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Accidentally In Love
When fun-loving, social butterfly Calvin Reece moves in with the cute but shy Tom Holden, he doesn't expect anything to come of it but friendship. In fact, his plan is to give Tom a makeover and find him a boyfriend, because Tom's such a nice guy it's just not right that he's alone. As Cal gets to know Tom better, he learns that under the ill-fitting clothes there's a gorgeous body and a kind, generous heart, and Cal starts to feel something new...
What do they have in common? Only that they've never been in love. But that may all be about to change.
Publisher's This book contains explicit sexual content, graphic language, and situations that some readers may find male/male sexual practices.
What do they have in common? Only that they've never been in love. But that may all be about to change.
Publisher's This book contains explicit sexual content, graphic language, and situations that some readers may find male/male sexual practices.
192 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 10, 2011
9 people are currently reading
301 people want to read
About the author
Jane Davitt
64 books479 followersRetired from pro writing, pretty much. Any books where the rights are with me I've put up at A03, along with all my fic, which I'm still writing.
[Free reads and my fanfic are here:
Jane Davitt at AO3]
Thank you to all who read my books. It meant a lot.
[Free reads and my fanfic are here:
Jane Davitt at AO3]
Thank you to all who read my books. It meant a lot.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 70 reviews
May 15, 2011
AIL is a hard book for me to rate as it was 5 stars in some parts then would sink to a 3 for quite a bit. In the end, I settled for 3 because even though I enjoyed the good parts, and the story as a whole, the authors dragged it out far too long than was necessary. I ended up skimming through several pages in the second half as it became so repetitive. Much of the time, I felt like I was watching a rather boring tennis match.
What I did like, though, was the friends-to-lovers transition. I found myself enjoying this journey very much. I liked that these two men, so very different on the surface, are actually very similar - Calvin is a player, not sleeping with the same guy above a couple of times, if even that; the typical footloose, fancy-free hot-looking guy in his mid 20s, and has never wanted to change this. Tom, on the other hand, needs to jump through several mental hoops before he'll even go out with anyone and anything physical would have him breaking out in a sweat, so convinced is he of his lack of appeal.
This difference is only, as I mentioned, superficial. I could easily see that both men are very similar in that both are stuck in the groove of their own making because they just never knew any different. It was a good ride following them as they discover that scary, new world out there as each steps out of his comfort zone and get their sweet HEA with each other.
It was a lovely, sweet story that I felt was spoiled by the 50-odd unnecessary pages. It comes up to 287 pages on my Sony (wish all publishers gave Wordcount) and is categorized as a Novel Plus on Loose Id. If you don't mind the repetitiveness of their dialogue or the sex scenes, I'm sure you'd give this a 4 or 5 stars. I certainly would have.
What I did like, though, was the friends-to-lovers transition. I found myself enjoying this journey very much. I liked that these two men, so very different on the surface, are actually very similar - Calvin is a player, not sleeping with the same guy above a couple of times, if even that; the typical footloose, fancy-free hot-looking guy in his mid 20s, and has never wanted to change this. Tom, on the other hand, needs to jump through several mental hoops before he'll even go out with anyone and anything physical would have him breaking out in a sweat, so convinced is he of his lack of appeal.
This difference is only, as I mentioned, superficial. I could easily see that both men are very similar in that both are stuck in the groove of their own making because they just never knew any different. It was a good ride following them as they discover that scary, new world out there as each steps out of his comfort zone and get their sweet HEA with each other.
It was a lovely, sweet story that I felt was spoiled by the 50-odd unnecessary pages. It comes up to 287 pages on my Sony (wish all publishers gave Wordcount) and is categorized as a Novel Plus on Loose Id. If you don't mind the repetitiveness of their dialogue or the sex scenes, I'm sure you'd give this a 4 or 5 stars. I certainly would have.
October 5, 2013
3.5 stars. I really enjoyed this, however I deducted half a star because the insecurities of the characters became a little off putting. I would have liked a little more dating or romance and less "I'm not good enough for you, remind me why you like me again."
maybe-some-day
September 6, 2011from reviews it sounds like it drags on, is cliche and i am tired of reading about sluts
March 22, 2014
At first I was not digging this one at all. I thought Cal was an ass and Tom was... fine but nothing exciting. And then around page 100 I realized I was really enjoying this friends-to-lovers tale. There was something really sweet about this relationship. That went on for a while and then it got all insecure and angsty and I started to lose patience. But when all is said in done, I enjoyed it. This is a light and mostly pleasant read. A good beach book.
November 6, 2011
Tom the 25 year old virgin rents a room out to Cal the love em and leave em kind of guy!
They become friends, they become lovers, baggage and issues get in the way.....
A nice easy read, could have been a bit shorter, some of it felt repetitive and redundant, but if you are looking for a relaxing read, this one is good.
They become friends, they become lovers, baggage and issues get in the way.....
A nice easy read, could have been a bit shorter, some of it felt repetitive and redundant, but if you are looking for a relaxing read, this one is good.
September 5, 2011
Originally postsed at: http://whippedcream2.blogspot.com/201...
What is confirmed bachelor Cal to do when he meets the one man that could flip his whole world upside down and inside out? With a little bit of patience and a whole lot of luck maybe Cal can find out what all his friends are talking about when it comes to finding the one.
Accidentally in Love was truly a beautiful love story. It shows the gradual build of a relationship between two men who are such polar opposites it isn’t even funny. When pairing up a man who doesn’t believe in love and one who thinks he’s unlovable, the misunderstandings and over thinking come out in full force.
Cal is a photographer who jets sets around the world for his job. Like his job, his love life is the same. A little fun here, a little fun there, but when the deed is done he can’t get away fast enough. He’s not a man looking for love or anything of a relationship that lasts longer than a quick roll in the hay. But what makes this character so great is he falls for the last man he ever would have noticed, and from there starts the journey to become the kind of man Tom could love and spend the rest of his life with. Cal comes to find out you have to work hard for the things you want most in life, and getting Tom is turning out to be his biggest challenge yet.
Tom is a shy guy. He displays the typical behavior of a person picked on and put down throughout his life. So it’s only natural for him to question Cal’s feelings with everything that happens between them. At times I wanted to shake Tom because he is his own worst enemy. His self-confidence is so low it is just heart wrenching that he thinks he is so not worthy of anyone’s love or affection.
This story has its ups and downs but the outcome is so worth it in the end. It’s a good mix of the ugly duckling and the bad boy turned good. I would recommend this book to anyone looking for a longer read with a lot of; "what were they thinking?" And, how cute two people can be together.
This story left me with a smile on my face and I feel lucky to have gotten to read it.
What is confirmed bachelor Cal to do when he meets the one man that could flip his whole world upside down and inside out? With a little bit of patience and a whole lot of luck maybe Cal can find out what all his friends are talking about when it comes to finding the one.
Accidentally in Love was truly a beautiful love story. It shows the gradual build of a relationship between two men who are such polar opposites it isn’t even funny. When pairing up a man who doesn’t believe in love and one who thinks he’s unlovable, the misunderstandings and over thinking come out in full force.
Cal is a photographer who jets sets around the world for his job. Like his job, his love life is the same. A little fun here, a little fun there, but when the deed is done he can’t get away fast enough. He’s not a man looking for love or anything of a relationship that lasts longer than a quick roll in the hay. But what makes this character so great is he falls for the last man he ever would have noticed, and from there starts the journey to become the kind of man Tom could love and spend the rest of his life with. Cal comes to find out you have to work hard for the things you want most in life, and getting Tom is turning out to be his biggest challenge yet.
Tom is a shy guy. He displays the typical behavior of a person picked on and put down throughout his life. So it’s only natural for him to question Cal’s feelings with everything that happens between them. At times I wanted to shake Tom because he is his own worst enemy. His self-confidence is so low it is just heart wrenching that he thinks he is so not worthy of anyone’s love or affection.
This story has its ups and downs but the outcome is so worth it in the end. It’s a good mix of the ugly duckling and the bad boy turned good. I would recommend this book to anyone looking for a longer read with a lot of; "what were they thinking?" And, how cute two people can be together.
This story left me with a smile on my face and I feel lucky to have gotten to read it.
February 25, 2015
2015 Review ...
For some reason, this time around, I found Tom's insecurity drove me insane ... I left the rating the same but I really struggled to find empathy with Tom's character.
Original Review ...
This is a lovely story about a slut falling in love with a virgin ... Tom was a little bit too needy and insecure, but I forgave him because he and Cal made a cute couple ... There was very little angst and the transition from friends to lovers was believable too ... There were lots of comedic moments to lighten the mood and it stayed on the right side of the line to not be too saccharine ... If you want a sweet romance with a HEA, then this is the book for you.
For some reason, this time around, I found Tom's insecurity drove me insane ... I left the rating the same but I really struggled to find empathy with Tom's character.
Original Review ...
This is a lovely story about a slut falling in love with a virgin ... Tom was a little bit too needy and insecure, but I forgave him because he and Cal made a cute couple ... There was very little angst and the transition from friends to lovers was believable too ... There were lots of comedic moments to lighten the mood and it stayed on the right side of the line to not be too saccharine ... If you want a sweet romance with a HEA, then this is the book for you.
December 9, 2012
This book was surprisingly light compared to other books by Davitt and Snow. What's nice is that both guys have their faults and the romance is bumbled by both. A quick, fairly light read.
May 4, 2015
So full of boring clichés... Nothing interesting at all. The characters are just ordinary, conversations and action so usual, that it seems like you've already read all of this in some other book.
May 23, 2011
Oh, where to start? I find it difficult to actually write a justified review regarding this book, since like many others who've read this before me, there were times when I felt conflicted. First of all, I read the small blurb and immediately loved the premise; the "opposites attract" trope is one of my favorites, and I loved the idea of Cal reforming his fickle ways because of Tom. That being said, I knew that one way or another, I would at least like this book.
And like this book I did. Although, there were instances when I just wanted to hit them both over the head with something heavy - preferably a big dictionary or a frying pan. Of course, the subtle building of their relationships - from its bad first impressions to its rocky foundations to its even rockier and tentative building up - is realistic. It's not like some of the romance books (I'm not naming titles, there are just too many scattered around) where the protagonists fall under some kind of spell that makes them magically fall in love with each other in an instant. Of course, in paranormal books, it can be understandable, what with all the mates and mechanics of the shifter world, but even that is quite rocky - because it's lust at first sight, not love.
I digress. The point here is, the first half of the book is wonderful. It's hesitant and nervous and slow, and I understand that, because Cal and Tom are actually falling in love for the first time in their lives. Not a crush, not puppy love. There's this element of hesitancy because they don't know what to expect when they finally take the plunge.
The second half of the book I'm much conflicted with. Most of it revolves around their sexual exploration - again, the slow build to Tom's eventual riddance of his, uh, anal virginity. (That was kind of awkward to say.) Some people felt it dragged. At times, I did, too. But reflecting on that now, it might not have been so bad. It showed how slow they took things, how they changed bit by bit - how Tom learned to finally trust Cal with what he's been treasuring for so long, and how Cal learned to finally trust himself in carrying Tom's heart.
All in all, for me, it was an enjoyable read. Not everyone's cup of tea, of course, but if you love the genre and if you enjoy most of the tropes presented in this book, I'm sure you'll find it fun.
And like this book I did. Although, there were instances when I just wanted to hit them both over the head with something heavy - preferably a big dictionary or a frying pan. Of course, the subtle building of their relationships - from its bad first impressions to its rocky foundations to its even rockier and tentative building up - is realistic. It's not like some of the romance books (I'm not naming titles, there are just too many scattered around) where the protagonists fall under some kind of spell that makes them magically fall in love with each other in an instant. Of course, in paranormal books, it can be understandable, what with all the mates and mechanics of the shifter world, but even that is quite rocky - because it's lust at first sight, not love.
I digress. The point here is, the first half of the book is wonderful. It's hesitant and nervous and slow, and I understand that, because Cal and Tom are actually falling in love for the first time in their lives. Not a crush, not puppy love. There's this element of hesitancy because they don't know what to expect when they finally take the plunge.
The second half of the book I'm much conflicted with. Most of it revolves around their sexual exploration - again, the slow build to Tom's eventual riddance of his, uh, anal virginity. (That was kind of awkward to say.) Some people felt it dragged. At times, I did, too. But reflecting on that now, it might not have been so bad. It showed how slow they took things, how they changed bit by bit - how Tom learned to finally trust Cal with what he's been treasuring for so long, and how Cal learned to finally trust himself in carrying Tom's heart.
All in all, for me, it was an enjoyable read. Not everyone's cup of tea, of course, but if you love the genre and if you enjoy most of the tropes presented in this book, I'm sure you'll find it fun.
December 20, 2012
This was a story of opposites attract. Cal is full of confidence and seems to be with a different man every night, while Tom has never had a boyfriend and has incredibly low self-confidence. When they end up as housemates, the experience begins to change each man. I liked the slow build in their relationship and that they didn't jump straight to having sex. I could understand the doubts that Tom was experiencing and was appalled by the behaviour of his parents. It became obvious how their treatment of him had contributed to his feelings of inadequacy. I wish that he could have spoken his mind to them but I was glad that Cal stuck up for him. I think the men still have a way to go in their relationship but I hope that the tentative trust they have between them will continue to grow as time passes.
February 22, 2014
2.75 rounded up. The writing was fine and the characters likeable (although Tom was drawn a a bit to pathetically), but I struggled to finish as it became a somewhat tedious in the second half. The book was just too long and drawn out without much happening to move the plot forward.
October 22, 2014
Cute, really liked this story.
September 10, 2017
Should have been my cup of tea – opposites attract, become friends, and then eventually lovers. I liked it, but didn’t love it. The characters and plot were nice but didn’t have anything really unique or memorable to make them stand out among the crowd. But still, a pleasant way to spend a few hours and relax!
June 29, 2017
A cute read.
January 11, 2019
Great MMROM. Had all the juicy goodness one needs.
January 14, 2021
This is a very enjoyable story that I've re-read and will put back on my to-be-read again shelf.
March 4, 2012
For some reason, I was really, really attracted to the title of this story and the cover. I should have stopped reading around page 12 or 13 when we discover that the MC is a slut-bag douche (I hate how immature that sounds but that’s exactly how it made me feel). I’m a huge fan of “unlikely lovers” and opposites attracting and all, but I am not a fan of “reformed slut” stories so it’s my fault for not reading more reviews before I got this book. So I struggled through it because, simply, I paid for it (though I ended up quitting on it about 5 or 6 times prior to finishing it). There was really nothing redeeming about the story and the writing was quite simplistic. A reader can forgive that and much more if there are other elements that compensate, but for me this wasn’t the case here and I ended up not enjoying this story at all.
Recap (SPOILERS AHEAD): You basically have the inconsiderate, narcissistic, immature slut who bangs everyone (never looking for anything serious because that’s “not his style” and he make’s no bones about that) who is being evicted from his apt. He meets the sad, insecure, pathetic loner/virgin (who claims to detest said slut but basics hero-worships and grovels...insulting?) at a party but instantly hooks up with the loner/virgin’s blind date (while ignoring said, sad loner/virgin). We then find out that the loner/virgin just lost a roommate and is looking for a new one, so you know EXACTLY what happens next. Literally nothing new at all. They move in together (like we knew they would), the aforementioned slut bangs a couple of strangers, some even in the house (just like we knew he would), the aforementioned loner/virgin gets upset/jealous/hurt (just like we knew he would), slut repeats “I’m a dick. I'm sorry. Please forgive me” (just like we knew he would), slut gets beat up by the boyfriend of a former one-night stand, loner/virgin comes to the rescue, slut plays fairy godmother to loner/virgin (who basically can’t even dress himself), slut sees loner/virgin’s “goods” and decides he wants them for himself (just like we knew he would), loner/virgin succumbs to slut without much fuss (just like we knew he would), slut & loner/virgin get together (just like we knew they would), slut makes “forever” type promises to loner/virgin (just like…). And that’s basically it.
I’m quite surprised this story was published just last year. I have read this plotline so many times (and better) that I can not believe TWO people actually sat down and “came up” with this concept together in so recent an era. Anyhow, filled with so many cliché plot devices coupled with such an unsympathetic MC and a somewhat pacifying and condescending storyline, I actually didn’t even want the two MCs to get together. I wish the slut would’ve just kept banging around (because really, it’s pretty unrealistic to expect a slutty person to actually feel bad about being a slut if they are continuing to do it and are truly enjoying themselves in the process and are unconcerned with other people). And I wish the loner/virgin could have just been single until he either learned to really love and appreciate himself or found someone decent to care for him and help him on that journey. The writers made him so insecure and pitiful at times that I was actually a bit offended once or twice. Offended by the characters and by the perpetuation of so many gay stereotypes (and I’m not trying to get all “gay activist” about that either, though one would be perfectly within their right to do so). I just feel that if we can’t rely on the authors who are actually WRITING so-called gay “romance”, then who? Perhaps I just wasn’t the target reader for this story. I just hate that I paid for it.
Recap (SPOILERS AHEAD): You basically have the inconsiderate, narcissistic, immature slut who bangs everyone (never looking for anything serious because that’s “not his style” and he make’s no bones about that) who is being evicted from his apt. He meets the sad, insecure, pathetic loner/virgin (who claims to detest said slut but basics hero-worships and grovels...insulting?) at a party but instantly hooks up with the loner/virgin’s blind date (while ignoring said, sad loner/virgin). We then find out that the loner/virgin just lost a roommate and is looking for a new one, so you know EXACTLY what happens next. Literally nothing new at all. They move in together (like we knew they would), the aforementioned slut bangs a couple of strangers, some even in the house (just like we knew he would), the aforementioned loner/virgin gets upset/jealous/hurt (just like we knew he would), slut repeats “I’m a dick. I'm sorry. Please forgive me” (just like we knew he would), slut gets beat up by the boyfriend of a former one-night stand, loner/virgin comes to the rescue, slut plays fairy godmother to loner/virgin (who basically can’t even dress himself), slut sees loner/virgin’s “goods” and decides he wants them for himself (just like we knew he would), loner/virgin succumbs to slut without much fuss (just like we knew he would), slut & loner/virgin get together (just like we knew they would), slut makes “forever” type promises to loner/virgin (just like…). And that’s basically it.
I’m quite surprised this story was published just last year. I have read this plotline so many times (and better) that I can not believe TWO people actually sat down and “came up” with this concept together in so recent an era. Anyhow, filled with so many cliché plot devices coupled with such an unsympathetic MC and a somewhat pacifying and condescending storyline, I actually didn’t even want the two MCs to get together. I wish the slut would’ve just kept banging around (because really, it’s pretty unrealistic to expect a slutty person to actually feel bad about being a slut if they are continuing to do it and are truly enjoying themselves in the process and are unconcerned with other people). And I wish the loner/virgin could have just been single until he either learned to really love and appreciate himself or found someone decent to care for him and help him on that journey. The writers made him so insecure and pitiful at times that I was actually a bit offended once or twice. Offended by the characters and by the perpetuation of so many gay stereotypes (and I’m not trying to get all “gay activist” about that either, though one would be perfectly within their right to do so). I just feel that if we can’t rely on the authors who are actually WRITING so-called gay “romance”, then who? Perhaps I just wasn’t the target reader for this story. I just hate that I paid for it.
Read
August 18, 2011I don’t know how I managed to miss this one when it came out, first of all since Jane Davitt & Alexa Snow are a couple of authors I like very much and second since this is one of those sweet romance plot I like so much.
Calvin is a social butterfly, always moving from flower to flower, making everyone happy and not leaving broken hearts. The recipe is simple, not stopping long enough to create a real bond et voilà, the life of a perfect bachelor. Tom instead is a 24 years old virgin with a complex; clumsy and overweighed when he was a teenager, he hid his “butterfly” body under shaggy dresses and a nerdy attitude; Tom fears rejection and he doesn’t trust people. And the first meeting with Cal is no different, with Cal leaving him alone in the middle of conversation to run away with a dark haired stranger. But Cal needs a place to stay and Tom has a room to rent, and so the match is made in even. BTW Cal is not as bad as you could think and when Tom hotly complains about a one night stand Cal brought home, Cal starts to look at Tom with different eyes. Of course when Cal discovers the butterfly in disguise, he would have preferred to not show it to the world, since now he has competition.
That of Cal and Tom is a nice and sweet love story; of course, when the sex comes, it’s hot and good, but more or less it felt like a homemade cake, basic and substantial. Cal understands that Tom needs time, but one he is able to overcome his uncertainties, Tom is more than ready to share with Cal all the sex experiences he has only read about until then. Tom is not shy or clumsy during sex, it’s only that he needs to be comfortable with his partner, and a one night stand has never allowed him that level of comfort.
Maybe since they are living together, maybe since, as odd as it sounds, they are actually quite similar, Cal and Tom click right from the beginning: Cal has already had all the carelessly experiences he needed, and so is now ready for something serious; Tom has never wanted them, and will trust Cal to show him directly the best apples of the basket, without having to taste any rotten ones.
Definitely good love story, safe, sound and satisfying.
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B005AJMJTQ/?...
Calvin is a social butterfly, always moving from flower to flower, making everyone happy and not leaving broken hearts. The recipe is simple, not stopping long enough to create a real bond et voilà, the life of a perfect bachelor. Tom instead is a 24 years old virgin with a complex; clumsy and overweighed when he was a teenager, he hid his “butterfly” body under shaggy dresses and a nerdy attitude; Tom fears rejection and he doesn’t trust people. And the first meeting with Cal is no different, with Cal leaving him alone in the middle of conversation to run away with a dark haired stranger. But Cal needs a place to stay and Tom has a room to rent, and so the match is made in even. BTW Cal is not as bad as you could think and when Tom hotly complains about a one night stand Cal brought home, Cal starts to look at Tom with different eyes. Of course when Cal discovers the butterfly in disguise, he would have preferred to not show it to the world, since now he has competition.
That of Cal and Tom is a nice and sweet love story; of course, when the sex comes, it’s hot and good, but more or less it felt like a homemade cake, basic and substantial. Cal understands that Tom needs time, but one he is able to overcome his uncertainties, Tom is more than ready to share with Cal all the sex experiences he has only read about until then. Tom is not shy or clumsy during sex, it’s only that he needs to be comfortable with his partner, and a one night stand has never allowed him that level of comfort.
Maybe since they are living together, maybe since, as odd as it sounds, they are actually quite similar, Cal and Tom click right from the beginning: Cal has already had all the carelessly experiences he needed, and so is now ready for something serious; Tom has never wanted them, and will trust Cal to show him directly the best apples of the basket, without having to taste any rotten ones.
Definitely good love story, safe, sound and satisfying.
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B005AJMJTQ/?...
December 3, 2012
3.5 stars
Reading this was an interesting experience. From first reading the blurb, through reading the reviews here and then to actually reading the book and now thinking about it afterward, my thoughts have been all over the place. From the blurb, I wasn't quite convinced to read it, but the reviews convinced me to give it a shot. It's curious that the blurb doesn't mention that Cal's such a man-whore, nor that Tom's a virgin. Imagining that dynamic on top of them being roommates-turned-friends-turned-lovers is what convinced me to read it.
And there were parts of this that I just absolutely adored! Cal, for example, is nothing at all like the heartless slut I was picturing after at least one of the reviews. Watching him recognize his feelings for Tom but hold back on acting on them for the various reasons was sweet and adorable and beautifully believable.
Actually, thinking about it, Cal's my favorite thing about this book. His light-heartedness and his sincerity and his whole-hearted enjoyment of life were a perfect balance for Tom.
Not that I didn't also enjoy Tom... at parts. He frequently began to annoy me, though.
The two of them together, however... wow! That scene on the couch when they get back from celebrating Tom's birthday was spectacularly hot. And I do think they complemented each other very well, once Tom convinced me he wasn't an idiot.
That being said, though, there were things about this that came across as too implausible even for romance-novel-land. Cal had said that the reason he didn't want to live in an apartment was that he didn't want neighbors in his business. And then--apparently without a second thought--he chooses to live with a roommate. A roommate who had been a virtual stranger up until then. When it's clear that he's perfectly capable of affording a house of his own. I just didn't understand WHY he'd choose to move in with Tom. I get that he had to in order for the story to happen, but that wasn't enough for me to just accept it and move on.
Anyway, it was still a fun read, with one character I adored and one I learned to like.
Reading this was an interesting experience. From first reading the blurb, through reading the reviews here and then to actually reading the book and now thinking about it afterward, my thoughts have been all over the place. From the blurb, I wasn't quite convinced to read it, but the reviews convinced me to give it a shot. It's curious that the blurb doesn't mention that Cal's such a man-whore, nor that Tom's a virgin. Imagining that dynamic on top of them being roommates-turned-friends-turned-lovers is what convinced me to read it.
And there were parts of this that I just absolutely adored! Cal, for example, is nothing at all like the heartless slut I was picturing after at least one of the reviews. Watching him recognize his feelings for Tom but hold back on acting on them for the various reasons was sweet and adorable and beautifully believable.
Actually, thinking about it, Cal's my favorite thing about this book. His light-heartedness and his sincerity and his whole-hearted enjoyment of life were a perfect balance for Tom.
Not that I didn't also enjoy Tom... at parts. He frequently began to annoy me, though.
The two of them together, however... wow! That scene on the couch when they get back from celebrating Tom's birthday was spectacularly hot. And I do think they complemented each other very well, once Tom convinced me he wasn't an idiot.
That being said, though, there were things about this that came across as too implausible even for romance-novel-land. Cal had said that the reason he didn't want to live in an apartment was that he didn't want neighbors in his business. And then--apparently without a second thought--he chooses to live with a roommate. A roommate who had been a virtual stranger up until then. When it's clear that he's perfectly capable of affording a house of his own. I just didn't understand WHY he'd choose to move in with Tom. I get that he had to in order for the story to happen, but that wasn't enough for me to just accept it and move on.
Anyway, it was still a fun read, with one character I adored and one I learned to like.
October 22, 2012
As you can see, this book has been out for a while, and I know it's caught my eye once or twice. There always seemed to be something just a little more shiny, a little more suited to my reading tastes though, and I never actually read it until today.
What attracted me to it? The cover caught my eye. The models look like they're having fun, and the scene is so domestic. Then blurb- I love the set up. The flirty fun guy, outgoing and bold, moves in with the shy recluse. Why? Because I am that shy recluse. I identified so much with certain aspects of Tom's character that when a certain event occurs, I was as convinced as he that betrayal had occurred.
The characters were imminently likeable. Cal, the award winning photographer is self confident and flirty. He's comfortable with who he is and with going after what he wants. It's fun to see him unsettled by his unexpected feelings for his new roommate, and even more fun to see him doubt himself. Tom, the web designer, has huge confidence issues, and meeting his mother late in the story fully explains where that comes from. Tom is an intriguing mix of matter of fact and hesitant, and blunt, bold sexuality. He's completely charming. The two work well together as a pairing of opposites. Tom makes Cal less cocky, and Cal makes Tom more confident. It's all good. We can feel and understand Tom's doubts about Cal's transformation form party boy to faithful lover, and Cal's frustration with Tom's insecurity. That to me is the sign of a job well done.
There's a bit of author trickery that I didn't think was quite fair play towards the end. The characters come off at times as clichés. The party boy, the geek, the abusive parents, the interfering female friend, ...BUT...the authors make it all work so well that its still an enjoyable, witty read. I'll definitely be reading more of their work.
Recommended for those who enjoy a sweet, sensual read with a guaranteed HEA.
June 29, 2011
Easy reading. I really didn't see anything special about this book. It was cute at times and I could relate to the nerd-character, but the book was full of clichés. It was actually quite annoying at times, how you could really guess the next step a few pages early.
I ended up skipping the last couple of sex scenes, just keeping an eye on what was happening in them but not really "reading" them. I don't know... I didn't dislike it, but it wasn't satisfying and I just pretty much went "oh, that's it?" in the end.
The balance between the couple-stuff, like concentrating solely on them, and things happening outside their little bubble was really off. It seems like 70% was the bubble-stuff and 30% was about something else.
I really missed seeing the whys of the parental-units' behavior. I didn't see a reason for the straight couple being there as much as they were, when their function was merely to introduce the characters to each other.
Also, the cliffhanger at the end of the...second to last chapter... It was too obvious. You just knew what would happen, because by then the slut-character was painted as a knight in shining armor-type, who was hopelessly in love with the nerd-character. Not that it's a bad thing, but the "conflict" was a bit forced.
Anyway, it is a decent enough read. If you are out of other things to read you should check this one out. It's still an okay story and some things were great. It is a bit of a cliché-fest, but yeah. Most things in modern entertainment are.
September 22, 2012
This book was a super easy read with just a touch of heartfail and a lot of heartwarming moments.
I really love books where one of the characters is a self-proclaimed nerd and the other is more popular and confident in his abilities. That describes Tom and Cal to a 'T'... Cal needs a place to live and Tom has some extra space for rent, so a mutual friend sets them up.
They become friends easily but it's the budding romance that catches them both off guard and it so much fun to watch build. They both have some serious issues to get over, like Tom thinking he's not worthy of someone like Cal and Cal thinking that because of his past he might not be able to do the whole being a part of a couple thing.
There are a few hurdles in their path but even if their journey over them isn't a graceful as in some stories, it's gets resolved in their own way, in their own time and OMG when you get to the sex scenes, specifically the one when Cal finally takes Tom's V card, it's so hot... like hard to explain.
I really enjoyed the book and as always, will continue to read more by these two authors, because something about their work together has me addicted! These two boys now have a piece of my heart and I don't want it back! I want more of their story though, I wanna see how this thing pans out 5 or 10 years down the road!
Definitely a must read for the M/M lovers out there!
I really love books where one of the characters is a self-proclaimed nerd and the other is more popular and confident in his abilities. That describes Tom and Cal to a 'T'... Cal needs a place to live and Tom has some extra space for rent, so a mutual friend sets them up.
They become friends easily but it's the budding romance that catches them both off guard and it so much fun to watch build. They both have some serious issues to get over, like Tom thinking he's not worthy of someone like Cal and Cal thinking that because of his past he might not be able to do the whole being a part of a couple thing.
There are a few hurdles in their path but even if their journey over them isn't a graceful as in some stories, it's gets resolved in their own way, in their own time and OMG when you get to the sex scenes, specifically the one when Cal finally takes Tom's V card, it's so hot... like hard to explain.
I really enjoyed the book and as always, will continue to read more by these two authors, because something about their work together has me addicted! These two boys now have a piece of my heart and I don't want it back! I want more of their story though, I wanna see how this thing pans out 5 or 10 years down the road!
Definitely a must read for the M/M lovers out there!
September 14, 2011
Cover - I'm not a fan when the covers are so photographically realistic.
MC's: Calvin - an award-winning photographer whose love life consists of one-night stands, which he enjoys very much. Tom - a web-designer with a ton of self-esteem issues. Story POV alternates between them, third person.
Calvin is a player, with one-night stands the usual. Tom is an insecure loner. They meet at the home of mutual friends. Calvin has lost his lease and Tom needs a new tenant, so Calvin moves in. The story moves through their growing awareness of each other as people, as friends and finally lovers. At first, Calvin tries to get Tom out of the house and actually helps him hook up with a guy they meet at a bar, Joe. Tom wants to take things slowly and Joe seems okay with that but there's no spark. Calvin has a hard time dealing with his growing attachment to Tom and the realization that maybe he's growing up. Tom's youth was difficult and his self-confidence is low. His difficulty in believing that Calvin could ever love someone like him almost tears them apart.
While it was interesting to watch them change their viewpoints about themselves and each other, it became a little tedious, a little too drawn out.
The ending got pretty sappy, enough to elicit an eye-roll or two. Still, this was a feel-good story, and I mostly enjoyed it.
MC's: Calvin - an award-winning photographer whose love life consists of one-night stands, which he enjoys very much. Tom - a web-designer with a ton of self-esteem issues. Story POV alternates between them, third person.
Calvin is a player, with one-night stands the usual. Tom is an insecure loner. They meet at the home of mutual friends. Calvin has lost his lease and Tom needs a new tenant, so Calvin moves in. The story moves through their growing awareness of each other as people, as friends and finally lovers. At first, Calvin tries to get Tom out of the house and actually helps him hook up with a guy they meet at a bar, Joe. Tom wants to take things slowly and Joe seems okay with that but there's no spark. Calvin has a hard time dealing with his growing attachment to Tom and the realization that maybe he's growing up. Tom's youth was difficult and his self-confidence is low. His difficulty in believing that Calvin could ever love someone like him almost tears them apart.
While it was interesting to watch them change their viewpoints about themselves and each other, it became a little tedious, a little too drawn out.
The ending got pretty sappy, enough to elicit an eye-roll or two. Still, this was a feel-good story, and I mostly enjoyed it.
November 23, 2011
This was a well crafted story. The characters, including the secondary characters were well written and whole people. The way both the main characters had to learn how to trust, coming at the situation from polar points, in a strange way added to the conflict between them. Building trust might sound like the same thing but these authors managed to portray how it was so different for both Cal and Tom.
There were a few logical inconsistencies that pulled me out of the story (Tom's bedroom starting out downstairs then migrating upstairs later on). The book is left wide open for a sequel because the trust issues aren't really discussed or resolved. In one way that makes sense because building the kind of trust these two men want will take time. I feel sorry for the poor cat though. Neither of them seem ready for the responsibility, to the extent that the catnip mouse was the only thing they thought to give the animal - no food or litter tray.
The authors know how to build tension, both between characters and for the reader. The chapter hooks that forced me to go on were sleep-depriving.
There were a few logical inconsistencies that pulled me out of the story (Tom's bedroom starting out downstairs then migrating upstairs later on). The book is left wide open for a sequel because the trust issues aren't really discussed or resolved. In one way that makes sense because building the kind of trust these two men want will take time. I feel sorry for the poor cat though. Neither of them seem ready for the responsibility, to the extent that the catnip mouse was the only thing they thought to give the animal - no food or litter tray.
The authors know how to build tension, both between characters and for the reader. The chapter hooks that forced me to go on were sleep-depriving.
April 20, 2016
I wanted to like this book...truly I tried but about a third of way into it I realized it was probably not going to happen. What little rapport I had developed for the MC's just seemed to evaporate and I was unable to maintain anything other then a glimmer of hope that it would return by the end of the book all I could do was breath a sigh of relief that it was over. Having read several other books by Ms Davitt & Ms Snow I had high expectations going into the story as I truly enjoyed their Laying the Ghost Series and Truthful Exchange so I was anticipating something of that calibre. Unfortunately for me it was not delivered. Will I read other books by this writing team of course I will, one failure does not mean that these two imaginative authors will not enchant me with future offerings.
February 26, 2012
I struggled to get through this book but I finally finished it, thank goodness. I have read these authors before and I have more to read but I just couldn't get over just how juvenile the character of Tom was throughout the entire story. His character totally pissed me off and reminded me of my cousin who has had relationships like these (angst-filled for no reason other than to create drama). She's now 45 and still single and has never maintained a lasting relationship. Every day was another drama over nothing just like all of Tom's drama over absolutely nothing. I don't know why Cal who could, presumably, have landed any male with a pulse, could put up with Tom's insecurities and plain immature behaviour. Glad that's over. Feel good to have put that behind me and will hope that the next one is as good as the others by these authors.
February 8, 2014
I really enjoyed this story about a quiet virgin who rents space in his home to a guy who is pretty much a slut. Both men change over time as they grow to like each other, become friends, and finally lovers. There's one major misunderstanding, i.e., crisis, but other than that the story is really just a very slow, very erotic buildup of their romance.
These authors are great together and they produced a highly erotic and entertaining story with all the elements that make me want to put this on my "go to when in need of comfort" list. Hint - even the early scenes when the MCs did no more than kiss were erotic and fun to read.
I definitely recommend this to anyone who doesn't want to read a story that's "heavy".
These authors are great together and they produced a highly erotic and entertaining story with all the elements that make me want to put this on my "go to when in need of comfort" list. Hint - even the early scenes when the MCs did no more than kiss were erotic and fun to read.
I definitely recommend this to anyone who doesn't want to read a story that's "heavy".
July 18, 2017
The plot is an old one, but the one I usually like nonetheless. At the beginning I thought that if it is not very original but I can still enjoy the setting and delivery of a known story, that it would be a relaxing read - something known but different at the same time. By the middle of the book I started getting tired of the repeated partterns in behaviour. By 2/3 I couldn't read any more and after several attempts to continue I gave up alltogether.
I have a strong feeling that it would have been a greater and more enjoyable read if it only concluded in 50 less pages.
I have a strong feeling that it would have been a greater and more enjoyable read if it only concluded in 50 less pages.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 10, 2011
Very good m/m romance about a photographer who's definitely a player, engaging in a non-stop string of one-night stands. When he rents part of a house from a goodhearted computer geek with crappy self-esteem, he decides to help the geek finally get a guy of his own. So why is he unhappy when his plan works? As others have mentioned, the first part of this book was excellent. The last part of it got bogged down by sex and lack of direction.
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