have made alot of difference...
Well worth a read :P
May 8, 2011
I loved this book. So swift, sweet, and romantic.
It really made me smile. I loved Mischa and Donovan!
:)
It really made me smile. I loved Mischa and Donovan!
:)
May 19, 2011
a pleasant read, but not much to it
May 26, 2011
Good short m/m romance about a trust fund baby whose controlling older brothers manipulate him into getting a job and supporting himself. If only it hadn't been insta-love...
May 29, 2011
A very cute short story about opposite's attracting. I'm looking forward to reading more in the Truth or Dare series. Anyone know when the next one is due out?
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